Life

There's no way for any of us to know how Josh Hamilton feels these days, but if you ask him he will do his best to let you know. That says a lot in itself. The guy who might have the best idea about what swirls through Hamilton's head is Dodgers coach Manny Mota. It was Mota who had the misfortune to line a ball into the seats at Dodger Stadium in 1970, striking 14-year-old Alan Fish in the head. The teenager died four days later. "I'm sad for Josh, because I know how he feels now," Mota has said.

Regarding "Cell phone use, tumors linked" (June 1), I am always amazed at what passes for news. Chances are that banning cell phones or other possible causes of cancer won't extend life. And there are far more dangerous endeavors we participate in. My advice is to relax, enjoy life and don't worry too much about the ills could befall us, because eventually one surely will. Michael W. Kohlman, Parkville,

The old adage says that when you put someone's hand in the fire, it will be an experience to learn from and never repeat. But there are some who find the fire to be very alluring, and they repeatedly come back for more, despite the consequences. Enter Felicia "Snoop" Pearson ("City drug raids net 63; 'Wire' actress arrested," March 11). Opportunities were given her to change her life, to place her troubled past in the rearview mirror. But that fire, that magnet that draws some back to the gutter dealer's life, is sometimes too much to resist.

It's still National Financial Literacy Month, and so the Consumer Website of the Week is Learnvest.com . The site offers a budgeting tool to show folks who earn a biweekly paycheck how much you're taking home, how much you're saving and how much discretionary income you have. There's also checklists for many of the life changes that people often experience in the spring: graduation, first job, first independent housing. The site is geared toward young women, though many of the tips could benefit people regardless of their age or gender.

Laurel Leader contributor and former columnist Mike McLaughlin caught this scene Wednesday as trucks from Laurel and Beltsville fire departments hoisted a flag over Van Dusen Road at Route 198, while the funeral procession for life-long Laurel resident Carl Owens, 85, passed below. Owens, who died Nov. 26, had been a member of the Laurel Volunteer Fire Department since he was 16. For a full obituary, go to donaldsonfuneralhome.com .

On March 23, people across the nation rallied to protest show the rule forcing religious institutions to provide employee health care insurance covering contraceptives, sterilization and abortifacient drugs. In Baltimore, Rep. Andy Harris and former ambassador Alan Keyes spoke to a crowd of several hundred people, and I attended a rally in Ellicott City where I estimated about 150 people were present. There were two other rallies in Maryland. Yet The Sun gave these gatherings no coverage at all. Why not?

Three members of the Black Guerilla Family gang were sentenced to life in prison Wednesday for the 2009 robbery, kidnapping and murder of Qonta Waddell, a convicted drug dealer who was hogtied and removed, screaming, from his mother's home in Southwest Baltimore as she watched. Peter "Petey" Miller, Derrell "Snags" Johnson and William "Jim Dog" Rhodes were each convicted of conspiracy, murder, kidnapping, robbery and weapons crimes. Miller, 20, was sentenced to life plus 60 years.

The recent rulings by theU.S. Supreme Courtregarding habeas corpus relief for certain inmates have caused grave concerns and anxiety for the courageous survivors of John Merzbacher, as indicated by the many victims who have contacted us over the past several days. During my four-plus years as archbishop of Baltimore, I had the privilege of meeting with several of John Merzbacher's victims and their families, who recounted for me their tragic and painful abuse. It is clear to me that the abuse they suffered has had an enormous impact on their lives and the lives of their families, and I fear that they will suffer anew if Mr. Merzbacher's request to be released is granted.

Thank you for publishing the courageous story of Regina Friend and her pride in the achievements of her son before he committed suicide last year ("Mother 'closing loop' for her son after his suicide," May 10). Ms Friend's story was a particular gift to me as this is the 11th anniversary of the death of my husband, Jerry, by suicide. Although Roswell Friend was much younger than Jerry, they shared many of the same characteristics - friend and inspiration to many, creative, focused on the future.

I appreciated Ann Egerton's commentary "Leaving home and heading for 'the home'" (July 5). My wife and I and our siblings wrestle with the issue of elder care, not only on behalf of our parents in their 80s and 90s but also thinking ahead to the decisions we will face ourselves. I sympathize with Ms. Egerton's feeling of imposing on her children and encourage her to try to embrace their help. If she is at all like my mom, she has helped others her whole life - her children, grandchildren, nieces and nephews, friends and strangers.