Advice

Inside Westminster Abbey, eight 20-foot-tall live trees lined the center aisle during the wedding of Kate Middleton and Prince William. The trees transformed the space, doing what even the most elaborate floral arrangement could not — providing a natural, living sense of permanence and an air of drama. The move was unexpected, unpretentious and bold. A potted tree on your patio or deck can have the same effect. While not every tree is well-suited for a container, there are a surprising number of options, ranging from crape myrtles to hollies.

Oriole Hall of Famer Cal Ripken Jr. drew a laugh Sunday during his commencement address at the University of Maryland, College Park when he noted his wife, Kelly, graduated from the university, "although she will not allow me to reveal the year. " Dressed in a black robe and glasses, Ripken paused, leaned into the microphone carefully and said in a stage whisper, "1981. " The Comcast Center was packed to the rafters with family, friends and members of the Class of 2013. More than 7,700 students received degrees - although not at the campus-wide ceremony.

If you're a big fan, you already knew what was coming in the season finale. But it didn't make it any easier -- or less heartbreaking -- to watch. The majority of the Season 3 "Downton" finale, or the "Christmas special" as its called in the U.K., took place in Scotland, where the whole family (minus Branson) visits the Highlands home of the Dowager's niece, Susan, and her husband, Shrimpy. Most of the trip included bagpipes, hunting, more bagpipes and Scottish reel dancing. But more on that later (and more on O'Brien meeting her Scottish lady's maid doppelganger)

As a financial services representative and small business owner, I see firsthand the challenges many Hispanic Americans in our community face in accessing affordable ways to get retirement savings help. More than 60 percent of Hispanic workers don't have access to an employee-sponsored retirement plan, which is why opening an Individual Retirement Account is important. The Hispanic American communities that we live and work in have an urgent need for retirement saving advice and products.

As a "public servant," it appears Police Commissioner Frederick H. Bealefeld III relinquishes certain rights as a "private citizen" by accepting "public servant" wages. Please consider the following as a solution to the exchange between Mr. Bealefeld and Baltimore State's Attorney Patricia C. Jessamy: 1. Upon awakening in the morning in your private citizen pajamas, put on your private citizen robe and go out and remove the Gregg Bernstein signs from your lawn. 2. When you dress in your public servant uniform as Baltimore City Police Commissioner, go to work, solve crimes, lock up bad guys, protect the citizenry, etc., but do not discuss who the next State's Attorney will be. 3. Upon your return home, put on your private citizen clothes, put your Bernstein signs up, and enjoy the evening.

Larry Brown has a message for Allen Iverson : Don't give up. Iverson's former coach said Friday he thinks the 10-time All-Star "still has a passion to play" and shouldn't retire. An online report this week indicated Iverson had decided to end his career after receiving little interest from NBA teams. Brown, who coached Iverson in Philadelphia when he was voted league MVP in 2001 while leading the 76ers to the NBA Finals, said he's been trying to get in touch with him. "Anybody that knows him understands how much he loves to play," said Brown, now coaching the Bobcats.

Concerning the presidential debate Wednesday night ("Battle is joined over jobs, taxes," Oct. 4), I heard Pat Robertson speak when he ran for president in 1988 and was very impressed. Someone, however, told me, "Don't pay any attention to what the candidates say, listen to what their supporters are saying. " David Ingalls, Severna Park

Several years ago, I was a committee chair for a local charity function at M&T Bank Stadium to benefit Baltimore's homeless. Midway through the evening, Sheila Dixon graced us with her presence, making an appearance in one of those now infamous full-length mink coats. I remember thinking at the time there could be no greater example of brazen temerity. But having just read that Ms. Dixon is considering a run for mayor in 2015, I stand corrected. Richard Crystal, Baltimore

To state lawmakers: This is the year of change. There will be no increase in taxes. The Transportation Trust Fund will be put in a lock box so the governor cannot raid it. If hundreds of billions over the years had not been taken to balance your reckless spending, Maryland would have the best roads, bridges and transportation system in the nation. There will be cuts in every item of the budget. This is the year of restraint. Remember, the governor is having billions of dollars brought into this state from his last foreign trip.

I live in the city (zip code 21206). My neighborhood is completely blocked in with no sign of help. Many of my neighbors and myself are unable to get to work. Our roads have not been plowed. We have many elderly residents that family members can't get to because of the roads. The county roads look great compared to the city. What's going on?!? I am originally from Boston and have seen my fair share of storms. The mayor needs to contact them because they know how to plan and execute snow removal.

