Episode Description: In this episode of First Friday with Georgetown County, we spotlight three timely topics shaping life in our community this May: Capital Project Sales Tax Begins – Administrative Services Director Walt Ackerman explains how the 1% Capital Project Sales Tax, which went into effect May 1, will support critical infrastructure and …

John Martin of Maryland Lottery tells Nestor about the latest Dundalk big winner on Fast Play progressive and hopes for more homers from Orioles in Home Run Riches summer of big hits. The post John Martin of Maryland Lottery tells Nestor about the latest Dundalk big winner on Fast Play progressive first appeared on Baltimore Positive WNST.…

A freak May Achilles injury has left the Ravens' defense without one of its standout secondary members for this season. Luke Jones and Nestor discuss the loss of Ar'Darius Washington and what it means for the defense that wants strength and depth on the backside. The post Luke Jones and Nestor discuss the loss of Ardarius Washington and what it mea…

The good news is that the Baltimore Ravens will travel less mileage than 30 other NFL teams this season but that doesn't mean the road is any easier. Luke Jones and Nestor preview the season slate and key match-ups of Baltimore Ravens and a tough 2025 schedule. The post Luke Jones and Nestor preview season and key matchups of Baltimore Ravens tough…

Every year, we're joined by NBC horse racing analyst Donna Brothers, who returns for Preakness 150 and the last time at the Old Hilltop of Pimlico as we know it and once again without the Kentucky Derby winner. This is a serious conversation about Maryland racing, the state of the industry and the future of Triple Crown series for the sport. The po…

Bill Blocher and his daughter Katie discussed the evolution of Red Brick Station, which opened in 1997 with seven breweries in Maryland. Bill highlighted the growth to 160 breweries today and the success of their homemade beer. They reminisced about the early days, including Bill's decision to make his own beer despite skepticism. Katie shared her …

It's been a great Stanley Cup tournament so far but the Washington Capitals are in a tough spot in the Carolina series. Leonard Raskin and Nestor pimp the puck as the good old hockey game makes spring better when the games go to overtime and memories are made. The post Leonard Raskin and Nestor pimp the puck as the good old hockey game makes Stanle…

Georgetown sports business professor Marty Conway joins Nestor to talk Orioles marketing and Ravens branding in a big Baltimore sports season for growth. The post Georgetown sports business professor Marty Conway joins Nestor to talk Orioles marketing and Ravens branding in a big Baltimore sports season for growth first appeared on Baltimore Positi…

Another home stand begins with another doubleheader sweep for the dismal and disappointing Baltimore Orioles. Luke Jones and Nestor discuss the baseball disaster of this 2025 squad and what comes next for a last-place team that continues to flounder away a season of immense promise in Birdland. The post Luke Jones and Nestor discuss the baseball di…

NBC Sports longtime horse racing analyst Randy Moss tells Nestor he is wistful about the end of Pimlico as we know it but the reality of horse racing, the Triple Crown and the future of the Preakness is at a mesh point with potential for better times ahead. And some journalism about Journalism. The post Randy Moss of NBC Sports tells Pimlico tales …

Baltimore County Executive candidate Nick Stewart tells Nestor that growth via competent strategic planning is the way forward The post Baltimore County Executive candidate Nick Stewart tells Nestor that growth via competent strategic planning is the way forward first appeared on Baltimore Positive WNST.…

This will be the last year of the Preakness at Pimlico as we know it or ever knew it. Legendary horse racing insider and Baltimorean Dick Jerardi returns home to update Nestor on the state of the 150th running of the Preakness Stakes and the stakes of the future of industry as another Derby winner has skipped Old Hilltop on the third Saturday of Ma…

It'll be another two weeks before anyone with the Baltimore Ravens will be asked their first questions after the shameful departure of Justin Tucker. Luke Jones and Nestor discuss what happens next for Tyler Loop and all of the rookies on campus in Owings Mills as the team goes to work on improving – and avoiding any scent of their maligned former …

