Nonfiction

Walter Kirn reveals the true, bizarre story of a world-class scammer — and his own gullibility

Film

Culture critic examines the lasting appeal of ‘Network’

What do you recommend?

Fiction

A golden brooch inspires a Vietnamese-American in search of Laura Ingalls Wilder

Shark lovers try to save Jaws from Trinidad’s bite

Conservationists say they have launched a shark-saving campaign in the Caribbean country of Trinidad & Toba...

Ask Nancy

When a parent’s bookkeeper is secretive

It’s important to safeguard the finances of an aging family member

Cook’s Corner

‘Best ever’ strawberry cake starts with a mix

Q: When I saw the strawberry cake recipe in your column recently I was so excited, and then I realized it w...

Sunday Supper

Chickpeas a nutritious, delicious pantry staple

Whether you call them chickpeas, ceci or garbanzos, these plump beans offer a lot of goodness in a package ...

Ask Nancy

When a parent’s bookkeeper is secretive

It’s important to safeguard the finances of an aging family member

Television

Biggest loser: Did winner lose too much, too quickly?

Plastic Surgery 101

What to do before a wedding to give you that glow

Q: My daughter is getting married in six months. Her future mother-in-law is absolutely beautiful and I wan...

JOCK DOC

High school pitcher injures his arm — what’s next?

Q. My son is a 17- year-old baseball player who hurt his right shoulder. Last season he was an infielder bu...

Kids’ health

Teens’ indoor tanning tied to other risky behavior

Government research links indoor tanning by teenagers with other risks including binge drinking, unhealthy ...

Ask Nancy

How Do You Know If Your Parents Really Need Assistance?

Q. I live a three-hour plane ride from my parents, though we talk by phone nearly every day. Whenever I ask...

For a healthy heart, avoid fatty foods, processed carbs

We all know that watching what you eat is important for your waistline.

Women’s health

Women’s group pushing education about heart disease

In addition to environmental factors, studies show genetics play a part in Hispanic and African American wo...

Europe

What’s new in the Old World

In Great Britain, Italy, Germany and France, 2014 brings a surprising number of new and renovated museums a...

Choosing a city

Your European vacation: When to go where

Europe is a popular destination year-round. Whether you can take half a year and explore a handful of citie...

Showtime: Dallas

Samurai collection spawns museum, touring exhibit

Gabriel Barbier-Mueller bought his first samurai armor about 20 years ago from an antiques dealer in Paris,...

Cruise ships

Fun features that may keep people on the ship

The travel troubleshooter

A surprise $600 bill for my Mexico car rental

Q. We recently rented a car from Thrifty for a week at Cancun airport. We were quoted a rate of $136. The e...

Quick trip: New Orleans

Easing up on excess in the Big Easy

It’s possible to stay healthy while visiting New Orleans, but you’ll have to get off the well...

Travelwise

Discounted spring road trips out of Florida

Italy

The chic and classy side of Milan

In this fashion-forward part of Italy, where fur coats are still prized and cigarettes are chic, the people...

Mannequin makeover

Retailers are adding thicker waists, saggier breasts and back fat to mimic shoppers’ actual shapes

Television

‘Downton’ costumers transform Lady Edith

Fashion and Art Basel

Fashion designers add to the glitterati at Art Basel this year

GAY SOUTH FLORIDA

Event planner from Plantation writes ‘Getting Groomed: Ultimate Wedding Planner for Gay Grooms’

An event planner from Plantation writes a gay-wedding guide

Tapas art exhibit makes first U.S. stop in Miami’s Design District

Boutique

Boutique: Blush opens women’s wear shop in Coral Gables

The lowdown: With six shops under its belt, consider Miami-based Blush boutiques a fashion tour de force. T...

manufacturing

Rene Ruiz gives a boost to manufacturing — and jobs

Could manufacturing be returning to South Florida? Luxury designer Rene Ruiz’s new Hialeah factory i...

fashion

H&M opens Friday in Miami Beach

From the neon yellow tank tops to the rainbow colored floor length kaftan and the plaid board shorts, the s...

Lentils have countless culinary uses beyond soups and stews

These nutritious little legumes are inexpensive, quick-cooking and endlessly versatile.

Kitchen Q&A

Fennel and anise taste similar but aren’t the same

Q: Is there a difference between anise and fennel?

