MOST RECENT

Santa Visits: 2009 v. 1958

Wed, 16 Dec 2009 22:04:19 -0500

By Suzette Martinez Standring Seeing Santa isn’t what it used to be. For one thing, plastic pumpkin bowls are still filled with Halloween candy even as kids line up to talk to Mr. Claus. I whine about how Christmas comes earlier every year, but I took my two granddaughters on a pre-pre-pre-Thanksgiving visit to Santa in order to beat the crowds. When trying to juggle meals, naps, enough diape

A-Rod, Men and Mythical Beasts

Tue, 1 Dec 2009 11:03:46 -0500

By Suzette Martinez Standring Alex Rodriguez of the New York Yankees is a mythical beast. At least he thinks so. The champion third baseman has a painting of himself as a centaur hanging in his bedroom, according to a tattletale ex-fling. Thanks to Twitter-mania, a curiosity among kids has been sparked in Greek mythology. (The American education system will move forward one way or another.) Hi

American Generosity Extends to Strangers

Tue, 1 Dec 2009 11:00:25 -0500

By Suzette Martinez Standring There are moments when you can feel alien and alone and then out of nowhere somebody comes along and gives you the chance to belong. Feeling like the outsider is most acute at Thanksgiving. In 1975 my husband David newly hailed from England, reserved and unaccustomed to American ways, like the fast-paced ordering at Elsie’s Deli in Harvard Square, now lo

Grief Changes Our Identity

Sat, 17 Oct 2009 12:15:44 -0400

GateHouse News Service, 10/17/2009 Autumn leaves stir thoughts of life’s finite cycle and memories of loved ones now gone. Collectively, it is the season to ponder grief and mourning. Reminders of death are everywhere. Images of ghosts flutter at Halloween. Orange marigolds are placed at family graves to celebrate the Mexican Day of the Dead. Heads bow in remembrance of loved ones durin

Religion: Winning Wallets of Christian Consumers

Tue, 7 Jul 2009 23:09:01 -0400

Christian buying power can change business for the better. Integrity, excellent products and wholesome advertising beget loyalty from a demographic that spends $1.5 trillion annually. For shortsighted companies that dismiss the Christian market, there will be much wailing and gnashing of teeth.  Nationally, 231 million Americans (77 percent) describe themselves as Christians, of which 140