Garbage. Americans produce more and more of it every year, when we need to be producing less. Even the most waste-conscious among us can feel overwhelmed by the amount of household waste that goes beyond what municipal recyclers and compost bins can handle. That’s why our editors spent the summer of 2007 investigating the state of waste management in our country, putting this list togther for you, explaining how we can get serious about the three R’s – reducing, reusing, and recycling — and divert more waste away from landfills.
1. Appliances: Goodwill accepts working appliances, www.goodwill.org, or you can contact the Steel Recycling Institute to recycle them. 800/YES-1-CAN, www.recycle-steel.org.
2. Batteries: Rechargeables and single-use: Battery Solutions, 734/467-9110, www.batteryrecycling.com.
3. Cardboard boxes: Contact local nonprofits and women’s shelters to see if they can use them. Or, offer up used cardboard boxes at your local Freecycle.org listserv or on Craigslist.org for others who may need them for moving or storage. If your workplace collects at least 100 boxes or more each month, UsedCardboardBoxes.com accepts them for resale.4. CDs/DVDs/Game Disks: Send scratched music or computer CDs, DVDs, and PlayStation or Nintendo video game disks to AuralTech for refinishing, and they’ll work like new: 888/454-3223, www.auraltech.com.
5. Clothes: Wearable clothes can go to your local Goodwill outlet or shelter. Donate wearable women’s business clothing to Dress for Success, which gives them to low-income women as they search for jobs, 212/532-1922, www.dressforsuccess.org. Offer unwearable clothes and towels to local animal boarding and shelter facilities, which often use them as pet bedding. Consider holding a clothes swap at your office, school, faith congregation or community center. Swap clothes with friends and colleagues, and save money on a new fall wardrobe and back-to-school clothes.
6. Compact fluorescent bulbs: Take them to your local IKEA store for recycling: www.ikea.com.
7. Compostable bio-plastics: You probably won’t be able to compost these in your home compost bin or pile. Find a municipal composter to take them to at www.findacomposter.com.
8. Computers and electronics: Find the most responsible recyclers, local and national, at www.ban.org/pledge/Locations.html.
9. Exercise videos: Swap them with others at www.videofitness.com.
10. Eyeglasses: Your local Lion’s Club or eye care chain may collect these. Lenses are reground and given to people in need.
11. Foam packing: Your local pack-and-ship store will likely accept foam peanuts for reuse. Or, call the Plastic Loose Fill Producers Council to find a drop-off site: 800/828-2214. For places to drop off foam blocks for recycling, contact the Alliance of Foam Packaging Recyclers, 410/451-8340, www.epspackaging.org/info.html
12. Ink/toner cartridges: Recycleplace.com pays $1/each.
13. Miscellaneous: Get your unwanted items into the hands of people who can use them. Offer them up on your local Freecycle.org or Craigslist.org listserv, or try giving them away at Throwplace.com or giving or selling them at iReuse.com. iReuse.com will also help you find a recycler, if possible, when your items have reached the end of their useful lifecycle.
14. Oil: Find Used Motor Oil Hotlines for each state: 202/682-8000, www.recycleoil.org.
15. Phones: Donate cell phones: Collective Good will refurbish your phone and sell it to someone in a developing country: 770/856-9021, www.collectivegood.com. Call to Protect reprograms cell phones to dial 911 and gives them to domestic violence victims: www.donateaphone.com. Recycle single-line phones: Reclamere, 814/386-2927, www.reclamere.com.
16. Sports equipment: Resell or trade it at your local Play It Again Sports outlet, 800/476-9249, www.playitagainsports.com.
17. “Technotrash”: Project KOPEG offers an e-waste recycling program that can help you raise funds for your organization. Use Project KOPEG to recycle iPods, MP3 players, cell phones and chargers, digital cameras, PDAs, palm pilots, and more. Also, easily recycle all of your CDs, jewel cases, DVDs, audio and video tapes, pagers, rechargeable and single-use batteries, PDAs, and ink/toner cartridges with GreenDisk’s Technotrash program. For $30, GreenDisk will send you a cardboard box in which you can ship them up to 70 pounds of any of the above. Your fee covers the box as well as shipping and recycling fees. 800/305-GREENDISK, www.greendisk.com.
18. Tennis shoes: Nike’s Reuse-a-Shoe program turns old shoes into playground and athletic flooring. www.nikereuseashoe.com. One World Running will send still-wearable shoes to athletes in need in Africa, Latin America, and Haiti. www.oneworldrunning.com.
19. Toothbrushes and razors: Buy a recycled plastic toothbrush or razor from Recycline, and the company will take it back to be recycled again into plastic lumber. Recycline products are made from used Stonyfield Farms’ yogurt cups. 888/354-7296, www.recycline.com.
20. Tyvek envelopes: Quantities less than 25: Send to Shirley Cimburke, Tyvek Recycling Specialist, 5401 Jefferson Davis Hwy., Spot 197, Room 231, Richmond, VA 23234. Quantities larger than 25, call 866/33-TYVEK.
21. Stuff you just can’t recycle: When practical, send such items back to the manufacturer and tell them they need to manufacture products that close the waste loop responsibly.
Friday, November 21, 2008
Thursday, November 20, 2008
Happy viewing
Unhappy folks watch more TV, happy ones read:
CTV.ca News Staff
Unhappy people spend more time watching television than their content counterparts, who are more likely to spend their spare time reading and socializing, a new study says.
In a study of nearly 30,000 adults, sociologists from the University of Maryland found that people who describe themselves as unhappy watch 20 per cent more television than those who consider themselves to be very happy.
The research also showed that self-described happy people are more socially active, attend church more often, are more likely to vote and more frequently read newspapers.
The study included data from previous research that measured how people use their time, as well as information from surveys that asked respondents how happy they feel and how much time they spend doing a number of different tasks.
The data also suggested that watching television may boost viewers' happiness in the moment but does little to improve their feelings over the long term.
"TV doesn't really seem to satisfy people over the long haul the way that social involvement or reading a newspaper does," study co-author John P. Robinson, a University of Maryland sociologist, said in a statement. "It's more passive and may provide escape - especially when the news is as depressing as the economy itself. The data suggest to us that the TV habit may offer short-run pleasure at the expense of long-term malaise."
The researchers published their findings in the December issue of the journal Social Indicators Research.
The data from time-use surveys suggests that if the ongoing worldwide financial crisis continues to worsen and people lose their jobs, television viewing may increase.
The findings showed a correlation between having more available free time and watching more television.
And it seems unhappy people have far more free time on their hands.
Fifty-one per cent said they were more likely to have unwanted extra time to fill, compared to only 19 per cent of happy people.
The researchers said that their data showed that television viewing proved an easy way for unhappy folks to fill their spare time.
Television doesn't require that a viewer dress up, leave the house, plan ahead, spend extra money or seek company, the researchers said.
When those factors are combined with the instant gratification that TV offers, it is easy to understand why television is so attractive, the researchers said.
"Addictive activities produce momentary pleasure but long-term misery and regret," study co-author Steven Martin, also a University of Maryland sociologist, said in a statement. "People most vulnerable to addiction tend to be socially or personally disadvantaged. For this kind of person, TV can become a kind of opiate in a way. It's habitual, and tuning in can be an easy way of tuning out."
CTV.ca News Staff
Unhappy people spend more time watching television than their content counterparts, who are more likely to spend their spare time reading and socializing, a new study says.
In a study of nearly 30,000 adults, sociologists from the University of Maryland found that people who describe themselves as unhappy watch 20 per cent more television than those who consider themselves to be very happy.
The research also showed that self-described happy people are more socially active, attend church more often, are more likely to vote and more frequently read newspapers.
The study included data from previous research that measured how people use their time, as well as information from surveys that asked respondents how happy they feel and how much time they spend doing a number of different tasks.
The data also suggested that watching television may boost viewers' happiness in the moment but does little to improve their feelings over the long term.
"TV doesn't really seem to satisfy people over the long haul the way that social involvement or reading a newspaper does," study co-author John P. Robinson, a University of Maryland sociologist, said in a statement. "It's more passive and may provide escape - especially when the news is as depressing as the economy itself. The data suggest to us that the TV habit may offer short-run pleasure at the expense of long-term malaise."
The researchers published their findings in the December issue of the journal Social Indicators Research.
The data from time-use surveys suggests that if the ongoing worldwide financial crisis continues to worsen and people lose their jobs, television viewing may increase.
The findings showed a correlation between having more available free time and watching more television.
And it seems unhappy people have far more free time on their hands.
Fifty-one per cent said they were more likely to have unwanted extra time to fill, compared to only 19 per cent of happy people.
The researchers said that their data showed that television viewing proved an easy way for unhappy folks to fill their spare time.
Television doesn't require that a viewer dress up, leave the house, plan ahead, spend extra money or seek company, the researchers said.
When those factors are combined with the instant gratification that TV offers, it is easy to understand why television is so attractive, the researchers said.
"Addictive activities produce momentary pleasure but long-term misery and regret," study co-author Steven Martin, also a University of Maryland sociologist, said in a statement. "People most vulnerable to addiction tend to be socially or personally disadvantaged. For this kind of person, TV can become a kind of opiate in a way. It's habitual, and tuning in can be an easy way of tuning out."
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
Bullying: kids, adults, online!!!
Everybody knows what a "Bully" is, but did you know that the "Bullying" behavior has gone beyond the limits of the schools?
Nowadays you can see this kind of situations in the workplace and even on the web.
