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Tips to Dress Your Tot Without Breaking the Bank PDF Print E-mail

September 2, 2010

 

(ARA) — At what stage of childhood does it cost the most to clothe your kids? Is it when they’re infants - and outgrowing their outfits on a monthly basis? Or during the terrible twos, when food and grass stains join with growth spurts to keep parents hunting for clothing bargains?

Many new parents find the cost of keep their little ones comfortable and stylish can add up as quickly as the cost of diapers and formula.

“Kids grow faster in infancy and toddlerhood than at virtually any other time in their development, and keeping them in durable, stylish outfits and accessories that actually fit can be harder than it seems,” says Mary Rachide, a children’s clothing expert with Family Dollar. “Many families struggle to budget wisely for clothes and other kid essentials, and a child’s rapid growth can make the planning that much harder.”

Department store and specialty store prices can be shocking, especially for parents who have to dress more than one child or have children that quickly outgrow new clothes, shoes and accessories. “Knowing your child will outgrow expensive clothes before they wear out, may make you think twice about buying them,” Rachide says.

Budget-savvy parents should look for clothing sources that offer both durability and affordability. One new source worth checking out is Family Dollar. The popular value retailer has launched Kidgets — its own label of clothing and accessories including cute outfit sets, baby blankets, shoes and diapers for ages newborn through toddler. With Kidgets, parents can dress their little ones in high-quality and fashionable attire for less than $10 an outfit.

Plan Ahead

Another helpful tip for frugal families is to shop in advance and store away the clothes until the child grows into them. When stores clean out their seasonal stock, buy sale items in the sizes your kid is likely to be wearing the next time that season comes around. For example, many stores will soon be clearing their shelves of summer items in favor of fall attire. If your child is a newborn now, search for items for a 1-year-old, so they’ll likely fit next spring.

Share the Style

Another great way to keep clothing costs down is to host a clothing swap. Coordinate with friends, family and neighbors, or get church members or other parents involved. Invite participants to bring gently used clothes in all sizes, and encourage families to exchange items they no longer need for nearly new ones that another child has outgrown.

For more children’s fashion ideas, visit Kidgets at www.familydollar.com or check out Family Dollar on Facebook at www.facebook. com/myfamilydollar.

Courtesy of ARAcontent.

 

 
 
‘The Diary of Helecia Choyce’ PDF Print E-mail

September 2, 2010

By Brian W. Carter

Contributing Writer

What does Quentin Tarantino, Will Smith and Wendy Williams all have in common? Well, they are some of the featured celebrities in a nonfiction biography book called “The Diary Of Helecia Choyce” about a female hip-hop artist named SKG (Super Krazed Goddess) and her encounter with celebrity, life and success. Sorry folks, this isn’t a tell-all book. 

This book is a diary into the life of Choyce and how she crossed paths with different celebrities while struggling through her journey of change. The book features stories such as the mix up between two well-known female artists that had one of them cursing and furious; director/screenwriter Tarantino and his love for Black women; a highly recognized hip-hop figure’s sensitive side; Wendy Williams and her diva habits; her personal interaction with a high-profile actor on one of his movie sets; and the side of Monique that kept SKG going strong.  

“The Diary of Helecia Choyce” also focuses on her growing up in Los Angeles with the Crips and Bloods, dealing with a bipolar mother, drugs, alcohol, an institutionalized father, being a single mother, and signing to one of the biggest recording labels of all times. So take this journey with this young lady, and its likely you won’t regret it.

This is a story no one should miss and one you will embark on as you read the stories of her life. More importantly, this book has an important message for the youth of today. Choyce uses her knowledge and experience from trials and tribulations to help give young people a new meaning to life solutions. This book can help teach people how to turn a negative situation into a positive solution and to believe that anything is possible.

Be sure to pick up this hot book available at Zahra’s Books & Things on Sept. 3. The book will also be available for purchase on Amazon.com. Be sure to come out to “The Diary of Helecia Choyce” book signing at Cravings, at 8653 W. Sunset Blvd. on Sept. 11 from 8 p.m. to midnight.

