Week in entertainment, Feb. 10, 2012

Faithful mark Ash Wednesday, beginning of Lenten season

Lines of Christians waited across the world for ashes, in a shape of the cross, to mark their foreheads. The practice, which takes place on the holy day of Ash Wednesday, the first day of Lent, is an outward symbol intended to remind believers of man’s mortality. As ashes are applied in the shape of a cross, admonitions to “remember man that thou art dust and unto dust thou shalt return” and “turn away from sin and be faithful to the gospel” are uttered. Lent marks the 40-day period (Sundays are not included in the count) prior to Easter, another holy day in which most Christians believe Jesus rose from the dead to redeem men from their sins, a cornerstone of Christianity. Common observances of the period include fasting, abstaining from meat and exercising spiritual disciplines.

St. Patrick's Day by the numbers

All the interesting facts & figures that make this a day worth celebrating.

Bike warriors smash and crash

Looking like punk gladiators, young adults on junk bikes dragged junk chariots around a makeshift arena in this northwestern U.S. city, slamming into each other and swinging away with foam clubs. Spectators tossed beer cans, flour and smoke grenades. Firecrackers popped and obscenities flew during the battle called the "Ben Hurt Chariot Wars."