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Need your daily dose of TodaysMama? You'll find it here with fresh, informative, up-to-the-minute links. Whether it's an idea for the weekend or the holiday just around the corner, or perspective for your parenting trial of the day (how did we know?), you'll appreciate what TodaysMama is serving up daily.
Business & Career
Restaurants lure families with big deals
It's cheaper than ever for families to eat at Gilbert restaurants, thanks to recession-busting deals.
It's cheaper than ever for families to eat at Gilbert restaurants, thanks to recession-busting deals.
More stores experiment with vending machines in bid to trim costs
It's a malaise hitting shopping centers coast-to-coast: empty storefronts and fewer patrons willing to spend their hard-earned cash during the recession.
It's a malaise hitting shopping centers coast-to-coast: empty storefronts and fewer patrons willing to spend their hard-earned cash during the recession.
Chandler mom gets a home, thanks to local charities
Kovach spent four years taking homeowner education classes and saving money to put toward the home she bought for her sons Tristan, 10, and Eian, 7. She saved $5,000 that was triple-matched by another non-profit.
Kovach spent four years taking homeowner education classes and saving money to put toward the home she bought for her sons Tristan, 10, and Eian, 7. She saved $5,000 that was triple-matched by another non-profit.
Magazine names Gilbert best place to raise family in AZ
Business Week magazine has named Gilbert as the best place in Arizona to raise a family.
Business Week magazine has named Gilbert as the best place in Arizona to raise a family.
Triathlons attracting more women
It’s no secret the sport of triathlon is becoming more popular. Race numbers have steadily increased throughout the country and registration for those races has become a competition itself.
It’s no secret the sport of triathlon is becoming more popular. Race numbers have steadily increased throughout the country and registration for those races has become a competition itself.
Family Finances
Restaurants lure families with big deals
It's cheaper than ever for families to eat at Gilbert restaurants, thanks to recession-busting deals.
It's cheaper than ever for families to eat at Gilbert restaurants, thanks to recession-busting deals.
You can help Arizona's economy by shopping locally online
Several Valley cities are urging you to shop local this holiday season.
Several Valley cities are urging you to shop local this holiday season.
Holiday shoppers show caution on this year's Black Friday
Armed with extra money from a second job, help from two family members and research into flat-screen-TV sale prices, Ray Billburg had a shopping strategy.
Armed with extra money from a second job, help from two family members and research into flat-screen-TV sale prices, Ray Billburg had a shopping strategy.
Property values drop in Maricopa County, taxes to go down
Property value assessments fell by an average of 13 percent in Maricopa County this year.
Property value assessments fell by an average of 13 percent in Maricopa County this year.
Discover the Best Time to Buy
From big ticket items, like cars and appliances, to everyday necessities, like groceries, there's a method to saving money. It's knowing the best time to shop.
From big ticket items, like cars and appliances, to everyday necessities, like groceries, there's a method to saving money. It's knowing the best time to shop.
Parenting
Kids home alone a big concern for parents, police
As school lets out for the summer, hard times may mean more kids left home alone because parents cannot afford day care or summer day camps.
As school lets out for the summer, hard times may mean more kids left home alone because parents cannot afford day care or summer day camps.
The Baby Keeper
A Phoenix obstetrician uses controversial methods to help infertility patients and their babies survive high-risk multiple-birth pregnancies. But is he promising more than he can deliver?
A Phoenix obstetrician uses controversial methods to help infertility patients and their babies survive high-risk multiple-birth pregnancies. But is he promising more than he can deliver?
With hope in their eyes, kids await adoption
The light is there still.
There, in the eyes of the kids in the photographs, as they play in the park or mug for the camera or sit for a serious portrait.
The light is there still.
There, in the eyes of the kids in the photographs, as they play in the park or mug for the camera or sit for a serious portrait.
7-year-old is an old pro at handling cystic fibrosis
In the first six weeks of Sean Dean's life - the time it took to diagnose him with cystic fibrosis - he rarely was comfortable. He couldn't sleep or keep anything down.
In the first six weeks of Sean Dean's life - the time it took to diagnose him with cystic fibrosis - he rarely was comfortable. He couldn't sleep or keep anything down.
Holidays
Plenty of Easter Ideas
Arizona moms celebrate Easter the way it was meant to be celebrated, with blue sky, blooming flowers, sunshine . . . and some great Easter ideas that reach way beyond the traditional egg hunt.
Arizona moms celebrate Easter the way it was meant to be celebrated, with blue sky, blooming flowers, sunshine . . . and some great Easter ideas that reach way beyond the traditional egg hunt.
