The 2009 New York City Marathon was won by an American for the first time in 27 years. Meb Keflezighi, 34, won the men’s race Nov. 1 with a personal best of 2 hours, 9 minutes and 14 seconds.

Meb, who was born in the war-torn African nation of Eritrea, became a naturalized U.S. citizen in 1998–the year he received his college degree from UCLA.

(more…)

WASHINGTON – President Obama and first lady Michelle Obama yesterday distributed presidential M&Ms and dried fruit mixes to more than 2,000 trick-or-treaters, marking their Halloween at a White House event partly aimed at honoring military families.

Dressed as superheroes, pirates, fairies, and skeletons, the children came in with their parents from Maryland, Virginia, and Washington, lining up at the orange lit White House.

The Obamas smiled, chatted, and gave out cellophane goody bags that were also filled with a sweet dough butter cookie made by White House pastry chef Bill Yosses and a National Park Foundation Ranger activity book. Michelle Obama wore furry cat ears and a leopard-patterned top.

(more…)