Recently in Health Category

The Inland Empire Branch of the International Dyslexia Association will hold its first annual 5K and 1K runs, called Dyslexia Dash, on April 17 at Riverside Fairmount Park. Along with the run, the day's activities will include a Health and Education Fair and a raffle that will include prizes like art work, LA Fitness passes and more.

The goal is to promote and raise awareness about literacy. The IE branch of IDA sponsors free community meetings, provides resources and information to parents, teachers and professionals, as well as individuals with dyslexia and learning disabilities.

What: Dyslexia Dash and health/education fair
Where: Fairmount Park, Riverside
When: Saturday, April 17. Registration for the run begins at 6:30 a.m. 7:30 a.m. 5K run starts; 8:30 a.m. 1K run/walk starts (preregister at www.active.com); 7 a/,/-10 a.m. Health and Education Fair

Warning to moms with infants: The U.S. government is readying a safety warning about baby slings - the cloth infant carriers parents can sling around their chests to carry a baby hands-free.

There have been reports of injuries from falls and suffocation when infants are either held too closely against the body or tangled in clothing.

Inez Tenenbaum, head of the Consumer Product Safety Commission, announced today that her agency is preparing a general warning for the public that will probably be released later this week.

"We know of too many deaths in these slings and we now know the hazard scenarios for very small babies," Tenenbaum said at meeting of the Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association. "So the time has come to alert parents and caregivers."

In 2008, Consumer Reports listed about two dozen serious injuries, most occurring when children fell from the slings. A follow-up blog warned of suffocation risks and linked the slings to at least seven infant deaths. Other product complaints were made prior to these as well.

For more information visit www.cpsc.gov.

-The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Clyde Stewart, a Riverside author and minister, has released a new book, "Life Without the Father," that delves into the role of fatherhood.

In the book, Stewart recounts his experiences as a young black man growing up without a father and shares his experiences as a teenager with a child.

"The book contains spiritual and natural insights that will help men fulfill their responsibilities as fathers," Stewart said. "If a man takes God's perspective on the importance of being a father, knowing he will be the deciding factor in fulfilling a child's destiny, I believe men will view their role in a more serious light."

Published by Tate Publishing and Enterprises, the book is available through bookstores nationwide or at www.tatepublishing.com/bookstore, www.barnesandnoble.com or www.amazon.com.

Stewart worked in the penal institutions of Calif. before starting Stewart's Home for Boys, a community center that helped steer the lives of about 650 juvenile delinquents and more than 100 foster children. He was then called to the ministry and founded San Bernardino Westside Christian Center. Stewart is married with two adult children.

Do you know an extraordinary mom? If so, Ontario Mills wants to know. Nominations are being accepted for very special moms in a program called "Hardest Working Moms," which will recognize and award top candidates at an event that will also raise funds for the American Heart Association.

To nominate a "Hardest Working Mom" visit www.ontariomills.com or call Guest Services at 909-484-8300. The deadline for nominations is April 5. The special event will include a fashion presentation and is slated for May 8 at the Ontario Mills.

Prizes will include a gift basket, gift certificates and more. One honoree will be awarded a $500 Simon gift card.

First 5 Riverside wants proposals to increase availability of quality, accessible and affordable child care in Riverside County.

The First 5 Riverside commission has approved nearly $3 million to expand capacity in places, including the desert area, Hemet, Moreno Valley, Perris and San Jacinto.

The commission is offering grants for development and renovation projects to increase child care spaces for infants and children up to 5 years old. The money isn't for current, ongoing or general operations.

First 5 is a county agency that distributes state tobacco-tax money to early childhood programs, including those for health and child care and education. The money, which began flowing after voters approved Prop.10 in 1998, must be targeted toward programs that benefit infants and children who are younger than 6 years old.

Go to www.rccfc.org for information and grant documents. The application deadline is 5 p.m. on April 5.

The Junior League of Riverside's annual "Kids in the Kitchen" health fair is coming back to Riverside Plaza, for another day of activity booths, stage demonstrations and more.

2009/The Press-Enterprise

Last year's fair saw about 1,000 visitors. See last year's article here.

The 5th annual health fair will kick off Saturday, March 13 at 8 a.m. with a Fun Run and Walk, followed by fair activities from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. All events are free, open to the public and geared towards children ages five to 12.

"We are thrilled to introduce our inaugural Altura Credit Union Kids in the Kitchen Fun Run and Walk around an enclosed route at the Riverside Plaza," said Debbie Caudill, JLR president.

