Only 41 minutes from Miami sits Cuba, a Third World country

MUNSTER | During the 1920s, Yiddish-speaking Jews traveled to Cuba from Eastern Europe. Rather than a stopover on the way to the United States, Cuba became home.

Only 41 minutes from Miami sits Cuba, a Third World country

Cubans work to repair an old Chevrolet on a street in Havana.

Only 41 minutes from Miami sits Cuba, a Third World country

An expressive Cuban guitar player.

Only 41 minutes from Miami sits Cuba, a Third World country

A Cuban woman smokes one of the country's famous cigars. The cigars are plentiful, but most Cubans cannot afford them.

Only 41 minutes from Miami sits Cuba, a Third World country

An old Chevrolet is parked on a Havana street in Cuba.

Only 41 minutes from Miami sits Cuba, a Third World country

Two men listen to a guitar player on a Havana street.

GUEST COMMENTARY: Lingering Cold War legacy in Cuba is fading

Cuba’s President Raul Castro has made notable news by announcing on Feb. 24 that he will retire from that office in 2018. His older brother Fidel stepped down from the same post in 2008, after turning 85 years of age.

OFFBEAT: Christopher Kennedy Lawford speaking March 16 at VU dinner event

Christopher Kennedy Lawford, whose parents are the late Patricia Kennedy Lawford and her actor husband Peter Lawford, is coming to Valparaiso University in March to speak at a dinner event in the ballroom of the Harre Student Union.

Florida celebrates its Spanish heritage in 2013

When Juan Ponce de Leon searched for riches in Florida, he unknowingly helped turn the Sunshine State into the first travel destination in the United States.

GUEST COMMENTARY: The Grinch didn't steal Christmas, and other good news

"Nattering nabobs of negativism," is probably the most enduring of the many alliterative announcements of Spiro Agnew, vice president in the Nixon administration until forced to resign because of corruption.

GUEST COMMENTARY: Cuban missile crisis lessons continue

October is the scary month, and not just because of Halloween. Exactly one-half century ago, the Cuban Missile Crisis during Oct. 22-28 dominated global news as Washington and Moscow sparred right on the edge of thermonuclear war.

Orville Redenbacher: A passion for popcorn

VALPARAISO | The man who rose to become top of the poppers, Orville Redenbacher, was born in Brazil, Ind., on July 16, 1907 -- the youngest of four children.

Hobart Board of Works hears more evidence on towing including former police chief

HOBART | Former Police Chief David Evans testified Wednesday that T&K Towing owner Tony Cuba was not guilty of anything illegal or improper while working for the city.

Hobart towing company owner questions why city terminated his contract

HOBART | T & K Towing owner Tony Cuba is anxious for his July 25 hearing before the Board of Public Works because he has two questions he wants to ask.

Travel 'Like a Local' with new guidebooks from Peter Greenberg

Peter Greenberg wants you to travel like a local, not a tourist, and he's written a new series of guidebooks to help.

Senator considered to be VP front-runner to talk in M'ville

MERRILLVILLE | The man said to be among the front-runners to be presidential candidate Mitt Romney's running mate, U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio, is coming to Merrillville to raise money for Hoosier Republicans.

OFFBEAT: Architect, design film fest concludes today in Chicago

Phil Potempa's daily entertainment news column.

PUC postpones academic trip to Cuba

HAMMOND | Due to insufficient response, Purdue University Calumet has postponed plans to offer an academic trip to Cuba in May.

PUC postpones academic trip to Cuba

HAMMOND | Due to insufficient response, Purdue University Calumet has postponed plans to offer an academic trip to Cuba next May.

PUC organizing academic trip to Cuba

HAMMOND | Purdue University Calumet is planning an academic trip to Cuba next spring for students and others interested in learning more about the history, issues and future prospects of the Caribbean island nation.