Columbia Daily Tribune

New Year Brings End to Doctors' Swag

To Lehman Brothers, Linens 'n Things and the blank VHS tape, add another American institution that expired in 2008: drug company trinkets. Starting tomorrow, the pharmaceutical industry has agreed to a voluntary moratorium on the kind of branded goodies - Viagra pens, Zoloft soap dispensers, Lipitor mugs - that were meant to foster good will and, some would say, encourage doctors to prescribe more of the drugs.

Your Office Coach ; Silence Isn't Always so Golden

Q: I have worked for my manager, "Debra," for 15 years. I never complain about my job or bring up problems. I just do whatever she asks me to do. One of my co-workers frequently confronts Debra about issues and suggests making changes. Debra listens to whatever she has to say and seems to favor her over me. This is completely unfair. I never say a word about anything, yet I get the short end of the stick. At times, I get so frustrated that I feel like walking out the door, but I really don't ...

Builder Born to Adversity Finds Success

MINNEAPOLIS - Brian McCarthy was born with cerebral palsy that left him with impaired speech, shaky hands and a pigeon-toed gait. "I had the umbilical cord wrapped around my neck," he said. "I've spent my life trying to unwind it."

Idea Men Demonstrate That with Age Comes Wisdom

MINNEAPOLIS - One day in 2003, at age 60, one-time Cray Research executive Terry Sullivan found himself out of work, out of town and unwilling to do another on-the-road corporate stint. Sullivan, a company turnaround expert, was financially comfortable but still wanted to work. However, he was done with working for the Man.

The Tribune's View ; Here Comes 2009

The devil got us in 2008, but we're not down and out, just back on our heels a bit. I write lovingly of the economy, of course, the vicissitudes of which have nipped at almost every one of us. Is anyone in America immune from some sort of fiscal degradation?

Welcome to the 21st Century, America

Social and political epochs rarely end precisely on schedules provided by calendars. Many historians date the end of Europe's 19th century to 1914 and the outbreak of World War I. What we call "The Sixties" in the United States, with its ethos of reform and protest, ended with Richard Nixon's landslide re-election in 1972 and the winding down of the Vietnam War. In the same way, the outcome of this year's election means that 2009 will, finally, mark the beginning of the 21st century.

Tarp Shows White House's Brazenness

A new Capitol Visitor Center recently opened, just in time for the transformation of the Capitol into a tomb for the antiquated idea that the legislative branch matters. The center is supposed to enhance the experience of visitors to Congress, although why there are visitors is a mystery. Congress' marginalization was brutally underscored when, after Congress did not authorize $14 billion for General Motors and Chrysler, the executive branch said, in effect: Congress' opinions are mildly inte...

Open Column ; Bailed-Out Firms Should Return Funds Paid to Execs

Editor, the Tribune: This was sent in an e-mail to Sen. Claire McCaskill on Dec. 22. We just read this morning that the banking industry, which Congress has granted bailout money to, has paid 600 executives a total of $1.6 billion in bonuses, stock options, etc., for losing money at their companies.

Open Column ; Obama Should Waive Federal Funding Policy

Editor, the Tribune: Here is a suggestion for members of Congress and of President-elect Barack Obama's transition team as they craft a plan to help state and local governments meet their obligations to the people during this dramatic downturn in the economy - and it will cost the federal government and federal taxpayers nothing. For calendar year 2009, waive all requirements for state and/or local match for federal funding. In Missouri, we stand to lose tens of millions in federal dollars - ...

Breeder's Cruel Behavior Warrants Punishment

Editor, the Tribune: I am writing to voice my outrage at dog breeder Darion Juneil, who, after being investigated by the Missouri Department of Agriculture for violations back in September, was again cited for more violations, according to an article in the Dec. 19 Tribune. Now these animals are to be maintained by our Central Missouri Humane Society until a hearing on Friday. I hope the breeder is at least made to pay the housing and maintenance costs to the Humane Society. This apparent inh...

