By David Bradley,For AP Weekly Features The way kitchens are going, this most-used family room has almost everything imaginable.The modern kitchen now serves as gathering place, entertainment center, study hall, and conversation headquarters. Oh yes, meals are prepared there, too.The International Builders Show in Orlando, Fla., recently showcased slick and spiffy designs along with gadgetry […]

Jan. 30: ORONO, A. James McAdams, leading expert on contemporary German politics, will speak on “The German Election and the Victory of Angela Merkel With the United States,” at noon at UMO Buchanan Alumni House. 581-3571Jan. 31: BANGOR, area resident, Robert Sypitkowski will speak about tsunami-ravaged Southeast Asia at 7 p.m. at Bangor Public Library […]

LOS ANGELES (AP) – Joaquin Phoenix’s car overturned on a canyon road and collided with another vehicle after his brakes went out, but there were no reports of injury, police said.Phoenix, the 31-year-old star of the Johnny Cash biopic, “Walk the Line,” was driving eastbound above Sunset Strip about 2:50 p.m. Thursday when he realized […]

Jan. 30: BANGOR, soloist Jamie Derosier and pianist Dana Ross will perform at 7 p.m. at Bangor Public Library, 145 Harlow St. 947-8336Jan. 31: PORTLAND, Avenged Sevenfold will perform at 7:30 p.m. at State Theatre, 609 Congress St. $17.50 775-3331Feb. 2: PORTLAND, Deborah Friou will perform on the Celtic harp at 12:15 p.m. at First […]

Auburn: Works by Irene Duplissis will be featured through Feb. 28 at Auburn Savings Bank, 256 Court St.Augusta: Exhibits of Maine’s natural environment, prehistory, social history and manufacturing heritage are featured year round, at the Maine State Museum, State House Complex. Gallery hours: Monday-Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. […]

Jan. 28: BANGOR, the All Souls Congregational Church Youth Choir will perform at 11 a.m. at Bangor Public Library, 145 Harlow St. 947-8336Jan. 28: BRUNSWICK, Kevin Attra will perform at 7:30 p.m. at the Brunswick Unitarian Universalist Church, 15 Pleasant St. $8 443-2424Jan. 28: BRUNSWICK, Jazz duo Gary Wittner, guitar, and Howard Johnson, tuba, will […]

LONDON (AP) – An inquiry into the death of Princess Diana is “far more complex than any of us thought,” the official leading the investigation said Friday without commenting on the conspiracy theories that persist nearly nine years after her death.Lord Stevens, the former head of London’s Metropolitan Police, acknowledged that some of the issues […]

NEW YORK (AP) – Four stunt artists were hurt in a special-effects accident on the set of the soap opera “All My Children,” the ABC show said Friday.“Unfortunately, during a shoot which included planned special effects, four stunt people were injured,” the show said in a statement. “All four are expected to make a swift […]

By David Germain,AP Movie WriterTranssexuals, gay cowboys and corporate greed lend Oscars a political agenda. Western fans can rejoice once more. A tale of cowboys on the range is back in the saddle as lead contender for the upcoming Academy Awards nominations. Of course, “Brokeback Mountain” is not your father’s Western, not John Wayne riding […]

Apparently, being famous makes it hard to date. And since Lisa Loeb already has a reality show on E!, “American Idol” judge Paula Abdul had to go another direction in her search for love.Enter Dr. Phil McGraw, who will offer his straight-up brand of help to the one-time chart-topper in his latest CBS prime-time special, […]