Registration for the walk/run is at 7 a.m. behind Forever 21 and Merrill Ave. Warm-ups begin at 7:45 a.m.

The first 1,000 children to check in at the fair will receive a KITK t-shirt, canvas bag, program materials and an opportunity ticket. There will be 14 hands-on activity booths, including activities such as packing a healthy lunch, a strawberry milk relay, milk can bowling, lemon-lime tic-tac-toe toss and guess the mystery vegetable.

The Ronald McDonald House Charities of Southern California will present a $12,500 check to JLR on the main stage at 10 a.m.

"The grant allows us to provide the community with an educational and fitness-themed event," Caudill said. "We believe the education of our children is the key to making a lasting change in the reversal of current childhood obesity statistics."

There will also be demonstrations by the US Karate Organization Family Training Centers, Stroller Strides, fitness instructor Tracey Pilliter and Realis Gymnastics on the Main Stage throughout the day.

For more information visit http://kidsinthekitchen.ajli.org. To learn more about the Junior League of Riverside visit www.juniorleagueriverside.org.

Every once in a while, kids just crack me up. We were driving to school this morning and my 6-year-old son was munching on a bag of fruit loops in the back seat. I looked back at him while we're at a light and thought, "There's something different. Huh, hair looks good, clothes fine, everything's clean ... Wait! Where's his tooth?"

I yell, "Your tooth is gone!" and instantly his hand and tongue both go to the empty spot to investigate and he gives this huge, gap-toothed grin.

Now, as an adult, I would notice if I had a tooth missing. I'm pretty sure I'd notice immediately. But not this kid. We're unsure if it's tucked away in bed somewhere, lying on the shower floor or currently being digested.

For weeks now it's been hanging by a thread from his gums (despite my pleas to yank that thing out) and I guess it just fell off at some point last night or this morning.

This was the first lost tooth for the little guy, so it was all very exciting. I had to take a phone picture (more with the camera later) and we had to watch him talk and make faces (while displaying the missing tooth).

I'm sure he's shared the big news with pretty much everyone on campus by now. I guess the tooth fairy better be ready for later tonight, although she's probably just getting a note unless that tooth turns up.

Educational videos do not help very young children learn new words, according to a study from the University of California, Riverside.

University researchers studied 96 ethnically diverse children, ages 12 to 24 months, from Riverside and San Bernardino counties. One group was assigned to watch a baby DVD at home, the other was not. Both groups visited the researchers' lab at two-week intervals over a six-week period. Those in the viewing group had their children watch the DVD five times in each two-week period.

The study, "Influences of Digital Media on Very Young Children," found no evidence that the children learned words from the DVDs.

The article's lead author, Rebekah Richert, an assistant professor of psychology, said that although some research suggests children younger than 2 will imitate characters on screen, it is probably not until age 2 ½ to 3 that children's cognitive skills develop enough to experience educational benefits from screen media.

"By the time they get a little older, about 2.5-plus years, programs like 'Sesame Street' and 'Mr. Rogers' do have great benefits, especially in homes in which parents don't have as much free time to spend with their children, or children do not have access to many educational resources," she said.

The study was published online today in the journal Archives of Pediatric & Adolescent Medicine. The work was funded with a $500,000 grant from the National Science Foundation.

--Janet Zimmerman
jzimmerman@PE.com

Life is passion and passion is persistence. The truth is that most dreamers are just flat out stubborn. They won't give up no matter what the odds. And that's not a bad thing, you know. Goal-setters don't let the opposition get in their way. Sure, they take their fair share of hits, just like anyone else, but they get back up, 100 percent of the time.

Dianne Bright

Guest Author

Think of Lindsey Vonn. Her Olympic summary could be described as "She got the gold and fell down a ton," but the part we'll remember the most is that she got the gold. She's a stellar female skier and she knows it. I'm sure there were days when she felt like throwing in the towel, sleeping in, or skipping out on a plane flight for yet one more international competition. But, she didn't give up, not even when she injured her shin and broke her pinky. Instead, she faced her challenges head on.

The violent death of a Riverside toddler last year has spurred a two-county effort to prevent such tragedies by reaching out to women who are having trouble coping after the birth of a child.

Kurt Miller/The Press-Enterprise

Lisa Dryan, at right, started a postpartum depression task force that includes Dr. Mary Molle, left, and parent Dawn Burnett, center.

