The Culture

All The Culture

Ooey, gooey oil seeps on the seafloor

For kids: Off the coast of Santa Barbara, Calif., people aren't polluting the ocean with oil – nature is.
Earth Day's promise

A Christian Science perspective on daily life.
To regain kids, FLDS women try new tactic: public relations

Texas judge rules that 416 children must remain in state custody for now, orders DNA tests.
With U.S. visit, pope projects softer image

But questions remain about next steps in the sexual-abuse crisis and outreach to young Catholics.
Maternity leave: Expectant moms wait 'til the last minute

With no US laws requiring paid leave, more mothers stay on the job longer, saving time off until after the baby arrives.
What young people are doing for Earth Day

For kids: The Monitor asked how young people and teachers would celebrate Earth Day. Here are some of your responses.
Learning not to drive, one baby step at a time

A habitual driver decides to hit the road on foot.
When it comes to doing laundry, let it all hang out

The clothes dryer is getting much less use these days.
The marathon's larger lessons

A Christian Science perspective on daily life.
Ten things to do when your flight is canceled

How about checking the punctuation on your luggage tag.
Philanthropist helps students give peace a chance

100 Projects for Peace provides seed money for conflict-resolution programs.
Advice for graduating seniors

Life isn't about 'being the best you can be.' It's about recycling tuna cans, paying your auto insurance on time, and cleaning roof gutters.
Into it: Harlan Coben

The bestselling thriller author talks about what he's reading, watching, and listening to – and why one particular singer keeps getting mentioned in his books.
Monitor Picks

Five things we think you'll like this week, including a Domingo concert without the expensive seats, the return of Botswana's answer to Miss Marple, and a TV show of dance choreography inside national parks.
In heartbreak hotel, 'Sarah Marshall' is the girl next door

A man bumps into his ex-girlfriend while on vacation in the risqué comedy 'Forgetting Sarah Marshall.'
In Chicago's streets, a thriller shot in a single take

A young director and his cast dash through the busy city – catching bystanders unaware – for a film about a kidnapping.
Tomorrow's Spielbergs get a film festival of their own

The recent National Film Festival for Talented Youth showcased movies by directors ranging in age from 9 to 21.
New in Theaters

Uma Thurman sees 'The Life Before Her Eyes' flash past after a Columbine-like school massacre; Morgan Spurlock goes looking for the world's most wanted fugitive in 'Where in the World is Osama bin Laden?'
For '88 Minutes,' Al Pacino hams it up

The only reason to watch this thriller about a psychiatrist trying to find a killer is to watch the veteran actor have a ball.
Mariah, meet the new Mariah

On 'E=MC2,' Mariah Carey discovers fresh musical equations while multi-octave newcomer Leona Lewis gets into the 'Spirit' of things.