Tow to Go

Don't drink and drive.

Yeah, I know we sound like parents saying the same thing over and over again, but every year at the holidays, despite the reminders, more people are involved in automobile accidents and fatalites involving alcohol.

Please stay safe this year.

We know that celebrating is part of the New Year's tradition, but if you're including "spirits" as part of your holiday spirit, remember Tow to Go.

It's a free service sponsored by AAA and Budweiser. Just call 1-800-AAA-HELP and a tow truck will come out to take you and your vehicle home safely.

Hey, haven't you always wanted to ride in the front of a tow truck?

Have a Happy!

Really know the candidates

So much of what we see about the contenders for the presidential nomination is in 10 second video cliips or sound bites ... or taken out of context by a competitor, it's hard to know what the candidate's are really all about with out doing some research.

Vote-smart.org makes the process a lot easier. It's a non-partisan website that gives you not only the actual voting record of candidates (and other politicians), but also explains the basic gist of the bill being voted on - and if you've ever seen the legalese in which bills are written, you already know that you pretty much need an interpreter to weed through the double and triple negatives and the add-ons and exceptions.

Hope this helps - primaries will be here befoer you know it!

Dan Fogelberg at peace

I was so sad to see the news that Dan Fogelberg lost his 3 1/2 year battle with prostate cancer yesterday. His music and lyrics were so powerful and so many people connected with him and his songs in a very personal way.

I remember being on a long driving trip once, having been on the road all night, and as the sun was coming up, I put on one of my favorite Fogelberg songs, To The Morning. It wasn't a big hit like a lot of his other songs, but it was perfect for the moment.

It's times like this when I really appreciate technology. Not only do we have Dan's music recorded forever, but You Tube has a number of videos, including concert footage. It wouldn't be the holidays without Dan's Same Auld Lang Syne, and who can listen to Leader of the Band without thinking of their own Dad? And hundreds of people have posted their parting thoughts in memory.

There's a complete discography, lyrics, and a message from his family on the official Dan Fogelberg website.

Water restrictions returning

We may get a little rain this weekend, but not enough to make up for the ongoing drought conditions we've experienced this year. South Florida Water Management is putting new, tighter water restrictions into effect as of January 15th. Lawn watering will be limited to just once a week from Orlando all the way to the Keys.

Here are the full details.

Barney's White House Holiday

Every year, the Bush family records a holiday message - and when I say family, I mean the whole family - even the dogs! Once again, the Barney Cam is up on the White House website.

Holiday card schedule

Sometimes you mail something and it arrives the next day.
Sometimes it takes a week.
This time of year, the mail services can get pretty bogged down between greeting cards being sent and online orders getting shipped.

Here's the official U.S. Postal Service guide for mailing deadlines if you want things to arrive in time for Christmas.

Joy of duty-free shopping

I'm psyched. I'm heading over to Grand Bahama this weekend on Discovery Cruise Line.

Aside from the obvious benefits - a chance to get away and relax at the Taino Beach Resort (I hope they have my hammock waiting!) and the magnificent feeling of being out on the ocean at this time of year - well, there's also the fact that I can do my holiday shopping tax-free.

Yeah, we get our tax-free days for hurricane season and back-to-school, but I'm looking forward to the great deals (especially on jewelry) in the Bahamas - and, oh yeah - did I mention duty-free?

What makes this cruise even more special is when you stay at either the Flamingo Bay Hotel at Taino Beach or the Port Lucaya Resort & Yacht Club, Discovery will donate a portion of each ticket price to benefit cancer research at The University of Miami Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center (my pet cause) through The Papanicolaou Corps for Cancer Research.

It's a win-win-win.

Go ahead, be impulsive - join me this weekend. Call Discovery at 888-213-8248.

Chocolate the new fruit?

Actually, I've just learned that chocolate is and always has been considered a fruit. Just one new tidbit from Mike Maunder, executive director at Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden in Coral Gables. I was talking to Mike about their new exhibit opening Saturday, 'Lichtenstein at Fairchild'. That's right, sculptures from famed pop artist Roy Lichtenstein blended in with the beautiful gardens at Fairchild. It's sure to be a sight for sore eyes - and Fairchild is a wonderful, peaceful place to chill for the weary shopper.

By the way - Fairchild hold's their 2nd Annual Chocolate Festival next month. Check back here for details!

