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The sixth annual POW*MIA Awareness Rally and Motorcycle Rodeo will be July 30, 31 and Aug. 1 at the Bannock County Fairgrounds in Pocatello. Highlight will be the American Veterans Traveling Tribute, which includes the Vietnam Memorial Traveling Wall, a parade starting at 10:45 a.m. July 31 from the Idaho State Veterans Home at 1957 Alvin Ricken Drive, gates open at 10 a.m. at the fairground July 30, with many other events over the four days such as a motorcycle rodeo, demolition derby, Bike Show and Shine, raffle for a new Harley Superglide, Portneuf Valley Harley Owners group fun run, with vendors, tattoo artists, food and bands. Friday:
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." Weighing less than 3 pounds and encased in a thin membrane, the baby appeared to have been stillborn. Then the towel moved. A tiny foot pushed against Occhipinto's hand. Her eyes widened. "We need to remove that sac so the baby can breathe!" exclaimed her partner, Officer Steven Downing, who summoned firefighters just arriving at the house in Kansas City. Downing fumbled for his knife. "No," a firefighter said. "I've got something sterile." The firefighter retrieved a small pair of scissors and carefully cut the sac from around the baby's face. Fluid and blood oozed from the baby's nose as he struggled for air. They rushed the baby outside to an arriving ambulance. As they put the baby on the gurney, Downing asked the rescue workers to quickly suction...
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 hears noises, like a monster scratching on the roof. Despite Papa's reassurances, she's scared. Each of her siblings offers a magic trick to make the monster flee. Nothing works, not even fresh-baked cookies, made with Mama's help. One night Petra's brother Andy decides to look for the monster — or maybe check out the cookie plate. All four puppies tiptoe downstairs. They are in for a scary surprise, and so is the monster. She's lime-green with three eyes, two purple horns and a feline tail. She and the puppies try to hide from each other, but when Petra sees the monster trembling, too, and she offers her a cookie. It opens the door to a raucous party — until Mama and Papa appear. Paticelli paces the tension and humor in "Puppies"... 
By Susan M. Selasky Detroit Free Press (MCT) Ah, s'mores — the summertime dessert you're never too old for. Appearing in a 1927 Girl Scout publication, s'mores have become so popular they're celebrated every Aug. 10 (National S'mores Day). And it's easy to see why. The campfire classic is among the easiest and gooiest treats to make. Simply place roasted marshmallows and chocolate between two graham crackers and smoosh it all together. The hot marshmallow melts the chocolate into a gooey confection. "They are a good treat to have because they are sweet and fun to make," says Myranda Ryder, 12, of Grosse Ile, Mich., who adds that toasting the marshmallows is one of her favorite parts. "Something always happens. They never turn out exactly the same." S'more variations are endless. Big and little chefs alike can put their own flavor spins on the campfire classic with fruits, caramel, jams or peanut butter. And who says you have to use milk chocolate? Try dark or mint chocolate — or skip the squares altogether...
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. Reva Arnoff from Pikesville, Md., sent in her recipe for making rainbow cookie/cake squares, which I believe is just what Scheufele is looking for. Arnoff says that the finished cake can be cut into "loaf shapes" and sliced as a cake or cut into 2-inch-by-1-inch cookies. Anyway you decide to cut it, this cake it is bound to impress. No question this recipe is time-consuming, but it is not overly complicated, and the finished product bound to be a real crowd-pleaser. RAINBOW CAKE/COOKIE SQUARES Makes: 3 loaf cakes (10 servings each) or approximately 75 cookies For Cake: Food coloring in red, green, blue, yellow or any...
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 throw it in the lunchbox," said Scurrah, 36, of Apopka. "I feel guilty. I'm totally aware they're not healthy. I'd prefer to make fresh lunches for him." Now, time-stressed moms such as Scurrah are getting other options. Starting July 29, Lakeland, Fla-based Publix will begin selling healthy, ready-to-eat kids' lunches at its delis, joining other supermarkets and stores already offering or planning to sell similar meals. Not sitting idly by as competitors move in, Lunchables has introduced a new line with less fat, salt and calories. Lunchables also ditched its Maxed Out products, two of which topped a list last year of the unhealthiest packaged children's lunches. Kids' nutrition has risen to the forefront in America because many...