Local news
Phoenix Children’s Hospital Recruits for Parent Action Committee
PHOENIX, Ariz. - All across Arizona people have a vital interest in the future of Phoenix Children’s Hospital. Moms and dads. Former patients. Non-profit organizations that serve families of kids with special needs. Grandparents. And others who care about our community. Parents have asked us how they can help Phoenix Children’s stand up for better and more comprehensive pediatric healthcare.
PHOENIX, Ariz. - All across Arizona people have a vital interest in the future of Phoenix Children’s Hospital. Moms and dads. Former patients. Non-profit organizations that serve families of kids with special needs. Grandparents. And others who care about our community. Parents have asked us how they can help Phoenix Children’s stand up for better and more comprehensive pediatric healthcare.
Head-Shaving Event to Raise Funds for Childhood Cancer
Phoenix, AZ - Men, women and children baldly stand in solidarity with the 160,000 kids diagnosed with cancer each year while raising money to fund pediatric cancer research. The St. Baldrick’s Foundation has issued a lofty challenge to everyone who wants to help raise money for childhood cancer research: Be a hero for kids with cancer by shaving your head in return for pledges of financial support from friends and family.
Phoenix, AZ - Men, women and children baldly stand in solidarity with the 160,000 kids diagnosed with cancer each year while raising money to fund pediatric cancer research. The St. Baldrick’s Foundation has issued a lofty challenge to everyone who wants to help raise money for childhood cancer research: Be a hero for kids with cancer by shaving your head in return for pledges of financial support from friends and family.
Arizona lawmakers preparing to act on child care
State lawmakers are scrambling to keep thousands of low-income children in day care, just as parents have been notified their day care arrangements could end on Friday.
State lawmakers are scrambling to keep thousands of low-income children in day care, just as parents have been notified their day care arrangements could end on Friday.
QC cancer patient, 19, gets a lift with special chair
Fuzzy, pink wings were strapped to a motorized, leather chair parked at the top of Brittani Spight's staircase.
Fuzzy, pink wings were strapped to a motorized, leather chair parked at the top of Brittani Spight's staircase.
Crowds say lines, construction worth the wait for light rail
The lines were long and the weather was cold, but the trains were right on time.
The lines were long and the weather was cold, but the trains were right on time.
Education
Read any good books? Kids need to find just the right page-turner to enjoy reading, teacher/librarian says
Lisa Morris-Wilkey is amazed every day by the beautiful new books that are written for children. "If they say, 'I don't like to read,' I say, 'Well, you just haven't found the right book yet. It's out there.'"
Lisa Morris-Wilkey is amazed every day by the beautiful new books that are written for children. "If they say, 'I don't like to read,' I say, 'Well, you just haven't found the right book yet. It's out there.'"
Ten Ways to Teach Kids About Earth Day
Think a child or a family can’t make a difference? Not so. Little things -- like using a colorful cloth bag, or tossing potato peels and eggshells into the compost heap-- can help the environment. And if your child develops good habits now, they’ll endure as he grows.
Think a child or a family can’t make a difference? Not so. Little things -- like using a colorful cloth bag, or tossing potato peels and eggshells into the compost heap-- can help the environment. And if your child develops good habits now, they’ll endure as he grows.
Day spent home-schooling is a life's lesson learned
The lesson is not going very well. My students are bored. The rolled eyes, the deep sighs, the mutterings of "This is SO boring" are a dead giveaway. I tell myself not to take it personally, but I do. The sulky faces of my own three precious children stare at me. "I knew home-schooling was a mistake," I think to myself for the 100th time that day. This is only our first week. How will we ever make it through the rest of the month?
The lesson is not going very well. My students are bored. The rolled eyes, the deep sighs, the mutterings of "This is SO boring" are a dead giveaway. I tell myself not to take it personally, but I do. The sulky faces of my own three precious children stare at me. "I knew home-schooling was a mistake," I think to myself for the 100th time that day. This is only our first week. How will we ever make it through the rest of the month?
Children who make a difference
The $50 gift card Angelica Voisin received from her uncle on her birthday gave her immediate visions of new toys, but she soon buried that thought when she heard about a project called Operation Warm the Homeless.
The $50 gift card Angelica Voisin received from her uncle on her birthday gave her immediate visions of new toys, but she soon buried that thought when she heard about a project called Operation Warm the Homeless.
Did School Bus Driver Go Too Far?
Gilbert, Ariz., police want a school bus driver charged with assault for getting into a shoving and hair pulling match with three of her teenage student riders — which was taped by a surveillance camera.
Gilbert, Ariz., police want a school bus driver charged with assault for getting into a shoving and hair pulling match with three of her teenage student riders — which was taped by a surveillance camera.
Entertainment
Having family fun needn't cost a fortune
There is nothing more basic than fun, friends and family. Children can be taught that you don't have to spend money to have a good time.
There is nothing more basic than fun, friends and family. Children can be taught that you don't have to spend money to have a good time.
Queen of the vampires
Valley mom, Stephenie Meyer writes gothic romance and finds international fame.
Valley mom, Stephenie Meyer writes gothic romance and finds international fame.
Home and Garden
Designer's pregnancy begets baby-room business
A frustrated mother-to-be (and professional interior designer) creates room in a box.
A frustrated mother-to-be (and professional interior designer) creates room in a box.
Home trends: Love 'em or leave 'em?
Is it time to let go of some trends, or are they destined to be classics?
Is it time to let go of some trends, or are they destined to be classics?
Health and Fitness
Outdoors: Mother's Day Gift Ideas
Mothers' Day is almost here - did you get something special for mom yet?
Mothers' Day is almost here - did you get something special for mom yet?
Exercises for your triceps
From easy exercises to more complex moves, how to work the back of the arm.
From easy exercises to more complex moves, how to work the back of the arm.
Medical library lets users find reputable info
Gilbert hospital providing alternative to surfing the Web for medical information.
Gilbert hospital providing alternative to surfing the Web for medical information.
Staph infection 'superbug' strikes more often
Potentially lethal version of the “superbug” is more common than thought.
Potentially lethal version of the “superbug” is more common than thought.
Girls tear up knees more than boys
Women who tear ACLs at an early age are more likely to develop osteoarthritis.
Women who tear ACLs at an early age are more likely to develop osteoarthritis.
Travel and Transportation
Evenflo Recalls 1 Million Infant Car Seats
Evenflo Company has issued a voluntary safety recall of 1 million Discovery infant car seats after tests showed that the seat could potentially become separated from its base in high-impact side collisions.
Evenflo Company has issued a voluntary safety recall of 1 million Discovery infant car seats after tests showed that the seat could potentially become separated from its base in high-impact side collisions.
Serious security questions at Sky Harbor
Afraid to show her face, long time airport employee talks about the security most don't see.
Afraid to show her face, long time airport employee talks about the security most don't see.
Fly around Hawaiian islands for $1?
In Hawaii, Go! airlines is offering 1,000 one-way interisland air tickets for $1.
In Hawaii, Go! airlines is offering 1,000 one-way interisland air tickets for $1.
10 ways to save on summer travel
Still haven’t figured out what you're doing for summer vacation? You're not alone.
Still haven’t figured out what you're doing for summer vacation? You're not alone.
Trends and News
Victoria's Secret posters tamer at Gilbert mall
Store changed lingerie posters following complaints that they were too racy.
Store changed lingerie posters following complaints that they were too racy.
Nev. tops Ariz. for fastest-growing state
The fastest-growing states continue to be in the Rocky Mountain region.
The fastest-growing states continue to be in the Rocky Mountain region.
Middleton wins Mesa’s Woman of the Year award
Debbie Middleton finds Mesa full of opportunities to help others.
Debbie Middleton finds Mesa full of opportunities to help others.
Style and Beauty
Cooking and Nutrition
How to Choose the Best Wines for Thanksgiving
Rich whites and fruity reds serve the Thanksgiving table well.
Rich whites and fruity reds serve the Thanksgiving table well.
Review of grab-and-go breakfasts
It's hard to argue against breakfast convenience this time of year.
It's hard to argue against breakfast convenience this time of year.
Politics
McCain downplays Iowa straw poll
McCain downplayed his 10th-place finish and said those contests were "meaningless."
McCain downplayed his 10th-place finish and said those contests were "meaningless."
Bill bans outdated baby formula sales
Democrats want to make it illegal to sell infant formula in Arizona past its “use by” date.
Democrats want to make it illegal to sell infant formula in Arizona past its “use by” date.
Trailing McCain shakes up campaign
McCain laying off dozens of staffers after lackluster fundraising and excessive spending.
McCain laying off dozens of staffers after lackluster fundraising and excessive spending.
Phoenix mayor: Plastic grocery bags are bad
If Mayor Gordon had his way, there would be no choice between paper and plastic at the grocery store.
If Mayor Gordon had his way, there would be no choice between paper and plastic at the grocery store.
Giuliani set to compete for Arizona
Rudy Giuliani is a strong second in Arizona, the home state of chief GOP rival John McCain.
Rudy Giuliani is a strong second in Arizona, the home state of chief GOP rival John McCain.
Relationships
Plan Family Night for Indoor Winter Fun
Before the Internet and video games, a long evening indoors meant getting together for something, even if it was just to watch TV together. The multiplication of entertainment options is a wonderful thing, but it has often come at the expense of old-fashioned family togetherness.
Before the Internet and video games, a long evening indoors meant getting together for something, even if it was just to watch TV together. The multiplication of entertainment options is a wonderful thing, but it has often come at the expense of old-fashioned family togetherness.