Orioles events to look forward to

Following the All-Star break, most fans realize the baseball season is basically halfway to its end. But what also comes along with that awareness is the realization that the summer is essentially halfway over as well. So as the Orioles look to the second half, you're making plans for the rest of the summer in order to "fit all in," either before school or before the weather turns colder or maybe before the baseball season comes to a close. So in planning your second half, check out these O's events that promise to make the rest of your summer with the Birds one to remember. Tuesday, July 28: Orioles Cook-Off Three of your favorite O's, ace Jeremy Guthrie, 2B Brian Roberts, and veteran CA Gregg Zaun will be trading their bats and gloves for recipe books and oven mitts in the Orioles first-ever cook-off competition. From 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. these Birds will each be busy preparing a signature dish as they compete "to be crowned Birdland's best chef!" Tickets for the OriolesREACH event are $50 for adults and $30 for kids, and a portion of the ticket price includes a donation to the Maryland Food Bank. Don't miss this chance to see some of your favorite O's off the field and in the kitchen in what's sure to at least be a fun afternoon and a helpful one for the Maryland Food Bank. For tickets or more information, call 410.685.3776, ext. 223. Sunday, August 16: Brian's Baseball Bash Join Oriole fan favorite Brian Roberts at his much-anticipated Baseball Bash at the ESPN Zone in the Inner Harbor from 6-9 p.m. following the Orioles' afternoon game against the Angels at Oriole Park on August 16. As always, Brian will bring a squad of fellow Orioles teammates in tow, and the whole group will sign autographs and interact with fans throughout the evening. Tickets are $200 for adults and $150 for children 12 and younger, with money raised from the event going to benefit patients and their families at the University of Maryland Hospital for Children. For more information or to order tickets or make a donation, call 410.328.6064. Sunday, August 16: Right Side Foundation 5K Run and 1-mile Fun Walk The first big event of Nick Markakis' Right Side Foundation will take place in Patterson Park in downtown Baltimore starting at 6:00 p.m. Sunday evening following the O's home game against the Angels at Camden Yards, also on August 16. Nick's wife, Christina Markakis, will play a big part in the events of this evening as well. She's a former teacher and a lover of running, and she and Nick will be present throughout the event, which will include a 5K run/1-mile fun walk, family-oriented activities, music, prizes and more. It's the big kick-off event for the Foundation's mission of "helping distressed children throughout the state of Maryland." Registration is $30 in advance or $35 the day of the race, and the first 500 people to pre-register will receive an Under Armour performance race shirt. The top three overall male and female 5K finishers (as well as the top finishers in various age groups) will receive awards for their efforts, and following the run/walk, snacks and drinks will be available for participants. For more information or to register for the race, call 410.308.1870 or click here to visit RightSideFoundation.org. Check back to the Orioles Buzz for more on each event as the dates approach, but enjoy the second half of the baseball season and the rest of your summer, starting tomorrow as the Birds take on the White Sox in Chicago at 8:11 p.m.