From the Desk of Tim Taylor

Free Family Fun!

2011-03-28T07:25:00.000-07:00

Happy, healthy families have something in common: they take the time to have FUN. Here, 10 inexpensive ways to enjoy each other.

Pick Your Fun
The Hermann family of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, visits local farms and orchards where they can pick their own produce -- everything from strawberries to pumpkins. The kids, ages 6 and 3 1/2 years and 18 months, see it as an adventure, and it's made them more adventurous eaters as well, says mom, Debbie Hermann. "We've actually said, 'Finish your ice cream and then you can have more spinach,'" she says.

Last summer they picked 8 pounds of blueberries, not stopping until the kids were tired. "We ate everything blueberry—pancakes, muffins, cobbler—for six months," Hermann says.

Some of the farms have picnic areas and playgrounds, so they pack a lunch and make a day of it. It's inexpensive fun—the only cost is the produce they pick. Added bonus: The kids learn where food comes from and have started a garden at home as well. The website www.pickyourown.org lists farms state by state.

It's Family Showtime!
Before television, movies, and the Internet, people made their own entertainment. And that's what the Banderman family of Calvert City, Kentucky, does with their "parlor entertainment." Each of their five children—ages 12, 9, 7, 4, and 2—performs, either playing the piano or another instrument, doing skits, reciting poetry, or putting on a puppet show.
Sometimes other families in their homeschooling group join them and bring snacks. Adults can perform, too, says mom, Megan Banderman.

They make sure all ages are involved. "The little kids do something short," Banderman says. "Our 2-year-old dances in a circle and we all clap and she feels good."

Although the Bandermans spend time in a variety of "fun" activities, what they do doesn't seem to matter. "We have found that what our children want most from us is 'just being' time," says Banderman. "They just want to spend time with their parents and have us focus on them and have fun together."

Friday Night Pizza, American Style
When the Oxenreider family lived in the Middle East, American food was hard to come by, so Tsh and her husband began making homemade pizza on Friday nights. It was a chance to eat a familiar food, says the author of Organized Simplicity (www.organizedsimplicity.net) and mom of children ages 5 and 3 years old and 4 months.

Now that the family lives in Austin, they've continued the Friday night activity. "We celebrate the start of the weekend and the end of the workweek," Oxenreider says. She and her husband make individual rounds of dough, while the kids add their own sauce, cheese, and toppings such as pepperoni, red peppers, pineapple, and olives.

No-Fuss Pizza Recipes

Picnics All Year Long
The Tardibono family of Oklahoma City, also does Friday night pizza, but both parents usually decide to go with one of the local $5 pizzas.

The kids pick out a blanket to spread on the living room floor, get out paper plates, turn the TV to something like America's Funniest Home Videos, and eat on the floor, says Daniel Tardibono, dad to a 5-year-old daughter and sons, age 2 1/2 years and 5 months.

"Usually all the food is eaten at the kitchen table so it's fun to break the rules," he says. "But what's great is everybody is laughing. We tell each other something funny, like what would be really strange to put on a pizza."

A bonus: Spending fun time together, whether it's a picnic indoors or at the beach, "can open up lines of communication," says Lisa M. Schainker, Ph.D., M.P.H., associate scientist for Iowa State University's Partnerships in Prevention Science. "Parents may have better luck discussing important or serious issues with their kids after completing a fun activity together."

The Perfect Picnic

Indoor Camping
When you camp outdoors, you have to contend with bad weather and hungry bugs. Instead, it's become a Friday night tradition at Dawn Schnake's Overland Park, Kansas, home to have a campout in the family room. She, her husband, and their two sons, ages 7 and 4, get out the sleeping bags, make popcorn, and watch a favorite movie like Star Wars, Veggie Tales, or Madagascar.

"We started doing this when we lit a fire in the fireplace during the winter and the boys wanted to sleep in front of the fire," says Schnake.

She likes their Friday night indoor campouts. "There's so much to do during the week," she says. "But when we stop and do this, it brings us closer together and we can communicate without arguing."

The Great Outdoors
Robin Prehn of Golden, Colorado, figures her family has used their $50 tent so many times it costs just pennies a night now when they camp. And they can pitch their tent on Bureau of Land Management land—plentiful in Colorado—for free. Hiking and camping are family traditions, says Prehn: Her son, 8, and daughter, 7, have been hiking since both kids "were so little they were in carriers."

Prehn writes about their outdoor adventures, along with other family activities like reading, for her website family-fun-together.com. She believes playing together outdoors strengthens family relationships and "can produce a family that can weather any storm."

Family Camping: Tips to Make Tenting Fun

Play with Your Dinner
Dinner conversation at the Young family's home in Overland Park, Kansas, has become livelier with their question-and-answer game. Each family member, from parents, Cregg and Karin, to son, Hunter, 16, and daughter, Harper, 7, recounts one good and one bad thing from the day.

But sometimes the answers have been too brief—"The good thing was pizza at lunch and the bad was that recess was too short"—so mom, Karin Frakes Young, looked for a way to get the conversational ball rolling a little faster. "We needed a way to connect and get everyone talking," she says.

Now each person at the table takes turns asking another question as well, such as "Where would you live if you could live anywhere?" or "If you could be a character from a book, who would you be?" says Young. The Q&A sessions have gotten the whole family talking, and are extra fun when dinner guests join in.

The Family Dinner

Hometown Adventures
Sherri and Bryan Hefley, of Oronogo, Missouri, take their two sons, 3 and 4 years old, to the local home improvement store Saturday mornings to build small wooden projects—for free—such as bug boxes, pencil holders and periscopes. "The store provides the materials and gives the boys a free apron, safety goggles, and a badge," says Sherri Hefley. Both parents stay to provide adult supervision.

Hefley also looks for free events and exhibits at the local shopping mall. Recently, the local train club sponsored a train show, and the football team from a nearby college met with fans.

Check out museums, history sites, tourist attractions, and the zoo in your community for special offers or times with free admission.

Let's Volunteer: Family Philanthropy

New Holiday Traditions
The Hirst family of New Hempstead, New York, finds fun in their holiday traditions, from searching for the perfect Christmas tree to carving pumpkins for Halloween.

The search for the tree begins by spending the night at the home of an aunt. In the morning, after a breakfast of pancakes and sausage, they visit the local Christmas tree farm. "That's where we hunt for the perfect—or imperfect—tree," says Linda Hirst, mom of two sons, 11 and 7 years old. Once they've chosen a tree out of the hundreds available, they saw it themselves and load it on the car. That's followed by hot cocoa.

"It's a fun day," Hirst says. "It puts you in the spirit of Christmas."

The family also likes to go exploring during December to find Christmas light displays in other neighborhoods, while listening to Christmas music in the car. At Halloween, they choose pumpkins from a pick-your-own patch or a local store and then print out templates from the Internet for carving different designs.

A Spin on Family Game Night
Most families try to have an occasional family game night, but Cynthia Copeland, author of Family Fun Night, has some tips to jazz up this old standby. One of the biggest problems with game nights occurs in families with kids of widely different ages.

Copeland suggests playing in teams, pairing a parent or older sibling with a younger child, for a game of strategy like Monopoly. Or find a way to give the younger child more points or more cards to level the playing field. Have really young children roll the dice, move the game pieces, or control the timer. Choose games that depend on luck and chance rather than skill.

To encourage reluctant kids to participate—tweens and teens may say they want to hang out with their friends instead of family—let them invite a friend over or agree to play their music in the background.

When it comes to puzzles, especially for older kids, Copeland recommends "thinking outside the box." She suggests hiding puzzle pieces around the house or dumping all the pieces of three different puzzles in one pile to make it more challenging.

"It's things like the time Dad drew a chicken with four legs in Pictionary that kids remember and that make a family," Copeland, the mom of three, says. "We underestimate the value of casual family times."

By Diana Reese

Let's Help Astoria!

2011-02-10T08:46:00.003-08:00

Astoria is close to becoming the coolest small town in America! Find the story here www.oldoregon.com

12 Ways To Lose Weight While Watching The Super Bowl

2011-02-04T09:02:00.000-08:00

These expert tricks will help you painlessly blast calories at home without missing a second of the football action.

1. Jump rope for two-minute intervals. Repeat four times. (111 calories)

2. Run up and down the stairs of your apartment building or house during a commercial break. (42 calories)

3. Stand in front of your couch, squat until your butt is just above the seat cushions, and hold that position for one minute. Repeat four times. (80 calories)

4. Lie down on the floor on your side and do leg lifts for five minutes. (50 calories)

5. Do arm circles for one minute. Repeat two more times. (20 calories)

6. Sprint to and from the restroom for bathroom breaks. (30 calories)

7. Grab three-pound weights or two soup cans and do one minute each of lifting for your triceps (put your hands behind your head, with your elbows at your ears and lift the weight up and down). Do three sets. (17 calories)

8. Sit on an exercise ball and do one minute of ab curls. Repeat four times. (50 calories)

9. If you’re not down with that, work your core by simply sitting on the ball for an hour. (38 calories)

10. Stand approximately five feet away from the TV and do lunges for five minutes. (37 calories)

11. Lie down in front of the TV and hold yourself in the plank position for one minute. Repeat two times. (35 calories)

12. Lie down on your couch and scoot around until your back is on the cushions and your legs are resting on the seat back, at a 90 degree angle to your waist. Curl your torso up towards your legs in a crunch and release. Keep doing them for an entire commercial break. (30 calories)

10 Ways to Cut 100 Calories

2011-01-13T09:12:00.000-08:00

Make small tweaks to your diet to see a big difference in your body

by Joy Bauer, RD

Make It Count
Cutting back your calorie intake doesn’t need to be a painful experience. With just a few nips and tucks to your normal eating regime, you can easily save hundreds of calories a week. Read on to discover 10 tips that will help you toward a slimmer self.

Mustard
Swap mayo for mustard: 2 Tbsp of mayo has 200 calories; 2 Tbsp of mustard has just 30.

Fruit
Eat fresh fruit instead of dried. One half-cup of raisins has more than 200 calories, but one full cup of fresh grapes has just 80.

Oil
Use an oil mister instead of pouring olive or canola oil straight from the bottle. A Tbsp of oil has 120 calories, but with a mister you’ll use a fraction of that.

Cheese
Leave the cheese off your sandwich. Instead, pile on lots of very low-cal veggies. The veggies add nutrition and volume, so your sandwich will be extra-filling.

Bagels
Scoop out the inside of a bagel. It’s an easy way to make a high-carb treat a little lighter.

Sandwiches
Eat your sandwiches open-faced (with just one slice of bread instead of two).

Soda
Swap your daily (12-oz) can of regular soda (150 calories) for a can of naturally flavored, calorie-free seltzer. These seltzers get their taste solely from a shot of natural fruit flavor, such as lime, raspberry or orange. They don’t contain any sugar or artificial sweeteners, so they’re not super-sweet—but thanks to the carbonation, they have that fizzy pop we all love from soda.

Egg Whites
Eat two egg whites instead of two whole eggs.

Salad Dressing
Switch from regular salad dressing (about 140 calories for 2 Tbsp) to a light salad dressing. (Look for brands that have no more than 40 calories in 2 Tbsp.)

Pizza
Don’t eat the end crust on your pizza. It packs about 100 calories.

Explanation of God - Written by an 8-year-old

2011-01-06T06:43:00.000-08:00

This was written by an 8-year-old named Danny Dutton, who lives in Chula Vista , CA . He wrote it for his third grade homework assignment, to "explain God."

Could any of us have said it any better?

"One of God's main jobs is making people.

He makes them to replace the ones that die, so there will be enough people to take care of things on earth.

He doesn't make grownups, just babies

I think because they are smaller and easier to make.

That way he doesn't have to take up his valuable time teaching them to talk and walk.

He can just leave that to mothers and fathers."

"God's second most important job is listening to prayers.

An awful lot of this goes on, since some people, like preachers and things, pray at times besides bedtime.

God doesn't have time to listen to the radio or TV because of this. Because he hears everything, there must be a terrible lot of noise in his ears, unless he has thought of a way to turn it off."

"God sees everything and hears everything and is everywhere which keeps Him pretty busy.

So you shouldn't go wasting his time by going over your mom and dad's head asking for something they said you couldn't have."

"Atheists are people who don't believe in God.

I don't think there are any in Chula Vista .

At least there aren't any who come to our church."

"Jesus is God's Son.

He used to do all the hard work, like walking on water and performing miracles and

trying to teach the people who didn't want to learn about God. They finally got tired of him preaching to them and they crucified him

But he was good and kind, like his father, and he told his father that they didn't know what they were doing and to forgive them and God said OK."

"His dad (God) appreciated everything that he had done and all his hard work on earth so he told him he didn't have to go out on the road anymore.

He could stay in heaven.

So he did.

And now he helps his dad out by listening to prayers and seeing things which are important for God to take care of and which ones he can take care of himself without having to bother God. Like a secretary, only more important."

"You can pray anytime you want and they are sure to help you because they got it worked out so one of them is on duty all the time."

"You should always go to church on Sunday because it makes God happy, and if there's anybody you want to make happy, it's God!

Don't skip church to do something you think will be more fun like going to the beach.

This is wrong.

And besides the sun doesn't come out at the beach until noon anyway."

"If you don't believe in God, besides being an atheist, you will be very lonely, because your parents can't go everywhere with you, like to camp, but God can.

It is good to know

He's around you when you're scared, in the dark or when you can't swim and you get thrown into real deep water by big kids."

"But...you shouldn't just always think of what God can do for you. I figure God put me here and he can take me back anytime he pleases.

And...that's why I believe in God."

VACATION DO OVER!

2011-01-04T06:46:00.001-08:00

If you had a vacation where nothing went as planned, you've got a shot at winning one of five "dream" trips to Orlando. A Vacation Makeover contest by Visit Orlando is asking for tales of trips gone horribly wrong. To enter, you'll just have to describe the debacle in 500 words or less and upload a recent image to VisitOrlando.com/makeover.

Winners will get a week-long vacation, including airfare, lodging, admission to attractions and ground transfers.

Its National Fruitcake Day!

2010-12-27T07:37:00.000-08:00

This is easy and tasty! Give it a try!

