Commentary

Mandela finally removed from U.S. list of terrorists

Merlene Davis

Dignitaries from several countries and entertainment stars from all genres gathered in London on June 27 to wish former South African President Nelson Mandela a happy 90th birthday.

Destination: nearby

By Cheryl Truman

Jim Madden of Lexington has this mini-vacation thing down: two gallons of gas each way, and he and his companion, Dewey, an Australian shepherd, are on vacation.

COMMENTARY

Happy endings can take time

By Merlene Davis

Although James and Jeanette Robinson did not have a fairy-tale romance, they nonetheless think their marriage will have a happy ending.

THE FRU-GAL

The power of the rebate

By Deborah Morris

Cutting coupons and watching for deals can save money. But so can applying for rebates. Although they take a little more time, some rebate offers give you back the entire purchase price and/or will reimburse you for a product you don't like. This week's ­column includes information on all of that.

Some parents show their love with tattoos

Some parents show their love by getting tattoos that honor their kids

By Mary Meehan

When Matt Beaulieu imagined the birth of his first son, he thought: ”Pig.“ Actually, he thought ”golden pig,“ as in the designation in the Chinese calendar that comes around just once every 60 years.

Obama told black dads how it is and ought to be

By Merlene Davis

On Father's Day, ­Democratic presidential hopeful Barack Obama spoke at Apostolic Church of God in Chicago, giving what I considered a speech of the rude-awakening kind.

THE FRU-GAL

Freebies make you feel better

By Deborah Morris

Don't you love it when you receive something free or get a great deal? Most people are struggling because of our economy, and I hope I can help them get something free. Don't forget to share your good fortune with friends and family. There's usually plenty to go around.

Final child's college orientation is bittersweet

By Merlene Davis

My last child, the son who made my growing old a very ungraceful act, has graduated high school and is now about to enter college.

THE FRU-GAL

Freebies for pets, health, kids

By Deborah Morris

I've received responses from lots of people who are applying for and receiving their free stuff. That's great.

Music industry banking on video games

By Derrik J. Lang

Tapping on fake instruments and screeching into microphones connected to video game consoles has become lucrative for both the music and gaming industries.

Kids bored? Here are 6 fun projects

Here are 6 fun projects that will keep your children entertained ­­­ and inquisitive ­ this summer

By Mary Meehan

Chances are, they're already bored. The first few days that school was out, the pool was a lure for your kids and a non-school book seemed a treat. But now, the kids probably just stare at you with those accusing eyes that say: What are you going to do about this?

THE FRU-GAL

Enjoy something free when you eat out

By Deborah Morris

Who wouldn't like to have a free hamburger, ice cream or dinner for their birthday or simply for joining an online club?

Shedding light on sun protection

At the beach, pack high-SPF sunscreen and cover up

By Kathy Van Mullekom

You're all set for a day at the beach or on the boat. Snacks and beverages are packed, towels and sunglasses are tucked into your tote bag, and you have a book or two to browse.

5 things you should know about bad-breath causes, treatment

By Desonta Holder

1. The No. 1 cause of halitosis — bad breath — is oral bacteria. It often congregates on the surfaces of the tongue, produces a waste that is rich in sulfur compounds and creates a dreadful rotten-egg smell.

Commentary

Young naval recruit has me worried

Fine y0ung man doesn't seem to realize the risks that come with the benefits

Merlene Davis

One of my sons' friends dropped by recently to proudly tell us he had joined the Navy and couldn't wait to start basic training.

The social seen

Revelry a sure bet

For many, Derby Eve parties are the big events, even days later

By Howard M. Snyder

Pitch a tent, invite 1,500 or so of your friends, and voilà: Derby party. That's the way Bill Morgan has been doing it since 1972. But it didn't start out quite so big.

Commentary

Too many kids with mental illness go undiagnosed

Merlene Davis

Our mental health determines how we view the world around us, how we think, feel and react, and it affects the choices we make.

The Diet Detective

How what goes in comes out

By Charles Platkin

Warning: If you have an aversion to your body's waste, don't read any further.

