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During last July’s 5.8 earthquake, 3-year-old Bronwyn told her 1-year-old sister, “We’re going for a wiggle.” READ MORE
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Yellow skin Newborns with jaundice Jaundice is a fairly common condition in newborns. It involves the yellow discoloration of the skin due to the buildup of a substance called bilirubin in the blood. Everyone produces bilirubin, which is cleared from the blood by the liver. In a newborn, however, the liver is still developing and unable to clear bilirubin efficiently, leading to a buildup. As a result, many newborns get jaundice. Most cases are transient and harmless. Jaundice usually appears within two days of birth. It starts on the face, spreads to the chest and stomach and then to the legs. It may also cause yellowing of the whites of the eyes. To check your baby, gently press the tip of your finger on your baby’s skin, blanching it. If the skin appears yellow, she most likely has jaundice. A couple of easy spots to test are the forehead and the tip of the nose. Jaundice may be hard to detect in darkly pigmented skin. If there is any question, do not hesitate to contact your baby’s doctor. The doctor will check your baby for jaundice within the first day of birth. The level of bilirubin can be measured with a simple skin test or blood test. Depending on the situation, the doctor may check for other causes of jaundice. Adapted from a Health/Your Kids column in sister publication Inland Empire Family Magazine, by Dr. Richelle K. Marracino Voters and preschool: June measure would tax the rich More than $2 billion would be raised annually for preschool tuition that would guarantee that 4-year-olds receive a half-day of free instruction should their parents just say yes. How? Actor and child advocate Rob Reiner has helped qualify a ballot measure for June that would create a 1.7% tax on high-income couples and individuals to provide this voluntary program for hundreds of thousands of pre-kindergartners. Most state preschools charge a fee, and state-supported ones often have long waiting lists. “ Preschool will help us raise achievement levels for all children in California, and it offers real hope for closing the achievement gap,” says state Superintendent of Public Instruction Jack O’Connell. “Preschool for all just makes sense.” The California Department of Education notes that last year the Rand Corp. reported that every dollar spent on quality preschool is worth $2.62 because better-educated students become more productive workers who tend to stay out of trouble as youth and contribute to the economy as adults. The tax increase would affect married couples making more than $800,000 a year and individuals making more than $400,000 a year. If approved, the money would flow through the offices of county superintendents of schools, which would contract with school districts, charter schools and nonprofit and for-profit programs. Georgia and Oklahoma have state-subsidized preschool programs for 4-year-olds. California health divide Diabetes among California adults is increasing, and Latinos, African-Americans and American Indians who are older as well as those who are poor, are more likely to suffer from the disease. A study by the UCLA Center for Health Policy Research compared data from the 2001 and 2003 California Health Interview Surveys and found that nearly 1.7 million Californians ages 18 and older have diabetes, an increase from 1.5 million in 2001. American Indians (9.9%) and African-Americans (9.3%) have the highest incidence of diabetes, and whites have the lowest (5.6%). But Latinos ages 50-64 are particularly likely to have the disease – 22.2% compared with 16.2% for African-Americans and 8.1% for whites in the same age range. Diabetes is also more likely to afflict those living below 200% of the federal poverty level. People who did not attend or graduate from high school are twice as likely to have diabetes than college graduates. “This report clearly illustrates the growing health divide between the socioeconomically advantaged and disadvantaged,” said Robert K. Ross, president of The California Endowment, which funded the study. “We must boost prevention efforts in these communities and improve access to primary healthcare services for the uninsured so they can effectively manage their diabetes.” ‘Fire’!: Don’t yell it, talk about it Now that you’ve checked your fire alarms throughout your home…have you talked with your family about fire dangers? To help keep parents informed and kids safe, child psychologist Steven Barreto, with Bradley Hospital in East Providence, R.I., offers the following tips for fire safety: • Talk about fire safety with your children. • Practice fire safety at home. • Keep track of incendiaries. • Stay alert for warning signs (is your child fascinated with fire?) In addition, the United States Fire Administration