* 14 ounces sweetened flaked coconut
* 8 ounces chopped sugar rolled dates
* 16 ounces pecan pieces
* 8 ounces candied cherries
* 8 ounces diced candied pineapple
* 2 (14 ounce) cans sweetened condensed milk

Change Measurements: US | Metric

Directions:

Prep Time: 20 mins

Total Time: 1 1/2 hrs

1. Place coconut, dates, and pecan pieces in a very large (7 quart or larger) bowl. With your hands break up chunks of dates & coconut, and stir those 3 ingredients together.
2. Add the cherries, pineapple, and sweetened condensed milk. Stir thoroughly. (I wear non-powdered surgical gloves, and stir it with my hands because the mixture is very stiff.).
3. Let set at room temperature while you prepare the pans. Spray 2 - 9"x5" loaf pans with Pam. Line the pans with waxed (or parchment) paper. (We cut parchment paper in 4 1/4"x 16 1/4" strips for this. You want the paper to come up past the short sides of the pans after the mixture is packed into the pans.) Now spray the paper (after you've pressed it into the pans) with Pam.
4. Stir the ingredients well again.Divide the ingredients equally between the 2 loaf pans.
5. Pack VERY TIGHTLY and smoothly into the pans. (I wet my hands & press, pack down, & smooth top, using both hands. Wetting your hands keeps them from sticking to "batter".).
6. Place the pans on the middle rack of the oven and bake at 300 degrees F for 1 hour, or until lightly browned. (If the cakes have baked for an hour, or look a little brown around the edges, take them out of the oven & lift edges of paper a little to see if sides look brown enough. If they're brown on sides, but not on top, you may broil the tops for a few minutes-watch carefully.).
7. Remove cakes from oven and let cool for 10 minutes in the pans.
8. Gently lift the edges of the paper a couple of times on each side - kind of a rocking motion. (Sometimes I have to run a sharp knife down the edges of the pan.) Turn pans upside down onto a paper-lined cookie sheet. Lift pans from the cakes. Remove paper from bottom of cakes IMMEDIATELY.
9. Let cool completely. Place in a large container (don't wrap yet) and refrigerate overnight.
10. Turn cake upside down to slice. After slicing, wrap in waxed (or parchment) paper, then in heavy duty aluminum foil.
11. May be refrigerated up to 3 months or frozen up to 1 year.

Cooking apps!

2010-12-17T08:32:00.000-08:00

1
How to cook everything mobile

Mark Bittman’s How to Cook Everything is a mammoth cookbook filled with easy-to-follow recipes and interesting information about food and cooking techniques. The cookbook is now available in app form, and it’s just as handy—only much, much lighter. The app lets you browse 2,000 recipes and also features Bittman’s own picks. Users can vote on their favorite recipes, and the most popular ones appear in the app in a featured recipes section. If you want to search through the recipes, you can do so by cooking term, ingredient, technique, flavor and recipe type. All recipes are marked by their type: fast, make-ahead, vegetarian and essential. (I’m a fast- and make-ahead-recipe person myself.) When you are reading the recipes, you’ll be given an overview, a list of ingredients and the steps to follow. Many recipes also feature variations so you can spice things up if you like. Recipes can be saved to a favorites list or added directly to a shopping list. This list can be sorted alphabetically or by aisle, which is a great extra feature in a cooking app. How to Cook Everything is a great all-around cooking resource and a must-have for my iPhone.

2
Allrecipes.com Dinner Spinner
With the Allrecipes.com Dinner Spinner you can search through thousands of recipes from the allrecipes.com website. The app lets you perform a traditional search and you can filter your results to show specific types of recipes (vegan, no wheat, low fat, etc.)…

3
Betty Crocker Mobile Cookboook
I received my Betty Crocker cookbook when I got married almost 15 years ago and I still turn to it frequently for tried and true recipes. The Betty Crocker Mobile Cookbook is free and gives you more than 9000 recipes, all loaded onto your iPhone which means you won't need to search an external website…

4
Kitchen Calculator Pro
Kitchen Calculator Pro converts different units of measurement. It's billed for use in the kitchen but could also be used in many other ways. It allows you to choose both the unit you're beginning with and the one you want to convert to…

5
Epicurious Recipes & Shopping List
Epicurious comes from the website Epicurious.com and features some of their most popular recipes. The recipes are pooled from magazines, cookbooks, chefs and restaurants. You can browse through the recipe collections to get ideas or you can perform a search. The collections are fantastic…

6
Serving Sizer Pro
Serving Sizer Pro Recipe Converter lets you store recipes and then convert their serving sizes so you can easily feed a larger or smaller group. It's a great app if you're cooking for one or thirty. The app has you enter in the entire recipe and then convert everything all at once…

7
Cooking Thermometer
Cooking Thermometer is an extremely simple app that provides a reference for cooking temperatures. You simply pick your type of food and how well you want that food cooked. Cooking Thermometer will then tell you the internal temperature that will show your food is done…

8
Urbanspoon
Urbanspoon is a faithful app that will help you discover new restaurants in your area. It takes your iPhone's location and creates a wheel that displays nearby cities, types of cuisine and dollar signs representing the restaurants' price ranges. You can spin the different parts of the wheel and line them up…

9
Crock-Pot Slow Cooker Recipe Finder
I happen to believe that slow cookers are one of the best inventions ever created. Ever. My Crock Pot saves my day at least once a week or more. On the evenings when we have sports practices or activities I like to have a meal that cooks on it's own and stays warm while we all come and go…

10
Woman's Day Cooking Assistant
The Woman's Day Cooking Assistant app brings you recipes from the editors of the Woman's Day Magazine. It's one of the magazine's that I enjoy looking at while I'm standing in the supermarket line. The app has a list of featured articles about food with accompanying recipes…

MERRY CHRISTMAS FROM OREGON

2010-12-14T10:01:00.000-08:00

The state of Oregon will play mortgage superhero to 5,000 state residents in 2011, paying one year of each person's mortgage. Via the Oregon Homeownership Stabilization Initiative's Mortgage Payment Assistance Program, struggling homeowners who earn approximately $74,000 a year for a family of four and are unemployed or have lost 25 percent of their income can enter a lottery. The state expects 20,000 to 30,000 homeowners to apply online.

The state will pay 12 months of the winners' mortgages, up to $20,000.

http://www.oregonhomeownerhelp.org/

**FYI: Winners must pay back the money, though the state will forgive 20 percent of the loan for each year the winners remain in their houses.

WIN TOBY MAC TICKETS!!!

2010-12-01T07:27:00.001-08:00

This Thursday Dec. 2nd and Friday Dec. 3rd you can win Toby Mac tickets in the first two rows!! Email your name and phone number to tim@1041thefish.com and be ready for my call at around 7:10 am on Thursday and Friday. If you answer "104 point one wants me to go to Toby Mac!" YOU WIN!! 2nd row on Thursday and FRONT ROW on Friday!

Thanks for listening and Merry Christmas from the Family Friendly Morning Show!

Happy Thanksgiving!

2010-11-24T09:11:00.000-08:00

Let's talk turkey!

* Americans feast on 535 million pounds of turkey on Thanksgiving.

* According the U.S. Department of Agriculture, more than 45 million turkeys are cooked and eaten in the United States at Thanksgiving. That number represents one sixth of all the turkeys sold in the U.S. each year!

* Benjamin Franklin wanted the turkey to be our national bird.

* Domesticated turkeys cannot fly, however wild turkeys can fly up to 55 miles per hour over short distances.

* Only male (tom) turkeys gobble. Females make a clicking noise. The famous gobble is actually a seasonal mating call.

* The heaviest turkey ever raised weighed in at 86 pounds – about the size of a German Shepherd! (But turkeys are normally not used as police animals.)

* A turkey under 16 weeks of age is called a fryer. A five to seven month old turkey is called a roaster.

* The Turkey Trot, a ballroom dance in the 1900s, was named for the short, jerky steps of the turkey. It became popular mainly because it was denounced by the Vatican as "suggestive."

* Turkeys are known to spend the night in trees! (Maybe to escape the Thanksgiving table?)

* Turkeys can drown if they look up when it's raining!

* A turkey's field of vision is 270 degrees--one of the main reasons they're able to elude some hunters.

* The average age of the Mayflower passenger was 32. The oldest Mayflower passenger was 64.

* There was no milk, cheese, bread, butter or pumpkin pie at the original Thanksgiving Day feast.

* Contrary to popular belief, the Pilgrims did not have big buckles on their clothing, shoes, or hats.

* Buckles did not come into fashion until the late 1600s – more appropriate for the Salem Witchcraft trial time period.

* The cranberry got its name because the pale pink blossoms on the plant resembled a crane’s head and neck. The name craneberry stuck, eventually becoming cranberry.

* Fresh cranberries are ideal for cranberry sauce. Cranberries of the highest quality will always bounce! (If you try this at home, please wash the cranberries before eating.)

* President Abraham Lincoln established the original date for our National Thanksgiving Day celebration in 1863.

* President Thomas Jefferson scoffed at the idea of establishing a national “Thanksgiving Day.”

* Congress did not declare Thanksgiving a national holiday until 1941.

* The average person consumes 4,500 calories on Thanksgiving Day. (Now that's a lot of turkey!)

2010-11-08T06:03:00.000-08:00

Family & Fun

Look no further than your phone to bring your family closer together. We’ve got ten apps to keep your family entertained, from word games to text message lingo, and even the iRewards center, which helps kids work towards rewards for completing their everyday chores (or for sharing the iPhone during a round of Angry Birds).

1
iReward Chart

iReward Chart's Rankings

* #1 Family & Fun
* #15 Top 50
* Free

We are a family that uses charts; we have charts to track chores, charts to track laundry day, charts to track whatever behaviors we are currently working on. The iReward Chart app is one that can help me move away from using these sticker charts as my home decor. This app lets you set up accounts for your children and assign them different tasks. Tasks are grouped into the categories of behavior, chores, responsibility and other. You can choose from a variety of tasks that the developers have included in the app, or you can add in your own. Selected tasks show up next to empty stars, one for each day of the week. As your child finishes tasks, they can tap the stars and watch them add up. iRewardChart also contains a list of rewards that your child can earn with their stars. You can assign a star amount to the different rewards so your child will know how many they have to earn for each. iReward is a terrific app for motivating children and helping them keep track of their progress.

2
Angry Birds
My life is in constant motion. There's the to do list to tackle, the mom's taxi service to run, play dates to coordinate, bills to pay, groceries to plan for. Honestly my brain rarely stops running and I need some silly, mindless fun every once in awhile…

3
Baby Activity Logger
Baby Activity Logger is a simple app that does a terrific job helping you track life with a newborn. Using simple buttons you can note when your baby is eating and (depending on whether you are breast or bottle feeding) you can note the bottle amount or time it took baby to eat…

4
smart-ICE4family
smart-ICE4family is another application that you'll hope to never need but if an emergency situation occurs you'll be very glad it's on your phone. The app was designed by a former EMS director and it allows you to enter in personal information that Emergency Responders would need to know…

5
Baby Connect
Baby Connect is an application designed to track your baby's every move. From sleeping to eating to the endless diaper changes, you can note it all here. But the real magic in this app comes from the "Connect" aspect. By using the app you can share what your baby is doing…

6
LRNthelingo
Lrnthelingo is a great resource for parents of children who are sending texts and instant messages to their friends. It provides explanations and descriptions of text codes, emoticons and slang. If you're looking for something specific LRNthelingo will let you search…

7
Cooking Dash
Cooking Dash is the app I turn to when I want a reminder that my constant kitchen duty could be much, much worse. In this app you're responsible for running a restaurant. You're in charge of seating customers, taking their orders, cooking up the food and clearing things up…

8
OurKids
OurKids provides an easy way to record family events, vacations, baby milestones and more. Basically, you can use the app to keep track of whatever is important to you and your family. When you are creating an entry OurKids lets you add the entry as text, a photo, or an audio recording…

9
Baby Travel
Anyone who's ever traveled with a baby knows how mind boggling packing for the trip can be. It's a shock the first time you realize you might as well be taking the whole house with you for a weekend getaway. Packing does get easier as the kids grow older but there's still much to remember…

10
Words with Friends
Words with Friends is like Scrabble but it can be played against anyone who also has the app and appears on your friends list. The way the game works you play a word and then your friend receives a push notification that it's their turn. They'll play a word and you'll be the one to receive the notification…

Thanks to babble.com

BEST CITIES FOR BABIES. DID PORTLAND MAKE IT?

2010-10-20T10:25:00.000-07:00

Yes!

Top 10 Best Cities for Babies (Yahoo Shine)
1. Scottsdale, Arizona
2. Fort Wayne, Indiana
3. Lincoln, Nebraska
4. Pittsburg, Pennsylvania
5. Portland, Oregon
6. Madison, Wisconsin
7. Phoenix, Arizona
8. St. Paul, Minnesota
9. Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
10. Boston, Massachusetts

PUMPKIN CUPCAKES

2010-10-07T07:23:00.000-07:00

Clarke does not like pecans so here is the cupcake recipe too!

* 16 Servings
* Prep: 30 min. Bake: 20 min. + cooling

Ingredients

* 2/3 cup shortening
* 2 eggs
* 3/4 cup maple syrup
* 1/2 cup 2% milk
* 1-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
* 1-1/4 teaspoons baking powder
* 1/2 teaspoon salt
* 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
* 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
* 1/2 teaspoon ground allspice
* 1 cup canned pumpkin
* 1 can (8 ounces) crushed pineapple, drained
* 1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, softened
* 1/4 cup butter, softened
* 1-1/2 cups confectioners' sugar

Directions

* In a large bowl, beat shortening until light and fluffy. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition (mixture will appear curdled). Beat in syrup and milk. Combine the flour, baking powder, salt, baking soda, ginger and allspice; add to shortening mixture and beat just until moistened. Stir in pumpkin and pineapple.
* Fill paper-lined muffin cups two-thirds full. Bake at 350° for 20-25 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean. Cool for 10 minutes before removing from pans to a wire rack to cool completely.
* For frosting, in a small bowl, beat cream cheese and butter until fluffy. Add confectioners’ sugar; beat until smooth. Frost cupcakes. Yield: 16 cupcakes.

Nutrition Facts: 1 cupcake equals 303 calories, 17 g fat (7 g saturated fat), 50 mg cholesterol, 221 mg sodium, 35 g carbohydrate, 1 g fiber, 4 g protein.

FUN WITH PUMPKINS!

2010-10-07T07:14:00.000-07:00

Butter Pecan Pumpkin Pie Recipe!

* 6-8 Servings
* Prep: 20 min. + freezing

Ingredients

* 1 quart butter pecan ice cream, softened
* 1 pastry shell (9 inches), baked
* 1 cup canned pumpkin
* 1/2 cup sugar
* 1/4 teaspoon each ground cinnamon, ginger and nutmeg
* 1 cup heavy whipping cream, whipped
* 1/2 cup caramel ice cream topping
* 1/2 cup chocolate ice cream topping, optional
*

Additional whipped cream

Directions

* Spread ice cream into the crust; freeze for 2 hours or until firm. In a small bowl, combine the pumpkin, sugar, cinnamon, ginger and nutmeg; fold in whipped cream. Spread over ice cream. Cover and freeze for 2 hours or until firm. May be frozen for up to 2 months.
* Remove from the freezer 15 minutes before slicing. Drizzle with caramel ice cream topping. Drizzle with chocolate ice cream topping if desired. Dollop with whipped cream. Yield: 6-8 servings.

