Stand up and cheer, except at your own kid's high school graduation

So sad. Gotta read this load of crap.

http://usnews.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2012/06/05/12068135-sc-mom-busted-at-kids-graduation-i-cheered-for-my-baby-and-i-got-the-cuffs?lite

Christina Kim details LPGA tour life in new book Swinging From My Heels - Tours & News - Golf.com

Christina Kim details LPGA tour life in new book Swinging From My Heels - Tours & News - Golf.com: "In her new book Swinging From My Heels, Christina Kim dishes on life, love and the L-word on the LPGA tour"

quote:


When I was 11, my dad turned up with a funny-looking metal stick with a bulbous end. Marching me to the backyard he threw down a strip of Astroturf and grunted, "Here, swing hard as you can." I did, and it was kind of fun. Then he told me to do it 499 more times. This was my introduction to a golf club, and the golf swing. Being a dutiful Korean daughter I never thought to question my dad, and every day after school I would spend two hours making the required 500 swings, as would my older brother Mel and older sister Gloria. After a month of this tedium Dad finally took us to a driving range so we could hit actual golf balls and watch them fly. It was like the clouds parted and the angels were singing and I finally understood there was a point to all of this.

Read more: http://www.golf.com/golf/tours_news/article/0,28136,1982913,00.html#ixzz0lZZVv7Fo

A Christmas Story

Mayor said he wanted to hear from those with better ideas and real solutions -- so I sent him this email

Hi Mayor,

In the budget address you said you'd want to hear from people with solutions and you'd work with them. Well, I've got it solved for you.

The land value tax is much more fair than the tax on the college students.

We need to start by selling parking garages, not leasing them. You want a one time fix. So a lease is not that. Leases, by design, comes up again later in the future.

Next, sell the stadiums, sell the convention center, sell the civic arena and even sell the new Consol building. Get out of the business of building for some and not for others.

Next, enact a land expansion moratorium on all nonprofit land grabs. And, then we'll ask them to shrink by 5% over 5 years and 10% over 7.

Next, we'll get into a land value tax solution, again, for the city. This will spike development in vacant land, especially in downtown and other areas where there should be density in our urban fabric. The land tax is easy to administer -- and it is the most fair of all.

A land tax rewards those in neighborhoods that fix up their properties. If you invest in your home -- you should not see your taxes go up. That is a penalty that the city does -- and it is all wrong. Rather, we should charge those that let the property decay -- but we do the opposite. if your house is falling, you get a tax break. The city is rewarding the exact opposite of what it desires.

Let's set up an appointment so we can talk in person next week. And, we'll talk too about summer in the city with parks and how to grow our city with families and care of our kids.

Cue Sheet for a great adventure -- That Dam Ride

Some of the best times of my life. 

Couch surfers isn't an online dating service.

Us Now from Banyak Films on Vimeo.

Better than mom's meeting online -- is stay at home dads holding a national convention. :) Been there, done that, about 7 years ago.

College Bills

http://kdka.com/video/?id=57065@kdka.dayport.com

Edits to a mission statement for male involvement in PPS

I've edited a handout from last-night's meeting and made some changes. So, how does this draft sound?

M.E.N.N. = Meeting Education's Needs Now

M.E.N.N. Mission
To assist and facilitate school success through a variety of male aimed initiateves that promote overall parental involement and continuity within the Pittsburgh Public Schools (PPS) District.

PPS' M.E.N.N. facilitates meaningful male involvement in students' lives in school, home and the community.

We believe and work to insure that children are happier, healthier and better students when positive male role models are active and engaged.

The 2010 goals for M.E.N.N.:
- Create a blueprint for consistent male involvement that benefits all students.
- Create belief statements among the steering committee and M.E.N.N. participants.

TV Show on City Cable, PCTV 21, Public Access, about Take Your Father To School

Mark Brentley, Sr., Pgh Public Schools board member and candidate for Pgh City Council in the May 2009 primary, has a TV show that includes, this month, snips of the 2008 Take Your Father to School events.

Air dates:

May 6, 9 am
May 8, 11 pm
May 11, 10 pm
May 14, 3 pm
May 16, 9 pm
May 18, 5 pm
May 19, 9 am
May 21, 3 pm

This year's event is Friday, May 22, 2009, at all Pgh Public Schools.

We also stand in for those who don't have a dad in school that day, for whatever reason. Dad's are positive role models in the child's life -- being the actual father is not necessary.

All pro dad so hills flyer

Pittsburgh Public Schools

South Hills Chapter

Male/Father Involvement Program

Be in the picture

My wife recently told me about a boy who drew a family picture with himself, his mother and brothers and sisters, but his father was not in the drawing. When asked, the boy responded, "My dad's at work where he always is." That describes too many of us. Do you struggle with work/family life tension? You're not alone.

About Us

All Pro Dad is A Family First's innovative program helping men to become better fathers. All Pro Dad has 54 NFL spokesmen, including our own Mike Tomlin, multiple events with NFL teams, over 1,000 All Pro Dad's Day chapters, and Play of the Day daily emails that reach 40,000 fathers each day.

