Slow economy? You wouldn't know it by the openings lighting up the local dining scene, going through its biggest growth spurt in recent memory. And we mean "big," from the mega-size of these new restaurants to the hefty checks and the big namesStarfire Lighting's founding partners had gotten used to the competing visions and obsession with cost overruns common on big commercial projects.The development of more energy efficient lighting, lasers and displays is to be accelerated following the announcement today of government funding for twelve innovative research projects. The research and development into new technologies will help British manuf...Thanks to new outreach programs and more aggressive recruiting strategies, San Bernardino and Riverside counties expect to reach their goals for poll workers and polling places to deal with expected record voter turnouts in November.MELVILLE is in for a facelift. The suburb variously described as "the closest thing Johannesburg has to Cape Town" and "Jo'burg's bohemia" badly needs it.(ARA) - The Beijing 2008 Olympic Games were a time of great anticipation. We held our collective breath to see which athletes would emerge victorious, and were awed by what these talented individuals were able to achieve in their respective areas of expertise.The late Egyptian Director Youssef Chahine will be honoured during the second Middle East International Film Festival (MEIFF), held in Abu Dhabi from October 10 to 19, with a photo exhibition of his life.Chesapeake Bay Environmental Center's Creepy Crawlers program: "Crabby Days". Watch Out, I pinch! Come find out why crabs are so grouchy! 2-5 years old, accompanied by an adult. $3/members, $5/non-members. Advance Registration required 410-827-6694 or sghrist@bayrestoration.org.After worship services, about 100 Zwingli U.C.C. congregants spent Sunday afternoon together working with paper shapes to design a new church building.(ARA) - Most of us have developed a unique personal style and we know what fashions work for us. But when it comes to decorating or remodeling our homes, particularly our kitchens and bathrooms, style preferences can be harder to pin down.