US consumer spending dips, savings rate surges

Frugal U.S. consumers trimmed spending in April _ although by less than expected _ as rising unemployment kept pocketbooks in check and motivated Americans to save.

With income growth far outpacing spending, Americans' personal savings rate zoomed to 5.7 percent, the highest since February 1995, the Commerce Department reported Monday.

Consumer spending dipped 0.1 percent in April. That was slightly less than the 0.2 percent reduction economists were expecting, although it marked the second straight month that consumers cut back. The pullback came after a burst of buying at the start of the year as shoppers took advantage of deeply discounted merchandise …

Steps to better hoofing

Who else but a woman could dance backward while wearing highheels? That's how current Texas Gov. Ann Richards began her speechat the 1988 Democratic National Convention. Apparently she's nevergotten a load of Prince, but her comment is well-taken. There'smore to the art of pas de deux than dancing backward.

Our expert panel came up with these tips to help you show offon the dance floor:

1. "When doing the waltz, a gentleman should always lightlycradle his partner's waist with one hand. With his other hand, heshould gently press the palm of one hand into hers. There's nogroping going on. Not on the dance floor anyway." (Leslie Dodson)

2. "Ladies …

NY agency admits errors in underweight tot's death

NEW YORK (AP) — A New York City children's welfare agency says its involvement in the case of a 4-year-old girl who was severely underweight when she died last month was woefully inadequate.

The Administration for Children's Services released its preliminary report Tuesday in the case of Marchella Pierce. The report says Marchella weighed 18 pounds when she died Sept. 2 and …

Fan malfunction may have sparked Pa. forge fire

Fire officials in western Pennsylvania say a malfunctioning fan may have been responsible for the blaze that destroyed a historic metal forge that made ashtrays for the ill-fated German airship the Hindenburg.

Fire chief Jeff Badger of the Grove City Volunteer Fire Department says the blaze started at about 1:30 p.m. Saturday in the workshop at the Wendell August Forge, where …

Melvin I. Klein

Melvin I. Klein, 72, retired owner of a West Fullerton printingcompany, died Sunday in St. Francis Hospital, Evanston.

The Skokie resident owned Klein Printing, 3035 W. Fullerton,before retiring five years ago. His son Ralph is president of thecompany, which specializes in printing for charitable organizations.

Mr. Klein was born in the Albany Park area. He graduated fromVon Steuben High School and attended college for two years beforeWorld War II began.

While serving as an Army officer during the war, he oversaw thebuilding of the first Allied bridge across the Rhine River. For hiswork, he was given the Silver Star.

After his discharge, Mr. …

Four black musicians featured prominently

Four black musicians were simultaneously in the spotlight in recent days -- two with the Boston Lyric Opera and two with the Pro Arte Chamber Orchestra.

The freshest news came in the Opera's production of Rossini's popular "Barber of Seville," which enjoyed a seven-performance run at the Shubert Theatre. Here the Count Almaviva eventually wins the hand of Rosina, the ward of the over-protective Dr. Bartolo, who raises one obstacle after another.

The role of the Count was entrusted to black tenor Lawrence Brownlee, making his Boston debut. It was easy to understand why he won the 2001 Metropolitan Opera National Auditions.

Though he is of short stature, his voice is …

English Football Results

Results Sunday in English football (home teams listed first):

Premier League

Portsmouth 2, Tottenham 0

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