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April 2011
17 posts
Featured Update: "It's Time To Shine" Talent Show
We're loving Ashley's singing in our latest "It's Time To Shine" Talent Show contest entry!
Did you upload a video of your child performing his or her talent yet?
The video with the most likes and comments wins a $100 shopping spree to Cookie's the Kids Department Store!
Click here for more information.
What do you think of the Bill Me Later service?
If we offered it on CookiesKids.com, would it be of value to you?
Crafty Corner: Bunny Bean Bag Toss Game
Do you have a huge crowd coming over for Easter brunch, and are looking for a fun game to play during the festivities?
Are you looking for some Spring-themed activities to do with your kids?
Becky from My Kids Make shares this adorable Bunny Bean Bag Toss Game for you to create and play with your kids:
To make the Bunny:
- Take an empty cardboard box and cut out a square opening {for the bean bags to be tossed into}.
- Then wrap the box in white paper.
- To make the bunny ears: cut the ear shape out from scraps of cardboard.
- Tape white paper onto the ears, and then pink construction paper over top.
- Use popsicle sticks, taped at an angle, to prop up the ears.
- Lastly, glue on LARGE googly eyes and a big pink pom pom nose!
To make the bean bags:
- Trace the shape of an egg on yellow felt.
- Cut out 2 egg shapes for each egg bean bag you will want.
- Sew on 3 strips of white "Rick Rack" onto the egg pieces.
- Sew the two matching egg shapes together, leaving a small hole through which you can pour dried peas, beans, etc.
- Close up the hole securely.
We made our bean bags look like Easter eggs to add to the fun!
Happy Tossing!
Stay tuned for more Easter Crafts like our Easter Egg Potted Plant Kids Craft and "Marbelous" Easter Egg Cookies.
Check out our special CookiesKids.com Easter Sale!
Crafty Corner: Easter Bunny Self Portrait
Project from Two Hearts Together:
This craft takes a simple art project and turns it into something unique by adding your child's photo in the center of a paper plate to be the face of a bunny!
- Digital camera
- Computer with printer
- Printer paper (I used regular paper, not photo paper.)
- Paper plate
- Black, pink and white construction paper
- Scissors
- Pink ribbon
- Glue
- Black marker
- Take your child's picture with a digital camera, download it and print it out on 8.5 x 11 printer paper.
- Cut their picture around the face in the shape of a circle and glue it in the center of a paper plate.
- Cut out two large Easter Bunny ears from the white construction paper and two smaller Easter Bunny ears from the pink construction paper.
- Glue one pink Easter Bunny ear in the center of one large white Easter Bunny ear, and then repeat this step with the other pink and white bunny ears.
- Glue the Easter Bunny ears to the top of the paper plate.
- Cut out a small pink triangle and glue it on your child's nose in the picture.
- Cut out six black strips about 1/4 inch wide and three inches long and glue three on each side of the pink triangle to look like the Easter Bunny's whiskers.
- Use the black marker to draw on the Easter Bunny's mouth and buck teeth.
- Tie a bow in the pink ribbon and glue it to the bottom edge of the paper plate.
Have a great Easter, everybody! Stay tuned for more Easter Crafts and a special CookiesKids.com Easter Sale!
Featured Review: Mommy Wants Freebies' Twin Birthday Event
Mommy Wants Freebies & CookiesKids.com have teamed up to bring you a new giveaway for you to win. Enter soon - it ends this Friday, April 22rd!
Cookie's Kids is a GREAT online department store. You can get so much from the site - school uniforms, cute kid's clothes, gear like strollers and carriers, and more great things!
I was sent two clothing sets to review:
These outfits are SO CUTE!
I love that Dylan looks so cool in his Enyce "High Profile" 2-Piece Outfit! I think he really liked it - he immediately got a little "attitude" when I dressed him in his new outfit.
And Riley looks as pretty as a little flower in her new Little Lass "Garden Hopper" 2-Piece Outfit!
I can't believe how "grown up" she looks in her little "big girl dress and leggings". And now that she's walking, she looks especially adorable in little dresses.
I'm shocked at how great the prices are on everything at Cookie's Kids! Fun brands like Apple Bottom Kids, Puma, Baby Phat, The North Face, and Paul Frank will keep your kids stylin' at a nice price!
How to enter: Visit CookiesKids.com, choose your favorite item, and leave it in a comment at Mommy Wants Freebies. It's that simple!
Increase your chances of winning: Mommy Wants Freebies allows BONUS entries! Visit her site here for more information.
Don't forget - the giveaway ends Friday. Enter now!
Winner: April Fools' Day Contest
Thank you to everyone who entered and voted in our April Fools' Day contest on Facebook!
Your April Fools' Day pranks really made us chuckle at the crazy shenanigans you've pulled on your family and friends.
Runner's Up:
- Sushi treats for school…..Rice Krispies Treats with gummy pieces….wrapped in Fruit Roll-Ups!!! Children loved them!!!! - Kim Nickell
The Winner:
- My favorite April Fools' joke includes kids, a bowl, some whipped topping (like Coolwhip) and canned peach halves. Place whipped topping in the bowl and place a well-drained peach half in the center so that the rounded part is on top. Tah-dah! Ostrich Eggs!
Breakfast will never be the same! I set the table ahead of time and tell only one child who readily gobbles it up! The rest just stare at the bowl, fork in hand, and say, "Where did you get ostrich eggs from?" - Cindy Semrau
Cindy, please email firstname.lastname@example.com to redeem your prize.
Be sure to enter our latest contest:
Presenting: The "It's Time To Shine" Talent ShowYour kid's got star quality, and everyone knows it. Show us what they've got for a chance to win in our Cookie's Kids Talent Show!
Submit a video of your child performing his or her talent onto our Facebook page at Facebook.com/CookiesKidsFans.
The selected winner will receive a $100 CookiesKids.com shopping spree!
How to enter:
- Become a fan of CookiesKids.com on Facebook
- Submit a video of your child performing his or her talent
- Invite your friends to vote for you by liking and commenting on your entry (NOTE: Friends must be fans of CookiesKids.com on Facebook to vote.)
- The video with the most post likes and comments by May 31, 2011 is the winner!
Crafty Corner: "Marblelous" Easter Egg Cookies
The Chocolate Muffin Tree has posted the most adorable "Marbelous" Easter Egg sugar cookie recipe for the upcoming Easter holiday.
These adorable marbled egg cookies are perfect for a pop of color during your holiday meal, or you can make them out of play-dough to hang up around your house!
Click here to check out her post for the full recipe!
Stay tuned for more Easter Crafts like our Easter Egg Potted Plant Kids Craft, and check out our special CookiesKids.com Easter Sale!
Featured Fashion: Puma Pique Tennis Dress
Puma's legendary athletic style blends fashion and comfort for a look she'll love!
This Puma "Classic" Pique Tennis Dress (Sizes 7-16) is made from breathable pique material and features cap sleeves, a V-neck, and rib detailing. The pleated skirt and drawstring drop-waist make this a trendsetting choice.
Check out our full selection of Puma for some great matches!
Photo taken by our in-store Visual Merch./Stylist Calvin Chandler. Get his latest updates at @FashionManic on Twitter.
Crafty Corner: Easter Egg Potted Plants Kids Craft
Project from Two Hearts Together:
Kids can create an Easter inspired table decoration using fake eggs and mini pots!
Supplies Needed:
- 6 Polystyrene eggs
- 6 Small Terracotta pots
- Ribbon, green tinsel, paper or foam letters to spell EASTER
- Colored sticks or straws
- Loose Glitter
- Craft paint
- Super Glue
- Hot Glue Gun
- Multi-Colored Mini Rhinestones
- Other decorations of choice for Eggs
- Set aside 6 small terracotta pots and glue on your Easter letters.
- Decorate the rims with loose glitter and fill the pots with green tinsel.
- Paint your polystyrene eggs with paint and set aside to dry.
- Decorate the eggs as desired.
- Once done, insert a stick or straw into the bottom of each egg and secure with super glue or hot glue gun.
- Position and secure each straw or stick into the pots with a blob hot glue.
- Make and stick little ribbon bows onto the bottom of each egg with super glue.
- Enjoy!
Have a great Easter, everybody! Stay tuned for more Easter Crafts and a special CookiesKids.com Easter Sale!
Foodie Friday: Grilled Cheese
From Totsy Blog:
So, we don't really know who decides these things, but April is National Grilled Cheese Month. Who doesn't love a salty, buttery, toasted slice of bread sandwiching ooey gooey cheese?? It's the ultimate comfort food. We at Totsy love it and our perfect grilled cheese sandwich is kid-approved! Your little ones will love this!
Servings: 2 sandwiches
- 4 slices of white sandwich bread
- 1/4 pound cheddar cheese, slice 1/3" thick
- Unsalted butter, room temperature
What You'll Need:
- Skillet - cast iron works best
- Spatula
- Knife
- Heat the skillet on low heat and add enough butter to coat the pan evenly.
- Assemble the slices of bread with the cheese and gently press them together to hold them in place.
- Put the sandwich in the bottom of the pan.
- Cook over low heat. Use the spatula to check for a golden brown color after 5 minutes.
- After a golden brown color has been achieved, flip the sandwich over and check after 5 minutes for the same golden brown color. Cheese should be completely melted at this point.
- Plate the sandwich and serve with a bowl of tomato soup. Yum!
Healthy alternatives:
- Use whole wheat bread.
- Look for cheeses made with skim or part-skim milk.
- Instead of butter, use an olive oil spray. If you really want that buttery taste, use non-hydrogenated, omega-3 butter like Smart Balance.
- Add a slice of tomato - added dose of vitamin C and lycopene. Research shows that lycopene can prevent certain types of cancer.
Just in time for Easter: Private Holiday Sale!
Whether shopping for Easter, Passover, Communion, Christenings, or weddings, get a great deal now on suits, dresses, shoes, and accessories:
The deal: Receive free shipping on your holiday dress wear order of $25+
How to redeem: Enter coupon code FSHDW in at checkout on CookiesKids.com
Shop dress wear now: Boys // Girls
Free shipping to the continental United States. Excludes furniture and gear. Expires 4/17/2011.
Ends This Week: April Fools' Day Contest
Fooling your family? Share your April Fools' Day prank with us to win!
Submit your funniest April Fools' Day prank stories, photos, and videos to our Facebook wall at Facebook.com/CookiesKidsFans for a chance to win a CookiesKids.com gift card.
Top submissions this week:
- Paint a bar of soap with clear nail polish. Kids will go crazy trying to get some lather! - Cindy Semrau
- My favorite April Fools' joke includes kids, a bowl, some whipped topping (like Coolwhip) and canned peach halves. Place whipped topping in the bowl and place a well-drained peach half in the center so that the rounded part is on top. Tah-dah! Ostrich Eggs!
Breakfast will never be the same! I set the table ahead of time and tell only one child who readily gobbles it up! The rest just stare at the bowl, fork in hand, and say, "Where did you get ostrich eggs from?" - Cindy Semrau
- This one isn't mine, but a friend's mom did it to my friend. We were just out of high school. She made us Easter baskets and in my friend's she put a positive pregnancy test. We both didn't even realize: 1) It wasn't Easter and 2) It was April Fools' Day. - Amie Maberry
- I'm thinking of putting sliced chicken bouillon cubes in the shower head, so my husband smells like chicken after a shower. - Amie Maberry
- My dad, when I was about 11, pulled a joke on me by making himself bloody with ketchup. - Silke Ddonnelly
- When I was in high school, the boys got a wound-up mouse and put it in an area where they knew all the girls where. We ran around screaming for five minutes before they came back to tell us it was fake. - Silke Ddonnelly
Think you can beat their pranks? You can submit your entry until 4/10/2011. The winner will be announced later that week!
Winner will be chosen by CookiesKids.com staff and will be contacted via Facebook with information on how to redeem their prize.
Crafty Corner: April Showers Cloud
Project from Two Hearts Together:
Growing up, I am sure we were all familiar with the saying, "April showers bring May flowers". This project says just that with a cloud shaped mobile with dangling raindrops!
- 2 Sheets white construction paper
- Scissors
- Crayons
- Pencil
- Blue paint
- White cotton ball
- Paper plate to hold paint
- Yarn
- Glue
- Freehand draw a cloud.
- Cut out the cloud using scissors.
- Squirt some paint onto paper plate.
- Dab cotton ball into paint and dab onto cloud shape. Repeat as desired
- Let dry. Using the other pieces of white paper, color entire sheet with blue crayons.
- Cut out raindrop shapes out of the crayon drawn blue sheet.
- Cut out strips of yarn and glue raindrops to the end.
- Glue yarn to the bottom of the clouds.
- Hang to display.
Check back soon for more Crafty Corner projects and special CookiesKids.com sales!
April Fools' Day Dinner
"Our family has the most hilarious time laughing and lingering over this meal."
Post by Tori Guess from Family Fun Magazine:
Our family:
Tori and Tommy Guess of Lafayette, Colorado, and our kids, Tegan, age 7, and Tray, 9.
Our tradition:
On April 1, we share a really wacky meal that was inspired by a summer camp game. It's wacky not because of what we eat, but how we eat it: for every course, each family member gets to have just three random things that are on the table — and only those three things. So you could wind up with milk, butter, and pepper! The crazier the combos, the more fun it is.
How we prep:
We start by making the list of everything we'll be eating or using at the table that night, including the tableware and the condiments. If we're serving pasta, for instance, we list the noodles and the sauce separately. We make a copy of the list for each family member, then cut them apart, one item per strip of paper, and put a complete list in each person's cup. Finally, we set cookie sheets in front of everyone to contain the mess.
