Holiday shopping: Christmas gifts, birthday presents for tween girls ages 9-13

"Tween" is a term for kids between childhood and teenager, ages 9-13. Tween or preteen girls aren't yet teens and not are they little girls anymore. This causes a dilemma in their interests and tastes. Some parents don't want to let go tween girls grow up. Some hurry a tween girl to adolescence, buying things geared for older girls. How do you shop for girls sandwiched betwixt childhood and adolescence? You don't want to buy adult gifts but nor gifts that are immature. Here is a holiday shopping guide to Christmas gifts and birthday presents for tween girls.  Holiday shopping: Christmas gifts, birthday presents for tween girls ages 9-13 | Examiner.com

Budget Christmas gifts, inexpensive stocking stuffers for teen girls under $2

Don't you love the advertisements for "inexpensive" stocking stuffers--priced $10-$25 each! Here are truly inexpensive stocking stuffers for teen girls under $2. Teen girls will love these fun, creative stocking stuffers and parents, you don't have to feel cheap because these are really nice and budget Christmas gifts!  Budget Christmas gifts, inexpensive stocking stuffers for teen girls under $2 | Examiner.com

Skip holiday gift exchanges and donate Christmas presents to needy children | Examiner.com

 Random gift exchanges are silly. There is no sense, financial or common, in trading gifts with extended family or people you're not close to. Times are tight and many can't afford frivolous gift exchanges. They don't want to waste money on a meaningless token gift. So here's a plan: skip holiday gift exchanges and donate Christmas presents to needy children.Skip holiday gift exchanges and donate Christmas presents to needy children | Examiner.com

USDA ground beef recall for E. coli linked to Chipotle E. coli outbreak?

The United States Department of Agriculture ordered a ground beef recall for possible E. coli contamination, reported the U.S. News & World Report on Nov.3. An Omaha, Nebraska meat processor, All American Meats, tested positive for the Escherichia coli, or E. coli bacteria. A nationwide ground beef recall affected 167,000 pounds of ground beef that had been shipped all over the U.S. Could the E. coli ground beef recall be linked to the Chipotle E. coli outbreak? 22 people have sickened from E. coli in Oregon and Washington state and 15 of those people had eaten at Chipotle restaurants. Of the 22 ill, 8 have been hospitalized but no deaths have occurred. The E. coli outbreak has been tentatively linked to Chipotle, and the company has closed all restaurants in Washington and Oregon.  USDA ground beef recall for E. coli linked to Chipotle E. coli outbreak?

75 y/o vet chess teacher James Vernon saved 16 kids in library knife attack | Examiner.com

Today's nomination for everyday hero is a senior citizen savior who rescued his students from a crazed knife wielding man. A 75-year-old vet chess teacher James Vernon saved 16 kids in library knife attack at the library, reported ABC 7 on Oct. 19. The elderly army veteran was teaching a children's chess class to kids ages 6-13 at Morton Public Library in Illinois. Suddenly, Dustin Brown, 19, burst into the library brandishing two knives and threatening to kill people. Mr. Vernon knew he had to keep the kids and their parents safe, even if he had to risk life and limb. The brave man may have to give up that limb. In defending others, Vernon suffered damage to his hand and could lose use of it.75 y/o vet chess teacher James Vernon saved 16 kids in library knife attack | Examiner.com

Astros bullpen catcher Javier Bracamonte won Royals fans hearts after ALDS loss | Examiner.com

Call him a baseball player and a gentleman: Astros bullpen catcher Javier Bracamonte, that is. Big League Stew reported Oct. 15 that instead of being a sore loser after the Houston Astros' ALDS loss, Bracamonte won Royals fans hearts. Here's the touching story, but you'd better have your tissues ready because it's a sweet one. So it was a long, grueling last game of the American League Division Series. The Kansas City Royals, playing on their own field, sent the Houston Astros packing, in the taut Game 5. So you would think that the Astros would be all gloom and doom, right?Astros bullpen catcher Javier Bracamonte won Royals fans hearts after ALDS loss | Examiner.com



 

Texas Whataburger worker denies cops service: Whataburger apologizes to police | Examiner.com

Yet another restaurant employee refused to wait on cops. A Texas Whataburger worker refused to serve police. USA Today reported Sept. 16, that the employee allegedly told officers Cameron Beckham and reserve deputy Michael Magovern that "we don't serve police." Shocked and embarrassed, representatives of Whataburger apologized to police and said all law enforcement officers are most definitely welcome at any franchise. Whataburger responded in a Twitter tweet that "We're appalled by this incident and the employee is no longer working for us."   Texas Whataburger worker denies cops service: Whataburger apologizes to police | Examiner.com

Memphis Goodwill raided in non-profit AbilityOne, SourceAmerica fraud claims

The Memphis Goodwill was raided in non-profit AbilityOne and SourceAmerica fraud claims, reported CNN on September 4. SourceOne and AbilityOne are the top U.S. taxpayer-funded programs that provides job placement services to disabled workers. The non-profits award $2.3 billion each year to contractors. Over two dozen federal agents from various Washington agencies converged on Goodwill headquarters in Memphis Wednesday in a massive fraud investigation.Memphis Goodwill raided in non-profit AbilityOne, SourceAmerica fraud claims - Grand Rapids News | Examiner.com

 

