“The night max wore his wolf suit and made mischief of one kind,  his mother called him wild thing…”  It’s only 10 sentences long, and today it’s released in theaters as a full length film, “Where the Wild Things Are” is out today.  Known as one of the most loved children books of all time by Maurice Sendak.

Movie Mom says the film, “is a beautiful poetic meditation on childhood and growing up.”   She recommends it for ages 8 and up and says younger children might get fidgety because there’s not alot of bright colors and jokes like in “Cloudy with a Chance for Meatballs”.

Movie Mom says the film has a good lesson.  Each “Wild Thing” represents an emotion or feeling that Max has.  At the end he realizes what it is to have to take care of people and what it is that his mother does for him.

For more movie reviews from a parent’s perspective check out her blog here:

www.MovieMom.com

The Prince George’s County Health Department will offer the H1N1 vaccine to adults during today’s Health and Wellness Fair.  Those eligible to receive the vaccine include pregnant women, folks between the ages of 18 and 24, people who live with or care for infants younger than six months, and people between the ages of 25 and 64 with certain underlying medical conditions.

The fair will be held from noon to 4 p.m. at Springhill Lake Elementary School on Springhill Drive in Greenbelt.  Elementary school children will receive the intranasal vaccine at their school beginning next week.  And starting a week from today, and every Thursday thereafter, the vaccine will be made available to the general public at the Prince George’s County Health Department Immunization Clinic at the Cheverly Health Center.

Positive Thoughts

To accomplish great things, we must not only act, but also dream; not only plan, but also believe.

Leaders aren’t born they are made

Hard work is the price we must pay for success.

Only when we are no longer afraid do we begin to live.

Nothing great was ever achieved without enthusiasm.

Humor is a universal language.

Starting today the Montgomery County Health Department is starting H1N1 vaccine clinics on Wednesdays.  Right now it’s for priority groups, including pregnant women, caretakers and health care workers.

In Virginia, the vaccinations are not yet available to the public.  Check this website for updates and schedules:  Virginia Department of Health

Maryland Locations:

Dennis Avenue Health Center
2000 Dennis Ave., Silver Spring, Md.

Piccard Drive Health Center
1335 Piccard Dr., Rockville, Md.

Starting Oct. 28, the county will hold four clinics after school at three high schools — Northwood High, Northwest High and Rockville High for kids from 6 months to 24 years old.

Clinics will be held from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Oct. 28, Nov. 4, Nov. 11 and Nov. 18.

Katina Missions

John Katina, from the Christian group, “The Katinas” spoke with us this morning about the bands efforts in rebuilding American Samoa and Samoa after the Tsunami that hit last week.

You can make a donation from their website and help to purchase a “Tool Kit” for affected families.  They cost $90 each and include the tools and supplies a family needs to start rebuilding their homes.

The Katinas are also planning a Mission Trip to the islands to help. “If you want to come, the more the merrier.  We know the beauty of the body of Christ.  Some of us are hands.  Some of us are feet.”  Let them know what you can do and how you want to help here on their website and they will try their best to match you up with someone that has that need.

Craz-E-burger

A cheeseburger served on Krispy Kreme doughnuts has gone on sale in America, packing a massive 1,500-calories.

The glazed Krispy Kreme beef, bacon and cheese burger has already proved a huge hit at the Big E fair in Massachusetts where 17,000 of them were eaten.

The ‘recipe’ for the burger is said to have come from a bar owner in Decatur, Georgia who ran out of burger buns and started using doughnuts instead.

A spokesperson for the event said: “No single ingredient dominates the burger, they all complement each other. “The glaze smoothes over the burger and oozes into a foreign but delicious combination with the crisp of the bacon.  ”The donut is butter grilled and quite a change from the burger roll you are accustomed to. It transforms the ordinary into the delicious.”

The Wedding

We loved this line from The Office Wedding last night…”A lot of people told me I was crazy to wait this long for a date with a girl I worked with, but I think even then I knew, I was waiting for my wife.” — Jim. When did you know you had met “the one”?

