Angelique S. Chengelis

Best seat in the Big House -- for one last game

Since 1992, I have had the best seat in the house at Michigan Stadium. All these years, I've been at spot B39 in chair B42 in the second row of the press box. On Saturday, I'll sit there for the last time. - 11/20/2009

• Charles Woodson: Fans need to be patient with Rodriguez
• Wolverines' woes confusing to Michigan students

U-M Scoreboard

MSU Scoreboard

Mike O'Hara: Week 11 NFL Picks

Lions must beat Browns to salvage any credibility

The Lions have lost big for a decade, but this is a time for them to think big. Big, for the Lions, is the potential to win two straight games and what that would mean to this struggling franchise. - 11/20/2009

• Interactive: Lions-Browns preview

Lynn Henning

Mark Dantonio still right coach for Spartans

Three years ago this week I can remember making another hundred or so phone calls in the latest quest to learn who Michigan State would hire as its new head football coach. - 11/20/2009

John Niyo: Lions Insider

Coaches Jim Schwartz, Eric Mangini took similar paths to top job

When Schwartz stops to share a laugh before Sunday's game with his Cleveland counterpart, it'll be easy to say it was worth it. - 11/20/2009

Tom Long: Film Review: 'The Twilight Saga: New Moon' -- GRADE: C

Review: 'New Moon' is just what 'Twilight' fans want -- unfortunately

A big bowl of adolescent romantic mush garnished with horror-lite action scenes and a rushed road trip, "The Twilight Saga: New Moon" is a mess. But to be fair to director Chris Weitz and screenwriter Melissa Rosenberg, it is the mess "Twilight" fans were expecting and probably demanding. - 11/20/2009

• West Michigan native's star rising in 'Twilight'
• Review: 'Precious' is power and horror
• Review: Overly weepy 'Blind Side' achieves goals
• Review: 'Planet 51' sputters and crashes

• Photos: Tom Long's 10 great vampires
• MichMoms: 4 girls and 'New Moon'
• Official site: 'Twilight'

Daniel Howes

State tax credit to labor union is baffling

Nestled between this week's state tax credits for auto suppliers, a furniture maker and a few high-tech companies is this gem: A $2 million credit to a for-profit affiliate of the Service Employees International Union to build a "Member Action Center." - 11/20/2009

Kate Lawson: Simply the Best

Turkey Day feast is all about the stuffing

My favorite part of the Thanksgiving meal isn't the turkey or the pie. For me, it's all about the stuffing. - 11/20/2009

Glenn Haege: The Handyman

These gadgets help make life a little easier

While some gadgets are truly just "junk," there are many gadgets that can be useful, especially around the home. Here are some gadgets I like that can help with home projects or make life around your home easier. - 11/20/2009

Khristi Zimmeth: Trash or Treasure?

World War II souvenir fascinated vet's family

'For many a year, we have held on to a little piece of history," wrote Frances Kozoro O'Mara to Trash or Treasure. "As the war with Japan came to a close, my brother was in the occupation of Japan during the year 1945. At that time, he sent home to me an officer's riding saddle, with riding whip and stirrups, after the final surrender of Japan. All these years, I have kept it in good condition in the original box that it was mailed to me in." - 11/20/2009

Tom Greenwood

Ease stress of holiday traveling

There are three things you can count on at Thanksgiving: Americans will overeat, airports will be flooded and drivers will crowd freeways. - 11/20/2009

• PDF: Metro Detroit area roadwork

Nancy Szerlag: Gardening

Lightweight blower vac does the job, easy to use

My friend Darby called the other day wanting to know if that was me she saw singing the praises of the electric Worx TriVac blower/mulcher/vac on a TV infomercial. That was me, I assured her. The company sent me the tool to test and I loved it, so when they asked me to be part of the infomercial, I jumped at the chance. - 11/20/2009