Texans post crude 'home for sale' sign at guy who called cops on barking dogs

A family of Texans posted a crude "home for sale" sign referencing a neighbor guy who called cops on their barking dogs. Good Morning America reported August 14, that James and Lisa Price, of Farmers Branch, Texas, erected a sign in their yard that says "House for sale by owner because my neighbor's a "d--chebag." It stems from a $120 barking dog citation the Price family received which they say is their neighbor's fault. The Prices admit to letting their dogs bark all day. They admit that the neighbor in question has complained and asked them to keep their dogs quiet. They say they've tried to hush their dogs' yapping by keeping them inside.Texans post crude 'home for sale' sign at guy who called cops on barking dogs - Grand Rapids News | Examiner.com

 

Cats are better pets than dogs: Paws up for kitties on World Cat Day

 Purr, purr, August 8 is World Cat Day, says Fox 2 Now, so it's paws up for kitties. Do you like pets? There are a lot of reasons not to. Pets poop, pee and have pooping places that have to be cleaned. Pets walk on furniture and lay full length on floors and trip you. Pets sleep on your best blouse and get it all hairy. Pets watch you when you go to the bathroom. Pets scratch on your door to come in when it's closed then they scratch at the door to be let out. Pets have to have expensive surgeries so they don't make more pets. Pets do not blow their noses, wipe their feet or cover their mouths when they sneeze. But having that, cats make better pets than dogs. Here are a gajillion reasons why.Cats are better pets than dogs: Paws up for kitties on World Cat Day - Grand Rapids Holidays | Examiner.com

Charity scammers blew $187M on themselves, gave cancer patients Little Debbies - Grand Rapids News | Examiner.com

The sham Cancer Fund of America, owned by the James T. Reynolds Sr. family purportedly raised money to help cancer patients, said WGAL News 8 May 23. But these charity scammers blew $187 M on themselves and told cancer patients to eat cake. Reynolds Sr., his son and ex-wife lived the bougie life on money raised. They sent cancer patients "care packets" with travel soaps, paper plates, children's toys and Little Debbie snack cakes.Charity scammers blew $187M on themselves, gave cancer patients Little Debbies - Grand Rapids News | Examiner.com

 

Memorial Day grave decorating and traditional Remembrance Day activities

Memorial Day, or Decoration Day is a perfect time to remember veterans and public safety officers. In our family, decorating loved ones' graves is important. Each year we have a few more to put flowers. Remembrance Day brings poignant memories, like losing my little brother, two stillborn daughters, and grandparents. It's a time to celebrate family.Memorial Day grave decorating and traditional Remembrance Day activities - Grand Rapids Holidays | Examiner.com

 

Cinco de Mayo party activities, crafts, games for Mexican cultural festival - Grand Rapids Holidays | Examiner.com

Cinco de Mayo translates to "fifth of May" in Spanish. It celebrates the Mexican victory at the Battle of Pueblo. My Latino friends tell me Cinco de Mayo is bigger in the U.S. than in Mexico. And what do Americans do with a holiday? Throw a party! Or in this case, fiesta. Here's a kid-friendly Cinco de Mayo fiesta with games, crafts, lesson plans, cultural activities and food!   Cinco de Mayo party activities, crafts, games for Mexican cultural festival - Grand Rapids Holidays | Examiner.com

'Crying elephant' Raju's pal Mohan freed but elephants still in danger

Elephants are a hot commodity, for their ivory and for work and entertainment value. Minnesota professor Yiwei Zheng faces ivory smuggling charges for illegally importing elephant tusks into the U.S, reported the Associated Press on March 31. In happier news, a captive elephant, Mohan, may be released after 50 years in bondage and horrific cruelty in Lalganj in the district of Raebareli, India.  'Crying elephant' Raju's pal Mohan freed but elephants still in danger

Stray dogs pay respects at animal lover's funeral, dogs honor Margarita Suarez

When stray dogs showed up and paid their respects at animal lover Margarita Suarez's funeral, a few eyebrows were raised. Were the dogs mourning? Did they sense a kindred spirit? Were they sent as ministering angels to comfort the bereaved? Maybe they were just hungry? Whatever the case, Suarez's grieving daughter Patricia Urrutia, chose to accept the dogs visit as tribute and a miracle, reported Good Morning America on March 30.Stray dogs pay respects at animal lover's funeral, dogs honor Margarita Suarez

 

Catholic Lenten fasting for children, almsgiving and giving up for Lent

On Ash Wednesday, Catholic and Orthodox Christians begin the penitential season of Lent. During this 40-day period, we follow Christ’s temptation in the desert. The Lenten season ends with Holy Week, the Easter Triduum of Christ's passion, death and resurrection. During Lent we fast in imitation of Jesus's sufferings. We practice abstinence. Here are tips for Christian parents to teach kids what to give up for Lent, how to fast. and why we do it.Catholic Lenten fasting for children, teach kids why, what to give up for Lent 

 

Best Valentine's Day gifts for women, presents mom, wife, girlfriend will love

 Did you put off Valentine's Day for your gal? Now at the last minute, Feb. 14, you grab chocolates and flowers. Sorry guys, thanks for the thought, but boring. Here are frugal, thoughtful Valentine gifts for women--wife, mom, girlfriend--that will delight. Use for women's birthday, Christmas, Mother's Day gifts.Best Valentine's Day gifts for women, presents mom, wife, girlfriend will love

Elderly woman ditches nursing home for endless holiday cruise, saves money

Lee Wachtstetter is your average 86-year-old in most ways but one. Instead of living out her days in a nursing home, the widowed woman is opting for the road less traveled--a non-stop luxury cruise ! AZ Central said Jan. 20, that she's swapping the AARP card for a dance card and a senior home for endless holiday deluxe aboard her favorite Crystal Serenity liner. And it's not costing her that much more. It's less, probably than upkeep on her upscale Florida home or nursing care, when all the factors are considered.  Elderly woman ditches nursing home for endless holiday cruise, saves money