Listen to “Amy Pollack Authors Coming of Age book” on Spreaker.

“Pollack’s titular hero shines; she’s likable and relatable, an even blend of relatable worries and drama-queen moments….  An endearing, plucky girl endures and overcomes in this absorbing quick read.”
–Kirkus Reviews

Ever since she was in fourth grade – back in 1960 – Amy Meislin Pollack was writing and telling stories about a character named Jelly Bean. She never stopped telling those stories, sharing them with her students over a teaching career that spanned 40+ years. She shared them with her three children when they were younger – and then with her seven grandchildren. Now her stories have been made available to everyone with the recent publishing of two coming-of-age books intended for middle-graders, The Adventures of Jelly Bean and The Further Adventures of Jelly Bean.

“My books touch upon topics of friendship, popularity, death, race, drugs, alcohol, feeling neglected, family issues, and the types of things many kids today are confronting as they look to find their way in an ever-changing world,” says Pollack.

The Adventures of Jelly Bean and The Further Adventures of Jelly Bean are the stories of a fourth-grader who faces challenges that just about all children her age can recognize.  Her parents don’t approve of her favorite friend in the whole world. She has trouble getting along with the brother who is closest in age to her.  The uncle she loves so much is about to marry the most awful woman she could ever imagine, and the girl who used to be her best friend has turned on her. Jelly Bean faces these and other stumbling blocks, including: the difficulties in achieving and maintaining popularity and how important having certain friends should be to her; difficulties inherent in relationships with various friends and family members; and learning how to make decisions on her own.  In these first two books of my middle-grade series, Jelly Bean comes to understand that much of life is trial and error, and that the only constant in life is that it is always changing.

Pollack is available to discuss the following:

Why coming-of-age stories are always needed for children.

What parents can do when they have strong disagreements with their children.

Why some kids need help making friends and dealing with issues of popularity.

The dialogues she hopes to see people launch into as a result of her books.

Solid generational advice that still holds true for our youth confronting challenges.

What parents need to know about raising healthy and successful kids today.

How grandparents and parents can help kids navigate the problems of growing up today.

Why a retired teacher of four decades and a grandma of seven recently took to publishing her middle-grade fiction after developing the story 60 years ago.

About The Adventures of Jelly Bean:

What if the start to your day was falling into the toilet, which caused you to miss your carpool, that in turn caused you to get to school late, that ultimately caused you to miss getting one of the decent parts in the upcoming Thanksgiving play? That is exactly what happens to fourth-grader Jelly. Bean on the day we first meet her. Things only go downhill from there and no one at home seems to have much time for her. Except Roger-Over, her beloved dog.

About The Further Adventures of Jelly Bean:

Jelly Bean in the continuation of her adventures as she seeks solutions to the challenges that confronted her in book 1. Michael, her oldest brother, has dropped out of school and joined the Marines, which usurps much of her parents’ attention. Kylie, the new girl in school, faces a medical emergency. And Jelly Bean is still forbidden from going to her best friend’s house.

She has to decide how to deal with these dilemmas and more. Along the way she learns about love, death, pain, relationships, the difference between right and wrong and the value of friendship. See the world through the eyes of this forthright fourth-grader as she discovers two truths about life – that it is always complicated, and always changing.

5-Star Amazon Reviews:

“Understanding a young girl’s feelings, capturing her mind’s world in a fun, loving way. This debut novel will win the hearts of school children because they will relate, feel heard and laugh along the way.”  *****

“I am so glad I was with my grandchildren (11 & 12 years old, boy and girl) when they both read the book! They had planned on sharing the book by reading one chapter then letting the other read one…but they had such trouble giving up the book!! Each chapter simply made them want to continue on!” *****

“Bought this for my 12-year-old granddaughter. She read it easily, and had a good time following the stories. Beautiful, fun illustrations.” *****

The post Coming-Of-Age Book Series By A Retired Teacher & Grandparent Helps Middle-Graders Navigate The Challenges Of Growing Up appeared first on Good News!.

Many people believe that once cancer treatment ends, life goes back to normal. For cancer survivors, that couldn’t be further from the truth.

That’s why a series called Survivorship Today : What It’s Like to Live with Cancer was created to share stories of people across the country who have been affected by cancer and advance our collective understanding of what it’s like to live with the disease today. The series helps bring attention to their personal triumphs and challenges, because with greater understanding, we can inspire more action and better support.