Zahra’s Book & Things is at 900 N. La Brea Ave., Los Angeles. For more information, contact them at (310) 330-1300. For information about “The Diary of Helecia Choyce,” you can visit www.heleciachoyce.com/.

 
 
CALENDAR PDF Print E-mail

September 2, 2010

09-01-10

(CIRCUS VARGAS) — Circus Vargas arrived at Westfield Culver City this week, and performances opened Sept. 1 and will wrap up on Sept. 6. Free tickets are being offered to the unemployed. Performing under a new Big Top tent, the show has a variety of new performers with new acts, combined with some of the favorites from past years. Hosted by Ted McRae, the ringmaster, Circus Vargas 2010 includes a hula-hoop production, an aerial bungee-ballet, clown merriment and the internationally acclaimed Flying Tabares, one of the top flying acts in the world, and more. Thirty minutes before show time, attendees will get a preshow peek into the world of Circus Vargas, hosted by reality TV personality Jon Weiss from the CBS show “The Amazing Race.” Before every show, Weiss will welcome the audience and invite children to take a “center-stage” look at life under the Big Top. Information and tickets: (877) GOTFUN1 (877-468-3861), www.circusvargas.org.

 

09-03-10

NETWORKING — Author, actress and producer Ci Ci Foster will host a special, upscale networking event for African Americans in the Los Angeles area Sept. 3, 8 p.m. to midnight. The Hitmaker’s 1st Friday event, a special event that promotes businesses and talent in the African American community, will take place at Steve’s Creole Café & Bar, 16911 Ventura Blvd., Encino. Information: (818) 528-3500.

 

MUSIC — A “Jazz & Bluez” event will take place Sept. 3, 5:30 to 9:30 p.m., at Vintage Hollywood. Brenda Lee Eager will provide entertainment along with special guest Boy Everett Bowen. There will be dinner (fried fish or chicken wings). Attendees must pay $35. Vintage Hollywood is at 4000 W. Washington Blvd., Los Angeles. More information: www.jazzbluez.com.

 

PERFORMANCE — I.B.E Wilks will perform live Sept. 3, 9 to 10:30 p.m., at the Hollywood Studio Bar & Grill “The Playground,” 6122 W. Sunset Blvd., Los Angeles. In the past, I.B.E (pronounced E-bay) sang at the Venice Boardwalk. He’s continuing his artistry as an adult. Information: raakisol@hotmail.com.

09-04-10

CONFERENCE — The Workers World Party Regional Conference will take place Sept. 4, 9 a.m. to 7:30  p.m., at the Southern California Library, 6120 S. Vermont Ave., Los Angeles. Topics will include jobs, health care, war on working and poor, and more. Information: (323) 515-5870, www.workersworld.net.

09-12-10

CELEBRATION — The Los Angeles Third Church of Religious Science’s free Third Annual Anniversary Concert will be held Sept. 12, 2 p.m., at 4323 Leimert Blvd., Los Angeles. Some of the concert’s entertainers will include April Colon-Haywood, Ellen Cooper, Sherwood Sledge and others. More information: Tyree Hunter, (323) 290-9514.      

 

09-09-10

UNVEILING (CSU Dominguez Hills) — California State University, Dominguez Hills’ Multicultural Center will unveil “Manifest Diversity,” a large-scale multimedia mural created by students under the guidance of Los Angeles muralist Eliseo Art Silva to celebrate the diversity of CSU Dominguez Hills, the local area, as well as historical social accomplishments that have contributed to a more inclusive and multicultural America. The unveiling will take place Sept. 9, 3 p.m., as part of the university’s 50th anniversary. Family and friends of mural honorees, along with local officials, students and university faculty and staff, will be present at the event and reception, which will take place on the East Walkway outside the Loker Student Union. The event is open to the public. CSU Dominguez Hills is at 1000 E. Victoria St., Carson. Information: (310) 243-3696.

