How many times have you been encouraged to go green by discontinuing your paper statements? Every time I log on to pay a bill they suggest that I save a tree by electing to have an electronic payment. I’m all for saving trees but I still want my paper statement. I like to put them together and review them. Yes, I know I can do this online, but I don’t log in each day and with the amount of e-mails that I receive I may miss that reminder e-mail. If I don’t receive the bill in the mail I may forget that I owe that company and incur a late fee. I do believe in my heart of hearts that is exactly what “they” want to happen. So thank you very much I’ll continue to take my paper statements and why can’t we just plant some more trees or make paper from recycled material....?

A year ago, the directors of the Program to Aid Citizen Enterprise, hit upon the idea of having a reception and luncheon focused around informal conversations rather than a traditional fundraiser. As one member put it, “It’s not just a fundraiser, it’s a friend raiser.”

Since the first event went so well, they tried it again April 9, and more than 230 community, business and government leaders participated, up from 190 in 2009.

CO-CHAIR CLAUDETTE LEWIS AND DINA CLARK

Who inspires you? Is it the woman who is 93 years of age and still walks the runway? How about the woman who is over 70 and travels all around the world?

On March 20 at the beautiful Hilton Garden Inn at Southpointe hundreds of women were impressed and inspired by seven magnificent women each more than 70 years of age at the BASH (The Black Association of South Hills) Ms. Senior Inspiration Annual Scholarship Luncheon.

LADIES OF BASH— Diana Ward, Monica Williams, Deborah Holland and Norma Adams (BASH president).

Beyond an appreciative look or an occasional word of thanks from her fellow Homewood residents, Mary Savage never expected any recognition for beautifying the neighborhood with her floral plantings. Well, she is getting it anyway—and she is delighted.

FLOWERING FRIENDSHIP— With her long-time friend Sarah Garnett, Mary Savage takes a break from weeding daffodils in one of the 11 gardens she has created in Homewood. Savage is a finalist for the Jefferson Awards Volunteer of the Year.

Savage, who has been planting floral arrangements, reclaiming vacant lots and beautifying whole blocks throughout her neighborhood for more than 20 years, is a finalist for a Jefferson Award for Public Service. She is one of seven finalists for Most Outstanding Volunteer of the Year. But don’t call her “the flower lady.”

“That makes it sound like it’s easy,” said Savage. “We’ve hauled all kinds of things out of these lots—refrigerators, tires, shopping carts, even stoves.”