Marilisa Kinney Sachteleben
Happy wife. Mom of 4. 10+ year homeschool vet. Certified K-8/special ed. Yahoo! News Beat Writer: Parenting, Michigan, Detroit. Published on Helium, SEED, AT&T, Diabetes Active, Mapquest, Best Contractors, How to Do Things, Gather, Life Tips. Manic blogger. Taught Montessori, psychology, creative writing, history, EI, CI, communication, ESL, ABE. Youth theater. Volunteer across the board, especially social justice issues. Working on Master's in Emotional Impaired education. Catholic Transcendentalist. Writing emotional health primer and Michigan history mystery series. Ask me how I paid off $20K in debt, stay debt-free in economically challenged Michigan and am remodeling a 100+ year old home from the landscape up.
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Supporters Rally to Keep Michigan Tent CityCamp Take Notice is a tent city for homeless persons in Michigan. It's situated on state-owned property near Ann Arbor, Mich. The camp has been operating for about two years and is home to some 65 residents. Supporters rallied recently.
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Detroit Teachers' Union Threatens Lawsuit Over District PoliciesMichigan's new teacher tenure law requires that some educators go through reapplication and rehiring process this fall. That law may violate union contracts within the Detroit Federation of Teachers and the union may sue, says Michigan Radio.
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Michigan Governor Calls State of Disaster for WildfiresMichigan Gov. Rick Snyder has declared a state of emergency in two Upper Peninsula counties after wildfires consumed more 20,000 acres, says the Associated Press. Gov. Snyder's declaration of disaster allows officials to enact evacuations and ban certain.
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Facebook's Odd Photo Bans Highlight Censorship DilemmasOh, what a tangled web we weave when first we practice to censor. Take the matter of online photo sharing. Facebook is the fly that keeps getting tangled in the censorship web, over and over again. Where has all the common sense gone? When will they ever
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Consumer Sentiment Higher in May -- Bah HumbugDon't you love those nebulous "consumer sentiment" surveys? Case in point--according to Reuters, a Thomson Reuters/University of Michigan survey found that American consumer sentiment is the highest it's been in four years.
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Ballooning Restaurant Portion Sizes Should Scare Us AllWhen I first started dieting, I was shocked at the difference between recommended portion sizes and the amount I was calling a portion. So I'm not surprised to learn that portion sizes in restaurants quadrupled since the 1950s
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Rahul Nagvekar, National Geography Bee Winner, InspiresI've always been fascinated with globes, navigation and geography. That's why I'm so proud of Rahul Nagvekar, the Texas 14-year-old won the National Geographic Bee Championship recently says ABC News Blogs.
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CP Railway Strike May Hurt Canadian Workers, Michigan AutomakersWednesday, some 5,000 Canadian Pacific Railway workers went on strike. Teamster Canada voted to strike after midnight when negotiations had stalled. The strike threatens other Canadian workers jobs. It could also delay shipments of new vehicles to Michiga
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Wildfire Burns 3,200 Acres in Michigan Wildlife RefugeA total of 3,200 acres in Seney National Wildlife Refuge in Michigan's Upper Peninsula have burned and continue to burn. The blaze was started by lightning and is spreading, says the Associated Press.
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Alleged Michigan Serial Stabber ConvictedElias Abuelazam, the man suspected of stabbing 14 people in and near Flint, Mich., in 2010, was convicted in the first stabbing case heard in court. A Genesee County jury convicted Abuelazam of first degree murder against Arnold Minor.
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Woman Claiming Big Chest Got Her Fired Has it WrongLauren Odes, the New Jersey woman who says she was fired for having large breasts, has it wrong. This is a simple case of dress code violation. Odes' sexual and religious discrimination claims are an exaggerated publicity stunt.
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Niagara Jumpers Selfishly Endangered Rescue WorkersI'm really rattled about the story of the recent Niagara Falls rescue. The Associated Press says that it was an apparent suicide attempt. Okay, so he survived. Great. But if he purposely jumped in, he endangered the lives of many rescue workers.
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No Well Water Contamination from Kalamazoo River Oil SpillLocal Michigan residents living near the Kalamazoo River will be happy to learn that reports show no well water contamination from the 2010 oil spill. Michigan Radio says that the Michigan Department of Community Health found no chemicals from leaked oil.
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Dharun Ravi's Sentence is AppropriateThe story of Tyler Clementi and Dharun Ravi is sad no matter how you look at it. CBS/Associated Press says that Ravi was sentenced to 30 days in jail for using a webcam to spy on Clementi during an act of intimacy with another man.
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Infant Low Birth Weight Findings Show Need for Parenting ClassesThere is good news coming from a study published in the journal Pediatrics about very low birth weight infants. F rom 2000-2009, 1.9 percent fewer v ery low birth weight infants (weighing less than 1,500 grams at birth) died. However, there was another ve
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Michigan's Eaton County Might Get Wind FarmThe Oneida Township Planning Commission, in Eaton County, Mich., is looking at regulatory groundwork for a 63-turbine wind farm in counties of Oneida and Roxand in mid-Michigan. The Lansing State Journal says the requisite zoning changes will be discussed
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Booker is Wrong to Slam Obama's Bain AdsWhile I appreciate where Newark N.J., Mayor Cory Booker was going with his let's-play-nice message on Sunday's MSNBC "Meet the Press," I politely disagree. Republican frontrunner Mitt Romney's history at Bain Capital
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It's Time to Quit Harassing Tan Mom Patricia KrentcilI agree with "tanning bed mom" Patricia Krentcil. It's time people stop picking on her. Watching her interview on NBC's "Today" show, I felt sorry for the New Jersey mom charged with child endangerment for allegedly taking her 5-year-old daughter
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Brain Study Shows Sugar Impacts Learning, MemoryIt didn't take the new research from UCLA on high fructose corn syrup dangers to tell me that the stuff is bad news. I've been a teacher, special needs and general, since 1986. I've routinely seen how sugar and sweeteners diminish learning processes. -
Dad with 30 Kids Should Not Get Child Support BreakAnd now for your dose of face-palm news. A Tennessee man is asking the court for a break on his child support. This would be fair enough consideration were in not that this dad has 30 kids, says The Sideshow . With eleven different women, says WREG-TV.
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Michigan Female Boxer Heads to Summer OlympicsWomen's boxing debuts as an Olympic sport at the 2012 summer games in London. A Michigan girl will make her Olympic debut in that sport, too, says Michigan Radio. Clarissa Shields, 17, of Flint, Mich., confirmed her Olympic slot
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Mom Concerned Son Ate Human Finger at Michigan Arby'sJackson, Mich., mom Jamie Vail is concerned about possible health dangers her son may suffer from a restaurant incident. MLive reports that Vail's 14-year-old son Ryan Hart ate part of a human finger at a local Arby's.