If you want to know more about it, you can check here:
Bullies on the schools: the old story that everybody knows.
Bullies on the workplace: the old story but in a grown up environment.
Bullies on the web: the new media could not be the exception.
I hope these links help you to solve the problem!... And remember the violence is not the answer.
Nowadays you can see this kind of situations in the workplace and even on the web.
If you want to know more about it, you can check here:
Bullies on the schools: the old story that everybody knows.
Bullies on the workplace: the old story but in a grown up environment.
Bullies on the web: the new media could not be the exception.
I hope these links help you to solve the problem!... And remember the violence is not the answer.
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
Is gaming a problem?
Concern is spreading among parents and mental-health professionals that the exploding popularity of computer and video games has a deeper dark side than simple couch-potatohood.
How can parents know when a lot is too much? Media experts are quick to point out that computer and video games are not inherently bad for kids; indeed, most players find a balance, says David Walsh, founder of the National Institute on Media and the Family in Minneapolis: "They play their video games; they do their homework; they keep up with their responsibilities and have other interests. No problem."
But when the other areas of a child's life begin to suffer, parents may have cause to take corrective action.
See if you or your child has any of the symptoms of video game addiciton.
How can parents know when a lot is too much? Media experts are quick to point out that computer and video games are not inherently bad for kids; indeed, most players find a balance, says David Walsh, founder of the National Institute on Media and the Family in Minneapolis: "They play their video games; they do their homework; they keep up with their responsibilities and have other interests. No problem."
But when the other areas of a child's life begin to suffer, parents may have cause to take corrective action.
See if you or your child has any of the symptoms of video game addiciton.
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
Veterans Day
On this Veteran Day, lets honor those who bravely served our country. Below you will find some activities that will be held in South Florida:
Also, it is important to show your children the importance of this day, here is a fun and educational Veteran's Day site for your children.
And finally, if you want to send a free printed postcard to a friend or relative that is part of the US military stationed overseas, you can do it here.
- Wilton Manors ceremony, 11 a.m. at Hagen Park, 2020 Wilton Drive, Wilton Manors. Call 954-390-2130.
- Acupuncture clinic, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. at Collins Community Center, 3900 NE Third Ave., Oakland Park. Free treatment session for veterans. The clinic requests $20 donations for treatments to raise money for other veterans' clinics. Call 954-630-4500.
- Plantation ceremony, 9:30 a.m. at Veterans Park, 1776 Lauderdale West Drive. Participants will include Mayor Rae Carol Armstrong, a police honor guard, high school singers, entertainer Al Matos and other performers. Call 954-452-2510.
- Coral Springs ceremony, 10:30 a.m. at Veterans Park, 8601 Royal Palm Blvd. Includes speeches by veterans, 21-gun salute and placing wreaths. Call 954-345-2200.
- The American Soldier, 3-5 p.m. at Presidential Place, 3880 S. Circle Drive, Hollywood. Lecture by Korean War veteran John Hone. Call 954-894-0059.
- Hollywood ceremony, 11 a.m. at Hollywood Memorial Gardens Cemetery, 6301 Taft St. Call 954-989-1550.
- Salute to Veterans, 8 a.m. parade begins at Tamarac City Hall, 7525 NW 88th Ave., 10 a.m. service at Veterans Park, 7825 Southgate Blvd. Call 954-597-3620.
- Thomas P. Johnson American Legion Post 222 ceremony, 11 a.m. at Collins Park flagpole, 4001 NE Fifth Ave., Oakland Park. Call 954-776-5373.
- Coconut Creek ceremony, 11 a.m. at Veterans Park, 3500 Lyons Road. Activities include a rifle salute, Police Department Honor Guard, national anthem and presentation of the colors. Call 954-956-1580.
- Pembroke Pines ceremony, noon at Fletcher Park, 7900 Johnson St. Call 954-435-6525.
- The Moving Wall, will be at Bayfront Park, 301 N. Biscayne Blvd., near the Flagler Street entrance. There will be a Parade from Bayside to the Moving Wall at 2 p.m. The Closing ceremonies start at 5:30 p.m. No admission fee.
Also, it is important to show your children the importance of this day, here is a fun and educational Veteran's Day site for your children.
And finally, if you want to send a free printed postcard to a friend or relative that is part of the US military stationed overseas, you can do it here.
Friday, November 7, 2008
Get in the spirit
Start planning your holiday party.
Start making your holiday mailing list.
Browse stores that are decorated with hints of the holiday.
Start Christmas shopping.
Think about what you have instead of what you do not have. be appreciative and grateful for your bed, roof over your head and food in your mouth.
Go to Manhattan and check out all the window displays by Sacks, Macy's and lord and taylor! Wonderful eye candy!
Start shopping for your holiday duds.
Shop around and scope the places where parties are happening. Grab a freind or two and attend!
Start making your holiday mailing list.
Browse stores that are decorated with hints of the holiday.
Start Christmas shopping.
Think about what you have instead of what you do not have. be appreciative and grateful for your bed, roof over your head and food in your mouth.
Go to Manhattan and check out all the window displays by Sacks, Macy's and lord and taylor! Wonderful eye candy!
Start shopping for your holiday duds.
Shop around and scope the places where parties are happening. Grab a freind or two and attend!
Thursday, November 6, 2008
Just get along.
Here are essential steps to constructively resolve conflicts at work. The steps can be applied to any kind of conflict between co-workers.
1: Realize that conflicts are inevitable at work
Show me a workplace without conflict and I’ll show you a workplace where no one gives a damn. Whenever people are engaged, committed and fired up, conflict and disagreement is bound to happen. This doesn’t mean you have to revel in conflict or create trouble just for the hell of it, but it does mean that when conflict happens it’s not the end of the world. Quite the contrary, it can even be the beginning of an interesting learning process. The very best and most efficient workplaces are not the ones without conflicts but those who handle conflicts constructively.
Particularly when a workplace is changing and new ideas are being dreamt up and implemented, conflict is inevitable. There can be no business change without conflict. The trick is to make sure that you also have no conflict without change, because that is the truly dangerous thing: Conflicts that go on for years with all parties refusing to budge.
The fact that you have a conflict at work does not reflect badly on you - it mostly means that you care enough to disagree strongly. That’s a good thing provided that you do something about the conflict instead of just letting it go on forever.
2: Handle conflict sooner rather than later
This is the single most important tip to successfully resolve conflicts: Do it now! It’s very tempting to wait for a conflict to blow over by itself, but it rarely does - in most cases it only gets worse with time. I refer you to this delightful cartoon by Claire Bretecher for an example.
90% of conflicts at work do not come from something that was said, but from something that wasn’t said! It’s tempting to try and smooth things over and pretend everything is normal. Don’t. That’s the most common reason why conflicts at work escalate: Nobody does anything. Everyone’s waiting for the other guy to pull himself together and “just admit he’s wrong, dammit”. It may be unpleasant to tackle the issue here and now but believe me, it gets even more unpleasant after the conflict has stewed for a good long while.
3: Ask!
In the early stages of a conflict the most powerful tool to resolve it is simple: Ask! If somebody has done something that made you angry, if you don’t understand somebody’s viewpoint, if you don’t understand their actions - ask!
Do it nicely. “Say, I was wondering why you did ‘X’ yesterday” or “I’ve noticed that you often do ‘Y’. Why is that?” are good examples. “Why the hell do you always have to ‘Z’!” is less constructive :o)
Sometimes there’s a perfectly good reason why that person does what he does, and a potential conflict evaporates right there. Also: Never assume that people do what they do to annoy you or spite you. People typically have a good reason to do the things they do, even the things that really get on your nerves. Never assume bad faith on anyone else’s part. Instead: Ask!
For the rest of them just click here.
1: Realize that conflicts are inevitable at work
Show me a workplace without conflict and I’ll show you a workplace where no one gives a damn. Whenever people are engaged, committed and fired up, conflict and disagreement is bound to happen. This doesn’t mean you have to revel in conflict or create trouble just for the hell of it, but it does mean that when conflict happens it’s not the end of the world. Quite the contrary, it can even be the beginning of an interesting learning process. The very best and most efficient workplaces are not the ones without conflicts but those who handle conflicts constructively.
Particularly when a workplace is changing and new ideas are being dreamt up and implemented, conflict is inevitable. There can be no business change without conflict. The trick is to make sure that you also have no conflict without change, because that is the truly dangerous thing: Conflicts that go on for years with all parties refusing to budge.
The fact that you have a conflict at work does not reflect badly on you - it mostly means that you care enough to disagree strongly. That’s a good thing provided that you do something about the conflict instead of just letting it go on forever.
2: Handle conflict sooner rather than later
This is the single most important tip to successfully resolve conflicts: Do it now! It’s very tempting to wait for a conflict to blow over by itself, but it rarely does - in most cases it only gets worse with time. I refer you to this delightful cartoon by Claire Bretecher for an example.
90% of conflicts at work do not come from something that was said, but from something that wasn’t said! It’s tempting to try and smooth things over and pretend everything is normal. Don’t. That’s the most common reason why conflicts at work escalate: Nobody does anything. Everyone’s waiting for the other guy to pull himself together and “just admit he’s wrong, dammit”. It may be unpleasant to tackle the issue here and now but believe me, it gets even more unpleasant after the conflict has stewed for a good long while.
3: Ask!
In the early stages of a conflict the most powerful tool to resolve it is simple: Ask! If somebody has done something that made you angry, if you don’t understand somebody’s viewpoint, if you don’t understand their actions - ask!
