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Planet Aid: A Big League Story

Dear Bay Weekly:

Just picked up the new issue [Nov. 5] with the Planet Aid boxes, and WOW, what a story! That’s the kind of work the big boys used to do, and to see something like that in a small paper like Bay Weekly is just great. I know that you guys are working with limited resources and people power, so I’m proud of you to be able to tackle a story like that. Keep up the good work.

–Tony Evans, Annapolis

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Readers Reflect

How My Mother Got Her Reward

June Burke after her $1,000 makeover.

It took me just one afternoon to write why Palms Salon and Day Spa in North Beach should choose my mother, June Burke, for its $1,000 Makeover Contest rewarding someone who takes care of everyone else except herself. Here’s what I wrote:

Despite many difficult events in her life — including a deadly attack on her kidneys over Christmas, 2007 — June Burke still likes to give back, help people and teach children, both with disabilities at a special school in Bowie and her grandchildren.

She is both a divorcee and a widow. After her divorce, she tried to keep my sister and me on track and busy in all kinds of activities. She rarely spent money on herself, but rather always made sure we had what we needed. Both my sister and I were able to do well in school and get college degrees.

My mom retired after more than 30 years of teaching in the public schools and was going to move to the Shenandoah Valley with her second husband when he died of a heart attack.

She did not let this stop her from moving forward or giving back. She took care of the disabled ladies in a group home before she bought a lovely house in Tracy’s Landing. She went back to work for another five years, using one of her master’s degrees in special education to teach at Elizabeth Rieg, a school that serves disabled and autistic students.

She retired a second time in 2006, just before she became a grandmother. Now she babysits without pay for my sister during the week. But she is still a one-day substitute teacher at Elizabeth Rieg.

With parents who grew up in the Depression, my mother learned that being frugal was how to survive, so she rarely spends money on herself.

I must have convinced salon owner Mary Ann Habib, because on November 7, a beautiful white stretch limo from Flynn Executive Limousines and Beach Front Limo Taxi Service whisked my mother away to North Beach.

Everyone at the Palms Salon and Day Spa was friendly and attentive. First they gave mom a new fresh haircut with color. While her hair was processing to a nice chocolate brown, they gave her a manicure with a lovely pink hue.

Next, they gave her a glamorous make-up look. My mom could not believe how well the eye make-up made her blue eyes stand out.

Finally, she tried new outfits from Chez Elle Boutique. Owner Catherine Benny chose a simple, elegant black dress with a nice black wrap and ballet flats.

Mom looked at least 10 years younger after her makeover.

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