R.E.S.P.E.C.T.

It takes mutual respect to make a family work. Not because parents and children are equals, but because they have an equal right to be respected. As a parent, you set the pace and you create the atmosphere of respect in the home.

We show respect when we listen to our children as thoughtfully as we listen to our boss or friend. We show respect when we take the time to teach our child grown-up skills, such as cooking, cleaning and car repairs – and when you expect him to join in on the family work as well as the family fun.

You also show respect when you knock on your child’s door before you enter and when you ignore any notes that are left around her room. This tells her that she has rights, too, and you know it.

You give your child respect when you offer him choices whenever you can, when you let him waste his time sometimes because it’s his time, not yours; and when you accept his choice in music as you hope he will accept yours.

I think the greatest respect we can give our children is one of the hardest – that is letting go! Being less protective because we know our children have to eventually make their own choices and their own mistakes. It also means being less willing to do for our children what they can do for themselves.

This is how they learn to take care of themselves. If we clean up after our children, we’re telling them that we don’t think they can take care of themselves. If we tell them how to spend their money we’re sending the same message. A child who is respected is a child who is free to grow.

"Fitness Model of the Week"

"JaRed Cameron"

 With one of the most diverse backgrounds you can find in a young man this Bronx NY native has been moving to the top gracefully and swiftly. Having a background of African American, Italian, Puerto Rican, and Egyptian....JaRed Cameron caries a very interesting and exotic look that designers and photographers crave.  Wanting to be apart of the entertainment scene since childhood, its not hard to believe he knows how to play the piano, sings, familiar with Beethoven and Bach, danced to the tunes of Michael Jackson(as all we all did as kids), and lastly tap-dance. WOW..   

 Because of the level of difficulty and low success rate, JaRed felt he was at the crossroads and not sure whether to pursue acting as a career.  In a leap of faith, he went for it and set out to take head shots as soon as he could raise money. Immediately he was exposed to modeling, a talent he did not know existed. Since then he has participated in photo-shoots with multiple fashion photographers such as Karim Parris, Ben Arrington, Bryan Taylor, etc. 

JaRed featured in his very first fashion show with designer Ray Brown for Ray Vincente Collection,  in June of 2010  in New York. That show sparked a multitude of offers and castings for New York Fashion Week,  that upcoming September. Going into his very first Fashion Week, he was a part of 9 shows and was humbled by the entire experience.

Now lets talk fitness... This young man is in great shape, highly athletic, and very competitive. As a Fashion and Fitness model, Jared knows the importance of being toned and lean. Eating lower Carbs and higher protein throughout the day, he is able to maintain a slim and sleek physique that's conducive to Fashion and Fitness. Abdominal routines, cardio, and high repetitions are his secret. Some examples would be Boxing, Running, Old School Pushups, and Ab circuits with Personal Trainer and Fitness Specialist Shaun Spencer aka "The Olympic Trainer". 

 Look for him in Sheen Magazine this July and also during Miami Fashion Week fashion show in Miami this July for ‘Miami Splash” with William Michael Reid, Ron Cooke, and Willie Hall.

Step-grand-parenting

Stepfamilies are becoming one of the most common family forms in the United States. When stepfamilies are formed, many new relationships are created. You may become an instant grandparent with step-grandchildren. You may have both grandchildren and step-grandchildren in the same family. Consequently, step- grandparenting can offer the same challenges, uncertainties, conflicts and rewards that exist in other stepfamily relationships.

Remember that relationships are built over time. Your relationship and role as a step-grandparent will take time to develop. The important first steps in building a meaningful relationship with your step-grandchildren are communication and spending time getting to know each other.

Recognize the vital role of grandparents and step-grandparents in today's families. Today, a majority of families with children are busier than ever before. You can offer children in these busy families companionship, time, and a listening ear. Grandparents are described as “significant others who have a great deal to do with one's view of life.” Grandchildren who are exposed to such contact are less fearful of old age and the elderly. They feel more connected to their families.

Create the grandparenting role that is comfortable to you and rewarding for your stepfamily. Step-grandparenting, like other stepfamily roles, is challenging and undefined. It is up to you to carve a role for yourself that fits your son or daughter’s new family.

