Call for Parents of 3-6 year olds

I just got this from the Carnegie Science Center:

PITTSBURGH — Carnegie Science Center is inviting parents of children ages 3 to 6 to join staff at sessions designed for discussing and brainstorming ideas about programs for youngsters in this age group.

Parents can choose from sessions offered on Tuesday, February 16, or Tuesday, February 23. The sessions are scheduled from 9 to 10 am on both dates.  Parking is free for those attending these sessions, and a light breakfast will be provided.

Parents who register for these sessions can bring their preschool children along. Science Center staff will be on hand to interact with these children in Exploration Station, Jr. during the focus group session. Afterward, registrants and their children can enjoy the Science Center at no charge. Space is limited to the first 15 parents to sign up for each date.

Those who are interested should register online at CarnegieScienceCenter.org. For more information, call 412.237.3306.

Duquesne Light Update

Here’s the latest update from Duquesne Light on progress:

10 p.m. update – 2-7-2010

PITTSBURGH – Duquesne Light crews continue to make significant progress in storm restoration tonight, as 6,400 customers remain without service as of 10 p.m. This is down from a high of 57,000 customers reached Saturday morning.

The heavy, wet snow has caused limbs and trees to break and fall into power lines, causing disruption to customers.  Compounding the problem is road conditions, slowing crews from reaching some areas.

Duquesne Light has also brought in 74 lineworkers from outside the company to help in the storm cleanup.

As restoration efforts continue around the clock, and new cases of trouble are found, Duquesne Light is projecting to have power restored to the largest number of customers by midnight Monday.  The remaining customers out of service should be restored by Wednesday afternoon.

Difficult Weekend

What a difficult weekend!

It took me an extra hour to make it home from work Friday night.  I lost power for most of Saturday.  I shoveled snow for two days trying to dig my car out.  On Sunday the  snow ripped down my gutters and broke my awnings.

I’m starting to understand why the White House nicknamed this storm “Snowmageddon”  I’m also starting to agree with Meteorologist Stephen Cropper. Punxsutawney  Phil is a rodent!

Save a Snowball!

Just got this email from the Carnegie Science Center:

SAVE A SNOWBALL NOW AND NAME YOUR OWN PRICE ON JUNE 21

VISITORS CAN CHOOSE THE AMOUNT THEY WISH TO PAY ON 2010’S SUMMER SOLSTICE BY BRINGING IN A PRESERVED SNOWBALL

PITTSBURGH — This weekend’s snowstorm is arriving in a hurry, and Carnegie Science Center is offering a unique opportunity to capture a bit of winter now, preserve it for a few months, then bring it in—and celebrate the Summer Solstice with a special “Name Your Own Price” Day.  All visitors who make a snowball this winter, save it in their freezer, and bring it in on the first day of summer, Monday, June 21, will be able to choose what they pay for general admission.   In addition to naming their own price, every person who brings a snowball to the Science Center on that day also will be able to launch his or her snowball into the Ohio River from aboard the USS Requin submarine (weather permitting).  Hundreds of snowballs survived the winter and spring of 2009 in freezers throughout the region and beyond, making their way to the Science Center—in coolers, freezer bags, frosty coffee cans, and plastic storage containers, among others.

The Science Center invites all who would like to name their own price for a day to start packing the snow and remember these snowy facts:

• Snow forms from tiny crystals in clouds. Snow is not frozen rain; that’s called sleet.
• Most snowflakes melt before reaching the ground.
• No two snowflakes are identical.
• Each snowflake is made up of two to 200 separate crystals, on average.
• Although it appears white, snow actually is transparent. Snow crystals act as prisms and break up the Sun’s light into the entire color spectrum. The human eye can’t handle that kind of sensory overload, so it is processed as white. If a region’s soil contains more iron, giving it a reddish tinge, snow may appear pink—wind will blow dirt and dust into the atmosphere and clouds, where the snow crystals form initially.

Guest Teaching

I wanted to say thanks to blog reader, Robin, who suggested a cool story for me to cover. I shot that story yesterday… and got to meet Robin… and you’ll see it in a few weeks on Action News.  So thanks for the suggestion and if any of you have ideas for stories please write me a quick note. The email form is on the right side of this page.  All emails come directly to my private email so don’t worry, they won’t show up on this blog.  Or you can always just email me at: mwright@hearst.com.

