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Mercedes-Benz SL and SLK (all models)
I too paid a permium of 10k over sticker for my SL500. Something I swore in the past that I'd never do. ( Never say never huh ? )As I said before, I have all the toys, Distronic, Keyless go, Parktronic, tire pressure monitor, everything except the panoramic roof and opted not to get the phone installed since I already have one in my S500 and really don't think it will be able to be heard clearly with the roof down. I paid 112,000 for it. The only solace I had was when I went back up to the dealership last week when I had nothing better to do and saw a black base model that someone else paid 114,000 for and sold it immediately for 130,000 to someone in Palm Beach Fl... it was a little comforting.. but not much. I enjoy the car immensely and I took out my one pet peave on the dealer customer service survey that Mercedes sent me. I know and understand capitalism well. I'm a capitalist myself.. ah the heck with it.. this car is wonderful.. I haven't had this much fun since my dad bought me my first electric Tyco train set when I was 6 years old.. lol. If you can get one.. it's worth it.. I don't think I'd pay more than 10 over sticker ( they were asking 15k over so I guess I did get a discount ? )... but like I said.. I'm happier than a pig in slop with this car..0
It's the dealer thats at fault not the manufacturer. MB really can't do anything about what a dealer charges.
I agree and understand that the manufacturer cannot control dealer markup, especially if market conditions support that markup. But I had a previous bad experience with my first 2001 S500 and wrote MB Chairman complaining about it. The dealer was extremely concerned that I did that and asked me to promise not to write the chairman again when I bought my SL500. The district manager came down and worked out a deal to get me out of the lemon (the 2001 S500 was traded in for a 2002 S500 ) and put me in a new car and yada yada yada. To make a long story short, the dealers get bonus money from the manufacturer as well as brownie points when it comes to ordering hard to get models and other incentives for keeping customer satisfaction high. While I understand that my one low mark on the survey probably won't even make a ripple in the pond, it made me feel better since I gave my word that I wouldn't write the chairman again.. lol.. but in the end.. even though I overpaid and I know it.. it's still a wonderful car and I'm more than satisfied with my decision to buy it...0
I looked on the mbusa.com website at the preowned inventory for 2003 SL and was shocked first at how many there were then at the prices. It seems to me the market has slowed and perhaps dropping prices are in order. I would never pay 10+grand more for a car than will depreciate from that inflated price rapidly in a few years. Regards0
hstei Posts: 6Thanks for the comments regarding price gouging.
EJEROD, can you provide MB Chairman's address/email address. I'll give him a piece of my mind regarding HIS dealer network.
To the other comments, thanks. I will continue to approach dealers in the area until SLs are plentiful and buy at my price not theirs.
Please continue on this topic. Maybe if we all send messages to MB headquarters they will start producing more units or increase allocations to USA.0
I too am a naysayer when it comes to dealer markups on new models. I've sworn I will never pay one cent over MSRP. But I am not fiscally in a position to purchase (or lease) one of these fine automobiles. You're probably going to hear it from many people about how people like you "let" dealers continue to charge over sticker by buying the car. I on the other hand would like to congratulate you on the purchase of a beautiful automobile. You wanted an SL500, You're in a position (financially) to buy one, and the extra $10K probably doesn't meant that much to you, so you bought the car. You never know what is going to happen between now and the time the market for an SL drops to MSRP or below. Enjoy your car! I'm sure you get tons of sunny days in which to enjoy it:)
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2015 Infiniti Q40 AWD, 2017 Honda Pilot Touring AWD0
I've had a deposit for Sl500 for close to 18 months now. Mine is arriving next week. I called the same dealer (not revealing my name) and asked how long the wait is for purchase at MSRP. They no longer take a deposit. There are two in the lot for 117 & 118 each (mine is around 94 at MSRP). I also have a deposit at a different dealer for a SL55 (about 8 months old now). The first dealer won't take a deposit, and is asking 200K for it (they receive 8 a year). I am expecting/hoping for the SL55, sometimes in late 2003, early 2004.
Is there something wrong with this picutre???0
"Is there something wrong with this picutre???"
Yes, obviously I'm in the wrong line of work:)
Good luck finding an SL. If the market stays strong, you can get the SL500 and probably flip it (for close to or more than what you paid for it) when the SL55 comes in (and you're willing to part with $200,000). Just a thought! The SL is a beautiful car!
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2015 Infiniti Q40 AWD, 2017 Honda Pilot Touring AWD0
I do not pay over MSRP. $200k is what the dealer wants for SL55 (He is the one giving me SL500 next week after holding a $1k deposit for close to two years). I've had a $5k deposit for about 8 months with another dealer to buy one at MSRP. His "delivery date" keeps going forward in time. I expect to get one late 2003 (If I am lucky).
It seems now-a-days we need to predict what kind of car we will be driving in two years and plan for it now! Not knowing what cars different manufacturers may bring to the market, adds to the complexity.0
I totally agree with you that you shouldn't pay over MSRP for an SL55 AMG. It is nice to see someone with a large disposable income like yourself willing to wait for the car to pay MSRP for it.
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2015 Infiniti Q40 AWD, 2017 Honda Pilot Touring AWD0
megasuvowner Posts: 64I just put my name on the list for a black 03 SL500 which i will receive in November. Im paying a delivered price of just under $100k. I am able to recieve my car relatively fast because one of my new friend's parents own a Mercedes Dealership and when i found that out i quickly got him to make arrangements for my purchase. I had my name on a waiting list for a CL600 at another dealership for way too long, and i got frustrated and had my name taken off and my deposit refunded. Im getting rid of my old Testarossa due to lack of driving it in favor of an SL i hope to get more use out of. I love the way how people stare at the new SLs as they cruise around, a very classy car indeed. Everyone tells me im buying too many cars too fast, but i try not to listen to them. In the past year or so ive purchased an Escalade,G500, and my H2 which i picked up on friday. My wife hates me for that, but ill let her drive the SL and get rid of my Escalade soon and hopefully she can forgive me.0
Must be nice.
HSTEI.. I have that address at home in my file cabinet.. I'm at the office now.. I'll look for it and post it in here for all to see. I just found out another bit of disturbing news. A friend of mine that works for the same dealer network that sold me the car told me that Mercedes has SL's lined up at the docks already here in America, but releases them a few at a time to keep demand high. That bites.. but again, capitalism is for the capitalists..lol. In the end, I honestly have no regrets, especially after seeing base model SL's in Robb Report, DuPont Registry, and e-Bay selling for more than what I paid for mine fully loaded. I can't blame the dealers. I'm a businessman myself, and if I owned a MB or other ultra luzury franchise, I'd do the same thing as long as people were willing to pay for it. I'm still happy.. and driving it to much.. miles.. but oh well.. I didn't buy it to look at it.. I bought it to drive it..:)0
Anyone know if the SL350 is coming here?
I believe the last of the V-6 powered SL roadsters was sold here as a 1997 model...I don't think you'll see it again on our shores. The V6 powered SL roadsters have that infamous "sluggish" tag attached to it.
The price would be way too close to the CLK 55 AMG Cabriolet (now granted that car isn't for everyone). If you want something softer than a CLK 55 AMG, but not as expensive as an SL 500, I'm sure your locar Mercedes-Benz retailer (dealer, center, or whatever they're called these days) will be happy to point you to a CLK 430 Cabriolet (or a CLK 500 Cabriolet next year).
I don't know...just thinking out loud.
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2015 Infiniti Q40 AWD, 2017 Honda Pilot Touring AWD0
True, but CLK55 Cabrios are going for 80K, this SL350 would come in at about 70K, just guessing. I think it would work. Lots just want the SL for it's looks and features, not necessarily the hp of the V8s. I think Mercedes should have one more go at a 6-cylinder SL and S-Class in this country, but they new to be with the next generation engine, not the stop-gap enlarged 3.5L version of the current 3.2L V6. There is a new DOHC, 24V V6 coming soon.
I also read that the next generation of MB engines will be DOHC 4 valves per cylinder (like they used to be and how I think it ahould be). They should show up relatively soon (next 2 years?) because MB always tests new engines in the current body style before releasing them with the new body style.
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2015 Infiniti Q40 AWD, 2017 Honda Pilot Touring AWD0
SL350 may be the only chance for customers to experience a six speed manual transmission in this model.0
Mercedes tends escalates luxury content with engine trim; in that sense I'd wonder about the luxury value of a SL350 if, in addition to engine, it were decontented on interior trim and amenities. Whereas the SL500 is extremely competitive at its MSRP, I'm not sure a SL350 would be nearly as competitive unless the engine were truly the only difference.
Also, what are the ratings on this 3.5L engine? The SL is a very, very heavy car; what's going to make someone choose it over a SLK320 if the difference is nearly thirty thousand dollars? Yes, the SL would be a better car, but is it that much better? Plus, I remember reading somewhere that the old SL300 was dropped in part because it's higher availability was dragging down dealer premiums on the SL500.
Personally rather than a SL350 I'd like to see a redesigned SLK with the same powerplant.0
If they do bring the SL with a V6 to our shores, you can bet there will be no available six speed manual transmission.
sphinx99: I agree with you 100%. You make some excellent points!
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2015 Infiniti Q40 AWD, 2017 Honda Pilot Touring AWD0
Why not a manual trans?
MB gave up and offered a manual on the SLK first and then on the C. Very soon, we may see the manuals on the Sl and the new E. This may be part of the whole turning-the-image-around thing.
Now all MB has to do is develop better manual transmissions than the ones they already have. Maybe by taking some advice from their cross-town rivals, BMW.
and this sequentronic thing, what kind of trans is it? Like the one on SL55, or is it an SMG type?0
Picked up my SL500 today. Paid MSRP. Another person took delivery of an SL55 while I was waiting for my paper work. He had paid over $174k for it (according to listing on my dealer's monitor)!!