The Baltimore Orioles took two of three in Anaheim and return home to Camden Yards looking for signs of life in a disappointing season. Luke Jones and Nestor talk about the bats and arms and realities for a team mired in last place in the American League East. The post Luke Jones and Nestor recap Orioles revival in Anaheim as Birds return home in l…

With the passing of Welsh rocker Mike Peters of The Alarm this spring, Nestor Aparicio has unearthed a drove of memories, photos and audio of his Almost Famous turn as a teenage music critic at The Baltimore Sun. This is a "Raw" 1991 chat with the founder of Love Hope Strength before a sold-out concert at Hammerjacks Inner Harbor Concert hall on th…

As jackpots build and the games of spring are making the Maryland Lottery more fun with the flowers, we welcome John Martin back to talks winner, second chances and Fire and Ice. The post John Martin of Maryland Lottery talks winners and second chances with fun spring games first appeared on Baltimore Positive WNST.…

There will be no place for Brandon Hyde to hide if this continues. Sure, he didn't buy the groceries (or the pitching) but the manager is usually the first one to go when a promising baseball team disappoints like the in-progress collapse of the 2025 Baltimore Orioles. Or, maybe it's just a hitting coach or two? But in-season firings certainly feel…

Longtime Sports Illustrated author Scott Price takes a deep dive into the rich history of the game of lacrosse in his newest book, "The American Game," highlighting the game's cultural significance, growth, and its intersection with American society, connections to Wall Street, the military, and Native American communities. The post Author S.L. Pri…

An extra sharp conversation about "Burger Night" and fun special plates on the Maryland Crab Cake Tour at Koco's Pub with Marcella Knight and sports cartoonist Mike Ricigliano. Putting cheddar cheese on a crab cake and broiling it over an English muffin? Nestor saw it done deliciously at Burke's for 30 years in downtown Baltimore and begged Eric an…

As the losses mount and problems arise daily for the Baltimore Orioles, Luke Jones and Nestor discuss what possible changes could be coming for this disappointing and under-performing squad – and what it means to the big picture of growth for new ownership amidst turmoil on the field.Luke Jones and Nestor discuss what possible changes could be comi…

Nearly three decades into throwing the biggest Maryland party not held in-state, Howard Perlow tells Nestor about the Baltimore lore of Steve Wynn and the lure of Las Vegas sunshine for local leadership to gather for networking and business. Attended by the state’s premier developers, managers, brokers, professionals, lenders, lawyers, politicians,…

Skating into May and flying high, the Washington Capitals have some momentum as our Leonard Raskin rides the daily Stanley Cup wave of Game 7 thrills and home ice Game 1 spills as Nestor pimps the puck with our financial insights team captain. It's been more fun than watching the Orioles this month... The post Leonard Raskin and Nestor skate into M…

The Baltimore Orioles are a terrible baseball team right now. On a 100-loss pace after striking out 17 times and getting just three hits in another 9-1 loss to the Minnesota Twins. Stink. Stank. Stunk. Luke Jones and Nestor are getting fatigued by the awfulness of it all... The post Luke Jones and Nestor discuss Orioles total malaise in Minnesota f…

Nearly a year after his legendary departure from WMAR-TV 2, the pride of Overlea Jamie Costello joins Nestor at Koco's Pub on the Maryland Crab Cake Tour to discuss storytelling, Baltimore and the trials and tribulations of Little League coaching life in Annapolis. The post Legendary WMAR voice Jamie Costello comes to Koco’s to tell Nestor about wo…

Agent Leigh Steinberg returns post-NFL Draft to discuss the "fall" of Shedeur Sanders, why teams fall in love with quarterbacks and a wide-ranging visit with Nestor about the absolute realities of NIL money and young athletes in modern sports. The post Agent Leigh Steinberg talks concussion and Shedeur in wide-ranging visit with Nestor about NFL Dr…

