Big Fish

March is a very important month on the fishing calendar. If you check the citation or trophy fish records maintained by the Department of Natural Resources, it shows that the larger fish in many species are caught in March. The female bass are heavy with eggs and many believe that they are the first fish to begin actively feeding in preparation for the spawn. The key to taking advantage of this opportunity is to know where to look for the biggest bass and how to present a lure to them.

LOS ANGELES (AP) - Tim Burton's "Big Fish" took in $14.5 million to slip past "The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King" as the No. 1 weekend movie, according to studio estimates Sunday. "The Return of the King," the top film the previous three weekends, came in at $14.1 million, pushing its domestic total to $312.2 million. The grosses on the top two movies were close enough that the rankings could flip-flop when final weekend figures are released today. Final figures often end up slightly lower than estimates made on Sunday, when studios make projections on how big an audience their films will draw on the last day of the weekend.

CHAMBERSBURG, Pa. -- At times Sunday it was difficult to tell who was wetter -- the fish or the fishermen. Steady rain drummed on the check-in tent at the Chambersburg Noontime Lions Club's 12th annual Trout Derby. Soaked and sometimes shivering participants stepped inside periodically to see whether anyone had caught "the big one" or, really, any of the top 18 largest trout that promised cash payouts. The big fish board remained blank of names, a rare occurrence according to some of the two-day event's organizers.

The following are estimated ticket sales for Friday through Sunday, according to Exhibitor Relations Co. Inc.: 1. "You Got Served," $16 million. 2. "Along Came Polly," $10.1 million. 3. "The Butterfly Effect," $9.95 million. 4. "The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King," $5.3 million. 5. "The Perfect Score," $5 million. 6. "Big Fish," $4.6 million. 7. "Cold Mountain," $4.53 million. 8. "Win a Date With Tad Hamilton!", $4.5 million. 9. "Mystic River," $4.4 million.

Catherine Siepielski Eighth-grade English/language arts teacher at Western Heights Middle School Family: Single Education: Bachelor's degree in elementary education from Shippensburg (Pa.) University, 2001 Mentor: Jodi Young and Chris Hutcher Favorite part of the job: "Seeing students succeed. " Biggest challenge of the job: "Maintaining an informative and interesting learning environment. " Favorite music: Pop/rock Favorite car: Volkswagen Passat Reading now: "The Cat Who Tailed a Thief" by Lillian Jackson Braun Last movie seen: "Big Fish" Favorite TV show: "Friends" Hobbies: Exercising, reading, cross-stitching and scrapbooking If you could meet anyone in history, who would it be?

Every week in Loop, we'll highlight concerts and events happening in the Washington/Baltimore area. Sonar Go to www.sonarbaltimore.com for more information. Mephisto's Trapezoid with Hooks Right Hand, King Belvedere, Mot Works, Another Tomorrow and Malander Sunday, Nov. 26 Doors: 6 p.m. $10 club stage Hoobastank with Halifax, Agent Sparks Tuesday, Nov. 28 Doors: 7:30 p.m. $17 advance, $20 day of the show Main stage Zion I with The Grouch, Rosetta Stoned, Cx Kidtronic and Pro & Reg Thursday, Nov. 30 Doors: 8 p.m. $10 advance, $12 day of the show Club stage Verizon Center Go to www.verizoncenter.

By GUY FLETCHER Staff Writer ANNAPOLIS - Short on funds to pay its share of a state matching grant, officials representing the Washington County Agricultural Education Center asked state lawmakers Wednesday for more time to come up with the cash. The center must raise about $250,000 by June 1 or risk losing part of a $350,000 state matching grant for construction of an agricultural history museum at the center, officials said. A bill filed by the county delegation would extend that deadline to June of 1999.

With bottled water at their seats and an industrial fan behind them, 178 graduates from James Buchanan High School's Class of 2011 received their diplomas on an evening when the temperature exceeded 90 degrees. "Be proud of your accomplishments, and be proud you're a James Buchanan High School graduate," Principal Rodney Benedick said at the start of Wednesday's ceremony. Graduates' family and friends piled into the bleachers at Rocket Stadium and lined the track fence. They joined the teenagers in singing the school's alma mater.

Disobeying your parents, listening to strangers, lying and just being selfish can get you into a peck of trouble. Just ask Pinocchio. A nearly packed house on Saturday at Hagerstown Community College's Kepler Theater followed the misadventures of the wooden puppet as the National Marionette Company brought them to life. Or as near to life as a marionette and would-be boy can get. From his ever-protruding nose to the sinister shenanigans of a fox and a cat, to being turned into a donkey and then swallowed by a Really Big Fish, the crowd of children in the audience saw that actions - good and bad - have consequences.