Happily divorced ever after

By Maureen Salamon
(LifeWire) -- After her divorce three years ago, Lori Hilliard was filled with rage, pain and sadness -- until a few simple words from Mister Rogers put things into perspective.

The mother of four came across a book that featured a quote from the gentle host of TV's "Mister Rogers' Neighborhood": "So in all that you do, in all of your life, I wish you the strength and the grace to make the choices which will allow you and your neighbor to become the best of whoever you are."

"When I read that quote, something in my heart just shifted and I knew what my divorce was going to be," says Hilliard, 44, an occupational therapist for children with disabilities.

Today, she and her former husband, Timothy, 43, co-parent their children in a relationship they both say works better than their marriage ever did.

"It has been so powerful for my kids to see a functional relationship out of this. We're making the most of it," she says.

Timothy Hilliard, who lives near Lori in Lehigh, Utah, and communicates constantly with her to juggle the care of their children, including a son with Down syndrome, agrees.

"Our relationship basically runs just the way it did when we were married, except without the sex and the arguing. I can tell you, I don't miss the arguing," the marketing executive says.

For many parents, divorce is an arduous, exhausting ordeal. But it doesn't have to be. Some forge brand-new relationships that look more like friendship and aim to bury the rancor of the past.

Allies or animosity?

New York City matrimonial lawyer Nancy Chemtob says about 80 percent of divorcing couples her firm represents are parents, to whom she stresses the benefits of remaining allies even if they cannot remain married.

"It's really in everyone's best interests," says Chemtob, a founding partner of the firm Chemtob Moss Forman and Talbert. "As much animosity as there is, when they realize their common interest... it's going to make everyone's lives easier."

Of course, "happily divorced ever after" is simply not possible for everyone. Chemtob notes that one spouse's fury over the other's marriage-busting infidelity can prevent harmony from ever taking root. And sometimes a divorcing couple just can't break the discord that has simmered over years or decades.

Bonnie Russell and her ex-husband, Mark Barber, tried to stay friends after their 1990 split, but agree that their efforts failed.

"Initially it was an OK divorce," says Russell, a freelance publicist in her 50s from Del Mar, California, who was married to Barber for about four years. "But when I went for more custody, it turned into a horrible divorce."

"We tried to visit; we tried to be civil," says Barber, a 56-year-old lawyer in San Diego who ended up with full custody of the couple's only child, a daughter, who is now 20. "But this is not a success story."

Trial and error

When custody isn't an issue, ex-spouses often try to maintain a relationship focused on one of the few things they may still agree on: their offspring. Russell Wild, 52, of Allentown, Pennsylvania, says he and his former wife, Susan, 51, never lost sight of their commitment to their two children, ages 15 and 12.

The Wilds, married for 22 years, divorced in 2003 and two years later co-wrote "The Unofficial Guide to Getting a Divorce."

"We had seen many attempts at amicable divorce fail among family and friends," says Russell Wild, 52, a financial planner. "We knew it wasn't going to be easy. Married people fight, divorced people fight . . . you just can't let it take control of you and destroy you."

When it comes to raising their children, Wild and his ex-wife strive for consistency. "(We) are a single government, and the kids know that," says Wild. "We always back each other up."

If Travis Hill's career choice is any indication, such Herculean efforts by divorcing parents can pay off. Hill, 32, believes he became a psychotherapist because of how well his mother and father handled their split 14 years ago.

"They were very good at distinguishing the problems in their relationship from their concerns about us kids," says Hill, of Germantown, Tennessee, who now has a wife and young daughter. After the divorce, Hill's father continued to share Christmas Day with his family, as well as some weekends and other holidays. "Now that grandkids are in the picture, because my parents were able to stay on friendly terms, it's much easier."

Striving for the 'good divorce'

The pros of such an arrangement are numerous, according to Hill: from nurturing children's mental health and emotional resilience to smoothing extended family ties.

But "ultimately, it's still a divorce," he says. "Divorce is not a happy thing ... and you still have to go through the pain of what a divorce is."

Attorney Chemtob offers these tips for exes to help make a "good divorce" possible:

• Put your kids first: "The most important thing to children is that they still have a relationship with both of their parents," she says.

• Don't be petty: Make sure every discussion isn't a rehash of why you got divorced. "It's not about winning a fight anymore."

• Be inclusive: "If you'd include a friend who has nowhere to go on Thanksgiving or birthdays, why not include your ex-spouse?"

Oz auditions

THE WIZARD OF OZ TO HOLD LOCAL DANCE TROUPE AUDITIONS
FOR THE NATIONAL TOURING PRODUCTION’S
MIAMI ENGAGEMENT PLAYING OCTOBER 28 – NOVEMBER 2, 2008
AT THE ADRIENNE ARSHT CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS

GROUP AUDITIONS WILL BE HELD ON SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 27 AT 10:00AM
AT THE ADRIENNE ARSHT CENTER ZIFF BALLET OPERA HOUSE, PEACOCK FOUNDATION, INC. STUDIO
Miami, FL

Kids,don’t miss your chance to follow the yellow brick road! Dorothy and her
friends are seeking 12 children from an existing dance, choir or theater group to play Munchkins during the Miami engagement of THE WIZARD OF OZ National Tour, touching down at the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts of MiamiDade
County from October 28 through November 2, 2008.

THE WIZARD OF OZ is presented by Broadway Across America – Miami, the Adrienne Arsht Center for the PerfoRming Arts of MiamiDade County, and Florida Theatrical Association

Group auditions will take place at the Adrienne Arsht Center’s Peacock Foundation, Inc. Studio (located inside the
Ziff Ballet Opera House) on Saturday, September 27 beginning at 10:00am. All registrants must arrive by 9:45am.
Auditioning groups must consist of 12 children (plus 2 alternates) between the ages of 8 and 13 years of age and should be excellent singers and dancers with enthusiastic personalities. Munchkins are not allowed to be taller
than five feet (5’). No individual child or partial groups will be allowed to audition.

Groups must register in advance. For full audition details and to download a Munchkin audition registration form and Munchkin sheet music, visit tour’s website www.wizardofozontour.com and click on MUNCHKINLAND.

Iguana care

The SPCA Wildlife Care Center
Serving the South Florida Tri-County Region since 1969
Our mission is to rescue, rehabilitate, and release native wildlife that has been harmed or displaced; to treat and place certain needy domestic, exotic and farm animals; and to educate the public toward the co-existence with all animals.

For more details click here.

The SPCA Wildlife Care Center receives approximately 200 phone calls each day reporting injured wildlife and requesting information about animals and the environment. Trained staff informs the public about environmental concerns, wildlife problems, and ways in which people and wildlife can peacefully coexist. The Center regularly participates in public events with displays, exhibits and literature. Our Education Program reaches approximately 17,000 individuals each year.

Do you have a cute kid?

The Gap is sponsoring it's 3rd annual Gap casting call, looking for the counties cutest kids. Mom, dad...just click here for all the details.

The winner will appear in their winter marketing campaign.

Psssst!

IS GIRL TALK BAD FOR YOU?

The New York Times reports: "Dwelling and rehashing issues can keep girls, who are more prone to depression and anxiety than boys, stuck in negative thinking patterns, psychologists say. What's especially negative for young girls is the related mental hazard of "'emotion contagion' or 'contagious anxiety,' in which one person's negative thoughts or anxiety can affect another's mood, sometimes over a long period."



Do you think young girls tend to justify their bad feelings or offer one another constructive advice?

How do guys normally discuss their problems?

Do you think guys and girls communicate with each other more often now with instant messaging and Facebook/Myspace?

The Women

10 things you need to know about 'The Women,' Hollywood's latest chick-flick hopeful