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Bike to Work Day Impractical for Third-Shift WorkersI love green community initiatives like National Bike to Work Day. In Charleston, S.C., says Live 5 WCSC, residents were encouraged to leave the cars at home and take their two-wheel vehicles to work.
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Trayvon Martin's Autopsy Shows Pot -- an Irrelevant SmokescreenHere we go again--another irrelevancy about the Florida shooting of 17-year-old, unarmed Trayvon Martin by George Zimmerman last February. Another smokescreen to blur events. Now we hear that Martin had tiny amounts of marijuana in his system.
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Sexual Enhancement Supplements Can Be Dangerous MedicineWith yet another batch of warnings from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration on tainted sexual enhancement drugs, it's time we wake up to the dangers associated with these products. Companies tout them euphemistically as natural nutritional supplements. -
How to help your overweight childWeight problems in children are a common parenting concern. Weight loss principles are similar for kids and adults. Extreme fad diets tend not to work very well. Common sense, healthy meal plans generally work better. -
Easy, cheap (and free) family fitness ideasFitness routines are easy to talk about but more difficult to do, especially for families. Parents may work different schedules. There's always housework to be done. Kids have after-school activities. There are work and social functions. -
Angry Mom Deserved Taser Shocks at Son's SchoolWell, here's a classic case of she-had-it-coming. Michele Lee Eaton, 39, got shocked by Taser twice at her son's Guntown, Miss, middle school, says Reuters. The oxymoron is that mom had gone in to complain about discipline (not corporal, the principal say
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Kids Need Extra Support After Death of Mom Mary KennedyWhatever the circumstances that led to Mary Richardson Kennedy's death, I say we need to give the family a lot of space to mourn her passing. Especially her kids. the 52-year-old wife of Robert Kennedy, Jr., was found dead from asphyxiation due hanging.
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Memorial Day Fireworks Sales, Displays in Metro DetroitMemorial Day is right around the corner, and several Metro Detroit fireworks establishments hope to make it an even more memorable Memorial Day for 2012. Thanks to a law passed last December, Michigan residents can purchase some more powerful explosives.
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No Bankruptcy for 'Octomom' is Much-Needed Reality CheckI shouted so loud I scared the cat when reading that 'Ocotomom' Nadya Suleman was denied bankruptcy. It's about time that the single, unemployed mother of 14 kids (including octuplets) got a reality check. But at what great cost.
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Zimmerman's Medical Report is Moot PointI'm fed up with reading about what injuries George Zimmerman did or didn't sustain in his February shooting of 17-year-old Trayvon Martin in Sanford, Fla. Zimmerman faces second murder charges for shooting the unarmed boy and pleading self-defense.
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Former Ford Chairman, CEO Harold Poling DiesHarold "Red" Poling, the former chairman of Ford Motor Company, passed away in at his Pacific Grove, Calif., home on May 12. Mr. Poling is credited with navigating the company through the financially-turbulent 1980s.
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Controlling Food Cravings Aids Weight Loss, Emotional HealthObesity in the U.S. is growing at an alarming rate. As dangerous as it is, obesity is treatable. It doesn't require complicated therapies or expensive diets. Typically, all it takes to lose weight is to understand some basic concepts about food and eating -
Detroit Gateway Project Access Road Eases Truck TrafficResidents in southwest Detroit are celebrating. Many of the large trucks that once lumbered down their streets to get to the Ambassador Bridge have been rerouted. Thanks to the access road created by the MDOT Gateway Project.
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Unseasonable Michigan Weather Means Imported CherriesMichigan is the nation's leading grower of tart cherries. It won't be this year, however. Unseasonably high temperatures coupled with frosts have damaged much of the state's cherry crop. Michigan retailers are importing cherries from other countries.
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Report Shows Michigan's Cut Earned Income Tax Credit ImpactsLast year, lawmakers in Michigan voted to greatly reduce the state's version of the federal earned income tax credit (EITC) for working poor residents. The change won't hit until next tax year, says Michigan Radio, but when it does
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Michigan Report Shows State Employment, Revenue JumpsA new report from Michigan's House Fiscal Agency shows some positive trends for the financially-struggling state. The state has a tax surplus and shows improvement in personal income and employment. However, there are some negative state impacts, too.
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Attachment Parenting is About Being Mom and Dad EnoughIt's time for some reactionary moms to take a chill-pill. The fur is flying over Time magazine's "Are You Woman Enough" article (with accompanying in-your-face nursing mom cover photo).
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Memorial Day Parades in Metro DetroitMemorial Day, celebrated on Monday, May 28, for 2012, isn't just about picnics and parties. It's a good time to remember our own beloved dead. Families gather at cemeteries, place flowers, and gather for religious and cultural services
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Autistic Students Need Improved Transition ProgramsAs a special educator, I'm alarmed by the study in Pediatrics which shows high post-secondary unemployment and low academic progress for people with an autism-spectrum disorder (ASD)
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How to help kids and teens through a bout of depressionDealing with an episode of childhood or teen depression can be nerve-wrecking and tedious for parents. Depression is a universal symptom, especially during puberty. Even young kids get the blues sometimes. Here are some tips to navigate and stay sane.
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How to listen so your kids will feel comfortable sharingIn order for parenting to work well, there has to be lots of parent-kid interaction. People have to spend time together, quality and quantity. One of the most important resources that parents can provide for their kids is as a listening ear. -
Parents Should Nix Pacifiers, Bottles, Cups for Mobile ToddlersBy nature, toddlers are a danger to themselves. Recently, Pediatrics published alarming statistics which show that it's not just environmental dangers that should concern parents. Bottles, pacifiers, and sippy cups cause many injuries.
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Michigan Governor Calls State of Emergency for Flint FloodingOn May 3 and 4, areas near Flint, Mich., in Genesee County were deluged with torrential rains and severe flooding. On Friday, Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder called a "state of emergency" for the region. This opens up funds for those in damaged areas,
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Texting While Walking Ban in New Jersey Town Was Wisely ConceivedLiving in a boardwalk beach town, our pedestrian areas are overflowing of a summer evening. And probably one third of those walkers are on their cellphones texting. I've seen plenty and hits and near misses as texters veer into motorist areas.
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Florida 'Stand Your Ground' Should Apply to AlexanderI don't get Florida's "Stand Your Ground" law. If George Zimmerman was able to use it to claim self-defense in shooting unarmed Trayvon Martin in Sandford, Fla., in February, why can't Marissa Alexander use it to defend why she shot at her abusive husband
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Obese Child Returned to Mother Shows Flawed SystemHere's a story from the failed-system desk. Remember the obese Ohio eight-year-old child who was pulled from his mom's custody because he weighed 218 pounds? The county returned the boys to his home after he dropped to 166, says The Lookout.