Once the meal begins:
Each person draws three items from his or her cup, and it's hilarious to see everyone's reactions. The kids especially love Tommy's mock indignation when he gets a strange grouping. Once that round is finished, we remove any utensils, rinse off the cookie sheets if needed, and start over. It takes a long time to get through all of the courses, usually five or six, so there are a lot of laughs along the way.
A few more rules:
You can decline any of the items you draw, but you can't get them again later. And you don't have to mix the foods together.
Our craziest combos:
Once, Tommy got a plate, a fork, and butter. Another time, Tegan got a cup, a knife, and a fork, but nothing to eat!
Funniest moment:
Whenever someone gets a drink, but no cup. We pour it right into his or her mouth, and it always cracks us up.
How we got started:
We had just moved from Virginia and wanted to do something really fun and unusual to perk up the kids. We'd been wanting to try this camp game at home, and April 1 seemed like the perfect day.
Why we love it:
Tori: It really is so exciting. You never know what's coming next.
Tommy: What a great way to just relax and have fun with your family.
Tray: I can eat with my hands!
Tegan: It's very, very silly.
Are you going to try this April Fools' Day Dinner out with your family tonight? Let us know how it turned out, and let the giggles ensue!
Top photo by Flickr user Dustin Steller. Middle photo by Next Door.
March 2011
13 posts
April Fools' Day Contest
Fooling your family? Share your April Fools' Day prank with us to win!
Submit your funniest April Fools' Day prank stories, photos, and videos to our Facebook wall at Facebook.com/CookiesKidsFans for a chance to win a CookiesKids.com gift card.
You can submit your entry until 4/10/2011, and the winner will be announced later that week!
Winner will be chosen by CookiesKids.com staff and will be contacted via Facebook with information on how to redeem their prize.
April Fools' Day Recipe: "Grilled Cheese"
This fun April Fools' Day switcheroo recipe is from Smashing Cake Designs:
Want a fun little trick for your kids on April Fool's day? These are so easy to make, and your kids will love them!
Hint: This "grilled cheese sandwich" is really disguised pound cake!
- Buy a pound cake from the frozen dessert section of the grocery store.
- Cut it into slices, put it in the oven for about a minute under broil to give it a toasty look. Be careful - this happens very fast!
- Let them cool, and cut them diagonally.
- Using about a 1/4 tub of icing or your own home made icing dye it with a little red and several drops of food coloring until you get a nice orange color for cheese.
- If you put a nice amount on one side of your sandwich and put the top piece of toast on top pushing down lightly, you will get the icing to come out of the edges making it look like melted cheese.
Give them a try and let me know how you made out!
April Fools': The Salt and Pepper Switcheroo
Tiny Prints shares today's April Fools' Day prank that you can play on your kids:
Supplies needed:
- Glass salt and pepper shakers
- A paper towel or napkin
Step One: Create a Paper Towel Cup Inside Each Glass Shaker
The shakers have to be glass so your kids will be extra confused. We didn't have any on hand, so we made a pseudo-shaker out of this mini bottle to illustrate how you would use a piece of a paper towel to create a hidden cup inside the lid of each shaker.
Simply remove the lid, rip off a small square of tissue or paper, and gently press down to create a miniature cup inside the neck of the bottle or shaker.
Step Two: Add Pepper to the Salt and Salt to the Pepper
Gently pour pepper into the cup at the top of the salt shaker, and add salt to the cup at the top of the pepper shaker. The cups will keep the different spices from mingling so your kids will be none the wiser!
Step Three: Replace the Cap and Wait for the Fun
When your kids try to use the salt shaker, pepper will come out (and vice versa)!
Are you planning on pulling a prank on your kids this April Fools' Day?
Tasty April Fools': Berry Soda Recipe
Recipe from Taste of Home. Photos by Gravity of Motion:
Here's a prank that will get your family to pucker up!
These berry "beverages" look inviting to sip, but they're actually gelatin that's tricky to suck through a straw, so keep some spoons handy.
This recipe makes: 6 Servings
Prep time: 10 minutes + chilling
- 2 packages (3 ounces each) strawberry gelatin
- 3/4 cup sliced fresh strawberries
- 3/4 cup fresh raspberries
- 3/4 cup fresh blueberries
- Prepare gelatin according to package directions.
- Refrigerate until partially set, about 2 hours.
- Stir in berries.
- Pour into six tall drink or soda glasses.
- Insert a straw into each glass.
- Refrigerate until set.
Nutrition Facts:
1 serving (1 each) equals:
- 76 Calories
- Trace fat (Trace saturated fat)
- 0 Cholesterol
- 33mg Sodium
- 18g Carbohydrate
- 2g Fiber
- 2g Protein
Yum! Do you have any family April Fools' Day pranks or traditions?
April Fools' Day Recipe: Fakin' and Eggs
From Family Fun Magazine:
This Friday, April Fools' Day, trick your family with a tiny breakfast that's really a cleverly disguised dessert.
For the eggs:
- 3 tablespoons white chocolate chips
- 12 yellow M&M
For the Fakin':
- 1 square caramel
- 1 Tootsie Roll Midgee
For the eggs:
- Melt the white chocolate chips according to the package directions. Transfer the melted chocolate to a ziplock bag and snip off a corner.
- Squeeze nickel-size portions of the chocolate onto a sheet of waxed paper, then gently press a yellow M&M, letter side down, into the center of each. Let the candies cool. Makes 12 eggs.
For the Fakin':
- Remove the wrapping from a square caramel and a Tootsie Roll Midgee. Microwave the candies for 4 seconds to make them soft. Use your thumb and forefinger to slightly flatten each candy piece, then press them together.
- Halve the candy, then stack and press the pieces into alternating layers.
- Slice a 1/4-inch-wide piece from the stack. Pinch and stretch the piece lengthwise into a flat bacon strip, then cut it in half. Add ripples to each half by gently bending the edges. Makes 3 strips (6 pieces).
Yum! Do you have any family April Fools' Day pranks or traditions?
Foodie Friday: Oatmeal Banana Pancakes
OATMEAL BANANA PANCAKES, serves one.
- 1/2 cup old-fashioned oats
- 1/4 cup low-fat cottage cheese
- 2 eggs
- 1/2 small banana
- 1 packet sugar sweetener (or sugar, whatever floats your boat)
- Cinnamon and vanilla extract to taste
While making recipe, heat a nonstick skillet. Blend all ingredients in blender until completely smooth. Pour into skillet a little at a time, flipping when the edges have dried out and the center is bubbly. Flip, let cook on other side.
Nutritional breakdown:
- 350 calories
- 8.7 grams of fat
- 41.8 grams of carbs
- 5.3 grams fiber
- 10.2 grams sugar
- 26.8 grams of protein
Source: runlikeella.tumblr.com and The F Words
Crafty Corner: How To Make A Tutu
Don't we all love tutus? They're perfect for playtime - whether your little girl dresses up as a cheerleader or as a princess.
Holly at Heart Break Kids shows how simple it is to make your own tutus as home. They're so simple to make, you'll wonder why you never thought of making them before!
Foodie Friday: Vegan Almond Chocolate Chip Muffins
These delicious Vegan Almond Chocolate Chip Muffins are the perfect treats for your next Rainy-Day-In!
Foodie Friday post by Stephanie at Petals and Sunshine:
This is one of our favourite go-to muffin recipe. The almond extract really gives this muffin so much more flavour!
- 1/2 cup rice milk (I used vanilla)
- 1 Tbsp pure almond extract
- 1/2 cup honey or other sweetener (we don't use regular sugar since my son has sensitivities and it makes him really hyper).
- 1 Tbsp ground flax in 2 Tbsp water, reserve for a few minutes until it thickens
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 1/2 cups flour
- 1/3 cup coconut oil (or half coconut oil and half applesauce)
- 1 cup vegan chocolate chips
Mix milk, almond extract and honey. Add coconut oil and mix well. Then add the flax/water mixture, and all the dry ingredients, including the chocolate chips and mix.
Bake at 370 F for about 20 minutes.
I made mine in a mini muffin tin, because my kids love mini muffins! If you do too, you'll obviously have to bake them for a much shorter time.
Cool off before storing in a container… if it even makes it to a container!
Snuggly Sleepwear for Boys & Girls
Our new and improved website now lets you shop for your little one's sleeping needs! Browse our selection of super-cute jammies by clicking here or on the image above.
Don't miss some of our favorite picks below:
Want to receive emails with featured products like these? Subscribe to our newsletter to be the first in the know of the latest and greatest in kids' fashions.
Get A Head Start On Daylight Saving Time
Image by Flickr user David Kessler. Post by Blog4Safety:
Like it or not, this Sunday, March 13th, we will "spring forward" by setting our clocks ahead one hour. This comes as a bitter pill to swallow for many persons. Others take it in stride, but those who are not "morning persons" won't be too happy about it for a while.
Canada, certain states in the U.S., and Mexico are affected by this mandated time change, as well as many other countries in the world.
During World War I, it was thought that the time change would save energy for the war effort. The ruling has been off and on through the years, but since the Energy Policy Act of 2005, we've been "springing forward."
Here are some ideas that might help you be prepared, ahead of time:
- Start getting ready for it now, this week!
- Get up a little earlier than usual these last few days so you'll be ready for Sunday.
- Try not to take naps the weekend of the time change, so you'll be able to go to sleep an hour earlier at bedtime.
- Change all clocks on Saturday afternoon.
- Think positive – get used to it as soon as possible.
- Make arrangements for your children to get to school or to the school bus safely, because it may still be dark in your area. If they ride their bike, or walk, be sure they wear something reflective on their clothes or bike, and accompany them, if possible for the first few days after the time change.
Image by Flickr user crimfants
I have always wished that we didn't have this time change and have always referred to Central Standard Time as the "real time," but as years have gone by, I have learned to adjust to it better and realize that there is extra time to get things done before the end of the day.
This is a good time to get geared up for chores that we usually save for spring, so start planning to do a few of these things. It always makes you feel better once you've done them:
- Restock battery supplies. Change smoke and carbon monoxide alarms, both now and after the time change in November, if necessary.
- List special tasks that you could do annually at this time of the year.
- Now's the time to get ready for Spring Cleaning! (First day of Spring is March 20th).
- Go through your old clothes and donate them to charity.
- Get the whole family involved in cleaning out closets and passing on clothes they don't plan to wear to someone who can use them.
- Start sprucing up your yard.
- Begin an your exercise program. You will have that extra hour of sunlight, so there's no excuse not to do it!
Waking up a little earlier in the mornings this week will allow you to drive without getting drowsy. Statistics from past time changes have shown that a high percentage of drivers drove while sleepy, and some even dozed off while driving, if only for a few seconds, immediately following the time change. Darkness in the early hours of the day can cause more driving accidents, so be alert.
Whether the hands on the clock point to "real time" or Daylight Saving Time, the main goal is to make the adjustment as soon as we can. It's time to remember: "Today is the first day of the rest of your life!" Make every minute count!
In honor of International Women's Day, we'd like to ask you:
Who is the inspirational woman in your life?
Crafty Corner: Magnet Painting Activity
Adorable Crafty Corner post by Amy at Let's Explore:
Yesterday, the girls had fun with magnet painting. This is something they both remember doing at preschool and were excited to experiment with it again!
You will need:
- Magnetic marbles
- Magnetic wand
- Washable paint
- A shallow box or tray (Not metal!)
- Paper
Please remember to supervise your little ones with the magnetic marbles!
I think you can see the basic set-up in the picture below. You want your box to be propped up slightly – we used a little bit of masking tape to secure our box to some blocks. Put some washable paint in a bowl, plop in a magnetic marble and stir it around. When you are ready to paint, the marble goes in the box on top of your paper, and you use the magnet wand under the box to make it move all around.
For the best marble control, make sure you keep the magnet wand against the bottom of the box. Keep adding new magnetic marbles covered in paint to complete your masterpiece!
You can try this magnet painting variation too:
Squirt some paint onto your paper. Put a clean magnetic marble into the box and use your magnet wand to swirl all the colors together. Delaney tried this with two marbles, which was really neat, too!
How do you like to play with magnets?
Winner: "Baby, It's Cold Outside" Photo & Video Contest
Thank you to everyone who entered and voted in our "Baby, It's Cold Outside" winter-themed photo & video contest on Facebook!
This past month was filled with adorable pictures of your children playing in the snow, building snowmen, & sledding, and I am pleased to announce the winner - voted to the top by you!
With 1,665 votes, this entry by Kimberly Kirksey, "Trenton 7 months playing in the snow", was voted the top choice to win a $100 shopping spree at CookiesKids.com.
Stay tuned for a special post dedicated to our cutest runners-up and the newest contest from CookiesKids.com!
February 2011
13 posts
Crafty Corner: Tooth Fairy Bags
Happy National Tooth Fairy Day! Losing your baby teeth is one of the few times that you are paid for something you've lost, and we've all got the mysterious Tooth Fairy to thank for that.
Crafting blog The Purl Bee introduced us to these lovely Tooth Fairy Bags - perfect for the next loose tooth ready to come out!
From The Purl Bee:
We thought we'd try to make the whole Tooth Fairy ritual a little more fun by making a colorful bag complete with a special tooth-shaped pocket for the baby tooth. The Tooth Fairy can take away the tooth and leave the loot in the bag.
This is a really quick project. So quick that you might want to whip up a few in different colors for the different kids (and teeth!) in your life.
President's Day Craft: Finger Puppets
Celebrate President's Day with these quick and easy paper finger puppets of George Washington and Abraham Lincoln. This craft is perfect for kids ages 4 and up!
What you'll need:
- Blue and black construction paper
- Cellophane tape
- Lincoln-head penny
- Washington-head quarter
- Scissors
How to make it:
- Cut two three-inch squares, one from each of the construction sheet colors.
- Roll each square into a tube that will slip over your finger. Secure the roll with cellophane tape. Note: By using tape instead of glue, the coins won't be harmed.
- To make the Lincoln puppet, tape the penny to the black paper tube at roughly an inch below the top.
- Cut a thin rectangle from the black paper for the hat brim. Tape the brim along the top of the head.
- To make the Washington puppet, tape the quarter to the top of the blue paper tube.
- Cut a one-and-half-inch square from the blue paper for the hat.
- Fold the square in half, corner to corner, making a triangle.
- Cut a slit out of the center fold of the square to make an opening. Once again fold the square in half, this time folding the opposite corner to corner, making a triangle.
- Slip the hat over the top of the tube finger puppet.
- Tape both halves of the triangle together.
- Dress them up by adding details to the puppets using collage materials. You might want to add a gold sequin medallion to Washington's hat, for example, and some white doily paper to the chin for a lace collar. For Lincoln, try adding a shirt collar made from white paper, and some buttons.
Featured project from Kaboose and Kathy Ross.
Check back soon for more President's Day Crafts and a CookiesKids.com President's Day Special Sale!
President's Day Craft: Craft Stick White House
Celebrate Presidents' Day by creating your very own White House. This project is perfect for kids ages 7 and up!
What you'll need:
- 8 jumbo craft sticks
- 4 regular craft sticks
- 7 miniature craft sticks
- White acrylic paint
- Green felt or construction paper
- Scissors
- White craft glue
- ½ sheet black construction paper
How to make it:
- Cut the rounded ends off of all eight jumbo craft sticks.
- Lay four jumbo craft sticks touching each other on a table, one below the other. Line the other four jumbo craft sticks in the same fashion alongside the first four. You should have 2 sticks going across (columns) and four sticks going down (rows).
- Pipe glue onto the edges of the craft sticks, connecting them all together. Smooth the glue with your finger or a paintbrush and gently press them together so that they are all touching. You may want to let the glued craft sticks dry on a piece of wax paper placed on your table. Allow glue to dry completely.
- From two of the regular craft sticks, cut one rounded end off of each.
- Center a miniature craft stick directly above the large rectangle you made from the jumbo craft sticks. Place the two regular craft sticks across the top as well, on either side of the mini craft stick. The straight edges should hang over the sides of the large rectangle. Glue in place and let dry.
- Cut the rounded edge off both sides of a regular craft stick. Center the regular craft stick on top of the row made in step 5 and glue in place. This should make the second row stacked above the jumbo craft stick base.
- To add the columns on the front of the White House, place a miniature craft stick ½" to the left of the center line of the large triangle. Glue another "column" ½" to the right of the center line. Glue the third and fourth column to the left and right of the first two columns.
- Glue a regular craft stick horizontally across the top of the four columns.
- Position two miniature craft sticks to form a wide upside-down "V" on top of the regular craft stick in step 8. You will see they make the shape of a pointed roof. Glue the pieces into place.
- After all craft sticks have dried completely, paint the entire thing with white paint. Let dry. You may notice some cracking in the paint due to painting over the glue. If you do, simple add a second coat after the first coat has dried completely.
- Cut windows and door from black construction paper and glue in place according to photo.
- Cut an 11" x ½" strip of green felt of construction paper. Trim to fit across the base of the White House and glue in place.
- As the glue is drying, occasionally press down gently on the craft stick columns to be sure that they are flush with the house.
- Place your craft sticks on a piece paper before your start. If the glue sticks to the paper it's no problem, simply leave the paper on the back of the house!
- Talk about the significance of the presidency when working on this project.
Featured project from Kaboodle and Amanda Formaro.
Check back soon for more President's Day Crafts and a CookiesKids.com President's Day Special Sale!
President's Day Craft: Patriotic Heart
President's Day is this Monday, so pay tribute to our country's Presidents with this way-cute kids craft. While you sit down with your little one to whip up this patriotic heart, encourage a discussion of our presidential past, present, and future!
Courtesy of: The Learning Bug
Supplies Needed:
- One sheet of white cardstock or construction paper
- Red paint and sponge or brush, or a red Do-A-Dot marker
- Blue card stock or construction paper
- Small white star die-cuts or star stickers
- Scissors
- Glue Stick
- Have each child cut out a heart from the white paper, or have them trace a template you've prepared in advance.
- Paint the red stripes on the heart, and allow the paint to dry.
- While the paint dries, cut the top half of the heart from blue paper.
- Glue the white stars on to the blue paper.
- Glue the blue paper on to the striped heart.
- Laminate the heart for durability (optional).
Project from Two Hearts Together and The Learning Bug
Check back soon for more President's Day Crafts and a CookiesKids.com President's Day Special Sale!
What is your definition of love?
A Cute Way to Say "Happy Valentine's Day!"
This Valentine's Day, show your love by getting crafty with your little one!
This fun project from Frame Fanatic is easy for little hands and makes a great gift too. Check out the super-easy instructions below and submit pictures of your finished products!
What you need:
- Cardstock paper in white, pink, & red
- Black ink
- Rub-on numbers
- Scrapbook glue or other adhesive
- Frame (optional)
Step 1: Trace the outside of the hands with a pencil. I really only needed to trace one hand, cut it out, flip it over and trace it the cut-out template to have 2 hands cut out. This is key when trying to keep a busy toddler still while tracing tiny fingers.
Daughter's hands cut out in red card stock
My hands cut out in pink cardstock
Step 2: Ink the edges of all the hand cut-outs. Once both hands are inked, glue both hands together to make a heart shape.
Step 3: Adhere the heart-hands onto the page. I tried to layer them slightly so that they both fit onto the 8 x 10 white cardstock. Place rub-ons anywhere you like. I put "2011" to date how tiny my daughter's hands were this year.
Step 4 (Optional): Place artwork inside a frame. Voila! Two hands, two hearts, one very special project.
We've got Bieber Fever!
Justin Bieber has been on our minds lately while we eagerly await his new movie, "Never Say Never" which comes out tomorrow!
Photo via Entertainment Wallpaper
Not only is his story as a self-made star so inspirational, he is simply adorable. In preparation, we want to share with you the hottest Bieber merchandise you can shop excusively from CookiesKids.com!
Check out these sweet JB pajamas - perfect for your next Justin Bieber-themed sleepover:
If she has a case of Bieber Fever, she'll love these Justin Bieber PJs. She'll dream of Bieber in these!
What was the last thing that made you smile?
Runners-Up: "My Kid Is The Cutest Kid EVER!!!!" Photo Contest
Thank you to everyone who entered and voted in our "My Kid Is The Cutest Kid EVER!!!!" photo contest on Facebook!
Sarah Keener was voted the winner of our $100 gift card, but we'd like to share our runners-up and honorable mention entries because so many entries were just too cute!
2nd place with 2,381 votes
"Autumn is the cutest kid in the universe :)" - Mary Silva
3rd place with 1,207 Votes
"My Heart Tia Marie. Born on 10/27/09" - TiAnna Marker
Honorable Mention with 915 Votes
"My new grandaughter Drusilla will be 3 years old, entry for contest" - Melissa Salsgiver
Baby, It's Cold Outside - New Photo & Video Contest from CookiesKids.com
Its a winter wonderland out there, so show us how you're making the most of it!
Submit snow and winter themed pictures or videos of your child to win a $100 shopping spree. Whether you've made a snow castle in your front yard, or your child is just too cute all bundled up, show us what you've got!
How to enter:
- Become a fan of CookiesKids.com on Facebook
- Submit a Winter Wonderland themed photo or video of your child onto our wall
- Invite your friends to vote by liking and commenting on your entry
The entry that has the most post likes and comments by 11:59 PM EST February 28, 2011 will win a $100 shopping spree to CookiesKids.com or one of our six New York City locations.
Winner: "My Kid Is The Cutest Kid EVER!!!!" Photo Contest
Thank you to everyone who entered and voted in our "My Kid Is The Cutest Kid EVER!!!!" photo contest on Facebook!
These past two months were filled with adorable pictures of your children, and I am pleased to announce the winner - voted to the top by you!
With 2,919 votes, this entry by Sarah Keener, "Aaliyah Michelle", was voted the top choice to win a $100 gift card to shop at CookiesKids.com or at any of our six New York City locations.
Stay tuned for a special post dedicated to our cutest runners-up and the newest contest from CookiesKids.com!
January 2011
13 posts
Hot Topic: Ohio Mom Charged with Felony in Ohio School District Case
The biggest news story affecting parents this week was the sentencing of Ohio mom, Kelley Williams-Bolar:
As reported by ABC news here, Williams-Bolar was convicted of a felony and 10 days in jail for falsifying records of her residency in order for her daughters to attend an esteemed school district outside Akron, Ohio where they reside.
Though the children's father did live within the limits of the esteemed Copley-Fairlawn School District, it was not within the limits Williams-Bolar's actual residency she shared with her daughters in Akron.
Photo via Summit County Sheriff's Office/Fox 8
What's worse is that Williams-Bolar is finishing up a degree at the University of Ohio to become a certified school teacher.
Many local residents and parents were outraged at Williams-Bolar's sentence.
What are your thoughts? Was her punishment too harsh? Is this an example of parents going too far to for their children's education? Share your thoughts below!
Foodie Friday: Cream of Chicken and Biscuits
For a cozy, wintry recipe that is so easy even your little guy can help, we recommend this delicious casserole from one of our blog friends Love, Mommy.
Kid-friendly and hearty, this recipe makes a great dinner or side dish and we love that it only requires 5 ingredients! Brilliant. It might even be the perfect crowd-pleaser for an upcoming Superbowl Sunday party. Check out the original recipe below!
Photo via Love, Mommy
Cream of Chicken and Biscuits
- 1 can Cream of Chicken soup
- 1 package of biscuits (8-12 count)
- Cheese
- Butter
- Peas of your choice
Place the biscuits in a deep pan. I like to use glass just because I can see when everything is finished easier. Preheat your oven and then start on the peas.
Boil the peas until very soft and then drain.
By now, your biscuits should be ready, so place them in the oven and set a timer for half of the time it takes your biscuits to cook (usually about 8-10 minutes).
Then, make the cream of chicken soup.
When the timer goes off, pull the biscuits out of the oven. pour the peas as evenly as possible over the biscuits, then add the Cream of Chicken soup on top of the biscuits, spreading evenly. Add the cheese to the very top and sour cream (if desired).
Place the mixture back in the oven for another 8-10 minutes, then pull out, and VIOLA! A wonderful meal everyone in the family can enjoy.
Winter Clearance SALE!
Click here or on the image above to start shopping
With prices starting at just $0.50 a piece, start saving now when you shop from our Clearance Sale Department!
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Foodie Friday: Pack a Lunch with a Punch!
Image via Ohio University
For today's Foodie Friday, we are considering a fresh twist on the standard brown bag lunch.
In a time when saving money and seeking healthier options is on everyone's mind, packing lunch for your little one is a no-brainer! Now that we are deep into winter and mid-way through the school year, it may be time to freshen up his or her school lunch.
Check out these fun ideas from Parenting.com:
We especially love this update on the boring ham and cheese sandwich. Easy Ham and Veggie Pinwheels are a healthy way to brighten up his day!
Photo via tasteofhome.com
Ham and Veggie Pinwheels by Rosemary Black
Prep time: 10 minutes // Serves: 4
How kids can help: Measure ingredients; assemble wraps.
- 4 eight-inch flour tortillas
- 3/4 cup light cream cheese
- 1 small cucumber, peeled and sliced thin
- 4 large slices baked ham
- 2 medium tomatoes, sliced thin
1. Arrange the tortillas on a cutting board. Spread each with about 3 tablespoons cream cheese, then top with cucumber, ham, and tomato slices.
2. Roll up each tortilla, pressing down firmly as you go. Place wraps, seam side down, on a cutting board, and cut each into 4 sections.
Per serving: 314 calories, 15 g fat (8 g saturated), 736 mg sodium, 51 mg cholesterol.
We'd love to hear your tips and tricks for packing a lunch with a punch. Share them in the comments below!
Have a great weekend, everyone!
We've posted a lot of changes on CookiesKids.com and we'd love to know your thoughts! What do you think about our new website?


