Peyton Manning wants to put a ring on it {thanks, AP}

1. Super Bowl XLIV: Saints v. Colts
We know you’ll watch the Super Bowl regardless of who’s playing (even if just for the commercials), but this year’s matchup is extra juicy. You’ve got the AFC’s and the NFC’s top seeds meeting for the first time since 1993. You’ve got two of the league’s most underrated defenses. And you’ve got a couple of guys named Peyton Manning and Drew Brees. This one has classic written all over it. 6:25 p.m. Sunday, WJZ-23 CBS. MATT VENSEL, B

2. ‘Lost’ season premiere
It’s no secret that I’m a “Lost” fanatic. Fanatic is an understatement. And while I realize that this is the beginning of the end, I can’t wait to find out what happens in the final season. Who’s “dead” and coming back? Seriously, what’s up with Walt? Did the bomb really reset everything? Find out during the season premiere, 9 p.m. Tuesday on WMAR-12 ABC. MARISSA GALLO, B

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Anna Gloth feels the chill at last year’s Polar Bear Plunge {thanks, The Baltimore Sun}

1. Polar Bear Plunge
Support the Maryland Special Olympics and take a dip in the icy Chesapeake waters during the 14th MSP Polar Bear Plunge. Plunging starts 8 a.m. Saturday at Sandy Point State Park in Annapolis. Go to plungemd.com. BRIAN KRISTA, B

2. b Reader Party
Enjoy a night of free music on b. Head to the 8×10 on Thursday and check out 3 Fifths, the rocky/jammy/bluesy Baltimore band, and the superfly Sticky Mulligan. 8 p.m. Thursday. 8×10, 10 E. Cross St. E-mail “8×10” to contests@bthesite.com with your name and number of tickets. Or text “8×10” to 70701 with the same info. ANNE TALLENT, B

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Poe gets a fresh remix in “Poe Project” {thanks, Single Carrot Theatre}

macabre mash ‘Poe Project’
SINGLE CARROT THEATRE
Another weekend, another Edgar Allan Poe-themed event.

But even if you’re going through Poe overdose (Poeverdose?) this year, this one is worth your time.

In “Poe Project,” Genevieve de Mahy pulls multiple parts of the Poe oeuvre into a mish-mash of words and themes. The seating arrangement will transform throughout the play and actors will speak directly to audience members. 7:30 p.m. Thursday and Friday; 2:30 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday; 2:30 p.m. Sunday. Load of Fun, 120 W. North Ave., Station North. $5 Sunday, all others free. singlecarrot.com.

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Something D.C. doesn’t have: Camden Yards {thanks, THE BALTIMORE SUN}

Oh, we know what our neighbors to the south say about Baltimore when they think we’re out of earshot. How the vibe skews a little too gritty and authentic here. Or that our only claim to fame rests on steamed crabs, “The Wire” and a world-famous waterfront.

But the truth is, those things merely scratch the surface of our considerable civic charms. Because really, once you get past all the power, incessant politics and a monument every other square mile, what does that city down the Parkway have that we don’t?

Nothing. Or, maybe everything. In the whole B-more versus D.C. debate, there’s no shortage of loyalists on either side.
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Ellen Page and the gang “Whip It” real good {thanks, Fox Searchlight}

‘Whip It’
Ellen Page can do no wrong. Just mix her, some fist-pumping action and some chick-on-chick roller-derby chaos and you’ve got a quirky flick to start gushing over. Opens Friday. TIM WONG, B

Fells Point Fun Fest
Expect insanity in Fells this weekend, as the historic hood is host to beer, music, arts, crafts and general festivalness. What’s not to love? 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. preservationsociety.com. Anne Tallent, b

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Dan Dudrow’s “II Gatto Santo,” 2008, from MICA’S “Faculty Exhibition” {thanks, MICA}

profs shine Faculty Exhibition
MARYLAND INSTITUTE COLLEGE OF ART
MICA makes us happy. It’s like a blast of fresh artistic air in our sometimes-grimy cityscape. We also enjoy how students and faculty are given equal exhibition time.

After the wonderful “Foundation Exhibition,” which showcased work from first-year students, it’s the professors’ time to shine.

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A strapping Matt Damon in “The Informant!” {thanks, Warner Bros.}

‘The Informant!’
That exclamation point means this Matt Damon-Steven Soderbergh collaboration treads the usually dangerous waters of dark comedy. Early buzz, though, is that Damon is excellent as a bipolar whistleblower (now we know they exist) who uncovers his company’s price-fixing practices. Based on a true story. Opens Friday. JORDAN BARTEL, B

‘Gossip Girl’
The third season of TV’s most addictive (and stylish) drama starts Monday. It’s the beginning of the college years (usually a series’ death knell), but we don’t care about the setting — the show thrives on its characters, especially Leighton Meester’s sinister turn as Blair Waldorf and her enigmatic counterpart, Chuck Bass. 9 p.m., the CW. WESLEY CASE, B

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Autumn leaves are a’comin’ {thanks, stock.xchng}

Fall’s Top 5’s: Our favorite events, sports and concerts this season

FESTIVALS/EVENTS
Baltimore Book Festival
Take a look, because this year’s annual ode to tome love features celebri-authors such as Buzz Aldrin, Ralph Nader and Maureen McCormick (Marcia Brady!). Plus, there are loads of local authors, book sales and readings on topics ranging from cooking to hip-hop. Noon-8 p.m. Sept. 25 and 26, noon-7 p.m. Sept. 27 // Mount Vernon Place, 600 block of North Charles Street // Free // baltimorebookfestival.org

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We love us some Swifty Swine Swimming Pigs at the Maryland State Fair {thanks, Maryland State Fair}

August kind of blows.

The days (and nights) are often sticky-hot. It’s the only month with no federal holiday (Congress, if you can’t work out health care reform, give this a shot). And Baltimore’s summer festival season is waning.

So the Maryland State Fair comes at just the right time. The 128th (!) year of the 11-day fair in Timonium will, as always, feature thousands of arts and agriculture exhibits, barnfuls of lively livestock and as much rides and food as your stomach can handle. Plus, Boyz II Men! Really!!

Check out our favorite fair attractions (swimming pigs!) — and a few guilty pleasures (cow milking!):

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A reunited Blink-182 headlines Sunday’s Virgin FreeFest at Merriweather {thanks, AP}

They’ve made good on their Grammy-night promise to reunite.

Blink-182, the poppy-punky SoCal hit machine that gave us “All the Small Things,” “What’s My Age Again?” and (of course) “I Miss You,” is back, headlining Virgin FreeFest on Sunday.

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