Lifestyles - Bonney Lake/Sumner Courier-Herald

Respiratory illness can begin with a cold | Column

Cold and flu season is here and some of our most vulnerable are at risk of contracting respiratory syncytial virus, or RSV, a major cause of respiratory illness in young children. Dr. Fadi Aljabi, with MultiCare’s Mary Bridge Pediatric Care at Good Samaritan, helps parents understand this infection and how they can help their little one feel better.

‘Breakfast at Sally’s’ a hearty helping of holiday feel-good | Book Review

Can a small handful of pennies make a difference? You wonder as you dump them into the kettle for the bell-ringer standing just outside the doorway of the store where you finished Christmas shopping. It was cold, but she seemed happy as she jingled and thanked everyone for their change.

School success starts before a child enters class

Success in school starts long before a child enters the classroom. We know that families lay the foundation for all future learning by spending time with their child, doing lots of talking and reading stories aloud. But families often wonder what a typical 5-year-old knows, or should know, the first day of school. There are readiness skills for kindergarten, which are not requirements, but learning goals. Not every child will hit every goal – a child may be high on some skills and low on others, but what we do know is children who are taught these skills at home by their families get off to a great start at school. Studies show that student who start ahead, stay ahead, year after year.

Books can cook up ways to get kids to eat new foods

Well, it’s the beginning of another new year and in spite of a less-than-promising track record, many of us have made resolutions to change the way we live and to make those changes last beyond the first week of January. Without a doubt, the most common resolution has to do with our diet. Whether you are trying to lose those few extra pounds or just trying to include more vegetables and fruits in our daily diet, getting your whole family on board is essential to your success and to your family’s good health. If your kids are anything like mine, this is no easy task.

City of Sumner is included in a list of my favorite things

All right, I admit it. I’m a fan of old movies, especially musicals. As 2008 draws to a close and I reflect back on the great things that happened this year in Sumner, Julie Andrews and “The Sound of Music” come to mind. So I thought I’d make a list of “my” 2008 favorite things to share.

Lake Tapps Elementary library becomes haven for young book lovers

Enter Whispering Woods and you’ll find everything to please nature lovers: from moose, rabbits and squirrels to foxes, boats and bears. Take a step closer inside. You’ll discover huskies, racoons and wolves hiding between its trees – all 25 of them. That’s just for starters; other inhabitants include skiing moose, birds that sing their authentic Audobon Society songs and friendly snowmen. And that doesn’t even include the books.

City of Sumner is included in a list of my favorite things

Library offers program

The Pierce County Library System will feature the best-selling book, “Three Cups of Tea” by authors Greg Mortenson and David Oliver Relin as the 2009 Pierce County READS event.