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With first-quarter data here, it's time to look at bond, equity fund performance - tribunedigital-baltimoresun
Now that first-quarter performance data for bond and equit funds have begun to appear, you can check on the funds you own and compare their results for various periods that ended March 31 with others having similar investment objectives or with bond and stock indexes.
You can see whether another fund looks more promising -- more likely to help you attain your investment goals -- than one of yours.You may decide whether to stay with the funds you hold and perhaps invest more money in them, to switch funds or to add a new one.
It's a good bet that the data on which you'll rely have been calculated by Lipper Analytical Services, which covers more funds than anyother service and whose statistics are the most widely used.
But whether the figures you look at were computed by Lipper, CDA, Morningstar or others, it's also a good bet that you may get some wrong impressions if you compare the published results of load and no-load funds without taking sales charges (or loads) into account.
In calculating a fund's total return, data services ignore any sales charges that investors may have to pay.
Serving the fund management companies that are their primary clients, the data services see their job as measuring how well a fund's portfolio has been managed -- not how much you may have earned by investing in it.
The two are the same only in the cases of no-load funds, whose shares you can buy and sell at their net asset values (NAVs). When you invest in load funds, a sales charge of up to 8.5 percent may be added to the NAV at the time you buy shares or a deferred sales charge of up to 5 percent may be subtracted from the proceeds when you sell.
Fund companies need total return data, uniformly calculated by independent services, to compare their portfolio managers' performances with those of other funds in the same classification and with benchmarks such as the Standard & Poor's 500 index. They use the data for several purposes, often including the determination of managers' yearly bonuses. Adjustment for sales charges that go to brokers and fund distributors would make the comparisons unfair.
You, on the other hand, want to know how much you're earning -- or could have earned -- on your money.
If you have to pay a "front-end" load when buying shares, not all of your investment is working for you.
If you have to pay a "back-end" load when redeeming shares, you receive less than the market value of the shares at the time you sell. In either case, the return on your investment would be less than if the fund charged no load at all.
While maximum loads for small investments range from 1 percent to 8.5 percent of the NAV, most load funds are at around 4 percent to 5 percent. Rates drop below maximums for large purchases. Deferred sales charges fall with the length of time shares have been held and eventually disappear.
The tables illustrate the impact that loads can have on those who invest in equity and bond funds. They show the total returns for the leading performers for the year that ended March 28 -- ranked before adjustment for sales charges -- in two Lipper categories: capital appreciation funds, which seek to maximize capital gains, and GNMA funds, which invest in government-backed GNMA securities.
Note that the effect of a load -- of the diversion of, say, $50 of a $1,000 investment -- diminishes with time, but even the best managers cannot offset it altogether.
Now you might not begrudge a broker a 4 percent to 5 percent commission if he or she is responsible for your investing in an equity fund earning a 25 percent total return for one year.
But no broker can assure you ahead of time that a fund will do that well; moreover, no fund is likely to average 25 percent a year over a long period. During the 12 months that ended March 31, for example, the average return of the 140 funds in the capital appreciation group was only 11.6 percent.
For bond funds, high double-digit total returns are, of course, an even greater rarity. Loads have a more pronounced effect on their investors and can turn a positive result into a negative in a poor year for bonds.
If you want to analyze the performance of a mix of load and no-load funds, you can put them on a comparable basis. When calling for the prospectuses that you need to study, simply ask the service representatives at the load fund families for the total returns after adjustment for sales charges for the latest 1-, 5-, and 10-year periods.
Jerry Tarkanian, whose 18 years at the University of Nevada-Las Vegas have been marked by highly successful teams and continuing investigations by the collegiate authorities, expected to announce today that he will coach the basketball team for one more season and then resign.
Although Tarkanian has two more years left on his contract, the Las Vegas Sun, citing unnamed sources, said the university will not be required to buy out the final year of the contract.
The Sun -- for which Tarkanian and his wife, Lois, both write columns -- reported that Tarkanian is said to have offers of front-office jobs with the Los Angeles Clippers or the Dallas Mavericks waiting for him when he leaves UNLV.
Tarkanian and UNLV president Robert Maxson emerged from a 30-minute meeting in Maxson's office yesterday and announced that they had reached an agreement "in principle" as to how Tarkanian's job status will be dealt with.
The first woman to play college baseball has left her team citing sexism among her teammates, coach and athletic director, but her college says she was merely reacting to isolated incidents.
Julie Croteau, who has just finished her junior year, says she has taken a leave of absence from St. Mary's (Md.) College for at least a semester and might transfer.
Croteau, a reserve first baseman, also charges the college with widespread discrimination against female athletes, including inferior coaching, facilities and scheduling. The college denied these charges outright.
Croteau, of Manassas, Va., was the only woman ever to become a regular, full-time player on a college baseball team when she joined it in her freshman year.
She told USA Today she "has spent more time fighting and being emotionally destroyed by baseball than enjoying the game. It's not fun anymore."
The World Boxing Council cannot hold a purse bid this rTC weekend on a proposed heavyweight title fight between Evander Holyfield and former champion Mike Tyson, a New Jersey state judge ruled.
Superior Court Judge Amos Saunders said that only the International Boxing Federation could accept bids from promoters seeking to stage the fight. He blocked the WBC from holding a purse bid on Saturday, according to Karen Passero, Saunders' law clerk.
The IBF, one of three governing bodies for boxing and the lead organization for any challenge to Holyfield, plans its purse bid Tuesday.
U.S. Olympic officials said that they were happy with Cuba's preparations to host the Pan American games this August and disputed reports they were curtailing the time American athletes would spend in Cuba.
"We are totally satisfied," said U.S. Olympic Committee spokesman Mike Moran, who was among U.S. officials who visited Cuba three times recently to review the preparations.
"We have looked at every single aspect of this," he said by telephone from Colorado Springs, Colo. "We see no special reasons to make adjustments."
Boston Celtics forward Larry Bird will undergo surgery today to repair a back injury that bothered him throughout the 1990-91 NBA season, the team said.
The New York City Marathon will offer cash bonuses strictly on a time performance basis rather than a flat amount for finishing in the top 15, race director Fred Lebow said.
So, instead of the men's and women's winners each receiving $26,385 as they did last November, the first-place finishers can earn as much as $100,000 for breaking the world record.
Defending champion Ivan Lendl advanced to the quarterfinals of the Beckenham grass court tournament by beating Mexico's Luis Herrera, 6-4, 6-4, in Beckenham, England. Lendl, the top seed, will next face No. 9 Jim Grabb, who beat fellow American Patrick Galbraith, 6-2, 7-5.
Maximilian Sciandri won the 11th stage of the Tour of Italy in Savona, Italy, edging Greg LeMond in a two-man sprint for the finish line.
Olympic champions Bob Schul and Ellery Clark, journalist Bert Nelson and age group pioneer Roxanne Andersen were elected to the National Track and Field Hall of Fame, The Athletics Congress announced.
A swimsuit and cap hang on the hook inside the door of Irene Lewis' office at Center Stage. She hasn't worn them lately because of an inner ear problem, but these days she doesn't have much time for swimming anyway.
Besides serving as the theater's acting artistic director, she is directing the first play of the season, Ugo Betti's "The Queen and the Rebels," which opens Wednesday.
Added to these concerns is the inescapable consideration that "she is on the short-short list" of contenders for the permanent position of artistic director, according to W. David MacCallan, chairman of the search committee.
Perhaps understandably, Ms. Lewis doesn't feel it appropriate to comment on this, but she does say, "I don't feel I'm auditioning." Nor does she see the interim job as merely maintaining continuity at Center Stage, where Stan Wojewodski Jr. held the artistic post for 14 seasons and gave the theater a national profile before moving on last summer to head the Yale School of Drama and Yale Repertory Theatre. Instead, she says, "I'm doing it exactly as I would run a theater. . . . I've been in the business
She is referring to her tenure as artistic director of the Philadelphia Drama Guild in the early 1980s, which followed eight years at the Hartford [Conn.] Stage Company, culminating in the position of associate director. In recent years she has enjoyed a solid career as a free-lance director at such places as the Berkeley [Calif.] Repertory Theatre, the Alliance Theatre Company in Atlanta, Ga., and the Mark Taper Forum in Los Angeles, not to mention five years as an associate artist at Center Stage, where she has directed at least as many productions as any other free-lancer.
