Living, entertainment features in Belleville, IL

Features

Three metro-east schools were selected as winners of the "Home Run for Character" service learning recognition program sponsored by GCS Credit Union.

LIVING

Answer Man: How fast is your computer?

I have a question about DSL. When I called to negotiate a price, the AT&T representative says I could go down on the speed to keep the price down, and I would never notice the difference. What, then, is the sense of the faster speeds if you never notice a difference? -- S.L., of Belleville
TELEVISION

Singer Kellie Pickler named new `Dancing' champ

Kellie Pickler came into the final "Dancing With the Stars" episode in second place but finished in first.
Related

MOVIE NEWS & REVIEWS

Canet seeks gritty New York in 'Blood Ties'

The problem with New York these days is there's just not enough litter.

42 minutes ago
ENTERTAINMENT

New mystery titles from Steph Cha and Ace Atkins

-"Follow Her Home" by Steph Cha; Minotaur (288 pages, $24.99)
ENTERTAINMENT

Carlos Fuentes gone but not forgotten

The Mexican writer Carlos Fuentes is the subject of a small literary boom on the anniversary of his death.
ENTERTAINMENT

'Americanah' tackles challenge of fitting in from Nigerian viewpoint

"Americanah" by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie; Knopf (496 pages, $26.95)
ENTERTAINMENT

How John Roberts helped move the Supreme Court to the right

"The Roberts Court: The Struggle for the Constitution" by Marcia Coyle; Simon & Schuster (416 pages, $28)
LIVING

Motivational quotes and posters can get you going

Long before there was Pinterest and Google Plus, I loved a good exercise quote splashed onto a workout themed image.
ENTERTAINMENT

New Orleans' post-Katrina shift to charter schools

"Hope Against Hope: Three Schools, One City, and the Struggle to Educate America's Children" by Sarah Carr; Bloomsbury (336 pages, $27)
HOME & GARDEN

Pollen count apps for smartphones are nothing to sneeze at

Kate O'Reilly's spring allergy survival kit includes the usual stuff - nasal sprays, allergy pills and a box of tissues. This season, she's added a new weapon to her line of defense: an app on her smartphone.