Do it nicely. “Say, I was wondering why you did ‘X’ yesterday” or “I’ve noticed that you often do ‘Y’. Why is that?” are good examples. “Why the hell do you always have to ‘Z’!” is less constructive :o)
Sometimes there’s a perfectly good reason why that person does what he does, and a potential conflict evaporates right there. Also: Never assume that people do what they do to annoy you or spite you. People typically have a good reason to do the things they do, even the things that really get on your nerves. Never assume bad faith on anyone else’s part. Instead: Ask!
For the rest of them just click here.
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
Election Day!!!!
Today is a special day, a day we can express ourselves but we must respect each other too. Here are some things to keep in mind when you go to the polls today.
VOTING MYTHS (MSN.com)
Myth: I will be turned away from the polls if I wear an Obama or McCain shirt.
NOT TRUE. You can't be turned away from the polls, but you may be asked to cover the parts of your clothing that are advertising your candidate. Certain states -- such as California, District of Columbia, Pennsylvania and New York -- restrict anything that can be considered campaign material within 50 to 150 feet of voting sites. If you've got questions, contact your state election official to find out the exact rules in your state, or, just be sure to bring an extra shirt or sweater for when you place your vote.
Myth: If something goes wrong -- I'm not on the voter rolls, forgot my ID, recently moved -- I can't vote.
NOT TRUE. You may need to take an oath affirming you're a citizen, and that you live where you say you do. But keep in mind that the burden of proof is on the person making the challenge, not you. If your right to vote is being challenged for any reason, call the Election Protection hotline at 1-866-OUR-VOTE (1-866-687-8683) to get immediate legal advice. You can also request a provisional ballot from poll officials.
Myth: If I registered to vote through ACORN, my registration is not valid.
NOT TRUE: While some ACORN voter registrations are being investigated, if you provided accurate information, your registration is valid. In case you encounter problems, call the Election Protection hotline at 1-866-OUR-VOTE (1-866-687-8683) or be sure to request a provisional ballot.
Myth: Absentee ballots don't count and are only used as tie-breakers.
NOT TRUE: Like provisional ballots, absentee ballots count as a regular vote in every state.
Myth: If you register to vote under your school address, you will be dropped from your parents' health insurance or lose financial aid.
NOT TRUE: In a recent Time Magazine report, officials in Montgomery, Virginia; Greenville, South Carolina; and El Paso, Colorado told students that their health care and financial aid would be in jeopardy if they were to cast a vote. There was just one problem with these warnings: They were entirely untrue. Time reports, "[A]ccording to youth-voter advocates and the IRS... these dire warnings were incorrect."
On the other hand, if you want to have a last minute election party, please read the following tips that will help you to have a great time:
ELECTION PARTY ETIQUETTE (iVillage.com)
VOTING MYTHS (MSN.com)
Myth: I will be turned away from the polls if I wear an Obama or McCain shirt.
NOT TRUE. You can't be turned away from the polls, but you may be asked to cover the parts of your clothing that are advertising your candidate. Certain states -- such as California, District of Columbia, Pennsylvania and New York -- restrict anything that can be considered campaign material within 50 to 150 feet of voting sites. If you've got questions, contact your state election official to find out the exact rules in your state, or, just be sure to bring an extra shirt or sweater for when you place your vote.
Myth: If something goes wrong -- I'm not on the voter rolls, forgot my ID, recently moved -- I can't vote.
NOT TRUE. You may need to take an oath affirming you're a citizen, and that you live where you say you do. But keep in mind that the burden of proof is on the person making the challenge, not you. If your right to vote is being challenged for any reason, call the Election Protection hotline at 1-866-OUR-VOTE (1-866-687-8683) to get immediate legal advice. You can also request a provisional ballot from poll officials.
Myth: If I registered to vote through ACORN, my registration is not valid.
NOT TRUE: While some ACORN voter registrations are being investigated, if you provided accurate information, your registration is valid. In case you encounter problems, call the Election Protection hotline at 1-866-OUR-VOTE (1-866-687-8683) or be sure to request a provisional ballot.
Myth: Absentee ballots don't count and are only used as tie-breakers.
NOT TRUE: Like provisional ballots, absentee ballots count as a regular vote in every state.
Myth: If you register to vote under your school address, you will be dropped from your parents' health insurance or lose financial aid.
NOT TRUE: In a recent Time Magazine report, officials in Montgomery, Virginia; Greenville, South Carolina; and El Paso, Colorado told students that their health care and financial aid would be in jeopardy if they were to cast a vote. There was just one problem with these warnings: They were entirely untrue. Time reports, "[A]ccording to youth-voter advocates and the IRS... these dire warnings were incorrect."
On the other hand, if you want to have a last minute election party, please read the following tips that will help you to have a great time:
ELECTION PARTY ETIQUETTE (iVillage.com)
- The Guest List: If you feel your friends can all handle it as adults, however, go ahead and invite people on both sides of the aisle. However, as host, you are responsible for your guests being comfortable. If things start to get heated or uncomfortable, it's your job to step in and diffuse the situation.
- Food and Decor: If all of your guests support the same candidate, feel free to have some fun with themed decorations, hors d'oeuvres and cocktails. However, if you have Democrats and Republicans coming -- then yes, it needs to be fair and balanced. In other words, if you're serving an Obama-tini, you should also have a McCain margarita.
- Talking Politics:
- Before you speak, know the company you're in. Never, never assume you know someone's politics, unless they've explicitly expressed that to you.
- Stick to the facts. Arguing a point is different than making it personal. "'How can you support a guy like that?'That's judgmental.
- Have an exit strategy. To get yourself out of a sticky situation, have a few lines ready: "I think we'll have to agree to disagree," or "I'd rather not talk about it, if that's okay." Stay calm until the tension passes.
- Think about why you're having the conversation. What's your goal? Trying to change someone's mind election night after they've cast their vote, you might be barking up the wrong tree.
- The Results Are In: No gloating. Think about how you would want to be treated. Etiquette is based on treating people with respect, consideration and honesty, and now is the time to fall back on those principles
Monday, November 3, 2008
Avoid the flu
Keeping the Germs Away
Flu season is October through early spring, and February is often the peak month. Chances are, when you're burrowed under the covers with a box of tissues by your bedside, you turn even greener with envy thinking of those people who seem to never get sick. Want to be one of them? We can't promise you'll never get hit with another cold or suffer another bout of the flu, but you can increase your odds of staying well with these strategies. If you do get sick, we've also included some tips for getting better faster.
While colds won't kill you, they can weaken your immune system to the point that other, more serious, germs can take hold in your body. Just think how many times your cold turned into bronchitis or a sinus infection. And given that the average American adult suffers two to three colds a year, that's a lot of opportunities for serious illness -- and just as many to prevent one!
There's even more incentive to prevent the flu: Every year in the United States about 200,000 people are hospitalized and 36,000 die from the flu or its complications.
1. Wash your hands and wash them often. The Naval Health Research Center conducted a study of 40,000 recruits who were ordered to wash their hands five times a day. The recruits cut their incidence of respiratory illnesses by 45 percent.
2. Wash your hands twice every time you wash them. When Columbia University researchers looked for germs on volunteers' hands, they found one handwashing had little effect, even when using antibacterial soap. So wash twice if you're serious about fending off colds.
3. Use this hand-drying strategy in public restrooms. Studies find a shockingly large percentage of people fail to wash their hands after using a public restroom. And every single one of them touches the door handle on the way out. So after washing your hands, use a paper towel to turn off the faucet. Use another paper towel to dry your hands, then open the door with that paper towel as a barrier between you and the handle. It sounds nuts, but it's an actual recommendation from the Centers for Disease Control to protect you from infectious diseases like cold and flu.
4. Carry hand sanitizer with you. Colds are typically passed not from coughing or kissing (although those are two modes of transmission) but from hand-to-hand or hand-to-object contact, since most cold viruses can live for hours on objects. You then put your hand in or near your mouth or nose, and voilà! You're sick. Carry hand sanitizer gel or sanitizing towelettes with you and you can clean your hands anytime, even if the closest water supply is 100 miles away. It works. One study of absenteeism due to infection in elementary schools found schools using the gel sanitizer had absentee rates from infection nearly 20 percent lower than those using other hand-cleaning methods.
5. Use your knuckle to rub your eyes. It's less likely to be contaminated with viruses than your fingertip. This is particularly important given that the eye provides a perfect entry point for germs, and the average person rubs his eyes or nose or scratches his face 20-50 times a day, notes Jordan Rubin, Ph.D., author of the book The Maker's Diet.
Get the rest from Readers Digest.
Flu season is October through early spring, and February is often the peak month. Chances are, when you're burrowed under the covers with a box of tissues by your bedside, you turn even greener with envy thinking of those people who seem to never get sick. Want to be one of them? We can't promise you'll never get hit with another cold or suffer another bout of the flu, but you can increase your odds of staying well with these strategies. If you do get sick, we've also included some tips for getting better faster.
While colds won't kill you, they can weaken your immune system to the point that other, more serious, germs can take hold in your body. Just think how many times your cold turned into bronchitis or a sinus infection. And given that the average American adult suffers two to three colds a year, that's a lot of opportunities for serious illness -- and just as many to prevent one!
There's even more incentive to prevent the flu: Every year in the United States about 200,000 people are hospitalized and 36,000 die from the flu or its complications.