"I think what's so exhilarating for those of us working with Irene is that she's clear about what she can do," says Peter W. Culman, Center Stage's managing director.
In 1980, when Ms. Lewis directed the first of 11 plays she has helmed at Center Stage, she told a reporter: "A woman director has to have a great deal of confidence in the way she's going to work."
Hearing that today, she reaffirms it heartily. "In a more public art, I think you do have to acquire a certain sense of self. . . . You basically have to rely on yourself in terms of your own growth."
The notion of acquiring this sense was one reason she was attracted to "The Queen and the Rebels," a lesser-known work by a modern Italian playwright who, though highly respected, is rarely produced in this country. (A 1982 Broadway revival starring the late Colleen Dewhurst was short-lived.)
Betti's 1949 script takes place in an unnamed European country in the throes of revolution. A group of travelers is detained by military officers who are looking for the escaped queen of the old order. During the interrogation, a peasant woman named Argia is mistaken for the queen.
Argia, Ms. Lewis says with evident admiration, "is someone who has no sense of self other than to scramble, and in the course of this play she decides she indeed has choice." In a broader context, explains production dramaturg Rick Davis, "Betti says without that sense of self you have nothing."
"The Queen and the Rebels" is being staged in the flexible Head Theater, and for the first time, the entire vast space is being used. The result is a playing area more than twice as deep as most stages. In addition, the theater's rough architectural details are being incorporated into Betti's abandoned town hall setting.
Taking a visitor upstairs to watch the set being installed, Ms. Lewis cannot disguise her enthusiasm for the innovative Head Theater, where she will also direct another rarely produced work, Shakespeare's "Pericles," in February.
Although "Pericles" and "The Queen and the Rebels" are both semi-obscure texts, they are only one part of a balanced season that Mr. Culman calls "the phenomenal panoply Irene Lewis has come up with." Also included are two classic masterpieces, Ibsen's "A Doll House" and Moliere's "The Misanthrope," as well as three new scripts, Paula Vogel's "The Baltimore Waltz," Marion Isaac McClinton's "Police Boys" and Athol Fugard's latest work, "My Children! My Africa!"
The season may not be an easy one, but it reflects the respect Ms. Lewis feels for the Center Stage audience. "I think it's an audience that likes to be challenged. I think nationally the profile of this theater is very high," she says, citing its reputation for "interesting, literate work."
For the second year in a row, Baltimore County crowned co-champions in field hockey, as Dulaney tied No. 9 Loch Raven, 0-0 in double overtime in the title game.
Yesterday's game at Dulaney marked their third meeting of the season. Two weeks ago, they tied, 1-1, and Loch Raven won the first game, 4-2.
"We'd rather have a stroke-off because we're pretty good at them, and we've been practicing," said Loch Raven forward Lauren Volk.
"We've been practicing strokes and we have a lot of confidence in our goalie," she said. "A tie is pretty good. I mean, it's better than a loss, but it would be great to go to strokes."
But they had to settle for a tie after two 10-minute periods of sudden-death overtime with seven players on a side.
The Lions threatened right away and Thingelstad nearly ended the game when she cranked up and shot just inside the circle. The ball just missed the cage and carried wide.
Thingelstad took two more shots and Karen Crowley another, but none got to the cage. Loch Raven keeper Cho Toung preserved the tie with a nice save against Thingelstad's second shot.
In the second overtime, with six different field players on each team, the Raiders (10-0-2) had a couple of chances on passes from Liz Wah to Jen Reed in the circle. But Reed couldn't reach the first pass and the ball hit her foot on the second.
Dulaney had one last chance to score in the final minute, but Toung (four saves) upset that one, too. Catherine Zamarin crossed the ball to Beth Baker for a shot, but Toung stopped it.
The Lions came close on a penalty corner midway through the half. On the corner hit, Jennifer Bacon went to Dawn Lindner, who pushed it to Thingelstad for the shot. The ball rolled between Toung's feet, but she managed to kick it away.
"I told them before the game, that to win the [Class 3A/4A] division was cake and anything above that is icing in a rebuilding year," she said.
At last! There won't be a heap of glass bottles and jars, aluminum cans, tin cans, plastic bottles and newspapers cluttering my garage.
Curbside recycling has finally reached my area. Once a week, the county Department of Utilities drives through our neighborhood and picks up our recyclables, saving us a trip to the recycling center. What a convenience!
My recycling didn't come easily for me. It took some work and a little reminder from my son, David, who posted a note on the lid of the trash can in the kitchen. I think he got tired of pulling out tuna cans and other recyclables. If this little tip will help you to remember what you can save, I'm glad to pass it on.
Take a few minutes to read the booklet that was delivered with your yellow bin. It explains very clearly how the program works and what can be recycled and what can't.
It is called a "Crafter's Delight and Flower Mart." If you like handmade and unusual crafts, then you'll be delighted to find so many of them at this event, scheduled to run from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday at Linthicum Elementary School, 101 School Lane.
Local crafters will display a vast array of crafts. Flowers, potted plants and hanging baskets will be available. Food will also be sold. Door prizes will be given away throughout the day.
The American Association of Retired Persons 2244 has decided to open its annual Harvest Festival to the public for the first time.
Helen Del Broco, publicity chairwoman, says the festival starts at 10 a.m. Thursday at St. John's Lutheran Church, 300 W. Maple Road. Members will meet at 1 p.m., with the festival continuing until 3 p.m. This is the chapter's only fund raiser. Proceeds will benefit the many charities the association helps to support.
There will be handmade items, crafts, books, plants and a white elephant table. Cupcakes and slices of cake will be sold, with coffee and tea served free.
Members of the Friendly Thyme Herb Club will meet at the Ferndale-Linthicum Senior Center, 7205 Baltimore-Annapolis Blvd. at 9 a.m. Friday. They will car pool to Our Lady of Grace Church in Freetown to attend a lecture and slide presentation by author-lecturer Susan Belsinger.
The lecture, followed by refreshments, is presented by the Partners in Thyme Herb Club and is open to the public. Tickets are $7 and are on sale at the door.
Faith Alive! Weekend, an Episcopal church renewal program, will take place at the Church of St. Christopher this weekend.
The program begins with a church supper at 6:30 p.m. Friday. A mission will follow. At 10 a.m. Saturday, several coffees are planned in the homes of parish members. Then, everyone will gather at noon for lunch and a one-hour program in the church hall. Parishioners will meet at 6:30 p.m. Saturday for dinner and another program.
Sunday Eucharist services at 8 a.m. and 10 a.m. will emphasize the Faith Alive! theme. Parishioners are invited back to church at 7:30 p.m. to discuss the program. There will be special programs for children and teen-agers, too. Members of the parish and everyone in the community are welcome.
Committee chairmen for the event are Ruth Hewitt, prayer and visitation; Kate Kiefe, publicity; David Ellis, nursery; Phil and Glenda Bailey, morning coffees; Pete and Kathy Notari, welcome, transportation and facilities; and Gerald VanAirsdale, visitation and follow-up. Parish coordinators are Jack Kirby and Associate Rector Jeanne Kirby.
St. Philip Neri Parish is having its annual oyster-bull roast on Saturday. Dinner will be served from 8 p.m. to midnight, with dancing until 1 a.m. Catering is by Jerry D. Tickets are $18 per person.
Taylor takes on the governor Strong warning: Speaker says Glendening gives 'lip service' to better business climate.