Movie Mom

Movie Reviewer and Blogger, Nell Minow, checks in on Friday’s to help us make the right picks for our families at the movie theater.  She loved “Good Hair” by Chris Rock and says stay far far away from “Couples Retreat”.

Out on video this weekend, “Snow White” 70th Anniversary Special Edition!  Also “Imagine That” a sweet film with Eddie Murphy about a little girl who has an imaginary friend that can predict the future.

Coming next week “Where the Wild Things Are!”  based on the popular children’s book.

Movie Mom Blog

Positive Thoughts

What you see depends on what you’re looking for.

Without hard work, nothing grows but weeds.

You may only be someone in the world, but to someone else, you may be the world

The steeper the mountain the harder the climb the better the view from the finishing line

Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail.

Be a good listener. Your ears will never get you in trouble

It’s been 8 years since the war began in Afghanistan.

The anniversary has been marked by lots of news on what has gone wrong.

Today, we changed the focus with your stories of Heroes!

Listen to your stories here

(CBS) Foodborne illness affects an estimated 76 million people each year in the U.S., according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Among those cases, 325,000 people are hospitalized each year, and 5,000 die — just from what they ate.

So, which foods have the highest risk of contamination?

The Center for Science in the Public Interest issued a list Tuesday of the top ten foods that can make you sick (pdf file).

CBS News medical correspondent Dr. Jennifer Ashton explained why certain ones ended up on the list, and what you can do to eat more safely.

1. Leafy Greens
2. Eggs
3. Tuna
4. Oysters
5. Potatoes
6. Cheese
7. Ice Cream
8. Tomatoes
9. Sprouts
10. Berries

Ashton said the No. 1 item, lettuce, can be highly contaminated with bacteria.

Ashton recalled the 2006 outbreak with bagged spinach. Several people died, she said, and many were hospitalized. The greens, Ashton said, can be contaminated by the very common strains of E.Colia and/or Salmonella causing large outbreaks of disease. Often the greens become infected on the farm through contact with wild animals, manure and contaminated water, and then the germs follow the product through the whole distribution system.

Salmonella, Ashton said, is what poisons eggs.

“That’s why you can’t eat raw eggs in a Caesar’s salad,” she explained.

Outbreaks, Ashton added, can also happen from an infected person to a food product, and thus may indicate improper food handling during preparation.

Most of foodborne illnesses, Ashton said, are mild and are not treated. You can get a stomach ache, cramps, or diarrhea. But, in more severe cases, she said, food poisoning can turn into kidney failure, paralysis and even death.

However, Ashton said, people shouldn’t avoid many of these healthy foods. They should just take steps to make sure steps are taken to make sure food is prepared well.

FDA list of Top 10 most dangerous foods

To avoid food borne illness, Ashton recommended washing fruits and vegetables well. When cooking, Ashton added, you should also bring meat to about 160 degrees. Freezing, she added, can also kill bacteria. But, if you’re at a salad bar, for instance, and you don’t have a choice, Ashton said you should go for foods further back to avoid foods that may be contaminated in the front.

Are you getting the flu vaccine?  Are you vaccinating the kids.  That’s the big question on our minds right now as Swine Flu or H1N1 vaccines are beginning to arrive in states today.  They will go to health care workers first, than the most at risk (pregnant women and young children). Last night on CNN Dr. Oz says it will probably be 3 weeks before the bulk of the population is able to get one.  If you’re still trying to decide whether or not it’s the right thing to do this interview might help.

Watch the Video Here

Dr. Oz says alot of people are still split on whether or not to get the h1n1 vaccine. Don’t believe the hype?  Dr. Oz says it’s just like the government warning us about an oncoming hurricane.  Sometimes it misses, sometimes it hits, but you have to warn people and people have to prepare for the worst.  He says it’s possible that half of all Americans will get the Swine Flu.  A recent poll found that 40% of adults in America plan to get the vaccine.   Dr. Oz says that pregnant women are the most at risk. They have a 6 times greater risk of dying from swine flu.

