August 2015

Articles from my published newsletter, Kips Corner

In This Issue

70 Years Since The End Of WWII
Mushrooms Linked With Immunity
How Did That City Get It’s Name?
Chapter III: Green Bay
Why Is My Credit Score Different From One Creditor To Another?

CLICK HERE FOR THIS MONTH'S RECIPE
WORD SEARCH, CROSSWORD AND SUDOKU

August 14, 1945

70 Years Since The End Of WWII

Although VJ Day (Victory over Japan Day) is recognized on September 2nd, Japan's actual surrender date was the fourteenth of August, nineteen forty five.

The war in the Pacific was hard fought and bloody. The tide had definitely turned, and the U.S. military was fighting island by island towards Japan. Resistance was fierce. Casualties on both sides were high. 

The U.S. had developed the atomic bomb. The U.S. government was anxious to end the war, and stop the loss of American lives. 

On August 6th, 1945, the United States military dropped an atomic bomb over the city of Hiroshima, Japan in an effort to force Japan into an immediate, unconditional surrender. Instead of immediately surrendering, the Japanese government debated what to do. So, the U.S. dropped a second atomic bomb on August 9, 1945 over the city of Nagasaki, Japan. August 9th is also the day that the Soviet Union entered the war with their invasion of Manchuria.

On August 14, 1945, Japanese Emperor Hirohito cabled the U.S. to surrender, and agreed to the terms of the Potsdam Declaration. On August 15, 1945, news of the surrender was announced to the world. World War II was finally over. Hostilities ended. On September 2, 1945, the Japanese formally surrendered aboard the U.S. battleship USS Missouri in Tokyo Bay. President Truman declared this to be V-J Day.

First Time Home Buyer Tax Credit

What You Need To Know:

- Bottom Line Tax Savings

- Valid For The Life Of Loan

- Not All Lenders Are Certified

- Must Apply Prior To Close

If You Know Someone Who Is Considering Their First Home
This Is Information They Need.  Please Tell Them To Contact Me ASAP. 

Study Results

Mushrooms Linked With Immunity

A  recent study published in the online Journal of the American College of Nutrition shows a correlation between mushrooms and immunity.  The study suggested that eating four ounces of cooked shitake mushrooms daily for four weeks resulted in better-functioning gamma delta T-cells and fewer inflammatory proteins in blood, both of which are signs of a stronger immune system. Study leader Susan S. Percival, says the findings apply to all types of edible mushrooms, not just the shitakes.

Thank You! When You Refer Someone To Me 

That Is The Greatest Compliment That You Can Give Me

How Did That City Get It’s Name?

Chapter III: Green Bay

Jean Nicolet was commissioned by Samuel de Champlain, the founder of New France, to form a peaceful alliance with Indians in the western areas whose unrest was interfering with French fur trade. Nicolet founded a small trading post here in 1634, originally named La Baye or La Baie des Puants (French for "the stinking Bay"). When Nicolet arrived in the Green Bay area, he encountered the Menominee, as this was their territory. He also met the Ho-Chunk. Nicolet stayed with this tribe for about a year, becoming an ally. He helped open up opportunities for trade and commerce with them before returning to Quebec.

In 1671, a Jesuit Mission was set up in the area. A fort was not added until 1717 and gradually associated development took place. The town was incorporated in 1754. As Great Britain took control of French areas during the Seven Years' War, this town came under British control in 1761. 

The first permanent French settlers were Charles de Langlade (called the "Founder and Father of Wisconsin") and his family from Canada, who moved to Green Bay in 1765, becoming the first European-American settlers in today's Wisconsin. Langlade establishing a trading post in Green Bay in 1745, and moving there permanently in 1764. The French residents at the trading post in what is now Green Bay, referred to the town as "La Bey", however British fur traders referred to it as "Green Bay", because the water and the shore assumed green tints in early spring. The old French title was gradually dropped, and the British name of "Green Bay" eventually stuck.

The Green Bay area was still under British control until the 1783 treaty formally ended the American Revolutionary War. The Erie Canal was completed in 1825, linking New England with the Great Lakes. This led to the advance of Green Bay as a trading center. After statehood, there was a shift away from fur trading toward lumbering.  Today's major local industry had its start in 1865 when the first paper mill was built. Wisconsin's first newspaper, The Green Bay Intelligencer, was started in 1833. The town was incorporated as the city of Green Bay in 1854 and the Green Bay Area Public School District was founded in 1856. In 1919 The Green Bay Packers (named after their sponsor, the Indian Packing Co) were organized.  As of the census of 2010, there were 104,057 people, 42,244 households, and 24,699 families residing in the beautiful city of Green Bay.

