9/11: few combinations of numbers hold as much power as these three. This is a date which lives in infamy and remains an enduring symbol of loss and confusion, even over 10 years later.

While there is some controversy over whether or not Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close is focused on 9/11, the reality is that a great deal of the movie’s depth can be attributed to the attention that it devotes to “the worst day,” in the words of lead character Oskar (played by Thomas Horn).

The movie is one part analysis of the continued impact of 9/11, one part scavenger hunt adventure, and one part coming-of-age story. All of these aspects complement each other and are all addressed equally well.

Oskar is a unique narrator and protagonist because of his imperfection. Although his young age excuses him of many weaknesses, he ultimately is a troubled boy who makes many mistakes throughout the course of the story.

Despite his awkwardness and tendency to alienate others with the analytical lens through which he views the world (he even says that Asperger Syndrome tests were inconclusive), Oskar is a surprisingly relatable character. Anyone who has experienced loss (from 9/11 or otherwise) can obviously relate to Oskar’s dismay over his father’s death, but he is also relatable to any American because of his inability to wrap his brilliant mind around the insanity of the attacks on the World Trade Center.

In the midst of that tragedy, news organizations won awards for their coverage, yet none of them succeeded in answering the most important question: “why?”

Even now, the reasoning behind the attacks is unclear, and Oskar struggles with his inability to understand why 9/11 happened, just like the rest of us.

Because the movie captures this sense of confusion that defines the worst terrorist attack in U.S. history, it addresses the tragedy with the utmost level of respect and never misuses the backdrop of 9/11 as a publicity stunt. Ten years later, this movie provides a mature, nuanced view back at the tragedy that has defined this generation.

The framework of Oskar’s quest for the answers to secrets his father left for him represents the need to grow beyond the sad outcomes that 9/11 left for so many. The tragedy of the movie is crippling, especially for a troubled young boy like Oskar, but he still does his best to stay active and not succumb to sadness.

Oskar’s adventure through New York is a great reminder to those victimized by 9/11 (or any other tragedy) that life endures and growth can always come from down times.

This is an incredibly sad movie, but the coming-of-age story embedded within the struggles of the main plot carries important messages about grief, guilt, and self-improvement that is exceedingly relevant, even ten years after the World Trade Center went down.

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Brian Compere is a Community Reporter with the Village Connector Community News. He is also a Journalism major at the University of Maryland, College Park. He has created a blog focused on movies and other entertainment media at http://briansdeepermeanings.com/. To find out more about Brian, go to: http://about.me/briancompere

The dollar is up. The dollar is down. What does it mean?

By

Jeffrey D. Carlson, CFP®

You hear it regularly in the news: “The dollar rose today against other major currencies,” or “The dollar lost ground today on foreign exchange markets.” Just like stocks and bonds, currencies can fluctuate in value in comparison to each other on a daily basis.

For example, at the start of 2011, it would have cost approximately $1.34 to purchase one euro (the European common currency). By the end of April, the U.S. dollar lost value, and $1.48 was required to buy a single euro.

Why should you care? Because currency fluctuations affect anyone who buys goods made in other countries, travels abroad or invests globally. In other words, almost all of us are impacted on some level.

The impact of fluctuating currency values

Consider what happens if you are traveling overseas. If the dollar loses value compared to the currency of the country you are visiting, it will cost more to make purchases in that region. If the dollar strengthens, your buying power will improve.

In terms of the larger economy, U.S. companies seeking to sell products overseas will benefit when the dollar is weaker because this makes it cheaper for other countries to purchase American-made goods. In general, multi-national companies that sell American goods around the world will generate more profits from sales during periods of a weak dollar.

As an investor in overseas stocks, you also may benefit when the dollar is declining in value. Suppose you invest $1,000 in a European company at a time when the exchange rate is $1.25 U.S. per euro. Your investment would be worth 800 euros. If after one year, the investment appreciates by five percent, it will be worth 840 euros. But if at the same time, the U.S. dollar had weakened to $1.35 per euro, your investment would be equivalent to $1,134, representing a much more sizable gain of 11 percent. The bulk of the return, in this case, comes from the euro gaining strength. By contrast, if the dollar gained ground during that period, your investment, when sold, would be worth less after being converted back into U.S. currency.

