The New Citizens Press - News For, By and About People

April is Poetry Month: Advice from a Dead Man Walking

Rina Risper13 years ago08 mins

HBO Def Poet, Amir Sulaiman, pays a visit to the Islamic Center of Greater Lansing for a

free performance. Courtesy photo

By Dua S. Aldasouqi

E. LANSING, MI — Renowned poet and activist, Amir Sulaiman, flew into Michigan from California on April 13 to perform at the Islamic Center of Greater Lansing. He was there to give a short free show. The Center gym was packed with over 150 members of the Center and local Greater Lansing Area residents. Amir Sulaiman is also an accomplished writer, educator, and recording artist. He is a two time HBO Def Poet (an HBO television show, a play off of “Def Comedy Jam” with poets).

Fast Facts

Rina Risper13 years ago05 mins

Official Poetry Month logo on www.poets.org

By Public Services Librarian Jessica T.

Held every April since 1996, National Poetry Month is a time when publishers, booksellers, libraries, schools and poets celebrate the importance of poetry in American culture. The goals of National Poetry Month are to highlight the legacy and ongoing achievement of American poets, and to encourage people to enjoy the pleasures of reading this unique literary form.

Wolfgang Puck: Go bananas!

Rina Risper13 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 Risper13 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 Risper13 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

Health & Advice

Is Your Thyroid Affecting Your Mood? One Simple Blood Test That Might End Your Anxiety

Rina Risper13 years ago07 mins

By Karla Robinson, MD

The Thyroid and Your Mood

It is estimated that over 40 million people suffer from anxiety disorders in this country. However, what many don’t realize is that anxiety may be the first signs of a thyroid disorder. Thyroid disease is a category of illnesses that are typically characterized by the thyroid gland being either overactive or underactive. Anxiety can be a common symptom of hyperthyroidism or overactive thyroid.

Interpersonal EDGE: Avoid Hero Worship with Mentor

Rina Risper13 years ago06 mins

By Dr. Daneen Skube

Tribune Media Services

Q. I have a mentor at work that I profoundly respect, and I’ve tried to have her be my role model. The problem is that we have dramatically different personalities, and I just can’t make some of her habits work for me. Do you have any advice on how to learn from a mentor who is very different than you?

Retire Smart: Building retirement confidence

Rina Risper13 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 Risper13 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 Risper13 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.