One interesting point: I have a 21 year old son. He drives a 99 CLK430. I offered him my current/previous 2002 Lexus SC430 as a replacement at no additional cost. He drove it for a week, and turned down my offer! I was driving his CLK (it used to be mine for a few months), and I can not blame him. It is simply a differnet experience. I have only driven the SL500 for a couple of hours, but it seems the CLK is sharper. He test drove the new CLK 500 while we were at the dealer and says it offers a "softer" and less agressive drive than what he has! We are considering placing a deposit for a CLK55 (expected delviery next summer - first ones expected this December).
SL500 is not as sharp as I had expected. The total experience is fantastic. The Nav system is no-good. It gave me simpy wrong directions when I was driving it home (told me to go south on two occasions on two different freeways, where my home was way north). I hope I did something wrong, otherwise, I know I can not depend on it. Lexus Nav systems is way way better!
I've also paid 2k for a phone system. You have two choices (here in LA), AT&T or Verizon. The two phone systems are different. You can not change your mind after you buy one, or you are out another 2k!! They are sending someone to my house next Monday to install it.
Also, they no longer take deposit, even on SL500. According to my guy, they are pre-sold for their next two year's allocation!, and they are turning away people offering less than 10k over. I had said before: something is really wrong here.
More later..0
Sequentronic is like SMG, a clutchless, converterless manual. They offer it on the C-Class in Europe also.
The SL350 would be a hit here, right now. People want into an SL and the SL350 would be a much cheaper way. When the new SLK arrives (2004) it will share the same engine and that *might* cause a problem with the SL350 as they share the same showroom space after a few years.
The SL350 is rated at 242hp and 0-60 in 7.2 seconds. I seriously doubt we'll ever see a true manual in any SL or E-Class here, sequentronic is about as close to that we'll get, if that.
I just stopped by my MB dealer this morning to see if they had an E500 to test drive. I drove the E320 a couple of weeks ago. I have an E500 on order for an early December delivery. None on the lot to drive, but I did take a new CLK for spin. Not the best effort in my opinion. But the real news was a guy was taking home his SL55 and I got a chance to take a look (everyone at the dealer was drooling) and what a machine. The sound of the engine was incredible! I asked my salesman (a friend) what the guy paid, and he after taking a look around, told me his total with state excise and sales tax was just over $196K...I couldn't believe it. Also the owner of the dealership is talking with VW about a Bentley franchise and I asked about the response to the Bentley GT and the same thing is happening. Long waiting lists and years pre-sold. Even for a car that will come in around $160K...I am doing very fine economically, but wow, there is a lot of money being thrown at autos well above the MSRP something I would never do!0
"The SL350 is rated at 242hp and 0-60 in 7.2 seconds. I seriously doubt we'll ever see a true manual in any SL or E-Class here, sequentronic is about as close to that we'll get, if that."
That's quite a bit faster than I thought it would be. Perhaps there's a market for it after all. However, I can see the SL350 becoming a thorn in the company's side when it's time for the SLK redesign. In my opinion, MB should push the SLK away from GT and closer to sport, leaving the GT to the SL.
As for transmissions, I drove a SLK230 with a manual and a 320 with the auto. I liked the auto better. MB seems to have mediocre manuals but best-in-the-world autos.0
..is there any chance for this transmission to make it at the more powerful models? ..namely the SL55?
Isn't this transmission a sign that MB may be warming up to the idea of manuals? after all, this is a manual transmission, only the clutch is absent.0
That is very true. MB can't do a good manual to save their lives.
I doubt it, but anything is possible.
habitat1 Posts: 4,282(1) Mercedes has always had great difficulty in matching BMW in the quality and feel of their manual transmissions. Drive a 6-speed M3 or M5 back to back with the SLK320 6-speed and you will see what I mean. To their credit, AMG's automatic transmissions are about the best in the world, performance wise. I have driven the C32 and SLK32 and would put those auto transmissions on par or above the best BMW has to offer.
(2) The SL generally appeals to an entirely different socio-economic demographic than the SLK. The SLK32 will already outperform the SL500 and damn near the SL55 for about 50% and 30% of their respective cost. Few of my "SL" friends have ever seriously looked at the SLK, except as a curiosity. That said, I think an SL350 with decent performance will clearly give the Lexus SC430 and Jaguar a run for their money.
(3) An SL55 for $175k+ is a poster child for "more money than brains". As a old timer who was one of the first owners of a 300SEL 6.3, I know how strong the desire to be first can be. But that premium is going to hold up like a bowling ball in a swimming pool. The SL500 is a nice, slightly overpriced, $90k car. The SL55 is probably worth the $28k MSRP premium over the SL500 (considering other AMG and BMW "M" premiums).
(4) I've taken performance driving courses through BMW and Porsche, and I still can't realistically use more than 80% of the capability of my M5. I wonder how many SL55 buyers paying those premiums could actually drive even a SL500 to its limits? And where? I suspect that an SL55 that gets driven around town is going to have severe engine under exercised health problems in a few years. These are autobahn cruisers that will not hold up well if they never see more than 2,000 rpm at our highway speeds. Just a thought from past experience.0
Excellent point epn2. In an effort to stem the premature demise of SL55s, I hereby volunteer to drive your SL55 at very high speeds for health reasons. This service is free of charge (although minor fees may apply). Please be prepared to have your sedentary SL55 delivered to my home in Michigan; it will be put through a rigorous SL55 Basic Training; after three months time, your SL55 will be returned to you healthier than ever before. A complementary car wash will be provided.
All rights reserved. Terms and conditions may vary.0


text:
Huawei circling NZ's UltraFast Broadband contract
Buttering up the Kiwis
Huawei Technologies could soon be named as preferred supplier for New Zealand's NZ$1.5 billion Ultrafast Broadband Network deployment.
The UFB project, run by government-owned Crown Fibre Holdings, had stalled on its year-old equipment vendor selection, but is understood to be close to an announcement.
The network-in-waiting is set to deliver fibre-optic broadband to over 75 per cent of the New Zealander population within the next ten years.
The Register has been told the Chinese vendor will soon achieve preferred supplier status to Crown Fibre, making it vendor of choice for companies rollout out the 33 city-based networks. Crown Fibre would, however, retain the right to use other vendors bidding into the network, such as Alcatel-Lucent and Ericsson.
This time last year, the government and Huawei were hosing down speculation that the vendor had already made significant headway in securing the contract after prime minister John Key retuned from a trip to Shanghai World Expo. At the time, Key Key told TVNZ that the company could play "a major role" in the Crown fibre roll-out.
"They've got a lot of expertise in that area, Huawei is a big player, they're bigger round the world, they've got a huge partnership in the United Kingdom for instance. No one's saying they would be the final selected partner in New Zealand but they've certainly got the capacity if they wanted to, to come in and look at doing something like that."
Sources close to the deal now claim that Huawei's place has been solidified via the FTA agreement between New Zealand and China, which would also ultimately help bolster New Zealand's dairy sector and other export industries.
In the past, Key has stated his preference for joint ventures as the basis for Chinese investment in New Zealand. While opposing direct foreign investments in the country's agriculture industry he is supportive of joint investments in new agriculture developments in addition to offshore farming ventures.
Yesterday, dairy giant Fonterra announced that it will spend US$40 million developing a new 40 hectare dairy farm in China, its third farming development under the FTA.
New Zealand and China have agreed to double their trade to about $20 billion yearly within five years.
Huawei has been strongly lobbying the New Zealand government over the last 12 months, but some of its efforts have backfired. In September, the vendor held a three day UFB focused event, that included technical workshops, an exhibition, and a day-long conference opened by Crown Fibre Holdings chief executive Graham Mitchell and featuring an impressive speaker line up. However, the vendor was forced to defend its actions after the Labour Party alleged the company had compromised Crown Fibre Holdings board member Murray Milner by hiring him as a consultant. Milner was also a keynote speaker at the event.
Huawai claimed that Milner's consultancy was engaged for work relating only to retail services and not directly targeting the government's UFB project.
