Skin

I’ll admit, I don’t think I’ve ever stepped foot into a LUSH store.  I always found the stores to be a wee bit intimidating, and I didn't know much about the store. The other day, a box of LUSH products showed up for me to try. It’s kind of like food: if you put it in front of me, I’ll probably try it. That, and when I mentioned I received Lush products to any of my friends they all kind of freaked out, so I figured I’d been missing something. First of all, I had no idea that Lush had such an enviro-friendly mission, which is great.

Because the United States has no military draft — and hasn't had one since Vietnam, the one and only war stopped by popular protest — the politicians and corporations running this country continue to do as they please. They might even launch a ground war in Libya next. What's to stop them? Public opinion? Surveys show that a majority of citizens think we should get out of Iraq and Afghanistan, and that Pentagon spending should be cut. But those sentiments are at direct odds with reality, and only a tiny fraction of Americans are willing to take to the streets.

In just two weeks, MTV's teens series "Skins" has become one of TV's most compelling dramas. Unfortunately for the producers and MTV executives, that's only the case off-screen, where "Skins" is playing like a car wreck impossible to look away from. Fearful of being connected to something that might wind up being judged "child porn" under various statutes, advertisers are bailing on the Brit-spinoff series, to the point where analysts say MTV could lose $2 million per episode if it decides to stick with the show.

Starting right guard Chris Chester was hospitalized with a "skin issue" last night, which could pave the way for Tony Moll to make his first start at that position since Sept. 21, 2008. Coach John Harbaugh revealed the reason behind Chester's absence from Friday's practice, but was unsure of his availability for Sunday's game against the Carolina Panthers. "It's not serious, but it was something that was causing a lot of pain," said Harbaugh, who acknowledged that he didn't know the exact diagnosis.

Washington 17, Philadelphia 12 Philadelphia, PA (Sports Network) - Donovan McNabb's much-anticipated return was a triumphant one, as the former franchise quarterback for the Eagles led the Washington Redskins in a 17-12 victory over Philadelphia at Lincoln Financial Field. McNabb, who spent the previous 11 seasons quarterbacking the Eagles to five NFC Championship Games and a Super Bowl appearance, played against his former squad for the first time in his career. Traded in the offseason, McNabb returned to his old grounds to a rousing ovation.

Redskins coach Mike Shanahan wouldn't address rumors surrounding a possible trade of defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth and said the veteran will be with the Redskins for Sunday's season opener against the Cowboys. According to multiple media reports, the Redskins have been speaking with the Titans about possibly trading Haynesworth, who is under a $100 million contract with Washington. "We've heard all these rumors and speculation," Shanahan said. "Albert had a great practice today, and he'll be ready to go this weekend.

Troy Timpel misses the tough old days, when tattoos were anything but respectable. "I liked getting the dirty looks from the old ladies back in the early '90s and late '80s," says Timpel, one of the organizers of this weekend's Tattoo Arts Convention at the Sheraton Baltimore City Center Hotel. "It's no longer the lowbrow biker, sailor, convict kind of thing that it was 20 years ago. Sadly, I think it's become socially reputable. " Still, one suspects Timpel isn't all that upset.

It is surely not as hard a slap in the face to Baltimore's sense of media identity as the makers of John Waters' "Hairspray" filming the movie version in Toronto. But now comes official word from the producers of MTV's "Skins" that this American version of the Brit teen hit won't be filmed in Baltimore — nor will it even be set here. It will be filmed in Toronto instead — and set in a "general eastern seaboard" city, according to Bryan Elsley, the co-creator and executive producer of both the BBC series and its American spinoff, which debuts early next year.

Entering his second year as the Ravens' defensive coordinator, Greg Mattison says little has changed, but some of his players disagree. They notice a more comfortable and confident Mattison, one willing to take more chances. There remains one constant, though. "He's a tough guy, has skin like an armadillo," defensive tackle Kelly Gregg said. The transition of a year ago was a huge success for Mattison, 60. The Ravens survived a shaky first quarter of the season, especially in pass defense, and finished 2009 ranked No. 3 overall, the seventh straight year the Ravens' defense has finished in the top six. The Ravens also had the NFL's best run defense, allowing only 3.4 yards per carry, were ranked fourth in turnover ratio (plus 10)

The Ravens used some sleight of hand to overcome their sloppiness in a 23-3 preseason win over the Washington Redskins on Saturday night. Haruki Nakamura's 51-yard run off a fake punt proved to be the highlight in a mistake-filled effort that, luckily for the Ravens (2-0), came against the more befuddled Redskins (1-1). The Ravens' first-team offense looked ragged, managing more fumbles (three) than scoring drives (two). Joe Flacco finished 9 of 16 for 72 yards, posting a quarterback rating (67.0)