To download the full publication “Stepping Stones for Stepfamilies: For

Step-Grandparents” by Millie Ferrer-Chancy: http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/pdffiles/FY/FY03800.pdf

MASTER LIST #22: The 50 Best Animated Features

I'm not a huge animation fan but, dang it, I know what's good. And I was livid after seeing Richard Corliss's woeful list of the top 25 animated films for the pages of Time Magazine. Happy Feet? Horton Hears A Who? And The Bugs Bunny/Road Runner Movie at #3? That was just a collection of shorts hastily cobbled together! Corliss' sloppy arrangement of the titles, and the list's lack of

MASTER LIST #22: The 50 Best Animated Features

I'm not a huge animation fan but, dang it, I know what's good. And I was livid after seeing Richard Corliss's woeful list of the top 25 animated films for the pages of Time Magazine. Happy Feet? Horton Hears A Who? And The Bugs Bunny/Road Runner Movie at #3? That was just a collection of shorts hastily cobbled together! Corliss' sloppy arrangement of the titles, and the list's lack of

The Moon amid planets and star clusters

The morning sky this week will be rich with easy-to-spot celestial objects in the hour before sunrise. Find a good view toward the eastern horizon and use binoculars to enhance the view of Venus, Mars, the waning crescent Moon and two of the finest star clusters in the sky, the Pleiades and Hyades. I am looking forward to it!

R.I.P. Peter Falk (1927-2011)

What a great actor. I don't think I knew how much I loved him until now. I cannot say any more. I'm too choked up. Really, I am. So I'm letting the clips speak for me.


From A WOMAN UNDER THE INFLUENCE. His role was seemingly lesser against the searing Gena Rowlands, but it was nonetheless challenging; in fact, it was the heart of the movie. (John Cassevetes, 74).


As the husband in

R.I.P. Peter Falk (1927-2011)

What a great actor. I don't think I knew how much I loved him until now. I cannot say any more. I'm too choked up. Really, I am. So I'm letting the clips speak for me.


From A WOMAN UNDER THE INFLUENCE. His role was seemingly lesser against the searing Gena Rowlands, but it was nonetheless challenging; in fact, it was the heart of the movie. (John Cassevetes, 74).


As the husband in

Forgotten Movie Songs #20: "Car Wash" from CAR WASH

Michael Schultz's 1976 film Car Wash is one of those lovely, plotless comedies that arrived in the wake of 1973's American Graffiti. Covering one single day at an L.A. outfit, it ambles very ably in and out of a series of workaday pranks and dramas that engulf the title spot's workers. Schultz and his screenwriter, future blockbuster director Joel Schumacher, make everything look rather

Forgotten Movie Songs #20: "Car Wash" from CAR WASH

Michael Schultz's 1976 film Car Wash is one of those lovely, plotless comedies that arrived in the wake of 1973's American Graffiti. Covering one single day at an L.A. outfit, it ambles very ably in and out of a series of workaday pranks and dramas that engulf the title spot's workers. Schultz and his screenwriter, future blockbuster director Joel Schumacher, make everything look rather

Bedwetting

Bedwetting is a common problem in children ages 5-12, particularly for boys. An estimated 5 to 7 million children in the U.S. have a problem with bedwetting at any given time. The good news is that most of them eventually outgrow it. Most physicians and psychologists advise parents that a child should be able to keep the bed dry by age five or six. However, many professionals admit that bedwetting can become a serious problem for the younger child if it begins to impact their self-esteem, behavior, and relationships with others.

All of the causes of bedwetting are not known. Physicians emphasize that bedwetting is a symptom, not a disease. Bedwetting is not a mental problem, learning problem, or behavioral problem. Even children with no history of bedwetting may lose bladder control from time to time. For example, bedwetting may appear, or increase, when a child is ill. Urinary tract infections often cause bedwetting in children and adults.

Children rarely wet the bed on purpose, so parents need to avoid punishing their child. Bedwetting can also be a response to emotional conflict, anxiety or stress, such as a dramatic change in home and family life. Parents should consider talking to a doctor to rule out any physical causes and to discuss a variety of treatments for their child, such as scheduled waking, changing parenting styles, limiting fluids at night, exercises, and medications.

You can download a copy of the full “Bedwetting” publication at: http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/pdffiles/HE/HE79400.pdf

Kids' Big Worries

Which one of the following situations do you think would cause your child more stress; the threat of nuclear war, or giving a report in class?

Most children probably would choose the second because they tend to focus on immediate, concrete concerns. A study at the University of Colorado shows that a child’s #1 fear is losing a parent or eyesight. Next on the list is being held back in school, wetting in class, being accused of lying or stealing, or being sent to the principal’s office. Far down on the list are events that parents might have guessed; having an operation or adjusting to a new baby in the family.