Last month, in Australia, Huawei took steps to localize the company with the creation of a local board decked with high profile political influencers including former Victorian Labor Premier John Brumby, former Liberal party foreign minister Alexander Downer and Royal Australian Navy veteran John Lord as chairman. ®

subset: commoncrawl


text:
Easy Low-Carb Snack Ideas
Low-Carb Snack Ideas for People with Diabetes
If you need a pick-me-up between meals, a snack with 15-20 grams of carbohydrate is often the answer. For someone with diabetes, it's important to eat a fiber-filled and nutrient-rich snack to curb the appetite before the next meal, says Angela Ginn-Meadow, a registered dietitian and a spokesperson for the American Dietetic Association. Talk to your health care provider about whether a snack will work in your meal plan.Related Links
Grapes and Grahams
Want a crunchy, sweet treat that's quick and easy to whip together? Spread 1 tablespoon light cream cheese on 2 graham cracker squares and top with 1/4 cup halved grapes.Related Links
Fruit and Nut Yogurt
Need a snack that will help you go the extra mile? Sprinkle 1 tablespoon dried cranberries and 1 tablespoon toasted slivered almonds atop a 6-ounce carton of plain fat-free Greek yogurt. Greek yogurt has more protein than its regular counterpart to keep you satisfied longer, and the sweet cranberries will balance the tangy zip of the yogurt.Related Links
Cereal Nut Mix
Get a good dose of fiber by mixing 1/2 cup unsweetened miniature shredded wheat cereal, 1 tablespoon dried cranberries, and 1 tablespoon roasted pistachio nuts. By using unsalted nuts, you'll keep the sodium to a record low of 2 milligrams.Related Links
Pear and Cheese
Pears and cheese go together like peanut butter and jelly. So next time you need a hearty snack, choose a small pear and a light cheese stick. The cheese will help you meet your calcium goal by providing 16 percent of your daily needs, and the pear provides 4 grams of fiber, getting you that much closer to the recommended 25-35 grams a day.Related Links
Tuna Salad Crisps
Tuna salad doesn't have to be reserved for lunch. Combine 2 ounces of drained water-packed light tuna with 1 teaspoon light mayonnaise and 1 teaspoon Dijon-style mustard, and spoon the mixture atop 2 rye crisps for a satisfying snack packed with heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acids.Related Links
Avocado-Tomato Open-Face Sandwich
Mash 1/4 of a peeled avocado and stir in a dash of garlic salt. Spread onto a slice of toasted whole grain bread and top with a couple of tomato slices for a snack that is packed with flavor and fiber. Even with the generous amount of avocado, this snack contains only 150 calories.Related Links
Bananas About Chocolate
For a treat that's both decadent and healthy, slice half a banana and dip it in 1/2 ounce melted dark chocolate. Studies suggest that components in dark chocolate can help lower blood pressure.Related Links
Guacamole and Veggies
For a crunchy, south-of-the-border snack, dip 1/2 of a red sweet pepper, sliced, and 1/2 cup carrot sticks in 1/4 cup purchased guacamole. You'll cover your daily needs for vitamin A with the carrots, plus you'll more than meet your daily vitamin C needs thanks to the sweet pepper strips.Related Links
Mini Pizza
For a super quick snack anyone will love, toast half of a round whole grain sandwich thin and top with a couple tomato slices, one sliced fresh mushroom, and a couple tablespoons of shredded reduced-fat mozzarella cheese. Pop it under the broiler for 1 to 2 minutes for a warm, melty treat. The best part -- it's only 100 calories.Related Links
Ham and Pineapple
For a low-fat snack that's sure to please, cut 1 ounce of thinly sliced deli ham into long strips and fold the slices accordion style. Skewer the folded ham slices with chunks of pineapple. Stick to 3/4 cup pineapple, and look for lower-sodium ham.Related Links
Chips and Dip
Craving something crunchy? Go for the classic combination of chips and salsa. Choose 1/4 cup of your favorite salsa, whether it's mild, medium, or hot, and 3/4 ounce baked tortilla chips.Related Links
Yogurt and Fruit Parfait
For a fun, flavorful way to get 25 percent of your daily calcium needs, whip up a quick fruit and yogurt parfait. Layer a 6-ounce carton of fat-free lemon-flavor yogurt with 1/3 cup fresh raspberries and 3 tablespoons puffed wheat, kamut, or millet cereal. Be sure to choose yogurt that is sweetened with an artificial sweetener.Related Links
Cucumber-Topped Rye Crisps
Rye crisps make an all-star snack because they are fat-free, low in sodium, and oh, so crunchy. Jazz them up by spreading 2 rye crisps with 2 tablespoons light onion-flavor cream cheese and topping with 1/4 cup sliced cucumber.Related Links
Strawberries and Fruit Dip
Strawberries pick up the slack to provide vitamin C in the summer when oranges are out of season. For a creamy dip to serve with a cup of fresh strawberries -- which will provide 150 percent of your daily vitamin C needs -- stir together 1 tablespoon light cream cheese and 1 tablespoon low-sugar orange marmalade.Related Links
Hummus Roll-Ups
Add some veggies to your diet with these simple, flavorful roll-ups. Spread 2 tablespoons purchased hummus on an 8-inch low-carb tortilla. Top with 1/4 of a red sweet pepper, sliced, and four quartered cherry tomatoes. Roll up the tortilla and cut into 1-inch slices for bite-size treats.Related Links
Dried Apricots
Dried apricot halves are a humble little snack, but eight of them will satisfy your sweet tooth and provide 20 percent of your daily vitamin A needs.Related Links
Choose 6 ounces of light yogurt for a carb-friendly snack. Not only is creamy yogurt cool and sweet, it's a great source of calcium, too.Related Links
If you're hungry for a snack, grab one small orange and get a juicy dose of vitamin C as well as fiber, which helps keep blood glucose under control.Related Links
Frozen Fruit Bar
Next time those hunger pangs hit, pick a frozen sugar-free fruit bar--it will treat your sweet tooth and might also have extra vitamin C.Related Links
Graham Crackers
They're not just for kids! Graham crackers are convenient, portable, and offer that oh-so appealing crunch. Grab three graham cracker squares to get 15-20 g of carbs.Related Links
For a boost of calcium and a dash of creamy goodness, down a 10-ounce glass of skim or 1 percent milk. Opting for low-fat milk is good for your heart, too, because whole milk has five times more saturated fat.Related Links
Bread with Peanut Butter
When you need a more filling snack, spread one slice of whole wheat bread with 1 tablespoon of peanut butter. It's a hearty treat that's packed with protein and has heart-healthy monounsaturated fat.Related Links
If you have a hankering for a crunchy snack, skip the chips and grab 3 cups of light popcorn (no salt, no butter). Plus, popcorn is easy to grab on the go and full of fiber.Related Links
Apples come in so many varieties, it's easy to find the perfect flavor. Choose one small apple at snack time for a serving of fruit that's also a good source of soluble and insoluble fiber, which helps prevent cholesterol buildup.Related Links
English Muffin with Cheese and Apple Slices
Want a snack with ooey-gooey melted cheese? You're in the right place with this combo snack that includes half of a whole wheat English muffin, 1 ounce low-fat cheese, and a couple of apple slices (about 1/4 of a small apple). Set it in a toaster oven or under the broiler for a few seconds for a chewy snack that hits the spot.Related Links
Strawberries and Cottage Cheese
For a snack that mixes a serving of dairy with a serving of fresh fruit, combine 1 cup of strawberries and 1/2 cup low-fat cottage cheese. The combo provides a boost of vitamin C and calcium to your day.Related Links
Grape fans unite! Whether you love green, red, or Concord, pick 1 cup of your favorite grapes and munch away for a carb-friendly snack that's full of vitamin C.Related Links
Crackers with Peanut Butter
A little bit salty and a little bit sweet, a little bit crunchy and a little bit creamy, this snack combines the best of all worlds. Put together four of your own peanut butter cracker sandwiches or buy a 4-pack from the vending machine. Just make sure to use only 2 teaspoons of peanut butter total to keep it carb-friendly and opt for low-sodium crackers to keep sodium at bay.Related Links
Pudding with Banana Slices
Yes, you can have pudding! Just grab 1/2 cup of your favorite sugar-free pudding flavor, top with a few slices of banana, and you're good to go. Look for versions of pudding with calcium for an extra health boost. Plus, convenient snack packs make it even easier to take this treat with you.Related Links
It works for toddlers and for grown-ups! Tote 3/4 cup of Cheerios for a crunchy, fiber-filled treat.Related Links
Carrots with Ranch Dressing
For a boost of beta carotene, fiber, and vitamin A, you can't do much better than snacking on 15 baby carrots with 2 tablespoons light ranch dressing. Many supermarkets sell individual snack packs of carrots, too.Related Links
Pita Bread Pocket with Hummus
Hummus isn't just a fun party dip, it's a great everyday snack option, too. Made from ground garbanzo beans (chick peas), hummus is a flavorful way to get your fiber. Spread 1 tablespoon of hummus on half of a pita bread pocket (1 ounce) for a delicious low-fat snack.Related Links


text:
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They were in a group together called 213. Marketing, merchandising, finance, retail management, operations management, information technology, Human Resources, and many more openings.. Certains choisissent de prendre la route pharmacologique et appliquer une pommade puissante prescrite sur la zone frquence d'intervalle.
Late Power ups are unlocked as you earn XP in each exaggerate. Even though people know the negative consequences of cheating people still do it anyway. Anything that challenged stability was frowned on.. The orientation of the porcelain insulators has an effect on contamination performance.
A song into which Biggie adapted to the fast paced style of his counterparts, Bone Thugs N Harmony; Biggie seemed to outshine them using their own style. During these years, he attended The Anna Scher Theatre School, which led him to many appearances on the stage, popular children's shows, including 'Grange Hill' to several televised dramas etc.


text:
Please visit this site to download your copy
At Home with Montessori
Montessori Inspirations for Families with Children aged 0 to 3
22 August 2014
A new e-booklet
Just wanted to let all followers of the blog know that Kylie from How We Montessori and I have collaborated to bring you a booklet (available as an instant download) about Toilet Learning the Montessori Way. The ten-page booklet provides useful and practical information about using a child-led approach to toileting and is aimed at parents looking for a gentle approach.
Please visit this site to download your copy
Please visit this site to download your copy
13 June 2013
Taking a break
So, I've decided to put things on hold for a while. I will no longer be taking orders for Montessori Infant and Toddler materials.
You can find the occasional ready-to-ship materials at my Etsy shop.
You can also sign up for my Parenting Support Program at the shop. Please note though, that I only support a limited number of families at any one time. So if you don't see a Support Program for sale it means that I am currently full. You could always drop me a line via email and I will pop you onto my waiting list.
Currently, I am working on an exciting collaboration with Kylie from How We Montessori - details to follow...
You can find the occasional ready-to-ship materials at my Etsy shop.
You can also sign up for my Parenting Support Program at the shop. Please note though, that I only support a limited number of families at any one time. So if you don't see a Support Program for sale it means that I am currently full. You could always drop me a line via email and I will pop you onto my waiting list.
Currently, I am working on an exciting collaboration with Kylie from How We Montessori - details to follow...
18 March 2013
A comeback...and a giveaway
Wow, it has been AGES since I posted here...
Sorry to those of you who have been patiently waiting...crickets chirping in response...
