WEEKLY COLUMN: May 2008 Archives

barbara.correa@dailynews.com

SUMMER MOVIE CAMP: This just in from one of my local Moms clubs: AMC theaters are showing $1 movies every Wednesday at 10 am starting June 25, through August 6. Movies will include Shrek the Third, Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium and Bee Movie, among others. Proceeds go to charity. For movie schedules and locations, check http://www.amctheatres.com/smc/movies.html

CPR EN ESPAÑOL: Northridge Hospital is offering CPR classes in Spanish, for you or your nanny. Taught in Spanish by an American Heart Association (AHA) trained instructor, participants will learn lifesaving CPR techniques for infants, children and adults. Participants will receive one Spanish language AHA textbook per family and everyone receives a certification card. Check for dates at http://www.northridgehospital.org/Medical_Services/073835

POPCORN ADVENTURES: This weekly e-newsletter for cultural types pairs films with activities around L.A., like watching My Fair Lady and then visiting the flower market downtown. For your junior soccer player, watch Bend It Like Beckham, then tour Artesia's Little India. Have a budding Republican? Watch Yankee Doodle Dandy and go see the Reagan Library in Simi Valley. http://www.kidsoffthecouch.com/splash.php

SCHOOL FUNDING: Persistent parents are keeping the pressure on the Governor to preserve school funding at current levels. Here's the latest on what's going on in the effort, with photos from the most recent rallies and events: http://4lakidsnews.blogspot.com; http://www.capta.org/

FIND A CO-OP: One way to cut the cost of preschool and get involved is through co-operative schools. This Web site lists co-operatives for preschool and elementary school level. http://www.ccppns.org/index.html

THE VACCINE DEBATE: Dr. Gary S. Goldman, a resident of Pearblossom, a city in the Antelope Valley, is the author of a new book, "The Chickenpox Vaccine: A New Epidemic of Disease and Corruption,'' a 2008 Mom's Choice Awards winner. The book examines the universal varicella vaccination program, arguing that the vaccines actually leave the population more vulnerable to disease.

L.A. Mama this week:

ARE WE HAVING FUN YET? Parents are overworked, and kids are overscheduled. Have we forgotten how to have a good time? Greater Good magazine looks at the impact of shorter recess periods on school, too much time spent with TV and video games and too many adult-led activities. http://greatergood.berkeley.edu.

BEYOND JENNIFER & JASON? Every Mother's Day, the Social Security Administration and Parade magazine release their list of the year's most popular baby names. Emily and Jacob took the top honors for 2007, followed by Isabella and Emma, Michael and Ethan. See the complete list at www.socialsecurity.gov.

YOU'VE GOT THE POWER: Remember Morgan Freeman as the character Easy Reader on "The Electric Company" back in the 1970s? Now, the creators of "Sesame Street" are reviving that show, which targets kids ages 6 to 9, with new episodes set to air early next year on PBS stations. The series will promote the idea that reading is cool in an effort to improve literacy for children of low-income families.

ILL BILL: A new study from the University of California, Berkeley says paid sick leave has a positive effect on public health. On Mother's Day weekend, workers and workers' rights and health leaders in Los Angeles gathered at a downtown community forum to speak out and demonstrate support for a bill that would require employers to offer paid sick days. Last week, the L.A. City Council passed a resolution in support of the bill. More than two in five California workers have no paid sick days, according to the California Work and Family Coalition. For more information, see www.paidsickdaysCA.org.

HOT MOMS: Self-pampering and beauty treatments are frequent topics of discussion on most online groups and sites devoted to mothers. As more of us give birth at an older age, we can't pull off the makeup-less, pony-tailed look too well. Which is why I love this entry from The Huffington Post last week. It's about inexpensive ways to improve your looks - tasks as easy as getting enough sleep. See www.huffingtonpost.com/lesley-m-m-blume.

barbara.correa@dailynews.com

L.A. Mama This Week:
http://www.dailynews.com/search/ci_9186341

BYE-BYE BPA: California came one step closer to banning the chemical Bisphenol A from toys and child-care products. The Toxin-Free Toddlers and Babies Act, which was approved by the Assembly and now goes to the Senate, would prohibit BPA from being used in baby bottles, formula cans and the lining of other canned products. It would also tighten restrictions on phthalates - plasticizers that have been linked to hormonal abnormalities and allergies.

Activist mom: Tanya Anton, author of the "Westside Guide to Public Elementary Schools," joined a parents' march in Sacramento this week, protesting the plans to cut $5 billion from public education funding. At http://go-mama.blogspot.com, she writes about her experience there and impressions of the budget impasse between Republicans and Democrats over the issue.

Taking it to the street: And for those who couldn't make it to the state capital, another rally to protest the education funding cuts is slated for 9 to 11 a.m. Friday outside the office of Assemblywoman Karen Bass, 5750 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles. "The only thing mothers really want for Mother's Day is a decent education for their kids," organizers say. "We need your support to make our voices heard and stop the budget cuts."

Prepping for the big one: No one wants to think about it, but we Californians are at risk of natural disasters and should be prepared. California Volunteers, a new effort launched by first lady Maria Shriver, makes it easy to complete and print out a family plan in case of fire or earthquake. It also includes local volunteering resources. Visit www.california volunteers.org.

Discounts galore: GoCityKids has some nice new discounts this week: 10 percent off private swimming lessons at Happy Swimmers; 25 percent off at One Good Bumblebee. Got to the site http://gocitykids.parentsconnect.com/deals/?area=195

Mom's day treat: Just in time for Mother's Day, Mothercraft is holding a half-day retreat on Saturday at the Malibu Beach Inn. It includes yoga on Carbon Beach, along with lunch and a life-coaching session. The cost is $105. See mothercraftcoaching.com.

barbara.correa@dailynews.com