recommends that parents check the labels of bed clothing and coverings to make sure that they meet federal flammability standards. Information: www.usfa.fema.gov/safety Summer trip: About those vacation rentals… Going somewhere this summer? Here are tips on how to do it best with your family: Do’s • Do search for a rental that meets your needs. For instance, do you need a rental that is pet friendly, handicapped accessible, close to area activities, or a nonsmoking unit? • Book far in advance. To secure the vacation rental of your choice, particularly during peak season, you may need to make your reservation up to one year ahead. • Set a budget before starting your search and then compare the payment terms of a few similar properties. • Know who you’re dealing with. Call the owner and ask for referrals, and try to rent from companies that have been in business for several years or more. Visit the website. • Research your options. The Internet is a valuable and efficient way to find a vacation rental. Websites such as www.vacationhomes.com and www.vamoose.com specialize in vacation rentals and provide ample listings in a destination of choice. Also, choose a website that offers the opportunity to select only properties with particular amenities, such as a full kitchen or covered parking. • Know the cancellation policy before booking a reservation. Don’ts • Don’t book a vacation rental without referrals. While a property may look good on paper or on a website, you should always ask for at least one or two referrals. • Don’t book a rental without obtaining something in writing. An agreement between you and the owner must include dates of arrival and departure, cancellation and refund policies and maintenance and cleaning policies. • Don’t forget to negotiate, especially during the off-season. Never pay a fee or membership to use a directory service. • Never rent a property without seeing an ample selection of photos of it. FAMILY NEWS BITES RIDING CENTER COMPLETES FIRST BUILDING The J.F. Shea Therapeutic Riding Center recently completed the construction of a 40-horse barn as part of a major redevelopment project. The state-of the-art equestrian facility, scheduled to be complete in early 2007, will also include two covered arenas, four enclosed riding arenas, a sensory integration trail, occupational, speech and physical therapy rooms and more. The highly regarded riding center has served the disabled community with unique therapeutic horseback riding programs for more than 27 years. FREE CHILDCARE FOR STUDENTS Santiago Canyon College’s Continuing Education division is offering free, onsite childcare to students enrolled in Saturday classes at the Orange Education Center. The service is available to children ages 3-6. UC IRVINE STUDENT HONORED USA TODAY recently honored 20 students for their outstanding intellectual achievement and leadership. Among the recipients is Vivek Mehta of Orange, a student at UC Irvine. Each student will receive a $2,500 cash award. THIRD ANNUAL HOUSE RAFFLE BENEFITS SCHOOLS Irvine Public Schools Foundation, Taylor Woodrow Homes and Irvine BMW have teamed up for the third annual house raffle. This year’s home features a three-story townhouse by Taylor Woodrow Homes, valued at more than $800,000. Ticket sales close June 2 for the grand prize and on April 14 for the early prize drawing, which features a 2006 BMW 750Li from Irvine BMW or $25,000 cash. Information: www.ipsf.net FITNESS FOR BUSY MOMS 21 Minute Convenience Fitness has opened in Yorba Linda. The studio offers a strength-training program for time-crunched people of all ages. The “no sweat” workout can be done in street clothes and is supervised by a coach. SHOW TARGET PARENTS OF PRESCHOOL-AGE KIDS “A Place of Our Own,” a series that addresses the needs of children up to age 5, will be presented statewide through September. Among the many topics covered are caring for a child with special needs and ways to get your child to exercise. The show airs locally Monday through Friday at 1:30 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. on KCET and at 12:30 p.m. on KOCE. RED CROSS SEEKS NOMIMATIONS The Orange County Chapter of the American Red Cross is seeking nominations to honor locate acts of heroism in Orange County for the third annual Bravo for Bravery Awards. The awards will recognize all nominees and pay tribute to heroes who have performed an act of courage to save a life or who have gone above and beyond the call of duty. Applications must be submitted by May 12. Call 714.481.5371 or visit www.oc-redcross.org. MATCHING BIKINIS FOR MOM AND BABY Just in time for the season’s warmer weather, L*Space has released a bikini collection. The new addition features chic, baby bikini sets in the same prints as mom. The line, BABY L* is sold at better specialty store and boutiques nationwide. Reported and compiled by OC Family Magazine staff |
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