Nutrition Facts: 1 serving (1 slice) equals 452 calories, 25 g fat (11 g saturated fat), 51 mg cholesterol, 289 mg sodium, 56 g carbohydrate, 1 g fiber, 5 g protein.

Down syndrome football player scores TD in Washington game

2010-09-28T06:55:00.001-07:00

Ike Ditzenberger is like a lot of other 17-year-old American football players. He dreams of playing college football. He attends daily practices. Most of the time he toils away in offensive drills. Then, on rare occasions, Ditzenberger runs into the limelight with aplomb. The description could fit thousands of American teenagers, except for one crucial detail: Ike Ditzenberger has Down Syndrome.

Ditzenberger, a junior at Snohomish (Wash.) High School, achieved a major milestone on Friday in a game against Lake Stevens, running 51 yards for a touchdown with 10 seconds remaining. The "Ike Special" provided the only points in Snohomish's 35-6 loss. It was the first varsity touchdown in Ditzenberger's career, a ramble through an opposing defense that mirrors the end to Snohomish practices every day, when Ditzenberger gets the final run of practice and somehow finds the end zone, through a combination of running guile and intentionally passive defenders.

"He's someone that everybody can kind of enjoy because he has such a great personality and character," Snohomish senior captain Keith Wigney told the Everett Herald in a feature on Ditzenberger.

For Ditzenberger's feel-good story to go beyond practice to an actual competitive game took an assist from the coaching staff at Lake Stevens. The Vikings' coaches not only instructed their players to let Ditzenberger score, but to make it look relatively competitive in the process to make the moment more real for the Snohomish junior. In the video above you can see a handful of Lake Stevens defenders make diving runs at Ditzenberger, only to come up agonizingly short. Or perhaps gleefully short, in this case.

The moment wasn't without precedent. Lake Stevens also collaborated with Snohomish for Ditzenberger's other touchdown, a gallop through the Vikings defense in a junior-varsity game last November, which you can see below.

For his part, Ditzenberger has trained for such a touchdown each day for the past three years. He practices every day with the Snohomish junior-varsity team, but gets the final run of the varsity practice as long as he adheres to two conditions Snohomish head football coach Mark Perry relayed to the Everett Herald:

"I make him a deal," Perry told the Everett Herald. "‘If you keep your shoulder pads on and your mouth piece in, you're going to get a play.'"

Ditzenberger first became obsessed with football by watching his brothers play the sport. One, Jake, was also on the Snohomish team with Ike for the younger Ditzenberger's first two seasons. Taking part in a sport in which his older brother starred helps Ike bond with him, and gives the 5-foot-5 17-year-old a sense of place despite his limitations.

That role as part of a larger team has made football one of most important aspects of Ditzenberger's life. Here's how his mother, Kay, described the importance of football to the Everett Herald:

Down syndrome kids "don't learn by what they hear; they learn by what they see," Ike's mother said. "So he's a real imitator. For him to be able to watch and learn by doing, and to be like his older brothers, is a really big deal."

For Snohomish's program, Ike has become a big deal. His runs at the end of practice build camaraderie and sense of routine for the rest of the team. And they help place sports in perspective.

On Friday, the "Ike Special" even provided the Panthers' only points. Of course, Snohomish coach Perry may have had that play up his sleeve the whole time. After all, he sees just how effective it is at the end of every single practice.

http://rivals.yahoo.com/highschool/blog/prep_rally/post/Down-syndrome-football-player-scores-TD-in-Washi?urn=highschool-272803

from yahoo.com

DAY AT THE MUSEUM

2010-09-17T06:42:00.001-07:00

Free admission isn't just for Washington, D.C., museums anymore. More than 1,300 museums nationwide will open their doors free of charge on Saturday, Sept. 25, to celebrate the 6th annual Smithsonian Magazine Museum Day.

Those looking to take advantage of the free admission must download and print the official Museum Day Ticket from Smithsonian.com. The ticket grants free museum entry for two.

**FYI: For a full list of participating museums, visit Smithsonian.com/museumday.

EASY LUNCH RECIPES!

2010-09-02T07:25:00.001-07:00

We talked about these lunch ideas on the show. Just copy and paste this link into your browser.

http://kidscooking.about.com/od/lunchrecipes/tp/school-lunch-ideas.htm

(Thanks to about.com)

FREE COOKIES!

2010-08-31T09:37:00.001-07:00

Refer three friends to sign up for the Mrs. Field's email list and you'll get a free 24-count Cookie Tin. If you refer more than three friends, you can earn even more cookies -- all the way up to $109 worth of cookies.

**On the web: http://www.mrsfields.com/email_referral/.

Fish Fest Tickets!

2010-08-19T08:06:00.000-07:00

Tomorrow morning between 6 and 10 AM (Friday August 20th) bring your non-perishable food items to the radio station for City Team Ministries and buy Fish Fest Tickets for only $15 each! You will also have a chance to win Platinum tickets so bring as much food as you can!!!!

Our address is 6400 SE Lake Rd. Portland, OR 97222

If you have any questions call 503-786-1041 or 503-786-06000.

I hope you can make it!

Tim

World's Longest Email

2010-08-17T10:01:00.001-07:00

Peter Craig holds he world record for the world’s longest email. And it works, too. So go ahead and drop him a line of congratulations at:

contact-admin-hello-webmaster-info-services-peter-crazy-but-oh-so-ubber-cool-english-alphabet-loverer-abcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz@please-try-to.send-me-an-email-if-you-can-possibly-begin-to-remember-this-coz.this-is-the-longest-email-address-known-to-man-but-to-be-honest.this-is-such-a-stupidly-long-sub-domain-it-could-go-on-forever.pacraig.com.

Deep Fried Fair

2010-08-10T10:36:00.000-07:00

The Hoosier family behind last year's chocolate-covered bacon at the Indiana State Fair is at it again. Their newest offering? A burger served between two Krispy Kremes, known simply as the doughnut burger.

The Reas family thinks of new products every year to keep the customers coming back.
And it seems to be working. The $6.50 burger and another new offering, deep-fried butter, produced big time sales this year.

Deep-fried butter? Really?

Calm Your Nerves in 15 Seconds

2010-07-29T09:44:00.000-07:00

Calm Your Nerves in 15 Seconds

You have to give a speech in 5 minutes, the boss just called and said he wants to see you in his office, now or you just heard your date pull up outside. Those are all stress inducing situations. But all you need is between 15 seconds and 5 minutes to calm your nerves. Here are some techniques we found in Woman’s World magazine to get you through:

* If you’ve only got 15 seconds to get your nerves under control, do this: Take three deep breaths. Take the first, and hold it for one second, then repeat. Simply doing that can lower your blood pressure between 10 and 20 points! It also brings oxygen to the brain which helps you feel more alert. Then stand up straight. Taking a moment to improve your posture relieves tension in the neck, shoulders, back and legs.
* If you’ve got one minute to get calm: Tighten up. Contract all your muscles, hold for five seconds, then release. That sends a signal to your brain to stop releasing stress chemicals. You’ll quickly feel calmer. Then, start humming a tune. It stimulates your body’s relaxation response by regulating your breathing, slowing your heart rate, and triggering calming chemicals.
* If you have 2 minutes before you have to face a stressful situation, do this: Pinch yourself – squeeze the webbing between your thumb and index finger for 30 seconds. It’s a calming acupuncture point. Then, think of one word and repeat it quietly to yourself. It’s a simple meditation technique. If you can’t think of a word, try “ham-sah” – it mimics the sound of breathing.
* If you have 5 minutes before a speech, date, or confrontation with the boss: Chew gum. It relaxes the muscles in the jaw and neck which is where most people hold their tension. Then, focus on what’s really important in your life. A UCLA study found that reflecting on the things you value most – like your family or your faith – before a high pressure event lowers your stress hormones and shuts down your body’s stress response, like shaking or sweaty hands.

Condiments That Benefit Your Health

2010-07-26T09:13:00.000-07:00

The things you sprinkle on your meals may be the key to good health, and in many cases, just a little bit goes a long way. So let’s take a look at four beneficial condiments that you probably already have in your pantry that can improve your health.
• The first one is rosemary: Sometimes when certain foods are cooked, cancer causing compounds can form. One in particular is beef – especially when it’s grilled. The char on the meat can be extremely carcinogenic. That’s where the rosemary comes in. Scientists at Kansas State University found that seasoning beef with rosemary before grilling could reduce cancer-causing substances by 30 percent. It’s the anti-oxidants in rosemary that are doing all the work – they “scavenge” the harmful compounds.
• The second condiment that can benefit your health is horseradish, because it can detox your body: There are compounds in the roots and leaves of the horseradish plant that can increase your liver’s ability to detoxify carcinogens and suppress the growth of existing tumors. All you need is a-quarter of a teaspoon! In fact, horseradish is 10 times more powerful at detoxifying your liver than broccoli, the next best source.
• The third condiment that can improve your health is sauerkraut, because it eases digestion: It’s full of good bacteria that can help relieve gas and stomach distension. Up to 95 percent of people who suffer from irritable bowel syndrome have said horseradish has improved their quality of life. Use fresh sauerkraut – it has more probiotic material than the canned or jarred kinds.
• The last spice that could benefit you is black pepper: Doctors at the University of Michigan say it guards against cancer — because it blocks cancerous stem cells from multiplying.

Portland Parks & Recreation offers easy ways to beat the heat

2010-07-21T07:58:00.000-07:00

Its going to heat up this coming weekend so here are some ways to cool off thanks to Portland Parks and Recreation...

Cool off in the evenings while enjoying a “Summer Free For All” movie or concert in your neighborhood park.

Portlanders can find relief from the warm temperatures forecast this weekend by taking refuge in the city's parks and pools. From a shady walk in Forest Park to a picnic dinner under the trees in your neighborhood park, from a dip in a community pool to a splash in a spray fountain, there are many free or inexpensive opportunities to escape from the heat.

Portland Parks & Recreation’s “Summer Free For All” offers free concerts and family movies in neighborhood parks throughout the city on nearly every night of the week. Enjoying a picnic dinner, followed by a concert or movie, is a fun and affordable way to keep cool in the evenings. Visit www.portlandparks.org and click on “Summer Free For All” for a list of movies and concerts, dates and locations.

In addition, many Portland Parks & Recreation swimming pools are open until 9 p.m. or later on weeknights. Visit www.PortlandParks.org and click on “Recreation” for a full list of pools, hours, and other information.

Locations of PP&R pools and free spray features in neighborhood parks are listed below.

PP&R Indoor Pools

Buckman Pool, 320 SE 16 Ave

Columbia Pool, 7701 N. Chautauqua Blvd

Dishman Pool, 77 NE Knott

East Portland Pool, 740 SE 106 Ave

Mt Scott Pool, 5530 SE 72 Ave

Southwest Pool, 6820 SW 45 Ave

PP&R Outdoor Pools

Creston Pool, SE 44 & Powell Blvd

Grant Pool, NE 33 & US Grant Place

Montavilla Pool, 8219 NE Glisan

Peninsula Pool, 700 N. Rosa Parks Way

Pier Pool, N. Seneca & St Johns

Sellwood Pool, 7951 SE 7th Ave

Wilson Pool, 1151 SW Vermont

Free spray features in neighborhood parks (available all regular park hours)

Caruthers Park, 3508 SW Moody

Columbia Park, N. Lombard & Woolsey
Earl Boyles Park, SE 112 & Boise

Essex Park, SE 79 & Center

Grant Park, NE 33 & US Grant Pl
Kenton Park, 8417 N. Brandon
McCoy Park, N. Trenton & Newman

Northgate Park, N. Geneva & Fessenden

Peninsula Park, N. 700 Rosa Parks Way
Pier Park, N. Lombard & Bruce
Raymond Park, SE 118 & Raymond

Stark Street Island, SE 106 & Stark

Woodlawn Park, NE 13 & Dekum

7 MOST UNHEALTHY CARNIVAL FOODS

2010-07-15T09:06:00.001-07:00

7. Cotton Candy - One large cone of spun sugar has around 200 calories.
6. Snow Cones - A 12 oz. cone ends up around 550 calories depending on how much syrup is on it
5. Corn Dogs - 375 calories, 21 grams of fat and 1170 mg. of sodium.
4. Deep Fried Twinkie - 420 calories and 32 grams of fat.
3. Deep Fried Oreos - Each cookie contains 157 calories and 10.1 grams of fat.
2. Funnel Cake - An 8.3 oz. cake contains 760 calories, 44 grams of fat, 80 grams of carbs and 20 mg. if cholesterol.
1. Deep Fried Candy Bars - everything from Snickers, Mars, Milky Ways and 3 Musketeers is deep fried and put on a stick. A king-size deep fried bar has 700 calories and 44 grams of fat.

(from Newsweek)

Now read the healthy cool summer treats entry. :)

Have a great day,

Tim

TEN TIPS FOR COOL SUMMER TREATS

2010-07-08T06:56:00.000-07:00

Summertime is a great time to enjoy whatever fresh fruits and veggies abound in your neck of the woods. Purchasing locally grown fresh produce saves you money, provides great nutrition, and is good for the environment. Many of these cool summer treats can be made with fresh ingredients or those that you have frozen during their peak season. Other ingredients are included to compliment the taste and nutritional value of the fruits and veggies. Remember, Fruits and Veggies: More Matters!

Strawberry Milkshake
Mix in a blender on high: 1 cup fat free milk, ¼ teaspoon vanilla extract, 1 tablespoon sugar OR 2 packets sugar substitute (or sweeten to taste), and ½ cup quartered frozen strawberries. [Wash, quarter, and freeze strawberries at the height of their season; they will keep for about six months.]

Banana Milkshake
Mix in a blender on high: 1 cup fat free milk, ¼ teaspoon vanilla extract, 1 tablespoon sugar OR 2 packets sugar substitute (or sweeten to taste), and 1 small sliced frozen banana. [Frozen sliced bananas will keep about two weeks.]

Orange Smoothie
Mix in a blender on high: 1 cup fat free milk, 1 small can frozen orange juice concentrate, ½ teaspoon vanilla extract, ¼ cup sugar or equivalent sugar substitute (or sweeten to taste). Add ice cubes one at a time until desired consistency (about 12).

Fruit Cup with Pizzazz
Cut up two or three of your favorite seasonal fruits and/or berries in a bowl. Put ½ to 1 cup portions into small bowls. Add a spoonful of fat free or low fat vanilla yogurt and a sprinkle of wheat germ or chopped nuts to each. [NOTE: You can make your own vanilla yogurt by adding vanilla extract and sugar or sugar substitute to plain yogurt.]

