All About Jazz:
Is the pain and passion in the recording, "A Tale of God's Will" (Requiem for Katrina) for the people of New Orleans? Terrence Blanchard: It's a passion for the people of New Orleans and it's a cry of frustration for all our hopes and dreams.

Lifelike manikins add much-needed realism to medic training
By ANTHONY SPANGLER ARLINGTON ?The man?s right arm was covered in burns, a bone protruded from his right leg and his blood pressure was plummeting as the nurse explained that the 40-something may have been a victim of a meth lab explosion. "Excuse me, sir, are you OK?" Dr. Raj Gandhi asked. The JPS Health Network trauma surgeon quickly barked out orders to cut off the man?s clothes, administer ...

Debate over Riverfront Park signs goes to zoning board
Opponents of the new blue-and-white Capital BlueCross signs along Harrisburg's Riverfront Park are getting their day in court, or at least before the city zoning board, thanks to Eric Papenfuse.

Songwriter yearns to make most of 'gift'
Bobby Fulton, 67, started performing when he was growing up in Harrisburg. His parents played music, and he and his siblings followed suit.

Back to basics: Some tests can help gauge your fitness
The holidays are over. The new year has begun. So let the nagging begin, right? Nah, let's skip ...

Sledding success
Hockey's not just for able-bodied skaters anymore. Thanks to the advent of sled hockey -- known as sledge hockey in Canada and Europe -- disabled athletes can compete in a game that closely resembles regular hockey, complete with checking.

Elvis encounters recalled on King's birthday
Elvis Presley was born 74 years ago today in a two-room, shotgun house in Tupelo, Miss. He became a figure of almost mythic proportions, recognized around the world for both his music and his movies. Born into poverty, Elvis advanced from a shy little boy singing at county fairs to a pompadoured cultural icon with an entourage to match. Elvis died Aug. 16, 1977, his bloated body wrecked ...

(Not so) weird science: Medical breakthroughs that affect our lives
By MERYL DAVIDS LANDAU? Enough medical studies were published last year to down a small forest. Most appeared with little fanfare and faded quietly, of interest only to a small group of scientists ? but a handful hit like small bombshells, overturning conventional wisdom about serious but common conditions. We culled the journals and queried the experts to find 2008?s breakthroughs: the best ...

Community Sports Calendar - January 7
To send your sports news to the Observer, e-mail observersports@hcnonline.com.

Properties left vacant, untended
Holiday decorations assumed a different look in one Castle Rock neighborhood touched by this year?s rising foreclosure rates. Residents in the Castle North subdivision woke up the day after Thanksgiving to find a pile of debris in front of a home at 803 Valhalla St.

Nutritional counseling practice offers 'Energetic Wellness'
About 15 years ago, Michele Menzel, an Edmond resident, was diagnosed with Lyme disease.

NASA ISS On-Orbit Status 7 January 2009
All ISS systems continue to function nominally, except those noted previously or below.

Hebert released from the hospital
Last Wednesday proved to be a very special Christmas Eve for Jersey Village High sophomore Devin Hebert.

Medical calendar for Jan. 7
Blood drives BLOOD DRIVE: Sonic Drive-In and the Lake Saint Louis Police Department will host a blood drive from 3-7 p.m. Jan. 8 in the council chambers at Lake Saint Louis Civic Center, 200 Civic Center Drive. Donors will receive two Sonic coupons. Walk-ins welcome, but appointments are recommended by calling the police department at 636-625-8018.

Women's Guild offers classes and ?Biggest Loser' competition for fun, good health
Health and fitness is one of many areas offered through the new Nauvoo Women's Guild. The Women's Guild opened last October at 1695 Mullholand St., across the street west of Casey's.

Top Scoops
Every time Israel doesn't something mean, cruel or stupid you can almost hear the sound of liberals and progressives rushing for a place to hide. Strip away the rhetoric and the excuses and the problem basically comes down to the fact that people don't ...

Top 10 Allen stories for 2008
The top 10 headlines for 2008.

A hard-fought struggle with a little help from Dad
Wendy Drew's father was always a constant rock in her turbulent life.

A sound thrashing has cleared my head
My first date with exercise in 2009 was a sobering experience ? literally. I even refrained from drinking the night before in anticipation.

Derby girls trying to get Beaumont team rollin'
They might be hell on wheels, but the ladies of the Spindletop Rollergirls are not looking for a fight.