War heroes, long after they pass on, live on in the movies. The life and exploits of sports heroes are retold in books. Sixty years after his death, we still know Babe Ruth.

Stars of the business world may be less well-remembered, but their daring feats qualify them as heroes just the same. Dead CEOs still have a lot to teach. In New Ideas From Dead CEOs, author Todd G. Buchholtz dramatically brings their business stories back to us.

Take A.P. Giannini, founder of Bank of America. He cared so much for his customers that he reopened his bank four days after the San Francisco earthquake of 1906. It was a Sunday. Giannini went down to the wharf, put a plank across two wooden barrels and declared himself open for business.

Some of Buchholz’s heroes started their empires from scratch. Walt Disney first supported himself by taking baby pictures. His career got a boost when he received $500 for a film on dental hygiene.

Sam Walton wasn’t shy about scoping out the competition. At one point, he sneaked around competitor’s stores and looked under the display racks to check inventory. Walton was a proud skinflint. He was so tight with a dollar that he once shared a hotel room with eight staffers. Those were the early days. By the time he became a retailing legend, he only shared his room with one staff member.

Book reviewer Paul Carroll says the author recounts fascinating stories of early beginnings of mega businessmen, showing how his subjects transformed business.

In addition to the dramas of Wal-Mart and Disney, Buchholz tells the adventures of Tom Watson Sr. and Tom Watson Jr. of IBM, Mary Kay Ash and Estee Lauder, David Sarnoff of RCA, Ray Kroc of McDonald’s, and Akio Morita, founder of Sony.

New Ideas From Dead CEOs by Todd G. Buchholz, Collins, 300 pages, $26.95

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One of the new Roth’s significant benefits: When you withdraw money at age 59 1/2 or later, its earnings in interest will be tax free. With a regular 401(k) the interest is taxed.
Other features:
* Investments are made with after-tax dollars.
* Anyone at any income level can invest in the new Roth.
* People who are age 50 or older by the end of 2006 can take advantage of the catch-up provision and contribute up to $20,000.
* Employer matches will still be made with pretax money. But the match money will accumulate in a separate account and be taxed as ordinary income at the time of withdrawal.
* Tax-free withdrawals can’t be made until the account is held for five years. All withdrawals are tax free after the holder stops working or is 59 1/2.
* Money can be left in the new Roth until the investor’s death, when it can be withdrawn tax free by heirs.
A survey by Hewitt Associates shows that 35 percent of companies responding say they are likely to add a Roth 401(k) to their benefits plan. Others say they can’t offer it immediately because it requires a separate accounting system to track the new Roth.
Economists writing in Business Week recommend that younger workers in low tax brackets should consider the new Roth. Their incomes will increase later on, putting them in a higher tax bracket.

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May is National Arthritis Month
How to keep arthritis away, or
reduce symptoms if you already have it
If there is arthritis in your family, and even if there isn’t, there is one thing you can do to keep it away. Lose weight. A 10-pound loss reduces joint stress.
If you already have osteoarthritis pain, it could be a symptom of dehydration in the joints. Increasing water intake often improves the condition after about four weeks, the time needed to rehydrate the joints. Drink half your body weight in ounces each day. If you weigh 160 pounds, drink 80 ounces or 10 eight-ounce glasses per day.
Eat foods that fight inflammation such as fish and nuts. Limit animal fats, which can trigger inflammation. Take a multivitamin.
Researchers at Wake Forest University School of  Medicine and elsewhere have found that aerobic exercise or resistance exercise reduces an arthritis patient’s risk of disability. Try walking, riding a bike, tai chi, or swimming.
A new study by the National Institutes of health shows that glucosamine and chrondroiton supplements had little effect on mild to moderate arthritis. In cases of moderate to severe arthritis, however, 79 percent of users reported reduced pain, a higher percentage than from a major prescription drug.
The study leader, Dr. Daniel Clegg, chief of rheumatology at the University of Utah, hopes people who get benefits from the supplements will continue taking them. Long term use of pain relievers like aspirin can result in internal bleeding and life-threatening problems. And prescription drugs don’t work for some people.

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If you’re an optimist, you believe that any defeat is a temporary setback or a challenge. It doesn’t knock you down.
Using this theme in your life helps you move forward in your work. And a positive view helps to prevent illness, improves relationships, and increases self esteem. A study reported in the Mayo Clinic Proceedings shows the optimists live longer, are healthier, and more peaceful and calm.
When you find yourself stuck in pessimism, psychiatrists at Columbia University say there are things you can do to revive your optimistic ways. Developing certain skills can change your view of the world.
* Practice seeing yourself as being better off than someone else. You are better off than many people you see every day.
* Know that everything is not your fault. Pessimists think they cause bad events that will undermine everything, says Dr. Martin Seligman in his book Learned Optimism, How to Change Your Mind (Free Press).
* When things go wrong, realize that the situation will only affect you for a limited time. If you failed, understand that outside factors were partly responsible.
* Decide to be positive even if you don’t feel like it. If you smile, your brain assumes you feel good. Act happy, and you will begin to feel better.
* Be positive with others, and they will reinforce your optimistic attitude. Be upbeat and show interest in them.
* Carry cards with positive statements on them about your life and your future.
If you feel depressed for some time and have negative feelings you can’t overcome, see your doctor. There are many good treatments for depression.

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If you live in a city, you are probably driving to work and paying to park once you get there. One driver in Seattle pays $220 a month to park in the city.
Even if you don’t have big parking costs, it would be nice to save on auto expenses, wouldn’t it?
More than 500,000 Americans think so. That’s the number of people who are currently riding a bike to work each day, according to U.S. census data. In cities such as Davis, Calif., about 20 percent of workers ride their bikes to the workplace.
The League of American bicyclists says getting more of us to do it could reduce traffic jams, air pollution, and obesity. Riding takes only a little more time than driving in most cases. If your commute takes you through congested areas, it could take less.
There’s no need to invest in a fancy bike, just about any 10-speed will do. Whatever you ride, it’s important to have these essentials and accessories: helmet, a helmet- mounted mirror for seeing what’s behind you (About $9), good tires (plus lightweight pump and spare tube), fenders, a bright-colored waterproof vest or jacket, a headlight, a rack and panniers to carry clothes and whatever else you need.
In all seasons except summer, you won’t have to worry about getting sweaty. If you wear a layer or two, you can remove one if you get hot. In summer, some riders carry extra clothes, and some shower at work.
The rewards of riding outweigh the hassles and help keep you healthy. That could result in some cash savings as well.

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