Shade

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.

ABC did not let us down -- and neither did the 26 women vying for the love of this season's bachelor. He's heartbroken, boy next door, beach blonde Sean Lowe! Sean, whose Twitter profile reads "I love the little things in life like good food, road trips, TX country music and great conversation. Most importantly, I love Jesus!", made it perfectly clear that he's in it for love, his soul mate, the woman that he'll ultimately spend the rest of his life with. Not so sure that Sean was ready for this season's suitors.

On July 12, 2004, ROBERT J. SHADE dearest husband of Theresa J. Shade (nee Sours) beloved grandson of Charles "Bucky" Shade, loving son of John A. and Linda Shade, devoted father of John J., and Chris J. Shade, beloved brother of John D., Chuck F., Michael D. Shade and Mandy L. Wagner and Lisa L. Dejong, dear son-in-law of Norma Sours. Also survived by loving nices, nephews, relatives and friends. Christian Wake Service at the Charles L. Stevens Funeral Home, 1501 E. Fort Avenue, Locust Point, MD, on Friday at 4 P.M. Mass of Christian Burial at Our Lady of Good Counsel Church on Saturday at 10 A.M. Interment Cedar Hill Cemetery.

The dance floor was rocking and an elegant spread of crab cakes, shrimp, a chocolate fountain and an open bar kept spirits merry at Friday night's holiday party for employees at the Random House Distribution Center in Westminster. But the buffet at Martin's of Westminster couldn't top the company's CEO, Markus Dohle, who came from Random House's Manhattan office to toast his Carroll County employees — and make an announcement: "Each and every one of you will receive a very special Random House thank you payment ... in the amount of $5,000," Dohle said, smiling from ear to ear. Any other words were drowned out in screams, applause and whistles from the packed ballroom.

On July 8, 2003, EDMUND L., beloved husband of Mildred "Mitzi" Shade (nee Binkowski), devoted father of Susan Mitchell and David Shade, dear father-in-law of Tom Mitchell and Nancy Shade. Loving grandfather of Darryl Thomas, Nicole and Jessica Shade. Friends may call at CONNELLY FUNERAL HOME OF DUNDALK P.A., 7110 Sollers Point Rd, on Wednesday and Thursday 4:30 to 8:30 P.M. Christian Wake Service on Thursday 4:30 P.M. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at Sacred Heart of Mary Catholic Church on Friday 9:30 A.M. Interment Sacred Heart of Mary Cemetery.

The Baltimore Tree Trust, a new non-profit whose mission is to "Transform Baltimore with Trees," would like to join the citizens of Baltimore in expressing dismay at the removal of mature, healthy trees on downtown streets for the convenience of the Grand Prix . At a time when our urban forest is visibly in decline and only trees can help cool hot city streets, Baltimore should work with the race organizers to create grandstands where the audience...

On April 27, 2006, MARY E. SHADE; beloved wife of Robert Shade; devoted mother of son Thomas of Grasonville, Md, son Edward of Cockeysville, MD, son William of Lutherville, MD, daughter Donna Verdis of Hunt Valley, MD and grandchildren Steven, Jeffery, Nicholas Jr., Jake, Jenny, Bobby, Alex, Michael, Adam, Ashleigh, Matt and Colleen. Friends may call at the family owned Ruck Towson Funeral Home, Inc., 1050 York Road (beltway exit 26A), on Saturday and Sunday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 P.M. A funeral Mass will be celebrated at Immaculate Conception Church on Monday at 10:30 A.M. Interment St. John Cemetery, Long Green.

Henry C. Shade Sr., 68, mechanic, woodworker Henry C. Shade Sr., a retired automobile mechanic and woodworker, died of a heart attack Thursday at Northwest Hospital Center in Randallstown. He was 68 and lived in Granite. Born in Baltimore and raised in Locust Point, Mr. Shade graduated from Southern High School. He began his career as a mechanic in the 1950s working for Jerry's Chevrolet, first in Govans and later after the dealership relocated to East Joppa Road in Towson. In 1978, he purchased Wagner's Service Center on Liberty Road in Randallstown, which he operated until retiring in 1997.

Mary E. Shade, the secretary-treasurer of the family construction business she and her husband founded, died of respiratory failure Thursday at Gilchrist Center for Hospice Care. The Lutherville resident was 74. Mary Billingslea was born in Baltimore. She was a skilled basketball player and graduated from Towson Catholic High School. As an alumna, she regularly participated in fundraisers for the school. She graduated from a bookkeeping and secretarial school, and she did office and accounting work for the Black & Decker Co. She married Robert Shade in 1952.

Q: I have a reverse-painted lamp that has been in my family for about 75 years. The glass shade has a scene of a landscape painted on it. The height of the lamp is 21 inches, and the shade is 18 inches in diameter. It has no manufacturer's or any other identifying marks. What can you tell me about it?A: The scene on the lamp was painted on the inside of the shade -- thus the name "reverse painting." Bases were frequently made of metal with a brass, copper, bronze or silver finish.Unmarked lamps make identification quite difficult.

"Fifty Shades" the S&M series that became a surprising runaway best-seller this year, has paid off in a big way for workers at a Random House distribution center outside Baltimore. As noted in this article in the Baltimore Sun, each of the 800 workers -- from supervisors to secretaries -- will receive a $5,000 bonus, a company official announced at the Westminster center's holiday party. Company CEO Markus Dohle said that E. L. James' trilogy -- "Fifty Shades of Grey," "50 Shades Darker" and "50 Shades Freed" -- was a major factor in the company's success this year.

Kim's daughter, Kimberly, is getting ready to head to prom. And though her storyline has been put on the backburner so far, this was pretty cute. Kimberly's boyfriend picks her up and it's all adorable and perfectly awkward with Kim talking about chicken salad and trying to get them to have a cup of lemonade or some other such nonsense. We also get to spend a little more time with Kyle's teenage daughter, Alexa, who is in the process of learning how to drive. What kind of car does Kyle decide to let her practice in?

Polling surveys all seem to ask black or white questions that leave little or no room for grays. Take the gambling survey used your recent article "Poll finds support for same-sex marriage, but not gambling" (Sept. 29). I think the question on gambling should have been a bit broader. For example, instead of simply asking "would you vote for expanded gambling Maryland," the survey might have asked "would you vote for allowing table games in Maryland casinos?" Or simply "does Maryland need another casino?"

In the latest example of the trend of spinning off movies, music and more from books, author E.L. James has selected an album of classical music featured in her "Fifty Shades of Grey" trilogy. Baltimore Sun music critic Tim Smth says it's sure to bring a much wider audience to masterworks. Smith notes that one of the pieces mentioned in "Fifty Shades," a years-old recording of music from Thomas Tallis, has hit No. 1 on the UK Classical Singles Chart. James chose 15 pieces for the album, which will be released digitally on Aug. 15; the CD will be released Sept.

Editor: It is not even the sex. When I was a kid we called a book like "Fifty Shades of Grey" a "dirty book. " But Fifty Shades is so much more than that. As a person who reads and is involved in a wonderful book club, I had to find out what all the fuss was about. I can say, pretty definitively, that this is the worst book I have ever forced myself to read/skim. I have found that a bad book in a literary sense has certain red flags. One red flag is the use of the verb "grin.

I'm amazed at the mileage that "50 Shades of Grey" is getting since it seems to have no value except to excite hormonal interests. Since libraries are facing financial burdens and criticism, perhaps it would be good for them to specialize solely in reading material that has educational value. The readers of recreational material can easily get it at bookstores using their money rather than the taxpayers'. David Wenner, Bel Air

I usually feature new home-related businesses in this column, but it doesn't hurt every once in a while to point out one that's almost a historic landmark. The American Shade Co. (815 N. Howard St., [401] 728-5891) certainly qualifies; it's been in business since 1916 making custom blinds and shades."We get most of our work by word of mouth," says company vice president Dick Tillman. All blinds and shades are made on the premises in the latest colors and materials. The craftsmanship may be old-fashioned, but the styles aren't.

DO ANY VEGETABLES GROW IN SHADE? Not in dense shade. but many fruits and vegetables can grow well in partial shade. when planning your garden, keep in mind that noon and afternoon sun are more intense than morning sun. good candidates are locations receiving three to four hours of sunlight. at those sites, try broccoli, kale, cabbage, turnips, spinach, arugula, radishes, leaf lettuce and beets. You'll notice that many of these are leafy vegetables. Carrots, onions, parsnips, cucumber and celery need only five hours of sun. Some vegetables, such as pole beans, tomatoes and peppers, actually benefit from a little late-afternoon shade when summer sun gets intense.

Kudos to the librarian in Harford County who wouldn't approve stocking "50 Shades of Grey" ("Harford librarian stands by her rejection of '50 Shades,'" June 5). I like to read mysteries and adventure books and checked one out to read. It was horrible, smutty stuff, providing in vivid detail the life of a male convict and all the degradation and humiliation suffered by one. But it was fiction, not real life. And the details of what happened in the showers were so gross I quit reading it. I returned it and asked to speak to the head librarian.

Regarding your recent editorial on the Harford County Public Library's decision not to purchase the book "Fifty Shades of Grey," the library did not ban the book as you claimed ("Banned in Bel Air," June 2). We strongly oppose censorship of any type and are ardent supporters of intellectual freedom - a critical and essential role for a public library in any community. The Harford County Public Library does not purchase every book that is published, and it follows our library board of trustees' materials selection policy.