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Time Magazine's Extreme Breastfeeding Cover Is Wake-Up CallI applaud Time magazine for its eye-opening cover photo of a breastfeeding mom. The Cutline quotes some readers who are scandalized. Well, good. Folks need a wake-up call that breasts are not just ornaments.
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Bristol Palin Makes a Spurious Marriage, Parenting AdviserBristol Palin, daughter of tea party leader Sarah Palin, is critiquing President Barack Obama's parenting style, says the Atlantic Wire. Palin, a young, unwed mother, is concerned that the president claimed his daughters Sasha and Malia helped "evolve"
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JetBlue Owes No-Fly Toddler's Parents More Than ExcusesA couple in Fort Lauderdale suffered a nightmarish experience on a JetBlue flight Tuesday night. After boarding they were asked to leave the plane and because Transportation Security Administration representatives wanted to speak with them, says WPBF.
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Canada Wants Detroit, U.S., To Help Quiet 'Windsor Hum'There's a strange noise coming from River Rouge, Mich., near Detroit and it's irritating residents across the river in Windsor, Ontario. Canadian residents who live near the Detroit River are asking for some cooperation from their United State neighbors t
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Mitt Romney's Memory, Conscience Need JoggingGOP presidential hopeful Mitt Romney has a poor memory, at least regarding some pranks from his days at an all-boys Michigan prep school, says ABC OTUS News. I'm concerned. Is one with so poor a memory fit to run our country?
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Ignore the Hecklers, Hillary Clinton, You Rock 'Au Naturale'My hat is off to Secretary of State Hillary Clinton for the nimble way she fielded critiques during her recent Asian tour. The former first lady got flack for choosing a minimalist coiffure and makeup regimen, says ABC OTUS Blog.
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Michigan 2012 Fruit Crops Damaged by Unseasonable WeatherMichigan's roller coaster weather of the last few months is wreaking havoc with several different crops, particularly fruit, says Michigan Radio. Several varieties are all but wiped out and some farmers are saying the 2012 season is the worst. -
Feds to Speed Response to Great Lakes Invasive FishThe Obama administration announced recently that it would speed up its response to the issue of how to protect the Great Lakes from invasive fish, particularly Asian carp, in the Mississippi River basin. The federal government released a new timetable on
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For Best Mother's Day Gifts, Think Outside the Envelope and VaseWith Mother's Day approaching, the buzz is on best gifts for mom. Mother's Day is one of the top holidays, spending-wise. There's a lot of competition for our gift-giving buck. Stores and vendors are free with advice about what mom supposedly wants.
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Mitt Romney Speaks in MichiganMitt Romney, the most likely contender for Republican presidential nominee, spoke in at Lansing Community College in Lansing, Mich., Tuesday. The Bloomfield Hills, Mich., native touched on the auto industry, college tuition and other salient issues in the
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Farewell, Maurice Sendak, You Were the 'Wildest Thing of All'I gasped this morning when I read that children's author Maurice Sendak, has left us. Sendak, 83, passed away Tuesday after a recent stroke, says the Associate Press. This is my eulogy to this most-loved author and illustrator.
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Study Finds Alarming Number of Teens Use Opioids NonmedicallyNearly one of every four high school seniors has used prescription opioids, says a new study published in the Archives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, That 17.6 percent have used the drugs for medical reasons is scary enough, given the potency of o
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Co-Workers Who Rescued Roofer from Acid Are HeroesI love writing stories of ordinary people who perform extraordinary acts of heroism, stories that make people cheer and smile. One such incident happened in New Jersey. Roofer Martin Davis fell through the roof of Swepco Tube LLC
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Salmonella from Diamond Pet Food Infects 14 PeopleA strain of salmonella found by agriculture workers in Michigan during routine testing of dog food in April has caused 14 people to sicken, says the Associated Press. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has sourced the illness to dog food from
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Judge's Logic Skewed with Facebook 'Like' RulingHow many times have you clicked the blue Facebook "Like" button? I'm so frequent a Like-flyer that I even look for the button on other websites to show my support. I guess I'll have to mind my Likes a little more closely, though.
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Dead Baby Pills Logical Result of Abortion MentalityMaybe I'm fed up with the pro-abortion rhetoric. Maybe I'm sick of the euphemisms for death by abortion. Maybe I've had it with the claptrap about a woman's reproductive rights superseding her child's right to live.
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Biden's Gay Marriage Stance Exemplifies Civil Union ConfusionVice President Joe Biden came out in support of gay marriage on NBC's Meet the Press Sunday. Mr. Biden's comments seemed to put him at odds with President Barack Obama supports only same-sex civil unions, not marriage, says the Christian Science Monitor.
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Where Will 'Octomom' Suleman Go With 14 Kids?If "Octomom" Nadya Suleman wanted drama, she certainly has it. The single welfare mom has made life a living nightmare for her 14 kids. Having in vitro fertilization octuplets while having six kids already, welfare, trashed home, bankruptcy, porn.
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Tanning Bed Mom Highlights UV Ray AddictionPatricia Krentcil. of Nutley, N.J., was charged with child endangerment for allegedly putting her young daughter in a tanning bed. When photos of Krentcil's very tanned face appeared online, it prompted questions of tanorexia.
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Parents Wrong to Sue School for Son's TattoosThe parents of a boy who was lured into a home and tattooed against his will have sued Concord School District in New Hampshire, saying the school could have prevented the bullying, says the Associated Press.
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Michigan's Mackinac Island Grand Hotel Celebrates 125th AnniversaryThe stately Grand Hotel, on Michigan's historic Mackinac Island, is celebrating her quasquicentennial, says Michigan Radio. The grande dame and jewel of northern Michigan opened in 1887 and has done and seen a lot in her 125 years. Here are details.
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Free Printable Literature, Math, Writing, Reading Activities for KidsParents and teachers, looking for free, fun ways to keep kids reading and learning all summer long? Or maybe you need to supplement homeschool or classroom curriculum? Look no further. Scholastic is your one-stop source for free printable hands-on lessons
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Preschooler Locked in Day Care Shows Gross Staff NegligenceThe story of the Massachusetts dad who had to break his three-year-old daughter out of her day care after staff had left for the evening is alarming on many levels. Dad Keith Paquette says when he got to Westport Country Day School shortly after 5 p.m.
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Farewell, 'Bucket List' Baby Avery and Thank You5-month-old Avery Lynn Canahuati, nicknamed the "bucket list baby," passed away from complications of spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), a genetic disorder, on Monday, says New York Daily News.
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Study Finds Stun Guns Sometimes Injure CiviliansTwo studies from the Michigan State University show that stun guns, marketed commonly under the trade name of Taser, aren't quite as safe as manufacturers claim. Using a stun gun instead of other tactics to subdue suspects, police officers are safer.
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S.C. Teacher's Holocaust Simulation Lesson was Out of LinePatricia Mulholland, a South Carolina middle school teacher has been charged with dragging a student 10 feet under a table and said "this is what Nazis did to Jews. The incident was supposed to be part of a social studies lesson.
