THE NEVERENDING STORY: 30TH ANNIVERSARY EDITION
Reel Review: 4 of 5 Reels Rated PG for frightening scenes | On Blu-ray 10/07 | Ok for Kids 8+ Young Bastian Bux (Barret Oliver) loves to escape from his troubled life in a dusty old bookstore. When the store owner tells him not to look at the book “The NeverEnding Story,” that’s his invitation to look through the pages, where he’s drawn into the book and... Read More
Holistic Veterinary Medicine for Fido and Fluffy
Holistic veterinary medicine is becoming an increasingly popular choice among pet owners who are willing to entertain alternative treatments for illnesses that strike their beloved fur ball, such as diabetes, stress, pain, arthritis, and other ailments. Holistic care is defined by Webster-Merriam Dictionary as: “relating to or concerned with wholes or with complete systems rather... Read More
Em‘brace’ Your Child’s First Orthodontic Visit
Just when you think you’ve mastered the tooth fairy’s visitation schedule, you realize that your child may need to see the orthodontist. The American Association of Orthodontists recommends an orthodontic screening at age 7. “By this age, several permanent teeth in most children have erupted, allowing an orthodontist to effectively evaluate orthodontic conditions,” explains... Read More
BARBIE & THE SECRET DOOR
Reel Review: 4 of 5 Reels Not rated | On DVD 9/16 | Ok for kids 3+ It’s the ultimate fairytale musical! Barbie stars as Alexa, a shy princess who discovers a secret door in her kingdom and enters a whimsical land filled with magical creatures and surprises. Inside, Alexa meets Romy and Nori, a mermaid and a fairy, who explain that a spoiled ruler named Malucia is trying to take... Read More
Local Dad Champions Healthy Snacking
Central Florida schools spent the summer preparing to comply with the new federal mandate that requires pre-set limits on the amount of calories, sugar, fat, and sodium contained in food items available for students to purchase from vending machines, a la carte food lines, school stores, and fundraisers. Part of the Healthy Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010, the “Smart Snacks in School”... Read More
ESCAPE TO GRIZZLY MOUNTAIN
Reel Review: 3.5 of 5 Reels Not rated | On DVD 8/12 | Ok for kids 7+ When Jimmy witnesses the mistreatment of a carnival’s performing bear, he sets out to rescue him. Discovering a magical cave that opens a portal in time, he travels back to the 1840s to enlist a mountain man’s aid in finding a safe and happy home for his ursine friend. This is a delightful fantasy-adventure... Read More
COSMOS: A SPACETIME ODYSSEY
Reel Review: 5 of 5 Reels. TV-PG. On DVD/Blu-ray 6/10. Ok for kids 7+. Where do fun, fascination, and education meet? At the intersection of “COSMOS: A SpaceTime Odyssey.” Hosted by renowned astrophysicist Dr. Neil deGrasse Tyson, this 13-part adventure transports viewers across the universe of space and time, bringing to life never-before-told stories of the heroic... Read More
THE WHEELS ON THE BUS: A DAY ON THE FARM
Reel Review: 5 of 5 Reels. Not rated. On DVD 6/03. Ok for kids 3+. Wait, what?! Roger Daltrey is the voice of Argon the Dragon? Yes, it’s true! The WHO frontman has come a long way since rocking stadiums in the 1960s. That’s just one of the fun aspects of this musical adventure featuring Papaya, the fun-loving monkey, and his toucan friend, Mango, as they visit a farm,... Read More
CURIOUS GEORGE: THE COMPLETE 7TH SEASON
Reel Review: 4 of 5 Reels Not rated. On DVD 6/03. Ok for kids 3+. The curious little monkey is back with animal friends in this collection that includes all 12 episodes of season seven. From Australia down under to his own backyard, join George as he discovers the colorful wildlife and habitats surrounding him. The PBS KIDS show, which has won two Daytime Emmy Awards, continues... Read More
THE ADVENTURES OF BATMAN: THE COMPLETE SERIES
Reel Review: 4 of 5 Reels. Not rated. On DVD 6/03. Ok for kids 6+. Ahhh…the good old days when cartoons were cartoons, not grownup stories masquerading as kids’ fare. Even better, “The Adventures of Batman” shorts included as part of “The Batman/Superman Hour” in 1967 featured over-the-top characters and catchy music, giving it a realistic look... Read More
THE FAULT IN OUR STARS
