Local Life

Herb is my friend, even when no one else will cooperate

May is here with sunshine and tulips and warm temperatures, and I am left wondering how I can be so overjoyed with its arrival and at the same time so overcome with a feeling of dread.

The last word on peanut butter cookies?

I do not have a revolutionary approach to peanut butter cookies to offer you. I am not an advocate of the three-ingredient approach: In my book, it's not a cookie unless it has flour in it. Putting aside such radicalism, there are only a few potentially contentious ingredients in the basic peanut butter cookie formula, and for each of these I will give you my humble opinion of the best path. You are, as always, welcome to choose otherwise, as long as you understand that the probable outcome will be disappointment and resentment on the part of those you give your dry, crumbly, bland baked goods.

A kebab as happy on the grill as under the broiler

The trouble with spring is that we get eager to grill, but we can't always count on the weather to cooperate.

Eric Idle gives commencement to Whitman graduates

WALLA WALLA — English entertainer and former Monty Python member Eric Idle delivered the commencement speech Sunday at Whitman College in Walla Walla where his daughter Lily was among the 375 graduates.

Ferris wheel ride world record broken in Chicago

CHICAGO — A manager of Chicago's Navy Pier rode the tourist spot's Ferris wheel for more than two days, bringing the world record for the longest ride to the birthplace of the amusement park favorite.

Dermatologists urge people to learn the ABCDEs of skin cancer

They want them to know when a 'mole' might pose a threat to health

Every year, millions of Americans are diagnosed with skin cancer.

Jolie joins celebrity disease-prevention advocates

Rachel LubitzIn a personal essay published in the Tuesday New York Times, actress Angelina Jolie announced that from February until April of this year, she underwent a preventative double mastectomy. In a piece entitled "My Medical Choice," Jolie reveals her reasoning was that she carries an inherited cancer gene, BRCA1, which sharply increases the chances of developing breast cancer and ovarian cancer. Jolie's mother, Marcheline Bertrand, died of ovarian cancer in 2007.

Minnehaha store aims to keep the magic alive (with video)

Dave's Killer Magic Shop a haven for local magicians to perfect their craft and pass it on to others

The smirking store owner behind the counter was curiously calm for someone whose wallet had suddenly burst into flames.

Bits 'n' Pieces: Woman's special dress transformed for show

When the Couve Couture Spring Fashion Show was held in April, it evoked memories of a special dress for Doris Sutton.

Try This: Dig into parade, more

The 49th annual Hazel Dell Parade of Bands will feature 22 marching bands from around Clark County. The theme is Super Heroes, with participants encouraged to dress up as fictional or real heroes. Jim Sork will be the grand marshal. Community organizations, clubs, businesses and students will be participating in the parade with floats, cars and more.

Religion calendar

Clark County

Dozer Day a family affair

Event organizer’s children provide ideas, assistance for kids event with construction equipment

Ranee Nutter relies on some expert help as she plans the kids construction playground that is Dozer Day. Each year, her two children — Jerry, 16, and Sammi, 13 — help her create new attractions at the two-day event, she said.

Dining Out: Talay Thai is a versatile neighborhood pleasure

Extensive menu is worth exploring to find some gems

In its fifth year, Talay Thai is a popular restaurant for the neighborhood surrounding the Padden Market Center. The extensive menu offers a wide range of options for take-out or dining in. The restaurant also caters.

Bits 'n' Pieces: Serving as Olympia page a Hockinson family's tradition

Ten children, nine pages. Actually, you could add Mom to the mix for an even 10. When Julie Curtiss was 15 years old in 1973 she was a legislative page for state Sen. Al Bauer, D-Vancouver. "I just remember it being a really good experience," she said. "I learned so much."

A parade of heroic proportions

Hazel Dell Parade of Bands goes up, up and away with superhero theme for Saturday event

When it comes to defining a superhero, Batman and Superman certainly both fit the bill — but to many people, so do firefighters, nurses, soldiers, police officers and other first responders.