President Joe Biden welcomed a high-wattage collection of singers, authors, artists and humanitarians to the White House on Tuesday to present them with medals — and then stole the show himself with a quip about seeking reelection.

George Wein, one of the great impresarios of 20th century music who helped found the Newport jazz and folk festivals and set the template for gatherings everywhere from Woodstock to the south of France, has died at 95.

But remembering his Uncle Ciprian Contreras' heroics as a U.S. Marine at Iwo Jima in 1945, makes him look at America's Independence Day differently. Im angry that my elders had to go to segregated, dilapidated Mexican American schools and most died barely literate. Im angry my father still avoids the sun, so he doesnt get too dark like he was warned as a kid. Im angry I went to juvenile detention when I was 16 and was repeatedly asked by police what my gang affiliation was. Weve learned about Ralph Lazo, a Mexican American teenager who volunteered to go to a Japanese American Internment camp in solidarity with an injustice he saw.

The 2012 EPCOT International Flower & Garden Festival will begin blooming soon. Here's a sneak peek of this year's festival news:The 19th Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival presented by HGTV runs March 7-May 20. Disney's gardening magic goes a long way when an eight-foot-tall floral Sorcerer Mickey topiary holds court in front of the park's iconic Spaceship Earth. Twice daily each Friday through Sunday of the festival, HGTV designers and hosts share their insights on landscapes and design with Festival Center audiences. And throughout the event, dozens of gardening experts meet guests daily with fresh landscape ideas for 2012.