Salem-News.com Family articles Page 28

Extraordinary Measures the Movie: A Discussion by Pompe Disease Support Groups

As a community we hope that this film will lead to a greater awareness of Pompe disease and thereby improved diagnosis of the condition.

(SAN ANTONIO, Texas) - Extraordinary Measures is a new movie scheduled for release in America on January 22, 2010.

Starring Harrison Ford and Brendan Fraser it tells the story of a family struggling with a rare disease-­‐ the neuromuscular condition known as Pompe Disease (aka Acid Maltase Deficiency).

Breast Milk Donations Needed for Haiti Quake Victims

A spokesperson for the group says all breast milk donations are screened and pasteurized before delivery.

(PORTLAND, Ore.) - The World Health Organization and Adventist Medical Center are asking for human breast milk donations to help babies of the Haiti quake, and a Portland, Oregon group is the connection point for those who can help.

The Adventist Medical Center’s breast milk donor depot opened in August 2009 as the only donor depot in Portland, and one of only two donor depots in the Pacific Northwest. It has been the subject of a past Salem-News.com article.

What I Learned This Past Holiday Season

I learned much this past holiday season. Mostly, that I’m a blessed and lucky guy to have the family I have.

(AGOURA HILLS, Calif.) - Every holiday season brings both wonderful times and challenging family situations for most of us, my family included.

This past season included the first visit to our home of my in-laws, the first time my sons and I would be apart, and the first time my wife and I would be apart during this festive time of the year.

Loving Memories of Nan

Elizabeth Kucinich's Moving Tribute to Her Beloved Nan.

(WASHINGTON D.C.) - My cherished Grandmother, Elizabeth Joyce Cosser, whom I love with all my heart, passed away peacefully in her sleep at our family's home in Upminster in the early hours of Saturday morning, 2nd January 2010, after celebrating Christmas and the New Year with us.

Born in Nottinghamshire in 1923, as a youngster her family moved to Blackcap Farm on the South Downs in England, where she grew up a real country girl. The farm was eventually taken over by Canadian troops in WWII and destroyed in target practice.

A Man and His Dogs

Living with man's best friend and dealing with the unexpected circumstances pet ownership brings.

(AGOURA HILLS, Calif.) - When I was a child, my mother brought home a little dog that was so small that she carried it in her purse. The dog was a mixed-breed of Pekinese, Pomeranian, and Chihuahua and my mother named it Su-Su. Fully grown, she weighed maybe 7 pounds.

Su-Su was cute, adorable, and annoying, but I loved her. However, I always wanted a bigger dog. Like Lassie or Rin Tin Tin. Little dogs belong to girls or Paris Hilton, not to men.

When Did I Become the Senior Dad?

Now that I am the senior dad in the family, I'll reinforce tradition, establish others, try and be the best patriarchal figure I can be for my sons and my lovely bride of just one year

(AGOURA HILLS, Calif.) - While walking with a friend the day after Thanksgiving, we shared our respective holiday experiences and noted that we were both now the senior dads--the main paternal figure in our respective families.

We laughed together, but it was a moment of melancholy and reflection, both of which were feelings I had this Thanksgiving.

A Dad, His Son, and D`s and F`s

Will he turn it around before he’s 18? I hope so. Is there more I should be doing?

(WASHINGTON D.C.) - What parent hasn’t dreaded report card time, especially when a child is underperforming? How do two kids, born of the same genetic material, turn out so differently when it comes to school performance and their work ethic?

When is it wrong if the “problem” child gets more attention than the one who gets his work done and maintains good grades?

Random Musings

A ranging view of the ideas circulating in one writer's mind.

(AGOURA, Calif.) - Sometimes there are many ideas fighting for attention in my mind, covering all the subjects I tend to write a column about, but each isn’t worthy of its own full-length coverage.

Consequently, I collect them. So, in no particular order, here are my current random musings.

Mormon Church Supports Nondiscrimination Ordinances for Gay People

In a surprise turnabout move, the Church of Latter Day Saints now backs gay rights.

(SALT LAKE CITY) - The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has declared its support of nondiscrimination regulations that would extend protection in matters of housing and employment in Salt Lake City to those with same-sex attraction.

The Church said the Salt Lake City Council’s new nondiscrimination ordinance “is fair and reasonable” and balances fair housing and employment rights with the religious rights of the community.

Why Sex With a Partner is Better

Oregon research shows why a mate provides an evolutionary advantage over self-fertilization.

(EUGENE, Ore.) - OK, it takes two for human reproduction, and now it seems that plants and animals that can rely on either a partner or go alone by self-fertilization give their offspring a better chance for longer lives when they opt for a mate.

That's the conclusion gleaned from more than 100 mini-evolution experiments involving nematode worms (Caenorhabditis elegans) at the University of Oregon.