Business & Technology, business and economy, science and technology, consumer issues, personal finance, business

NORMAN, Okla. -- Dwight Yoakam's cowboy boots never touched concrete when he played a concert at Oklahoma's Riverwind Casino.

It was in his contract.

Pat Benatar demanded that her own washer and dryer be installed in her dressing room before she performed at the Riverwind theater.

It was in her contract, too.

Think fast: How do you say flat-head screwdriver in Spanish?

Bruce Zalkin has made a living as a broker between people who want to reclaim some space in their homes and those who want to recapture the days of their childhood.

"That's the reason they start collecting in the first place," said Zalkin, of the Antique Toy & Doll Roadshow. "They're trying to buy back their youth."

SALT LAKE CITY -- One of the most recognizable characters on kids' television is a marine creature that works in the Krusty Krab diner and is buddies with a squid, a crab, a starfish and a psychotic plankton. SpongeBob's real-life counterparts occupy the lowest animal rung on the Linnaean ladder, lacking nerves, muscles, internal organs and any appendage capable of flipping burgers.

NEW YORK CITY -- This week, a stylish Upper East Side woman shopping at the Fifth Avenue flagship store of Lord & Taylor spotted a floral-print skirt by Karen Kane that she really wanted, but she couldn't find any on the racks in her small size.

Ben Nebo knew his combination of majors -- Chinese, philosophy, and justice and peace studies -- wouldn't have recruiters beating down his door with high-paying job offers.

So he joined the Peace Corps.

Dear Mr. Walberg:

Are cover letters still important in this age of electronic job searching? It seems that most people are online, including employers, and brevity is key, so when responding to an on-line job opening, send cover letter with resume attachment or just resume? -- J. B., Memphis, Tenn.

Dear J.B.:

In the furniture business nowadays, even flat sales are considered good.

Havertys, Sealy and other major manufacturers have seen sales drop 25 percent or more since last year. La-Z-Boy, Pier 1 Imports and other chains are closing underperforming stores, and the number of corporate bankruptcies is skyrocketing.

2009 PONTIAC VIBE 2.4L

TYPE: Front-drive, four-door, five-passenger, compact hatchback.

PRICE: $15,710 base, $20,560 as tested.

WHERE BUILT: Fremont, Calif.

KEY RIVALS: Toyota Matrix, Chrysler PT Cruiser, Dodge Caliber, Mazda3.

POWER: 2.4-liter, 158-horsepower I4; five-speed auto transmission.

Specifications for the 2009 Honda Pilot Touring four-door, eight-passenger crossover utility vehicle.

Engine: 3.5-liter V6 with variable cylinder management, 250 horsepower.

Transmission: Five-speed automatic.

Overall length: 15 feet 11 inches.

EPA passenger/cargo volume: 153/21 cubic feet.

Weight: 4,418 pounds.

Towing capability: 3,500 pounds.