As one of the most under reported crimes in the United States, domestic violence has been identified as the single major cause of injury to American women, exceeding rapes, muggings, and even auto accidents combined. (Surgeon General’s Office) The law defines domestic violence as the use of force, directed toward a spouse or former spouse, a cohabitant or former cohabitant, or a person with whom the abuser has had a dating or engagement relationship. Thus, a domestic violence batterer may include any family member, including siblings, grandparents, or a roommate.

Las Vegas has always had the nickname “Sin City,” and most people think that Las Vegas is really not a good choice when choosing places to take their children. I disagree. Las Vegas has changed a lot since my father took my brother and me years ago. Gone are the days of the 99 cents, all-you-can-eat-buffets. They have been replaced with high priced buffets that can make your wallet so light that you feel as though you have been a victim of a professional pickpocket, with the only difference being that you actually handed the pickpocket the wallet and told them that they had permission to rob you. Fortunately, there are ways to get around this.

In my 30’s I found myself divorced and raising two young children alone. I was gripped with fear that my children would somehow be penalized by the divorce and not be successful in school or in life. At the time one of my problems was how to select positive role models for my son. I was driven by the desire to make certain that they would be successful despite the parents being divorced.

In the beginning of a relationship, there is excitement and enchantment. That certainly was the case for Yvette Cade, who told her story on The Oprah Winfrey Show. When she first met Roger Hargrave, she said he was seemed very loving and caring. Shortly after they married, Hargrave became verbally abusive. It wasn’t long before his insults led to physical abuse. Yvette worked up the courage to separate from Hargrave but that didn’t end the abuse. “I felt like a prisoner in my own home,” she told Oprah during the episode that originally aired May 3, 2006.

Wintertime brings more than crackling fires to warm the house and Frosty. The cold brings sniffles, sneezes, sore throats and illnesses that put a damper on the new season. Children, with immune systems that aren’t as developed as adults, are particularly susceptible to the mass amounts of germs floating around that cause the flu and colds and other medical problems.“One of the things parents need to understand is that your average healthy child can have as many as six colds per year,” said Dr. Vivian Lennon, the medical director of the primary care center at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta.

Fauna Hodel is the author of the autobiographical novel, One Day She’ll Darken (with J. R. Briamonte), Executive Producer of the film, Pretty Hattie’s Baby, directed by Ivan Passer, starring Alfred Woodard, Charles Dutton, Alison Elliot, Bobby Hosea, Jill Clayburg and Tess Harper. Fauna Hodel wrote and produced the theatrical presentation: Working the Dream: The Fauna Hodel Story. She was also an instrumental piece to a twenty-year puzzle that helped to solve (unofficially) the Black Dahlia case, (the murder of Elizabeth Short by Fauna’s biological father/grandfather, Dr. George Hodel), and is the subject of a documentary film to be directed by David Hughes.

Don’t be fooled by Tyler Perry’s cross dressing or comedic appearance when you pick up Medea’s Family Reunion for a night of popcorn and laughter on the couch. This outwardly comedic movie has stronger themes just beneath the surface. From the first scene the comedy is entwined with serious issues such as domestic abuse, single parenthood and family troubles.

have heard this enduring quote time and time again. It suggests that when life presents obstacles that would otherwise stifle your creativity, spirit or mere existence, combat that challenge head on. Little did writer, producer, Diana Rivera know that the words once uttered by Joan Collins would be a mantra for her day to day survival as a single parent.

It was on April 20, 1999 that I realized I needed to value my friend’s more because, like Columbine, they can be taken away in a second. Often teenagers believe that once they hit high school, that they are all grown up and know everything. It was my sophomore year, when my brother left for college that I had to become independent and make decisions on my own without running to his side. Often teenagers believe that they are too young to lend a helping hand to others.

by Mara Betsch When the weather turns cold, it is easy to curl up in a ball on a worn sofa and watch yet another movie or television rerun. However, Jack Frost is not the only one knocking on your door. Obesity is right behind him, putting both children and adults alike are at risk. [...]