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. A: You won't hear us say it is disrespectful now; we celebrate all family functions together. But in the beginning things were kept quite separate and Jann would have been very put off if Sharyl was invited to family functions. It was about two or three years into the experiment that we all (Sharyl, Jann, and Jann's husband, who is Sharyl's ex-husband), made a concerted effort to co-parent the children and we began to celebrate together — at the prompting of the kids. Extended family was also invited. Those that lived nearby did attend. And, because Jann was in on the decision to celebrate in that manner, she did not see it as disrespectful. It's not uncommon for kids...
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? A: Yes on all counts. An unborn baby's organs start developing 17 to 56 days after conception. But that's so early that you might not even know you're pregnant yet. And by the time you find out, you may have already done all sorts of things that could affect the baby — things you may end up regretting. So it's good that you and your husband are preparing yourselves so far in advance. I'll talk about what you should be doing now, and we'll tackle your husband next week. Make an appointment with your doctor for a preconception physical. Expect him to evaluate any medications you're taking to see whether they're safe during pregnancy. He'll probably prescribe prenatal vitamins with folic...
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 other for their looks or intelligence, and this envy triggers the behavior. Usually the victim is sensitive and reacts, and therefore gives pleasure to the other child. What to do: role-play. Play out pretend situations and different options: ignoring the rejecter, looking around and sitting by someone else. Also, discuss why your child wants this friend in the first place. There must be others who could be selected. Different developmental stages require different strategies. If your child acts victimized, cries or has similar responses, you can bet that the behavior will continue, with the bully pulling in others. Contact the parents or schoolteacher if it continues or intensifies. But never ignore it. —Verna Schmidt If you have...
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. "There it is kids. This is what your momma did for you." "Became a giant fruit?" "Exactly." Of course, the belly mold kit is nice for those with an arts and crafts bent. The belly mold kits states that your mold will one day become a treasured family heirloom. I have tried to picture our three kids sitting around the kitchen table arguing over a belly mold from my third trimester of pregnancy. The winners would be the ones who left the table empty handed. Most mothers already have heirloom keepsakes to remind them of their pregnant bellies. They're called stretch marks. The instructions in the belly mold kit say that the first step in the process is to have the expectant mother empty her...
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 of Connecticut Children's Medical Center and Dr. Marie Vitale of Hartford Hospital: 1. Sun and Heat Protection: Protecting campers from sun damage is a priority. Children should apply adequate sunscreen to avoid sunburn and stay well hydrated to prevent heat exhaustion. The American Camp Association recommends sending your child to camp with sunscreen of at least SPF 30 and a reusable water-bottle. 2. Clothing: Dress children in multiple layers that they can shed as needed. Brimmed hats and close-toed shoes are also good ideas. 3. Insects: Educate yourself and your children on common local critters, and make sure the camp can treat simple insect bites, stings and adverse reactions. For day campers, check nightly for ticks hiding...
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 the Pocatello's Got Talent show at 7 p.m. in the Pocatello High School auditorium. The family oriented evening will showcase the talents of groups and individuals from all over the area. Admission is free, however a donation of canned goods, non-perishable items or money for the Idaho Food Bank is suggested. The bike ride and fun run will be on Saturday. Meet at Ross Park at 6:30 a.m. for same day registration, or pre-registration or online at www.pioneerdaycelebration.com and come at 6:45 a.m. The event starts at 7 a.m. sharp. All ages and skill levels are welcome. Events include a 5k and 10k run and a 25 mile bike ride. T-shirts are available to those who pre-register for a $5 fee. Barrie's SKi and Sports will do a bike check for the race for free. The PARADE will be on Saturday morning. It will begin at the Holt Arena...
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 of hi-life music and the complexity of African jazz, they are developing a unique Ghanaian sound and bringing the tropical passion of West African music and dance to the world stage. Founded by Nii Tettey Tetteh, the group includes past members of The National Ballet and The Pan African Orchestra. Although rooted in traditional music, the ensemble has developed a new brand of music and dance they have dubbed "Nokoko." They have created innovative rhythms and dances by fusing bass and lead guitar, electrifying jazz and African rhythms, and traditional Ghanaian instruments. In their quest to develop a new style of Ghanaian music, they have been dazzling audiences in Ghana and around the world. Tickets...
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 scared of bugs!" Emily sheepishly giggled in response and hid under her bright blond hair. As it turns out, Emily also is afraid of getting shots, the dark (but only "kind of") and getting lost (which is often the subject of her bad dreams). She isn't alone. All children have fears — it's a natural part of life. Overcoming them is a rite of passage and a sign that we're growing up. For advice on coping with common childhood fears, we spoke with pediatric psychologist Andrea Begotka and clinical psychologist Kathleen Longeway of Children's Hospital of Wisconsin. SEPARATION ANXIETY Why it's common: Begotka said this boils down to the attachment a child has to his or her parents. Longeway added that this fear can manifest itself in...
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: Full-day kindergarten may depend on whether they need a nap or not. One of my daughters learned how to read by age 4. My neighbor asked me before kindergarten enrollment if I was going to have her placed in first grade — her older son, who was in second grade at the time, was embarrassed that she read better than he did. But she still needed a nap every afternoon and didn't get up until 8 a.m. By preschool age I enrolled my children in preschool programs according to their needs — meeting new friends, learning a skill, such as swimming, or a chance to be without their other siblings. One daughter could amuse herself, another wanted to be occupied, another wanted to be in charge. How (much structure is required for kindergarten) depends on the child. —Barb Matarrese The most important thing is building up her stamina for a full day. She will... 
(MCT) When my son was 4, I tried giving him nutritional supplements to make up for his appalling diet. I mixed fish oil into his orange juice. I let him eat candylike gummy multivitamins. And I stirred a chocolate powder containing 31 fruit and vegetable extracts into his milk. It eased my worries, but experts disagree on whether supplements do any good. "An appropriate diet should cover all needs," said Dr. Steven Daniels, a member of the American Academy of Pediatrics' committee on nutrition. Parents of picky eaters may be concerned, he said, but the worry "is often misplaced because kids are growing and developing normally." But how many kids eat an "appropriate" diet? Dr. Kathi Kemper, who chairs the holistic and integrative medicine department at the Wake Forest University School of Medicine, often recommends a multivitamin or fish oil which contains omega-3 fatty acids because "people have a funny idea what a healthy diet actually is," she said. Surveys show that 99 percent of... 
Have you ever found an old bottle of sunscreen in a drawer and figured, 'it should still be good, right?' Then a few hours later you take your sunglasses off and look in the mirror, and yikes! You got burned, literally! The molecular structure of sunscreen does break down over time, just as with other medications and creams. So how do you know when it is time to buy a new bottle? If you're lucky, the bottle will have an expiration date already printed on it somewhere. If not, here are a few general rules of thumb: * ohiohealth.com recommends you throw away the bottle after three years. When you purchase the bottle, write the date on it with permanent marker. Although there is no way for you to know how old it is on the shelf already, this will give you a general idea of how old it is. * If when you open the bottle, the lotion is discolored or has an odd smell, toss it, this may be a sign that is has started to break down. Remember, if youuse sunscreen often, you should not have a bottle for that long anyway.... 
In conjunction with its Wolf to Woof exhibit, Museum of Idaho is holding the following special events: Mon. July 12, 5:00-8:00 P.M. Adoption Day. Various local animal shelters and rescue groups, including Bonneville Humane Society, Snake River Animal Shelter, Humane Society of the Upper Valley, Boise Bully Breed Rescue, Idaho Falls Animal Services and others, will be on hand to help find your perfect, future family pet. Also learn about dog safety tips and information about spaying and neutering your dog. Sat. July 17, 10:00 A.M. - 1:00 P.M. Idaho Falls Search and Rescue Team Demonstrations. Meet the dogs and handlers that make up our local Search and Rescue team. Be part of rescue demonstrations, ask questions and get to know the dogs. Sat. July 24, 1:00 P.M. Meet a Vet, Come and meet Dr. Colby Burr of Ammon Veterinary Hospital and learn all about what you can do to be a great pet owner and admirer. Both kids and adults welcome! Mon. August 16, 10:00 A.M. - 1:00 P.M. Idaho Falls Search... 
By Jenny Welsh for Family Living
Summer has finally arrived, and in my kitchen that means it’s salad time! As soon as the weather warms up, I crave fresh produce, and we will have a bountiful crop to choose from, thanks entirely to my husband’s expert gardening. The Portneuf Valley Farmers Market is also a great resource for getting fresh, local produce. Here I share with you two recipes that make great use of commonly grown backyard produce and go well with whatever is thrown on the grill. May your garden inspire and comfort you from the inside out.
Italian Potato Salad 2 pounds potatoes (about 6 medium potatoes) 1 tsp salt 1/4 tsp pepper 1/4 tsp paprika 1 tsp dry mustard 1 16-ounce bottle zesty Italian salad dressing 6 slices of bacon, cooked extra crispy and diced 1/2 C chopped onion, I prefer green or red 2-3 hard cooked eggs 1 green pepper, diced 1 red/orange/yellow pepper, diced 3 TB snipped fresh...
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: a museum, the lake, a public pool, a walk through an interesting neighborhood, the skateboard park, a simple visit to the local park. As long as my kids play outside two to three hours a day and read for a bit and do a chore or two, I don't really care if they spend the rest of the day playing video games or watching TV. —Sharon Brinkman One of the hardest things for parents to understand is that kids need and actually want some structure. Sit the child down and say that you are setting up the summer rules and you want input. Tell him/her that the video games can be played for "x" amount of time each day and what time frame does he/she want to help set? Discuss options for what might be done at the other times, reminding that summer is a special time to do other free things that they can't do during the school year. —Verna Schmidt Use the barter...
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 into your daughter's head for the third time that summer; to seem unfazed when your crusty pediatrician tells you mothers have lived for generations without eight hours of sleep a night, and you will, too. Ah, but then right about the time you get cocky, right about the time you think you might even be pretty good at this, your daughter, the one who used to wear Hello Kitty jammies and suck her thumb while saying, "You my best friend, Mommy," slams your psyche against the wall. Psychologist types like to call this individuation. I call it hell in flip-flops — that unique time in your daughter's life when she discovers that not only is she separate from you, but that she has a primal need to tear your self-esteem into tiny... 
By Ellise Pierce McClatchy Newspapers PARIS — Growing up in Denton, Texas, I remember tasting watermelon that was so sweet that we'd sprinkle salt on the oversize, half-moon slices to balance the flavors. Eating the cartoony wedges was always an adventure — the watermelon itself was no match for the flimsy white paper plates — and the seeds ... what were we supposed to do if not spit them at each other? Let's face it, watermelon's just fun. Its striped outside and bright pink, black polka-dotted middle give it a visual appeal like no other fruit, and the taste — such sweet goodness! A slice of icy watermelon on a 100-degree day is what summer's all about, if you ask me. Besides all of that, as you might expect, watermelon is mostly water (92 percent), and it's good for you, too, full of vitamins A, C and B6, and potassium. The big green guy originated in Africa and was cultivated by the Egyptians, and it wasn't until the 1600s, sources say, that watermelon was introduced to the rest of the world. Maybe...
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 J. Rolls made a similar discovery that she revealed in the May issue of the American Journal for Clinical Nutrition. Rolls and colleagues worked with preschoolers and found that if you feed them generous amounts of vegetables — in this case raw carrots — as their first course, they will eat more of them. Rolls and company are funded by a National Institutes of Health grant aimed increasing vegetable consumption in children. I worked without a grant and experimented on my 6- and 11-year olds. Through them, I found that if you bring kids home hungry from hours of swimming (stubbornly passing up every restaurant on the way home), then feed them consecutive fruit and vegetable courses, they will devour them happily, and skip the... |
