O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree... (Telluride Daily Planet)

Molly Shapiro gets in the holiday spirit by hanging ornaments on a Christmas tree in Zia Sun on Thursday morning. Shapiro, 10, was helping out in the store while on her holiday break. [photo by Brian Kozak]


A Santa-laden pub-crawl (Telluride Daily Planet)

Santacon, the San Francisco tradition that entails dressing up in Santa suits and embarking on a mass, mid-day pub-crawl may not be the most wholesome pre-Christmas activity, but today, the tiny town of Telluride is going to give it a try.


Ho ho, who are you? (Telluride Daily Planet)

Children of all ages including 8-month-old Alexander Birck braved Santa's lap to let him know exactly what they wanted for Christmas this year. [Photo by Brian Kozak]


Behind Obama's wavering on terror trials, critics see politics (McClatchy Newspapers via Yahoo! News)

WASHINGTON — As the White House reconsiders the decision to prosecute the five alleged plotters of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks in civilian court, the likely change of course seems designed to protect vulnerable Democrats in Congress than it is to improve the chances for conviction.


Out the door (The Norwood Post)

On Tuesday, Dec. 8, the Norwood School Travel Club will draw the lucky winner of a basket filled with many generous donations from local businesses and artists. The drawing will take place during the Norwood School Christmas concert.


Benham via bathtub — er, kayak (The Bulletin)

Sunshine and warmish temperatures in early March?Yes, please.Whether you believe global warming is a figment of our thermometers' collective imaginations, the price of doing business on a wimpy planet or alarmingly real, I think we can all agree that a warm day in Central Oregon in early March is a gift from the divine meteorologists.


Living on a freelancer's budget (CNN Money)

Chris and Janie Peterson have an enviable life. They own a lovely 3½-bedroom ranch house just outside Minneapolis and have work schedules flexible enough to allow them lots of time with their children, Reece, 10, Cecily, 9, and Georgio, 7.


Best Winter Games ever? (BBC News)

James Pearce on why Vancouver was so special


Coastal and ocean birds most at risk from global warming (San Jose Mercury News)

In new report, scientists say rising seas, changing fish patterns threaten birds that live on beaches and islands more than birds in any other U.S. habitat


Financial planning for freelance workers (Money via Yahoo! Finance)

Chris and Janie Peterson have an enviable life. They own a lovely 3½-bedroom ranch house just outside Minneapolis and have work schedules flexible enough to allow them lots of time with their children, Reece, 10, Cecily, 9, and Georgio, 7.