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Chicken Corn Chowder
This soup is an excellent way to transform leftover chicken into something wholly different. Plenty of corn, both whole and
pureed with milk, gives this soup a nice sweet-and-savory flavor. If you've got leftover vegetables, throw them in, too; just
about any cooked veggies would make a good addition.
View Recipe: Chicken Corn Chowder

subset: commoncrawl


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PIRC Course
Global Standards for Plastics Certification
This 120 hour self-paced blended online and hands-on training is held at your facility. Global Standards for Plastics Certification (GSPC) is an internationally recognized training program resulting in a global certification. This comprehensive online curriculum is used in countries throughout the world, including the United States. Originally developed by the UK government in the 1970's, GSPC has become the most rigorous and comprehensive certification system available to the plastics industry. The certification is based on an operator or technician clearly demonstrating their ability - not simply passing a multiple choice test. Through hands-on learning, computer interactive modules, classroom learning, and a final verification exam, students will be trained and earn a Level I certification. GSPC Level I covers the following aspects of plastics processing: Safety of the Workplace; Effectiveness of the Workplace; Effective Working Relationships; Quality Changeover in Production; Machine-based Process Preparation; Continuous Produciton Monitoring; Process Machine; Molding Process; Molds; and Understanding Plastics. This course is self-paced and schedules are fexible at your facility. This course can also be offered at the PMC for dislocated workers or for those who do not have ready access to plastics process equipment. Contact the PMC at (570) 321-5533 for more information or to register.
There are currently no classes scheduled for this course. Please check back at a later time or contact WDCE to see when the course will be offered again.