I will be back in a few days with a great new post on how to create a Montessori playspace for babies, and a few days after that, one for toddlers. So stay tuned :)
But until then, lets see how many supporters we can get for the lovely Marie-Claire and her fantastically AWESOME kid-safe card sets.
Marie-Claire has kindly offered 4 lucky winners one set of cards each! You can enter by visiting her Kickstarter campaign page, backing her new project to create these AWESOME new decks, and then leaving a comment to say what you have pledged and which set of cards you would like to receive if you win, and then you can be in line to win a set of these beauties when they are released in August 2013. Winners will be contacted by email, so make sure that I can access your profile to get your email address, or include it in your comment.
Sorry to those of you who have been patiently waiting...crickets chirping in response...
I will be back in a few days with a great new post on how to create a Montessori playspace for babies, and a few days after that, one for toddlers. So stay tuned :)
But until then, lets see how many supporters we can get for the lovely Marie-Claire and her fantastically AWESOME kid-safe card sets.
16 August 2012
Making Music a part of your Montessori Home
1. The Mother Tongue Approach
I'll be the first to admit that I have a bias towards the Suzuki Method. My first child completed three years of Suzuki Early Childhood Education, did a year of Twinkling Stars (a bridging program for children who have graduated from the ECE class and are waiting to start instrumental instruction), and started learning Suzuki Guitar at age 4. He's almost 7 now and still going strong. My second child, 21 months is halfway through the same Early Childhood Education Class. Also, the Infant Toddler Community I run is a unique blend of the Montessori Approach and the Suzuki Method. Oh, I forgot to mention that I learned to play the violin (starting at age 3 in the Suzuki Method) and the piano (by traditional means, in middle childhood). Needless to say, I think this approach is unequalled in providing musical experiences for your child from birth. The Suzuki Method came about when Dr Shinichi Suzuki, a Japanese violinist, realised that the way in which children all over the world learn to speak their mother tongue was through exposure to spoken language. By listening alone, the child absorbs the most intricate nuances of the language of their native land. He developed the Method by applying the principles of listening and repetition to the learning of Music. Suzuki and Montessori are remarkably similar in their emphasis on the role of the environment and their recognition of the importance of the first years of life in developing later abilities. Even if you cannot attend a Suzuki ECE class with your child, you can still provide a musical environment from birth by listening to and singing a selection of music, songs and nursery rhymes every day. Your voice is immensely attractive to your baby, even if you think you can't sing!
2. Unborn Babies can Hear
The inner ear of the baby is completely developed by mid-pregnancy and the baby responds to a wide variety of sounds. Studies have shown that babies learn to recognise the sound of their mother's voice, music played every day during pregnancy and even develop preferences for the music they heard in utero versus music they hear after birth for the first time. Montessori mothers often use a hypnotherapy technique known as RAT (Respiratory Autogenic Training) during birth, and practice throughout their pregnancy to a single piece of classical music - something slow and beautiful like Samuel Barber's Adagio for Strings is recommended. Also, watch this TED talk by Annie Murphy Paul on What We Learn Before We Are Born.
3. Musical Ability Develops Sequentially
Children move through a sequence of musical skills from birth. Hearing - Singing - Playing - Writing - Reading. By providing musical experiences in this sequence you are ensuring that learning takes place at a developmentally appropriate pace. Of course, every child is different, so never forget that observation is very important when deciding when to introduce a new skill. Also, some skill areas overlap so your child may start on a new skill before completely mastering the previous one. At every stage your child will also be creating music of their own - this usually starts with them singing the falling third (so - mi, or the notes you hear in Rain Rain Go Away), and progressing to rhythmical compositions on percussion instruments, followed by the ability to compose melodic phrases on tuned instruments.
4. Learning by Example
If you play a musical instrument yourself (or if you learned to do so in childhood and never followed through) haul that instrument out and start playing! As with learning to speak - your child will learn to play music by being immersed in it from day one! We have all our instruments out all the time - even with crawling babies and toddlers. It was scary to leave my precious first 16th size violin out, but seeing my children's interest grow and blossom has made the initial stress worth it. I just make sure I offer lots of guided play on the instruments whenever an interest is shown and then I find it doesn't become an issue - it's no longer forbidden fruit. If you don't play an instrument, consider taking lessons or teaching yourself to play something...John Holt (famous educator and reform advocate) wrote a great book called Never Too Late about learning to play the cello as an adult. An amazing read!
5. Listening...
6. Purchase Quality Musical Instruments
Don't be tempted to buy budget musical instruments...you get what you pay for. Not only do cheap instruments not last the distance - they don't sound beautiful. Your baby or toddler is blessed with acute hearing and sensitivity to sound, as well as an Unconscious Absorbent Mind. Everything that is in their environment becomes a part of who they are. Would you want to build yourself on cheap imitations, or the real deal? If money is a factor, buying one quality musical instrument is better than a houseful of cheap, second rate, pretend ones.
Three of our favourites include...
Remo Kids Floor Tom
Rohema Studio Shakers in Beech, Bubinga and Rosewood
Auris Pentatonic Glockenspiel
12 August 2012
New Kid on the Block
Marie-Claire Camp, former Montessori child and daughter of a Montessori teacher, has an innovative project running on Kick Starter. A set of alphabet cards for small children to work and play with. The cards are made of food-grade, non-toxic, BPA free plastic and printed with food grade inks in the USA. They offer 26 original illustrations by Australian artist Marc Martin. There are only 8 days left to pre-order your set of cards for $20, or a variety of other options including a poster of all 26 letters and artworks - and if this set goes ahead, Marie-Claire has other sets planned for future release.
Safe for babies, and useful through the toddler years and early childhood, they would be a great addition to any home environment and families keen to create a language area that calls to the child.
Take a look at the Kick Starter project here...and do leave a comment if you have ordered a set. As a happy bonus, anyone ordering a set will also get a free literacy based download from me!
Update: Marie-Claire's project has reached its funding total!!! Hooray!!! Can't wait to get my set of cards, and the poster I ordered! Can't wait!
Safe for babies, and useful through the toddler years and early childhood, they would be a great addition to any home environment and families keen to create a language area that calls to the child.
Take a look at the Kick Starter project here...and do leave a comment if you have ordered a set. As a happy bonus, anyone ordering a set will also get a free literacy based download from me!
Update: Marie-Claire's project has reached its funding total!!! Hooray!!! Can't wait to get my set of cards, and the poster I ordered! Can't wait!
08 July 2012
Things are a-changing round 'ere...
I have been wanting to change things around on the blog for quite a while but somehow have been thwarted at every chance to sit down at the computer for what seems like months and months!
Some of the changes include separating out the blog part of At Home with Montessori from the shop part of it.
Also really getting into my Parenting Support program now. For those of you that don't already know, in addition to At Home with Montessori material making, homeschooling my boys (aged almost 2 and almost 7), and holding mobile making workshops for mothers groups and prenatal classes, and writing a book about Montessori at Home with a very special friend of mine, I also run an Infant Toddler Community. You can check out more about that here...
In running this community, I spend a lot of time helping member families to create Montessori-inspired spaces in their homes, and offering individual advice to them with regards to applying the Montessori principles of living in their family environments. The Parenting Support program is now available to parents everywhere and not just those lucky enough to be in the Child'space Community! The program is still under development, and extra services will be added as it grows (like a forum for asking questions and meeting other like-minded parents, and a weekly Montessori Inspiration program which offers parents a focus topic and some useful information for implementing Montessori principles at home with a minimum of fuss, stress and money)
Gradually, as I get time, I will be moving all the items for sale over to my new shop blog, and I will be organising the information resources on this blog in a more manageable way. I hope you will bear with me during the process, and forgive any broken links and other odd things...
So...if you want to purchase any Montessori Materials from At Home with Montessori please do so here from now on! And check back at this original site too, for more family friendly information about using the Montessori Approach at home with your baby or toddler.
Some of the changes include separating out the blog part of At Home with Montessori from the shop part of it.
Also really getting into my Parenting Support program now. For those of you that don't already know, in addition to At Home with Montessori material making, homeschooling my boys (aged almost 2 and almost 7), and holding mobile making workshops for mothers groups and prenatal classes, and writing a book about Montessori at Home with a very special friend of mine, I also run an Infant Toddler Community. You can check out more about that here...
In running this community, I spend a lot of time helping member families to create Montessori-inspired spaces in their homes, and offering individual advice to them with regards to applying the Montessori principles of living in their family environments. The Parenting Support program is now available to parents everywhere and not just those lucky enough to be in the Child'space Community! The program is still under development, and extra services will be added as it grows (like a forum for asking questions and meeting other like-minded parents, and a weekly Montessori Inspiration program which offers parents a focus topic and some useful information for implementing Montessori principles at home with a minimum of fuss, stress and money)
Gradually, as I get time, I will be moving all the items for sale over to my new shop blog, and I will be organising the information resources on this blog in a more manageable way. I hope you will bear with me during the process, and forgive any broken links and other odd things...
So...if you want to purchase any Montessori Materials from At Home with Montessori please do so here from now on! And check back at this original site too, for more family friendly information about using the Montessori Approach at home with your baby or toddler.
01 July 2012
Montessori Baby and Toddler Materials, Currently in Stock
These items have been moved to our new shop site. Click here to be redirected to the new site.
04 January 2012
5 Things...the tenth month
1. A favourite activity at this age seems to be standing. Granted some babies pull to standing sooner than the 9 month point, but by the same token, others only start much later than this. My own two children were at opposite ends of the spectrum when it came to this skill but for both, we provided a place for them to safely pull up to standing. A wooden rail mounted securely to the wall, with a mirror behind it so that they can see themselves performing all the actions necessary to get from sitting to standing. The bar is mounted 45cm off the ground for optimum reachability and should be narrow enough for your baby to grip the diameter of the rod all the way around.
