John Coulter "Jack" Beers was always an entertainer. (Today)

Karl Malden, an Academy Award-winning actor who excelled in plainspoken, working-class roles, including the awkward Mitch in "A Streetcar Named Desire" and a brave priest in "On the Waterfront," died yesterday at his home in Los Angeles. No cause of death was immediately disclosed. He was 97. (Yesterday)

Deborah Mendoza had a passion for Shakespeare that was so infectious, she could make children want to perform his classic, sometimes daunting plays. (Yesterday)

Growing up, Mary Ravita, her sisters and cousins spent summer days playing school at their grandmother's North Hills home. There was never any question about who was the teacher. (07/01/2009)

Before his 15th birthday, Michael Charles Metil swam with dolphins in Panama, watched whales in Boston and rode a hot-air balloon over Somerset. (06/30/2009)