http://blounttoday.com/news/columnists/?partner=RSSblounttoday.com Stories: Columnistsen-uscolumnists/news/columnists/?partner=RSShttp://blounttoday.com/feeds/headlines/columnists/2008-11-20T11:03:55.427462Copyright blounttoday.com, 2008http://blounttoday.com/news/2008/nov/19/kitchen/?partner=RSSIf your social calendar is starting to fill up, and you find yourself needing an appetizer to “take along,” try Cranberry Meatballs. This dish just looks and sounds like an appetizer made for the holidays. As an added bonus, if you want to be prepared for the next night’s dinner, just make extra meatballs and have some pasta or wide egg noodles on hand. Wed, 19 Nov 2008 20:43:00 -0000http://blounttoday.com/news/2008/nov/19/kitchen/?partner=RSScolumnists147442008-11-19T15:43:002008-11-19T15:43:00Copyright blounttoday.com, 2008If your social calendar is starting to fill up, and you find yourself needing an appetizer to “take along,” try Cranberry Meatballs. This dish just looks and sounds like an appetizer made for the holidays. As an added bonus, if you want to be prepared for the next night’s dinner, just make extra meatballs and have some pasta or wide egg noodles on hand.<!-- no dateline and no defined city -->Robin McDanielIn The Kitchenblounttoday.comkitchenhttp://blounttoday.com/news/2008/nov/19/dear-readers-nov-20-2008/?partner=RSSHere’s to happiness and good cheer. It’s hard to believe that Thanksgiving is next week. In spite of the turn in the weather -- much colder than I like it -- I still can’t get my arms around the fact that the holidays are here. I think what is missing is that great feeling of happiness and good cheer that always accompanies the holiday season. I am praying that itis just too early and that the feelings of goodwill, good times and good news will swoop down on us and envelop us in the warmth of the season. gardner@blounttoday.com (Sherri Gardner Howell)Wed, 19 Nov 2008 19:57:00 -0000http://blounttoday.com/news/2008/nov/19/dear-readers-nov-20-2008/?partner=RSScolumnists147312008-11-19T14:57:002008-11-19T14:57:00Copyright blounttoday.com, 2008Here’s to happiness and good cheer. It’s hard to believe that Thanksgiving is next week. In spite of the turn in the weather -- much colder than I like it -- I still can’t get my arms around the fact that the holidays are here. I think what is missing is that great feeling of happiness and good cheer that always accompanies the holiday season. I am praying that itis just too early and that the feelings of goodwill, good times and good news will swoop down on us and envelop us in the warmth of the season.<!-- no dateline and no defined city -->Sherri Gardner HowellDear Readers Nov. 20, 2008blounttoday.comdear-readers-nov-20-2008http://blounttoday.com/news/2008/nov/19/will-your-assets-be-distributed-where-you-wish/?partner=RSSWhen was the last time your Will, each account’s registration, and beneficiary statements were reviewed? Life events do impact estate planning; and unless a review has been made, surprises may lurk somewhere in your holdings. If you are like most individuals, the last review occurred when the Will was updated or written. Which means it may have been several years since a comprehensive review has taken place. In this case, it may be time to confirm your accounts are structured as they need to be for your estate plan to work as designed. Wed, 19 Nov 2008 19:40:00 -0000http://blounttoday.com/news/2008/nov/19/will-your-assets-be-distributed-where-you-wish/?partner=RSScolumnists147242008-11-19T14:40:002008-11-19T14:40:00Copyright blounttoday.com, 2008When was the last time your Will, each account’s registration, and beneficiary statements were reviewed? Life events do impact estate planning; and unless a review has been made, surprises may lurk somewhere in your holdings. If you are like most individuals, the last review occurred when the Will was updated or written. Which means it may have been several years since a comprehensive review has taken place. In this case, it may be time to confirm your accounts are structured as they need to be for your estate plan to work as designed.<!