THE HOLIDAY spirit is building and no doubt will prevail in this corner in the next few days, but not before we get something topical off our chests.

Folks in amateur sports here should feel delighted, it would seem, that an oral, out-of-court deal was announced last week apparently settling the nuisance lawsuit that has hung up the Soccer Association of Columbia/Howard County's proposed, 10-field Covenant Park way too long.

SAC/HC and the spokesman for the three guys who filed the suit wanted us to believe they are happy, judging from Wednesday's article in this paper. They wanted everyone to feel like winners because the soccer club is agreeing to wait at least three years before building, pending new traffic studies, two of the 10 fields in the complex off Centennial Lane, roughly opposite Centennial Park.

The bone the tenacious trio gets once the deal is written apparently is satisfaction that their feeling - nothing resembling data, mind you - about potential traffic problems has been honored. Swell.

So be it, and, because we love soccer and we've clearly been on the club's side in this nastiness, we're happy, too. Sort of.

But as you might detect, sort of not, too.

What grates relates to local government theory and philosophy, not soccer. It's how two NIMBYs - in this case, lawyers representing no organized group or publicly identified interest - could or would bond with the owner of a small tract to, essentially, make a mockery of a governmental system designed to protect the public's interest in zoning cases.

That system worked, it says here, and as tedious as it became at the overly drawn-out Board of Appeals level, it nicely protected not only the general public, but also the rights of that one property owner. Working off facts and research, not one Centennial Lane community association objected. The Planning Board approved SAC/HC's plans unanimously, and the Board of Appeals agreed, too, by a 4-1 vote.

Anyway ...

So, OK, a settlement in writing will restore focus where it belongs, teaching kids through soccer. It likely will save SAC/HC interest on loans needed to build, now, eight fields. And the traffic issue - with or without data - gets shelved for three years.

There. We're feeling better already. But to twist two cliches, four-fifths of a 10-slice loaf is better than no loaf at all; it tastes OK - just not great.

Athletics, with heart

Last week's column about heart attacks killing middle-age runners generated an added insight from a dogged county athlete who can be viewed only as refreshing.

"There is one consideration [about athletes having unexpected heart problems] probably even more important than physical condition and diet," Columbia resident Fred Everhart wrote in an e-mail. "That is mind-set or personality traits.

"Type A people are usually in a rush, impatient and often carry hostility and frustrations in an ever-active mind. ... And I'd bet that those individuals that you referred to in the article were all Type A's.

"My personal example is that 19 years ago, I was fortunate enough to survive a really bad coronary infarction. This happened the day after I held strong negative and hostile feelings toward [a new employee].

"Afterward, I went on a vegetarian diet, with fish, and have maintained it ever since. Though in good physical shape, I required a quadruple by-pass eight years ago and had another heart attack on the surgery table. In March, I survived my third heart attack while playing softball. This also followed the day of a hostile attitude.

"I cannot control my heredity. I can control my diet and physical activity, and I know I must control the traits of a Type A personality. But that's the hardest nut to crack."

This fall, heart problems notwithstanding, Everhart competed in 10 events at the Maryland Senior Olympics at Towson University. He brought home five gold medals, two silvers and one bronze, qualifying for the 2003 nationals in four age-group events - the 100-meter dash, high jump, running long jump and shot put.

"I never even tried high jump until 1999 - did 4 feet, 6 inches," he said. "This year, I did an inch higher. You can improve at any age."

Everhart, a retired Baltimore veterinarian who said he did not take up any of these events until retiring 11 years ago, is 76.

Call the writer at 410-332-6525 or send e-mail to lowell.sunderland@baltsun.com.