Swizz Beatz treats baby’s mama, wife and kids to Disneyland Paris

Swizz Beatz kept in all in the family this Memorial Day weekend as he flew in his baby’s mama, wife, Alicia Keys, and all four of his babies to Disneyland Paris to celebrate his daughter Nicole’s birthday. Check out the happy family here. –ruthie hawkins

Spanish Pork Burgers

 

 

 Ingredients

1 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil
3 cup thinly sliced Spanish onion
¾ tsp freshly ground pepper, divided
¼ tsp salt, divided
1 lb lean ground pork
1 Tbsp finely chopped Spanish green olives, such as Manzanilla
2 tsp minced garlic
2 tsp Pimenton de la Vera (see shopping tip) or Hungarian paprika
¼ cup reduced-fat mayonnaise
2 tsp freshly grated lemon zest
1 Tbsp lemon juice
pinch of saffron (see ingredient note)
¼ cup shredded Manchego or Monterey Jack cheese
4 whole-wheat hamburger buns, toasted
2 whole jarred piquillo peppers (see shopping tip) or jarred pimientos, halved lengthwise

Directions

1. Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add onion, 1/4 teaspoon pepper and 1/8 teaspoon salt. Cover and cook, stirring occasionally, until soft and translucent, about 10 minutes. Set aside half the onion for topping; finely chop the other half.
2. Preheat grill to medium.
3. Place the chopped onion in a large bowl; add pork, olives, garlic, paprika, the remaining 1/2 teaspoon pepper and 1/8 teaspoon salt. Gently combine, without overmixing, until evenly incorporated. Form into 4 equal patties, about 1/2 inch thick.
4. Combine mayonnaise, lemon zest, lemon juice and saffron in a small bowl.
5. Oil the grill rack (see Tip). Grill the burgers, turning once, until an instant-read thermometer inserted in the center registers 165°F, 10 to 12 minutes total. Top with cheese and cook until it is melted, about 1 minute more.
6. Assemble the burgers on toasted buns with the lemon-saffron mayonnaise, some of the reserved onions and a half a Piquillo (or pimiento) pepper.
Shopping Tip: Spain is known for its superb paprika called Piment³n de la Vera, which has a smoky flavor, and for intensely flavored peppers called Piquillos. Look for these specialty ingredients in well-stocked supermarkets or gourmet-food shops.
Ingredient Note: Literally the dried stigma from Crocus sativus, saffron is the world's most expensive spice. Each crocus produces only 3 stigma, requiring over 75,000 flowers for each pound of saffron. Fortunately, a little goes a long way. It's used sparingly to add golden yellow color and flavor to a wide variety of Middle Eastern, African and European-inspired foods. Find it in the specialty-herb section of large supermarkets, gourmet-food shops and tienda.com. Wrapped in foil and placed in a container with a tight-fitting lid, it will keep in a cool, dry place for several years.
Tip: To oil the grill rack, oil a folded paper towel, hold it with tongs and rub it over the rack. (Do not use cooking spray on a hot grill.) When grilling delicate foods like tofu and fish, it is helpful to spray the food with cooking spray.

A fire that broke out aboard a Royal Caribbean ship Monday

BALTIMORE — A fire that broke out aboard a Royal Caribbean ship Monday did enough damage that the rest of the cruise was canceled and the company said the more than 2,200 passengers will be flown from the Bahamas back to Baltimore where the trip began.
The fire that began at 2:50 a.m. Monday was extinguished about two hours later with no injuries reported. A cause wasn't immediately known. The Grandeur of the Seas, which left Baltimore on Friday, never lost power and was able to sail into port in Freeport, Bahamas, Monday afternoon. It had been planned to be a seven-night cruise.
Royal Caribbean said on its website and through social media that executives met with passengers in port and that the cruise line is arranging flights for all 2,224 guests on Tuesday. It said passengers will receive a full refund of their fare and a certificate for a future cruise.
Aboard ship early Monday, the captain announced that passengers needed to go to their muster stations, rousing Mark J. Ormesher from his stateroom. Ormesher said in an email to The Associated Press that immediately after the announcement, his room attendant knocked on the door and told him and his girlfriend to grab their flotation devices. The attendant said it wasn't a drill.
Ormesher, a native of England, who lives in Manassas, Va., said he and his girlfriend smelled acrid smoke as they went to their muster station, the ship's casino. The crew quickly provided instruction.
"This encouraged calm amongst the passengers," he said. Passengers were required to remain at their stations for four hours, he said, and the captain "provided us as much information as we needed to stay safe."
Ormesher, who is 25 and on his first cruise, said the air conditioner had been shut off, and as the hours passed and the ship got hot, bottled water was distributed. The crew and passengers remained calm, and helped those who needed it. Crying babies were given formula and held while their parents used the bathrooms.
In Freeport, Bahamas, passenger Andrea Sanders of Washington, D.C., said she slept on the deck with hundreds of other passengers as smoke billowed out of the stern of the ship. "I was terrified with it being my first cruise," Sanders told The Freeport News as she ate lunch in port.
Royal Caribbean said all guests and 796 crew were safe and accounted for. Royal Caribbean spokeswoman Cynthia Martinez said in an email that the company was arranging 11 different charter flights for passengers. Photos show a substantial area of the stern burned on several decks of the ship the length of about three football fields.