Give & ye shall receive

Imagine a program where you give a computer to a child in a developing nation and you receive one for your own child.

Well, someone has already imagined it and made it reality. With the 'Give One, Get One' program, when you donate an XO Laptop, you receive one free.

Here's how it works.

The perfect turkey

Every year during the holidays, the experts at Butterball field thousands of calls from turkey roasters needing assistance. It seems so easy when you buy it at the Publix deli counter, but when you're putting a whole bird in a pan, pulling the giblets out (and do you even know what giblets are?!!), putting the stuffing in, trying to time gravy and the side dishes to come out just right, it really helps to have some guidance - especially if you're making Thanksgiving dinner for the first time.

Here's all the help you need.

Pancreatic cancer awareness

No, it's not as prevalent as breast cancer, but pancreatic cancer is one of the deadliest forms of cancer and November is Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month. Thanks to Oprah and Professor Randy Pausch, a lot more people know about it now, since seeing the Professor's Final Lecture on her show. To help spread awareness, PANCAN, the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network, is holding Picture Your World Purple day tomorrow. Here are some of their suggestions to participate and increase awareness of pancreatic cancer:

* Have a purple food potluck at your office or home on November 15th
* Get EVERYONE in your world to dress in purple on November 15th
* Put a purple light bulb in your porch light for the month of November
* Tie purple ribbons on your car antennae on November 15th
* Hand out purple awareness ribbons to everyone you know on November 15th

I'll be doing my part this Saturday at a fundraiser for the University of Miami Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center. I'll be at the Brighton Collectibles store in The Falls from 1-5. We're having an "Apple Cider, Crackers & Cheese" party, with great raffle drawings. It's also the same day as their Miracle on 136th Street Holiday Parade, so it's a perfect day to come out and have fun for a good cause!

Thank our troops

Stephen, a South Florida veteran, called to let me know about a great way to honor our current troops. Xerox has created Let'sSayThanks.com. They have a slew of cards designed by children across America. You can choose the card you want to send, include a message, and they'll send the cards to our military members free of charge.

Now's an especially important time for the soldiers to receive letters from home - since they won't be here to share the holidays with family and friends. Maybe this will be the last year they have to be away.

Bonuses less likely this year

According to a new survey, small business owners are planning to cut back their gift-giving for clients - and employees - this holiday season. Only 59 percent of those surveyed said they plan to buy client gifts this year, down from 70 percent last year.

Of those who do plan to give gifts, 22 percent said the area of their busines that most needs improvement is customer service.

Maybe it's time to remind the boss that employee service inspires better employee performance!

Toys for future scientists

This might be the oddest collection of toys I've ever heard of - but I can understand how a future scientist or medical researcher might enjoy the new line of stuffed GIANT microbes. For real. Stuffed animals in the shape of microbes ... the kind that cause things like Athlete's Foot, Bad Breath, Acne and worse. They're actually as cute as any other stuffed animal, if you don't think about the conditions and diseases the real microbes cause. And if you get the stuffed Dust Mite or Bed Bug, you might find yourself inclined to vacuum more frequently!

Cruise to cure cancer

We've talked a lot this month about shopping to cure cancer. Now Discovery Cruiseline is hosting the first annual Cruise To Cure Cancer, December 7th - 9th, to benefit cancer research at the University of Miami Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center. They'll donate a portion of each ticket purchased to charity, and there'll be a silent auction onboard on the way back from Grand Bahama. And hey, think about the duty-free holiday shopping you can do!

Will Haggling Get You Discounts?

While we usually think of haggling as something you do at a market in another country - or car dealerships - there are some circumstances where requesting a better price might just get you the result you want!

Electronics stores are so competitive that they'll often match competitor's prices. Furniture prices and cellphone service rates can frequently be negotiated, too. And if you've ever tried to cancel a credit card, you already know how much they're willing to negotiate on interest rates to keep you as a customer.

Here's some advice on how to haggle effectively.

Pink product of the day

Lots of companies are supporting Breast Cancer Charities during Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Many are donating a portion of proceeds from product sales to organizations providing services to patients and funding cancer research.

10/29/07

Only a few days remain in Breast Cancer Awareness Month, but with more than 250,000 women likely to be diagnosed in the next year, it's important to remain aware throughout the year and take action - whether it's getting a mammogram, performing regular self-exams or donating money for research on an ongoing basis.

