UIndy’s Stam crowned Miss America

By Submission For The Southside Times

At the University of Indianapolis, senior communication major Katie Stam is known for her scholarship, leadership and volunteer work. First as news director and later as operations manager for startup campus cable station UIndy TV, she led her team to an underdog win as the Indiana Association of School Broadcasters’ 2008 TV School of the Year. The aspiring journalist — who carries a 3.6 GPA and has interned at local stations WISH and WTHR — claimed first place in the TV News Anchor and TV News Package categories. Previously, she took second place for TV Hard News Reporting in the national Broadcast Education Association’s annual competition. After weeks of preparation and success on the TLC miniseries Miss America: Countdown to the Crown, Stam was crowned Miss America. “Honestly, we wouldn’t be at all surprised if she won,” her academic adviser, communication instructor and broadcasting veteran Scott Uecker had said. “Occasionally we see a student who makes us say, ‘I’m going to be working for her someday.’ She is definitely one of those students.” [ad#single-post]Stepping in for her as Miss Indiana will be another face from the UIndy community, December grad Megan Meadors. Meadors was on the short list to replace Stam by virtue of a Top 10 finish in last year’s Miss Indiana pageant. She accepted the title Monday and will begin making public appearances next week to complete the duties of Miss Indiana 2008. “My whole theory about community service is making it easy for people,” said Stam, daughter of Keith and Tracy Stam of Seymour. “A lot of people don’t get involved because they think it’s too hard.”

Fishers join inaugural festivities

By Tia Nielsen

After an unforgettable year, the Beech Grove couple celebrate with the new president

