(From Science Daily) Parents are being urged not to use domestic spoons to give children medicine after a study found significant differences in capacity. A parent using one of the biggest domestic teaspoons would be giving their child 192 per cent more medicine than a parent using the smallest teaspoon and the difference was 100 per cent for the tablespoons. This increases the chance of a child receiving an overdose or indeed too little medication. (more…)

Parents who owe past due child support are being invited to a special community outreach event in Arcadia on Saturday, August 7 where they can make payment arrangements and have a suspended license released.  The L.A. County Child Support Services Department (CSSD) is holding “Let’s Seal A Deal on Your Past Due Child Support,” (more…)

(From Science Daily) Promoting parent involvement has been a big part of efforts to improve school performance. A new study has found that children whose parents were more involved across elementary school had fewer problem behaviors and better social skills, but that children’s academics weren’t affected. (more…)

(From Science Daily) Want kids who are smarter and thinner? Keep them away from the television set as toddlers. A shocking study from child experts at the Université de Montréal, the Sainte-Justine University Hospital Research Center and the University of Michigan, published in the Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine, has found that television exposure at age two forecasts negative consequences for kids, ranging from poor school adjustment to unhealthy habits. (more…)

Chris Shoemaker, local resident and Founder of Freshi Films, contacted me recently as he wanted to add wine tasting to the five-day International Family Film Festival (IFFF) to be held March 10-14 at Raleigh Studios in Hollywood.  And, while I profess a slight 101ers knowledge on wine events…I referred him to my pal Dr. Joel Fisher, founder of the LA Wine Fest, for contacts. (more…)

(From Mary Ree, President, Domestic Violence Center of the SCV)  In 2009, the Domestic Violence Center of the Santa Clarita Valley faced significant challenges when Governor Schwarzenegger eliminated the entire $20.4 million state budget for all of California’s domestic violence programs. The support of the Santa Clarita community made it possible for the Center to weather a challenging year. (more…)

The City of Santa Clarita invites local youth to attend the City’s Youth Summit 2009: Respecting Ourselves and Respecting Each Other. The event will be held Wednesday, October 21 from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the City’s Sports Complex Activities Center, and will include interactive activities and informative presentations about teen issues. (more…)

Being competitive is a good thing.  In sports, it’s good to compete to win, but you can’t always win.  This story tells of one boy’s determination to always win, but when his team loses, he blames someone else, instead of himself. (more…)

A number of Halloween events are being hosted locally this month, offering residents an opportunity to stay local this Halloween season.  Pumpkin ranches, mystical haunted locations and a spooky theme park will make Santa Clarita the perfect destination for ghoulish delights this fall. (more…)

Osvaldo Fernandez, one of Los Angeles County’s Most Wanted Delinquent Parents, was ordered to serve 90 days in jail recently.  He was remanded into Sheriff’s custody one day after being arrested by District Attorney Investigators working (more…)

In an effort to promote adoption of Los Angeles County foster youth, Fox 11 Good Day LA will begin presenting short films of local foster youth who are waiting to be adopted. (more…)

Childhood obesity has quadrupled in the last 40 years, which may mean today’s children become the first generation to have a shorter lifespan than their parents, a leading obesity expert told the American Psychological Association. (more…)

The City of Santa Clarita is offering two fall child development classes designed to help prepare community kids for preschool and kindergarten. The classes, My Buddy and Me and Terrific Tots, begin the week of September 14 and last for 14 weeks. (more…)

Sixteen parents have recently been sentenced to serve time in Los Angeles County jail after failing to meet their child support obligations, Supervisor Don Knabe announced today. The sentences are the result of a stepped up criminal prosecution (more…)

Sheriff Lee Baca, ICAN Executive Director Deanne Tilton, Los Angeles County Director of Public Health Dr. Jonathon Fielding, Chief Medical Examiner Coroner Dr. Lakshmanan Sathyavagiswaran, Department of Children and Family Services Director (more…)

Tustin-based Swim for Life Foundation pledges support for research that was recently announced by the National Institute of Health.  The study concludes that participation in formal swimming lessons was associated with an 88% reduction (more…)

As families across the country face losses of nest eggs, homes or jobs, their young children and teens need emotional support. Child psychologist Michele C. Thorne, Ph.D., assistant professor of clinical psychology at the Indiana University School of Medicine and clinical director of the Consult Liaison Service at Riley Hospital for Children, says that parents (more…)

My writing below on abortion in America was published over a year ago in the West Ranch Beacon.  This was long before anyone guessed that John McCain and his practically bankrupt campaign would have a chance to win the Republican presidential nomination, let alone have any way that he could become president.  At that time probably only a few thousand people outside of (more…)