Blue Crabs will introduce new general manager today

Friday, Nov. 30, 2007

Robinson, a former Baltimore Orioles third baseman, will make the official announcement at Boston’s Sports Bar and Restaurant at noon today.

Which makes sense, considering Hobson is not only a former player, but a former manager of the Boston Red Sox.

Hobson was selected following an ‘‘extensive search,” according to a press release from the Blue Crabs organization. He will be the team’s manager and director of baseball operations for Southern Maryland’s new professional baseball team when play begins next spring at Regency Furniture Stadium in Waldorf.

The managerial search, led by Robinson, included interviews with hall of fame catcher Gary Carter, three-time American League All-Star Cecil Fielder, 14-year Major League infielder Wally Backman and former Orioles third baseman Ryan Minor, among others.

Hobson was signed to a two-year deal.

Hobson, 56, had an eight-year Major League playing career as a third baseman, mostly with the Boston Red Sox from 1975 to 1980.

The Blue Crabs inaugural season will begin May 2. Season tickets are available at www.SOMDbluecrabs.com or call 301-638-9788.

Boyle tests his mettlein Ironman triathlon

Brian Boyle, a junior majoring in art at St. Mary’s College of Maryland, recently competed in the Ironman Triathlon in Hawaii. His story will be featured on an NBC broadcast at 4:30 p.m. Saturday.

Boyle, a survivor of a near-fatal car accident three years ago, completed the contest in 14 hours, 42 minutes and 35 seconds, coming in 1,564th place.

‘‘This was the greatest day of my life,” said Boyle, 21, after finishing the race.

The Ironman Triathlon in Kona consists of a 2.4-mile swim in Kailua-Kona Bay, a 112-mile bike ride across the Hawaiian lava dessert, ending with a 26-mile run along the western coast on the Big Island.

Boyle, who lives in Welcome with his parents, was a state-level high school swimmer when he was severely injured in an auto accident in July 2004.

‘‘I never gave up on my dream of going to St. Mary’s College,” said Boyle in a press release. ‘‘If I had never come here, the Ironman and my dream of swimming again would never have happened.”

On a whim, Boyle sent his story to the event’s organizers. According to the college, tens of thousands of triathletes attempt to get a coveted spot in the event each year.

Snap a pic

The deadline of the Accokeek Foundation’s 50th anniversary photo contest has been extended to Saturday.

To commemorate the golden anniversary of the foundation, the photo contest is open to any photographers, professionals or amateurs (with the exception of foundation employees, members of the board of trustees and their immediate families.)

The six categories that represent the Accokeek Foundation are scenic, people, animals, National Colonial Farm, ecosystem farm and a category for photographers 17 years old or younger in any of the other themes.

Photographs must have been taken at the Accokeek Foundation any time since 1957 and can be in black and white or color.

For rules or an entry form, call 301-283-2113.

Part D explained

The Maryland Senior Prescription Drug Assistance program is hosting a free Medicare open enrollment workshop from 9 a.m. to noon and again from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. Dec. 5 at the Jaycees community center in Waldorf.

The workshop is to help people understand the changes coming to Medicare Part D prescription plan coverage in 2008.

State representatives will provide one-on-one assistance on the changes with beneficiaries, evaluate their current plans and provide help in making enrollment changes as needed. The drug assistance program members, or their family members, should bring their red, white and blue Medicare card, a list of current prescriptions and proof of state residency, like a driver’s license or voter registration.

Medicare members wanting to attend the open enrollment can R.S.V.P. by calling 800-215-8038.

Interested seniors who are unable to attend the workshop can call 800-551-5995 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays through Fridays.

Support choral arts

The Chesapeake Choral Arts Society has a couple of fundraising events planned for Dec. 8.

From 8 to 10 a.m., a pancake breakfast will be held at the Waldorf Applebee’s. The $5 per person tickets (those 2 years old and younger eat free) can be purchased at the door.

The proceeds will help buy music, music folders, risers and other choral necessities.

A gift wrapping fundraiser, from 4 to 10 p.m., will be held at the Borders in Waldorf.