From actor to comedian to game show host to "America's Got Talent" judge, the always irreverent Howie Mandel says bringing his stand-up act on the road is his real home. A wide-ranging chat about shaking hands and holograms, mental health and what makes a joke funny with Nestor in advance of his show at Maryland Hall on Annapolis on Saturday, May 1…

My tribute and unearthing of the lost 2001 tape of Mike Peters of The Alarm inviting me on stage to sing my favorite song, "Spirit of '76." Listen to it here and crank it up. The post Finding the tape of the night I sang “Spirit of ’76” with Mike Peters of The Alarm first appeared on Baltimore Positive WNST.…

The scandal and saga of the Justin Tucker disgrace is over for the Baltimore Ravens. On Monday, they "moved on" from the kicker. Luke Jones and Nestor react and opine about the Ravens' discharge of Justin Tucker for football reasons. (It couldn't have been the 16 allegations of predatory sexual behavior by women all over town...) The post Luke Jone…

Baltimore Ravens head coach John Harbaugh indicated that the future of the kicking position in Baltimore would be based on football, not the NFL investigation into the 16 women who have alleged improprieties during massage sessions. Luke Jones and Nestor discuss the Justin Tucker saga and the team's eschewing of a "zero tolerance" policy when draft…

Senator Cory McCray of the 45th District returns to Koco's Pub on the Maryland Crab Cake Tour with a full recap on the past four months of Annapolis budget deficit strains and the importance of hearing the citizens on taxes and wages and business. The post Senator Cory McCray returns to Koco’s with recap on Annapolis budget deficit discussion dilem…

So much disappointment for the fans; so many bad beats for the baseball team. Luke Jones and Nestor discuss the rut of the Orioles after the team hit four home runs on Sunday and still lost by five runs after surrendering seven homers to the Kansas City Royals. The post Luke Jones and Nestor discuss the rut of Orioles after Royals hit 7 home runs i…

Whenever we bring the Maryland Krab Kake Tour to Koco's Pub, we recruit our lifer pal and sage sports cartoonist Ricig as the Ko-Host to sort of the world of Baltimore news and views. This week, we attempt to make sense of the Orioles' pitching and the Ravens' zero tolerance policy. The post Our sports cartoonist Ricig attempts to make sense of Ori…

With the Kentucky Derby in the books to Sovereignty, a reminder that the race never ends at the Maryland Lottery. Executive Director John Martin talks progressive jackpots, Orioles home runs and the seriousness of responsible gaming with Nestor as the eyes of the horse racing world turn to Baltimore and Pimlico for another Triple Crown hopeful. The…

The Baltimore Orioles finally won a series, beating the New York Yankees twice at Camden Yards this week. The obvious pitching problems and mostly silent bats continue to perplex Luke Jones and Nestor as the Birds look to take another series from the Kansas City Royals. The post Luke Jones and Nestor discuss the total bad look of scuffling Baltimor…

Terry Beck of Kooper's North shares his personal passion for beating leukemia and lymphoma and raising money for LLS through Burger Night and helping others like Nick Shultz from Heller Kowitz raise community funds for Visionary Of The Year to beat blood cancer. The post Terry Beck of Kooper’s North shares personal passion for LLS, Burger Night and…

The Orioles are taking beatings this month that no one in MLB could've predicted. Luke Jones and Nestor continue a chat about the exasperation and disappointment at the Birdland malaise and lack of fight – and starting pitching – on this beleaguered club as the Yankees crush the return of Kyle Gibson to Baltimore. The post Luke Jones and Nestor con…

Visionary of The Year hopeful Nick Schultz is joined by Mike DiGiacomo of the Better Business Bureau at Kooper's North in Mays Chapel on the Maryland Crab Cake Tour to give Nestor the business and fun of fundraising for Leukemia and Lymphoma Society's biggest soiree of the year and the events leading up to the big night in June. The post Visionary …

