So many ways to keep learning
When Susan Solberg left her position as Bryn Mawr’s Upper School director last summer, she wanted to retire “from the clock” — not from living and learning.“I didn’t really want to retire,” said Solberg, 58, a resident of northern Baltimore County. “I just didn’t want be tied to the academic calendar or working 60 hours a week... READ MORE
Men who are mad for basketball
March Madness is upon us, and the team known as the Geezers will be attempting to run, jump and shoot their way to a third straight title in the Howard County Basketball League 30+ division.The middle-aged Geezers have dropped four of their first five games in the regular season. Fortunately for them, all eight teams in their division can compete in the playoffs, which tip off this month,... READ MORE
Civil rights stories finally heard
It was a happy “accident” that John and Shirley Billy met in the first place. A member of a black doo-wop group, John was performing at a local club in Baltimore in 1955 when he was given a note that a young woman wanted to dance with him.He approached a table with two young women, and as luck — or fate — would have it, danced not with the woman who had written the... READ MORE
Muslim community reaches out
Raghid Shourbaji, who was born in Egypt, moved to Howard County 29 years ago.“After we lived in several other states, the example [of racial and religious tolerance] in the county definitely attracted us. We started a family and wanted our four kids to be raised in such a community.”Anwer Hasan, 56, born in Pakistan, also tried communities in other states before settling in... READ MORE
Living for giving to others
’Tis the season of giving for many in the Coachella Valley, but for one local couple it’s a year-round tradition. Philanthropists Ron and Sherrie Auen have long been contributing critical funding to charitable programs through two foundations based on the principle of helping people to help themselves. Ron, 80, serves as board president and chief executive officer of the H.N. and... READ MORE
Excited about aging in D.C.
“What changes would you like to see at the center?” D.C. Office on Aging Executive Director John M. Thompson asked several women visiting the Hayes Senior Wellness Center in Northeast Washington.One asked that it serve lunch. Another wanted the music therapist to make a return visit. A third visitor requested crocheting classes, which Thompson said he’d like to pick up ... READ MORE
Dentist is an astronomy rock star
The affable dentist who goes by the moniker Star Doc works with precision using delicate instruments and focusing on the minutiae of each patient’s mouth. That’s his day job.But at night, Dr. Joel Goodman, 59, relaxes by pulling out a telescope and searching the vastness of the night sky, occasionally cursing the “light pollution” thwarting his view.He shares his ... READ MORE
A refugee’s artistic journey
When one door closes, another opens, goes the familiar quotation attributed to Alexander Graham Bell. That has certainly been true for sculptor and painter Wasyl Palijczuk.From the humblest — and direst — of beginnings in his native Ukraine to a creative life filled with personal and professional success, the 78-year-old artist and Idlewylde resident is the living embodiment of... READ MORE
Growing along with the valley
The Coachella Valley was a very different place when Judy Vossler moved here in 1980.Now senior vice president of the Greater Palm Springs Convention & Visitors Bureau, she has participated in the development of the area for more than 30 years, while experiencing her own evolution as a businesswoman.There were nine distinct communities in the valley when she first arrived, separated by... READ MORE
Serving pancakes & community
Each Christmas morning, as many families are opening presents around their tree, more than 900 guests pour into the Original Pancake House locations in Falls Church, Va., and Bethesda, Md. The restaurants aren’t open to the public that day, but the patrons tucking into platters of pancakes, eggs and bacon aren’t traditional customers, either.Owners Jeff and Jane Bulman open... READ MORE