BY JULIE HINDS
FREE PRESS POP CULTURE WRITER

It's time for the next round of the lipstick wars, not in the political arena, but on the box-office battlefront.
"The Women," which opens today, hopes to follow in the designer high-heeled footsteps of "Sex and the City" and maybe walk a mile in the sun-drenched sandals of "Mamma Mia!"
Both of those female-skewing films scored box-office successes on their opening weekends. Can "The Women" make it a three-peat?
Perhaps, if contemporary audiences can embrace a comedy with an all-female cast.
And if Meg Ryan, missing in action from high-profile projects lately, can reclaim her status as America's sweetheart.
And if director-screenwriter Diane English of "Murphy Brown" fame can find enough humor in marital infidelity, a topic linked to recent painful public scandals.
That's a lot of ifs for a glamorous, fluffy romp, but it could make for a more interesting dynamic than your average chick flick.
Here are 10 things you need to know about "The Women" before you make it a girls' night out.
1. It's based on a classic film that defined girl power.
If you think Hollywood is a boys club now, imagine what it was like in 1939, the year "The Women" defied the odds with an all-star, all-female cast that included Norma Shearer, Joan Crawford, Rosalind Russell and Joan Fontaine. The story (from Clare Booth Luce's Broadway hit) was edgy for its day: A rich wife (Shearer then, Ryan now) finds out her husband has been cheating on her, a revelation that plays out through the prism of the women surrounding her.
2. It's counting on the Carrie Bradshaw effect. What's the difference between a female moviegoer and a pit bull? Lipstick and buying power. The fierce devotion of female consumers helped turn the opening weekend of "Sex and the City" into a $55 million-plus triumph. The same dogged crowd flocked to "Mamma Mia!," which grabbed more than $27 million for its debut. For a Hollywood obsessed with courting men under 25 with action flicks, it was a wake-up call on the power of the purse. "The Women" might face a rougher road, because the early buzz has been mixed and it doesn't have a built-in TV fan base or the benefit of ABBA music. But it does have a savvy marketing strategy -- a trailer that's been playing before screenings of "Sex and the City" and "Mamma Mia!"
3. It had a long, strange trip to the screen. Fourteen years ago, mega-stars Meg Ryan and Julia Roberts were ready to team up on "The Women." Then the dream fell apart, the script was revised several times, the major studios lost interest and the cast became a revolving door of rumored possibilities like Sandra Bullock, Uma Thurman and Queen Latifah. After a decade of waiting, English finally got the project made by hooking up with smaller production companies and cutting the budget back to a multimillion-dollar figure that would be spare change for a special-effects blowout like "The Dark Knight."
4. It dips a toe into the culture wars. The preview dwells on the wisecracking quartet of Ryan (the wronged wife), Annette Bening (a powerful magazine editor), Debra Messing (a hippie-ish supermom) and Jada Pinkett Smith (a chic lesbian writer), who live an upscale life of shopping and spa visits. But there's another key figure with a hint of class tension -- the other woman, who, as in the original, works at a perfume counter. She's played by Eva Mendes and called "the spritzer girl" by Ryan's loyal clique. There's even a dressing-room standoff that telegraphs who's the villain with lingerie instead of cowboy hats: Ryan wears a sexy white corset, while Mendes has a skimpy black one.
5. It tackles the moms-versus-no kids divide. There can be a gap as wide as a playground between the perceptions and assumptions of mothers and their childless pals. English touches on that in "The Women" with snappy dialogue (when Messing says she wants to keep having children until she has a boy, Pinkett Smith responds, "Don't we have enough of those?") and by treating the choices of Ryan, who plays a mom, and Bening, whose character is content not to be one, as equally valid. And for the amusement of both sides of the fence, the trailer throws in a childbirth scene with Messing that may feature the longest, loudest screen scream in movie history.
6. It gives permission -- finally -- to explore the topic of cheating. During the messy unfolding of the John Edwards and Kwame Kilpatrick scandals, most people (including members of the press) felt it wasn't fair to pry into the feelings of the wives involved. But through fiction, "The Women" touches on the tough questions: How do you react to finding out your spouse is unfaithful? What's your next step? What if you find out your friend's husband is cheating? What if she discovers you knew but didn't tell her? Although this is a comedy, some of the emotions are as raw as the butter, cocoa and cream Ryan reaches for during an angry food binge.
7. It's another fashion orgy. Taking a page from "Sex and the City," "The Women" is a showcase for designer labels like Marc Jacobs and La Perla and preppy staples like Burberry. There's even a runway show thrown in for good measure. The credit for the stylish wardrobe goes to perhaps the most important man involved in the production, costume designer John Dunn.
8. It's got AARP cred. While Kim Cattrall's Samantha showed 50 is fabulous in "Sex and the City" and Meryl Streep, Christine Baranski and Julie Walters frolicked in menopausal glee in "Mamma Mia!", "The Women" gives roles to Bette Midler, Cloris Leachman (82 and soon to be competing on "Dancing With the Stars") and Candice Bergen as Ryan's acerbic mother. "I know you don't drink in the afternoon," says Bergen after ordering a gimlet for her daughter. "But you will eventually, so why not start now?"
9. It proves Meg Ryan is ready to face the cameras. After riding high in the 1990s, Ryan's career stalled and her marriage to Dennis Quaid dissolved amid reports of her affair with "Proof of Life" costar Russell Crowe. Then she landed back in the rumor mill for speculation that she'd enhanced her lips and face with cosmetic procedures, a look derided as a "trout pout." But now Ryan is on the rebound, talking in TV appearances about how happy and centered she is as a single mom and putting forth a face that seems to have returned to a more natural, fish-free state.
10. It's a love letter to female friendships. In the 1939 movie, the women were back-biting, tart-tongued and, ultimately, insecure, because their social status and financial security depended on their relationships to the unseen men. But the remake is less about Ryan being a wronged wife and more about how it affects and strengthens her ties to the women around her. A comedy about finding out what you really want, "The Women" knows sometimes what you want most is to hang out with your BFFs.

Lipstick personality

What the shape of your lipstick says about your personality.

Click here to find out.

Buyers remorse?

The best way to stop impulse shopping is to not shop. Don't go into a store to simply look around. Don't go into a store unless you have a specific item that you need to purchase. Don't go into a store without knowing exactly how much you have to spend.

Be prepared for you shopping. Take a list with you. Estimate how much you will need and add a few dollars to that. Then leave all of your cards and your checkbook in your vehicle. Only carry in the cash amount that you have to spend.

Get rid of the catalogs. Don't sign up for new ones and ask to be removed from the ones you have. Stop shopping online.

Talking of shopping triggers, there are a lot of people that impulse shop when they are upset or stressed. Find other ways to make yourself feel better. You know that the shopping is only a quick fix that is often replaced with guilt.

You can break the habit. It just takes time and self-control. It is an easy habit to fall back into, so you have to stay on your toes. Plan ahead and think before you buy, and you will save money.

One more way I heard about. If you're thinking about buying something you don't need, figure out how much you'd have to work to pay for it. For example, if you make 30 dollars an hour, a 150 dress would take five hours to pay for. Is it worth it?

Chitty chitty bang bang

CHITTY CHITTY BANG BANG, the most fantasmagorical Broadway musical in the history of live theater, is searching for six children in the Ft. Lauderdale area to make their stage debut as CHITTY launches the First National Tour at the Broward Center for the Performing Arts November 18 through November 30, 2008.
Based on the timeless novel by Ian Fleming, author/creator of the James Bond franchise, the production features the music and lyrics by the legendary Sherman brothers, composers of Mary Poppins. The national tour also features an original script and fresh adaptation directed by Ray Roderick. CHITTY CHITTY BANG BANG boasts a beloved score, including memorable classics such as “Truly Scrumptious,” “Toot Sweets,” “Hushabye Mountain” and the Oscar®­nominated title song, “Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.”

Auditions will be held at The Broward Center for the Performing Arts in the Abdo New River Room on Sunday, September 28 at 10:00am. Auditioning children are to arrive no later than 9:45am accompanied by a parent or guardian to sign­up for the audition. Auditions will begin promptly at 10:00am. Each child will be asked to sing a cappella 16 bars from one up­tempo song of choice. Children should be prepared to learn and execute simple choreography as part of the audition process. No decisions will be announced at any time during the auditions. Six children will be selected for the ensemble, and they will appear as orphans in Act 2 of every performance. Two alternates will also be chosen. Approximate ages should be between 8 and 12 years old – and have the appearance of children, NOT young adults. Professional experience and headshots are not required.

The local children cast in the production and their parents or guardians will be provided rehearsal and performance information. The children will not receive any compensation, however this is a wonderful opportunity for children from Ft. Lauderdale to perform onstage with professional actors without having to ever leave town.

Help kids eat healthy

Good nutrition and a balanced diet help kids grow up healthy. Whether you have a toddler or a teen, here are some strategies to improve nutrition and encourage smart eating habits:

Have regular family meals.
Serve a variety of healthy foods and snacks.
Be a role model by eating healthy yourself.
Avoid battles over food.
Involve kids in the process.
But it's not easy to take these steps when everyone is juggling busy schedules and convenience food, such as fast food, is so readily available.

Here are some ways to incorporate all five strategies into your routine.

Family Meals
Family meals are a comforting ritual for both parents and kids. Children like the predictability of family meals and parents get a chance to catch up with their kids. Kids who take part in regular family meals are also:

more likely to eat fruits, vegetables, and grains
less likely to snack on unhealthy foods
less likely to smoke, use marijuana, or drink alcohol
In addition, family meals offer the chance to introduce your child to new foods and to act as a role model for healthy eating.

Teens may turn up their noses at the prospect of a family meal — not surprising because they're trying to establish independence. Yet studies find that teens still want their parents' advice and counsel, so use mealtime as a chance to reconnect. Also, consider trying these strategies:

Allow your teen to invite a friend to dinner.
Involve your teen in meal planning and preparation.
Keep mealtime calm and congenial — no lectures or arguing.
What counts as a family meal? Any time you and your family eat together — whether it's takeout food or a home-cooked meal with all the trimmings. Strive for nutritious food and a time when everyone can be there. This may mean eating dinner a little later to accommodate a child who's at sports practice. It can also mean setting aside time on the weekends, such as Sunday brunch, when it may be more convenient to gather as a group.

Stocking Up on Healthy Foods
Kids, especially younger ones, will eat mostly what's available at home. That's why it's important to control the supply lines — the foods that you serve for meals and have on hand for snacks. Follow these basic guidelines:

Work fruits and vegetables into the daily routine, aiming for the goal of at least five servings a day. Be sure you serve fruit or vegetables at every meal.
Make it easy for your child to choose healthy snacks by keeping fruits and vegetables on hand and ready to eat. Other good snacks include low-fat yogurt, peanut butter and celery, or whole-grain crackers and cheese.
Serve lean meats and other good sources of protein, such as fish, eggs, beans, and nuts.
Choose whole-grain breads and cereals so kids get more fiber.
Limit fat intake by avoiding deep-fried foods and choosing healthier cooking methods, such as broiling, grilling, roasting, and steaming. Choose low-fat or nonfat dairy products.
Limit fast food and other low-nutrient snacks, such as chips and candy. But don't completely ban favorite snacks from your home. Instead, make them "once-in-a-while" foods, so kids don't feel deprived.
Limit sugary drinks, such as soda and fruit-flavored drinks. Serve water and low-fat milk instead.
How to Be a Role Model
The best way for you to encourage healthy eating is to eat well yourself. Kids will follow the lead of the adults they see every day. By eating fruits and vegetables and not overindulging in the less nutritious stuff, you'll be sending the right message.