Reel Review: 5 of 5 Reels Rated PG-13 for thematic elements, some sexuality, and brief strong language. | On DVD/Blu-ray/Digital 9/16 | Ok for kids 13+ Hazel (Shailene Woodley) and Gus (Ansel Elgort) are two teenagers who share an acerbic wit, a disdain for the conventional, and a love that sweeps them on a journey. Their relationship is all the more miraculous given that Hazel’s... Read More
Special Update on Special Needs
Autism Diagnosis is Rising? According to the Centers for Disease Control, about 1-in-68 children are diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), a group of developmental disabilities that can cause significant social, communication, and behavioral challenges. The number of U.S. children with ASD has soared approximately 30% in the past 2 years. ASD is almost 5 times more common... Read More
Tips for Healthy, Happy Travel
Using discretion and common sense, I eat and drink whatever I like when I’m on the road. By following these basic guidelines, I never once suffered from Tehran Tummy or Delhi Belly. Take precautions on the flight. Long flights are dehydrating. I ask for “two orange juices with no ice” every chance I get. Eat lightly, stay hydrated, skip coffee or alcohol,... Read More
THE PIRATE FAIRY
Reel Review: 4 of 5 Reels Rated G. On DVD/Blu-ray 4/01. Ok for kids 4+. From the world of Peter Pan comes “The Pirate Fairy,” a swashbuckling new adventure about Zarina (voiced by Christina Hendricks), a smart and ambitious dust-keeper fairy who’s captivated by Blue Pixie Dust and its endless possibilities. When Zarina’s wild ideas get her into trouble, she flees... Read More
THE DOG WHO SAVED EASTER
Reel Preview: 4 of 5 Reels. Rated PG for some rude humor. On DVD 4/08. Ok for kids 5+. It’s Easter and everyone’s favorite K-9 is back! The Bannisters are heading out on a family cruise and sending Zeus to doggie day care. Everything goes according to plan until the daycare’s crosstown rival hires a trio of crooks to sabotage the fledgling business. Zeus will make... Read More
Certified Midwives Deliver In-Home or In-Hospital Birth Options
When Shauna Nobile became pregnant with her son Miles, now 3, she decided to pursue a natural homebirth with a midwife. The Port St. Lucie teacher had recently watched The Business of Being Born, a documentary comparing various childbirth methods, and, despite having received fertility treatment from an obstetrician, she sought care from Angela Love, a Treasure Coast certified... Read More
STRAWBERRY SHORTCAKE – BERRY BIG HELP
Reel Rating: 3.5 out of 5 Reels MPAA Rating: Not rated; Ok for kids 3+ Released on DVD: Feb. 18, 2014 Buy It: CLICK HERE Genre: Preschool, Animated Runtime: 88 minutes Cast: Sarah Heinke Official Site: www.hasbro.com/strawberryshortcake SYNOPSIS: “Strawberry Shortcake: Berry Big Help” includes three episodes from the sweet TV series: “Babysitter Blues,”... Read More
Early Learning is for a Lifetime
The academic success of early learners depends on their level of readiness to participate in rigorous kindergarten programs, according to experts at Orange County Public Schools (OCPS). When young students reach kindergarten, they will be challenged on a daily basis in all academic areas. In fact, some experts call kindergarten the “new first grade.” That’s why children who... Read More
Sustain a Health Lifestyle with Sustainable Agriculture
Sustainable agriculture, as defined by SustainableTable.org, is the production of food, fiber, or other plant or animal products using farming techniques that protect the environment, public health, human communities, and animal welfare. In other words, sustainable agriculture produces healthier food without compromising future generations’ ability to do the same.... Read More
The Change: Female vs. Male Menopause
The Change: Female vs. Male Menopause It is commonly known that females undergo a “change” in hormones with a typical onset that occurs later in life. This transformation usually ensues rapidly and may continue over the course of a few years. Recently, scientific interest surrounding the possibility of a male form of menopause has increased. Could men experience similar “changes?”... Read More
LEAVE IT TO BEAVER: SEASONS ONE & TWO
Reel Review: 5 of 5 Reels. Not rated. On DVD 1/07. Ok for kids 7+. Watch this iconic TV show on DVD, and soon your family will be quoting lines like, “That’s a pretty dress, Mrs. Cleaver.” Look, there’s not much on TV that qualifies as true family fare that everyone can watch together; but this one does. The cast includes Jerry Mathers as Theodore “Beaver”... Read More
