BOOT CAMP FOR NEW DADS

Since babies don't come with instruction manuals, the challenges of being a new dad can sometimes be overwhelming. To help ease the transition, the Parenting Center of St. Tammany Parish Hospital has launched a program to help first-time fathers adjust to their new role.

"Boot Camp for New Dads" is a three-hour workshop that addresses such issues as diaper changing, breast feeding and caring for mom. And who better to teach the new recruits than other dads! By sharing their personal experiences, veterans are able to equip the new fathers to care for a new baby.

The innovative program began in 1990 as a volunteer pursuit by Greg Bishop of Irvine, California, who at the time was welcoming his third child into the world. It uses a man-to-man training approach based upon the best traditions of sports and military organizations, in conjunction with a very soft side, since veteran dads bring their own babies to the class.

The experiences of more than a thousand boot camp graduates provide the course content and also dispel a variety of myths that persist about fatherhood. The program prepares men to be dads in all respects, beginning with holding and comforting a real baby. Veteran dads demonstrate burping, diaper changing, and swaddling-and offer a "trouble shooter's guide" to crying babies and other concerns. New fathers explore a broad range of topics, including bonding, work hours, forming a parenting team, safety, preventing child abuse, dealing with relatives and more. The strongest emphasis is placed on providing the tremendous support needed by new moms.

Classes are held at the Parenting Center at 1505 N. Florida Street, Suite B in Covington. For registration information, contact Robbie Voorhies at 898-4643.

KUDOS TO THE ARTIST

Congratulations are in order for Harriet Blum. The northshore photographer was recently commissioned by the new Loews New Orleans Hotel to provide more than 1,000 prints of eight original hand-tinted photographs for the luxurious 21-story hotel.

The images, selected by Roger Ogden of the Roger Ogden Museum of Southern Art, reflect Blum's signature photographic style. Blum creates her ethereal imagery using an older-model Nikon camera and infrared film. She develops and prints the images herself, then delicately hand-tints each original using transparent oils.

The artist's work is found in various collections, including the New Orleans Museum of Art, the Roger Ogden Museum of Southern Art in New Orleans, the Mobile Museum of Art in Alabama, and the Field Museum of Natural History in Chicago.

ADOPT A GREYHOUND

I visited a northshore bookstore recently to browse the selection, but was instead instantly enthralled with the store's afternoon guests. Several members of the Louisiana chapter of Greyhound Pets of America were there with their loyal companions to further the worthy cause of greyhound adoption.

Greyhound Pets of America is a nationwide organization of volunteers dedicated to finding responsible, loving homes for professional racing greyhounds who no longer qualify to compete at the racetrack.

Unfortunately, all too many of the racing hounds are put down once they've outlived their usefulness on the track. Most of the greyhounds available for adoption are quite young, some under the age of two, with others a mere four or five years old.

With so many good years to provide loyal companionship and unconditional love, the greyhounds are dependent upon the GPA's efforts for placement with responsible pet owners. Potential owners must complete an application and agree to provide an overall safe and healthy environment and continuing medical care for their dog.

GPA places greyhounds as indoor pets only, not as yard dogs. It is imperative that greyhounds be leashed at all times when outside in unconfined areas. Because these pets are sight hounds, their keen vision creates an instinctive urge to RUN, much more so than other breeds.

Avid dog lover that I am, it doesn't take much for me to be smitten with any breed of canine, whether pedigreed or Heinz 57. I was immediately taken with the gentle manner of these graceful animals and their enjoyment of the many children and adults who were taking advantage of the opportunity to pet them. The greyhound's devotion to man is legendary, and, in adoption, the animals appear grateful for the new, more contented lifestyle and reward their owners with never-ending affection.

Most of the animals that are placed in Louisiana and Mississippi by GPA Louisiana come from racetracks in either Alabama or Florida. Once the dogs are retrieved from the track, they are immediately taken to a local veterinarian who performs a thorough examination and administers all necessary tests and inoculations. Spaying and neutering is also included. Adopters must pay a nominal adoption fee of $175 to offset the dogs' medical care and minimal program expenses.

The GPA's commitment to its greyhounds is life-long, and greyhound owners enjoy a special camaraderie with other members of the organization. Should a situation ever arise where the owner can no longer care for an animal, the organization will step in to find a new home.

For additional information on owning a greyhound, please contact the director of GPA Louisiana, Judi McGovern, at 893-0966, call toll-free at (800) 366-1472, or visit their website at houndsabound.org.

Accolades for
Author Jason Berry

The latest book from New Orleans author Jason Berry, "Vows of Silence: The Abuse of Power in the Papacy of John Paul II," is a revealing and detailed account of the continuing crisis in the Catholic Church.

A long-time advocate for uncovering the truth, Berry, along with co-author Gerald Renner, devoted six years of research and hundreds of interviews to the controversial topic. The resulting work raises critical issues for people of all faiths. Both Berry and Renner are lifelong Catholics and respected journalists whose writing careers have focused on a variety of subjects. Their best-known works, however, have evolved from exhaustive research of the clergy sexual abuse crisis and the ensuing cover-up.

Says Carl Cannon, White House correspondent for National Journal, "‘Vows of Silence' is a must read- investigative journalism at its best, tracking abuses that were decades in the making and go far beyond the American clergy, with responsibility at the highest levels of the Vatican. Jason Berry and Gerald Renner are tough-minded, but fair; the book is painstakingly researched, beautifully written and gives sweeping historical context on issues of specific, current relevance. If this were fiction, it would be a chilling narrative. Alas, it's contemporary human history, brought to you by the two American authors who know more about this subject than anyone else writing about it."

Berry has published five books, including the highly praised "Lead Us Not Into Temptation: Catholic Priests and the Sexual Abuse of Children." He writes for many publications and is a frequent book reviewer for the Chicago Tribune. A former consultant to ABC News, Berry has been interviewed on "Oprah," "Nightline," "Good Morning America," CNN and various network programs.

RE-LEAF SLIDELL

This year, approximately 300 new trees will appear along Pontchartrain Drive in Slidell, thanks to the efforts of the city and the Rotary Club of Slidell Northshore. The project honors the Centennial Celebration of Rotary International and partners with Mayor Ben Morris' Shades of Green beautification program.

A citywide search is underway for private individuals and businesses interested in investing in a more beautiful Slidell by sponsoring one or more trees. Says project chair Jack Rowley, "What better way to impact the community than by offering all citizens the opportunity to contribute to environmental and beautification efforts within their city? Trees reduce stress, attract business, promote tourism and draw communities together."

With 300 trees needing sponsors, the Re-Leaf Slidell committee is hard at work. For a $300 fee, tree sponsors will receive a letter of recognition, an official certificate noting participation, acknowledgement on a beautiful plaque that will be permanently displayed with the city, a 501c(3) tax exemption, and the satisfaction of contributing to making the city a more beautiful place to live. Sponsorship fees also cover the cost of each individual tree, supplies required for planting, replacement cost if necessary, and an ongoing maintenance program provided by the city to ensure that each tree will continue to flourish for future generations.

Individuals, families, schools, community groups and businesses are invited to participate. Simply request an order form by calling Robert Baker at 641-6200, or visit www.EarthDayNorthshore.com.

Make A Difference In A Young Person's Life!

Volunteer host families, with or without children, are needed to share a unique experience by providing a caring home environment for international exchange students for the upcoming 2004-2005 fall semester or academic year.

The 15-to-18-year-old students speak English, have spending money and medical insurance. Host families provide a bed, meals, friendship, understanding, and a genuine desire to share the American way of life. The students arrive in August and attend the high school school closest to their host family's home or a private high school. Families are able to review student applications and select the student they feel will be the best match for them.

The SHARE! High School Exchange Program is sponsored by Educational Resource Development Trust, a non-profit educational foundation celebrating 30 years in international student exchange. For more information, call Yvette Coffman at (800) 941-3738, or visit www.sharesouthwest.org.

Copyright 2004-2006, M&L Publishing, all rights reserved.

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