Lime Spritzer
Add a squeeze of fresh lime juice (to taste) to a glass of seltzer or club soda with crushed ice for a refreshing and no-calorie thirst quencher.

Cantaloupe Supreme
Top ½ cup of small cantaloupe chunks (or be fancy and use a melon ball maker) with a small scoop of low fat vanilla ice cream.

Orange and Blue Delight
Mix cantaloupe chunks or balls with blueberries for a healthy and tasty “Go Gators” treat. A great choice for tailgating and game day parties.

Ants on a Log
This is a traditional children’s favorite that the whole family can enjoy. Spread peanut or nut butter (cashew or almond butter) on celery sticks and dot with raisins. Serve with fat free milk for nutrition and to help with chewing and swallowing! (Don’t serve peanut or nut butters to very young children.)

Veggies with Dip
Crunchy cold veggies with a refreshing low fat buttermilk ranch dressing dip make a great summertime snack. Colorful and nutritious choices include carrot and celery sticks, cucumber rounds, grape tomatoes, bell pepper slices, and broccoli “trees” (blanch broccoli for two minutes and cool quickly for best color, texture, and taste, and for food safety).

Tomato Basil Delight
Slice plum tomatoes in half. Place a thin slice of mozzarella cheese and a fresh whole basil leaf (or chopped fresh basil) on each tomato half. Drizzle each with a few drops of extra virgin olive oil and sprinkle with salt and/or black pepper (optional).

Happy 4th of July!

2010-06-30T09:21:00.001-07:00

Enjoy your weekend and be safe! Here are some safety tips when using fireworks.

• Always read and follow label directions.
• Have an adult present.
• Buy from reliable sellers.
• Use outdoors only. (We have to say this??)
• Always have water handy (a garden hose and a bucket).
• Never experiment or make your own fireworks.
• Light only one firework at a time.
• Never re-light a "dud" firework (wait 15 to 20 minutes and then soak it in a bucket of water).
• Never give fireworks to small children.
• If necessary, store fireworks in a cool, dry place.
• Dispose of fireworks properly by soaking them in water and then disposing of them in your trashcan.
• Never throw or point fireworks at other people.
• Never carry fireworks in your pocket.
• Never shoot fireworks in metal or glass containers.
• The shooter should always wear eye protection and never have any part of the body over the firework.
• Stay away from illegal explosives.

I am sure you know this but just to make sure. Have a wonderful Holiday weekend!

Tim

TOP TEN PLACES TO VISIT IN PORTLAND

2010-06-11T09:23:00.000-07:00

1. International Rose Test Garden, 400 SW Kingston, Portland, OR 97201-This garden is a must-see if you are visiting Portland for the first time. There are so many different types of roses in the many rows of flowers that you will find yourself going from one type to another just to get the varied scents. In the Spring and Summer when the gardens are in full-bloom, this is one of the most beautiful places on Earth. Another great thing is that there is no fee to view these gardens, anyone can visit at any time of the year, although in winter there are often not any flowers blooming. Surrounded by Washington Park, there is a playground and picnic tables close by if you want to make a day trip of it. Want a souvenir to take back home? They even have a shop close by with all sorts of rose products. Also you have a fantastic view of the city from the garden, and on a clear day you can even see Mt. Hood!

2. Portland Saturday Market, 108 W Burnside, Portland, OR 97209-You simply cannot miss visiting this market if you come to Portland. While many of the stalls are outside and out in the open, there are also many regular and permanent shops clustered around them. The market specializes in hand-made arts and crafts, and you are sure to find something you like on a visit. Do you like to sample foods from different cultures? You can also find food booths at this market. The Portland Saturday Market runs from the first weekend of March until December 24^th, after which there is a break. Another must-see in Portland.

3. Powell's City of Books, 1005 W Burnside, Portland, OR 97209-This bookstore is the largest bookstore in America, and has an inventory of over 1 million books spread throughout its' six locations. The address listed here is for the main bookstore and it is the one that has books on nearly every topic except for some specialty ones like technical or travel books for example. If you are visiting Portland, you don't want to miss a visit to this store, particularly if you are an avid reader or know avid readers and are looking for something unique to take home as a gift. The different parts of this humungous store are color coded to make it easy to find whatever topic you are seeking, but if you get lost they have the friendliest staff around who will be more than happy to answer any questions you might have.

4. The Pearl District, 404 NW 10^th Ave LL1, Portland, OR 97209-The Pearl District is the art district for Portland, OR and very well known. There are a number of unique galleries, shops and restaurants to visit in the Pearl District. On first Thursday all of the art galleries open their doors wide to the public, and many people turn out for the event, hopping from one gallery to the next to check out the newest exhibits. This is an very fun and exciting event that even children can enjoy since there is a lot of walking involved!

5. Portland Art Museum, 1219 SW Park Ave, Portland, OR 97205-Built in 1892, this museum is the oldest museum in the Pacific Northwest. The museum's collection houses over 35,000 pieces of art, and their collection is constantly changing as some items go on loan to other museums, and others come to them. It is open from Tuesday-Saturday, and closed on Mondays. Admission is $15.00, but it is well worth the cost as they have European art and sculptures, African and Asian artworks, as well as photographs in their collection.

6. Pittock Mansion, 3229 NW Pittock Dr, Portland, OR 97210-The Pittock mansion was owned by Henry Pittock and his wife Georgiana. Henry was the owner of the local newspaper, The Oregonian. While Henry and Georgiana only lived in the house from 1914-1919 when they passed away, the house stayed in Pittock family ownership until 1958 when one of their grandsons sold it. If not for the city of Portland and their willingness to come up with the funds to restore the mansion, this beautiful landmark would have been demolished. There are many tour options you can choose from when visiting the mansion, and you can even just wander the grounds if you like. The view from the mansion is spectacular and you can see all of Portland spread out before you.

7. Oregon Zoo, 4001 Southwest Canyon Road, Portland, OR 97221-Need something that the whole family can enjoy? If so, the Oregon Zoo in Portland is the place

to visit! The Oregon Zoo has 1,880 different species of animals, 270 species of mammals, reptiles and birds, making it the place to view exotic wildlife. During the summer there are concerts at the zoo, and in the winter there is the Zoo Lights Festival, making it a nearly year round opportunity!

8. Pioneer Square, 701 SW 6^th Ave, Broadway between Morrison and Yamhill, Portland, OR 97204. Located in the heart of downtown Portland, many events happen throughout the year at Pioneer Square, a few of which are an outdoor Powell's Bookstore sale, in the Summer, and a very large Christmas tree lighting in December. Another thing that recommends it is easy access to public transportation, so you can get anywhere you want in the city quickly, and lots of shops all around it, including Saks Fifth Avenue, and Office Depot to name a few.

9. Japanese Garden, 611 SW Kingston Ave, Portland, OR 97201-Located close to the International Rose Garden, the Japanese Garden is the perfect place to go to take a break from all your sight seeing. Calming and beautiful, the Japanese Garden is like another world separate from the rest of Portland. Replete with ponds, sculpture, and plants, serene is just one of the words used to describe how I felt when visiting it. The Japanese Garden is open 7 days a week, and opens at noon on Mondays. If you do not want to walk to the entrance of the garden, the Japanese Garden offers a free shuttle service that runs daily.

10. Oregon Museum of Science and Industry (OMSI), 1945 SE Water Ave, Portland, OR 97214-Finally, a visit to Portland just isn't complete without a visit to OMSI. There is something for everyone at OMSI. They often have wonderful exhibits, some even interactive for the kids, and it is a great place to learn, as well as have fun. They have an Omnimax theater, where they show both educational and fun movies. They also have a planetarium, Kendall Planetarium. You can purchase tickets, check hours and find out what the featured exhibits are by visiting their website: http://www.omsi.edu/visit/

JADON LAVIK IN TOWN THIS THURSDAY!

2010-06-08T08:59:00.000-07:00

Jadon will be at Willamette Christian Church this Thursday night at 7 pm. Tickets are only $5 at the door! www.willamettechurch.com
Also, check out Jadon's new CD Art and Soul at www.jadonlavik.com

THE ART OF BBQing

2010-05-28T06:45:00.000-07:00

If you are getting set to cook out this weekend, here are a few tips to mastering the art of barbequing:

Trim the Fat - Trimming the fat cuts the amount of grease drippings and subsequently controls flame-ups.
Marinate More – If you want the flavor to last the very last bite, soak your meat in marinade for 12 to 24 hours.
Lube the Grate - No one wants to spend hours scrubbing the grate post-cookout. Avoid a lengthy and laborious clean-up by oiling the grill before using.
Light Up Your Fire with Salad Dressing - Don’t have lighter fluid? Don’t despair! Grab the salad dressing from the fridge and douse it over charcoals. The oil in the dressing acts as a great accelerant.
Don’t Mess with Your Meat - Over-handling meat—in the form of flipping, pressing down on it with a spatula, or testing doneness with a fork—does more harm than good. People tend to flip meat frequently for fear of overcooking, but actually dries meat out.

WHAT ARE THE CHANCES?

2010-05-25T09:35:00.000-07:00

A family has defied the odds to have a son, father and grandfather all born on the same day. When Benjamin Fox arrived in the world on May 8 he shared the same birthday as not only his father Lee but also his grandfather Harry.

The odds of three generations of the same family all having boys born on the same day... 272,910 to one.

TOP TEN FRUITS

2010-05-13T07:54:00.000-07:00

1000 people polled and here are the Top Ten Fruits...
1) Bananas
2) Watermelon
3) Strawberries
4) Mango
5) Oranges
6) Apples
7) Pineapple
8) Grapes
9) Cherries
10) Lemons

..and your favorites?

ELECTRONIC COUPONS

2010-05-12T09:53:00.000-07:00

Here's what you do:

1. Sign up at shortcuts.com and register your grocery store savings card.
2. Select the grocery coupons you want.
3. Swipe your card at checkout. Coupon discounts are deducted automatically.

Let me know if you try it!

SPRING CLEANING

2010-04-16T07:48:00.000-07:00

Great Cleaning tips

When you dust, start at the top and work down.
Take all your cleaning tools, avoid unnecessary trips back and forth.
Clean as you go! It takes a lot less time to remove new dirt than old.
Leave baking soda on carpeting over night will absorb musty odors
Make a checklist of chores to get organized first.
Wash walls from the bottom up, to avoid streaking.
Use old socks as mitts for cleaning difficult wood work.
Wash small knickknacks instead of dusting.
To removing heel marks , take pencil eraser and rub them off.
Don't mix cleaning products. Ammonia and bleach are toxic.
Remember common cleaners such as windex and comet meet this don't do rule.
Allowing cleaners to set for several minutes will ease the cleaning job.

Interior Walls

Wall cleaner, mix 1/2 c. ammonia, 1/4 c. white vinegar, and 1/4 c. baking soda to 1 gal. warm water.
For cleaning textured walls use nylon socks instead of a sponge or cloth to avoid leaving material chunks behind.
To dust wall paper, tie a dustcloth over your broom and work from the top down.
To remove pencil marks & other non-greasy spots from non-washable papers, use an art-gum eraser .
To remove greasy spots or crayon, apply a paste of cleaning fluid and fuller's earth and cornstarch. Let the wall dry and brush off residue. Repeat the treatment until the spot is gone.

Exterior Walls

Use a water hose to spray the outside of your house. This will remove siding cobwebsand dirt.
Textured siding ? Attach a car-washing brush to the hose to remove dirt.

Windows

Make your own spray cleaner. Fill a spray bottle with 3 tablesoopns ammonia, 1 tablespoon vinegar & the remainder with water.
Dust blinds by wrapping a cloth around a ruler. Spray cloth with a dusting spray and run the flat end across each blind.
Shine windows using old newspaper.
Clean windows on an average temperature, preferably overcast day to avoid streaks.
Dry windows outside in one direction then inside in the other direction. If you see a streak, you will know which side is the ofender.
To clean window sills, pour diluted rubbing alcohol on a cloth and rub the entire surface.Then dust off the sill with a clean cloth.

Bathroom

Rubbing alcohol can remove the dull haze from mirrors.
Use rubbing alcohol to remove spots from bathroom fixtures.
Glass shower doors will sparkle if cleaned with white vinegar.
To clean the shower, use a solution of 1/2 cup vinegar, 1 cup ammonia, and 1/4 cup baking soda added to one gallon of warm water.
Lemon furniture oil will remove water spots on metal frames.
Rusty tile marks can be removed with kerosene.
Running the shower on hot for five minutes will steam the dirt loose.
Grout need cleaning? Wash with 2 tablespoons chlorine bleach in one quart of water. Dry thoroughly, then apply several coats of lemon oil. Let dry one hour between coats.
Dull walls will shine when washed with vinegar and waterand plished with a dry cloth.
Lighter fluid will remove most stains from porcelain sinks and bathtubs.

Kitchen

Pour club soda on counter and clean with a soft cloth, rinse with water then wipe dry.
Baking soda or club soda will clean and shine stainless steel sinks easily.
Remove stubborn water spots from a stainless sink with a cloth dampened with rubbing alcohol.
Spots on stainless steel also can be removed with vinegar.
Rub stainless steel sinks with lighter fluid if rusty .
For a sparkling white porcelain sink, place paper towels across the bottom of your sink and saturate with household bleach. Let sit for 8 hour & rinse. Never use bleach in colored sinks.

Refrigerator

An open box of baking soda will absorb odors for a month or so.
A few drops vanilla extract on a piece of cotton placed in the refrigerator will eliminate odors.
Wipe refrigerator with vinegar to prevent mildew.
Use your vacuum on the front of the coils and motor to remove dust and dirt

Appliances

Stop yellowing of white appliances. Mix 1/2 cup bleach, 1/4 cup baking soda and 4 cups of warm water. Apply with a sponge and let set for 10 minutes. Rinse and dry thoroughly.
Wax large appliances with car wax to make them shine and to remove small scratches.

Wood Floors

Floor cleaner is a solution of 1/2 cup of white vinegar in 1 gallon of warm water. Damp mop with a mop squeezed nearly dry. It is safer to mist the mop with the cleaner than to apply to floor. Do a section at a time and throw an old towel on the floor and scoot back and forth with foot to dry and prevent streaks. Standing liquid from mopping, spills, and pet accidents can damage floors.
The greatest damage done to wood floors is from grit. Mats at doors are necessary to collect grit and it's important to keep these clean. Frequent dust mopping in high traffic areas to collect grit is the best prevention. This should be done based on the amount of traffic, which may require dust mopping several times a day in an active household. The brush attachment of a vacuum can be used (no beater bars). Felt and furniture protectors should be installed on furniture. Never scoot furniture on wood.
Put a piece of waxed paper under your dust mop. Dirt will stick to the mop and the wax will shine your floors.
Use a paper bag over spilled candle wax then lightly iron
Removin Stains
- Water Stains
  - Rub the spot with No. 2 steel wood and rewax. For more serious water stains, lightly sand with fine sandpaper, clean the spot with No. 1 or 00 steel wool and mineral spirits or floor cleaner then refinish and wax.
- Heel and Caster Marks
  - Rub vigorously with fine steel wool and floor cleaner. Wipe dry and polish.
- Ink Stains and Other Dark Spots
  - Use No. 2 steel wool and floor cleaner to clean the spot and surrounding area. Thoroughly wash the affected area. If the spot remains, sand with fine sandpaper, re-wax and polish. Stubborn stains may require that you replace the affected area.
- Chewing Gum and Wax Deposits
  - Ice until the deposit is brittle and crumbles off. Pour floor cleaner around the stain so the fluid soaks under and loosens it.