Last night I had a great time speaking to a University of Pittsburgh class on marketing and public relations.  My dear friend, Sue…. public relations genius…. is teaching and doing a great job.  She wanted me to share how stories make it on the newscast and to describe the various positions in the news department.  We also talked about social media… blogs, Facebook and Twitter… and how its changing the scope of how reporters do their jobs.  I explained to them when I started this blog several years ago I did it because my boss forced me.  I barely knew what a blog was.  I had no idea what to write and was frustrated at the thought.   I started by making fun of what was going on behind the scenes of the newsroom.  But then I started writing about some stories I was covering…. fun trips I was taking…. showing off how hard the photographers worked… then I started including some of the charity events which I would emcee which was so rewarding. Then I started getting feedback from you. How cool!

Blogging is now something I look forward to doing.  It is so nice getting to know the people who are watching the newscast.  I just wanted to say even though I was reluctant to do this…  it is now a joy and I wish I had more time to put into blogging ( but the news deadline is constantly ticking down and I run out of time.)    So know that you’ve made this blogger appreciate how the news is changing and how it’s now possible to have a two way conversation with viewers…. something I never thought would be this easy way back when I was in college.

Ankle Replacement Options

Baby boomers listen up:  You’ll want to hear the story of James Costello.  He is showing my photographer Terry Connell the result of his total ankle replacement surgery. (Click here to watch my report and  Click here for Dr. Stephen Conti’s contact information at Allegheny General Hospital.)

A procedure piloted here in Pittsburgh 13 years ago by Dr. Stephen Conti is allowing patients to still have full range of motion. The traditional fix was called fusion surgery and takes away a lot of the patient’s mobility. Dr Conti is the Director of the Division of Foot and Ankle Surgery at Allegheny General Hospital. He says the need for such surgery is growing as baby boomers are more active and want to stay active into retirement.

Mr. Costello told me his bad ankles forced him to quit his job as a pipe fitter and quit coaching youth football.  But after this total ankle replacement he’s doing well and has joined a gym and spends as much time on the golf course as possible.

Kid Snacks

Thanks for this email suggestion on a healthy kid snack… keep your suggestions coming!
I don’t know that these have a name but my kids love them.

Take a slice of dried beef and put enough fat free cream cheese spread on to cover, wrap around a dill pickle.

Another is banana heads.  Take half of a banana and spread peanut butter on the top half then dip the top in mini chocolate chips for hair and add a couple for eyes and nose.

I hope your weight loss is going well, I just started today as well.

Some of Your Snack Ideas

Kid Friendly Snacks– Banana Dogs:
Sunbutter or Peanut Butter spread on 12 grain bread. Slice a whole banana down the middle and voila!

Cinnamon Apple Bran Mini Muffins Recipe
1 1/4 cups bran
1 cup flour
1/2 cup brown sugar
2 1/2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. cinnamon
1/2 cup milk
1/3 cup vegetable oil
2 eggs
1 apple, peeled and chopped

Preheat oven to 350, grease two mini muffin pans.
Stir together first five ingredients in a bowl.
In seperate bowl, beat together milk, oil, and eggs.
Add milk mixure to bran mixture, stir, then fold in apple.
Spoon into muffin pans cups.
Bake 14 minutes or until done.
20 servings.

Apple Snack Mix
2 cups cinnamon-flavored cereal
2/3 cup dried apple pieces
1/2 cup pistachios
1/4 cup golden raisins
Mix ingredients together in a bowl or zipper bag.

Send Me Your Healthy Snacks For Kids

OK.. once again I need your help.

I’m trying to find lots of kid-friendly snacks that taste good and are low calorie.

There’s a response box on the right side of this page please send it to me.  My blog does not post your emails so don’t worry about that. Your responses just go straight into my private email.  But I might take the best ones and re-post them without your names or email addresses.

Click here to see some snacks that I found online that look pretty good.

Thank You!

