Sage

Through six decades, they called upon Walter Sondheim Jr. When Baltimore mayors, Maryland governors and other civic leaders needed sage advice, inevitably they sought it from a man widely admired for integrity and uncommon warmth and graciousness. Mr. Sondheim died at 10 a.m. yesterday of pneumonia at Mercy Medical Center. He was 98, and until last week he worked every day at his office at the Greater Baltimore Committee. Mr.

Jerry Sage, 75, the World War II prisoner of war portrayed by Steve McQueen in the movie "The Great Escape," died Friday of cancer at a Dothan, Ala., hospital. During his captivity in a German POW camp, Mr. Sage helped work for 15 months on the huge, three-tunnel escape project that formed the plot for the movie and his book, "Sage."

On April 1, 2003, IRENE M. (nee Sage), beloved wife of Charles E. Williams, loving sister-in-law of Ralph Williams, Jackie, Phillip, Patrick and Mike Carnell, Patty Morales, and the late Tommy Carnell, devoted sister of Fern Stafford, Gerry Snyder and Mosetta Sage, Robert Sage and Billy Sage. Also survived by many loving nieces, nephews and relatives. Friends are invited to call at the BURGEE-HENSS-SEITZ FUNERAL HOME, INC., 3631 Falls Road, on Wednesday and Thursday from 3 to 5 and 7 to 9 P.M. Services on Friday at 10 A.M. Interment in Lake View Memorial Park.

Tip -- Wine pairing -- Sauvignon blanc is a fine partner for food cooked with herbs, such as fish with dill or chicken with sage or thyme. -- thejoykitchen.com

Intersolv Inc.The parent company of the former Sage Software Inc. reported sharply improved earnings in the period that ended April 30.Rockville-based Intersolv, which markets software, saw its sales skyrocket as it reduced many costs, including those for sales and research.As a result, the recently merged company finished its fiscal yea in the black. Last year, Intersolv lost $23.3 million.In March, Rockville-based Sage completed a stock merger wit Index echnology Corp. of Cambridge, Mass.

Alaric's gone crazy, but I almost went crazy out of boredom from tonight's "Vampire Diaries" episode.   The only promising moment was when it appeared Damon was going to have a threesome with Sage, a vampire from his past that returns this episode, and Rebekah. But it didn't happen. Damon just hooked up with Rebekah and Sage came in after to read her mind.   Sage was trying to help Damon figure out what Rebekah was up to and they were successful. She learned Rebekah was trying to find out about a white oak tree that once existed in Mystic Falls.

Roch Around the Clock Roch Kubatko on Bill Parcells and Michael Vick. Go to baltimoresun.com/roch Ray Frager's media blog More on Sage Steele's move to ESPN. Go to www.baltimoresun.com/mediumwell Ravens Central blog Mike Preston on changes to the offensive line. Go to www.baltimoresun.com/ravenscentral

Purple reigns Kids may think green food is yucky when it comes in the form of broccoli or brussels sprouts. But Heinz discovered they have a soft spot for the color when it released a green ketchup last year. Now comes Funky Purple, which the heaviest ketchup users - children - tell the company is the coolest color around, what with Harry Potter's purple lightning bolts, purple computers and, we might add, the purple-uniformed Super Bowl champions. We watched with interest as two boys slathered the stuff over french fries.

Stop by An die Musik, 409 N. Charles St., tonight at 7:30 to catch the sounds of violinist Nicolas Dautricourt and pianist Eric Le Sage in a Schumann concert co-sponsored by the Embassy of France. Tickets are $10-$15. Call 410-385-2638 or go to andiemusiklive.com. FYI Susan Reimer is on assignment. Her column does not appear today. It returns Sunday.

Tonight at 8, see the self-proclaimed "queen of hard dance" DJ Lisa Lashes at Rams Head Live, 20 Market Place. DJ Sun, Joe Kopasek, Sage McKain, DJ Lantern and Godfather are also billed. This is an 18-and-over show and tickets are $13.20 (additional $3 for those under 21), available at 410-244-1131 or ramshead live.com.