Worries change as children grow. Preschooler worries include toilet training accidents, starting school, being separated from their parents, sharing and cooperating, discipline and not being understood when they speak0

Elementary-age children worry about pressure to perform academically and conform to rules, being excluded, not being listened to, being teased or embarrassed, getting angry or jealous, teachers getting angry, getting a bad report card, and not having the right kind of clothing or school gear.

Adolescents worry about changes in their body, peer pressure to use drugs or become sexually active, and feeling self-conscious.

Children need to feel they have a sense of control and that they can solve their own problems. Parents can take an active role in teaching children problem-solving skills by sharing with their child how they make everyday decisions themselves, and by allowing children to solve small problems on their own.

Get Involved: Public Nights at Observatories, Stargazing at the Libraries and Museums

There are many ways to get involved with astronomy, and I want to provide some links to get you going places.

First, some places where I present astronomy. I am a regular at the California Academy of Sciences most Thursdays at their NightLife event. These are for adults-only (sorry, kids, they serve alcoholic beverages), and when the skies are clear, they have astronomers with telescopes trained on stars and planets, and me giving tours of the night sky. Stop by on a Thursday night and enjoy the Cal Academy, and journey up to the Living Roof for a personal tour from me.

I make special presentations for organizations around the Bay Area, this week at the Marina Public Library as part of the IMBIBE series of events being put on by the Friends of the San Francisco Public Library. Come join me Friday night, June 17th, to see our nearest star (with its fascinating Sunspots) up close, and when the skies turn dark, a close up view of other celestial highlights.

Local observatories and science museums hold regular astronomical viewing nearly every weekend. Chabot Space and Science Center has viewing on Friday and Saturday nights through their powerful telescopes. The Peninsula Astronomical Society hosts viewing at the Foothill College Observatory in Los Altos Friday nights. And the Lawrence Hall of Science has viewing on Saturdays. Finally, my own club, the San Francisco Amateur Astronomers, hosts a monthly Star Party at Mt. Tam in Marin, along with a lecture at the Mountain Theater. I often give tours of the night sky at the Mt. Tam star parties.

There's no excuse if you live in the Bay Area. And if you are not in the San Francisco Bay Area, check the Night Sky Network to find a club and activities near you.

Co-parenting and Father Involvement

About half of all U.S. children will live apart from their fathers some time during their childhood because their parents have divorced or separated. While some nonresidential fathers do not maintain contact with their child, others are able to continue to be a part of the child’s life. A very important factor in whether a father remains involved seems to be how the mother and father work out their co-parenting relationship after they split up. Fathers may be involved in decisions about the child, have frequent contact, and be involved in warm and supportive relationships with their children – or they may be fairly distant or not involved at all.

A recent study published in the Journal of Marriage and Family looked at co-parenting relationships between custodial mothers and fathers living apart from their biological children. Using data collected from a national sample of children and custodial mothers, the researchers found that cooperative co-parenting is fairly uncommon: 66% of mothers say that the father has no influence over childrearing and 58% say that they get no help from the father in childrearing.

These results suggest that many parents may find it difficult or even impossible to engage in cooperative co-parenting after separation. However, when they can cooperate, fathers are able to have more frequent contact with their children and a more trusting and supportive relationship, confirming other research that finds father involvement has many positive outcomes for children.

Classes for divorcing couples (or couples with children who never married) can help co-parents to work together for the future of their children. For more information: http://hillsboroughfcs.ifas.ufl.edu/DivorceClasses.html.

Major changes as far as the Academy Awards go:

The MPMAS shook things up, of course, a few years ago. They returned to a ten-tentpoled Best Picture roundup. Now, they're having second thoughts. Things are getting confusing here. Here's the press release:

June 14, 2011
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Academy Builds Surprise Into Best Picture Rules

Beverly Hills, CA – The governors of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences voted on

Major changes as far as the Academy Awards go:

The MPMAS shook things up, of course, a few years ago. They returned to a ten-tentpoled Best Picture roundup. Now, they're having second thoughts. Things are getting confusing here. Here's the press release:

June 14, 2011
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Academy Builds Surprise Into Best Picture Rules

Beverly Hills, CA – The governors of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences voted on

Swallowing Problems and Older Adults

If you are caring for an older family member, you understand that chewing and swallowing issues are common. The following information was written by Wendy J. Dahl, PhD, assistant professor; Food Science and Human Nutrition Department; University of Florida.


Many older adults have problems with chewing their food due to missing or broken teeth, poor fitting dentures, or a sore mouth or toothache. Our tongues are needed to help move food around the mouth when we chew. Some older adults may have problems with tongue movement after a stroke, which can lead to problems with chewing.