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'Octomom' Suleman's Bankruptcy is No SurpriseRaise your hand if you were surprised when single mom of 14 Nadya Suleman, aka "Octomom," announced that she's bankrupt and owes $500,000 to $1 million in debt. And this while receiving $4,000-$5,000 a month in welfare, says Reuters.
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Detroit Mother's Day Events for All Interests, Ages, Price RangesSpring is bringing warmer weather to Michigan, and Mother Nature is going all out with buds, blooms, and blossoms. It's time to turn our thoughts to our own moms, too. Mother's Day is Sunday, May 13.
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Free Printable Earth Science, Solar System Activities, LessonsUnderstanding earth science concepts can be challenging for students, particularly when the material is presented only in textbook form. Here are links for free printable earth science crafts, coloring pages, dioramas and 3D models.
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Michigan Study Reports Good, Bad News for Moms, BabiesThe Michigan League of Human Services (MLHS), has recently released its annual Kids Count in Michigan report, which looks at pregnancy, birth and maternal trends across the state. According to Michigan Radio,
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Student Should Boycott Alleged Size-Biased BarJordan Ramos, a 21-year-old University of Iowa, that because she's "plus-sized," she wasn't allowed to dance on a platform at a local bar with her friends. According to Good Morning, America, size discrimination isn't illegal.
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Bronx Zoo Deaths a Reminder to Celebrate FamilyI'm weeping as I listen to family members speak about loved ones lost in the SUV crash on the Bronx River Parkway into Bronx Zoo property on Sunday. The Lookout reports that seven family members spanning three generations perished when the vehicle.
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Best books, authors to ignite a passion for reading in tween boysAs a teacher and homeschool parent, reading for research and pleasure is elemental. Each person in my family, male and female is a passionate bibliophile. I'm surprised when parents say that their kids, especially the boys, don't like to read. -
Help, my child hates to read! Tips to inspire the reluctant readerHabits, both good and bad, are generational. Children absorb, by osmosis, the vices and virtues of their parents. I'm a reader, as were my parents before me. My husband's family were bibliophiles. Our children grew up reading and being read to.
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Michigan Costumed Activist 'BeeSting' ArrestedA member of the Michigan Protectors "superhero" group has tangled with the police. According to Michigan Radio, a self-styled community activist known as "BeeSting" has been arrested and will likely be unmasked at his arraignment on Friday.
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Make Arbor Day Tree Planting a Family AffairArbor Day, celebrated on April 27 for 2012, is the older holiday from which "stems" (pun intended) our modern celebration of Earth Day. The traditional observance of Arbor Day is to plant a tree and I say why not make this green activity a family affair?
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Pregnant Women Should Heed Listeria Recalls, WarningsThe U.S. Food and Drug Administration has announced that Alfa Sprouts Inc. (Springwater Sprouts) is recalling alfalfa sprouts and clover sprouts because they may be contaminated with listeria monocytogenes.
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'Octomom' Nadya Suleman Exemplifies Misconceptions About WelfareMom of 14, Nadya Suleman, dubbed "Octomom" for her octuplets, was investigated by Child Protective Services after photos appeared showing unsanitary, dangerous conditions at her home. Suleman lashed out in an ABC Good Morning, America interview.
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How We Plan to Quit Our Jobs, Travel and Stay Afloat FinanciallyMy husband and I are both pushing 50; we've been working since we were 15. We've ridden many an economic roller coaster, and in Michigan, several specialty ones. Have we dreamed about ditching the 9-5, or more accurately 9-10? Sure. Here's how.
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Former Michigan Emergency Manager Predicts Failure of Public Act 4Michael Stampfler, the former emergency manager for Pontiac, Mich., has predicted failure for Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder's Public Act 4 passed last year. According to the Detroit Free Press, Stampfler, speaking to the Rotary Club in Wyandotte, Mich.,
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TSA Lacks Common Sense in Pat-Down of 4-Year-Old GirlTransportation Security Administration officials are defending agents at a Kansas airport against criticism that they traumatized a 4-year-old girl with a pat-down, says the Associated Press. Isabella Brademeyer and her mother Michelle
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Michigan Governor's Online Town Hall Meeting Focuses on JobsMichigan Gov. Rick Snyder began a series of online town hall meetings several months ago. Forum participants ask questions and interact personally in this discussion panel. On Wednesday, the governor's town hall meeting covered jobs, business climate
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Kalamazoo River Oil Spill Cleanup Worker Settles LawsuitJohn Bolenbaugh, a former cleanup worker at the Enbridge Energy oil spill in Michigan's Kalamazoo River, has settled a lawsuit against his ex-employer, SET Environmental Inc., for wrongful termination of employment. Bolenbaugh plans to sue Enbridge.
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RecoveryPark Grant Could Help Restart Detroit From the Roots UpAn urban gardening collaborative called RecoveryPark in downtown Detroit may be getting $1 million in seed money from the Erb Family Foundation. The Detroit Free Press says that the money would be used to "employ recovering addicts to grow food."
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Suleman Home Photos Show Flaws in Welfare SystemNew photos taken of "Octomom" Nadya Suleman's home reveal just how the single mom of 14 is caring (or not) for her kids. According to ABC News Blogs, pictures at the La Habre, Calif., home showed chairs wedged under door handles,
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Child Labor Ban Discriminatory, ReactionaryThe Department of Labor is nears completion on proposal that would ban some forms of child labor on family farms, says the Daily Caller. This action is drawing sharp criticism from rural families and even kids themselves.
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Supreme Court Looks at Michigan Gun Lake Casino LawsuitThe fate of a Michigan casino hangs in the balance. The Supreme Court is considering whether a lawsuit against Gun Lake Casino is valid and if so whether the gaming establishment in Wayland, Mich., is operating illegally.
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Beyond FDA Global Crackdown, Let's Cut Food ImportsThe U.S. Food and Drug Administration recently released a report detailing plans to take health and safety beyond American shores. Since so much of our food, drugs and medical devices are made in foreign countries, the FDA is creating global policies
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Heart Attack Grill Collapse Isn't Restaurant Owner's FaultLas Vegas's Heart Attack Grill has proved itself eponymous once again. A female customer collapsed recently at the restaurant making her the second patron to experience health problems arguably connected with the food, says the Los Angeles Times.
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Sanford Leaders Wrong to Reject Police Chief's ResignationTrayvon Martin's death has been haunting us since it was first heard that a young unarmed man (at 17, arguably a boy) was shot in Sanford, Fla. It's an indelible mark against the police, too. As wrong as George Zimmerman,
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Northern Michigan May Get Hemingway HotelOne of northern Michigan's most famous summer visitors may be getting a hotel named for him. Nobel Prize winner Ernest Hemingway wrote the Nick Adams stories in and centered around areas of Michigan. Hemingway Hotels wants to play on that and build it.
