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Family Living
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Top national parks for families
Each year, hundreds of millions of people visit the 397 destinations that comprise the country's National Park System. Summer is the ideal time to explore many of these parks, as the kids are out of school and activities in the parks are in full swing. Here are four national parks that are worth putting on your family's ...
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Keeping informed and educated about your health
A diagnosis of cancer can be extremely frightening. Along with the battery of medical tests, patients are often faced with an overwhelming amount of information to absorb, covering everything from disease information, treatment decisions to financial implications. This fear of the "unknown" is often the worst part of any cancer diagnosis. In order to cope, patients often rely heavily on their doctors and support groups to help them translate the enormous amount of medical information into lan...
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Start early when talking with children about staying smoke free
Sometimes negative influences and unhealthy choices keep children from growing up to their healthiest potential. Choosing to smoke is one of these unhealthy decisions. So how do you help protect your children from these influences and encourage them to make healthy choices?
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Use gravity to grow with kids
Gardening creates fun and learning experiences through planting and cultivating seeds for small children who are inquisitive about everything. Feed their curiosity by growing with gravity.
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Step into summer with tips for family fun in the sun
Summer days do not have to be lazy. Children may be used to action-packed schedules in school, but by stepping up their planning, families can enjoy outdoor activities that are engaging and help keep children active. Whether camping or simply exploring the park down the street, it's important to plan ahead for summer fun...
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Medication-free ways to relieve morning sickness
The moment you've dreamed about has arrived, and the pregnancy test reads "positive." Congratulations! During the first months of your pregnancy you'll probably experience joy, excitement and anticipation - and, unfortunately, morning sickness too. Fortunately, if you're experiencing morning sickness, there are natural, ...
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Keep kids injury free while playing their favorite sports this summer
Summer vacation gives children a break from schoolwork, but for many, their participation in sports will continue in warm weather months. Parents, coaches and players need to keep injury prevention in mind to ensure sports stay safe and fun throughout the summer.
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Great gifts to make this Father's Day one to remember
What do you get the man who's done everything for you - from spending sleepless nights changing dirty diapers to trading in his muscle car for a minivan - but asked nothing in return? This year, start paying dad back for all he's done by making Father's Day the best yet with these surefire gift ideas.
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Summer allergies: Fact or fiction?
Allergens know no boundaries, and allergies don't disappear with May's showers. While bothersome grass pollens are gone by late June, other common triggers arise, making symptoms difficult to escape. But that doesn't mean the more than 60 million Americans who suffer from allergies and asthma can't enjoy barbecues, festi...
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Gift ideas for the handyman
For some families, the local handyman never gets a call because the right man for the job is already at home ready to tackle do-it-yourself (DIY) projects. Show him that his hard work around the house has not gone unnoticed. Whether it's for Father's Day, or any other occasion throughout the year, here are a few gift ide...
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Savings bonds: Give the gift of a bright future
They're the same bonds you remember getting as a child, but with a digital twist. U.S. Savings Bonds are making a comeback, just in time for the graduation and wedding gift-giving season.
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Summer games in the garden
The sun is shining, birds are singing, butterflies are darting from colorful flower to colorful flower ... and children across the country are complaining about being bored. Eliminate this by taking advantage of the weather. Get the family outside and interact with nature.
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national news
Boy Scouts of America set to vote on gay youth ban

Boy Scouts statue titled Trail to Manhood outside the National Scouting Museum in IrvingBy Marice Richter GRAPEVINE, Texas (Reuters) - The Boy Scouts of America will vote on Thursday on a proposal to remove its ban on openly gay scouts that has been in place throughout the organization's 103-year history. The vote by more than 1,400 delegates comes amid intense lobbying by gay-rights activists and members of conservative organizations. The proposal would not remove the organization's ban on gay adult leaders. Representatives from both sides have rallied in Grapevine, Texas, near Dallas, where the scouting organization is hosting its national annual meeting. ...


Thu May 23 11:36:01 UTC 2013
Hundreds mourn Oklahoma tornado victim, schoolgirl who liked to sing

Mourners leave the first memorial service for a child killed by the tornado that struck Plaza Towers elementary school in Oklahoma CityBy Heide Brandes OKLAHOMA CITY (Reuters) - Hundreds of people gathered in stormy weather on Thursday to mourn a 9-year-old girl who loved to sing, dance and paint, as funerals began for 24 victims of a massive tornado that obliterated whole sections of Moore, Oklahoma. Antonia Lee "Tonie" Candelaria was one of seven students killed at Plaza Towers Elementary when a tornado packing winds of 200 miles per hour slammed into the building on Monday afternoon just before school was to have let out. Plaza Towers and another elementary school in the path of the tornado did not have storm shelters. ...


Thu May 23 12:00:59 UTC 2013
Immigration bill gets Senate boost; House effort teetering

Candidates hold U.S. flags during a naturalization ceremony to become new U.S. Citizens at Convention Center in Los AngelesBy Richard Cowan WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Supporters of U.S. immigration reform are hoping that the smooth and drama-free passage of their legislation through a Senate committee - a departure from almost everything that has happened in Congress over the past four years - will boost the likelihood of the bill winning full Senate approval. Even Senator Charles Grassley of Iowa, the senior Republican on the Judiciary Committee who voted against the immigration bill on Tuesday, told Reuters TV that the "very fair" debate by the panel "does improve its chances. ...


Wed May 22 17:29:42 UTC 2013
‘Extremely active’ hurricane season expected in 2013
A year after Superstorm Sandy, residents along the Atlantic and Gulf coasts should prepare for "an extremely active" hurricane season in 2013, U.S. forecasters say. There will be between three and six major hurricanes this year with winds above 111 m.p.h., according to the 2013 hurricane outlook unveiled by the National Oceanic And Atmospheric Administration's [...]
Thu May 23 12:56:38 UTC 2013