One way to keep your awareness up is to surround yourself with Pink Products, and the Breast Cancer Research Foundation has a fantastic assortment of items for the home, your office and yourself. One of the best features of the BCRF product page is that it tells you the exact amount of your purchase that will be donated to breast cancer research - so you can make a decision based not only on what product you like, but also on how much money will really go to the cause.

10/25/07

Many research studies have found that tea, particularly green tea, offers lots of health benefits.
Now you can get the health benefits for yourself and help benefit someone else's health at the same time with Bentley's Finest Teas Tea Leaves For Life campaign. For every special tea tin sold, Bentley's will donate a dollar to the Y-Me National Breast Cancer Organization.


10/24/07

Some items are more overt in spreading the breast cancer awareness message, others somewhat understated. Gordon's Jewelers has blended both with these
beautiful jewelry creations to benefit the Breast Cancer Research Foundation. Pink sapphires go with eveything, don't they?

10/23/07

So, Bryan pointed out that so many of our Pink Products are great for women, but what's there for men who want to shop for the cause ... so with that mission in mind, I searched and found a few things that would have to be considered 'manly' enough ... with a portion of proceeds still going to breast cancer research. Can't complain about a Men's Black Golf Shirt, or the scintillating scent of Unforgivable by Sean John Eau de Toilette ... and surely the
Special Edition 2008 Mercedes Benz C-350 Sport Sedan would make a man happy - if we women leave any behind on the lot for them. Of course, cash is gender-free.

10/22

You'll have a whole new take on cooking with KitchenAid's line of pink cooking accessories. They've got everything from measuring cups to hand mixers to spatulas ... and for those who don't do much cooking, in South Florida a hand can opener is one of your standard hurricane prep supplies - why not in pink? A portion of proceeds from the pink collection goest ot he Susan G. Komen Foundation Breast Cancer Foundation.


10/18

What if everything you buy could help fund cancer research locally? Well, that's the case this weekend at Saks Fifth Avenue Bal Harbour. Today thru Sunday a percentage of all sales will go to the University of Miami Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center. Additionally, a number of product lines and designers have committed to matching the amount raised from your purchaes at Saks.

10/17/07

So often we ask you to walk for the cure. How about slipping on some comfy shoes for the cure?
Natural Sport has an adorable Mesh & Suede Criss-cross Slip-on Athletic Shoe with a padded insole designed with the signature pink breast cancer ribbon and a Dr. Scholl's massaging gel heel. You'll find them at QVC, along with a handful of other products to benefit breast cancer research. Just type in 'breast cancer' for your search.

10/16/07

Chocolate. Hershey's Dark Chocolate Nuggets. Pink-wrapped chocolate Kisses. Peppermint Patties with a Pink center. Kissables and Syrup. A $300,000 pledge to the Young Survivor Coalition. Need I say more?

10/15/07

Even if you couldn't make it to the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk, you can still wear the cool gear and help the American Cancer Society at the same time. And if you're always running out of the house in the morning with your coffee spilling over its mug, you'll especially want to check out the Pink Travel Mug.

10/12/07

The Avon lady is going retail. Avon is starting to open stores in malls to enhance the customer's experience and give them more of a hands-on sense of the products. But you can still order from your favorite rep, or online, where you'll find a variety of Pink Products to benefit Breast Cancer research. Hey, maybe the pink memo jotter to keep track of all the Pink Products you're ordering!

10/11/07

I see nothing wrong with a little self-indulgence, especially for a good cause. Thank you Dunkin' Donuts for giving me the opportunity. All this month, six Miami-Dade County Dunkin' Donuts locations will donate $1 from every purchase of a dozen PINK DONUTS - yes, pink donuts - to the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation. Here are the participating locations:

2720 S. Dixie Highway, Coconut Grove
8394 S.W. 40th Street (Bird Road), Miami
10754 S.W. 24th Street (Coral Way), Miami
11506 Quail Roost Drive, Miami
12930 S.W. 120th Street, Kendall
18099 S. Dixie Highway, Perrine

10/10/07

Well, how about a really cute totebag to carry all the Pink Products you've been buying to support Breast Cancer research? Lean Cuisine has 3 designs of totes - they've already raised nearly half a million dollars for the cause. I've ordered mine, plus one for a friend. Hey - here's an idea - how about starting your holiday shopping with all Pink Products??

