"Homiesexuals" grind to the beat of a different drum machine

By Michael Serazio

Despite a tradition of sending out homophobic messages, the rap genre has its share of gay fans. Many of these "homothugs" remain unfazed, revealing a complex subset of the gay community -- those who would overlook the homophobia in hip-hop; those who tolerate the intolerance.

Tourists return to New York City

By Janice I. Dixon

Despite recent political and economic woes, tourism in New York City apparently survives. The industry, which annually generates $25 billion for the city and its businesses, still is ailing, according to the city's nonprofit tourism promoter, NYC & Company. The prognosis, however, is not bad, industry experts say.

Reading, writing and rook to B6

By David Shafer

Some parents and educators want chess to be taught in public schools, because they say the ancient game not only rewards but develops intellect. A weeklong chess day camp for promising young players is a window into the world of pawns, parents and grandmasters.

Minnesota nonprofit comforts the grieving with a "quiet" tribute to the deceased

By Jeannine N. Befidi

People often search for something to memorialize a lost loved one. Quiet Remembrance saw an unexpected demand for its customized pins and pendants in the wake of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. The little-known company does not sell the remembrances, but donates them to others.

Dog days afternoon

By Stephanie Levitz

Bonnie's K9 is a unique New York institution that specializes in hydrotherapy for dogs, using their natural affinity for water to rehabilitate injured pets in keeping with the growing trend of holistic pet care.

Some men try to reverse circumcision

By Joel Rubin

A small group of circumcised, mainly American men are trying to "restore" their penises. "Restorers" try to reverse what many describe as a profound sense of incompletion and a desire to feel whole again. Most all restorers also claim to enjoy a significant increase in sexual sensitivity as they once again shield long-exposed nerves. Some physicians and psychologists, however, raise concerns and questions about restoring and those who attempt it.

The second lives of bridesmaid dresses

By Lizzie O'Leary

Equal parts friendly duty, fashion disaster and rite of passage, bridesmaid dresses have become something of an urban legend among the legions of women who don them each wedding season. Many women, perhaps tired of playing supporting roles in someone else's big day, are giving their bridesmaid dresses new life -- in a variety of inspired ways.

Teaching defensive driving in New York City

Margot Sanger-Katz

Bernard Friese, the owner and sole employee of B. Friese Defensive Driving School, specializes in teaching anxious people to drive -- a group with a large membership in a city of aggressive drivers and unpredictable road conditions.

A bug's life: JFK Airport entomologists discover new insect species

By Jamie Francisco

Moments away from the distant rumble of jet engines at John F. Kennedy Airport, there is a universe where scientists pore over specimens in a laboratory, examining plants and bugs that have traveled to the United States from faraway countries.

Behind every great conference call

By David Shafer

Though the term 'secretary' has fallen out of favor, a high-powered executive assistant position is still a destination career for those who multitask, delegate and don't mind being in the background.

The coming hot spot war

By Eric Marx

Leaders of the so-called community wireless movement are experimenting with the wireless networking standard called Wi-Fi (wireless fidelity), creating 300-foot "hot spot" access points they hope will one day stretch for miles, even cover cities. If that happened, proponents say, fee-based wireless services catching on in hotels, airports and cafes would become irrelevant.

Confucius played, can you?

By Danielle Belopotosky

The board game Go, or Wei-ch'i, played by emperors and the great Chinese philospher Confucius, was invented more than 4,000 years ago. Today, the game has permeated borders and is played around the world in clubs, coffee houses and schools. A Japanese comic strip, Hikaru no Go, has elevated its popularity via the Internet.

Conservative company hopes to start ice cream war

By Timothy Jacobs

Those who think Cherry Garcia would taste even better if it were called Cherry Falwell might be happier buying their ice cream from the Star Spangled Ice Cream Company, which is marketing "guilt-free" ice cream to conservatives wary of supporting Ben & Jerry's. Even companies that have been linked to the political views of their founders are loath to alienate potential customers, but this new D.C.-based company is banking on it.

Pets and owners share emotional woes

By Laura Wright

Pets, like people, can suffer from emotional illnesses. Vets who treat mentally ill pets have a tough task: Their patients can't tell them what's wrong. Often they'll look to their patient's owner to figure out what's going on.

Skeptical educators investigate 'pseudoscience'

By Daniel E. Goren

Hundreds of educators throughout the country teach classes on how to use scientific methods in attempts to expose "pseudoscience." The growing grassroots movement tries to pokes holes in what it claims are the beliefs of "paranormals" -- psychics, faith healers, creationists, and extraterrestrials -- to teach scientific methods.

Ayurvedic healing: An ancient Indian tradition finds roots in the United States

By Susan Araki Vergnani

In the last decade, Ayurvedic healing techniques have garnered a quietly growing presence in the United States. Ayurvedic training institutes are dotted across the country from California to New Mexico to Florida. And health food stores now routinely carry Ayurvedic supplements.

Mission Improbable: A shelter makes room for a bar

By Cynthia Needham

A celebrity-studded bar, named "Mission," has just opened two doors down from the Bowery Mission, that venerable shelter for the homeless and substance abusers in Manhattan. Advocates for the poor say naming a bar after a refuge for desperate alcoholics is the height of tastelessness, but celebrities like P. Diddy and the cast of "The Sopranos" are busy booking VIP rooms.

Bipolar disease continues to take high toll

By John Arbucci

Until recently, bipolar disorder was referred to as manic depression. Most people think they know what the disorder is like: people are happy, then they're depressed, then they're happy again. The truth is much grimmer. Bipolar disorder is a devastating disease that, on average, goes misdiagnosed for ten years. By the time a patient is properly diagnosed, they have often lost their family, their job, and their prospects for the future. Marylou Selo's experience with the disease shows that even people with money and education have problems getting accurately diagnosed and treated.

Aromatherapy is now being used for pets

By Susan Araki Vergnani

Aromatherapy, the healing use of essential oils and hydrosols, the byproduct of the steam distillation of essential oils, is a recent addition to holistic medicine's panoply of healing techniques. Aromatherapy's gradual move in the United States to a broad acceptance in the last decade for human use has opened a niche for animals as well. Increasing numbers of pet owners and veterinarians are using aromatherapy on cats and dogs for minor ailments such as scratches, cuts and insect bites.

Muslims seek out their role in the U.S. military

By Eric Marx

With the U.S military hunkered down in Iraq and Afghanistan, U.S. soldiers of Middle Eastern descent and those who converted to Islam can experience divided loyalties and stepped-up discrimination from fellow soldiers.