Because of the ubiquitous Cal Ripken Jr. ads from the 90s, we Baltimoreans know that milk builds strong bones. But a recent study in the journal Nutrition found that drinking beer may also promote bone density. Out of 1,700 women participating in the study, those that were considered moderate beer drinkers had the highest bone density. The women underwent ultrasound scans of their hands, because bones in the fingers are among the first to show signs of osteoporosis. The bones belonging to beer drinkers (those who drank 1-2 pints a day) were denser.

The scientists explained that there were a couple of possible explanations for this. Researchers said: "Silicon plays a major role in bone formation. Beer has been claimed to be one of the most important sources of silicon in the Western diet." The study also said that greater bone density could be a result of the plant hormone phytoestrogen, which is found in beer and keeps bones healthy.

However, the fine print basically advises us not to go crazy and that drinking in moderation is still key. But the bottom line is that an after-work beer (or two?) actually does a body good.

[Image: courtesy of rd.com]

I'm not sure when I'll ever be surrounded by as much Orioles fame as I was last night. My dad and I attended "An Evening With Brooks" at the Meyerhoff Symphony Hall, a tribute to legendary third-baseman (and Mister Oriole himself), Brooks Robinson. The event, put on by the Babe Ruth Birthplace and Museum, was special in countless ways: having so many baseball greats in one room, O's fans being able to relive the glory days, and of course, honoring one of the most humble players in the game.

The night started out with cocktails, hors d'oeuvres, and a silent auction on the ground floor of the Meyerhoff. Popular items included a replica Robinson jersey, a 1966 World Series Louisville Slugger signed by the team, an iconic Norman Rockwell painting of Robinson signing autographs, and various all-inclusive packages to Orioles games. (A quick call to the Babe Ruth Museum revealed that the highest-selling item was, indeed, that 1966 bat).

Upstairs, guests had a chance to mingle with Baltimore sports elite, including Jim Palmer, Ken Singleton, Earl Weaver, Art Donovan, Mike Flanagan, Dave Johnson, Dick Hall, Lenny Moore, Tom Matte, Paul Blair, Chris Hoiles, Jim Mutscheller, and the list goes on. Some non-athlete VIPs were in attendance as well, like longtime Orioles PR director Bob Brown, marching band leader John Zieman, sports PR magnate John Maroon, and journalist Michael Olesker. My dad and I even got a chance to meet the man of the hour, who was as down-to-earth as he's always portrayed.

At about 7:30 p.m., it was time to be seated in the auditorium. Emcee Scott Garceau told the audience that the program would run a lot like a baseball game. Fittingly, it began with the singing of the National Anthem. (The iconic "O" resonated quite well in the acoustics of the symphony hall). The program was then divided into nine "innings," which chronicled Robinson's career and life, all while he sat on stage beside his wife, Connie.

Many former teammates, coaches, and fellow athletes had the kindest words to say about Robinson, winner of 16 gold gloves and dubbed "The Human Vacuum Cleaner." "He was the only player I never moved," said Jim Palmer, after discussing the little infield adjustments he would sometimes suggest. "I refused to go to kindergarten at Friends School if I wasn't in my Brooks Robinson pajamas," explained Orioles president Andy MacPhail. "A lot of people think it came naturally to him, but he worked really hard, staying after spring training games, to get this good," said former O's shortstop Ron Hansen.

After classic footage of the Orioles sweeping the Los Angeles Dodgers to win the 1966 World Series played on the projector, Jim Palmer interviewed Paul Blair and Boog Powell, who seemed to be all laughs. "Did you see how high Brooks jumped?" Powell said. "Must have been a trick of the camera." Then Garceau announced that there were many people in the room (ranging from infants to 40 year olds) who were named after Robinson, and made them all stand up.

Another famous piece of footage followed, the controversial Bernie Carbo play, during the 1970 World Series against the Cincinnati Reds. In the footage, the ump called Carbo out at home, even though Elrod Hendricks tagged him with his glove and the ball was in his throwing hand. "When Earl Weaver saw me 30 years later, the first thing he said was, 'You're still out,'" Carbo said.

Then Weaver came out (to a standing ovation) and discussed having to bench Robinson in 1977 to give some younger players a chance. On April 19 of that year, Robinson hit his final home run (a three-run bomb, no less) for the team. "I didn't sleep for a number of nights, thinking about benching him," Weaver said. "Then I called him in, said we've got to give some young guys a chance, so I need to take you out of the line-up. Just like class personified, he said, 'Skip, do what you have to do.' Then when he hit another three-run homer for Earl Weaver, and for the Orioles, I didn't know what to do," said Weaver, getting choked up.

During the "seventh inning," they played John Denver's "Thank God I'm A Country Boy" and writer John Martin Summers explained how it came to be an Orioles tradition, and hilariously described how he had to borrow Robinson's jock strap when Mike Flanagan invited him out to field a couple of balls. In the eighth inning, Cal Ripken Jr. came out (to another standing ovation) and talked about Robinson's influence on him. "I think I just realized that Brooks started the streak, because Earl didn't want to take me out of the line-up," Ripken joked. "I was so happy at third base, because it meant something to stand on the hot corner where Brooks had stood for so many years. And then Earl moved me to shortstop and messed everything up," Ripken said to some more laughs.

The final inning, of course, was where Robinson got a chance to talk. He explained that he really wasn't into the idea of an evening for him, until he heard that the proceeds benefited the Babe Ruth Museum and the American Cancer Society. He also joked that when a young boy in the airport asked for his autograph, Robinson asked the boy if he knew who he was, and the boy said, "No, but my dad said you are in the Hall of Fame and might not be around too much longer, so this could really be worth something someday."

But then Robinson got serious and said that the biggest highlight for him was that he played with the same team his entire 23-year career. "It has come back tenfold for me," he said. "Seeing someone hanging out of a car downtown and scream my name, raising my family here...I couldn't have made a better choice than signing with the Baltimore Orioles." He went on to say that an even bigger highlight was meeting his wife, Connie, whom he's been married to for nearly 50 years. "I appreciate you all taking to the time to come here tonight to say hello to me. Now I better get off of here before I start crying," Robinson said before exiting the podium.

Probably the quote that best summed up the feeling of last night, and the essence of Brooks Robinson, came from Baltimore-born sports writer Frank Deford: "This man was the foundation of the Baltimore Orioles. He was as gracious off the field, as he was graceful on it."

[Image: courtesy of baltimoresun.com]

Hi there! Just a quick word of reminder about tomorrow night's comedy show/fundraiser for reWIRED for Change, the new education nonprofit founded by former cast and crew from The Wire. The show features three Baltimore comedians: Justin Schlagel, Timmy Hall, and B-Phlat. who has been featured on HBO's Def Comedy Jam, Showtime, and Showtime's Martin Lawrence Presents. Held at Steve de Castro's Havana Club, tickets are $35 in advance and $40 at the door and include a one-hour open bar from 8-9 p.m. As the CEO and founder of reWIRED for Change Sonja Sohn, aka Ms. Shakima "Kima" Greggs, will be there, so, technically, you can tell your friends you hung out with Kima. Who doesn't want that?

...so little time. As some of you may know, Thursday was the start of the city's 1st annual Baltimore Beer Week. Basically what that means is, from October 8-18, there are a plethora of tastings, specials, and events designed to celebrate "all things beer in the Land of Pleasant Living."

While it's impossible to check out all of the events, I got to attend a few this past weekend. My first stop was on Thursday night to Five, the bar at Christopher Daniel in Timonium. For the entirety of beer week, Christopher Daniel is doing $1 Natty Boh bottles, half-price drafts, a special beer-themed menu, and beer cocktails. Yes, you read that right. At first, the thought of combining liquor and beer seems just wrong. But after trying Christopher Daniel's fall flower (Stoli Raspberry, St. Germain Liqueur, lemon, and Clipper City Organic Raspberry Wheat Beer), I was pleasantly surprised. The carbonated cocktail reminded me a lot of flavored soda and went down just as smooth. These would be great in warm weather, but worked just fine in the fall.

The following night I went to Three in Patterson Park, where they were hosting Evolution Brewery. A couple months ago, I actually visited the brewery in Delaware, which wasn't much but a small bar, kegs in the back, and a handful of people sampling the products. I remember loving their pale ale and the fact that they had growlers. Three had a pretty sweat deal: your first beer was free and you got to keep the 22-ounce Evolution glass it was served in. On tap, they had Evolution's porter, pale ale, IPA, and ESB (extra special bitter). You can try EVO beer for yourself later in the week at Abbey Burger Bistro, Ropewalk Tavernn, Mick O'Shea's, and Alonso's.

As if I hadn't had enough ale, I rolled over to The Wharf Rat, who I think is offering one of the best specials this week. For nearly all 10 days, you can get any three beers for $5. The beers have to be different and they're served in Pub Dog-style mugs. The special is a great way to sample the various Oliver Ales, pictured, and was obviously working for the bar, as it was packed on Friday night. I recommend their spicy Harvest Ale and Hot Monkey Love (just so you can say the name, really).

There are still five more days to enjoy Baltimore Beer Week, with events like tomorrow night's brews and blues night at The 8x10, Thursday's pre fixe six-course beer dinner at Brewer's Art, and countless beer tasting and sampling throughout the Baltimore region. So what are you waiting for? Drink up!

[Image: courtesy of flickr.com/photos/okalright]