Cal Ripken Jr. was born and raised in Harford County. He made his name and spent his career in Baltimore City.
But his legal residence is now Baltimore County, where officials are planning a daylong festival today in Towson to honor their celebrity resident.
In anticipation of Ripken's induction into the Baseball Hall of Fame, a commemorative banner has been commissioned. The courthouse is glowing with orange floodlights. And Ripken's jersey number - 8 - has been painted on the streets.
County officials have dubbed today's event "Calebr8ion."
The county's public library system has also increased its Ripken collections and is offering Cal bookmarks as part of the festivities.
The festival begins at 11 a.m., with Ripken scheduled to arrive at 1 p.m. in a parade that is to begin near the U.S. Post Office and National Guard Armory on Washington Avenue, proceed west onto Pennsylvania Avenue and end at the courthouse plaza.
Employees from radio station 102.7 FM are planning to carry a 15-foot-high Cal Ripken Jr. baseball jersey around town for fan signatures and congratulatory messages, according to event organizers.
Free parking is available in the garage at Washington and Baltimore avenues from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The Tolbert garage at Washington and Ware avenues will be free, but elevators will not be in service. Meters must be fed.
Ripken, who lives in the Worthington Valley area of the county, is to be inducted into the Hall of Fame July 29 in Cooperstown, N.Y.
Laura Barnhardt
Schools
Early registration requested
Parents who must register children for the 2007-2008 school year are asked to do so as soon as possible.
Early registration is requested so that families have time to provide proper documentation and schools have time to plan for each child in advance of the first day of school, officials said.
Parents must register their child if:
The child is enrolling for the first time in a Baltimore County school.
The child has recently moved to the county from another county.
The child has changed residences within the county since last school year and will begin attending a new school.
The child does not legally reside in Baltimore County but may be allowed to attend a county school.
For more information, parents and guardians should call their local school or visit the public schools Web site www.bcps.org/system/policies_rules.
All county public schools are open during regular business hours, Monday through Friday throughout the summer. Parents are encouraged to call ahead before stopping by the school for details.
Job fair
Schools seek support staff
Baltimore County public schools are holding a job fair for support services positions.
The job fair will be held Aug. 4 from 8:30 a.m. to noon, at Loch Raven High School, 1212 Cowpens Ave., Towson.
Individuals may apply for positions as landscaping technicians, custodians, cafeteria workers, bus drivers, bus attendants, trades personnel and office professionals. Those attending the job fair are asked to bring copies of their resume and to be prepared to complete employment applications.
For more information, call the Support Services Personnel Employment Opportunity Line, 410-887-4080.