You Don’t Have To Be a Dad

You can be a grandfather, uncle or a big brother. What’s important
is male involvement. All children need a strong male role model in
their life, We want to know If you have any questions or would like
to get involved but can’t attend this meeting contact Chris
Waraks/Team Captain at PPSProDad@msn.com or 412-720-2051 or Mark Conner at mconner1@pghboe.net or call 412-622-3941.

Join us Thursday May 7^th at Pittsburgh Brookline k-5 from 6:30 to 8:00

Refreshments
will be served so please RSVP to Wanda Spencer at
wspencer1@pghboe.net
or call at 412-622-3617.

Pgh Public Schools begins "book club."

Have you read a good book lately?

Here is another great parent involvement activity.

Join us Monday January 12, 2009 for the first meeting of the title 1 parent book club. Read a good book, network with other parents and family members and get more involved. All are welcome

Location: cafeteria, administration building (Oakland) 314 S. Bellefied Ave Pgh. PA 15213. Date and Time: Monday January 12, 2009 from 6:00 to 7:30 Please RSVP to Mark Conner at mconner1@pghboe.net or call at 412-622-3941.

Running Mate is with a new baby!

Way to go Dave Powell, Chair of the Libertarian Party of Allegheny County. Dave and his wife have a new member to the family.

Anderson Maxwell Powell born 12:30PM 12-16-2008. He's happy at 8 lbs 12 oz, and 21 3/4inches long.

Bravo!

Perhaps in a few years, this Powell child will be a classmate with a peer named Ravenstahl.

My baby is now 11. Happy Birthday Grant.

See another slide show at Grant's blog -- at gRauterkus.blogspot.com.

Changing diapers by flipping the radio dial

Just sent this as an instant message to KDKA Radio's Marty Griffin:

Crap or no crap?

Marty, you don't say it at home and would not accept it from your 1 and 3 year old children. Exactly.

However, your radio show plays in my home. I listen and my kids play here with me.

So, if you want an invite into more homes and have more parents tuned into the community news you discuss -- it needs to come without the "crap language." Cut the toilet talk, Not for your benefit, -- but for the kids ages 1, 2, 3, and older.

As a stay at home dad with the pleasure of parenting duties -- I hated the times when I needed to dive for the radio's station dial or radio's "off switch."

Parenting and citizenship is tough enough. Be a help -- not a hindrance.

Myron's dead. Now public parade of his son begins.

Meet Myron Cope's Son Danny
Myron Cope's son Danny was the inspiration for the Steelers Terrible Towel. Danny is autistic and attends the Allegheny Valley School. Channel 11's Peggy Finnegan talks to Cope's daughter and introduces 40-year-old Danny to the public for the first time.

http://www.wpxi.com/tu/5xsRtRgth.html

Some serious parenting issues swirl around this local media story.

Correct me if I'm wrong. But, Myron was keen on keeping his son out of the public eye. So, would his wishes be honored with this display?

Did Peggy Finnegan press for the story? Did the sister? Did Danny? How did it get 'pitched?' Was a need need generated from Allegheny Valley School and its development people?

Is this 'news worthy?'

What is the long-term angle of this story?

Frankly, I think it is sad to put Danny in the spotlight. I feel that it would be against the wishes of his father. The media is making another mistake. Go figure.

Furthermore, I feel that the 'Terrible Towel" has a life of its own. That 'legacy' can be managed and it should be championed in a number of different ways so as to keep the revenue stream viable. However, the excitement and mystique of the Terrible Towelis tightly associated with sports and on-field momentum. That is where the efforts should be targeted.

I'd suggest a Terrible Towel baptism or vo-do spirit de-jinxing for the Steelers' draft choices -- with guys that are paid millions for a signing bonus. Put them into the limelight. Or, recycle Terrible Towels and install bits of these good-luck charms into motorcycle helmets of drivers on the region's roads.

My interest in tickets to a sporting events

Pens tickets for games 1 and 2 of the second round of the NHL Playoffs are about to go on sale. Last time single game tickets went on the market, they were gone in 10-minutes.

I'm not interested in Pens playoff tickets. Instead, I am much more interested in Olympic tickets.

From Grant

But this week, Grant, my 2nd son, and I went to the Pirate game on Sunday. Two 'free tickets' came to us that morning at swim practice when a fellow basketball playing friend said he wanted to give away his tickets because his wife wasn't feeling up for the game. She was 'under the weather' -- and it did rain.

The start of the game was delayed, for about 15 minutes. Rain came off and on for parts of the game and we were happy to have our ponchos.

Grant and I had a great time. It worked well in our schedules too.

Ugly News: Center For Creative Play is closing

This is bad, bad news.

