Barack Obama is taken as evidence that we're overcoming racism. Hillary Clinton and Sarah Palin are taken as evidence that we're overcoming sexism. But let's not pat ourselves on the back for being enlightened just yet. We're always finding someone new to hate.

Whatever Angie Spleha, the proprietor of Angie's Hair & Nail Salon, lacks in knowledge of cutting-edge shearing techniques and appeal for the glamour-seeking Mario Tricoci set, she makes up for in spades with an unmatched rapport and devotion to her elderly clients. But as the target demographic of beauty salons and barbershops like Angie’s continues to age, owners and industry experts alike wonder how they’ll manage to stay afloat.

It probably seems like a waste to spend a fortune on tiny Velcroed Bob the Builder kicks for your kid since growth spurts and hard-core recess playtime will likely render the pair obsolete in the blink of an eye. But despite the short life of children’s footwear, it’s important to make sure the shoes are fitted properly to provide adequate support, says Dr. David M. Prator of Active Life Institute in Naperville, Ill.

Word of the Day, Web Site of the Day and Number to Know.

A Canandaigua, N.Y., man is now a national spokesman for controlling diabetes after not realizing he had the disease until it was almost too late.

The first winning Olympians of ancient Greece were awarded only a crown made of laurel leaves. The honor of victory was considered the real prize, unlike the contemporary attitude of "Show me the money!" These ancient athletes were, however, showered with gifts upon returning to their city-states. Those gifts have long been considered the first sports trophies.

The egg cream is a popular soda-fountain drink invented in 1890 by candy shop owner Louis Auster in Brooklyn. To make one, leave the eggs in the fridge. Egg creams have no cream, no eggs.

French for very thin, flattened slices of meat or fish requiring only a minute or so of sautéing on both sides.

Just spend five minutes with Betty Bell and you know she’s an actress. You could almost swear she was cradled in a traveling trunk.

At first glance, the room of teacher Patti Schumacher resembles your everyday classroom.

News of the apparently unplanned pregnancy of Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin’s 17-year-old daughter will give parents across the country the chance to talk with their own children about sex, but adults should be careful not to use this opportunity to give a lecture, a Springfield pediatrician says.

Fitness columnist David Goldstein says there's no replacing the push-up in your workout routine.

I never gave it much thought as a kid what Michael Jackson, Prince and Madonna would be like at age 50. All I cared about was the music and how Michael Jackson danced like that.

We came out of the north with our rusty swings, three old buddies from Nebraska, Minnesota and Massachusetts, in search of warmth and the healing power of the little white ball. Everything we needed was within a drive and a chip from Fort Lauderdale, Fla.