Charlotte Shopping Center Mall

Texas de Brazil Churrascaria is the latest entry in the area's Brazilian steakhouse frenzy. In case you've missed the phenomenon, these aren't steakhouses in the ordinary sense. You don't order a single cut of meat. Instead, men carrying skewers of grilled meat -- and very sharp knives -- circulate through the dining room, carving off slices of beef, lamb, pork and chicken for diners.

Groups allege profiling at mall in Aurora

A demonstration at Aurora Municipal Center on Tuesday asks the city to check into claims of discrimination at Town Center at Aurora. Holding signs criticizing the mall are Michael Carter and his children Abre'ana, 6, and Karl, 4. (Post / Brian Brainerd) .

There's hope in them thar downtowns

Once upon a time when you drove down the coast of Southern California you could tell when you were leaving one town and arriving at the next. When the kids called out, "Are we there yet?" parents could tell them to watch for the city limit sign in the outskirts. Cities had outskirts then, and city limit signs weren't lost as they are today in an endless jungle of used car lots, strip malls and fast food chains.Southern California cities had clearly defined downtowns in those days, where you could park within walking distance of the post office, a department store, grocery, restaurant and barber shop. It served as the community's primary gathering place. A trip downtown was a social event.

Is it possible to regain the sense of community that was lost with the disappearance of downtowns? Carlsbad's Redevelopment Agency thinks so.

DealPass Presents the Top Five Shopping Destinations in America

Norwalk, Conn. (FV Newswire) - With April 15 quickly approaching, people have already started thinking about ways to spend the money they'll receive back from the government. Some will be using the money for a well-deserved vacation, some will use it to buy that expensive item they've been wanting for months, and others will tuck their tax refund money safely into their savings accounts. DealPass.com, an online savings portal for Adaptive Marketing LLC membership programs, suggests the top five shopping destinations in America to spend those extra bucks.

There are malls in every city, but there are just a few that have earned the reputation of a "must-visit." DealPass offers many discounts to hundreds of stores online, but there is nothing like the touching, feeling, and trying-on-every-piece aspect of it to completely fulfill a shopping experience.

11 library branches face lack of space that limits books ...

Twice a week at the Novato Library, children's librarian Carla Schoenthal moves tables, chairs and bookshelves out of the way to make room for "story time," an event always packed with excited toddlers and parents.

"We are the busiest children's room in the county system, and we are maxed out on space," Schoenthal said. "The library needs to be a welcoming place for everyone, but everyone's needs are not the same.

"We need a separate place where kids can be kids but not disturb adults who want a quiet place."

The Novato branch is one of 11 libraries in the Marin County Free Library system, all facing a lack of space that limits collections of books and DVDs, computers and seating, according to a consultant's study.

"Overall, the .

Safety seems elusive with latest shooting

And so another dark day came, when we turned on the television and heard the replays of gunfire, not exactly sure from where and not exactly sure why.

Other customary images followed. The ones we always see. The line of waiting ambulances. The scurrying police, with automatic weapons drawn. The stunned faces and broken voices of the witnesses. Eventually, a somber news conference, where someone gave us the latest body count, but not the reason.

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