From hero to zero

The face of investment manager Bernie Madoff, eerily framed in black and hovering above a sea of burning bills, is not exactly the most sophisticated choice for a book cover. The writing in Catastrophe: The Story of Bernard L. Madoff, the Man Who Swindled the World reflects a similar level of advancement.

What's up, doc?

We live in strange times. Five-year-olds have cell phones, penny candy is no longer a penny, and people talk about seeing a therapist the same way they talk about getting a haircut — “I feel so much lighter now.” Maybe it’s just me, but until recently I saw therapy as a taboo topic, a don’t-ask-don’t-tell sort of situation.

Screen saviors

Having no concrete images of Jesus and God hasn’t stopped Hollywood from portraying the big guy and JC in film. In fact, it’s just given them more creative license.

Streetside Chatter

What is your favorite part of attending a baseball game?

More catastrophic reads

(Web Exclusive) Watergate, Enron, New Jersey corruption and yet another Ponzi scheme start the catalog of books covering the sleaze that has sullied the country. Several authors, some with experience in investigative reporting, have worked their way into the thorny details behind these shattering events. These four books narrate a few of the most recent of the epic disasters.

Pointe, plié, percussion

Click This: Hollywoodjesus.com

Is the Jonas Brothers’ new 3-D movie safe for Christian ears? Will the Wii Fit strengthen the body and the soul? For questions such as these, the Web site hollywoodjesus.com would like to be your preacher teacher.

DeGraw gets free

Gavin DeGraw has finally learned what he does not want to be. He returns with a different musical approach on his third studio album, Free, as he works to become liberated from the pop-rock label that follows him.

On The Job: Mole trapper

From kid control to mole control: Chris Hull worked at a children’s day care for 14 years; now, her job takes on a different creature. “Child care to mole-killing is kind of a weird leap,” she says. After taking over Moleman Trapping from her dad, 37-year-old Hull ambushes these furry pests in the mid-Missouri area.

The good, the bad and the ugly

Unemployment Olympics, a cheating IRS auditor and one disgusting parking ticket.

Handheld gets hi-tech

(Web Exclusive) The Nintendo DSi, the latest upgrade of the Nintendo DS, is nowhere near your archaic Game Boy. Equipped with two cameras and a microphone, this bad boy ventures into the realm of the robotic. Beyond the exterior bells and whistles lies something we thought only an iPhone could have: downloadable games. This application allows gamers to purchase games from the online DSiWare store (think WiiWare) and download straight to the handheld device. But what does this mean for retail stores whose livelihood depends on traditional sales of these games?

Playlist - Tax Day

Nobody likes paying taxes. This country was founded by folks who’d rather start a war than hand over their hard-earned cash to a greedy government. But April 15 is Tax Day, and many will be scrambling to get those pesky forms filled out in the next week. Why not enjoy some appropriate tunes while grudgingly giving in to the Man?

Hear This

The second album by British singer-songwriter Natasha Khan explores life’s dualities and takes a dive into the metaphysical realm. Khan’s voice, both airy and haunting, takes on a duality all its own — think desert goddess meets medicine woman. If you’re planning a trip to Joshua Tree in hopes of an existential reckoning, Two Suns is right up your alley.

CD Review: Lady Sovereign – Jigsaw

(Web Exclusive) For someone who refers to herself as “the biggest midget in the game,” Lady Sovereign’s newest album, Jigsaw, has its huge parts but also its dwarfish ones. In-your-face lyrics, such as “When you rip me off, I’ll rip your head off,” are just some of the gems offered by the album. However, some songs come up short.

The waiting game

It is becoming increasingly difficult for people to access mental health care in Columbia, in Missouri and across the nation. Much of this has to do with the economy: Stressful times create the need for more counseling and thus greater demand. But there are also the problems of diminishing services, a psychiatrist shortage on the local and national scale and a lack of insurance. Mental illness is like a weight, and without counseling or treatment, it is a weight those suffering can find difficult to carry.

Get help here

Despite the influx of people seeking mental health services, Mid-Missouri Mental Health is the only area facility capable of handling patients in need of urgent care, meaning those with suicidal or homicidal thoughts. The facility is severely under funded to the point that sometimes it must send patients to other cities to get help. Issues of insurance coverage can affect many patients’ access to mental health resources. Appointments are expensive and, due to demand, can be hard to come by. However, there are affordable alternatives for Columbians who need someone to talk to.