SAGINAW VALLEY FAMILY MAGAZINE

Helpful hints for family life: Health, recipes, finances and events

Review: Twilight - What you need to know

by Donna Jefferson | Chesapeake Family

Thursday November 20, 2008, 8:06 PM

Hearing that there is a series of books that moms and daughters have not only been reading together but actually devouring, I was curious. Pairs would pre-order the next book, stand in line at midnight to receive their latest installment and rush home to spend the next few days together totally consumed in the story. I had to learn more about these books. (OK, I know that if you have already read the books you will be rolling your eyes with my choice of words, devouring and consumed. I just couldn't resist.)

Continue reading this review here.

Helping to Keep America Strong...

by Sheri Keene | Saginaw Valley Family Magazine

Sunday November 02, 2008, 7:00 PM

In November we like to focus on giving and volunteering. This month we chose the theme of "honoring veterans" which lead to three great stories on pages 12 and 13. We were fortunate to have a local sergeant currently serving in Iraq converse with one of our reporters by e-mail and share his experiences! You'll be very impressed with Saginaws' Sergeant Dennis Harvey's dedication to both his job and family. His immense feeling of satisfaction for the jobs he performs is both enviable and admirable.

The story will spark an interest to find ways to reach out and help our service men and women. Coincidentally, we have included ways your family can do that right next to his story. Why not have your family collectively sacrifice one gift this holiday season and instead send a care package overseas? We've included a list of items that our soldiers need and where to send them. What a great lesson and feeling your family will be left with during a time that could otherwise easily slip into a "ME" focused holiday.

Continue reading "Helping to Keep America Strong..." »

What to Watch: Top 10 Family TV Shows

by Ruth Mancina | Saginaw Valley Family Magazine

Sunday November 02, 2008, 6:47 PM

According to Megan Walsh-Boyle, family columnist for TV Guide Magazine

'Everybody Hates Chris'
8 p.m. Friday on The CW
Inspired by his childhood experiences, comedian Chris Rock narrates the story of a teenager growing up in early 1980s Brooklyn as the eldest of three children.

Chris struggles to find his place as he's bused to a predominantly white junior high two hours away while keeping his siblings in line at home.

'Dancing With The Stars'
8 p.m. Monday; 9 p.m. Tuesday on ABC
This show pairs a celebrity with a professional ballroom dancer and makes the dancer responsible for teaching the celebrity how to perform specific numbers, and the pair compete in live TV performances each week.

The dancers are scored by a panel of three professional dance judges and TV viewers who may vote by phone, text message or online.

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Freeland Family Explores TV Program Alternatives

by Ruth Mancina | Saginaw Valley Family Magazine

Sunday November 02, 2008, 6:29 PM

Meanwhile network ratings remain high for reality shows

When it comes to sitting down together as a family to watch television, Lori Rybicki says there isn't a whole lot from which to choose.

With four children ranging in age from 11 to 3, Rybicki and her husband, Mike, feel the choices are very limited.

Continue reading "Freeland Family Explores TV Program Alternatives" »

TV Ratings

by Ruth Mancina | Saginaw Valley Family Magazine

Sunday November 02, 2008, 6:18 PM

The TV Parental Guidelines Monitoring Board established the TV rating system in 1997 to help parents choose programs that are suitable for their children.

The ratings apply to all TV programs except news and sports. They appear for 15 seconds at the start of a program.

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Variety the Spice of Life for Local Film Experts

by Ruth Mancina | Saginaw Valley Family Magazine

Sunday November 02, 2008, 6:16 PM

Ask a room full of people to come up with their list of the Top 10 Classic Family Movies and there is probably one thing you can almost guarantee.

No two people will pick the exact same 10 movies.

Take Ken Jurkiewicz, associate professor of Broadcast and Cinematic Arts at Central Michigan University, for example.

Continue reading "Variety the Spice of Life for Local Film Experts" »

Top 10 Classic Family Movies

by Ruth Mancina | Saginaw Valley Family Magazine

Sunday November 02, 2008, 6:08 PM

According to James Faust, director of programming, and Sarah Harris, senior programmer, of the American Film Institute.

'E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial'
Rated PG (1982)
This science fiction film tells the story of Elliott, a lonely boy who befriends a friendly alien, "E.T.," who is stranded on Earth. Elliott and his siblings help the alien return home while attempting to keep it hidden from their mother and the government.

'The Wizard of Oz' Rated G (1939)
This musical-fantasy follows Judy Garland's Kansas farm girl Dorothy Gale, who lives with her Aunt Em and Uncle Henry, but dreams of a better place "somewhere over the rainbow."

Dorothy is struck unconscious during a tornado and dreams that she is transported to the magical Land of Oz. To find her way home, Dorothy follows the yellow brick road to Emerald City to meet the Wizard of Oz. During her journey, Dorothy meets Scarecrow, Tin Man and Cowardly Lion, and the foursome go off to see the Wizard.

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