Mike and Cheryl Fisher had a New Year’s Eve phone call that popped the cork on a stunning new year. They were invited to the Inauguration of the 44th president of the United States. And would they please join the presidential train ride from Philadelphia into Washington, D.C. on Saturday, Jan. 17? And would they also attend the Neighborhood Inaugural Ball? President-elect Barack Obama would like them to share the stage with him. The Beech Grove couple didn’t have to think a long time about their answer: it was yes. “We were really excited,” said Mike Fisher. “I didn’t get nervous until the day before we left. All of a sudden, I realized I’m not packed!” [ad#single-post]Arriving at the airport, they saw their flight had been canceled, said Mike Fisher. “That put a damper on things.” However, with the help of the service agent at the counter, a few hours later the Fishers flew stand-by to Philadelphia. Having been alerted by Obama’s staff to the possibility they might receive this extraordinary invitation, the Fishers were nonetheless thrilled when it became reality. So the question is how did everyday people end up on the President-elect’s radar? Neither of the Fishers had been Democratic operatives. During the presidential primary season, Beech Grove Democratic Committee leaders Frank Mascari and Bud Templin ambitiously contacted both the Clinton and Obama campaigns, asking them to stop in Beech Grove, a city founded by the railroad industry in 1906. Obama’s campaign responded, asking the committee to find a Beech Grove person who worked for Amtrak or Chevy and was concerned about retaining his job. Mascari and Templin had known Amtrak employee Mike Fisher for years. That’s the name they passed to the Obama camp. The Fishers embody the bulk of industrious Americans who are striving to survive in a tough economy. Mike works as a machinist for Amtrak and also works security for Conseco Fieldhouse, home of the Indiana Pacers. Cheryl has been an X-ray technician for 28 of her 34 years at St. Francis Hospital. To the Fishers’ surprise, Barack Obama asked to come to their home in April 2008 for lunch. That gathering, sans the media inside the house during the meal, went very well. Mike said he was tense until they met the Obamas in their driveway. The Obamas took time to meet with any of their neighbors who came down to the circle on their street. By the time the Obamas entered the house, Fisher was relaxed. The chatty conversations were as natural as those with longtime friends. Michelle helped serve the Subway sandwiches. Barack leaned against the kitchen counter listening to Fisher’s son Nick. Michelle reveled playing with Fisher’s five-month-old grandson Mikey. The next day, the Obama campaign phoned to ask Mike Fisher if he would introduce the presidential candidate at a rally to be held at Lawrence North High school on Saturday, May 3. Mike and Cheryl agreed again. When the Fishers arrived, Michelle’s first words to Cheryl were “Where’s Mikey?” When she heard that children had been asked not to come, Michelle gave Barack one of those looks. He held up his hands and said it hadn’t been his call. The success of that introduction at the rally led to Mike Fisher speaking during the opening night of the Democratic Convention in Denver on Aug. 25. The night Obama accepted the nomination at Invesco Stadium, the Fishers had front row seats. In September, Mike and Cheryl were asked to join Obama for a rally in Terre Haute, although this time, they need not offer an introduction. In October, Fisher was invited to fly to Tennesee for the presidential debate. Mike agreed as long as he could get back in time for the Obama rally at the Indiana State Fairgrounds. Obama’s staff worked that out by having Mike fly back to Indianapolis on their plane. Cheryl had not been able to go because of waiting for the birth of their next grandchild. Obama politely insisted that Mike sit with him and his staff at the front of the plane during the flight. Mike also ended up next to Obama during the motorcade from the airport to the state fairgrounds. Mike remembers a surprise phone conversation. “It was during the motorcade. [Obama] was making a few personal phone calls, and I was talking to Cheryl on the phone. I didn’t tell her where I was. So when [Obama] got done with his phone call, he said ‘Give me that phone. Hi, Cheryl. Sorry you couldn’t make it (to the debate in Tennesee).’” Cheryl had no trouble recognizing Obama’s voice. They briefly chatted about waiting for the Fishers’ pending birth. (Daughter Heather and her husband were expecting their first in October.) Cheryl was at work, so the conversation ended with Obama saying, “Well, we’ll talk to you later.” Later came in January, at the train station in Philadelphia. The Fishers were two of a group of 41 citizens whose lives are emblematic of the concerns of Americans. Barack Obama and his staff had gotten acquainted with most of them in 2008. However, it appears the Fishers have had the most consistent contact. The group of 41 was ushered in and out of crowds for each speech Obama gave at the train stations in Philly, Wilmington, Del. — where Vice President-elect Joe Biden and his wife Jill joined them — and Baltimore, Md. The Fishers were mentioned in Obama’s speech in Wilmington. Mike said it was hard to hear, so he found out what was said later in news reports online. After the Bidens joined the group, everyone gathered in the dining car to celebrate Michelle Obama’s birthday. Michelle cut the chocolate cake and Jill Biden helped pass it out. The next few days were spent in Washington attending the concert on the mall, freezing through the historic inauguration, and going to the Neighborhood Inaugural Ball. Between the bitter cold and that moment in history, the Fishers will never forget the inauguration of the 44th United States president. Beech Grove was there. Cheryl Fisher’s dress was designed and sewn for her by eastside Indianapolis designer Nikki Blaine. Blaine volunteered her design and services for the opportunity. For more photos please view them on page 9 of the Southside Times Interactive by clicking here.

Greenwood Parks Board looks past water park to Tracy Trail

By Mike Alexander

Forget the $6.5-million aquatic center in Freedom Park on Greenwood’s southwest side. After eight years of discussing and planning the park that included a lazy river, water slides, zero-depth entry, spray grounds as well as a swimming pool, the Greenwood Park Board was thwarted in its plan to issue a $11.5-million bond issue to finance the overall 72-acre park. Remonstrators last month defeated the move by about 100 votes, as a total of about 5,700 Greenwood adult residents and/or voters signed petitions for or against the issue of such bonds. That means the park board will have to wait a year before mounting another attempt to finance the 72-acre park, once part of the Bright family farm at Stop 18 and Averitt Road. Providing the economy improves by then. [ad#single-post]Park board president Mike Sawa and city parks executive director Evan Springer earlier this week expressed deep disappointment that the community didn’t support the cost of the park, blaming the ill-fated timing of the state and local downturn in the economy and the anti-tax increase mood of property taxpayers. “I didn’t see a strong, organized effort to defeat our plan,” said Sawa, noting that plans were presented in detail at several public meetings. “It caught me by surprise. I thought it would pass. Seventy-five percent of the residents I approached were for it,” said Sawa. He said the plan was “well researched, well planned, fiscally responsible and crucial to the continued effort to provide opportunities to enhance the quality of life in Greenwood.” Besides Sawa, other park board members are Tom Bridges, Karen Goodrich Bair and Dick Dietrich. Sawa said the swimming pool would have replaced the leaky 51-year-old pool in the center of the city. Park officials now will have to spend thousands of dollars to patch up the old pool to keep it operational this summer, but they warn that may only be for a year or two, because the liner is cracking, the filtering system is obsolete and the bath house is crumbling. Springer said the park board will focus attention this spring on its trails system, the top one being Tracy Trail, which will extend 2.5 miles northward from Summerfield Park to the entrance of Woodmen Park. The trail will connect Greenwood High School, Greenwood Middle School and Southwest Elementary School. The trail includes pedestrian bridges over U.S. 31 and Smith Valley Road. The bridges will be paid for by a $1 million federal grant awarded to the parks department, which also received a $500,000 state grant to build the trail. “The majority of Tracy Trail will be built this summer, including asphalt surfacing and landscaping,” said Springer.

