Salem-News.com Family articles Page 34

Can Muslims Celebrate Mother`s Day?

After God, my mother has been the source of my strength, my success, my life-force. Everything I am I owe to her. She taught me how to be a man; how to be a husband; how to be a father; how to be a son.

(SALEM, Ore.) - There was a time in my life when I thought Mother's Day to be a holiday of the "infidels," not worthy of celebration by a Muslim. Time and wisdom have taught me otherwise. Mother's Day is an American cultural practice that is wholly consistent with Islam's principles.

After God, my mother has been the source of my strength, my success, my life-force. Everything I am I owe to her. She taught me how to be a man; how to be a husband; how to be a father; how to be a son.

Oregon `New Sanctuary Movement` Organizes Mothers Day Vigil at NW Detention Center

The group will gather at the facility in Tacoma, Washington.

(PORTLAND, Ore.) - On May 9th, the Washington and Oregon New Sanctuary Movement coalitions will join together with immigrant rights, labor groups and immigrant families, in a Mothers Day vigil outside the Northwest Detention Center in Tacoma, Washington, a privately-run holding facility for immigrants awaiting trial in an immigration court or deportation.

Human rights abuses at immigration detention centers around the nation have been the focus of several recent reports, including one conducted by Seattle University School of Law and several partner organizations.

Salem`s Broadcast Television Station, KSLM-TV, Now an RTN Affiliate

The stations still aren't on the Salem cable system, which is a shame for local residents, but KWVT and KSLM are broadcasting great local TV for the Salem, Oregon area.

(SALEM, Ore.) - KSLM-TV, the Salem area's newest television station, is pleased to announce it has reached an affiliation agreement with Retro Television Network, RTN.

Affiliation with RTN will provide quality of entertainment programming for the local television viewer – programming not available on any other broadcast stations.

Am I A Selfish Parent?

We give in to our children’s whims and complaints too easily. Sometimes, we as parents need to take care of our needs.

(AGOURA, Calif.) - It’s high time I wrote a column that stirs some reaction, creates some controversy, and isn’t so sweet and nice.

No gratitude for surviving what should have been a deadly car crash, no treatises on the values of volunteering, or even about the importance of spending more quantity time with your kids.

Paving The Way

What values are we teaching kids or do we teach them at all?

(AGOURA, Calif.) - Where do our kids get their values? Are you comfortable with the values they learn in public school?

How about on MTV, cable or other television? Are reality shows actually reality? Do you think modern music teaches them about love and romance? Maybe going to the movies is better and seeing Academy Award winning movies like “Slumdog Millionaire,” or “Departed” will teach them right from wrong?

African Reflections, Part Two: The Cat and the Hat (SLIDESHOW)

I'll ultimately devote a specific column to sibling rivalry, but this one will focus on the insidious way in which my boys can play one parent against the other.

(AGOURA, Calif.) - One of the most endearing experiences we had on our African safari and honeymoon was no, not all the mating animals we coincidentally encountered, but a playful incident among lion cubs.

As I mentioned in Part One of my African Reflections, we were fortunate to find the same lioness we had witnessed earlier during her mating. After finishing those obligations and, starving, she had made a kill and was eager to eat.

A Dad`s Point of View

Lessons of a big brother and mentor.

(AGOURA, Calif.) - One of the clichés about volunteerism is the fact that you often get more than you give. In my case, it was in ways and means I least expected.

I’ve just become a Big Brother, again, to a 7-year-old boy and a Mentor to a 22-year-old young man. As these relationships are new, I don’t yet know what lessons I will learn. But, I know well the lessons I learned the first time around.

Steppin`

Say hello to my family members, GuitarHero, Jughead and ShortRib. Our dogs are Simon, Charlotte, and Tache (that’s French for “Spot”).

(AGOURA, Calif.) - The ‘50s ideal of the nuclear family is clearly a thing of the past as most statistics readily confirm. Divorce is rampant and the definition of family is undergoing constant scrutiny and redefinition.

For my family, we’ve been dealing with a new Step-Mom, as I just got married, this past December...

Friends and Interests

Sometimes it is hard to know when to intervene in your kid's life.

(AGOURA, Calif.) - As the rumbling train of time speeds along, with my boys growing up, I marvel at the different jobs we parents have throughout their lives. Early, of course, it’s basic survival from feeding to changing.

Later, it’s learning many “firsts”, including first steps, words, and that big one, naturally; first time on the toilet all by yourself! Along the way, we try and expose them to our particular favorite interests and teach them our moral values.

Men Need Support Too

Resources can help men identify what is important, make clear declarations, and establish principles to live by.

(AGOURA, Calif.) - Do men really have good support? When a man reaches a certain age and he’s depressed, he’s struggling with his place in the world, he’s going through a divorce, etc.etc., where can he turn? Add into the mix that he’s a single Dad and has no immediate family around and you have me, a few years ago.

I was blessed to find a circle of men, when I first got separated, that supported and guided me through the horrible ups and downs that followed.