A soldout crowd of 150 strong gathered at Shula?s Steak House in Baltimore last week to kick off the Ravens? season.
No tailgating grub for this gang. It was filet mignon, crab cakes and “some of the best creamed spinach I have ever tasted, and I hate green veggies” said Ravens top defensive dog Rex Ryan, who brought in his staff for the third annual “Rex Ryan Dinner.”
This annual feast and live broadcast by WNST-AM radio started with cocktails, where “Socially Speaking” spotted Towson attorney ? and Raven maniac ? Jack Turnbull, accompanied by his father-in-law Roland Brockmeyer.
Animated conversation at the dinner table was not lacking with Ryan?s staff of Clarence Brooks, Mark Carrier (former Washington Deadskin ? take that, MattPalmer!), Mike Pettine and former Dallas Cowboy Dennis Thurman, who just can?t seem to shake his Texan cravings. Thurman made a bet that he could find some “dip” among the guests ? “dip” being chewing tobacco, snuff or smokeless tobacco (you get the spit-ture). He lost.
The broadcast gave the attendees insight and hopefully closure to a disappointing ending to what was a fantastic 2006 season.
“We put everything into that Indianapolis game last December [a 15-6 playoff loss to the Colts], and from our point of view they stole our Super Bowl rings,” Ryan told the crowd. “We are going to Arizona come January 2008 [Phoenix will be the site of Super Bowl XLII on Feb. 3].”
The defensive staff took turns, sharing their insider knowledge on some of the Ravens.
Haloti Ngata: “Very smart.”
Trevor Pryce: “Happy he?s a Raven.”
Ben Grubbs: “He will be the best guard the Ravens have ever had.”
And what about Ray Lewis? “Simply put,” Coach Pettine said, “he?s the best linebacker in the game” which drew Coach Thurman, sitting at my table, to exclaim “Print that!”
Needless to say, the festivities left guests Brooke Boyle (USA Home Loans), Toyota?s Jay Pivec and WNST?s afternoon host Rob Long pumped for the upcoming season.
AN ?EXECUTIVE? NOD
Baltimore County Executive Jim Smith was an early bird at a recent morning “meet, greet and eat” gathering at Long and Foster in Timonium. There, he recognized the community efforts of the Sandler Training Institute, Provident Bank, Grace-Hunt and the American Lung Association. Sandler Training Institute President Donald W. Bonnett and his daughter, Vice President Margie Anne Bonnett, were on hand to provide helpful seminars. There was a $20 fee to participate, and proceeds benefited the American Lung Association.
SPOTTED
After some Inner Harbor sightseeing, Jill Clinton, of Westminster, reports that she went for a late lunch at Legal Seafood on Pratt Street. “The place was fairly empty at the time,” Clinton said, “and then a table of six was seated next to us.” And none other than Baltimore?s own Montel Williams was part of the group. Clinton reported that the TV talk-show host was dining on Rhode Island red clam chowder. Clam chowder? Montel, remember where you are? Maryland crab soup, my friend.
ANNE?S PICK OF THE WEEK
What: “A Miniature Game for a Giant Cause” ? a national qualifier miniature golf tournament to benefit the Kennedy Krieger Institute .
» Where: ParTee Golf, 4123 E. Joppa Road in Baltimore.
» When: Aug. 18 at 9 a.m.
» Info: Registration is $25, and participants can register at ParTee until 11 p.m. on Aug. 17. Call 410-254-PUTT (7888), or visit partee golf.com.
Anne Boone-Simanski is the social columnist for The Examiner and can be reached at [email protected] or 410-878-6131.