An unpredictable market

One of the significant challenges of the currency market is that it is very unpredictable in the short run. Any number of factors can come into play in determining the strength of a specific currency. A currency tends to become more valuable when the demand for it exceeds available supply. A number of factors can affect the exchange rate. For example, the dollar may be more attractive to others if interest rates here are higher and bond investors can gain a yield advantage by putting their money in bonds from U.S. issuers. Currencies may also thrive if a nation’s economy is strong (relative to other world markets) and business activity is high.

But movements in currency values can also be affected by the actions of speculators who may try to take actions that affect the short-term direction of the exchange rate.

Overall, it is important to understand that the changing value of the dollar is a factor to consider when investing in global companies or purchasing foreign products, though the risk associated may not be largely influential.

Jeffrey D. Carlson is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER practitioner™ who can be reached at (410) 740-8000, 10025 Governor Warfield Parkway, Suite 209, Columbia, MD 21044.  Or visit www.ameripriseadvisors.com/jeffrey.d.carlson.

Advisor is licensed/registered to do business with U.S. residents only in the states of AL, CA, DE, KY, MD, GA, MI, NC, NJ, NY, PA, SC, TN, TX, VA, DC, FL, WA, DC.

Brokerage, investment and financial advisory services are made available through Ameriprise Financial Services, Inc. Member FINRA and SIPC. Some products and services may not be available in all jurisdictions or to all clients.

© 2011 Ameriprise Financial, Inc. All rights reserved.

“Where are the tickets?” I said with a half-panicked gasp. The line was moving steadily ahead, and we were almost at the admissions booth.

My husband searched his wallet, while I frantically fondled my video camera case; my pockets full of gum, tissues, and Dramamine for motion sickness; and my backpack stuffed with water bottles, sunglasses, wet wipes, and brochures.

“Found ‘em!” my husband exclaimed with relief, just as we stepped up to the Kennedy Space Center ticket window. Following a wave of tourists through the entrance, our family headed to the IMAX theater to watch a 3-D movie about the Hubble Space Telescope.

Once in our seats, I wondered why humans can put a man on the moon but can’t figure out how to make 3-D glasses look anything less than absolutely ridiculous.

Suddenly, Leonardo DiCaprio’s voice boomed through the theater’s sound system and bursts of stars and nebulae hurtled toward my face. For the next 45 minutes, we were totally transfixed, as unfathomable images of space-walking astronauts, neighboring planets and distant galaxies floated weightlessly before our ridiculously bedecked eyes.

At one point in the film, we saw Hubble telescope photographs of galaxies at the far reaches of our known Universe. Leonardo explained that, due to the speed of light and the mind-boggling distances involved, the images portrayed the celestial bodies as they actually were nearly 13 billion years ago.

As the spectacular images bombarded my senses, my mind struggled to comprehend how mere human beings have figured out how to take detailed photographs of infant galaxies from the dawn of time.

At this very moment, my overworked brain approached maximum capacity. Like some kind of computer crash, the mental strain caused my mind to go blank, and the only thought I could manage was what I wanted for lunch.

We recuperated over hot dogs and soda before heading for the bus that would take us on a tour of the NASA launch facilities. While waiting in line, I occupied my time with people watching.

I always enjoyed performing amateur analyses on strangers. I liked to think that I could figure a person out just by seeing what they had in their grocery cart, or what they were reading at the airport terminal, or what they were saying to their friend in the food court.

As I looked up and down the line of space enthusiasts, I noticed a lot of foreigners — Asians, Indians, Persians and Arabs in particular. Everyone looked highly intelligent, and I started feeling a bit intimidated.

I glanced self-consciously at my own little family. Our teenage son was scraping off and eating the plop of hot fudge that was in the middle of his Steeler shirt. Our teenage daughter was twirling her hair and looking at her nail polish. Our youngest daughter was staring cross-eyed at a bubble she just blew. My mother was playing peek-a-boo with a nearby toddler, and my husband was yawning.

