Digest Digest YES, YOU CANI... ..LAUGH __ ...BEMONEY MORE SAVVY HEALTHIER PAGESS . BELIEVE IN BASEBALL AGAIN TEEN DRIVERS AT RISK paceiia Smart fixes that save lives .» LIVE YOUR DREAMS PAGE 76S arr 7 aaa De lu) > * >LIFE WELL SHARED AUGUST 2008 me ATU RES 7 Rip-Off Tip-Offs 68 The Redemption of 90 HoICE/GETTY IMAGES LISA COLLIER COOL Charlie Otero Learn who’s after your cash—and KENNETH MILLER how to keep them from getting it. After his family was murdered, s he went from honor student to = Yes, You Can... Peet aw. Thirty oneveses ater’ the a eat killer was brought to justice—and Get fit at any age. Seven ordinary Otero healed himself. folks lead the way. 150 The Farther Shore sreouen revworos Stage IV throat cancer is his diagnosis. Getting back to the beach is his goal. Normal or Nuts? 84 WILLIAM SPEED WEED Which quirks are merely colorful, and which require professional help? We asked the experts. hMeRs/PHOTOGRAPI Reynolds with son Tynan See eedCharlie Otero ac te Uy Pr eo 100 110 14 126 132 138 142 FEATURES City of Shadows MICHAEL MEVER As Beijing ushers in the Olympics, the alleys of old China cling to life. Music Mani oavio sochuan The joys of trying something new when you're no longer a kid. Warning: Teen Drivers JOSEPH k. VETTER WITH FRAN LOSTYS Car crashes are the No. 1 killer of teenagers. It’s time to take action. How safe is your state? We rank teen-driving laws. Road Warrior One man’s mission to get teens thinking before driving. 4Ways of Looking at a Bridge The story behind spans in India, France, Peru, and Minneapolis. Mr. Clean sere peanuman Sal Fasano refused steroids and watched his rivals get rich. But who’s the real ballplayer? Quick Study sacor Nuclear energy is on the front burner again. What you need to know. APlace in the Sun CARL M. CANNON Wounded soldiers have somewhere new to go for healing—a riverbank. (TOP) PHOTOGRAPHED BY DAN WINTERS, (BOTTOM) PHOTOGRAPHED BY STEPHANIE KUYKENDAL READER'S DIGEST rd.com o8/o8OA Advanced Whitening Dazzling white meets germ fighting healthy. Advanced vance 42 Hour Whitening el Fighting Upgrade toHealthier snacks for your picnic cooler. 55 15 Carly Zalenski, philanthropist, with her mother and grandmother. 35 39 43 47 49 51 55 173 177 178 180 eader’ Digest DEPARTMENTS React yousaioir Make It Matter A12-year-old girl raised $50,000 to build a school for kids in Vietnam ynw roseutini The Digest Gasthieves... waiter confessions... classic plays made easy Q&A Author and optimist Thomas L. Friedman on the upside of global warming cari M. CANNON Heroes whentwo dogs attacked a four-year-old, Cody Phillips leaped first and looked later tamara Jones Outrageous! missing laptops, missing identities micHae. crowLey Dreamers Trish Karter found her calling in cookies—and in helping the homeless find their place in the world marGaret HEFFERNAN @Work acc ina oayv's work Off Base sumon in unironm Laugh! ips tHe sest weoicine Health Aspirinanswers anda better-for-you picnic Word Power Quotes Life in tuese unite states Last Laugh READER'S DIGEST rd.com og/o8 (TOP) PHOTOGRAPHED BY GREG RUFFING/REDUX, (BOTTOM) PHOTOGRAPHED BY CHRISTOPHER GALLO.4p Bayer HealthCare Cee ue Aun etsy te *Comparison among OTC brands based on minimum label dosing for 24 hours. Use as directed. (© 2008 Bayer HealthCare LLC aleve.comSafer Teen Driving This month's special report (see page 114) reveals just how danger- ous it can be when a 16-year-old gets behind the wheel. Help advocate for tougher laws at rd.com/teendriving. Normal or Nuts? We all have our little quirks. Are yours harm- less or heinous? Find out on page 84, Still not sure? Post your question at rd.com/aminuts. 5 Our All-New 2 Books Blog - Fiction, biography, history, © Planning a great trip this summer? Whether you're | and more: In“Book Fare,” = heading for sun and sand or a historical hot spot, Reader’s Digest editor : share your pictures at rd.com/vacationphotos. Maureen Mackey gives = ‘Your best shot could win a $100 prize. you an inside look at the Nae tee occ oer at nee ronmne ie creaemomnc ote best new books. Go to 5 rdcomacaonphots. rd.com/blogs. 4 U-S-A! U-S-A! Get a piece of the action at the 2008 Summer Olympics with our daily slide show from Beijing. Plus, test your knowledge of Olympics history, find ‘out how well you know the top athletes, and enjoy our Games-themed printables for kids. It’s all at rd.com/olympics. 