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Varying Appendectomy Costs Show Insurance System FailsA recent study from the University of California found major discrepancies in the amount charged for appendix removal surgeries. The average cost is $33,000, but can fluctuate between $1,500 to $180,000, reports the Associated Press.
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George Zimmerman Another Casualty of a Violence-Loving NationI've been following the Sanford, Fla., shooting death of 17-year-old Trayvon Martin since it first surfaced. I've thought since the beginning that George Zimmerman should have been charged and that the Sanford police made some crucial judgment errors
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Vigilante Tweets Against Zimmerman Are AnathemaI have been following the story of the shooting death of 17-year-old Trayvon Martin in Sanford, Fla., since the beginning. I have always thought that George Zimmerman, the self-styled neighborhood watcher who shot unarmed Martin
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Inexpensive, relatively hassle-free tween birthday party suggestionsPlanning parties for young children is relatively simple. They're pretty easy to please. But party-planning for pre-teens? That can be more daunting, especially if you have a normal (a.k.a. picky, high-strung) tween.
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Forgiving Some Student Debt, Lowering Costs Makes SenseCollege student debt, in loans and interest, has topped credit card spending as the biggest chunk owed in the U.S. It's fast-approaching one trillion dollars and is the biggest contributor to the national debt. Many students are tens of thousands in debt.
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'Pregnant Man' and Wife Split Confuses KidsWhen Tracy Longondino underwent gender reassignment surgery and became Thomas Beatie, she opted to keep her female reproductive organs. In 2003, Beatie married. His wife couldn't have children and the couple opted to impregnate Beatie from a sperm donor.
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Detroit is America's Least Favorite City, Poll SaysAccording to recently released findings on the Public Policy Polling, in a series of questions asking respondents about their impressions, positive or negative, of major cities in the United States, Detroit placed dead last. Here are details.
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Sarah Palin Cashes in on Secret Service Sex FlapSarah Palin has been "drawn into" the recent sex scandal involving Secret Service agents and Colombian prostitutes. That's what ABC News calls it. I say Palin wasn't pulled in, she thrust herself in. She's pontificating about David Chaney.
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George Zimmerman's Apology to Martin Family Shows ParanoiaGeorge Zimmerman, shooter of unarmed, 17-year-old Trayvon Martin in Sanford, Fla., in February, will be released from prison while awaiting trial on second degree murder charges, if he pays $150,000 bail.
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Easy, cheap, DIY activities for preschool birthday partiesI love party-planning, especially for preschoolers. At this age, they're pretty easy to please and you don't have to spend much to put on a great kid-friendly shindig. I'll never understand why anyone would want to take kids to an birthday restaurant or a
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Michigan's Muskegon Heights Schools Get Emergency ManagerMuskegon Heights Schools, in Muskegon Heights, Mich., is the third Michigan school district and 7th public entity to get an emergency manager under Michigan's controversial Public Act 4 of 2011, says a press release from the Michigan Department of Treasur
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Michigan Inks Autism Insurance LawMichigan has been called one of the worst states for parents to raise autistic children. Limited resources, funding issues and lack of health care insurance coverage for ASD (autism-spectrum disorder) kids meant that parents had often had to seek state.
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Fibonnaci Patterns in Nature Teach Vital LessonsOne of the most challenging aspects of teaching math is demonstrating principles in action. "Growing Patterns," by Sarah C. Campbell, shows Fibonacci numbers in nature. Campbell's was featured on Fox's show "Touch."
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Michigan University Opens Museum of Racist MemorabiliaFerris State University, in Big Rapids, Mich., has recently opened a new exhibit, the Jim Crow Museum of Racist Memorabilia, that is raising some eyebrows. The goal, says founder and curator David Pilgrim, is to also raise consciousness about persecution.
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Fentanyl Patch Use Needs Closer SupervisionThe U.S. Food and Drug Administration released an advisory warning about dangers to children from fentanyl transdermal patches. Marketed as Duragesic, these skin patches contain a strong opoid drug that is absorbed into the body.
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Let's Mark Yom HaShoah, Holocaust Memorial Day, by Sharing StoriesThe Hebrew 27th day of Nissan, in fact the entire week is a sad time for the world. For 2012, these dates correspond to April 15-22 on the western calendar. They are "days of remembrance" that commemorate Yom HaShoah, Jewish Holocaust Memorial Day.
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How I Experience and Cope with Obsessive-Compulsive DisorderThe term OCD (Obsessive-compulsive disorder) is often used casually to describe perfectionist behavior. While people with OCD may just seem overly organized, Medscape says OCD behavior stems from deep psychological pain and anxiety.
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Ted Nugent's Anti-Obama Rants Aren't ThreateningThe Motor City motor mouth, Ted Nugent, is ragging on President Barack Obama again. The gun rights activist shot off his mouth at a National Rifle Association dinner. I know, no big surprise. Just toss Nugent a bone of contention
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Samantha Brick's Vanity Underscores Parenting FailsA few weeks ago, Samantha Brick penned a diatribe on the Daily Mail about how hard it is to be so beautiful and how mean jealous women are. internet community exploded with righteous indignation. Affronted, Brick, penned out her angst, says The Cutline.
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What GSA Exec Jeff Neely Didn't Say Should Be Held Against HimIt's been rough week for our federal government. Between the Secret Service sex fracas at President Barack Obama's Colombian conference (story here at AFP) and the General Services Administration's Las Vegas conference flap, the feds have their hands fullAlso published on:
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Part of Michigan's Kalamazoo River to Open After 2010 Oil SpillThe Calhoun County Health Department has cleared a small portion of the oil-contaminated Kalamazoo River in Marshall, Mich., to be made available to the public on Wednesday. This is the first time that any part has been open since the Enbridge oil spill.
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Fate of Michigan State Fairgrounds' Structures UnclearNow that Gov. Rick Snyder has officially opened the historic Michigan State Fairgrounds in Detroit for commercial development, questions remain about several structures on the property. The fairgrounds also houses several historic landmarks.
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Fast Food and Sodium Consumption Needs to be CutWe Americans love our fast food. It seems like there's always a new quickie restaurant chain popping up in my town. According to a report in the Canadian Medical Association Journal, one of the hottest items on U.S. fast food menus is sodium.
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Titanic Human Remains Photos--Another Reason to Let Victims Rest in PeaceUpdated photos taken in 2004 of wreckage from the Titanic shipwreck have been released to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the ship's sinking. The images have sparked debate about whether the Titanic wreckage should be scavenged or left as a memorial.
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How families can live comfortably in small homesRecently, Anderson Cooper profiled families who had found creative ways to save money. Forced by the tight economy to downsize. One family of four sold their 3-bedroom home and built a 168-square-foot "tiny house." I'm all about simplicity.
