The holidays can be a time for packing on the pounds. And while people are expected to fill out during the holidays, it is a little-known fact that household pets will also experience expanding waistlines around Christmas time.

Dr. Bob Watson of the Brookhaven Animal Hospital said people tend to project human qualities on their animals, thinking that if they are partaking in holiday feasts, their pets need treats, too.

“We tend to drag them into our same habits, more or less,” he said. “For example, we gain weight during holidays since there’s an abundance of snacks, and we think if we’re hungry and in need of a snack, so’s the dog.” Read more…

A beautiful young Madonna balances the baby Jesus on her lap. Layer upon layer of transparent color and varnish coat the painting, lending it a gentle shine.

This painting, however, wasn’t created 800 years ago and it isn’t in a European museum. Daniel Flodin painted it a few months ago, and it’s currently part of a one-man exhibition at Springfield’s Keyes Gallery.

Flodin, who is from Springfield and now lives in Ozark, has exhibited at Keyes Gallery before; regular gallery-goers will be familiar with some of the works in the gallery’s back room. Read more…

Vladimir Kagan, the grandfather of modern furniture design, will visit Las Vegas on Thursday, January 31, 2008 for two exciting events in conjunction with the 2008 Winter Las Vegas Market.

First, Kagan will kick off the new “Design Icon” lecture series at Las Vegas Design Center, where design legends share their stories and experiences in order to inspire tomorrow’s designers. He will speak from 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. in the World Forum on the 16th floor of Building B on the World Market Center campus. Kagan’s lecture at World Market Center is open exclusively to Las Vegas Market attendees. Read more…

MENTALLY I’m still in August.

I just cannot comprehend that Christmas is in two weeks.

It’s also that time of year again where we sit and ponder, and worry and turn ourselves inside out trying to plan what we are going to get people for Christmas.

Ironically, while I’m still mentally almost in spring, physically this year I am ahead of myself in getting everyone’s presents as early as possible so I don’t have to return for battle at the local shopping centre in the week leading up to Christmas.

And despite the protests from family members, if you don’t tell me what you want in time, tough! Read more…

Another study has found evidence that certain diabetes drugs, especially GlaxoSmithKline’s GSK.L GSK.N Avandia, can cause heart attacks and death, but the company said the findings did not make scientific sense.

The Canadian researchers said older patients treated with the drugs, known as thiazolidinediones, TZDs or glitazones, had a significantly higher rate of death, heart attack and congestive heart failure and death.

The drugs, which include Glaxo’s Avandia and rival drug Actos, made by Takeda Pharmaceutical Co Ltd 4502.T, are well known to raise the risk of heart failure. And the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has said Avandia should carry a “black box” warning that it may cause chest pain or heart attacks. Read more…

Wrap Up Jewelry from Colorado Artists for the Holidays. Golden Fine Arts Festival Artists Featured in Downtown Golden

GOLDEN, CO.- On the heels of the successful 17th annual Golden Fine Arts Festival - ranked 50th in the nation by Sunshine Magazine — six Colorado jewelry artists will be offering their work for sale in historic downtown Golden.

Last-minute shoppers can make one stop in downtown Golden and wrap up unique, one-of-a-kind jewelry for the holidays. A trip to this historic district requires parking only once while visiting independently owned boutiques and galleries. Read more…

Christmas shopping for garden loving friends and family is one of the more enjoyable experiences in life.

With many hundreds of varieties of plants, garden ornaments, pots and water features, DIY ideas, handy tools and other plant additives, the field is wide open to select and give items you can be sure will be received with pleasure.

Many people enjoy creating gifts, and this can include anything from selecting containers and plants to match, filling an attractive carry basket with a mixture of tools and/or plants or giving a voucher from your favourite garden centre to allow the recipient to choose their own gift. Read more…

Around two-thirds of American pet owners let their dog or cat sleep on the bed with them and buy holiday gifts for their furry companions, a survey showed Tuesday.

In addition, the vast majority of Americans who have a pet consider it to be an integral part of their human family, the poll conducted by Harris Interactive showed.

Sixty-nine percent of those surveyed said they let their pets sleep in the bed with them, while 65 percent said they give holiday gifts to their furry family member. Read more…

Cables, cars, jewellery, mobile phones … thieves are tired of stealing them and are now after the “Wave of Love”.

It’s a species of decorative flower plant called “Gelombang Cinta”. And the reason behind the flower plant being targeted by thieves is simple. It’s pricey.

Prices start from $35 and reach more than $2,000. Its close “cousin” — Gelombang Hookery — costs as much as $8,000.

While many enthusiasts constantly search for it at nurseries, so too are thieves as prices have skyrocketed to thousands of dollars since a few months ago. It became a hit in the Sultanate before the fasting month this year. Read more…

Globalisation hits the catwalk in spicy style on 1 and 2 December 2007, when the East Meets West fashion show takes place at the Kyalami Theatre on the Track.Wanda (model). Designs by Amina Hamid (Memsaab). Photo by Tyrone Crossman

This Eastern-inspired extravaganza has already dazzled Durban earlier in the year, and now it’s gearing up to wow Joburg too. India meets Europe meets Africa in the East Meets West concept, resulting in a stylish blend of fashion, dance and all-round entertainment.

Fashionistas should prepare for an exotic feast of fashion, as exciting young South African designers display how a melting pot of cultures can produce innovative results. Read more…