6 READER'S DIGEST rd.com o2jo8For every lifestyle, there’s a FreeStyle’ meter— &) now try one FREE** oo \ No coding means one less step | ES + Less pain-world’s smallest sample size « Fast, 5-second average test time ‘ Covered by Medicare, Medicaid, reeStyleLite.com and most insurance plans: Call or log on today for FREE meter and start 1-866-570-4288Disest Digest oC Editor-in-Chief Peggy Northrop Executive Editors Barbara O'Dair, Tom Prince Creative Director Hannu Laakso Managing Editor Ann Powell Deputy Editor Andrea Barbalich Washington Bureau Chief Carl M. Cannon West Coast Editor Meg Grant Health Director Julie Bain Director, Reporting and Research Deirdre M. Casper Rb.com ExecutiveEditor Beth Turner Features Editors Donna G. Banks, Maureen Mackey Senior Editors Patricia Curtis, Michael Neil Andy Senior Writer Kenneth Miller Staff Writer Cynthia Dermody Senior Copy Editor Paul Silverman Copy Editor Melissa DeMeo Reporters Carol Kaufmann, Joseph K. 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Brooks, Sam Dealey, Cathy Free, Robin Gerber, Margaret Heffernan, James Impoco, Jesse Kornbluth, Mary Roach, Lynn Rosellini, Gail Cameron Wescott, Laura Yorke ‘The Digest is published in 50 editions in 2ilanguages. in Braille, on cassette. in large print, and ina digital version President, Group Publisher Eva Dillon Vice President, Publisher Jeff Wellington ‘Associate Publisher, Marketing Marnie Le‘coe Braverman ‘AdvertisingDirector Heddy Sams ‘AdvertisingServices Director Kristine Wimmerstedt AdvertisingSales New York Leslie Baldwin, Jennifer Bayard, ‘Melissa Morales, Kelly Ames Smith, Andy Spinelli Chicago Kelly Maier, Lorri Day, Diane Wigger, Suzanne Kirkland Los angeles Jodi Grossgold atianta Rachel Locascio Marketing Patty Bogic, Dara Furlow, Nell Alk, Christine Batraville, Toni Champlin, Amy Dorf, Shannon Godfrey, Maggie Gould, Jessica Jourdain, Flizabeth Leonard, Toni Nicolino, Jil Picariello, “Taryn Sefecka, Emily ‘Tannenbaum, Jessica Vargas ‘Marketing nteligence Michael Gratz (Director), James Wilson General Manager, RD.com Steven Schwartz National Director, Online Advertising, RD.com Carlos Restrepo, Chief Financial Officer Jesus Capote Business Manager Jeremy Carluc ice President, Consumer Marketi Retail sales David Algire Planning Christopher Gaydos Marketing Laurie Levasseur, Jane Cazzorla restive Kenneth M. Brown Vice President, Customer Care Suzanne Ronner Public Relations Ellen Morgenstern Director of Operations, U.S. Magazines Stephen R. Best Advertising Production Manager Carol Bernhard Director, Human Resources Nancy Andrews Senior Counselor Melvin R. Laird THE READER’S DIGEST ASSOCIATION, INC. President and Chief Executive Officer ‘Mary G. Berner President, Home & Garden, Health & Wellness Alyce C. Alston President, RD Europe and CEO, Direct Holdings Worldwide Michael A. Brennan President, RD Community Eva Dillon President, School & Educational Services Michael S. Geltzeiler President, Food & Entertaining Suzanne M, Grimes President, RD Asia Pacific Paul Heath President, RDA Interactive Jodi Kahn President, RD Canada & Latin America Andrea C. Martin President, North American Consumer Marketing Dawn M, Zier Senior VP, Global Marketing & Publiching Emma Lawson ‘Senior VP, Global Human Resources Todd C, MoCarty Senior VP, Global Operations Albert L. Perruzza ‘Senior VP, Chief Information Officer Jefirey S. Spar VP, Global Communications William Adler VP, Editor-in-Chief, Internati ions 8 Magazine Development Frank Lalli vp, GeneralCounsel Andrea Newborn VP, U.S. Editor-in-Chief, Reader's Digest Peggy Northrop 1g Cara SchlangerAgwertiserrent Caring Connectors Women who fight the battle against breast cancer say that it changes them physically, emotionally and spiritually They find what is most beautiful and strong within themselves, even at their darkest moments. Every woman has her own story of how she faced each day and what she discovered. These are Warrior stories, eT TIC onl Cette) and we want to hear yours. What makes a Warrior beautiful? Strength? Perseverance? Love? You tell us, Nominate yourself, someone you know who has faced breast cancer, someone who stood with you through the hard times or a person who. is relentless in the fight. Ford Motor Company and