Adding the right amount of saliva is important for swallowing. Dry foods, such as bread, crackers, and cookies, require a lot of saliva incorporation. An older adult with a dry mouth, due to reduced saliva production, may have problems chewing and swallowing dry foods.

Causes of dry mouth include the following:

• side effects of some medicines

• diseases such as diabetes and Parkinson's disease

• nerve damage after injury to the head or neck

• radiation cancer treatment to the head or neck

• chemotherapy cancer treatment

Difficulties with keeping lips closed or controlling tongue movement, or a lack of feeling or sensation in the mouth, will interfere with swallowing. Older adults may also have problems with food getting stuck in the esophagus. Swallowing can be slow or uncontrolled.

Stroke is one of the most common causes of swallowing problems. Diseases such as multiple sclerosis (MS), cerebral palsy, Parkinson's disease and Alzheimer"s disease often lead to swallowing problems. Head and neck cancer and some cancer treatments, as well as spinal cord and head injuries, also can cause swallowing problems. Some medications may also affect swallowing.

Some frail older adults may have problems communicating their symptoms. Caregivers can be on the lookout for signs of swallowing problems:

• coughing while eating

• gargling voice quality

• drooling while eating

• food pieces in the cheeks or under the tongue

• very slow eating or swallowing

Many older adults with swallowing problems may become much more "picky" with respect to what foods they want to eat. Older adults with swallowing problems may begin to eat less. This may lead to dehydration and weight loss. As weight loss progresses, malnutrition may be the result.

Film #145: Blue Velvet

This is a reprint of my first NYC-published review. It was first printed in a long-dead 1986 NYU film school magazine, right after I had seen Lynch's movie with a disbelieving audience partially comprised of unsuspecting 1986 film students. My fellow NYU film production cadets and I watched the film together at an East 28th street NYC theater upon its release (I, personally, had been looking

Film #145: Blue Velvet

This is a reprint of my first NYC-published review. It was first printed in a long-dead 1986 NYU film school magazine, right after I had seen Lynch's movie with a disbelieving audience partially comprised of unsuspecting 1986 film students. My fellow NYU film production cadets and I watched the film together at an East 28th street NYC theater upon its release (I, personally, had been looking

Money Needs and the Family Life Cycle

When it comes to the future, many people wish they had a crystal ball, especially when money comes into the picture. Since crystal balls are hard to come by, University of Florida researchers say to look at the “family life cycle” to help predict future costs.

The family life cycle is a sequence of events that makes up a family’s pattern of development. It begins with marriage and includes other events such as the birth of children up to retirement. By knowing what usually occurs during various stages in the cycle, people can anticipate what their money will be used for and plan ahead.

The cycle begins with marriage, a time when couples need furnishings and household equipment, but have little income. Also, many couples begin to look at having a home of their own. When children come into the family, costs can also increase if one member of the couple takes time off of work to care for babies. Medical costs, along with insurance, can go up as well. Additionally, if one member of the couple stays home to raise children, there’s a loss of income. If both parents work, costs are incurred for day care. By this stage, families also usually have payments to make on a number of items, such as a home and cars.

Bigger changes still lie ahead as families put children through college and then adjust to their potentially empty nests and retirement. When families spend time talking about and planning for the financial responsibilities that are typical of each stage, they can make smarter financial decisions based on the needs of the family life cycle

The Very Long-lasting Total Lunar Eclipse of 2011

On Wednesday June 15th, viewers in the eastern hemisphere will be treated to a very long-lasting Total Lunar Eclipse, a 100-minute marathon of an eclipse that will reveal the center of the Milky Way in the backdrop as the bright Moon is enveloped in the darkest part of Earth's shadow. Unfortunately for those of us on the other side of the Earth, including here in San Francisco, we will miss the entire eclipse. (But we will get a nice lunar eclipse later this year, on December 10th.)

As for June 15th, this particular Total Lunar Eclipse will be longer than most for two reasons, (a) the Moon passes nearly through the center of the Earth's shadow, and (b) the Moon is nearly at Apogee, when it is farthest from the Earth (and hence appears a bit smaller than usual and takes longer to pass through the Earth's shadow). For my colleagues in Germany, the Moon will rise already in mid-Eclipse, which is an outstanding sight that I have seen one time in the past. Moonrise will be at approximately 9:30 pm, and the Moon remains in total eclipse until approximately 11:00 pm. That would be something to enjoy from a spot with a good eastern horizon. For other locations around the world, use this chart from the NASA Eclipse Web Site to determine the timing for your location. I wish my friends on the other side of the world clear skies and happy viewing!

KFOG Podcast - June 10, 2011

KFOG's Irish Greg and I talk about Saturn and a Double Star, the Big Dipper and asterisms, a fun event where I'll be showing off the night sky, observatories that have public viewing nights, and a massive solar flare. Listen here. A good time is guaranteed!

Yet again, five MORE great new trailers

It's a shame that all the good looking movies are loaded to the back end of the year. But, then again, that's how it always is, no? I think each one of these movies look terrific, to varying degrees.


TABLOID (Errol Morris, 2011) (His movies are always eventful!)


THE FUTURE (Miranda July, 2011) (Love that cat as a narrator, and we get to see Ms. July dancing, too.)


CRAZY STUPID LOVE (

Yet again, five MORE great new trailers

It's a shame that all the good looking movies are loaded to the back end of the year. But, then again, that's how it always is, no? I think each one of these movies look terrific, to varying degrees.


TABLOID (Errol Morris, 2011) (His movies are always eventful!)


THE FUTURE (Miranda July, 2011) (Love that cat as a narrator, and we get to see Ms. July dancing, too.)


CRAZY STUPID LOVE (

Double Star and Planetary Close Encounter: Porrima and Saturn

Light-polluted skies allow us city dwellers to only see the brighter objects in the night sky. Luckily, there are plenty of bright objects to see, and for the next few weeks Saturn has a close-encounter with a fairly bright double star. It's time to get out your telescope and put it to work, for the reward will be worth it.

The double star, Porrima, is a double star system located about 40 light-years away, relatively close to the Sun in the grand scheme of things. The two stars orbit each other about every 170 years, and as they do so, the apparent distance that separates them changes (from our Earth-bound point of view). Right now, the two are well separated, meaning that with a telescope pointed at Saturn you will see the two stars as distinct objects. Only a few years ago, their alignment was such that you would have needed a very powerful telescope to see the two stars in the Porrima system as individual stars. Right now, if you put Saturn into view in a small to medium telescope, you will also get the Porrima system in your field of view as well.

The diagram (above) illustrates where to find Saturn and Porrima over the next few days, and this article from Space.com also provides insight and additional diagrams to help you see this sight.

So seize the moment and be an amateur astronomer for a night, making a fun discovery for yourself.

Teen Birth Rates

Over the years, my daughters often shared with me the latest pictures of some of their teenage friends with their babies. The young mothers appeared to be very happy. Unfortunately, the odds are very much against them.

According to researchers at the Urban Institute and Child Trends Databank, teen mothers are usually unprepared for the emotional, psychological and financial challenges faced by early childbearing. Teen parents often do not complete high school, limiting their earning potential and the financial support they can provide their children. As a result, these families are more likely to depend on state or federal assistance.

The children of adolescent mothers are more likely to be born prematurely and to die as infants. They generally have less success academically and have more behavioral problems than their peers born to adult mothers. Additionally, children of teen mothers are more likely to become sexually active in their teens and to become teen parents themselves.

However, according to the most recent national vital statistics from the CDC, the good news is that since 1991 teen birth rates have declined from almost 62 per 1,000 females to 41 per thousand – the lowest rate ever reported in the United States. According to Child Trends, working with teens to change their perceptions of sexual activity, reducing other risky behaviors and promoting abstinence values through sex education in home, school, community and media, have all been successful in reducing teen birth rates.

Film #144: The Tree of Life

The most special special effect in Terrence Malick's ultimate, unrelenting, devout cinematic achievement occurs at its outset: a valuable jewel-like dalliance of light and dark, color and blackness. It lingers, morphs, disappears and then returns to us at key moments.

I cannot help but open this piece by considering these apparitions. They happen so importantly. Why are they there? Why do

Film #144: The Tree of Life

The most special special effect in Terrence Malick's ultimate, unrelenting, devout cinematic achievement occurs at its outset: a valuable jewel-like dalliance of light and dark, color and blackness. It lingers, morphs, disappears and then returns to us at key moments.