Obituaries for the week of 1.29.09

By Submission For The Southside Times

Leonard A. Eck, 89, died Jan. 20. He was preceded in death by his wife, Grace Eck. He is survived by sons Leonard (Tobie), Ron (Linda) and Raymond (Nancy) and daughter Mary Louise (Arthur) Lady. Daughter Beverly Hoff preceded her parents in death. Also surviving are 19 grandchildren, 32 great-grandchildren, eight great-great-grandchildren and sister Catherine Wagner. A Mass of Christian Burial was held on Jan. 23 at Holy Name Catholic Church. He was buried at Entombment Calvary Cemetery. Brandi Renae Hammel, 26, died Jan. 19. She was born Dec. 25, 1983. She is survived by her son, Kendon L. Wood, Jr. (age 2) and her fiancee, Kendon L. Wood; her father, James Hammel; her mother, Sandra L. Corlette; a brother, Nicholas Hammel (Cierra); sister Caila Corlette; grandparents, Marian Hammel and Lily Ford. Services were held Jan. 24 at Daniel F. O’Riley Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, donations to help with funeral expenses may be made out to Bernadette Clifford c/o O’Riley Funeral Home. Evelyn Irene (Sinders) Moats, 84, died Jan. 14. She was born June 17, 1924, and grew up in Greene County. She married John Samuel Moats, preceded her in death, in 1948. She was a homemaker, but in her later years, worked for the Indiana Employment Security Division. She is survived by children Cynthia (Steve) Byrkett, Rochelle (Ron) Covert and Kenneth (Mary), 16 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren. Services were held Jan. 19 at G.H. Herrmann Madison Avenue Funeral Home, and Moats was buried in Crown Hill Cemetery. Online condolences may be shared with the family at www.ghherrmann.com. Mildred S. Monroe, 95, died Jan. 24. She was born Jan. 21, 1914. She was preceded in death by her husband, Charlie D. Monroe, Sr., son, Charlie D. Monroe, Jr., daughter, Rosemarie J. Palmer and her husband, Ronnie, and great grandson, Luke. She is survived by her children, Bill L. Monroe, Rosalee J. (Ed) Forey, Ingrid S. (Bob) Thayer, and Angela F. (Herman) Cholewinski, and a sister, June Sherman, 12 grandchildren, 22 great grandchildren, and 10 great-great grandchildren. Services for family and friends will be held at Little & Sons Beech Grove Chapel on Friday at 12 p.m. with visitation there from 10 a.m. until the time of the service.

At Play Calendar for the week of 1.29.09

By Submission For The Southside Times

Luke Austin Daugherty • As a singer/songwriter and Pulitzer nominated poet, Daugherty has released seven indie label CDs and three poetry books and is ready to bring his show to the road for an unforgettable experience. | When: Friday, 7–10 p.m. | Where: The Chateau Thomas Winery | Cost: Free | Info: Located at 6291 Cambridge Way in Plainfield. Call 887-2900. Guitarist to perform at Arts Garden • Classical and flamenco guitarist John Alvarado is slated to perform some of his original pieces for audiences to enjoy. | When: Friday at 12:15 p.m. | Where: The Indianapolis Arts Garden | Cost: free | Info: Located above the intersection of Illinois and Washington Streets Downtown. Call 624-2563. Zumba • These classes use a combination of Latin and International music to produce a new and exciting form of cardio training by combining various rhythms with different kinds of movements. | When: Six sessions between Jan. 30 and March 6 | Where: The Oasis South | Cost: $15 | Info: Located at 1675 West Smith Valley Road. Art and Soul 2009 • The annual gathering of African-American art/artists in Indiana is kicking off its month-long celebration with the Kenyetta Dance Co., the Judah Band and DJ Limelight. | When: Jan.31–Feb. 28. Event times vary. | Where: The Indianapolis Arts Garden | Cost: free | Info: Call 631-3301. [ad#single-post]Scott Robinson to perform at U of I • Robinson is a New York-based jazz multi-instrumentalist who has mastered not only the saxophone, but also the contrabass sax, echo cornet and double bell euphonium. Steve Allee, Jeremy Allen and Jason Tiemann will join Robinson onstage. | When: Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. | Where: The Christel DeHann Fine Arts Center’s Ruth Lilly Performance Hall at the University of Indianapolis | Cost: $20 for general public, $10 for seniors, free for kids 18 an younger and college students with ID | Info: Call 788-3251. FCHS host free Throw-A-Thon to benefit Riley Hospital • Franklin Township Middle Schools East and West 7th and 8th grade girls basketball teams will partner up with the Varsity, Jr. Varsity and Freshman girls b-ball teams at Franklin Central High School to shoot some hoops and raise money for children in need. The players, along with head coach, Pam Taylor, are asking for donations in order to reach and even exceed their goal of making $2000-$2500. Besides basketball, the night will also include a pizza/food station, card making station, music and dancing. | When: Saturday from 6 – 8 p.m. | Where: The Franklin Central High School gymnasium. | Cost: Free | Info: Call 862-7238. Soccer Sign Ups • Boys and girls ages 4-14 are eligible to sign up for the upcoming soccer season with multiple sign up times to fit anyone’s schedule. | When: Jan. 31, Feb. 3, 7 and 9. Sign up times vary. | Where: The Beech Grove Library | Cost: Varies | Info: Located at 1102 Main Street in Beech Grove. Call the Beech Grove library at 788-4203 or the voice mail system for the Beech Grove Soccer Club at 782-4957. Girls Softball Sign Ups • Step up to the plate and sign up your daughter for the Beech Grove Softball League. The league is for girl’s ages 5–16 and it is not mandatory to live in the Beech Grove area to be apart of the Beech Grove Softball League. | When: Jan. 31, Feb. 4, 7 and 8. Sign up times vary. | Where: The Hornet Park Community Center | Cost: $25 for T-ball and $60 for girls 7 and up. | Info: Registration forms and online registration can be found at www.bggsa.org. Hannah House Open Historic Tours • Prepare to be spooked as you travel down the halls of the Hannah House and be sure to keep your eyes peeled for any abnormalities. | When: Sunday from 1–4 p.m. | Where: The Hannah House | Cost: $5 adults, $3 children 6-12 | Info: Located at 3801 Madison Ave. Call 787-8486. Candlelight Procession and Mass • The Holy Name Catholic Church is inviting the public to join in celebrating the Presentation of our Lord. There will also be a special blessing for all the pregnant women and children during the mass. | When: Monday from 5 to 6 p.m. | Where: The Holy Name Catholic Church in Beech Grove | Cost: Free | Info: Call 784-5454. Quilt Connection Guild of Greenwood Meeting • Top guilders from around the surrounding area will meet to demonstrate new techniques of beading, needle felting and basting. | When: Tuesday at 7 p.m. | Where: The Greenwood Community Center | Cost: Free | Info: Located at 100 Surina Way in Greenwood. Call 787-4010 after 1 p.m. Brock Clarke to speak at U of I • The University of Indianapolis proudly presents award-winning novelist, Brock Clarke, to partake in classroom discussions as well as some public readings. | When: Feb. 5 at 7:30 p.m. | Where: The Christel DeHann Fine Arts Center’s Ruth Lilly Performance Hall at the University of Indianapolis. | Cost: Free | Info: Call 788-6163. The Seafarer • Facing your personal demons is one of the hardest things someone can do, but in this new dark tale by playwright Conor McPherson, the audience will see how life unfolds for Sharky on one cold Christmas Eve night in Dublin. | When: Feb. 5-28. Show times vary. | Where: The Phoenix Theatre | Cost: $15-$25. | Info: Located at 749 N. Park Avenue. Call 635-7529. Valentine’s Dance • It’s time to put your best foot forward and don’t forget to bring along your man and the kids for the National City Bank’s 8th annual Valentine’s Dance. This family-friendly dance will include dancing, crafts, snacks and a complimentary picture to remember the night by. | When: Feb. 6 at 6:30 p.m. | Where: The Greenwood Community Center | Cost: Free | Info: Contact Debbie Atkinson from the Greenwood Parks and Recreation Center at 881-4545 for questions. Family Fun Water Color Class • Children ages 5 - 12 and their parents are invited to explore fun with water colors. Please bring an apron to protect your clothes. Materials will be provided. | When: Today at 6 p.m. | Where: Fountain Square branch of the IMCPL, 1066 Virginia Ave. | Info: Call 275-4390 to register. Coffee Talk • Twenty-somethings meet for lively conversation about great books. January’s book is Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert. | When: Friday at 7 p.m. | Where: Barnes & Noble cafe, Greenwood Park Mall. | Info: Organized by Greenwood Public Library. Call 885-5036 or register online at www.greenwood.lib.in.us. Preschool Storytime • Preschoolers ages 3 - 6 and an adult are invited for stories, songs and activities. The theme of this program is “What Time Is It, Mr. Wolf?” | When: Tuesday at 1:15 p.m., Wednesday at 10:15 a.m. and 1:15 p.m. | Where: Franklin Road branch of the IMCPL, 5550 S. Franklin Rd. | Info: Call 275-4380. Toddler Tales • Toddlers ages 18 months up to 3 years old and an adult are invited for stories, songs and interactive playtime. | When: Wednesday at 11 a.m. | Where: Southport branch of the IMCPL, 2630 E. Stop 11 Rd. | Info: Call 275-4510.

Men just tend to get weirdly hairy as they mature

By Mike Redmond

I’m sure we all saw the story about the guy down in Bloomfield who had his eyebrows trimmed for charity. We didn’t? Well, then, sit back and get ready for ... EYEBROWS IN THE NEWS! We take you now to charming Bloomfield, where former jeweler Si Burgher donated his eyebrows to Rotary International’s PolioPlus, which raises money to fight polio in the developing world. Members of his Rotary Club bid for chances to prune the hedges over Si’s eyes, which had never been trimmed and grew to a length of three inches. The event raised $1,600, at $500 bucks a whack. [ad#single-post]What a heartwarming story. I’m sure you all join me in saying: “THREE INCHES? Good Lord, man, have you never heard of scissors?” Or something of that nature. I saw the before pictures of ol’ Si. It looked like the south end of his forehead was planted in tumbleweeds, with a few vines and creepers — Jeepers Creepers, to be specific — thrown in for good measure. He could have braided these things, or put them up in curlers. In other words, they were a mess. As eyebrows go, they were worse than Andy Rooney’s, which is saying something. I’m not kidding. Andy’s look neat and tidy next to what Si used to have. Three inches? Let’s put that in perspective, shall we? Three inches is about the length of a playing card. It’s half the length of a dollar bill. It’s ... it’s ... It’s way too long for eyebrows, that’s what it is. My Dad had some pretty aggressive eyebrows — black, thick and bristling. He kept them under control, though, generally with a whip, a chair and a pair of barber shears. He was the Gunther Gebel-Williams of eyebrow trimmers. Mine started heading that direction when I was in my mid-20s. In what had been nice, neat, orderly, everyday eyebrows, I’d get this one one crazy hair that decided to go its own way. Trying to escape, I guess. One day I noticed it had brought friends to its merry little escapade. Interestingly, this was at a time when I had very long hair on top of my head as well, so there I was, keeping the barber away from my hair, but giving my eyebrows crewcuts. Of course, crazy eyebrows are only the beginning for most guys. Without getting too — oh, what’s the word I’m looking for? Ah, I have it. Gross. Without getting too gross, men just get weirdly hairy as they mature. It’s like the Weird Hair Elves come in the night and secretly douse you with Rogaine in as many unusual locations as they can find. Then they destroy a few scalp follicles, just for fun. You wake up in the morning and find that not only has your hairline gone north another couple of millimeters, but you also need to shave the front of your nose. This is the stuff they never told you about in 7th grade when all the girls had to go to the Home Ec room to watch their Special Movie About Growing Up, and all the Boys had to go to the Science Room to watch theirs. They SURE didn’t say anything about eyebrows. Or if they did, I was asleep. I wonder if that’s what happened to ol’ Si. Three inches? Jeepers Creepers.

