I served in the military for 30 years. But it was impossible to fully understand the sacrifices of our troops and their families until April 29, 2007, the day my son, First Lt. Travis Manion, was killed in Iraq. Travis was just 26 years old when an enemy sniper's bullet pierced his heart after he had just helped save two wounded comrades. Even though our family knew the risks of Travis fighting on the violent streets of Fallujah, being notified of his death on a warm Sunday afternoon in Doylestown, Pa., was the worst moment of our lives. While my son's life was relatively short, I spend every day marveling at his courage and wisdom. Before his second and final combat deployment, Travis said he ... Continue reading →
Observant Jews across the country were hit by a plague of Old Testament proportions when a wildly popular brand of chocolate chips sold only at Trader Joe’s lost a crucial part of its “kosher” label. The Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips had been labeled “pareve kosher” because they were dairy-free. But the makers recently changed the way they cleaned the equipment, putting chips into bags on a production line that also processes milk chocolate.Because of that, kosher certifiers yanked the pareve label on May 18.Mixing dairy and meat is not kosher, making it a no-no to have cookies made with the milk chips for hours after having meat in a meal. Stephen Yang SWEET TURNS SOUR: These beloved Trader Joe’s chips are no longer dairy free, making ... Continue reading →
Enlarge image Hoboken Homes Gone in 60 Minutes Signal U.S. Recovery The Hudson Tea Building, a Toll Brothers property, stands close to the Hudson River, across from the Manhattan skyline, in Hoboken. The Hudson Tea Building, a Toll Brothers property, stands close to the Hudson River, across from the Manhattan skyline, in Hoboken. Photographer: Stephen Hilger/Bloomberg For the latest sign of a U.S. housing rebound, Toll Brothers Inc. Chief Executive Officer Douglas Yearley points to Hoboken, New Jersey: A couple torn between two condos last month at the sales office for its Hudson Tea complex decided to think about it over lunch. When they returned an hour later, both units were gone. “People feel like now is the time to buy and they aren’t isolated ... Continue reading →