Reader's Digest will select three Warriors to feature in the magazine’s December issue. Log on to to nominate your beautiful warrior! To enter and for additional details find offical rules at rd.com/warriors. No purchase necessary. Purchase ‘will not improve your chances of winning. Contest is open to legal residents, age 18 and older, of the US., its territories and possessions. Contest begins 07/01/08 and closes 08/11/08. Nominated winner must be available o travel for a photo shoot in New York City between the dates of 09/15/08 and 09/19/08. Contest sponsored by Reader's Digest Association, Inc. and Ford Motor Company. <=> yy, WARRIORS IN PINK: Ford has been a national sponsor of 2 nen Race for th ind created Warriors in Pink to Susan G. Ke ure for 14 yea 5 million ti ve at fordcares.com. help further the caus WARRIORS IN PINK cancer. Yo ight breast ating moi artior scarWhen it comes to treat heartbum, | trcst ny doctov. he trrsts Prilosec OTC. And wsts Prilos (a,Saving Money Es use most of the suggestions in “10 Ways to Stash Cash.” But Jean Chatzky left off my favorite way to save. Before I order anything online, I go to dynamicshops.com. Almost all the major stores are listed there. If I use the link, I get cash back for my purchase. ‘on, Fort Plerce, Florida Yes, savii React)))) LETTERS ON THE JUNE ISSUE is harder—and it costs too much. The Millennials You people are get- ting involved in poli- tics? Long overdue! I hope | didn’t renew a CD, because the highest interest rate | could get was 2.9 percent. Since inflation is about 4 percent and I’d have to pay tax on the interest earned, Pd have less buying power than at the start. i J. Lane, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania they realize it will take more than just showing up at the polls or volunteering for acampaign to clean up the mess (“The Facebook Election”). Ulti- mately, they’re going to have to run for office. The leadership of both major parties will have to step aside and let younger, more open minds take over. Risky Loans he mortgage-crisis articles in “Home Sick” are some of the best I’ve read. As an attorney, I saw far too many clients with unusual financing. I always brought it to their D. L., via Internet READER'S DIGEST rd.com o9/08 attention, but people want what they want. A colleague and I called these crazy deals, half in jest, the foreclo- sures of the future. Sadly, that’s what some have become. Derevian: The Champ E ere’s my message for 41-year-old swimmer Dara Torres: You go, girl! Those young whippersnappers who think you're too old to compete in the Olympic trials are afraid you'll make them look bad (“Never Say Never”). Too bad they won't \Wynantskill, New VerkFRENCH ONION Dip understand your dream or drive until they turn 40, We'll be rooting for you! Wheel Deal hile visiting the Democratic Republic of the Congo, I saw a lot of adult-size tricycles that were converted for use by people with disabilities (“4 Ways of Looking at a Bicycle”). The sprockets were Judy Woodward, Orem, Utah Howto Reach Us >> Letters to the Editor = letters@rd.com ™ React, Reader’s Digest, Box 200, Pleasantville, New York 10572-0200 Include your full name, address, email, and daytime phone number. We may edit letters and use them in all print and electronic media. 2 >> Submissions For short humor items, please see page 48. We regret that We cannot accept or acknowl- edge unsolicited artwork, photographs, or article- length manuscripts. >> Reprints = rd.comjreprints (min. 500 copies) turned upside down and mounted on the handlebars so that people who couldn’t pedal with their legs could run the trike with their hands. Lloyd Smith, Longview, Washington To view Smith’s photo of a modified tricycle in use, go to rd.com/bicycle. Don’t Change a Thing am a soldier serving in Baghdad. Last night I came across the “Let- ter from the Editor” inviting reader feedback. Mine is simple: Please don’t change the size and content of Reader's Digest. It is probably the most widely distributed and enjoyed periodical in this part of the world. The articles provide a shot in the arm (very much needed), a reality check (a no-kidding assessment of this crazy world), and a gut check (stories about extraordinary peo- ple). Reader’s Digest fits in the cargo pocket of our uniform pants, and it’s