Vinyl Floors

Sweep then damp mop using a gallon of water and a dash of dishwashing detergent.
No-wax floors eventually need waxing, this will help to prevent further deterioration.

Cleaning Carpets

To clean dry spots, loosen soil and vacuum away prior to moistening it.
When taking out stains, always use a white cloth.
Wax dropped on carpet or upholstery? Set a clean, absorbent cloth over the wax stain and hold a hot iron on it. Then remove the cloth.
Coat mildly greasy stains with aerosol shaving cream, use a hair dryer to speed dry. Then vacuum.
Sprinkle a greasy stain with baking soda, cornstarch or talcum powder. Leave on at least 8 hours, then vacuum.

Did you know that Bounce, the stuff you use in the dryer has many cleaning uses?

Eliminates static electricity from your television screen. Since Bounce is designed to help eliminate static cling, wipe your television screen with a used sheet of Bounce to keep dust from resettling.
Dissolves soap scum from shower doors. Clean with a used sheet of Bounce.
Freshens the air in your home. Place an individual sheet of Bounce in a drawer or hang one in the closet.
Prevents thread from tangling. Run a threaded needle through a sheet of Bounce to eliminate the static cling on the thread before sewing.
Eliminates static cling from pantyhose. Rub a damp, used sheet of Bounce over the hose.
Prevents musty suitcases. Place an individual sheet of Bounce inside empty luggage before storing.
Freshens the air in your car. Place a sheet of Bounce under the front seat.
Cleans baked-on food from a cooking pan. Put a sheet in the pan, fill with water, let sit overnight, and sponge clean. The anti-static agents apparently weaken the bond between the food and the pan while the fabric softening agents soften the baked-on food.
Eliminates odors in wastebaskets. Place a sheet of Bounce at the bottom of the wastebasket.
Collects cat hair. Rubbing the area with a sheet of Bounce will magnetically attract all the loose hairs.
Eliminates static electricity from venetian blinds. Wipe the blinds with a sheet of Bounce to prevent dust from resetting.
Deodorizes shoes or sneakers. Place a sheet of Bounce in your shoes or sneakers overnight so they'll smell great in the morning.

Cleaning Marble "MARBLE IS TRICKY, USE AT YOUR OWN RISK"

For heavier stains on marble, take three or four cakes of Ivory soap, cut them up and dissolve in hot water until you have a "slurry." Paint this on the marble and let it sit for five days or so. If the gunk starts to dry during that time, wet it down. At the end of the period, wash it all off.
To remove lighter stains, sprinkle salt on a fresh cut lemon. Rub very lightly over stain. Do not rub hard or you will ruin the polished surface. Wash off with soap and water.

SO FAR SO GOOD

2010-04-13T08:34:00.000-07:00

BabyNameWizard.com has tabulated the hot new names that have risen the fastest from a year ago. Not surprisingly, some come straight from Hollywood.

The Top 10 Boys' and Girls' Names of 2010 So Far:

GIRLS

Charlotte
Olivia
Elizabeth
Amelia
Emily
Ava
Ella
Claire
Emma
Violet

BOYS

Oliver
Owen
Henry
Liam
James
Jack
Alexander
Benjamin
William
Noah

PLAY BALL. AND HAVE A HOT DOG!

2010-04-06T08:03:00.000-07:00

The National Hot Dog and Sausage Council says that during the 2010 baseball season, Major League ballpark vendors will serve 21,378,064 hot dogs or enough to round the bases 29,691 times. If laid end-to-end, the dogs would stretch from the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, N.Y., to the major league baseball field in Denver, Colorado, with enough left over to give a hot dog to every fan at every Colorado Rockies' home game for the entire 2010 season.

JUNK DRAWER NECESSITIES

2010-03-29T07:55:00.000-07:00

We all have a junk drawer. You know, that drawer that houses all of the items that don't really fit in with the contents of the other drawers -- the catch-all for our doo-dads and thingamajigs.

Here are a few essentials that every junk drawer absolutely needs:

-A pair of scissors

-Paper clips and safety pins.
-Pens and pencils
-Bandages
-Gum

-Rubber bands
-Batteries
-Mini screwdrivers

Anything else we need to add?

FREE CONE!

2010-03-22T07:07:00.001-07:00

Tomorrow (Tuesday March 23rd) is free cone day at Ben & Jerry's. The ice cream chain is giving away free ice cream all day, from noon to 8 p.m., to thank their fans for more than three decades of business.

This year there are three new flavors to choose from, including Peanut Brittle, Maple Blondie, and Milk & Cookies.

So what is your favorite flavor?

DO WHAT YOU NEED TO DO

2010-03-19T08:26:00.000-07:00

Postmaster General John Potter said this week that Congress must let the Postal Service take drastic actions to save $40 billion and its business, including eliminating Saturday delivery. Federal law requires six-day mail delivery to every household and business in the country.

Earlier this month the Postal Service released a 10-year forecast that showed projected losses of $238 billion and plummeting mail volume as we conduct more transactions on the Internet.

A USA Today/Gallup Poll found that a majority of respondents said they would be willing to lose a day of delivery to save the Postal Service.

SHINY, HAPPY PEOPLE!

2010-03-11T12:23:00.000-08:00

SHINY, HAPPY PEOPLE

Happy people tend to talk more than unhappy people, but when they do, it tends to be less small talk and more substance.

A new study found that:

Happy people spend 25 percent less time alone and 70 percent more time talking than unhappy people.
Happy people also have twice the amount of substantive conversations and one third as much small talk.

What other differences do you notice in happy people?

5 FOODS YOU SHOULD EAT EVERY DAY!

2010-03-03T07:37:00.001-08:00

#1 Leafy greens
Medical experts call them one of nature's miracle foods. Leafy greens like Swiss chard and kale are high in nutrients like folate and vitamins A and C that can lower your risk of cancer. Just one cup of dark, leafy greens a day could also prevent diabetes and high blood pressure.

#2 Nuts
Many nutritionists recommend nuts like almonds, cashews and walnuts because they're high in natural fiber. Fiber slows your digestive process, keeping hunger and unhealthy mid-afternoon snacks at bay. Goodbye vending machine runs!

#3 Onions
Studies show that consuming onions on a regular basis may reduce symptoms of asthma and the risk of developing stomach cancer. Add them to soups and stir-fry, and just remember -- the stronger the onion, the greater the health benefit.

#4 Whole grains
Refined grains, like white rice and pasta, have lost 90% of their nutritional value through the refining process. As if that weren't reason enough to choose whole grains like brown rice, quinoa and whole oats, a recent study showed that a diet rich in whole grains actually flattens your belly by reducing fat storage in your lower abdominal region.

#5 Yogurt
Making yogurt part of your daily eating routine can improve your digestion -- if you're buying the right stuff. Check that the label lists "active cultures" to make sure you're getting healthy probiotics, and pick a yogurt rich in vitamin D to prevent osteoporosis.

HOW TO SAVE A FEW

2010-03-02T06:55:00.001-08:00

The secret to stashing dough is simple: Spend less. Here are a few ways you can!:

Save $14:Take a "vacation" from Netflix, and borrow DVDs from pals for nada. Netflix lets you pause your subscription for up to 90 days.
Save $15 to $20: Little-known fact: The price of your haircut includes a fee for drying. So if you ask to leave it wet, your stylist will usually bump down the cost.
Save $10: Unlock your iTunes library — go to preferences and click share — and have friends and coworkers do the same. With so much music at your fingertips, you're less likely to buy a so-so CD.
Save $5 to $10: At the supermarket, skip things like sliced veggies and precut fruit, and opt for unpackaged produce. Do it yourself slicing and dicing takes a bit more time, but you'll save a ton.
Save $55 to $60: Take your old heels to a repair shop, and let the cobblers do their thing. Resoling stilettos will run you $15 to $20 — cheaper than a new pair.
Save $20 to $25: Many health-insurance plans will reimburse part of your gym membership. They figure shelling out $250 or $300 a year will save them from having to pay the bills you'd rack up while you're sick.

Are you cutting back to pump up your savings account? Tell us how you downside your budget.

FREE VACATION

2010-02-25T07:42:00.000-08:00

Spain is offering free vacations to the person who best answers questions on Facebook about the country and its customs.

The state tourism office says the contest will last through the end of February. The winner will get a week's holiday per year, for three years, plus airfare to and from Spain. Contestants have to answer a daily question on Spain that shows up at facebook.com/spainacountrytoshare.

A CHOCOLATE COVERED WHAT?

2010-02-10T09:03:00.000-08:00

Berry Delicious' chocolate-covered jalapeños are this year's hottest Valentine's Day candy in Elsa, Texas. Yvonne Sandoval says sales of the spicy peppers have been brisk. "We've always kinda geared towards the fruit, but this time we said let's try something spicy. So we tried chocolate-covered jalapenos. It's been pretty popular." A package of 6 chocolate-covered jalapeños sells for $12 or individually for $3

Contact Berry Delicious at (956) 262-7687

CHEESY SNACK!

2010-02-10T05:59:00.000-08:00

A listener mentioned this on the air and after so many emails I knew I had better get in on the blog! Just have a couple. OK?

Cheesy Sausage Canapes..

The ingredients:

4 c. bisquick

2 c. shredded cheddar cheese

1/3 c. mayonnaise

3/4 c. water ( I usually have to add a little more water)

2 lbs. sausage, browned and drained

2 Tbsp chopped onion

2 Tbsp chopped chives

Mix together all ingredients; form into small balls. Place on greased baking sheets. Bake @ 350 degrees 10 to 12 min. Serve hot!! Enjoy.

CRANBERRY MEATBALLS

2010-02-05T08:25:00.000-08:00

Here's an easy Cranberry Meatball recipe!

1 14-ounce can Jellied Cranberry Sauce
1 12-ounce bottle Heinz® Chili Sauce
1 2-pound bag frozen, pre-cooked, cocktail-size meatballs

Combine sauces in a large saucepan. Cook over medium-low heat, stirring until smooth. Add meatballs. Cover and cook for 15 minutes or until meatballs are heated through, stirring occasionally.

Makes 30 appetizer servings.

Enjoy!

SUPER SUNDAY FUN FACTS

2010-02-05T07:57:00.001-08:00

Here are some Super Bowl facts.

- The Super Bowl will be broadcast in more than 230 countries with an estimated worldwide audience of 1 billion people.

- Super Bowl Sunday is the second-largest one-day food consumption day of the year behind Thanksgiving

- 6% of Americans will call in sick on Monday

- Super Bowl weekend is the slowest day of the year for weddings.

- crime drops by an average of 73% on Super Bowl Sunday.

- in 1967, a television ad cost about $42,000. A 30-second ad for this year's game will sell for about $3.01 million.

- a ticket to attend the 1967 Super Bowl game could be had for between $6 and $12. Super Bowl 44 tickets are being scalped for between $2,900 and $3,700.

- $25,000: Estimated value of the Super Bowl trophy.

- The NFL pays for up to 150 Super Bowl rings. The league also pays for 150 pieces of jewelry for the
losing team, which may not cost more than one-half the price for the Super Bowl rings.

ME + YOU = WE

2010-02-02T07:53:00.000-08:00

New research suggests that couples who refer to themselves using pronouns like "we" and "our" apparently resolve conflict more successfully.

Scientists found that pairs who used shared pronouns like "we" and "us" were generally happier and healthier in their relationships, where as those who peppered their speech with "I" and "you" were less close and tended to be more stressed and unhappy in general.

What do you think contributes to your happy and healthy marriage?

GIANT GEORGE!

2010-02-01T09:01:00.000-08:00

Giant George, a four-year-old blue Geat Dane, from Tuscon, Arizona, may be the world's largest dog. The 245-pounder is 7 feet, 3-inches tall from nose to tail. He eats 110 pounds of food per month and sleeps in a queen size bed.

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/GiantGeorge

Do you have a large pet?

IF YOU WANT TO TAKE THE FAMILY OUT TO EAT THIS WEEKEND...

2010-01-29T08:07:00.000-08:00

M/A/R/C Research recently surveyed 1,020 diners to find out what restaurants they most often recommend. Here are the top 10 most recommended restaurants

1. California Pizza

2. Texas Roadhouse

3. Outback Steakhouse

4. Applebee's

5. Cheesecake Factory

6. Red Robin

7. Red Lobster

8. Olive Garden

9. Chili's Grill & Bar

10. TGI Friday's

Carols and Choirs Christmas Show!

2009-12-17T17:02:00.000-08:00

Don't miss the Carols and Choirs Christmas show tomorrow, featuring the Multnomah Vocal Jazz Ensemble and choirs from Clackamas High School, Horizon Christian High School, and Portland Christian High School. We'll be broadcasting live from Multnomah University from 6 - 10 a.m. with lots of fun surprises. Click here for more information!

Keeping people warm this Christmas!

2009-12-08T16:50:00.000-08:00

This Christmas season is a great time to help keep those in need warm! Here are a few places that are taking donations such as blankets, clothes and jackets.

City Team
526 SE Grand Ave
Portland, Or 97214
503-231-8894

Mt Scott Church Of God also takes donations for City Team.
10603 Southeast Henderson Street
Portland, OR 97266-8004
(503) 771-1195

Portland Rescue Mission
111 W Burnside
Portland, Or 97209
503-mission

My Fathers House
5003 W Powell Blvd.
Gresham, Or 97030
503-492-3046

LET'S TALK TURKEY!

2009-11-25T08:29:00.000-08:00

According to the National Turkey Federation, close to 90% of Americans will eat turkey on Thanksgiving. Other findings:

- Over 46 million birds will be eaten tomorrow. 88% of Americans ate turkey last Thanksgiving.

- Americans will gobble over 690 million pounds of turkey tomorrow

- 75% of America will devour pumpkin pie for dessert

- 575 million pounds of cranberry sauce will be eaten while 1.4 billion pounds of sweet potatoes have been grown for Thanksgiving and Christmas consumption.

- The average weight of this year's Thanksgiving turkey is 15 pounds.

- According to a survey by Pepperidge Farm, 70% of American women will be doing the cooking on Thanksgiving.

