Baltimore Positive

With Opening Day three weeks away, the structure of Major League Baseball changes dramatically as many players including Gunnar Henderson report to World Baseball Classic duties and games that feel far more competitive than spring training. Luke Jones and Nestor do some long toss on this international tournament that has produced some classic moments. Will you be watching? The post Luke Jones and Nestor discuss World Baseball Classic and interest and impact on MLB first appeared on Baltimore Positive WNST.

Everyone knows that it's our local sponsors and businesses and real humans here in Baltimore that keep up powered up and running over the past three decades. So when Zach Dermer called Nestor to help him with the funny HVAC smells in his place, The Comfort Guys at Farner & Dermer came to fix the issues and then signed up their family business to be a part of what we do best: local chats, Baltimore sports and connecting folks with real problems to professionals who have been solving them for over a century and through five generations. Oh, and they love the Orioles and Ravens, too! The post Zach Dermer brings fresh air to Nestor as new sponsor with a century of Baltimore HVAC and plumbing experience first appeared on Baltimore Positive WNST.

He came to Baltimore 40 years ago and became the venerable columnist at The Sun and then an insider with the Baltimore Ravens but his present passion was rooted in a late 21st century book on the history of Orioles baseball. Author John Eisenberg returns to school Nestor on Birdland lore and the future Bird Tapes of past glories. From Jesse Minter to Craig Albernaz, our mentor is always on point and separating fact from opinion. The post Author John Eisenberg returns to school Nestor on Orioles history and future Bird Tapes of the past first appeared on Baltimore Positive WNST.

It happens once a year and the winners have 20 years to soak in the purple glory of the Maryland Lottery Ravens Scratch-off promotion and this year's winner will be crowing about cheering at the games for two decades. As the season turns, John Martin of The Maryland Lottery gives Nestor the fast play to the new Home Run Riches and the next calendar for pro sports here in Baltimore begins now. The post John Martin of Maryland Lottery gives Nestor the fast play to Home Run Riches first appeared on Baltimore Positive WNST.

The Baltimore Ravens brain trust have assembled in Indianapolis preparing to pick 14th in the NFL Draft in April but the minds of Luke Jones and Nestor are on two massive contract issues that will need closure before the free agency tampering begins in two weeks. First up is the Lamar Jackson restructure but the real market value for center Tyler Linderbaum and the salary cap tolerance for general manager Eric DeCosta will come into full focus before March 11. The post Luke Jones and Nestor listen in on DeCosta and Minter in Indy with Lamar and Linderbaum on Ravens brain first appeared on Baltimore Positive WNST.

With changes made in leadership with both professional sports franchises in Baltimore this winter, it'll be Craig Albernaz leading off for the Orioles with an early-season testing ground that already include key injuries and a suspect bullpen. Luke Jones and Nestor discuss the expectations of the new Birds skipper and the vital signs of life for a team with high hopes in a crowded AL East Division. The post Luke Jones and Nestor discuss expectations of new Orioles manager Craig Albernaz this season first appeared on Baltimore Positive WNST.

They won't kickoff until September but what are the early signs of "success" for the new Baltimore Ravens head coach and his youthful staff? Luke Jones joins Nestor to discuss the expectations of a rookie leader and what's going on behind the scenes in Owings Mills with the Lamar Jackson re-negotiations and Indy combine realities of Eric DeCosta. The post Luke Jones and Nestor discuss expectations for new head coach Jesse Minter and how Lamar improves first appeared on Baltimore Positive WNST.

In a divisive political culture, our neighbor and 7th District Congressman Kweisi Mfume seeks to educate us about the current state of affairs in Washington, D.C. From lies about The Epstein Files, to unlawful ICE detentions in Baltimore to the significance of getting the Key Bridge rebuilt, Nestor unfurls his disgust at what Trump is doing to divide our country. The post Congressman Kweisi Mfume joins Nestor to discuss function and dysfunction of Trump and American government first appeared on Baltimore Positive WNST.

For the old folks, it was better than it was 46 years ago and on live television. For the youngsters, it was a chance to drink beer at 8 a.m. and yell "USA, USA" for a sport we've been waiting for America to fall in love with for real. Leonard Raskin joins Nestor to wave red, white and blue of USA Hockey and memories made from 1980 that extended to Milan and beating the Canadians in 3-on-3 in OT for the gold. The post Leonard Raskin joins Nestor to wave red, white and blue of USA Hockey and memories made from 1980 first appeared on Baltimore Positive WNST.

It's less than ideal so far in Sarasota that two emerging, young Orioles stars in Jackson Holliday and Jordan Westburg are already lost for the start of the MLB season. Luke Jones and Nestor discuss what it means for Coby Mayo and newly-acquired Blaze Alexander now that grapefruit baseball has begun and jobs are available in Baltimore. The post Luke Jones and Nestor discuss Jordan Westburg injury and hopes for Coby Mayo at third base first appeared on Baltimore Positive WNST.

In the aftermath of a family tragedy Leonard Raskin joins Nestor to discuss the importance of enjoying life and having your money create some joy and happiness. Time to look at those bucket list items again... The post Leonard Raskin and Nestor discuss another bucket list assessment in aftermath of tragedy first appeared on Baltimore Positive WNST.

We're all excited about the possibilities of the 2026 MLB season but the clouds of labor war are percolating even in spring training. Luke Jones and Nestor discuss the complicated complications of six decades of Major League Baseball labor history and the bubbling situation for a salary cap. And what will the role of the new Baltimore Orioles ownership be in the looming dogfight? The post Luke Jones and Nestor discuss the complicated complications of MLB labor situation and Orioles role first appeared on Baltimore Positive WNST.

In the aftermath of a unique press conference amongst an entirely new coaching staff in Owings Mills, Luke Jones and Nestor discuss the Baltimore Ravens new regime with old faces and new spaces in the hierarchy who must hold all of the players accountable to improve upon last year. Starting with Lamar Jackson. The post Luke Jones and Nestor discuss the Ravens coaches press conference and message for Lamar first appeared on Baltimore Positive WNST.

The amazing gift of O.J. Brigance continues to give to the universe and he'll be back with the Brigance Brigade on February 27th as the "Soiree With O.J." continues to raise awareness, funding and real support for families affected by ALS. Drew Vanlandingham of The Brigance Brigade updates Nestor on The Juice and plans ahead for the event and the future of everyone's favorite local hero. The post Drew Vanlandingham of Brigance Brigade updates Nestor on The Juice and big soiree on February 27th first appeared on Baltimore Positive WNST.

It's early and the Orioles already have big injuries to Jackson Holliday and Jordan Westburg that will affect the Opening Day roster. Allen McCallum returns for a spring training thaw and Birdland prospectus with perspective for the long MLB season ahead and the pitching it will take to contend in the American League East. The post Allen McCallum returns for a spring training thaw and Orioles prospectus with perspective for long MLB season ahead first appeared on Baltimore Positive WNST.

The NFL continues to rule the sports world even in the slowest of times. Luke Jones and Nestor discuss the NFLPA report cards on franchises and transparency and accountability amongst billionaires who can't even get an Epstein List regular who just hired John Harbaugh to come to light and off their ownership ledgers. We'd ask Steve Bisciotti about it, but of course he's evaporated again for a while... The post Luke Jones and Nestor discuss NFL owners and accountability and profitability first appeared on Baltimore Positive WNST.

Big winners report in daily at the Maryland Lottery headquarters but it's always fun when it's a million dollars on the Eastern Shore in a fun winner scratch-off person with a perfect plan. Executive Director John Martin returns to update us on all things spring and winning ahead for the lucky ones. The post John Martin brings some winner tales to Nestor and a million more on Eastern Shore first appeared on Baltimore Positive WNST.

