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

The Plant Professionals: Winter Interest

Rina Risper5 years ago4 years ago04 mins

Planting shrubs that hold their berries into winter can add a lot of color and help feed the birds .

Photo by Sergey Okhrymenko

By Kathy Valentine

What does your garden need to hold your visual interest once leaves come off the deciduous trees in the fall? Do you have strategically placed evergreens? From massive pine or spruce trees to yew or boxwood hedges, there are many options that hold their needles or leaves all year. There are even groundcovers and low accents like some euonymus and junipers that are evergreen.

Pet World: Visiting nurse makes simple request of dog owners

Rina Risper5 years ago4 years ago08 mins

By Cathy M. Rosenthal, Tribune Content Agency

Dear Cathy,

I am a pet lover. I have two kitties and enjoy my sister's two dogs.

I work as a visiting nurse. Our policy is that when a nurse, social worker, home health aide, or physical or occupational therapist comes to your home, you must put your dog in another room, or have the dog firmly under control with a leash.

We have had a number of nurses bitten on the job. I am one of them. It's an added stressor that is so readily preventable. Many people ask, “Are you afraid of dogs?” It's not about being afraid of dogs, it's about keeping everyone safe. Some dogs feel threatened when a stranger comes in the door and starts touching their owner or draws their blood.

Some people are offended when we ask them to secure their dog. “Why Fifi wouldn't hurt a fly!!” Fifi might feel exceedingly stressed and threatened at my presence though.

Could you talk about dog policies for those who visit homes, and why it's important for people to simply follow the rules?

-Grace, Allentown, Pennsylvania

Lighting Up Lansing – One Smile at a Time

Rina Risper5 years ago4 years ago01 mins

Turundus Luckett III is 4-years-old and Nevaeh Denise Luckett is 2-years-old.

Excuse me, are you Listening?

Rina Risper5 years ago4 years ago04 mins

Rina Risper, President & Publisher of The New Citizens Press (Pandemic photo 2020)

Dear Readers,

This edition starts the 20th year that we have been publishing. A lot of things have changed over the years. We are pleased that even during the pandemic, we are staying busy and informing you of what is going on in real time on our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/tncp.net. We also have an Instagram page at tncp_517.

Interpersonal Edge: The power of preferences

Rina Risper5 years ago4 years ago07 mins

By Dr. Daneen Skube
Tribune Content Agency

Q: I had reached the end of my rope with this pandemic three months ago and know we're not at the end yet. What tools or strategies do you teach clients to stay productive when your get up and go has got up and left?

Making SOLEFUL Footprints in the Lives of Others

Rina Risper5 years ago4 years ago08 mins

By Rigoberto Flores

LANSING, MI — Geronimo Lerma III said that the inspiration behind Footprints of Michigan came together like a puzzle. Even though he did not have all of the pieces at one time, Lerma believes there is always room to grow. The idea first came to him when he saw a young man in need of footwear in Lansing at a street walk event for the homeless that he was volunteering at. The soles of his shoes were duct-taped, worn, and tattered.

Just Plain Selfish: Best Practices

Rina Risper5 years ago4 years ago05 mins

By Kris Walker

For most people the goal is to be the absolute best version of yourself. However, it is easy to become so preoccupied with completing the multitude of tasks on our daily to-do lists, that we are unaware of how we may be presenting ourselves to this life each day. That does not mean that at the moment you are not doing your best. However, with proper planning, preparation and a few best practices, you can find areas for improvement and time that could be saved and used to benefit other areas of your life.

Q & A with Kiara Hay: Anchor/Reporter at WLNS-TV 6 News

Rina Risper5 years ago4 years ago07 mins

Kiara Hay is one of three African American reporters working for WLNS-TV 6 News. Hay takes her informing the community about issues that impact them very seriously.

Courtesy photo

Excuse me, are you Listening? – Letter From a Reader

Rina Risper5 years ago3 years ago03 mins

Dear Readers,

I am always surprised when we hear from our readers. It is always important for business owners to get feedback.

Jill on Money: Year end money moves amid COVID-19

Rina Risper5 years ago4 years ago06 mins

By Jill Schlesinger

In most years, writing a year-end column is a snap, but 2020 is not most years. As a result, I will be writing a few columns with action items to consider.