Washington

— Coach Brian Van Deusen said his Baltimore team wasn't crazy enough to go for a fourth-and-1 from its own 21-yard line with 5:16 remaining in Saturday's Crab Bowl against Washington. But that's exactly what happened when a miscommunication forced the snap and Loyola quarterback Mike Fafaul was stuffed by a gang of tacklers. Not to be outdone, the Baltimore defense managed a big stop of its own on the ensuing possession on a fourth-and-1 from the 11. That sequence paved the way for Baltimore's 21-17 victory before an announced 2,658 at Bowie State.

September's a big month for bibliophiles, as Baltimore and Washington stage their book festivals. And this year, for the first time in recent years, the festivals don't fall on the same weekend, allowing readers to catch both packed slates of authors and events. The National Book Festival, held on the Mall, kicks off first, on Sept. 22-23. The event always has a star-studded lineup, and this year it includes Thomas Friedman, T.C. Boyle, Geraldine Brooks, Robert A. Caro, Sandra Cisneros, Patricia Cornwell, Junot Diaz, Charlaine Harris, Walter Isaacson, Jeff Kinney, Marilynne Robinson, and Mario Llosa Varga.

On May 28, 2007 MARGARET WASHINGTON. On Sunday friends may call at the VAUGHN C. GREENE FUNERAL SERVICES, 5151 Balto. Nat'l Pike, from 3:00 - 8:00 p.m. On Monday, Mrs. Washington will lie in state at Transformation Church, 5150 Baltimore Nat'l Pike, where the family will receive friends from 10:30-11:00 a.m. with services to follow. Inquiries to 410-233-2400.

On July 16, 2005, EVONNE. Devoted mother of Sonja Conyers-Mc Daniel (Johnny) and Monica Gordon (David). Beloved grandmother of Amber Cook, Marcus Mc Daniel, Corey Agyei, Mark, Arielle and Mia Dargan. She is also survived by three brothers Joseph Washington, Thomas Mc Kinley Washington and Earl Quincy Washington and a host of other relatives and friends. Friends may call at the family owned MARCH FUNERAL HOME WEST, INC., 4300 Wabash Avenue on Friday after 11 A.M., where the family will receive friends on Sunday at 2:30 P.M. followed by funeral service at 3:00 P.M. See: www.marchfh.

Taunya La Mar English and Gordon Patrick Washington were married Sunday, April 25 in Howard County. The bride and groom are graduates of the University of Virginia. Taunya holds a Master's degree in Journalism from Northwestern University and works as a free-lance writer. The groom is Director of Client Services for Global Lead Management Consulting in Baltimore. He holds a Master's degree in Business Administration from Washington University. The bride is the daughter of Evelyn Williams English, an educator in the Howard County School system, and Lamont English, a retired Army Lieutenant Colonel.

FUNNY THING, in the Revolutionary War the two opposing chieftains were Farmer George and George the Farmer. George the former was also a Hanoverian, an invalid, a king. George from Mount Vernon was also a fourth-generation American, surveyor, soldier, state legislator, letter writer and first U.S. president.George III is not our topic -- his birthday's in June. The pride of the Washingtons is about to have a bicentennial year, climaxing in December with the anniversary of his death. Official Maryland can be relied on for noises.