Among other things, Project Runway host and supermodel Heidi Klum is known for her catchphrase, “You’re either ‘in’ or you’re ‘out.’” Klum’s words aptly summarize the fashion world, which is one of the most dynamic components of popular culture. Clothing trends change so quickly and so frequently that it’s very hard to keep up. Look, for example, at the way fashion has changed over the last two decades or so. Today’s and yesterday’s young fashionistas wore incredibly different garb. Then again, maybe it isn’t so different after all. Both eras are marked by clothes that look like they should …

In my home neighborhood, there are two large parks within a few miles of each other. Both parks were the sites of events this weekend, though each gathering was held for entirely different reasons. In the first park, a red, white and blue flag waved proudly in the air. In the second, a pink and purple banner waved proudly as well. The first park called solemn visitors to remember death, while the other called joyous guests to celebrate life. As both parks hosted simultaneous events that were not only close to my home but also close to my heart, I had to choose which event to attend. I chose …

There’s a kid who is nervous about her first day of school, and a kid who is excited for another school year. A young man wants to extend his curfew, and a young lady wants to go out on her first date. One child is having trouble understanding algebra, another excels at American history. An outgoing teen is very happy with her large group of friends, while and awkward teen is being bullied by the popular kids. Perhaps one of these children is your child. Or, perhaps, one of these children was you. As we prepare our children for their futures, we are often reminded of our own pasts. Whether we…

When it rains, it pours. And, in southwestern Pennsylvania, too often, it floods. Sometimes, these floods are nothing more than expensive nuisances, ruining lawns and flooding basements. Other times, their tolls are far more costly—and deadly. Such was the case last Friday, when swift waters raged through Pittsburgh and claimed the lives of four people. Plum residents Kimberly Griffith, 45, and her daughters Brenna, 12, and Mikaela, 8, drowned in their car near the intersection of Washington Boulevard and Allegheny River Boulevard in Pittsburgh’s eastern region. The body of Oakmont resident …

Is your kid getting behind the wheel and hitting the road this school year? Whether your teen will be learning how to drive, driving to high school on a regular basis or taking an automobile to a nearby or out-of-state college campus, increased vehicle access and privileges means increased responsibility. Telling your teenager to “drive safely” or “be careful” is a great idea, but sometimes it isn’t enough. It never hurts to sit your young driver down and tell him exactly what those phrases mean. A thorough explanation of how to “drive safely” includes telling him to always buckle up, to …

Believe it or not, it’s August already, and your kids will be going back to school soon. As that bittersweet moment approaches, there’s only one thing left to do…go shopping! Merchants across the country are featuring back-to-school sales and promotions. You probably already have your shopping list in mind and have trips to your favorite stores planned on the horizon. Just in case you don’t, we’re here to highlight some bargains on school supplies and suggest a few creative ideas to help personalize your child’s school experience. In Peters, the must-stop shops for school supplies are Kmart …

Parents have always had to deal with quashing their children’s unrealistic fears. From stories, books and movies, children become familiar with a cast of loathsome characters. Monsters and villains seem to jump out of books, or off of the silver screen, and into children’s minds. There, they haunt their thoughts and make them fear the dark and the unknown. Think back to your own childhood. What was it that you feared most? Perhaps you were afraid that vampires or werewolves would transform you into an ungodly beast, or that zombies would eat your brain. Your parents probably spent a good deal…

Last week we talked about swimming spots in Pennsylvania State Parks. But maybe lakes aren’t your thing? Perhaps you prefer pools? No matter where you like to take a dip, swimming is great summer fun. And, with temperatures like this, it’s a great way to cool off. Unfortunately, while cooling off at the pool, it’s also very easy to get hot-headed. If you’re like me, your temper climbs as quickly as the temperature when you see unattended young children at the pool. It’s distressing for multiple reasons. First of all, it is negligent to allow a young child to swim or play at a pool unattended…

Lots of people take family vacations during the summer. Some families trot the globe to international destinations. Others whisk off to exotic beach locations. No matter the destination, these types of vacations are usually carefully planned around parents’ work schedules, kids’ activity schedules and budget allowances. But, sometimes, it isn’t so easy to plan a family vacation. Often, one parent can’t get off of work, the family budget doesn’t allow for a large trip or the kids are involved in summer activities that require them to stay close to home. When a big family vacation isn’t in the …

Do you think your child is the cutest thing ever? Do you think she has that “star quality” that sets her apart from all the other kids out there? Have friends, family members or strangers commented on how she lights up a room with her smile, face or personality? Do you want to see her on television commercials, in movies, on billboards or in print ads? If you answered “yes” to any of these questions, you’re not alone. Thousands of parents see these super special things in their kids and try to market it every day. In fact, 156,075 parents are trying to market it right now. I’m one of them. …

When celebrating this Fourth of July, remember that poor choices can turn a happy occasion into a disastrous event. So, be cautious and use common sense in all of your endeavors, particularly in those involving fire or fire hazards. Indeed, when one thinks of the holiday, images of fireworks are the first thing to come to mind, with thoughts of barbecues and cookouts not too far behind. These things are sources of great holiday fun, and can be sources of injury or death if handled improperly. We spoke with Brian Kokkila, firefighter and paramedic with the Peters Township Fire Department, to …

If you’ve been trying to teach your child how to write his or her name, you may be wasting your time. There is a movement to do away with teaching cursive writing in schools—and that movement has already swept across Pennsylvania. Pennsylvania, like many other states, does not require cursive writing instruction in schools. The decision of whether or not to teach this traditional skill lies with each individual school district. For years, an increasingly large number of teachers and school administrators have argued that handwriting is an unnecessary skill that is becoming more and more …

From dining on black truffle pâté and yellow caviar on toast points to pigging out on sloppy pizza and French fries, my daughter Maggie likes to eat a lot of different foods. She also likes to eat crayons, chalk and Play-Doh. Yes, Maggie is a toddler. As soon as Maggie was able to eat solid foods, my husband and I made sure to introduce her to a wide variety of healthy food groups, flavors and preparations. Luckily, she eagerly welcomed our offerings and began to explore food on her own. She always wanted to try what was on Mama’s or Daddy’s plates, and would never turn down a sample in the …

There are four little words that every parent dreads hearing this time of year: “Are we there yet?” This one question has been the subject of numerous jokes and parodies throughout the years, and even the title of a comedic movie starring Ice Cube. But, all humor is lost when it’s your child who’s asking you this question. Whether you’re planning to drive several hours to reach the beach or to take a short trip to Grandma’s house in Johnstown, you’re probably already thinking about taking a road trip this summer. And, if you are, here are a few suggestions to help make the experience a little…

Memorial Day means a lot of different things to different people. For many, it’s a day off of work or school, or a day to have a barbecue, picnic or party. Some see it as just another day, only without garbage pick-up or mail. But, for our nation’s body of veterans and military families, it is something far more important. For them, it’s a day of remembering those who have died in our nation’s service. Indeed, this is the true meaning of Memorial Day—and, it is our job to teach this meaning to our children. There’s no need to turn off the grill or set down your frosty mug of lager. You should…

Summer doesn’t officially start for another month. But, that doesn’t mean you have to wait that long to start enjoying summer sweets. As temperatures continue to rise, it seems that our minds shift more and more to thoughts of cool, frosty beverages and treats. So, go ahead. Indulge. Cool off. Enjoy. Stop by Rita’s and get an Italian ice. Located in Donaldson Crossroads, Rita’s offers a variety of Italian ices made fresh daily using natural ingredients. Flavors vary each day, with an average of 10 to 12 available daily. Mango, which is the most popular flavor, is available every day, and wild…

May is national strawberry month, which means pints of plump berries are everywhere! Chain grocers and independent farmers in the area are selling them left and right. Many restaurants are featuring the fruit in desserts and other dishes. And, chances are, you’ve brought some berries home and incorporated them into your family menu. We’re all familiar with some of the more traditional approaches to serving berries, such as lightly sugared or in fruit salad or with yogurt; in cold cereal or hot oatmeal; and, on top of ice cream or cheesecake. Strawberries go great with champagne, or with a few…

Unless you’ve been living under a rock somewhere in the middle of the desert, you’ve heard about the recent assassination of al-Qaida leader Osama bin Laden. And, if you are living under a rock, impervious to the news, kudos to you—your hideout is more secure than bin Laden’s was. That’s not to say that bin Laden was an easy target by any means. The al-Qaida leader continually avoided capture and successfully hid out until his assassination by American forces on May 2, nearly a decade after the 9/11 attacks on the United States. In wake of bin Laden’s death, many parents are faced with the …

Ok mom, when you’re done reading this article, leave the webpage up or print it out and “accidentally” drop it into your child’s backpack or your husband’s briefcase. Post the link on your Facebook wall and hope that your grown kids see it. This is one article you’ll definitely want your children and husband to read! Mother’s Day is May 8. If you haven’t already planned out how you’re going to honor your mom, here are some great ideas. Heck, even if you already have something in store for your mama, these are awesome add-ons. But, before we move on, let’s clear the air about something... …

Ladies grab your purses. Fellas grab your wallets. It’s time to hit the stores and get your Easter shopping done. That’s right, I said Easter shopping. No, I’m not crazy. I know that Easter has already passed. But, I’m not talking about Easter 2011. I’m talking about shopping for Easter 2012. The only thing that beats a pre-holiday sale is a post-holiday one. Many stores offer enormous discounts on Easter-themed merchandise in the days following the holiday. Sales are also held after other major commercial holidays, such as Valentine’s Day, Halloween and Christmas. Typically, discounts start …