1. Wash your hands and wash them often. The Naval Health Research Center conducted a study of 40,000 recruits who were ordered to wash their hands five times a day. The recruits cut their incidence of respiratory illnesses by 45 percent.
2. Wash your hands twice every time you wash them. When Columbia University researchers looked for germs on volunteers' hands, they found one handwashing had little effect, even when using antibacterial soap. So wash twice if you're serious about fending off colds.
3. Use this hand-drying strategy in public restrooms. Studies find a shockingly large percentage of people fail to wash their hands after using a public restroom. And every single one of them touches the door handle on the way out. So after washing your hands, use a paper towel to turn off the faucet. Use another paper towel to dry your hands, then open the door with that paper towel as a barrier between you and the handle. It sounds nuts, but it's an actual recommendation from the Centers for Disease Control to protect you from infectious diseases like cold and flu.
4. Carry hand sanitizer with you. Colds are typically passed not from coughing or kissing (although those are two modes of transmission) but from hand-to-hand or hand-to-object contact, since most cold viruses can live for hours on objects. You then put your hand in or near your mouth or nose, and voilà! You're sick. Carry hand sanitizer gel or sanitizing towelettes with you and you can clean your hands anytime, even if the closest water supply is 100 miles away. It works. One study of absenteeism due to infection in elementary schools found schools using the gel sanitizer had absentee rates from infection nearly 20 percent lower than those using other hand-cleaning methods.
5. Use your knuckle to rub your eyes. It's less likely to be contaminated with viruses than your fingertip. This is particularly important given that the eye provides a perfect entry point for germs, and the average person rubs his eyes or nose or scratches his face 20-50 times a day, notes Jordan Rubin, Ph.D., author of the book The Maker's Diet.
Get the rest from Readers Digest.
Friday, October 31, 2008
Happy Halloween!
Halloween Safety Tips
By The Children's Safety Zone
For Trick-or-Treaters
· Carry a flashlight
· Walk, don't run.
· Stay on Sidewalks
· Stay in familiar neighborhoods
· Don't cut across yards or driveways.
· Wear a watch you can read in the dark.
· Carry only flexible knives, swords or other props.
· Wear clothing with reflective markings or tape.
· Approach only houses that are lit.
· Stay away from and don't pet animals you don't know.
Parents
· Make your child eat dinner before setting out.
· Children should carry quarters so they can call home.
· Ideally, young children of any age should be accompanied by an adult.
· If your children go on their own, be sure they wear a watch, preferably one that can be read in the dark.
· Older children should know where to reach you and when to be home.
· You should know where they're going.
· Although tampering is rare, tell children to bring the candy home to be inspected before consuming anything.
Homeowners
· Make sure your yard is clear of such things as ladders, hoses, dog leashes and flower pots that can trip the young ones.
· Pets get frightened on Halloween. Put them up to protect them from cars or inadvertently bitting a trick-or-treater.
· If you do use candles, place the pumpkin well away from where trick-or-treaters will be walking or standing.
· Make sure paper or cloth yard decorations won't be blown into a flaming candle.
And now the funny part, if you want to know your "inner monster" check this out.
I hope you have a safety and fun Halloween!
By The Children's Safety Zone
For Trick-or-Treaters
· Carry a flashlight
· Walk, don't run.
· Stay on Sidewalks
· Stay in familiar neighborhoods
· Don't cut across yards or driveways.
· Wear a watch you can read in the dark.
· Carry only flexible knives, swords or other props.
· Wear clothing with reflective markings or tape.
· Approach only houses that are lit.
· Stay away from and don't pet animals you don't know.
Parents
· Make your child eat dinner before setting out.
· Children should carry quarters so they can call home.
· Ideally, young children of any age should be accompanied by an adult.
· If your children go on their own, be sure they wear a watch, preferably one that can be read in the dark.
· Older children should know where to reach you and when to be home.
· You should know where they're going.
· Although tampering is rare, tell children to bring the candy home to be inspected before consuming anything.
Homeowners
· Make sure your yard is clear of such things as ladders, hoses, dog leashes and flower pots that can trip the young ones.
· Pets get frightened on Halloween. Put them up to protect them from cars or inadvertently bitting a trick-or-treater.
· If you do use candles, place the pumpkin well away from where trick-or-treaters will be walking or standing.
· Make sure paper or cloth yard decorations won't be blown into a flaming candle.
And now the funny part, if you want to know your "inner monster" check this out.
I hope you have a safety and fun Halloween!
Thursday, October 30, 2008
Politics at work
Ten Tricks and Traps for Discussing Politics with Your Coworkers, Family, and Friends
By Debra Fine
selfgrowth.com
Typically, there are dozens of topics for "big conversations" at home and in the workplace. Now, there just seems to be one: the presidential elections. How can you participate in discussions about the candidates without risking your job, losing friends, or alienating your significant other? Here are 10 tricks and traps for discussing politics:
1. Know thyself. It may be okay for most people to talk politics, but take an honest look at yourself. Are your feelings so passionate that you'll let the conversation get out of control, and you'll lose your cool as soon as someone disagrees with you? If so, then steer the conversation in another
direction or leave the room.
2. Know others. Maybe you can keep your cool during a conversation about the presidential candidates, but judge whether those around you can do the same before you launch into a discussion with them. And remember:just because someone can have a polite conversation about gun control or religion doesn't necessarily mean that a "Barack vs. Hillary" debate will go well. When it comes to politics, choose your conversational partners carefully!
3. Agree to disagree. Your mission in life isn't to persuade everyone in your sphere to vote for your presidential candidate of choice - nor do youhave to come around to your conversational partner's point of view. Know when to end a conversation by agreeing to disagree.
4. Stay flexible. Your vote isn't cast in stone until it's - well, cast. One of the things that can come out of a conversation is that you might gain a different perspective, or you might learn something new. Stay open to that possibility.
5. Don't do all the talking. During a heated discussion, it helps to really listen to what your conversational partner is saying. That means giving the other person a fair chance to speak - and then really listening to what that person has to say.
6. Be polite. Just because you have strong political beliefs doesn't mean that you have to raise your voice or use harsh language. Keep it civilized, and that will be a cue for those around you to do the same.
7. Remember where you are. If you're in the office, at the dinner table, or at a cocktail party, bear that in mind - and don't start shouting as though you're in a football stadium. Keep your demeanor appropriate for your surroundings.
8. Detach yourself. You are not the individual for whom you're voting, so don't take criticism of your preferred candidate personally. If you're a Mitt Romney fan and your boss isn't, what's the big deal? Your boss isn't insulting you, so don't internalize his or her words.
9. Put it in perspective. You can still love your significant other, and you can still respect your coworkers and friends, even if they don't share your politics.
10. Smile! Maintain your sense of humor, and keep the atmosphere light. We're lucky enough to have an opportunity to participate in the political process, and that certainly is something to feel good about - regardless of your politics.
Keep these 10 tips in mind, and you'll come through the political
season with your relationships intact - even if the aspirations of your political candidate don't survive.
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
Work spouses
7 Signs You Have a Work Spouse
Patrick Erwin, CareerBuilder.com writer
Do you have a "work spouse" at your workplace? A work spouse is a co-worker of the opposite sex with whom you have a close platonic relationship. In many ways, these relationships can mirror a real marriage.
A recent CareerBuilder.com survey revealed that one-in-ten workers (11 percent) felt that they had a work spouse. And though it's usually beneficial to have a close friend at work, 20 percent of the workers polled indicated their real-life spouse was jealous of their workplace counterpart.
Do you have a work spouse?
Here are seven clear signs you might have a work spouse:
1. You depend on a particular co-worker for office supplies, snacks and aspirin.
2. There are inside jokes that you and a specific co-worker share.
3. You can be bluntly honest with this person about his or her appearance, hygiene or hair (and vice versa). You're comfortable enough to point out that the other's hair is sticking up -- or that someone's fly is down.
4. When something eventful happens at work, this co-worker is the first person you seek out for a de-briefing.
5. At breakfast, lunch and coffee breaks, your closest co-worker knows what to order for you and how you like your coffee (and vice versa).
6. You and your co-worker can finish each other's sentences.
7. Someone in your office knows almost as much about your personal life as your best friend or real-life spouse does.
Pluses and minuses of a work-spouse relationship
There are great benefits to having a close relationship with a co-worker. Among the benefits of a work spouse:
· You have a friend who provides emotional support at work during challenging times. During times of stress at home or at work, you have a built-in support system.
· Work spouses often complement each other in terms of skills, abilities and their approaches to work. The two of you can make a very productive team.
· Having a trustworthy co-conspirator for those occasional workplace escapades (and juicy gossip) can be beneficial, and often acts as a way to release work-related stress.
The possible pitfalls of a work spouse may include:
· The relationship between you and your "spouse" might be misinterpreted by other co-workers as a clique. If others feel excluded, it may be a catalyst for personal or professional disagreements.
· If the relationship goes sour, it can have a negative impact on you, your "ex" and your team as a whole.
· If your real spouse becomes aware of their counterpart, it can create issues in your real-life marriage.
Managing the work spouse relationship
Here are some tips on how best to keep everyone, including your work spouse, happy on the job.
Keep the lines of communication open. Make sure that other co-workers are not feeling shut out by the perception that you and your work spouse are an exclusive clique of two. If you are working on a project together that also involves the team, be sure to reach out to everyone for feedback and suggestions.
