Top headlines:
For July 4th, wines with an independent streak: There may be no more pencils and no more books, but parents need to find clever ways to keep their kids school skills sharp. Stephanie Oppenheim of ToyPortfolio.com and a TODAY contributor explains how to stop that summer learning slide. ›15:09, 1.07
GreenDAY: Puta brick in your toilet tank?: You don't have to break a sweat to enjoy these delicious and creative chilled soups, salads and desserts, courtesy of the Scottos, of Fresco by Scotto restaurant. ›17:07, 14.01
Catch Marc Murphys best seafood recipes: Larry King is ready to tell his story. His autobiography "What Am I Doing Here?" due out on Father's Day 2009 will cover everything from the CNN host's childhood in Brooklyn to his multiple marriages. ›18:48, 14.07
We're looking for the cutest kittens!: Think summer savings are a thing of the past? Think again. Amy Ziff of Travelocity shares smart, valuable advice to keep your costs under control.
British bands: Where are they now?: Sure, beauty is in the eye of the beholder but let's face it some gadgets are downright ugly. But happily, manufacturers are lately paying better attention to design. Paul Hochman explores this trend toward beauty.
Southwest profit rises on fuel savings:
Of pooches and pools: Water safety for dogs: Phil Lempert steals this weeks recipe for roasted Maine cod from award-winning chef Shawn McClain of Spring, an Eastern-inspired seafood restaurant in Chicago. ›16:12, 8.07
GreenDAY: Eco-care for your pet: The lesson the fashion world is teaching parents during the back-to-school shopping season is: If you can't beat them, join them. Many manufacturers this year are offering "coordinated" mismatched looks for kids. ›19:18, 21.07
Dow ends day down more than 280 points: Wall Street abruptly ended an earnings-driven rally and closed sharply lower Thursday after a steeper-than-expected decline in existing home sales and finanical sector worries. ›21:58, 24.07
Frustrated with gas prices? Ditch the ride!: A 400-year-old volume of Shakespeare stolen from a library display case in England a decade ago and valued at $30 million has been recovered after a man walked into a library in Washington and asked to have it authenticated. ›16:00, 11.07
Learning is fun! 5 tips for kids: Want to please your palate without slaving over the stove? Chef Giada De Laurentiis offers recipes for delicious appetizers and sides that keep you cool and take just minutes to create. ›19:14, 27.06
Have a solution for the troubled economy?: Secrets to building a support system to save your sanity and your social life. Parenting expert Michele Borba offers advice to help moms incorporate some of their own needs into the hectic schedules of family life. ›16:01, 16.07
Australian wines get their own Bourne identity: Want to know exactly what you're eating, even when you dine out? The founder of Gusto Organics knows what that's like. His new restaurant made history this year as the first to be USDA-approved, 100 percent organic. ›18:27, 27.06
Its playtime! The best of big outdoor toys: TODAY wine columnist Edward Deitch sniffs out some fragrant summer whites.
Plucky amputee is off to college: When it comes to breakups, most of us prepare for the worst. But according to new research, they tend to be less heartbreaking than we initially fear. Here, Dr. Laura Berman gives advice on how to land on your feet after calling it quits. ›13:41, 11.07
American Story: Remembering those who lost the battle: Superstar jockey Shane Sellers escaped an abusive upbringing to reach the upper echelons of horse racing, but the dark side of the sport for Sellers included wrestling with an eating disorder linked to the industrys weight requirements. Here's an excerpt from his autobiography, Freedoms Rein. ›20:06, 2.07
Video: For struggling Ford, smaller cars are job one: July 24: After posting a huge second-quarter loss of $8.7 billion, Ford announced it is converting more American automotive plants into small-vehicle manufacturers. CNBC's Scott Cohn reports.(Nightly News) ›23:07, 24.07
Money 911: Whats your emergency?: 'Hunger for Freedom' examines Nelson Mandela's life through a culinary lens, including everything from the spaghetti casserole he was brought in jail to the soured milk he longed for while living underground. ›14:52, 3.07
Kid reporter meets superstar Miley Cyrus: ›23:13, 22.07
Money 911: Whats your emergency?: Think only wine and cheese deserve a sophisticated palette? Culinary expert Michael Mascha explains how to distinguish bottled waters and pair them with complimentary foods. ›16:27, 9.07
Cameron's bike stolen as he shops: Conservative leader David Cameron has his bicycle stolen while shopping at a supermarket near his home in London. ›10:18, 24.07
Close-to-home getaways from $99 a night: With a shaky economy, hefty gas prices, and mounting airline fees, the traditional summer vacation model is undergoing a slight modification this year. Instead of cross-country road trips or extensive air travel, many of us are opting for "staycations" instead. ›15:38, 24.07
Man drowns during family holiday: A man dies and his son is airlifted to hospital after getting into trouble while swimming in the sea. ›23:04, 24.07
Salvaging a miserable summer: Well, gang, we've made it to the mid-point of the summer travel season. For folks who already scaled back or canceled vacation plans due to rising gas prices, airline fare hikes or the deeply dipping dollar, it's already a miserable summer. ›22:54, 23.07