 

(CFI) — There California Foreclosure Institute (CFI) will present a free foreclosure workshop Sept. 9, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., at the Lloyd Taber-Marina del Rey Public Library, 4533 Admiralty Way. The free two-hour workshop is for investors and realtors and will be about getting started on finding and buying foreclosure properties. The guest speaker will be Lloyd Segal, author of “Stop Foreclosure Now” and “Foreclosure Investing.” Reservations are required. Registration: www.foreclosureworkshop.net, (310) 379-0101. 

09-11-10

PERFORMANCE — “Sammy Davis Jr. and Friends” will be presented Sept. 11, 8 p.m., at the Lucy Florence Cultural Center. David Williams will perform as Davis. Tickets cost $20. The center is at 3351 W. 43rd St., Los Angeles. Reservations: (323) 293-1356, (323) 896-3613.

09-14-10

BUSINESS COURSE (VSEDC) — The Vermont Slauson Economic Development Corp. (VSEDC) will have Business Plan Writing classes throughout September. Classes begin Sept. 14, 16 and 30. This comprehensive, eight-week course covers various business plan components including marketing, operations, financial projections and more. To enroll or view the class schedule, visit tinyurl.com/vsedcseptclassesandapp. More information: bec@vsedc.org, (323) 789-4515.

09-15-10

ENTERTAINMENT INDUSTRY (BHBA) — “Entertainment Industry Insurance: From the Basics to the Latest Developments” will take place Sept. 15. Registration and lunch will begin at?noon, and the program will be from at 12:30 to 2 p.m. Are you adequately insured for your activities on the Internet? Are you “betting the company” by skipping critical insurance coverage? What do you do when you’ve been sued but the insurance company refuses to defend? Speakers at this program will aim to provide answers to these questions, as well as a briefing on the latest in cutting-edge insurance issues for entertainment industry businesses and professionals. The program will take place at Lawry’s, 100 N. La Cienega Blvd. (1/2 block north of Wilshire Boulevard), Beverly Hills. There will be free underground self-parking. The event will be presented by the Beverly Hills Bar Association (BHBA). Information, registration costs: www.bhba.org/intus/event3/signup.asp?event_id=2711. Speakers will include Cassandra S. Franklin, who advises entertainment industry companies on obtaining insurance coverage appropriate for their risks; William M. Shernoff, the leading plaintiff’s attorney in the insurance “bad faith” field, author of more than 50 articles on insurance, and featured speaker of “The Shernoff Insurance Bad Faith Seminar;” and Jeffrey P. Hermes, author of the article “Cyber Insurance and Media Organizations.”

09-17-10

HALL OF FAME — The African-American Ethnic Sports Hall of Fame’s annual induction ceremony will take place Sept. 17, noon to 2 p.m., at the Oxford Palace Hotel & Galleria. The event will include a luncheon. Tenth District Los Angeles City Councilman Herb Wesson is expected to attend. There will be several former Olympians at this year’s ceremony. Inductees include Sammy Lee, Barbara Ferrell, Anita DeFrantz and Marilyn White. The event will be emceed by former Olympian John Carlos. Community members will also be honored, including Crenshaw High School’s principal, Carrie Allen, who will receive the Education Award; musician Billy Mitchell, who will receive the Youth Education Award; and Kingdom Day Parade founder Larry Grant, who will receive the Community Build Up Award; and others. The hotel is at 745 S. Oxford Ave., Los Angeles. Information: Arif Khatib, (510) 452-2693, www.afrosportshall.com.

09-18-10

HIV/AIDS — A speakers series event titled “Sexual Health and Seniors: The Truth about HIV/AIDS” will take place Sept. 18, noon to 3 p.m. There will be a panel discussion. Prior to the panel, Dr. Nina Harawa, an epidemiologist at Charles Drew University of Medicine and Science, will give a presentation. Lunch will be provided for free. Only 100 people will be seated. The event will take place at Grace United Methodist Church, 4112 W. Slauson Ave., Los Angeles. Free rapid HIV testing will be administered. RSVP: (323) 294-6653.

