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A University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine study shows 265, or 41 percent, out of a group of 647 students at Pitt have smoked tobacco from a hookah, or water pipe, and 173 students -- nearly 88 percent of the 198 people who took part in the centuries-old tradition over the past year -- said they intend to do so again.

My friend and fellow gardening author, Felder Rushing, coined a term not too long ago: "slow gardening." According to Felder, "slow gardening isn't lazy or passive -- it actually involves doing more stuff, but carefully selected to be productive without senseless, repetitive chores.

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. -- There are still days when Klara asks when the scars on her mother's breasts are going to go away.

"This is what Mommy looks like," Alicia Altmueller must tell her 6-year-old. "This is who I am now."

Not that it's easy for her to say -- or even believe.

The 10 least fit presidents:

1. William Howard Taft (1909-1913): He became stuck in the White House bathtub several times. By some accounts, he weighed 370 pounds. He did exercise occasionally -- horseback riding. Poor horse.

The 10 fittest presidents:

1. Thomas Jefferson (1801-1809): This dude was buff -- tall, sinewy, virile. He was an avid walker and horseman on his Monticello estate. He walked until his 83rd birthday.

2. Teddy Roosevelt (1901-1909): He wrestled, boxed, fenced, rock-climbed, engaged in jujitsu, played tennis, rode horseback and hiked. Still, he died at age 60.

In this mass-media age, the health and fitness of presidential candidates often is equated with their fitness to lead.

A "can't happen to me" attitude may be the most dangerous thing riding in the car with a teenager, but there are plenty of other candidates, researchers are finding.

It's one sandwich that bursts with many contrasting flavors.

The Vietnamese-style hero sandwich -- called banh mi -- is a melding of a crusty baguette, seasoned meats, crisp Asian vegetables and cooling herbs. It's been called "French and Asian fusion at its best" and even "cheesesteak sandwich meets spring rolls."

There's much to be said for working at Fort McHenry, but Jim Bailey covets one job above all others.

BEVERLY HILLS, Calif. -- Even if you have no desire to shop till you drop a walletload of money, if you're in Los Angeles, it's still worth making the trip to Beverly Hills.

Yes, the brand-name, high-end shops on Rodeo Drive are ridiculously expensive, but no one says you have to buy. Ogling is free. And there is much to gape at.