MELISSA RAYWORTH

For The Associated Press
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McRibs and the art of artificial scarcity

Bradley Chong had a McRib for lunch on Nov. 13. He had another the next day, and the next day, and the next. In fact, he claims to have eaten a McRib practically every day since McDonald's brought back their sauce-laden, processed pork patty earlier this month.

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What to do when your car reaches 100,000 miles

It was once a huge red flag: When a car's odometer would hit 100,000 miles, "it was almost a magic threshold that meant the car was probably worn out," says Kay Wynter, who runs an auto service center in Fort Myers, Fla., with her husband, Terry.

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What happens when Taylor Lautner comes to town?

The rumors started last spring. Girls at Hampton High School gathered around their lockers, debating whether it could be true: Was heartthrob Taylor Lautner, the sexy werewolf from the "Twilight" movies, actually coming to their school to shoot a movie?

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New York's faces: `Law & Order' showed 'em all

Since television was born, TV shows have been set in New York City. From "The Honeymooners" all the way to "30 Rock," generations of New Yorkers have grown up seeing their hometown used as a backdrop, or even a central character, in everything from sitcoms and cartoons to edgy dramas.

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Fathers looking to step up feel invisible

Father's Day has come and gone, and with it the annual flurry of dad-friendly gifts, heartwarming newscasts and the highest-ranking father in the land — President Barack Obama — taking time to urge his fellow fathers to step up when it comes to their kids.

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Mom blogs dole out advice — with corporate backing

Bedtime stories and beloved teddy bears? Snack-time silliness and bath-time hijinks? For "mommy bloggers" across the country, the rules are clear: If it relates to your kid, go ahead and blog about it.

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Hollywood's undead: They're just like us!

The dead used to be a world away, far beyond the realm of mortal existence. If they walked the Earth at all, they inhabited the night.

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Bedtime stories now available on children's iPods

Don Katz has a vision for the kids of America: He wants to take the technology that brings the Jonas Brothers to their ears and use it to deliver the Brothers Grimm.

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Snow Eating Now Endangered Kid Pleasure

To the list of simple childhood pleasures whose safety has been questioned, add this: eating snow. A recent study found that snow — even in relatively pristine spots like Montana and the Yukon — contains large amounts of bacteria.

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Blanchett New Face of P&G Skin Care Line

Cate Blanchett is used to costumes bordering on disguise on the big screen — layers of thick white makeup for her star turn in the "Elizabeth" movies, or a wig and leather jacket for her portrayal of a young Bob Dylan in the upcoming "I'm Not There."

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Relationships Shift on `Grey's Anatomy'

After making fans wait nearly a month for a new episode, the writers of ABC's "Grey's Anatomy" supplied some juicy moments in this week's offering. (Spoiler alert: Stop reading now if you've saved this episode for later viewing.)

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Helping Kids Cope With the News

For parents hoping to shield children from news of the recent school shootings across the country, the task is nearly impossible.

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Chris Tucker Gears Up for `Rush Hour 3'

After a five-year absence from movie screens, Chris Tucker is about to begin shooting "Rush Hour 3" with Jackie Chan.

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