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Stop Ruining Christmas Carols
Can we please stop pimping the carols?
Carols are just fine the way they were written -- and particularly fine the way Nat King Cole sang them.
They have, often enough, words that fall on the notes. They have a recognizable tune, usually beautiful. They do not need to swing, sway or swagger any more than they have done these past few decades ...Read more
Family guide to new movie releases
'KRAVEN THE HUNTER'
Rated R for strong bloody violence, and language.
What it’s about: This Spider-Man antihero gets his own stand-alone movie and origin story in this comic book adaptation.
The kid attractor factor: Kids may be drawn to the superhero genre.
Good lessons/bad lessons: Walk your own path but be aware of your motivations.
...Read more
Lori Borgman: What not to buy the Hard to Buy For
We have officially entered the "Hard to Buy For" season of life. I am reminded of this every time someone asks me what we'd like for Christmas. No one has said we are hard to buy for in so many words. It's more the looks -- the eye rolls, the raised eyebrows, the barely suppressed expressions of shock and horror.
"We like those little books of ...Read more
Ex-etiquette: Why kids should keep talking
Q. My husband’s kids come back to our home with all sorts of stories about their mother and what they do at her house. I feel like I have no privacy. I have told the kids on multiple occasions that what goes on at our house is our business, and I don’t care what goes on at their mother’s home, but they continue to talk about it over there...Read more
Soldier seeks purpose beyond the battlefield in biographical fiction
It is a grey November morning when an American foreigner in the Peace Corps makes his way through Ukraine aboard a cramped bus. Here, in an unfamiliar land, he hopes he can start fresh and leave his Army days and the war behind him, but he has yet to reconcile with a past he is trying to forget.
Inspired by author Caleb Shawn Sully’s own ...Read more
Stopping colds, flu and infectious diseases is her job – as a scientist and a new mom
Dr. Zerelda Esquer Garrigos was in medical school when she became fascinated by a 1926 book about the discovery of microbes.
"I was captivated by the idea that there are countless 'worlds' within our own – microorganisms that coexist with us, often without our awareness, yet some can cause disease," she said about Paul de Kruif's scientific ...Read more
Investigative novel questions mysterious death of da Vinci
“What the heck is going on in Leonardo’s message!”
In a masterful work with particular appeal for amateur sleuths, historians and art aficionados, author D. Allen Henry has crafted a thoughtful novel, "Killing Genius: The Mysterious Last Days of Leonardo da Vinci," based around the premise that Leonardo da Vinci’s death was a murder.
...Read more
Promoting A Lifestyle Of Selflessness With Children
Q: I've been a bit concerned recently about my kids' tendency toward self-centeredness. This Christmas season I'd like to encourage them to be more thoughtful and aware of the needs of others. Do you have any suggestions?
Jim: First off, I'd say you're halfway there, just by wanting to promote a lifestyle of selflessness with your children and ...Read more
We Should Pardon the President for Thinking With His Heart
My brother-in-law recently sent a message to our family text chain, the members of whom rest somewhere on the political spectrum from solidly Democratic to more liberal than Mao Zedong.
What do we think of this?
He linked to a story about President Joe Biden pardoning his son, Hunter, who had been convicted on tax evasion and gun ...Read more
The Benjamin Behind the Benjamins
What a celebrity! Bestselling author. Pal of politicians and princes. Big on laughs, lovers, diets and health kicks, some involving nudity. Fantastic swimmer. Fantastic thinker. In France, they put his picture on bracelets.
Are we talking about Lance Armstrong (pre-scandal)? P. Diddy (pre-scandal)? Kanye (pre-series of scandals)? Try Ben ...Read more
Family guide to new movie releases
'Y2K'
Rated R for bloody violence, strong sexual content/nudity, pervasive language, and teen drug and alcohol use.
What it’s about: A period horror comedy set during New Year's Eve 1999, during which the Y2K bug actually causes the robots to rise up and attack a small town.
The kid attractor factor: Teens will be drawn to the horror genre ...Read more
Ex-etiquette: Grief is tough
Q.My husband recently died. We were married for almost 50 years. He was married prior to our life together and he always told me they divorced because she did not want children. We went on to have three wonderful daughters. His passing was expected, but a terrible blow. I recently received a letter from the funeral home saying that his ex-wife ...Read more
Lori Borgman: Screen tests aren't just for movie stars
I had an identity crisis yesterday. It was the fourth one this week. Online accounts keep questioning if it's really me.
I have the same thought a lot of mornings when I look in the mirror.
The bank insisted I confirm my identity before I could access our account -- all because I made one teeny tiny typo entering the passcode. Flustered and in...Read more
Memoir seeks to destigmatize and explore nuance of mental illness
It’s a hard subject to talk about, especially for someone suffering from it. “Many of us have been labeled or even seen ourselves as freaks, weirdos, oddballs, eccentrics and outcasts. So it’s no surprise that many of us attempt to keep our illness hidden to the extent we can.”
That’s what makes Victoria Maiden’s intimate, heartfelt...Read more
Epic space adventure told through neurodivergent lens
Set in an epic voyage through outer space, "Space City" by William Spencer effortlessly weaves together science fiction, action, suspense, drama and romance.
It’s the 22nd century, and everyone knew Earth was about to be destroyed — just not so soon. With a meteor within days of destroying Earth, 27-year-old Spencer Collins is forced to ...Read more
Do kids need their cholesterol checked? What parents and pediatricians should know.
Cholesterol tests are well-established as an important part of a routine health screening – for adults. For young people, it's another story.
Relatively few children and teenagers are screened for cholesterol issues. Several factors, including differences in medical experts' recommendations, might confuse parents and even their primary care ...Read more
Editorial: How we build our neighborhoods shapes our communities -- and kids' mental health
A September study in the Journal of the American Medical Association illustrates just how interconnected mental health and community truly are. By cross-referencing survey results about emotional well-being from over 2,000 Allegheny County teenagers with the locations of their homes, the study proved that living near community assets like ...Read more
Tips For Shopping With Young Children During The Holidays
Q: I'm a busy mom with young children. I have to take them with me when I go shopping -- but this time of year especially, sometimes they drive me crazy in the stores! Help!
Jim: Shopping with children, particularly during the busy Christmas season, can be either a fun time together or a frustrating experience -- sometimes both in the same ...Read more
Thank Outside the Box
Things to be thankful for AFTER Thanksgiving? There are a heap! Be glad that:
1. You were not crushed while attempting to buy a 98-inch smart TV. (If you WERE crushed, please skip to item 15.) (And ... sorry.)
2. You presumably understand how to USE your smart TV (even though it is smarter than you by several magnitudes). Knowing how to get ...Read more
Family guide to new movie releases
'MOANA 2'
Rated PG for action/peril.
What it’s about: A sequel to the beloved 2016 animated film sees Moana as a more experienced wayfinder, putting together a crew for a voyage across the ocean to find and connect with more people.
The kid attractor factor: The gorgeous animation, songs and inspiring story.
Good lessons/bad lessons: Do ...Read more
Inside Parents
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