No franchise or staff of scouts is more prepared to draft every April than the Baltimore Ravens. Luke Jones and Nestor dissect the eleven position players that Eric DeCosta selected in the NFL Draft over the weekend and the one kicker who will be in the Loop for all that follows life after Justin Tucker in Baltimore. The post Luke Jones and Nestor …

After Bill Cole joined Nestor at Kooper's North on the Maryland Crab Cake Tour for a spring chat on zoo lights, solar power, bad pitching and the real cost of tariffs in industries like his at Cole Roofing and Gordian Energy, it inspired our intrepid host to take the Aparicio family over to Druid Hill Park for the Spring Illuminations. We highly re…

He's not a Number One starter but Tomoyuki Sugano has emerged as a solid rotation piece for the Orioles, who finally got a win on Monday night against the New York Yankees. Luke Jones and Nestor discuss the Japanese veteran missing the bats of the Bronx Bombers and pitching out of trouble early to give the Birds a chance to win. Ryan O'Hearn did th…

Our local insurance expert and guiding light for premium information Pete Raimondi joins Nestor on the Maryland Crab Cake Tour at Kooper's North for a primer on policy review and being more educated about your insurance so you know the protection you need and who to call when things go wrong in real life. The post Pete Raimondi gives Nestor a prime…

With another listless weekend of baseball in Detroit and a bad sweep at the hands of the Tigers in the books, the first-place in the AL East New York Yankees arrive at Camden Yards with a battered, reeling version of the last-place Baltimore Orioles. Luke Jones and Nestor discuss the Orioles implosion and demand accountability for all concerned as …

Our longtime SABR pal and baseball historian Rob Neyer has made visits from Oregon to talk baseball most of the century and is now the Commissioner of the West Coast League, which once hosted a young Adley Rutschman. It's getting late early for the stumbling Orioles but here's some wisdom on young players and pitching pitfalls for anyone who loves …

It once was a Panera on Reisterstown Road but if you've seen the changes, you should stop in and see the newest Far & Dotter storefront. Curio Wellness Chief Brand Officer Wendy Bronfein educates Nestor about bringing the family business home to the Pikesville community with a new partnership with former NBA player Al Harrington and his Viola line.…

There is plenty of football to discuss in the aftermath of a weekend of 11 additions to the Baltimore Ravens' roster but the big kick in the room belongs to Eric DeCosta and the front office now that Tyler Loop appears to be the new kicker in Owings Mills. Luke Jones and Nestor discuss the biggest offseason story in the city for the football franch…

When it's time to talk Motown sports and the history of everything Michigan, we turn to venerable Tigers historian and columnist Lynn Henning of The Detroit News to talk pitching, young talent and why the Orioles are flailing with Nestor. He also talks about the window last summer where Tarik Skubal was being shopped and the rumors of a Jackson Hol…

Anything that allows us to talk about the legit old game shows makes life better. Seth Elkin of The Maryland Lottery gets Nestor ready to pick a door in the new "Let's Make a Deal" and "Press Your Luck" scratch-off games. The post Seth Elkin of Maryland Lottery gets Nestor ready to pick a door on Lets Make a Deal first appeared on Baltimore Positiv…

It's playoff time and the Washington Capitals are the President's Trophy winner and Alex Ovechkin shows no signs of Father Time slowing him down this spring. Leonard Raskin went to Washington with The Great Eight for one more Stanley Cup run and got overtime magic. The post Leonard Raskin goes to Washington with The Great Eight for one more Stanley…

Luke Jones and Nestor discuss Ravens first round selection of Georgia safety Malaki Starks to bolster defense The post Luke Jones and Nestor discuss Ravens first round selection of Georgia safety Malaki Starks to bolster defense first appeared on Baltimore Positive WNST.By BP Podcast Audio

The Orioles finally won a 2-1 game in Washington to avoid a sweep on Thursday night but Luke Jones and Nestor continue to talk about the fundamental roster problems of a scuffling Birds' squad that has stacked too many losses early to feel good about the pitching and defense. The post Luke Jones and Nestor talk about Orioles losing too many April b…