Another way to be a good role model is to limit portions and not overeat. Talk about your feelings of fullness, especially with younger children. You might say, "This is delicious, but I'm full, so I'm going to stop eating." Similarly, parents who are always dieting or complaining about their bodies may foster these same negative feelings in their kids. Try to keep a positive approach about food.

Don't Battle Over Food
It's easy for food to become a source of conflict. Well-intentioned parents might find themselves bargaining or bribing kids so they eat the healthy food in front of them. A better strategy is to give kids some control, but to also limit the kind of foods available at home.

Kids should decide if they're hungry, what they will eat from the foods served, and when they're full. Parents control which foods are available to the child, both at mealtime and between meals. Here are some guidelines to follow:

Establish a predictable schedule of meals and snacks. It's OK to choose not to eat when both parents and kids know when to expect the next meal or snack.
Don't force kids to clean their plates. Doing so teaches kids to override feelings of fullness.
Don't bribe or reward kids with food. Avoid using dessert as the prize for eating the meal.
Don't use food as a way of showing love. When you want to show love, give kids a hug, some of your time, or praise.

No white shoes!

One thing you DON'T want to buy at an After-Labor Day Sale is white clothes because of the "No white after Labor Day" rule. But where did that rule come from? We turned to AskYahoo.com and here's what they said:

Originally, the rule was more along the lines of "Only wear white shoes between Memorial Day and Labor Day." Furthermore, it mainly applied to white pumps or dress shoes. White tennis shoes and off-white boots seem exempt, as are any shoes worn by a winter bride. "Winter white" clothing (e.g., cream-colored wool) is acceptable between Labor Day and Memorial Day too.

The only logical reasoning we could find cited temperature. Image consultant Nancy Penn suggests that because white reflects light and heat, wearing white would make you cooler in winter, and thus should be avoided.

But others suggest the rule stems from a class issue. Acting Director of the Museum at the Fashion Institute of Technology Valerie Steele notes that in the late 19th century and the 1950s, more people were entering the middle classes. These nouveau-riche folks were often unaware of the standards of high society, so they were given specific codified rules to follow in order to fit in.

Several sites quoted a charming refrain about G.R.I.T.S. -- girls raised in the South. This bit of folklore states, "Southern girls know bad manners when they see them," and a clear sign of bad manners is wearing white shoes before Easter or after Labor Day. Because fashions in the American South can be a little more formal than elsewhere, perhaps the no-white-shoes rule came from south of the Mason-Dixon Line? Even Star Jones (an otherwise fashion-forward Southern lady) admits that white shoes "are for Easter Sunday and not the dead of winter."

We can only surmise that the point of this rule is to ensure that people only wear summer fashions during the actual summer months. The opposite probably applies as well, but people generally don't need to be reminded to avoid wearing a goose-down parka in 100-degree weather.

But if you live in a locale with summer temperatures year-round, we can't see the harm in wearing white shoes or a head-to-toe white outfit in October. And we promise not to tell Miss Manners.

Early storm prep

Hurricane Preparation Tips

If you live in an area that has the potential of being affected by a hurricane, the key to remaining safe is early planning.

Before the storm strikes --

Stock up on non-perishable food, medicine, baby supplies and pet food.
Purchase bottled water; 1 gallon of water per person per day.
Check emergency equipment (flashlights, battery-operated radios, extension cords, emergency generators, etc.) and purchase extra batteries.
Consider the installation of shutters over windows and doors. Depending on the design of your home, plywood works well, but stock up early.
Monitor official weather bulletins.
Keep extra cash on hand, as automatic teller machines or banks don't operate without power.
Review evacuation routes.
Arrange for safe sheltering for your pet if you must evacuate. Public shelters don't accept pets.
Keep your vehicle's fuel tank full.
Move yard items inside, such as patio furniture.
Read more tips on hurricanes, and learn about flash floods.

Hurricane fears

The 5 Worst Hurricane Fears

By Andrea Thompson

1. New Orleans Could Get Hit Again

With the city still limping from the effects of Katrina, New Orleans residents get no rest. City and state officials have already kicked new evacuation plans into gear with the threat from Gustav. "They've learned a few lessons," said National Hurricane Center spokesman Dennis Feltgen.

Katrina was the costliest and one of the deadliest storms in U.S. history, killing at least 1,500 people. But while the public may focus on New Orleans, forecasters are just as worried about hurricanes hitting any coastal U.S. city. "A landfall is a landfall," Feltgen said.

Tampa, Fla., which hasn't had a major hurricane since the 1920s, is one of the cites forecasters worry about. Before Hurricane Charley suddenly changed course in August 2004, Tampa was in its crosshairs, waking up residents to the risk that hurricanes poses there, Feltgen said.

2. Oil Drilling and Gas Production Could Be Impeded

Katrina's waves and flood waters damaged some offshore oil rigs, refineries and pipelines that supply large portions of the country with fuel, and as a result, gas prices went up. With fuel prices already reaching record highs in the past year, many are concerned that any hurricanes in the Gulf of Mexico could drive prices up even further.

Any offshore rigs that lie in the projected path of a storm are evacuated several days in advance and production is halted to prevent spills — rigs in the path of Gustav have already been cleared, said Cathy Landry, a spokeswoman for the American Petroleum Institute. Most of the rigs damaged during Katrina were older models and were retired after the storm, Landry said, adding that newer models are built to withstand very high winds and waves. "The weak links are probably out of the system," she told LiveScience.

The main causes of the Katrina-related price increases were not damaged rigs, but flooded refineries, floating pipelines pulled off their moorings, and power failures to offshore pipelines, Landry said. Since the monster 2005 season, oil companies have worked to shore up refineries and pipelines and install back-up generators to keep fuel flowing, Landry added.

While a slight drop in fuel supply, a "blip" as Landry called it, could be expected while the rigs in the path of the storm are shut down, once the storm is gone, production should resume.

3. Global Warming Could Be Making Things Worse

As Earth's oceans absorb some of the heat generated by climbing greenhouse gas levels, some scientists predict these warmer waters will fuel more, and stronger, storms.

Hurricanes feed off of the warm, moist air over tropical waters, and warmer waters can produce more intense storms, with faster winds and bigger waves. Studies suggest that warmer waters can also increase the frequency of storms, though some scientists have argued just the opposite, with projections that global warming will change wind circulation in such a way that it stifles the development of hurricanes.

Some researchers are also predicting that the hurricane season will become longer in a warming world because ocean waters are warming up earlier in the season, which officially begins on June 1 and ends on Nov. 30. While most hurricanes tend to form in August and September, when water temperatures peak, earlier warming is bringing bigger storms to the early months of the season, the research suggests.

4. A Category 5 Storm Could Make Landfall

With the threat of more intense storms produced by global warming, some scientists are concerned that this could mean more Category 5 storms, the highest ranking on the Saffir-Simpson strength scale, with potentially greater impact to coasts.

These storms have wind speeds in excess of 156 mph and can produce storm surges of more than 18 feet.

Only three Category 5 storms have ever made landfall in the United States: Hurricane Andrew, which hit Homestead, Fla., in 1992; Hurricane Camille, which came ashore near the mouth of the Mississippi River in 1969; and the Labor Day Hurricane of 1935, which struck the Florida Keys. (Katrina was a Category 5 while offshore in the Gulf of Mexico, but weakened just before landfall).

There is, however, no way to predict just how many Category 5 storms a given season will produce, when the next one will develop or whether or not it will make landfall.

5. People Won't Leave

More than half of the U.S. population lives on the country's coastline, and the vast majority have never experienced even a weak hurricane, Feltgen said. Many populations along the Northeast coast haven't experienced a hurricane in several generations, though the area is still vulnerable to storms.

Having little exposure to hurricanes can lead to an "It won't happen to me" mentality that means people in vulnerable areas don't have plans in place for what they will do when a hurricane strikes. In a Mason-Dixon poll taken earlier this year, more than half of coastal residents responded that they didn't have a personal hurricane plan. "And that is alarming," Felgen said in a telephone interview yesterday.

Coastal residents should plan ahead where they will go if they decide to evacuate, how to get there and what critical things they need to take with them. If they decide to stay, they need to have provisions they can live off of alone in their home for 3 to 7 days, Feltgen advised.

The call to evacuate can often lie with government emergency managers, who can face a tough decision because of the uncertainty in hurricane forecasts. Michael Metzger, an MIT graduate student has developed a computer model to aide these decisions. The model promotes evacuations done in stages to avoid congestion on evacuation routes, which was a problem in the eventual evacuation of New Orleans.

Gustav-how you can help

HURRICANE RECOVERY INFORMATION:
HOW YOU CAN HELP


DONATIONS
·The best way you can help victims of Hurricane Gustav is to donate money to an organization such as the ones listed below that specializes in disaster response.
·Most charities do not accept individual donations of food, clothing and supplies, because of the cost and logistics of sorting the goods and getting them to the disaster site. Also, some families affected by the disaster feel more comfortable using a voucher to buy new clothes than wearing donated -- particularly second-hand -- clothing.
·If you are in an area that has been directly affected by the storm or is sheltering victims, contact local charities who may be accepting donated goods. Many states far from the disaster area may open shelters. Also, check with local houses of worship, because many may be funneling donated goods to sister congregations in areas where there are shelters.

VOLUNTEERING
·Do not go directly to the disaster area to offer your help. Organizations like the Red Cross are sending only volunteers who have had extensive training in emergency response and disaster recovery.
·Contact the local chapter of one of the organizations listed below to find out how you can volunteer locally. There are many ways to support the recovery effort even if you're not at the actual disaster site.