"The Wrecked, Blessed Body of Shelton Lafleur," by John... By Polly Paddock | Polly Paddock,Charlotte Observer
Square off again Labor federation sees an assault on working families, is fighting back By John J. Sweeney
House GOP seeks support for limit on tax increases Rate rise would require two-thirds vote of Congress By NEW YORK TIMES NEWS SERVICE
County Commissioners hail favorite son Dixon State treasurer is honored as model rural leader By Greg Tasker | Greg Tasker,SUN STAFF
25 years ago At long last, Carroll County women will be... By Compiled from the files of the Carroll County Historical Society's library
Titles, boxes don't tell you what's inside Plots: In the best anime, magic, intrigue, transformations and characterization grab your attention. By J.D. Considine
Boosters still await money to restore Constellation $500,000 from state falls short of request By Frank D. Roylance | Frank D. Roylance,SUN STAFF
Race set for 3 council slots, one seat on a village board Voting is next weekend in all 10 Columbia villages By Dan Morse | Dan Morse,SUN STAFF
Few seats contested as voting nears Homeowners to elect members of council, 10 village boards By Dan Morse | Dan Morse,SUN STAFF
Majority U.S. view is that North Korea will not invade But no one really knows how desperate nation is By NEW YORK TIMES NEWS SERVICE
25 years ago (week of April 11-17, 1971):The Howard County... By Diane Mullaly from the files of the Howard County Historical Society's library
1996: Year of the Mogul State budget declined, but 3 sports czars did well in Annapolis By C. Fraser Smith
Gambling worlds unite at Del. track Slots, horses attract money from bettors on opening day By Frank Langfitt | Frank Langfitt,SUN STAFF
Placing poverty families in the suburbs Housing mobility: Rep. Ehrlich's pandering aside, deal addresses the counties' concerns.
Divided government, 1996 style Polling results: 53 percent favor Clinton victory as brake on Gingrich Congress.
Museum promotes art of stewardship BMA Exhibit and fair aim to imprint on people the joys of collecting. By John Dorsey | John Dorsey,SUN ART CRITIC
County wins $214 million in state funds Money is about par with previous years despite new delegates By Scott Wilson | Scott Wilson,SUN STAFF
Damage to Pratt's image unclear 'Jury is still out on her,' despite Henson's resignation By JoAnna Daemmrich and Eric Siegel | JoAnna Daemmrich and Eric Siegel,SUN STAFF
Other Little Theatre to present 'Dream' Preview: Shakespeare's comedy of magic and mistaken identity opens Friday. By Phil Greenfield | Phil Greenfield,SPECIAL TO THE SUN
Imperial dreams Slavic union: Belarus edges closer to Russia but Ukraine has no desire to lose sovereignty.
'Choice' and the Catholic schools Many choices: Mayor Schmoke's task force investigating school choice should consider Catholic schools and semi-independent public schools, among other options. By Mike Bowler | Mike Bowler,SUN STAFF
Sex solicitation sweep leads to arrests of 40 men in 4 city neighborhoods By Peter Hermann | Peter Hermann,SUN STAFF
Repairs planned for water system Boost in pressure and rates in store By Edward Lee | Edward Lee,SUN STAFF
Suspect in tool theft jumps into Potomac to elude police Authorities search waters after plunge off bridge By Ed Heard | Ed Heard,SUN STAFF
On-line guides assemble face-to-face AOL volunteers party in Baltimore By Joe Mathews | Joe Mathews,SUN STAFF
Immigrants flock to jobs in suburbs They are considered vital to work force By Caitlin Francke | Caitlin Francke,SUN STAFF
Digging up garden advice Green thumbs: The busy season has begun for the staff of a hot line that provides gardening advice to Marylanders year round. By Edward Lee | Edward Lee,SUN STAFF
Sister city of Baltimore left in ruins Connection: It is a reminder of ties between Liberia and Maryland dating to 1822, when the first freed slaves sailed from the United States to create a nation. By Michael Hill | Michael Hill,SUN FOREIGN STAFF
The horse race? Oh, that's incidental My Lady's Manor is mainly a social event By Dan Morse | Dan Morse,SUN STAFF
Internal memos compare medicine industry to OPEC U.S. judge reveals details in ordering trial of lawsuit By NEW YORK TIMES NEWS SERVICE
WPOC-FM eliminates afternoon news People's choice: The station's research showed that its audience would rather hear more music. By Chris Kaltenbach | Chris Kaltenbach,SUN STAFF
Loyalty only to mayhem Civil war: Liberia has a past tightly linked to the United States and a present that bodes poorly for West Africa's future. By Michael Hill | Michael Hill,SUN FOREIGN STAFF
For now, Sonia Gandhi won't be life of the party Many in India believed slain leader's widow was ruling group's last hope By NEW YORK TIMES NEWS SERVICE
Hopkins event tinged with sadness Spring homecoming held days after student slaying By Howard Libit | Howard Libit,SUN STAFF
Toon in Tomorrow Japanimation: Anime can be as cinematic as any Hollywood blockbuster and sells bigger in its native land. The cartoon form is deep, sexy and drawing a bead on the American market. By J.D. Considine | J.D. Considine,SUN POP MUSIC CRITIC
Commerce aide remembered as dedicated Stephen Kaminski's love of family, job recalled By Donna R. Engle | Donna R. Engle,SUN STAFF
Korean War cold cripples again Old wounds: The extreme cold of the Korean War isn't done with the men who fought there. Frostbite injuries are worsening as the veterans grow older, leading to further pain, disfigurement and amputations. By Jonathan Bor | Jonathan Bor,SUN STAFF
Theresa Randle is star of the month Wholesome: "Girl 6" actress turned down crack-addict role, loves kids and has supported herself with odd jobs. By Sandy Coleman | Sandy Coleman,BOSTON GLOBE
Husband put himself first, and now wife is angry By FROM LADIES' HOME JOURNAL Los Angeles Times Syndicate
Be careful about talk of quitting Planning: Although your present job may be awful, unemployment could be worse. Before you threaten to leave, try to improve your situation at work or line up another position. By Deborah L. Jacobs | Deborah L. Jacobs,CHRONICLE FEATURES
Small museum goes big time in big city Texas trade: The National Cowgirl Hall of Fame and Western Heritage Center, originated 21 years ago in Hereford, is being moved to Fort Worth, where its budget and patronage are likely to grow. By Sam Howe Verhovek | Sam Howe Verhovek,NEW YORK TIMES NEWS SERVICE ,,TC
OK in Oklahoma Sooner State: In the land where buffalo still roam, you'll also find caverns and canyons, cowboys and Indians, oil rigs and sand dunes -- and a feeling of timelessness. By Ralph Marsh | Ralph Marsh,UNIVERSAL PRESS SYNDICATE
How to make more look like less By Design: Turn the wall at the end of a long hallway into a focal point, with big, interesting objects in asymmetrical arrangement. By Rita St. Clair | Rita St. Clair,LOS ANGELES TIMES SYNDICATE
Old-fashioned dishes and newfangled flavor Mamma mia! These baked pasta dishes have Mom-made appeal, plus some unexpected touches. By SEATTLE TIMES
Stop to shop or stay awhile South of the Border: Alan Schafer, beer distributor turned entrepreneur, has created a tourist mecca beneath the sign of the sombrero. By Earl Swift | Earl Swift,VIRGINIAN-PILOT
'This could be lost' Place of honor: In the woods of Concord, Henry David Thoreau became the patron saint of conservationists. Now they must fight to save his birthplace. By Richard O'Mara | Richard O'Mara,SUN STAFF
April showers bring show houses Home: It's time once again for those rites of spring, the Symphony Decorators' Show House and the Maryland House and Garden Pilgrimage. By Elizabeth Large | Elizabeth Large,SUN STAFF
Perfect Uncle Wiggly mug may be worth $35 to $40 Market Value: Drinking milk with Ovaltine in the 1930s leads to payoff in the '90s. By Ralph Kovel and Terry Kovel | Ralph Kovel and Terry Kovel,COWLES SYNDICATE
Double trouble for batters Ambidextrous pitcher: Severna Park freshman Amanda Donaldson is a natural left-hander but pitches better with her right arm. She's working on that. By Bill Free | Bill Free,SUN STAFF
9-1 O's streak back for 7-6 victory Down 5 runs in fifth, club confidently tracks down Twins By Buster Olney | Buster Olney,SUN STAFF
Diving save preserves 13-12 win, ousts Spirit Cleveland wins series, 3-1, as Crunch's Orf denies Vaudreuil late in game By PHIL JACKMAN | PHIL JACKMAN,SUN STAFF
