Congressional Democrats claim at every turn they "support the Second Amendment," but the truth came out Thursday when they pulled a coveted District of Columbia voting rights bill because of an amendment that would have ended the long-standing handgun ban. "This shows the true colors of the Democrat leadership," Alan M. Gottlieb, chairman of the Citizens Committee for the Right to Keep and Bear Arms stated. "It should have been easy for the Democrat caucus ... [full story]

Board member releases teacher’s powerpoint presentation; says it was a “calculated decision on his part to bend young minds” Kris Helphinstine, a part-time biology teacher at Sisters High School was fired by the school board Monday night for deviating from the curriculum on the theory of evolution after only eight days on the job, four of which were spent teaching his own theories of evolution through a PowerPoint presentation that referenced Nazi Germany and Planned ... [full story]

Pacifiers not only keep babies quiet or help them sleep, they might also save their lives. According to an article in Nursing for Women's Health, a clinical practice journal, pacifiers could lower the risk of babies developing SIDS, or sudden infant death syndrome. An American Academy of Pediatrics task force looking into the incident rate of SIDS agrees. It reinforces the idea that children younger than 1 year should use a pacifier to lower the ... [full story]

Bask in the heat of the Caribbean this summer. The Wyndham Sugar Bay Resort and Spa is offering a red-hot savings package for families to experience the ultimate summer escape to paradise. Parents can take their children under the age of 12 and not pay a penny extra. Through December 2007, kids under 12 stay, eat and play for free. If families book reservations before March 31, they can receive 25 percent off room rates, ... [full story]

Q: My husband and I have owned the china hutch seen in this photo for years. It was made by Heywood Wakefield, has a champagne finish, and is in mint condition. The top is a separate piece from the base. We are planning to downsize and would appreciate any information you can give us, especially its value. A: The Heywood Wakefield Furniture Co. made furniture in Gardner, Mass., for over 100 years. Your two-part china ... [full story]

Dental enamel is the hardest tissue produced by the body. It cannot regenerate itself, because it is formed by a layer of cells that is lost by the time the tooth appears in the mouth. The enamel spends the remainder of its lifetime vulnerable to wear, damage, and decay. For this reason, it is exciting to consider the prospect of artificially growing enamel, or even whole teeth, using culturing and transplantation techniques. In the emergent ... [full story]

Oregon-based Banfield, The Pet Hospital develops treatment plans To help treat pets who have been affected by the Menu Foods recall, Portland, Oregon-based Banfield, The Pet Hospital is providing a 25 percent discount off the recommended medical treatment plans received at participating Banfield hospitals across the nation. Specialists and other experts have developed these specific treatment plans to screen for and treat kidney problems seen in patients who have eaten the tainted foods.  In addition, ... [full story]

HOLMDEL, N.J. - The U.S. District Court in Alexandria, Va. today issued an order enjoining Vonage from using certain VoIP technology named in its patent litigation with Verizon. The order is not immediately effective, however, and Vonage is confident its customers will see no change in their phone service. The court announced its intent to hear stay argument in two weeks' time. At that time, the court intends to render a decision regarding the stay, ... [full story]

Leopold Ketel & Partners has added Springbrook, a major new hospitality, residential and retail development, to its growing list of Oregon-based clients. Springbrook will encompass 450 acres in northeast Newberg, Oregon. Key features will be a luxury inn, restaurant, spa, retail village, 1,200 homes and town homes.  Construction on the inn will begin in 2008, while the entire project will be built over a decade.  It is the first development of this scale planned for ... [full story]

WASHINGTON - Existing-home sales rose strongly in February following a healthy gain in January, reaching the highest level since last April, according to the National Association of Realtors. Total existing-home sales -- including single-family, townhomes, condominiums and co-ops -- rose 3.9 percent to a seasonally adjusted annual rate(1) of 6.69 million units in February from a downwardly revised level of 6.44 million in January, but are 3.6 percent below the 6.94 million-unit pace in February ... [full story]