Avoid crossing boundaries. It's great to have a support system and a close confidante, but be sure to set boundaries for how much to share with your office mate. More importantly, honor those boundaries. If the relationship becomes antagonistic or is too close for comfort, let your work spouse know you need a little space.
Lighten the mood. If your life at home and at work is filled with complications, bringing a co-worker into the middle of those issues may not be beneficial for you. You should aim to keep the mood light and happy with your work spouse. You'll look forward to enjoying gossip, taking breaks and being able to relax with a friend without any concerns or complications.
Patrick Erwin, CareerBuilder.com writer
Do you have a "work spouse" at your workplace? A work spouse is a co-worker of the opposite sex with whom you have a close platonic relationship. In many ways, these relationships can mirror a real marriage.
A recent CareerBuilder.com survey revealed that one-in-ten workers (11 percent) felt that they had a work spouse. And though it's usually beneficial to have a close friend at work, 20 percent of the workers polled indicated their real-life spouse was jealous of their workplace counterpart.
Do you have a work spouse?
Here are seven clear signs you might have a work spouse:
1. You depend on a particular co-worker for office supplies, snacks and aspirin.
2. There are inside jokes that you and a specific co-worker share.
3. You can be bluntly honest with this person about his or her appearance, hygiene or hair (and vice versa). You're comfortable enough to point out that the other's hair is sticking up -- or that someone's fly is down.
4. When something eventful happens at work, this co-worker is the first person you seek out for a de-briefing.
5. At breakfast, lunch and coffee breaks, your closest co-worker knows what to order for you and how you like your coffee (and vice versa).
6. You and your co-worker can finish each other's sentences.
7. Someone in your office knows almost as much about your personal life as your best friend or real-life spouse does.
Pluses and minuses of a work-spouse relationship
There are great benefits to having a close relationship with a co-worker. Among the benefits of a work spouse:
· You have a friend who provides emotional support at work during challenging times. During times of stress at home or at work, you have a built-in support system.
· Work spouses often complement each other in terms of skills, abilities and their approaches to work. The two of you can make a very productive team.
· Having a trustworthy co-conspirator for those occasional workplace escapades (and juicy gossip) can be beneficial, and often acts as a way to release work-related stress.
The possible pitfalls of a work spouse may include:
· The relationship between you and your "spouse" might be misinterpreted by other co-workers as a clique. If others feel excluded, it may be a catalyst for personal or professional disagreements.
· If the relationship goes sour, it can have a negative impact on you, your "ex" and your team as a whole.
· If your real spouse becomes aware of their counterpart, it can create issues in your real-life marriage.
Managing the work spouse relationship
Here are some tips on how best to keep everyone, including your work spouse, happy on the job.
Keep the lines of communication open. Make sure that other co-workers are not feeling shut out by the perception that you and your work spouse are an exclusive clique of two. If you are working on a project together that also involves the team, be sure to reach out to everyone for feedback and suggestions.
Avoid crossing boundaries. It's great to have a support system and a close confidante, but be sure to set boundaries for how much to share with your office mate. More importantly, honor those boundaries. If the relationship becomes antagonistic or is too close for comfort, let your work spouse know you need a little space.
Lighten the mood. If your life at home and at work is filled with complications, bringing a co-worker into the middle of those issues may not be beneficial for you. You should aim to keep the mood light and happy with your work spouse. You'll look forward to enjoying gossip, taking breaks and being able to relax with a friend without any concerns or complications.
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
Men's fashion are "in" her
Crisp tailored suits, neckties, baggy jeans and shorter-than-short haircuts are popping up on Hollywood's biggest female stars. Katie Holmes, torch-bearer of this season's loosefit boyfriend jeans fad, turned heads earlier this week when she left an Hermes party decked out in the investment banker fav -- a three-piece pinstripe navy suit. Mere days before, Victoria Beckham paired a Dior men's tie with a cutt-off tuxedo jacket and her own dVb wide-leg jeans. Big names, the New York Daily News reports, are slipping into suits and baggy jeans in an attemp to stand out from their hair extension-wearing, mini-dress and pumps peer. However, avoid going head-to-toe in drag, they caution. Instead, add femenine touches to the style to make it look good.
Friday, October 24, 2008
Afford the Holiday Season
The Holidays are coming... so is the pressure of having the perfect gift. If you want to avoid the stress related to the season, check this page.
If you’re concern about money, find some advice for save during the holiday, from the gift buying to decorating and entertaining, even how to stay in touch with your friends and family.
Finally, if you want to make extra money, you can always apply for a seasonal job. Here is where to start.
If you’re concern about money, find some advice for save during the holiday, from the gift buying to decorating and entertaining, even how to stay in touch with your friends and family.
Finally, if you want to make extra money, you can always apply for a seasonal job. Here is where to start.
Thursday, October 23, 2008
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
Exercise Time
Who doesn't want to be in good shape?... But you'll have to leave the couch and do a lot of exercise. From msnbc.com, here is the importance of doing exercise:
Live longer
A recent study on exercise and longevity found that people who were active on a regular basis lived longer than their couch-potato counterparts, and the more they exercised the longer they lived.
Make work more tolerable
A British study of about 200 workers at a university, computer company and life insurance firm found that people who took exercise breaks during the day said they felt more productive and more tolerant of job stress than when they didn't exercise.
Even half an hour was enough to do the trick, and the exercise didn't have to be strenuous.
Help out your heart
Another study in the Archives of Internal Medicine confirmed that exercise is heart-healthy — and that you don't have to run a marathon to derive benefit.
Even briskly walking for half an hour on three or four days a week improved cardiovascular health, according to the study of nearly 500 sedentary adults.
Defeat diabetes
Two-thirds of Americans with type 2 diabetes do not have their disease under control, which puts them at risk for early death, blindness and limb loss, according to research released this year.
Experts say most cases of type 2 diabetes could be prevented with a healthy diet and regular exercise. In people who already have type 2 diabetes, exercise can help lower blood sugar and prevent the disease from worsening.
Get rid of the hidden fat
OK, so this one is about weight and fat. But it's not the fat you can pinch; it's the deep, even more dangerous kind that accumulates around internal organs and contributes to diabetes, heart disease and other problems
How do you find the motivation to exercise? Here is the answer.
If you want to find a place to start your routine for a reasonable price, you can check out this special report from The Miami Herald.
Finally, if you have kids, it's important that they have healthy habits in their life, you can find more information in this link.
Live longer
A recent study on exercise and longevity found that people who were active on a regular basis lived longer than their couch-potato counterparts, and the more they exercised the longer they lived.
Make work more tolerable
A British study of about 200 workers at a university, computer company and life insurance firm found that people who took exercise breaks during the day said they felt more productive and more tolerant of job stress than when they didn't exercise.
Even half an hour was enough to do the trick, and the exercise didn't have to be strenuous.
Help out your heart
Another study in the Archives of Internal Medicine confirmed that exercise is heart-healthy — and that you don't have to run a marathon to derive benefit.
Even briskly walking for half an hour on three or four days a week improved cardiovascular health, according to the study of nearly 500 sedentary adults.
Defeat diabetes
Two-thirds of Americans with type 2 diabetes do not have their disease under control, which puts them at risk for early death, blindness and limb loss, according to research released this year.
Experts say most cases of type 2 diabetes could be prevented with a healthy diet and regular exercise. In people who already have type 2 diabetes, exercise can help lower blood sugar and prevent the disease from worsening.
Get rid of the hidden fat
OK, so this one is about weight and fat. But it's not the fat you can pinch; it's the deep, even more dangerous kind that accumulates around internal organs and contributes to diabetes, heart disease and other problems
How do you find the motivation to exercise? Here is the answer.
If you want to find a place to start your routine for a reasonable price, you can check out this special report from The Miami Herald.
Finally, if you have kids, it's important that they have healthy habits in their life, you can find more information in this link.
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
Monday, October 20, 2008
Breast Cancer Awereness
We are in the month of Breast Cancer Awareness, and I would like to share some information that could be helpful to you and the women in your family.
If you want to know the warning signs of breast cancer, please check here.
Also, through the years, there have been quite a few rumors and myths floating around about breast cancer, here is the list that dispels the rumors and myths of breast cancer.
Thank you very much for shearing your stories of success with us this morning, and if you need more information or if you didn't have the chance to share your story on air, you can check the LITE FM Pink Page.
If you want to know the warning signs of breast cancer, please check here.
Also, through the years, there have been quite a few rumors and myths floating around about breast cancer, here is the list that dispels the rumors and myths of breast cancer.
Thank you very much for shearing your stories of success with us this morning, and if you need more information or if you didn't have the chance to share your story on air, you can check the LITE FM Pink Page.
Friday, October 17, 2008
Romantic Ideas
I know many men who have a flair for romantic ideas, sweet gestures, and spontaneity at the drop of a hat, so it's not impossible to become a "romantic prince". The following are some simple romantic ideas that will help you impress your lady everyday:
1. Watch the sunset together.
2. Whisper to each other.
3. Cook for each other.
4. Walk in the rain.
5. Hold hands
If you want to read more about it you can check here.
But if you really want to surprise her (or him) you can also check the Michael Webb's "101 Romantic Ideas" and click download, it is free.
1. Watch the sunset together.
2. Whisper to each other.
3. Cook for each other.
4. Walk in the rain.
5. Hold hands
If you want to read more about it you can check here.
But if you really want to surprise her (or him) you can also check the Michael Webb's "101 Romantic Ideas" and click download, it is free.
