A very Gaga New Year. Photo from http://www.usmagazine.com

New Year’s is my favorite holiday, because it marks the end of the hectic season, and it gives me a place from which to take stock and make new plans and goals. The end of 2011 was the usual rush of family obligations and professional demands. From late October through the end of December it always feels like I’m shooting down a water slide (a cold, winter-water water slide), twisting and turning, at the mercy of gravity and a current far stronger than I.

Then, the big splash hits on Christmas Day, and in most years it’s smooth sailing after that into the sunny hope of a brand new year. The entry into 2012 was marked by a quiet evening at home, as opposed to the revelry of years past. I traded the high heels for some comfy thick socks, and the madness of a party for the pleasant conversation of two. We discovered a delicious new bubbly, and watched Lady Gaga drop the ball on NYC.

2012 promises many a new thing, both personally and professionally. My day job continues to provide new challenges, my project with Steven Keator, Dressed To Kill, continues to grow and find new opportunities, and the work I’m doing for Supernal Darkness has helped me focus on new a new adventure to help the community. My son is enrolled in Jujitsu, and I have plans to attend a French wedding.

I look forward to the challenges and successes of the upcoming year. I’ll be sure to share some of each on this blog.

I love the tango. Its intricate steps capture my imagination and the sensuality of the dance makes it impossible to stop staring. It makes me feel like I’m 5 years old and I don’t understand the world yet. It’s a comforting feeling, to know that there are things that I still don’t understand. How to dance this well, that is something I don’t understand. Check out more photos of the Tango and its colorful home, Argentina, here (National Geographic).

Families who received care for complications during pregnancy and fetal anomalies share heartfelt stories and memories at 3rd Fetal Center Reunion

HOUSTON, Nov. 23, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — Families from across the country came to Texas Children’s Hospital on Saturday, November 12th to reunite with doctors and nurses during the Texas Children’s Fetal Center’s 3rd reunion.  For many kids, this was their first face-to-face chance to thank the doctors and nurses who saved their lives before they were born.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20111123/DC12063)

“This is a very special event for everyone involved in the Fetal Center,” said Dr. Oluyinka Olutoye, co-director of Texas Children’s Fetal Center and associate professor, department of Pediatric Surgery at Baylor College of Medicine. “Our staff rarely has the chance to meet the babies we’ve helped save, so the reunion is a wonderful time for us to get to know these little ones and see the joy they’ve brought to their parents.”

Over 200 people attended the event, which the Fetal Center has hosted every two years since 2007. While some patients returned to celebrate the Center’s impact on their lives for the third time, others made the trip back to the hospital for the first time since their life-saving in-utero surgery.

“It was an emotional day for all of us,” said Amber Cessac, a patient who underwent surgery at the Center in 2011.  “We are forever grateful for everything the staff did to save our babies’ lives and we really enjoyed celebrating with other families who’ve had similar experiences.”

All current and former Fetal Center patients and their families were invited to the event, which took place from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. in the Clinical Care Center at Texas Children’s Hospital.  The affair included rodeo clowns, guest speakers, an interactive DJ, a family photo booth, play dough station and crafts such as sunglass decorating and spin art.

To conclude the event, attendees took a celebratory group photo, which can be found on the Maternal and Fetal Center’s Facebook page at facebook/texaschildrensfetalcenter.com.

Texas Children’s Fetal Center was founded in 2003 by co-directors Cass and Olutoye and is one of the few centers in the United Stated to provide the full spectrum of fetal therapies.  Comprehensive services include: management of high risk or complex pregnancies, multiple births, genetics counseling, fetal diagnostic and intervention therapies and specialized fetal and neonatal surgeries.  The Center is one of the nation’s leaders in providing high-risk maternal care and the diagnosis and treatment of abnormalities in unborn and newborn infants including twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome, giant lung and neck masses, congenital heart disease and congenital diaphragmatic hernia. Since 2007, over 2100 patients, who come from all over the world, have been evaluated at the center. Texas Children’s Fetal Center recently moved and is now open on the Pavilion’s fourth floor,

To learn more about the Fetal Center Reunion please visit http://www.familyreunion.texaschildrens.org/. For more information on Texas Children’s Fetal Center, visit http://www.texaschildrens.org/carecenters/fetalsurgery/default.aspx .