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OXO Stainless-Steel Double-Sided Jigger
- Summary
A soft, comfortable grip wraps around the center of this stylish, double jigger from OXO. One side measures a jigger, or 1.5 oz., with 3/4- and 1/3-ounce increments; the flip side measures a pony, or 1 oz., with 1/4- and 1/2-ounce increments. Any way you turn it, the smart design ensures an accurate, nonslip pour.
- Two-sided jigger simplifies mixing drinks – just flip for different increments.
- Soft, comfortable grip for steady pouring, even with wet hands.
- Dishwasher-safe stainless-steel construction won't corrode or react with ingredients.
- Dimensions & More Info
- 2 1/2'' diam., 2 3/4'' high.
- Made in China.
- Use & Care
- Dishwasher safe.
- Shipping
Shipping Information
This item is shipped from our warehouse by UPS to arrive within five business days of our receiving your order.
Shipping Rates
The shipping rate varies depending on your order total and shipping destination. View Shipping Options and Charges.
Rush Delivery
For an additional charge of $15 per address, we can rush delivery to most destinations. This service is not available for some oversize items, items shipped directly from the supplier (including perishable and custom-manufactured items), out-of-stock items and items to be shipped outside the contiguous 48 states.
Return Policy
At Williams-Sonoma, we take great pride in the quality and craftsmanship of our products. If, within 30 days, you are not completely satisfied with your purchase for any reason, please return the item for an exchange or refund of the merchandise value. View Full Return Policy.


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Health News
News on Health continually updated from thousands of sources around the net.
2 hrs ago | WCAX-TV Burlington
Study: Fuels from corn waste not better than gas
A study paid for by the federal government says biofuels made from the leftovers of harvested corn plants are worse than gasoline for global warming in the short term.
Trending on the Topix Network
6 hrs ago | Bellingham Herald
Country music singer Kevin Sharp dies at age 43
He was 43. His sister Mary Huston said Sharp died at his mother's Fair Oaks, Calif., home, at 10:49 p.m. Saturday of complications from past stomach surgeries and digestive issues.
10 hrs ago | The Daily News Journal
Heaven subject of eternal debate
A 4-year-old Nebraska boy claims in a New York Times best seller that he once visited heaven during an emergency appendectomy.
14 hrs ago | KDLT-TV Sioux Falls
IA Gets Nearly $72M In Yearly Tobacco Payment Apr. 19
Iowa received $71 million this week from tobacco companies - its annual share of a 1998 landmark legal settlement in which tobacco companies pay states for smoking-related health care costs.
19 hrs ago | EDGE
3,000 Restaurants Participate in Dining Out for Life
On Thursday, April 24, eat dinner out and help save the world! More than 3,000 restaurants across 60 North American cities will participate in Dining Out For Life, hosted by Subaru.
23 hrs ago | Manitowoc Herald Times Reporter
Widower's quilts piece together family stories
Everett Drevs of Estherville, one of the few male quilters in Iowa, shows one of his favorite quilts, which was made from pieces of material taken from the clothes he and his late wife would wear to go dancing.
Clemson University considers tobacco ban
The chairman of Clemson University's Board of Trustees says a task force is discussing a policy that would ban the use of all tobacco products, inside or outdoors.
Nigeria preacher: Healer or controversial leader?
It's Sunday, and 15,000 people are seated in the enormous arena-like church, fanning themselves against the dusty humid air in Nigeria.
Why are some Dems running from the Affordable Care Act?
Polls have shown that voters love popular provisions calling for mandatory coverage for maternity care and extending coverage for young people up to age 26 to stay on their parents' health insurance policies.
$14M awarded in suit linking contraceptive, stroke
A jury has awarded $14 million to a suburban Chicago woman who sued her doctor over a debilitating stroke she suffered after taking the birth control drug Yasmin.
Kentucky officials look for local heroin solutions after legislation fails
The bill would have provided funding for needle exchanges to slow disease transmission, and it would have allowed first responders to carry heroin overdose antidotes.
NC woman to climb Kilimanjaro to focus on diabetes
A Wilmington nurse is planning to scale Mount Kilimanjaro to raise awareness to a nonprofit searching for a cure for diabetes.
SARS revisited? Sharp jump in cases, hospital outbreaks raise MERS concerns
For some of the scientists and doctors who helped the world battle the 2003 SARS outbreak, the recent rapid rise in human infections in several Middle Eastern countries caused by a cousin virus is creating a sense of sharp unease.
Multiple mumps cases found in central Ohio school
A central Ohio health district is investigating a probable cluster of mumps cases after two cases were reported in one school building, in addition to 25 more cases in the county.
Second Wave Of Milder Flu Hitting Northeast
Months ago, the flu season seemed to be winding down. But health officials on Friday reported widespread flu-like illnesses in six states.
Spike in mumps cases reported across Illinois
There have been 52 cases of the viral infection reported in Morgan and Sangamon counties so far this year, according to a report in the State Journal-Register.
Louisville, Memphis top allergy cities
There's good reason for that in Louisville: The city is ranked first in the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America's 2014 list of the most challenging locations to live with spring allergies.
Obama: 8 million signed up for health care
Eight million people have signed up for health care through new insurance exchanges and the proportion of younger applicants has increased, President Barack Obama said Thursday.
Christian Radio Host James Dobson Wins Health Care Injunction
Christian radio broadcaster James Dobson has won a temporary injunction preventing the federal government from requiring his ministry to include the morning-after pill and other emergency contraception in its health insurance.
"HIV Equal" Hosts Testing Event at Hartford G&L Health Collective
On Saturday, April 19 from noon to 5 p.m., the World Health Clinicians' Anti-Stigma and HIV Testing Initiative "HIV Equal" will host a day-long testing event and photo shoot in the Hartford Gay & Lesbian Health Collective as part of its national testing and anti-stigma initiative.


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Cutting and Lighting
Mastering a few simple but invaluable techniques for cutting and lighting
The Editors
From the Print Edition:
Denzel Washington, Jan/Feb 98
Last issue we inaugurated our Cigar 101 series with a rundown of the myriad shapes, shades and sizes that make up the world of cigars. The next step on the road to aficionado status? Mastering a few simple but invaluable techniques for cutting and lighting.
Preparing to smoke a cigar can be a wonderful experience in itself. You will be spending quality time with a quality product, and it will be to your benefit to reflect upon its creation before lighting up. Unlike cigarettes, you do not simply pull out a cigar, light the tip and start puffing. First of all, almost every premium cigar has a closed head that must be cut before you can begin to smoke. Also, you would do well to use something other than a paper match for your source of ignition. There are several ways to cut a cigar, the best being what suits the individual. However, there is only one way to effectively light a cigar.
Watch the actors in old movies and you'll see that there are a host of ways to open the closed end of a cigar before smoking it. Some characters used a pocket knife to cut a neat V-shaped notch. Others used horseshoe nails as piercers. Certain film stars in tough-guy roles bit off the end and spat it out. Some people today still use these methods but, for the most part, cutting cigars has become a bit less colorful, and a bit more elegant.
The better the cigars you smoke, the more attention you'll want to pay to the cut. A bad cut will ruin a cigar.
The object of the cut is to create an ample, smooth opening for smoking without damaging the cigar's structure. With most cigars, this means cutting away part of the cap or flag leaf that closes the cigar, while leaving some of it glued around the end to keep the filler leaves together. If you are making a wedge cut or a bull's-eye cut, it means not penetrating too deeply into the cigar. You want to create a large, exposed surface of cleanly cut filler leaves that will allow equal draw from the core and the rim of the cigar.
On most cigars, you'll want to make the cut about one-sixteenth of an inch (about two millimeters) from the end. When you aren't carrying a precision measuring device, you can simply look for the shoulder--the place where the curved end of the cigar starts to straighten out--and make your cut there.
Another alternative is to make a V-shaped wedge cut in the end of the cigar. This style of cut exposes a lot of surface area and makes it easy to draw smoke through the cigar. Unfortunately, the draw is sometimes too good, and the cigar will smoke too hot. Wedge cuts are a particularly bad idea for people who tend to chew their cigars. If they chomp down hard enough while the wedge is horizontal, the opening may collapse and tear the structure of the cigar, closing off the draw.
Cutting Tools
There are a number of devices that will help you cut your cigar in a single, swift motion that minimizes the chances of tearing the wrapper. Many aficionados have several cutters, from compact wafer-thin cutters that nestle in a pocket to more massive cutters that are less likely to be misplaced.


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Photo by Michael Zamora, Corpus Christi Caller-Times
Comments » 1
- November 25, 2012
- 9:43 a.m.
- Suggest removal
- Reply to this post
SailnSurf writes:
It would be great to see more food trucks here. Formerly deserted parking lots along the hip section of Austin's Congress Ave. are filled with trucks that offer appetizers, a wide variety of main courses and amazing desserts. With a few picnic tables between them, they offer diners a fun alternative to indoor restaurants.
Want to participate in the conversation? Become a subscriber today. Subscribers can read and comment on any story, anytime. Non-subscribers will only be able to view comments on select stories.


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Gov. Buddy Roemer (R) @BuddyRoemer
Politwoops no longer follows this account.RT @fran_the_man: @BuddyRoemer Also, a new month.
Sure, we all tweet things we don't men mean to share, but now politicians have no way to hide them. Discover tweets that your politicians shared and then deleted.
To meet the Twitter API Terms of Service, all deleted tweets shown here since June 22, 2012 have been reviewed and approved by the Sunlight Foundation.


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The International Nurses Society on Addictions (IntNSA) is a professional specialty organization founded in 1975 for nurses committed to the prevention, intervention, treatment, and management of addictive disorders including alcohol and other drug dependencies, nicotine dependencies, eating disorders, dual and multiple diagnosis, and process addictions such as gambling.
IntNSA has something to offer every nurse, regardless of their area of nursing practice. With the prevalence of addiction-related health consequences, we believe that all nurses must maintain a basic level of knowledge and skills in addictions.
IntNSA offers multiple opportunities for members to obtain Nursing Contact Hours and Recognized Clock Hours (RCH).
Our strength comes from our members, including clinicians, educators, managers, and researchers who practice in a wide variety of settings, including treatment centers, hospitals, schools, private practices, primary care, and other community agencies. We firmly believe that all nurses, regardless of their specialty or practice setting, can play a role in the promotion of healthy lifestyles and the early identification of people at greater risk for developing problems associated with the abuse of addictive substances.
Become a Certified Addictions Registered Nurse (CARN) or Certified Addictions Registered Nurse - Advanced Practice (CARN-AP). These examinations, implemented by the Addictions Nursing Certification Board (ANCB), are designed to determine and recognize the ability to apply knowledge from nursing and related disciplines to the care of persons with problems resulting from patterns of abuse, dependence, and all aspects of addictions.
2014 Annual Educational Conference
October 15-18, 2014
Madison Hotel in Washington, DC
Learn about the opportunities available. Application deadline June 1.
Not sure what other job
opportunities are out there in
your field of expertise? Find jobs and post your resume using the IntNSA Career Center.
Employers you can view resumes
and post job opportunities to find
a professional that meets your staffing needs.


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Kagami Hiiragi from Lucky Star. She's cute, strict but kind at the same time (new kind of tsundere), and get lonely very easily (which adds her cuteness even more).
BTW, my favorite character from a video game (VN) Rio Kugenuma from Do You Like Horny Bunnies. And she is the first and only fictional character that I fell in love with... for a long time until I know Kagami. Now that if I think about it, Kagami and Rio shares a similar personality. I think this is the reason why I love these characters.


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Rue Ferguson says his great-grandparents bought the painting by Mexican artist Diego Rivera in the 1920s. He got it last May when his mother died. He showed it to appraisers when the PBS program came to Corpus Christi to tape three episodes for its 17th season that starts in January.
The program's account executive Mariel MacNaughton tells the Corpus Christi Caller-Times (http://bit.ly/10FV6Yf) it's exciting to come up with such a gem. The painting is the highest appraisal so far for the upcoming season.
Ferguson had kept it in a box in his office. It's now in a bank vault.
Information from: Corpus Christi Caller-Times, http://www.caller.com


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MONDAY, May 6 (HealthDay News) -- Exposure to flame-retardant chemicals in the womb is associated with hyperactivity and lower intelligence in children, a new study indicates.
Researchers examined the effects of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), which were used for decades as fire retardants in common products such as carpeting, baby strollers and electronics.
"In animal studies, PBDEs can disrupt thyroid hormone and cause hyperactivity and learning problems. Our study adds to several other human studies to highlight the need to reduce exposure to PBDEs in pregnant women," study author Dr. Aimin Chen, an assistant professor in the department of environmental health at the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, said in an American Academy of Pediatrics news release.
The researchers looked at PBDE levels in blood samples from 309 pregnant women and then performed intelligence and behavior tests on the women's children each year until they were 5.
They found that PBDE exposure in the womb was associated with hyperactivity at ages 2 to 5, and with lower intelligence at age 5. A tenfold increase in PBDE exposure during pregnancy was related to about a four-point IQ deficit in 5-year-old children.
While the study tied PBDE exposure during pregnancy to later hyperactivity and lower intelligence, it did not prove a cause-and-effect relationship.
The study was to be presented Monday at the Pediatric Academic Societies annual meeting in Washington, D.C.
PBDEs were mostly withdrawn from the U.S. market in 2004, but they are present in many consumer products bought several years ago and still widely used by Americans, according to the news release. In addition, PBDEs remain in human tissue for a long time and a pregnant woman can transfer them to her fetus.
"Because PBDEs exist in the home and office environment as they are contained in old furniture, carpet pads, foams and electronics, the study raises further concern about their toxicity in developing children," Chen concluded.
Research presented at medical meetings should be viewed as preliminary until published in a peer-reviewed journal.
More information
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has more about PBDEs and children's health.
SOURCE: American Academy of Pediatrics, news release, May 6, 2013
The third-party content provided in the Health Library of phoebeputney.com is for informational purposes only and is not designed to diagnose or treat a health problem or disease, or replace the professional medical advice you receive from your physician. If you or your child has or suspect you may have a health problem, please consult your primary care physician. If you or your child may have a medical emergency, call your doctor or 911 or other emergency health care provider immediately in the United States or the appropriate health agency of your country. For more information regarding site usage, please visit: Privacy Information, Terms of Use or Disclaimer.
© 2014 Phoebe Putney Health System | 417 Third Avenue, Albany, Georgia 31701 | Telephone 877.312.1167
Phoebe Putney Health System is a network of hospitals, family medicine clinics, rehab facilities, auxiliary services, and medical education training facilities. Founded in 1911,
Phoebe Putney Memorial Hospital (the flagship hospital) is one of Georgia's largest comprehensive regional medical centers. From the beginning, Phoebe's mission and vision
has been to bring the finest medical talent and technology to the citizens of Southwest Georgia, and to serve all citizens of the community regardless of ability to pay.


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Red Lion Hotel, East Street, Fareham, Hampshire, PO16 0BP
Telephone: 01329 822640
Email: email@example.com
Welcome to the Red Lion Hotel in Fareham
The Red Lion has been welcoming guests since 1736 when it was first recorded as a coaching inn. Now a Grade ll listed building set in the centre of this bustling market town, the hotel continues its tradition of hospitality, offering guests a warm welcome with a wide range of delicious food.
Exit the M27 at J11 and take the slip road down the hill, signposted Fareham. At the roundabout, take the third exit (East Street) and the hotel is situated a quarter of a mile further on the left.
Whats On
Get Spicy menu! Every Wednesday - featuring Indian and Thai – includes a drink. From only £7.95
Local Interests
2 Miles away at Portsdown Hill
Special offers and promotions
Customer Testimonials
"The staff were all very friendly and welcoming"
"It was relaxed and comfortable with all attractions a reasonable distance"
"Lovely Hotel & facilities in a good location"
Best Price Guarantee
We guarantee to offer you our best price always. Should you book online with us and then find a cheaper rate for the same hotel at the same time on another website, we'll honour the lower rate.
Free WiFi
Stay in touch and enjoy general surfing and browsing with our free WiFi – available at every Old English Inn.


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Dear Library à la Carte User Community,
After careful consideration of OSU Libraries & Press' current programming capacity and direction, a thorough analysis of what it will take for us to bring Library à la Carte up-to-date with the latest features and best practices of Ruby on Rails, we have decided to stop further development of Library à la Carte
This note may not seem a surprise to many of you, the code for Library à la Carte has not been updated publicly in a year and a half. In December 2011, we began an effort to create a developer community around Library à la Carte, and while we had a few institutions express interest, we were not able to get the community going.
We at OSU Libraries consider Library à la Carte a resoundingly successful project, we are proud to have built an Open Source solution that met the needs of so many users for so many years. We will continue to create Open Source tools that other libraries can use, and hope that you'll continue to adopt the products we create.
The update to Library à la Carte available as of today is our last planned update. It is our intention to migrate our content to another system, if you plan to do the same and would like to know what needs to be done, please feel free to contact me.
Thank you all for an amazing five years.
Evviva Weinraub
Director, Emerging Technologies & Services
Oregon State University Libraries & Press
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Clare Kramer
(Creator -
, Actress -
Buffy: The Vampire Slayer
Join Clare Kramer and Wizard World as they celebrate the beta launch of Clares new site GeekNation.com! Clare will be hosting the 5 Captains Panel, Buffyfest Reunion, Chris Hemsworth and Stan Lee panels to name a few - and broadcasting all things geek from the show floor.
Signing on a limited basis Friday and Saturday.
Clare Kramer is an accomplished actor, producer and restaurateur.
Clare earned her BFA in theater from New York Universitys prestigious Tisch School of the Arts. Honing her skills through off-Broadway and national tours, Clare first rose to Hollywoods attention appearing alongside Kirsten Dunst and Eliza Dushku in the comedy Bring It On, playing the hard-nosed cheerleader Courtney and was nominated for an MTV Award for her role in the movie. Clare is also known for her role as, Glory the Great Glorificus, the vain adversary of Buffy (for which 3 action figures were modeled after her character!).
Over the years Clare has continued to appear in numerous major studio and independent films as well as various television shows.
Most recently, Clare has returned from locations in Florida and Maryland, wrapping her latest two films, Endure and The Dead Ones; both films will be released in 2010. Clares company co-produced, Tyson, which screened at the Cannes and Sundance film festivals to critical acclaim, was featured on Oprah twice in the same week and generated extensive Oscar buzz.
Clare has been featured and photographed in Maxim, People and Entertainment Weekly magazines, just to name a few, often using her notoriety and personal finances to help support organizations such as The Red Cross, Habitat for Humanity, The Sierra Club and Children International.
In addition to being actively involved with several charities, Clare is the official spokesperson for kids 4 kids, an organization that provides financial aid and toys for children battling cancer. Clare and her husband, Brian Keathley, split their time between Texas and California with their 2 year-old daughter, Gavin and newborn daughter, River.
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'The walker was really good for my little one and is still is, loved the multi colour'
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'Being a new Nana I needed a cot,'
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'Great and handy second buggy to use for short trips going on the bus or if you need boot space'
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divadi2000 - Tyne
'The Kiddicare.com Snack highchair is stylish, convenient and easy to use. The padded seat is made from...'
Kiddicare staff expert - Peterborough
'This gate is really a good item, it shuts itself locking into position. Very sturdy and would recommend.'
jamie - Lincolnshire
'I am really impressed with this product. My son is 18 weeks and really enjoys it although it does state...'
mummy_kay - bristol
'I was not going to buy these as I love pampers wipes but as I wanted to save money I orderd 36...'
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'Awesome product'
rachel10876 - Bridgend
'I bought this merely to make up the total cost so I could get free delivery, the back of my seat had been...'
Toni - Southampton
'All you need for bottle feeding is in this starter kit.'
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'A beautiful and entertaining play gym; my baby girl loves it! When I lay her down in the gym she squeals ...'
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'Love this product, great value. Love the colours - not too 'in your face' so it fits in the house without...'
First time Mum - Cheltenham
'very very happy with it.'
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'The Lindam Extending Safety Gate is stylish and easy to install. The Gate is designed to fit an opening...'
Kiddicare Staff Expert - Peterborough
'very good service,helpfull staff,pram assembled for us ,plus a lovely in stoor play area'
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'This product is great, worth every penny to have an odourless and hygenic bathroom. Easy to re install.'
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'Easy to install, easy to use, lightweight and child friendly locking system, would highly recommend'
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'Provide extra storage space by simply attaching the mesh bag to the back of your stroller to keep...'
kiddicare staff expert - Peterborough Cambs
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Kiddicare Staff Expert - Peterborough
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caz from thornhill egremont - cumbria
'Arrived quickly and was in great condition, had seen the same design in a different store at double the...'
BusyMummy4 - Morayshire
'Baby is not here yet, but this kit seems to have most things we will need and very handy in the little...'
CarJam - Cornwall
'Great price. Easily ordered. Delivery quick and efficient. Only snag is that I ordered a rain cover, but...'
Magpie May - Glasgow
'Very pleased with the product and the price. Lovely and light, easy to push. Quick and easy to assemble...'
KatieBurnett10 - Hastings
'Fabulous little lightweight item'
Mum of Panda - Scotland
'Easy to use and attach. Strong adhesive pads stick the pads to the required surface. Great protection.'
Pops Colin - Essex


