Local & State - The New Citizens Press

Wolfgang Puck: Go bananas!

Rina Risper14 years ago07 mins

For deep-frying, pick firmer fruit whose peels have only just turned yellow.

By Wolfgang Puck

Tribune Media Services

My recipe for Banana Fritters seems a perfect way to raise some smiles at the table.

At face value, bananas are among the funniest of fruits. A cheerful yellow color when ripe, they have a shape that even looks like a smile. Peeling them can be, in itself, a silly process, sort of like a fruit striptease. And the peel itself, of course, is a staple of slapstick comedy – so take care not to drop it on your kitchen floor!

Your Other 8 Hours: Deducting Hobby Expenses: Think Business

Rina Risper14 years ago07 mins

By Robert Pagliarini,
Tribune Media Services

Hobbies are a great way to spend the other eight hours, but they are terrible from a tax perspective. Why? You are not allowed to deduct hobby expenses for tax purposes. This makes sense. If you could deduct hobby expenses, almost everything would be deductible — trips to the zoo, your subscription to Professional Photographer magazine, even that new digital camera you’ve had your eye on.

Ask Tamara: Can Men and Women Be Just Friends?

Rina Risper14 years ago07 mins

Dear Tamara:

My husband has a close relationship with a female friend whom he communicates with often. They talk on the phone, text each other and communicate quite a bit on Facebook. I am growing more and more uncomfortable with their close friendship. My husband has assured me that they are just friends and that I don’t have anything to worry about. I have tried to be open minded about their relationship, but it really bothers me. I do not understand why they have to communicate so much. Should I insist that he cut off this friendship?

His No.1 Friend

Retire Smart: Building retirement confidence

Rina Risper14 years ago07 mins

By Jill Schlesinger

Tribune Media Services

The Great Recession of 2008-09 blew up many a retirement plan, and now we have the data to prove it and finally understand just how damaging the boom and bust cycle has been. The Employment Benefit Research Institute (EBRI) Retirement Confidence Survey was published this month and the news is grim.

Financial Takeover: Leaving a Legacy

Rina Risper14 years ago010 mins

Two things are guaranteed in life-taxes and death. One of the most difficult challenges for families to handle is the death of a loved one. There is a painful void and a long, healing process that takes place. There is also a realization of a harsh but undeniable truth: In most cases, when a loved one dies, so does his or her income.

Teenagers Lead Peaceful Protest at the Capitol

Rina Risper14 years ago05 mins

Above: Malcolm Xavier Clay, 4-years-old attended the rally with his family.

Left: Jamie Lynn Crawford,Todd “TJ” Duckett and Brianna Black stand in front of the Capitol during a rally focusing on youth.

By Nadine Defensor

LANSING, MI — Two 18-year-olds led a nonviolence rally at the capitol last month, to demand justice for Trayvon Martin, an unarmed African-American 17-year-old who was shot and killed in Sanford, Florida on February 26.

The man who shot the teenager was neighborhood watch volunteer, George Zimmerman, who had told the police that he shot Martin in self-defense.

Zimmerman has not been charged with a crime.

“Comfort Food for the Mind, Body, and Soul”: HEALTHY CHICKEN SPRING ROLL

Rina Risper14 years ago02 mins

Home cooking for a new generation. Easy and elegant recipes from the heart and soul created for today’s family.

By Sharon Fox

Spring Rolls:

rice paper

roasted chicken (rotisserie will work)

1 avocado (sliced)

1 red pepper (sliced)

1 baked plantain (cut length wise)

leaf lettuce

Videoview

Rina Risper14 years ago07 mins

Meryl Streep as Margaret Thatcher in “THE IRON LADY”

By Jay Bobbin
Tribune Media Services

“THE IRON LADY”: All you had to do was hear the phrase “Meryl Streep as Margaret Thatcher” to know the performance would be Oscar-worthy, and indeed, it ended up earning the actress her third Academy Award. In reteaming with “Mamma Mia!” director Phyllida Lloyd, the actress plays the only female prime minister England has had to date … a situation that posed multitudes of challenges in dealing with those who were used to British rule as it had long existed.

“Dia de la Mujer” Conference Empowers Latinas

Rina Risper14 years ago08 mins

Aida Cuadrado (l) and Raquel Moreno (r) dancers from Grupo Variedad Folklorico performed at the 19th Annual

Dia de la Mujer conference along with many other performers. Exhibitors and workshop presenters also delivered an educational

experience.

TNCP Photo

By Nadine Defensor

EAST LANSING, MI — Hundreds of Latina women attended the 19th Annual Dia de la Mujer Conference at the Michigan State University (MSU) Kellogg Center on March 17.

Dia de La Mujer, means Day of the Woman. The annual conference highlights the accomplishments of Latina women in the community.

According to the event’s website, it began in 1994 with a goal to empower, motivate, inspire and connect support Latinas and all women on their advancement in society.

Since then, the conference has grown into a multi-faceted series or workshops that focuses on issues such as education, health, political, relationships, culture, personal development and self-empowerment.

A new hot spot for Americans

Rina Risper14 years ago03 mins

Classic ’50s cars on the streets of Havana.

www.VirtualTourist.com

Tribune Media Services

In January 2011, President Obama lifted additional restrictions on allowing Americans to legally travel to Cuba. The eased restrictions allow for educational, cultural and religious groups to acquire “people-to-people” licenses for Cuban travel with the intention of encouraging greater contact between Americans and Cubans. This is the second time the Obama administration has allowed more access to Cuba; in April 2009, Obama permitted unlimited travel to and from Cuba by Cuban-Americans visiting family members.