About Texas Children’s Hospital

Texas Children’s Hospital, a not-for-profit organization, is committed to creating a community of healthy children through excellence in patient care, education and research. Consistently ranked among the top children’s hospitals in the nation, Texas Children’s has recognized Centers of Excellence in multiple pediatric subspecialties including the Cancer and Heart Centers, and operates the largest primary pediatric care network in the country. Texas Children’s is completing a $1.5 billion expansion, which includes the Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute; Texas Children’s Pavilion for Women, a comprehensive obstetrics/gynecology facility focusing on high-risk births; and Texas Children’s Hospital West Campus, a community hospital in suburban West Houston.  For more information on Texas Children’s, go to www.texaschildrens.org. Get the latest news from Texas Children’s by visiting the online newsroom and on Twitter at twitter.com/texaschildrens.

Available Topic Expert(s): For information on the listed expert(s), click appropriate link
Darrell Cass
https://profnet.prnewswire.com/Subscriber/ExpertProfile.aspx?ei=98888

Oluyinka Olutoye
https://profnet.prnewswire.com/Subscriber/ExpertProfile.aspx?ei=98889

CONTACT: Christy Brunton, +1–832-824‑2645, clbrunto@texaschildrens.org

SOURCE Texas Children’s Hospital

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Article source: http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/texas-childrens-fetal-center-celebrates-with-past-patients-134393953.html

Photo by Señorita Ruth, October 2010

It’s easy to get bogged down by the daily grind, and forget to regain perspective. It’s easy to absorb the negativity that abounds and let that define our attitude. However, the consequences of such an approach to life can manifest themselves in the forms of anxiety, worry, and a crushing pessimism that can infiltrate and affect others’ attitudes as well.

I can only imagine that this human struggle was even more pronounced back when you had to make your own tools, grow your own tobacco (sans graphic warnings, admittedly), and survive brutally cold winters without the creature comforts we take for granted nowadays. I do not believe in the good ol’ days. Which leads me directly to my point, which I will happily make without belaboring it any further: what I am thankful for.

I am thankful for today, and for every day leading up to it. I’m thankful for the boy that calls me mom, and for the family I am fortunate enough to have near me. I’m thankful for the special people in my life, and I am grateful to be a friend. I’m thankful for protests and change, and for the social structure in which they happen. I am most of all thankful to be educated, employed, and empowered.

AMSTERDAM, November 21, 2011 /PRNewswire/ –

Winner is Committed to the Rights of Disabled Children in South Africa

This afternoon the International Children’s Peace Prize 2011 was awarded to Michaela Mycroft (17) from South Africa. From the five nominated children, who were announced by Desmond Tutu at the end of October, the Expert Committee chose her as the winner. The prize was presented to her by Nobel Peace Laureate Mairead Maguire.

(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20111121/494661 )

Michaela, also called Chaeli, received this award for her commitment to the rights of children with disabilities in South Africa through her project: the Chaeli Campaign. The International Children’s Peace Prize, an initiative of the Dutch organization KidsRights, is presented annually to an exceptional child,  whose courageous or otherwise remarkable acts and thoughts have made a difference in countering problems, which affect children around the world. This year it will be the 7^th time a child is rewarded with the International Children’s Peace Prize. In a short period the prize has become the most prestigious international prize in the field of children’s rights.

Emotional Ceremony

In the Hall of Knights in The Hague, more than 400 national and international guests gathered to honor this special girl. A number of representatives from the government, industry and non-governmental organizations were speaking at the ceremony, including State Secretary of Health, Welfare and Sport, Marlies Veldhuijzen van Zanten, Former Prime Minister and Professor at Erasmus University, Jan Peter Balkenende and Nobel Peace Laureate Mairead Maguire. She has been active for years fighting for peace and human rights and during the ceremony she was noticeable touched by this young heroine. After the inspiring words of these speakers, Chaeli received the Nkosi, a special sculpture that shows how a child can move the world. This sculpture symbolizes the impact this award has: in the last years, it has reached millions of people and it provides a global platform for Chaeli to promote her message and to tell her brave story.

Chaeli was born with Cerebral Palsy, through which the function of her arms and legs is limited. But where others see limitations, she sees possibilities; with her positive attitude, she is an inspiration to many.

“Hope is what keeps us going,” Chaeli said in her speech. “It’s what keeps us striving for the lives we deserve. I have hope for myself, but I also have hope for all other children with disabilities. I hope that my actions as an ability activist will leave the world more accepting and more accommodating for all people and not just people with disabilities, because we are all different and we all have the need to be accepted regardless of having a disability or not.”