Swissvale's Center For Creative Play is closing MondaySwissvale's Center For Creative Play is closing Monday

I took my kidhttp://www.blogger.com/img/gl.link.gifs to this place often. We went when it was in Station Square. And, we went when it moved out by the parkway east in Swissvale. Of course, as our kids grew, we didn't go.

My one boy held a birthday party there. It was one special place for lots of great reasons.

I hope the media sticks on this story and finds out why it is closing. What went wrong? What are the bills? Did the nonprofit weenies just fumble their duties?

Tell us! We really want to know. We want to be certain that this does NOT happen again.

Update, a new blog:
http://centerforcreativeplayremembered.blogspot.com

Hogan got a National Parenting Award for his book!

The National Parenting Publications Awards have named “The Modern Mom’s Guide to Dads” (www.momsguidetodads.com) authored by my friend, Hogan Hilling, as a 2008 Gold Award recipient. NAPPA Parenting Resources winners are considered to be the best in books, CDs, baby gear and other innovative products that make parenting easier and more enjoyable.

Way to go Hogan.

Hogan came to Pittsburgh a while ago and gave a talk to a national meeting at the Hilton. I have a copy of that presentation and should make it available with a new interface some day. I often give it to new parents as a gift on 2 audio CDs.

Interested?

Pittsburgh could and should brand itself as the ideal place to parent.

When the economy sours -- playing with your kids is in one great activity. It is cheap. And, it is rewarding too. We have a good culture of parenting here, in this region. With some attention, outreach and devotion -- it could be a GREAT CULTURE for parenting and community!

Valentine's Day Babysitting by 5th graders at Liberty School

Liberty Elementary (in Shadyside) is sponsoring a Valentine's Babysitting Service (on February 15th, the Friday evening following Valentine's Day) from 6–9 p.m. All proceeds will be used to help fund the 5th graders' trip in May to Washington, D.C., which they are really looking forward to!

Children aged 2 and up are welcome. They will be cared for (and entertained) by Liberty 5th graders, supervised by parents and staff.

See comments for more details.

The Modern Mom’s Guide to Dads: 10 Secrets Your Husband Won‘t Tell You” is now available for purchase.

Hogan's new book is out at www.barnesandnoble.com and www.amazon.com.

Review from Mothering Magazine:

"I received a galley of The Modern Mom's Guide to Dads, and I really liked it. It is so hard to find a male perspective on fathering. I really appreciate your empathy for fathers' feelings about pregnancy and birth - the sense of responsibility, fear, helplessness, and the drive to provide. I love the description of how men feel during childbirth classes, how they object to being called coaches as well as their reluctance to share their feelings in a room full of women! This book is a great service to families. Thank you for writing it.

Melissa Chianta, Managing Editor, Mothering Magazine

Cumberland House Publishing press release, "Why Do New Fathers Behave the Way They Do?"

Modern Mom’s Guide to Dads Reveals Ten Secrets to Strengthening a Marriage

“A must-read for everyone with kids!” — Dr. Laura Schlessinger

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – New moms are frequently confused by their husband’s behavior after the birth of a child. What do they really think about being a father? Why has this new life they created together altered their marital relationship? Authors Hogan Hilling and Jesse Jayne Rutherford offer their own unique, qualified perspectives in The Modern Moms Guide to Dads: Ten Secrets Your Husband Won’t Tell You (Cumberland House, ISBN-13: 978-1-58182-606-7, $16.95, October 2007).

Hilling has been conducting workshops for dads for 15 years and moms for 5 years at conferences, hospitals, and corporations across the country, and he has heard it all – from frustrated women and men. The Modern Mom’s Guide to Dads is a “parenting relationship” book, full of thoughtful insights about what new dads are thinking, and how wives can get their husbands more involved in the kids’ lives and the household without nagging or manipulative tactics. In each chapter, there are stories from real dads’ lives that shed light on some of the secrets they try to hide from their wives; quotes from fathers about their feelings; helpful strategies; and a section called “And a Mom Wants to Know,” Rutherford’s input as modern-day mother and wife.

Whether you’re planning, expecting, or raising a family, The Modern Mom’s Guide to Dads offers keen insights into what your husband really thinks about pregnancy, parenting, and marriage!

Hogan Hilling is the founder of Proud Dads, Inc., through which he develops and conducts expectant father classes for hospitals in Southern California and conducts workshops for mothers on fathering issues through the United States. The author of The Man Who Would Be Dad and the stay-at-home father of three boys, he is the recipient of a 1995 California “Courage to Care” Award and has made multiple television appearances. He and his wife, Tina, live in Newport Beach, California.

Jesse Jayne Rutherford is a freelance writer and mother. She is the co-author of Speaking Up: How to Help the Children You Work With Who Live in Abusive Homes, and the author of Save the Date: A Curriculum for Teens on Developing Healthy Dating Relationships, which she wrote on staff at the Family Violence Project. She, her husband and daughter live near San Diego, California.

For review copies or high res photography, please contact: Michelle Nikolai, 615-832-1771, ext.18, michellen@cumberlandhouse.com.