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Remembering Virginia Tech MassacreApril 16 commemorates the fifth anniversary of Virginia Tech massacre. 27 students and five faculty lost their lives before the gunman turned his weapon on himself. According to the Washington Post, for the first time in five years since the event.
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Tips to get families in the recycling habitHabits form with frequent repetition under a variety of circumstances. If you want to build a good habit, you have to do perform that act regularly in a variety of ways. About six years ago, I decided to green up our life by more coordinated recycling.
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E-File Can Aid Last-Minute Tax Prep, but Read the Fine PrintTax Day looms on April 17. Last-minute filers got a reprieve because the official April 15 tax day fell on a Sunday and Washington D.C. celebrates Emancipation Day on Monday. That break only works if you don't use it as another two days to procrastinate.
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How I Cost Us a Bundle with One Tax Preparation MistakeIn 25 years of marriage and four children, I've always prepared our taxes. Last year, I made one tiny mistake on our tax documents that cost us several thousand dollars. Here's how.
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Obama Used Good Judgment in Secret Service FlapRecently, 11 Secret Service agents whose job it was to guard President Barack Obama during the "Summit of the Americas" talks in Cartagena, Colombia were sent home in disgrace says Associated Press.
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Michigan Charter Schools Hypocritical on Student SpendingCharter schools often brag that, in contrast to public schools, they put students first. According to MLive, those claims might be so much hot air for Michigan charter schools. A study found that the largest piece of the pie goes to administration, not st
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Adoptions Underway from Massive Michigan Puppy Mill RaidEarlier this week, a couple from Allegan County in Michigan was charged with animal cruelty when nearly 400 mistreated dogs were found at the couple's dog breeding establishment in rural southwest Michigan.
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Michigan Muslim Group Sues TSA, FBI, CBP for Religious ProfilingA Michigan-based Muslim group is suing several government security entities for alleged egregious questioning, profiling and invasive searches at the U.S.-Canada border in Detroit. They fault the agencies for harassing them based on their religion.
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Hands-Off Ann Romney for Staying Home to Raise KidsAnn Romney has been fending off insults from several women in the Democrat camp for her stay-at-home-mom status. Romney's husband Mitt Romney, heir-presumptive to the GOP nomination, has been touting his wife as the go-to girl on women in the economy.
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Newark Super-Mayor Cory Booker Deserves Superhero StatusForget the Fantastic Four and Justice League. Forget trying to figure out whether Marvel or DC has cooler characters. There's a new superhero in town--Mayor Cory Booker, of Newark, N.J, who recently rescued a woman from a burning home in his neighbo
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Free Printable Activities from 'The Hunger Games' Book, MovieIt's an understatement to say that "The Hunger Games" book trilogy, by Suzanne Collins, has taken the world by storm. "The Hunger Games" movie blasted to top spot when it came out in March. Here are free printable activities from the books and movie.
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Detroit Boston-Edison 'Stone Hedge' Mansion for Sale Under $450KThe historic 1915 "Stone Hedge" mansion is for sale for the first time in 36 years, says the Detroit Free Press. Built for Detroit Tigers owner Walter O. Briggs Sr. of Briggs Manufacturing, the home is located in Detroit faded-glory Boston-Edison.
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Detroit 'Underwear Bomber' Moved to Colorado Supermax PrisonUmar Farouk Abdulmutallab, dubbed the "underwear bomber," has been moved from a Michigan prison to the Supermax prison in Florence, Colo., says the Detroit News. Abdulmutallab was found guilty in February of trying to bring down an airplane in 2009.
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Al Sharpton Is Right: Martin Needs Justice, Not RevengeTrayvon Martin, the 17-year-old Sanford, Fla., youth gunned down in February may finally get justice. His shooter, George Zimmerman was charged by a special prosecutor Wednesday with second degree murder, says the Orlando Sentinel.
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George Zimmerman Shouldn't Be Faulted for Fundraiser WebsiteSince I read about the shooting of Sanford, Fla., youth Trayvon Martin, I've believed that shooter George Zimmerman should have been charged in the boy's death.What I disagree with are faults found with Zimmerman for starting a website to tell his side of
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Michigan Teacher Says Trayvon Martin Fundraiser Got Her FiredBrooke Harris, a teacher at Pontiac Academy for Excellence Middle School in Pontiac, Mich., says she was fired "with little explanation" after helping to organize a fundraiser for the family of Trayvon Martin, says the Associated Press.
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Michigan Emergency Manager Referendum Petition ChallengedStand Up for Democracy, a grass-roots coalition, submitted signatures on a petition to overthrow Michigan's state emergency manager law, in February. opponents of the ballot drive say they've found a "fatal error" on the petition.
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FDA Limits on Antibiotics in Animal Feed Are Too LimitedThe U.S. Food and Drug Administration is cracking down on random dousing of livestock, poultry and pigs with antibiotics, says HealthDay News. Animal feed manufacturers have been mixing antibiotics into their products to prevent infection enhance growth.
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'Caine's Arcade' is Childhood as It's Meant to Be Lived9-year-old Caine Monroy, of east Los Angeles, has tickled the fickle fancy of internet viewers with a taped-up contraption he calls a "video game arcade." According to Unplugged, it's made from standard kid impedimenta--recycle-bin cardboard, old electron
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'Shroud of Turin' is Not Evidence of ResurrectionThomas de Wesselow, a former Cambridge University scholar, has written a controversial new book called "The Sign: The Shroud of Turin and the Secret of the Resurrection." The shroud is alleged to be the burial cloth of Jesus Christ and to bear his image.
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Gerald Ford Graffiti Debate in Grand Rapids, Mich.A debate is underway in Grand Rapids, Mich., about graffiti depicting one of the town's native sons--former President Gerald R. Ford. Images of Ford, including his inaugural phrase "I am indebted to no man," appear on walls along I-196 near Grand Rapids,
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Titanic Legacy is Baby Goodwin, Not Just AstorTwo stories based around the 100th anniversary of the sinking of the Titanic caught my eye. Titanic's wealthiest passenger, John Jacob Astor IV and Sidney Leslie Goodwin, the unknown baby.
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Michigan Attorney General Halts 'Internet Sweepstakes Cafes'Michigan state Attorney General Bill Schuette ordered three venues billed as "Internet sweepstakes cafes" to cease and desist operations, says MLive. The businesses, which offer pay-to-play, casino-style gaming are in violation of Michigan's gambling law.
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Michigan Panel Approves Petition to Recall Gov. SnyderA second attempt to petition for a recall election of Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder has been approved. Members of the Washtenaw County Election Committee gave their okay on petition language despite some contention with parts of the wording,
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'Tiny House' is the Future If Big Spenders Don't Cut BackAnderson Cooper recently featured a family of four with an interesting, and in modern-day America, revolutionary lifestyle. Forced by recession to close their business and give up their larger home, the couple built what they call the "tiny house."