Compared to this crowd of intellectually superior science enthusiasts, we looked like a bunch of simpletons.

Just then, I saw another average middle class American family in line, searching for their bus tickets. The father (or baby-daddy) was wearing a t-shirt that read “Bacon is Meat Candy,” and the mother was clad in a lace crop top that allowed the exposed parts of her tattooed fleshy mid-section to bulge over the top of her short shorts. The daughter was wearing Minnie Mouse ears, and the son was picking his nose.

As they anxiously searched their camera bags and pockets for the tickets, something dropped from the mother’s purse. Colorful candy balls scattered everywhere, and the kids scrambled to retrieve the fallen Skittles. Despite some slight differences (I wouldn’t be caught dead in a crop top and prefer Junior Mints to Skittles) I felt a certain kinship with the family and empathized with their plight.

Later that night after touching moon rocks, riding in Shuttle simulators, and gazing at launch pads, we laid in our hotel beds, still struggling to fathom that a group of chain-smoking, coffee-drinking, brill-cream-wearing math and science geeks from the 1960s sent men in a rocket to the moon in an age when cutting edge technology still included black and white console TVs, rotary dial phones, and transistor radios.

The next day, I found myself people watching again while waiting in line for 90 minutes at nearby Space Mountain. Most were wearing silly hats, at least half were eating turkey legs, none looked particularly intelligent, but all seemed happy.

I realized that the people of this world are incredibly diverse. Like space and time, human beings fall on a vast continuum, and whether one is a rocket scientist or dumb as a rock, it is our similarities rather than our differences that define us as humankind.
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Lisa Smith Molinari is a Community Reporter for the Village Connector Community News. She is also a military wife and stay at home mom. She is a freelance writer with pieces published in The Washington Post, The Citizen and The Indiana Gazette. In addition, Lisa manages her own blog “The Meat and Potatoes of Life.” You can connect with Lisa via email at: meatandpotatoesoflife@googlemail.com

Furniture is one of the biggest expenses in your Baltimore home.

It is important to know the ways to clean you upholstery the correct way.

Caring for Upholstery can be done easily using these tips.

You can increase the life of upholstery by following a few simple rules:

1. Removing dirt that becomes embedded in the fibers of your
couches by vacuuming or brushing weekly avoids problems.

2. Turn around and reverse loose cushions every week to allow even
distribution of wear and tear.

3. You should clean any stains and spots immediately.

4. If you have a large family, consider using nylon covers for your upholstery. It is a longest lasting solution to remove most stains easily.

More Details on Cleaning Upholstery:

You should clean your upholstery with a cleaner that is specifically for that purpose. There are some chemicals that leave sticky remains and contain harsh chemicals, and these should be avoided. Getting a cleaning solution that cleans, remove stains and control odors is a good choice. It saves you time and money.

•Always vacuum or brush lightly your upholstery first to remove
dust and loose hair.

•Apply the cleaner and brush firmly any stained areas.

•Wait for one minute or less then wipe away the cleaner with a
damp cloth or sponge.

•Get your upholstery dry while cleaning it to avoid damage. Open a
window or use air condition and allow it to dry thoroughly.

Identify Stains

Before trying to remove a stain from your upholstered furniture, you need to know the type of fabric you have. Most manufacturers put cleaning codes on the furniture hangtag or label. These codes tell you the best way to clean and remove stains. Here is a list of those codes:

•WS:fabric may be cleaned with water-based cleaning agents and foams, as well as with mild, water-free dry cleaning solvents.

•W:use water-based cleaning agents or foams only.

•S:use only mild, water-free dry cleaning solvents.

•X:do not use foam or liquid agents on this fabric. You can vacuum or brush lightly to remove soil and grime.

Removing Stains

You should inspect your upholstery for spots and stains and identify your problem areas. Usually a good cleaner can clean and work on removing the stains as well. But for the tough and sticky stains like grease, crayon, gum, and ink, treat the stain first before cleaning. A great option to use is a powerful solvent containing citrus , which breaks down tough stains easily leaving fresh smell.

