Blog Archives
Thanks, Dad
(EDITOR’S NOTE: This guest blog is courtesy of Brian Elder and allclients.com).
Great fathers are like great sportsmen who hone their skills and become experts at their crafts.
So says Coach Tony Dungy, and his words are worth remembering.
In his classic article written in 2002, Dungy said, “As we study all-pro dads, we discover that they share four patterns. They spend time with their children; they are compassionate toward their children; and they love and respect their children’s mother and they turn to their faith for strength.
“A compassionate father is patient with his children. He doesn’t expect them to be perfect, and he tries to empathize by putting himself in their shoes. His love is unconditional, and he lets them know it.”
The importance of the father in the home is shockingly apparent in statistics on juvenile delinquency.
In a classic 1990 study of teen criminality, the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development found an ‘alarmingly high’ prevalence of behavioral problems among all children from families without a father present.
Bureau of Justice Statistics found that 72 percent of incarcerated juveniles grew up in one-parent homes, mostly deprived of a father.
Non-resident fathers remain crucial to child development. Involved non-resident fathers help improve children’s grades and promote better social and behavioral skills.
Bottom line: Dads are essential for families and society. On June 17, don’t forget to say….. ………………….Thanks Dad!
Most drivers favor red light cameras, a new survey of 14 big U.S. cities finds
(EDITOR’S NOTE: This press release came from the Insurance Institute of Highway Safety. I thought the conclusions were interesting. What do you think?)
Two-thirds of drivers in 14 big cities with longstanding red light camera programs support their use, a new survey from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety indicates. The findings follow an Institute study demonstrating that cameras have reduced the rate of fatal red light running crashes by 24 percent in these same cities.
The strong public support confirms that red light camera opponents, while vocal and often influential, are a minority. Even in Houston, a city that voted in a November 2010 referendum to shut off its cameras, a majority of drivers say they favor red light camera enforcement.
“Most drivers don’t buy the argument that it’s somehow wrong to enforce the law just because you’re using a camera to do it,” says Anne McCartt, the Institute’s senior vice president for research. “They understand that this technology is preventing crashes in their cities.”
An Institute study released earlier this year showed that red light cameras save lives. Researchers looked at U.S. cities with populations over 200,000 and compared those with red light cameras to those without. In the 14 cities that had cameras in 2004-08 but didn’t have them in an earlier comparison period, automated red light enforcement saved 159 lives. If cameras had been operating in those years in all large U.S. cities, a total of 815 deaths would have been avoided.
As a follow-up, the Institute gauged drivers’ experience with cameras and their perceptions of them. More than 3,000 people in the 14 study cities were interviewed by cellphone and landline between Feb. 19 and March 29. The survey has a margin of error of about 2 percentage points. An additional 300 people were surveyed in Houston because of its recent vote to shut off the cameras. The city installed cameras in 2006, which was too late to be included in the crash study group. The Houston survey has a margin of error of 6 percentage points.
More than 9 of 10 drivers surveyed in the 14 cities believe running a red light is unacceptable, and more than 8 of 10 deem it a serious threat to personal safety. Two-thirds favor red light cameras, and 42 percent strongly favor them.
Among the 89 percent of drivers who are aware of the camera programs in their cities, a majority say the devices have made intersections safer. Nearly half know someone who has gotten a ticket, and 17 percent have gotten one themselves. Of the latter, about half believe it was deserved.
Previous surveys also have found widespread support for red light cameras, but opponents continue to claim that the programs violate privacy and are cooked up by cities merely to generate revenue. Voters in 8 cities have rejected camera programs in ballot initiatives during the past 3 years.
In Houston, where 53 percent of voters cast ballots against red light cameras in November, the people who went to the polls don’t seem to represent the majority of drivers. Fifty-seven percent of drivers there favor cameras, and 45 percent strongly favor them. However, opposition is firmer, with 28 percent saying they strongly oppose cameras versus 18 percent in the other 14 cities.