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Sen. Susan Collins
By Kevin Miller
Staff Writer
WASHINGTON - The departure of Olympia Snowe and other like-minded moderates from the U.S. Senate next year could further elevate Republican Sen. Susan Collins as a swing vote despite a larger Democratic majority, say some political observers.
Collins, meanwhile, said she is optimistic that some of the new and returning senators will prove wrong the predictions of a "disappearing center."
"My hope is, now that the elections are behind us, that we will see a more constructive and bipartisan approach," Collins said.
Despite an aggressive Republican campaign to retake the Senate, Democrats expanded their caucus from 53 to 55 members after accounting for Maine Sen.-elect Angus King, who has affiliated himself with the Democrats.
The policy often blamed for helping to foster partisan gridlock -- the Senate filibuster -- in many ways boosts the potential influence of moderates as the majority party scrambles to reach 60 votes needed to break a filibuster.
During a close vote, "you're always asking who are they going to reach out to, who are those five Republicans?" said Ross Baker, a former senior adviser to both Republican and Democratic senators who teaches political science at Rutgers University in New Jersey. "And, of course, at the top of everybody's list is Susan Collins."
Both of Maine's Republican senators consistently rank among the more bipartisan senators in ratings compiled by media outlets.
Earlier this year, Collins and Snowe ranked first and third, respectively, in separate measures of bipartisanship published by Congressional Quarterly and Bloomberg Government. Republican Sen. Scott Brown of Massachusetts was No. 2 in both rankings, according to reports.
The Senate has been paralyzed by a historic number of filibusters this session -- sometimes aided by Snowe, Collins and Brown siding with their Republican colleagues.
But Collins and Snowe broke ranks from time to time, endorsing President Barack Obama's 2009 stimulus package and casting key votes to end the military's "Don't ask, don't tell" policy for gay service members.
Snowe's retirement and Brown's defeat at the hands of a decidedly liberal opponent means the moderate Republican caucus will shrink next year.
"In theory, she is in a position of power because the Democrats always need 60 votes to get anything done," said Sarah Binder, a scholar of congressional process and partisanship at George Washington University and the Brookings Institution.
Collins said she doesn't expect to be a lonely moderate voice.
"The Democrats clearly gained two seats in the Senate, but they did so by running pretty conservative Democrats in states that traditionally vote Republican, so I see an expanded center," Collins said. "My hope is, they will be willing to work with the moderates on the Republican side and together we can form a cohesive group that can push through some solutions" rather than partisan positions.
With so many veteran senators retiring after this year, Collins will climb from 36th to 27th on the seniority ladder of the 100-member Senate. Among Republicans, Collins will be the ninth-highest member and the most senior Republican woman.
Seniority affects a senator's clout and his or her ability to land positions on powerful committees, where most legislative work occurs.
Collins will lose her title as ranking minority member -- something close to co-chair -- on the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee because of Republican leadership term limits. But Collins is in line to become the ranking member on the Senate Special Committee on Aging, which reviews such programs as Medicare.
She also hopes to continue serving on the powerful Appropriations Committee, which is responsible for budget and spending decisions, including which shipyards receive Navy contracts.
"That's a committee where I am able to do a lot of good in the state of Maine," Collins said.
As for the overall tone of Congress, leaders in both parties are expressing a willingness to compromise, beginning with negotiating an agreement to avoid the looming "fiscal cliff" by year's end.
Other observers say while it's too early to tell, the 2012 elections appear to have, as Baker put it, "lowered the temperature of polarization a bit."
While her retirement due to hyper-partisanship has drawn the most attention nationally, Snowe is not the only moderate senator to opt out or be forced out of office in 2012.
The list of those who won't return next year includes Democrats Ben Nelson of Nebraska and Herb Kohl of Wisconsin, Democrat-turned-independent Joseph Lieberman of Connecticut, and Republicans Dick Lugar of Indiana and Brown of Massachusetts.
Some departing senators were replaced by professed centrists while others -- including Brown -- will be replaced by senators believed to lean much more toward one side.
Maine's King has insisted that he will remain independent even as he caucuses with the Democrats.
"In some ways, I think the picture remained the same, but there is not a lot of heft left in the political center," said Binder with the Brookings Institution.
Former U.S. Rep. Tom Davis of Virginia, who now heads a centrist organization known as the Republican Main Street Partnership, said Congress "probably got a little more polarized than it was before."
"It wasn't a titanic shift, but it continues the gradual shift that we have seen," said Davis.
Snowe and Collins represent two of the Republican Main Street Partnership's four members from the Senate.
The steady shift away from the center and toward the extremes is clearly shown in an annual rating of Congress' political leanings compiled by the National Journal.
In 1982, 58 of the Senate's 100 members fell somewhere in the middle of the National Journal's rankings of the most liberal and conservative lawmakers.
Nearly 30 years later, the difference was black and white -- more accurately, dark blue and deep red. In 2011, every Democrat was more liberal than every Republican in the Senate, and vice versa.
That's not to say there aren't moderates left in the House and Senate who break with their parties. But the ratings -- and similar rankings compiled by other groups -- suggest that those moderates who remain spend less time in the "center aisle" than their similarly labeled predecessors.
Washington Bureau Chief Kevin Miller can be contacted at 317-6256 or at:
On Twitter: @KevinMillerDCTweet
© 2014 The Portland Press Herald - All Rights Reserved.
MaineToday Media
One City Center, 5th floor, Portland, ME 04101-5009
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The Wedding Bliss And Blues boards are back!
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I would call that a "boggles the mind" what people will do in public to a complete stranger. I can't believe she thought you were a pale, overeating prostitute.Yeah I am glad nothing else happened.
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In case you haven't noticed, this season has seen the revival of just about every '90s wardrobe staple (hello, overalls and crop tops!). And, even though polka dots technically never left, we're ready to put the playful pattern in the spotlight.
Whether you're new to the dolled-up trend or just looking to update your fall wardrobe with more mature spotted styles, click through 12 of the cutest (not cutesy!) polka-dot picks around.


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The annual Children's Festival will be hosted at the Stockert Youth Center from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, according to the Children's Festival committee, made of Debora Brockleman, Kara Casto, Joyce Harris-Thacker and April Small.
The Children's Festival features representatives from various agencies and businesses with a focus on children. Most will offer activities for children that parents easily can replicate at home, and many will offer snacks. Health and safety demonstrations and information also will be presented during the fair.
There are several new attractions this year as well as familiar and fun activities.
Article Photos
The schedule of performances is as follows:
10:30 a.m. - Karate demonstration by Buckhannon Academy of Karate
11 a.m. - SYC Cheerleading
11:30 a.m. - Kickboxing demonstration with Larry Carter
Noon - Karate demonstration by USA Martial Arts
12:45 p.m. - The Magic of Charles and balloon twisting
1:30 p.m. - SYC Drill Team
The day is free and open to the public. The Children's Festival is always open to any organization that would like to participate. For more information or to learn more about participating, anyone interested can call the Stockert Youth Center at 304-473-0145.


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The waters of Southwest Florida are a kayaker's paradise especially this time of year. Whether you're out there for the exercise or to wet a line, there's nothing quite like the tranquility of being out there on the water motorless.
There's much to be said about the ability to be in 'stealth' mode and sneak up on fish or venture to remote spots that are inaccessible to the average boater. The Winter months take me to the backwater rivers, creeks and estuaries of Pine Island Sound and the Ten Thousand Islands in search of snook, redfish, and trout.
Come late Spring, snook and tarpon move out of the warmer backcountry waters to the outside passes and on the beaches. You better believe I'm stalking them every step of the way on this gradual journey to cooler waters!
I wait all year for the opportunity to sight cast with fly or light tackle to all the snook cruising by along the beaches. To kick things up a notch, I'll take my kayak out a ways in search of silver flashes. I'm talking about the mighty silver kings or tarpon as they're more commonly referred to that can be seen rolling on the surface.
Getting towed around by one on a kayak is an incredible feeling. We kayakers call it going on a "Nantucket Sleighride" and I've only been on one a couple of times. I'm always amazed by their 'dance' they give you when you hook into one; watching their aerial acrobatics is the most exhilarating experience a kayaker could have.
If you've got patience, coordination and a sense of adventure then get out there and experience a sport that is rapidly gaining in popularity in Southwest Florida and across the country for that matter!
Tight lines and screaming reels everyone….Yakatulater!


