The original scribes of the Bible may have been inspired by God. Their modern-day successors? They find inspiration in vacuum cleaners, polka-dot bedspreads and a slick, hot-pink Juicy Couture purse.

This all may sound a bit irreverent. But consider it from the Bible publisher's point of view: How do you sell a really old book that 91% of households already have?

You can't update the content, or get the author on Oprah.

They came bearing gifts ... the floral designers and Phipps Garden Center elves to bedeck and beribbon to a fabulous Christmas fare-thee-well the century-old, Federal Revival-style manse of Chatham University's president, Dr. Esther Barazzone. An object of great real estate desire, the campus abode was once the family homestead of Pittsburgh retailing magnate John Gregg, who gifted it to the school lock, stock and sofas. And, since 1945, five CU presidents have called Gregg House a home.
Because tomorrow is Christmas (and because fantasizing is fun), my little tree topper, behold these breathtaking season's greenings that were created for Phipps' recent holiday house   more »

The Nu Rho Omega Chapter of the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority recognized World AIDS Day Saturday by holding a two-hour WAD program featuring local youth performers, including the Silent Praise group from Mount Zion Missionary Baptist Church , the Midway Middle School Chorus and the Midway   Middle School   Step Team.

 Attendees, mostly teenagers who filled the Dorchester Academy auditorium to capacity, were also informed by special guest Cedric Wherry about the growing number of young Americans between the ages of 14 and 25 becoming infected with HIV/AIDS and how they could protect themselves from the disease. 
“(The spread of HIV/AIDS) is happening because of this word: T-R-U-S-T,” Wherry told the crowd. “The problem is (young people) trust too fast.” 
The national American Red Cross faculty HIV instructor and host of Huntsville ’s “Outside the Boxx” radio talk show explained many young adults are too quick to become sexually involved with   more »

Sophomore Anika Fisher is getting into the holiday spirit by giving her favorite childhood board game to a child in need.

Fisher picked up a Wishing Tree ornament labeled "board game" Wednesday, and now she plans to give someone the childhood classic Chutes and Ladders.

Each ornament on the tree suggests a different gift to be given to a child who otherwise might not get a present this holiday season.

The Carolina Wishing Tree Foundation has donated toys and other wish-list items to local partners since 2003.

"I remember how exciting it was to open something cool on Christmas morning," Fisher said. "When you take the time to do this, it puts you in the spirit of giving.   more »