No Credit Check Mortgage Check Up Is Your Mortgage Meeting Your Needs

No Cost Property Value Check Home Sales Are Up, What’s Your Value?

FICO® Score Versions

Why Is My Credit Score Different From One Creditor To Another?

FICO® Scores have been in use for over 25 years by many kinds of lenders to make more informed credit granting decisions. To keep up with behavioral trends of consumers and to suit the evolving needs of lenders, the FICO® Score model has been redeveloped over the years. The result is that there are multiple FICO® Score versions available in addition to the most widely used version, FICO® Score 8. 

When a new FICO® Score version is developed, we release it to the market. From there, each industry determines if and when it will upgrade to the latest version. It helps to think of the versions as older or newer generations of smart phones. They all share the same base functionality, but the latest versions also have unique updated features to meet evolving user needs. 

Industry-specific FICO® Scores are versions of FICO® Scores that are optimized for a certain type of credit product, such as auto loans or credit cards. The foundation of these versions is the same as the base FICO® Score versions, but they are fine-tuned based on industry-specific risk behavior.

With all FICO® Score versions, the keys to FICO® Scores remain the same: Make payments on time, keep credit card balances low & open new credit accounts only when needed.

Homes For Heroes affiliate Loan Officers, Real Estate & Title Agents support local Heroes by offer rebates & benefits when buying, selling & refinancing a home.  

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July 2015

Articles from my published newsletter, Kips Corner

In This Issue

Fireworks & Independence Day
DC Super Hero Girls
How Did That City Get It’s Name?
Chapter II: Madison

Clean Credit Scams Increase

CLICK HERE FOR THIS MONTH'S RECIPE
WORD SEARCH, CROSSWORD AND SUDOKU

Fireworks & Independence Day

Why The Two Are Synonymous 

After voting for independence, Congress turned its attention to the Declaration of Independence, a statement explaining this decision, which had been prepared by a Committee of Five, with Thomas Jefferson as its principal author. Congress debated and revised the wording of the Declaration, finally approving it on July 4. A day earlier, John Adams had written to his wife Abigail:

"...The second day of July, 1776, will be the most memorable epoch in the history of America. I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated by succeeding generations as the great anniversary festival. It ought to be commemorated as the day of deliverance, by solemn acts of devotion to God Almighty. It ought to be solemnized with pomp and parade, with shows, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires, and illuminations, from one end of this continent to the other, from this time forward forever more..." (Adams's prediction was off by two days, but everything else was spot on.)

A year later, Congress itself ordained the tradition of fireworks in Philadelphia. It was said to have been "a grand exhibition of fireworks, which began and concluded with thirteen rockets on the commons," according to the Evening Post. The celebratory firing of muskets, artillery and other explosives was a carryover from colonial days. "What was different about it is they began to have the fireworks represent the 13 states," James Heintze, a retired librarian emeritus of American University and author of the "Fourth of July Encyclopedia," says. "The numerical symbolism became very important for the Fourth of July."

If John and Abigail Adams could see the celebrations and fireworks of today, I wonder what they would say.

First Time Home Buyer Tax Credit

What You Need To Know:

- Bottom Line Tax Savings

- Valid For The Life Of Loan

- Not All Lenders Are Certified

- Must Apply Prior To Close

If You Know Someone Who Is Considering Their First Home
This Is Information They Need.  Please Tell Them To Contact Me ASAP. 

DC Super Hero Girls

Sorry Barbie, You’ve Been Benched

Barbies are cute, but they can't stop a criminal mastermind. Toymakers want to fill the gap. They're creating a cast for young females: teenage super heroines. Time Warner and DC Entertainment are teaming with Mattel and Lego to introduce DC Super Hero Girls, versions of comic book characters such as Wonder Woman and Poison Ivy. 

Random House is planning a series of books for girls from 6 to 12 years old. Each character has her own story line that explores what teen life is like as a Super Hero, including discovering her unique abilities. At the same time, Toymakers are responding to a backlash against Barbie because gender stereotypes are breaking down at younger ages.

Thank You! When You Refer Someone To Me 

That Is The Greatest Compliment That You Can Give Me

How Did That City Get It’s Name?

Chapter II: Madison

James Duane Doty, a territorial Judge and land speculator, traveled through Madison's Isthmus in May 1829 and liked the site so much that he bought 1,200 acres for $1,500 and platted a grid of streets. In 1836, he persuaded the territorial legislature meeting in Belmont (a small town 50 miles southwest of what is now Madison) to designate Madison, then his paper city, as the site for the new capital. 

Doty named the city Madison for James Madison, the 4th President of the U.S. who had died on June 28, 1836 and he named the streets around the capitol square for the other signers of the U.S. Constitution. 

In April 1837, Eben and Roseline Peck moved to the Isthmus from Blue Mounds and built a log cabin boarding house near South Butler Street to accommodate the workers who came from Milwaukee to build the Capitol. Roseline gave birth to Madison's first non-Native American baby and her public-house guests named the child Wisconsiana Victoria. 

Nine years later when the Village of Madison was incorporated the population had reached 626. Wisconsin became a state in 1848. Madison became a city in 1856 and boasted a population of 6,864. The first settlers were Yankees from the eastern states. They were soon followed by German, Irish and Norwegian immigrants. Italians, Greeks, Jews and African Americans also found a home here after the turn of the Century. 

King Street and the East Main/South Pinckney Street sides of the Capitol Square were the first commercial districts. The first residential districts were along Gorham, Gilman, Langdon and Wilson Street. The growth of state and county government, the University of Wisconsin and a few industries such as Oscar Mayer, French Battery Co. (Ray-o-Vac), L.L. Olds Seed Co., Gisholt Machine Tool Co. and the Fauerbach Brewery provided employment and stimulated Madison's growth. 
http://www.historicmadison.org

No Credit Check Mortgage Check Up Is Your Mortgage Meeting Your Needs

No Cost Property Value Check Home Sales Are Up, What’s Your Value?

Clean Credit Scams Increase

Protect Yourself

If a caller offers to hide your credit problems by obtaining a credit-privacy number (CPN) to replace your Social Security number, don't fall for it. You can't use it to apply for credit or to get a job. The scammers say that, by using the CPN, you can build a new, clean credit history, hiding any bad credit or bankruptcy. They charge you hundreds or thousands of dollars for the CPN. What they actually provide are  Social Security  numbers stolen from children or deceased people. Using one could result in your being charged with identity theft, bank, mail or wire fraud.

According to the FTC, often, scammers who operate by phone don’t want to give you time to think about their pitch; they just want you to say "yes." But some are so cunning that, even if you ask for more information, they seem happy to comply. They may direct you to a website or otherwise send information featuring “satisfied customers.” These customers, known as shills, are likely as fake as their praise for the company.  

If you receive a call like this, say "no, thank you," hang up, and file a complaint with the FTC. To file a complaint visit https://www.ftcComplaintAssistant.gov and follow the instructions.

In addition, register your phone numbers with the do not call list. To register visit https://www.donotcall.gov.

Homes For Heroes affiliate Loan Officers, Real Estate & Title Agents support local Heroes by offer rebates & benefits when buying, selling & refinancing a home.  

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June 2015

Articles from my published newsletter, Kips Corner

In This Issue

Father's Day
World War II: D-Day
How Did That City Get It’s Name?
Chapter I: Milwaukee
A Few Days To Note

CLICK HERE FOR THIS MONTH'S RECIPE
WORD SEARCH, CROSSWORD AND SUDOKU

Father's Day

Sunday, June 21

On July 19, 1910, the governor of the U.S. state of Washington proclaimed the nation’s first “Father’s Day.” However, it was not until 1972, 58 years after President Woodrow Wilson made Mother’s Day official, that the day became a nationwide holiday in the United States.

Wishing all Father’s the happiest of days this June 21st.

First Time Home Buyer Tax Credit

What You Need To Know:

- Bottom Line Tax Savings

- Valid For The Life Of Loan

- Not All Lenders Are Certified

- Must Apply Prior To Close

If You Know Someone Who Is Considering Their First Home
This Is Information They Need.  Please Tell Them To Contact Me ASAP. 

World War II: D-Day

70 Years Ago, June 6th

The Normandy landings (codenamed Operation Neptune) were the landing operations on 6 June 1944 (termed D-Day) of the Allied invasion of Normandy in Operation Overlord during World War II. The largest seaborne invasion in history, the operation began the invasion of German-occupied western Europe, led to the liberation of France from Nazi control, and contributed to an Allied victory in the war.