If you want to get the Swine Flu Vaccination the best way to find one is to go online to your doctor’s website.  Here are some more sites that will help:

www.flu.gov

Adventist Health Care

Find a location near you, and call ahead of time to make sure they have the shots and will be giving them to the public.

We all worry about it for our kids.  Now they say 1 in 100 kids are affected in some form by the disease.  From CNN:   “Autism is more prevalent than thought, study says.  A study published Monday in the journal Pediatrics indicates about 1 percent of children ages 3 to 17 have autism or a related disorder, an increase over previous estimates. “This is a significant issue that needs immediate attention,” Dr. Ileana Arias, deputy director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said Friday. “A concerted effort and substantial national response is warranted.” full story

If you’re interested in making a difference in the research effort there is a Walk Now for Autism Speaks on The National Mall Saturday, october 31.

McDonalds  at the Louvre

We have on eat the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum, so why not at The Louvre?  From The Telegraph:  ”Lovers of France’s two great symbols of cultural exception – its haute cuisine and fine art – are aghast at plans to open a McDonald’s restaurant and McCafé in the Louvre museum next month.

America’s fast food temple is celebrating its 30th anniversary in France with a coup -the opening of its 1,142nd Gallic outlet a few yards from the entrance to the country’s Mecca of high art and the world’s most visited museum.”

The Katinas Mission

Christian Group, The Katinas, are a group of brothers from American Samoa. They are launching an effort to help their hometown recover from the recent earthquake and tsunami and giving you a way you can help.

From the Katina’s Blog: “As many of you may or may not know, American Samoa and Samoa were devastated by an earthquake and tsnuami around 7am local time on September 29, 2009 . Facts are still coming in but there are now reports of over 80 dead and dozens more missing with entire villages flattened. For the past nine months we have been planning our third annual missions trip back to Samoa for this coming November. It is very clear to us now what our mission is.

We have received many calls, texts and emails asking how to help. A relief fund is currently being set up through www.katinamissions.org

CLICK on “Ways To Give” at the top of this page to donate. All donations small or large, are tax deductible.

Thank you for standing with us. Please continue to pray for Samoa.

World’s Largest Cruise Ship

Looking for a Spring Break Trip for the Family?  Launching this fall and winter, Royal Caribbean’s “Oasis of the Seas” is being nicknamed “Vegas on the Water”.  It has 4 pools, a merry go round, ice skating rink, and even it’s own Broadway Show “Hairspray”.

From the Washington Post

Kids and Pumpkins, and moms with cameras.  It’s that time of the year we’re all trying to get the perfect family fall photo.  Where do you go for the best pumpkin patches and fall festivals?

This weekend Fall for Fairfax Children’s Festival is going on tomorrow; Saturday, October 3 from 9am-6pm.  It’s Northen Virginia’s largest fall festival with more than 100 interactive activities and exhibits.  There is a train ride, kids climbing wall, pumpkin patch, hayrides, petting zoo, inflatables and lots of kid’s performances.  Email us your Fall Family Photos to dj@wgts919.com.

Pumpkin Patches in Maryland and Virginia

Movie Mom Pics

Something for everyone this weekend at the movie theater.  Blogger, Movie Mom, gave us her pics today on the show.  In preparation for Toy Story 3 coming out this summer…this weekend the first 2 Toy Story films have been re-released in theatres! So your kids can enjoy Buzz and Woody on the big screen!

On the economic crisis, “Capitalism, A Love Story” the latest Michael Moore Documentary is out this weekend.  Also, Whip It, the story of a young girl and the Roller Derby by Drew Barrymoore.  Has a good lesson about listening to Mom.

Date Night Movie she recommends the comedy, The Invention of Lying.

