Kevin Jonas Engaged - announcement sent directly to millions of fans

Suzette Valle — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 08:08:57 -0700

A Little Magic Helps Celebrate 4th of July with Teenagers

Suzette Valle — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 17:41:37 -0700

This year, we won't be getting up early rushing to get a good spot on the sidewalk to watch the traditional 4th of July parade march down our small town's main street. The kids, two teenagers almost four years apart, would rather splash around the beach with their friends, hang out at the park, and in the evening, float on their friend's boats in the bay while watching the fireworks explode over their heads than get caught sitting curbside with the 'parental unit'. With two teens now, it gets harder to motivate them to celebrate this patriotic holiday with us, the parents. Well, this year they won't be with their pals because we'll be spending Independence day together at Disneyland.

Photo by Loren Javier

Courtesy of the Disney PR Team, we will be visiting Disneyland and California Adventure theme parks which I hope will yield insight on how to enjoy this national patriotic holiday with teens in general. After experiencing the Happiest Place on Earth during major holidays like Christmas, New Years and Halloween with my pre-adolescent children, this 4th of July we'll be strolling down Main Street, racing down Splash Mountain and hanging out with our old friends Mickey and the gang -- with both teens in toe.

Hopefully, I won't be coxed into riding the Tower of Terror to watch the fireworks from the top floor to prove to my young adults just how cool I am ... wish me luck!

And come back to read about our 4th of July celebration at Disneyland ... "What will you celebrate?"

Michael Jackson RIP

Suzette Valle — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 20:07:40 -0700

Michael Jackson’s passing at the age of 50 is more than sad, it’s a tragedy, especially for those of us ...

Youth Sports: Lessons Play With Your Mind and Soul

Suzette Valle — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 14:33:55 -0700

"Mom, why did coach bench me the whole game if I went to all the practices and was never late to anything?" asked my perplexed softball pitcher on the car ride back from a weekend tournament. "We lost all our games, coach only played me two innings and used the same pitcher for all three games. She was tired, and all I did was warm-up my arm for nothing".

A variety of answers come to mind: "Because he thinks you suck", would be the sarcastic but hurtful thing to tell this already-disappointed youngster. Or, "because she's the coach's daughter" would be another snarky reply, and probably a logical explanation she could readily accept. In this case, however, the coach clearly stated his reasons for the benching: "We are here to win", he told the parents in the stands as he announced the line-up for the make-or-break game, letting us know four of the team members would ride the pine for the hour and twenty minute game. Try explaining that one-liner to the tender-hearted player after the team lost their third game in a row with the exact same players in the same positions.

"If the coach thinks I'm not good enough for the team, I might as well leave" is the common thought process of a dedicated player in any sport who feels the blow of little to no playing time. Bowing out of the team, regardless of how tactfully you'd like to do it, is called quitting. And the old saying "when the going gets tough, the tough get going" is more applicable than ever in these cases. As a responsible sports-minded father, and long-ago baseball player who attended college on a full athletic scholarship, my husband constantly reinforces the message that being a quitter is never an option in our home. Instead, when these situations arise, parents have to dig very deep to find a way to lift the youth's crushed spirits and learn from the situation in spite of the hateful feelings the adult actions conjure up.

"There isn't any other youth institution that equals sports as a setting in which to develop character. There just isn't. Sports are the perfect setting because character is tested all the time."

- John Gardner, Presidential Medal of Freedom Winner and Founding Member of Positive Coaching Alliance's National Advisory Board

In this particular case, the lessons we tried to instill were decorum (for both parents and player), try harder, and earn your spot. But the real lesson here was for us parents: self control. When coaches play favorites, and political maneuvering with team parents are foremost rather than game strategy or fairness, the range of emotions circling about in the stands can reach a boiling point, but must be contained for the sake of the child. There's no worse moment than when a parent looses control and embarrasses themselves and the child on the field. We've seen it play out on TV; the dad who beat and killed a father on his son's opposing team over a hockey game; the Texas cheer mom who plotted to kill her daughter's rival in 1992. Who can forget the Nancy Karrigan vs. Tonya Harding leg-clubbing incident in 1994, that event was a low point in youth sports of Olympic proportions!

I can tell you from our own experience, those ugly feelings competitive sports evoke when ones own child seems to be the victim of foul play, unfair treatment, or outright rude or insulting behavior from team mates and coaches can get the better of us. Trying to find a positive side to these gut-wrenching moments are all part of youth sports and can be really difficult to do, especially for parents. If you find yourself in a quandary after a game-day situation with your child, Responsiblesports.com is a website designed to help support everyone involved with youth sports; coaches, players and parents can find useful information to address the many character-testing as well as character-building situations you and your kids will encounter participating in organized sports.

On this particular hour-long drive back home, and once we settled down and rewarded ourselves with ice cream, we went on imparting a bit of wisdom to our broken-hearted slugger. "These are the real life lessons sports are supposed to teach you at this very young age. You see, you will encounter unreasonable, power hungry people everywhere: a boss at work, a teacher in the classroom, even your co-workers may not particularly care for you. But playing sports, and enduring these unexplained actions, will make you stronger so you can survive in the real world", we tell her while swallowing hard.

As we pull into our home, our sanctuary from the sometimes illogical actions we are subjected to on the playing fields, we've covered every possible angle or reason why the relief softball pitcher wasn't called to the mound to try to save a losing game. "Are you ready to go to practice tomorrow?" we ask the understandably upset teen. "No. I don't want to go. Why should I? I don't play anyway". I hear ya sista, I think to myself.

"We know, but stick it out for your own sake. In the long run you will be better for it", all the while rolling our eyes on the inside as we say this.