Thursday, October 16, 2008
Cut back your spendings
In a recently survey of more than 100 women about the financial concerns, the answers ran the gamut from affording groceries and other staples like gas to a wide variety of fears, such as: Losing what took so long to acquire, job loss, keeping my my businesses, making credit card payments, and a general fear for the country's future.
Here we give some tips to cut off your spending that will help you out. And if you are a newlywed; here are other suggestions that might be good for your new life.
Here we give some tips to cut off your spending that will help you out. And if you are a newlywed; here are other suggestions that might be good for your new life.
Facing Forclosure?
There are options and lots of people that want to help. Do your research and find the best option for you.
Here is one you may have heard on the show this morning. Certified distressed property experts.
Here is one you may have heard on the show this morning. Certified distressed property experts.
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
The Irritable Male Syndrome
The Irritable Male Syndrome (IMS) is in some ways similar to male menopause, but it can affect men of all ages. What often triggers IMS is acute or chronic stress. Focusing on two crucial times of life when male hormones are shifting rapidly. If you want to know more you can check here.
The interesting thing of the IMS is that manifests itself through a number of feelings that can help us recognize where it is present in us or in someone we care about. The following questionnaire will help you assess IMS and the degree of seriousness.
The interesting thing of the IMS is that manifests itself through a number of feelings that can help us recognize where it is present in us or in someone we care about. The following questionnaire will help you assess IMS and the degree of seriousness.
Be a good wedding guest
In the course of wedding planning, you'll probably come across a guest or two whose inappropriate actions, odd requests, or rude behavior seems appalling. Don't be shocked -- while you may know the ins and outs of wedding etiquette, some of your friends and family may not be aware of what's acceptable. What can you do? Be proactive. Here's how.
But if you are going to be the guest, follow these advices, so you can preserve your pride and maintain your welcome at weddings to come
But if you are going to be the guest, follow these advices, so you can preserve your pride and maintain your welcome at weddings to come
Thursday, October 2, 2008
Hang on to that job!
In these days, who dosen't want to keep their job?
Here are 10 tips for staying employable that we found in www.suite101.com, (I hope it could help you):
Here are 10 tips for staying employable that we found in www.suite101.com, (I hope it could help you):
- Assess your job skills, education, and accomplishments. Is your job training current, your skills valuable in today's job market, and your performance effective? If your career or job requires regular skills updates or job training, stay on top of it.
- Keep your skills polished. If your biggest qualification for your job is that you've been doing it for ten years, consider taking a refresher job training course. Adult education classes or night school is a great way to expand your job skills and broaden your horizons.
- Know who's hiring in your field. It's important to know your options. What skills, education, and job training are employers looking for? If you were unemployed, could you apply for the open positions?
- Track trends. Stay current on industry events, changes and news. Read newspapers, journals, trade magazines; talk to colleagues.
- Be positive. Avoid slandering your coworkers or gossiping about your supervisors. Be slow to criticize your clients, employees, or couriers – whether it's to their faces or behind their backs.
- Hone your networking skills. Whether you're planning to stay with your employer, learning how to negotiate a raise, or looking for a new job, keep networking. You'll learn valuable information, both professionally and personally, if you stay tuned with the people around you.
- Keep your resume updated. Even if you're not actively looking for work, update your resume regularly. Add your new responsibilities, changes in job title, professional associations, volunteer work, etc.
- Take care of yourself. Get plenty of sleep, eat nutritious food, and exercise regularly. Deal with mental, emotional, or spiritual issues; don't ignore your problems.
- Dress professionally. Take pride in your appearance; if you're not into the current fashion, ask your partner or a salesperson to make sure you're well dressed. Even if you're in an entry level job in the service industry, make sure your hair, face and hands are neat and clean. Leave the nose rings, lip rings and eyebrow rings at home.
- Practice the basics. Get to work, meetings, and workshops on time. Do your job well. If you can't meet deadlines, get support. Be reliable, consistent, and trustworthy.
The best thing that you could do is to be the employee you'd be glad to hire and promote.
If you want more information about this subject, find it in here.
Wednesday, October 1, 2008
Afternoon De-latte
Looking to find a sweet spot among Americans who are feeling the pinch from a troubled economy, Dunkin' Donuts will begin selling small lattes for 99 cents during the afternoon beginning today.
It's part of a campaign to lure you into a late-day coffee break.
The lattes will be sold Monday through Friday from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. The company is also selling an egg and cheese sandwich for 99 cents with the purchase of a medium or larger hot coffee. The sandwich typically sells for about $2.
The promotion runs through Nov. 11.
It's part of a campaign to lure you into a late-day coffee break.
The lattes will be sold Monday through Friday from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. The company is also selling an egg and cheese sandwich for 99 cents with the purchase of a medium or larger hot coffee. The sandwich typically sells for about $2.
The promotion runs through Nov. 11.
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
Mutual Decisions
Decisions, Decisions...
When it comes to money, decor, the kids and shopping...Who makes those decisions? You or him?
If you want to know how to make mutual decisions, here are some suggestions.
When it comes to money, decor, the kids and shopping...Who makes those decisions? You or him?
If you want to know how to make mutual decisions, here are some suggestions.
Classic Honey Cake
3 Eggs
1 1/3 cups honey
1 1/2 cups sugar
1 cup strong black coffee
2 tsps. Baking powder
3 Tbsps. Margarine, softened
1 tsp. Baking soda
4 cups flour
1 tsp cinnamon
Preheat oven to 325.
Grease and flour a 9 by 13-inch cake pan.
In a large mixer bowl, beat eggs and honey together. Add sugar and mix again. Mix coffee with baking powder, and then add with margarine to the egg mixture. Add baking soda, flour, and cinnamon and beat together well.
Pour into greased cake pan. Bake for 55 minutes to an hour.
USE: 9 X 13-inch cake pan
YIELDS: 1 cake
Monday, September 29, 2008
Things for free
From prescription drugs and stock trades to movies, cruises and legal advice, it is possible to get plenty for nothing, or at least at a deep discount. Don't you like that!
In the majority of the cases that you will find here, the only effort that's needed to claim them involves the 15 seconds it takes to type in a name and an e-mail address.
In the majority of the cases that you will find here, the only effort that's needed to claim them involves the 15 seconds it takes to type in a name and an e-mail address.
Improve your financial situation
In these days, who is not looking for quick things to do that will improve the financial situation?
Here are some things that you can do once, then just sit back and watch as they provide financial benefit for you over the long haul.
Here are some things that you can do once, then just sit back and watch as they provide financial benefit for you over the long haul.
Financial tips
FINANCIAL ADVICE FOR EMPLOYEES - The human services coalition prosperity campaign teams up with local businesses to provide their employees free financial literacy workshops.. and CBS 4's Al Sunshine tells others how they can get involved Wednesday at 5pm.
Save some scratch
With food inflation up more than 8% for the year and gas close to $4 a gallon, some consumers are going to extreme measures to stay within their budgets.
Though some ideas might sound crazy -- car-engine fried eggs, anyone? -- others contain clever solutions to the everyday challenges of stretching a dollar. Here are eight of the best extreme-saving techniques, culled from some of the top minds on the Web:
Turn your car off -- while it's moving
Though AAA warns against this technique, some bloggers promote it as a way of saving gas. By using the car's momentum to glide into parking spaces or move downhill, you can get where you're trying to go with less fuel. Just make sure you practice driving without power steering and power brakes in an open space before experimenting near other cars -- or people. And never try this at high speeds; it's too dangerous.
Savings: You can shave a few dollars off your gas bill each month.
Reuse plastic sandwich bags
Sandwich bags can be easily rinsed out and dried, and used again the next day. As long as the bags don't touch raw meat, it's a hygienic and environmentally friendly way to save.
Savings: With a pack of 100 bags going for around $3, a family of four can save about $30 a year.
Here are a few more wacky ways to save.
Though some ideas might sound crazy -- car-engine fried eggs, anyone? -- others contain clever solutions to the everyday challenges of stretching a dollar. Here are eight of the best extreme-saving techniques, culled from some of the top minds on the Web:
Turn your car off -- while it's moving
Though AAA warns against this technique, some bloggers promote it as a way of saving gas. By using the car's momentum to glide into parking spaces or move downhill, you can get where you're trying to go with less fuel. Just make sure you practice driving without power steering and power brakes in an open space before experimenting near other cars -- or people. And never try this at high speeds; it's too dangerous.
Savings: You can shave a few dollars off your gas bill each month.
Reuse plastic sandwich bags
Sandwich bags can be easily rinsed out and dried, and used again the next day. As long as the bags don't touch raw meat, it's a hygienic and environmentally friendly way to save.
Savings: With a pack of 100 bags going for around $3, a family of four can save about $30 a year.
Here are a few more wacky ways to save.
Friday, September 26, 2008
Creative ways to de-stress
I) Hydrotherapy- To release the muscle tension, you can soak in a hot bath. You can add epsom salts, dead sea salts,rose petals, and lavender oil to the water.You will smell great and feel better at the same time.
2) Create a sacred space- You can set aside a small area of your home where you can go to relax. You can put a small table where you place candles, pictures, incense, flowers or a book of poems. You decide on what items you want there but they should be things that will have a relaxing effect on you.
3) Write a love poem or love letter- Write a poem or letter to yourself. We don't often stop to think about how we truly feel about ourselves. What do you love about yourself or your life? This can give you new insight about yourself and your life.
4) Pamper yourself- Go and get a manicure, pedicure, massage, or facial. You'll find that you will look and feel better.