10/9/07

Bloomingdale's has gone a step further with their campaign to cure Breast Cancer - not only do they have several signature products available this month, including the exclusive Big Pink Umbrella and the Little Pink Card, but they've put together the 70-page Little Pink Book. The online book features medical information, healthy cooking tips, inspirational stories from cancer survivors and a 17-page Pink Boutique, with proceeds from items going to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation.

10/8/07

People who know Brighton Collectibles are passionate about their Brighton Collectibles. What better way to discover this unique line of products than with bracelets and necklaces designed for the Power of Pink? Through October 31st, Brighton will donate a portion of sales from Pink Products to Breast Cancer research.

10/5/07

Need a top to go with those jeans? Saks Fifth Avenue has two t-shirts specially designed for their "Key to the Cure" events this year. You can pick them up online, or join Saks Bal Harbour and the University of Miami Comprehensive Cancer Center for their "Key to The Cure Kickoff" event Thursday, October 18th from 6 - 9 p.m. There will be lots of food, drink and entertainment, and several other specially made benefit products for you to buy. Entry donation is $30.00, which will go directly to the charity. You can send Entry donation checks made out to: UM/Sylvester, Attention Jeanne Bonich UM/Sylvester P.O. Box 016960 (M867), Miami, Florida 33101 or for more information call 305.243-9088.

10/4/07

Tomorrow is Lee National Denim Day to benefit the Women's Cancer Programs of EIF. So wear your Lee Jeans to work tomorrow - and if you don't have a pair, they'll donate $5 per online denim order through tomorrow. Even better - lots of styles are on sale, and if you sign up for their e-mail letter, you'll save an extra 20%!

10/3/07

It's not too early to start planning what kind of planner you'll have for 2008. How about a Pink Day-Timer? Pink pens to match? And Pink Ribbon Post-it notes to complete your office set-up and keep your awareness of Breast Cancer throughout the entire year.
You'll find them all at Staples - and of course, a percentage goes to cancer research.


10/2/07

Today's Pink Products are from Macy's and they run the gamut from chocolates to Guess watches to pink toasters (not kidding!).

Here's the full lineup.

10/1/07

Ulta Beauty has a new location in the Southland Mall, joining the already established store in Pembroke Pines. And online, you'll find their Amazing Woman Cosmetics Kit, with 100% of proceeds benefitting breast cancer research.

Fund your education dreams

There are lots of scholarships and loans for kids going to college - but what about us adults?

Well, the Work-Life Balance Institute has announced its 2008 Women's Scholarship Fund.
It's specifically for adult women returning to school to further their education. So as long as you graduated high school or received your GED no later than September 1998 (yes, 1998 - ten years prior to returning to school!), you could receive a $2000 scholarship.

Statistics have shown a correlation between education levels and salary levels. Whether you want to grow in your career or start a whole new career, this is a tremendous opportunity. Only 100 applications will be accepted, so be sure to apply early. Here's all the information.

Light the Night with LITE FM

Wow, what an incredible turnout for the Fort Lauderdale Light the Night walk to benefit the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. Thanks to Elizabeth Lago-Peralta and your two beautiful daughters for joining TEAM LITE and helping to raise funds to cure the #1 cancer in children.

But it's not just kids who are affected by blood cancers. We were treated to a couple of performances by the wonderful grammy-winning singer, Terry Barber, who lost his mom to Lymphoma just this past December. As he says on his website:

"On 5/12/06 my maternal Grandfather, Michael T. Russo, died of cancer. Seven months later, on the reverse date, 12/05/06, my mother was taken by the same disease. She was a young woman who took the best care of herself. They both set the bar high for the entire family as examples of strong, successful leaders. It was my mother's dying wish for me to have my voice heard. This album, I have put together of work that made her proud of me. I hope as people buy and hear this record, they will be aware of you and what you did to get me to this place. I love and miss you, Michele Russo Jillson.

IT IS TIME for me to do something to give back and make a change for the future. Proceeds from this album, "SONGS SHE LOVED", will go to cancer research. I hope that someday people like my young mother can be saved from this horrible disease that has reached epidemic proportions."