Family Movie, Toy Story Double Feature!

At the video store, “Monsters vs. Aliens” and the 70th Anniversary Edition of “Wizard of Oz”.

You can’t escape them!  Video Games are here to stay.  Our kids love them.  Our husbands love them.  Hey, even I get into the drums on RockBand.  Blogger, GamerDad was on the show today talking about how you can actually use them as family bonding time!  Follow his blog here!

Give a Day, Get a Disney Day

Taking a trip to Disney, isn’t just a vacation, it’s an investment!  Now Disney has a way for you to get a free ticket to the parks just by volunteering!  Here’s how:

“Disney Parks is celebrating something new and that’s the good things people do for their communities. In 2010, Disney wants to inspire one million people to volunteer a day of service to a participating organization in their communities and celebrate their good works by giving each of them one day admission to a theme park at Disneyland® Resort or Walt Disney World® Resort, free.

Starting January 1, 2010, Guests can go to www.disneyparks.com to search for volunteer opportunities made available through HandsOn Network and sign up for a day of volunteer service. As the nation’s largest volunteer network, HandsOn Network has 250 on-the-ground volunteer action centers across the country and connects volunteers to more than 70,000 nonprofit agencies that need their help. Many of the opportunities will be projects that entire families can participate in together.”

Hot Toys for Christmas!

It’s October 1st and that means it’s time to talk Christmas already!  AHHHHHH!  The consumer shopping guide Toy Insider offers a glimpse at what some of those toys might be this year in its annual “Hot 20.  The 2009 list is dominated by toys that retail for less than $100. Half the toys cost less than $30, a sign that toy manufacturers are responding to recession-wary parents looking for deals.

The Hot 20:

Elmo’s Tickle HandsMega Bloks Play ‘n Go Table

My Pals Scout and Violet

Tonka Chuck My Talking Truck

1-2-3 Stomp!

Liv Dolls

Rocky the Robot Truck

Tightrope Terror

Transformers Revenge of the Fallen Optimus Prime

Zippity Learning System

Air Hogs Zero Gravity Laser

Bakugan 7:1 Maxus Dragonoid

Battle Strikers Turbo Tops Tournament Set

Girl Gourmet Sweets Candy Jewel Factory

Moxie Girlz

Printies Design Studio Kits

Lego Power Miners Titanium Command Rig

Star Wars The Force Trainer

Style Six Silk Screener

Twilight Scene It? The DVD Game: Deluxe Edition

New NBC Game Show about Household Chores

Source:  The Hollywood Reporter

For a million dollars, can you unspool a roll of toilet paper with your body in 60 seconds?

NBC has ordered a new game show from Universal Media Studios in association with Friday TV that creates high-stakes competition based on deceptively simple household challenges.

In “Perfect 10,” contestants will be faced with 10 tasks they must complete in 60 seconds. Eight one-hour episodes have been ordered, with former NBC alternative head Craig Plestis and Tim Puntillo (“Identity”) serving as executive producers.

By choo

sing easily replicated challenges, NBC hopes to increase the level of at-home participation and the potential to expand the game to other platforms. The network will post demonstrations of 50 games on a Web site before the show’s launch, allowing potential contestants and viewers to practice the tasks.

“I love that it has a mischief as to what the games are, and it looks and feels like we’re creating a very different show than any traditional in-studio game show,” NBC executive vp alternative Paul Telegdy said.

Sweden-based Friday TV approached NBC with a similar idea, which the network turned over to Plestis to help develop into “Perfect 10.” The show marks his first series with the network since becoming a producer earlier this year.

” ‘Perfect 10′ is fast paced, with loads of laughs,” Plestis said. “It has a truly unique visual style and tone. Potential contestants can easily play these games at home, and with a little practice and nerves of steel, they can walk away with a lot of cash.”

No airdate is set, but the show presumably will fill a midseason slot. Next week, NBC Universal International TV will take the format to MIPCOM to sell to foreign markets.