At the age of 9, Chaeli and her friends and sister started a project to raise money for an motorized wheelchair for Chaeli. In just seven weeks they raised more than enough money, so Chaeli decided to help more disabled children. This project has become the Chaeli Campaign, a professional organization that annually helps more than 3000 children with disabilities in South Africa with equipment, physical therapy and which defends the rights and acceptance of disabled children. Chaeli inspires other children to start projects and for that she has developed an ambassadors program.

For photo material: http://www.childrenspeaceprize.org

http://www.childrenspeaceprize.org

http://www.kidsrights.org

http://www.abnamro.com

http://www.twitter.com/KidsRights                             http://www.facebook.com/KidsRights

SOURCE KidsRights

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Article source: http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/michaela-mycroft-winner-of-international-childrens-peace-prize-2011–134246893.html

STUART, Fla., Nov. 23, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ – The holiday season can be a particularly challenging time for both children with autism and their families. The value of planning for the holidays cannot be overestimated for those with sensory sensitivities, who thrive on routine, and are easily disoriented. The holidays are filled with sights, sounds, and smells. The average household is turned into a busy, frantic, festive place. The stores are brightly lit, excessively noisy with holiday music and busy with shoppers rushing in every direction. All of these sudden and dramatic changes for a child on the spectrum can easily create a sensory overload, making the holidays a difficult time for both the child with autism and their parents.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20111123/DC12006LOGO )

These parents need our support and encouragement because they are humans that have been given an assignment intended for saints. Autism affects each individual differently and at different levels of severity. The following statistics helps us to better understand why thoughtfully planning for the holidays is so important.

• 1 out of 91 children has been diagnosed Autistic
• 92% of Autistic children wander
• The number one cause of death among Autistic children that wander is drowning

Remember, there is no right or wrong answers and what works for one family may not work for another. But by reducing or eliminating potential triggers for wandering and adding an effective program to quickly locate and rescue individuals who tend to wander, you will keep your child safe and give yourself the peace of mind you deserve.

Project Lifesaver International is the premier organization nation-wide providing law enforcement and first responders with the training and technology to quickly find individuals with cognitive disorders who have wandered. Following the signal from a small transmitter placed on the patient, first responders from “Member Agencies” who have been trained and certified by Project Lifesaver quickly track to the location of the wanderer. Recovery times for individuals in the Project Lifesaver program averages 30 minutes, compared to nine hours for individuals without a tracking system. To date Project Lifesaver’s success rate is 100%.

Click here to follow us on Facebook You-Tube at Plifesaver99

For more information about Project Lifesaver’s program and technology go to www.projectlifesaver.org

SOURCE Project Lifesaver International

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http://www.projectlifesaver.org

Article source: http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/the-holidays–autism-challenges-during-the-holiday-season-for-children-who-tend-to-wander-134397678.html

ORLANDO, Fla., Nov. 22, 2011 /PRNewswire/ – Blue Martini Orlando has teamed up with Winter Park Construction (WPC), Contractors Who Care, National Republic Distributing Company and Scotty B. Entertainment to host the 2nd annual Kicks 4 Kidz event at Blue Martini Orlando on Tuesday, November 29th.

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20111122/FL11877 )

Jeff Forrest, President of Winter Park Construction and Founder of Contractors Who Care, states, “When faced with the knowledge that Americans spend billions of dollars on shoes each year yet there are local children who have no shoes at all, we thought we’d do something about it.  We are coming together to raise awareness, collect shoes for local children and host a great event in the process.”

Central Florida residents and former NSYNC members, Joey Fatone and Chris Kirkpatrick, are expected to attend along with Tampa Bay Bucs’ Center, Jeff Faine.

The Kicks 4 Kidz event will be held on Tuesday, November 29th from 7-9pm at Blue Martini Orlando.  Those who bring one or more pairs of shoes valued at least $50 will be given complementary entry to Blue Martini, VIP access, open bar and hors d’oeuvres courtesy of Blue Martini and National Republic Distributing Company. Additionally, there will be raffle prizes valued at over $1,000 from participating sponsors and select entertainment provided by Scotty B. Entertainment.  Orlando based children’s organizations will be chosen to receive the shoes. Adds Stefani Taylor, Special Events Coordinator for Blue Martini, “It’s an absolute pleasure to be on board again.  Kicks 4 Kidz is the perfect event to start the holidays’ charitable efforts by bringing a smile to the face of children.”