2. Another favourite activity is stair climbing. Our house has two flights of stairs so we have lots of opportunity to learn this important skill - but if your home is all on one level, look for stairs wherever you go and give your baby time to climb up and down them as many times as your sanity can handle! Just "spot" them until they can do this safely without your immediate presence. In this video you can see Luke climbing the stairs independently after about 3 weeks of constant practice!
3. Ever had a whole box of tissues emptied by your baby? Well your 9 month old is sure to spring this one on you shortly! Whilst I allowed the very first box of tissues to be emptied when my kids first discovered the joys of pulling them out, I was careful to place boxes out of reach for a while after that - it's important to reintroduce the tissues at some point since we want our toddlers to learn how to wipe their noses eventually! But this mostly begins to happen at a later stage when they have a bit more self-awareness and a bit more self-control! Try offering a substitute experience by filling a nappy wipe container with colourful cloth squares. We have also covered a pringles tube with fabric and punched a small hole in the lid. We put a length of ribbon through the hole and sewed a bead onto each end of the ribbon to stop the ribbon from pulling through. You stuff the ribbon into the tin, put the lid on and then let your baby loose on it!
4. Your baby might start pointing at things. Things they want, things they see, things they want named. This is because they are right at that point in their language development where they have made the connection between sounds and meanings. Every time I point to this, she says that! A real aha moment! Help this stage of language learning by playing naming games. Familiarise yourself with the Three Period Lesson technique which is used in Montessori classrooms to introduce new vocabulary to children. This lesson is what you can base your informal naming games on. Bear in mind though that at first you will only be completing the First Period. When you are both familiar with the game you can extend to include the Second Period, but we don't really ever use the Third Period (except in the case of an exceptionally verbally gifted child) with children under the age of three. So don't be tempted to coax your baby into saying words - that is a completely different brain process from acquiring the names of things - which is what your baby is really interested in at the moment. Receptive language is always more prominent than Expressive language in the Infant Toddler Period.
5. Object permanence is becoming an internalised concept now, with your baby understanding that things do exist even when they can't be seen. In this vein, hiding games are well-received by the 9 month old. Simple things like hiding a teddy under a cloth in plain view of your baby and then saying "where's the teddy?" will delight your baby. You can progress to hiding a single object inside a box with a lid. You can try a modified version of the old sleight of hand trick using a small ball and three upturned cups. Hide the ball in front your baby at first, then try moving the cups slowly after hiding the ball, even try hiding the ball out of view! Your baby's interest in this game stems from their developing sense of external order. In Chapter 3 of "The Secret of Childhood" in the section entitled "Orientation Through Order", Maria Montessori tells of playing Hide and Seek with a group of 2 year olds. The children each took turns to hide in exactly the same place and all screamed with delight when "finding" their playmates in the predicted spot!
25 August 2011
5 things...the ninth month
1. Your baby is now starting to understand how things fit together, and their level of spatial awareness is growing. Try offering a palmer grasp cylinder and demonstrate how the cylinder is taken out and put back it before offering your baby a turn. They may also like to try the egg and cup.
2. The sensitive period for language starts at birth, and is very active during your baby's entire first year. It's a good reminder to you when showing your baby a new activity, or trying to demonstrate a new skill, that they are very tuned in to your voice, and will be automatically drawn to watching your mouth move when you speak. Try to "show" things without speaking at first, allowing them to focus on your hands. Once they start to copy your movements, bring the language component in.
3. The pincer grasp is just beginning. Your baby will be very attracted to knobbed puzzles which will meet the need for 'fitting things together' and the pincer grasp practice. Try offering puzzles with only one shape to start with. A circle is the easiest shape to start with as there are no sides to fit into the frame, so your baby doesn't have to hold it the right way. You can also offer a single knobbed cylinder, which has a slightly smaller knob than the puzzle. And of course, lots of finger foods will also develop this skill.
4. Your baby is starting to understand the concept of object permanence. They are realising that an object still exists even if they can't see it. This period also heralds the beginning of their conscious short term memory and working memory development - both very necessary for independent work. You can offer an object permanence box to help them in internalising this understanding.
5. Your baby is very interested in tactile experiences - but they are not yet ready to feel things without seeing them (which requires the ability to visualise something abstractly - a skill that needs the foundation of object permanence and a more developed long term memory). They might enjoy using this very clever mystery box, which has a clear side which allows them to see what they are touching, and can later be turned over to hide the object from view. In the same vein, this see through music box offers an auditory experience with a visual link to what they are hearing.
See here for the first post in this series
19 August 2011
5 things...the eighth month
1. If your baby is crawling, or trying to crawl, offer incentives for movement. The puzzle ball is great because it rolls only a short distance, which presents just the right level of challenge for a beginner
2. A basket of balls will always be a big hit with a baby of this age. Choose balls for their colours, textures, shapes and other sensory features
3. Collect some little glass jars and make some sound and colour jars for your baby to explore. If you use glass be sure to supervise while your baby plays with these. Don't be tempted to make this into a matching activity - this is really just an intro to sensory elements, and the use of clear jars for the 'sound cylinders' means your baby can see what is making the sound
4. Your baby will love to play some simple musical instruments at this age. Try a floor drum with a soft mallet to start with. Remember that the infant absorbs everything in their environment and uses all that is absorbed to construct their framework of knowledge – for this reason it is really important to use the best quality musical instruments you can afford
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18 August 2011
5 things...the seventh month
1. Toys that offer the chance to put things in and out of containers will intrigue your baby. Even something simple like a small bucket and a ball will offer purposeful activity
2. Treasure baskets are a lovely way to offer independent exploration of safe objects. Choose no more than 8 objects that are safe to mouth, and place them in a basket. Allow your baby to scoot over and pull the objects from the basket and explore the variety of textures
3. Your baby will begin to enjoy games with you – offer them the chance to knock down a tower of soft blocks that you build up for them, and watch their anticipation grow as you build the tower, and the satisfaction as they knock it down
4. Now is the time to begin the introduction to solid food. Your baby might have a tooth or two and is showing signs of interest in your food and drink. Find a small weaning table and chair, and offer food and drink in real bowls and cups. More information on the Montessori approach to weaning here
Your baby might be starting to crawl, or getting themselves up on hands and knees in preparation for crawling. Choosing appropriate clothing is especially important at this stage to make this important work easier to master. Little dresses and cute jeans may look great but can make the work of learning to crawl and move about very frustrating
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16 August 2011
5 things...the sixth month
1. Your baby will enjoy nursery rhymes, finger plays and other shared games. If you can find a Suzuki ECE class nearby, try it out. The Suzuki and Montessori Philosophies are very compatible
2. Anticipation and surprise are something new for your baby. Peek-a-Boo games, and toys that offer surprises will begin to provide amusement for your baby and some shared laughter
3. Your baby's interest in books is growing and they will want to start turning the pages and holding on to the book themselves. Make a homemade book with several blank pages, and then including one surprise page with a pattern on it, somewhere in the book.
4. Family and friends you see regularly will soon become favourite people as your baby's social awareness develops. Make a book of favourite people using a soft photo album, or a custom board book
Your baby might begin teething at this age – offering toys that they can chew and bite will help ease uncomfortable sensations. The wooden ring from the Ring on a Ribbon set makes a great teether when removed from its hanging ribbon
14 August 2011
5 things...the fifth month
Your baby is developing their hand skills from simple grasping to manipulating the objects that they hold. You can offer the Interlocking Discs to provide an opportunity to use two hands together – a new skill which needs practice
2. Your baby has a natural attraction to faces and will love a simple doll figure at this age. Waldorf dolls make a lovely addition to your baby's toys at this age, with their simple facial features and use of natural fibres in construction
3. Sewing some interesting objects onto the toes of socks and popping them on your baby's feet will provide an incentive to explore their feet, which they may have just begun to notice
4. Your baby is starting to develop the ability to choose. Offering a low shelf with three toys to choose from will help them to practice this skill. When rotating toys out, only change one of the toys at any time. Your baby has a strong sense of order and a need for sameness - change needs to happen slowly
5. Try offering three books at a time for your baby to choose from. Little choices translate into big leaps forward in independence, and feelings of self-confidence. Try for one favourite, one already read, and one new, to provide a good mix of familiar and novelty.
5. Try offering three books at a time for your baby to choose from. Little choices translate into big leaps forward in independence, and feelings of self-confidence. Try for one favourite, one already read, and one new, to provide a good mix of familiar and novelty.
12 August 2011
5 things...the fourth month
1. By now you may have noticed your baby reaching out towards their mobiles and waving their arms about trying to bat at things. Offer your baby the Bell on a Ribbon for practising their batting skills
2. Your baby's sense of hearing is almost as acute as that of an adult. They will be highly motivated by sound and the opportunity to control the making of sounds. Offer your baby a variety of rattles and noise making toys to practice batting with. You might like to make a toy hanger to hang the batting toys from.
3. Your baby's reflexive grasping is being replaced by conscious control of their hand, even though their attempts at grasping are still crude. Provide lots of chances to grasp objects by choosing a selection of grasping toys that are light, small, interesting to look at and made of natural materials. Rotate the toys as your baby loses interest, keeping no more than 3 out at a time
4. Up till now, your baby's main form of communication has been through crying. They are more regularly starting to make cooing noises when happy, relaxed and engaged. Try imitating your baby's noises in conversation style – taking turns and waiting for your baby to respond
Your baby might be starting to roll and become more mobile. Resist the temptation to 'help' them along. Physical development is something that the child can conquer all on their own - and they need the chance to do it for themselves! Movement is a sensitive period in infancy, that is incredibly powerful. Help your baby by acknowledging their beginning attempts at mobility as being real work
11 August 2011
5 things...the third month
1. Your baby is developing their sense of vision and visual tracking abilities during this time. The Octahedron Mobile will provide something to focus on with its reflective, metallic finish and primary colours
2. The Gobbi Mobile offers further visual information with its subtle gradations of colour, corresponding to your baby's newly developed ability to see shades of colours
3. Your baby has almost fully developed colour vision, but is now working on depth perception and dynamic visual focusing skills (focusing on moving objects). Offering a mobile that moves freely and gracefully (like the Dancers Mobile, or the alternative Harmony Wings Mobile) will meet this need
4. Your baby might be interested in holding something. While their grasp is still reflexive (not consciously controlled), offering sensory stimulating in the form of the grasping beads will help this reflex to develop into a controlled movement
09 August 2011
5 things...the second month
- Learn the art of infant massage – this will help you to calm an unsettled baby, and will provide valuable opportunities to connect on a physical level. It also answers your baby's need for face to face time, which is essential for their beginning language development
- Your baby will be ready to transition into their floor bed sometime in these four weeks. A floor bed will allow your baby to see and move freely – both important conditions needed in the sensitive period for the development of internal order
- A mirror at floor level will give your little one a view of themselves and will help them to become more aware of themselves, and their body movements
- Place art work at eye level for your baby, and rather than having many pieces, avoid visual clutter by choosing and placing one piece and changing it out when your baby loses interest
- The Visual Mobile Series can be started during this month. Begin with the Munari Mobile which is designed to capture your child's limited visual capabilities and stimulate their inherently mathematical mind
08 August 2011
5 things...
Inspired by Kylie's 5 things series and a question from Sara in her online community forum, I am about to start a series of posts about 5 things you can create, do or provide for your baby in each month of their first year of life.
To kick things off, here are 5 things your newborn may need...
- Your newborn's consciousness revolves around their immediate physical experiences. Prepare a womb-like sleeping environment by making a Cestina (a traditional Montessori sleeping basket used during the symbiotic period)
- Your baby needs to get used to being carried and held. Help them to feel secure by making a Topponcino (a small, soft, flexible mattress useful for carrying baby, holding baby and transferring a sleeping baby from place to place). You can buy a Topponcino from Maria, in Greece.
- Your greatest opportunity to connect with your new baby is through your caregiving routines. Prepare the area for physical care (nappy changes, dressing) so that you can offer unhurried quality connection time
- The transition from the womb to the outside world is dramatic. Ensure that your baby has continued access to the points of reference they established in utero, to help ease into their new environment (Maternal points of reference include the mother's heartbeat and voice, Infant points of reference are the ability to move, the ability to touch the face and mouth, the ability to move the hands)
- Your baby began preparing for a new rhythm of living in the final weeks of pregnancy. These biological rhythms need to be respected so that the newborn can complete their adaptation to the outside world. Babies naturally sleep when they are tired, and eat when they are hungry. Be a sensitive observer of their signals to facilitate this natural development
this the first post in a series of twelvenext post in this series
05 July 2011
New toddler material
a family of penguins made for matching and puzzling...can be found here
10 June 2011
Free Download
Spreading some love...
Here is a free download to make a set of Inside Outside Fruit Cards.
Simply print, laminate, cut and round the corners for a fun toddler activity.
Toddlers do not learn from looking at pictures! They learn about their world by experiencing it through taste, touch, sight, hearing and smell. Please, please, please use these cards in the way they were designed to be presented...
Choose one card, and then go out and buy that fruit from your grocer...
Spend some time with your toddler looking at the fruit, touching it, smelling it...cut it open and taste it, tell her what it is called...
When she has had enough, bring out the pictures and say "outside" and "inside".
When you have presented more than one fruit in this way...you can play the card game...
Try simple matching at first - print out two sets
Then try matching the inside pictures to the outside pictures
Then try playing a simple memory game with only two or three pairs...
If you have enjoyed using this little gift from me, please send me a photo of your baby enjoying this learning experience. Everyone who sends in a pic - gets another free download!
Here is a free download to make a set of Inside Outside Fruit Cards.
Simply print, laminate, cut and round the corners for a fun toddler activity.
Toddlers do not learn from looking at pictures! They learn about their world by experiencing it through taste, touch, sight, hearing and smell. Please, please, please use these cards in the way they were designed to be presented...
Choose one card, and then go out and buy that fruit from your grocer...
Spend some time with your toddler looking at the fruit, touching it, smelling it...cut it open and taste it, tell her what it is called...
When she has had enough, bring out the pictures and say "outside" and "inside".
When you have presented more than one fruit in this way...you can play the card game...
Try simple matching at first - print out two sets
Then try matching the inside pictures to the outside pictures
Then try playing a simple memory game with only two or three pairs...
If you have enjoyed using this little gift from me, please send me a photo of your baby enjoying this learning experience. Everyone who sends in a pic - gets another free download!
09 June 2011
Montessori and Attachment Parenting
As a mother to two boys, and a Montessori educator, I am often asked by parents whether the Montessori approach is compatible with other child rearing philosophies. The most common query is about Attachment Parenting. I must admit that when I was first asked this question almost 10 years ago, I didn't really know what Attachment Parenting was! After a bit of research, it became clear to me that Attachment Parenting was very compatible with my idea of parenting (my children had not yet been born, but my own parents parented me in this way with great results!). However as I progressed further into my training as a Montessori teacher at the infant toddler level, I realised that not every Montessori theorist would promote the principles of Attachment Parenting for use in the Montessori Home. However, the foundations of Attachment Parenting seemed, to me, to be very much in line with Dr Montessori's vision for a peaceful childhood.
· The first principle: Preparation for Pregnancy, Birth and Parenting
Become emotionally and physically prepared for pregnancy and birth. Research available options for healthcare providers and birthing environments, and become informed about routine newborn care. Continuously educate yourself about developmental stages of childhood, setting realistic expectations and remaining flexible.
The Montessori approach to parenting is also focused on preparing for the arrival of a new child in a thoughtful and careful manner. Assistants to Infancy work with families to prepare a welcoming home environment for their newborn; they help mother to prepare for a childbirth that is as close to the ideal as possible (a natural, drug-free, non-intrusive and peaceful labour and birth); they offer support during the symbiotic period (the first six weeks after birth) to help establish rhythms and routines for living; they work to protect the important emotional bonding that takes place between parents and infant in the hours, days and weeks after birth.
· The second principle: Feeding with Love and Respect
Breastfeeding is the optimal way to satisfy an infant's nutritional and emotional needs. "Bottle Nursing" adapts breastfeeding behaviours to bottle-feeding to help initiate a secure attachment. Follow the feeding cues for both infants and children, encouraging them to eat when they are hungry and stop when they are full. Offer healthy food choices and model healthy eating behaviours.
Montessori too, recognises that breastfeeding on demand, particularly during the symbiotic period, is an important part of helping the infant to develop a fundamental trust in the world. The sensitive period for weaning begins between 5 and 6 months of age. As always, the sensitive period is marked by several signs of readiness which may be different for each child. Montessori practitioners recognise the need to be attuned to each child's individual needs when weaning, and the physiological and psychological importance of the weaning process. Weaning marks the beginning of a process of separation from the mother, as the child becomes aware of his independence and of his self as a separate entity. When the infant is able to sit up, shows an interest in eating the food of the family, and has begun teething, he is ready to begin the process of weaning. If care is taken to introduce solid food in a positive manner and to encourage the child's independence, she will take the natural step of decreasing and eventually stopping milk feeds without the need for this process to be arbitrarily determined by the adult. The need for the mother will naturally be replaced with the child's desire for independence, if care is taken to support and nurture the child first steps towards autonomy. Anne McNamara, in an article written for the NAMTA journal puts it plainly..."Montessorians need to guard against being influenced by our society's preoccupation with freeing the mother from the baby instead of allowing the baby to free himself from the mother. Mothers need to be supported in letting their babies determine when and how long they need to nurse.
· The third principle: Respond with Sensitivity
Build the foundation of trust and empathy beginning in infancy. Tune in to what your child is communicating to you, then respond consistently and appropriately. Babies cannot be expected to self-soothe, they need calm, loving, empathetic parents to help them learn to regulate their emotions. Respond sensitively to a child who is hurting or expressing strong emotion, and share in their joy.
The importance of this sensitive parenting is highlighted in Montessori's emphasis on the earliest weeks of life. Assistants to Infancy help parents to become astute observers of their babies and in turn, to be able to respond to their babies' communications of need in appropriate ways. Sensitive parenting in a Montessori Home requires that the parent learn to negotiate the fine line between offering assistance and becoming the child's servant. Parents learn to watch their child first, before hastily stepping in, so that they can determine exactly what kind of help to offer the child so that his needs can be met, without undermining his belief in himself as a competent, and capable person in his own right. Dr Montessori spoke of the adult as acting as a "necessary support for the child who, having lost control of himself momentarily, needs a strong support to which he can cling." Rebeca Wild, author of Raising Curious, Creative, Confident Kids, affirms the need for empathy saying "To the same extent that they themselves feel loved and respected, they gain the ability to pass on this respect and this love to others, and to feel and fulfil the needs of others."
· The fourth principle: Use Nurturing Touch
Touch meets a baby's needs for physical contact, affection, security, stimulation, and movement. Skin-to-skin contact is especially effective, such as during breastfeeding, bathing, or massage. Carrying or babywearing also meets this need while on the go. Hugs, snuggling, back rubs, massage, and physical play help meet this need in older children.
Dr Silvana Montanaro writes about the importance of touch in her book, Understanding the Human Being. She says of the symbiotic period (the first 6 to 8 weeks after birth) "the body contact in holding tells the child about the mother's acceptance and attitude, and can provide great reassurance which will facilitate the passage to the new environment." "A child can understand, through repeated, direct experiences with a loving parent, that the external world responds promptly to his needs for contact, stimulation and food. There is always an answer to his call and he can trust the environment, as represented by the mother."