On June 6, 1944, more than 160,000 Allied troops landed along a 50-mile stretch of heavily-fortified French coastline, to fight Nazi Germany on the beaches of Normandy, France. Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower called the operation a crusade in which, “we will accept nothing less than full victory.” More than 5,000 Ships and 13,000 aircraft supported the D-Day invasion, and by day’s end, the Allies gained a foot-hold in Continental Europe. The cost in lives on D-Day was high. More than 9,000 Allied Soldiers were killed or wounded, but their sacrifice allowed more than 100,000 Soldiers to begin the slow, hard slog across Europe, to defeat Adolf Hitler’s crack troops.

The invasion is often known by the famous nickname “D-Day,” yet few people know the origin of the term or what, if anything, the “D” stood for. Most argue it was merely a redundancy that also meant “day,” but others have proposed everything from “departure” to “decision” to “doomsday.”

According to the U.S. military, “D-Day” was an Army designation used to indicate the start date for specific field operations. In this case, the “D” in D-Day doesn’t actually stand for anything—it’s merely an alliterative placeholder used to designate a particular day on the calendar. The military also employed the term “H-Hour” to refer to the time on D-Day when the action would begin. This shorthand helped prevent actual mission dates from falling into enemy hands, but it also proved handy when the start date for an attack was still undecided. 

Thank You! When You Refer Someone To Me 

That Is The Greatest Compliment That You Can Give Me

How Did That City Get It’s Name?

Chapter I: Milwaukee

The word "Milwaukee" may come from the Potawatomi language minwaking, or Ojibwe language ominowakiing, "Gathering place [by the water]". Early explorers called the Milwaukee River and surrounding lands various names: Melleorki, Milwacky, Mahn-a-waukie, Milwarck, and Milwaucki. For many years, printed records gave the name as "Milwaukie". One story of Milwaukee's name says “...One day during the thirties of the last century [1800s] a newspaper calmly changed the name to Milwaukee, and Milwaukee it has remained until this day…”

The spelling "Milwaukie" lives on in Milwaukie, Oregon, named after the Wisconsin city in 1847, before the current spelling was universally accepted.

Milwaukee was first settled by a French Canadian called Alexis Laframboise in 1785; it was only a trading post. Therefore, Solomon Juneau was not the first to arrive in the area, in 1818. However, Juneau founded the town called Juneau's Side, or Juneautown, that began attracting more settlers. Byron Kilbourn was Juneau's equivalent on the west side of the Milwaukee River. In competition with Juneau, he established Kilbourntown west of the Milwaukee River, and made sure the streets running toward the river did not join with those on the east side. This accounts for the large number of angled bridges that still exist in Milwaukee today. Further, Kilbourn distributed maps of the area which only showed Kilbourntown, implying Juneautown did not exist or that the east side of the river was uninhabited and thus undesirable. The third prominent builder was George H. Walker. He claimed land to the south of the Milwaukee River, along with Juneautown, where he built a log house in 1834. This area  became known as Walker's Point.

By the 1840s, the three towns had grown quite a bit, along with their rivalries. There were some intense battles between the towns, mainly Juneautown and Kilbourntown, which culminated with the Milwaukee Bridge War of 1845. Following the Bridge War, it was decided the best course of action was to officially unite the towns. So, on January 31, 1846, they combined to incorporate as the City of Milwaukee and elected Solomon Juneau as Milwaukee's first mayor.

Read More At http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Milwaukee

No Credit Check Mortgage Check Up Is Your Mortgage Meeting Your Needs

No Cost Property Value Check Home Sales Are Up, What’s Your Value?

A Few Days To Note

Flag Day, Juneteenth Day, Summer Solstice

Flag Day (June 14th) is a day for all Americans to celebrate and show respect for our flag, its designers and makers. Our flag is representative of our independence and our unity as a nation.....one nation, under God, indivisible. Our flag has a proud and glorious history. It was at the lead of every battle fought by Americans. Many people have died protecting it. It even stands proudly on the surface of the moon. As Americans, we have every right to be proud of our culture, our nation, and our flag. So raise the flag today and every day with pride!

Juneteenth Day (June 19th ) celebrates and symbolizes the end of slavery in the United States. President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation on September 22, 1862. It was not until June 19, 1865 that all slaves were finally freed. That concluding event was when General Gordon Granger rode into Galveston, Texas with his troops and issued Order Number 3 which finally freed the last of the slaves. The formal end of slavery was marked by the passing of the 13th amendment of the constitution. 