The Inland Empire Perinatal Mental Health Collaborative will hold its first big community event, a seminar about the dangers of postpartum depression, Tuesday in Rialto. Dr. Diana Lynn Barnes, an expert witness on infanticide, and Dr. Merrill Sparago, a UCLA physician specializing in the treatment of women with postpartum mood disorders, will speak.

The collaborative started after Lori Burchett, 38, of Riverside, was charged in February 2009 with murder and assault on a child resulting in death. Her son, 17-month-old Garrison Burchett, suffered blunt force trauma to the head and a puncture wound to the abdomen, according to the Riverside Police Department. A trial date has not been set.

Perinatal mood and anxiety disorders have been identified in women of every culture, age, income level and race. The term perinatal refers to the period of pregnancy and the first year after a baby is born.

An estimated 15 percent of women will experience moderate to severe symptoms of depression and/or anxiety after giving birth; the percentage doubles among women with low income.

The Riverside County Department of Public Health will give free swine flu vaccinations at Saturday's African American History Month Parade and Expo in Perris.

The vaccination clinic will be 11:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at Foss Field Park at 138 N. Perris Blvd.

Go to www.rivcoph.org/h1n1 or call 211 or 800-464-1123 for information.

-Lora Hines

Remember 'Octomom?' Of course you do, she was just on the cover of one of the magazines showing off her new bikini body. (I only know this from my grocery store line travels).

Well, we're about to get another update on Nadya Suleman when she takes the co-host seat on ABC's "The View" Wednesday, Feb. 24. The octuplets celebrated their first birthdays in January.

Just a refresher for those of you who might've blocked out (or tried to) the story behind the birth of Nadya Suleman's octuplets: She is a single, unemployed mother who chose to have six frozen embryos from previous in-vitro fertilizations transferred despite the fact that guidelines call for a maximum of three. The result was six boys and two girls conceived through IVF. The children are only the second set of octuplets born alive in the United States - and the first to all survive.

Charges of negligence were filed in January with the California Medical Board against her physician in relation to the IVF treatment.

Suleman also has six older children, also conceived through IVF - bringing the total to 14 for the jobless, single mom. Suleman claimed one man was the father and then another later stepped forward stating she had asked for his sperm in the past too. Her mother eventually moved in to help with the children, but then began complaining of Suleman's selfishness.

Suleman made it clear that she hoped to profit from media attention and possibly gain a reality TV show spotlight. Rumors abounded but, correct me if I'm wrong, so far I believe she's mainly had spot appearances here and there.

We'll see what else the Suleman's have been up to Wednesday morning at 10 a.m. PST.

Registration is about to open for San Bernardino County Children and Family Services' 4th Annual Foster and Kinship Youth Sports Faire.

This year's theme will be "Youth Fitness, Community and Higher Education." The fair will take place at San Bernardino Valley College Saturday, June 12 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Registration is open to the first 400 eligible foster and kinship youth ages 11-18 from March 1 through May 14. Registrants should call 909-945-3735 between the hours of 8 a.m.-4 p.m.

Participants will learn the fundamental skills involved in one of six sports clinic of choice based on availability, including football, basketball, baseball/softball, soccer, cheerleading/dance or tennis.

Skills taught do not include physical contact with other players and are meant to encourage youth to be physically active and fit, and to participate in team sports within their communities.

Local athletes from high school and college teams, as well as some professional sports figures will serve as mentors. All sports equipment will be provided and registrant will receive a free lunch, snacks and water, as well as a goodie bag from Children and Family Services, San Bernardino Valley college and community partners.

Foster caregivers can also sign up for a free three-hour training course that provides credits toward Foster Home Licensing requirements. The course will be held during fair hours and will feature topics on children's health, diet, exercise and community collaboration.

For more information about the Foster and Kinship Youth Sports Faire or to become a volunteer call 909-387-7281.

Written by guest author and Marriage Counselor Mitchell Rosen:

As a marriage counselor, I try to help couples navigate through the nightmare of picking up the pieces after an affair. The couples I see know their private business is just that: Private. Not so for Mr. Woods, his wife and children. Their pictures accompanied by vile speculation are plastered on the covers of most magazines that dot the corrider throught my supermarket checkstand.

What stands out for me is this thought: None of this is my business. Whatever issues this family has are best dealt with privately, with voyeurism not allowed. I don't think it's right to comment about what Tiger did or did not do; the only ones who really know are Mr and Mrs. Woods. Everyone else needs to take a step back (in my opinion).