 

GUITAR CLASS (Pepperdine University) — Classical guitar lessons with the renowned Christopher Parkening will take place Sept. 18, 2 to 6 p.m., at Raitt Recital Hall, Pepperdine University, 24255 Pacific Coast Highway, Malibu. The Pepperdine University Fine Arts Division will present the class. Parkening is a distinguished professor of music and chair of the Guitar Department at Pepperdine. For more than a quarter century, his concerts and recordings have received worldwide acclaim. There is no admission charge to audit the class. More information: (310) 506-4462, http://seaver.pepperdine.edu/finearts/music/programs/parkening/masterclass.htm.

09-25-10

CONFERENCE — The 15th Anniversary Victorious Living women’s conference will take place Sept. 25, 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., at the Manhattan Beach Marriott, 1400 Park View Ave., Manhattan Beach. Having a healthy mind, body and spirit will be addressed at the conference. Health screenings will be provided. The invite will also include exhibitors and expert panelists. The special conference rate is $85, and the deadline will be Sept. 15. The keynote speaker will be Wendy Gladney, president of Forgiving for Living Inc. Registration: www.witnessbookclub.com.

10-07-10

FUNDRAISER (SAPPA) — The Third Annual SAPPA Fundraiser will take place Oct. 7, 6 to 10 p.m. The event is the culmination of this year’s programs and will be the third major fundraiser to date. It aims to raise public awareness and strengthen community involvement. The evening will include special guest performances by jazz and blues great Barbara Morrison, Latin icon Bobby Rodriguez, Billy Mitchell & Minority Report, and an array of musicians, all coming together in support of the SAPPA mission. The celebrity host will be Pat Prescott of 94.7 the WAVE. The event will take place at Khoury’s Restaurant (waterfront dining at Alamitos Bay Landing), 110 N. Marina Drive, Long Beach. Funds raised will go to SAPPA’s programs. Donation tickets are $100 and attendees will be listed as SAPPA supporters. Information and tickets: Billy Mitchell, (626) 574-5040, www.sappa.net, sappaprograms@gmail.com.

10-09-10

GALA — The New Frontier Democratic Club’s 50th Anniversary Gala will take place Oct. 9 at the Performing Arts Center, Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, 135 N. Grand Ave., Los Angeles. The keynote speaker will be San Francisco District Attorney Kamala Harris, and the special guest speaker will be James E. Clyburn, majority whip in the U.S. House of Representatives. More information: (323) 960-5727.

10-15-10

IMPROV (Pepperdine University) — Ryan Stiles and Greg Proops will headline a night of all-star improv titled “Whose Live Anyway?” on Oct. 15 at Pepperdine University, 24255 Pacific Coast Highway, Malibu. “Whose Live Anyway?” is 90 minutes of improvised comedy and song based on audience suggestions. There will be two shows, one at 7 p.m. and the other at 9:30. The show will be at the campus’ Smothers Theatre. Tickets cost $65 for the public and $10 for full-time Pepperdine students. Tickets: (310) 506-4522, (800) 982-2787. More information: http://arts.pepperdine.edu/, www.whoseliveanyway.com.

10-30-10

BALL — The Fourth Annual Halloween Masquerade Ball will take place Oct. 30, 8 p.m. to midnight, at the Solair Wilshire, 3785 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles. The event will be hosted by Women4Wesson, the Los Angeles Sentinel and Mothers in Action, and its proceeds will go toward benefiting homeless children. To attend, each person must pay $55. Checks can be written to: W4W, P.O. Box 1248, Los Angeles, CA 90016. There will be food, live entertainment and a Best Costume Contest. RSVP: Gladys, (310) 672-7281; Patricia (323) 293-7502. More information: kingandassociate@yahoo.com.

ONGOING

EXHIBITS (MOT) — The “Courage” and “Para Todos Los Ninos” exhibits at the Museum of Tolerance (MOT) have been extended through Dec. 23. These exhibits highlight in separate but related installations the contributions of both Latinos and African-Americans to the Civil Rights Movement. “Courage” is the story of the Rev. Joseph Delaine and some citizens of Clarendon County, S.C., who, in 1950, brought a lawsuit to challenge racial segregation in schools that led to the landmark Supreme Court decision in Brown v. Board of Education. This interactive, multimedia presentation depicts what life was like for African Americans living in the South during this time and features a diorama of Delaine’s fire-bombed church, and re-creations of the separate and unequal classrooms that existed at the time.

Also, while most people know about desegregation in the South, a separate exhibit at the museum — “Para Todos Los Ninos: Fighting Segregation in California” — focuses on a lesser-known case: the story of the landmark case in Southern California that took place almost 10 years before Brown v. Board of Education. This new bilingual exhibition shows the history of segregation in California through the personal story of the Mendez family and their struggle to end school segregation. Their sacrifices resulted in the closing of not only Mexican-American schools but also abolishing segregated schools for Asian-American and Native-American children as well. The museum is at 9786 W. Pico Blvd. (at the southeast corner of Pico Boulevard and Roxbury Drive), Los Angeles. General information: (310) 553-8403.
 
Tips For Parents If Your Child Has a Chronic Condition PDF Print E-mail
September 2, 2010

(ARA) — From buying new supplies to soothing first-day jitters, parents have a lot to do to get their kids ready for the new school year. And if your child has a chronic disease, the start of school may feel especially stressful.

Eric, a nurse and father of two sons with hemophilia — a disease in which a person’s blood doesn’t clot properly — says his family’s back-to-school experience isn’t all that different from everyone else’s. But to make sure the transition goes as smoothly as possible, he recommends taking these extra steps:

‹ Make sure the school can reach you at all times. It’s not enough for the school to have just one or two phone numbers; make sure the office staff has home, work, mobile and e-mail contact information for both parents and emergency backups.

‹ Talk to your employer about your situation. For Eric, his sons’ illnesses mean he occasionally has to visit their school and inject them with a dose of medication. If your employer understands your child’s illness, he or she may be more flexible if you need to leave work suddenly or adjust your regular hours once school begins.

‹ Get to know the school nurse and office staff. It’s important for school staff to know how to react if a complication arises with your child. Eric’s sons’ school doesn’t have a nurse, so he makes sure the office staff knows exactly what to do if one of his children has a complaint.

‹ Educate your child’s teachers. It’s critical for teachers to know when to send a child to the nurse,  when to call the parents and how to diffuse potential teasing from other students. Eric often taps into his local hemophilia awareness group for reading materials and DVDs that he can share with his sons’ teachers.

‹ Encourage the school to treat your child like any other student. Above all, Eric wants his sons to be treated like any other 7- and 10-year-old boys. While safety always comes first, his goal is for them to be active, independent and spirited — and that’s not possible if they’re sitting on the sidelines or receiving special treatment from teachers or staff.

‹ Ask for accommodations, but only when necessary. It’s important to have a thorough understanding of school policies and feel empowered to ask for an exception if it’s necessary to your child’s health. For example, if your child can’t carry a heavy backpack, it may be easier for him to use a rolling suitcase, which many schools prohibit. Talk to school administrators if a situation like this arises.

‹ Recognize that every child is different. Even among children with the same condition, there are several variables — how the child feels about his disease, how frequent and severe his symptoms are and even whether he wants other kids to know about his illness. Make sure the school understands and respects your child’s individual situation.

‹ Educate and empower your child about his disease. It’s important for your child to know his body and illness so he can act responsibly in any situation. Eric’s sons attend local camps and seminars to better understand their hemophilia and this knowledge helps keep them safe and confident during the school day.

‹ Don’t let the disease take control. Eric’s family’s philosophy is that hemophilia is just a challenge they have to manage — it doesn’t define their family or dictate their decisions. He wants other families to know that even if they’re dealing with an illness of any kind, it shouldn’t stop them from having an education, careers or relationships, just like anyone else.

Remember, every school has different policies related to child health, particularly when it comes to administering medicine. Be sure to talk to your child’s school staff about any other steps you may need to take to keep him safe. To learn more about hemophilia, visit www.hemophiliavillage.com.