•Always pre-treat stains first for color fastness in an
inconspicuous area.

•Spray directly on stain and let stand for 30 seconds.

•Scrub lightly with a brush and let is sit for 2 to 4 minutes.

•Clean with a damp sponge or rinse with water. If stain persists,
repeat treatment and rewash.

To remove stains from non-washable upholstery, use an effective product made especially for dry cleanable fabrics . It is an excellent pre-treater with a lot of convenience and ease of use. Spray the soiled part and blot immediately from outside to the center, to avoid the clean part from leaving a mark.

Upholstery Cleaning

Class Registration

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Randy Pierce is a Community Reporter and a Lifetime Member of The Village Connector Community News. He is the owner of the Ellicott City based SUPERIOR STEAM CLEANERS for the past 15 years. You can reach Randy by calling 443-277-7265 or by visiting the website at: www.superiorsteamcleaners.com

Paws for Purple Heart lend support to their fellow Veterans…in companionship, lifelong friendships and Hearts of Gold…

Paws for Purple Hearts (PPH) is the first program of its kind to offer therapeutic intervention for veterans and active-duty military personnel by teaching those with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) to train service dogs for their comrades with combat-related physical disabilities. PPH is built upon the trusted and time-honored tradition of veterans helping veterans.

Founded in 2006 as a program of California’s Bergin University for Canine Studies, Paws for Purple Hearts has operated its intensive training programs at four locations throughout the United States: Palo Alto/Menlo Park VA Medical Center (California), Walter Reed National Military Medical Center (Bethesda, Maryland), the National Intrepid Center of Excellence (Bethesda, Maryland), and Fort Belvoir (Virginia).

Under the guidance of PPH instructors, service members engage with specially-bred Golden and Labrador Retriever puppies. Together they undergo an intensive 18-to-24-month service dog training regimen—learning more than 90 commands–while the veterans reintegrate into civilian life. Once training is complete, the service dogs are given to veterans who have sustained mobility-limiting injuries. These service dogs reside for the rest of their lives with their new owners.  Since PPH’s inception, service dog training and connections have directly impacted hundreds of veterans’ lives.

For those men and women suffering from PTSD, the very process of training the puppies results in therapeutic benefits which can include:

• less anxiety and depression
• decreased dependence upon pain medications
• greater sociability and a more positive outlook a mission-driven focus and renewed sense of purpose.

To those with combat disabilities, receiving a fully-trained service dog means having a new steadfast companion and a true partner in their recovery. It also translates to greater independence, as PPH dogs help out by performing tasks like picking up dropped items, tugging open and closing doors, and switching on lights.  And the dogs? They benefit from loving homes and the positive reinforcement received for playing such important roles in the well-being of their owners.  The Paws for Purple Hearts program embodies our motto: Veterans helping Veterans.

For additional information and how you can lend support or financial assistance be sure to contact Robert W. Porter – Executive Director & CEO – Paws for Purple Hearts -  202.681.9575   -  www.pawsforpurplehearts.org

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Tammy Bowers is a Charter Member and Community Reporter with the Village Connector Community News. She is the Co-Owner of Rolling Ads of Maryland, a unique branding company as well as an Outdoor Mobile Billboard Advertising Vehicle. She is also the Owner of Inspiring Hearts LLC, a boutique specializing with handcrafted and uniquely designed items that are motivational and inspirational. You can reach Tammy at 410-615-4117 or 410-812-6024 or via email at Tammy@Rollingads.com.

Are you ready to become a first time home owner?

This is a great time as the market is open to new buyers in many ways and interest rates are low.  Are you ready for this journey to home ownership?

Let’s discuss some items to consider as a first time buyer of a home.  Ask yourself a few questions like these ones and the answers may determine your readiness.

• Have I been continuously employed for the last two years
• Is my employment likely to continue?
• Do I have a reliable source of income that can be documented?
• Do I have a checking and savings account?
• Do I pay bills on time and keep good records
• Do I have some money saved for a down payment, closing costs & moving expenses?
• Can I afford to pay a mortgage plus my other regular expenses?
• Do I have time to take care of a house and am I willing to do it?
• Do I have the time to look for a house?

