Standout

Standout scene: When members of the squad are mistakenly shipped to a pet store, they meet the diabolical hamster Bucky (Steve Buscemi) and myriad other misfits.

These action films are more subtle but just as exciting 2009

Standout scene: A seemingly innocent assortment of items — a water gun, errant golf ball, loose coin — conspire to leave Hunt (Nick Zano) struggling for his life in a pool that has a pretty powerful drain.

These action films are more subtle but just as exciting 2009

Standout receiver-runner Percy Harvin left for the NFL, and Steve Addazio takes over as offensive coordinator after the departure of Dan Mullen.

Storylines abound in college football as season kicks off 2009

Online buzz: Standout performances tend to generate high volumes of post-show online searches, so contestants who spike in Google Trends, Yahoo Buzz, Twitter's popular topics or other queries get 14, 10 or 5 points.

Idol Meter: Eyeing the odds 2010

Standout stories for this reader are "Fixation" by Alastair Reynolds and "One of Our Bastards is Missing" by Paul Cornell.

May 2009 2009

Standout dishes include a hot-pressed Cubano sandwich with roasted pork, ham, Swiss cheese and pickles; roasted pork with a lime-orange marinade; and a spicy ground beef dish called Picadillo Cubano Estilo Elena served with rice and plantains.

Paladar Café Cubano 2011

Standout essays include former Republican congressman and talk show host Joe Scarborough offering blunt advice for the Democrats, former Nixon aide Peter Peterson criticizing both parties for misguided economics, and pollster John Zogby forecasting what issues will dominate in election cycles to come.

Crossroads: The Future of American Politics By Andrew Cuomo « 2010

Standout stories for this reader are "Fixation" by Alastair Reynolds and "One of Our Bastards is Missing" by Paul Cornell.

REVIEW: The Solaris Book of New Science Fiction, Volume 3 edited by George Mann 2009

Standout dishes include the cold-smoked oysters, which arrive sizzling on a bed of rock salt, seared but mostly raw, a dish that combines showmanship with smarts.

Monique Stringfellow: New Orleans' Dining: GW Fins, a Fish House Monique Stringfellow 2011

Standout restaurants include Araxi (4222 Village Square; 604-932-4540) and Rim Rock Caf é (2117 Whistler Road; 877-932-5589).

The Best Skiing in North America Matt Schwartz 2011