1.AMERICAN RED CROSS
To donate or volunteer online, log on to redcross.org
For Donations: 1-800-HELP-NOW
2.SALVATION ARMY
To donate online or volunteer, log on to salvationarmyusa.org
To donate by phone, call: 1-800-SAL-ARMY
3.CATHOLIC CHARITIES
To donate online, log on to catholiccharitiesusa.org
To donate by phone, call (800) 919-9338
To volunteer contact your local Catholic Diocese which you can find in your phone book or online at catholiccharitiesusa.org.
4.USA FREEDOM CORPS
USA Freedom Corps is working with partners in the non-profit and national service community to inform Americans how they can help. To find out about volunteer opportunities, log on to usafreedomcorps.gov
5.Check networkforgood.org for many more opportunities to volunteer or donate.

Spa chic

Need a little pampering? Ten of Broward County's priciest spas are offering discounted services all month. Click here for all the details.

Hang on to your job

Know what's expected. No one wants a drone or a yes-man, but if you don't understand the corporate culture and if you don't know what's expected of you, you're gone. It's possible to fit in without squashing your creativity. Remember whom you work for and why.

Money isn't everything. Don't create the impression that you're working just for a paycheck. That's the hallmark of a clock-puncher and will kill all chances for advancement. If you're so unhappy with your job that you live for the 15th and 30th of each month, it's time to start sending out résumés.

Leave the gossip to the supermarket tabloids. Idle chit-chat at the water cooler is a fact of life and acceptable, and is even expected in small doses. But don't chatter endlessly about who's in and who's out. To do so reflects badly on you and takes time away from turning the wheels. Your boss will notice if you spend more time yapping than working.

Flubbing deadlines. Deadlines are real and must be met because, believe it or not, the world doesn't move to your beat. Missing deadlines will back up the whole show and make your boss look bad. A bad hair day is no excuse for missing a deadline. Work late to get the job done if you have to.

Cubicle etiquette counts. Leave it to future historians to determine how cubicle culture changed America. All you have to do is live with it. Remember: Privacy's nonexistent in a cubicle, so don't have phone conversations that you don't want others to hear. Personal decorative touches should be tasteful.

Personal e-mails are death. Here's a basic truth many employees miss: The company e-mail system is for company business. Don't use it to gossip, and don't write anything that you don't want read by the boss, because many systems save deleted messages to a master file. Horror tales of someone hitting "Reply to All" and mistakenly sending a juicy note about the boss to everyone, including the chief, are common. Call up your personal e-mail account to send personal notes, and keep it short; you're at work.

Isolation leaves you vulnerable. You don't have to constantly hang out with co-workers after hours, but don't isolate yourself with standoffish behavior. You don't want to be seen as someone who thinks you're too good for the proletariat. Extend the simple courtesies to your co-workers: good morning, good night, please, thanks. Your mother was right: Manners count.

Don't climb ego mountain. No one likes an egomaniac, and for good reason: They're boring, obnoxious, trivial people. Listen to what your co-workers tell you. Ask questions. Learn from the experienced hands. Improve your skills and boost your productivity.

Don't take credit for others' work. It's a familiar tale: The office go-getter takes credit for other people's work. Such people overlook a basic point: It's dishonest. If you do this, word will eventually reach the boss, and your standing will crumble instantly. Along the way, the long knives will be out, and your co-workers will root for, and cheer, your demise. Some may even knife your aspirations.

Office romance invites catastrophe. We all work long hours, and sometimes work becomes our social life, leading to romantic entanglements. This is fine if you get married and live happily ever after. What are the chances of that? Think: What will you do if the relationship ends badly? Never become involved with your boss. Your accomplishments and promotions will become suspect, and one of you will have to move to another department, and perhaps another job, when the romance becomes known. Helpful hint: Look outside the office for the sweetie of your dreams.

10 minute manicure

10 Minute Manicure
Nails done on the run


100 S Biscayne Blvd
Miami, FL 33131-2005

(305) 374-3535
Express & spa length manicure and pedicure services

What they do:

:10 Minute Manicure is a growing chain of nail salons designed for the busy professional. Their upscale salons and kiosks can be found in busy urban locations and airports. Using only the highest quality products for the care of hands and feet, :10MM offers services ranging from our express ten minute manicure to spa length treatments. A sealed, fresh pack of sanitized tools is open in front of every customer to ensure the highest standards of care. In their larger locations, other services including waxing and massages are available. The stores are beautifully designed and appointed with custom seating providing an oasis from the office or during a hectic travel schedule.

Now there's no excuse for him not to get his nails done!

Balm's the Bomb!

If your lips are perpetually parched -- or you just fancy new flavors all the time -- the Lip Balm of the Month Club is just the ticket to a pleasing pucker. For a 30-dollar yearly fee, the folks at MyLipStuff-dot-com will send a different flavor tube your way every month -- August's taste sensation is Twisted Melon.

Egg-citing!

Eating two eggs a day could CUT your cholesterol and help you lose weight

By Daily Mail Reporter




Eating two eggs a day could help you lose weight and cut cholesterol levels, say researchers.

Previously, there was thought to be a direct link between consuming cholesterol-rich foods such as eggs and an increase in blood cholesterol levels, which raises the risk of heart disease.

But research to be published in The European Journal of Nutrition found that those who ate two eggs per day while on a calorie-restricted diet not only lost weight - but also reduced their cholesterol levels.

A team from Surrey University, led by Dr Bruce Griffin, fed two eggs per day to almost 50 overweight but otherwise healthy volunteers for 12 weeks.


They also had to follow a reduced-calorie diet recommended by the British Heart Foundation.

Another group followed the same diet, but cut out eggs altogether. Both groups lost weight and saw a fall in the average level of blood cholesterol.

Dr Griffin said: 'There is no convincing evidence to link an increased intake of dietary cholesterol or eggs with coronary heart disease. Indeed, eggs make a nutritional contribution to a healthy, calorie-restricted diet.'

It is thought that eating eggs for breakfast contributes to weight loss by making people-feel fuller for longer.


This research provides evidence to support the scientific consensus that saturated fat, found in pastry, processed meats, biscuits and cakes, is more responsible for raising blood cholesterol than cholesterol-rich foods, such as eggs, which are low in saturated fat.

Smell like yourself

The latest trend in scent is to smell exactly like yourself -- and thanks to science, it's easier than ever to achieve. Believe it or not, you can purchase a personalized "biologically seductive" cologne or perfume made from your own D-N-A. Using just a swab from your cheek, My D-N-A Fragrance says it can create a perfume made just for you based on your genetic code's information.

I figure if you don't shower for a few days you could get the same result.

Debbie does Chico's

Phelps' mother’s clothing choice boosts Chico’s business

Atlanta Business Chronicle - by Susan R. Miller South Florida Business Journal

There’s no doubt that Michael Phelps will get product endorsements following his eight gold medals.

But, his mom won’t be left out, either. In fact, she’s already got her own collection of clothing — The Phelps Collection by Chico’s.

Chico’s, a specialty retailer of women’s clothing based in Fort Myers, Fla., said Debbie Phelps visited her favorite Chico’s store in Maryland before leaving for Beijing and outfitted herself from head to toe in mix-and-match outfits.

“She spent the week cheering her son to record breaking gold while wearing Chico's signature Travelers Collection and unique novelty print tops,” the company touted in a media release. “Now, Debbie's long list of accomplishments not only includes mother to the world's greatest athlete, but also fashion plate!”

Phelps, no doubt, has been good for business.

“Ever since Debbie first wore Chico's in Beijing, our phone lines have been ringing off the hook," Chico's Brand President Michele Cloutier said. “Women everywhere want to know how to get Debbie's look.”

There's no official relationship now, but "we are talking to her people," said Chico’s spokeswoman Jessica Wells.

Check out her look.

Bike safety

It's a beautiful day — the sun is shining, the birds are chirping. What could be more perfect than a bike ride? But wait! Before you pull your bike out of the garage, let's find out how to stay safe on two wheels.

Costs of hating your job

Do you hate your job, even though you need the paycheck? Think carefully before just sticking with it: The impacts of putting up with a job you hate can be very real. You'll pay in stress, your life-view will be changed, your self-confidence will erode, your relationships will suffer and you won't deliver your actual potential. (DumbLittleMan.com)






Costs of Hating Your Job



1. You'll Pay in Stress

If you hate your job, then chances are you're already stressed by the situation. Stress includes not feeling like you're in control of what's happening, not being able to make choices about what happens and feeling powerless about what's happening. It's important to be brutally frank with yourself about what's happening, and you need to be prepared to make some tough choices.



2. Your View of Your Life Will Suffer

If you stay in a job you don't like, you're forcing yourself into a role that doesn't work for you in some important ways. The more time you spend in that role, the more you come to see it as the way things are. You slowly forget about what can happen and who you are outside of that role. Always keep your strengths, talents and values close, and always recognize that you have positive choices you can make.



3. Your Self-Confidence Will Take a Battering

If you're spending time in a job you hate, the message you're effectively giving yourself is, "I can't do anything else," "I'm nothing special" or "I don't deserve anything better than this." Don't allow your confidence to shrink and atrophy through inaction. Even though it can be scary as hell, trust yourself to make decisions and trust that you can deal with whatever happens next -- that's real confidence.



4. Your Relationships Will Suffer

When you're stressed, frustrated, upset or angry, it's a good bet that it's a partner, friend or family member who you'll snap at, be short with or not let fully into what's happening. Be frank with yourself first of all, and then be aware of how your situation is leaking out into your behavior and affecting your relationships. Keep in mind that you value your relationships and have that positive intention in mind when you're with them. Talk about where you are when it's appropriate to, and always remember to be their friend too.



5. You Won't Deliver on Your Capability

If you're running the very real risk of damaging your confidence, self-esteem, relationships and options by sticking at a job you hate, you obviously won't be delivering on your true capability. If you had a choice (and you do), how would you like to think or feel about your work? How would it be if you could find a career that works for you, rather than the other way around? Go where you find a pull or some energy; go where you feel a sense of fun or excitement, even if it looks scary.