- 34% of Americans love to watch football on Thanksgiving while only 22% enjoy Thanksgiving Day parades.

- Thanksgiving Eve ranks as one of the top five busiest days for pizza delivery in the United States.

THE LEGEND OF POCAHONTAS AT MHCC

2009-11-25T08:17:00.000-08:00

The Christian Youth Theater is presenting The Legend Of Pocahontas at Mt. Hood Community College this weekend and next (Nov. 27-29 and Dec. 4th and 5th). Purchase tickets at www.cyt.org and enter this code for a discount PPEF09

Thanks to Emily Wright, who plays Pocahontas, for dropping by the studios!

VETERANS DAY WEBSITES

2009-11-11T08:31:00.000-08:00

Ways to thank the troops .. http://www.amillionthanks.org/

Care packages to our troop .. http://www.opgratitude.com/

Ways to Salute and Celebrate Veterans ... http://www.military.com/veteransday/Celebrate_Kids.htm

WE SALUTE YOU!

2009-11-10T09:05:00.000-08:00

Several restaurant chains plan to honor veterans tomorrow as part of their Veteran's Day celebration. Here are a few I know of...

- Outback Steakhouse is offering a free Bloomin' Onion appetizer and a drink.

- Krispy Kreme is giving away donuts

- Applebee's is offering a free entree to vets and active-duty military from 11 am until midnight.

WHAT WAS YOUR NAME?

2009-10-19T09:54:00.000-07:00

Some people have gift for remembering names but for far too many of us, they go in one ear and right out the other. Unfortunately, referring to everyone as "hey" or "you" can be a poor decision when it comes to networking.

Here are a few ways to remember:

Repeat the first name or confirm the last name. Simply saying, "It's nice to meet you, Chuck" or "and your last name was...?" will help you register the name and give it a better chance to implant itself into your memory.
Ask a question or make a comment about the person's name. "Nice to meet you, Julia. My college roommate's name was Julia, so I'll have no problem remembering you."
Ask the person to spell his or her name. "Abby, do you spell your name with a 'y' or with an 'ie'?"
Associate the name with a picture in your mind. If you meet a CEO named Arthur, visualize him as King Arthur with the knights of the Round Table.
Ask how the person got his name. "Savannah, were you named after the city?"
Tell the person what you have heard about him. "I heard you organized this whole event, Peter."
Keep your energy level high. Let your body language and tone of voice signal that you are honestly trying to learn the other person's name and teach her yours.
Always say the person's name again as you leave her. "It was good to meet you, Jen."

My trip to Haiti with Food For The Poor

2009-10-13T16:22:00.000-07:00

Here are some pictures of my trip to Haiti with Food For The Poor. Listen on Tuesday, October 20, or visit www.foodforthepoor.org/kfis to help those in need!

CARMEL PECAN APPLE PIE

2009-09-30T09:51:00.000-07:00

We were talking about this on the show. Just a little slice should do!

15 oz. pkg. Pillsbury All Ready Pie crust
1 tsp. flour

FILLING:

6 c. thinly sliced, peeled apples
3/4 c. sugar
1/4 c. flour
1/4 tsp. salt
2 tbsp. butter

GLAZE:

1/3 c. Kraft Caramel Topping
2 to 4 tbsp. chopped pecans

Prepare pie crust according to package directions for two crust pie. Heat oven to 425 degrees.

In large bowl, combine apples, sugar, flour and salt; toss lightly. Spoon apple mixture into pie crust lined pan. Dot with butter. Top with second crust and flute; cut slits in several places.

Bake at 425 degrees for 35 to 45 minutes or until apples are tender. Remove pie from oven; immediately drizzle with caramel topping. Sprinkle with nuts.

FREE ICE CREAM!

2009-09-22T07:38:00.000-07:00

If you like ice cream then you should circle this Thursday on your calendar! On that day Cold Stone Creamery will give away free small ice cream sundaes between 5-8 p.m. during the 8th annual World's Largest Ice Cream Social.

KIDS EAT FREE!

2009-08-19T06:49:00.000-07:00

The battered restaurant industry is about to go wide on a risky tactic to nudge cash-strapped parents to take the family out for grub: Kids eat free. IHOP has unveiled plans to offer free kids meals seven nights a week for the next month.

IHOP's move is another signal of just how tough times are in the $566 billion restaurant industry. Restaurant operators have reported customer traffic declines for a staggering 22 consecutive months, according to the National Restaurant Association.

HAVE A LAUGH! DOG DIARY VS. CAT DIARY

2009-08-06T07:46:00.000-07:00

DOG DIARY

8:00 am - Dog food! My favorite thing!

9:30 am - A car ride! My favorite thing!

9:40 am - A walk in the park! My favorite thing!

10:30 am - Got rubbed and petted! My favorite thing!

12:00 pm - Lunch! My favorite thing!

1:00 pm - Played in the yard! My favorite thing!

3:00 pm - Wagged my tail! My favorite thing!

5:00 pm - Milk bones! My favorite thing!

7:00 pm - Got to play ball! My favorite thing!

8:00 pm - Wow! Watched TV with my people! My favorite thing!

11:00 pm - Sleeping on the bed! My favorite thing!

CAT DIARY

Day 983 of my captivity.

My captors continue to taunt me with bizarre little dangling objects.

They dine lavishly on fresh meat, while the other inmates and I are fed hash or some sort of dry nuggets. Although I make my contempt for the rations perfectly clear, I nevertheless must eat something in order to keep up my strength. The only thing that keeps me going is my dream of escape.

In an attempt to disgust them, I once again vomit on the carpet.

Today I decapitated a mouse and dropped its headless body at their feet. I had hoped this would strike fear into their hearts, since it clearly demonstrates what I am capable of. However, they merely made condescending comments about what a "good little hunter" I am. Idiots!

There was some sort of assembly of their accomplices tonight. I was placed in solitary confinement for the duration of the event. However, I could hear the noises and smell the food. I overheard that my confinement was due to the power of allergies." I must learn what this means, and how to use it to my advantage.

Today I was almost successful in an attempt to assassinate one of my tormenters by weaving around his feet as he was walking. I must try this again tomorrow -- but at the top of the stairs.

I am convinced that the other prisoners here are flunkies and snitches. The dog receives special privileges. He is regularly released - and seems to be more than willing to return. He is clearly brainwashed, stupid, or both.

The bird has got to be an informant. I observe him communicate with the guards regularly. I am certain that he reports my every move. My captors have arranged protective custody for him in an elevated cell, so he is safe. For now...

HOW TO STAY COOL IN THE SUMMER

2009-07-16T06:38:00.000-07:00

Step 1

Make the most of cool air and night time cool downs to save money on your heating bill and lower the heat in your house. This simple stay cool tip focuses on just making sure you open your windows on days that are cool and at night. Open enough to create a cross breeze and this will lower the temperature quickly.
Step 2

Use your blinds and curtains to control the heat coming into your home. If you have very sunny rooms a stay cool tip is to be sure to block the sun from coming in. Close over curtains and close up blinds. Sun will make your house warmer if you do not block it out.
Step 3

Have fans around the house to help keep the air moving. Turn on your ceiling fans and buy an oscillating fan for rooms you hang out in the most. This stay cool tip will help ensure the warm air does just sit and build moisture in the room.
Step 4

When you go outside be sure to have on light colored clothing. Dark colors will making your body warmer. Also be sure the clothing is not tight but very loose fitting. This stay cool tip will help make any errand you need to run reasonable on a hot summer day.
Step 5

Try to avoid going outside or staying in sunny areas between the hours of 10 AM and 6 PM. These are the hottest hours of the day and if possible try to do what you need outside around that time frame.
Step 6

The last stay cool tip is the most important. Drink a lot of water during the day. Water will help replenish what you sweat out and maintain a cooler body temperature.

Thanks to eHow.com

MORE HOMEMADE CLEANING PRODUCTS

2009-06-24T07:55:00.000-07:00

One of the ways I save money is by not buying too many cleaning products. It’s not only less expensive, but often it’s better for the environment to avoid harsh chemicals. And with the right mix of ingredients, homemade cleaning solutions often work just as well, and sometimes better, than their store bought counterparts.

The three ingredients I always have on hand for cleaning are baking soda, vinegar, and Dawn dishwashing detergent. You can clean almost anything with these three items.

To clean windows, mix 2 cups of water, 1/4 cup of white distilled vinegar, and up to 1/2 teaspoon of Dawn in a spray bottle. It cleans windows beautifully!

For floors, add 1 cup vinegar to 1 gallon hot water and mop away!

My favorite bathroom cleaner is a spray bottle filled with 1/2 cup Dawn and as much vinegar as the bottle holds. It works better than any commercial tub cleaner I’ve ever tried!

For cleaning toilets, mix 1/4 cup baking soda, 1/4 cup Dawn, and 1/4 cup water. Let sit on the toilet bowl for a couple of hours, swish with a toilet brush, and flush.

Plain baking soda works just like scouring powder. It’s also great for deodorizing carpet. Just sprinkle on the carpet, let sit for a while, and vacuum up!

Have you ever tried homemade cleaners? What is your experience? Do you have any great recipes? I’d love to hear from you in the comments!

(Thanks to Holly in Battle Ground and beingfrugal.net)

101 FUN THINGS FOR TEENS TO DO THIS SUMMER

2009-06-23T07:16:00.000-07:00

Summer Fun For Teens

Here is a list of fun things for your teen to do this summer. Print it out and give it to your teen the first time they tell you they are bored. Or be proactive and give it to them before they complain about nothing to do. Most of these things can be done with friends or alone.

Invent a new type of pizza¹.
Make a music video.
Grow a tomato or sunflower plant.
Walk barefoot through the grass.
Build a sandcastle.
Have a wet t-shirt relay race².
Picnic at a local park.
Make the best ice cream sandwich³ ever.
Have an overnight movie marathon.
Play frisbee golf.
Have a car wash to fundraise for a club or charity.
Grab a blanket, spread it out in the grass and cloud watch.
Make a card for a friend⁴.
Bike five miles.
Catch lightning bugs.
Eat the Best Banana Split⁵ ever.
Take a nap under a shade tree.
Go swimming.
Have a pool party⁶.
Play with water balloons⁷.
Make a summer tote bag⁸ out of a recycled tank top.
Soak in the bathtub with homemade summer bath salts⁹.
Sketch a flower that is growing in your yard.
Bury a friend in the sand.
Babysit and make paper airplanes.
Volunteer¹⁰ in a community effort.
Go fishing.
Sleep in your backyard, under the stars.
Create a photo journal.
Hike a rail trail.
Visit the local library and sign up for the summer reading list. You could win something.
Swap a favorite book with a friend and read it.
Make a friendship bracelet¹¹ and send it to your friend.
Write a poem
Write a song.
Write a play.
Start your novel.
Make a website.
Give your MySpace/Facebook page a summery look.
Friend someone famous on your MySpace/Facebook page.
Have an outdoor basketball free-throw contest.
Have a watermelon seed spitting contest.
Sketch your pet.
Make smoothies¹².
Have a high tea, only use iced-teas.
Help plan the family vacation¹³.
Make a root beer float.
Write in your journal, "My Top Ten Favorite Summertime Activities".
Make toe ring.
Paint your toe nails.
Make a barefoot sandal.
Make Hawaiian Pizza¹⁴ for your family dinner.
Paint your fingernails with bright sparkly polish.
Watch the sunrise.
Watch the sunset.
Get your community’s events list for the summer and attend an event.
Have a summer clothes fashion show.
Create a summer safety poster for the local library.
Volunteer to read to children at the library.
Learn to grill a hot dog¹⁵.
Learn to grill a hamburger¹⁶.
Learn to grill pizza crust¹⁷.
Eat some fruit with fruit dip¹⁸.
Make a collage out of old magazines.
Swing.
Skip stones at a lake.
Surf/boogey board at the beach.
Get a new hairdo.
Change something about how you wear your make-up.
Decide to pick up one good habit¹⁹, then pick which one you’ll do.
Make your own popsicles.
Watch last year’s hot summer flick.
Go to this year’s hot summer flick.
Make a list of your favorite summertime movies in your journal.
Make a summer sun shaped collage out of summer fashion magazines.
Make a leaf t-shirt²⁰.
Make a earring holder out of a branch²¹.
Make peach lemonade²².
Make a CD of your favorite summertime songs.
Enjoy a board game marathon on your backyard picnic table or on your back porch.
Have a scavenger hunt.
Make some summer jewelry²³.
Change something in or add something to your room.(You could clean it too.)
Give your dog/pet a bath outside.
Take your dog/pet for a walk.
Run through a sprinkler.
Make a whirlpool in a kids pool or play Ice Cubes and Piggies Game²⁴.
Visit a flower garden and/or butterfly house.
Grow some lavender so you can make your own potpourri.
Turn up the music and dance.
Go stargazing.
Sleep until noon – once.
Tie-dye your bed sheets.
See some fireworks.
See a local baseball game.
Play mini-golf.
Learn how to hula-hoop.
Create a sidewalk mural with chalk, use a tropical theme.
Organize your summer sandals and flip-flops.
Visit a college²⁵.
Plan and enjoy a luau.