No one wants to discuss their colonoscopy because no one looks forward to – or back, really – after the notoriously benign but very necessary procedure. Nestor welcomes his favorite gastroenterologist Dr. Dhanush Hoskere of GBMC to thank him for removing pre-cancerous polyps during his recent colonoscopy, which might've saved his life. This is your friendly warning and advice and some gentle humor to keep cancer away with proper care and medical guidance. Your peace of mind will thank you! The post Dr. Dhanush Hoskere of GBMC returns to praise of Nestor for colonoscopy and keeping cancer away with proper care first appeared on Baltimore Positive WNST.

ESPN's Holly Rowe drops by to talk about the booming world of women's college hoops — from Dawn Staley packing Coppin State and Angel Reese repping Baltimore to Caitlin Clark going mainstream and NIL stars pouring their money back into the community. It's proof that women's basketball isn't just great business; it's changing lives on and off the court. The post Holly Rowe of ESPN returns to discuss women's college hoops growth and local hype and help first appeared on Baltimore Positive WNST.

There are certainly reasons to be optimistic that the Baltimore Orioles won't repeat a last-place performance in the American League East but losing two blue-chip, emerging players before March doesn't lift hope. Luke Jones and Nestor take another swing at spring in Birdland with Jordan Westburg and Jackson Holliday injured before the team takes the field in Sarasota. The post Luke Jones and Nestor take another swing at Orioles spring with Westburg and Holliday injured first appeared on Baltimore Positive WNST.

They won a lot of football games in Baltimore while John Harbaugh was the coach of the Ravens. Luke Jones and Nestor take a full look at the new coaching staff of head coach Jesse Minter and how some old friends like Anthony Levine and Anthony Weaver return with the same Hard Ball coaching wind under their purple wings. Familiar is comfortable in Owings Mills with the new regime. The post Luke Jones and Nestor take a Harbaugh tour of new Minter coaching staff with Ravens first appeared on Baltimore Positive WNST.

Judge not lest ye be judged unless you're in the Olympics and judges play a key role every time America looks up to the five rings of justice. Leonard Raskin and Nestor discuss the early part of the Milan Olympic dreams and the Orioles' winter hopes as spring has sprung in Sarasota for baseball in Baltimore. The post Leonard Raskin and Nestor discuss Olympic dreams and Orioles hopes as winter continues first appeared on Baltimore Positive WNST.

Longtime civic leader Barry Williams returns for "A Cup Of Soup Or Bowl" to educate Nestor about the future of the Pikesville Armory Project, designed to serve the community for generations to come after being an historic piece of the area recently abandoned and unused. Always looking to the future... The post Longtime civic leader Barry Williams tells Nestor about the future of Pikesville Armory to serve the community first appeared on Baltimore Positive WNST.

Longtime drummer of The Black Crowes and now Minnesota morning rock radio voice Steve Gorman comes home to Maryland to discuss the state of world and his new supergroup Howl Owl Howl, featuring Mike Mills of R.E.M. and Darius Rucker of Hootie and the Blowfish. But we can't just stick to rock band nostalgia and sports halftime shows when The United States Constitution is being shredded in the streets of Minneapolis every day... The post Drummer and Minnesota morning radio voice Steve Gorman comes home to Maryland to discuss state of world and new supergroup Howl Owl Howl first appeared on Baltimore Positive WNST.

In a weary world with so many problems, the folks at CASA Baltimore County are providing leadership and care for foster children in need of loving, caring home environments. Jennifer Stine of CASA Baltimore County tells Nestor about the organization and he confides about his amazing adoptive parents who wanted and needed a child in Dundalk 50 years ago. This one is personal. The post Jennifer Stine of CASA Baltimore County tells Nestor about loving homes for children in foster care first appeared on Baltimore Positive WNST.