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Fecal Enema Is Revolting but Better Than C. DifficileA man in Nova Scotia has been suffering for over a year with C. (Clostridium) difficile, a fecal-borne bacteria, that he contacted after a routine surgery. According to College News, the man took drastic action and gave himself a home enema.
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Bella Santorum and All Trisomy 18 Kids Are MiraclesGOP candidate Rick Santorum and I are close theologically, worlds apart ideologically and politically, and on the same page about kids. Santorum's youngest daughter, 3-year-old Bella, is back in the hospital, says ABC News Medical Unit.
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Farewell, Thomas Kinkade, but I Never Liked Your ArtI suppose I'm a romantic, but I always think that any artist who is popular, rich or understood in his own lifetime can't be taken seriously. Thomas Kinkade was one such artist who enjoyed pre-postmorten success.
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Meijer Detroit Expansion Troubles Small Grocery StoresMeijer, a big box chain of super stores originally located in West Michigan, has been opening a market on the southeast side of the state. While most residents welcome the business growth, some are concerned that small grocery stores will close.
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'Shroud of Turin' Author, Tradition Wrong About Image of ChristThe Shroud of Turin, the alleged burial cloth of Jesus Christ and bearing his image. has been generating debate for decades. Thomas de Wesselow, formerly of Cambridge University, is the latest to throw his scholarly oar in, says LiveScience
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No Surprise Student Breaks with TeacherModesto, Calif., high school student Jordan Powers and her teacher James Hooker, announced last month on national television that they had formed an unorthodox relationship. Hooker was arrested on sexual assaults charge of oral copulation
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Let's Not Judge Colombian Tribe for 10-Year-Old Child MotherA 10-year-old girl, from Manaure, Colombia, has given birth to a baby, making the girl one of the youngest-ever mothers, says ABC New Blogs. The age of the father isn't known and Colombian authorities can't press charges even if it was.
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Free Printable American Girl Activities, Crafts, Games, LessonsI just discovered a plethora of free printable American Girl activities, coloring, crafts, games, puzzles and lesson plans. The Pleasant Company's American Girl characters each represent a different part of the country, time period and ethnic background
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Michigan Fails on State Integrity and Corruption Report CardThe State Integrity Investigation has two aims--"to expose practices that undermine trust in state capitols and spotlight the states that are doing things right." According to their most recent report, Michigan falls very much into the former category.
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I Feel Sorry for 'Too Pretty' Columnist Samantha BrickI feel sorry for columnist Samantha Brick, who recently bemoaned her beauty in a piece on the Daily Mail. Kudos to her for having a positive self-image, but she goes a bit overboard.
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Life Is Dangerous Enough Without Google Project Glass EyewearIf I was a really paranoid person, I could find a gajillion things to worry about: natural disasters, weapons of mass destruction, stranger danger, stinging vectors. Now Google wants to make my life even more perilous, with its Project Glass eyewear
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How to soothe a fussy, crying babyHave you ever been in a store where a baby is endlessly crying? Probably every parent has experienced the chagrin of trying to comfort a child who will not be comforted. I've been that mom. Here are some tried-and-true tips to soothe from my parenting.
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Ways to keep kids hydrated and make sure they drink enough waterWe talk about the importance of drinking enough water, but how much is enough? Mayo Clinic says though there's no hard and fast evidence to support the "8x8 rule" (eight glasses of water with eight ounces daily), it is good mnemonic to help use remember.
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Detroit City Council to Proceed with Consent Agreement VoteDetroit's financial stability agreement discussions have been moving in fits and starts for the last few months. That may come to an end April 4 as the Detroit city council plans to vote finally on whether or not to enter into a consent agreement.
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Girls Hitting Puberty Younger Isn't SurprisingGirls are starting puberty at younger ages and these new findings are causing physicians some concern, says a report in The Week. Increasingly more girls are getting pubic hair, expanding hips, breast development and starting their periods before age 10.
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Levi Johnson Fathering Another Baby is No One's BusinessThe internet is aflame over Levi Johnson, father of tea party figurehead Sarah Palin's grandson Tripp (with Palin's eldest Bristol). 21-year-old Johnson is fathering another child with his new girlfriend Sunny Oglesby.
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Twitter Plans to Open Detroit OfficeTwitter, social network and microblogging megalith, is coming to Detroit. Twitter, home-based in San Francisco, announced that it is opening offices downtown, says Michigan Radio. Here are details.
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2012 Easter Activities in Wayne, Oakland County, MichiganThe neighborhoods of Detroit are gearing up for some of hoppy, happy Easter fun for kids and families. Here's a list of egg hunts, candy bashes, Easter bunny visits, and events in and around Metro Detroit.
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2012 Easter Weekend Egg Hunts, Events in Metro DetroitEaster Sunday falls on April 8, 2012. Many Metro Detroit neighborhoods are hosting Easter egg hunts and events around that holiday weekend. Here are details about those events.
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'Hey Boo: Harper Lee' and 'To Kill a Mockingbird' is a Rare TreatPBS "American Masters" profiled southern writer Harper Lee, author of the highly-acclaimed "To Kill a Mockingbird" recently. Pop Matters says the biopic "Hey, Boo: Harper Lee & To Kill a Mockingbird" is a rare look into Lee's mind.
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Oakland College Shooting Underlines Need for Gun ControlSeven people died in a shooting rampage at Oikos University, a small Christian college in Oakland, Calif., Monday, says Associated Press. These shootings come hard on the heels of February's school shootings at Chardon High School in Ohio
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Michigan School Employee Fired for Refusing Facebook AccessKimberly Hester, a Cassopolis, Mich., teacher's aide was fired from her job at Frank Squires Elementary School for failing to provide employers with her Facebook password. Hester is suing the Lewis Cass Intermediate School District for removing her.
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Judge Blocks Michigan 'Immediate Effect' ProvisionA Michigan judge has blocked a legislative provision called "immediate effect." This clause makes legislation take effect as soon as the governor signs it. Democrats sued Republicans in Michigan's House of Representatives over the "immediate effect" law.
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World Autism Awareness Day is a Personal AnniversaryWorld Autism Awareness Day is April 2. According to CBS News, the United Nations, hopes to spread awareness about this developmental disorder. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention NCBDDD
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Autism Deserves Awareness but Not Epidemic StatusI've been a certified teacher EI (emotionally impaired) students for 25 years. I've taught countless kids with autism. I also have some personal experience with the disorder. I believe some of my childhood behaviors may have gotten me an autism diagnosis.