Thank you to Denise Witmer, About.com

FUN SUMMER TIME ACTIVITIES AND GAMES

2009-06-16T08:04:00.000-07:00

The school year will be ending soon and your child
will have a lot of extra time and energy for play and
activities. Be prepared to prevent summer boredom by
keeping little hands and minds busy with a variety of fun
and interesting activities. Here are some suggestions of
summer activities that your child might enjoy.
- Enjoy Cloud Watching Together
On a nice sunny day when the sky is full of beautiful,
fluffy, white clouds, lie down with your child on the
ground and gaze up at the sky. Together imagine they are
animals, creatures, people, or monsters. Have fun as you
try to decide what the clouds look like.
- Make a Tepee
Give your child an old sheet which can be colorfully
decorated with markers, fabric crayons or fabric paint.
Let the sheet dry and then drape it over a card table for
an instant tepee. Help your child make an Indian head
dress out of construction paper and feathers.
- Blowing Big Bubbles
Blowing bubbles can be a great source of self amusement.
Shape a large homemade wand from a wire coat
hanger, making sure to wind any stray ends around the
main wire and to bind any sharp points with electrical or
duct tape. Have your child dip the wand in a large
container filled with bubble soap (recipe provided below)
and wave in the air to make big bubbles. Plastic
flyswatters with holes can also be used as bubble wands.
Bubble recipe: Mix l cup of dish detergent dishwashing
liquid, 8 cups water and 1 cup of corn syrup. The bubble
solution keeps well. Store the unused portion in a closed
container.
- Plant a Summer Flower or Vegetable Garden
This could be a small garden by itself or a small
portion of your family garden. Let your child help select
the seeds and plant them. As the plants grow, help him/
her water, weed, and care for the garden.
- Make a Mr. Green Grass
Have your child draw a face on plain paper or
Styrofoam cup. Fill the cup two-thirds full with soil and
add enough water to make the soil wet. Generously
sprinkle grass seed on top of the soil and cover the seeds
with another thin layer of soil. Place the cup by a sunny
window and wait for Mr. Green grass’s hair (the grass)
to grow.
- Magic Paint
For outdoor fun, take old paint brushes and coffee
cans filled with water out to the play area. Let your child
paint on the cement sidewalks, porches, or walls with
their magic paint.
-Plan a Scavenger Hunt
This can be an inside or an outside game. Make up a
list of fun items you want your child to find such as a
small rock, a bird feather, a twig, etc. If your child cannot
read, draw pictures of the items and write the name
underneath them. Go over the list so the child understands
what to look for and where to look. Give your
child a small bag or basket to put the collected treasures
in. Be sure to plan a special treat or surprise for when the
hunt is over.
- Chalk Drawing
Provide a variety of colored sidewalk chalk and
allow your children to express their creativity by drawing
on the driveway, sidewalk, or concrete patio.
Be sure to take a look at and compliment the masterpieces
designed by the young artist. Either you can wait
for the rain to wash the chalk away or you can provide a
water hose or a pail of water for clean up. On a warm day,
cleaning up with a water hose may be just as much fun as
drawing!
- Create Colorful Windsocks
For each windsock, cut a 2 x 16 inch strip of heavy
paper or poster board. Glue long 1-inch wide strips of
fabric or ribbon along the lower edge of the paper. Staple
the ends of the paper or poster board strip together to
form a circle.
Punch a small hole on each side of the circle and
attach a piece of yarn or string through it and tie. This is
what you will hang the windsock with. Hang the
windsock outdoors and watch it dance in the wind.
- Straw Painting
Provide a piece of construction paper with a small
blob of watered down tempera paint placed in the middle.
Give your child a plastic drinking straw (may be cut
in half to make shorter). Instruct them to blow through
the straw and move the paint around to make a design.
You may add more colors of paint if the child wants.
n Making Paper Hats
Place two pages from a newspaper on top of the
child’s head (cris-cross the pages). Press the paper down
around the top of the child’s head to form the top of the
hat. Have the child or someone else hold the paper in
place while you put a strip of masking tape around the
formed hat just above the child’s ears. Now let your child
be creative and roll or fold the edges to form a fancy or
funny hat. You may need to secure the rolled edges with
tape. The hat can also be painted and a feather or bright
colored ribbon can be added for a decorative touch.
- Items That Might Spark Interest
Put together a collection of items that will spark your
child’s interest and creativity. Some items might include:
prisms, magnets of different sizes, rulers, yardsticks,
tape measures, thermometers, scales, kaleidoscopes,
flashlights, magnifying glasses, measuring spoons
and cups, old clock, construction paper, scissors, glue,
washable markers, modeling clay and cookie cutters.
Check with your local library for books and other
resources on summer activities for children!

OFFICE INVASION!

2009-06-02T07:47:00.000-07:00

We are going to draw our first winner next week. We will bring goodies from Crossroads Coffee Cafe and I deliver!

Click here to enter!

YOGURT CHICKEN

2009-05-26T05:49:00.000-07:00

INGREDIENTS
4 skinless, boneless chicken breasts
1 (6 ounce) container plain low-fat yogurt
1 lemon, juiced
1 cup dried bread crumbs, seasoned
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
salt to taste
1/4 cup butter
1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley

DIRECTIONS
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
Place yogurt in a small bowl and stir until creamy smooth. Add lemon and stir together. (Note: If you do not stir the yogurt first, the lemon juice will make the yogurt curdle.) In a separate shallow dish or bowl combine the bread crumbs, garlic powder and salt to taste; mix together.
In a 9x13 inch baking dish place 1 scant pat of butter or margarine for each chicken breast. Rinse chicken breasts and pat dry. Dip each breast in the lemon/yogurt mixture, then in the bread crumb mixture (coating completely but not heavily).
Place coated chicken in the baking dish and top each breast with a full pat of butter or margarine. Sprinkle with chopped parsley and bake in the preheated oven for 1 hour. Let cool for 5 to 10 minutes before serving.

WEEKDAY WORKOUT

2009-05-22T05:54:00.000-07:00

Sitting behind a desk all day is just as abusive
to the body as playing a contact sport and each
year, thousands of people suffer from
desk-related injuries such as lower back pain,
Carpal-Tunnel syndrome and arthritis.

Here are a few ways to get a quick workout without even leaving your office:
1. The Chair Squat: While sitting up
straight, slowly proceed to a standing position.
Keep your arms straight out for balance. Repeat and perform 15-25 repetitions.

2. Chair Triceps Dips: Secure your chair
against the wall and place hands at the end of
the chair. Bend your knees so your thighs and
lower legs form slightly more than a 90-degree
angle. Bend your elbows and slowly lower your
body. Straighten the elbows to raise the body up. Repeat for 12-20 repetitions.

3. In-Place Marching: Stand up straight with
arms at your sides. Now, slowly lift your left
leg until it is waist height. Next take your arms
and-in a big fashion-circle them. As your arms
circle forward, drop your left leg to the ground
and follow by raising your right leg. You will
proceed in this fashion for 25 total repetitions
of total forward arm circles. After completing 25
forward circles, continue marching in-place and
circle arms backwards for 25 repetitions.

4. Open the Hips: Sit tall in your chair,
while drawing your abdominals inward. Next, lift
your left foot off of the floor a few inches:
keep the knee bent and flex your toes towards the
ceiling. Hold this position for 20-30 seconds.
Finally, lower and repeat for 20 reps. Repeat on the other side.

How to Make Your Own Laundry Detergent

2009-05-14T09:54:00.000-07:00

Things You'll Need:
Fels Naptha Bar Soap
Washing Soda
Borax
6 Cups Water
5 Gallon Bucket
Grater
Large Pot

Step 1
Using a large pot, add 4 cups of water and bring to a boil. Turn heat to medium-high.
Step 2
Grate half a bar of Fels Naptha and mix into the water until soap is dissolved. Then stir in 1/2 cup Borax and 1/2 cup washing soda and again stir until dissolved. At this point, it should look like soapy water.
Step 3
Add soap mixture to bucket and then add 4 more cups of hot water. Mix well and then add about a gallon and a half of cold water. Again, mix well - about 2 to 3 minutes.
Step 4
Let mixture sit overnight and by morning it should be the texture of gel. Use 1/2 to 1 cup per load of laundry.

HAPPY MOTHERS DAY

2009-05-08T08:30:00.000-07:00

Here's some Mother's Day stuff from today's show...

A new Salary.com study reveals that the average stay-at-home mother performs 10 jobs.
- The jobs include: housekeeper, day care center teacher, cook, computer operator, facilities manager, van driver, psychologist, laundry machine operator, janitor and chief executive officer.
- These 10 jobs equate to an annual salary of $122,732 for a stay-at-home mom. A working moms 'at-home' salary is $76,184 in 2009.

Mother's Day Facts

- 1.2 billion calls will be placed on Sunday
- The average American will send out 2.6 Mother's Day cards
- 27% of Americans will purchase Mother's Day gifts for their Mother-in-laws.
- KFC says Mother's Day is their biggest day of the year.
- FedEx Express says today will be one of their busiest days of the year because they will make nearly 25 times more domestic flower deliveries than on any other day during the year.

9 REASONS TO DRINK MORE COFFEE

2009-05-07T08:03:00.000-07:00

9 Reasons to Drink More Coffee!

It helps you shed pounds
People who drank more metabolism-firing caffeine gained less weight over 12 years than those who cut back on the coffee, say researchers at the Harvard School of Public Health in Boston.

It powers your workouts
Downing coffee and toast between back-to-back workouts can keep you humming, a study from the Journal of Applied Physiology reports. Athletes who drank a caffeinated carbohydrate beverage after cycling had 66 percent more glycogen (an energy reserve) in their muscles than those who had a caffeine-free version. Replenishing glycogen helps you go farther and faster in your next session.

It helps you wake up refreshed
Drinking a cup of coffee immediately before taking a 15- to 30-minute catnap can leave you alert and rested after waking up, according to research from The Sleep Research Centre, Loughborough University in Leicestershire, England. Caffeine takes a half hour to kick in, so it will rouse you after a short snooze.

It can ward off illness
Increasing your coffee intake may prevent liver cancer, The National Institute of Environmental Medicine in Stockholm, Sweden, finds. Two cups of java daily lowered a person's risk by 43 percent on average. In another study from University of Minnesota at Minneapolis, women who drank coffee had a 24 percent lower risk of dying from heart disease and other inflammatory conditions. Antioxidants in coffee are likely behind the protective benefits.

It can ease muscle cramps
Women who had the caffeine equivalent of two cups of coffee the day after their quadriceps were stimulated (as if they'd done squats) felt 48 percent less leg pain within an hour, research from the University of Georgia in Athens reveals. Caffeine may block the body's receptors for the ouch-causing chemical adenosine, scientists speculate.

It makes cardio feel like a cinch
Women given the caffeine equivalent of about two cups of coffee an hour before cycling reported 40 percent less pain than those who went decaf, according to a study from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Caffeine seems to block neurotransmitters that signal discomfort during exercise, researchers say.

It helps you get want you want
Dealing with a difficult person? Broach a tough topic over a cup of joe. Caffeine may make people more open to persuasion, the European Journal of Social Psychology notes. Researchers say it hones cognitive function, causing skeptics to be more receptive to a convincing case.

It may fight breast cancer
Young women drinking four or more cups of caffeinated coffee daily reduced their breast cancer risk by 40 percent compared with nondrinkers, a study in the Journal of Nutrition finds. The caffeine and polyphenols in regular coffee protect against cancer. Worried about getting the jitters? Even two cups every day can help.

It improves recall!
Caffeine perks up short-term memory, a study from the Medical University of Innsbruck in Austria reveals. One cup of coffee may be all it takes; drink it before a big meeting to be your sharpest.

WHAT'S NECESSARY?

2009-04-28T06:28:00.000-07:00

Throughout history, luxuries have become necessities. It may have even happened to you.
The Pew Research Center did a study recently and asked Americans what they deemed a "necessity."
* In 2006, 70 percent deemed air conditioning a necessity. This year the figure was down to 54 percent.
* Dishwashers, clothes dryers, microwave ovens and television sets are also seen as necessities by fewer people now than in 2006.
* 52 percent of us think a television is a necessity. That is the lowest figure since that question was first asked in 1973. The older you are, the more likely you are to view it as a necessity.
* Similarly, the young are more likely to view a cell phone as a necessity, and less likely to see a need for a landline.
* There’s been no significant change in the number deeming a computer for home use to be a necessity (50 percent this year, 51 percent in 2006).
* The proportion who deem high-speed Internet service to be a necessity also showed no significant change (31 percent this year, 29 percent in 2006).
* 4 percent of Americans think an iPod is a necessity

What "luxury" is absolutely "necessary" to you?

2009-04-24T13:53:00.000-07:00

Hi!

I just wanted to thank everyone who particapated in our "C" is for cookie contest for tickets to Seasame Street Live's "Elmo's Green Thumb." They were all winners!

Thanks to you for listening! Have a great weekend!

Tim

Click here to see the video replays of the "C is for Cookie" contest!

TAX DAY SPECIALS!

2009-04-14T06:57:00.000-07:00

The following restaurants are offering April 15th tax specials.
- Select McDonald’s: Buy one Quarter Pounder with Cheese or Big Mac and get a second sandwich for just one penny.
- P.F. Chang’s is offering a 15% Tax Day discount on Wednesday
- T.G.I. Friday’s is giving guests $5 Bonus Bites cards for purchases between $15 and $25, and $10 Bonus Bites cards for purchases of more than $25. The cards will only be available at participating restaurants in the United States.
- Cinnabon bakeries will offer free Classic Bites from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. on April 15th. The offer is not valid at airport or travel plaza locations.
- McCormick & Schmick’s Seafood Restaurants will offer a $10.40 entree menu on Wednesday.
- Taco Del Mar is giving away a free taco on Tax Day to each customer who comes in with a printable coupon. Coupons can be found at http://download.tacodelmar.com/email/2009Tax/Tax2009.htm and are good only on April 15th.

SOCIALLY UNACCEPTABLE

2009-04-09T06:54:00.000-07:00

In this day and time its pretty easy to find someone experiencing online sociability fatigue.
As social networking grows, from stream-of- consciousness Twitter to buttoned-up LinkedIn, even some of the very young people who've helped drive these sites' growth are asking for a break.
A recent survey from the Pew Internet & American Life Project found that 45 percent of us are enthusiastic about socializing via computer and mobile devices. Meanwhile, 48 percent are indifferent to Internet social networks, overwhelmed by gadgets or often avoiding Internet use altogether.

MOST BEAUTIFUL

2009-04-07T08:44:00.000-07:00

When asked what the most beautiful region of the Unites States was:
-37 percent said the West
-16 percent said the Northeast
-16 percent said the South
-13 percent said the Midwest

Where do you think the most beautiful spot of the country is?

MORE FREE FOOD

2009-04-06T08:39:00.001-07:00

Denny's gave away some 2 million Grand Slam breakfasts on Feb. 3. Now they're at it again with the "Pass Along Grand Slam Kindness" promotion.
From 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Wednesday, April 8, you can get a free Grand Slamwich for a friend when you order a Grand Slam for yourself.

**FYI: The Grand Slamwich consists of scrambled eggs, seasoned sausage, bacon, shaved ham, mayonnaise and American cheese grilled on potato bread with a maple spiced spread. It is served with hash browns, and normally costs $4.99.

MORE PRODUCTIVE?

2009-04-03T06:46:00.000-07:00

A new University of Melbourne study reveasls that surfing the Internet for fun while at work increases productivity. Researcher Brent Coker says those who spent time on Facebook and Twitter, among other sites, were 9% more productive that those who didn't surf. "Short and unobtrusive breaks, such as a quick surf of the Internet, enables the mind to rest itself, leading to a higher total net concentration for a days' work, and as a result, increased productivity."
Other findings:
- 70% of people who use the net at work engage in "WILB" or "workplace Internet leisure browsing." - most popular WILB activities are searching for information about products, reading online news sites, playing online games and watching videos on YouTube.

For Sale

2009-03-26T07:37:00.001-07:00

In a cash-strapped Idaho high school where signs taped near every light switch remind the staff to save electricity, an enterprising teacher has struck a sponsorship deal with a local pizza
shop: Every test, handout and worksheet he passes out to his students reads MOLTO'S PIZZA 14" 1 TOPPING JUST $5 in bright red, inch-high letters printed along the bottom of every page.
Jeb Harrison, who teaches history and economics, said that he was just trying to save money. Molto Caldo Pizzeria, about a mile from the high school, agreed to supply paper for Harrison's five classes - 10,000 sheets, valued at $315, and imprinted with a pizza ad.