The answers should give you a good idea if you are on the road to purchasing a home or you have arrived! If the answer is yes to all of these questions, you may be ready to purchase and stand at the doorstep to your new home now!

For more ideas or help with this special purchase in your life, please contact the Linda Dear Team of Realtors. Our team is Recognized, Respected, and Recommended by many folks in the Howard county and surrounding areas. How may we help you?
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Linda Dear is a Charter Member and Community Reporter with the Village Connector Community News. Linda Dear and the Dear Team Realtors are with Re/Max Advantage Realty and you can contact them by phone at 410-740-4437 or find them on the web at: www.lindadear.com.

What does your skin look like during the winter months? In winter the low temperatures, ice, snow and severe weather conditions can have an adverse affect on your skin. Even if you live in an area where old man winter is not as difficult to deal with, there tend to be harsh, strong winds and these can keep your skin from being soft and hydrated. Your skin is depleted of its natural moisture layer during winter causing dryness and cracking.

Here are some suggestions to help you keep the skin on your hands, face, body and feet feel soft and prevent the winter dryness affects.

• Use warm water more often. Take showers that do not have intense hot water. Shower less often and for a shorter time. Hot baths should be less frequent than other seasons of the year to keep skin from drying even further in winter.
• Add Vitamin B to your winter health care regimen. Vitamin B supplements can improve skin, hair and nails and give an added boost needed during winter months.
• Hook up the Humidifier. Heating systems blast hot, dry air into our homes and offices. A humidifier can get more moisture in the air which helps to prevent your skin from drying out. Place them throughout your home and this will help to disperse moisture more evenly.
• Avoid wet socks or gloves. Wearing wet clothing means the increased possibility for drying. The tender skin on your hands and feet is susceptible to dry skin, cracking or flaking.
• Use a natural product to moisturize your skin. Try Nu Skin’s Perennial® Intense Body Moisturizer. You can benefit from the same protection that nature uses to guard tender flower bulbs through the harsh winter. Perennial® Intense Body Moisturizer is the first all-over moisturizer to contain IBR-Dormin™ a natural compound derived from Narcissus bulbs that has been scientifically shown to maximize the skin s natural defense mechanisms against environmental aggressors. By increasing cellular durability, Perennial® Intense Body Moisturizer helps your skin remain comfortable and healthy looking year round.

It is important to note that these are ways to help you during the winter months. Individuals with extreme dry skin should consult with a dermatologist or other qualified health professional to devise a unique skin care plan for their specialized skin care needs.

To discover more details on Perennial® Intense Body Moisturizer or other products to help you look, feel and live younger, contact Steve Middleton or visit him on the web at: Steve’s Nu Skin Products.

Enjoy your winter, as there is much to do – sports, skiing, snow and more! Find time to spend with family and friends, winter can be a great season!

_________________________________________________________

Steve Middleton is a Community Reporter and Charter Member with The Village Connector Community News. He is the Founder and President of World Connections, Inc. You can reach Steve at 410-544-3155 or via email at stevem@bigplanet.com.

Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows is written so that you don’t need to have seen the first chapter in order to understand most aspects of the story, so it is easy to forget that it is a sequel. Still, there are weaknesses typical of a second outing in a series.

The movie attempts to follow up on the success of the original by ramping up the action and centering the mystery on a secular (not supernatural as in the original) villain brilliant enough to rival Sherlock.

The plot picks up one year after the events of the original, as Holmes, played by Robert Downey Jr., struggles to recruit the newly married Dr. Watson, played by Jude Law, in pursuing “one last case.”

There is a heavier emphasis on action, misplaced as some may consider it in a detective story. Many of the effects are exciting, although they distract from the true focus of the Sherlock Holmes brand. For better or for worse, if you want to see what trees look like as bullets shred through them in slow motion, this is your movie.

However, Sherlock Holmes is all about baffling mysteries and brilliant detectives, and that critical element is, thankfully, still here (although the plot Holmes unravels in the original is more mystifying).