-- no dateline and no defined city -->Doug HornWill your assets be distributed where you wish?blounttoday.comwill-your-assets-be-distributed-where-you-wishhttp://blounttoday.com/news/2008/nov/19/choose-your-side/?partner=RSSWhen it comes to preventing cancer, we all know the basics: don’t smoke; use sunscreen; and have routine preventive tests such as mammograms, PSAs and colonoscopies. These things are just part of prevention, though. According to the American Cancer Society, modifying what people eat and how much they exercise may prevent 30-40 percent of all cancers. Wed, 19 Nov 2008 19:11:00 -0000http://blounttoday.com/news/2008/nov/19/choose-your-side/?partner=RSScolumnists147192008-11-19T14:11:002008-11-19T14:11:00Copyright blounttoday.com, 2008When it comes to preventing cancer, we all know the basics: don’t smoke; use sunscreen; and have routine preventive tests such as mammograms, PSAs and colonoscopies. These things are just part of prevention, though. According to the American Cancer Society, modifying what people eat and how much they exercise may prevent 30-40 percent of all cancers. <!-- no dateline and no defined city -->Choose your sideblounttoday.comchoose-your-sidehttp://blounttoday.com/news/2008/nov/13/money-matters/?partner=RSSDuring times like 2008, it is wise to take a day and review your finances. While history tells us the investment markets will recover and most likely reach new highs, ignoring the current economic environment is not wise. Not only is it important to review retirement accounts and determine whether updated allocations are required to take advantage of changing conditions, it is also smart to review the outstanding debt you may owe on credit cards, cars, and any other short-term debt. Make sure you are not at the limits of your credit cards and you know the minimum payments that must be paid. Thu, 13 Nov 2008 16:01:00 -0000http://blounttoday.com/news/2008/nov/13/money-matters/?partner=RSScolumnists146982008-11-13T11:01:002008-11-13T11:01:00Copyright blounttoday.com, 2008During times like 2008, it is wise to take a day and review your finances. While history tells us the investment markets will recover and most likely reach new highs, ignoring the current economic environment is not wise. Not only is it important to review retirement accounts and determine whether updated allocations are required to take advantage of changing conditions, it is also smart to review the outstanding debt you may owe on credit cards, cars, and any other short-term debt. Make sure you are not at the limits of your credit cards and you know the minimum payments that must be paid.<!-- no dateline and no defined city -->Doug HornMoney Mattersblounttoday.commoney-mattershttp://blounttoday.com/news/2008/nov/13/kitchen/?partner=RSSWe were deciding how to celebrate co-worker Christi Elfstrom’s birthday last week when Brenda Pilson came up with a hearty idea that got us all to thinking about the benefits of cold weather. Brenda volunteered to make some of her homemade vegetable soup. We were thrilled, as we had had it before. We all enjoyed it so much that I asked Brenda for the recipe and a little background on it. Thu, 13 Nov 2008 16:00:00 -0000http://blounttoday.com/news/2008/nov/13/kitchen/?partner=RSScolumnists146972008-11-13T11:00:002008-11-13T11:00:00Copyright blounttoday.com, 2008We were deciding how to celebrate co-worker Christi Elfstrom’s birthday last week when Brenda Pilson came up with a hearty idea that got us all to thinking about the benefits of cold weather. Brenda volunteered to make some of her homemade vegetable soup. We were thrilled, as we had had it before. We all enjoyed it so much that I asked Brenda for the recipe and a little background on it.<!-- no dateline and no defined city -->Robin McDanielIn The Kitchenblounttoday.comkitchenhttp://blounttoday.com/news/2008/nov/13/dear-readers-november-13-2008/?partner=RSSI remember my first trip to West Town Mall. Moving to Knoxville from a small town in West Tennessee, it was a treat to be able to go to a mall without having to plan a whole day around it. Need something at a department store? Just jump in the car and head West from the University of Tennessee. Fifteen minutes later -- the mall. Where I grew up, the nearest mall was in the neighboring town of Jackson -- 30 miles away -- and involved (gasp!) driving on the Interstate. gardner@blounttoday.com (Sherri Gardner Howell)Thu, 13 Nov 2008 15:58:00 -0000http://blounttoday.com/news/2008/nov/13/dear-readers-november-13-2008/?partner=RSScolumnists146962008-11-13T10:58:002008-11-13T10:58:00Copyright blounttoday.com, 2008I remember my first trip to West Town Mall. Moving to Knoxville from a small town in West Tennessee, it was a treat to be able to go to a mall without having to plan a whole day around it. Need something at a department store? Just jump in the car and head West from the University of Tennessee. Fifteen minutes later -- the mall. Where I grew up, the nearest mall was in the neighboring town of Jackson -- 30 miles away -- and involved (gasp!) driving on the Interstate.