Family Circle and Goodwill School Clothing Drive

To ensure that every child goes back to school in style this year, Goodwill Industries and Family Circle have teamed up for a five million pound clothing drive.

Family Circle and Goodwill invite moms and dads to put their gently used adult and kids’ clothes to work, donating them so another child can have a “new to them” outfit for their first day of school.

The donated items will be sold at your local Goodwill retail stores, making affordable, contemporary clothing available to families on budgets. The program will also generate revenue that funds Goodwill’s job training and employment programs to help individuals and families in our community achieve a better life through work and independence.

Here's what you can do:

1) Get your donation coupon in September's issue of Family Circle or at http://www.shopfamilycircle.com/goodwill.

2) Weigh your donation, fill out the coupon and attach it to your donation. (Weighing donation not required.)

3) Drop off your donation at your local Goodwill Store or Attended Donation Center. Visit www.goodwillnepa.org to find your closest location.

4) Let us know you donated by posting to this event page. Be sure to add pictures and videos of your donation, too!

5) Check here for updates about how many pounds of clothing we've collected.

Back to school.... Are you FLU Ready?

Flu Chick is back! Just read article in this weeks TIME on the Flu Pandemic coming near you... this fall! I hope you all are ready. If you have any doubts or misunderstandings on the flu -- please, please rent The American Experience: Influenza 1918. Netflix has it.

If you click on the "Back to school..." above it will take you to some commentary and the TIME article.

In the meantime - anyone have thoughts, tips or ideas on the flu??

Poly what ?????

I saw this article in Newsweek (see link) I wasn't familiar with the term, so I kept reading...

Polyamory = relationships with multiple, mutually consenting partners.

Apparently, there are an estimated half a million families in the United States that practice this lifestyle. This is not to be confused with polygamy or "swingers". These individuals believe in "ethical nonmonogamy," or engaging in loving, intimate relationships with more than one person—based upon the knowledge and consent of everyone involved. Is this a sign of the times? Is this the future? What do you think?

Does The Safeway Grocery Chain hold the key to Healthcare Reform?

After incurring astronomical healthcare expenses, the Safeway grocery store chain decided to tackle the healthcare issue on its own. The result was Safeway's "Healthy Measures" program, which is voluntary. Employees are tested for smoking, weight, blood pressure and cholesterol. Every area they "pass" results in a reduction in their premium, of as much as $1,560 for a family, a year. Those who fail but prove progress can get refunds. Safeway complements this with an intense culture of health: weight-loss tips, fitness competitions and smoking cessation programs. Bottom line, employees have incentive and are rewarded by taking an active role in their health and healthcare decison making. Should this be the model for the rest of the country???

All new take on spoon fed...

What's your take? Mom charged with neglect for overfeeding or poorly feeding her child. Is there a socioeconomic link here that extends beyond just food and choices? Is this a result of poverty? poor education??

Think about it - we've got Kate+8 feeding her gang organic, Gweneth is obsessively cleansing with CLEAN and SPENT (great books by the way! see the link box), and then we've got another segment of the population eating at McDonalds several times a week. What's the scoop? Is it poor education, poor choices, lack of money? And, what is the impact - and how can we make a change?

The Jon & Kate Debate

The Jon and Kate Plus 8 saga continues.
Both have filed for divorce, yet the show must go on!!! To date, Jon is publicly dating the 22 year old daughter of the surgeon that did Kate's tummy tuck. He's been out and about and the media has been following his every move. Kate seems to be laying low. What are your thoughts? Should the show continue? Is this good for the kids?

Crimes Against Children

One of our chickchat members forwarded this tragic story to us - and we just can't stop talking and thinking about it and the little girl. (The general story is posted below. The link above is for an editorial on it - it's the 2nd editorial so scroll down when you click the link).

What do you think? What do we do with these "monsters"? How can we really help the children and families? If you read the editorial link - do you agree with the judge's bail?


There has been a story in the local news in Northeast PA this week. A terrible crime was committed against an innocent 5 year old girl while she slept in her own bed on July 4th. A "monster" in every sense of the word came into her room and tortured, beat and raped her so severely that her injuries required surgery. He strangled her in an attempt to kill her, and he succeeded in every other form, her heart is still beating however she will never be the same.

Just an FYI: A chickchat member has helped to set up a fund for this little girl through the Children's Advocacy Center in Scranton to raise funds for the care of this little girl. Donations should be made payable to "The Marley Fund" and mailed to PNC Bank c/o The Marley Fund, 201 Penn Avenue, Scranton, PA 18503

We're back

After several emails --- and some chickchat -- we're back to chatting! Please join us in the conversations.

If you have any topic suggestions - email us or post it as a comment.

Please pass our link along too; some of our best debates and conversations were when lots of us were sharing all we have to say! - Rebecca & Judy

Swine Flu - Are you concerned?

I went to a conference on bird flu last year; it was concerning and I did start a bird flu stockpile of supplies. Does this recent swine flu worry anyone? Do you have provisions in case of a pandemic?

Should you buy organic???

For the most part, "organic" means a food item is free of pesticides, hormones and antibiotics. Organic meats, dairy and produce can cost 25-50% more than its non organic counterpart. In today's economy, saving money at the grocery store is a priority for most of us. Here is where your money is well spent purchasing organic:

Meats, Dairy, Coffee Beans
Peaches, Apples, Pears, Peppers
Celery, Nectarines, Berries & Cherries
Leafy Greens, Grapes, Carrots, Potatoes and Tomatoes

General rule of thumb..."if the produce item has a peel that will be removed prior to consumption, it does not have to be organic"
ex. oranges, bananas, grapefruit etc...

Judy