In the 14 study cities, a little more than a quarter of respondents said they oppose cameras. Asked why, 26 percent said cameras can make mistakes. The contention that cameras are about money, not safety, was mentioned by 26 percent. Nineteen percent said they make roads less safe and lead to more crashes, while 17 percent argued that they’re an invasion of privacy. The question was open-ended, and respondents could give as many reasons as they wanted.
The survey found less support for the use of cameras to crack down on right-on-red violations than for red light cameras generally. Such violations include making a right on red where it is not permitted and making the turn without stopping. Cities differ as to whether they issue tickets for rolling right-on-red turns when they are caught on camera. Nearly a fifth of drivers say they support cameras but oppose right-on-red enforcement. Forty-one percent of drivers support using cameras for these violations.
“Right-on-red violations usually aren’t associated with T-bone crashes, but they make intersections much more dangerous for pedestrians in particular,” McCartt says. “The survey results show cities need to do a better job explaining this issue to drivers.”
Percentage of drivers who support red light cameras in each of 14 study cities
Bakersfield, Calif. 68%
Baltimore, Md. 67%
Chandler, Ariz. 75%
Chicago, Ill. 65%
Garland, Texas 66%
Long Beach, Calif. 48%
Phoenix, Ariz. 74%
Portland, Ore. 68%
Raleigh, N.C. 62%
Sacramento, Calif. 71%
San Diego, Calif. 64%
Santa Ana, Calif. 54%
Toledo, Ohio 58%
Washington, D.C. 78%
No. 1: How to raise a superstar in five easy lessons
Many of you may know of the Christian recording artist Francesca Battistelli, a Grammy nominee and winner of several major music awards. Francesca’s mom, Kate, was kind enough to share with View From The Pugh some insights from her parenting experience on developing the God-given talent of our young ones. Here is Kate’s thoughts below.
— Chris Pugh
“Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it” (Proverbs 22:6 KJV)
I hope you know my title, “How to Raise a Superstar in 5 Easy Lessons,” is facetious. Growing a child to achieve greatness and purpose, to determine God’s destiny and will, takes years of dedication, determination and discipline.
Your child’s success or failure, to a large degree, depends on you. How you value their dreams, the work ethic you instill, the moral code you live by, all directly affect their success and the impact they have on the world.
Parents have the divine gift and precious responsibility of mining and nurturing every bit of potential we recognize in our children. Who else but you sees the budding Picasso in the finger paint or the mini Einstein in the science fair volcano? You more than anyone have the unique ability to recognize and nurture the gifts you see in your child.
When Francesca was a little girl, we knew she had a flair for the dramatic and loved the performing arts. So, into ballet she went and then show choir, community theatre and later professional theatre, singing and acting lessons, guitar lessons, camps, conferences and college. All with an eye toward her future and a sense that God had a plan for her in the world of performing arts.
Did we know when she was four years old and starting ballet that she would grow up to be a Grammy nominated Contemporary Christian singer with five Dove awards, five top ten radio hits (two of them number ones), song placements in 6 different TV shows and a major motion picture? No. But my husband and I knew God had something special for her, just as he has something special for your child! We diligently sought Him for wisdom and clarity for her call, He narrowed the field, opened some doors and closed others. Step by step, He made her path clear.
Our part was recognizing “the way she should go” and her part was being diligent in her work, honoring her commitments, practicing and perfecting her skills and always giving her best and pursuing excellence. We learned along the way that it’s never okay to settle for good enough. We strove to instill purpose, a sense of destiny and a passion for excellence and give her the desire to honor God by becoming the absolute best she could be.
We learned how powerful parent’s words are and we learned to speak purpose and destiny into her life. We weren’t afraid to dream big dreams. We provided the best tools we could afford and were always available to talk and maintained open communications. We modeled humility and purity in heart and mind and above all, prayed. A lot!
Kate Battistelli is a wife, mother, grandmother, food and faith blogger, former Broadway actress and Mom to one of Christian music’s most celebrated new recording artists, singer-songwriter Francesca Battistelli. She is currently writing her first book, entitled Growing Great Kids, about her and husband Mike’s journey raising Francesca and the fifteen lessons God taught them on their journey. You can find her blog at http://www.sparkymarketing.com/.