The Baltimore Police Department is asking the city for $285,000 to hire a Massachusetts-based consultant — the highest of five bidders — to recommend how the department should be run. But a city councilman is questioning the need for a consultant. And he says he's concerned that the department is bypassing lower bidders for a company with ties to former Los Angeles Police Chief William J. Bratton, an ally of Baltimore Police Commissioner Anthony W. Batts. "In these tough economic times, we have to think about saving taxpayer dollars," said Councilman Brandon Scott, who has called for a hearing on the contract.

For taxpayers who work best under the pressure of a deadline ... well, that's now. Returns must be filed by the end of Monday. But there's always a risk when scrambling to get returns in under the wire. You might make a mistake or overlook a valuable tax break. To avoid that, here are some tips for last-minute filers: File for free: The Internal Revenue Service partners with tax preparation companies to provide free online filing of federal returns if your adjusted gross income is $57,000 or less.

A Severn mother who, despite a poison center's admonition to get her son to a hospital immediately, waited until her child began having a seizure from sipping his father's methadone, was placed on three years' probation Friday. Kimberly Brooks, 28, feared a huge hospital bill and so waited to see if the condition of her five-year-old son, who had vomited, would improve - a decision that nearly cost the child his life last Sept. 4, Anne Arundel County prosecutor Sandra Howell told Circuit Court Judge Paul A. Hackner.

As thousands of federal workers prepare to be furloughed, many are concerned about how to deal with a pay cut. Keith Everett, a chief steward with the American Federation of Government Employees, said his union held two meetings in recent weeks at Fort Meade for workers, many of whom had the same financial questions: Can I apply for unemployment benefits? Will I receive back pay if lawmakers eventually reach some agreement on budget cuts? The answers: No and no. "Everyone is hoping [lawmakers]

With this ringing announcement on Facebook , "Sorry about this, everyone, but I've started a blog on editing," Ed Latham , a subeditor with Britain's Observer , launches Ten Minutes Past Deadline .  Mr. Latham 's first post takes issue with my advice not to pander to sticklers. And, I am compelled to admit, he makes some cogent arguments. How much time are you willing to spend responding to sticklers and justifying your editing?

It's been widely observed that there aren't enough females entering the fields of science, technology, engineering and math, or STEM, as they're popularly lumped together. That perception is much more than an anecdotal one. Men outnumber women in STEM careers in the United States by 3 to 1, according to the National Math and Science Initiative, which promotes educational programs to increase America's competitiveness. Fewer than 15 percent of American engineers are women, although women comprise 48 percent of the nation's workforce, NMSI data reveals.

- Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell has directed state agencies not to discriminate against gay people, essentially overriding the state attorney general's advice to colleges. McDonnell's directive Wednesday came amid a public uproar over Attorney General Kenneth Cuccinelli's letter last week telling public colleges they lack the authority to prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation. Cuccinelli told colleges to rescind or change any anti-discrimination policies that include protection for gay people.

Last week the Wilde Lake Village Board announced its decision, online, concerning the Kimco Realty plans for redevelopment of the Village Center. It approved aspects of the plans that should have been disapproved. Two years ago the Village Board recognized that they needed the advice of professionals to adequately evaluate such comprehensive redevelopment plans and requested local architects and planners volunteer to be on an Architectural Advisory Panel. The four panel members recently submitted their recommendations after attending Kimco's community presentations and extensive review of their plans.

SANTA CLARA -- Jim Harbaugh's preparations for Super Bowl XLVII took an unexpected turn Friday morning when he called into a sports-talk radio show. Not just any show, however. Harbaugh took notes while listening to sage advice from Pro Football Hall of Fame coach John Madden, who hosts a daily segment on KCBS 740-AM. Madden coached the Raiders to their first Super Bowl championship, a 32-14 victory over the Minnesota Vikings in Super Bowl XI in January 1977. Harbaugh will try matching that feat Feb. 3 when his 49ers face the Baltimore Ravens in New Orleans.

In its obituary of William Rees-Mogg, sometime editor of The Times , Britain's Independent included this passage : Fraser Nelson, the editor of The Spectator, yesterday recalled the advice Lord Rees-Mogg gave him in 2001: "He said he took inspiration from Ben Johnson's essays: the originals, he said, were still the best. " It seems unlikely, highly unlikely, that Lord Rees-Mogg looked for inspiration to Timber , the collection of miscellaneous notes and observations by Ben Jonson, published posthumously.