Transitioning from heartthrob to actor

"This summer, Zac Efron, Chace Crawford, and the thinking girl’s crush, Michael Cera, are making tentative steps to trade in their boyish personas and show audiences they can tackle different types of characters and more complex material."

Can the heartthrobs go big time? To see some role models who made the leap, click here.

New Orleans Staycation serves up delights that were unimaginable after Hurricane Katrina

"The last time The Times-Picayune ran a story about playing tourist in our hometown was in July 2005. At that time, then-travel editor Millie Ball wrote: 'You know what? Most of us who live in New Orleans don't take advantage of what's here.'

A month later, what was here was devastation."

Click here for the update on what's happening in New Orleans.

The Real Meaning of the ADA: Sanctity of Life

"Twenty years ago, the Americans with Disabilities Act was signed into law. For at least one person who attended the signing, that Act was something much greater than just one more law coming out of D.C. It was a demonstration of what Christian worldview can look like in practice."

Click here for more on the importance of the ADA.

Painter worked on both landmark bridges

"There can't be many Californians like Harry Fogle. He is one of a handful of men who worked on the construction of both the Golden Gate Bridge and the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge."

Read more about this fascinating man. Just click here.

Who Is Being Irrational? Prop 8 and Judicial Overreach

"Is there a rational basis for prohibiting same-sex marriage? Yes, Judge Walker’s opinion notwithstanding.

In his ruling overturning California’s Proposition 8, Judge Vaughn Walker wrote that the amendment failed the legal test that is a rational 'rational basis' for limiting marriage to heterosexual couples."


Click here for more of Chuck Colson's commentary.

How to Donate Extra School Supplies and Make a Difference in a Child's Life

"Back-to-school means a frenzy of collecting supplies and getting ready. Thrifty shoppers try to get the best deal possible on the items their children need for school. Sometimes that means buying a bulk package of needed materials and perhaps ending up with more than you need."


For more on how you can help, click here.

Help Schools in Need with Elmer's and Walmart

Here's your chance to help a school in need!

ELMER’S VIRTUAL BAG IT FORWARD RULES
Copy and paste these rules into your blog post or Facebook note.
Create a post giving a “virtual bag of school supplies” to other bloggers or write about your Back to School shopping trip at Walmart.
Link back to the person who gave you a bag of school supplies.
Let each person you are giving a virtual bag of school supplies know you have given them a bag.
Leave your link in the Elmer’s Virtual Bag It Forward comment section. You can also find the official rules of this virtual #bagitforward program there.
Elmer’s is donating $10 for each blog participating in the Virtual Bag It Forward Donation to Adopt-A-Classroom (up to total of $10,000 for blog posts written by August 12, 2010).
Please note that only one blog post per blog url will count towards the donation.

Click here for Elmer's Virtual Bag It Forward program.