5) Photography- Get a camera and go outdoors. Find an interesting scene like a sunrise, sunset, fall foliage, or children playing in the park.Taking pictures is a great way to show our creativity and appreciation of art.It also allows us to take the time to really look at the world around us.
6) Dancing- If you like to move and exercise, try signing up for a dancing lesson. You will learn some new steps or dances and may also make new friendships as well.
7) Painting-You don't have to be artistic to try your hand at painting pictures. All you will need is some paint and paper, brushes and some water.Try to pick a color that expresses how you are feeling at the moment and then paint what you feel. Painting allows us to express our artistic side as well as provide a great way to calm down. You can use any medium to create your own personal piece of art.
8) Bake a pie or bread- Invite a friend to share in this activity.You will discover that baking is a great way to release stress.All you will need is a recipe for either a pie or bread.Mix the ingredients, knead the dough, let it rise, and then bake. The added benefits of this activity are: kneading may release some tension,your home will smell wonderful,and you will be able to share time and a meal with a close friend. Even if you are not great at it, please try it. You will have fun.
9) Create a mosaic- Before starting this fun and creative endeavor,it is a good idea to decide where you are going to put your mosaic. Will it be on an old table or perhaps a tray? You decide. Now get some old dishes and saucers with nice patterns and break them up into small pieces and design a simple pattern. It is wise to wear gloves and protective glasses while doing this. Then start to glue them in place. You will need to use grout to finish your project. This is a great stress buster.
10) Create your own top 10 list- If you think back to your childhood days which most likely were relatively stress-free,you will find activities you enjoyed doing. Was it hiking through the woods,swinging on an old tire, flying a kite, bird watching, skipping stones on water, or swimming in a lake? Now try to incorporate these activities into your live. Feel like that kid again.
I am confident that you can come up with a great list of your own personal creative and fun things to do to de-stress.
2) Create a sacred space- You can set aside a small area of your home where you can go to relax. You can put a small table where you place candles, pictures, incense, flowers or a book of poems. You decide on what items you want there but they should be things that will have a relaxing effect on you.
3) Write a love poem or love letter- Write a poem or letter to yourself. We don't often stop to think about how we truly feel about ourselves. What do you love about yourself or your life? This can give you new insight about yourself and your life.
4) Pamper yourself- Go and get a manicure, pedicure, massage, or facial. You'll find that you will look and feel better.
5) Photography- Get a camera and go outdoors. Find an interesting scene like a sunrise, sunset, fall foliage, or children playing in the park.Taking pictures is a great way to show our creativity and appreciation of art.It also allows us to take the time to really look at the world around us.
6) Dancing- If you like to move and exercise, try signing up for a dancing lesson. You will learn some new steps or dances and may also make new friendships as well.
7) Painting-You don't have to be artistic to try your hand at painting pictures. All you will need is some paint and paper, brushes and some water.Try to pick a color that expresses how you are feeling at the moment and then paint what you feel. Painting allows us to express our artistic side as well as provide a great way to calm down. You can use any medium to create your own personal piece of art.
8) Bake a pie or bread- Invite a friend to share in this activity.You will discover that baking is a great way to release stress.All you will need is a recipe for either a pie or bread.Mix the ingredients, knead the dough, let it rise, and then bake. The added benefits of this activity are: kneading may release some tension,your home will smell wonderful,and you will be able to share time and a meal with a close friend. Even if you are not great at it, please try it. You will have fun.
9) Create a mosaic- Before starting this fun and creative endeavor,it is a good idea to decide where you are going to put your mosaic. Will it be on an old table or perhaps a tray? You decide. Now get some old dishes and saucers with nice patterns and break them up into small pieces and design a simple pattern. It is wise to wear gloves and protective glasses while doing this. Then start to glue them in place. You will need to use grout to finish your project. This is a great stress buster.
10) Create your own top 10 list- If you think back to your childhood days which most likely were relatively stress-free,you will find activities you enjoyed doing. Was it hiking through the woods,swinging on an old tire, flying a kite, bird watching, skipping stones on water, or swimming in a lake? Now try to incorporate these activities into your live. Feel like that kid again.
I am confident that you can come up with a great list of your own personal creative and fun things to do to de-stress.
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
Dancing with the Stars
Insult comic Jeffrey Ross was the first casualty of Dancing With the Stars last night. The eye-patch-wearing "Roastmaster General," who garned the lowest score on Monday's season premiere, was booted from the A-B-C show. Ross, who wore the patch because he was poked in the eye by partner Edyta Sliwinska during rehearsals, summed up his pathetic dance moves by saying, "I'm more ha ha ha than cha cha cha."
Swimsuit model Brooke Burke again had the night's highest score, impressing the judges with her Quick Step. And again old-fogey Cloris Leachman got plenty of laughs but few points. The 82-year-old actress, who pleaded with the judges and viewers to keep her on the show, received the lowest score, a 16.
The night was highlighted by a number of redemptions. Chef Rocco DiSpirito, who had the second-worst score on the first night, shocked the judges with what Carrie Ann Inaba called a "super sexy" Mambo. Soap star Susan Lucci, who mustered only a 15 Monday, improved to a 22 -- the night's third-best score. Another star will be eliminated tonight. -- James Aquilone
Dancing With the Stars leader board
TEAM
SCORE
Brooke Burke & Derek Hough
26
Cody Linley & Julianne Hough
23
Toni Braxton & Alec Mazo
23
Susan Lucci & Tony Dovolani
22
Warren Sapp & Kym Johnson
22
Rocco DiSpirito & Karina Smirnoff
21
Maurice Greene & Cheryl Burke
21
Lance Bass & Lacey Shwimmer
21
Misty May-Treanor & Maksim Chmerkovskiy
21
Ted McGinley & Inna Brayer
19
Kim Kardashian & Mark Ballas
18
Cloris Leachman & Corky Ballas
16
Swimsuit model Brooke Burke again had the night's highest score, impressing the judges with her Quick Step. And again old-fogey Cloris Leachman got plenty of laughs but few points. The 82-year-old actress, who pleaded with the judges and viewers to keep her on the show, received the lowest score, a 16.
The night was highlighted by a number of redemptions. Chef Rocco DiSpirito, who had the second-worst score on the first night, shocked the judges with what Carrie Ann Inaba called a "super sexy" Mambo. Soap star Susan Lucci, who mustered only a 15 Monday, improved to a 22 -- the night's third-best score. Another star will be eliminated tonight. -- James Aquilone
Dancing With the Stars leader board
TEAM
SCORE
Brooke Burke & Derek Hough
26
Cody Linley & Julianne Hough
23
Toni Braxton & Alec Mazo
23
Susan Lucci & Tony Dovolani
22
Warren Sapp & Kym Johnson
22
Rocco DiSpirito & Karina Smirnoff
21
Maurice Greene & Cheryl Burke
21
Lance Bass & Lacey Shwimmer
21
Misty May-Treanor & Maksim Chmerkovskiy
21
Ted McGinley & Inna Brayer
19
Kim Kardashian & Mark Ballas
18
Cloris Leachman & Corky Ballas
16
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
Date night
Teen Dating: Is My Teenager Old Enough?
Parents often try to figure out the right way to make decisions by watching what other parents do. This isn't always the best way to decide what is right for your pre-teen or adolescent. Some parents would rather let their child do what they want than deal with the confrontation that might ensue if they forbid certain activities. One of the biggest decisions parents make is when to allow a child to begin dating.
Here is a great article that may help you with this decision.
Parents often try to figure out the right way to make decisions by watching what other parents do. This isn't always the best way to decide what is right for your pre-teen or adolescent. Some parents would rather let their child do what they want than deal with the confrontation that might ensue if they forbid certain activities. One of the biggest decisions parents make is when to allow a child to begin dating.
Here is a great article that may help you with this decision.
Teens dating
Teens need to learn many things while traveling through the life stage of adolescence. Help your teen learn about dating by knowing these five truths:
It is normal for a teen to be interested in dating.
While some teens tend to be interested in dating earlier than others, it is a normal adolescent life stage experience for all teenagers. Girls are more vocal about the dating interest and tend to be interested to a greater degree at a younger age, but boys are paying attention also. There is no way around it; your teenager is going to want to date. When he/she does, you’ll have to step up to the plate with some parenting skills.(Try this parenting contract for teen dating too.)
Teenagers do not know how to date.
A teen does not learn how to date in the classroom and most likely has only picked up on some of the basics, like respecting someone’s personal space, at home. But they haven’t learned the ins and outs of a give and take relationship yet. They will be learning this as they date, and ‘on the job’ type of training. You can reinforce the values that concern dating and relationships by discussing them with your teenager and modeling them with your spouse or significant other. Do not be afraid to bring up these issues. Do not feel that they are not important. Teens that are taught values are important will look for dates with similar good values. That is who you want your teen dating, right?
Teens whose parents talk to them about dating are better prepared and happier.
You want your teenager to grow up happy, so remember that happiness in life is found in the journey. While the topic of teens and dating can make the most confident parent nervous, you should do your best not to project those anxious feelings when discussing dating - and the rules and limits of dating - with your teen. Relax and have informative dating conversations that will strengthen your relationship with your teen and empower you both to enjoy this part of their life.
Your teen will need privacy.
