trips and vacations

Literary tourism

Drew Perkoski didn't celebrate his 14th birthday with the usual cake and candles. Instead, he was atop Mount Fuji, tired from his hike, hungry and wondering "How can I breathe better?" he said.

Nearly 35 million Americans are expected to travel for Labor Day weekend this year, a slight increase over last year and the most since recession-driven declines began in 2008, according to driver advocacy organization AAA Mid-Atlantic.

Joining a lacrosse club is a huge commitment that involves the entire family, and there are a number of things to consider. There¿s the fit between coach and player, the number of practices required and, of course, cost. Maryland Family spoke with two experts -- Wendell Lee, director of US Lacrosse and Erin Brown Millon, owner of Legends Lacrosse Club, Owings Mills -- to get their advice, gleaned from their playing, coaching and business experience with the sport.

This long-distance love spanned from New York to Baltimore

Volunteer registration is now open for the 7th Annual 24 Hours of Booty Columbia. This year's charity cycling event is scheduled to roll on the Columbia Gateway Business Park loop from 2 p.m. Aug. 23 to 2 p.m. Aug. 24, when participants will be riding and raising funds to help fight cancer.

The Woodlawn High grad long ago reached the top of the music industry. Now he's making moves to expand his ventures globally

Celebration Church's 13U boy's basketball team is looking for dedicated and hard working basketball players for its year-round team. The team will practice twice weekly throughout the year and participate in both league and tournament play. If interested in learning about tryouts and team workouts, contact Coach Chris: cuzze11@comcast.net or 410-598-5418.

August is National Immunization Awareness Month, a time doctors and health professionals use to educate the public about the importance of staying current on necessary vaccinations.

Most borrowed books at the BCPL

Vacation Bible school at Loch Raven Presbyterian Church featured a space probe taking the kids back in time to witness the creation of the world and other events recorded in Genesis.

Sometimes I think vacation can be more tiring than working, but I wouldn't trade the fun I had last week for anything.

Hampden Column is about bingo in the community

Caleb Joseph's two-run homer in the fourth inning -- the club's only offense against Toronto Blue Jays left-hander J.A. Happ -- led the Orioles to a 2-1 win in Thursday night's series finale at the Rogers Centre.

Earlier this month, Clark traveled to Griffiths University in Brisbane, Australia to compete in the Down Under International Sports meet. On July 13, the rising senior delivered a jump of 13 feet, 1/2 inches in the pole vault against his lone competitor, which earned him a gold medal.

You could almost say Casey Wong was born to play squash.

Laurel Advocacy and Referral Services in desperate need of groceries, school supplies and financial donations to support its clients..

Fall soccer, golf leagues and outings are filling up fast, as are Spring baseball teams and leagues.

A second newly-constructed travel plaza along Interstate 95 in Maryland is set to open early Tuesday morning, about six weeks ahead of schedule, according to the Maryland Transportation Authority.

This couple's love grew as they explored Baltimore together

Thanks to the Chesapeake Bay, most places in Baltimore are within two hours of a beach.

Anne Arundel Religion briefs

Longtime administrator of the Baltimore County library Jim Fish stepped down last month, having witnessed many changes in library technology – and in American society itself. When he began his adult career 43 years ago, people still used card catalogs. There were no Kindles or other e-readers. And people didn't visit the library for all the reasons they do today.

Howard County Sports Notices submissions for the week of July 31

Susan Williamson is not only the Visual Arts Coordinator of the Carroll County Arts Council, she is also an artist who is currently making jewelry.

Earlier this month Elkridge resident and Howard University student Linda Ogwuazor packed her bags and boarded a flight to summer school

The Orioles just finished a grueling 10-game road trip against three powers of the American League West with a 6-4 record and series wins in Anaheim and Seattle.

The Orioles rallied for three runs in the top of the eighth inning despite managing just one hit, but still dropped a 4-3 decision in front of an announced 36,936 at Safeco Field.

The Maryland State Highway Administration met residents to address questions and concerns about four projects that will soon be underway in Arbutus

Kayla White, 16 of Fawn Grove, was the winner of the Down Under All American 5K race in Australia in July.

For Marissa Diehl, this summer brought the opportuniuty of a lifetime. Marissa was one of 30 high school students selected to attend the Washington National Opera's 16th annual summer program.

HYBA is now accepting registrations for the fall Friday Night Basketball Program, played in September and October for boys and girls ages 5-18. To register, go to HYBA.org, or call 410-461-7694.

The Orioles have fared well out west under Buck Showalter, including a 7-4 road trip in California and Washington last year.

The Orioles, currently four games up on the second-place Toronto Blue Jays in the American League East, will lead off the second half by playing 29 consecutive games against teams with a record of .500 or better.

Andrew Boston wore a headlamp so that he could walk to the bus stop at night. He carried a lacrosse stick to ward off wild dogs, and then he waited for a bus that or might not come.

Driver advocacy organization AAA Mid-Atlantic, known for its roadside assistance and insurance and travel services, is heading headlong into a new market in Maryland: automotive repair and maintenance.

The three-city West Coast road trip that starts Friday night in Oakland will be a major test of the legitimacy of the Orioles as the top team in the American League East.

Celeste Bonin, aka former WWE Divas Champion Kaitlyn, is taking some time away from wrestling after appearing at Maryland Championship Wrestling's Shane Shamrock Memorial Cup 14 in Joppa.

National program of American Legion

A recap of the July 13 episode of "Halt and Catch Fire," as a character from Joe's past shows up to stir the pot and Gordon starts digging for a giant

Orioles manager Buck Showalter said right-hander Ubaldo Jimenez, who is on the 15-day disabled list with a right ankle sprain, was tentative while throwing during his workout Sunday and therefore will need a rehab assignment.