http://www.miamiherald.com/360/index.html http://media.miamiherald.com/images/logos/rss_sitelogo.gif http://www.miamiherald.com/360/index.html 140 25 News, sports and entertainment from MiamiHerald.com en-us Copyright 2008 MiamiHerald.com Family & Parenting 60 Sat, 05 Jul 2008 04:47:51 EDT http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss McClatchy Interactive's PubSys miamifeedback@miamiherald.com http://www.miamiherald.com/360/story/593050.html http://www.miamiherald.com/360/story/593050.html Sat, 05 Jul 2008 03:01 EDT The little penguin that stars in Edel Rodriguez's picture book debut is, comically, afraid to swim. Despite the fact that fish and water are his favorite things, despite his friends' encouragement, despite ample protection in the form of floaties, he's afraid. http://www.miamiherald.com/360/story/593045.html http://www.miamiherald.com/360/story/593045.html Sat, 05 Jul 2008 03:01 EDT Most people are as happy as they make up their minds to be. In these rollercoaster times, social get-togethers have turned into therapy sessions that are equal parts career counseling and spiritual revival. Seems everybody I know is worried about his or her economic future, and that anxiety goes far beyond the expensive stops at the gas pump. http://www.miamiherald.com/360/story/593052.html http://www.miamiherald.com/360/story/593052.html Sat, 05 Jul 2008 03:01 EDT Here are some noteworthy recent releases of entertainment products aimed at children and families. AUDIO BOOKS Michael Reisman Simon Bloom, the Gravity Keeper http://www.miamiherald.com/360/story/592006.html http://www.miamiherald.com/360/story/592006.html Fri, 04 Jul 2008 03:01 EDT Start the holiday with a visit to Flamingo Gardens and bring your camera so your family can take pictures with George Washington and wife Martha or a pair of bald eagles (photos from 10 a.m.- 2 p.m.). Children will receive free flag visors at the Gardens, featuring a July 4th bazaar with jewelry, crafts, photography and more for sale. But most of all, go to tour the gardens and see native animal exhibits with panthers, bobcats, otters, alligators and tortoises as well as birds of prey, roaming peacocks... http://www.miamiherald.com/360/story/583611.html http://www.miamiherald.com/360/story/583611.html Fri, 27 Jun 2008 03:01 EDT Free to Be . . . You and Me brings to life songs and stories collected by actress Marlo Thomas, with contributions by celebrities, actors and top authors, including Shel Silverstein, Carl Reiner, Judy Blume, Stephen Lawrence and lots more. http://www.miamiherald.com/360/story/575609.html http://www.miamiherald.com/360/story/575609.html Fri, 20 Jun 2008 03:01 EDT It would be so easy to pass the summer quickly by dropping your kids off at the mall each day, or letting them devolve into mindless lumps of goo in front of a video game console. http://www.miamiherald.com/360/story/575610.html http://www.miamiherald.com/360/story/575610.html Fri, 20 Jun 2008 03:01 EDT Here's a guide to some of the many ways you can give your kids a dose of culture this summer. Although we've checked the information, it's always a good idea to call or go online to confirm schedules. http://www.miamiherald.com/360/story/575634.html http://www.miamiherald.com/360/story/575634.html Fri, 20 Jun 2008 03:01 EDT You wouldn't expect to go celebrity-watching at Miami Metrozoo. But the zoo is home to a few of the stars of the Animal Planet's series, Meerkat Manor: The Next Generation, which airs at 9 p.m. Friday. The series, starting its fourth season, chronicles the lives of the infamous Whiskers family. Stockard Channing (West Wing) narrates. To see the celebs close-up, you and the family can come out to the zoo this weekend and watch the meerkats dig their tunnels, stand sentry and frolic together. http://www.miamiherald.com/360/story/572865.html http://www.miamiherald.com/360/story/572865.html Wed, 18 Jun 2008 03:01 EDT People Tori Spelling NY114.JPG Who says you can't go home again? Tori Spelling and her actor-husband Dean McDermott have done just that. After hosting their reality show at a B&B in Fallbrook, Calif., for two years they've decided to move back to the bright lights where it all began. http://www.miamiherald.com/360/story/568651.html http://www.miamiherald.com/360/story/568651.html Sat, 14 Jun 2008 03:01 EDT After his autistic son was kicked out of more than a dozen schools, one Miami-Dade father found the only alternative for his little boy was a special boarding school hundreds of miles away in Virginia. Saying a tearful good-bye to an anxious and frightened 10-year-old was ''the worst day of my life,'' Marty Steinberg recalls. It was also the birth of a crusade, as the father began a years-long mission to set up a school in South Florida for children with neurological and socialization disorders. http://www.miamiherald.com/360/story/568653.html http://www.miamiherald.com/360/story/568653.html Sat, 14 Jun 2008 03:01 EDT Being married sometimes means compromise, and more than just on small issues. The June issue of Family Circle points out five serious topics every married couple needs to tackle sooner or later: http://www.miamiherald.com/360/story/568659.html http://www.miamiherald.com/360/story/568659.html Sat, 14 Jun 2008 03:01 EDT Playing basketball for his high school team and then for the University of San Diego, Ray Witt felt the absence of his father, murdered when he was just 3 years old. http://www.miamiherald.com/360/story/568657.html http://www.miamiherald.com/360/story/568657.html Sat, 14 Jun 2008 03:01 EDT Like clockwork, almost every morning around 10, the Steinbergs would get a call from their middle son's school. ''Pick him up,'' somebody on the other line would say. ``He's acting out.'' http://www.miamiherald.com/360/story/568658.html http://www.miamiherald.com/360/story/568658.html Sat, 14 Jun 2008 03:01 EDT same picture on cover manny15 anagarcia TROP EPF.JPG When their daughter Samantha was born weighing a mere 2 pounds, 2 ounces, Manny Garcia and wife Michelle Coffey-Garcia were not sure whether to hope for a future with their daughter -- or to resign themselves to the inevitable. Doctors warned that the prognosis was not good. http://www.miamiherald.com/360/story/567326.html http://www.miamiherald.com/360/story/567326.html Fri, 13 Jun 2008 03:01 EDT Nickelodeon's Diego is back in action this weekend as the Arsht Center and Broadway Across America present the new live show, Go, Diego, Go Live! The Great Jaguar Rescue! Diego, along with his sister Alicia and cousin, Dora, are on a mission to get Baby Jaguar's growl back from the Bobo Brothers. There's lot of interaction -- the audience plays a part in helping to rescue animals, navigate through the rain forest and bypass a giant waterfall to get to the Animal Carnival. http://www.miamiherald.com/360/story/567327.html http://www.miamiherald.com/360/story/567327.html Fri, 13 Jun 2008 03:01 EDT 1. Make Father's Day cards: For children ages 6-15, from 3-5 p.m. Friday at Lafayette Hart Park, 2851 NW Eighth Rd., Fort Lauderdale. It's free. Information: 954-791-1041. http://www.miamiherald.com/360/story/560338.html http://www.miamiherald.com/360/story/560338.html Sat, 07 Jun 2008 03:01 EDT School's out, but along with that final report card, most kids brought home an assignment: Do a little reading this summer. Some, like Libby Green, a rising fourth grader at St. Philip's School in Coral Gables, don't need a reminder. http://www.miamiherald.com/360/story/558853.html http://www.miamiherald.com/360/story/558853.html Fri, 06 Jun 2008 03:01 EDT The kids are out of school and just want to chill. No problem. There are five ice skating rinks in South Florida where your family can cool off on sweltering days. On weekend nights, the rinks become more of a kids-only social scene, with a DJ spinning tunes. http://www.miamiherald.com/360/story/558893.html http://www.miamiherald.com/360/story/558893.html Fri, 06 Jun 2008 03:01 EDT Sesame Street characters come to life in this stage production of Elmo Makes Music at the AmericanAirlines Arena this weekend. The plot: A new music teacher has arrived on Sesame Street only to discover that her instruments are missing. Elmo, Zoe, Big Bird and all her new Muppet friends quickly come to the rescue by discovering 'instruments' they never knew existed: rubber duckies, trash can lids, even cookie jars. Of course, there are life lessons to be learned along the way. http://www.miamiherald.com/360/story/551908.html http://www.miamiherald.com/360/story/551908.html Sat, 31 May 2008 03:01 EDT Growing up in New Jersey, Maryland and Oklahoma, Luann Myers played