Butler's Return to the Wizards Is Cause for Celebration

Images from a week in town after snowbirding in Florida much of the past three months:

You know you're back and spring is coming to Washington when the schoolkids line up in front of the White House for that class picture, their teachers trying for smiles and calm.

And, four blocks north as police close off a full square block with their yellow tape and flashing lights, you wonder if it's because of Caron Butler's "invitation only" birthday party, a Redskins Fanfest or a Feinstein book signing.

"Suspicious package," explained a policeman. Later, authorities blew up the package with a controlled explosion.

Welcome home.

Thursday was a big day for Caron. He celebrated his 28th birthday by returning to action at Verizon Center after missing 19 games because of a hip injury, playing 41 minutes and scoring 19 points in a 101-99 win over the Cleveland LeBrons.

"I enjoyed that even though I was fatigued in the second half," said Butler, who looked great afterward in a light gray pinstripe suit, a purple shirt, fabulous tie and kerchief. (Generalization: NBA players dress better than sportswriters, Wilbon being the rare exception.) "Time to go out and have a good time."

So Butler headed out into the chilly Washington night -- bound for his celebration with teammates, friends and celebrities to the Park at 14th. The evening cost him $250,000, according to The Reliable Source, and was hosted by "socialite turned reality TV starlet Kim Kardashian."

My invitation must have gotten lost in the mail -- again! -- as was the case last year when Gilbert spent $1.2 million to host his birthday party at the downtown hotspot Love. How come Wes Unseld never had a birthday party at a club called Love? How come these guys don't just eat a steak, drink a beer and call it a night anymore? I would liked to have asked Red Auerbach that one.

Eagles Flying High

The next day, though, belonged to Jeff Jones and his American Eagles as they defeated Colgate, 52-46, before a packed house of 3,044 at Bender Arena. AU has been playing basketball for 82 years -- and for more than half of those years AU alums Ronald "Boots" Nissenbaum of Philadelphia and Robin Wexler of Bethesda have been faithfully going to the games.

Never in those 82 years had AU made it to the Division I men's NCAA basketball tournament (three times the Eagles participated in a lesser college division from 1957-60), even when the school had produced good teams under good coaches -- until Friday night, when Boots and Robin stood together crying as they watched the AU players cut down the nets in celebration of winning the Patriot League championship and a place in the coveted tournament.

"All those years, we've come to these games, but we've always been a bridesmaid, never a bride," Boots said. "It's always Georgetown, Maryland, GW. Mason. Never AU. This is our moment."