INSIDE TODAY
WHAT THEY'RE SAYING
TODAY'S SUN COLUMNISTS
Compassion and regret
Why did Mayor Sheila Dixon back away from an act of compassion? She did the right thing by trying to help a man get out of jail long enough to attend the funeral for his 3-year-old son.
Maryland
baltimoresun.com/kane
Legislative portfolios
New financial filings show that in general, Maryland representatives and senators appeared sensible with debt and rode a bull stock market to nice gains.
Business
baltimoresun.com/hancockblog
OTHER VOICES
Kevin Cowherd's fantasy Oriolestoday
Laura Vozzella on Abe Lincoln's coffinmaryland
Rick Maese on MacPhail-watchsports
5 THINGS TO DO TODAY
'Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix' -- Harry must fight both the Luciferian evil of Lord Voldemort and the creeping, insidious cruelties of small-minded bureaucrats in this vivid series entry.
Nickelback -- The radio-friendly rockers perform at Merriweather, 10475 Little Patuxent Parkway in Columbia, at 7 p.m. Staind and Daughtry are also billed. $39-$72. 410-547-SEAT or ticketmaster.com.
Brass concert -- The Washington Symphonic Brass performs a free show at 7 p.m. at the Gudelsky Outdoor Concert Gazebo at Strathmore, 5301 Tuckerman Lane in North Bethesda. 301-581-5100 or strathmore.org.
'Brooklyn Dodgers: The Ghosts of Flatbush' -- A new documentary chronicles the highs and lows of the New York borough's beloved underdog team. Interviews and archival footage tell the story of how the team became a model of racial integration and 10 years later stunned diehard fans by moving to the West Coast. 8 p.m.-10 p.m., HBO.
Reading -- Michael Glaser, Maryland's poet laureate, discusses the power of poetry and reads some of his favorite poems at 7 p.m. at Howard County Library East Columbia Branch, 6600 Cradlerock Way. Free. 410-313-7700.
UP NEXT
After Elvis
Taking a page from acts like Elvis Costello, the alt-rock band The Decemberists will perform with BSO.
Thursday in Live!
Romance, biography
Sun movie critics Michael Sragow and Chris Kaltenbach reviews the romantic comedy Eagle vs Shark and the biopic Talk to Me.
Friday in Movies Today.
Sent packing
We detail the perfect pack for your next hiking or camping trip.
Saturday in Go Today
5 THINGS TO LOOK FOR @BALTIMORESUN.COM
Board of Estimates to meet
Baltimore's Board of Estimates is set to meet this morning in City Hall, looking at a variety of city contracts.baltimoresun.com/maryland
Andrey Bundley speaks
Andrey Bundley, a candidate for Baltimore mayor, is set to hold a press conference in front of City Hall at 9 a.m. today. baltimoresun.com/maryland
Adam Shankman on 'Dance'
We recap live Hairspray director Adam Shankman's appearance as a guest judge on Fox's So You Think You Can Dance. baltimoresun.com/realitycheck
How profitable is Harry?
The Sun's film critics weigh in on the box-office performance of Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix. baltimoresun.com/criticalmass
Orioles' second-half preview
Five storylines to watch as the Orioles get ready to begin the second half of the season. baltimoresun.com/orioles
SUN BLOG BLOGS.BALTIMORESUN.COM
Pick-up line success -- Maryann James shares a line that worked for one of her readers. baltimoresun.com/baltamour
MOST VIEWED STORIES YESTERDAY AS OF 8 PM.
1. 'Mistakes' made on inmate's behalf -- Mayor Dixon said she regretted her office's vain attempt to have a jailed felon released to attend his son's funeral.
2. Boras: No problem talking to Angelos on Wieters deal -- Agent Scott Boras said he hasn't talked with Orioles owner Peter Angelos about top draft pick Matt Wieters, but that negotiating with Angelos isn't a problem.
3. 15-year-old girl fatally stabbed -- The body of girl was found in a Southwest Baltimore home early yesterday morning.
4. It's perfect, now change, Columbia residents say -- As Columbia turns 40, even hard-core boosters admit it's time to update the founder's utopian vision.
5. McNair's case dismissed -- Ravens quarterback Steve McNair had his drunken driving-related charge dropped yesterday.