Children our like our hearts walking around outside of our bodies, and when our kids are hurt, emotionally or physically, we feel it much more than they do, but they don't know it, and sometimes, it's better that way. With out a doubt, participating in youth organized sports has it's trying moments, but the questions remains: How much disappointment can a child or a parent take?

In youth sports, you better be ready for more disappointment than you can imagine, a lot more...

I've told you my story, what's yours? Tell me about that little league nightmare you conquered, or how you silenced a heckling parent. Each of one of your anecdotes and how you handled them could help someone in a similar situation.

So, go ahead and vent. I'm here for you.

SAT® Vocab Challenge App for iPod Review and Book Giveaway!

Suzette Valle — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 00:40:08 -0700

“Grab your iPod and go study for the SAT!” I certainly never thought I’d hear myself say this to my college-bound teen since it’s usually the exact opposite coming out of my mouth during study time. Taking advantage of the widespread use of the iPhone and iPod Touch apps, a new vocabulary-building game could be just the thing to help increase any student’s SAT scores.

Modality, maker of popular iPhone and iPod Touch apps, teamed up with the Princeton Review and recently launched the SAT® Vocab Challenge, a study application for prospective SAT takers to use on the go. This innovative study game was just awarded the “Editor’s Choice Award” by the Children’s Technology Review, a leading authority on children’s technology products.

Four timed, fast-paced games challenge the user to master 250 words and their synonyms, antonyms, definition and connotation, including the Princeton Review’s “Hit Parade”, the 100 most likely words to show up on the Scholastic Aptitude Test. Using the mobile device's touch, shake or swipe alternatives, the user selects the correct answer and the app keeps track of each mastered section.The app makes “aggressive game play” out of the otherwise wrote memorization of vocabulary words and is simple to use, fast, effective, and best of all portable, which is exactly what today’s students are after; smaller, or better yet, non-existent cumbersome books to tie them to a desk!

Speaking with Robert Franek, Vice President of Publishing for the Princeton Review and author of “The Best 368 Colleges”, I couldn’t help but join him in his enthusiasm for this innovative test-taking tool. “For testing geeks like me, this application could be the way to move SAT scores, which is key to getting into college” he told me over the phone from New York. Franek is also an SAT teacher, worked as an admissions officer, and is in charge of the Princeton Review’s website: www.princetonreview.com

The SAT® Vocab Challenge, at $4.99, is available from Apple's iTunes and is cheaper than a class or test prep book - certainly lighter too. A student can take advantage of idle time to learn as they play, especially while sitting on the bus, car or other transportation, when kids today tend to immediately plug into their music (during summer vacation, you can take your modern equipment to the beach and learn while you tan too!). The learning curve for this game is pretty flat given even my incoming high school freshman could use it with relative ease. Fun, addictive, easy and cool are a few words both of my high schoolers used (pre-SAT vocab mastery game, of course!) when I asked them to describe the iPhone/iPod SAT app.

I see additional benefits to this handy test tool:

· Technology and our kids go hand in hand. It’s probably a true statement to say that a majority of high school students, regardless of socio-economic level, own some kind of technology, and not because it’s a luxury, but a necessity: laptops, computers, cell phones or iPods are part of kids’ assortment of accouterments they can’t survive without in today's technology-dependent environment. The new SAT Vocab Challenge app can fit right in with students' regular use of the favored iPod or iPhone.

· Not all kids can afford a college test prep course, tutor or those robust Princeton Review college editions. At $4.99, and available at Apple’s App Store, practically anyone could take advantage of this new service by the Princeton Review, experts at helping students prepare for the college admissions process.

· Swiping or shaking the devise to select the answers in the game makes it fun and interactive. Besides the four basic games, all 250 words can be accessed to find out the definition, part of speech, an example of its use in a sentence, and by touching the “listen” option, a little voice (and not your parents) will tell you how to say it!

· The app can also help ally fears or apprehension about what is in the make-or-break college entrance exam and how it works. Frenak pointed out that an added advantage to this product is learning speed, accuracy and the process of elimination. “The [SAT® Vocab Challenge] game mimics the test taking environment incorporating the use of these skills which we teach in the classroom”.

Accessible to all, a snap to use and certainly a lighter version of any test prep book around, this new study app can be used practically anywhere and anytime. I asked Robert about future SAT related apps, and the good news is there are more in the works! After testing The Princeton Review’s new SAT® Vocab Challenge app, I’m convinced this handy learning tool will be changing the way kids and parents tackle test-prep study time.

BOOK GIVEAWAY! The frst two readers to correctly answer the following question in the comments section will win the publication titled Princeton Review's Guide to College Visits! A $20 value, yours FREE for doing your homework! I'll be verifying your answers using the SAT® Vocab Challenge app, but you can go old-school and use ... a dictionary! Make sure you leave your name and e-mail along with your answers too.

What are the synonym, antonym, connotation and definition of the word Supercilious.

All four answers needed to win. Good luck!

ARE YOU READY FOR COMIC CON 2009?

Suzette Valle — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 00:32:04 -0700

This summer, one of the most entertaining activities families with teenagers can enjoy together is Comic-Con in San Diego, Ca., which is also celebrating its 40th Anniversary this year. The yearly comic book convention had its humble beginnings with the comic book industry, but in recent years, this aspect of the convention has taken a back seat to the Hollywood movie industry’s take over of the exhibition halls at the San Diego Convention Center. Last year’s convention was completely sold out before the doors to the giant venue opened. This year, if you haven’t purchased your badges by now, I guess you’ll be joining the party outside of the modern building-- the event is already completely sold out! This annual convention has been called "Geekfest USA", and has a loyal throng of attendees who will sleep outside if they have to, in order to get a seat in a hall hosting one of the many movie discussion panels staffed by the film's celebs themselves.