And of the importance of holding the child, "proper holding must convey to the child our joy for this intimacy, in addition to our love, respect and admiration for its being." She cautions against making the decision to restrict a child's movements though, stressing that children who have freedom of movement develop a basic faith in oneself, have self-confidence, a sense of independence and autonomy, as well as persistence and high self-esteem. So it follows that Montessori parents must recognise that the child's need for touch must be balanced with their need for freedom of movement. This requires sensitive parenting and a desire to follow the child, not placing the needs of the adult above those of the developing baby. Carrying a baby and giving her time in her own space should never outweigh one another, but should be balanced and offered in accordance with her needs which she will communicate readily. The key lies in understanding and responding appropriately to her communications.
· The fifth principle: Ensure Safe Sleep, Physically and Emotionally
Babies and children have needs at night just as they do during the day; from hunger, loneliness, and fear, to feeling too hot or too cold. They rely on parents to soothe them and help them regulate their intense emotions. Sleep training techniques can have detrimental physiological and psychological effects. Safe co-sleeping has benefits to both babies and parents.
Maria Montessori was clear about the need to provide the infant with "a low couch resting practically upon the floor, where he can lie down and get up as he wishes". Her thoughts on co-sleeping were not explicitly articulated.
Mary Matthews, a Montessori Assistant to Infancy, writes in an article for the NAMTA journal that, "a mattress on the floor permits the baby to move freely on the bed and between the bed and the floor. Should the child need to, she can call her parents or seek them. The child who has enjoyed symbiosis is confident that her parents will respond if she needs them." Mary goes on to say though, "The child who sleeps in the family bed needs the presence of a parent to sleep comfortably. This created dependence cannot assist her."
My opinion is that if the child is given the freedom of movement provided by a floor bed, and then chooses to leave that bed to sleep in a shared bed, that this is in fact reinforcing the autonomy and freedom of choice that we wish to cultivate in him through the provision of the floor bed. Anne McNamara (who writes in an article of response) shows us that our focus should not be on whether the child sleeps in his floor bed, or in a family bed, but rather that it should be on respect for the child's freedom of choice. She points out that shared sleep might be considered by some to be "created dependence. But conversely, the separate child's bed is created independence."
· The sixth principle: Provide Consistent and Loving Care
Babies and young children have an intense need for the physical presence of a consistent, loving, responsive caregiver: ideally a parent. If it becomes necessary, choose an alternate caregiver who has formed a bond with the child and who cares for him in a way that strengthens the attachment relationship. Keep schedules flexible, and minimize stress and fear during short separations.
The Montessori approach is about developing the "whole" child. Montessori parents need to create environments that nurture every aspect of their child's development. It is often easier to focus on intellectual development, since this involves things we can see and touch – learning objects. But creating safe spaces in which your child's emotional needs are met, is vital to the development of healthy future relationships. Dr Jill Stamm, in Bright from the Start, says that "your baby depends biologically on your responsiveness. Though he was born with the capabilities for joy, sadness, fear and many other feelings, he needs help regulating these emotional states so that they don't overwhelm his system."
We should also take care in recognizing that the process of separation is precisely that, a process. It does not happen instantaneously on the first day that the child spends away from his parents. Separation viewed through Montessori philosophy takes place on a number of levels, beginning with birth, in which the child separates from the protected environment of the womb, and attaches to the world of life; weaning, in which he separates from the breast as a source of food and attaches to the food of the family and self-feeding; movement, in which the child slithers, rolls, crawls, cruises and walks in incremental steps away from the mother, and attaches to the immediate environment of the home; and the period of self-affirmation in which the child declares himself autonomous and capable of independent living.
The seventh principle: Practice Positive Discipline
Judi Orion, a Montessori Assistant to Infancy Trainer says, "What we have to be careful about here is not to confuse this need for independence, and our desire for them to be independent, with their simultaneous need to be nurtured. Just because they can do things doesn't mean they don't need nurturing. Sometimes we push independence at the expense of nurturing. I think we always need to keep that in balance."
Positive discipline helps a child develop a conscience guided by his own internal discipline and compassion for others. Discipline that is empathetic, loving, and respectful strengthens the connection between parent and child. Rather than reacting to behaviour, discover the needs leading to the behaviour. Communicate and craft solutions together while keeping everyone's dignity intact.
Dr Montessori spoke very eloquently on the topic of discipline. Her idea of discipline was not that of an external condition imposed on the child from outside, but that it is a natural state which grows and develops from within the child, just like any other conquest of development in childhood. According to Montessori theory there are three stages in the development of self-discipline. Stage one is when the child is only able to obey the internal impulses that drive him, even they put him at odds with those around him. (think of a baby who continues to reach out and touch something even when he has been told not to a number of times. The baby is not being deliberate in his 'disobedience', he is simply doing what he instincts are driving him to do – explore his environment – even if those drives don't match up with the requests of his parents). Stage two is when the child is able to suppress his inner drive in order to comply with an external request – that is, he is mostly able to do what is asked of him since his desire to be part of the social group overrides his instinctual drives.
The third stage is when the child obeys joyfully. He has transcended the state of development where he obeys because of an external request – he does the right thing because it is right, not because someone has told him to do it. This stage of discipline is only reached under a specific set of circumstances – where the child is given the freedom to develop his will. Too often parents believe that in order to raise an obedient child, they must 'break' his will. But Montessori believed that in order to reach the third stage of self-discipline, the child's ability to choose must be fostered – and this can only happen in a loving and supportive environment, where children are given freedom to act within clearly defined boundaries.
"Discipline and freedom are so co-related that, if there is some lack of discipline, the cause is to be found in some lack of freedom. To obtain discipline, it is quite useless to count on reprimands or spoken exhortations. Such means might perhaps at the beginning have an appearance of efficacy, but after a while cease to have any effect." – Maria Montessori
Essentially, misbehavior is the expression of the lack of freedom to meet one's needs. Authoritarian behaviour on the part of the parents is not likely to create a situation in which a child's natural state of true self-discipline can be established. Children need loving guidance and a nurturing environment in which to develop their will – which will allow them to be in control of themselves.
The eighth principle: Strive for Balance in Personal and Family Life
It is easier to be emotionally responsive when you feel in balance. Create a support network, set realistic goals, put people before things, and don't be afraid to say "no". Recognize individual needs within the family and meet them to the greatest extent possible without compromising your physical and emotional health. Be creative, have fun with parenting, and take time to care for yourself.
I guess this one speaks for itself. Montessori theory has three essential components as it were: the child, the prepared environment and the prepared adult. She says that "The starting preparation demanded of a Montessori adult is that he or she should examine himself, and become humble, and to ask in what manner does he consider the child?" – The Secret of Childhood.
Dr. Montessori says that the child 'must be protected by an external environment animated by the warmth of love, and the richness of value, where he is wholly accepted' – The Child in the Family.
P. Donohue Shortridge says, "If it is the child's job to construct the adult he is to uniquely become, then it is incumbent upon the adult to facilitate that growth rather than to impose her own will on him. The Montessori adult willingly relinquishes her own agenda for the child and instead learns from him what he needs next from the adult and from the environment and faithfully provides it. Fundamentally, the adult removes external obstacles to the child's learning which are ironically often precipitated by the adults themselves."
And in Maria Montessori's words once again, "The truly great authority and dignity of parents rests solely upon the help they are able to give their children in building themselves. The child can only build well if this help is given in a suitable way." – The Absorbent Mind
It stands to reason that parents can only offer suitable help to their children, and can only relinquish their own agenda, whilst maintaining a loving and wholly accepting environment when they themselves are nurtured, respected and part of a support network. I would encourage Montessori parents to spend time within their Montessori circles, building relationships with like-minded families so that they might have assistance in the important task of parenting. It takes courage to allow your child's voice to be heard and to answer its call in a manner that can only feel right for you. A strong attachment between parent and child is very necessary and undoubtedly this is the aim of proponents of Attachment Parenting, but the potential that the Montessori philosophy has for nurturing those connections for life is untold.
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Close your eyes and imagine your life ten years from now. What will you be doing? Where will you be doing it?
Will you use your biology degree to lead a research project in brain chemistry?
Perhaps you're the graphic novelist who will put pen to paper creating fantastic worlds not yet imagined?
Or will you be running your own business at 25 because you got a head start on college classes while you were still in high school?
Are you the international student who will start a human rights NGO in your home country?
Talk to our Counselors so they can help you create a plan to get you on your way. They'll tell you about the Academic Programs our students come to study at WVC. Perhaps you'll find your future career there.
Talk to our Faculty about what you want to do and ask if they know about internships or can get you tutoring assistance.
Talk to our Financial Aid staff. Ask about grants, federal aid, scholarships, BOG waivers, and other assistance so tuition and book costs don't stand between you and your dreams.
And, whenever you feel the need to be inspired, check out the many paths our WVC alumni have taken to go where they wanted. After all, they were in your shoes once upon a time.


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The Lillebaby Complete in Toffee is made with 100% soft-brushed organic cotton and lined with luxurious, 100% organic sateen cotton. In beautiful green color inspired by nature.
Designed with the unsurpassed functionality and comfort of the l�ll�baby� COMPLETE� baby carrier line. The perfect baby carrier.
All-in-one carrying- front, hip or back; baby face in, out, or in fetal position.
Ergonomic leg position in every setting, including when baby is facing forward.
Seat adjusts to perfectly fit baby at every stage and enables carrying through the otherwise "baby wearing gap."
Adjustable neck support with elastic attachments gives ideal support while allowing for free movement.
The adjustable torso is taller than most brands, giving your baby sturdier support and better posture.
Padded side straps protect baby from webbing.
Removable sleeping hood adjusts in length and includes elastic edging for comfortable fit. Protects from sun and wind and gives privacy and supports baby�s head while sleeping.
