Trans-Siberian Orchestra burns off winter blues, rings in Christmas Solstice in Michigan

Are you feeling Grinchy in winter snow, ice and cold, West Michigan? Got a case of the Krampus this Christmas? Then get thee to Grand Rapids, Michigan Van Andel Arena to see Trans-Siberian Orchestra perform its rock opera "The Ghosts of Christmas Eve." Think you can't afford TSO? Think again because tickets start at an affordable un-Scrooged $64. Let TSO burn away those winter blues and ring in the Winter Solstice! Trans-Siberian Orchestra burns off winter blues, rings in Christmas Solstice in Michigan

'My 600-lb Life' Teretha Hollis-Neely weight loss shows prayer, Detroit sass beat obesity

An 800-lb Detroit social worker, Teretha Hollis-Neely, was daily attempting suicide and her weapon of choice was food. Ironically, the obese woman was also an anti-obesity advocate. But bedridden Hollis-Neely is walking for the first time in two years, thanks to bariatric surgeon Dr. Younan Nowzaradan of "My 600-lb Life," divine intervention, and a little Detroit spunk. Teretha's 340-lb weight loss after gastric bypass proves that prayer and moxie can beat a serious food addiction.    'My 600-lb Life' Teretha Hollis-Neely weight loss shows prayer, Detroit sass beat obesity

Free printable May Day lessons: Unions, organized labor movement from Detroit labor history and around the world

Spring is a poignant time in labor history. March 25, 1911 remembers 146 workers, mostly women, lost in the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire. April 16 mourns Ireland's Easter Rising of slain Feinians. April 28 marks Workers' Memorial Day, on which the organized labor movement pays tribute to the fallen in workplace accidents or in organized labor struggles. May 1 is May Day, honoring International Workers' Day. May 4 commemorates casualties at Chicago's Haymarket riot at a 1886 labor rally. May 19, 1920 is a day when the organized labor movement grieves the Matewan and Mingo County massacre of coal miners. On May 26, 1937 those who would from unions were assaulted at Ford's River Rouge plant "Battle of the Overpass" in Detroit.  Free printable May Day lessons: Unions, organized labor movement, labor history 

Lenten almsgiving service project with social studies, math lessons | Examiner.com

I homeschooled our children, our Catholic Lenten lesson plans centered on prayer, fasting and almsgiving, in solidarity with the poor and imitation of our Lord Jesus. A favorite Lenten service project was to help with church missions for our twin parish in Haiti. Here's a Lenten almsgiving service project. Make personal care kits and school supplies kits for those in need.   Lenten almsgiving service project with social studies, math lessons | Examiner.com

Winter safety: Prevent frozen pipes, furnace trouble, power outages, house fires

Big news in the US is snow and record low temperature. If there's one thing West Michigan knows, it's cold, snow and ice. And the northern upper peninsular and west Michigan area gets a special kind of precipitation called "lake effect" snow. Lake effect translates to "monster truck loads full, heaped everywhere, buried under" snow. It's so iconic that there's a beer named after it! So all that snow is pretty and good for skiers, but it also causes a plethora of winter safety hazards. Here are winter safety tips to prevent house fires, power outages, frozen pipes, furnace trouble.   Winter safety: Prevent frozen pipes, furnace trouble, power outages, house fires | Examiner.com

Winter ice cream desserts, alcoholic desserts, frozen dessert recipes, yes, seriously in winter!

 Did you gorge on goodies this Christmas? Are you now seriously considering diet your New Year's resolution? Very commendable, but wait a moment on the weight loss regime. There's still two food blow-oust in the holiday season lineup: New Year's Eve and New Year's Day. Both features feeding frenzies galore! New Year's Eve features cocktail appetizers and yummy hors d'oeuvres and New Year's Day is all about indoor football "tailgate" parties and game day buffets. So feast on Dec. 31 and Jan. 1 and diet on Jan. 2. Because here are frozen dessert recipes--suitable for New Year's Eve or New Year's Day spread--you won't want to miss! These ice cream desserts are delicious year-round, especially in a hot summer. But despite the cold weather, festive ice cream desserts, are welcome at winter holiday parties too. New Year's Eve ice cream desserts, alcoholic desserts, frozen dessert recipes | Examiner.com