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AFA Foods Should Have Been Upfront About 'Pink Slime'AFA Foods, a major meat processing corporation, has filed for bankruptcy, citing public backlash over company use of "pink slime," an ammonia-treated filler, says Reuters. I think, had AFA Foods been more upfront with consumers, that this crisis may have
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Free Printable Easter Crafts, Activities, DecorationsWhether you celebrate Easter as a religious holiday or just enjoy the eggs, bunnies and candy, the holiday is fun for young and old. Coming as it does in spring, Easter is a celebration of new life and nature. Here are free printable craft activities.
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'Bully' Documentary Hits a Raw SpotThe documentary film "Bully" hits a raw spot with me as I suspect it does many others. According to The Reel Breakdown, "Bully" chronicles kids who are picked on, some to the point of suicide. The movie looks at the responses (or lack thereof) of adults
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American Red Cross Workers Strike in MichiganSome workers at the American Red Cross Great Lakes Region Blood Services Unit in Michigan went on strike Friday after failed contract negotiations between union and management. Here are details of this strike and what it may mean for Michigan residents.
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Nightclub's 'Food Stamp Friday' Hits New Low in ExploitationJust when I think I've seen the tackiest in marketing ploys, some company comes along and proves me wrong. The Rose Supper Club (a.k.a. nightclub) in Montgomery, Ala., is hosting "Food Stamp Friday" where folks get free cover charge and shots
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Let's Keep the 'Cinnamon Challenge' in PerspectiveKids are playing a dangerous dare game called the "cinnamon challenge," says Time Healthland. Like all dare games, it involves kids doing something potentially lethal that we adults call dumb and pointless.
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Holy Week, Easter activities for parents and childrenIn the Catholic, Orthodox, some other christian traditions, the penitential season of Lent is concluded with Palm Sunday leading into Holy Week and culminating on Easter Sunday. Here are activities from my journey to guide you.
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Tips to monitor kids' cellphone use without invading privacyIt never ceases to amaze me how prevalent cellphone use is among kids, even young ones. Unlimited texting and call plans mean kids can use their cellphones almost carte blanche, 24-7. Here are some strategies to limit usage.
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Free Printable Palm Sunday Crafts, Coloring, ActivitiesPalm Sunday, in the Christian faith, celebrates the Biblical triumphal entry of Jesus into Jerusalem one week before His crucifixion. It begins Holy Week and the countdown to Easter. Here are free printable crafts, coloring and activities for children
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Autism Insurance Reform Passes Michigan LegislatureA package of three bills aimed at reforming how Michigan insures children with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) has passed the Michigan House of Representatives and is expected to move on to Gov. Rick Snyder for approval.
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New York Bans Synthetic Pot; Nation Should Follow SuitNew York's health commissioner has ordered a ban on synthetic marijuana products marketed as "Spice" and "K2," says WHAM ABC 13. Other trade names include "Mr. Nice Guy" and "Galaxy Gold." These products have been available to kids and easy to obtain.
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Michelle Duggar Unfairly Advocates Big FamiliesIs it wasteful to have a family of 21 in these times? No, according to Michelle Duggar, quiverful-mom of TLC's "19 Kids and Counting," because the population explosion is a myth. Duggar explained this in an interview with The 700 Club.
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Michigan Unemployment Rate Drops Along with Work ForceThere's good news and bad news about Michigan's mercurial unemployment rate. The number of working people in the state for the month of February is both up and down. Here's how this works.
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Vogue Mom's Handling of Daughter's Obesity is BizarreI'm a little confused what mommy-author Dara-Lynn Weiss's hopes to accomplish with her Vogue article bragging how she managed her 7-year-old daughter Bea's obesity. I hope Weiss isn't advocating her methods because they're dangerous and a little psychotic
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Passengers, Crew Heroic During JetBlue Flight 191 Pilot MeltdownIt must have been pretty traumatic for passengers and crew of Tuesday's JetBlue Flight 191. Instead of a peaceful flight to Las Vegas, pilot Clayton Osbon starting ranting about Iraq, terrorists and screaming that everyone was going to die,
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Three Cheers for Richard Norris and All Face TransplantsRichard Norris, 37, of Hillsville, Va., has been living behind a mask, since a 1997 gun accident disfigured much of his face. Now, thanks to a face transplant by doctors at the University of Maryland, Norris can come out from behind his mask.
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Self-Defense Doesn't Make Trayvon Martin an AggressorI'm fed up with all the convoluted logic and double standards being used in the Trayvon Martin shooting in Sanford, Fla. Fox News's Sean Hannity says there are "new developments" that show Martin as the "aggressor" against shooter George Zimmerman.
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Michigan Same-Sex Couple Fights Father for CustodyA same-sex couple from Michigan, Dian Stephens and Connie Brown, are entangled in a complicated legal battle over custody of their daughter Trinitee, with a man they call the "sperm donor." The donor, Jermaine L. Walker, considers himself the child's fath
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Pot, Suspension Have Zero to Do with Trayvon Martin ShootingThose who are trying to defend George Zimmerman, who shot 17-year-old Trayvon Martin in Sanford Fla., last month, must be running low on excuses. Now they're trying to frame Martin as a bad kid.
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Detroit Council Weighs Bond Transaction, Stability AgreementMembers of the Detroit City Council are considering a $137 million bond transaction that was offered by the State of Michigan. They've delayed voting on the proposal but plan to reconvene on Tuesday to decide if the bond agreement could help them out of f
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Protesters Disrupt Detroit Financial Review MeetingAfter a temporary court derailment last week, Michigan State Treasurer was able to proceed with his final Detroit financial review team meeting Monday, in time for Gov. Rick Snyder's deadline. The meeting was interrupted at several points by protesters.
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No Decision Reached at Detroit Financial Review MeetingMichigan State Treasurer Andy Dillon held what was supposed to be the culminating financial review team meeting on the City of Detroit's finances Monday. Michigan Radio reports that no resolution was reached. Here are details on what that means for Detroi
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Time to Nix High School Prom King and QueenReuben Lack, student body president at Alpharetta High School in Georgia, is suing his school because student council advisers removed him from his post. ABC News Blogs says Lack wants to open prom king and queen up to gay couples.
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Zimmerman's Sorrow Underscores ProblemsGeorge Zimmerman is sorry about shooting 17-year-old Trayvon Martin in a gated community in Sanford, Fla., says his friend Joe Oliver. The shooting has been called racist, but Reuters reports that Oliver says that he's black and Zimmerman isn't racist.
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Extreme Easter Egg Hunting Parent-Style is ScaryThe Associated Press story of gate-crashing Easter egg hunt parents in Colorado Springs, Colo., who got their event cancelled for egg-snatching on behalf of their kids, doesn't surprise me. I've been a mom for 23 years; guerrilla parents are always there.
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Michigan Senate Passes Ban on School Staff-Student SexMichigan lawmakers are working on legislation to ban school employees and students from engaging in intimate acts, even if the student is 18 or older. Michigan's Senate approved the measure recently and now the bill passes to the House,