When AJ was diagnosed with Stage IV lung cancer, he was told he only had a few years to live. Now, seven years later, he has joined Survivorship Today to share the physical and emotional challenges he still experiences even after treatment has ended.

AJ still experiences limited use of his right arm and hand, reduced sensation in his right leg that impacts his gait, fatigue and other issues that can make everyday tasks difficult to perform. As a lung cancer survivor, he faces even greater challenges in the height of COVID-19. Research has shown the virus is associated with a high burden of severity in patients with lung cancer, and AJ finds he is once again feeling isolated and his family needs to take extra precautions.

He also used to be fixated on making it from one milestone to the next, but soon realized those feelings were stealing not only his happiness, but also the happiness of those around him. Today, AJ tries to live each moment in the present, being fully immersed in what he’s doing. He practices daily meditation, listens more and says his relationships have become stronger than ever.

There are nearly 17 million cancer survivors in the U.S. today, and thanks to advances in research, that number is expected to increase to 26 million by 2040. Despite this progress, research is only beginning to understand how cancer impacts us over time.

Joining AJ is Shelley Fuld Nasso, CEO of the National Coalition for Cancer Survivors (NCCS), who can discuss NCCS’ 2020 State of Cancer Survivorship survey and ways to better support survivorship needs, particularly during the time of COVID-19.

AJ and Shelley discuss why they got involved in Survivorship Today, and what they want others to know about life with cancer today.
Interview courtesy: Bristol Myers Squibb
Survivorship Today is a series by Bristol Myers Squibb

The post SURVIVORSHIP TODAY SERIES EXPLORES REALITIES OF LIFE WITH CANCER IN 2020 appeared first on Good News!.

More than half of people with AFib don’t believe that they are at an increased risk of stroke. People with AFib also may not realize that their stroke risk can change over time. That’s why, West and Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Inc., are teaming up to help those living with AFib by offering a simple tool they can use to calculate their stroke risk at www.MyAFibRisk.com. It’s eight easy questions that can help those with AFib understand their risk and talk with their doctor about stroke risk management and treatment options.

For every person who goes to the website and calculates their risk, Janssen will make a contribution to Mended Hearts, a nonprofit peer-to-peer support network that inspires hope and helps to improve the quality of life for heart patients, their families and caregivers.

Dr. Mark J. Alberts will join Jerry West to address the risk of stroke associated with AFib and the importance of working with a doctor to determine an appropriate treatment plan that can help lower patient risk.

THE FACTS
• Jerry West is currently an executive board member of the Golden State Warriors, who recently won the 2015 NBA Championship
• West played for the Lakers from 1960 to 1974, and is believed to be the inspiration for the NBA logo
• West was selected as one of the 50 Greatest Players in NBA History in 1997
• Up to 6 million Americans are diagnosed with AFib, the most common serious heart rhythm abnormality in people over the age of 65
• One in three people with AFib will have a stroke in their lifetime

The Sponsor is Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

The post NBA LEGEND AND 14-TIME ALL-STAR JERRY “MR. CLUTCH” WEST appeared first on Good News!.

People are in need of this kind of guidance – from everyday spending to huge hospital bills.

On ‘Pimm Fox (Taking Stock/Bloomberg Radio)’……I was referred to as the man who teaches us how to squeeze more juice out of our orange.

www.HarrisHelps.org

1) “It’s My Money & I Want It!” An interesting name. How did you arrive at that name?

2) What is your book about & why is it different from all the others out there?

3) A little history about yourself

4) Being continuously successful, what were some of the things you learned that were a basis for your success

5) For people who are in business and are struggling through the ups & downs of business, what is your advice?

6) You have a reputation for helping people with their financial problems, at home & in their businesses. Do you do one on one if you were contacted?

Again, book can be purchase from my web site, www.HarrisHelps.org

The post Harris Glasser, “It’s My Money & I Want It!” appeared first on Good News!.

Moving Families Forward…

Founded in 1960, the Ackerman Institute for the Family is one of the premier institutions for family therapy and one of the best-known and most highly regarded training facilities for family therapists in the United States. The Institute serves families from all walks of life at all stages of family life.

The Ackerman Institute’s mission is to provide:

• Innovative couple and family therapy services through its on-site Clinic (licensed by the State of New York Office of Mental Health).
• State-of-the-art training programs for mental health and other professionals on-site, in community settings and internationally.
• Cutting-edge research initiatives that focus on the development of new treatment models and training techniques.

