By Christine Vendel

McClatchy Newspapers (MCT)

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Kansas City Police Officer Anna Occhipinto had just arrived at a medical call at a home early Monday when a woman handed her a bloody towel.

"My daughter had a miscarriage," the woman said. "Here's the baby."...

By Judy Green

McClatchy Newspapers (MCT)

—"The Patterson Puppies and the Midnight Monster Party" by Leslie Patricelli; Candlewick, $15, 32 pages, ages 3-6

Petra, a timid, black-and-white puppy, shares a bedroom with three siblings. She wakes up often in the middle of the night and...

By Julie Rothman

The Baltimore Sun (MCT)

Maria Scheufele from Baltimore was looking for a recipe for making rainbow or ribbon cake. She described the cake as a "layer cake made with several colored layers that resemble a rainbow and is frosted with chocolate." She said that these cakes can be found in local bakeries and delicatessens.

...

By Sandra Pedicini

The Orlando Sentinel (MCT)

ORLANDO, Fla. — Tracey Scurrah of Apopka, Fla., wants to feed her 4-year-old son Nicholas healthy meals. But with her busy schedule, she occasionally gives in to the convenience of prepackaged Lunchables.

"Sometimes it's easier just to...

By Jann Blackstone-Ford and Sharyl Jupe

Contra Costa Times (MCT)

Q: Is it disrespectful to the new wife to invite the ex-wife and her parents to family functions? When we have family functions the kids don't get to come when it's the ex-wife's visitation time. It's not fair to the kids who don't get to see their cousins, aunts and uncles....

By Armin Brott

McClatchy-Tribune News Service

Dear Mr. Dad: My husband and I are planning to get pregnant in about a year. We hear a lot about what to do, health wise, during the pregnancy itself. But what about before? Are there things I should be doing to get my body ready? And are there things my husband should be doing?

...

By Wendy Donahue

Chicago Tribune (MCT)

Parent advice:

This is such a serious topic, and I think teachers and educational leaders need to address this kind of behavior as the start of bullying. I think that most of the time, the ones doing the rejection are actually jealous of the...

By Lori Borgman

McClatchy-Tribune News Service (MCT)

An expectant mother can now purchase a belly mold kit, make a casting of her tummy during pregnancy, and turn it into wall art for a special keepsake. Personally, if I wanted a reminder of what I looked like during pregnancy I'd hang a picture of a giant pear on the wall.

...

By Sarah Harvey

The Hartford Courant (MCT)

Millions of children go off summer camps across the country during July and August, but it's not always fun in the sun.

To keep your campers healthy and happy, follow these 10 suggestions from the American Camp Association, Dr. James Parker...

 The Greater American Falls Chamber of Commerce will sponsor two shows of the Culpepper and Merriweather Circus July 25 at the Power County Fairgrounds at 2 and 4:30 p.m. Tickets are now on sale at Power County Press, American Falls Library, King’s, Alco and O’Grady’s for $9 adults, $6 children. Tickets will cost $12 day of the show for adults, $7 for children. Skeeter the Clown will appear in many American Falls businesses from 8 a.m. to noon. For more information, call Kevin Lynott at 705-6462.

POCATELLO — The annual Pioneer Day Celebration will be held on July 23 and 24 this year. The theme is "Faith to Conquer Fear!"

Activities will begin on Friday, July 23 with...

Pocatello’s Got Talent is a family oriented variety show held in connection with Pocatello’s Pioneer Day celebration. It will be Friday, July 23 from 7 to 9 p.m. at Pocatello High School. Admission is free! There will be a collection of donations of canned goods, non-perishable items or money for the Idaho Foodbank. To get involved, contact your stake cultural arts representative or Derk Mitton 221-3643. Please fill in the correct name and number. Emcee for the event will be Blaine Jones and the run-through will be at 6 p.m. at Pocatello High auditorium. There will be a rock band, one-man band, Celtic drums, fiddler, pianist, magicians, dancers, singers and guitarists.

BLACKFOOT — The Kusun Ensemble, an extraordinary group of musicians and dancers based in Ghana, West Africa, will be performing at the Blackfoot Performing Arts Center on July 21 at 7:30 p.m. By blending the authentic sounds of traditional instruments with the exuberance...

By Cailley Hammel

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, (MCT)

Emily Clearwater, 7, says she isn't afraid of anything. Her mother, Jennifer Clearwater of Port Washington, Wis., would disagree.

"I know something you're scared of that you're not admitting to. Insects," Jennifer said. "You're...

Chicago Tribune

(MCT)

How much structure does a half-day preschooler need in the summer in order to be ready for full-day kindergarten in the fall?

Parent advice:

...

By Julie Deardorff

(MCT)

When my son was 4, I tried...

Chicago Tribune

(MCT)

How do you get kids off the couch and away from computers, video games and TV?

Parents' advice:

I plan something for every day in the summer:...

By Debra-Lynn B. Hook

(MCT)

When you're a mother, you get used to handling whatever comes your way.

For starters, you handle pregnancy. And childbirth. As time goes on, you learn to appear normal while wearing spit-up on your clothes; to remain calm while the ER doctor sews stitches...

By Monica Eng

Chicago Tribune (MCT)

CHICAGO — Health officials and parents everywhere continue to puzzle over how to get kids to eat their fruits and vegetables. But I discovered the answer a few weeks ago.

And it turns out Pennsylvania State University nutrition scientist Barbara...

PORTNEUF MEDICAL CENTER, POCATELLO

    YOUNG - To Kandace Young and Chet Guidinger, Pocatello, June 2, a daughter.

    GUITAR - To Diamond Guitar and Joshua Martin, Pocatello, June 3, a daughter.

    CARUS - To Simien Carus, Pocatello, June...

Here is a great way to get your kids to eat healthy and have fun too! This simple snack is great for Fourth of July picnics and other summer outings.

How easy is this?

Grown-ups, cut a section of watermelon off and lay it flat.

Get a cookie cutter, the star shape is fun for the 4th of July, and cut the watermelon with the cutter.

Insert a craft or popcicle into the watermelon.

Set the watermelon pops on a foil-lined baking sheet.

Freeze them for about an hour or until they reach desired firmness.

Enjoy!

By Barbara Mahany

Chicago Tribune (MCT)

Kelly Donlea...

By Kathleen Purvis

McClatchy Newspapers (MCT)

Q: How should you place a candy thermometer in a pot? Should the tip of the thermometer not touch the pot's bottom or does it matter?

A: It does matter, actually. The thermometer is measuring the temperature of the sugar syrup (or whatever...

A Midsummer’s Night for the Zoo, the annual Pocatello Zoo event for adults (21 years and older), is Saturday, July 10, 2010 from 6:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Proceeds will help fund the exciting new Grizzly Bear Exhibit. Tickets are on sale now!

It will be a romantic evening under the stars at the beautiful Outdoor Amphitheater behind the Fort Hall Replica. Pocatello’s great home band, KYD J, will be providing musical entertainment and dancing throughout the evening beginning at 6:45 p.m. Legendary hot hors d’oeuvres and...