DEAR MARIANN: Recently I have noticed the increasing number of “play areas” for children, especially at shopping malls and several fast-food restaurant locations. Since these are not supervised by a mall worker or restaurant employee, it alarms me to see so many kids unattended. What is your advice to parents regarding this?
DEAR MARIANN: We have a lot of neighbors who own dogs, and most all of them seem to be responsible about picking up their waste as the animal and owner walk nightly. However, it is becoming increasingly obvious that at least one such dog walker disregards the common courtesy of clean-up, with a regular deposit in my yard from a rather large dog. Any suggestions as to how we as a neighborhood might address this problem? The evidence is obvious, but the culprit is not.
DEAR MARIANN: We have a lot of neighbors who own dogs, and most all of them seem to be responsible about picking up their waste as the animal and owner walk nightly. However, it is becoming increasingly obvious that at least one such dog walker disregards the common courtesy of clean-up, with a regular deposit in my yard from a rather large dog. Any suggestions as to how we as a neighborhood might address this problem? The evidence is obvious, but the culprit is not.
Unquestionably 2012 was a challenging year, starkly confirmed by newly-released American Red Cross statistics. The organization responded to 113 large-scale disasters in 42 states and U.S. territories through Dec. 1, 2012. My appreciation for this long-enduring service organization has increased exponentially. Primarily staffed by volunteers who often travel long distances from home for extended time providing aid to those felled by tragedy, it was founded in 1881 by American philanthropist Clara Barton. Our nation has endured hell this year. Thankfully the majority of us survived, even though we are potentially impacted forever by several of these heartbreakingly memorable events.
The Grinch has stolen Christmas this year. I have lost all enthusiasm for lighting the tree, decorating, or wrapping gifts as in years past. My heart is broken from the Dec. 14 event in Newtown, Conn. I remember exactly my late-afternoon location when first hearing news of this catastrophe, adding to my collection of memories for history-making, mostly tragic occurrences.
DEAR MARIANN: This past week, our 11-year-old son told us some children at school had called him “gay.” He is hurt that his classmates are calling him this, but we are not even sure he knows the implications of this term. Our son seems so young and innocent to us. How do we handle this with him and with the school, without blowing it out of proportion?
DEAR MARIANN: We live in a nice neighborhood, but have a rental property on our street where the resident seems to miss the point that front and side yards are for landscaping, not piled with trash and used furniture. We don’t want to cause a stir, or seem judgmental, but we would like to approach this neighbor, or her landlord, to express our concern. What’s the best way to do that?
DEAR MARIANN: I am a salon owner with several stylists and am proud of the reputation I have built with an established clientele. One of my staff has become lax in work ethic, often running behind schedule and keeping customers waiting. How do I approach this without alienating this employee?