Benitez looks great, says he feels fine Tender elbow no problem in 1 1/3 hitless innings By Peter Schmuck and Buster Olney | Peter Schmuck and Buster Olney,SUN STAFF
Little-known Duval, Waldorf grab third-round fame Norman says high wind increased many scores By Paul McMullen | Paul McMullen,SUN STAFF
Caps finish regular season on losing note 3-2 defeat to Sabres costs shot at fourth place By Sandra McKee | Sandra McKee,SUN STAFF
St. Mary's takes it all in Roland Park tourney Mt. Hebron knocks off No. 1 Reds in consolation By Katherine Dunn | Katherine Dunn,SUN STAFF
Norman sits on 6-shot cushion His first Masters title appears within reach By Paul McMullen | Paul McMullen,SUN STAFF
Ravens cross fingers, hope for gold in draft It's butterfly time for Newsome, staff By Mike Preston | Mike Preston,SUN STAFF
Making home improvement Mullings finds a niche: Howard High long jumper feels lucky to have landed in the home of Cheryl and Richard Alexander. By Stan Rappaport | Stan Rappaport,SUN STAFF
Studious Surhoff aces exam with homer Learns from his first at-bat, those of mates vs. Guardado By Peter Schmuck | Peter Schmuck,SUN STAFF
Steller gets off to lofty start Mowing 'em down: McDonogh's ace is 3-0 with an 0.00 ERA, 21 strikeouts in 21 innings, and only six hits allowed. By Lem Satterfield | Lem Satterfield,SUN STAFF
One week to go, so let the mind games begin Posturing, PR by teams disguises intentions By Vito Stellino | Vito Stellino,SUN STAFF
Bandits rally to defeat Rangers, 8-5 Victory is 3rd straight, 8th in past 10 games By Jason LaCanfora | Jason LaCanfora,SPECIAL TO THE SUN
Playing doubles serves longtime friends well Natural team: South Carroll seniors Carrie Tamburo and Sara Wachter tried tennis their freshman season and have worked their way up to No. 1 doubles. By Glenn P. Graham | Glenn P. Graham,SUN STAFF
Girls polo team making strides Beating boys teams: Garrison Forest players like to show their 'macho' opponents that they can be as tough as they are. By Katherine Dunn | Katherine Dunn,SUN STAFF
Rutgers stuns Syracuse, 9-8, in overtime Knights hadn't beaten Orangemen since 1955 By FROM STAFF REPORTS
One man's castle is his simple rowhouse Sudden idea: Matthew Vadney came to Baltimore on a "whim" and bought a home, something he thought he never could do in expensive Northern Virginia. By Jill L. Kubatko | Jill L. Kubatko,CONTRIBUTING WRITER
Home sales may benefit health care Proposed measure widens tax break for the elderly By Kenneth R. Harney
AFL-CIO trumpets shareholder power Sweeney urges members to use tactic to fight high executive pay, downsizing By BOSTON GLOBE
Handling a HUD home Different paths: HUD houses provide home buyers a chance to get a bargain. But critics say they attract investors who do minimal repairs, hurting neighborhoods. By Liz Atwood | Liz Atwood,SUN STAFF
More firms offer direct-purchase plans Investors seeking to avoid fees take advantage of stock-buying programs By KNIGHT RIDDER NEWS SERVICE
What Assembly did and didn't do For one thing, it OK'd test of how tax credits affect neighborhoods By Daniel H. Barkin | Daniel H. Barkin,SUN STAFF
Expanding REI wants to maintain homespun qualities Robust success: Since 1938, Recreational Equipment Inc. has worked to build customer loyalty. Amid rapid growth today, that goal remains intact. By SEATTLE TIMES
Woodbine offers a blend of the past and present A place where kids know about horses and hay rakes, too By Sherry Graham | Sherry Graham,SPECIAL TO THE SUN
A union tries to stay afloat ILA feeling squeezed: As contract negotiations approach in Baltimore, the International Longshoremen's Association finds itself "in a crisis time." By Suzanne Wooton | Suzanne Wooton,SUN STAFF
Due to a knee with all the consistency of yogurt, I was recently forced to undergo arthroscopic surgery.The operation was performed at the Johns Hopkins Outpatient Center by Dr. Carl Johnson, a terrific surgeon who has done nearly 2,000 arthroscopies and could probably do one in his sleep, although he assured me he wouldn't doze off.As best as can be recalled, these are the events that transpired:10:30 a.m.: Like a good soldier, I arrive at pre-op right...
Although Ravens left tackle Eugene Monroe said his arthroscopic knee surgery went well last week, he was noncommittal on when he'll return to practice. Monroe declined to say if he completely tore or partially tore his meniscus and said he has no timetable on when he'll be able to run again. Monroe is expected to miss roughly a month, according to a source. "It just depends," Monroe said. "I'm doing everything I can to get back as soon as it's possible. I just come in and work every day to get healthy.
Washington Bullets All-Star forward Bernard King will undergo arthroscopic surgery on his right knee to relieve discomfort from meniscus cartilage that was repaired 17 years ago when King played at the University of Tennessee.King and Dr. Norman Scott, who will perform the surgery, said there is no relationship between the current injury and reconstructive surgery on his right knee in 1985.The arthroscopic surgery will be performed tomorrow morning.The procedure was scheduled after King felt discomfort in his knee Monday while running on a treadmill.
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. -- Orioles designated hitter Wilson Betemit underwent successful exploratory arthroscopic surgery on his right knee Wednesday. The procedure isn't expected to extend Betemit's initial recovery time of six to eight weeks from a Grade 2/3 posterior cruciate ligament tear in the knee. “They went in just to look and repair a couple of minor things, so everything in there was good news," Orioles manager Buck Showalter said Thursday. “The anterior cruciate ligament is really good and the PCL looks like it's going to heal.
JUPITER, Fla. - The Orioles reported to spring training with a surplus of second basemen. The challenge is getting through the last two weeks before they run out. A magnetic resonance imaging test on Mark McLemore's right knee yesterday confirmed a cartilage tear. He will need arthroscopic surgery and is expected to miss six to eight weeks. McLemore suffered the injury while rounding first base in Friday's game against the Los Angeles Dodgers in Fort Lauderdale. Team physician Dr. Charles Silberstein examined McLemore, and after a radiologist checked the results of yesterday's MRI, the Orioles' roster underwent another change.
Outfielder Darnell McDonald, his injured right shoulder still not responding to extended rest, will undergo arthroscopic surgery this week and further delay his return to Triple-A Ottawa's lineup. As if the former No. 1 draft pick needed another disappointment. Just when he seemed on the brink of joining the Orioles, his season could be ending much too soon, or at least put on hold for much longer than first anticipated. A magnetic resonance imaging test didn't reveal any structural damage, but the Orioles have arranged for an exploratory procedure after more conservative treatments failed to reduce the inflammation.
BOSTON -- The Boston Red Sox learned yesterday that designated hitter Andre Dawson will undergo arthroscopic surgery on his left knee today. He could be out four weeks.Dawson, 39, hitting .246 with 10 homers and 27 RBIs in 36 games, suffered a "locked" knee while running to first Tuesday night against Cleveland. He had a magnetic resonance imaging test yesterday morning that showed an object -- either a bone chip or a fragment of cartilage -- lodged in the joint of the knee. He was placed on the 15-day disabled list yesterday.
Washington Capitals left wing Randy Burridge, who was expected to be out until January because of surgery on his left knee, is scheduled to have arthroscopic surgery on his right knee tomorrow. The new procedure isn't expected to delay his return.He injured the left knee in Game 2 of the playoff series against the Pittsburgh Penguins. He hurt the right knee Sept. 5. Team doctor Richard Grossman will perform the arthroscopic surgery on his right knee.Meanwhile, the Capitals announced yesterday that their season-opening game against the Maple Leafs in Toronto has been moved from Oct. 7 to Oct. 6.The Maple Leafs requested the switch because of scheduling conflicts.
