July 2009

The Toys Are For Kids, But Transformers: Revenge Of The Fallen Isn't

It’s best if you go into "Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen" expecting nothing more than a big action flick with giant robots, because that’s pretty much what it is. The special effects are darn awesome, but the plot can be summed up by saying that two factions of warring robots battle it out on earth, and the humans get involved. Yeah, that’s pretty much it.

H1N1 Update: Immunizations May Be Coming

U.S. health officials said Friday that they are considering a swine flu immunization campaign that could involve an unprecedented 600 million doses of vaccine.

Simplicity Drop Side Cribs Recalled

The crib's plastic hardware can break or deform, causing the drop side to detach. When the drop side detaches, it creates a gap that infants and toddlers can get stuck in and suffocate in.

"I Love You Beth Cooper" Nothing Special

Just because a movie is teen-oriented doesn’t mean it has to be a crappy movie. Just think about some of the great teen movies from the past: "The Breakfast Club," "Ferris Bueller’s Day Off," and "Sixteen Candles" come to mind. Maybe this generation needs another John Hughes. At any rate, "I Love You, Beth Cooper" is not one of those good teen movies.

Want to Meet Jane?

Come out for coffee, conversation and more with plain jane columnist Jane Suter tomorrow, July 23, at the Cocoa Perk Cafe, Hershey.

You Might Have Money You Don't Know About

Check the PA Treasury Department's listings to see if you might have unclaimed property.

Is Autism Uniquely Stressful for Parents?

Raising a child with any developmental disability or behavior problem is difficult. But is there something uniquely stressful about autism? That is the question researchers at the University of Washington Autism Center tried to answer in a study of mothers of children with developmental disabilities.

Finding Financial Support

With more and more children being diagnosed with special needs, millions of American families are facing the daunting task of paying for a large variety of necessary, and at times, uncovered services for their children. Not only are these families struggling with the emotional trauma of their child’s diagnosis, but they are plunging into a world of red tape and financial strain that is unfathomable to most parents already dealing with the average day-to-day challenges of raising a family.

Alicia K. Shaffer

Jesters, Joust and More

Beginning Aug. 8 on the grounds of the Mount Hope Estate, the Pennsylvania Renaissance Fair brings to life hundreds of colorfully costumed characters in a grand country festival.

Easy Does It: Books for Early Readers

Looking for some books for your early readers? Here are a few that will warm your heart and tickle your funny bone.

Julie Hubble

5 Myths About Braces

MYTH: Braces are painful and take two years or more for the desired result. FACT: After the adjustment period, like breaking in a new pair of shoes, braces are comfortable. Some may be worn for months, not years.

Hearing Loss Could Lead to Other Problems

There are certain times in a child’s life when hearing screenings are performed. Detecting problems early is essential, especially in children, because speech and learning could be negatively impacted.

Mom, I Itch. Is it Lice?

Lice. No good thoughts come with this word. It’s definitely not something you want to hear your child has. And if they do, you want to eradicate the pests as quickly as possible. According to MayoClinic.com, look for the following red flags...

The Littlest Learners Can Still be in Style

Just because your youngster doesn’t give much thought to their clothing doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t. It is easy to provide a stylish wardrobe for your infant or preschooler on a budget.

Tweens Will Want to Rock Trends

You can fashionably maximize your tween’s current wardrobe by making a few adjustments.

Alyssa Lehman

Bela, the Budding Author

Life has thrown Isabela Ochoa a few curve balls. She has experienced the divorce of her parents and the death of a brother. She has also traveled for most of her life.

Noreen Livoti

Why do Parents Homeschool?

Ask the parents of the 22,136 home-educated students in Pennsylvania why they decided to home-school and you could very well get 22,136 different answers.

Mandy Zerr

Parting Glance: A Day Gone Awry

The following is a true story of a day in our family’s life. Does any of this sound familiar to you?

Sarah DelliGatti

Join a Book Release Party for "Popcorn, Popcorn"

Come out and celebrate the release of the new children's book, "Popcorn, Popcorn" written by Floyd Stokes and illustrated by Stephanie Lewis on July 9 at 6:30pm at Strawberry Square, Harrisburg.

Ice Age Series Cute, But Losing Steam

This third movie in the franchise finds Scrat still on the hunt for that elusive acorn (and possibly finding love with a female sabre-toothed squirrel); Manny and Ellie expecting a baby; Diego pondering his place in the world; and Sid wishing for a family of his own.

Cool off with Crispy Cucumber and Tomatoes in Dill Dressing

Try this cool recipe for something light on a hot summer day.

Augment Your Job Search. Volunteer For a Good Cause.

More than two million people lost their jobs in 2008 and with unemployment rates rising, job opportunities for the unemployed are looking bleak. Among the newly unemployed are talented and skilled workers, college-educated managers, executives and industry professionals. Now, with more time on their hands and amid job searching, the under -and unemployed should look for ways to fine-tune their skills and enhance their resume during their newfound “free time” by volunteering with non-profits like Harrisburg-based Caitlin’s Smiles.

Harry Potter gets 5 of 5 stars

Harry and his pals Ron and Hermione return to Hogwarts, and this time they’re bringing along teen angst and hormones. Things grow ever more dramatic as the Death Eaters attack the world of Muggles, Harry gets a special request from Dumbledore, and young Tom Riddle gets a backstory.

Guinea Pigs To Save The World

The world is in peril, and cute creatures are on deck to save mankind as we know it. They’re part of a small department of the FBI which uses animals as spies – specifically, three guinea pigs named Darwin, Blaster, and Juarez; a tech-savvy mole named Speckles; and a surveillance fly named Mooch. But when their program is shut down, things don’t look good -- for them OR the world.

Get your Free Burrito at Harrisburg's new Chipotle

Chipotle, opening in the Colonial Commons Shopping Center on Aug. 7, will celebrate by offering free burritos to the public on Aug. 6.

Volunteer and Put a Smile on a Child's Face

Caitlin's Smiles, headquartered in Harrisburg, was named in memory of Caitlin Mary Hornung, who was diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor in 1997. Caitlin enjoyed doing craft projects, receiving cards from friends, eating Eat 'N Park Smiley Cookies and playing with her little sister. She shared lots of smiles to everyone she met. Caitlin passed on in October 2000, but through her mother, family, friends and volunteers like you, she lives on to put smiles on other ill children's faces.

Dear Readers: August

I’m not going to lie to you. Even though it’s a year away, I’m dreading the day I have to send my son off to kindergarten.

Lessons for Latchkey Kids

If your kid will be a Latchkey kid (one that heads to an empty home after school alone, key in hand), rest assured that he or she is not alone. More than 3 million children age 12 and younger fend for themselves until a parent arrives at the home, says Ruth A. Peters, Ph.D., a clinical psychologist and regular contributor to “Today.”

My Kid's Afraid of Kindergarten's Workload

Question: My two children are preschoolers. I am constantly talking to them and reading them lots of books. Still I’m worried about their being ready to read when they get to school. Are there signs that indicate the possibility of future reading problems? — Avid Reader

Peggy Gisler and Marge Eberts

Signs Your Problem May Have Problems Seeing

Fear of glasses? Sometimes kids who are having trouble with their vision, don’t own up to it. According to KidsHealth.com, the following may be signs of trouble...

Mod Mama: August 2009

Products to help moms go glam.

Michelle Little

Make the Most of Clothes by Layering

A popular, money-saving trend in back-to-school fashion is utilizing summer clothing by layering. A cute tank top from summer worn under a sheer or peasant top will last through the fall; add a plain cardigan and your little one will be toasty and trendy throughout the winter.

Alyssa Lehman

The 80s are Back!

Teenagers are picky, but understanding your teen’s fashion sense does not have to be painful. The same trends that were popular in the early 80s are once again in style.

Alyssa Lehman

Parents and Teachers: Partners in Education

It’s one of those back-of-the-mind concerns that haunts all parents, especially those who remember the “bad teacher” from their K-12 years. Fortunately, mothers and fathers can relax. Very few parent-teacher relationships become so volatile that they can’t be remedied. And since your little one’s school year is just beginning, it’s the perfect time to start heading off any potential problems from day one.

Angelique H. Caffrey

Help Children Make the Leap to Kindergarten and High School

Who knew that strapping on a Big Bird backpack, handing over an Elmo lunch box and waving goodbye would be one of the most difficult tasks in a parent’s life? There’s nothing quite like getting your child ready for his or her first day of school. So many questions can run through your mind. Will he make friends? Will she enjoy – and keep up with – this new environment? And these questions don’t end with the kindergarten transition. Going from middle school to the ninth grade proves to be another important (and sometimes stressful) time in a child’s educational career.

Noreen Livoti

Keep Sports Fun and Safe: 6 Safey Tips

More American children are competing in sports than ever before. Sports help children and adolescents keep their bodies fit and their self esteem high. Below are some important injury prevention tips from the American Academy of Pediatrics to help parents promote safe, optimal sports experiences for their children.

Central Penn Parent Staff

Preventing Lyme Disease in Central Pennsylvania

Lyme Disease is endemic in the Northeastern United States. That means, those traveling or residing in the wooded areas of Pennsylvania are at high risk of being bit by a Lyme-carrying tick. According the Center for Disease Control, while a preventative vaccine was once offered for the disease, in 2002, production was stopped because of lack of demand. Prevention is the best way to combat the often difficult to detect ailment. Here are some tips: