Young children want their parents to discuss difficult subjects with them. However, our kids will look to us for answers only if they feel we will be open to
their questions. It’s up to us to create the kind of atmosphere in which our children can ask any questions— on any subject—freely and without fear of consequence.
How do you create such an atmosphere? By being encouraging, supportive
and positive. For example, if your child asks, “How many people have AIDS?” try not to answer with, “I don’t know. Please just finish your lunch.” No matter how busy you are respond with something like, “That’s an interesting
question, but I’m not sure. Let’s go look it up.” (FYI: Don’t worry that if your children learn that you don’t know everything, they won’t look up to you. That’s simply not true. Kids accept, “I don’t know,” and “let’s go find out,”—and they are better responses than any inaccurate or misleading answers you may be tempted to offer.)
One more point: You don’t need to answer all of your children’s questions immediately. If your 10-year-old asks, “Mom, what’s a condom?” while you’re negotiating a tricky turn in rush-hour traffic, it’s perfectly okay for you to say
something like, “That’s an important question. But with all this traffic, I can’t explain right now. Let’s talk later, after dinner.” And make sure you do.
2005 High School Poll Worker Program
The SF Department of Elections is preparing for the Tuesday, November 8, 2005, Consolidated Special Statewide Election and is pleased to announce that the High School Pollworker Program is now accepting applications. This program is designed to promote civic awareness and education of the electoral process by allowing students between the ages of 16-18 to become pollworkers on Election Day. Duties include explaining proper voting procedures, opening and closing the polling place, and assisting voters in any phase of the voting process. Last year, approximately 1,600 students in San Francisco participated in this program!
Requirements: Applicants must be at least 16 years of age at the time of the election and be a US citizen (non-citizens who are bilingual may work as translators). Students must attend a public or private high school in SF, and have a grade point average of at least 2.5 (or instructor permission). Additionally, students must receive permission from all teachers and a parent/guardian. Complete training and be able to work on Election Day from 6:00 am – 8:00 pm.
Benefits: Students earn a $112 stipend and the experience is a great addition to a resume. The hours worked may count towards graduation community service requirements. Additionally, students learn about the electoral process first hand and meet others in the community.
Applications are due before October 21, and space is limited. Contact: Tuan Nguyen, SF Department of Elections, 554-4355, tuan.nguyen@sfgov.org, or at their website. Applications are also available to be picked up at the Sunset Neighborhood Beacon Center (3925 Noriega Street @ 46th Ave), contact: Megan Agee, 759-3690 or magee@snbc.org.
The SF Department of Elections is also always looking for new adult pollworkers (inspectors, clerks and translators). Contact: 554-4395
Sunset Events
Taraval District Police Community Relations Forum
Join this monthly conversation with Taraval Police District Captain Keith Sanford and other representatives from the SFPD, the Safety Network Program, and city departments, including the San Francisco Fire Department, Department of Parking & Traffic, and the office of the District Attorney. This community forum is held the third Tuesday of each month. Free refreshments are provided, courtesy of Taraval Station. Contact: Mary O'Kane, Forum Coordinator, 681-1129.
When: September 20, 7:00 - 8:30 pm
Where: Taraval Police Station Community Room (2345 - 24th Avenue)
11th Annual Sunset Community Festival!
Come join your neighbors in a true celebration of the Sunset Community! The Sunset Community Festival will be celebrating its 11th year, with this year’s Festival theme spotlighting “Neighborhood Safety.” Representatives from a variety of safety-related departments and agencies will be attending, complete with information, useful resources, interactive displays and even fingerprinting for young children!
In addition to the spotlight theme, a wide variety of activities and exhibits will also take place throughout the day, including: local bands and dance performances, food and drinks from neighborhood vendors, martial arts demonstrations, children’s games, the ever-popular flea market, a community art project, as well as merchant, school and non-profit booths.
As always, the Sunset Community Festival is FREE, great fun for the whole family, and open to the entire Sunset community. Also, if you are interested in getting involved, there is also still plenty of time to be a participant or volunteer before or during the Festival! Contact: Sunset District Neighborhood Coalition, 731-7322 or sunsetfestival@sbcglobal.net.
When: September 24, 11:00 am – 4:00 pm
Where: Sunset Recreation Center & Playground (2201 Lawton Street @ 28th Ave)
|
Wellness Center
Jennifer Kenny-Baum (Wellness Coordinator) is available daily.
Monica Murphy (nurse) is available daily.
Ian Enriquez (Youth Outreach Coordinator) is available daily.
Sheening Lin (psychologist) is available daily.
Ulash Thakore (academic counselor) is available Monday thru Wednesday.
Kory Okun (relationship counselor) is available Tuesdays.
Wayne Hayes (counselor) is yet to be determined.
James Guay (therapist) is available on Wednesdays.
Pauline Ong (Cantonese speaking counselors) is available on Wednesdays.
Megan Agee (Community Safety Organizer) is available on Thursdays.
How to Stay Looking Young
by Kathleen Doheny
Here are the 10 unhealthy behaviors mentioned most often by anti-aging experts -- and how to reform yourself.
2- Drinking too much alcohol
It's no accident that alcohol advice is following the bad news about stress. A study in the American Journal of Epidemiology found that one or two drinks of red wine (or grape juice) a day can lower the risk of dying from heart disease by a third . Women are advised to limit alcohol intake to one a day, men to two. But don't imbibe more than that, or you'll up the risks of ill health, including strokes and cancers of the liver, throat and breast.
|