ANAHEIM, Calif. -- An MRI exam on California Angels pitcher Mark Langston's right knee yesterday showed a slight cartilage tear, but doctors won't determine until today whether the left-hander will need arthroscopic surgery.Surgery probably would result in at least a three-week stint on the disabled list for Langston, who will be examined by team physician Lewis Yocum. The other treatment option: Rest and hope the knee heals.Manager Marcel Lachemann said there's an "outside chance" Langston, scratched from Sunday's game against Minnesota, will make his next scheduled start Friday against Cleveland.
Dr. S. Ward Casscells, 80, who helped revolutionize sports medicine as a pioneer in arthroscopic surgery, died Thursday of leukemia at the home of a son in Houston. In addition to his research in arthroscopic surgery, which led to his publication in 1971 of the first paper on the topic, he trained many of the first generation of orthopedists to use the minimally invasive surgical technique. He also helped establish its use at Johns Hopkins, Yale, Massachusetts General, and Brigham and Women's hospitals.
Tiger Woods had arthroscopic surgery on his left knee yesterday to repair cartilage damage, his second operation in five years on the same knee. He is expected to miss at least a month while he recovers. The surgery, announced on his Web site, came two days after Woods finished three shots behind Trevor Immelman in the Masters. He most likely will miss The Players Championship but should return in time to play the U.S. Open at Torrey Pines on June 12. "I made the decision to deal with the pain and schedule the surgery for after the Masters," Woods said.
Center Mike Flynn will undergo arthroscopic knee surgery and miss the next two to four weeks. Casey Rabach replaced Flynn in practice yesterday and will start tonight's intrasquad scrimmage at Bair Stadium. Flynn could have played through the injury but decided to have the surgery since the timetable will allow him to be ready for the season opener at Pittsburgh on Sept. 7. "It's more precautionary," Ravens coach Brian Billick said. "We thought we'd be more aggressive in our approach to it. The key is to have him back for this season."
The Orioles yesterday confirmed that first baseman/designated hitter David Segui and catcher Fernando Lunar underwent arthroscopic surgery this week to repair conditions that severely limited them during the final month of the season. The club also announced that manager Mike Hargrove will retain his entire coaching staff, a move that had been anticipated but is unprecedented under the stewardship of majority owner Peter Angelos. Segui, whose season was abbreviated to 82 games by a series of injuries that began in spring training, underwent surgery for the removal of bone chips from his left knee and is expected to wear a support cast for three to four weeks, according to the club.
Baseball Blue Jays: Traded OF Chad Mottola to Marlins for player to be named or cash. Marlins: Agreed to two-year contract with 1B Kevin Millar and one-year contract with P Jesus Sanchez. Reds: Agreed to minor-league contract with P Frankie Rodriguez, who had been with Mariners. Tigers: Agreed to minor-league contract with C Scott Servais, who had been with Rockies. Yankees: Re-signed P Ramiro Mendoza to one-year contract. Basketball NBA: Fined Grizzlies F Shareef Abdur-Rahim $10,000 for publicly criticizing game officials after loss to Lakers on Monday night.
Highlights: Gus Frerotte and Henry Ellard stole the passing show Sunday from the more celebrated New England combination of Drew Bledsoe to Ben Coates, leading Washington to its fifth straight victory (27-22) since a season-opening 17-14 loss to Philadelphia. Frerotte completed 18 of 33 for 280 yards and two touchdowns, with 14-year veteran Ellard catching eight for 152 yards and one touchdown. Ellard was on the receiving end of one important pass play after another for the Redskins and drew praise from coach Norv Turner for his routes.
* CUBS: Jose Vizcaino has a 14-game hitting streak, going 25-for-57 (.439) in that span. . . . Mark Grace is 13-for-33 (.364) with nine RBI, hitting safely in 11 of his past 12 games. . . . Rey Sanchez made his first start since April 29 at Houston, yesterday against the Dodgers.* DODGERS: Los Angeles' game against the Cincinnati Reds at Dodger Stadium next Wednesday night will be broadcast in Mandarin. It will be the first time a Dodgers game has been aired in Chinese and the first time a regular-season major-league game has been broadcast in Chinese in the United States, the Dodgers said.
Ravens right defensive end Michael McCrary, who recently played in his first Pro Bowl, had surgery yesterday to repair a right knee injury he suffered in that same game on Feb. 7.McCrary will begin to rehabilitate the knee within the next two weeks and is expected to miss much or all of the preseason. The Ravens plan to limit his activity in training camp, in the interest of having him ready for the regular-season opener on Sept. 12."We're probably going to plan on him missing the majority of the preseason and make sure he heals properly.
Boskie is set to receive arthroscopic surgery today Bone spurs to be removed, ending pitcher's season
By Roch Kubatko and Joe Strauss and Roch Kubatko and Joe Strauss,SUN STAFF Sun staff writer Jon Morgan contributed to this article | September 26, 1997
Star-crossed reliever Shawn Boskie is scheduled to undergo arthroscopic surgery today on his right elbow. The procedure, which at the very least will remove bone spurs from the area, will be performed by Dr. Lewis Yocum in Los Angeles and ensures that Boskie's season has ended.Boskie went on the disabled list on Aug. 16 because of elbow tendinitis. He pitched five times in relief after being activated Sept. 1 and surrendered 12 earned runs in 4 1/3 innings. After Boskie's last appearance against the Cleveland Indians Sept.
Hagerstown's starting pitcher knew the Delmarva Shorebirds had something the Suns desperately wanted - No, make that desperately needed - and he was about to go out and get it.
"They have had the momentum from the beginning," Devaney said. "The first inning was big. I wanted to go 1-2-3 or get out without getting runs so we could go in and take it."
Devaney did his part. In fact, he wasn't subtle about it. He just smacked the Shorebirds in the nose.
Devaney shut down Delmarva's big-swinging offense on two runs over five innings while Hagerstown's defense played a flawless game Friday for a 7-4 victory over the Shorebirds to knot the South Atlantic League's North Division best-of-3 playoff series at one game each.
The deciding game will be played today at 7:05 p.m. at Municipal Stadium for a berth in SAL finals against Kannapolis.
"I threw a lot of ground balls today," Devaney said. "The defense played well behind me, but they have played well behind me all year."
Playing behind anyone else was a bigger ordeal for the Suns, if Wednesday's opener were any indication. Hagerstown committed four costly errors to open up two big innings for Delmarva. On Friday, the tables were turned as Delmarva committed six huge errors to prolong the destruction.
"The kids were loose," Suns manager Gene Richards said. "They were loose in the clubhouse and in the game."
The whole package tied together allowed the Suns to play the "small ball" style they needed to keep the ultimate pressure on Delmarva's defense and six Shorebirds pitchers.
Right fielder Carlos Gomez was a sparkplug in the leadoff spot with two triples to set up a pair of rallies which allowed the Suns to take a comfortable 5-1 lead after four innings.
Jose Coronado drove him in each time with two of his three hits while Jim Burt added two hits and two RBI. But Gomez pulled up lame while trying to leg out an eighth-inning bunt and was forced to leave the game.
"(Gomez) showed a lot of energy," Richards said. "A lot of that was lacking the other day. He was a sparkplug. He did something to his hamstring. He said he's OK, but he's day to day."
But it all came back to Devaney, who kept Delmarva's explosive offense in check, despite allowing a second-inning solo home run to Juan Gutierrez. The only other trouble he had came in the fifth when he allowed a leadoff triple to Arturo Rivas, who scored on Pete Shier's sacrifice fly.
"The difference today was Mike," Richards said. "That was a mature team he was facing today and he staved off their offense and stayed away from the onslaught. He did a good job, but the only thing I questioned was when we had a good lead, he got a little soft. That showed me he was a little tired and we got him out."
After Gutierrez hit his first of two homers to give Delmarva the 1-0 lead, the Suns came back immediately when Russ Triplett led off with a double off Delmarva starter Carlos Perez. He took third on Kyle Brown's sacrifice bunt and scored on Burt's single to tie the game.