Easy to Use, Comfortable Ergonomic Carrying
Ergonomic design with optimal weight distribution.
Unique lumbar support provides lower back support and prevents webbing strap from sliding and �cutting� into parent's waist.
Sliding adjustment chest strap with a mesh-lined pad that protects and simplifies locating buckle on your back.
Ergonomic shoulder pads are sturdy 3 inch (7.5 cm) wide with one inch thick (2.5 cm) premium foam.
Extra long straps generally fits adults body heights 5� to 6� 6 (fit may vary depending on body type and weight.)
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The Lillebaby Complete in Toffee is made with 100% soft-brushed organic cotton and lined with luxurious, 100% organic sateen cotton. In beautiful green color inspired by nature.


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The Marriage Obituary
Jada Pinkett-Smith looked really great walking around New York yesterday. IΓÇÖm mostly referring to her clothes because I want my pants to fit like that. Her daughter, Willow, was also seen in NYC on Thursday (though they were not together) hopping around on some inspired footwear apparently on her way to visit with the Blue Ivy Carter.
So you know the practice by news outlets to have prepared obituaries on file at the ready for when certain celebrities they think might be likely to die actually die? Call it a Marriage Obituary for Jada and Will Smith and IΓÇÖm told many outlets have it written, and theyΓÇÖre especially anxious about it every Friday. ThatΓÇÖs when the bigger celebrities like to release separation announcements after everyone has gone home.
For the better part of the year now the tabloids have been calling for the Smiths to end. Every couple of weeks or so since August 2011, In Touch goes at them hard. Some of the lower ranking other tabloids have followed their lead. So that now it's considered an inevitability. In Touch et al aren't exactly the most reliable of publications, as we know, as demonstrated by the fact that they've also predicated the demise of the Brange over 100 times, but still…
No one takes those Brange break reports seriously anywhere. (NO THEY ARE NOT HAVING MORE TWINS!) Whereas everyone I've been talking to in LA the last few weeks seems convinced that the Smith split is only a matter of time…
How did the indestructible Smiths suddenly become so (seemingly and publicly) fragile?
We need to talk about this in class.
Marquez / Splash News


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Building Beadlocks -Tight As A TickPosted in How To: Wheels Tires on June 1, 2013
Airing down. It's like fine-tuning your tires' performance for whatever off-road surface you are about to run them on. Running a lower air pressure off-road has good effects and some bad effects. The good is that the contact patch of the tire is much larger, which makes the tire grip more of whatever it's on, wrapping the tread around rocks, sticks, dirt, and bumps. More traction means you go further down the trail. One of the unfortunate side effects is that a tire with less pressure is more likely to slip over the safety bead of the wheel. Once this happens, all the air escapes and you are left with a very flat tire that is only partially attached to the wheel. In a worst-case scenario you were just careening around a corner on a dirt road when your bead slipped. You lost control, your wheel acted like an anchor when it hit the ground, slung your Jeep around, and now your Jeep is on its side or lid. That's bad…potentially very bad. What's the fix? Well, you could run a slightly higher pressure like 20 psi. Or take a wheel and add a method to mechanically lock the bead of the tire to the wheel. Most do this with the addition of inner and outer rings that bolt together to clamp the tire to the outer lip of the wheel. Follow along as we take some beat-up, but otherwise awesome, old wheels and have them converted into a set of high-end beadlocks.


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Most of the endless rehashing of the debt deal has correctly focused on the fact that corporate interests and Tea Party politics have prevailed again, at the expense of the middle class, children in poverty, students and the elderly. But in understanding the long-term impact of this drawn-out debate, too little attention has been paid to the blow it has dealt to the foundational principles of our democracy.
A CNN poll conducted after the deal shows that a whopping 77 percent of Americans believe that elected officials acted like "spoiled children." The yawning gap between the mindset of decision-makers in Washington and the daily reality of most Americans is a grave threat to what organizers call "little-d democracy." This is about neither the Democratic Party nor the procedural machinery by which our nominally democratic government operates. "Little-d democracy" is the basic idea that ordinary Americans, regardless of rank or stature, can have a voice in shaping our own destiny.
When all is said and done, the process that created the deal may end up being as destructive as the deal's effects. While the country watched helplessly, each new turn and every talking head in the seemingly endless saga demonstrated that ordinary people had no real part to play. Unless we employ an army of lobbyists or have a key to the Congressional washroom, it seemed there was no reconciling the debate on the Hill with the needs and desires of those most affected by the final deal.
Some data points to consider:
§ For months, poll after poll has showed that rank-and-file Americans of all political persuasions believe that revenues (the nice way to say taxes) should be a part of any deal to resolve our debt crisis. Seventy-two percent of Americans polled between July 14 and July 17 said taxes should be raised on those making more than $250,000 per year, including 73 percent of independents and a stunning 54 percent of Republicans. Fifty-nine percent wanted taxes raised on oil and gas companies, including 60 percent of independents and 55 percent of Republicans. Yet Republicans refused to vote for a deal that included any revenues at all, and the Democratic leadership capitulated despite the fact that the position was exactly the opposite of what large majorities wanted.
§ In the week leading up to the vote, more than 600 rallies were held around the country supporting the passage of a clean debt-ceiling bill and protecting Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid from cuts. MoveOn.org alone made more than 125,000 calls to Congress to support a clean debt-ceiling raise. Coverage of all of these rallies was minimal at best. There was also one Tea Party rally, which, despite the impressive resources of their corporate backers, was sparsely attended. Yet the talk in Washington almost exclusively centered on what the Tea Party would accept.


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WASHINGTON (AP) — Myrlie Evers-Williams is calling on Americans to work together to build on the nation's progress in her invocation for President Barack Obama's inaugural ceremony.
The widow of slain civil rights activist Medgar Evers' message of inclusion for the inaugural ceremonies comes 50 years after her husband was gunned down in the driveway of his Mississippi home.
The inauguration falls on Martin Luther King Jr. Day.
Evers-Williams is a distinguished scholar at Alcorn State University in Lorman, Miss. She was chairwoman of the NAACP from 1995 to 1998.


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James Atkinson, 79 - May 21, 2012
James Lincoln Atkinson, 79, of Portland, OR, formerly of Brady, passed away Monday, May 21, 2012.
A memorial service will be conducted on Monday, June 11, at 2 p.m. at the Rotunda at Fort McPherson National Cemetery near Maxwell.
Atkinson was born Feb. 12, 1933, at Brady, son of Clifford and Esther Atkinson.
He was a graduate of Brady High School, and of the University of Nebraska in 1955 with a bachelor of architecture degree.
Atkinson served two years with the U.S. Army Reserves as a first lieutenant in Korea. Following his return to the States, he resided at Portland, where he was employed as an architect and was a partner in several firms until his retirement in 1995.
He spent his entire professional career working with four architectural firms in Portland. He joined his third firm, Hewlett and Jamison, Architects, in 1961 and became a partner in 1969 with another partner added in 1972 becoming Hewlett Jamison Atkinson Luey Architects through 1985. From 1986 until his retirement in 1995, he was a partner with the firm Gasley Plowman Atkinson Architects, now known as GPA Architects LLC.
During his long career as an architect, he served as the principal project architect on many outstanding projects that were greatly appreciated by clients, according to family members, including projects for Oregon State University, Pacific University and more.
?Atkinson enjoyed challenging his mind and spent many hours learning about history, especially British history, said family members. He was also intrigued with words and was a master at crossword puzzles.
He was loved by his extended family and many memories were shared during vacations on the Oregon coast and his trips back to Colorado and Nebraska, family members said.
Survivors include: his sister, Maxine (Allen) Fickenscher; his niece, Nancy (John) Gerrard; nephews—Tim Fickenscher (Carol Windrum) and Tom (Cindy) Fickenscher, all of Nebraska; seven grand-nieces and nephews, a great-grand-niece and two great-grand-nephews.
Memorials are suggested to Brady Public School Foundation, P.O. Box 58, Brady, NE 69123; Multnomah County Library, Library Foundation, 620 S.W. 5th Ave., Suite 1025, Portland, OR 97204 (www.libraryfoundation.org).
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Photo By: Courtesy of Los Altos Rotary Club
A Community Health Awareness counselor works with a student. CHAC recently received a Rotary Club of Los Altos grant.
The Rotary Club of Los Altos recently awarded community grants to local nonprofit organizations, underwritten with proceeds from the 2012 Rotary Fine Art in the Park show.
A dozen groups requested more than $40,000 in funding during the spring application period. The Rotary Endowment Fund donated $10,835 to seven recipients in amounts ranging from $750 to $2,000.
According to Rotary officials, recent requests have run three to four times higher than the available funds. Community Grants Chairman Jerry Moison heads a committee of 12 Rotarians who select the recipients based on their services and need.
This spring's grant winners and causes include:
• Community Health Awareness Council: Provides counseling for youth in grades K-12.
• STEM Summer Camps at Foothill College: Reinforces high school juniors and seniors, with a focus on female and underprepared students, in the subjects of science, technology, engineering and math.
• Bus Barn Theater: Underwrites tickets for local students to attend performances of "The Fantasticks."
• Vida Verde: Provides scholarships that allow low-income children to attend the outdoor environmental camp for students in grades 3-6 in San Mateo County public schools.
• Family Supportive Housing: Provides homework tutors for homeless children in San Jose.
• Music for Minors: Purchases pitch pipes for choral students.
• Child Advocates: Improves the reliability of its computers for programs that assist foster children.
The Los Altos Rotary Endowment Fund accepts community grant requests twice a year. The spring submission deadline is April 1 and the fall deadline is Oct. 1.
To access a grant application form, visit www.losaltosrotary.org/Production/LAREFguidelines.html.