Five-year-old Steven Olson of Minnesota was playing on the swings when he noted a remarkable thing. If he yanked on the chains just right, he could make the swing go side to side instead of back and forth. It is a technique well-known to kids on playgrounds, but Steven's dad was a patent lawyer. Hence the U.S. Office issued Patent No. 6,368,227, "Method of Swinging on a Swing," in 2002. Although the application seemed tongue-in-cheek ... [full story]

Protecting our air, water and land is not a partisan matter. Neither is protecting our planet from global warming. Both are matters of fact, economics and common sense. Americans want change. They want to see science - not party ideology - restored as the foundation of public policy, especially when it comes to energy and the environment. Here are some steps Congress can and should take now. Advertisement - Energy policy. The United States needs ... [full story]

In the world of politics, there are bad ideas and then there are ideas that are just plain dreadful. It's in that second column that one finds a new federal policy change regarding Medicaid that would make it more difficult for the U.S.-born infants of illegal immigrants - infants who are, according to the Constitution, U.S. citizens - to obtain health care in the critical first year of their lives. Illegal immigrants are prohibited from ... [full story]

Employers sometimes argue that government destroys jobs when it raises the minimum wage. They might take a measure of agreement from a highly unexpected source. A Wall Street Journal column, written by John Fund, took a look at the inner workings of ACORN, a union-financed activist group that campaigns for higher minimum wages and other liberal causes. (ACORN is part of the political coalition that tries to draw moral sustenance from vilifying Wal-Mart.) Fund portrays ... [full story]

Most women find that the holidays offer them an opportunity to experiment with festive party looks that play with shimmer and color. This season, there is a return to a classic, feminine look accented with a modern edge. Reds and golds grounded by earthy neutrals and metallics illuminate the face this season. The latest makeup textures and shades allow all women to express their personalities with color and feel completely comfortable doing so. Before applying ... [full story]

The words "grandfather clock" probably bring to mind a heavy piece of furniture housing complicated gear work, an ornate face done in Roman numerals and a loud gong that wakes the neighborhood. While that archetype has its place, many of the newer floor clocks from industry leader Howard Miller are fashioned with simplicity in mind to better blend with popular Zen-inspired styles or European themes. Chimes can be turned off during nighttime hours, if desired. ... [full story]

Q: Our family room is all windows on three sides -- one reason we bought this house in the first place. The problem is, I didn't think about that when I planned an all cream-and-white color scheme. I really love the way the room looks -- cool -- yet it's anything but; it faces south and gets the afternoon sun. I have drapes on all the windows, but it hurts me to keep them closed. ... [full story]

University of Oregon President Dave Frohnmayer today announced that UO athletic director Bill Moos will step down after nearly 12 years in the post. Frohnmayer and Moos made the joint announcement after a series of conversations initiated by Moos about the future direction of the University of Oregon athletics program and Moos' professional and personal goals. Per President Frohnmayer's request, Moos will continue serving as the athletic director until March 2007. "It has been an ... [full story]

Walking into DivX's San Diego headquarters, it's hard to miss a deja vu vibe from the Internet bubble of 1999. There's the casual attire - employees walking around in T-shirts and baggy jeans, shorts and flip-flops. There's the Space Age furnishings and game tables, relics of the defunct Internet music company MP3.com, which used to occupy the building.   SHRINKING EXPANSION - Employees who worked on launching DivX's Stage 6 display a surfboard they received as ... [full story]

Tyler Florence is a far more complex young man than you see on his Food Network shows like "Food 911" and "Tyler's Ultimate." The 34-year-old, baby-face hunk is adored by a vast audience of female foodies, and is a popular pitchman for pots and pans and Applebee's restaurants. Florence speaks his mind in interviews with both praise and scorn for certain chefs, but mostly to tout the virtues of healthy, home-cooked food.   TYLER FLORENCE - ... [full story]