I'll have a table with Terry's cd's for sale at our final Light The Night walk, October 20th at Memorial West in Miramar, and of course, you can order them and hear a preview at Terry's website.

Don't wait until next year to discover this wonderful event and the great people involved. Bring the family and join TEAM LITE for the final Light The Night Walk. You can call the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society for info at 954-961-3234, or click here to register (or donate) online:

Memorial Hospital, Miramar, October 20th

I look forward to seeing you there!

Help Victims of Hurricane Felix

A Category 5 hurricane, Felix has torn roofs off shelters and demolished homes in Nicaragua where it made landfall this morning. Water in some areas is already waist deep and mudslides are a concern with up to 25 inches of rain possible in mountain cities.

Feed the Children is already working on getting aid to the damaged areas. You can help.

Turnpike Construction Alert!

Work begins today at the Turpike Bird Road Toll Plaza, and work gets underway next week on the Homestead Toll Plaza. High-speed Sunpass lanes are being installed. Work should be finished by December, but in the meantime, anticipate some delays going back and forth to work.

Babyface Brings the Memories

Wow! After hearing Babyface's new version of James Taylor's classic "Fire and Rain", I couldn't wait to see what else is going to be on his new cd "Playlist'. It's a whole cd of songs that he says "helped shape who I am". Due out September 18th, "Playlist" also features remakes of songs by Eric Clapton, Bob Dylan, Dan Fogelberg and Bread.

Read more about "Playlist".

Safe Grilling

It's a favorite American pastime - grilling on a holiday.
Unfortunately, some people don't follow safety guidelines and too often, someone gets injured.

Here are some things to remember before you fire it up:

1. Designate the grilling area a "No Play Zone" keeping kids and pets well away until grill equipment is completely cool.
2. Before using, position your grill at least 3 feet away from other objects, including the house and any shrubs or bushes.
3. Only use starter fluid made for barbecue grills when starting a fire in a charcoal grill.

Here are more tips for a safe holiday.

Once Again for Jerry's Kids

Labor Day weekend brings the 42nd annual Jerry Lewis MDA Telethon to help kids with Muscular Dystrophy. As always, a slew of performers are lined up to help raise money on the telethon which starts Sunday at 9 p.m. and continues until Monday at 6:30 p.m.



But before that, Miami-Dade Fire Rescue and the Broward Sheriff's Fire Rescue Department will team up to raise money for MDA. Firefighters will be out at major intersections throughout South Florida asking you to "Fill The Boot" for MDA. Donations go to reserch, family support counseling programs, wheelchairs & communication devices. Try to remember to keep a buck handy in the car - or skip the vending machine today and use the money for a donation instead.



Thanks!

9/4/07 - Hey, just to let you know - the MDA Telethon set another new record for money raised to help Jerry's Kids - $67.3 Million. Way to go!

Place to Play with your Pup

Going to the beach will be more fun than ever when you can bring your best friend along!
The city of Hollywood is designating an area of the beach open for dogs to visit. A 60-day trial period begins Friday, August 31st, and runs through October 28th. The area covers 100 years between Pershing and Custer streets.

Some guidelines:
Hours will be 5-9pm Fridays to Sundays.
Dogs must have current rabies tag and be under the control of the owner.
The owner will be responsible for waste cleanup.
Doggie bags will be provided by a ranger.
The dog beach is free to use during the trial period.

Need more info? Call 954-921-3404, or visit the city's website.

Fergie's Relatable Lyrics

I think we've all been through a period in our life where we've needed some "personal space" - just some time to sort out our priorities. Fergie captures the feeling perfectly in her song 'Big Girls Don't Cry'. Check out the lyrics.

In Tennis Heaven

You know how much I love tennis - I marvel at the combination of strength, spirit & smarts it takes to be a champion. Well, the U.S. Open Tennis Tournament is underway in New York now through September 9th. Two whole weeks of Roger Federer's grace, Rafael Nadal's animal magnetism, Andy Roddick's intensity and the Williams' Sisters power and style! In fact, Venus and Serena will play back-to-back on opening night tonight. There'll also be a special tribute to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Althea Gibson's barrier-breaking win at the U.S. Open, making her the first black female to take the championship. Happy watching!

Here's the Schedule of Play and the T.V. Schedule for the Open.

Girl Scouting is Great Experience

Did you know that Hillary Clinton, Jackie Joyner Kersee and Nancy Reagan were all Girl Scouts?
n the 95 years since they were founded, the Girl Scouts have become much more than just cookie sellers. Girls have opportunities to learn so many different skills, meet people from all backgrounds and become true leaders. I guess it's not that surprising, considering the words they model their lives on:

Girl Scout Promise and Law

The Girl Scout Promise and Law are shared by every member of Girl Scouting.
The Girl Scout Promise is the way Girl Scouts agree to act every day toward one another and other people, and the Law outlines a way to act towards one another and the world.

The Girl Scout Promise
On my honor, I will try:
To serve God* and my country,
To help people at all times,
And to live by the Girl Scout Law.

The Girl Scout Law
I will do my best to be
honest and fair,
friendly and helpful,
considerate and caring,
courageous and strong,
and responsible for what I say and do,
and to respect myself and others,
respect authority,
use resources wisely,
make the world a better place,
and be a sister to every Girl Scout.

* The word "God" can be interpreted in a number of ways, depending on one's spiritual beliefs. When reciting the Girl Scout Promise, it is okay to replace the word "God" with whatever word your spiritual beliefs dictate.

Girl Scouts of South Florida are holding an informational evening at all Miami-Dade Public Elementary Schools Thursday evening, August 30th, with a big rally September 15th, so everyone can get to know the benefits of Girl Scouts. Click on the link to get more info.

**By the way, it's not just for 'girls'. Adults are invited to be Troop Leaders, an equally rewarding experience!

Still More Recalls

It can't be easy taking toys away from your kids, but it's becoming necessary as a safety measure. There's yet another recall of children's products imported from China that may contain high levels of lead. The recall includes SpongeBob SquarePants address books and journals, as well as Thomas & Fiends and Curious George spinning tops and pails. Here's info from the Consumer Product Safety Commission.

Parenting.com has great guidelines for taking back the recalled toys without upsetting the kids.

Balancing School & Work

School's back in session and there's three times as many things to do. The Miami Herald's Cindy Krischer Goodman offers advice to balance your life.

Back to School Safety

With all the rush and stress of getting school clothes and school supplies and re-arranging your schedule to get the kids to and from school, just a quick reminder about safety. Carmen Caldwell from Citizen's Crime Watch of Miami-Dade offers some tips to keep kids safe in and out of school.

*Make sure your child knows his or her full name, phone number and address, parents' full names and work phone numbers. This is vital information for a police officer if your child is lost.
*Don't place your child's name on a piece of clothing that's visible - it gives a stranger the opportunity to call the child by name, an assumption of familiarity.
*Check with your child's school about emergency policies and procedures so you know what to do in the event of a lockdown.

More tips about child safety.

Tried Energy Drinks?

A slew of energy drinks have been hitting the market lately - I guess good old coffee isn't giving people enough of a jolt anymore. Some of them taste great, some not so great, and some of it is just a matter of personal preference. You'll want to check the ingredients. Some of the energy drinks also have "thermogenic" properties that are supposed to help burn calories - but you want to be careful if you have high blood pressure.

A local company from Delray Beach has one of the newest energy / calorie-burning drinks out, Celsius. And if you want to see what people are saying about all the different brands before you try them, check out these Energy Drink Reviews.

Metrozoo's Baby Kangaroo

You can finally see the newest kangaroo at Miami Metrozoo, now that it's peeked out of mom's pouch. Zoo officials think the baby was born last December, but since baby kangas (or "Joeys" if you're in Australia) keep developing in the pouch for a number of months, they don't know the exact birthdate ... or even the gender of the baby.

In other Metrozoo news, you can now hand-feed the giraffes.

Expanded Toy Recall

Mattel has expanded its toy recall to include some 9 Million toys now. The recalled toys were imported from China. Some were made with paint that has high levels of lead; others have small magnets that could be dangerous if swallowed. Recalled toys include Batman Action Figures and Barbie Play Sets.

Here's the full information from Mattel.

Low Cost Immunizations

School starts next week and kids have to have their immunizations before they can go to class. Low-cost (even free, in some cases) immunizations are available. You can call The Children's Trust Helpline at 211 for information.

