The Alternative Times

Nick’s Picks: NFL Playoff Predictions

By Nick Morgan

          The Ravens, Chargers, Colts, Patriots, Jets, and Chiefs made the playoffs in the NFC and the Bears, Saints, Seahawks, Eagles, Cowboys, and Giants made the playoffs in the NFC.

 I predict that the Baltimore Ravens will play the Dallas Cowboys  in the Super Bowl and win because they have a great defense and they got an awesome quarterback ,a.k.a. Steve McNair, from the football team Titans, plus they are coming back from the 2002 Super Bowl and going for the win.

The Dallas Cow Boys got a new quarterback in Tony Romo. Since he was added they have had a better winning record then losing record. In the end though, the Ravens will prevail 32-14.

 

Music that Makes Great Christmas Gift Ideas

By Kenny Rager

Kingdom Come:

The Album is in many different genres such as Rap, East Coast Rap, and Mainstream Rap. The public says that Jay-Z is the most alluring international figures of all. Jay-Z calls the record "very mature." Jay-Z proudly talks about getting older on "30 Something," with lines like: "I know everything that you wanna do, I did all that by the age of 22," boasting "30's the new 20."

The Re-Up:

The album first began as a street mix tape project. The album was executive produced by Eminem, who also produced the majority of the songs the album was supposed to be an underground, unofficial CD with raw production values--designed to help launch new Shady Records artists. Eminem’s music has always been creative and different. Even though some of his songs and videos are outrageous you just want to keep listening to them.

Press Play:

I think that the album is good for all ages. It has no cursing in it. Also the words that he uses are very mature and are respected by all hip hop artists. P Diddy is getting up there in age and his music and he has changed his look, words, and personality over the years of being in the rap game.

 

Movie Review: The Pursuit of Happiness

By Nick Morgan

           This Movie is based on a true store the life of Chris Gardner, who turns himself into a self made millionaire. Starring the in the drama is Will Smith as the man who finds himself jobless and homeless at the age 30. He lives in San Francisco train station with his son. He is determined to beat the odds, to provide a better future for his son and him-self. He finds work as a trainee at a brokerage firm and climbs the corporate ladder, and eventually becoming partner and owner of his own Chicago-based firm.

         This would be a great movie to see over the holiday with your family, friends and etc. The movie has great reviews and as you know this future is starring Will Smith and his son "Jaden Smith". So if you interested in see a movie about someone is doesn’t have anything and turning that all around to being richer then you could imagine this is the movie to go see

Cast; Will Smith, Dan Castellaneta, Thandie Newton, Jaden Smith, and More

Genre; Drama

Release Date; Dec. 15, 2006

Rating; PG-13 for some language

 

Holiday Goodies

By Litisha Pysell

Some of my favorite holiday sweets are White Chocolate Raspberry cheesecake, Gingerbread, and chocolate cookie cheesecake. These are all really good sweets to eat on Christmas. I love cheesecake, and these are some really good recipes as to making cheesecake.

Here are the ingredients to white chocolate raspberry cheesecake:

INGREDIENTS

· 1 cup chocolate cookie crumbs

· 3 tablespoons white sugar

· 1/4 cup butter, melted

· 1 (10 ounce) package frozen raspberries

· 2 tablespoons white sugar

· 2 teaspoons cornstarch

· 1/2 cup water

· 2 cups white chocolate chips

· 1/2 cup half-and-half cream

· 3 (8 ounce) packages cream cheese, softened

· 1/2 cup white sugar

· 3 eggs

· 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Here is how you make it:

DIRECTIONS

1. In a medium bowl, mix together cookie crumbs, 3 tablespoons sugar, and melted butter. Press mixture into the bottom of a 9 inch spring form pan.

2. In a saucepan, combine raspberries, 2 tablespoons sugar, cornstarch, and water. Bring to boil, and continue boiling 5 minutes, or until sauce is thick. Strain sauce through a mesh strainer to remove seeds.

3. Preheat oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C). In a metal bowl over a pan of simmering water, melt white chocolate chips with half-and-half, stirring occasionally until smooth.

4. In a large bowl, mix together cream cheese and 1/2 cup sugar until smooth. Beat in eggs one at a time. Blend in vanilla and melted white chocolate. Pour half of batter over crust. Spoon 3 tablespoons raspberry sauce over batter. Pour remaining cheesecake batter into pan, and again spoon 3 tablespoons raspberry sauce over the top. Swirl batter with the tip of a knife to create a marbled effect.

Here is what you

Need to make gingerbread:

INGREDIENTS

· 1 egg, beaten

· 1/2 cup sugar

· 1/2 cup light molasses

· 5 tablespoons butter or margarine, melted

· 2/3 cup cold water

· 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

· 1 teaspoon baking soda

· 1 teaspoon ground ginger

· 1/2 teaspoon salt

· Whipped cream

Here is how you make it:

DIRECTIONS

1. Combine egg, sugar, molasses, butter and water; mix well. In a large mixing bowl, stir together flour, baking soda, ginger and salt; add molasses mixture. Beat until well mixed. Pour into a greased 8-in. square baking pan. Bake at 350 degrees F for 30 minutes or until cake tests done. Serve warm with whipped cream.

 

Here is what you need to make

Chocolate cookie cheesecake:

INGREDIENTS

· 2 cups chocolate sandwich cookie crumbs

· 2 tablespoons butter, melted

· 1/4 cup packed brown sugar

· 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

· 2 pounds cream cheese, softened

· 1 1/4 cups white sugar

· 1/3 cup heavy whipping cream

· 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour

· 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

· 4 eggs

· 1 1/2 cups chocolate sandwich cookie crumbs

· 16 ounces sour cream

· 1/4 cup white sugar

· 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

· 1 cup heavy whipping cream

· 1 1/2 cups semisweet chocolate chips

· 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

DIRECTIONS

1. Combine 2 cups cookie crumbs, melted butter, brown sugar, and cinnamon in a medium bowl; firmly press mixture evenly onto bottom and 1 inch up sides of a 10-inch springform pan. Bake at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for 5 minutes; set aside.

2. In a large bowl, beat cream cheese until smooth. Gradually mix in 1 1/4 cups sugar, 1/3 cup whipping cream, flour, and 1 teaspoon vanilla. Beat in eggs, one at a time, beating after each addition. Pour 1/3 of batter into prepared pan. Top with 1 1/2 cups cookie pieces; pour in remaining batter.

3. Bake at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for 45 minutes. Remove cake from oven. Combine sour cream, 1/4 cup sugar, and 1 teaspoon vanilla; spread evenly on cheesecake. Continue baking for 7 minutes. Turn oven off and leave in oven 30 minutes. Remove cheesecake, and let cool completely on a wire rack.

4. Combine 1 cup whipping cream and chocolate chips in a saucepan; stir over low heat until chocolate melts, and then stir in 1 teaspoon vanilla. Pour mixture over cheesecake while still warm. Refrigerate until serving time. Should be at least 8 hours for refrigerator time, remove about 1/2 hour to 1 hour before serving, remove ring from springform pan, decorate to choice and get out your fork!