Makeup tips for sunny seasons

By Amy Wilson and Harriett Hendren

It's a brave girl who will let herself be photographed without makeup. Yet three already beautiful teenagers (and members of the Herald-Leader Teen Board) agreed to give their faces a good scrub at 7 a.m. and show up ready to face the cameras.

The Diet Detective

Comfort food can be low-cal

Charles Platkin

The stock market roller coaster, the housing crisis, the dreaded ”R“ word — it's stressful out there. Where can we turn? How about comfort foods? Unfortunately most comfort foods are notoriously high in calories. Knowing that, we thought it would be helpful to reach out to a few foodies and chefs to find several tasty, low-calorie comfort food recipes.

Pharmacist on call

Ad campaign revives tanning bed safety debate

By Richard Harkness

Question: I recently heard that tanning beds might be safer than previously thought and that they promote health by stimulating vitamin D production. Can you comment?

Commentary

Hair clippings clean up oil spills

Merlene Davis

Susan Burgess Laux looks ”normal.“

PHARMICIST ON CALL

Continued use of Vytorin should be OK

By Richard Harkness

Question: After reading about problems with Vytorin, is it safe to take, or is it true that this drug might cause a stroke?

Film festival is for, by and about women

By Merlene Davis

For those of us short on attention spans but long on intentions, the Lexington Public Library downtown is where we should be on Saturday evening.

Beach bound?

By Jan Jarvis

That translates into eating healthful low-cal meals, doing cardio five days a week along with strength training for three days, and staying focused, said Cynthia Knapen, an Arlington, Texas, personal trainer accredited with the National Strength and Conditioning Association.

PHARMICIST ON CALL

Grapefruit can affect estrogen dosage

By Richard Harkness

Question: I read your column on grapefruit-drug interactions, and this was the first time I’ve heard about an interaction with estrogen. I take Activella. What are the effects on this drug?

Geraldine Ferraro seems so bitter

Her outspokenness has gone too far

By Merlene Davis

I was so proud to be a woman in 1984, when ­Democratic presidential nominee Walter Mondale selected Geraldine Ferraro as his running mate.

Commentary

Democratic party must win black vote or it'll lose big

Merlene Davis

Several news agencies are wondering aloud whether last week's Pennsylvania primary was a harbinger of the demise of the Democratic Party if Sen. Barack Obama were to be its presidential nominee.

commentary

Need to dig, but have no soil to turn?

Community gardens may just do the trick

Merlene Davis

Something comes over me in the spring that compels me to dig in dirt and to plant and transplant things and throw mulch wherever I can.

Make your own Derby button (PDF)

Political campaigns, with all the talk of front-runners and favorites, are in full swing as the best of the thoroughbred world charges into Kentucky for the Derby. Create your own politically-themed Kentucky Derby button (click here for details).

Fifth-graders interpret an American classic

By Amy Wilson

A policeman and a kid in a diner having a chat. Tell people it's called The Runaway.Lots of ideas come to mind if you've just got that to go on. But put on the red knapsack nearby and figure it's 1958 and you'll know that you are seeing this cop and this kid and this diner through the bespectacled eyes of American artist Norman Rockwell.

Pharmacist on call

Steroids come in different forms

By Richard Harkness

Question: My doctor prescribed pills for an allergic reaction. Afterwards, I found out they were steroids. With all the news about athletes taking steroids and the harm they can cause, should I be worried? I only took them for seven days.

A necessity for women in need

By Amy Wilson

Twice a year, women who might not be able to afford it otherwise are invited to have mammograms and Pap tests done by the professionals at the Lexington-Fayette County Health Department. » More in Health | Family

Diabetes isn't an inevitable destiny

It seems to be all over, but you can prevent it

By Merlene Davis

Before I started elementary school, my mother worked part-time as a domestic, cooking and cleaning for rich folk, as we called them.

Classifying your talented child

Understanding the system for gifted students

By Mary Meehan

Even the most well-intentioned parents can have a hard time understanding how school systems work. To help, we are answering some often-asked questions. This is our second installment. For information about the previous topic and to suggest a topic for us to write about in the future, go to our new Web site, www.bluegrassmoms.com.

