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Teen texting and driving: More than half admit to doing itTeen texting and driving is a national problem, according to the first federal statistics released on the topic, with 58 percent of high school seniors admitting that they text or e-mail while driving.
As 'Prometheus' debuts, why 'Alien' remains a cinematic icon 33 years later'Prometheus' arrives in theaters today, but people are still talking about 'Alien,' the 1979 Ridley Scott predecessor.
Mister Rogers goes viral in PBS remix of 'Garden of Your Mind'Mister Rogers, the PBS children's TV icon of聽 'Mister Rogers' Neighborhood,' gets a fresh remix. The mash-up puts his old school message in 'Garden of Your Mind' to a new beat.
Top picks: A video by Croatian cellists, Michelle Obama's new book, and moreSinger Melody Gardot embraces multiculturalism, noir writer Philip Kerr pens another winner with 'Prague Fatale,' and more top picks.
Prometheus: movie reviewMost of the best effects in 'Prometheus' are lifted from director Ridley Scott's 'Alien,' and the film's meditations on life and the universe don't amount to much.
'Captain America 2' may be directed by 'Community' helmers Anthony and Joe RussoThe 'Community' directors have also worked on 'Arrested Development.'
Emergency room visits an overreaction to childhood scrapes?Emergency room visits for typical childhood playground accidents are probably an overreaction. Attitude adjustment to fearful parenting is necessary:聽 "worst-first" is not the best philosophy.
Disney bans junk food, Mickey Mouse brands health. Hmmm...Disney's new ban on junk-food advertising during children's programming has been hailed as an important public health step. But what about the company's new initiative to brand "health food" with a Mickey Mouse label?
Senior pranks: School districts draw line between fun, vandalismAs graduation nears, school districts are dealing with increasing pranks by high school seniors. These senior pranks, mostly harmless and done in good spirit, can escalate to vandalism. Where do school officials draw the line?- Verbal EnergyThe self-titled album and other creative wondersSome concise idioms built on the notion of 'self' may be a bit too concise for the Monitor鈥檚 language columnist.
Ray Bradbury, a passionate sci-fi writer with the gifts of a painterRay Bradbury wrote his more than 500 stories, novels, plays, and poems on a typewriter, creating imagery that helped bring sci-fi and fantasy into the mainstream of American popular culture.
Drive-in theaters: a love letterThe drive-in theater was a star attraction during the summer.
Dog with no family lawyers up to resist adoption; town dividedDog in New Mexico has a bank account, a Facebook page and a lawyer. Blue, a free-roaming Australian cattle dog has lived in front of a general store for two years without incident and without family. He resists adoption. But a recent deadly pit bull attack on a person in a nearby town has turned some against him.
Miley Cyrus and Liam Hemsworth: Too young to get engaged?Miley Cyrus, 19, and Liam Hemsworth, 22, announced their engagement today, raising questions about Hollywood's romanticized depiction of (too?) young marriage and its impressions on the average teenager.
Free games: the power of a kid鈥檚 imagination vs. gigabytesFree games needed for your kids this summer?聽 Look no further then their own imaginations, give them unstructured time, and encourage creation. It can make a messy kitchen table, but too much media can create another kind of mess.
Ricotta cheese delightRicotta is a substantial filling for other dishes but it can also stand on its own as a low-fat, high protein dessert.
Amber Portwood, Teen Mom star, sentenced to prison. Are you sad?Amber Portwood, Teen Mom star, is sentenced to prison on a felony drug charge. Octomom Nadya Suleman is considering stripping for money. Rather than horrified glee when it comes to public mommy train wrecks, perhaps we should find some sympathy. And yes, even sadness.
Pleased with beesAlarm becomes delight as a beekeeper arrives to rescue a swarm.
'Hannibal' the TV series casts its villainThe 'Hannibal' TV series on NBC has cast a former James Bond villain as its titular character.
Facebook access for under-13 kids is good 鈥� if parents involvedFacebook is already used by millions of kids under 13 who lie about their ages to gain access. It makes sense that the social media network design specific guidelines for them, including parental permission.