Pass the Pepto — another meatloaf mishap

By Sherri Coner-Eastburn

Yep. Did it again. Went right into that kitchen, dizzy with delusions. “What’s that smell?” the farmer asked as he walked into the house. It might sound innocent enough. But actually, that was a loaded question. It could be negative or positive, especially since the person asking the question knows and fears my cooking disabilities. [ad#single-post]Negative, as in “Something smells charred,” or positive, as in, “Did you bring home takeout?” “What’s that smell?” he asked again. “Why?” I asked defensively. “Because it smells really good,” he said. And so, I puffed up with pride and popped right back into my delusions of domesticity. “I’m making meatloaf,” I said with a happy smile. I watched the color drain from the farmer’s face. Even though he was trying like heck to keep that fake grin pasted into place, terror danced in his eyes. “Meatloaf, huh?” he leaned against the table, subconsciously grabbing his stomach. “Well, how about that?” By the way, “How about that?” is code for “Oh Lord, why me?” The farmer is known for saying, “How about that?” in the midst of every single one of my mishaps. The day I made yeast rolls that ended up weighing seven pounds each, he merely stood there and said, “How about that?” When I accidentally super-glued a pot holder to one of the burners on top of the stove, he again rubbed his chin and said, “How about that?” He was obviously way too kind to ask me to take a walk down meatloaf memory lane. As in…”Remember when you poisoned us with meatloaf? How about that?” Two hours after that particular tasting, we were both hollering into the porcelain throne. He was way too nice, of course, to blame my meatloaf for his rotted stomach lining. “You don’t have to eat it,” I said. “Well now why wouldn’t I want to eat it?” he said, as if he could not recall barfing for days the last time meatloaf was on the menu. “Did you, uh, did you find a new recipe or something?” I nodded and he quietly exhaled. “We’ll try it again,” he said lightly, and then tried to nonchalantly grab the Pepto-Bismol, like I wouldn’t notice. We’ve had the discussion more than a few times. I have this inherent need to make meatloaf. It should be fairly stress-free. It should be practically foolproof. I shame myself like crazy because I can’t seem to master the mound of meat. But once again, I managed to mess it up … as in the fact that it resembled a ketchupy stew for a spoon. “When my mother made meatloaf, she packed it into place like a brick,” the farmer said. “She packed it from one hand to the other for a good 20 minutes.” “Good for her,” I snapped. “I’m just suggesting that maybe you aren’t patient enough to make meatloaf,” he said. “Maybe you shouldn’t keep trying to master meatloaf. Maybe we should order it off a menu when you get a hankering for it.” “Just stop talking,” I said as I spooned the meat chunks out of the pan and into the trash can. “Not until you make a commitment,” the farmer said. “Let’s agree that you’re done with meatloaf mania.” “Fine,” I said with an eye roll. “Now pass me the Pepto.”

Top 10 signs the county snow removal budget is shot

By Torry Stiles

By Torry Stiles 10. Instead of salt, the trucks are spreading leftover “Hillary ‘08” buttons. 9. The tow truck company is going through your neighborhood passing out flyers. 8. The folks in Carmel are complaining they can’t get to the bars in Broad Ripple. 7. The folks doing their Community Service are told to bring their own shovels. 6. Instead of salt, the trucks are spreading french fries. 5. The mayor is on the radio encouraging everyone to keep driving until the storm has passed. 4. The salt truck operator is going door-to-door, and he’s only taking cash. 3. School closings are announced a week in advance. 2. The police canine unit traded their German Shepherds for Huskies. 1. You realize that all the panhandlers at the off-ramp are wearing DOT jackets.