Hagerstown chased Perez in the third as Gomez led off with a triple down the left field line and scored on Coronado's single for the lead. The Suns loaded the bases and scored on a Jesus Flores single and Triplett's sacrifice fly.
Devaney made sure the Suns had the momentum by shutting out Delmarva in the third and set the tone that reliever Joe Serfass continued in his three innings of work.
Gomez led off the fourth with his second triple before scoring on Coronado's grounder for the four-run lead.
Brown reached on second baseman Paco Figueroa's error in the seventh and scored on Burt's grounder, and Coronado doubled and scored on Grant Psomas' single in the eighth to close Hagerstown's scoring. Delmarva got an RBI single by Gary Cates in the eighth and Gutierrez's second home run, this one off Marcelo Perez, in the ninth.
"In must-win games, you have to focus harder," Devaney said. "I don't want to be the reason everyone goes home. I wanted to do my job and let all the other guys do theirs."
The 1997 North Hagerstown High School graduates were all brides in 2006 - and bridesmaids in each of the other four weddings.
Three of the five girls have been friends since elementary school, and the five became friends in middle school, said Cheri Pentoney, mother of one of the women.
Offensive analysis: Balanced attack set team records for points (NFL-high 448), TDs (59) and rushing yards (2,710). Bengals led NFL in total offense (378.6 yards per game) and rushing offense (169.4). Esiason was league's MVP. But injuries could damage strong offensive line. OT Joe Walter had major knee surgery, Munoz had offseason shoulder surgery and center Bruce Kozerksi had offseason knee surgery.
Defensive analysis: Clearly not a match for the offense but capable of big plays. Gave up 323.9 yards (15th in league) and 20.6 points (tied 16th) last year. Key is when NT Tim Krumrie can return after breaking leg in Super Bowl. Bengals were 3rd in AFC in sacks (42) but lack strength up front in short-yardage situations.
Special teams analysis: K Jim Breech, Bengals' all-time scoring leader (802 points), has scored in 137 consecutive games, 14 shy of Fred Cox's NFL record. P Lee Johnson (42.4 avg.) also handles kickoff chores and long FG attempts.
Keys to improvement: Bengals must avoid further injuries. They also have to prove they can play at a high level for 2 consecutive seasons, as they have hardly been models of consistency in the past. Must rebuild supporting cast after losing 9 players to Plan B, including LB Emmanuel King and CB Ray Horton.
Schedule: No fun opening at Chicago and playing in Cleveland on a Monday night 2 weeks later. But middle games are soft before a hard finish (Buffalo, Cleveland, Seattle, Houston and Vikes).
Offensive analysis: This attack sent 5 players to Pro Bowl. Oilers scored 424 points, 2nd-most in NFL. Hill and Givins have produced more yards than any pair of wide receivers each of past two seasons. Oilers have no TE but rarely use one because of wealth of RBs and receivers. If Rozier, who is unhappy, doesn't play, Oilers have Allen Pinkett to take his place. Key is keeping Moon healthy. He missed 5 games last season.
Defensive analysis: Dramatic improvement by defense (ranked 8th), leading to ''House of Pain'' slogan for playing mean in the Astrodome. Led AFC against the rush (99.5) and had 42 sacks and 22 interceptions. Linebackers play hard, but there aren't any great players in this area. Secondary lost S Keith Bostic (Indianapolis) to Plan B. Oilers are 19-1 in past 20 games when helding foes to less than 20 points.
Special teams analysis: Zendejas is solid. Coverage teams were outstanding. Oilers tied league record with five blocked punts. Return teams are weak. P Greg Montgomery had poor rookie year.
Keys to improvement: Win enough games in regular season to stay at home in playoffs. Oilers have won 17 of past 20 games in Astrodome. A highly talented team that goes into the tank on occasion. An unknown element: If loss of 15 players to Plan B free agency will damage the squad, especially on special teams.
Schedule: First 2 and 4 of first 6 games are on road. Playing Minnesota in opener, Buffalo in Week No. 3 and Chicago in Week No. 6 isn't good, either. Schedule gets softer after that, and Oilers probably will control their destiny by facing Cincinnati and Cleveland in final 2 weeks.
Offensive analysis: Marc Trestman is new offensive coordinator, and he's got a lot of work to do. Kosar missed half of last season and must stay healthy. Last year's leading rusher, Earnest Byner, was traded to Washington, and FB Kevin Mack is uncertain because of off-field problems. Changes needed on line, too, so this is an offense that probably will be starting over - except for Kosar.
Defensive analysis: While offense is reloading, defense must carry the load. Defense has allowed fewest points (527) and yards (9,031) in AFC during past two seasons. Yielded AFC-low 13 rushing TDs last year and shut out foes in second halves of 6 games. Carson may switch to 4-3 lineup despite front wall appearing to be weakest point. LB Robert Banks (Oilers), acquired via Plan B, should help, along with 2nd-year line prospect Michael Dean Perry. Dixon and Minnifield are the heart of the defense.
King Arthur's perfect place for ''happily ever-aftering'' may have been somewhere down in the southwest of England. But Camelot makes a move this weekend to Kissimmee, where the Osceola Players will present Alan Jay Lerner and Frederick Loewe's musical blockbuster Camelot at the Catherine W. Beauchamp Theater at the Osceola Center for the Arts. The 1960 musical, which originally featured Richard Burton, Julie Andrews and Robert Houlet, includes such favorites as ''If Ever I Would Leave You,'' ''What Do the Simple Folk Do?'' and, of course, the title song.
Kevin Patrick is fretting over dirty laundry this week. Did he really toss his underwear by the stereo speakers or leave a T-shirt between the crevices of the couch?
Bryan Fortay, noted second-rate quarterback and first-string whiner, returns to South Florida this week to say hello to a friend or two.
Fortay had the gall to file a $10 million lawsuit last summer, alleging that the University of Miami Hurricanes reneged on their promise to give him the starting quarterback's job in 1991. After coach Dennis Erickson named Gino Torretta the starter, Fortay transferred to Rutgers, where he has silenced critics by becoming a first-rate backup to Ray Lucas.
''Last thing I heard,'' said Patrick, one of Fortay's three former roommates at UM, ''is that he is going to sue the three of us for negligence for not keeping our room in order.''
Patrick, a defensive end, would love to administer a little playground discipline when Rutgers comes to town Saturday night in the Orange Bowl, but I'm afraid that Fortay may call in sick with an excused absence.
Fortay claims to be bothered by a shoulder bruise, but my guess is that his problem relates to the heart: He has none. He is a gutless quitter who looks to blame others for his failures.
''All of a sudden, this shoulder thing came out of nowhere,'' Patrick said. ''I've seen film looking to see where it came from, and I haven't seen anything.''
The pending lawsuit obviously has fueled the 'Canes' anger this week. Their sentiments are reflected by a hot-selling T-shirt that lists the top 10 reasons why Fortay left the university.
The T-shirt, with a crying baby on the front and the reasons listed in the back, sells for $13.95. (Reason No. 8: He couldn't find a helmet big enough to fit his swollen head).
''If the T-shirts are selling so well, I should get a piece of the action,'' Bryan told The Miami Herald (through his father). Peter Fortay refused to let his son come to the phone.
That incident documents his father's skewed influence. Fortay's vision has been clouded by an overbearing father who shows all the tendencies of being a control freak, based on observations from former teammates.
''Right off the bat, you could see that father was a problem,'' Patrick said. ''I'm no parent, but that's not good. You don't live your life through your children.''
With heating costs rising and Michigan's economy struggling, DTE Energy and a number of community organizations are working to help families keep their heat and lights on this winter.
"Michigan is going through some very tough economic times, and we recognize that energy bills are going to be difficult for many people to pay," said Jerry Norcia, president and COO of DTE Energy's MichCon natural gas utility. "We want our customers to know that there are options available that can help them manage their utility bills and get through the winter safe and warm."
DTE Energy was joined today by representatives from local community service agencies and others who share concerns about the economic realities of the upcoming heating season. Organizations joining the company included THAW (The Heat and Warmth Fund), the Salvation Army, United Way - 211, the Michigan Department of Human Services and a number of Detroit-area churches.