<!-- no dateline and no defined city -->Sherri Gardner HowellDear Readers November 13, 2008blounttoday.comdear-readers-november-13-2008http://blounttoday.com/news/2008/nov/06/kitchen/?partner=RSSI’ve been waiting for cooler weather because I wanted to feature Jeane Waters Hot Tamales recipe. Now that it’s cooler, these delicious treats are perfect for a casual, in-the-kitchen meal -- hearty and with a great flavor. The tamale recipe that Jeane favors is one she has used for more than 25 years. Once she gets started, she makes a large batch, and they are great to freeze for later. She and her husband, Buddy, spoon chili over top and add chips on the side. Thu, 06 Nov 2008 17:12:00 -0000http://blounttoday.com/news/2008/nov/06/kitchen/?partner=RSScolumnists146792008-11-06T12:12:002008-11-06T12:12:00Copyright blounttoday.com, 2008I’ve been waiting for cooler weather because I wanted to feature Jeane Waters Hot Tamales recipe. Now that it’s cooler, these delicious treats are perfect for a casual, in-the-kitchen meal -- hearty and with a great flavor. The tamale recipe that Jeane favors is one she has used for more than 25 years. Once she gets started, she makes a large batch, and they are great to freeze for later. She and her husband, Buddy, spoon chili over top and add chips on the side.<!-- no dateline and no defined city -->Robin McDanielIn The Kitchenblounttoday.comkitchenhttp://blounttoday.com/news/2008/nov/06/hospital-home-services-benefit-patients-and-famili/?partner=RSSThis month is National Home Care and Hospice Month, and while home care and hospice are two separate programs, the two often find themselves working toward the same goal: to provide the right care at the right time. What makes them different, and what exactly can patients expect? First, for home care, Dorothy said it all in The Wizard of Oz, “There's no place like home.” That's especially true for those recovering from an illness or surgery, as the therapeutic impact of being in familiar surroundings with loved ones close by can have a dramatic effect on recovery. Thu, 06 Nov 2008 16:07:00 -0000http://blounttoday.com/news/2008/nov/06/hospital-home-services-benefit-patients-and-famili/?partner=RSScolumnists146672008-11-06T11:07:002008-11-06T11:07:00Copyright blounttoday.com, 2008This month is National Home Care and Hospice Month, and while home care and hospice are two separate programs, the two often find themselves working toward the same goal: to provide the right care at the right time. What makes them different, and what exactly can patients expect? First, for home care, Dorothy said it all in The Wizard of Oz, “There's no place like home.” That's especially true for those recovering from an illness or surgery, as the therapeutic impact of being in familiar surroundings with loved ones close by can have a dramatic effect on recovery.<!-- no dateline and no defined city -->From hospital to home: Services benefit patients and familiesblounttoday.comhospital-home-services-benefit-patients-and-familihttp://blounttoday.com/news/2008/nov/06/money-matters-november-6-2008/?partner=RSSTwo months and counting and we can finally say good-bye to 2008. During 2008, we have seen more 100+ point moves in the markets, both up and down days. There were also a large number of days where the intraday move exceeded 100 points. The final two months may continue this type of volatility. While this may be frustrating or worrisome, it is also the time of year where most mutual funds declare and pay their dividends and capital gains for the year. For retirement accounts, this is not particularly an issue. However, for taxable accounts, this may add hundreds if not thousands to your income tax bill for the