High schoolers earn and learn
While still a freshman in high school, Dominique Chandler began working as a waiter at Charlestown Retirement Community in Catonsville, hoping to earn some money toward college. But unlike most first jobs, this one gave Chandler more than just a paycheck — he got the wisdom and support of 2,300 adopted grandparents.“I love what I do,” said Chandler, who is now the... READ MORE
Storytellers paint word pictures
For thousands of years of human history, stories and the art of storytelling passed down information from generation to generation.Today, our world is centered on electronics, and the town crier has been replaced with cell phones, television and the Internet. But the draw of oral storytelling survives, in part due to organized groups such as the Desert Storytellers. It was formed by... READ MORE
Benefits of free housing referral services
After Rose Kelly’s mom had a stroke, her condition stabilized, but she was permanently affected by the stroke. Her family realized she wouldn’t be able to live alone anymore.“We’d hoped she would have more mobility. We’d hope she’d be able to go home,” said Kelly.Kelly and her father moved her mother to the Sanctuary at Holy Cross, an extended care... READ MORE
Linguist uncovers her inner artist
Day-Glo pink swirls into ribbons of azure and canary yellow on Gladys Lipton’s canvases. Slivers of amethyst, jade, eggplant and magenta punctuate the vibrant abstract works.Earlier this year, Lipton exhibited her artwork in her first show, a high point in any artist’s career — especially remarkable since Lipton is 91 and took up painting just two years ago.She sold four... READ MORE
Fitness guru shares her message
Lynne Brick had no idea while working as a shock trauma nurse that 30 years later she and her husband, Victor, would be household names in the fitness industry.“It was the furthest thing from our minds,” said the soon-to-be-60-year-old, who now makes her home in both Timonium and Florida.While she was pursuing her nursing career, Victor was a recreation director, phys-ed... READ MORE
Evans: a man for all seasons
Anyone attending the 27th annual Frank Sinatra Celebrity Invitational in Indio in February was treated to more than a star-studded golf tournament. That’s because Patrick Evans, chief meteorologist at CBS Local 2, was there — to not only deliver a weather forecast but to donate and serve the Italian sausages made by his Rancho Mirage company, Fulvio’s Foods.“My... READ MORE
When help is a religious calling
Liz McRanney hasn’t been able to drive for years. While the area’s Metro Access service will take her to scheduled doctor appointments and for shopping, she sometimes found herself spending hours waiting for the shared van trips.So she’s enjoyed being shepherded around five or six times a month for the past few years by volunteers from a nonprofit in her area: the... READ MORE
Showcasing works of African art
Doris Ligon may be Baltimore born and bred, but she can’t seem to get her mind off of Africa.“I was in my 30s before I heard anything positive about Africa,” declared Ligon, 78, who, along with her late husband, Claude, opened the African Art Museum of Maryland in Columbia 35 years ago.“In those days,” she continued, “Africa was called the Dark Continent. ... READ MORE
Our world-renowned glassblower
Gianni Toso’s Mount Washington home is a long way from his native Venice, Italy, but he carries with him 700 years of his family’s tradition as Murano glassmakers.The Venetian island of Murano has specialized in fancy glassware for centuries, developing or refining many glassmaking technologies that are still used today in the crafting of pieces ranging from contemporary art... READ MORE
The valley’s first lady of song
That Sunday evening, Sept. 1, 2013, was a celebration of sorts. The next day Club Trinidad’s Purple Room in Palm Springs would shut down for a renovation that would mark a new chapter in its famed existence. To celebrate the occasion, Roberta King and her husband, Bob Branscomb, were invited to attend. When they entered, the crowd broke into thunderous applause, paying homage to... READ MORE