Get sober

Problems with alcohol? You can find help. Click here.

Can I see your ID?

UM's Shalala Not Signing On To Lower Drinking Age
Parents, Students Decidedly Split On The Idea
Click here to see which presidents support the initiative
Read the official statement

(CBS4) ― More than one hundred university presidents, including Duke University, the University of Maryland, and Syracuse University, have signed a petition they believe may spark a movement to reduce the drinking age from 21-years-old to 18-years-old.

Many college students welcome the debate, but there has been mixed reactions to the proposal, including stiff opposition from groups like Mothers Against Drunk Drivers.

The movement is called the Amethyst initiative. The word amethyst, the group says, "is derived from the ancient Greek words meaning "not" (a-) and "intoxicated" (methustos)."

Supporters believe that 21 isn't working as a minimum drinking age because it fosters binge drinking off college campuses.

"The conclusion of these presidents is that it's important to find a way to take the underground drinking that is forced by the 21 and over drinking age, and find a way to bring it back up above ground," said Dennis O'Shea of John Hopkins University.

Students interviewed had mixed feelings, some saying the drinking minimum age is fine and some saying that decriminalizing drinking at an early age will only avoid problems.

Locally, the president of Johnson and Wales's all 4 campuses signed the initiative.

"I am advocating that it is time to take a different course of action, as it is clear the current measures are not addressing the problem," said John Bowen, President of Johnson & Wales University.

But University of Miami President Donna Shalala says she won't be supporting the initiative.

Shalala told the Associated Press, "To shift it back down to the high schools makes no sense at all."

While states might be able to change the drinking age none have since 1984. According to the Amethyst Initiative, that was the year Congress passed the National Minimum Drinking Age Act. The bill threatened any state lowering the drinking age to under 21 with losing 10 percent of the state's federal highway money.

The United States has the highest drinking age in the world, along with Indonesia and Mongolia. In some foreign countries, the drinking age is as low as 16-years-old.

Sanjaya-ize yourself

Wow, you look just like Sanjaya! Depending on how you feel about the "American Idol" wannabe from a couple of seasons back, that is a high compliment or a low insult. Either way, you can try to see what his various hairdos will look like on your face - - or the face of anyone else you have digitized images of. Check out the site sanjaya-ize.com.

Adoption

Becoming an adoptive parent can be a great experience for both the parent and the child. Children who are unable to go back to their homes are in need of a permanent family with a safe and loving home.


Do you want to be a parent? Learn more about adoption.

What makes a good adopter?
There are no hard and fast rules. All sorts of children need all sorts of families.

In general you need to;
like children
have time and space in your life
be adaptable
be willing to learn
be able to ask and accept support
be able to accept and value the child's past experiences
Parenting a child who has been through separation and loss requires more than just love alone. Early childhood experiences may have left the child deeply unsettled, expressing their hurt and confusion through their behaviour - which could range from angry and aggressive to withdrawn and sensitive. Gaining their trust may take time and adopters need to be prepared to accept that they may face some very challenging behaviour.

Not having kids?

More Women Than Ever Are Childless, Census Finds
By KATIE ZEZIMA


Women are waiting longer to have children, and more women than ever are choosing not to have children at all, according to a new Census Bureau report.

Twenty percent of women ages 40 to 44 have no children, double the level of 30 years ago, the report said; and women in that age bracket who do have children have fewer than ever — an average of 1.9 children, compared with the mean average of 3.1 children in 1976.

“A lot of women are not having any children,” said Jane Lawler Dye, a Census Bureau researcher who did the report, which looked at women of childbearing age in 2006. “It used to be sort of expected that there was a phase of life where you had children, and a lot of women aren’t doing that now,” Ms. Dye said.

Women with advanced degrees are more likely to be childless, the study found. Of women 40 to 44 with graduate or professional degrees, 27 percent are childless, compared with 18 percent of women who did not continue their education beyond high school, the data show.

The numbers are consistent with a 2006 report Ms. Dye issued on the same subject. While year-by-year change is slow, Ms. Dye said, the data show that women of the baby boom generation are continuing to transform the American family.

Hispanic women are the only group bucking the trends found in the study, averaging 2.3 children each by their 40s. The number of children a Hispanic woman has decreases sharply, however, depending on how many generations her family has lived in the United States, the data show.

One in five new mothers in 2006 were foreign-born, the study found, with California having the highest number of foreign-born new mothers.

Of all the women who had children in 2006, nearly 60 percent worked, with the highest numbers of working mothers in the Midwest. That may be explained by another census study, which found that, for children under 5, the Midwest has more child care available than any other region. Researchers said the numbers seemed to be consistent with other demographic trends, including the rising age of women marrying and having children for the first time, as well as women with more education having fewer children later in life.

“Clearly women have competing alternatives for the use of their time, with the labor market and employment being one and delayed marriage, which has been another trend,” said Suzanne Bianchi, chairwoman of the sociology department at the University of Maryland. “The interesting question is, has it stopped? Is this it, or will we see even higher rates of childlessness among future generations?”

Of women who gave birth in 2006, 36 percent were separated, widowed, divorced or never married. Five percent were living with a partner.

The study also shows sharp geographic differences among children who were born into poverty in 2006. Nearly every Southern state had more children born into poverty than the national average of 25 percent.

Mold?

Basic Mold Cleanup

The key to mold control is moisture control. It is important to dry water damaged areas and items within 24-48 hours to prevent mold growth. If mold is a problem in your home, clean up the mold and get rid of the excess water or moisture. Fix leaky plumbing or other sources of water. Wash mold off hard surfaces with detergent and water, and dry completely. Absorbent materials (such as ceiling tiles & carpet) that become moldy may have to be replaced.

Ten Things You Should Know About Mold

Potential health effects and symptoms associated with mold exposures include allergic reactions, asthma, and other respiratory complaints.

There is no practical way to eliminate all mold and mold spores in the indoor environment; the way to control indoor mold growth is to control moisture.

If mold is a problem in your home or school, you must clean up the mold and eliminate sources of moisture.

Fix the source of the water problem or leak to prevent mold growth.

Reduce indoor humidity (to 30-60% ) to decrease mold growth by: venting bathrooms, dryers, and other moisture-generating sources to the outside; using air conditioners and de-humidifiers; increasing ventilation; and using exhaust fans whenever cooking, dishwashing, and cleaning.

Clean and dry any damp or wet building materials and furnishings within 24-48 hours to prevent mold growth.

Clean mold off hard surfaces with water and detergent, and dry completely. Absorbent materials such as ceiling tiles, that are moldy, may need to be replaced.

Prevent condensation: Reduce the potential for condensation on cold surfaces (i.e., windows, piping, exterior walls, roof, or floors) by adding insulation.

In areas where there is a perpetual moisture problem, do not install carpeting (i.e., by drinking fountains, by classroom sinks, or on concrete floors with leaks or frequent condensation).

Molds can be found almost anywhere; they can grow on virtually any substance, providing moisture is present. There are molds that can grow on wood, paper, carpet, and foods.

Keep kids safe

Before letting the kids frolic outdoors, make sure it's safe; downed wires, flood waters, tree limbs and other debris can pose serious dangers.

Hurricanes and Tropical storms like other natural disasters and traumatic events, affect people in different ways. Life history, personality, age and a person’s experiences during and after a storm all play a role in shaping a person’s response
to a hurricane. Because some people will be more affected than others, reactions to a storm may differ greatly from individual to individual.

For many children and adults, a distressing storm can bring about strong feelings and mixed emotions. As time passes, their feelings about the storm may change. This is normal for those who experience a natural disaster or other distressing event. Keep in mind that there will be days and times when you will feel better than others.

Homework help

Tips For Helping Kids and Teens With Homework and Study Habits

Certain key practices will make life easier for everyone in the family when it comes to study time and study organization. However, some of them may require an adjustment for other members of the family. For lots of helpful internet tools for research and mastering subjects visit our Homework Help Center.

Turn off the TV set. Make a house rule, depending on the location of the set, that when it is study time, it is "no TV" time. A television set that is on will draw youngsters like bees to honey.

What about the radio? Should it be on or off? Contrary to what many specialists say, some youngsters do seem to function all right with the radio turned on to a favorite music station. (Depending on the layout of your house or apartment, maybe an investment in earphones would be worthy of consideration.)

Certain rules should be set about the family phone during study hours. The more people in the household, the more restrictions on long and unnecessary phone calls are needed. A timer, placed next to the phone, can help to control the length of calls so that the telephone will be available if it becomes necessary to call a schoolmate to confirm an assignment or discuss particularly difficult homework.

Designate specific areas for homework and studying. Possibilities include the child's room or the kitchen or dining room table. Eliminate as much distraction as possible.

Since many young people will study in their own rooms, function becomes more important than beauty. Most desks for young people really don't have sufficient space to spread out materials. A table that allows for all necessary supplies such as pencils, pens, paper, books, and other essentials works extremely well.

Consider placing a bulletin board in your child's room. Your local hardware store sells wallboard that might not look too pretty and isn't framed, but a 4 x 3'section is inexpensive and perfect on which to post pertinent school items. You might want to paint or cover it with burlap to improve its appearance or let your child take on this project.

Encourage the use of a small book or pad for writing down assignments so that there is no confusion about when certain assignments must be turned in to the teacher.

Keeping general supplies on hand is important. Check with your child about his needs. In fact, make it his responsibility to be well supplied with paper, pencils, note pads, notebook paper, et cetera.

Regularity is a key factor in academic success. Try to organize the household so that supper is served at a standard time, and once it and family discussions are over, it's time to crack the books. If the student doesn't have other commitments and gets home reasonably early from school, some homework can be done before supper.

