With this month dedicated to women’s heart health, Maureen Hillary believes it’s important to have the awareness out there. “Women especially need to know they’re susceptible to heart disease, the greatest killer of women,” Hillary said. “Women keep taking care of everybody but themselves, but they (should) not forget their own needs.” Hillary is the chief nursing officer at Hayes Green Beach Memorial Hospital in Charlotte. She also serves as the committee chairperson for Read more [...]

Why is it that the majority of dates are conducted in a restaurant? Is it because when you are in love your senses are heightened? I suppose it makes sense, after all having your senses stimulated is one of the great pleasures in life, so perhaps that’s why love and food go hand in hand. Choosing the right location is obviously a big factor in setting the mood. There is fancy, elegant, relaxed, innovative, chic, rustic etc. The list could go on and on. When choosing an evening for romance Read more [...]

My heart is broken. For the first time in my life someone really close to me has passed way. On Jan. 11, 2012 my grandfather, Jim Fitzgerald, left this world — with any luck — for a better one. He was 85 years old and lived one of the richest lives imaginable. The second oldest of five siblings, he grew up in Port Huron, was recruited into the Army and did a stint in World War II, where his ability to type likely saved his life. He returned home and attended Michigan State University Read more [...]

Okay guys, one of the top five special days for your sweetheart is right around the corner. I’m not talking about the Super Bowl or President’s Day or even Fat Tuesday. I rank this day as the third most important day you can never forget, right behind your wife’s birthday and your wedding anniversary. Yep, it’s Valentine’s Day. They make it easy for us; it’s the same day year after year, Feb. 14; no moving target. I have to be honest with you though, when Feb. 14 rolls around and you’re Read more [...]

I don't understand all the criticism toward Stephen Daldry's Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close. Yes, it takes place directly after 9/11, what young Oskar calls "the worst day," but the movie is about much more than that specific tragedy in our history. It's about how people cope with tragedy in general, how to deal with loss and grief — and yes, in this example, how to view a city after such devastation. In that, Daldry succeeds in crafting an original portrait of New York City. The style is Read more [...]

Lauren Evans Moves to Evening News WILX-TV recently made changes to their anchor line-up. Beginning Jan. 16 David Andrews took over anchor responsibilities for WILX's top-ranked New 10 Today morning newscast. Lauren Evans, who previously held that position, is now on the evening news, teaming up with Jason Colthorp, Andy Provenzano and Tim Staudt to anchor News 10 at 5, 6 and 11 p.m. Evans, who grew up in Birmingham, Mich. came to WILX in 2008. Michigan State University Federal Credit Read more [...]

If you’re anything like me, you overspent (again) during the holiday season and vowed to get your finances back on track as one of your 2012 resolutions. Resolving to save more money is one of the most common resolutions. Now that January’s passed, and some of us are already losing motivation to stick with our savings resolutions. Here are a few easy steps to get you back on track with a savings plan. #1 Determine a clear savings goal. Simply setting a goal to save up more money is a great Read more [...]

Many women dream of their wedding day years before it happens. The dress, the flowers, the location and, perhaps most importantly, their loved one waiting at the altar. In all the wedding fantasies a woman could ever dream, no one ever imagines having to plan a wedding in three weeks because they’ve been diagnosed with terminal lung cancer and their fiancée is scheduled to go on tour with the United State Marine Corps. Then again, Kristin O’Lear isn’t most women. To meet O’Lear today Read more [...]

Special occasion shopping can be stressful. Our advice? You when receive a save-the-date for a wedding start dress hunting then and there. We realize that can’t always happen and so we’re here to help. If you’ll be attending a wedding this spring we have a few suggestions of what you might want to wear, even if you’ll be attending in an official capacity — we’re talking to you bridesmaids and mothers of the bride. Mother of the Bride We’ve heard from a few Mothers of the Brides Read more [...]

You're getting married! Congratulations! Now what? It’s been a long time since I had anything to do with planning a wedding, so if you are looking for checklists of everything you need to do, you aren’t going to find that here. However, I was chatting with Tiffany Swartz from Dimondale and she explained that social media was a very important factor as she planned her upcoming St. Patrick’s Day wedding to Michael Bryan. Now, I will admit that when I asked how women were using technology Read more [...]

From the kitchen of Leonie Hintze. Ingredients 1 cup salted butter, melted 1 cup all purpose flour 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese (for best results, buy a chunk and grate cheese yourself) (important is the equal distribution in 1/3 of each ingredient, you choose how much) 1 egg yolk spices of your choice (basil, caraway seeds, sesame seeds, curry, lemon pepper, poppy seeds, etc.) Directions In a medium bowl mix melted butter, flour, and cheese. Form the dough into a ball, and Read more [...]

Speak to almost any successful business woman and she’ll tell you that her success was thanks to a number of opportunities. Of course the presence of opportunities does not ensure success; it’s what one does with those opportunities that matters. When Tiffany Dowling, CAWLM publisher and president of Motion Marketing & Media, was presented with the opportunity to produce one of mid-Michigan’s only professional women’s conferences with Shelley Davis Mielock, owner of Mieshel Image Consulting, Read more [...]