Tales of teen improv

[February 8, 2010 at 9:09pm] When Valley resident Bill Binder recalls his college days, spent as an engineering student at Michigan Technological University, it’s the unexpected find he seems fondest of remembering. That find was improvisation, also known as “improv.” Improv is a form of live theater performance in which plot lines and characters are developed on the spot by those [read more...]

How To-sday: 8 ways to keep your kids busy so you can get stuff done

[February 8, 2010 at 10:07pm] For me, working from home doesn’t mean I have a nanny in the other room watching my babies. I don’t have my husband at home working in the other room. For me, working from home means I am mothering and working at the same time. So, you might ask, where are my kids when I’m interviewing [read more...]

Getting rid of old cell phones- safely

[February 5, 2010 at 3:03pm] When the guy saw there were photos of teenaged girls on the phone, he showed it to his boss. What was I thinking?[read more...]

Truth or denial

[February 3, 2010 at 3:49pm] My six year old son, who happens to be what we in the mom profession call a "triple threat;" smart, willful and extremely manipulative...[read more...]

Sowing seeds of hope and understanding

[February 3, 2010 at 12:42pm] Before my youngest child was diagnosed with Tourette Syndrome, I knew something wasn’t right. He had begun softly cooing like a morning dove. It was in the back of his throat and almost imperceptible. It started on summer vacation before he started his second grade year. I wasn’t sure he even [read more...]

Latest findings on cleft lip and palate

[February 3, 2010 at 10:25am] New findingscould become important targets for investigators working on nonsurgical treatments to prevent cleft palate before birth.[read more...]

“Why schools don’t educate”

[February 2, 2010 at 10:18am] …is the title of an article published 10 years ago in a magazine to which I have subscribed since 1988, The Sun. I read this morning that it is STILL one of the most requested and read articles ever published by The Sun.  It is by John Taylor Gatto and I’m giving the (very long) [read more...]

1,000 people to thank before I die – #5 (Dan, my unflappable husband)

[February 2, 2010 at 10:06am] He didn’t even flinch. That’s the amazing thing. When I came home that day, I told my husband what had transpired during what should have been an absolutely routine photo shoot. I told him about meeting Keri deGuzman, her husband Brian and their two adorable children, Jesmina and Musse. I told him how Keri and [read more...]

Gangplank Jr

[February 1, 2010 at 2:57pm] This past weekend, I had the pleasure of volunteering at a monthly event in Chandler called Gangplank Jr. Gangplank Jr is the youth side of parent organization Gangplank.  While many find Gangplank hard to define, I see it as an community space that seeks to break down the barriers dividing businesses and individuals, encouraging  real collaboration [read more...]

Photos from state cheerleading finals

[January 31, 2010 at 9:35am] Here are some photos of yesterday’s cheerleading state championships in Prescott Valley. [read more...]

Make a list, check it twice

[December 23, 2009 at 8:59pm] Most people find the holiday season stressful.  Happy, but stressful.  Adults and children with ADHD are overwhelmed by this time of year.  The overstimulation, lack of routine and bombardment on the senses is palpably mind-blowing.  ‘Tis the season to….     Be totally off any regular schedule Abandon any semblance of routine Eat strange, unfamiliar and unhealthy foods Consume way too [read more...]

Christmas Past

[December 9, 2009 at 7:15pm] I’m going to share a poem I wrote last year somewhere between the haze of cold and flu medicine and the madness of the holidays last year. With everyone starting the sniffling and coughing early this year, maybe we will be over it by Christmas! Probably not! A Turchick Christmas 2008 Twas the night before Christmas and Daddy was [read more...]