To help celebrate Comic Con's 40th anniversary, many of the original members of Comic-Con will be on hand: Richard Alf, Bill Lund, Barry Alfonso, and George Clayton-Johnson who wrote a number of the classic Twilight Zone episodes, co-authored the novels Ocean's 11 and Logan's Run, and wrote the premiere episode of Star Trek. Bill Mummy is also scheduled to appear. Remember him? You would if you’re a forty or fifty-something. Mummy played Will Robinson in the television show Lost in Space!

In the last few years, Comic Con has become a prefered family attraction in Southern California. Families flock to this event partly due to the huge popularity of the exhibits mounted by Hollywood studios like Lionsgate, Disney, Sony, Nickelodeon, Summit, Universal and MGM, which were among last year’s movie companies. And it looks like they’ll be back in town again promoting their biggest upcoming films. Last year, San Diego’s Comic Con was the springboard for movie trailer premiers like Watchmen, UP, Bolt, and Terminator Salvation to name a few.

In 2008, Comic Con visitors also had the first look at Twilight’s cast and director, Catherine Hardwick. Robert Pattinson and Kristen Stewart were present at the panel discussions as hoards of teens jammed the hall to catch a glimpse of author Stephanie Meyer's main characters come to life before them. Summit's recent announcement that the cast from the Twilight saga's sequel, New Moon, will be showing up at the convention center this year already has teens salivating for the second movie, scheduled to be released in November.

Living in San Diego during the month of July is one of those rare times it has its perks (besides the year-round great weather!). July 23^rd through the 26^th, I’ll be ensconced in downtown San Diego, press badge securely clipped to my lanyard, where our fine city will be teaming with an ever growing assortment of Storm Troopers, Trekies, Captain Jacks, gooks, geeks, and a variety of video game costume characters only diehard gamers know and love.

I’ll be posting helpful information through out the next few weeks to try to help you, and your family, plan for this year’s Comic Con. Make sure to check back often. If you’ve already started to map out your strategy for this year's 'Con', share your tips! And, “may the force be with you” (and me!).

THE LATEST AT THE WRAP.COM

Suzette Valle — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 23:58:01 -0700

SUZETTE VALLE My Son, the Not-Jonas-Brother

School’s out for summer! Except if you have a high-school junior that is not gifted or talented like his or her Hollywood counterpart. MORE

FIRST ANNUAL CROWN AWARDS AT LAMBS PLAYERS THEATER

Suzette Valle — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 22:07:41 -0700

Lambs Players Theater organized a beautiful tribute, the Crown Awards, to honor the movers and shakers of Coronado's leading non-profit organizations who greatly contribute to the stability and continued success of our community service programs.

Honoree Alejandro Valle and family in front of the Crown Awards' commemorative poster

Twelve volunteers were selected by their respective organizations as most deserving of this inaugural distinction: Coronado Schools Foundation's Mark Andrews, PAWS's Louise Shirey, Coronado Little League's Alex Valle, Islander Sports Foundation's Mary Humphrey, COSA'S Chris Bevevino, SAFE's Chuck Howe, FOCUS Ethel Kallsen, Coronado Hospital Foundation's Caroline Captnich, Coronado 4th of July Andrew Szymanski and the Coronado Historical Society's Courtney McGowen were the honorees.

The Crown Awards 2009 Honorees

CSF President Spiro Chaconas, CLL President JC Smith, ISF President John Ovrom with Honoree Alex Valle

Specially prepared musical numbers opened the evening's celebration, and emcee Carol LeBeau, sitting at a special table on the stage due to recent foot surgery, graciously carried on with the production. Special guest Coronado Mayor Casey Tanaka, handed each recipient a custom crystal trophy to symbolize the importance of these selfless individuals to each of the programs they were representing.

Channel 10's Carol LeBeau poses with Norma and Jaime Paullada at the Crown Awards in Coronado

In this inaugural event for the Crown Awards, Lambs Players Theater, Jeff Tyler and his crew worked tirelessly to establish a new tradition in the emeral city which they hope will continue to honor the efforts of individuals who give back to their beloved community in a tangible way.

Congratulations to the first 2009 Crown Award recipients, and thank you for your work and dedication to our non-profit organizations!

Can the iPod/iPhone help your college-bound student study for the SAT?

Suzette Valle — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 22:45:23 -0700

I'll be interviewing Rob Franek, author of the Princeton Review's "Best 368 Colleges" about the soon-to-be-available SAT Vocab Challenge game from Apple’s App Store for iPhone and iPod touch, and I need your help ...

Children's Hero Award Gala Event in San Diego Canceled

Suzette Valle — Sat, 30 May 2009 15:54:04 -0700

NBC 7/39 reports the event honoring Fred Rogers at the California Center for the Arts in Escondido has been canceled. ...

"Parent's Guide to College Life", essential reading for parents of college-bound kids

Suzette Valle — Thu, 28 May 2009 08:08:40 -0700

You hold in your hands the coveted thick envelope with the name of your child's top college choice printed on the front top left corner. Yes! You let out a collective sigh of successful relief and feel you're finally done with the stressful college admissions process. After sending in the signed acceptance letter and financial aid documents, you sit, exhausted and spent, and wonder, now what? The next step is probably the most difficult for many parents: preparing your child, as well as yourself, to move him or her out of the home and into college housing. Fortunately, The Princeton Review's bible-like tomes you relied on for information about college admissions, also offers books to help parents with a child at the college doorstep cope with the gamut of emotions, and learn the new rules of the college game.

As the parent of a high school junior, I was thrilled when Random House asked me to review an insightful book by Robin Raskin, "Parent's Guide to College Life: 181 Straight Answers on Everything you Can Expect Over the Next Four Years" (Random House, 2006). In her book, Raskin tells us mortified parents what the real deal is with college life these days, and she gives it to us straight; from communicating with our home-free child, to packing, selecting dorms, nutrition, illness, emergencies, theft, depression, roommates, grades, insurance, fires, etc. The author conducted extensive interviews with so many college and admissions staff, that it's likely she mentions something about your child's future (or present) college too. More importantly, she asked college students and parents themselves about the college experience, not only the academic and social aspects of life on campus, but how they handled the separation from home and parents. Not surprising, the parents are the ones to suffer most -- and break more rules than their freshman college student!

"Hi, My Name is Control Freak..."

As soon as I started reading the first chapter about communicating with your college student, I knew the author was speaking directly to me; a parent with knowledge about how to use all the available instant messaging technology, and thinking of using it as a substitution for being there. Robin found out that's a big NO, NO! (Darn it! How's my son going to know when it's time to change his socks?) In the chapter titled Long Distance Parenting, Raskin establishes the pros and cons of not letting go of our college-offspring in one fell swoop. Though disappointed, I quickly digested the reasons for the few-and-far-between texts, IMs and email exchanges parents should sustain with their kids while at college.

From the outset the author admits, "This generation of parents is America's best educated ever". With this in mind, Robin advises tuition-paying parents about what is appropriate parental behavior and lays out the rights parents actually have while their kids are at college, and also helps us "tame the parent monster". Yes, you read correctly, rights. Had you heard of Family Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) before today? I hadn't, and thanks to this information in Robin's book, I am more empowered to take on any university administrative nightmare that might come my way like problems with a roommate, campus security encounters, or even being able to find out my still-dependent student's grades. College-student confidentiality is a complicated matter bordering on CIA level security -- believe it or not, we do not have the right to know everything about our students!

The other nine chapters are equally gut-wrenching for parents. Take illness for example. Does your kid even know how to use a thermometer, let alone recognize symptoms? Would he or she know when it's appropriate to go see the campus nurse? With the swine flu hysteria we lived through recently, how does campus staff deal with these types of situations?

Robin Raskin holds nothing back, and reveals much more beyond the partying, drug use, sex, fraternity life, and other much publicized aspects of the college experience parents usually hear about on national news. The topics the author analyzes go deeper than the usual nutrition, washing, cooking, drinking parents want to know about. Will they be safe during a fire? Should we get personal insurance for those expensive items they'll leave in plain view in their dorm? Should we get involved if there's a problem with the roommate? Answers to these questions plus the practical advise, tips and information Robin got from speaking with university deans, staff, financial advisers, parents and students is shared in this guide with a heartwarming tone and sensitivity for parents embarking on the road to college for the first time.

I received this book at a crucial moment in the planning stages of our son's future college life; we are in the throes of analyzing a lot of information from a variety of colleges trying to select where he would like to apply. Adding this book to our collection of materials shed light on other factors we should look into when considering colleges too!

"Parent's Guide to College Life" gave us a no-nonsence peek at what our son might experience once he's there, where ever that maybe.

CORONADO VOLUNTEER SALUTE

Suzette Valle — Thu, 21 May 2009 08:47:12 -0700

I'm very proud to announce that my husband, Alejandro Valle, Player Agent for Coronado Little League for the last four years, has been named Volunteer of the Year for this organization! There will be a special reception and ceremony at Lambs Players Theater on June 14th, to recognize Alex and a few other volunteers who donate their time to service organizations in our community. This is the inaugural year for the Crown Awards, and we feel very honored that Alex is part of this distinguished event.

Just-retired 10 News broadcaster and Coronado resident, Carol LeBeau, will be the MC along with special guest Coronado Mayor Casey Tanaka.

I hope you will join us for this wonderful evening saluting not only Alex, but the extraordinary volunteers who make a difference in our community as well.

For more information, tickets and other helpful details about this special evening CLICK HERE!

PUBLIC SERVICE POST

Suzette Valle — Wed, 20 May 2009 12:16:06 -0700

32 GIRLS HAVE DIED

11,916 adverse events already reported to the CDC... and counting.

Pain and swelling. Life-threatening muscle weakness. Blood clots in the heart and lungs.

And the deaths of 32 innocent girls and young women.

You might think I'm talking about a deadly new disease or a global epidemic...

I'm not.

Sadly, it's more sinister than that. The health threats listed above have all been linked with Gardasil, the so-called "cervical cancer vaccine." And thanks to Pharma giant Merck, desperate parents and naive young women believe this vaccine saves lives... they couldn't be more wrong.

That's why HSI's Jenny Thompson has released a new video in which she exposes the deception for what it is...and reveals some truly shocking information no one else is talking about.

And you are the very first to see it.

Please, if you have daughters, granddaughters or friends who might be considering this terrible vaccine, you must watch this video. And please forward it to anyone you think would benefit from the vital information it contains.

If you think you know the whole story on Gardasil, I think you'll be shocked by what you're about to see. Just click here to start watching the video. It's just a few minutes long... and those few minutes might just save a young girl's life.

MaryEllen Tribby
CEO & Publisher, Early to Rise

TRUDGING THROUGH THE HIGH SCHOOL VARSITY SPORTS AND ACADEMICS MAZE

Suzette Valle — Wed, 20 May 2009 09:36:30 -0700

Don't assume the school administration and teachers are on board with your high school varsity player's success; good grades, good citizenship and community service not withstanding. We learned the hard way that even if the athlete is representing the school at a sporting event which conflicts with a test or school work, you still have to look out for your good sport's interests, academically and athletically, because the school won't, at least our public school doesn't.

