Even diehard baseball fans are feeling cynical these days. Despite the good news that spring training has arrived, they find themselves cringing over the state of the great American pastime.

But even the most devoted fanatic's addled reverie was broken up by the Feb. 13 appearance of the great Roger Clemens before the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, in which he attempted to counter accusations by his former trainer, Brian McNamee, that he had taken steroids and human growth hormones.

In search of the perfect Hamlet

I've seen virtuous Hamlets like Simon Russell Beale and baleful, brooding ones like Nicol Williamson, mad ones like Mark Rylance, sound-minded ones like Toby Stephens, and several so mentally ambiguous that they justified Rosencrantz and Guildenstern's summing-up of the prince in Tom Stoppard's Shakespeare spin-off: "stark raving sane."

I've seen some manage the near-impossible, which is to be dull, and some become highly eccentric. I've seen Paul Rhys's willowy, weepy Hamlet scrub his nails and Yorick's skull in a bath while orating about destiny, Jonathan Pryce internalise his father's ghost into a deep voice that burped its demands up from his stomach, Samuel West's scruffy student prince share a joint with the Rosensterns, and Frances de la Tour, my first female Hamlet, mooch lankily about in clothes best suited to a transport cafe specialising in soggy chips.

Delicious dilemmas: What to make for Valentine's Day dessert

Yes, it's the day before Valentine's Day and maybe that's a bit tardy to be considering making a dessert for tomorrow night's romantic dinner.

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Come Stressed,Leave Sun-kissed

It’s one of my life goals to live in a hotel. Aside from the fact that such a goal (OK, more like a dream) would be a bit costly, finding the right hotel — one with an ideal location, spacious rooms and good service — is not as easy as it seems. With this dream constantly in the back of my mind, I can’t help scrutinizing every hotel I stay in as if I am considering making it my new home.

Dueling drumsticks: Pan-fried vs. deep-fried

Atlanta — At the Southern Skillet, a meat-and-two mainstay in Roswell, Ga., there?s a fine collection of skillets hanging on the wall and a big one dangling from the ceiling like a cast-iron mobile. None figure in one of the restaurant?s specialties, fried chicken.

WOW Expo focuses on women's interests, concerns

MASON CITY — The women of North Iowa were treated to a day centered around their interests, needs and concerns on Saturday.The second annual WOW Women’s Expo was held at Southbridge Mall in downtown Mason City.Mother and daughter Pat and Dixie Fullerton, both of Mason City, wandered around the more than 45 exhibitors and then sat down to enjoy a cooking and wine demonstration by Arlin Beemer of Chandlers and Bruce Long of Hy-Vee Wine and Spirits."I’d like to learn how to cook because as a food inspector I hate to cook," Dixie Fullerton said.Fullerton said she has known Beemer for many years.She has been a food inspector for 16 years.Beemer prepared chicken, beef and pork dishes. Long suggested wine which would go well with each dish."He’s very good at what he does. He’s a very good cook," Fullerton said.Marion Helgeson of Kensett was in the front row at the cooking demonstration."I got some ideas to do things differently.

Looking for a hit

After five years, Aztecs fans are still waiting to realize those expectations.

SDSU won a regular-season MWC championship in 2004, but the program's postseason drought has now reached 16 years. It hasn't been easy. In fact, it's been far more difficult than Gwynn ever imagined. His teams are 142-162.

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8 Questions Super Tuesday Could Answer

Will there be some who have to enter a 12-step program before they can see their way? Sure. But they'll come along over the next several months."

The next round of primaries and caucuses this month tends to look better for him than for Clinton. Her strategists are pessimistic about her chances in Washington, Louisiana, Wisconsin and Maryland, as well as in the District. But they see Ohio and Texas on March 4 as critical states in which she has a foundation of support and could add to her delegate strength.

Back against the wall

If you’re going to try to retell a story, best to stick close to the original script. When former Yes guitarist Billy Sherwood decided it was time to pay tribute to the rock institution that is Roger Waters’ The Wall, more than a few asked, “Why?”