As parents, we are not very comfortable not knowing what is going on in our child’s life. But as your teen starts to date, you will need to take a step back and not try to know ‘everything’. You may at first have a hard time and feel like something is wrong. That is normal – your parenting role is changing. Change always feels awkward at first. On the other hand, your teenager may want to chat about the experience. He/she may have some questions to ask. If so, make yourself available. But remember to try not to ‘read into’ any of the questions and begin prying.
Your teen will still need you to be ‘around’.
When you have one of your talks with your teen about dating, you will need to set up a pick up scenario. Teens are notorious for getting themselves into situations that they have a hard time getting out of by themselves. Many times this happens on dates. Therefore, let your teenager know you are available for a ride home. You will pick him/her up at anyplace or anytime, even three o’clock in the morning. You will do so without any consequences to your teenager with the understanding that everyone makes mistakes in judgment. You simply want your teen to be safe. Arguments, drinking, etc can all be a part of a bad dating experience. So, hope for the best, prepare for the worst and be there for your teen.
It is normal for a teen to be interested in dating.
While some teens tend to be interested in dating earlier than others, it is a normal adolescent life stage experience for all teenagers. Girls are more vocal about the dating interest and tend to be interested to a greater degree at a younger age, but boys are paying attention also. There is no way around it; your teenager is going to want to date. When he/she does, you’ll have to step up to the plate with some parenting skills.(Try this parenting contract for teen dating too.)
Teenagers do not know how to date.
A teen does not learn how to date in the classroom and most likely has only picked up on some of the basics, like respecting someone’s personal space, at home. But they haven’t learned the ins and outs of a give and take relationship yet. They will be learning this as they date, and ‘on the job’ type of training. You can reinforce the values that concern dating and relationships by discussing them with your teenager and modeling them with your spouse or significant other. Do not be afraid to bring up these issues. Do not feel that they are not important. Teens that are taught values are important will look for dates with similar good values. That is who you want your teen dating, right?
Teens whose parents talk to them about dating are better prepared and happier.
You want your teenager to grow up happy, so remember that happiness in life is found in the journey. While the topic of teens and dating can make the most confident parent nervous, you should do your best not to project those anxious feelings when discussing dating - and the rules and limits of dating - with your teen. Relax and have informative dating conversations that will strengthen your relationship with your teen and empower you both to enjoy this part of their life.
Your teen will need privacy.
As parents, we are not very comfortable not knowing what is going on in our child’s life. But as your teen starts to date, you will need to take a step back and not try to know ‘everything’. You may at first have a hard time and feel like something is wrong. That is normal – your parenting role is changing. Change always feels awkward at first. On the other hand, your teenager may want to chat about the experience. He/she may have some questions to ask. If so, make yourself available. But remember to try not to ‘read into’ any of the questions and begin prying.
Your teen will still need you to be ‘around’.
When you have one of your talks with your teen about dating, you will need to set up a pick up scenario. Teens are notorious for getting themselves into situations that they have a hard time getting out of by themselves. Many times this happens on dates. Therefore, let your teenager know you are available for a ride home. You will pick him/her up at anyplace or anytime, even three o’clock in the morning. You will do so without any consequences to your teenager with the understanding that everyone makes mistakes in judgment. You simply want your teen to be safe. Arguments, drinking, etc can all be a part of a bad dating experience. So, hope for the best, prepare for the worst and be there for your teen.
Dancing with the Stars
DANCING WITH THE STARS: Battleship Geriatrica
Actress Cloris Leachman wasn't the best dancer of the night, but she was the true star of Dancing With Stars as the competition series kicked off its seventh season last night. Swimsuit model Brooke Burke earned the night's best score, followed closely by a couple of pop singers -- Lance Bass and Toni Braxton. The hulking Warren Sapp was the night's big surprise. After the retired N-F-L star's energetic Cha Cha, judge Bruno Tonioli exclaimed, "Big boys can dance!"
The 82-year-old Leachman, who is the oldest person ever to compete on the A-B-C show, garnered a standing ovation after her routine. Bruno lovingly compared her Foxtrot to a battleship, saying, "You were floating around out there with the imposing presence of Battleship Geriatrica, but with a bit of a refit you'll turn into the Enterprise." She pleaded with the judges to go easy on her, even going so far as to sit in judge Carrie Ann Inaba's lap. Leachman, best known for her role in 1974's Young Frankenstein, received the fourth-worst score (16).
The lowest scores belonged to chef Rocco DiSpirito, who was told he "lacked finesse," and potbellied comic Jeffrey Ross, who exhibited bad "form." Tonight one of the 13 contestants will be eliminated based on votes by the viewers. -- James Aquilone
Dancing With the Stars leader board
TEAM
SCORE
Brooke Burke & Derek Hough
23
Lance Bass & Lacey Shwimmer
22
Toni Braxton & Alec Mazo
22
Misty May-Treanor & Maksim Chmerkovskiy
21
Warren Sappe & Kym Johnson
21
Kim Kardashian & Mark Ballas
19
Cody Linley & Julianne Hough
18
Maurice Greene & Cheryl Burke
18
Ted McGinley & Inna Brayer
18
Cloris Leachman & Corky Ballas
16
Susan Lucci & Tony Dovolani
15
Rocco DiSpirito & Karina Smirnoff
14
Jeffrey Ross & Edyta Sliwinska
12
Actress Cloris Leachman wasn't the best dancer of the night, but she was the true star of Dancing With Stars as the competition series kicked off its seventh season last night. Swimsuit model Brooke Burke earned the night's best score, followed closely by a couple of pop singers -- Lance Bass and Toni Braxton. The hulking Warren Sapp was the night's big surprise. After the retired N-F-L star's energetic Cha Cha, judge Bruno Tonioli exclaimed, "Big boys can dance!"
The 82-year-old Leachman, who is the oldest person ever to compete on the A-B-C show, garnered a standing ovation after her routine. Bruno lovingly compared her Foxtrot to a battleship, saying, "You were floating around out there with the imposing presence of Battleship Geriatrica, but with a bit of a refit you'll turn into the Enterprise." She pleaded with the judges to go easy on her, even going so far as to sit in judge Carrie Ann Inaba's lap. Leachman, best known for her role in 1974's Young Frankenstein, received the fourth-worst score (16).
The lowest scores belonged to chef Rocco DiSpirito, who was told he "lacked finesse," and potbellied comic Jeffrey Ross, who exhibited bad "form." Tonight one of the 13 contestants will be eliminated based on votes by the viewers. -- James Aquilone
Dancing With the Stars leader board
TEAM
SCORE
Brooke Burke & Derek Hough
23
Lance Bass & Lacey Shwimmer
22
Toni Braxton & Alec Mazo
22
Misty May-Treanor & Maksim Chmerkovskiy
21
Warren Sappe & Kym Johnson
21
Kim Kardashian & Mark Ballas
19
Cody Linley & Julianne Hough
18
Maurice Greene & Cheryl Burke
18
Ted McGinley & Inna Brayer
18
Cloris Leachman & Corky Ballas
16
Susan Lucci & Tony Dovolani
15
Rocco DiSpirito & Karina Smirnoff
14
Jeffrey Ross & Edyta Sliwinska
12
Monday, September 22, 2008
The latest fashions for our feet!
Fall is here so get ready for new fashions for your feet...from shoe booties to fringe. DSW calls them the lust list. They are the most lust worthy trends for fall. No matter how many shoes are in your closet, there's always room for more.
And if you're strapped for cash, don't stress. You don't have to purchase a payment plan to add designer shoe trends to your attire.
I got a chance to speak with L.A. Stylist, Kara Birkenstock about the Lust List and the latest trends.
Want to hear the whole interview? click here
And if you're strapped for cash, don't stress. You don't have to purchase a payment plan to add designer shoe trends to your attire.
I got a chance to speak with L.A. Stylist, Kara Birkenstock about the Lust List and the latest trends.
Want to hear the whole interview? click here
Genetically engineered food
Genetically modified (GM) foods are food products that have had their DNA directly altered through genetic engineering. Unlike conventional genetic modification that is carried out through time-tested conventional breeding and that have been consumed for thousands of years, GM foods were first put on the market in the early 1990s. The most common modified foods are derived from plants: soybean, corn, canola, and cotton seed oil.[1][2]
Many major controversies surround genetically engineered crops and foods. These commonly focus on the health and safety effects on human children, long-term health effects for anyone eating them, environmental safety, labeling and consumer choice, intellectual property rights, ethics, food security, poverty reduction, environmental conservation, and potential disruption or even possible destruction of the food chain. The multi-national corporations and governments engaged in the genetic engineering of food claim the technology to be a boon for the human race, while many health-conscious people believe it to be a potential and/or actual disaster.
Learn more about GM foods.
Many major controversies surround genetically engineered crops and foods. These commonly focus on the health and safety effects on human children, long-term health effects for anyone eating them, environmental safety, labeling and consumer choice, intellectual property rights, ethics, food security, poverty reduction, environmental conservation, and potential disruption or even possible destruction of the food chain. The multi-national corporations and governments engaged in the genetic engineering of food claim the technology to be a boon for the human race, while many health-conscious people believe it to be a potential and/or actual disaster.
Learn more about GM foods.
Thursday, September 18, 2008
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?"
(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.
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.
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
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.
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.
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
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.
The winner will appear in their winter marketing campaign.
Monday, September 15, 2008
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 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?
Friday, September 12, 2008
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.
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.
Thursday, September 11, 2008
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
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?
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?
Monday, September 8, 2008
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.
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.
Friday, September 5, 2008
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.
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.
Tuesday, September 2, 2008
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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