Homecooking

Slow cooker chicken that delivers ease and flavor

The trouble with slow cookers is that while they certainly deliver on ease, they sometimes disappoint on fl...

Earls Kitchen + Bar opens next Wednesday at Dadeland Mall’s new Kendall wing

Earls Kitchen + Bar, a Vancouver-based, family-owned restaurant group, opens its first location on the East...

Frozen fish got him hooked: Clarence Birdseye’s experiments changed the food industry

Clarence Birdseye did not invent frozen food, but he is credited with creating the industry by developing a...

Beverages

Quest for the best home-brewed coffee

Sometimes obsession sneaks up on you slowly. One day you're satisfied with 7-Eleven coffee poured into a us...

Seven-day menu planner for week of March 2

Plan your meals a week at a time or pick and choose your favorites. Each meal comes with a shopping list.

Miami Dade College’s Miami Culinary Institute and Gambero Rosso of Italy team up

The Miami Culinary Institute at Miami Dade College and Gambero Rosso, a leading food and wine publisher and...

Real Estate Q&A

Pets’ things shouldn’t be out during home showings

Q. Is it OK to leave pets and all their stuff out in my apartment during showings?

Washington Report

On tax breaks, change is in the air

Though a tax reform proposal has little chance of passage in an election year, it signals that write-offs f...

Treasures

Are these candlesticks old or new?

Entertainment rooms

See what’s super about these home theaters

When August: Osage County came out in movie theaters in December, Karen Freedman didn’t have to figh...

What’s new

Wheelz to adjust to gardener’s needs

Hot property: Los Angeles

Ryan Reynolds sells in Hollywood Hills West

Perhaps closing out some old business, actor Ryan Reynolds has sold a home in Hollywood Hills West for $1.4...

Home furnishings

Las Vegas home furnishings market becoming innovators’ showcase

Gardening

New home? Tips for getting to know the garden

Americans are a restless bunch. They change locations with a frequency that would tire a migrating songbird.

Pet Vet: Feathered friend's symptoms may be deceiving

This week we are going to discuss a problem concerning Petunia, the 12-year-old companion of Mark from Mode...

How to make the best choices in the pet food aisle

There are many different choices of food at the pet store, and short of sampling them yourself, you're goin...

'Dog Whisperer' helps dogs and their people on new 'Cesar 911' show

Best known as the "Dog Whisperer," Cesar Millan is a world-renowned dog trainer who came to the United Stat...

Pets

Extraction the only solution to kitty’s cavities

Q: Our veterinarian told us our cat has cavities on three of her teeth, and that they must be pulled. This ...

These awards are going to the dog writers

NEW YORK - This was the dog writers' biggest night.

Talking dogs: Attention-seeking dogs need firm, patient response

Q: When I come home, my dog comes running at me and grabs at my arm, purse, or whatever else she can get a ...

Homemade pockets can hide pills inexpensively

Two of the most difficult tasks facing pet owners are trimming their pets' claws and getting them to take m...

New service dog for California veteran after loss of beloved companion

As Jeff Wilson talked about his beloved service dog, Lobo, his voice gradually became softer. Then, finally...

Ana Veciana-Suarez: Why do women ‘shop’ in their friends’ closets?

My friend has one of those closets most women aspire to, and I’m not referring just to its spaciousn...

Ana Veciana-Suarez: Barbie is perfect for Sports Illustrated’s swimsuit issue

The annual Sports Illustrated swimsuit issue is out — along with the usual debates about objectifyin...

Ana Veciana-Suarez: We’re not forgetful, we just know too much

Once upon a time, I could claim the small honor of being a veritable walking, talking phone book. Offer up ...

Ana Veciana-Suarez: Why didn’t I think of that? Another missed opportunity for invention

Most of us who are neither genuises nor innovators are destined to live our lives asking this question: Why...

Ana Veciana-Suarez: When being fair is really not, and other life lessons

The argument that night had to do with my lap. A comfortable, welcoming lap to be sure, but not one so spec...

Ana Veciana-Suarez: When worried about hackers, cash is king

Back in the day, a hack was not an act but a person — a writer who elevated the use of clichés ...

Ana Veciana-Suarez: Forget the invented Velveeta shortage

If you’re a sports fan — or simply a sociable gal or guy — the confluence of the Super...

Ana Veciana-Suarez: Boomers, it’s time to reassess our legacy

The new year is but a few days old, and already, before it has had time to grow whiskers and wrinkles, 2014...