Whether or not his words are sincere I will never know. His actions and future actions will let his family know. The idea that any person has to hold a press conference to attempt to tamp down rampant speculation is sad. Most of us love to see the mighty fall and Tiger is no exception. His fall from among the most admired to the most villified was quick. Few dispute this. But whether or not he can or wishes to salvage his marriage is none of my business.

I cannot imagine what it must be like to be his wife, Hillary Clinton or any of the scores of other betrayed spouses we read about. It can't be pleasant or vindicating. My thoughts go again and again to their children who will inevitably read the gossip magazines' speculation about their parents' marriage and wonder how much may be true? No child, no family should be exposed to this type of scrutiny. Mr. Woods actions have nothing to do with his ability to drive a golf ball and until it does, leave this family alone.

Mitchell Rosen, M.A., is a licensed marriage and family therapist with practices in Corona and Temecula. Contact him at family@PE.com.

The Riverside County Philharmonic has signed on as a participant in the national food drive, "Orchestras Feeding America," developed by the League of American Orchestras in conjunction with the national nonprofit group Feed America, formerly called America's Second Harvest.

Food drives are being organized by orchestra boards of directors, musicians, staff and volunteers in communities around the country throughout the month of March. The Riverside County Philharmonic will be accepting food donations on the day of its next concert - Saturday, March 6 at the Riverside Municipal Auditorium.

"The critical need for food right here in our area was re-emphasized for me when I learned that studies show that one in eight Americans don't know where their next meal is coming from," said Philharmonic president, Betsy Herrick. "We're asking our concert patrons and anyone else who wants to help to bring their food donations to the auditorium. Our musicians, board, staff and volunteers will be on hand with our Second Harvest partners to accept donations."

To thank donors, the Philharmonic will provide two free tickets to the Sunday, April 25 Target Family Series concert, featuring guest artists Time for Three. Ticket vouchers will be distributed as food donations are made at the March 6 concert.

The auditorium is located at 3485 Mission Inn Ave. in Riverside. for more information about the food drive or to arrange to drop off items, call 951-787-0251.

First 5 Riverside is hosting the "Hands-On Health Express" fair Friday, Feb. 19 from 8:30 a.m.-1 p.m. at the ABC Child Care Village, located at 40045 Village Rd. in Temecula.

The free health fair will feature educational activities and resources for families about keeping kids healthy.

Women's' fitness chain Curves will host its annual Curves Food Drive from March 1-31. Each center will collect non-perishable items and monetary donations for food banks.

"At the core of our business is the message that women are stronger when they rally together, and that is the point we hope to bring home with our food drive," said Curves Founder Diane Heavin.

Members who donate a bag of groceries or make a minimum donation of $30 during the month of March will receive a reusable Curves grocery freezer bag. Non-members who donated between March 8 and 20 can join Curves for free.

Curves locations will be competing against one another in the food drive and winners will receive cash prizes to be donated to their local food bank.

"We hope women will come together and participate in this initiative," Heavin said. "There are so many families - right here in our community - who need our help."

For more information about Curves visit www.curves.com.

A perinatal mental health seminar will be held March 2 at the San Bernardino County Department of Behavioral Health's Rialto resource center.

The seminar will be held 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Registration costs $25 and must be received by Feb. 19.

The workshop is designed to help participants recognize and identify possible perinatal mood disorders.

The resource center is at 850 E. Foothill Blvd. in Rialto.

Contact Ivonne Areas at 951-683-5193 for information.

In celebration of National Pancake Day on Tuesday, Feb. 23, IHOP restaurants nationwide are giving away a free short stack of buttermilk pancakes between the hours of 7 a.m.-10 p.m.

Guests are being asked to make a donation to the Children's Miracle Network. The goal is to raise $1.75 million this year, which would equal a total of $5 million over the last five years of pancake day fundraising.

Donations made at any Palm Springs area IHOPs will benefit the Children's Miracle Network program at the Children's Hospital Los Angeles.

To find a participating IHOP visit www.ihoppancakeday.com.

I'm off to wrestle other moms for the last few remaining Valentine's Day cards at Target.

Why do I wait for the last minute like this every year? Tonight the kids and I will lay them all out, sign and attach candy to about 50 cards altogether (bless the teachers for the name lists!) and then the kids can get all sugared up at school tomorrow.

Every year I think how cute it would be to make them by hand. And maybe I'll check the arts and crafts aisle if the Valentine's aisle is a total wasteland. But for you crafty moms out there, Disney's "Family Fun" magazine has some super cute ideas that can be seen here.

I vow to do this earlier next year!