 
 
Serve Up Spuds For a Healthy Meal in Minutes PDF Print E-mail
September 2, 2010

(ARA) — Cheryl Koompin knows a thing or two about getting dinner on the table for her family after a long day of work. She and her husband raised two boys while maintaining the family’s potato farm in American Falls, Idaho. That meant years of early mornings, long days in the field and making sure dinner, homework and chores were taken care of in the evening.

Today, Koompin is the United States Potato Board’s (USPB) chairman of the board. She is using this expertise and leading the U.S. potato industry in their efforts to educate consumers, specifically moms, that potatoes are a nutritious, delicious and quick mealtime solution.

“I understand first-hand the challenges of getting a healthy meal on the table in minutes,” says Koompin. “I hope some of the potato tricks and tips I learned over the years can help other moms speed up dinnertime prep. Plus, kids love potatoes and moms can feel good about serving them.”

One medium (5.3 ounce) potato has 110 calories, no fat, sodium or cholesterol, and more potassium than a banana. Pound for pound, potatoes are also still one of the least expensive items in the produce department. One serving — a medium potato — will set you back only about 25 cents.

Nutritious, affordable and delicious, but are potatoes convenient for today’s time-strapped mom trying to get dinner on the table in a hurry? Yes.

You can speed up your spuds in a number of ways, including using your microwave for perfect baked, roasted and mashed potatoes. Potatoes are also one of the best vegetables for slow cookers, one of the most popular cooking appliances today, because you can prepare a dish the night before or in the morning and have dinner ready when the family gets home. The starch in the potato absorbs water and swells during the cooking process, resulting in tender, fluffy potatoes that require no monitoring while cooking.

The USPB’s new recipe for Quick & Healthy Slow Cooker Chicken and Potatoes calls for bone-in, skinless chicken breasts, fresh-from-the-farmers’-market ingredients like red potatoes, baby carrots, pearl onions and button mushrooms, and simple seasonings like Herbs de Provence (dried herbs found in the spice section of most grocery stores) and fresh thyme.

Quick & Healthy Slow Cooker Chicken and Potatoes

Prep time: 30 minutes

Cook time: Can range from four hours to eight hours, depending on temperature set on slow cooker

Ingredients:

4 small (2 pounds) bone-in chicken breasts, skin removed

2 teaspoons Herbs de Provence (or combination of dried thyme, fennel, basil and savory)

1 teaspoon garlic salt

Freshly ground pepper to taste

1/2 cup flour

1 tablespoon canola oil

1 1/4 pounds small red potatoes

3/4 cup frozen, thawed pearl onions

1 cup small baby carrots

3/4 cup reduced-sodium chicken broth

8 ounces small baby bella or white mushrooms

Chopped fresh thyme (optional)

Directions:

Combine the Herbs de Provence, garlic salt and pepper on a dinner plate. Spoon flour on to second dinner plate. Coat each chicken breast in the herb mixture; then dredge well in flour.

Heat oil in a large skillet. Add chicken and cook over medium-high heat until chicken is golden brown on both sides (approximately three to four minutes per side). Cook chicken in two batches if necessary so as not to crowd the pan.

Place chicken in a large slow cooker and add remaining ingredients except fresh thyme. Cover slow cooker and cook on high for four hours or on low for eight hours. Sprinkle with fresh thyme before serving, if desired.

Makes six servings.

Nutritional analysis per serving: Calories: 430, Fat: 8g, Saturated Fat: 1.5g, Trans Fat: 0g, Cholesterol: 100mg, Sodium: 400mg, Potassium: 771mg, Carbohydrates: 43g, Fiber: 4g, Sugar: 5g, Protein: 45g, Vitamin A: 90 percent, Vitamin C: 60 percent, Calcium: 4 percent, Iron: 20 percent

Visit www.potatogoodness.com to see three additional flavor variations to the Slow Cooker Chicken & Potatoes recipe. You’ll also find videos and a host of potato recipes.

Courtesy of ARAcontent.