New England Sun-Times

Ned Holstein of the National Parents Organization testified for change. The State House hearing room seemed an unlikely place for grown men to bare their souls. But as father after father took a seat in a committee room, urging lawmakers to support proposed legislation to revamp Massachusetts’ child-custody statute, they laid out the particulars of their divorces and personal lives in blunt detail. The scene could soon repeat itself inside state houses across the country. About 20 states are considering measures that move toward more equal custody arrangements for parents following divorce or separation, according to Ned Holstein of the National Parents Organization, a Boston-based group that has been a driving force behind the push for shared parenting. A handful of states have already enacted similar legislation, while several others have formed task forces to examine family-law issues. Battles over custody and child support are as old as divorce itself. But as parenting ...

The mother of three who was shot and killed late last night walking through a Dorchester park was an innocent victim caught “in a random act” of violence, according to relatives who stopped by the scene of the shooting today. Neighbors told the Herald they heard a handful of gunshots at about 10:30 p.m. One bullet struck Grisel Sanchez, 31, who was walking through Puddingstone Park at the corner of Seaver and Normandy streets, according to her older sister, Angelica Rivera. Rivera said police told her “it was a random act. It wasn’t something that she was targeted. They were walking through the park. Random bullets and one bullet hit her.” Sanchez had two sons, ages 11 and 14, and a 13-year-old daughter, Rivera said. About 20 family members gathered at Puddingstone Park around noon, placing candles, flowers and pictures near a small spot where blood had stained the park’s grey gravel. “She was a beautiful person, inside and out,” Rivera said of Sanchez, who was...

(Dorchester, MA) - Master Tarif Aziz is up and running around early each morning for his Save Another Youth Tae Kwon Do martial arts school. It's another beautiful summer and Aziz gases up his van for morning pickups as he does every morning before the day begins. During the summer, Save Another Youth offers classes Monday through Thursday 10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. with an extra hour on Tuesday and Thursday for martial arts training. Monday and Wednesday are dedicated to Math, English and sports like baseball, soccer, and other activities that strengthen the students' minds and bodies. A non-profit organization serving inner city youth, Save Another Youth Tae Kwon Do has won several local, regional and national medals and trophies. Their model is simple: teach the children the importance of education, history and respect of others. Each year, Save Another Youth also offers the after school program with an extended week. Monday-Friday, parents can rest assured their children ...

Day 10: Pay it Forward Couponing has blessed my life in ways I never imagined. It’s given me the opportunity to pay it forward in more ways than one. DONATE Recently I was able to donate over 300 pounds of food to my local food bank and over $1000 worth of product to the IRC for refugees in my local city. What an amazing opportunity! Couponing has given me the gift of giving. EDUCATE As amazing as it is to make donations, there’s an equally important way I’ve been able to pay it forward. It’s illustrated in one of my favorite Chinese proverbs. “Give a man a fish, and you feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish, and you feed him for a lifetime.” I like to say, “Give a woman a basket of food, and feed her for a day. Give a woman a lesson on couponing, and feed her family for a lifetime!” It has been incredible to watch people transform their own lives by implementing the simple principles of couponing. Change is powerful, and it’s happening all over the nation beca...

Day 9: Finding Balance When I first started couponing I was so excited about all the money I was saving that I thought I needed to cash in on EVERY deal at EVERY store! How wrong I was. In order to make KCL a way of life, you must achieve balance and figure out a way to work it into your everyday life. To get there, remember the following: Start Slow Here I go again repeating myself. I’ve said it once, but I’ll say it again: learn one store at a time. The easiest way to choose a store is to pick what is closest to your house. You’ll be going there often, so it makes sense to find a store nearby. Remember Sales Cycle Remind yourself that sales cycle. When you see an amazing deal, no need to drop everything, abandon your family and rush out the door in a frantic mess. Instead, realize that you’ll most likely see a similar sale on that same product in a few months Buy What You Need Often we get so wrapped up in a good deal that we purchase for the sake of purchasin...

Day 8: Stockpiling Sense By stockpiling while something is at a rock bottom price, you won’t have to pay full price when you run out and have to have it. The best part about it is you can apply this principle to both grocery and retail. Read on! UNDERSTAND THE PRINCIPLE Have you ever purchased a child’s coat from a clearance rack in March at a larger size for the next winter? If you have, then you’ve already had experience in stockpiling! By purchasing that jacket in March, you easily saved 75% off what you’d pay the following October. You thought ahead and purchased a discounted product knowing you’ll need it in the future. Now take that “buy ahead” principle and apply it to the grocery store! Buy three bottles of mustard when they’re nearly free knowing that in the next few months you’ll likely run out. You now just saved yourself from purchasing a full priced bottle down the road. DO IT RESPONSIBLY Stockpiling responsibly is what will make the difference in you...

Day 7: Checkout Checklist To be completely honest, one of the scariest parts of couponing is the checkout process. The good news: there are steps to take to help avoid that anxiety at checkout! And here they are: 1. Get Organized Before you leave the house, make a plan of what you want to buy. Write down the items, the prices and the quantities. If you are doing multiple transactions, separate the items into lists before ever leaving your house. 2. Choose Time of Day Wisely The less crowded the store, the less stressed both you and your cashier will be. I have found that early in the morning, early afternoon, or late at night is best for me. 3. Make Smart Mom Moves If you have young kids like we do, shop at a time when they are at their best -- in the morning or right after naps. Happy kids make a huge difference. Bring along something to occupy their minds or a treat to occupy their tummies! With these three steps, you’re much more likely to check out with ease...