outside almost every day. She roller-skated, played cowboys and Indians and practiced hopscotch and jump-rope with her girlfriends. Summer was much of the same, only better, because of the delightful absence of homework. http://www.miamiherald.com/360/story/551912.html http://www.miamiherald.com/360/story/551912.html Sat, 31 May 2008 03:01 EDT More than 400 arts-loving kids will get the opportunity to perform on a high-profile stage when Growing Up With the Arts, a free program presented by The Children's Trust, takes over the John S. and James L. Knight Concert Hall at the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts at 4 p.m. Sunday. http://www.miamiherald.com/360/story/551915.html http://www.miamiherald.com/360/story/551915.html Sat, 31 May 2008 03:01 EDT The flip side of America's $120 billion wedding industry is no longer a desolate spot at the bottom of a Haagen-Dazs pint. No, the land of divorce is a hopping place, one that comes with party favors, advice manuals, vast online support and one liberating mix tape. http://www.miamiherald.com/360/story/550506.html http://www.miamiherald.com/360/story/550506.html Fri, 30 May 2008 03:01 EDT Time for the kids to make dinner! Tuscan Steak is holding another 'Big Chef, Little Chef' cook-off Sunday. The family-style Florentine grill hopes to introduce children to the culinary world by teaching them cooking techniques. With help from chefs from Tuscan Steak, children can create their own dinners -- from kid-friendly menus -- that require no knives or fire for preparation. Past menus have included: Caesar salad, Tuscan house salad, individual lasagnas, calzones, warm apple turnovers with... http://www.miamiherald.com/360/story/544104.html http://www.miamiherald.com/360/story/544104.html Sat, 24 May 2008 03:01 EDT Kevin Skinner, a freelance sports producer, travels 300 days a year. To keep in touch with his parents in Los Angeles, a sister in Cleveland and another in Dublin, he uses his laptop, a camera and Skype software to beam his image and voice into his relatives' homes. http://www.miamiherald.com/360/story/544107.html http://www.miamiherald.com/360/story/544107.html Sat, 24 May 2008 03:01 EDT When parents hire a nanny to take care of their children, many take the time to check out the caregiver: Does she drive? Does she speak your language? Will she play with the kids? http://www.miamiherald.com/360/story/544108.html http://www.miamiherald.com/360/story/544108.html Sat, 24 May 2008 03:01 EDT When Elizabeth Montiel realized that her daughter, Belinda Garcia, didn't learn like other children, she began volunteering at her school. She asked a lot of questions and lobbied teachers and the administration for special help. http://www.miamiherald.com/360/story/544110.html http://www.miamiherald.com/360/story/544110.html Sat, 24 May 2008 03:01 EDT It's great to have friends when you are sick. But it's not so great for the phone to ring all day long when you feel lousy. As a friend, you want to help, but don't know how. Call? Drop off a casserole? Send a card? http://www.miamiherald.com/360/story/542650.html http://www.miamiherald.com/360/story/542650.html Fri, 23 May 2008 03:01 EDT To help save lives, Miami Seaquarium is bringing back WHALE Tales, the American Red Cross water safety program geared to youngsters from kindergarten through fifth grade. WHALE Tales (Water Habits Are Learned Early) will be offered Saturday and Sunday. More than 230,000 school children were to receive WHALE invitation coupons offering one student free admission with a $15 paid adult admission to Miami Seaquarium. The invitation coupon is available for download at www.miamiredcross.org. The Seaquarium... http://www.miamiherald.com/360/story/538796.html http://www.miamiherald.com/360/story/538796.html Mon, 19 May 2008 11:06 EDT Dudley Clendinen was writing editorials for The New York Times in 1994, commuting from Baltimore, when his mother finally agreed to sell her house in Tampa and move to an assisted living high-rise overlooking Tampa Bay. http://www.miamiherald.com/360/story/535374.html http://www.miamiherald.com/360/story/535374.html Sat, 17 May 2008 03:01 EDT About a year and a half ago, Michele and Bill Jones of Davie gathered their three youngest children around the kitchen table and served up a big dose of reality: