Janet

Look at the cover of Janet Jackson's new album, "janet." (Virgin 87825, arriving in stores Tuesday), and what you'll see seems at first to be a simple statement of identification. There's a head shot of the singer, holding her hands atop her head and staring straight into the camera with the barest hint of a smile. Add in the title, and what the front of the album appears to say is, "This is Janet. Period."Flip the jewel box over, though, and you get a different perspective on the star. What this side shows is her hips, snug in a well-worn pair of jeans, with a long key-chain slung to one side and the fly open just enough to exhibit the shapely musculature of her middle.

Sister Mary Janet O'Donnell, a retired educator and chaplain who was a member of the Sisters of Mercy for 62 years, died of congestive heart failure Nov. 10 at St. Joseph Medical Center. She was 83. She was born Rose Eileen O'Donnell in Buffalo, N.Y., into a "staunch Irish Catholic family," said Sister Mary Pat Smith, vice president of the Sisters of Mercy. After graduating from St. Mary's Business School in Buffalo, she went to work for then-U.S. Rep. James Michael Mead in Washington.

The corporate mea culpas from CBS, MTV and Viacom Inc. took up more time than their infamous and seemingly eternal halftime show at the Super Bowl last week. That, of course, was when, for a fleeting moment, one of singer Janet Jackson's breasts was exposed. This prompted a torrent of protests ranging from official Washington to shrill talk-show hosts to viewers to, of course, an indignant National Football League, even though it has never tired of trying to make the Big Game bigger than life itself.

Janet Gilbert is off on spring break. Her Neighbors column will return next week. Is someone in your neighborhood worth writing about? Is there an event that everyone in Howard County should be aware of? Janet wants to know about it. E-mail Janet at janetgilbertsun@verizon.net, or call 410-313-8276. Janet also has a Web site: www.janet gilbertonline.com

On May 17, 2003, RICHARD A. SHAFFER; beloved husband of Janet Shaffer; loving step-father of Robert, Richard, Janet Lee, Roy and Randy Novak. Also survived by many grandchildren and great-grandchildren; brother of Joan, Shirley, June and Ted. Visitation will be held at Kaczorowski Funeral Home, P.A., 1201 Dundalk Avenue, on Tuesday from 3 to 5 and 7 to 9 P.M. Interment will be Private.

Janet McCreary Daum, 99, assistant to Md. chief engineer Janet McCreary Daum, 99, former administrative assistant to the chief engineer of the State of Maryland, died Monday of respiratory failure at Charlestown Retirement Community in Catonsville. The former Janet McCreary was born and raised in Harlem Park and graduated from Baltimore public schools. She attended business school before marrying Lloyd A. Daum in 1930. He died in 1972. For 30 years until retiring in 1965, the former Ten Hills resident had worked in the office of the State Chief Engineer.

On April 5, 2006 NORMA JANET (nee Sloat); beloved wife of the late frederick W. Metzger and devoted mother of Janice Belton and her husband Larry and Susan Davidson and her husband William J.; devoted grandmother of Chris Belton, Janet Linton, Charlie and Kevin Mc Cadden; devoted great-grandmother of Jonathan and Amber Linton and Kevin Mc Cadden. Family will receive friends at the family owned and opeated MCCULLY-POLYNIAK FUNERAL HOME, PA (Brooklyn) on Sunday from 3-5 and 7-9 P.M. where funeral services will be held on Monday at 1P.M.

On Saturday December 24, 2005, ROY E. SR.; beloved husband of Janet L. Case; devoted father of Roy E. Case Jr., Marie A. Feik and Connie L. Smith; brother of Danny and Earl Case, Janet Orvoko and the late Shirley Newman. Also survived by ten grandchildren. Friends may call on Tuesday and Wednesday From 3 to 5 and 7 to 9 P.M. at Stallings Funeral Home P.A. , 3111 Mountain Road, Pasadena, where funeral service will be held on Thursday at 11 A.M. Interment Glen Haven Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to Peace Church, 416 Wellham Ave., Glen Burnie, 21601.

In the Concert Watch in yesterday's Live section, the wrong date was listed for Janet Jackson's concert at the Baltimore Arena. The concert is Oct. 14. Tickets go on sale at 9 a.m. tomorrow; call 410-481-SEAT.The Sun regrets the error.Pub Date: 9/11/98