Would you have a problem with these type of ads if they appeared in your children’s homework?

Money Wasters

2009-03-26T07:36:00.001-07:00

A new report says that businesses are wasting
billions of dollars by leaving their PCs on at
night. U.S. organizations squander $2.8 billion a
year to power unused machines, emitting about 20
million tons of carbon dioxide roughly the equivalent of 4 million cars.
About half of 108 million office PCs in the USA
are not properly shut down at night.

**FYI: The report says. If the world's 1 billion
PCs were powered down just one night, it would
save enough energy to light the Empire State
Building inside and out for over 30 years.

Deal Of The Day

2009-03-17T08:31:00.000-07:00

You can find a few fabulous finds from Coupon
Cravings.com, including free facial cleansers and
body creams at Bath & Body Works and free
anti-perspirant at Walgreens. Plus, score a free
copy of Rachael Ray's new book, Rachael Ray's Big Orange Book.
You can also get a free Roastburger at Arby's or a free sub at Quiznos.

**On the web: <http://www.couponcravings.com>www.couponcravings.com.

Running Late

2009-03-11T06:14:00.000-07:00

Does your morning routine typically include hitting the snooze button and scrambling to get out the door? A recent CareerBuilder.com survey found that 20 percent of workers said they arrive late to work at least once a week, up from 15 percent in last year’s survey. One-in-ten said they are late at least twice a week. Actual reasons for coming in late vary from worker to worker, but traffic was the main culprit with one-third (33 percent) of workers claiming it caused their tardiness. Nearly a quarter (24 percent) said lack of sleep, while 10 percent said getting their kids ready for school or day care was the main reason. Other common reasons included public transportation, wardrobe issues or dealing with pets.

**Hiring managers provided the following examples of the most outrageous excuses employees offered for arriving late to work:·

My heat was shut off so I had to stay home to keep my snake warm.

My husband thinks it’s funny to hide my car keys before he goes to work.

I walked into a spider web on the way out the door and couldn’t find the spider, so I had to go inside and shower again.

I got locked in my trunk by my son.

My left turn signal was out so I had to make all right turns to get to work.

A gurney fell out of an ambulance and delayed traffic.

I was attacked by a raccoon and had to stop by the hospital to make sure it wasn’t rabid.

I feel like I’m in everyone’s way if I show up on time.

My father didn’t wake me up.

A groundhog bit my bike tire and made it flat.

My driveway washed away in the rain last night.

I had to go to bingo.

Website Of The Day

2009-03-05T08:24:00.000-08:00

It’s a great website for moms and dads!
Handmedowns.com is a one stop destination for
buying, selling, or donating gently used items –
everything from strollers to books and toys.
The site features its own listing, along with
handpicked items from other Web classifieds.

**FYI: The service is free!
**On the web: <http://www.handmedowns.com>www.handmedowns.com.

Rise and Shine!

2009-03-05T07:37:00.000-08:00

Losing an hour of sleep to daylight savings time can make anyone grumpy. Maybe a new alarm clock would help!
Thinkgeek.com has one that is sure to get you out of bed in the morning! The Flying Alarm clock retails for $25. Basically, you can’t hit a snooze button. It emits an eye-opening siren noise and shoots a mini-helicopter up to 8 feet in the air. You catch it, grab the key and use it to quiet the alarm.

**And then go back to bed!

FYI: This Sunday March 8th at 2:00 am we "Spring" forward one hour!

SQUARE ROOT DAY

2009-03-03T06:53:00.000-08:00

Dust off the slide rules and recharge the calculators. Square Root Day is upon us.
The math-buffs' holiday, which only occurs nine times each century, is today - 3/3/09 (for the mathematically challenged, three is the square root of nine).
The last such day was five years ago, Feb. 2, 2004, which coincided with Groundhog Day. The next is seven years away, on April 4, 2016.

Famplosion.com!

2009-02-25T07:49:00.000-08:00

www.famplosion.com

The theme of this great new Web site is “Do Stuff Together.” The site is set up so that it is easy to navigate and search for fun, local stuff to do and places to go with your kids. All major venues are listed and there are filters for age suitability, price and distance. Major categories include zoos, libraries, science and discovery museums, local performances and great places for birthday parties. The site is based out of San Francisco, but covers several markets and is rapidly adding new locales.

Website Of The Day

2009-02-24T08:48:00.001-08:00

www.prodepot.com

This new Web site helps the unemployed become entrepreneurs by giving them a free marketing Web page. With many parts of the country experiencing double digit unemployment, a large number of professionals are now in need of work. Prodepot.com helps these professionals by offering a user friendly site that allows them to download their resume, photos, rates and availability by simply attaching their photos and pasting their information into text boxes. The site then creates a standard Web page from the information – very easy even for the computer novice. The site operates by adding an administrative fee to each professional’s hourly rate. Businesses can simply go to the site and click on “Looking for a Pro?” This will take them to a directory of professionals that they can view without registration or payment. Professionals wishing to join can go to the site and click on “Are You a Pro?” link. Then click “Join for Free” and enter your information.

Dove Nominations

2009-02-23T09:25:00.001-08:00

Chris Tomlin leads this year’s group of Dove Award nominees with seven nods, including one for Artist of the Year, Male Vocalist of the Year, and Song of the Year. Following Tomlin, with five nominations each, are Natalie Grant, Francesca Battistelli and Casting Crowns, who, like Tomlin, will be vying for the Artist of the Year award along with Steven Curtis Chapman, Fireflight, Marvin Sapp, Third Day, and TobyMac. This year, fans can vote in the Artist of the Year and New Artist of the Year Categories at www.gospelmusicchannel.com and www.doveawards.com starting February 26th. Voting continues through the live Dove Awards broadcast on April 23rd. The Dove Awards takes place at the Grand Ole Opry House in Nashville. The major nominees:

Song Of The Year: “Amazing Grace (My Chains Are Gone)” (Chris Tomlin), “Cinderella” (Steven Curtis Chapman), “Empty Me” (Chris Sligh), “Give Me Your Eyes” (Brandon Heath), “I Will Not Be Moved” (Natalie Grant), “I’m Letting Go” (Francesca Battistelli), “Mighty to Save” (Hillsong), “Never Going Back to OK” (The Afters), “Reason Enough” (Ernie Haase & Signature Sound) and “You Reign” (MercyMe).
Artist Of The Year: Casting Crowns, Steven Curtis Chapman, Fireflight, Marvin Sapp, Third Day, TobyMac and Chris Tomlin.
New Artist Of The Year: Addison Road, Francesca Battistelli, Fee, Jonathan Nelson, Remedy Drive, Chris Sligh and Tenth Avenue North.
Male Vocalist Of The Year: Jeremy Camp, Jon Foreman, Ernie Haase, Brandon Heath, David Phelps, Marvin Sapp and Chris Tomlin.
Female Vocalist Of The Year: Francesca Battistelli, Brooke Fraser, Karen Peck Gooch, Natalie Grant, Mandisa, Sandi Patty and Laura Story.
Group Of The Year: Casting Crowns, David Crowder Band, Ernie Haase & Signature Sound, Mary Mary, MercyMe, Skillet and Third Day.

WEBSITE OF THE DAY

2009-02-19T07:45:00.001-08:00

You may or may not know about www.RepairPal.com.
A website that hopes to provide drivers with the
most accurate, unbiased and useful car ownership
information available. RepairPal can find out the
estimated cost of repairs for any make or model
made after 1990. You choose your zip code, car
details and then select a specific repair.
In moments, you are given an estimated cost or
repairs, broken down by parts and labor and what
you should expect to pay at an independent shop versus a dealership.

COUPON CLIPPER

2009-02-18T09:01:00.000-08:00

Consumer Reports says the average person can save $678 a year by using coupons on a regular basis. Other findings by ICOM Information & Communications:
- 20% of consumers say coupon-cutting feels awkward- 57% of the survey's 3,013 respondents said they could care less about appearing frugal just as long as there's money to be saved- half of the respondents said they have recently begun using more coupons- 26% of consumers 35 and younger say they have less inhibition about using coupons than they used to--with 20% saying they were embarrassed at one time, but are not now because of the need to save money, while 6% say they are simply less self-conscious.

BEST JOB IN THE WORLD

2009-02-17T08:25:00.001-08:00

The Australian state of Queensland is looking to drum up tourism during an economic slowdown so they have launched a search for an individual to fill what they're touting as "the best job in the world."Once hired, the winner, who will earn $105,000, will walk on white sand, snorkel in some of the most beautiful beaches on Earth, live rent-free in an oceanfront home and then brag to the world on just how much fun they’re having using weekly blogs, photo diaries and video updates.**FYI: To apply, visitwww.islandreefjob.com by February 22.

BEFORE FILING

2009-02-17T07:56:00.000-08:00

Here are a few questions to ask yourself before you file:
· Did You Take the Right Charitable
Donations Deductions? It used to be that up to $250 in contributions could be claimed as a deduction without a receipt. However, starting in 2008, the IRS requires that filers provide receipts for all cash donations, even that $5 you gave to the Salvation Army bell ringer over the holidays.
· Did You Report All Your Income? If you
earned some extra cash from freelancing, just because you didn't get a 1099 form doesn't mean you're off the hook.
· Did You Take the Right Meals &
Entertainment Deductions? If you took a client out to dinner and discussed business immediately before, after or during your meal, then generally, 50 percent of the bill is tax-deductible. But you must have a receipt for expenses of $75 or more, containing the name of the restaurant, location, the amount paid the person you were with and the business discussion that occurred.
· Did You Take the Right Business Travel
Deductions? If you traveled within the U.S. for business, you may deduct 100 percent of the cost of getting and staying there (airfare, rental car or taxi, hotel). Personal expenses -- say, a ticket to a museum -- are not deductible.
· Did You Take the Right Home Office
Deductions? Just because you do a little work in your home doesn't mean you can take a home office deduction. In fact, most people don't qualify for this deduction because they need to use the space regularly and exclusively for business. If you use the home-office computer for personal matters, the home-office deduction is disallowed.

VALENTINES ON A BUDGET

2009-02-12T07:45:00.000-08:00

If you think that you have to spend a lot of
money to have a romantic Valentine’s Day, think
again. Here are some fun and fancy and free ideas.
· Get a Move On - No need for expensive
lessons here -- there are endless resources on
the Internet that can teach you any type of
dance. Just search for what you want to learn and put your dancing shoes on.
· Gourmet Romance - Instead of serving up
the usual -- your sweetie's favorite dish --
spend some quality time together in the kitchen
and make a brand-new recipe out of the ingredients you have at hand.
· Movie Night - Grab your favorite DVD
(bonus points for a classic love story or
romantic comedy), stick some popcorn in the microwave, and cuddle on the couch.

Any other ideas??

FIRST TO DO IT

2009-02-09T08:56:00.001-08:00

Jennifer Figge pressed her toes into the Caribbean sand, exhilarated and exhausted as she touched land this week for the first time in almost a month. Reaching a beach in Trinidad, she became the first woman on record to swim across the Atlantic Ocean a dream she'd had since the early 1960s.
The 56-year-old left the Cape Verde Islands off Africa's western coast on Jan. 12.

GO RED FOR WOMEN

2009-02-06T09:06:00.000-08:00

Today is National Wear Red For Women Day, kicking off the American Heart Association's "Go Red for Women" cardiovascular disease campaign. Get more information at http://www.goredforwomen.org/

Kids' Advice on Love and Marriage

2009-02-05T07:37:00.000-08:00

Kids' Advice on Love and Marriage
Author: Provided by Every Marriage Matters

HOW DO YOU DECIDE WHOM TO MARRY?

You got to find somebody who likes the same stuff. Like, if you like sports, she should like it that you like sports, and she should keep the chips and dip coming. * Alan, age 10

No person really decides before they grow up who they're going to marry. God decides it all way before, and you get to find out later who you're stuck with. * Kirsten, age 10

WHAT IS THE RIGHT AGE TO GET MARRIED?

Twenty-three is the best age because you know the person FOREVER by then. * Camille, age 10

No age is good to get married at. You got to be a fool to get married. * Freddie, age 6

HOW CAN A STRANGER TELL IF TWO PEOPLE ARE MARRIED?

You might have to guess, based on whether they seem to be yelling at the same kids. * Derrick, age 8

WHAT DO YOU THINK YOUR MOM AND DAD HAVE IN COMMON?

Both don't want any more kids. * Lori, age 8

WHAT DO MOST PEOPLE DO ON A DATE?

Dates are for having fun, and people should use them to get to know each other. Even boys have something to say if you listen long enough. * Lynnette, age 8

On the first date, they just tell each other lies, and that usually gets them interested enough to go for a second date. * Martin, age 10

WHAT WOULD YOU DO ON A FIRST DATE THAT WAS TURNING SOUR?

I'd run home and play dead. The next day I would call all the newspapers and make sure they wrote about me in all the dead columns. * Craig, age 9

WHEN IS IT OKAY TO KISS SOMEONE?

When they're rich. * Pam, age 7

The law says you have to be eighteen, so I wouldn't want to mess with that. * Curt, age 7

The rule goes like this: If you kiss someone, then you should marry them and have kids with them. It's the right thing to do. * Howard, age 8

IS IT BETTER TO BE SINGLE OR MARRIED?

It's better for girls to be single but not for boys. Boys need someone to clean up after them. * Anita, age 9

HOW WOULD THE WORLD BE DIFFERENT IF PEOPLE DIDN'T GET MARRIED?

There sure would be a lot of kids to explain, wouldn't there? * Kelvin, age 8

And the #1 Favorite is........HOW WOULD YOU MAKE A MARRIAGE WORK?

Tell your wife that she looks pretty, even if she looks like a truck. * Ricky, age 10

SEVEN MINUTE WORKOUT

2009-02-04T09:42:00.000-08:00

We've heard time and time again that people should be active almost daily to stave off weight gain and disease. But busy people want to know:
What's the least amount of exercise I can get away with and still stay healthy? The answer will shock you... try seven minutes.
According to British researchers, just seven minutes of exercise weekly may prevent diabetes by controlling your blood sugar. Here's the
catch: The exercise has to be vigorous.

FREE BREAKFAST

2009-02-03T09:10:00.000-08:00

During its Super Bowl ad Sunday night, Denny's announced that it would be giving away a free Grand Slam breakfast to anyone who visits its locations today (Tuesday, February 3) between 6 a.m. and 2 p.m.
Denny's estimates that it will give away two million breakfasts as part of the promotion. The company will be offering coupon books with the Grand Slams.