Christine Lyall

Terra.com •

Peace Be Upon Us: The Truth About Islam

Hasan S., the imam, or prayer leader, of the Islamic Center of South Florida in Pompano Beach, Florida, is not altogether surprised that Americans have come to associate the religion of Islam with terrorism. "I told a reporter once, about four years ago, that every time I turn on the TV and I see a Muslim name or a Muslim face, I know that something wrong has happened," said the Palestinian native. "It's unfortunate, but this is the kind of coverage that the media have been dealing us. It's no wonder that in the minds of many people, terrorism and Islam have become very closely related, even though this religion is a peaceful religion that encourages righteousness and caring for fellow humans."
Billings Gazette
Billings Gazette •

Children Find New Lives

Stacey (not her real name) is one of more than 380 foster children in Yellowstone County and 3,580 in Montana. She hopes soon to cut all ties with her birth mother, legally take on her foster family's name and attend Montana State University-Billings to study biology. She hopes to put her past, wracked by sexual abuse, behind her and get on with her new life — a life that's been made possible through the Department of Family Services foster care program.
Sedalia Democrat
Sedalia Democrat •

When Teenagers Plan to Have Babies

Mary R. rolled her eyes, smiled and said, "I love you, too, Brian," as her 2-year-old son peeked around the bedroom door, yelled that he loved her then zealously slammed it. "Sometimes I think if I hadn't had Brian, what would I be doing now? And I think if I had it to do all over again, I would've waited until I was older," the 19-year-old mother said. "'But then I think if I'd waited, would I have had this baby?"
Billings Gazette
Billings Gazette •

Tickling the Ivories

"I'm gonna put my cheaters on so I can see better," says Hart Glumbik, 87, breaking a moment to don his glasses. "It would help a little bit, wouldn't it?" Punching a few buttons, he programs his portable Casio electronic piano with a bouncy percussion rhythm to accompany his playing as he escorts his audience through a "Winter Wonderland." A woman visiting a friend at the Glendeen Nursing Home in Lockwood takes a seat at Glumbik's side and sings along to the chorus.
Billings Gazette - Montana Magazine •

Montana Magazine - Business Annual

There are big bucks in Montana, and we're not talking deer. Agriculture brings in $2.5 billion a year, accounting for 40 percent of the state's economy and yielding an average gross annual income of $102,500 per producer. But that's not all ... Working around the clock for one full month, I wrote articles for Montana Magazine about the state's main industries, including mining, tourism, timber and more.
Sedalia Democrat •

Ballroom dancer gets into the swing

Sharon Shea lights a cigarette with a slight theatrical air, crosses her legs and perches on the edge of her sofa with a straight, dancer's back. She looks across the room with her dark, flashing eyes at a petite man in a peach-colored shirt and pants and white sweater and shoes. He's her father, Vaughn Hills, and she admires him deeply. She says Hills and her deceased mother, Orlene, greatly influenced the rhythmic path she chose to pursue in life.
Greenwich Time - Panorama •

Seriously Folks, She's a Stand-Up Comic

Jane Condon sat on a stool in her all-white kitchen, sipping a Diet Coke out of a wine glass and listening to a roast chicken sizzling in the oven. A neat row of cereal boxes along the top of the refrigerator, a box of animal crackers and an array of toys on the floor are evidence of her two sons, Mac, 5, and Todd, 8. They were away at piano lessons. "I used to care about world peace, but now I just want a big red tomato," said Condon, 40, gazing out at her backyard.
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