New job? Communication might be your key skill

Find out how to fit in, work well with others to make your career take off
By Nancy Plummer, Columnist, The Times
Here’s what getting a new job looks like these days: bosses are working in different time zones so communication is challenging, departments are being down-sized so the workload is twice what it was, and everyone is talking about being a team player. It’s no wonder people are so worried...
On Your Table: Nothing says Fathers Day like a great burger

Keep it simple for a grilled taste treat
By Cathy Branciaroli, Food Correspondent, The Times
Show Dad some love on Father’s Day with grilled burgers. They don’t need to be beef by the way, but with a few easy tips and techniques, anyone can grill perfect burgers in honor of Dad’s big day.
If you decide to make beef burgers, the key to making great steakhouse-style burgers at home is...
Is it a good deal or insurance fraud?

Channel 6 ‘consumer’ report may be encouraging patients, dentists to break the law
By Dr. Stephanie McGann, DMD FAGD, Columnist, The Times
This week while walking by the television in my reception room, I was stopped by a consumer piece on Channel 6 (WPVI) Action News “What’s the Deal?” The segment, by reporter Nydia Han was about finding the best quality dentists with the...
In the blame game, everyone loses

At the end of the day, only you can make yourself happy
By Nancy Plummer, Columnist, The Times
I had a client come to me, bitter, angry, and practically frothing at the mouth as she raged on about how her ex-husband had destroyed her life and the lives of her children. When I asked her how long ago they were divorced, she answered boldly, “5 years.”
All of us at some time in our lives have blamed...
On Your Table: Farmers Markets in your area

Fresh is best and you can enjoy from local farms — find your local event
By Cathy Branciaroli, Food Correspondent, The Times
Despite the gloom of this past week or two, summer is arriving across the area and with it the lush produce offered at local farmers markets.
We welcome the fresh foods of the new season. And we are not alone. Across the country, the number of U.S. farmers markets has...
Going Pro: The Art of Communicating

Editor’s Note: The Times’ relationship coach Nancy Plummer is now offering monthly relationship guidance for the workplace, starting with today’s entry.
By Nancy Plummer, Columnist, The Times
We’ve all experienced the frustration of seeing a less qualified or less experienced colleague get the better clients, trips, bonuses or promotions. Before shrugging it off or even rushing...
On Your Table: For Memorial Day, get grilling!

Unofficial start of summer means it’s time to fire up the grill
By Cathy Branciaroli, Food Correspondent, The Times
Although summer doesn’t officially begin until June 21st, Memorial weekend unofficially kicks off the summer season, marked by picnics, barbecues and much outdoor dining. A forecast of balmy weather and sunny skies can only add to the fun.
Traditional Memorial Day pleasures...
Toxic Waste may be more dangerous than it sounds to teeth

Super-Sour candy is almost as acidic as battery acid
By Dr. Stephanie McGann, DMD FAGD, Columnist, The Times
No really – one of today’s hottest super sour candies is called Toxic Waste. Yummy huh? The website for Toxic Waste is full of cartoons, games and challenges. How long can you keep this sour candy in your mouth? Are you tough enough? Now, to be fair Toxic Waste is not the...
On Your Table: Celebrate National Gardening Month

Enjoy a family adventures starting vegetables from seeds
By Cathy Branciaroli, Food Correspondent,The Times
Planting seeds for a summer garden is a great family project. Vegetable plants can also be gotten at local garden centers.
Starting seeds that will grow to produce this summer’s garden bounty and then nurturing a backyard garden plot can be a fun family project. It’s the miracle...
Take care of yourself, it’s surprisingly sexy

When you feel beautiful, you are
By Nancy Plummer, Columnist, The Times
We’ve all encountered more than our fair share of unsolicited romantic advice from friends, from family, and (most brazenly) from drunken friends of the family! But with contradicting and archaic advice mixed in with the helpful hints, it’s hard to figure out which tips we should discard and which we should hold onto and implement...