Consider you child's developmental level when setting the amount of time for homework. While high school students can focus for over an hour, first-graders are unlikely to last more than 15 minutes on a single task. Allow your child to take breaks, perhaps as a reward for finishing a section of the work.

Organize study and homework projects. Get a large calendar, one that allows space for jotting down things in the daily boxes. Rip it apart so that you (and the child) can sequentially mount the school months for the current semester. For example, you can tear off September, October, November, December, and January and mount them from left to right across one wall. Have the child use a bold color writing instrument (felt tip pen) to mark exam dates in one color, reports that are coming due in a different color, et cetera. This will serve as a reminder so that things aren't set aside until the last dangerous moment.

Teach your child that studying is more than just doing homework assignments. One of the most misunderstood aspects of schoolwork is the difference between studying and doing homework assignments. Encourage your child to do things like:

take notes as he's reading a chapter
learn to skim material
learn to study tables and charts
learn to summarize what he has read in his own words
learn to make his own flashcards for quick review of dates, formulas, spelling words, et cetera
Note-taking is a critical skill and should be developed. Many students don't know how to take notes in those classes that require them. Some feel they have to write down every word the teacher says. Others have wisely realized the value of an outline form of note-taking. Well prepared teachers present their material in a format that lends itself to outline form note taking..

Should notes ever be rewritten? In some cases, they should be, particularly if a lot of material was covered, and the youngster had to write quickly but lacks speed and organization. Rewriting notes takes time, but it can be an excellent review of the subject matter. However, rewriting notes isn't worth the time unless they are used for review and recall of important information.

A home dictionary is essential, but if it is kept on a shelf to gather dust, it won't do anyone any good. Keep it in an accessible place and let your child see you refer to it from time to time. If the family dictionary is kept in the living room and the child studies in his room, get him an inexpensive dictionary for his exclusive use.

Good dictionary, encyclopedia and organizational skills depend on the ability to alphabetize. See if your child's teacher practices alphabetizing in class. Try alphabetizing spelling words, family members' names or a few favorite toys at home as a way of practicing.

Help your child to feel confident for tests. Taking tests can be a traumatic experience for some students. Explain to your child that burning the midnight oil (cramming) the night before a test is not productive. Better to get a good night's sleep. Students also need reminding that when taking a test, they should thoroughly and carefully read the directions before they haphazardly start to mark their test papers. They should be advised to skip over questions for which they don't know the answers. They can always return to those if there's time. Good advice for any student before taking a test: take a deep breath, relax, and dive in. Always bring an extra pencil just in case.

During a homework session, watch for signs of frustration. No learning can take place and little can be accomplished if the child is angry or upset over an assignment that is too long or too difficult. At such times the parent may have to step in and simply halt the homework for that night, offering to write a note to the teacher explaining the situation and perhaps requesting a conference to discuss the quality and length of homework assignments.

Should parents help with homework? Yes-if it is clearly productive to do so, such as calling out spelling words or checking a math problem that won't prove. No-if it is something the child can clearly handle himself and learn from the process. And help and support should always be calmly and cheerfully given. Grudging help is worse than no help at all!

Read directions, or check over math problems after your child has completed the work. Remember to make positive comments - you don't want your child to associate homework with fights at home.

Model research skills by involving your child in planning a family trip. Help your child locate your destination on a map or atlas. Use traditional encyclopedia or a CD-ROM to find information about the place you will visit; try the Internet or books in the library.

How to fight fairly

Rabbi Shmuley Boteach shares his eight rules for fighting fairly in a marriage.

When couples fight dirty, they end up prolonging their pain and creating lasting wounds and rifts, he says. But when couples fight fairly, they actually build more understanding and intimacy.

Rabbi Shmuley shares his eight rules of fighting fairly, which he defines as conveying your point of view legitimately in order to achieve a consensus.

8 Rules of Fighting Fairly

1. Never use name-calling, slurs or insults. Also, don't make fun of your partner's body, weight or other things over which they have no control.

2. Never refer to the person as being a certain way, rather just refer to their behavior as being a certain way. "Never criticize character—criticize behavior," Rabbi Shmuley says.

3. Never bring your spouse's family into an argument. This will only make your partner more defensive and less willing to hear your perspective, he says.

4. Do not speak in anger. Control your behavior and calm down before you say anything you may later regret.

5. Don't cut each other off. Wait until your partner finishes, then state your point of view.

6. Don't yell. Shouting and screaming is especially harmful for children to witness. "There's never an excuse for yelling," Rabbi Shmuley says.

7. Don't go to sleep without resolving an argument. The longer an argument is drawn out, the harder it becomes to end it. It's better to stay up all night and resolve your differences than to go to bed upset, Rabbi Shmuley says.

8. Apologize. If you hurt your spouse, you must apologize. Remember, marriage isn't about proving who's right and who's wrong—it's about having a strong, loving relationship.


(msn.com)

Travel tips

Beijing...Paris...London...Tokyo...Rome...Sidney...Rio

When you travel out of our country you can run into issues that may ruin your trip. Here is a great site that offers tips for traveling abroad.

I always say, "go with the flow or you won't have a good time."

Best olympic moments

1. Retton vaults to fame
Sixteen-year-old gymnast Mary Lou Retton entered the 1984 Olympics with no major international experience. She became the first American, woman or man, to win the all-around after earning perfect 10s for the floor exercise and vault.

2. Ali and the flame
Muhammad Ali, trembling from Parkinson's disease, lit the cauldron to open the 1996 Games in Atlanta. Ali received a gold medal to replace the one he tossed into a river after being refused service at a whites-only restaurant.

3. Gritty Strug takes one for team
In the 1996 women's gymnastics team competition, little-known Kerri Strug injured her left ankle on her first vault but gamely attempted a second and stuck the landing to ensure the U.S. women got their first team gold.

4. Icebreaker for Jansen
Speedskater Dan Jansen won the 1,000-meter race in 1994, ending a 10-year Olympic medal drought lowlighted by two falls at the 1988 Olympics while mourning the death of his sister. He took a victory lap holding his infant daughter.

5. Tonya vs. Nancy drama
Nancy Kerrigan rebounded from the knee whacking heard 'round the world to win the 1994 Olympic silver. Tonya Harding, whose ex-husband masterminded the attack, stopped her long program to cry about a boot lace.

6. Johnson blazes to 200-400 double
Michael Johnson broke his own world record in the 200 meters by .34 seconds in 1996 en route to becoming the first man to win the 200 and 400 at the same games. Johnson blazed through the last 100 in 9.20 seconds to finish in 19.32.

7. Lewis runs alongside Owens
Carl Lewis ran an 8.94-second anchor leg to lead the U.S. men to victory in the 4x100-meter freestyle relay in 1984, winning his fourth gold medal of those games to match Jesse Owens' total from 1936.

8. Gardner turns Greco-Roman world upside down
Rulon Gardner, a Wyoming dairy farmer's son competing in only his second major international tournament, upset three-time Olympic champion Aleksandr Karelin in the 2000 super-heavyweight Greco-Roman wrestling competition. It was the RussianÕs first defeat in 13 years.

9. Louganis takes a hit, dives back in
On his ninth dive of the 1988 preliminary round for springboard, Greg Louganis hit his head on the board and fell into the water. He got temporary stitches before completing his 10th dive, which earned the highest score awarded in the preliminaries. The next day he won gold.

10. Dream Team dominant
The original Dream Team, with Magic Johnson and Larry Bird as captains and other NBA superstars such as Michael Jordan and David Robinson on the 1992 roster, was perhaps the greatest assembly of talent ever. They dominated as expected, beating Croatia 117-85 in the gold-medal game.

11. Steroids catch up with Johnson
Three days after Canadian Ben Johnson won the 100 meters in 1988 in 9.79 seconds, the International Olympic Committee announced he had tested positive for steroids. Johnson was the first big-name athlete to be caught. The gold went to Carl Lewis.

12. Torvill and Dean heat up ice
Britain's Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean earned 6.0s in 12 of their 18 marks for their free-dance interpretation of "Bolero" in 1984. They received unanimous perfect scores for artistic impression and were the first non-Soviet or Russians to win ice dancing gold.

13. Flag day for Freeman
Cathy Freeman, an Australian with Aboriginal heritage who days earlier lit the cauldron to open the 2000 Sydney Olympics, won the 400 meters under a searing spotlight. She took a victory lap carrying the Australian and Aboriginal flags,

14. Blair skates into history
Speedskater Bonnie Blair defended her Olympic title at 1,000 meters in 1994, winning by the largest margin in event history (1.38 seconds) and becoming the first U.S. female Olympian, winter or summer, to win five gold medals. She also was the first American to win six Winter Olympic medals.

15. Hughes in a stunner
In fourth after the short program at the 2002 Olympics, 16-year-old Sarah Hughes upset favorites Michelle Kwan and Irina Slutskaya with a technically superior long program.

Who can you sue?

By Siobhan Morrissey / Miami

As if there weren't enough people out there suing each other, now a Florida attorney has come up with a way to make the process even easier.

Beginning next month, anyone with access to the Internet should be able to log onto WhoCanISue.com. The new website plans to help consumers determine whether they actually have a case and help them find an attorney from a list of lawyers who advertise their expertise on the website. The attorneys will pay an annual fee of $1,000 to appear on the site, plus an additional amount of their own choosing that will determine how prominently they appear in the listings on the site. The website will vet the attorneys to make sure they are in good standing with their state bar associations.

Curtis A. Wolfe, formerly general counsel for Fort Lauderdale-based private equity firm Ener1 Group and the founder of WhoCanISue.com, plans to unveil the new website in September. But he will begin signing up attorneys to advertise on the site when the American Bar Association convenes it annual meeting in New York City on Thursday.