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Homepage > Gifts & Collectibles > Collectibles >
New York Times George Washington Commemorative- Model #: 50050
Officially licensed reproduction of The New York Times picture section on February 21, 1915, "General George Washington at Trenton" shows the historical painting by John Trumbull! The sepia tone reprint is displayed under blue matting in a 20" x 16" espresso wood frame that also houses two Washington stamps and a commemorative Silver Half Dollar! The 90% commemorative silver half dollar was minted in 1982 and features Mount Vernon on the reverse and George Washington on the obverse. A Certificate of Authenticity is included.
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Teens come to the rescue of abandoned cat
Teens come to the rescue of abandoned cat
Cross country team at Marquette University High School praised as Good Samaritans
Last Friday, a group of Marquette University High School Cross Country Team members were out on their usual run when they came upon a helpless kitty.
Come Join the Activities at St. Mary's Family Fun Fair on Friday, 2/3, 2012
Chase away the winter blues and join the St. Mary School Community on Friday, February 3rd, from 5-9pm at our annual Family Fun Fair. Come for dinner and stay for the fun! This annual community-building event is sponsored by the Day School's Home and School Association and planned by the 1st Grade Families of the Parish School. The first graders selected this year's Jungle Theme - Wild About God.
This is a FREE admission carnival that features: games, an inflatable slide and obstacle course, moonwalk, hair and face painting, cake walk, raffles, food and more! TIckets for food, beverages and activities will be sold throughout the night for 50 cents each. We hope you can join us!
Conservative Talk Radio Liberty or Lies
Milwaukee Public Television aired a program called Conservative Talk Radio –
HAWS Receives New Year's Fiesta from Taco John's
A great Waukesha eatery has really brightened up the New Year for HAWS!
For the second year in a row, HAWS has received a generous donation from Taco John's of Waukesha. The downtown restaurant recently presented the shelter with a check for $1,992.00, the result of their December "Nachos Navidad" promotion and sales of Christmas ornaments at the store at 317 N. Grand Ave.
Taco John's Unit General Manager Dusty Stiefel noted, "The entire crew at Taco John's worked very hard to make all the customers aware that we were raising money for HAWS. Our customers were a huge part of raising this money this year – we couldn't have done it without them!"
"We are honored to receive this amazing donation from Taco John's," said Lynn Olenik, HAWS' Executive Director. "Support like this from our community means so much to us – and we have enjoyed all of our associations with Dusty and her staff. They are great friends to HAWS!"
(Pictured receiving the check at the HAWS' shelter are Dusty Stiefel of Taco John's and Jessica Pinkos of HAWS, joined by several HAWS adoptable pets.)
Get YOUR business involved in the HAWS cause: Learn more about community partnerships and events to support HAWS' shelter at hawspets.org!
By the way - World Spay Day is 3 short weeks away. Help save lives through HAWS' Spay-Neuter Initiative Program (SNIP). Sponsor-A-Spay, purchase a t-shirt, enter the pet photo contest - all sorts of things can help! Visit our SNIP webpage to be a part of it!
NEW!! Expanded K3 Options for 2012-13 School Year!
St. Mary Parish School has expanded our K3 program for the 2012-13 school year and will offer either a 2-day (T/TH) option or a 3-day (M/W/F) option! Please contact the school office for more details at 262-251-1050.
BBB Tips to Avoid Valentine's Day Heartache
Valentine's Day should be a day for love and romance. But unfortunately, every year the Wisconsin BBB hears about scam artists trying to take advantage of Valentine's Day with some very unromantic intentions. Here are some of the scams you should be on the lookout for:
If you've ordered flowers….
One phishing scheme involves an e-mail that indicates the flowers you ordered for your sweetie won't be delivered unless you log in and re-enter your credit-card information. The scam e-mail is sent to a mass number of recipients; chances are a few of them had ordered flowers. If you click on the link and enter your credit-card number, you'll wind up with a hefty credit card statement. If you see a message like this, go directly to the florist's Web site or call the business.
Photo contest deadline is FRIDAY
Wildlife photo contest to benefit Wisconsin's injured wild animals
To celebrate Wisconsin's wildlife, the Wildlife Rehabilitation Center at the Wisconsin Humane Society is pleased to announce its first-ever photo contest.
There is a $10 non-refundable entry fee per photo, which benefits the wild animals at the Wildlife Rehabilitation Center. Celebrity judges will determine the top three photos, plus 3-5 honorable mentions.
The Knights of Columbus Council 4240 invited St. Mary, Aquinas Academy and St. Anthony students in Grades 5 through 8, to participate in their Knowledge Contest for Math and Spelling this year. We are proud to announce that one of our students, Andie Cuevas, an 8th Grader, was a winner in the Spelling Category for her grade level. She has qualified to participate in the next round which will be held at St. Catherine's High School in Racine on Saturday, February 25th. Winners at that level will move on to the State Competition. Good luck to you Andie!
Adopt 4 Lucky Paws from HAWS
February is "Adopt a Rescued Rabbit Month." Of course, HAWS is celebrating in a big way!
This month, all rabbit adoption fees have been reduced by 50%. Each 'bun' will go home to its new family with a heart-shaped willow chew toy, and all rabbit adopters will receive a free copy of The House Rabbit Handbook: How to Live with an Urban Rabbit.
We have more than a dozen (!) beautiful house rabbits currently available for adoption at HAWS. Here are just a few:
There's Poppy, a gorgeous New Zealand White girl with lovely pink eyes who appeared in a commercial for Boston Store! (Adopt 4 paws AND a star!)
And how about Juliette, the Lionhead, a rowdy and rambunctious girl who loves to hop, leap and binky about the room. (What's a "binky" you ask? THIS is a binky...!)
Don't forget Buster and Posey, a sweet and gentle bonded pair of dutch bunnies! They love to shower each other with kisses and snuggle together...and are compatible with well-behaved children and dogs.
Learn all about House Rabbits as pets from the Wisconsin House Rabbit Society - and be sure to mark your calendar for HAWS annual Bunny Day, coming up on Sunday, March 18th.
By the way - World Spay Day is next Tuesday, February 28th. Are YOU doing your part to help HAWS save lives?
Great New Cafe at Appleton and Good Hope Open for Breakfast Too
A new café has opened at the corner of Appleton and Good Hope Road. Ally's Bistro is located in the Woodlands Market on Northeast corner. This used to be Camilles (twice) but nobody in my family was fond of their menu. That is not the case with Alley's.
Ally's Bistro features delicious fresh foods in a fun atmosphere. The menu has a wide appeal featuring wraps, sandwiches, Panini and home made soups. My favorite is the Waldorf Tuna sandwich.
Wisconsin BBB offers scholarships to high school seniors
The deadline is quickly approaching to apply for the Better Business Bureau of Wisconsin Foundation's Student of Integrity scholarships.
This is the third year that the BBB of Wisconsin Foundation has offered financial scholarships to Wisconsin high school students who have demonstrated character, leadership and ethical values; providing the opportunity to continue their education beyond high school at an accredited college or training program.
HAWS Observes World Spay Day 2012
HAWS again joins HSUS, the Humane Society of the United States, to observe World Spay Day 2012 – Tuesday, February 28th.
The message is simple: Spay-Neuter works – and HAWS is aggressively fighting pet over-population in the community with several life-saving programs.
In conjunction with World Spay Day 2012, HAWS is running the annual Cat-Nip and Pit SNIP Campaign, offering free spay-neuter services to the pets of qualifying Waukesha County residents. "World Spay Day promotes the control of our pet population in a real positive light," notes Lynn Olenik, HAWS' Executive Director. "Our focus this year is cats, kittens, Pit Bulls and Pit Bull mixes, since those are the animals and breeds most in need of spay-neuter efforts in Waukesha County."
HAWS also invites greater community awareness and support! Donate to HAWS' Sponsor-A-Spay drive or purchase a limited edition World Spay Day t-shirt at HAWS ($15, while supplies last). Pet owners can even help raise money for HAWS and promote spay-neuter programs all while showing off their best pet friend by entering the HSUS online Pet Photo Contest. Details and links are on HAWS' Spay-Neuter Initiative Program (SNIP) page at hawspets.org.
Olenik continues: "This year in particular, Spay Day gives us a chance to promote our Project Guardian and its impact on pet overpopulation within our community. This very important, grant-funded program sterilizes barn and outdoor cat populations in Waukesha County with no cost to property owners." Olenik notes numbers of stray kittens coming into HAWS have dropped nearly 20% since the outdoor cat program began in 2005, proving the program a great success already!
"Everyone can get involved – by promoting awareness of spay and neuter for pets, or with their financial contributions," said Olenik. "Every donation helps save countless lives of animals in our community!"
Call the shelter at (262) 542-8851 or visit www.hawspets.org to learn how to help.
By the way:


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Summary of G and PG Movies | FactMonster.com
Dolphin Tale 3D
Description: "Dolphin Tale" is inspired by the amazing true story of a brave dolphin and the compassionate strangers who banded together to save her life. Swimming free, a young dolphin is caught in a crab trap, severely damaging her tail. She is rescued and transported to the Clearwater Marine Hospital, where she is named Winter. But her fight for survival has just begun. Without a tail, Winter's prognosis is dire "Dolphin Tale," today serves as a symbol of courage, perseverance and hope to millions of people-both able and disabled-who have been touched by her remarkable story of recovery and rehabilitation. In 3D at select locations.
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text: Photos: France Ruffenach; Eric Wolfinger "Several years ago I experimented with dough and patterned rolling pins and found that the gingerbread I was using made a perfect soft cookie with some adjustments to the butter and sugar, and the addition of a little extra molasses and corn syrup. The dough also kept the impression from an antique pin I had, and when it was glazed and cut into rectangles, the cookies looked like tiles with glaze settling into the grooves."The recipe also appears in her new book, Tartine. Ingredients For the gingerbread 3¾ c. all-purpose flour 1 tbsp. cocoa powder 4 tsp. ground ginger 1½ tsp. ground cloves 2 tsp. ground cinnamon ½ tsp. baking soda 1 tsp. salt 1¼ tsp. black pepper, freshly ground 1 c. unsalted butter, at room temperature ¾ c. plus 2 tbsp. granulated sugar 1 lg. egg ½ c. blackstrap or other dark molasses 2 tbsp. light corn syrup For the glaze 1 c. confectioners' sugar 2 tbsp. water 1. To make the dough, combine flour, cocoa powder, ginger, cloves, cinnamon, baking soda, salt, and pepper in a mixing bowl. Set aside. 2. Beat butter on medium-high speed until creamy. Slowly add the granulated sugar and mix on medium speed until the mixture is completely smooth and soft. Add egg and mix well, followed by molasses and corn syrup. Beat until incorporated. 3. Stop mixer to scrape down sides of bowl. Add flour mixture and beat on low speed until the dough starts to pull away from the sides of the bowl. 4. Remove the dough from the bowl, flatten into a rectangle about 1-inch thick on a large piece of plastic wrap, cover it with the wrap, and refrigerate overnight. 5. Preheat oven to 350°. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Unwrap dough and place on a floured work surface. If using a plaque with a design or patterned rolling pin, roll out the dough 1/3-inch thick. Lightly dust the top with flour, press your cookie molds over the dough, and cut out the shapes with a small knife. Place on the prepared baking sheet, spacing them about one inch apart. 6. Bake until lightly golden along the sides but still soft to the touch in the centers, 7-15 minutes. (Timing will depend on the size.) Remove from oven and let cool on pan for 10 minutes. 7. In the meantime prepare glaze by whisking confectioners' sugar and water until smooth. While cookies are still warm, brush a light coat of glaze on the top of each. When the glaze dries, it should leave a shiny, opaque finish. Notes: Sift confectioners' sugar before combining it with water to ensure a smooth glaze. If you are using a pin with a carved design, make sure to flour the top of the dough so it doesn't stick in the crevices of the pin. The patterned pin and cookie plaques are often sold as springerle molds or pins, after the Scandinavian cookie traditionally made with them.