For more information on how to donate shoes or participate, contact Stefani Taylor at stefani@bluemartinilounge.com or Meghan Dempster, WPC Brand Manager, at Meghan@wpc.com. For information on our sponsors and supporters, go to www.ContractorsWhoCare.org, www.wpc.com, www.bluemartinilounge.com and www.rndc-usa.com.

SOURCE Winter Park Construction

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Article source: http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/blue-martini-orlando-to-host-2nd-annual-kicks-4-kidz-event-134363373.html

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ST. LOUIS, Nov. 22, 2011 /PRNewswire/ – DaGeDar™, the new racing sensation from Cepia LLC, has been nominated for the prestigious 2011 Boy Toy of the Year by the Toy Industry Association (TIA). This nomination follows Cepia LLC winning the Toy of the Year Award (TOTY) from TIA in 2010 for its original ZhuZhu® Pets hamsters. Since it was unveiled in August, DaGeDar has become one of the hottest toys for boys in America and has been flying off of shelves as the holidays approach.

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20111122/CG11791)

“We consider the Toy Industry Association awards our own version of the Oscars,” said James Russell Hornsby, CEO of Cepia LLC. “Selected from more than 600 nominations in 11 different categories, the nomination from TIA is a testament to how popular and unique DaGeDar is, but the real reward for our company is the response it has received from children everywhere. Leading into the busiest holiday shopping weekend of the year, parents should be confident that DaGeDar is a game that their kids will love to play.”

DaGeDar taps into the classic play patterns of young boys – a game of speed, skill and friendly competition with the added bonus of collectability. The supercharged DaGeDar battle balls encourage creativity and imaginative play as they race through tracks and loops. There are more than 100 DaGeGar balls to collect and each one has its own cool graphic and character spirit.

“The annual TOTY Awards celebrate and honor the creative spirit of the toy industry,” said Carter Keithley, TIA President. “This event also supports the important work of the Toy Industry Foundation, which annually distributes more than half a million new toys and games to deserving kids across the nation and around the globe.”

DaGeDar is a game where kids create their own rules on how to play.  With no batteries required, DaGeDar is simple and intuitive. “House Rules” allow kids to bring their own creativity and create new and innovative ways to play. According to Nickelodeon’s 2010 Permission to Play study, “60 percent of kids prefer to play something when they can make up the rules or instructions, rather than play something that already has rules or instructions.”

Fans can logon to www.toyawards.org between now and January 15, 2012 to cast their vote for DaGeDar. There, you can also register to win fantastic prize packages.

What is DaGeDar™?

Each DaGeDar (pronounced da-geh-dar) has its own unique back story, name and graphic that reflects the radical racer within. With weighted steel core centers, DaGeDar challenges players to propel the ball through various track sets and allow them to perform stellar tricks and stunts.

The DaGeDar™ Story

In a far-off intergalactic region, there exists Dimension 33, home of DaGeDar spirit-like entities. Each DaGeDar has a different quest, tale and motivation, but they all live for one bonding drive: racing!  After experiencing an emotional surge, DaGeDar thrust through the quantum foam separating Earth from their world.  They enter into their ball-like avatars, waiting for the right player to unleash the spirit within!

DaGeDar™ Characters

A special code on the back of each DaGeDar lets the player logon to www.dagedar.com to learn more about the character’s spirit, biography and tagline. DaGeDar characters, who have reached a higher level of enlightenment, are marked with the rare number “33.” Players are challenged to find these elite racers, making the quest to collect them all even more fun.

• Rhinasty01014: Broken free from his captors, he will destroy anything in his path. Rhinasty01014 is an unstoppable dynamo of pure power!
• Hysterion01019: A rogue battle machine, Hysterion01019 struggles with his own sense of purpose, but this conflicted racer has built-in armor that is impossible to damage
• Insaniac06105: A rock n’ roll racer, Insaniac06105 has a need for speed as well as a thrust for stardom.

DaGeDar™ Game Play, Tracks and Accessories

DaGeDar requires the perfect combination of speed and skill to successfully race through thrilling loops and turns in three differently styled track sets. Players determine how to play, whether it’s racing against friends, collecting points or propelling their ball into the cup, DaGeDar racing changes every time. Ultimately, “House Rules” rule, letting players determine how to play and how to win!

