Discussing health issues is usually a topic delicately danced around when, in reality, it's better to dive right in and be nosy, says Dr. Alfred George Jr., a geneticist and director of the Vanderbilt Institute for Integrative Genomics. The more details - who, what, when - that you know about your family's medical history, the better off your future generations will be.

Joe Howard thought he was finished. Not finished completely. He’d had hockey taken away from him for too many years to even think of giving up the game by choice. But the travel, the tournaments, the training … no, after dozens of international events and three Paralympics, it was time to play for fun, and when he felt like it. But Howard, 43 and playing with teammates 20 years younger, is out to help lead Team USA to a gold medal in Vancouver.

The Medicines For Humanity group continues to deal with the aftermath of the January earthquake in Haiti, and program director Betty Scanlon said she doesn’t see the situation getting much better any time soon. She should know – she recently returned from the ravaged country at the beginning of March.

Have you voted today?  If you have had a grocery item run across the scanner, you have voted with your dollars.

Dog Lady offers advice on loving dogs of all breeds, and how to handle fussy owners at the dog park.

The celebration of Lent is one of the oldest observations on the Christian calendar.

I enjoy teaching classes on how to be healthier, stronger, decrease stress, improve blood sugar levels and how to lose excess fat.  This certified program gets fantastic results.  Of course you must apply it to get the results.

When hungry and hurried, I’ve been known to three-bite a McDonald’s chicken wrap. I don’t often eat like that, but I can. Thankfully, despite the ability to practically unhinge my jaw, I’ve never choked.  But after last week, I’ve slowed way, way down at mealtime. That’s because I administered my first Heimlich.

But when it comes to diet and diabetes, diabetes educators say the amount eaten is as important as what is eaten.

Weekly religion rail, with items on the pope's travel plans, getting to know the Seventh-day Adventist Church founder, and more.

In the spring, the animals come alive and make new little animals, some of which must rely on the care of animal rehabilitation professionals if they're found injured. There are a few things humans can do to keep animal families together until the babies grow up and move and on out of the way.

Next week, potato recipes will be dusted off once again for St. Patrick’s Day. Unlike the day’s traditional cabbage and corned beef, potatoes remain crucial to our cookery. Worldwide, we eat about 73 pounds per capita per year, more than any other side dish.

Leeks are one of the oldest Irish vegetables, and they combine well with other foods of the Emerald Isle, including cheese, potatoes and fish.

No matter what is affecting your son, you can help him find a reason to smile each day, starting first thing in the morning.

This week’s suggestions: Watch the X Paralympic Winter Games, check out one of the new movies, get ready for the time change, prepare for Selection Sunday and start celebrating St. Patrick’s Day.