Wolfe's website is not the first of its kind. His most direct competition includes SueEasy.com and LegalMatch.com, among others. But Wolfe says his service — which is free to the consumer — differs from the others in that he will provide real-time access to attorneys. After consumers answer a set of general questions about their grievances, they will be given some guidance about whether they might have a case worth pursuing; if they do, they will be immediately put in touch with an interested attorney.

The proliferation of legal matchmakers like Wolfe leaves some in the profession skeptical. "As if there aren't enough lawyers out there inventing lawsuits, now we're going to invite the public to do so," scoffed prominent Miami trial attorney Richard Sharpstein, a partner at Jorden Burt. "I think this is nothing more than a referral service," he says of WhoCanISue.com. "It encourages, if not creates lawsuits. Our country's courts are clogged with unnecessary and frivolous lawsuits which delay, if not obstruct, the access to courts of people that really need to get there, that have serious legal grievances."

But Wolfe maintains his service could just as easily help someone realize he doesn't have a case — or that, while they may have a legal claim, it won't generate enough money to interest an attorney to take it on.

"With our system they can either find a lawyer or find out by talking to our lawyers that they don't really have an interest in that case," Wolfe says. "I don't think WhoCanISue.com is going to, by itself, increase the number of lawsuits there are, but it may make people more aware of what their rights are."

University of Florida law professor Lyrissa Lidsky believes the service "is likely to increase the number of lawsuits." But, adds Lidsky, who specializes in Internet law and the First Amendment, "It's a good thing to the extent people are vindicating their legal rights to the extent they didn't years ago."

However, if you're looking to use the website to find a good lawyer, in most states you could do just as well by checking with the local bar association. In Florida, for example, lawyers can sign up for the state bar's referral system by paying a $125 membership fee, agreeing to charge clients only $25 for an initial 30-minute office consultation and guaranteeing $100,000 in liability insurance coverage.

American Teen-PG13

American Teen is a 2008 documentary film directed by Nanette Burstein (On the Ropes, The Kid Stays in the Picture). It competed in the Documentary Competition at the 2008 Sundance Film Festival, where it received the Directing Award: Documentary.


The movie was filmed at Warsaw Community High School in Warsaw, Indiana.


American Teen is set in Warsaw, Indiana, and focuses on graduating high school seniors struggling through school and life.

It's rated PG-13 for some strong language, sexual material, some drinking and brief smoking-all involving teens.

Starring Hannah Bailey, Colin Clemens, Megan Krizmanich, Mitch Reinholt, and Jake Tusing

AMERICAN TEEN is the touching and hilarious Sundance hit that follows the lives of four teenagers - a jock, a popular girl, a heartthrob, an artsy girl and a geek – in one small town in Indiana through their senior year of high school. We see the insecurities, the cliques, the jealousies, the first loves and heartbreaks, and the struggle to make profound decisions about the future.

Make a donation

A charitable fund has been set up to assist the family of a slain federal agent who was shot outside a Pembroke Pines post office.

Authorities say if you'd like to contribute to the Pettit family, make your contribution to:
The Pettit Family Charitable Fund
c/o Broad and Cassel
P.O. Box 14010
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33302

Meet the mascots

Bebei

Beibei, the fish, represents the blue Olympic ring, prosperity and the sea. Fish and water symbolize prosperity in traditional Chinese culture. A fish also represents surplus in harvest. The lines of the wave designs in her headdress are based on Chinese paintings of the past. Beibei, who is said to be "gentle and pure," is strong in water sports.

Jingjing

Jingjing, the panda, represents the black Olympic ring, happiness and the forest. He is said to be "charmingly naïve and optimistic," to make children smile and be noted for strength. The lotus designs in his headdress are baced on paintings from the Song Dynasty (A.D. 960-1234) and symbolize "the lush forest and the harmonious relationship between man and nature."

Huanhuan

Huanhuan, the Olympic Flame, represents the red ring, passion and fire. He is considered the big brother among the Fuwa and stands in the center "as the core embodiment of the Olympic spirit... He inspires all with the passion to run faster, jump higher and be stronger." The designs on his head ornament are based on the Dunhuang murals and include aspects of traditionally lucky Chinese designs. Huanhuan, who is "outgoing and enthusiastic," is strong at ball games.

Yingying

Yingying, the Tibetan antelope, represents the yellow ring, health and earth (particularly the vastness of China's landscape). The species, which is unique to the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, was one of the first animals put under protection in China and its selection here is meant to reflect Beijing's commitment to a Green Olympics. Yingying's head ornament incorporates design elements from the Qinghai-Tibet and Sinkiang cultures, as well as the traditions of Western China. He is quick-witted, fast and agille, excelling in track and field events.

Nini

Nini, the swallow, represents the green ring, good luck and the sky. The golden-winged swallow is one of the most popular designs on kites flown by Beijing's children in spring and summer and her design is based on these kites. Swallow is also pronounced "yan" in Chinese, and Beijing was called Yanjing as an ancient capital city. Nini, who is "innocent and joyful" excels at gymnastics.



By Joe Battaglia, NBCOlympics.com


The 2008 Olympic mascots were unveiled in Beijing on November 11, 2005 - 1,000 days before the Opening Ceremony for the Beijing Games. The five "Fuwa" - one to represent each of the Olympic Rings - carry a unifying message of friendship and peace, particularly aimed at the world's children. They were designed to convey the Olympic spirit and to express the playful qualities of a young group of close friends. Their mission is to help Beijing 2008 spread its theme (One World, One Dream) to every continent. Fuwa translates to good luck dolls or children carrying blessings.
Each of the Fuwa has a rhyming two-syllable name, which in China is a way of expressing affection towards children. Four of China' most popular animals are represented, along with the Olympic Flame. The five Fuwa are Beibei (a fish), Jingjing (a panda), Huanhuan (the Olympic Flame), Yingying (a Tibetan antelope) and Nini (a swallow). When you put the five names together - Bei Jing Huan Ying Ni - the phrase means "Beijing Welcomes You."
There is a long Chinese tradition of spreading good wishes through symbols and each of the Fuwa represents a different blessing (prosperity, happiness, passion, health and good luck). Each of the Fuwa also symbolizes one of five elements of nature - sea, forest, fire, earth and sky - with designs based on Chinese folk art and ornamentation
The mascots were initially called the "Friendlies" in English, but were later renamed Fuwa, which matches the Chinese pronunciation. "The reason to change the English name to the pinyin form is that Fuwa is more accessible and easy to remember," said a BOCOG official. It was also reported that the word could lead to confusion in several ways: because the word "friendlies" could too easily be confused with "friendless," because it can be broken down into the words "friend" and "lies," and because "friendly" also means a scrimmage, or a game played for practice.

Skimp or splurge

Should you skimp . . . or splurge?
Some purchases should last a lifetime; others don't need to survive a summer trend. Here is how to choose between cheap and steep.

By Emma Johnson, MSN Money

In my hall closet are around 10 coats and jackets. On one end of the spectrum is a meadow-green coat of indeterminate fabric that I picked up at H&M a couple of years ago for, if I remember, $59.

On the other end is a black cashmere classic I inherited from my mom, who bought it about 35 years ago at the Marshall Field's department store in Chicago. She paid $280 for it -- the equivalent of two payments on her burnt-orange Plymouth Duster. At the time she was supporting herself on a fifth-grade teacher's salary of $8,000 per year.

What makes a good coat?

Despite similar styles -- button front, knee length, cinched waist -- the two coats couldn't be more different. While the green one is already nappy, slouchy and yearning to be retired to Goodwill, its black sister is still soft and gorgeous. It looks as though I bought it at a high-end department store recently for, let's say, $1,346 -- what $280 would be today, adjusted for inflation.

The difference between my mother's generation and my own hangs in that closet. In a relatively short amount of time, experts have watched our nation swap the practice of investing in quality, long-lasting merchandise for the consumption of large quantities of mass-produced, highly designed merchandise.

"Something you use every day"

Part of the issue is in the market itself, with the spread of mass production and wide availability of consumer credit. But consumers are also less knowledgeable, explains Paco Underhill, president and CEO of market research consultancy Envirosell and author of "Why We Buy: The Science of Shopping."

Americans in their 20s and 30s are now at least one generation removed from the era of homemade clothing and hand-crafted wood furniture, Underhill says. "In the 1950s, 90% of homes had sewing machines, which means women knew something about how clothes were put together. They could look at something in the store and tell if was of good construction or crappy construction," he says. "In my office, I don't know anyone who has bought a custom suit. They don't know the difference between off-the-rack and custom."

How good is this table?

You don't have to buy quality all the time -- and probably can't afford to -- but it's important to know when to shell out for the good stuff. A few examples of times to skimp -- or splurge:

Mattress: SPLURGE. You sit, sleep and God knows what else on this item. Get a good one.

Men's dress shirt: SKIMP. If your suit is well-tailored and the tie spectacular, the shirt will be an afterthought.

Chef's knife: SPLURGE. One 8-inch chef's knife is all you need.

Why a chef's knife is so important

Women's shirts: SKIMP. Cute tops from H&M will go out of style before they fall apart.

Overcoat: SPLURGE. First impressions mean a lot.

Accent chair: SKIMP. If it's cool and rarely supports a rear, quality can come after design.

Table linens: SKIMP. Choose inexpensive table cloths and napkins to keep your tabletop trendy.

Read more.

National Night Out-Dade

THE CITY OF MIAMI POLICE DEPARTMENT
Community Relations Section
Cordially Invites You To Attend

Miami Stands Out Against Crime!
Tuesday, August 5th, 2008
Bayfront Park
5:00pm-10:00pm
301 N. Biscayne Blvd.