Through this dynamic interaction of treatment, training and research, Ackerman helps families, serves mental health care professionals and brings innovative perspectives to a broad array of community service agencies and other health care facilities. For more info, go to www.ackerman.org

A Tribute To Families Gala

Hosted by

Natalie Morales, NBC News’ Today Anchor Benefiting

The Ackerman Institute For The Family

Monday, October 22nd at the Waldorf=Astoria in NYC

WHAT: A Tribute to Families Gala benefiting The Ackerman Institute for the Family

The Ackerman Institute for the Family will host $B!F (BA Tribute to Families $B!G (B Gala to honor Gregory T. Rogers, of RayLign Advisory LLC, and Baron Davis, Veteran NBA Point Guard and Founder of Rising Stars of America. Gregory T. Rogers will receive the Ackerman Corporate Partner Award, while veteran NBA Point Guard Baron Davis will receive the Ackerman Distinguished Service Award. Natalie Morales, news anchor of NBC News $B!G (B TODAY & Co-Host of the third hour, will host the evening for the second year in a row to  benefit the vital programs and ongoing services for children and families at the Ackerman Institute for the Family. Board members Martha Fling & Alice Netter will Co-Chair the event.

• Special Performance by Chris Gillespie from the renowned Carlyle Hotel

WHO:

$B!| (B     Natalie Morales – News Anchor, NBC News $B!G (B Today | Co-host, The Third Hour

$B!| (B     Gregory T. Rogers – Founder & Managing Partner, RayLign Advisory LLC

$B!| (B     Baron Davis –  Veteran NBA Point Guard and Founder,Rising Stars of America

$B!| (B     Lois Braverman – President & CEO, Ackerman Institute for the Family

$B!| (B     Cheryl Wills – Award winning Anchor, NY1 News Television

$B!| (B     Chris Gillespie, from the renowned Carlyle Hotel

$B!| (B     Marie Wilson – Founder & President Emeritus, The White House Project & former President of The Ms. Foundation

$B!| (B     Tamsen Fadal – Anchor, WPIX News & Best Selling Author

$B!| (B     Camilla Barungi – Project Runway & founder of African Moringa

$B!| (B     Timothy Mandala  – Star of the hit Vin Diesel series The Ropes

$B!| (B     Stacey Tisdale – Correspondent, PBS $B!H (BNeed To Know $B!I (B & Founder of Winning Play$ for women $B!G (Bs financial literacy

$B!| (B     Wendy Diamond – Correspondent, The Today Show, Philanthropist & Publisher of Animal Fair Media

$B!| (B     Javier Gomez – Noted Photojournalist with upcoming exhibits in Paris, Madrid, Tokyo, and Panama

$B!| (B     Tim Morehouse – U.S. Olympic Champion

$B!| (B     Rachael Kun – Associate Producer, 60 Minutes & CBS Evening News (national edition)

$B!| (B     Lori Sokol – The Huffington Post & Publisher of Work Life Matters

$B!| (B     Blair Brewster – Partner of Bear Rock, an internet printing business. Founder of Electromark, and XpressMyself.com

$B!| (B     Ben Tapper – Senior Director, Eastern Consolidated

$B!| (B     Al Feliu – Esq., Vanderberg & Feliu, LLP

$B!| (B     Martha Fling –  Event Co-Chair | Founder, Drake Libby LLC

$B!| (B     Alice Netter – Event Co-Chair | Trustee of Continuum Health Partners, Inc. and Beth Israel Medical Center

$B!| (B     John O $B!G (BNeill – Managing Director, Alvarez & Marsal (Global professional services firm) | Co-Chair, A Tribute to Families

$B!| (B     Steve Schwartz – Managing Director, Alvarez & Marsal

$B!| (B     Jonathan Adelson – Managing Director, Alvarez & Marsal

$B!| (B     Robert Ruckh – Ernst & Young

$B!| (B     C. Hugh Hildesley – Executive Vice President, Sotheby $B!G (Bs | Auctioneer, A Tribute to Families

RSVP is required as space is limited. To cover A Tribute to Families Gala, please contact: Christopher M. Vicini or Carolyn Gitomer at JGPR: christopher@jamesgrantpr.com or carolyn@jamesgrantpr.com  (917) 626-1300

About Ackerman Institute for the Family

Since 1960, the Ackerman Institute for the Family has achieved international prominence and earned national awards for the development of innovative models of family therapy, professional training, and community programs for families facing major life challenges.  One of the first training institutions in the United States committed to promoting family functioning and family mental health, Ackerman is dedicated to helping families at all stages of family life.

The post Ackerman Institute for the Family appeared first on Good News!.

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THIS SUMMER, ASCLERA HELPS WOMEN

TAKE A STAND AGAINST SPIDER VEINS

Merz Aesthetics and Asclera®(polidocanol) Empowers Women to Not Only Look and Feel Good, but Do Good Too

GUEST: Heidi Waldorf, MD, Director of Laser and Cosmetic Dermatology at The Mount Sinai Medical Center in New York, N.Y.

Background:

Does summer ever make you worry about your body’s small imperfections, so much so, that it hinders the way you live your life? Although small in appearance, 50 percent of women will experience spider veins, which can make a big difference in the way women feel about their legs and themselves. This summer make sure you look, feel and do good with Asclera®. Asclera® is a prescription medicine used in sclerotherapy. This minimally invasive procedure can treat the appearance of these small, unsightly spider veins to help women look and feel better about themselves, thus giving them the confidence to do good in their communities.

Recently, Merz Aesthetics, the distributor of Asclera®, created the STAND AND DELIVER program which celebrated women who took a stand and were committed to solving important issues affecting their communities. The grand prize winner, Michelle Rubin – who received $10,000 for her local charity and a beauty makeover, exemplifies how when you look and feel good, you do good.

For more information about the Asclera and the STAND AND DELIVER initiative, visit www.Asclera.com.

Topics of Discussion to Include:

— What causes spider veins?

— How many women are affected by this condition?

— What is Asclera?

— What is sclerotherapy?

— What is the STAND AND DELIVER Program?

— Why did Merz Aesthetics Create STAND AND DELIVER?

— What is the connection between looking good, feeling good and doing good?

More About Dr. Heidi Waldorf:

As Director of Laser and Cosmetic Dermatology at The Mount Sinai Medical Center in New York, NY and Associate Clinical Professor in the Department of Dermatology at The Mount Sinai School of Medicine, Heidi A. Waldorf, M.D. is a respected expert in the field of dermatology, including skin rejuvenation, soft tissue augmentation, cosmetic use of botulinum toxin and laser technology, as well as skin cancer prevention and treatment.

The post Heidi Waldorf/Asclera appeared first on Good News!.

– Dear Susanna Bastarrica
Thank you very much and to the Friendship Club for the prayers for Haiti.

– Dear Cordelia Gow
I would like to thank the Philippine Cultural Society for their prayers at the mass yesterday, I cite: “God heal Haiti and Viva Haiti”

– Dear Tamara Lee
I would like to thank Michelle Rockliffe of the Ballroom Dance Club who had called my sister in Haiti several times to give me news.

– Dear friends of the Rosary
I would like to thank you for informing early of the Memorial Mass that will take place tonight at the Church of the Holy Family. I would like to introduce you to the Ambassador of Haiti who has express the desire to meet you.

– Dear Wagner Santiago and Ivan Cordeiro of the Portuguese Language Society
Obrigada, thank you for all the things that you collected to help Haiti, I hope you were able to give them to the French Church. If not, other opportunities will appear and I will also ask the Consul of Haiti who you met when we did many art exhibits together.

– Dear Thomas Cortijo
Gracias for all the efforts of the friends of the Latin Workshop Society and I will post the event of International Women Day whose proceeds will be to help Haiti.

Dear Gordon Tapper
Thank you for organizing the meeting with so many church people, politicians etc. and be there for Haiti as you have been so many times. Lileith Baker called from Jamaica with her usual kindness and understanding.

Dear Mary Ferreira
Thank you for the prayers for Haiti, I remember when we went to help with the voices for the videos on Haiti.

Cher M. Pierre Bodeau-Livinec
J’ai inform le Club Aux Antilles que l’AFFIN (Association des Fonctionnaires Franais Internationaux de New York) aimerait bien rencontrer le Club Aux Antilles pour organiser une aide pour Hati. S’il s’agit d’une rencontre entre tous les membres, on pourrait rserver une salle avec le United Nations Staff Recreation Council durant l’heure du djeuner ou dans l’aprs-midi.

The post Keep the Prayers, there are Still More Earthquake in Haiti appeared first on Good News!.