Sightings

I have made only one friend in my building. In my old neighborhood, I knew nearly every family on my block. I watched kids grow from babies to teens. In my apartment building, which is more like a dorm because of its thirty-something population, I have made only one good friend. She's the age of my daughters, and cares for me and makes me laugh just as my flesh-and-blood do. I miss owning a dog. Although my building allows pets, and there are many I can coo at, I pine for a pup. more »

"Armed takeovers cannot be tolerated in our country. Respect for the rule of law is, and must continue to be, a central tenet of our democracy" said Stanford professor David Hayes, a former official at the Interior Department serving there as the deputy secretary and chief operating officer. Dwight Hammond Jr. and son, Steven Hammond were convicted three years ago of setting fires in the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge, which is managed by the US Bureau of Land Management. They had grazing rights leased to them for their cattle operations in the area. more »

"Because we all must do our part to keep our communities safe, the Administration is also calling on States and local governments to do all they can to keep guns out of the wrong hands and reduce gun violence. It is also calling on private-sector leaders to follow the lead of other businesses that have taken voluntary steps to make it harder for dangerous individuals to get their hands on a gun. In the coming weeks, the Administration will engage with manufacturers, retailers, and other private-sector leaders to explore what more they can do."  more »

Where it might go: Downton might go the way of so many of the era's grand houses: sold whole or piecemeal, requisitioned, or simply diminished into bleak oblivion. Or, in Lady Mary's capable hands, it might endure, survive, and remain one of England's great seats of heritage, aristocracy, and — of course — drama. After five seasons of secrets and scandals, love and heartbreak, witticisms and will-they-won't-theys, Downton Abbey: The Final Season is about to begin. more »