Jocelynn Brown: Handmade

Once-rough dog hair spins into nice clothing

'Knitting with Dog Hair, Better a Sweater from a Dog You Know and Love Than From a Sheep You'll Never Meet," reads the title of a book by Kendall Crolius and Anne Montgomery published in the early '90s. - 11/20/2009

Jeff Ball: The Yardener

African violet experiment had its winners, losers

I did something last weekend that I have not done for 25 years. I bought an African violet. In a weak moment Nancy has given me full responsibility for whatever I want to grow on the long table sitting by large south-facing windows. - 11/20/2009

Jeanine Matlow: Smart Solutions

Revive holiday decor with simple ideas

If you're making a list and checking it twice, why not treat your home to something nice for the holidays? It doesn't have to be costly to be considered new and improved. - 11/20/2009

Mary Carol Garrity: Style at Home

For holiday zing, hang wreaths that wow

I love a gorgeous garland. I adore shimmering, showy Christmas-tree ornaments. And I've never met a set of holiday dishes that I didn't like. But if I had to pick the single most-amazing holiday decorating tool that you can use to transform your home for the season, my vote would go to the humble, versatile, never-fail wreath. - 11/20/2009

Judith Harris Solomon: Marketplace

Eye-catching items shine a light on Hanukkah fest

Hanukkah is an eight-day holiday celebrated by Jews all over the world. It commemorates the re-dedication of the holy temple after its desecration more than 2,000 years ago and the fact that a one-day supply of oil for the temple's lamp miraculously lasted for eight days. - 11/20/2009

Frank Beckmann

Top legal leader needs to restore trust in justice

U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder says the trial of 9/11 terrorist suspects in civil court is a way to show the world the superiority of the American justice system. - 11/20/2009

David Brooks

U.S. should recapture its faith in the future

The rise of China is producing a crisis in America's faith about the future. - 11/20/2009

Martha Stewart: Living

Keep turkey hot, gravy lump-free with tips

Q . How can I make sure that a roast turkey will be warm when I serve it? - 11/20/2009

Susan R. Pollack

Welcome Mat: Elton John, fine art & handmade show, home décor

It's not too surprising that Sir Elton John's Los Angeles apartment is colorful with a '70s vibe. Picture shimmering emerald walls, platinum-leaf ceilings, baseboards inset with polished steel and baths with glass-bead wallpaper. - 11/20/2009

Jeanne Phillips: Dear Abby

Woman's size shouldn't deter quest for love

Dear Abby: I'm 32 and a "large girl." I am also intelligent, witty and fun to be around. I make friends wherever I go. The problem is my mother -- who is also big -- keeps telling me that heavy women are not desirable and we must "settle" when it comes to choosing a mate. - 11/20/2009

Bob Wojnowski: Pigskin Picks

Not even overrated Buckeyes can mess this one up

There's a lesson in all this, and although Buckeyes are notoriously inattentive creatures, they can learn from their rivals: Don't take anything for granted. - 11/19/2009

• Wolverines' woes confusing to Michigan students
• Bo's triumph in 1969 should inspire 2009 Wolverines

Daniel Howes

Chrysler's last chance to get it right

Lots of people have challenging jobs at Chrysler Group LLC, but few are tougher than the one occupied by Doug Betts. - 11/19/2009

• Peters urges McCain to attend Detroit auto show; backs Chrysler survival
• 'Different' Chrysler zeroes in on quality

Manny Lopez

Driver, 101, digs new generation Camaro

At 101-years-old, Virgil Coffman has a pretty simple philosophy about buying a new car. He has owned nearly 40 cars in his lifetime and recently bought a 400-horsepower, bright yellow Transformers edition Camaro. And yes, he drives it -- and not just to church on Sundays. - 11/19/2009

Sam Webb: Recruiting

U-M has 'very big chance' of landing 'Big Tex' Jatashun Beachum

The Wolverines covet the versatile youngster primarily as a defensive lineman, but he could also see time as a short-yardage quarterback. - 11/19/2009

• Wolverines' woes confusing to Michigan students
• Bo's triumph in 1969 should inspire 2009 Wolverines