Pharmacist on call

Issues and benefits of using statin drugs

By Richard Harkness

Question: My husband, who is 69, was taking a statin drug to lower his cholesterol but had to discontinue it because of muscle pains. I know other people who have experienced similar problems. How ­common is this?

Man vs. mess

Author tells guys: Housekeeping is easier than you think, and it might help your love life

By Cheryl Truman

Guys, we have a few words for you: Man up and grab yourself a feather duster.

Breast cancer study needs sisters

Merlene Davis

The bad news is that the Sister Study, which is seeking 50,000 sisters of women who have had breast cancer, is still looking for participants.

Inventive mom builds a better bib

DaBib designed to keep kids and clothes cleaner

By Kyveli Diener

SAN MATEO, Calif. — Shea Kelly is raising two fast-growing babies. One is her 26-month-old daughter, Marissa, the focal point of Kelly's life since her adoption in January 2006. The other is Chez Shea Baby LLC, her baby-products company responsible for what she hopes is the next big thing in baby bibs, DaBib.

Do you have these common symptoms?

First of all, don't worry; second of all, enjoy the day

By Avril F. Day

In what some are calling an important breakthrough, scientists studying historical research have noted several quizzical physical symptoms in human beings that might lead to a widespread diagnosis for many Americans.

Pharmacist on call

Younger folks can get shingles shot

By Richard Harkness

Question: I'm 48 and recently had shingles. My doctor says she's seeing more cases of shingles in younger adults. Many of my friends had shingles or had a close friend or relative in their age group (40s to early 50s) who had it.

Author Sharon Draper says her books address teens' concerns

By Mary Meehan | mmeehan1@herald-leader.com

Peer pressure, first love, suicide, drinking and driving, and the power of friends and family are all topics addressed in books by Sharon M. Draper.

The Commando's guide to safety

Krav Maga teaches protection, not fighting, and how to win with wits

By Cheryl Truman

One compelling testimony to the power of Krav Maga is that the Kentucky State Police uses it for self-defense training. It figures, when it's a call between an endangered trooper and possible injury or death, the Israeli-developed martial art is a potent weapon.

There's help for grandparents raising grandkids

Conference gives grandparents a boost

By Merlene Davis

Melinda Earlywine, a real estate agent in Lawrenceburg, has another title: grandmother with permanent custody of her 6-year-old grandson, Jacob.

PHARMICIST ON CALL

Web pharmacies carry risk of mix-ups

By Richard Harkness

Question: I hope readers heed your warnings about online prescriptions. There also are risks even from well-known Web pharmacies. I had my Lipitor prescription filled and delivered to my home for about 18 months. Twice, I received someone else's order. The first time it was three bottles of prenatal vitamins; the second was phenobarbital for a dog. Now I stand in line at the local drugstore and check the label before I pay. Can you comment?

'Til debt do you part

Misunderstandings about money have torn apart many a marriage

By Mary Meehan

As wedding season descends upon those gleefully in love, happy couples ruminate endlessly about color schemes and flower choices.

Small church sponors Spelman Glee Club concert

By Merlene Davis

Having a small Catholic church hosting a nationally recognized glee club on Palm Sunday in Lexington isn't as mind-boggling as it might seem.

Radio host: Talk frankly before ceremony

By Mary Meehan

Talk-show host and financial adviser Dave Ramsey is pretty clear about marriage and money.

Take a walk in the sunshine to chase your winter blues

Natural light can ease SAD symptoms

By Julie Deardorff

In the haunting 1959 short story All Summer in a Day by science-fiction writer Ray Bradbury, Margot lives on oppressively rainy Venus, where the sun appears just once every seven years.

PHARMICIST ON CALL

Getting Zostavax isn't as easy as it could be

By Richard Harkness

Readers have reported difficulties finding a clinic that would administer Zostavax, the vaccine aimed at preventing shingles in people 60 and older. In a previous column, I asked readers to relate their experiences trying to run down the shot. That struck a chord, and the mailbox filled up.

Chicago hotel pays its housekeepers for ratting on smokers

By Louis R. Carlozo

Ever since she was a girl in the Robert Taylor Homes, Linda Davis has hated cigarette smoke.