Good Morning! Happy Memorial Day

Good Morning! Happy Memorial Day.....Today we remember the those courageous men and women that lost their lives protecting our country in battle. SPMG Media salutes those individuals and continues to stand in prayer for comfort for their families and friends.

While most of us don't really take the time to focus on the meaning of Memorial Day; let's keep remember a total of 4,486 U.S. soldiers were killed in Iraq between 2003 and 2012. This is our most recent conflict and many of us know someone within our own families and friends families that experienced a loss. These numbers represent real lives - real fathers, mothers, sons, daughters, uncles, aunts. They were REAL LIVES that impacted and were loved by their families. Take a moment and say a prayer for that family. For today will be a very difficult day for them.

U.S. Workers Trail Rest Of Developed Countries In Vacation Time: Report

 

WASHINGTON -- As millions of Americans pack their cars ahead of Memorial Day weekend, the United States remains alone among the world's advanced economies in its lack of guaranteed paid vacation time for workers, according to a new report.
In an update to an earlier analysis, the left-leaning Center for Economic and Policy Research looked at the vacation policies in 16 European countries, along with Australia, Canada, Japan, New Zealand and the U.S. Among the 21 countries, the U.S. was the only one without a mandate that employers provide some kind of paid time off.
Most U.S. employers do actually offer paid vacation of their own volition. But with this common benefit remaining a prerogative for businesses, the report's authors estimate that roughly one in four U.S. workers have no paid vacation time, and that those workers are employed disproportionately in low-wage jobs that lack other benefits like health care or sick leave.
John Schmitt, an economist and one of the report's authors, argued that the lack of a mandate exacerbates America's growing economic inequality.
"It's time to bring them into the fold," Schmitt said of the estimated 23 percent who don't enjoy paid vacation. "There are firms that are profitable and do provide vacation. Frankly, it concerns me that someone's business model or success relies on not giving employees vacation."
The European system is far more generous when it comes to giving workers a break. Countries there guarantee at least 20 vacation days per year, and some as high as 25 or 30. Canada mandates at least 10 days per year for workers.
In addition, most of the other countries examined require that workers receive paid time off on certain national holidays, with many European countries providing 10 or more such days in a year. The U.S., however, has no such mandate.

How To Throw An Unforgettable Destination Party

 
10 Tips for Throwing a Terrific Milestone Party

1. Create your own planning team Even (especially!) if you nix the professional planner, delegation is the key to success. And it’s essential when you’re organizing something in a foreign locale, where time zones and language barriers might hamper planning. Designate one dependable local individual to be your point person, and be clear about what help you need. Galley recommends weekly then daily calls with that person as the event draws near.

“Having help from locals in the area made all the difference in the world,” says Sarah Berger, who planned a girlfriend’s surprise 50th birthday party in Oaxaca, Mexico, with the help of friends who were living in the area. “They hired a band, found caterers, invited some of their fun friends and even tracked down the best flourless chocolate cake in town,” she says.

2. Give guests plenty of notice Send “save the date” announcements as soon as you have a date and place -- ideally months in advance -- even if you’re unsure of exact details. This gives people a chance to book accommodations, monitor airfares and take advantage of flash sales.

3. Pick the location wisely You may love the idea of a family reunion on a remote island, but if the only accommodations are in an uber-expensive resort, be prepared to compromise. Because of different travel budgets, a location with a variety of lodging options will improve your chance of having a greater number of guests. And the more activity options available, the more appealing the destination will be. It may be your party, but it’s also their vacation.

Another thing to consider is weather. For example, it’s not a smart idea to plan an event in the hurricane belt during peak storm season. “Factors to keep in mind are the time of year that will allow full participation, ease of travel to the location, weather and affordable airfares,” says Earl Lizana, director of catering for the Roosevelt New Orleans.

4. Honor the guest(s) of honor There’s a difference between throwing a party for your 80-year-old parents and your 50-year-old friends. You might want a live band, but your parents would be just as happy with a DJ spinning golden oldies. Make sure your choices represent their preferences. If the party is a surprise, ask their friends.

5. Come up with a theme Some of the best parties recreate an era, like the ’50s or ’60s. Decorations, music and even dress code can all revolve around a creative motif. Lizana recalls one rehearsal dinner for a multigenerational family, held in the Roosevelt Hotel's Blue Room, that recreated the early days of the Rat Pack, with invitations, matchbooks and drink coasters printed with a late 1940's theme. “The photographer wore period clothing and used a vintage camera to shoot all the guests, who were each given a black-and-white commemorative photo,” he says.

6. Make goody bags for guests Pick up some unique, appropriate little gifts at a craft or discount store (or look online). Guests leaving a party in D.C. might enjoy faux soap dishes or toothbrushes with “White House” insignia; beach partygoers could put flip-flops or a tote bag to good use. If your party is overseas, check customs regulations and packing restrictions -- and never give out favors that will be difficult to transport home.