For more information call the Miami Police Dept.Community Relations Section @ (305) 579-6184or e-mail aileen.rodriguez@miami-police.org.

*FREE INFORMATION ON:•Crime Watch Program•Fingerprint/DNA processing for kids•Gun Safety Tips•Door Lock Information•(Cancer & HIV) Health Awareness•Citizens on Patrol•Citizen Police Academy•Crime Prevention Literature andDemonstrations•Miami Police Athletic•Do The Right Thing•Police and Fire Demonstrations•Poison Control (Anti Venom)•Music, Food and Much More!Participants:


Hey Dade County, feel free to e-mail me information on any National Night Out events in Miami-Dade county. I'll post it for ya.

National Night Out-Broward

From the South Florida Sun-Sentinel

Broward County National Night Out events



Dania Beach: Refreshments and a classic car show, 6:30-10 p.m., Dania Beach City Hall, 100 W. Dania Beach Blvd. Call 954-926-3287.

Deerfield Beach: Demonstrations, law enforcement equipment, free paper shredding to prevent identity theft, 6-9 p.m., Quiet Waters Park, Pavilion 10, 401 S. Powerline Road. Call 954-420-5554.

Fort Lauderdale: Vehicles and horses, a firearms simulator booth, a fake raid on a crack house and a staged rescue of a car-crash victim, free parking, 5-8 p.m., Holiday Park, 1300 E. Sunrise Blvd. Call 954-822-4727.

Crime prevention information, entertainment and refreshments, 6:30-8:30 p.m., Rev. Samuel Delevoe Memorial Park, 2520 NW Sixth St. Call 954-791-1036.



Hallandale Beach: Vehicle displays, K-9 demonstrations, free child IDs from Memorial Healthcare System, artists, 6:30-9:30 p.m., O.B. Johnson Park, 745 NW Ninth St. Free round-trip shuttle service, 5:30-10 p.m. from Hallandale Beach Cultural Community Center, 410 SE Third St. Call 954-457-1644.

Hollywood: Multiple block parties with McGruff the Crime Dog. 6-8 p.m., Stan Goldman Park, 800 Knights Road; 6-8 p.m., Charnow Park, 300 Connecticut St.; 6-8 p.m., Hollywood Hills, 530 N. Rainbow Drive; 6-9 p.m., Washington Park Recreation Center, 5199 Pembroke Road; 6-9 p.m., McNichol Recreation Center, 1411 S. 28th Ave.; 5:30-8 p.m., Liberia Network Center, 2207 Raleigh St.; 6-8 p.m., Highland Gardens Civic Association, 24th Avenue and Adams Street; 6:30-8 p.m., Emerald Hills, 3711 N. 54th Ave.; 6-9 p.m., Boys & Girls Club, 1111 N. 69th Way; 5:30-8:30 p.m., Driftwood, 7300 block of Cody Street; 5:30-9:30 p.m., North Central, 2633 Cleveland St.; 6:30-8:30 p.m., Northwest Business, Garfield Street between 64th and 65th avenues; 6-8 p.m., Wesleyan Church, 6095 Funston St.

Lauderdale Lakes: Demonstrations, displays, giveaways, 6-9 p.m. at Vincent Torres Memorial Park, 4331 NW 36th St. Call 954-497-1692.

Margate: K-9 demonstrations, the presidential limo, police vehicle displays, antique police cars, live entertainment and free food, 7-10 p.m., Sports Complex, 1755 Banks Road. Call 954-972-1232.

North Lauderdale: DJ, bounce houses, clowns, face painting, BSO motorcycles and displays, Duncan the Robot, free food, 6-9 p.m. at North Lauderdale City Hall, 701 SW 71st Ave. (Rock Island Road). Call 954-724-7060.

Parkland: Representatives from SWAT, mounted patrol, K-9 and fire rescue, child safety and crime prevention literature, 6-8 p.m. in the parking lot of the Broward Sheriff's Office, 6650 University Drive. Call 954-753-5050.

Pompano Beach: A mile walking procession escorted by Broward Sheriff's deputies at 6 p.m. leaves Pompano Beach Highlands Park, 1650 NE 50th Court, winds through the Highlands and returns to the park for presentations and children's programs. Call 954-933-6393.

Sunrise: Helicopters on display, military equipment, a K-9 demonstration and a cookout, 5:30-8:30 p.m. at Sunrise Civic Center, 10610 W. Oakland Park Blvd. Call 954-746-3392.

Tamarac: Displays, fire rescue units, safety information, DJ, free food and drinks, rides and a clown. Free child ID kit for fingerprinting, 6-9 p.m., Broward Sheriff's District Office, 7515 N. Pine Island Road. Call 954-720-2225.

Weston: Car seat checks, VIN etching, displays, 5-8 p.m. at Weston Police Services Center, 17300 Royal Palm Blvd. Call 954-389-2010, ext. 232.

Wilton Manors: Police officers visit registered block parties from 7-10 p.m. Residents may register by calling 954-390-2150.

Morgan get-well

Morgan Freeman is nursing a broken arm, broken elbow and minor shoulder damage after a car accident in Mississippi. His publicist says he's "in good spirits."

If you wanna send a get-well message, you can send it to:

PO Box 16548
Encino, CA 01416

Or on the'Net:
Blog site for Freeman wishes: Just click here.

Morgan Freeman (born June 1, 1937) is an Academy Award-winning American actor, film director and narrator. Noted for his reserved demeanor and authoritative speaking voice, Freeman has become one of Hollywood's most popular and respected actors.

Although his first credited film appearance was in 1971's Who Says I Can't Ride a Rainbow?, Freeman first became known in the American media through roles on the soap opera Another World and the PBS kids' show The Electric Company,[4] (notably as Easy Reader and Vincent the Vegetable Vampire) which he claimed he should have left earlier than he did.

Beginning in the mid-1980s, Freeman began playing prominent supporting roles in many feature films, earning him a reputation for depicting wise and fatherly characters.[4] As he gained fame, he went on to bigger roles in films such as the chauffeur Hoke in Driving Miss Daisy, and Sergeant Major Rawlins in Glory (both in 1989).[4] In 1994 he portrayed Red, the redeemed convict in the acclaimed The Shawshank Redemption. His star power was already confirmed as he starred in some of the biggest films of the 1990s, Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves, Se7en, and Deep Impact. In 1997, Freeman, together with Lori McCreary, founded the movie production company Revelations Entertainment, and the two co-head its sister online movie distribution company ClickStar. Freeman also hosts the channel Our Space on ClickStar, with specially crafted film clips in which he shares his love for the sciences, especially space exploration and aeronautics.

After three previous nominations – a supporting actor nomination for Street Smart (1987), and leading actor nominations for Driving Miss Daisy (1989), and The Shawshank Redemption (1994) – he won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his performance in Million Dollar Baby at the 77th Academy Awards.[4] Freeman is recognized for his distinctive voice, making him a frequent choice for narration. In 2005 alone, he provided narration for two of the most successful films of the year, War of the Worlds and the Academy Award-winning documentary film March of the Penguins.

In 1991, Morgan Freeman was offered a lead role in Jurassic Park. Unsure that dinosaurs could make for interesting co-stars, Freeman traveled to the Museum of Natural History to see the “damn beasts” in person. In a 2007 interview with Atlanta Radio Correspondent Veronica Waters, Freeman revealed that he was stunned when he learned that birds descended from dinosaurs. While he turned down the role, Freeman spent the next summer reading books on Ornithology. This would later lead to his desire to narrate the documentary March of the Penguins.

Freeman has recently been well known for his role as God in the hit movie Bruce Almighty and its sequel, Evan Almighty, as well as his role as Lucius Fox in the critical and commercial success Batman Begins and its 2008 sequel, The Dark Knight. He starred in Rob Reiner's 2007 film The Bucket List, opposite Jack Nicholson, playing terminal cancer patients who must fulfill their lists of goals. He teams with Christopher Walken and William H. Macy in the comedy The Lonely Maiden, due out in late 2008. In April 2008, Freeman returned to Broadway to co-star with Frances McDormand and Peter Gallagher for a limited engagement of Clifford Odets's play, The Country Girl, directed by Mike Nichols.

Happy study

Age takes glow off women's happiness: study

(Reuters life!)

Young women are happier than their male peers, but as the years roll by and they become less able to achieve lasting love and financial goals, women often end up the sadder sex, according to an international study.

The research, by Anke Plagnol of the University of Cambridge in England and University of Southern California economist Richard Easterlin, used data spanning several decades about U.S. men and women to examine the role of unfulfilled desires.

The study found that when it comes to family and finances, women are, on average, happier than men in early adulthood, but after the age of 48, men's overall happiness exceeds women's happiness.

"In later life it is men who come closer to fulfilling their aspirations, are more satisfied with their family lives and financial situations, and are the happier of the two," said Plagnol.

Women and men have similar life goals when it comes to love, with nine out of 10 people of both genders wanting a happy marriage, revealed the study that is to be published in the Journal of Happiness Studies.

"Differences between men and women in aspirations for marriage and children are fairly small," said Plagnol. "Gender differences in satisfaction depend largely on attainment."

The saddest period of the average man's life -- his 20s -- is also the period when he is most likely to be single.

Young men are also more dissatisfied than young women with their financial situations, not because they are worse off, but because they want more, the researchers explained.

But, after the age of 34, men are more likely to be married than women, and the gap only widens with age. Men also become more satisfied with their financial situations over time, as they are able to buy luxury items such as cars and vacation homes due to increased spending power.

"Of course, one doesn't have to be married to be happy, but if that's something you really want - and it is for most people - then the failure to attain it can have an impact on your overall happiness," Plagnol said, adding that those in a relationship also tend to be in a stronger financial position.