I cannot help but open this piece by considering these apparitions. They happen so importantly. Why are they there? Why do

Film #143: Dead Ringers

There was a time, in the 70s and very early 80s, in which David Cronenberg was (at least to me) one of cinema's crassest filmmakers. It wasn't that his films were bad; they were often elegant to look at and were always memorable. But the images I took from them left me with a sour taste: Marilyn Chambers frothing at the mouth in Rabid, the slimy slugs from They Came From Within; the famed

Film #143: Dead Ringers

There was a time, in the 70s and very early 80s, in which David Cronenberg was (at least to me) one of cinema's crassest filmmakers. It wasn't that his films were bad; they were often elegant to look at and were always memorable. But the images I took from them left me with a sour taste: Marilyn Chambers frothing at the mouth in Rabid, the slimy slugs from They Came From Within; the famed

"Fitness Model of the week"

Fashion and Fitness Model

“Crystal Lynne”

Here is a young lady who is passionate about her craft and works hard. Raised in New Jersey, Crystal has been breaking her way into the industry over the last 2 years and has no doubt in her mind that this is what she was meant to do. From fist glance she seems to be all fashion and beauty. But do not let that fool you. With a background of two nationalities, German and Italian, Crystal definitely stands out amongst the crowd. This would also explain her passion and drive for success. Historically speaking, individuals with German roots are noted for being very technical and tactical in their approach to success. Those with an Italian background are known for being very diligent and passionate about what they plan to achieve.

Workout.

Crystal is serious about her fitness and keeping herself in pristine shape for photo shoots and shows. After speaking with her, she mentions that currently her main focus is keeping her “Coke Bottle Shape”. So she works out daily with the P90x DVD program, sweating off the excess calories and staying toned. She also incorporates multiple crunches daily and strives for a clean diet.

Crystal is completely in love with being in front of the camera. Since she was a little girl, it was a dream of hers to be that beautiful woman in the magazines or on the magazine cover. Determination is what drives this young lady to achieve goals that others say are not possible. Proving the doubtful wrong and setting the tone. Crystal is hoping to become one of the most well known models in the industry as well as making a positive impact on people’s lives. Just the thought of making a difference in someone’s life, makes her happy. Crystal has appeared in numerous High Fashion Shows for well known designers such as Sisa Designs and has aspirations of being feature in Maxxim magazine. She has also appeared in many local and regional Bikini contests. Famous models that she has looked up to are Kendra Wilkinson and Adriana Lima.

Quotes:

“Kendra is absolutely gorgeous whether she is in sweatpants or all dolled up in a dress, She inspires me by being herself throughout all of the interviews and publications.”

“Adriana Lima is just beautiful; I would love to someday be walking down that runway, as she did, with a smile on my face showing everyone that I've achieved my dreams.”

6 Steps to that 6 Pack

          "6 Steps to Losing fat in the Abdominal area"

Intense Cardio: There is no way to target fat loss in only one area of your body. You need to lose the extra fat over the entire body collectively. Even if you workout hard and develop huge, rock hard abs, if there is still a layer of fat over them they will never show. Cardio workouts are exercises that raise your heart rate and induce sweating. Now what I mean by intense, I mean more then just walking on a treadmill, or riding a bike while reading a book at the same time. If you are able to read a book with no problems, then you may not be working hard enough. The workout needs to be slightly out of your comfort zone but controlled. Some examples would be sprinting, interval runs, bike riding, dancing and rowing.

Resistance training: These exercises help by forcing you to utilize multiple muscles at different effort levels. Resistance drills are great because some of the prime muscles involved in the stabilizing of these drills are your ABS. Elastic bands provide a great level of resistance and will force your core to activate during the Concentric (muscle flexing) and Eccentric (muscle relaxing) part of your drill.

Smaller Meals: Keeping your meals small and more frequently throughout the day tend to keep the metabolism stable. Avoid large dinners; these meals make it difficult to lose the fat you want because most people aren't very active after dinner. So that is why nutritionist tell you not to eat after a certain time. If you eat a heavy carb filled meal late in the evening, when the body is no longer active, there is little caloric burning going on. A lot of the food tends to be stored as fat.  Fruits, vegetables, and nuts are a great snack for the late evening. 

Eat breakfast. “The most important part of the day.” This is how you should kick start your fat burning day. Most people skip breakfast because they don't have time for it or just plain too lazy. According to researchers, it is said that the percentage of people who actually eat breakfast are as so:

Ages:

18-34 (53%)

35 – 44 (55%)

45 – 54 (54%)

55-64 (71%)

65+ (83%)

What happens when people skip breakfast is that they try to make up for it with a big lunch. But because you hadn’t eaten anything in the last 12 hours or so, once you do eat, you become sluggish and tired.  Make the time to eat breakfast. Simple things like cereal and oatmeal do not take a long time to make and can set the tone for the day. All else fails, you are behind, and there is just no time…Look into breakfast bars. They can really make an impact. Even an apple or a yogurt is better than nothing.

Lift weights: Lifting weights is where it’s at. The more lean muscle your body has, the more calories your body burns. Studies show the lean bodies produce and maintain fast metabolisms. We have all seen that guy or girl in the gym that is slim and lean. You also notice that he or she eats what ever his/her heart desires. That is because with the amount of lean muscle that person is caring; their metabolism is running wild. Even when at rest, calories are being burned. So if cardio is the only exercises in your program, you could really be missing out. Add some weight and resistance workouts to your routine so that you can develop some good, lean muscle. 

 

Water Water Water: You definitely want to keep the water flowing through your system. Drink water before, during, and after your workouts. It keeps the body clean and keeps you hydrated.  Now there is such a things as too much water. Studies have shown the too much, especially during sweating, can dilute certain minerals in the body that are needed. Remember your body is made up of a delicate balance of minerals, salts, etc. The body is made up of approximately 60% water. So you must replenish what you perspire and also to keep a healthy flow through your system. Those who are really heavy sweaters, it would be good to replenish yourself with sports drinks or potassium rich fruits such as bananas and apples.

Throw the bums out!

This policy trailer is played in front of every screening at the Alamo Drafthouse in Austin, TX, where they take their movies VERY seriously. Good for them! I think their policy should be de rigueur in every major theater around the world. If you have to text--and if you have to take a crap--please do it outside.

Throw the bums out!

This policy trailer is played in front of every screening at the Alamo Drafthouse in Austin, TX, where they take their movies VERY seriously. Good for them! I think their policy should be de rigueur in every major theater around the world. If you have to text--and if you have to take a crap--please do it outside.

The Reading Gap between Boys and Girls

Boys lag far behind girls in reading proficiency. Test scores – in Hillsborough County as well as Florida and the nation – confirm the disparity. Girls are more proficient in reading than boys at all grade levels.

The gap, which is as wide as ten percentage points, is widest in fourth and fifth grades when reading shifts from basic skills to more complex subject matter.

Boys also outnumber girls in remedial reading classes and summer reading camps. Educators have long recognized that boys and girls learn differently and new brain research has convinced some that more consideration should be given to the findings.

Girls’ left brains tend to develop more quickly than boys’ left brains, which enable girls to actually do the writing, fine motor skills, hear better and sit in their seats longer. Boys’ right brains (responsible for spatial and visual motor skills) develop faster than girls’ right brains. Educators say it is critical for children – both boys and girls – to see adults read and to have books read to young children often.

Speaking of adults . . . one in four adults (27%) say they read NO books in the past year, according to an Associated Press–Ipsos poll. Of those who did read, women and seniors were most avid readers. The typical reader claimed to have read four books in the past year.

Who are the 27% of people found to have not read a single book in the past year? Nearly a third of men and a quarter of women fit that category. They tend to be less-educated, lower-income, minorities and from rural areas. Among those who said they had read books, the median figure was nine books for women and five for men. The poll also indicated that those with college degrees read the most and people age 50 and older read more than those who are younger. Read a book this week!

Forgotten Movie Songs #19: "The sun whose rays" from TOPSY-TURVY

This is, of course, not a song that was written for the movies, though it IS one of the cinema's most moving songs. Originally, it is the premier piece set smack dab in the middle of British librettist William S. Gilbert and composer Arthur Sullivan's magnum opus The Mikado, which opened in London in 1885 to astounding applause and then became the team's signature work. Mike Leigh's majestic,

Forgotten Movie Songs #19: "The sun whose rays" from TOPSY-TURVY

This is, of course, not a song that was written for the movies, though it IS one of the cinema's most moving songs. Originally, it is the premier piece set smack dab in the middle of British librettist William S. Gilbert and composer Arthur Sullivan's magnum opus The Mikado, which opened in London in 1885 to astounding applause and then became the team's signature work. Mike Leigh's majestic,

Twin Stars and Moon in the West

As the days lengthen and the sky stays lit well into the evening, many familiar constellations are rapidly slipping out of view. The bright twin stars of Gemini, Castor and Pollux, are fading fast and will soon be gone from the night sky. Enjoy a few days of this sight, with the addition of a fine young Moon in the sunset sky this weekend.

CINEMA GALLERY: 30 New Frames

I'm taking a tip from a few other websites (including Only The Cinema and The Dancing Image) and avoiding commentary on the shots I've selected. I like how they look without the words splitting up the images. It also leaves the viewer to guess, at least initially, as to which movies these scenes hail from. And I believe that, subconsciously, these varied frames, shunted together, form a unique

CINEMA GALLERY: 30 New Frames

I'm taking a tip from a few other websites (including Only The Cinema and The Dancing Image) and avoiding commentary on the shots I've selected. I like how they look without the words splitting up the images. It also leaves the viewer to guess, at least initially, as to which movies these scenes hail from. And I believe that, subconsciously, these varied frames, shunted together, form a unique

Another Bunch of Answers for the Good Professor!

It's time once again for me to provide my replies to Dennis Cozzulio's seasonal movie geek quiz over at Sergio Leone and The Infield Fly Rule (you can find past installments here and here; I like that this season's quiz is attributed to Bigger Than Life's afflicted educator Ed Avery). These are always extremely fun posts to do, and I find Cozzulio's always surprising questions (to which I

Another Bunch of Answers for the Good Professor!

It's time once again for me to provide my replies to Dennis Cozzulio's seasonal movie geek quiz over at Sergio Leone and The Infield Fly Rule (you can find past installments here and here; I like that this season's quiz is attributed to Bigger Than Life's afflicted educator Ed Avery). These are always extremely fun posts to do, and I find Cozzulio's always surprising questions (to which I

The Bechdel Test for Women in Movies

This is a pretty sobering video, reminding us all that most American movies consider female points-of-view beyond even being touched upon. I miss great roles for women in movies; they come about 5-10 times out of the year, and then the rest of the annum is pretty much devoted to purile male-oriented junk. I don't know when this hatred or outright dismissal of female concerns and character

The Bechdel Test for Women in Movies

This is a pretty sobering video, reminding us all that most American movies consider female points-of-view beyond even being touched upon. I miss great roles for women in movies; they come about 5-10 times out of the year, and then the rest of the annum is pretty much devoted to purile male-oriented junk. I don't know when this hatred or outright dismissal of female concerns and character

Eclipse Season: Three Solar and Lunar Eclipses all in a row

For most people it is a surprise to learn that Solar and Lunar eclipses are quite frequent events. Every six months we have an "Eclipse Season" in which we have two or sometimes three eclipses over the course of a few weeks, depending on the exact geometry of the Sun-Earth-Moon trio. June is one of these months, starting with a Partial Solar Eclipse (today), then a Total Lunar Eclipse mid-month, and finishing with a Partial Solar Eclipse (actually in July, but just hours after the end of June!).

Eclipses are indeed common for Planet Earth, but for a given fixed location on the planet, eclipses are less common. For example, the first eclipse (Solar) of June is visible only from the very far north regions of the planet. The Total Lunar Eclipse mid-June will be visible primarily in the eastern hemisphere, so for those of us in San Francisco, it will take place during the day when we cannot see the Moon. And the final (Solar) eclipse of this eclipse season will be visible only in a small region of the globe deep in the southern hemisphere.

Eclipses come in "seasons" because they can only happen when the Moon is precisely positioned to cast its shadow on the Earth, or when the Moon passes precisely through the Earth's shadow. As the Moon's orbit is not exactly aligned with the Earth's orbit, the two orbits (and shadows) come into alignment for a few weeks every six months. The rest of the time, the shadows of the Moon and Earth miss each other and we are eclipse-free!

Since eclipses are such dramatic events, when they are visible in your area, you should go out of your way to see them. For us in California, the next good eclipse will be a Total Lunar Eclipse on December 10th. More on that when the date draws nearer.

Meanwhile, if you want to know more about upcoming eclipses, visit the excellent on-line resource from NASA. The NASA Eclipse Web Site is filled with detailed information about solar and lunar eclipses, including maps, charts, and exact timing for each event. Another excellent resource is the EarthView Eclipse Network. The image (above) is courtesy of the EarthView Eclipse Network.

Family Emergency Plans

As much as we think we can have control of everything, as we have seen, natural disaster can strike anyone, anytime, and anywhere... be it tsunami, hurricane, flood or all of the above!


If you haven't already, you and your family should prepare an emergency plan for such an event. Develop a specific plan; then review it frequently with all members of the household. Make a list of items considered essential in the event of evacuation, such as special medications and foods for those on special diets, and collect all these items in one location. Have enough containers, utensils, and paper goods. If commercial bottled water is not available, collect several food-grade containers for storing water and food. These containers should be lightweight and easy to carry, to make potential evacuation more efficient. Maintain an adequate supply of paper goods, such as paper towels and toilet paper.

As the supply of clean water may be limited following an evacuation, it is recommended that a supply of sanitary hand wipes be purchased. A sufficient quantity of shelf-stable, nonperishable foods should also be on hand. It's important that your family maintains their strength during and after the storm. Therefore, be sure to consider nutrition, as well as likes and dislikes of family members (especially children), when stocking up on food. When a disaster strikes, your emergency plans will help your family maintain a minimal level of safety and health while waiting for help.