Accessories

• High Speed Stunt Jump Track: Perfectly propel DaGeDar through the loop and into the cup
• High Speed Score Zone Raceway: Race against the competition; the lane narrows and points determine the champion
• Two Lane Battle Jump Raceway: Balls race head to head, launching over an extreme jump to the finish
• Launchers: Players can unleash their DaGeDar in ultimate rapid fire
• Carrying Case: Load DaGeDar in the carrying case and take them on the go. Carrying cases fit up to three battle balls!
• Spinners: Knock away competition while with wildly whirling spinners
• Dual Top Speed Start Gate: Get a head start with the Dual Top Speed Start Gate

DaGeDar is available at select national retailers.  DaGeDar balls, tracks and spinners are sold separately and range from $4.99-$19.99, ages 4+.

About Cepia LLC

Headquartered in St. Louis, Mo., Cepia LLC is a privately held company that manufactures toys and games for children of all ages. The company was founded on the premise that sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic. Ingenuity, creativity, playfulness and passion are the heart of Cepia and everything it creates. Cepia’s toy building enterprises include: Glo-E™, ZhuZhu Pets®, Kung Zhu™, ZhuZhu Princess™, ZhuZhu Babies™, ZhuZhu Puppies™ and their newest venture, DaGeDar™. ZhuZhu Pets® has received top honor Toy of the Year recognition in five countries, including 2010 “Toy of the Year,” “Most Innovative Toy” and “Best Girls Toy” at the 2010 TOTY Awards in the U.S.  All toys from Cepia LLC are sold globally through national chain retail outlets and independent toy stores. For more information, please visit www.cepiallc.com, www.zhuniverse.com and www.dagedar.com.

Media Contact:
Grant Deady
Zeno Group
(312) 396‑9734
grant.deady@zenogroup.com

SOURCE Cepia LLC

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http://www.cepiallc.com
http://www.dagedar.com

Article source: http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/dagedar-named-finalist-for-2011-boy-toy-of-the-year-award-from-toy-industry-association-134353223.html

TAMPA, Fla., Nov. 22, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — Celebrate the season — and help St. Joseph’s Children’s Hospital patients and families — by sending holiday greeting cards designed by the hospital’s young patients.

(Photo — http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20111122/DC11448 )

Working with our team of Child Life Specialists and visiting artists, pediatric patients and youth volunteers at St. Joseph’s Children’s Hospital created inspired, heartfelt works of art. These colorful holiday and all-occasion cards are the perfect choice to send greetings to friends, family members and business associates.

All proceeds benefit Child Life programs at St. Joseph’s Children’s Hospital, which is the third largest children’s hospital in Florida and provides more acute medical and surgical pediatric care than all other hospitals in Hillsborough County.

Child Life Specialists use play, education and self-expression in an effort to reduce the impact of a hospital stay. Services provided by St. Joseph’s Children’s Hospital’s Child Life team include:

• Activities in playrooms, teen lounges and at the bedside
• Organized events, such as trick-or-treating at Halloween, Christmas Eve parties and Prom
• Psychological preparation for medical tests, procedures and surgeries
• Pet therapy
• Sibling support groups
• Grief support for patients and siblings

To help support such programs, look for Christmas, Hanukkah and general holiday cards sold in packets of 10 cards/10 envelopes for just $10 a pack. All-occasion note cards, featuring the Tampa Skyline series, are sold 12 cards/12 envelopes to a pack for $10. Bulk and custom imprinting orders are available for both holiday and all-occasion cards.

To see the full catalog of cards available and to purchase your cards online, please visit SJHFoundation.org. For more information, please call the St. Joseph’s Hospitals Foundation at (813) 872‑0979.

About St. Joseph’s Children’s Hospital

As Tampa’s first dedicated children’s hospital, St. Joseph’s Children’s Hospital is designed to meet the unique needs of children and their families by providing high-tech pediatric health care in a family-centered, child-friendly environment. Part of the BayCare Health System, St. Joseph’s Children’s Hospital is the third largest children’s hospital in Florida, providing more acute medical and surgical pediatric care than all other hospitals in Hillsborough County.

About BayCare Health System

BayCare Health System is a leading community-based health system in the Tampa Bay area. Composed of a network of 10 not-for-profit hospitals, outpatient facilities and services such as imaging, lab, behavioral health and home health care, BayCare provides expert medical care throughout a patient’s lifetime. With more than 200 access points conveniently located throughout Tampa Bay, BayCare connects patients to a complete range of preventive, diagnostic and treatment services for any health care need. For more information, visit BayCare on the Web at www.BayCare.org.

SOURCE St. Joseph’s Children’s Hospital

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Article source: http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/2011-holiday-cards-designed-by-pediatric-patients-at-st-josephs-childrens-hospital-134332793.html