year. Thu, 06 Nov 2008 16:06:00 -0000http://blounttoday.com/news/2008/nov/06/money-matters-november-6-2008/?partner=RSScolumnists146662008-11-06T11:06:002008-11-06T11:06:00Copyright blounttoday.com, 2008Two months and counting and we can finally say good-bye to 2008. During 2008, we have seen more 100+ point moves in the markets, both up and down days. There were also a large number of days where the intraday move exceeded 100 points. The final two months may continue this type of volatility. While this may be frustrating or worrisome, it is also the time of year where most mutual funds declare and pay their dividends and capital gains for the year. For retirement accounts, this is not particularly an issue. However, for taxable accounts, this may add hundreds if not thousands to your income tax bill for the year.<!-- no dateline and no defined city -->Doug HornMoney Matters November 6, 2008blounttoday.commoney-matters-november-6-2008http://blounttoday.com/news/2008/nov/06/dear-readers-november-6-2008/?partner=RSSThis is an historic day in America. Whether you consider yourself red, blue, left, right, liberal, conservative or somewhere in between, I think we can all agree that this presidential election is historic, not only for America, but for the entire world. Barack Obama is the 44th president of the United States of America. Thu, 06 Nov 2008 15:37:00 -0000http://blounttoday.com/news/2008/nov/06/dear-readers-november-6-2008/?partner=RSScolumnists146552008-11-06T10:37:002008-11-06T10:37:00Copyright blounttoday.com, 2008This is an historic day in America. Whether you consider yourself red, blue, left, right, liberal, conservative or somewhere in between, I think we can all agree that this presidential election is historic, not only for America, but for the entire world. Barack Obama is the 44th president of the United States of America.<!-- no dateline and no defined city -->Dear Readers November 6, 2008blounttoday.comdear-readers-november-6-2008http://blounttoday.com/news/2008/oct/30/dear-readers/?partner=RSSIt’s an interesting word that means something different to different people. Deadhead. To my son, it’s a Jerry Garcia fan. To his mom, it’s a free ad. I’m not real sure where the jargon came from as it relates to newspapers. There were plenty more Garcia references in a Google search than newspaper meanings. I suspect it’s an old theater term -- as deadheading used to mean getting in for free. gardner@blounttoday.com (Sherri Gardner Howell)Thu, 30 Oct 2008 15:27:00 -0000http://blounttoday.com/news/2008/oct/30/dear-readers/?partner=RSScolumnists146152008-10-30T11:27:002008-10-30T11:27:00Copyright blounttoday.com, 2008It’s an interesting word that means something different to different people. Deadhead. To my son, it’s a Jerry Garcia fan. To his mom, it’s a free ad. I’m not real sure where the jargon came from as it relates to newspapers. There were plenty more Garcia references in a Google search than newspaper meanings. I suspect it’s an old theater term -- as deadheading used to mean getting in for free.<!-- no dateline and no defined city -->Sherri Gardner HowellDear Readers,blounttoday.comdear-readershttp://blounttoday.com/news/2008/oct/29/kitchen-thai-night-family-hit/?partner=RSSMy family takes a trip in October every year to Florida, and it is always a true family outing. There were 27 of us this year with my father, his kids, their kids and their kids. It is truly a fun family time. Wed, 29 Oct 2008 18:00:00 -0000http://blounttoday.com/news/2008/oct/29/kitchen-thai-night-family-hit/?partner=RSScommunity/news146082008-10-29T14:00:002008-10-29T14:00:00Copyright blounttoday.com, 2008My family takes a trip in October every year to Florida, and it is always a true family outing. There were 27 of us this year with my father, his kids, their kids and their kids. It is truly a fun family time. <!-- no dateline and no defined city -->Robin McDanielIn the Kitchen: Thai Night is family hitblounttoday.comkitchen-thai-night-family-hithttp://blounttoday.com/news/2008/oct/29/money-matters-investment-performance-after-recessi/?partner=RSSLast week I discussed that once the market had hit bottom, it was okay to start investing again. As you all know, the bottom is something that is confirmed by the rearview mirror, rather than something that can be known at the time. And to paraphrase Warren Buffett - when others are fearful, it is time to be greedy. This is true, provided you have at least some confidence the American people and leaders can recover from even the toughest recession. Wed, 29 Oct 2008 17:46:00 -0000http://blounttoday.com/news/2008/oct/29/money-matters-investment-performance-after-recessi/?partner=RSSbusiness/news146062008-10-29T13:46:002008-10-29T13:46:00Copyright blounttoday.com, 2008Last week I discussed that once the market had hit bottom, it was okay to start investing again. As you all know, the bottom is something that is confirmed by the rearview mirror, rather than something that can be known at the time. And to paraphrase Warren Buffett - when others are fearful, it is time to be greedy. This is true, provided you have at least some confidence the American people and leaders can recover from even the toughest recession.<!-- no dateline and no defined city -->Doug HornMoney Matters: Investment performance after a recessionblounttoday.commoney-matters-investment-performance-after-recessihttp://blounttoday.com/news/2008/oct/22/dear-readers/?partner=RSSYou would think after 25-plus years in the newspaper business I would have learned not to make promises about “next week” or “next issue.” Last week I told you I wanted to use this space to tell you about what we call “deadheads,” or sponsored ad space in Blount Today. I still want to do that, but it won’t be this week. Why? Well, it’s partly a selfish reason and partly a logistic reason. gardner@blounttoday.com (Sherri Gardner Howell)Wed, 22 Oct 2008 22:17:00 -0000http://blounttoday.com/news/2008/oct/22/dear-readers/?partner=RSScolumnists145722008-10-22T18:17:002008-10-22T18:17:00Copyright blounttoday.com, 2008You would think after 25-plus years in the newspaper business I would have learned not to make promises about “next week” or “next issue.” Last week I told you I wanted to use this space to tell you about what we call “deadheads,” or sponsored ad space in Blount Today. I still want to do that, but it won’t be this week. Why? Well, it’s partly a selfish reason and partly a logistic reason.<!-- no dateline and no defined city -->Sherri Gardner HowellDear Readers for October 23, 2008blounttoday.comdear-readershttp://blounttoday.com/news/2008/oct/22/kitchen-fruit-neighbors-tree-yields-blushing-pears/?partner=RSSA walk around the block was a “fruitful” jaunt recently when I noticed that neighbors Barney and Carol Lewis had an abundance of pears on their trees this year. Carol said her father, Bill Anthony, planted the pear and apple trees about 20 years ago and that this year’s crop was the most they had ever seen. Her dad, who recently passed away, would have been so proud of the trees, Carol said. Wed, 22 Oct 2008 22:03:00 -0000http://blounttoday.com/news/2008/oct/22/kitchen-fruit-neighbors-tree-yields-blushing-pears/?partner=RSScommunity/news145672008-10-22T18:03:002008-10-22T18:03:00Copyright blounttoday.com, 2008A walk around the block was a “fruitful” jaunt recently when I noticed that neighbors Barney and Carol Lewis had an abundance of pears on their trees this year. Carol said her father, Bill Anthony, planted the pear and apple trees about 20 years ago and that this year’s crop was the most they had ever seen. Her dad, who recently passed away, would have been so proud of the trees, Carol said.<!-- no dateline and no defined city -->Robin McDanielIn The Kitchenblounttoday.comkitchen-fruit-neighbors-tree-yields-blushing-pearshttp://blounttoday.com/news/2008/oct/22/money-matters-its-okay-invest-once-markets-hit-bot/?partner=RSSIf you have sold out of the market during this extreme downturn, that most likely means you have taken a loss. It may also mean you are no longer in the market to participate in the recovery, once the markets have reached the bottom. And, if you are still in the market, you have seen a decline in the value of your portfolio. As I have stated before, this financial crisis has left few safe areas to turn. Wed, 22 Oct 2008 22:00:00 -0000http://blounttoday.com/news/2008/oct/22/money-matters-its-okay-invest-once-markets-hit-bot/?partner=RSSbusiness/news145642008-10-22T18:00:002008-10-22T18:00:00Copyright blounttoday.com, 2008If you have sold out of the market during this extreme downturn, that most likely means you have taken a loss. It may also mean you are no longer in the market to participate in the recovery, once the markets have reached the bottom. And, if you are still in the market, you have seen a decline in the value of your portfolio. As I have stated before, this financial crisis has left few safe areas to turn.<!-- no dateline and no defined city -->Doug HornMoney Mattersblounttoday.commoney-matters-its-okay-invest-once-markets-hit-bothttp://blounttoday.com/news/2008/oct/22/health-column-open-diabetes-impacts-oral-health/?partner=RSSIt’s known that diabetics are at a higher risk for infections. But, when diabetics think of the long-term complications associated with diabetes, dental health is an area that usually goes unnoticed - even though they’re susceptible to multiple problems affecting the mouth and gums. Wed, 22 Oct 2008 21:57:00 -0000http://blounttoday.com/news/2008/oct/22/health-column-open-diabetes-impacts-oral-health/?partner=RSScommunity/news145622008-10-22T17:57:002008-10-22T17:57:00Copyright blounttoday.com, 2008It’s known that diabetics are at a higher risk for infections. But, when diabetics think of the long-term complications associated with diabetes, dental health is an area that usually goes unnoticed - even though they’re susceptible to multiple problems affecting the mouth and gums.<!-- no dateline and no defined city -->Health Column: Open up: Diabetes impacts oral healthblounttoday.comhealth-column-open-diabetes-impacts-oral-healthhttp://blounttoday.com/news/2008/oct/15/dear-readers-october-16-2008/?partner=RSSI always have so many things I want to tell you about our newspaper that I never know where to start. This team here at Blount Today lives and breathes this newspaper day-after-day. Maybe we are so close to it that we think it is more interesting than you do. I have found, however, that many folks are fascinated by newspapers, how they work, why they work and how decisions are made. After many years -- maybe too many years! -- of living the life of a journalist, we take so many things for granted. gardner@blounttoday.com (Sherri Gardner Howell)Wed, 15 Oct 2008 19:29:00 -0000http://blounttoday.com/news/2008/oct/15/dear-readers-october-16-2008/?partner=RSScolumnists145472008-10-15T15:29:002008-10-15T15:29:00Copyright blounttoday.com, 2008I always have so many things I want to tell you about our newspaper that I never know where to start. This team here at Blount Today lives and breathes this newspaper day-after-day. Maybe we are so close to it that we think it is more interesting than you do. I have found, however, that many folks are fascinated by newspapers, how they work, why they work and how decisions are made. After many years -- maybe too many years! -- of living the life of a journalist, we take so many things for granted.<!-- no dateline and no defined city -->Sherri Gardner HowellDear Readers for October 16, 2008blounttoday.comdear-readers-october-16-2008http://blounttoday.com/news/2008/oct/15/kitchen/?partner=RSSWinter squash is coming in and are decorating many fall tables and yards. Don’t throw the colorful squash away after the party, however, because they can be an even bigger hit on the dining room table. Because the winter squash have harder skins that the summer variety, they will keep much longer. The skin isn’t edible, however, like our summer varieties of yellow, crookneck or zucchini. Winter squash include butternut, acorn, carnival, spaghetti, pumpkin and the green-striped cushaw, just to name a few. Wed, 15 Oct 2008 19:16:00 -0000http://blounttoday.com/news/2008/oct/15/kitchen/?partner=RSScolumnists145422008-10-15T15:16:002008-10-15T15:16:00Copyright blounttoday.com, 2008Winter squash is coming in and are decorating many fall tables and yards. Don’t throw the colorful squash away after the party, however, because they can be an even bigger hit on the dining room table. Because the winter squash have harder skins that the summer variety, they will keep much longer. The skin isn’t edible, however, like our summer varieties of yellow, crookneck or zucchini. Winter squash include butternut, acorn, carnival, spaghetti, pumpkin and the green-striped cushaw, just to name a few.<!-- no dateline and no defined city -->Robin McDanielIn The Kitchenblounttoday.comkitchen