June 23, 2008

A cool summer meal

( 3:03 PM)

Beat the heat with this oven-free summer meal.

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Protect your patio furniture

( 2:57 PM)


By NANCY POSTER for Smart

Here's how to keep it clean

• Put a cover on it. "Most people do purchase outdoor furniture covers," said Mike Stevens of Artesian Factory Outlet, a retailer that sells pools, spas and other recreational items in the Greensprings Plaza in York.
The cost of a cover is under $50, he said, and will allow homeowners to keep their furniture outside year-round.


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May 29, 2008

Childproofing manual arrives in time for summer

( 2:33 PM)

Chicago Tribune

Consumer Reports has published its “Consumer Reports Guide to Childproofing and Safety” with 600 safety tips by CR editors and co-author Jamie Schaefer-Wilson.

Intended to help parents sort through the madness of daily safety concerns, the guide begins in the nursery and travels through the main rooms of every home before heading outdoors into the back yard, and finally to the car and the pleasures and pitfalls of life outdoors. Topics include: “Is Your Sitter Safety Savvy?”and “Everyday Objects That Can Harm Your Child.”

Highlights will be featured in Consumer Reports’ online child safety hub at ConsumerReports.org/childsafety.

The guide retails for $12.95 and is available through a variety of book selle

May 23, 2008

In Father’s Day cards, Dad is a lout

( 2:23 PM)
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By HILLARY RHODES
Associated Press Writer

Fathers sleep a lot, and they snore loudly. When they’re awake, they like to fish or golf, but they’re comically bad at both. They drink so much beer they’re practically alcoholics, and they’re complete couch potatoes, always watching television and hogging the remote.

At least, that’s the less-than-favorable image of Dad on Father’s Day greeting cards. It’s a striking contrast to the poetic praise often expressed at Mother’s Day. Many men say they are tired of the “put-down” cards and would like some affirmation for a change -- and at least one greeting-card company is listening.

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May 15, 2008

Cool tools for Dad

( 1:59 PM)

By MORRIS and JAMES CAREY
Associated Press

Whether you’ve got a handy man, a gadget freak or a dad with dreams of DIY, there are plenty of cool tools to add to his arsenal. Here are five Father’s Day favorites:

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May 12, 2008

Teens and the internet

( 1:40 PM)

Hundreds of Heads


Raising a teen? Here’s some advice on your teen’s internet usage from the book “How to Survive Your Teenager” (Hundreds of Heads Books, www.hundredsofheads.com, $13.95), straight from people who’ve done it:

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May 5, 2008

Insider's guide to theme parks

( 3:15 PM)

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By NANCY POSTER for Smart

The anticipation can be heard in Roger Baumgarten’s voice.
The 47-year-old Mechanicsburg father of two boys can’t wait to board Fahrenheit, the roller coaster set to debut at Hersheypark this season.
Baumgarten knows coasters. And he knows amusement parks. He’s been a season pass holder at Hersheypark for about 10 years.
So when it comes to giving advice to first-time or even occasional park visitors, Baumgarten is a pro.

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May 3, 2008

Get your bicycle ready to roll

(11:29 AM)

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By NANCY POSTER for Smart

Cold weather has kept you off your bike and off the trails. But now it’s time to get pedaling and start exploring the countryside.
Before you set out, however, take a few minutes to give your bike a quick once over.

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May 2, 2008

Don't wait for one-on-one time, plan for it

( 4:10 PM)

SARGEANT.JPG
BIL BOWDEN for Smart

Diane Sargeant, director of Education Services for Wellspan, tries to keep the radio and cell phone off while carpooling her teenage son around town, taking advantage of the time together to reconnect.


By NANCY POSTER for Smart

Life can be a balancing act for working parents as they juggle on-the-job duties with caring for their home and family.
Add to the mix a hefty dose of guilt that afflicts many parents who wish they could carve out more one-on-one time with their kids.
What’s a mom and dad to do?

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Smart Shots summer photo contest

( 1:52 PM)

Summer is nearly here. Let the fun begin!

Keep the camera near, and enter images of your children having fun in the sun into our Smart Shots photo contest.

We’ll pick three photographs to win gift certificates to local businesses - $100 from Brown’s Orchards and Farm Market, $75 from Cloister Car Washes and $50 from Roosevelt Tavern in York.

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