"To heat or to eat is a tough choice - and a decision that no one should have to face this winter," Norcia said. "DTE Energy has a number of programs that help customers manage their utility bills and we are casting a wide safety net for our customers with support from many of the organizations represented here today."
Heating costs across the country are expected to be about 10 to 30 percent higher this winter than last season, according to David Parker, president of the American Gas Association which represents more than 200 energy companies nationwide. While Michigan will see costs at the lower end of the anticipated increase - about 10 percent - local households will experience a tougher challenge than other regions because of the state's difficult economy.
"Collaborative efforts between utilities, community and governmental organizations are exactly what we need to lessen the blow on those struggling to stay warm this winter," Parker said. "I can assure you that the common goal of all those present today is to avoid having to shut off service to those who are unable to pay, and to find options for all customers to maintain service this winter."
With a growing number of families trying to meet basic financial obligations, cooperative efforts between DTE Energy and the community will play a critical role in helping households maintain utility service, according to Dr. Bertram Marks of the Council of Baptist Ministers of Detroit and Vicinity.
"Whenever we are challenged in this region, we come together as a community to work things out," he said. "This is an excellent example of how we can help family, friends and neighbors manage their energy bills and safely maintain utility service by working together."
While DTE Energy understands that many households will have to make tough choices about what bills to pay this winter, the company warned that stealing electric or gas service is not only illegal, but extremely dangerous.
"Some customers are going to extreme measures to heat their homes and keep their lights on by reconnecting their gas or electric service in some of the most dangerous methods imaginable," Norcia said. "Let me be clear - energy theft is dangerous . . . not only for those choosing to do so, but for others who may live nearby. If you steal electricity or gas, you are risking your life and the lives of others who are nearest and dearest to you."
While the heating season will present a particular challenge to those suffering economic hardships this winter, Steve Kurmas, president and COO-elect of DTE Energy's Detroit Edison electric utility, said that virtually everyone is looking for ways to manage their energy bills and reduce their energy use.
"For instance, by lowering their thermostat just a few degrees consumers can save about 10 percent on their monthly heating bills," Kurmas said. "A number of simple, cost-effective energy saving tips are available on DTE Energy's Web site, and through an interactive online tool called MyEnergy Analyzer."
Kurmas said DTE Energy has conducted 50 free Energy Efficiency Forums around the state this year to teach customers how to seal air leaks, insulate their homes and obtain the most energy efficient appliances. The company also has launched a pilot program offering rebates to customers who purchase a high-efficiency furnace or have a professional energy audit performed on their home.
While DTE Energy offers a wide array of energy assistance programs, it is going to take a community effort to solve the significant challenges facing the state this winter, according to Kurmas.
"DTE Energy, the organizations represented here today and others working toward solutions need to be joined by individuals around the state to ensure that those people who need help this winter get it," Kurmas said. "No company, no individual, no church or social service agency will be able to tackle this alone. It must be a community effort."
Additional information about resources available to DTE Energy customers is available at www.my.dteenergy.com or by calling DTE Energy customer service at (800) 477-4747.
Lombardy Drive south of Western Avenue to Southview Street will be closed Monday through Friday next week for installation of a water tap for a new Walgreens store. Traffic will be detoured.
With an OBD bluetooth device paired to my cell phone, I am able to display every bit of information that more expensive data gauges are able to display but for less than $30. How does it look and how does it work, well you be the judge. Read more …
Being the world’s largest Dodge Challenger car club with hundreds and hundreds of club members, it should come as no surprise that West Coast Challengers is often the first to discover a flaw or a problem in the Dodge Challenger. Most are seemingly innocuous, and some problems have been pointed out to Chrysler executives and fixed in the next model year, such as the sheet metal crease marks in the trunk lid in early Challenger models. But some problems, like the timing chain failures in the Dodge Challenger, caused us real concern — and it all began right here.
Club member Terrence (Rattler249) was ground zero. Often driving hours to attend club events, his car suffered a timing chain failure early on. It was the dealership’s attempt to wrongfully void the warranty on Terrence’s car and deny the warranty repair that brought the club into this matter.
Having built more than a few engines in my day and having raced cars for many years, I had seen only one timing chain failure in my life. That’s not to say that it doesn’t happen, just that it is so rare of an occurrence that it immediately sends up a red flag, especially when it happens to our modern Dodge Challengers with relatively low miles on them.
The way most cars are designed nowadays, a timing chain failure will, in all likelihood, cause a catastrophic engine failure. The major damage occurs when the timing chain driven cam stops turning mid-stride leaving some valves open only to meet a rising piston. The resulting crash causes the valves to bend, and damaging both the valve guides and the tops of the pistons. At a minimum, new heads would be required as well as new pistons. The same could be said of vehicles equipped with timing belts which have an even shorter life span.
So, what’s the problem exactly? As outlined below, we are of the opinion that on the Dodge Challenger R/T which is equipped with the 5.7L Hemi engine and includes the MDS fuel savings feature when mated to the automatic transmission, causes such a harmonic disturbance within the engine that is enough to cause a catastrophic engine failure.
What is the basis for our opinion? Below is the road traveled, the road blocks and pot holes that we encountered, and the facts that became known to us by virtue of a constant vigil and monitoring of the problem.
After Terrence’s timing chain failure, his sister, who works at a GM dealership, mentioned that they had heard stories of timing chain failures in Chrysler vehicles. We did an Internet search and learned that pre-2009 5.7L engines had some problems with timing chain failures that were a direct result of the timing chain tensioner failing. The solution then, was to switch to the 6.1L’s beefier timing chain tensioner. However, in 2009, the 5.7L engine was completely redesigned and not equipped with the same timing chain tensioner and the 6.1L’s tensioner wouldn’t work in our cars, which didn’t get us any closer to finding a solution or solving the mystery but did help us rule some things out. i.e., that all of the pre-2009 timing chain failures were completely unrelated to our current problem.
We decided to start a thread on a Dodge Challenger specific forum and outlined the problem and inquired if anyone else had suffered a timing chain failure. That thread immediately went south as both Chrysler dealerships and technicians all claimed a cry of wolf, some belligerently doing so. To our credit, we kept the thread alive and began listing the timing chain failures as they came in. See list of failures below. That list began with one report a month and quickly progressed into several reports a month as fellow Dodge Challenger owners discovered this article or that thread by searching the Internet for the problem, apparently as dumbfounded as we were at having suffered a timing chain failure.
Many concerned owners called their local dealerships to inquire about the timing chain problem as others telephoned Chrysler through their toll free customer service number. All were met with canned responses and claims that this is the first time that they have ever heard of such an issue. Letters or emails sent to Chrysler about the issue got a similar canned response back along the lines of “Thank you contacting us, we value you as a customer.”
Monitoring many LX and Chrysler related forums, we discovered that the problem seemed isolated to the Dodge Challengers that were equipped with 5.7L Hemi engines and automatic transmissions, and was not affecting the equally equipped Dodge Charger, Chrysler 300 or Ram truck. Similarly, we discovered that the 3.5L and 6.1L engines were not suffering from the same timing chain failure. We also discovered that the 5.7L Hemi Challengers equipped with the 6-speed manual transmissions were likewise not affected. So almost right away, we knew that this problem was unique and isolated to the Dodge Challengers equipped with the 5.7L Hemi engine when mated to the automatic transmission.
An immediate assumption would be, and was made by many, that a bad batch of timing chains came down the pipeline. However, the timing chain failures were across several model years, so we ruled that possibility out almost immediately.
We next looked into the strength of the timing chain itself and were surprised to learn that our modern Dodge Challengers are equipped with a timing chain that is not much larger than a Schwinn bicycle. See comparison chart below. But even then, it appeared to be able to handle the job, although its size made more than a few owners a little bit edgy and uncomfortable.
We also learned early on, that simply replacing the stock timing chain with a beefier aftermarket timing chain could not be done on our modern Dodge Challengers because the thicker timing chains would not clear the timing chain cover without modifications, which would be frowned upon by Chrysler and jeopardize our vehicle warranty. While some might be interested in that modification, most are not. Even then, it got us no closer to finding answers.
Here, we have the timing chain failing, but why? Did the timing chain fail first and then, while whipping around, break the timing chain guide? Or did the timing chain guide fail, letting the timing chain free to break? It’s the old adage, Which came first, the chicken or the egg? In every instance of a failure, both the timing chain and the guide were found to be broken. To an owner, it doesn’t much matter which broke first, the resulting damage is exactly the same. Some owners took a preventative approach and decided to replace the timing chain, tensioner and guide in their cars only to discover all appeared to be completely normal and no signs of anything unusual. From this, we deduced that this isn’t a problem that happens over time due to stress or simple wear and tear but rather happens quite quickly and matter-of-factly, as even newly replaced timing chains and tensioners have failed with only a few thousand miles on them.
Another interesting discovery that was made was, the fact that not a single instance of a timing chain failure had occurred while the vehicle was using the AutoStick feature in manual mode. Quickly, we began advising club members and others to drive only in the manual AutoStick mode when traveling on the highway. This, in essence, would not allow the MDS feature to engage. The MDS fuel saving feature stops four of the cylinders from firing when the car is cruising and not under load. When engaged, a slight vibration can be felt in the car and the tone of the engine changes. By a simple process of elimination, we identified MDS as being at least partially responsible for the timing chain failures. The downside to driving in manual mode when on the highway and saving the engine this way was that with the MDS fuel saving feature disabled, fuel consumption increased sharply.
As the list of timing chain failures grew and hundreds of thousands page views later, the nay sayers were hushed by the overwhelming evidence of a problem existing. Literally, hundreds of similar forum threads began popping up all over the Internet as well, created by those, some once nay sayers themselves, who now wanted to capitalize on the problem’s popularity. Then began the wild theories as to what was causing the failures as gearheads from all across the country, now believers, chimed in with their own theories as to the cause. The original thread had grown so large in size, that many theories were simply repeats of past theories as no one really wanted to take the time to read through the thousands of posts already made. To curb this, we added a list of things ruled out so far as well as things known and that seemed to stem the tide a bit.
Armed with these discoveries and the data collected so far, and with failure reports coming in regularly now as the problem seemingly grew, we asked ourselves the simple question: What was different in the Dodge Challenger versus the unaffected Dodge Charger, Chrysler 300 or Ram truck? Size became readily apparent. And when asked how size could make a difference, harmonics is immediately suspected. Harmonics would also explain why the 6-speed equipped Dodge Challengers with the same exact 5.7L Hemi engines were not being affected as they cruise in a different RPM range than the 5-speed automatics and do not have the MDS fuel saving feature. Further, if either or both the timing chains or the timing chain guides were bad, as some suspected, then the 6-speed Challengers, as well as the Dodge Chargers, Chrysler 300’s and the Ram trucks, would also be affected, yet they weren’t.
Having ruled out many things over the course of many months, with a special thanks to all of those who contacted us and shared their stories of failures and repair experiences, the only fact left standing that could not be explained away or ruled out, was harmonics.
Just as one might fill a wine glass with more or less liquid to create different sound when a finger is run around the rim, so too can the height, length, width and weight of a car make a difference in how its engine ultimately performs. Is the engine mounted too far forward or too far back? Is it mounted too much to the left or too much the right? Too high or too low? Are the mounting points to the chassis misplaced? All of these things can affect the harmonics of the engine, and in extreme cases, cause it to fail.
You obviously did not come here for a physics lesson but it is important to understand the science behind resonance and harmonics to understand why we zeroed in on it as the underlying cause, so we’ll keep this brief and very generalized. In a nutshell, every material on earth has a natural frequency at which it vibrates. This is called “resonance.” When that natural frequency or resonance is doubled, it is referred to as “harmonics,” e.g., first harmonic (two times the natural frequency), second harmonic (three times the natural frequency), etc. Each harmonic carries with it, some degree of energy, and when that energy is added to resonance it forces a vibration. If done to an exact and matching degree, the built up energy can cause the material to vibrate to the point of failure, much in the same way as an opera singer can cause a glass to shatter with just their voice if done in a precise pitch.
Seeing this effect in action speaks much louder than words, and probably the best example would be the Tacoma Narrows Bridge in which resonance was partially responsible for its failure. In 1940, just four short months after the bridge was completed, it collapsed. The bridge encountered Gale force winds that matched the natural frequency of the steel enough to excite the molecules and, well, watch for yourself in disbelief as the bridge’s steel beams appear to simply turn into rubber before failing …
Another demonstration of resonance can be seen in the below video where three Single Degree of Freedom (SDOF) systems are placed on a shaking table. As the frequency is increased, each system vibrates, almost uncontrollably, when its natural frequency is matched, appearing to turn once solid matter into rubber.
What we also discovered was that in all of the timing chain failure reports that we received, all had occurred while the vehicle was on the highway when the failure occurred, and that all were traveling within a certain RPM range, roughly between 2300 to 2500 RPMs. What this lead us to believe is that, in between that range, and while MDS is engaged, the timing chain components reached their natural frequency and harmonics lead to the inevitable failure of the components and ultimate demise of the engine. Whether the timing chain itself reaches its frequency threshold that causes it to fail or whether the timing chain guide reaches its frequency threshold is not known nor do we believe that it will ever be known without some very expensive and very lengthy scientific testing, which is almost meaningless when the after effects of both are already known and are exactly the same. We also don’t believe that Chrysler could have foreseen how the engine or its components would act when faced with such a precise and destructive force. The odds of all components coming together to produce the exact frequency to cause the failure must be infinitesimal.
To evidence this even further, driving the car in AutoStick mode, which disengages the MDS feature, changes the frequency being produced by the engine itself. However, once MDS is activated and the engine reaches the natural frequency of its components, which lies somewhere between the 2300 and 2500 RPM range, and that precise status is held for a sustained for a period of time, a failure is inevitable regardless of how new or old the timing chain or guide is. The only way to prevent this from happening is to change the substance of one or more of the parts which comprise the timing chain assembly, i.e., rather than using ABS or nylon switch to carbon-fiber or metal, rather than using steel switch to aluminum, etc. By changing the substance of a component, you change the frequency at which it is affected, and thus diminishing or eliminating altogether the resonance failure point at highway speeds, which is the only point in time where the car is maintaining an exact status for a length of time.
It should be noted, that we do not claim to be scientists. We are simply Dodge Challenger enthusiasts who know that common sense dictates that timing chains are not suppose break with only 30,000 to 40,000 miles on the odometer. We could be entirely wrong in our opinion, that a harmonic disturbance within the engine is the cause of the timing chain failures. However, based on our research, collection of data, conversations with affected owners and using common sense and the process of elimination as outlined above, we are confident in our opinion and know that the simplest answer, with the least amount of presumptions, is usually the correct answer.
21. 08/10/2012 — 59,300 miles — … timing chain broke again. (Third occurrence. See #3 and #8 above. 16,000 miles on new motor).
“The engine timing chain guide on your vehicle may fracture. A fractured engine timing chain guide could cause the engine timing chain to break. A broken engine timing chain will result in severe engine damage.”
To find out if your Dodge Challenger is part of this or other recalls, you can visit the Mopar Owner Connect website and enter your car’s VIN number to get recall information specific to your Challenger.
Note: This recall includes all models equipped with the 5.7L Hemi engine and an automatic transmission, while we have determined that the Dodger Charger, Chrysler 300 and Ram trucks were not affected by the harmonic disturbance and any timing chain failure in those models, in our opinion, are deemed to be merely coincidental, minute and certainly not on the scale identified by us with the Dodge Challenger.
[…]As detailed in our article about the timing chain failures, we have discovered that the Dodge Challenger R/T equipped with the automatic transmissions …[…]
You can visit the Mopar Owner Connect site and insert the VIN number of your car to find out if the recall affects your vehicle. If it does, then your vehicle will have one of the timing chain guides that are vulnerable to the problem and will need to be replaced with a new version which is made of aluminum. This of course only applies to the vehicles equipped with the automatic transmissions as the 6-speed models cruise in an entirely different RPM range and thus not affected.
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