Tia Today: Super Bowl party foods for fitness

By Tia Nielsen

Sunday is the Super Bowl, a time for gridiron rivalries matched by human revelries all the while eyeing the battle on television. This festive, food-laden time can be a conundrum for the fitness-minded soul. What can you eat in good conscience? Well, probably not buffalo wings slathered in barbeque sauce. Heavy-duty guacamole might be a problem too. But never fear! There are delectable solutions. I came up with seven foods that have hearty flavor, are fun to eat and won’t earn you the label of party-pooper. 1 Baked chicken wings dipped in salsa (Plain yogurt is a second option for a tangy dip.); 2 Skinless chicken breast strips cooked in olive oil seasoned with lemon juice and herbs (eat them like fries); 3 Modest amounts of almonds, walnuts, peanuts or cashews — preferably raw for the full flavor of the nut; 4 Oatmeal raisin cookies (reduce the sugar by 20 percent in your recipe — the raisins will make up for it); 5 Sugar-free chocolate pudding topped with fat free whipped cream; 6 Yogurt topped with fresh fruit (yes, “lite” yogurt); 7 Guacamole dip made half with avocados and half with cooked frozen peas, mashed. A few light corn tortilla chips give the dip a reason to be — a divine partnership. As far as beverages go, I am into coffee. Steaming black gold. Ahh! No calories to speak of and quite invigorating. For those of you who go for brew, I can’t help you there except to say, read the label. I’ve lost interest in drinking my calories. So, we have here meat, dairy, chips, nuts, salsa (its own category) and sweets. What have we been deprived of? No doubt you can dream up other creations that are tasty and barely glycemic. Have a Super Bowl of food on Sunday. On Monday you’ll be a champion no matter who wins the big game.

Answering a few more frequently asked questions

By Steve Maple

Most of us overly complicate our lives. We create legal problems that could be solved with some planning and advice. Q. I own three small houses, which I rent. Do I need a written lease? A. A written lease helps both the landlord and tenant understand the legal rights and duties that accompany the rental. If there are any questions, such as a charge for late payment or liability for damage to the property, the parties can refer to the lease. Too often the landlord relies on an oral agreement or a form lease not tailored to the landlord’s rental. Use a real estate attorney to draft a thorough lease that provides for potential problems. The legal expense for drafting the lease is tax deductible from your rental income. [ad#single-post]Q. My grandson recently borrowed some money from me. Should I get an IOU? A. Your grandson is your debtor, unless you really intended this as a gift. If he is at least age 18, then have him sign a promissory note acknowledging the loan and establishing a payment schedule and reasonable rate of interest. This emphasizes that both of you understand that this is a loan and must be paid back. If later he balks at paying you, then you could use the promissory note as evidence in small claims court, or as a tax loss if he becomes bankrupt, neither of which are happy outcomes. Q. My sister and I own land together that we inherited from our parents. There is a possibility that we might sell it. Should we see a lawyer to write something up? A. Likely your sister and you own the property as “tenants in common,” which means each of you has an undivided interest in the land, probably one-half each (depending on the parents’ Last Will and Testament). Accordingly, each of you is entitled to one-half the sales proceeds and obligated for one-half of the expenses. If you intend to sell the property, then a visit to an attorney to discuss these rights and duties may be helpful for both of you. Since any division of money creates potential for dispute, you should consider a written contract between you as to specific terms for any future sales of the property. Q. My fiancé just told me that he hasn’t filed an income tax return for his construction business for the last five years. Would this cause any problems after we are married? A. Dr. Phil may suggest that you reconsider marriage to this irresponsible person, but I am not Dr. Phil, so I will discuss the tax implications. Married persons may file a joint return or file under the tax status of married filing separately. The joint return usually is the better choice for its lower tax rate; however, by filing a return with him your refund may be attached by the IRS to recapture back taxes, penalties and interest he surely owes. Filing separately may be your best choice under these circumstances. Q. My elderly father needs help in managing his financial affairs. What documents do I need to have him sign? A. If he wants you to help him, then he should sign a Durable Power of Attorney to authorize you to manage his finances. Dad should consult with an attorney to insure that his estate planning documents, such as his Last Will and Testament, Living Will and Healthcare Representative form, as well as the Durable Power of Attorney, are updated.