Telegraph - Herald (Dubuque)

Dubuque Author Poised for Success

book signings Book: "The Weight of Silence," novel Author: Heather Gudenkauf, of Dubuque Time/date/site: - 5:30-7 p.m. Friday, Aug. 14, River Lights Bookstore 2nd Edition - 2 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 29, Borders Books and Music, Cost: $13.95, ISBN 13: 978-0-0-7788-2740-0 Publisher: MIRABooks synopsis What it's about: Two little girls disappear at the same time: Calli, a child who is mute, but not deaf, and her best friend Petra. The story follows Calli's mother Antonia and alcoholic father Gri...

High-Tech Treasure Hunt

how to start geocaching Becoming a geocacher requires time, a keen eye and a little bit of cash. Jessica Wagner, naturalist with the Jackson County Conservation office, gives some tips for novice geocachers. - Visit a geocaching Web site before hitting the trail. Popular Web sites for geocaching include geocaching.com and geocachingpolicy.org. "Make sure you look into it before you make an investment," Wagner said. - Purchase a GPS system. Wagner said models start at $100, with more advance...

Area Concerts

The following is a sample of major events in the larger venues outside of Dubuque. For most events, you can contact ticketmaster.com to obtain tickets. CHICAGO

New Books Miss the Boat On Entertainment Value

Perhaps it's a sign of the times that so many books have authors doubling as illustrators. The problem is that collaboration between an author and an illustrator can challenge both parties in a way that someone working alone isn't. It might be why three recent books are only somewhat entertaining. * "Llama Llama Misses Mam a (Viking, 2009), deals with a student's first day at school and the anxiety he feels.

The 'Fortunate' Son Ends Up Becoming President

John Kennedy became our nation's 35th president in part because his older brother, Joe, was killed at a young age, leaving their father, Joe Sr., no choice but to groom his second oldest son for the presidency. It was Joe Jr., not John, whom the Kennedy patriarch had always believed would be America's first Irish Catholic president, but World War II came along and changed the destiny of both Kennedy sons.

Trying to Sell?

When Vicky Black's one-story home in Port Richey, Fla., was on the market, prospective buyers told her they liked it. Unfortunately, they made negative comments about her neighbor's home, which has a stone lawn and little curb appeal. "They said I was the gem of the neighborhood, and it was too bad I had eyesores around me," recalled Black, who took her house off the market last year.

Your Horoscope

If today is your birthday, in the year ahead, several unimpressive situations could join together and unexpectedly produce a significant amount of income for you. Don't underestimate the power of collective effort, no matter the size of each component. LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): It would merely prove to make you miserable again if you allow an old grudge to surface and influence your thinking. The past is better off in the past; keep it where it belongs.

Todays Tidbits

New gadget creates custom stamps Putting your stamp on something just got more literal.

Maybe We Need Incentives in the Health Care Dilemma

All this talk about health care is making me tired. I'm not in as good a shape as I used to be. Seriously, we have health care problems in our country. Not only are there millions of uninsured people, there are millions of insured folks who drain the health care system because of their poor health habits.

Country-Style Coziness

Home details: Bedrooms: 3 Baths: 2 Main floor: 1,050 sq. ft. Total living area: 1,050 sq. ft. Standard basement: 1,050 sq. ft. Garage: 288 sq. ft. Exterior wall framing: 2x4 Foundation options: Full basement or slab Designed as a perfect starter or retirement home, this design, Plan APS-1002 by Home Plans LLC, has a charming, country-style exterior and an open, airy interior.

From Diva to Dj

NEW YORK - You'll be hearing more of Christina Aguilera's voice on the radio soon, but it won't be in the form of a song. Instead, the pop singer will work as a DJ. Aguilera's own radio station is set to debut this month. The 24- hour online channel will be distributed across Clear Channel Radio's "iheartradio" network, and will feature interviews, news and personal commentary from Aguilera as well as her favorite tunes.

Travel Briefs

Report: 1 in 5 people checks out the birds WASHINGTON - One in every five Americans watches birds, according to a new report from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service called "Birding in the United States: A Demographic and Economic Analysis."

The Right Subflooring Ensures That Marble Tile Will Last Awhile

Dear Tim: My wife insists on marble tile in our bathroom. I've never worked with it and wonder about how smart a choice it is. Is marble floor tile durable? What should I know to ensure the marble tile flooring is installed so that it doesn't crack? Also, is cleaning marble tile an issue once it's installed? - Steve P., Florence, Ky. Dear Steve: Your marble tile bathroom is going to look splendid, and with minimal care and effort it will look gorgeous for many years.

In the Mood for a Quick Midwest Getaway?

if you go Great Wolf Lodge: 4600 Milan Road, Sandusky, Ohio (11 other locations elsewhere in the country); www.greatwolf.com/ sandusky or 800-641-9643. Located two hours from Detroit, three hours from Pittsburgh, one hour from Cleveland. Prices vary by date. A $149.95 deal is being advertised now for a family of four, including room and water park passes, through Sept. 6, but blackout periods, minimum nights and other restrictions might apply. African Safari Wildlife Park: 267 Lightner Road, ...

Weighing in On Desperate Celebrities in Magazines

You know what I am sick of seeing in celebrity and gossip magazines? No, not Jon and Kate. Well, yeah, I'm sick of them, too. That goes without saying. How does that smarmy little toad of a man get so much action? No, what I am really sick of is D-list celebrity weight gain and subsequent loss. This has become the latest method of getting yourself back in the spotlight. I envision an actress-agent conversation that goes something like this:

Literary Lovefest to Be Hosted

GALENA, ILL. - Galena will host the first Midwest Literary Lovefest, a book signing for "MISSING, A Mysterious Gathering of Tales," noon-3 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 22, at Fried Green Tomatoes, and 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 23, at Brio Art Gallery. The book, ISBN: 9781590806111, is printed by Echelon Press and includes mysteries centered around a missing person or pet. Profits from the book benefit the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. It sells for $16.99.

Cheers to Rachel Alexandra From Winery

SANTA ROSA, Calif. - Racing fans will soon be able to do more than toast Rachel Alexandra in the winner's circle. The super filly is about to get a line of wines. Kendall-Jackson Winery announced Tuesday a limited edition of wines honoring their 3-year-old will be ready for the holiday season.

Top Songs

Weekly charts for the nation's best-selling recorded music as they appear in next week's issue of Billboard magazine. Reprinted with permission. Billboard Hot 100

E-Mail Flashes Prompt; Screen Saver Probable Cause

technology q&a Question: When I use e-mail on my Windows XP desktop PC, I keep getting an error message that says "Could not find the file Flash.ocx."

How Many Are in Your Home ?

The latest digital devices might generate more buzz, but television sets reign in the average home. "Television is not dead," said David Perlmutter, director of the University of Iowa School of Journalism and Mass Communication. "We're just moving into different ways of viewing and venues of viewing."