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Saying goodbye Hundreds mourn Irvine's Mark Daily An echo of sniffles filled the air of Mariners Church in Irvine during the memorial of 23-year-old Mark Daily as about 1,500 people said goodbye to the young hero during the Jan. 27 service. Only three months into his term of fighting in Iraq, Daily was killed along with three other soldiers by a bomb explosion under their vehicle in Monsul. In all, about 3,000 U.S. soldiers have died in the Iraq war since the war began in 2003 and that includes 30 from Orange County. Daily, a Woodbridge High and UCLA political science graduate, was the second oldest of three siblings. And as his oldest sister Christine Daily stated at the memorial service, he was a hero in their eyes. "To know him for 10 minutes or 10 years, he made an impression on you," she says. "We hope to make him as proud as he has made us." A second lieutenant in the Army, Mark Daily had been barely 18 months into his marriage with Snejana. He was strong in his words when it came to political views and the war. Daily's web page was dedicated to his involvement and reasons for fighting. "Oftentimes it is less about how clean your actions are and more about how pure your intentions are," he wrote. "Don't forget that human beings have a responsibility to one another and that Americans will always have a responsibility to the oppressed." One of the last emails Snejana had received from Daily told about his desire to change the world and explore it through his military service. Yet, his main reason, he said, was to make the world more fit for her. Daily made his reasons for his commitment to the service clear and his friends and family respected his choice. As Daily said on his web page, "I simply decided that the time for candid discussions of the oppressed was over, and I joined." - By Ashley Eliot TV watch Turn the viewing time into a positive As a parent, there are many ways you can help your child develop positive viewing habits. The following tips from the American Academy of Pediatrics may help: Set limits: Limit your child's use of TV, movies and video and computer games to no more than one or two hours per day. Do not let your child watch TV while doing homework. Do not put a television in your child's bedroom. Plan your child's viewing: Instead of flipping through channels, use a program guide and the TV ratings to help you and your child choose shows. Watch TV with your child: Whenever possible, share and then talk about what you see. If your child is very young, she may not be able to tell the difference between a show, a commercial, a cartoon or real life. Explain that characters on TV are make believe and not real. Find the right message: Even a poor program can turn out to be a learning experience if you help your child find the right message. Some television programs may portray people as stereotypes. Talk with your child about the real-life roles of women, the elderly and people of other races who may not be shown on television. Help your child resist commercials: Do not expect your child to be able to resist ads for toys, candy, snacks, cereal, drinks or new TV programs without your help. Limit the number of commercials your child sees by watching public television stations (PBS). You also can record programs and leave out the commercials or buy or rent children's videos or DVDs. Look for quality children's videos and DVDs: There are many quality videos and DVDs available for children that you can buy or rent. Check reviews before buying or renting programs or movies. Information is available in books, newspapers and magazines, as well as on the Internet. Give other options: Watching TV can become a habit for your child. Help your child find other things to do with his time, such as playing, reading, learning a hobby, a sport, an instrument or an art, or spending time with family, friends or neighbors. Set a good example: You are the most important role model in your child's life. Limiting your own TV viewing and choosing programs carefully will help your child do the same. Express your views: When you like or do not like something you see on television, make yourself heard. Write to the TV station, network or the program's sponsor. Stations, networks and sponsors pay attention to letters from the public. When used properly, television can inform, educate and entertain you and your family. By taking an active role in your child's viewing, you can help make watching TV a positive and healthy experience. Create memories Sponsor an at-risk OC child for summer camp For a second summer, Orange County's Light of the Canyon United Methodist Church is helping to create good memories and bolster self-esteem for at-risk children through a summer camp experience. Camp Wonder is for children who come from group homes, foster homes, single-parent families and even the streets. Ninety percent of last year's campers were referred to Light of the Canyon by Orange County social workers and healthcare professionals who identify children for Camp Wonder. While the church sponsors Camp Wonder, it is not a Christian camp. It is open to all children, regardless of religious affiliation or background. Sponsors are needed to pay for this well-intended effort. Ken Curfman, executive director of Camp Wonder, remembers the campers from last summer: "Some were homeless, some from foster families, and