Still serving more folks in need locally than anyone, it was crucial to include the work of Catholic Charities on "A Cup Of Soup Or Bowl" and Andy Wayne dropped by Koco's Pub to update Nestor on his old pal Bill McCarthy and everything the folks are still doing from Our Daily Bread and beyond the beltway to feed and assist the needy throughout the region. The post Andy Wayne of Catholic Charities blesses Nestor with the facts about feeding and helping folks in need locally first appeared on Baltimore Positive WNST.

It's been far too long since we've properly told the amazing story of Helping Up Mission and were delighted that Dan Stoltzfus dropped by Koco's Pub on "A Cup Of Soup Or Bowl" to discuss what happened with the two bags of donations Nestor left last summer at the doors of one of the venerable institutions that stands for what it says: helping people up. The post Dan Stoltzfus of Helping Up Mission gives Nestor a full update on serving men and women in East Baltimore get back on their feet first appeared on Baltimore Positive WNST.

We've been talking to Singy for years about his golf outings and Yankees adventures so this time we went to the heart of the Cool Kids Network as Alyssa Vagnoni joins Nestor at Costas Inn in Timonium on "A Cup Of Soup Or Bowl" to discuss all of the things 20 years of helping kids cope with cancer have meant to local families. The post Alyssa Vagnoni of Cool Kids Network joins Nestor to discuss helping kids cope with cancer and legend of Ken Singleton first appeared on Baltimore Positive WNST.

The mission of B & Dee's Baltimore Love is to provide hot meals and groceries to those in need in the city and Tramour WIlson brings his passion to Nestor at Koco's Pub in Lauraville for "A Cup Of Soup Or Bowl" to tell the whole story of their Sandtown community group and how you can help. The post Tramour WIlson brings the BDee Baltimore Love to Nestor and how to help feed more folks in our city first appeared on Baltimore Positive WNST.

The good folks at Share Baby distribute items to needy mothers and fathers for babies in Baltimore. Nadya Dutchin joins Nestor at Costas Inn in Timonium for "A Cup Of Soup Or Bowl" week and educates us on pampering and parenting needs for toddlers and helping families in our city. The post Nadya Dutchin of Share Baby gives Nestor pampering and education about parenting needs for toddlers and helping moms first appeared on Baltimore Positive WNST.

There's not much you won't do for your dog but we all know the stories of what others have done to lose care of their animals and Erin Scott of Bmore Dog is here to educate, support and provide help for dog lovers in under-served communities. She joined Nestor for "A Cup Of Soup Or Bowl" at El Guapo in Catonsville and emphasized the importance of teaching pet owners and children about animal care and safety. The post Erin Scott of Bmore Dog educates Nestor about pit bulls and ways to help and serve animals locally first appeared on Baltimore Positive WNST.

There are success stories all over Baltimore about putting people back to work after the pandemic and Renee Barnes of the Baltimore County Workforce Development – located a block from his childhood home near Eastpoint Mall in Dundalk – is always a reach away for local folks who want and need to work in our region. The post Renee Barnes educates Nestor about Baltimore County Workforce Development right in his old neighborhood first appeared on Baltimore Positive WNST.

Our childhood friend and defending champion of awesomeness Trish Woodward of Camp Opportunity returns as an annual staple of "A Cup Of Soup Or Bowl" to bring Nestor current on an extra week of summer love for kids in need of a chance and ways that you can help her help the children. The post Trish Woodward of Camp Opportunity brings Nestor an extra week of summer love for kids in need of a chance first appeared on Baltimore Positive WNST.

From the neighborhoods in Essex and beyond, Alysia Witherington and Kim Shewell capture local cat colonies to spay, neuter and fix a new home and heart with their feline love via Breakfast Club Cats rescue, which Nestor learned about at Pizza John's on "A Cup Of Soup Or Bowl" week. You'll never regret welcoming a kitty into your life! Here's your chance... The post Alysia Witherington and Kim Shewell capture Nestor's feline heart with love of Breakfast Club Cats rescue first appeared on Baltimore Positive WNST.

The local teachers and helpers powering up Empower4Life provide educational and resource programs for children experiencing homelessness, including partnering with shelters and schools. Ashley Fallon and Trish Woodward join Nestor at Pizza John's in Essex for "A Cup Of Soup Or Bowl" week to emphasize the importance of addressing basic needs to ensure children can focus on their education around the beltway. The post Ashley Fallon of Empower4Life educates Nestor about helping local kids find shelter so they can learn first appeared on Baltimore Positive WNST.

It was a gathering of self-proclaimed nerds and STEAM teachers Dave Brelsford of Mervo, John Bachman of Western and City and Brian Watson of Poly join Nestor at Koco's Pub to educate him on bringing city students together with science, math and arts programming to excel in robotics, prepare for college and excel in the real world with solutions to problems. The post Dave Brelsford of Mervo High educates Nestor on bringing city students together with STEAM programming to excel in robotics and the real world first appeared on Baltimore Positive WNST.

It's already been a short week of additions and subtractions as the Baltimore Orioles sign veteran starting pitcher Chris Bassitt on a $18.5 million one-year deal and lost Jackson Holliday to a broken hamate bone, which changes the Opening Day lineup. Luke Jones and Nestor reset the Birdland expectations as Mike Elias still has some work to do on the bullpen and there's action gearing up in Sarasota as spring training baseball begins next week in Florida. The post Luke Jones and Nestor discuss Orioles addition of Bassitt and Holliday injury along with pitching strategy of Elias first appeared on Baltimore Positive WNST.

Pete Dimitriades of Student Support Network updates Nestor on helping kids in Baltimore County schools with food and necessities The post Pete Dimitriades of Student Support Network updates Nestor on helping kids in Baltimore County schools with food and necessities first appeared on Baltimore Positive WNST.

Friday The Thirteen doesn't always come up lucky but when it does, you win! John Martin of Maryland Lottery gets Nestor ready for some big winner stories, next week's six lucky finalists for the Ravens Tickets For Life drawing and local Olympics glory in progress in Milan. The post John Martin of Maryland Lottery gets Nestor ready for some big winner stories and Ravens tickets for life first appeared on Baltimore Positive WNST.

As the Birds descend upon Sarasota and daily news leaks into the conversation, we'll be covering the Baltimore Orioles better than ever. Luke Jones and Nestor preview the Orioles new look at spring training and talk MASN money and Bird watching as Mike Elias seeks to add pitching and Pete Alonso brings a captain ready to swing for the fence. The post Luke Jones and Nestor preview Orioles new look at spring training and talk MASN money and watching Pete Alonso swing for fences first appeared on Baltimore Positive WNST.

Bringing friends and activists together for conversation is what "A Cup of Soup Or Bowl" week is all about and on the final day of our annual week-long chats, Bill Cole and Todd Schuler join Nestor for a spirited discussion about listening to girls in modern America from Costas Inn in Timonium. The post Bill Cole and Todd Schuler join Nestor for a discussion about listening to girls in modern America first appeared on Baltimore Positive WNST.

It's an unthinkable circumstance that we don't talk about enough but when women or men are the victims of domestic violence, police and hospitals are always involved. Dani Imbragulio of GBMC tells Nestor what really happens after the incident and what options the victim might have if they have no other option than returning "home" again. This is a tough talk on "A Cup Of Soup Or Bowl" during a week when we discuss the topics we need to address in our society. The post Dani Imbragulio of GBMC tells Nestor what really happens after a woman has been domestically assaulted first appeared on Baltimore Positive WNST.

We're onto next season! As the Seahawks were crowned Super Bowl LX champions, Luke Jones and Nestor marinate beyond a boring game and honor the Mike Macdonald defensive show in Seattle while acknowledging it's now "go time" for Eric DeCosta to get a deal done with Lamar Jackson as rookie head coach Jesse Minter settles into his new role in Owings Mills with the NFL Combine less than two weeks away. The post Luke Jones and Nestor reset NFL offseason after Seahawks win and Ravens expectations with Lamar and Minter first appeared on Baltimore Positive WNST.

It's the biggest week of the year on campus at Coppin State as the Eagles hail home all of the alumni and folks all over the country (and world) to come back to West Baltimore to celebrate the legacy and impact of the university. Kimberly Nelson invites Nestor on campus for Homecoming Week and the alumni legacy of education and spirit of the tens of thousands of proud graduates. The post Kimberly Nelson of Coppin State invites Nestor on campus for Homecoming Week and the alumni legacy of education first appeared on Baltimore Positive WNST.

Who goes in first? Will they both go in at all? Luke Jones and Nestor debate the final steps for Baltimore Ravens' Terrell Suggs and Marshal Yanda to make the next step toward Hall of Fame induction after being finalists again at Costas Inn in Timonium as part of "A Cup Of Soup Or Bowl" Week. The post Luke Jones and Nestor debate Terrell Suggs and Marshal Yanda Hall of Fame credentials first appeared on Baltimore Positive WNST.

The Smalltimore story of a local friend suddenly lost inspired a connected group of community-minded folks to surround a widow and her children by honoring his legacy through The Jason Los Foundation, powering up a special bond of friends into local action and love. And, of course, the best stories are told over tasty Pizza John's in Essex on "A Cup Of Soup Or Bowl" with a whole cheering section for Cynthia Los, who made her debut in telling tales of her late husband. The post The Jason Los Foundation powers up a special bond of friends into local action and love first appeared on Baltimore Positive WNST.

Natasha Guynes, CEO and founder of the HER Resiliency Center, joined Nestor and Andy Kobus of United Rentals at Koco's Pub on "A Cup Of Soup Or Bowl" to discuss the organization's mission to support women survivors of trauma, particularly those in marginalized communities, highlighting the challenges women face in being believed and the systemic issues that perpetuate abuse. The post Natasha Guynes shares the HER Resiliency Center story with Nestor and reinforces that women in distress need to be heard first appeared on Baltimore Positive WNST.

Founded in 1961 by parents who wanted their children with disabilities to have the same rights and opportunities as any other community member, formerly The Arc Central Chesapeake rebranded last year as Fello to go even deeper into its mission and serve the unmet needs of more local people. We welcomed good fellow Jonathan Rondeau to El Guapo for "A Cup Of Soup or Bowl" to update Nestor on all of the current work of the new Fello with folks in our community. The post Jonathan Rondeau gives Nestor to arc of how Fello helps local folks with disabilities thrive first appeared on Baltimore Positive WNST.

It's always time well spent with our oldest sports newspaper pal and lifer cartoonist Mike Ricigliano, who resumed his Ko-host role at Koco's Pub for "A Cup of Soup Or Bowl" talking about the Orioles and Ravens fortunes this year. But, more importantly, Ricig told Nestor the story about his wife's family heading to Kenya to help families and children in need in Africa via Future In Our Hands charity mission. The post Sports cartoonist Ricig joins Nestor with offseason realities for Baltimore Orioles and Ravens fans to reset first appeared on Baltimore Positive WNST.

The modern path to making money and having a career is certainly different in the present "hustle" world of being a business instead of finding a job. Dr. Tamirra Lucas heads up the Center for Strategic Entrepreneurs at Coppin State University and gives Nestor an education in the strategy to a modern entrepreneurial education and degree at Coppin State. Learning about learning... The post Dr. Tamirra Lucas gives Nestor the strategy to a modern entrepreneurial education and degree at Coppin State first appeared on Baltimore Positive WNST.

Longtime WNST listener and Baltimore autism advocate P.J. Shafer returns for "A Cup Of Soup or Bowl" at Costas Timonium and this time brings Ariyanna Anderson of Itineris to educate Nestor about helping adults with autism with inclusion and living their happiest and most helpful lives. The post P.J. Shafer and Ariyanna Anderson of Itineris educate Nestor about helping adults with autism with inclusion first appeared on Baltimore Positive WNST.