Was it OK for Obama to discuss daughters’ weight?

By Kim Margolis | Tuesday, February 9, 2010, 05:29 PM

First lady Michelle Obama is leading a campaign called “Let’s Move” aimed at fighting childhood obesity, a problem she says concerns her both as first lady and as a mom.

One in three American children are overweight or obese, and public health experts say today’s kids are on track to have shorter lifespans than their parents.

In an interview about the issue, the first lady said she became interested in the topic when a pediatrician addressed her daughters’ weight, telling Obama that her daughters’ weight and body mass index were getting ‘off balance.’

Some have criticized the first lady for using her daughters as an example.

They say addressing any weight issues in a girl publicly can be damaging to the girl. Obama, meanwhile, said she is a mother, concerned about her own children’s health and the health of all children.

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Looking for a restroom?

By Kim Margolis | Tuesday, January 26, 2010, 06:29 PM

Are you ever out and find you just have to go? Right now. Or does your son or daughter (or grandmother) have to go? Right now.

There is a website that can locate public restrooms anywhere in the nation.

If you’re a planner, you might put the address in your web-connected phone and be prepared for an emergency.

The address is Tena.US/women. (It works for men, too.)

You’ll be happy if you need it. Not sure the stores will as some of them are bookstores and other businesses which don’t likely think of themselves as public restrooms.

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Did U.S. senator cross line with daughter comments?

By Kim Margolis | Thursday, January 21, 2010, 09:57 AM

You know who’s going to be great fun? This Scott Brown fellow.

He’s already embarrassed his daughters nationally in his acceptance speech after winning a U.S. Senate seat in Massachusetts.

The Associated Press (and now every other media outlet) reported that Brown was thanking followers when he said this about his grown, gorgeous daughters: “Just in case anybody is watching throughout the country, yes, they’re both available,” he said.

“No no, only kidding, only kidding,” he said. And then he corrected himself: Arianna, a premed student, was not available. But Ayla, he repeated, was.

“My jaw dropped,” said Ayla on Wednesday. “I was like, that definitely wasn’t in the script!” (Her jaw did drop. Go on YouTube and watch it.)

Sure Brown’s the guy who could scuttle the federal health care bill, and yeah, that’s kinda interesting and important but he’s now the bumbling reason for a national discussion on daddies who embarrass daughters.

But it’s not even his most entertaining action. In 1982, he posed NUDE, nude I tell you! In Cosmopolitan magazine after being named “America’s Sexiest Man.” A U.S. Senator has posed nude!

Let’s get back to the current discussion: What do you think of his comments? Is he just a regular dad, not a stuff politician? Or is he an insensitive politician not thinking about his daughters?

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Is this the end of marriage?

By Kim Margolis | Wednesday, January 20, 2010, 10:34 AM

We all know the divorce rate continues to increase, but did you know the rate of getting married in the first place has declined?

More couples in committed relationships are choosing to live together, but not seek marriage.

What do you think about that? Is the institution of marriage dying?

Comment here, or better, call Meredith Moss at 225-2440 if you’re such a couple and willing to be interviewed.

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I will never write about first lady’s hair again

By Kim Margolis | Tuesday, January 19, 2010, 05:18 PM

I promise to never write about Michelle Obama’s hair ever again.

Let’s review: Last year, she pinned her hair up at a July event and the world went mad about her chic, new bob.

It was merely pinned up and therefore was neither chic nor a bob.

So imagine my disbelief when it was reported recently that Mrs. Obama really did get her hair cut into a bob. Haven’t we heard this already? In fact, haven’t we as a nation been disappointed by the fact that she did not change her hairstyle.

This time, the first lady confirms it so it is truth, not bobby pins. Much to her credit, she LIKE THE REST OF US considers it not newsworthy.

So I’m going to believe her. It’s not newsworthy now. And in my world it never will be again.

Last year, a sub-industry of journalism cropped up which basically covered Mrs. Obama’s appearance. The Washington Post, a fairly serious publication, even assigned a reporter to cover nothing but the first lady’s looks.

Maybe that was appropriate in her first year. Afterall, this was history and this woman is intriguing.

But it’s time we find her interesting for more than her hair, clothing and arms.

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Conference aims to strengthen your marriage

By Kim Margolis | Friday, January 15, 2010, 11:28 AM

First of all, who even knew there was a happening called Marriage Week?

But indeed the week of Feb. 8-14 is designated as Marriage Week USA 2010, and a local group will offer opportunities to help couples make Marriage Week every week of the year.

The idea of Marriage Week was started in the United Kingdom in 1997 as a way to stabilize and celebrate unions. It came to the United States in 2002 with the same purpose.

In Dayton, it will kick off with a pre-Marriage Week one-day conference on Saturday, Feb. 6. The Marriage Week Conference will take place from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the David Ponitz Center at Sinclair Community College.

The conference will be run by the staff at Marriage Works! Ohio, a local marriage advocacy group, based in Dayton.

The fee for the conference is $25 per couple and includes three workshops and one activity, two boxed lunches and Date Your Mate coupons.

The Date Your Mate idea is to get married couples to go out on the town during Marriage Week to rekindle love and fun.

The conference workshops include:

• Your Finances, Today and Tomorrow

• Parenting: Raising Generation Z

• Sex and Intimacy in Marriage

• For Better or Worse: Dealing with the Unexpected

• Blended Families

The activity options are:

• Learn the Art of Massage

• Salsa Dance Lessons

How to go

Marriage Week Conference Saturday, Feb. 6, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. David Ponitz Center at Sinclair Community College. Cost is $25 per couple For more information or to register, go to http://www.trustmarriage.com/specialevents.php

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Respond to Census, but protect your info

By Kim Margolis | Friday, January 15, 2010, 08:59 AM

It is time for the government to conduct the U.S. Census. Here is what you need to know to participate in the count and also what to do to avoid being scammed by those pretending to be employees of the government.

In March, everyone will get a census form in the mail with 10 questions. It’s this simple: If you fill out the form and mail it back to the U.S. Census Bureau, a Census taker will not come to your home, the bureau says.

If you don’t fill it out, you will get a visit.

It is the law that you have to repond to the Census. It’s not an option

There is more information available at http://2010.census.gov/2010census/index.php. In fact, at that site you will see the 10 questions included in the 2010 Census.

The questions focus mostly on numbers of people in your home, their ages and their race. They do not focus on your finances or other personal information.

You cannot, however, fill the form out online. The Census Bureau says it is exploring that option for the future.

Your protection Census time is also the time unscrupulous people may try to get into your house and into your private information under the guise of being Census takers.

The Census Bureau and the Better Business Bureau say, a legitimate Census employee will: • Have an ID badge with name, expiration date of the badge and a watermark for authentication. Ask the person to show you this information.

In fact, if you wish, you can verify the credentials of a Census worker who shows up at your house, you can call 1-800-331-7363. If you get a phone call, and you want verification, call 1-800-392-6975.

A legitimate Census worker will not:

• Ask for a donation

• Ask for Social Security or banking numbers.

• Contact you via email.

For more information, go to: http://www.bbb.org/us/article/10306.

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