We found out that communication about these conflicts does not flow from coaches, to teachers, to admin or viceversa. If there's a test or project due smack in the middle of competition day, it won't be resolved automatically by the office or the teachers. The student has to arrange a make-up date, and hope the department's policy is lenient on turning in late assignments or taking tests after the class has already done so. School administrators were stern when they let us know they also want the students, be they 14 or 18 years old, to speak with teachers directly and arrange these things for themselves, which is a burden given that each teacher has his/her own criteria for allowing an athlete a postponement for a test or school work.

When we tried to help our athlete obtain an extra day to study for a test originally scheduled for the following day after returning from a two day trip to a California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) playoff game representing the school, we hit a wall. Not a single adult at the school: coach, athletic director, assistant principle or principle could intercede and inform us of an established procedure to handle this special circumstance.

"This is a blessing which feels like a curse" was how the assistant principal at the high school summed it up for me, but still did not offer a solution.

While it was very frustrating dealing with the mini-academic bureaucracy, it boiled down to the teacher's assessment of the student-athlete: "He's a good kid", the teacher told my husband after conceding the extra study time.

If you're faced with this situation it might help to:

* Take note of each academic department's policy on turning in late work and make-up testing.

* Have the student-athlete speak with his/her teacher a soon as they are aware of the conflict (in our case it was one day's notice).

* Send an e-mail and CC all school administrators, coaches, teachers and the AD to make sure they all know what's happening.

* It helps if the athlete is a good student with decent grades and citizenship.

Unless he/she is the school's star 'blue chip' athlete, this may come in handy if their best subject is tennis, sailing or golf!

GENETICALLY MODIFIED FOOD- Guest Post by Jane Baek

Suzette Valle — Wed, 20 May 2009 08:20:07 -0700

We all know that moms want nothing more than to see their kids grow upstrong and healthy. Most parents are keenly aware that exercise and diet play a fundamental role in achieving this end, but many still don’t know about the health risks associated with eating genetically modified (GM) food. Did you know that we’ve been eating GM food for the last 10 years and it’s in just about every grocery store in the country? It doesn’t even have to be labeled! In fact, the Center for Food Safety has evidence that suggests 70-75% of processed foods on our supermarket shelves have genetically engineered ingredients!

So what’s the big deal with GM food? Can it really be THAT bad?

Well, yes. Numerous controlled experiments on animals have consistently linked consumption of GM food to pre-cancerous cell growth, smaller brains, livers and testicles, damaged immune systems, liver malfunctions and lesions, organ inflammation, higher blood sugar levels, fertility problems, and unexplained increases in death rates. And you know it’s not good when many other countries have already taken action to ban or, at the very least, have all GM foods labeled.

Monsanto, the world’s leading producer of genetically engineered seed, has even tried to suppress the results of its own studies after the dangers were revealed. In one instance in 2005, Monsanto scientists tested their engineered corn on rats and discovered kidney
abnormalities and extremely high levels of white blood cells. They then tried to declare that these results were “irrelevant” and worked
to keep the results hidden from the public, claiming it constituted “confidential business information.”

We here at YourNetwork.tv have put together an informative film on genetically modified organisms. We’ve also made available weblinks to important scientific studies, organizations dedicated to spreading awareness of genetically modified organisms (GMOs), resources for additional information, non-GMO shopping guide, and tools of action. It is our hope that you will learn what steps to take to ensure the health of you and your family.

You can view our GMO episode here at http://yournetwork.tv/episode_gmo.php

Enjoy!
http://www.YourNetwork.tv

NEW POST AT THE WRAP- Shanna Moakler wants to be a role model?

Suzette Valle — Sat, 16 May 2009 22:01:43 -0700

My latest post over at www.TheWrap.com touched a nerve. Come on over and read what all the fuss is about. You can also come back and get a discussion started here! I welcome all points of view, just remember to keep it PG.

SUZETTE VALLE Role Model? Shanna Moakler is In Serious Denial

It's time for a reality check after stepping down from your post at the Miss California USA pageant. MORE

Help Connor Fundraiser in Coronado

Suzette Valle — Thu, 14 May 2009 14:09:15 -0700

Four year old Connor is sick. His family is having a fundraiser on May 17th to help with the costs ...

AP News Reports On Slumdog Child

Suzette Valle — Thu, 14 May 2009 11:08:16 -0700

Slumdog Kid's Shanti Demolished

Fifty Mothers Honored by Time Warner Cable

Suzette Valle — Tue, 12 May 2009 17:03:07 -0700

"There's a reason 'MOM' turned upside down spells WOW" states Haven Nisly at the beginning of the essay entitling mom to be selected as one of Time Warner Cable San Diego's 50 Best Moms. Over 3,000 essays were submitted, but only fifty mothers were honored at this annual community event which has been inspiring elementary, middle and high school kids to reach deep in their hearts to find the words to accurately convey why their mothers are the best in the county.

All 50 Best Moms 2009

On May 9th, at the Hyatt in La Jolla, proud mothers and their families were treated to a solemn yet moving celebration honoring the many sacrifices a mother makes out of love for their children and the community they live in. Sam Bass, of KYXY radio station, and Tiffany Lynch, Time Warner Cable's Community Relations Director were co-MCs for the luncheon. There was no shortage of stories about courageous mothers spotlighted at the gathering; one mom is rasing six kids while holding a job, another hid her illness from her kids until she couldn't any longer, and one mother worked in rice fields while pregnant to feed her children. Mothers will sacrifice it all to give their kids the best life they possibly can.

Master of Ceremonies Sam Bass of KYXY 96.5

Time Warner Cable's Tiffany Lynch and Suzette Valle

A mother is "a rainbow, a dove, a rose," wrote thirteen year old Alanna DePinto about her mother who fought breast cancer twice while taking care of her Alzheimer's-stricken mother. Diane Bell highlighted this passage of the middle-schooler's essay for the 50 Best Moms article she wrote in Saturday's Union Tribune. I was fortunate to be the judge of this winning essay, and also had the privilege of meeting both daughter and mother at the special banquet.

Contest Winners Tricia and Alanna DePinto

Other judges in this years competition included KUSI's Kristen Cusato , Congresswoman Susan Davis, KGTV's Lauren Renynolds, Assemblymember Lori Saldana and Coronado Mayor Casey Tanaka. (Click on the Program to see a complete list of winners and judges)

I really look forward to this yearly contest because it shows how a mother's love and sacrifice knows no limits. And with so many unrealistic role models being hurled at kids today, this essay-writing competition reaffirms that moms, and parents, are still their own children's' best role models (though we moms sometimes think our kids are not paying attention to all that we do!).

For those who would like to watch the ceremony, a summary video will be posted on San Diego on Demand channel 144 under TWC Programming, and on the website, in the next week or so. Keep checking!

Finally, congratulations to all the deserving mothers, and thanks to Time Warner Cable for allowing me to once again humbly assist in selecting these outstanding mothers!

1st Annual SD Moms Nite Out

Suzette Valle — Fri, 08 May 2009 11:19:16 -0700

Sea Port Village was a buzz last night with the chatting and clacking of mommy heals heading to Buster's Beach House for the first Annual National Moms Nite Out. San Diego Momma and Mel A Dramatic Mommy hosted a great evening of food, prizes and oh, yeah, our favorite...swag!

Mel A Dramatic Mommy and Mamarazzi

I met great moms who are also on the www trying to get the message out about parenting, each in their own way, and all its virtues and pitfalls. Jen of Juggling Life is a mom who's at a similar stage in life with her teens: college, sports, education, blogging and working!

Mel and Jen Juggling Life

Sugar Jones, you're a riot! We're cross-border products, and I haven't met many of us in cyberspace. I still can't believe your table won all those prizes. Thanks for having me on your radio show this morning. It's my new found station. Sorry Jeff and Jer, will have to catch you on the Podcast!

Sugar Jones and Mamarazzi Knows Best

Happy Healthy Hip Mom Sondra Santos is another gem in the parenting cyberworld. Hope to see you on the 21st!

Check out these bloggin' mom sites, and spread the link love.

Why do Americans Celebrate Cinco de Mayo?

Suzette Valle — Tue, 05 May 2009 22:48:43 -0700

Hopefully, you ate enchiladas 'till your heart's content and only had a couple of margaritas today. Cinco de Mayo, though very remotely connected to US history, has become a commercialized made-up holiday for many in the Unites States. As a Mexican-born and raised bi-cultural US citizen (whew! That's a mouth full!) I'm still asking myself why this is so.

Unlike the parties, food and music which have typified Cinco de Mayo in the US, Mexico does not celebrate the glorious victory at the Battle of Puebla where only 4,000 or 5,000 badly-armed, poorly-uniformed Mexican Indians crushed the already couture-savvy French battalion of 8,000 men in 1862. So why, then, is this day so revered in the neighboring country sharing a 2,000 mile long semi-militarized border with Mexico?

First, let's be clear, Cinco de Mayo is not independence day. Independence day is September 16th, and this is celebrated in Mexico much like the 4th of July here, with fireworks and displays of military power. (Read a very simpatico summary of both events at Viva Cinco de Mayo). I have noted that with time, and probably due to the increase in the number of Mexican people living in the US, this quasi-holiday's miss-information is finally getting corrected across this country. Today, probably like every year, a couple of on-line publications (The Huffington Post and MTV), offered explanations for the revelry on this side of the border.

In short, Cinco de Mayo celebrates the "Batalla de Puebla", which is significant to Mexico because it demonstrated that it's people were capable of uniting and repudiating an unwanted foreign government. The inhabitants of the southern country came together to unquestionably squash Napoleon III intended rule of their territory, and sent a message to those across the Atlantic -- namely Spain --that they should not interfere with the young nation's sovereignty.

Beyond this, I can't seem to find an explanation for the rousing fiestas that go on in many places here. Some say it's just another excuse to party, or a marketing ploy to get us to go out to eat and drink -- these ideas are not too far fetched since we've also dominated the December holidays with over-commercialization.

Perhaps, one of the reasons for celebrating this otherwise low-key Mexican holiday is simply to add it to the long list of other countries who also celebrate holidays in the United States: St. Patrick's Day, Mardi Gras, Chinese New Year, etc.

Which brings me to the implied connection of the May Mexican celebration to the United States: the French. I do find the Fench-American-Mexican connection to this pseudo-holiday ironic given the current state of the US-Mexico border, and that the celebration over the defeat of the French by our neighbors to the south should be so rooted on this side of the fence.

I guess it's a good thing to have something in common, friends usually do.

Feliz Cinco de Mayo! And as my countrymen would say: Cheers!

LATEST POST AT THE WRAP.COM

Suzette Valle — Tue, 05 May 2009 09:40:25 -0700

SUZETTE VALLE Burger King and that SpongeBob Commercial
Readers, join the discussion at www.TheWrap.com and post your comments too!

The Burger King Butts Ad

Suzette Valle — Fri, 01 May 2009 10:01:28 -0700

“I don’t know what could be more iconoclastic in puncturing the myth of how self- image of a body for a woman would look than to make her butt square with a telephone book in it.”

~ Burger King President of Global Marketing Russell Klein in a televised debate with CCFC’s Steering Committee Member Joe Kelly

Television is the main event in our home on some week nights. After a harrowing day of school work and sports, we'll plop down on the sofa together and let the tube do it's magic. Having two teenagers around has broaden the selection of both movies and TV shows we can take in as a family, but once in a while we let our guard down with our viewing choices and we get stung.

American Idol is one of the few shows we don't have to be ready to mute or fast-forward due to language or content, BUT, last week we actually rewound the Burger King ad featuring Nickelodeon's character SpongeBob SquarePants dancing to the tune of Baby Got Back by Sir Mix-A-Lot. My 14-year-old daughter immediately remarked, "That's nice. Kids at school will be doin' the BK for sure." She was referring to elementary kids where she was once a second-grade TA. Needless to say, my 17-year-old son thought the song was awesome (probably not just the song, though), since he has it on his Ipod and knows it word for word - he probably also liked the dancers prancing around the king and shaking their behinds at him a little too vigorously.

I thought the ad was pretty low, and I can easily just chuckle and let the 30 second dumbed-down commercial run its course and leave it at that. (Click here to view the ad). However, I found out there's been some backlash surrounding this burger advertisement, and thought you'd like to know what the fuss is about.

"Burger King insists that the commercial for Kids Meals, featuring one of the most popular kids cartoon characters, is aimed at adults", claims the site Campaign for a Commercial-Free Childhood. I don't know about you, but I'm sure not watching the yellow sponge show, and am not about to run out to by the kids meal - it's too small for my adult appetite anyway.

If you'd like to read more about what others are doing to knock some tasteful sense into ad executives' heads, go to the CCFC site and follow what they've done so far on the burger front.

If you've seen the commercial, let me know what you think about it!

Conoces a un puerco enfermo?

Suzette Valle — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 08:43:53 -0700

Me llego este correo y decidi compartirlo. Formen su propia opinion... El pasado 2 de abril durante la reunión del grupo de G7 integrado por EU, R. Unido, Canadá, Alemania, Italia y Japón se dieron 2 conclusiones fundamentales.

Just-Hatched Photography offers 20% discount to MKB Readers

Suzette Valle — Fri, 24 Apr 2009 12:45:00 -0700

The season of significant milestones in our kids' lives is upon us: Kinder to High School Graduation, Prom and 8Th Grade Promotion are among a host of events we will live through only once with our precious children as the school year ends. Photos are the only way to make time stand still so we, as parents, can relive those cherished days with our children for years to come.Why not preserve these special occasions with professional photographs? To help us capture these memories, Just-Hatched Photography is offering a 20% discount to Mamarazzi Knows Best readers!

Recently, Melissa Perkins, professional photographer and owner of Just-Hatched Photography, invited me to experience a session at her urban studio located in trendy Hillcrest in San Diego. After an hour of constant clicking and lighting adjustments, we were done and waited to see the results of her work. Take a look. I think you'll agree, Melissa has that 'special timing' needed by a portrait photographer to capture the exact look of a child that will reflect his/her personality on Kodachrome for ever.

Melissa lives in Coronado, and as a mother of four her self, she understands the sentimental value photos hold for families. She doesn't hesitate when faced with a challenging shoot either--she started her career as a family photographer with triplets as her specialty! Now, she does it all: maternity, newborns, and any age up to and including moody teenagers (as you can see, she even got my 14 year old to look angelic!). Melissa is a self-declared techie too; she designs and maintains her own website and blog. It's simply gorgeous!

With our terrible economy, and our little ones growing up way too fast making us pout, Melissa is offering a 20% discount on her photo packages exclusively for MKB readers!! Moms and grandmothers, this could be your chance to get beautiful photos of you with your little or not-so-little cherubs for Mothers Day as well.

Friends and readers, share this information, and remember to mention Mamarazzi Knows Best when making your appointment to get your 20% discount. Let Melissa turn those kid or teen (maybe some parents too) frowns upside down and preserve them forever -- just the way we mommies and daddies like to think they always are!

Just Hatched Photography

619-946-7420

Time Warner Cable's 50 Best Moms Contest 2009

Suzette Valle — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 09:12:16 -0700

Being a mother is the highest calling in life. It requires us to give ourselves wholly to our children as we raise them to become great human beings – a task that lasts way beyond the years kids spend at home with their moms. But for some mothers, the nurturing sentiments involved in raising their own children spill over into helping others become better people too; participating in community, church groups, school or charitable organizations demonstrates these special mothers’ ability to take on more than the usual home life responsibilities, and in the process teach their offspring to give of themselves for the benefit of others too.

Time Warner Cable’s 50 Best Moms contest recognizes these special mothers each year, and what better way to find out what makes them stand-out moms, than in the words of their own children. San Diego County school children, from elementary to high school, are eligible to participate in this contest by sending in an essay describing why their mom should be chosen as one of San Diego’s 50 best.

I asked Tiffany Lynch, Community Relations Manager for TWC, to tell me more about the contest. “This is the eighth year of the San Diego’s 50 Best Moms essay contest. We recognize that moms and mother figures do so much to shape their children’s lives, and the essay contest is an opportunity for kids to tell their moms how much of a difference they've made. Many of the moms [in the contest] have faced adversity and the stories that are winners show how those moms shine in adversity”.

I also asked Lynch why choose 50 best moms and not 1 or 100. “I’m not actually sure why we do 50 rather than 1 or 100, but it seems like a good number to celebrate (not too many, but not too few). Another thing to note is that all of the moms are our Best Moms, but we do choose 3 essays (one each at the elementary, middle and high school levels) that is the best essay. That student wins a Sony VAIO laptop and their teacher wins a $250 gift card for school supplies” she added.

Most of my blog readers know that in 2006, Time Warner Cable selected me as one of San Diego’s 50 Best Moms based on the essay written by my then-ten-year-old 5th grade daughter. As a past Best Mom and judge, I am honored to again join the many outstanding members of the judging panel to review essays for this year’s contest. As Tiffany noted, “Many elected officials love to be involved in the essay contest and celebratory luncheon on Mother’s Day weekend because it’s such a positive event. We have many politicians and members of the media that help us judge the essays.” San Diego Union-Tribune columnist Diane Bell, KUSI’s Sandra Maas, and San Diego Council member Kevin Faulconer are among past contest-judges.

Contest winners will be personally contacted by a Time Warner Cable representative and given the good news. They will also receive and invitation to attend the splendid awards luncheon held at the La Jolla Hyatt Regency on Saturday, May 9^Th, where they’ll be awarded a keep-sake trophy and gift bag courtesy of this years sponsors: Mission Federal Credit Union, Sony Electronics, Soap Net, Ultra Star Cinemas and the San Diego Repertory Theater.

The contest is now closed, and we are in the process of reading and selecting the winning essays (tissue boxes at the ready!). I will be attending this year’s TWC 50 Best Moms Award’s luncheon, and am looking forward to hearing about the remarkable 50 Best Moms of 2009 who live among us and are making a difference in our fine city.

Wishing all entrants the best of luck!

MKB Celebrates Over 100 Posts First Year

Suzette Valle — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 08:39:29 -0700

I can't believe it! I've written over 100 posts this first full year at Mamarazzi Knows Best. When I started this blog, it was an attempt to get my brain jump-started again, and clear out of my mommy-fog after many years as a mommyholic. With both my kids in full teenage mode, I found I knew nothing (or so I was told!), and had much to learn to get on the technological ball before I was completely left behind eating my children's cyberdust. Plowing through a few HTML tutorials (no, HTML does not mean How to Mow the Lawn, it's geek speak), brushing up on my English 101 and digging deep, deep into my frontal lobe I found enough material to keep me filling cyber pages for an entire year - I hope there are many more topics left in my cortex to write about too!

Little did I know, that in this process I would also find a wonderful mom-bloging community who would be open and accepting of a newbie like me, and let me join their ranks to learn the bloging way of my Internet co-blogers. Thanks for your support during my first full year of writing about things inspired by my family's antics, adventures and experiences. It's been really fun and rewarding to be able to share these with you, and to know that some of my posts have made you laugh, think, cringe or realize that we are all going through similar things with our families, at different stages perhaps, but nevertheless the same. You are not alone!

In the course of finding a direction for my blog, I allowed my kids to influence some of my posts and write about the current pop culture scene they are living through, and how this affects our lives. As you know, this aspect of my writing opened a new door for me at The Wrap.com where my new gig is writing about family and entertainment. "Way cool", is what my kids think about mom now, and I hope it lasts!

To celebrate this momentous occasion, I have a fun GIVEAWAY for you! The person to correctly answer the following question on this post, will win a $20 Starbucks gift card! Coffee, as some of you may know, is my only addiction! Make sure your e-mail is on your comment so I can contact you to send you the prize. Ready...

What pop culture phenomenon have I written about the most this past year? Hint: I'm looking for a name...

If you are new to my blog, welcome. If you're a loyal reader, thank you! I hope you keep coming back to read and contribute your thoughts on the many family and entertainment topics of this humble blog.

Good luck, and thanks for reading!

NEW POST ON THEWRAP.COM

Suzette Valle — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 21:53:55 -0700

SUZETTE VALLE Driving Under the Influence of Celebrity
Is there a double standard for Nick and Miley? My 16-year-old driver sure thinks so.

After reading TheWrap post, click on these links to see a photo and video of the teens in action.

Mumbai Kids' Charity gets Money from 'Slumdog' Movie Heads

Suzette Valle — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 10:07:15 -0700

The Huffington Post reported that $747,000 were donated to a children's organization helping Mumbai street children. Though it seems this money may help more than just the child actors, it is still unclear how much more the young stars are getting as a result of the trust funds set up to help with their education.

Fashion Week in San Diego

Suzette Valle — Mon, 13 Apr 2009 00:53:49 -0700

Last week, I had the pleasure of attending San Diego's own second annual Fashion Week held at the beautiful California Center For The Arts in Escondido, CA. Inspired by haute couture's New York fashion scene held yearly at Bryant Park, our small town's version is growing in popularity and is helping to bring new life to main street in this north county city.

Suzette Valle and Crumpets&T fashion blogers Isabella and Bianca

Los Angeles designer David Kahn of Kahn Jeans, Lauren-Elaine Designs (LED), national retailer Old Navy, and many locally owned boutiques participated in the week-long activities ranging from traditional catwalk shows, to couture pet fashions and a show dedicated to clothes made out of recycled materials to keep-up with Green fashion demand. Mercedes Benz of Escondido was the presenting sponsor along with the The Downtown Business Association of Escondido.

The display of fashions at the elegant facility ran the gamut of designs; feminine outfits with lace, frills and rhinestones were prominent on the runway, and included Bridal Wear and beach attire. The event also offered local designers an opportunity to showcase a unique creation in a contest similar to the one seen on the television show Project Runway. Of the five finalists, the winner was the ultra-feminine white ruffled gown designed by a mother and modeled by her daughter.

Area restaurants showed-off their fare during the launch party Monday night. I especially liked the small potato and salmon creations from Tango Restaurant and Lounge!

As you know by now, the focus of this blog is on all things related to family, and this outing was completely relevant to my blog too. You see, part of the reason for my visit to Fashion Week, was escorting my daughter and her friend who were there to report for their new fashion blog: Crumpets&T. Visit their new site and find out what a couple of inspired teen-aged girls have created with a little spare time, and a lot of imagination. Their blog is less than one month old, and it has already caught the attention of Mom-101, one of my favorite blogers.

Finally, creativity in the fashion industry is never lacking, and this past week's event in San Diego demonstrates that talent and taste can be found everywhere, even in the flip flop-wearing southernmost corner of the West Coast.