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The Two-Way

2:52 pm

Tue December 20, 2011

A Mighty Release This Is: Star Wars Video Game Is EA's Most Expensive

Credit EA

Part of the packaging of "Star Wars: The Old Republic."

By editor

Originally published on Tue December 20, 2011 2:59 pm

Opinion

2:48 pm

Tue December 20, 2011

A Quest To Seek The Sublime In The Spiritual

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Credit istockphoto.com

A globe Buddha is visible against the sunset in the Republic of the Union of Myanmar (Burma).

Credit Chuck Berman / Twelve Books

Eric Weiner is a former NPR correspondent and also the author of The Geography of Bliss: One Grump's Search for the Happiest Places in the World.

By Eric Weiner

Eric Weiner's most recent book is Man Seeks God: My Flirtations with the Divine.

Surveys show religious people are happier than the secular? Why is this? Is it — as an atheist friend quipped — that "ignorance is bliss?" Not long ago, that's what I would have concluded. Like many people of my ilk — cerebral East Coaster, highly skeptical, and, yes, latte drinking — I reflexively viewed the religious as less sophisticated. And, if I'm brutally honest here, somehow less intelligent, or at least more narrow-minded. I don't feel that way anymore.

The Two-Way

2:25 pm

Tue December 20, 2011

From Homeless To White House To 'The Martha Stewart Show'

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Credit Chip Somodevilla / Getty Images

One of the decorations in the Red Room of the White House, where David Bondarchuck was among the volunteer decorators.

Credit Charles Dharapak / AP

First lady Michelle Obama welcomed military families to the first viewing of the 2011 decorations on Wednesday. White House chefs joined her to decorate cookies with the children.

Credit Chip Somodevilla / Getty Images

Some of those cookies were turned into ornaments.

Credit Chip Somodevilla / Getty Images

This year, the official tree is an 18 1/2-foot balsam fir in the Blue Room. Decorated with medals and cards made by military children, it honors Blue Star military families.

Credit Chip Somodevilla / Getty Images

Several versions of the Obamas' Portuguese water dog, Bo, appear throughout this year's decorations, ranging from a miniature licorice and marshmallow version to a this 4½-foot-tall felt topiary.

Credit Jim Watson / AFP/Getty Images

Ornaments made to honor loved ones decorate the Gold Star Families Tree.

Credit Chip Somodevilla / Getty Images

A "Bo" made from plastic garbage bags sits in front of the fireplace in the library. Mrs. Obama drew a laugh from the crowd when she said Bo, "the most famous member of the Obama family," has been a little confused walking around the house and seeing himself in "gigantic form."

Credit Chip Somodevilla / Getty Images

The Red Room features fruit, foliage and flowers set in berry-covered vases.

Credit Chip Somodevilla / Getty Images

Some of the handcrafted decorations are made of paper, felt and recycled cans, like these handcrafted tabletop trees in the Green Room.

Credit Chip Somodevilla / Getty Images

More than 100 holiday volunteers assisted with the decorations, and officials say they're expecting about 85,000 visitors to tour the White House this holiday season.

Credit Jim Watson / AFP/Getty Images

"Shine, Give, Share" is the theme for the Obama family's third Christmas in the White House. This year, a total of 37 Christmas trees and a 400-pound White House made of gingerbread, white chocolate and marzipan decorate the mansion.

Credit Rob Tannenbaum / The Martha Stewart Show

Martha Stewart and David Bondarchuck during Wednesday's broadcast of The Martha Stewart Show -- and as a videotape message from first lady Michelle Obama was played.

By Mark Memmott

Originally published on Wed May 23, 2012 10:11 am

When NPR's Ari Shapiro earlier this month filed a report on the 2011 holiday decorations at the executive mansion, he focused some of his attention on the diverse group of volunteer decorators who were called on to help dress up 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue.

Sports

2:00 pm

Tue December 20, 2011

Montrealers Reject New Interim Canadiens Coach

By editor

The new interim coach of the Montreal Canadiens is being rejected by fans of the hockey team. Not because of a losing record — but because he doesn't speak French. Robert Siegel speaks with Stu Cowan, sports editor of the Montreal Gazette.

Book Reviews

2:00 pm

Tue December 20, 2011

Book Review: 'Before the End, After the Beginning'

By editor

Dagoberto Gilb has published a new collection of stories, some written before he suffered a stroke in 2009 and some after. The book is called Before the End, After the Beginning.

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