Dade County Immunization Sites
Broward County Health Fairs

How to Increase Pay $$

According to a survey by WorldatWork, most employers will be less than generous when it comes to handing out pay raises next year. The average salary increase is expected to be about 3.9% - just slightly above the inflation rate.

However - and this is a big however - you could end up with a nice bonus at the end of the year. Companies say they're budgeting about 12% of payroll to bonuses as a way to reward - and motivate - key employees.

So who's getting the biggest piece of the pie?

*Employees who set specific work goals with their managers
*Those who ask for feedback from superiors
*Workers who document their contributions

Essentially, you need to market yourself to your bosses - but the reward can make the effort worthwile.

Health-Care Info Online

More than 80 percent of Internet users look up information about health and wellness-related issues online. Now, with the help of an advisory board of physicians, a South Florida company is launching a website that allows you to search a database with information on diseases and drugs, as well as a way to find doctors by zip code. Take a look at HealthCare.com. Of course, always check with your own doctor in-person when you're concerned about a health issue.

Get Action on Your Complaint

You know how frustrated you get when you don't get the service you expect, or you buy a product and it's damaged? Then to add insult to injury, some companies give you a hard time getting compensation or replacements.

Experts recommend a few things you can do to ensure satisfaction when you're making a complaint with a company:

1. Put your complaint in writing.
2. Deal with a store manager or owner - someone who has the authority to make decisions.
3. Keep copies of receipts, warranties & other relevant documents.

Here's contact information for some 1500 companies, and a website to check for scams.

Can Community Prevent Crime?

So last night was the National Night Out Against Crime. Residents in communities nationwide were encouraged to turn on their lights and go outside to spend time together. Did you participate in any events in your neighborhood? Do you think the National Night Out is a deterrent against crime, or do you have other ideas that you think would be better? I'd love to hear your feedback!

Slather on the ... coffee?

Remember when eggs were good for you, then bad for you, then good for you again?

It seems that coffee is going the same route. Though we're frequently reminded not to drink more than a cup or two of coffee a day, a new study from researchers at Rutgers University suggests that, along with exercise, having a cup or two of coffee daily can help protect you from skin cancer.

Doctor Allan Conney says more tests are needed to see if the results in mice will be duplicated in humans. He also warns that neither caffeine nor exercise is a substitute for sunscreen. With the National Cancer Institute reporting a million new cases of skin cancer in Americans annually, keep the SPF handy and keep the number high!

Too Little Sleep Linked with Too Much Weight

Being tired isn't the only downside of not getting enough sleep. Evidence continues to show a correlation between lack of sleep and body weight. A recent study showed that people who sleep five hours a night are 73% more likely to become obese than those who sleep seven to nine hours a night.

Why?

It's possible that sleep loss may cause the hormones that control appetite to get out of balance.
Sleep deprivation also affects insulin and blood sugar levels - impacting metabolism and weight.
Another factor is that people reach for food to pick them up when they're overtired.

Other ailments linked to lack of sleep include diabetes, lowered immune system leading to a greater risk of infection, increased risk of colon and breast cancer - and driving while tired has proven to be as dangerous as driving while drunk.

How to get the recommended seven to nine hours of sleep a night?

Here's help from WebMd.

What Would You Do With Your Power If You Were Rich and Famous?

We often hear stories of the rich and famous making exorbitant purchases, spending thousands of dollars on a piece of clothing or multi-millions for giant homes.

Some, however, use their "power" for good.

Look at Bill Gates. He and wife, Melinda, started the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and have donated billions of dollars toward education, health care and medical research in the U.S. and abroad.

Actor Don Cheadle of the "Ocean's 11, 12 & 13" trilogy has become known as one of Hollywood's more socially active stars since his Oscar-nominated role in 2004's "Hotel Rwanda."

In an interview with Reuters, Cheadle talked about using his stardom to promote social causes, and why he got involved.

"I went on a trip with several congressmen and women, Democrat and Republican, and saw with my own eyes what had happened. Talking with people, breaking bread with them, laughing and playing with their kids. Those manufactured walls between who we are melted away really fast. One of the few worthy ancillary benefits of fame and celebrity is to take the focus, when it's put on you, and throw it onto other things."

Cheadle's "Ocean's" co-star George Clooney raises funds to help refugees in Darfur; and Brad Pitt is active with the charitable organization One.org.