Summer Solstice (June 21) is sometimes referred to as "Midsummer" Litha". It's the longest day of the year. Summer Solstice is the meteorological start of summer. 

Homes For Heroes affiliate Loan Officers, Real Estate & Title Agents support local Heroes by offer rebates & benefits when buying, selling & refinancing a home.  

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May 2015

Articles from my published newsletter, Kips Corner

In This Issue

Mother's Day

Memorial Day

Communicate Effectively

5 Wisconsin Cities for Spring

World's Best Lasagna
CLICK HERE FOR THIS MONTH'S
WORD SEARCH, CROSSWORD AND SUDOKU

Mother's Day

Sunday, May 10, 2015

The origins of Mother's Day are attributed to different people. Many believe that two women, Julia Ward Howe and Anna Jarvis were important in establishing the tradition of Mother's Day in the United States. Other sources say that Juliet Calhoun Blakely initiated Mother’s Day in Albion, Michigan, in the late 1800s. Her sons paid tribute to her each year and urged others to honor their mothers.

Around 1870, Julia Ward Howe called for Mother's Day to be celebrated each year to encourage pacifism and disarmament amongst women. It continued to be held in Boston for about ten years under her sponsorship, but died out after that.

In 1907, Anna Jarvis held a private Mother's Day celebration in memory of her mother, Ann Jarvis, in Grafton, West Virginia. Ann Jarvis had organized "Mother's Day Work Clubs" to improve health and cleanliness in the area where she lived. Anna Jarvis launched a quest for Mother's Day to be more widely recognized. Her campaign was later financially supported by John Wanamaker, a clothing merchant from Philadelphia.

In 1908, she was instrumental in arranging a service in the Andrew's Methodist Episcopal Church in Grafton, West Virginia, which was attended by 407 children and their mothers. The church has now become the International Mother's Day Shrine. It is a tribute to all mothers and has been designated as a National Historic Landmark.

Mother's Day has become a day that focuses on generally recognizing mothers' and mother figures' roles. Mother's Day has also become an increasingly important event for businesses in recent years. This is particularly true of restaurants and businesses manufacturing and selling cards and gift items.

First Time Home Buyer Tax Credit

What You Need To Know:

- Bottom Line Tax Savings

- Valid For The Life Of Loan

- Not All Lenders Are Certified

- Must Apply Prior To Close

If You Know Someone Who Is Considering Their First Home This Is Information They Need.  Please Tell Them To Contact Me ASAP. 

Memorial Day

How One Group Pays Tribute

For a special group of Americans, the meaning behind Memorial Day is observed in a totally different manner. Sunday, May 24, will mark the 25th Anniversary of the Rolling Thunder "Ride for Freedom" motorcycle parade in Washington, D.C. It moves from the Pentagon to the Vietnam War Memorial Wall, a tribute that started in 1988 with just an idea for a one-time rally in remembrance of all Prisoners of War (POW) and those Missing in Action (MIA). The low rumble of Harley engines reminds many attendees of the sound created in the 1965 bombing campaign against North Vietnam named Operation Rolling Thunder. 

Rolling Thunder has over 100 chapters throughout Canada, Australia, Europe and the United States. Members actively promote legislation regarding POW/MIA issues from all wars. They also spend many hours collecting and providing food, clothing and other essentials for veterans and their families, and support for veterans' groups and women's crisis centers. 

Thank You! When You Refer Someone To Me 

That Is The Greatest Compliment That You Can Give Me

Communicate Effectively

Words Are Back in Style

We’ve always thought our words were so much less important than our body language in communicating with others. That’s thanks to a 1967 study that concluded that only 7 percent of what a listener picks up comes from words. Thirty-eight percent comes from our tone and a whopping 55 percent from body language. Now, some are spotting flaws in this paradigm. A host of recent researchers are studying, scanning, and sorting our brains in an effort to establish how we communicate, and how we sell ourselves. Many of the researchers still search beyond words. But to some, words tell it like it is. 

In a recent blog, self-help maven Tony Robbins noted: “The words you habitually choose also affect what you experience … you can take control of your habitual vocabulary to change the quality of your life … how you think, feel, and how you live.” Wealth Savant, which provides financial and wealth content online, published an article titled “Choose Your Words and Control Your Destiny.” To sum it up: Don’t use the wrong words, because negative words create a negative response. And vice-versa. So avoid words like “however” and “unfortunately,” because no matter what follows, the listener receives a negative message. Even worse, neuroscientists now tell us, negative words have a harmful effect on the speaker’s brain. 

