In honor of Independence Day, we’ve got a very patriotic installment of the list this weekend, with hot dogs, baseball and hopefully some American fireworks across the pond at Wimbledon. Yeah, you’ll probably be cooking out and drinking beers all weekend, but if you decide to stay inside, your options aren’t too shabby.

3. Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest (Saturday @ noon on ESPN): It’s time to get sick again. The annual gluttony showdown at Coney Island is the perfect way to kick off the Fourth of July. No, competitive eating is not a sport, but watching will set the tone for any barbecues or parties you’ll attend Saturday. Get some!

2. Wimbledon women’s final (Saturday @ 9 a.m. on NBC): I bet you a million bucks that an American named Williams wins that silver plate thinger at the All England Club on Saturday. OK, fine, it’s another Venus-Serena matchup at Wimbledon, and honestly, it could go either way. I’m not talking about who wins; I’m talking about whether or not the sisters will actually go all-out against one another. Here’s hoping they do, because it would make for some compelling television.

1. Wimbledon men’s final (Sunday @ 9 a.m. on NBC): It’s Roger Federer versus Andy Roddick in the men’s final, and even though I wanted to see the young Scot Andy Murray win Wimbledon this year, I’ll be pulling for Roddick agaisnt Federer, who’s going for a record 15th career Grand Slam title. Maybe it’s because I don’t like Federer. Maybe it’s because I like the big serving American. Or maybe it’s because I also like the big serving American’s wife, Brooklyn Decker. It’s probably a combination of all three, actually.

Obligatory Orioles plug — O’s v. Angels (Friday @ 10 p.m. on MASN2, Saturday @ 9 pm. on MASN and Sunday @ 3:30 p.m. on MASN2): After facing the best team in the A.L. East, the Red Sox, things haven’t gotten any easier for the O’s as they’ve headed west for a four-game set against the A.L.-West leading Angels. Is it time for the All-Star break yet?

Posted in TV, sports | 1 Comment »

Sports fans love to talk about sports — especially here in Baltimore — so we’d like to give our readers with sports-savvy an opportunity to rant and rave about what’s going on in the world of sports, both locally and nationally. Each weekday, we’ll pose a new question for you to discuss at the water cooler. Here’s your chance to be an armchair quarterback. Now speak up, play nice and let us know what you think.

Today’s topic at the water cooler:
Which sport is really America’s pastime: baseball, football or something else?

Posted in b the paper, sports, the water cooler | 6 Comments »

{thanks, AP}

This week’s theme is “ocean.” E-mail your .jpg submission with your name, age, and town to heard@bthesite.com by 2 p.m. Wednesday to be entered. Shortly after the deadline, finalists will be chosen by our staff and then online voting by our readers will begin and continue until 2 p.m. Thursday. The winning image, along with other select entries, will run in the weekend publication of b. Remember the larger you send the image the better it will look in print. If you have an idea for a future theme, please include it in a comment here or in your email with your photo submission. Have a good weekend and happy shooting.

Posted in art/photography, contests | 9 Comments »

From today’s b, the paper

Elvis knows good art {thanks, AP}

penn and teller: bull!
10-10:30 PM THU. SHOWTIME
Discovering if their destiny can be determined by the sun, moon and stars is pretty deep for a show with the world s— in it.

the goode family
8:30-9 PM FRI. WMAR-12 ABC
Elvis Costello clearly knows what good graffiti is. He’s so urban.

how do you solve a problem like maria
8-10 PM SUN. BBC AMERICA
Those Brits sure do love their “Sound of Music.”

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Here is your astrological forecast for the Fourth of July weekend of July 2-5 courtesy of your resident scopetress Jen Bem.
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thanks, stock.xchng

If you had to give up one of your five senses, which one would it be and why?

Posted in Your Say, b the paper, question of the day | 10 Comments »

{thanks, The Baltimore Sun}

There’s no rain forecast for O.C. this weekend, and plenty to do during the Fourth of July holiday.

Fourth of July Jamboree
Saturday
town.ocean-city.md.us/sep.html
Ocean City hosts two celebrations at 8 p.m. Saturday: At the beach and North Division Street, Rick K. and the Allnighters perform, followed by fireworks on the beach. At Northside Park, 127th Street and the Bay, Dr. K’s Motown Review takes the stage, followed by fireworks. Free.
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Will you see Indy this weekend? {thanks, AP}

If you’re feeling devilish this weekend…

thu
WTMD’S FIRST THURSDAY
MOUNT VERNON PARK
1300 N. Charles St., Mount Vernon
5:30-8:30 p.m. (through Sept. 3). There’s nothing better than enjoying free live music while drinking award-winning beer. WTMD’s First Thursday concert brings great indie-rock to Mount Vernon Park, and Brewer’s Art providing tasty drinks is the icing on the cake. Guggenheim Grotto and Pressing Strings perform. | wtmd.org

fri&sat
BALTIMORE METAL FEST
MAC’S THE CLUB
525 Eastern Blvd., Essex
8 p.m. Friday and Saturday. You might want to rest your vocal cords before heading to Metal Fest, so you can impress everyone with your righteous scream. Regional bands Pessimist, Infidel, Demized, Inverted Trifixion, F.U.A., Black Mass and Venom of God perform ear-splitting, heart-exploding metal. | $12 general admission, $20 two-day pass | 410.391.8919 MARISSA RICHARDSON, B
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DOWNTOWN
Inner Harbor celebration July 4
Everyone and their grandma will be flocking to the Inner Harbor to get a view of the Independence Day fireworks. They have good reason — it’s spectacular. Music by Reverb from 4:30-6:30 p.m. Music by Electric Brigade starts at 8 p.m. and plays through the fireworks display. Fireworks 9:30 p.m.

The July 4th Pier Party at the National Aquarium
This party is one way to bypass the droves of people, but buffer zones come with a price. Adults: $20 members, $40 non-members. Children, ages 3-11: $15 members, $25 non-members. Reservations are required. 410.727.3474

USS Constellation Museum’s Independence Day picnic July 4
Overlook the water and the crowds while enjoying music, a tour of the ship and cannon firings during the USS Constellation Museum’s picnic. Begins at 7 p.m. Adults $65, kids 5-17 $25, and free for children under 5. Reservations required. constellation.org/july4th.html

Baltimore Museum of Industry July 4
The Inner Harbor is going to be packed tighter than a tube sock in Brüno’s G-string, but Baltimore Museum of Industry provides a spot to watch fireworks with a fraction of the audience. Admission is $50 per car, so pack those vans tight and bring a picnic basket full of snacks. Activities and museum tours ($40 for members) begin at 6 p.m. 410.727.4808 ext. 129
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Posted in Baltimore, b the paper, baltimore news, entertainment | 1 Comment »

Natasha Bowden dances at last year’s festival {thanks, The Baltimore Sun}

WHAT: The African American Heritage Festival

WHEN: 4-10 p.m. Friday; noon-10 p.m. Saturday; noon-9 p.m. Sunday

WHERE: M&T Bank Stadium, lots B and C

COST: $5 (children 12 and younger free)

EXPECTED CROWD: The festival typically attracts 500,000 people over the three days.

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Posted in Baltimore, art/photography, arts, b the paper, celebrity, drinks, education, entertainment, food, holidays, music, outdoors, outings, summer | 2 Comments »