7. Have one fun, unexpected element Whether it’s an unannounced guest (maybe a childhood best friend or a relative from far away), a unique gift or a celebrity performer, having an element of surprise makes a party all the more memorable.

8. Know your budget and prioritize costs Decide what's critical to making your celebration a success and spend accordingly. Flowers can often send a budget through the roof. On the other side of the coin, do spend the money for a quality photographer; the results will help you relive this once-in-a-lifetime event.

9. Have a present plan Some honorees resist gift registries, but when presents are desired and travel is involved, having an online present center makes logistical sense. Gifts can be shipped directly to the guest of honor’s home. Even if you specify “no presents,” some people will want to give something, so consider pre-selecting a charity for donations.

10. Make it memorable Renting a photo booth is a fun and (relatively) affordable way to let your guests create their own photo memories. Or hire a friend with a video camera to record personalized messages during the party. Have a scrapbook on hand for guests to inscribe their favorite memory of the honoree. Include a note with the party invitations asking for photos, and urge anyone unable to attend to send a scrapbook contribution nonetheless.

After the fact, use social media to give guests a place to put comments and photos. (You could create a special Facebook or Pinterest page just for the party.) This way the celebration and memories can last long after the last guest boards a flight home.

Saving $1 million for retirement

 

Almost anyone can become a millionaire using these strategies
Saving $1 million for retirement is a realistic goal for most workers, but it will take a considerable amount of effort to get there. And there are plenty of fees, taxes and penalties that could make it even more difficult to hit this worthy savings target. These strategies will help you to save $1 million over the course of your career:
[Read: 7 Obstacles to Saving for Retirement.]
Start young. The easiest way to save $1 million is to begin saving at your first job. If you start saving at age 25, you could save just $4,682 per year and reach $1 million by age 65, assuming 7 percent annual returns, according to calculations by David Fernandez, a certified financial planner for Wealth Engineering in Scottsdale, Ariz. "You could do that by maxing out a Roth IRA or saving in a 401(k)," Fernandez says. "If you wait until 35, the amount you need to save more than doubles." Beginning at age 35, you will need to save $9,894 each year to accumulate $1 million at age 65. If you further delay saving, you'll need to tuck away $22,798 annually beginning at 45 or $67,643 at 55 if you hope to be a millionaire upon retirement at 65.
Set intermediate goals. While saving $1 million might be your ultimate retirement goal, it helps if you set some intermediate goals along the way. "If you've gotten to save $50,000 or $100,000, then you can do something significant that is important to you to celebrate," says Mary Brooks, a certified financial planner for Brooks Financial Planning in Colorado Springs, Colo. "Your enthusiasm is renewed because you really feel like you have gotten someplace."
Keep expenses low. Pay attention to the expense ratio of each investment you choose, and try to select those with low fees and expenses. "Always go for low-cost investments. The only thing you can control is what you pay for stuff," says Walter Romatowski, a certified financial planner for Castellan Financial Advisors in Palo Alto, Calif. "For most people, it probably makes sense to invest in index funds because they typically have lower expenses as compared to actively managed funds. You can pay 0.1 percent or 1 percent, and that makes a huge difference over your lifetime."
Minimize taxes. Saving in a traditional 401(k) or IRA can reduce your current tax bill and will allow your savings to grow without the drag of income tax. For example, a worker in the 25 percent tax bracket who contributes $5,000 to a traditional IRA will save $1,250 on his current tax bill, potentially allowing him to save that extra $1,250 for retirement. You won't have to pay the taxes until you withdraw the money in retirement. Alternatively, you could pre-pay the income tax using a Roth IRA or Roth 401(k), and no additional taxes will be due on the growth when you withdraw the money in retirement or leave the money to heirs.
Get your employer to chip in. If your employer offers a 401(k) match or makes other contributions to your 401(k), you will get to $1 million much faster than by saving on your own. "If you have an employer 401(k) plan or 403(b) plan, get the employer match if your employer matches," Romatowski says. "If you don't do that, you are just giving away free money."
Don't inflate your lifestyle. As you get raises, try not to increase your spending. Instead, save at least a part of the extra income. "Every time you get a raise, bump your company 401(k) contribution up by another percent or two," Fernandez says. "That way, you don't even notice it that you are saving more." Also, consider saving a portion of other windfalls, including inheritances and tax refunds.
Avoid early withdrawals. Obviously, if you tap into your 401(k) and IRA accounts before retirement, it will be more difficult to accumulate a significant nest egg. The negative effects of early withdrawals also include missing out on valuable compound interest, paying the income tax that will be due on the amount withdrawn and incurring a 10 percent early withdrawal penalty if you are under age 59 1/2.
[See 10 Secrets of Successful Retirement Savers]
Don't spend it too quickly. While $1 million may feel like a lot of money, spread over a 30-year retirement, it is likely to provide a modest income. "One million bucks gives you roughly $40,000 of income per year," Romatowski says. "If you save diligently, you can get to $1 million. It just takes a lot of discipline." While becoming a millionaire isn't likely to produce a lavish retirement, gradual withdrawals combined with Social Security payments will likely be enough to provide a comfortable retirement in many parts of the country.