Open Column ; First Night Celebration Should Be More Inclusive

Editor, the Tribune: Columbia's First Night sounds like a fun New Year's celebration. Unfortunately, the admission button price results in excluding families of middle and low income because it is unaffordable. Some can attend, but others cannot - it's divisive. It wouldn't be so offensive if it were not taxpayer-funded. On Nov. 3, the Columbia City Council again voted unanimously to allocate $29,000 to First Night. This cash contribution does not even include in-kind support of buses, police...

Tribune Column ; Susan Gray's Newsletter Fit to Be Called Literature

One of Ol' Clark's year-end holiday joys is sending and receiving family newsletters. Many folks absolutely detest them; I can hardly wait to put 400 in the mail and hope to get at least 400 in return. If I get 50 back, I consider it a great year. They come from old classmates, longtime friends, baseball people and even a few literate weightlifters. Most are haphazard updates of kids and grandkids, names which are seldom identified as to their relationship to the writer. You also get to read ...

Kitchen Notes

Greek secret sauce Add a dash of cinnamon to any dish containing tomato sauce or stewed tomatoes. This is a commonplace cooking tip for "politiki" - city style -cooking, a legacy from the days of Byzantium, and adds another, subtle register to the dish.

Homemade in Minutes ; Ring in the New Year with Roasted Vegetables

It seems we have eaten all those rich and delicious holiday foods for the past five weeks. There are still parties, more games to watch and more food. Eating will remain the center of attention as we settle in to watch the lastof the football matches or enjoy new games. Instead of the usual snack foods of chips with fattening dips, it is time to try something new.

Cookin' with Hoss ; Homemade Soup Is Mmm...Mmm Great

"Mmmm ... good, mmmm ... good, that's what Campbell's soups are, mmmm ... good!" That advertising jingle was ingrained into our memories from years of watching television. But this particular ad claim was truthful. The soup was not masterful, but it is good. Most Campbell's soups are flavorful and wholesome - although the condensed versions are rather heavy on the broth and light on the substance. As a child, I preferred Lipton's instant chicken noodle soup because it had far more noodles th...

Simple Secrets to Succulent Short Ribs: Brown Deeply, Braise Slowly

While edgy food trends go in and out of style, the time-honored method of braising remains constant. In braised dishes, the meat is browned on the stove top, ideally in a large Dutch oven or similar pot that will eventually be used for the slow cooking of the meat, liquid and vegetables. The choice of liquids to add can be wonderfully varied: broth or stock, water, a marinade, vinegars, beer or wine. The long, slow cooking softens the meat, melting the gelatin into the braising liquid, result...

Chicken Wings, Creamy Macaroni Come to the Rescue

What we all need at this time of year are simple, satiating dishes, like chicken wings. They might have their trashy side, but they can also be irresistible, and they're one cut of chicken that cooks quickly on the bone. Toss the wings in a quick sesame-ginger marinade and spread them out on a baking sheet. The marinade acts as a glaze and encourages the wings to brown quickly. They take all of 30 minutes to roast.

Recipe of the Week ; No-Fuss Lasagna Rolls

The holidays are over. Now it's back to what's-for-supper mode. These lasagna rolls take about 35 minutes to make and bake and are packed with flavor using minimal ingredients.

Food Sleuth ; the Good, the Bad and the Ugly in '09 Food and Health Trends

Strap on your seat belts. On this last day of 2008, let's travel to the future, with one eye on the past to see how we arrived at tomorrow's predicted food, health and agriculture trends. Where are we going, and how did we get here? Ready or not, here's what we can expect in 2009. - Locally grown and organic produce. The National Restaurant Association's "Chef Survey: What's Hot in 2009" ranks local and organic produce as the top trend for the New Year. With past scares from Salmonella-contam...

The Front Burner ; Eat Here Now

"Part of the secret in life is to eat what you like, and let the food fight it out inside."- Mark Twain After the holidays, you find yourself standing on a scale to check the damage. Maybe it is worse than you had thought. You get a little angry. You feel fat. You look in the mirror. You are fat. You hate food because it made you fat. You will never eat pecan pie or gooey butter cake again - which is a little depressing and makes you want to eat something comforting like gooey butter cake.