Apple⢠Coco⢠Phinneas and Hazel⢠Apparently, Hollywood parents haven't read Joe Borgenicht's latest parenting book, "What Not to Name Your Baby" (Simon Spotlight Entertainment, $7.95).
The book offers nearly 1,500 offbeat names, along with pronunciations and popular meanings. For instance: Name a boy Ajax, and people will think "cleaning agent."
The author says no-no names include anything with a weird spelling (Genni, Jho, Jawn), grandma/grandpa names (Marvin, Irving, Ethel), mall monikers (Timberland, Armani) and "Bart Simpson Prank Callers" (Jacques Strap).
Look for care givers who encourage reading
When shopping for child care, remember that reading to kids improves their language skills. Conversation also boosts their verbal proficiency.
Penn State Cooperative Extension urges parents to look for care givers or day care programs that offer the following:
- Regularly scheduled reading periods, plus opportunities to look at books.
- A special place for reading and writing activities.
- Books and writing materials within easy reach.
- A care giver who points out printed words on everyday items.
More information, for both parents and child care givers, is available at www.betterkidcare.psu.edu or by calling the Penn State Cooperative Extension Better Kid Care office at (800) 452-9108.
Ross Park event to offer details on summer camps
Parents who want to learn more about places to send their children for summer camp can attend a free fair on Saturday at the Ross Park Mall.
The All Abilities Camp Fair is scheduled from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Exhibitors will have information for camps in Western Pennsylvania designed for children of all abilities and age groups.
FamilyLinks and the Advisory Board on Autism and Related Disorders is sponsoring the event.
Details: (800) 827-9385.
Donated children's books will go to underprivileged kids
Borders Books & Music is asking for donations of children's books, which the store will give to Pittsburgh-area underprivileged children.
New and gently used children's books can be taken to any of the three Pittsburgh-area Borders locations between Friday and Feb. 20. Details: Monroeville, (412) 374-9772; Ross, (412) 635-7661; Bethel Park, (412) 835-5583.
Project Prom's wish list includes tuxes, gowns
The Allegheny County Department of Human Services and The Parental Stress Center once again are sponsoring Project Prom.
In its first two years, Project Prom has collected more than 2,000 gowns and a few tuxedos to help nearly 150 students attend their proms. The community is asked to help by donating old gowns, tuxedos, shoes and accessories.
This year, the sponsors also are hosting a Prom Primpin' Workshop to give hair and makeup tips for girls, and style tips for the boys. The workshop is scheduled for April.
Clean, undamaged tuxedos, gowns and accessories can be dropped off or mailed to: Project Prom, One Smithfield Street, Suite 400, Pittsburgh, PA 15222. There is free 10-minute parking behind One Smithfield Street for those wishing to make donations. Gift cards and cash donations also will be accepted.
Donations for Project Prom must be received by March 31 to be used for this season.
Details: (412) 350-3428.
Students may attend seminar on filmmaking
Students can learn more about the art of filmmaking in a seminar this week at the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh.
Two information sessions are scheduled, before the 12-week class on filmmaking: 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, for high school students, and 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday, for middle-school students.
The meeting will take place in the Downtown branch, 4400 Forbes Ave., Oakland.
The filmmaking class is scheduled from 4 to 6 p.m. on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, starting Feb. 15. Equipment will be provided, and no experience is necessary.
Details: Ellen Goodman at (412) 622-3121.
Free event to offer advice on college admissions process
Barnes & Noble Bookstore in Monroeville will host Connie Pollack, an educational consultant, in an effort to help high school students through the college admissions process.
The free event is for ninth-grade to 12th-grade students and their parents. Pollack will give advice on topics ranging from the college admissions process to activities that help develop a well-rounded high school student.
The presentation is scheduled for 7 p.m. on Feb. 16.
Details: (412) 856-0369.
Let kids tap up a storm by taping coins to shoes
Still looking for ways to entertain children during the winter⢠Three options, from Parenting magazine:
