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02 September 2010
Father and five month old Son are staying with relatives in Florida. Father falls asleep with Son lying on a queen-sized bed. When Father awakens, Son is face-down at the edge of the bed, stuck against a dresser. Son isn’t breathing. Father administers CPR but is unable to revive Son. Father yells for help and Aunt calls 911. Paramedics are also unable to revive Son. Father is very distraught and police Baker Act him (that is, take him into protective custody for psychiatric evaluation). Medical examiners call Son’s death a homicide due to presence of extensive injuries, including broken ribs, ruptured bowel and internal bleeding. Police eventually arrest Father for first degree murder and aggravated child abuse. At his trial, Father maintains that Son’s ribs were broken in a fall weeks before Son’s death. Father reasons that the other injuries resulted from his failed CPR efforts. Jury acquits Father on both murder and child abuse charges. Read more in this Tampa Tribune article: Hillsborough jury acquits father in son’s death .
02 September 2010
Local kids ages 6 to 14 have the chance to be honored for giving back to their communities in creative, fun and innovative ways during Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey presents Illuscination at the Glens Falls Civic Center Sept. 24 through Sept. 26. Nominations can be submitted online through Sept. 12. The Barnum Award program is designed to recognize kids who have done social good and enriched their local community through their own inventive and pioneering actions. Award recipients in more than 75 cities throughout the United States will be chosen by a panel of distinguished local luminaries, and will receive award medals and grants to fund future local service projects. Nominees will be judged on the impact of their accomplishments, creativity and innovation, and their inspiration to others relating to their cause. Three award recipients will be chosen from participating cities where Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey performs. The Gold Barnum Award Recipient will receive a medallion and a $1,000 grant, the Silver Barnum Award Recipient will receive a medallion and a $750 grant, and the Bronze Barnum Award Recipient will receive a medallion and a $500 grant. Grants are to be used to fund future community service endeavors. Additionally, all three award recipients will be honored at a pre-show award ceremony during the opening night performance of “The Greatest Show On Earth.” If you’re interested in seeing the circus at Glens Falls, tickets are on sale now for $17, $20, $35 (VIP Seats) and $45 (VIP Floor Seats) via through Ticketmaster.com , by calling (800) 745-3000 or by visiting the Glens Falls Civic Center Box Office.
02 September 2010
What I did over my summer vacation ... Thanks to alert reader, Jen, who sent along this CNN report about kids getting back-to-school teeth whitening, tattoos and $40 haircuts. My kids did a lot of shopping this summer, so aside from their actual school supplies, I was going to get them each a backpack and maybe one other thing. What is the ONE thing you always buy new when the school year starts?
02 September 2010
Hard to believe they were ever that tiny. Andrew and Matilda turn 2 tomorrow, wrapping up what I’m calling the fastest two years of my life. I thought I’d share an essay I’d originally written for Mother’s Day, but it didn’t end up making it to the paper. Given what their birthday represents for my husband and me — a truly unexpected future — each one feels so special. It’s late, and I’m sneaking into your room to look at the both of you, your cribs bumped together end-to-end like they have been for the last 20 months. You’re sleeping slung over your stuffed animals as always — Matilda curled up on Minnie Mouse and Andrew sprawled out with Blue Kitty secured under one arm and Sasha the Dog tucked under the other. I rest my hand gently on each of your backs, waiting for my palm to rise and fall, guaranteeing your breath. It’s a compulsion mothers have, and I can’t get to sleep without making this spot-check. You’ll understand one day.
02 September 2010
For the past year, my 13-year-old son has been begging to watch R-rated movies. No way, no how I tell him — repeatedly. It started with a certain movie “all his friends” were watching last summer. My constant refusal has not weakened his pleas. Over the summer, he called me, frantic, because his friends were at one boy’s house watching an R-rated movie and he HAD to be there. Nope, I told him. I even trotted out the old chestnut, “If all your friends were jumping off a bridge, would you do that, too?” He was not amused. But my steadfast resolve against R-rates movies was tested this week … by his middle school! He came home with a form from his history class, needing my approval to watch certain R-rated movies, including The Patriot . The note said the school would “do its best” to edit objectionable parts, but I don’t really have too much hope of that happening. I weakened and I broke. I signed the form. But outside of school, the rule still stands: no R-rated movies!
01 September 2010
Husband and Wife divorce. Husband is ordered to pay child support for Daughter. Husband stops paying child support in the fall of 2009. Husband alleges that he was unable to work due to illness, but produces no corroboration. Law enforcement authorities set out to attach some of Husband’s property to auction it off to reduce Husband’s child support arrearages. And the authorities do in fact seize … four beehives on Husband’s property. Worth less than one fifth of the amount of Husband’s arrearages. Read more in this Russian News and Information Agency RIA Novosti article: Bees seized .
