World Aids Day

In remote villages throughout Africa, most people appear far removed from the financial crisis rolling through much of the world. The economy these villagers encounter is unconcerned with complex financial instruments and liquidity on Wall Street. But millions of these men, women and children will suffer the consequences of this crisis unless the new administration and Congress refuse to let the poorest of the poor suffer due to the mistakes of the richest of the rich. Many expect an Obama administration to be very friendly toward Africa; it is not every day that the United States gets a president with a Kenyan father and a Swahili name.

Today is World AIDS Day, marked by everything from related made-for-TV movies to a benefit concert on MTV. On the major networks, though, it's business as usual.* "Beverly Hills, 90201" (8-9 p.m., WBFF, Channel 45) -- On tonight's show, Shannen Doherty's Brenda gets a role in a college play -- with a costume budget to match her apparel, which is nothing. Is America really ready for "Beverly Hills Blue"? Fox.* "Moon Over Miami" (10-11 p.m., WJZ, Channel 13) -- Elliott Gould, who just concluded a multiple-episode guest stint on "L.A.

Though it will end its 26-year life in January, the Baltimore Film Forum is going out in style. Tomorrow at 7 p.m., at the Baltimore Museum of Art, the Forum will screen "Giant," the epic George Stevens film with Rock Hudson, Elizabeth Taylor and James Dean, in commemoration of World AIDS Day. Professor David Bergman, editor of "Men on Men," will discuss the significance of Hudson as the first major celebrity "outed" by AIDS.Admission is $4 for BMA and BFF members, seniors and students; $5 otherwise.

On Wednesday, June 16, 2004, MARLENE LEVITAS (nee Strigle), devoted mother of Patti Katz, Kelli Centanni, Perie Donellan, and the late Vicki Landsman-Johnson; loving grandmother of Jeremy, Adam, Aaron, Taylor and Andrea. Also survived by one sister, Jackie Siegert and her husband Gene, other relatives and friends. Marlene was very active with the Health Education Resources Organization. She was a board member, a buddy to persons with HIV; she assisted in spear heading World AIDS Day in Baltimore, and received many awards.

About 500 people took part in last night's observance of World AIDS Day at the Mount Vernon Place United Methodist Church in Baltimore.The program included a recitation of the names of people who have died of acquired immune deficiency syndrome, talks by AIDS sufferers and the friends and families of victims, music, readings and a candlelight vigil at the Washington Monument.Dan Gilbert, one of the event's organizers, said the goal was to bring people and AIDS groups together."For all of us who have been touched by AIDS, this is in memory of those whom we've lost and also an attempt to bring the AIDS community together," Mr. Gilbert said.

He knows he will lose them. No matter how high their red blood cell count is today, no matter how strong their pulse, his patients will all die of AIDS.Dirk Le Flore, a nurse at the Chase-Brexton Clinic, doesn't think about the inevitable. He thinks about now. And how to assure that his patients' health is as good as it can be for as long as it can be.Mr. Le Flore's devotion is eloquently expressed in a photographic exhibition, "Together: With AIDS," opening today at School 33 Art Center in observance of World AIDS Day. As part of an exploration of the bonds between people with AIDS and their care givers, Baltimore photographer Michela S. Caudill followed Mr. Le Flore for over a year, capturing his career as a home-care nurse to HIV-infected men and women as well as an evening triage nurse at Chase-Brexton Clinic.

The Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development has released some $68 million for mortgage financing.Eligible Maryland residents, including those in Anne Arundel County, are encouraged to take advantage of this special funding.The money becomes available Nov. 25, from the Maryland Mortgage Program. It can be used to finance newly constructed or existing single-family homes, including town houses, detached or semi-detached homes and condominiums.Under the program, the maximum purchase price is $85,000 for a newly constructed home and $80,000 for an existing home.

TODAY TOWSON TREE LIGHTING -- The annual Christmas tree-lighting ceremony in Towson will be at 6 p.m. at Towson Commons, Pennsylvania Avenue and York Road. Metered parking and parking in county Revenue Authority garages will be free after 5 p.m. 410-825-1144. ANNAPOLIS COUNCIL TO MEET -- The Annapolis city council will meet at 7 p.m. to discuss the proposed lease of Market House along with an annexation moratorium and zoning restrictions along West Street. The meeting will be at City Hall, 160 Duke of Gloucester St. 410-263-1184.

In Baltimore City Man, officer exchange gunfire in robbery attempt at restaurant A gunman escaped after exchanging shots with an off-duty city police officer Saturday night in a robbery attempt at a fast-food restaurant in Southwest Baltimore, authorities reported. Officer Eyvette Jones, 44, of the child abuse unit, was in plainclothes and eating a meal at the Wendy's restaurant in the 2300 block of Frederick Ave. about 9:15 p.m. when the gunman entered and tried to open a cash register.

MOUNT AIRY -- On a visit yesterday to a Carroll County church whose members have volunteered for overseas AIDS programs, President Bush said he will travel to Africa early next year to view the progress of a multibillion-dollar U.S. effort to control the deadly virus. Bush, speaking on the eve of World AIDS Day, repeated a call for Congress to double the nation's commitment to foreign prevention and treatment programs to $30 billion over the next five years. Millions of lives could be improved, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa, he said, where a $15 billion administration initiative is yielding progress.