One of the most entertaining and innovative moments of the original is the opening fight scene, during which Holmes narrates in slow motion and painstaking detail his plan of attack before perfectly executing it in a matter of seconds. This clever effect is brought back with a few creative twists, however, that further develop the idea without coming across as stale.

Jared Harris’s portrayal of Holmes’s rival Professor Moriarty is another high point for the sequel. Moriarty’s quiet, chilling style is effective, although it does carry some weaknesses. His apparent apathy after revealing an important death serves as the first moment when his potential as a villain is displayed, yet the way that the death is swept under the rug is upsetting and disappointing.

All this death, mystery, and villainy is fine and good, but the most enjoyable moments of the movie are seen in the friendship (some might say bromance) that is so key to the franchise. Downey and Law do a great job of subtly revealing signs of admiration for each other (in character of course) while maintaining a borderline icy relationship the majority of the time.

Watching these two interact is the most fun you will have with the movie (especially when one of them cross-dresses…for the good of the case). Unless, of course, you prefer watching a lot of things go “boom.”

All in all, Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows is an entertaining depiction of a great intellectual rivalry that benefits from strong acting and action but fails to meet the high standards set by the dynamic plot of the original.

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Brian Compere is a Community Reporter with the Village Connector Community News. He is also a Journalism major at the University of Maryland, College Park. He has created a blog focused on movies and other entertainment media at http://briansdeepermeanings.com/. To find out more about Brian, go to: http://about.me/briancompere

As most would guess, I being a Clarksville pet owner, would rather my dog relieve himself of any excrement that he might have; urine, vomit, or hairballs, outside in nature so I do not have to clean it up. Unfortunately while these accidents occur infrequently at best, many other people deal with this problem more frequently, no matter what type of pet that they own .

One of the most horrible of pet accidents and one that has a way of smelling horrible is cat urine, the smell is one of the worst pet odors and it might get worse as the smell works deeper and deeper into your carpet and into the foam. If you live by yourself and you work long hours or you are out of town often, and you do not take care of pet stains immediately, your best choice to remove it is to call a carpet cleaning company. Trying to remove the stain and smell by yourself would be futile as you could not penetrate deep and truly remove the odor.

These places may have area rugs and wood flooring in many cases and the wood flooring can have bad things happen to it if pet stains take place on top of them, pushing the stain into the grain of the wood. Most people would not realize that almost all carpet cleaning companies offer the service to professionally clean floors, but they do and they are happy to clean all floors in your home.

While walking your dog one day he or she finds something in the park on the ground and decides to do what dogs do best, eat it. Usually a problem will not ensue, but sometimes this can hurt your dog’s stomach and end up making the dog sick. This sickness can set in hours after you finish your walk. The convenience of the dog getting sick outside removed you will now have a situation on your hands that is less pretty than cleaning up any “number two”
accidents. Again, surface cleaning will only embed the mess deeper in the carpet but an expert shampooing and cleaning will ensure the mess is gone while sanitizing your carpets and keeping them looking their best.

My father always said that if your don’t like the weather in Clarksville, Md, then just wait a minute. For the people who have spent a fair amount of  time in the city, we know that the statement is very true as the weather can go from sunny to rainy, cloudy to snow, ice to rain to sunny again in a moment and those sorts of changes makes walking your pet or emptying litter boxes a little less regular. This weather accounts for higher instances of accidents and the heat from summer or the heat from the furnace can make the smell of accidents worse and worse by keeping bacteria growing in the carpet year round.

Remember that year round and everyday there is a Clarksville carpet cleaning professional that can help you to remedy all of your pet accident problems so you don’t have to worry about anything other than the enjoyment of your animals.

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Randy Pierce is a Community Reporter and a Lifetime Member of The Village Connector Community News. He is the owner of the Ellicott City based SUPERIOR STEAM CLEANERS for the past 15 years. You can reach Randy by calling 443-277-7265 or by visiting the website at: www.superiorsteamcleaners.com

This short presentation shares the results of the Glenelg Leadership Conference held at Glenelg High School in Howard County, Maryland.

The youth of this conference got involved and participated in a Mastermind group brainstorming content.

Watch the video and listen to the story!

Enjoy!