Copyblogger author Gregory Ciotti lists the five most persuasive words in the English language: “you,” “because,” “free,” “instantly,” and “new.”  “You” can use these “free”ly “because” “new” listeners “instantly” like them—creating “positivity.”

NO CREDIT CHECK Mortgage Check Up Is Your Mortgage Meeting Your Needs

NO COST Property Value Check Home Sales Are Up, What’s Your Value?

5 Wisconsin Cities for Spring

From TravelWisconsin.com

The tiny town of Gays Mills is home to the Spring Festival/Folk Festival. Bronc riding, a clogging workshop, Maypole dancing, and toe tappin’ music plus a bake sale and pancake breakfast. Creative workshops are offered on the fiddle, banjo and bones, plus writing and children’s poetry. (May 8 - May 10 Gays Mills Spring Festival)

Horicon, on the Rock River, is pleasant any time of the year, but spring is particularly enjoyable, especially during the May birding season. The Horicon Marsh Bird Festival takes place, offering bird-watching and activities for nature lovers of all ages. (May 8 - May 11 Horicon Marsh Bird Festival)

Green Bay’s Botanical Garden has 47 acres of springtime splendor; bulbs are planted to be at their peak around the middle of May, so expect carpets of tulips, daffodils and flowering shrubs. In addition, they host 'TasteBud Outdoor Culinary Experience', where local restaurants present their most appealing cuisine in the lovely spring gardens. (May 14 TasteBud Outdoor Culinary Event)

Superior, WI offers miles of spectacular beauty, both on the shores and further inland. Start your visit at Barker’s Island, where you can tour the SS Meteor, the only surviving whaleback ship – her maiden voyage began in Superior in 1896.

Forget spring cleaning – how about a little spring shopping? Head to artsy little Stockholm – it’s right in the middle of the 100 Mile Garage Sale, which stretches along both sides of the Mississippi River. (May 2 - May 3 100 Mile Garage Sale)

For more information visit http://www.travelwisconsin.com/article/things-to-do/5-cities-for-spring

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World's Best Lasagna

The term "lasagna" comes from the Greek word, "lasagnum," meaning dish or bowl. The Romans, who ended up using the same style of dish as the Greeks developed a type of food which they used the term "lasagnum" for: it was served in said dish, with layers of a pasta-like food with other fillings in-between. With the extent of the Roman empire, this new "lasagnum" dish spread all across Europe, eventually reaching Britain, where it was published in the very first cookbook. The early Italians changed the name from "lasagnum," to "lasagna," which is the current form. 

1 pound sweet Italian sausage

3/4 pound lean ground beef

1/2 cup minced onion

2 cloves garlic, crushed

1 (28 ounce) can crushed tomatoes

2 (6 ounce) cans tomato paste

2 (6.5 ounce) cans canned tomato sauce

1/2 cup water

2 tablespoons white sugar

1 1/2 teaspoons dried basil leaves

1/2 teaspoon fennel seeds

1 teaspoon Italian seasoning

1 tablespoon salt

1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper

4 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley

12 lasagna noodles

16 ounces ricotta cheese

1 egg

1/2 teaspoon salt

3/4 pound mozzarella cheese, sliced

3/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

In a Dutch oven, cook sausage, ground beef, onion, and garlic over medium heat until well browned. Stir in crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, tomato sauce, and water. Season with sugar, basil, fennel seeds, Italian seasoning, 1 tablespoon salt, pepper, and 2 tablespoons parsley. Simmer, covered, for about 1 1/2 hours, stirring occasionally. Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Cook lasagna noodles in boiling water for 8 to 10 minutes. Drain noodles, and rinse with cold water. In a mixing bowl, combine ricotta cheese with egg, remaining parsley, and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). To assemble, spread 1 1/2 cups of meat sauce in the bottom of a 9x13 inch baking dish. Arrange 6 noodles lengthwise over meat sauce. Spread with one half of the ricotta cheese mixture. Top with a third of mozzarella cheese slices. Spoon 1 1/2 cups meat sauce over mozzarella, and sprinkle with 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese. Repeat layers, and top with remaining mozzarella and Parmesan cheese. Cover with foil: to prevent sticking, either spray foil with cooking spray, or make sure the foil does not touch the cheese. Bake in preheated oven for 25 minutes. Remove foil, and bake an additional 25 minutes. Cool for 15 minutes before serving.