By Patricia Anstett,Detroit Free Press A little grouchy, aren’t we?Perhaps you feel sluggish, less creative or withdrawn. Maybe you’re eating more than usual.Join the club, the one with 14 million Americans who live with Seasonal Affective Disorder, or SAD.A type of depression, SAD and its milder form, the winter blues, are caused by shortened exposure […]

PASADENA, Calif. (AP) – Some things never change for the Public Broadcasting Service: “Sesame Street,” British theater and empty pockets.The outgoing PBS head said Saturday that the nation must fundamentally rethink the value of public broadcasting, because the cash-strapped service is now inhibited from taking programming risks or sticking with worthwhile shows.“Public broadcasting has got […]

By Womans Day,Knight Ridder Newspapers For most, just thinking about cleaning the house is enough to wear us out. The Feb. 1 issue of Woman’s Day magazine highlights five changes that will make housework easier, including:1. Remove one appliance from your kitchen counter or fridge top. Fewer items out means fewer items to clean – […]

By Tim O’Brien,Knight Ridder News Service Here is a simple formula to follow to put the odds for success on your side. Let’s just call it the “Five P’s to Success.” There are four obvious steps. The fifth part, being successful, carries its own set of challenges.The P’s are: plan, process, performance, persistence and prosperity. […]

By Kathy Van Mullekom,Daily Press (Newport News, Va.) If you like to be part of the “in crowd,” you’ll want to be “out” – as in outdoor cooking, entertaining, reading, relaxing and gardening.Higher fuel costs are expected to drive these 2006 trends, as more of us stay closer to home on weekends and for vacations, […]

When my daughter Shannon asked me to take care of her new cockapoo puppy, Frannie, for an overnight, I was more than happy to do it. I had no plans and figured the two of us would have a great restful weekend together.Shannon and her husband, Chris, arrived on my doorstep Saturday morning, loaded down […]

By Dr. Marty Becker,Knight Ridder Newspapers If you have a pet, you know that they can, at will, instantly orchestrate an Oscar-worthy tableside begging performance complete with pleading eyes, tap dancing feet, lip licking and tail wagging. So you succumb and give them a piece of avocado off of your salad, a piece of your […]

Jan. 16, 23: DRESDEN, a country western line and partner dance will be held at 7 p.m. at Dresden Masonic Hall, Route 127. $3/$4 622-4884Jan. 18, 25: NAPLES, a karaoke and dance will be held at 8 p.m. at Oh Ryan’s Pub and Club, Route 11 and 302. 753-0100Jan. 18, 25: PORTLAND, ballroom dancing will […]

Jan. 14: AUBURN, a community drumming jam with Harambe, will be held at 6:30 p.m. in the church vestry of the First Unitarian Universalist Church. 780-4223Jan. 14: BRIDGTON, the Deep Freeze, acoustic and bluegrass music festival, will be held at 7 p.m. at the Bridgton Town Hall. $20/$12 647-8580Jan. 14: KENNEBUNK, Cheryl Wheeler and Lynn […]

LOS ANGELES – In less than a week, journalists, movie stars and a handful of independent filmmakers will fall upon Park City, Utah, like buzzards on carrion, making deals, collecting swag and occasionally even watching movies.Yup, the Sundance Film Festival is coming, bringing with it the obligatory charges that Robert Redford’s baby has become too […]