others from families where there is no dad or he is spending time in jail." More than 100 boys and girls benefited last year through the generousity of others. It costs about $180 to send one child to camp, and all support is tax deductible. Contributions can be made payable by check to "LOTC, Camp Fund" and mailed to Camp Wonder, 7400 E. Woodsboro, Anaheim, CA 92807. Information: 714.270.0614 or visit campwonder.org. Light of the Canyon is also having a dinner theater production of "Uncle Phil's Diner" on March 23 and 24, 7 p.m. Proceeds will benefit Camp Wonder. Information: 714.283.4633. GIRL SCOUTS Evolution of program continues The 94-year-old Girl Scout organization has spent the last two years looking at the entire program; some changes may be made by 2008. The following goals may be implemented: Rather than being separated into groups by age, girls will be distinguished by grade level, and there will be a change in uniform requirements. The Girl Scouts of Orange County are already discussing ways to rejuvenate the organization. They plan to invite non-members to participate in activities, focus more on math, science, business and health, increase the number of opportunities for girls in low-income families, and create a more flexible volunteer program. Serving almost 30,000 girls and adults, the Girl Scout Council of Orange County continues to thrive and become even better with the help of dedicated members. Now, sharing concerns and suggestions for modernizing the organization, these girls are making history. – By Ashley Eliot Kids and weight Have a child, gain the pounds As Forbes magazine wrote in describing a new health study: "Here's something parents might get from their kids: fat." A study by a University of Iowa College of Medicine doctor has reached a conclusion that adults who live with children often gain weight. It is an important development because whole families are caught up in the increasing obesity that defines American life. It could mean that what adults serve up, and what children demand in a diet, is simply unhealthful. Dr. Helena Laroche, who studies families and their health, told Forbes: "Adults influence children, and children influence adults, and it's important that we focus on the whole family." The magazine quotes the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which reports that 30% of adults 20 and older are overweight, totaling more than 60 million people. And the percentage of young people who are overweight has tripled since 1980; some 16% of children and teens - more than 9 million people - are overweight. A sample of 6,600 adults was taken. Among the findings regarding adults with children at home versus those without, adults with children ate an extra 4.9 grams of fat daily, including 1.7 grams of saturated fat. These include salty snacks, pizza, cheese, beef, ice cream, cakes and cookies, bacon and sausage, and processed meats and peanuts. Missing was the fact that children typically take away from personal fitness time. To read the story: forbes.com/forbeslife/health/feeds/hscout/2006/12/29/hscout600559.html FAMILY NEWS BITES ST. JOSEPH HOSPITAL RECOGNIZED St. Joseph Hospital of Orange was recently awarded Magnet status by the American Nurses Credentialing Center. Established in 1994, Magnet designation is the highest level of recognition for organized nursing services in the national and international healthcare communities. St. Joseph is the only Catholic healthcare facility in California to be designated a Magnet facility. ADVANCES IN ADHD CONFERENCE The UCI Child Development Center and Orange County Department of Education will present a joint conference, "Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder: Advances in Research and Practice," from 7:45 a.m.-3:30 p.m. March 26 at the Orange County Department of Education in Costa Mesa. The cost is $100; registration deadline is March 19. Information: 949.824.2343. STORYTIME WITH THE STORYLADY Lisa Cohen, known in Orange County as the Storylady, has released a CD called "The Storylady and the ABCs." The "real-time video," similar to the style of "Mr. Roger's Neighborhood," features presentations of letters, vocabulary and phonemes. Cohen offers "Storytime with the Storylady" readings at several locations. For information: storylady.biz or creativepartiesforkids.com. SUPERINTENDENT NAMED AT SANTA ANA UNIFIED Jane Russo has been named the new superintendent at Santa Ana Unified School District. Russo has been serving as the interim superintendent since August 2006 following the resignation of Al Mijares. Prior to that, she served as deputy superintendent. BIG BROTHER AND BIG SISTER VOLUNTEERS NEEDED Members of the Chapman University lacrosse teams recently took a group of boys who are waiting to be matched to a Big Brother to an Anaheim Ducks hockey game. The event was designed to highlight the need for additional Big Brother and Big Sister volunteers. To be a friend and mentor in the life of a child in need, visit bigbrooc.org or call 714.544.7773. SAINT JOSEPH BALLET ANNOUNCES DIRECTOR Josie Emmons Turner has joined Saint Joseph Ballet as managing director. Turner has more than 20 years experience leading cultural and community organizations. Located in Santa Ana, Saint Joseph Ballet offers after-school programs to low-income youth. - Reported and compiled by OC Family Magazine staff |
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