Give Blood

I just got this email from the Blood Bank.  If you can help this would be a fun time to give the gift of life!

Dear Donor,

Help Central Blood Bank brighten area lives at a special blood drive on Monday, February 1, 2010! The drive will be at the Senator John Heinz History Center, from noon to 7 p.m. Free parking will be available for donors in the 11th and Smallman Street parking lot.

All participating donors will receive their choice between:
Central Blood Bank/Pittsburgh Penguins T-shirt
“I Bleed Black & Gold” T-shirt
Special-edition WDVE T-shirt

All participating donors will also be entered into random drawings for prizes, including:
Limited-edition autographed Steelers footballs
Steelers hats
Steelers T-shirts

And one lucky donor will win our Grand Prize: a limited-edition Steelers Super Bowl jacket!

To make an appointment, call 412-209-7010. Or click on the link to make your appointment online, through “My Personal Donation History.” You can search for the drive with sponsor code M077!

Date Night

I just got this from the Carnegie Science Center for all parents who need a “date night!”

PITTSBURGH — Carnegie Science Center is offering parents and guardians three more chances to have THEIR night out on the town with its Parents’ Night Out program—while also providing a safe, fun, and educational alternative to finding a reliable babysitter—beginning with Valentine’s Day weekend.

On Saturday, February 13, parents can bring their kids to the Science Center at 5 pm, spend the night as they please, then return at 10 or 11 pm to pick up their kids. Kids enjoy dinner, an Omnimax film, a laser show, a science activity, and time to explore the exhibits.

While their children play at the Science Center, parents can dine at their favorite restaurant, try their luck at the Rivers Casino, watch a ballet or a musical, dance the night away, or simply spend the evening alone.

“It’s so important for parents to keep the romance alive,” said Jessica Lausch, director of Visitor Experience at the Science Center. “For families, this is the best of both worlds. We’ll provide a science- and fun-filled night at the Science Center for your kids while you can go out with your sweetheart or a group of friends to celebrate.”

Two other Parents’ Night Out programs are scheduled for March 20 and May 15.

“Late winter and early spring are wonderful times to get out of the house and experience a night everyone will remember,” said Lausch. “Parents have that rare date-night opportunity while knowing their children are safe and entertained, and the kids get a special night at the ScienceCenter. Springtime gives you the chance to explore new parts of the city, try a new restaurant, or just enjoy a night out before the kids are out of school for the summer.”

Parents’ Night Out programming is designed for children ages 6–12. Cost per child is $35 for Carnegie Museums of Pittsburgh members and $40 for non-members. Normal pick-up time is 10 pm, and those who wish to make the most of their evening can pick up their kids at 11 pm for an additional $10. Pre-registration is required. Parents should call 412.237.1637 to register.

Your Emails

Here is the final email I plan to post from your autism feedback. I just got this one Saturday morning. It makes me smile. Thank you to everyone who helped us understand what autism is, how it impacts all of us, and the need for more services.
I am a senior, majoring in special education.  I have been trying to decide what to get my masters in – after reading some of these letters from parents, I think my decision has been made.  I would like to specialize in Autism.  By law, all children have the right to a free and appropriate education.  Thank you for that little bit of inspiration I was looking for.

Autism Feedback

Your autisim section is great. There is several types of Autisim in the spectrum.  My daughter suffers from Rett Syndrome which is a sever form that mainly effects girls. Explaining that this condition is so verried may make this amazing series even more benifitial to the public.  Before a name conditians are more devastating.

Autism Emails

Michelle;
As a grandmother with an eight year old autistic grandson I want to THANK YOU for your segments so that other people can hopefully understand what we go thru. The looks that I get from people when my grandson has a “meltdown” is heart breaking to me. Don’t they know that yes I wish he would stop screaming and for once just be a “normal” child. I wonder if they would act the same way if they had a child with special needs? I know that people just don’t understand what our families go thru but I hope and pray that by your series it will make at least one person understand a little more and maybe just maybe the looks and whispers ( yes we do hear the whispers)will one stop. Thanks again Michelle.
From a loving NANA.

Infant Autism Study

Click here for information on a local infant autism study.  UPMC is studying infants who an have an older sibling diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder.