Bea Arthur: A "classic" who always had it going on

My love for Bea Arthur has been well-documented. I've spent many a late night watching Golden Girls reruns and entire weekend afternoons immersed in Maude marathons. Bea was the personification of a classy dame. She played wise-cracking, take-no-B.S. characters who still seem downright progressive when you look at what's on TV these days. She knew how to deliver a punchline with a raised eyebrow and she was never afraid to go into the realm of the ridiculous for some laughs. Whoa, did she get a lot of laughs in her amazing career.

Salon's Rebecca Traister calls her "one of television's finest and funniest feminists." I agree wholeheartedly. Rest in peace, Bea. You will certainly be missed.

If You're Looking for the Fountain of Youth, Just Splash on Some Common Sense

The New York Times' #2 most emailed story today contains a shocking revelation: you can't reverse the aging process! While many women would gladly empty their wallets for a miracle procedure, lotion, or potion that would keep them looking fresh and youthful forever, we would be much better off donating that cash to charity. Because for the billions of dollars we spend on anti-aging remedies, it's the "well, duh" stuff that actually works--and most of it is free or available for cheap at your local drugstore. So here goes...Wash your face, stop the smoking and pimple popping, wear sunscreen, get some rest, throw away your crusty old mascaras, foundations, etc. and resist the urge to pile on the products. You should also quit stressing about getting older. It's really bad for your skin. [New York Times]

"I've Had it Goin' On Since Before You Were in GrrAnimals!"

If you ask me, Bea Arthur's awesomeness is one of life's constants. Okay, I'll concede that her look is a little Whatever Happened to Baby Jane? here, but how can you not be charmed by this SATC spoof, which also stars Charlotte Rae (Mrs. Garrett!), Katherine Helmond (Mona!), Sally Struthers, and a very special guest? These ladies are not senior citizens--they're "classics." And classic beauty is not about beating back wrinkles. It's about owning your hard-earned, kick-ass confidence. Bea certainly knows how to work hers.

Here's a bonus for all you diehards: Happy Holidays, Star Wars-style! "It's odd. I've gotten so many letters and requests for autographed photos from that thing," says Bea. "I just remember singing to bunch of people with funny heads."