an easy read in a helicopter or on the ground. Thanks for what you do. LTC Tim Whalen, MND-C, Baghdad, Iraq >> Customer Care Subscriptions, renewals, gifts, address changes, payments, account information, and inquiries: = rd.comjhelp 877-732-4438, ® RD, Box 7825, Red Oak, lowa 51591-0825 Digest Digest READER'S DIGEST rd.com og/o8 ILLUSTRATED BY DAN BEYERPeel eam Cole aa Lon Who would've thought something you put in your shoes could relieve the pain in your back or knees?" Introducing Dr. Scholl’s® Back and Knee Pain Relief Orthotics ‘with Shock Guard” technology to absorb jarring impacts. Theyre clinically proven ‘to work with every step you take. So take Dr. Scholls® for back or knee pain. Cre Ey Co ee ee ee ee ee eeRavi asa Parone rT IS NS pa X3 BEING aes ee F é 4, : ee $ Cad ad A ee ci ae ks F Ps i ~ 4 ' eal pore SMe Pe uaMake It Matter ww She decided to build aschool for children in Vietnam. It took her two years. She was 12. BY LYNN ROSELLIN arly Zalenski’s eyes filled with tears as the dusty bus rattled down a dirt road in southern Vietnam. The 14-year- old and her family had traveled by plane from Canton, Ohio, to Ho Chi Minh City and then by bus deep into the Mekong Delta. Now, as they approached the village, hundreds of cheering schoolchildren lined the entrance to the Hoa Lac School, atwo-story concrete building that Carly had raised money for. Carly started helping others when she was eight, handing out Thanksgiving baskets at church to families in need, It was a snowy day, and she saw that one girl was wearing flip-Alops and others didn’t have warm coats. The next Novem- = ber, she went door-to-door asking READER'S DIGEST rd.com as/oe 15Are You Making sCan\V Elanora Inspired by Carly Zalenski’s story, the Reader’s Digest Foundation will award a $100,000 grant to The League, an organization that teaches young people to give “time and talent to make themselves, their community, and the world a better place.” Tell us how you or someone you know is making it matter, and your story may appear here. Go to rd.com/ foundation to learn more or donate. for used coats, hats, gloves, and scarves, then handed them out with the baskets. But Carly wanted to do more— she wanted to “change lives,” she says. She remembered that her grandmother’s Rotary club had, years earlier, raised money to build a school in Vietnam. That was it, she decided. She’d build a school too. She put together a PowerPoint presentation on the people and culture of Vietnam. At 12, barely able to see over the podium, she gave her first fund-raising pitch. Though her new braces made it hard to enunciate, she spoke with enthusi- asm. “The kids in rural Vietnam don’t have decent schools,” she told aroom of 200 Rotarians. “That's not fair. I want to give them a place to make their lives better.” That summer, Carly set off with her family across Ohio, visiting three or four Rotary clubs a week. “We traveled like crazy people to 16 all these meetings,” recalls her mother, Kris. The first few sessions yielded no donations. But one night, Carly and her dad, Fred, pulled up to a run- down building in Minerva, Ohio. Carrying a laptop, a projector, and a portable screen, they traipsed through a bar to a darkened back room where 15 Rotarians were sit- ting around a long table. There was dead silence and blank stares after Carly had finished. Fred thought, This is never going to work. Then someone made a motion: “Let's give this girl a check right now.” Minutes later, an elated Carly walked out with her first donation: $500. Not everyone was wild about the idea of giving back to a Commu- nist country. “Why should we help Vietnam?” asked one veteran. Carly replied simply, “They're kids. And Tm just a kid who wants to help out.” As word spread, individual donors sent checks for as little as $5. A restaurant chain contributed $1,000. Carly’s karate teacher organized a tournament that netted $4,000. A Bible camp chipped in to help buy 500 backpacks for the children. In two years, Carly had raised $50,000, a sum that was matched. by the Vietnam Children’s Fund. At the dedication ceremony in Hoa Lac, the school principal was impressed with the ninth grader. “How wonderful,” he said through a translator, “that a girl her age wanted to do something for kids so far away.” READER'S DIGEST rd.com 9/08