Q: We are enclosing a photo of one of two matching clear glass compotes that were given to us in the late 1950s from a relative. The overall measurements of each are 7 inches wide and 12 inches high. Both are in mint condition. We were told that by turning each one upside down and placing the lid on top of the base, you could use them to serve pastry.   GLASS COMPOTE - This glass ... [full story]

COLDWATER, Mich. - Assisted-suicide advocate Dr. Jack Kevorkian Friday walked out of a Michigan prison after serving more than eight years in the death of an ALS victim. Kevorkian, who earned the moniker "Dr. Death," characterized his release as "one of the high points of my life" as he exited the Lakeland Correctional Facility in Coldwater, Mich., WWJ-AM, Detroit, reported. Kevorkian was sentenced to 10- to 25-years in prison for second-degree murder in the death ... [full story]

We must have sung the Rutgers alma mater 50 times when I went to my 50th reunion in New Brunswick, N.J. We blared out, "My father sent me to old Rutgers and resolved that I should be a man." The words of the song showed just how sexist our all-male college really was back in the 1950s. Nobody would have thought for a minute that Mom played any part at all in deciding where we ... [full story]

WASHINGTON - The U.S. Senate may consider making English the "national" language, not the "common" language included in immigration reform legislation. The proposal from Sen. James Inhofe, R-Okla., would reduce the government services provided in languages other than English, the Washington Times reported Friday. "There is not an entitlement for language, other than the English language, to be given to people who want government services," Inhofe told the Times. Many Democrats oppose the measure, which ... [full story]

As we think about the history of our native landscape, we realize how much it has changed. The shape of the land has been altered and the prairies, wetlands and forests have been reduced. With those changes, some of the native wildlife has disappeared or been reduced.  One group of wildlife that many people tell me they miss is the butterflies. Of all of the insects in the world, butterflies are probably the most fun ... [full story]

DALLAS - Bail has been set at $100,000 for a married Texas father who paid an undercover Dallas police officer $100 to "rent" a 9-year-old girl for the night. Kevin Russell Moake, 49, was arrested outside a fast food restaurant immediately after he forked over the money in a sting operation set up by Dallas police, The Fort Worth Star-Telegram reported Friday. Police said Moake originally planned to buy the fictional Mexican girl outright for ... [full story]

SAN DIEGO - 20th Century Fox has sold the Baja California movie studio that was the filming location for such global blockbusters as "Titanic" and "Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World." Chris Petrikin, a 20th Century Fox spokesman, Tuesday confirmed reports that the company had sold Baja Studios, south of Rosarito Beach, Mexico, to Baja Acquisitions for an eight-figure price tag. "We had a great run of productions and memories at the ... [full story]

After six years living in the bright glare of the Hollywood limelight, Orlando Bloom looks forward to making a temporary retreat. But first he has to say goodbye to an old friend, his character Will Turner.   ORLANDO BLOOM - Orlando Bloom says he has bittersweet feelings about the 'Pirates of the Caribbean' franchise coming to a close with the final installment, 'At World's End.' CNS Photo courtesy of Peter Mountain. Bloom has bittersweet feelings about the ... [full story]

Fire officials have recalculated the estimated acreage and the area of containment of the fire burning in private land in Crooked River Ranch and BLM land northwest of Terrebonne in Central Oregon.  Earlier estimates put the blaze at 677-acres with 20 percent containment, but this morning’s latest figures reduced that number to 90 percent containment of 342-acres. Firefighters continue to make progress, and full containment of the fire is expected today at 6 p.m. The fire ... [full story]

About 4,500 people gathered Thursday in Redmond to remember and honor local businessman, community leader, philanthropist, and icon Les Schwab who, after many months of declining health, passed away May 18 at the age of 89.   (above) Les Schwab wrote Pride in Performance in 1986, (below) Visitors, numbering in the thousands, leave the memorial service - Photos by Karen Cammack for Les Schwab Tire Centers   The memorial service was held at 2 p.m. in the Hooker Creek ... [full story]