(EDITOR’S NOTE—Photo: Kate Battistelli)
How to raise a superstar in five easy lessons
Many of you may know of the Christian recording artist Francesca Battistelli, a Grammy nominee and winner of several major music awards. Francesca’s mom, Kate, was kind enough to share with Getting Out of the Box some insights from her parenting experience on developing the God-given talent of our young ones. Here is Kate’s thoughts below.
— Chris Pugh
“Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it” (Proverbs 22:6 KJV)
I hope you know my title, “How to Raise a Superstar in 5 Easy Lessons,” is facetious. Growing a child to achieve greatness and purpose, to determine God’s destiny and will, takes years of dedication, determination and discipline.
Your child’s success or failure, to a large degree, depends on you. How you value their dreams, the work ethic you instill, the moral code you live by, all directly affect their success and the impact they have on the world.
Parents have the divine gift and precious responsibility of mining and nurturing every bit of potential we recognize in our children. Who else but you sees the budding Picasso in the finger paint or the mini Einstein in the science fair volcano? You more than anyone have the unique ability to recognize and nurture the gifts you see in your child.
When Francesca was a little girl, we knew she had a flair for the dramatic and loved the performing arts. So, into ballet she went and then show choir, community theatre and later professional theatre, singing and acting lessons, guitar lessons, camps, conferences and college. All with an eye toward her future and a sense that God had a plan for her in the world of performing arts.
Did we know when she was four years old and starting ballet that she would grow up to be a Grammy nominated Contemporary Christian singer with five Dove awards, five top ten radio hits (two of them number ones), song placements in 6 different TV shows and a major motion picture? No. But my husband and I knew God had something special for her, just as he has something special for your child! We diligently sought Him for wisdom and clarity for her call, He narrowed the field, opened some doors and closed others. Step by step, He made her path clear.
Our part was recognizing “the way she should go” and her part was being diligent in her work, honoring her commitments, practicing and perfecting her skills and always giving her best and pursuing excellence. We learned along the way that it’s never okay to settle for good enough. We strove to instill purpose, a sense of destiny and a passion for excellence and give her the desire to honor God by becoming the absolute best she could be.
We learned how powerful parent’s words are and we learned to speak purpose and destiny into her life. We weren’t afraid to dream big dreams. We provided the best tools we could afford and were always available to talk and maintained open communications. We modeled humility and purity in heart and mind and above all, prayed. A lot!
Kate Battistelli is a wife, mother, grandmother, food and faith blogger, former Broadway actress and Mom to one of Christian music’s most celebrated new recording artists, singer-songwriter Francesca Battistelli. She is currently writing her first book, entitled Growing Great Kids, about her and husband Mike’s journey raising Francesca and the fifteen lessons God taught them on their journey. You can find her blog at http://www.sparkymarketing.com/.
(EDITOR’S NOTE—Photo: Kate Battistelli)
How to raise a superstar in five easy lessons
Many of you may know of the Christian recording artist Francesca Battistelli, a Grammy nominee and winner of several major music awards. Francesca’s mom, Kate, was kind enough to share with Warm Pop and Cold Pizza some insights from her parenting experience on developing the God-given talent of our young ones. Here is Kate’s thoughts below.
— Chris Pugh
“Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it” (Proverbs 22:6 KJV)
I hope you know my title, “How to Raise a Superstar in 5 Easy Lessons,” is facetious. Growing a child to achieve greatness and purpose, to determine God’s destiny and will, takes years of dedication, determination and discipline.
Your child’s success or failure, to a large degree, depends on you. How you value their dreams, the work ethic you instill, the moral code you live by, all directly affect their success and the impact they have on the world.
Parents have the divine gift and precious responsibility of mining and nurturing every bit of potential we recognize in our children. Who else but you sees the budding Picasso in the finger paint or the mini Einstein in the science fair volcano? You more than anyone have the unique ability to recognize and nurture the gifts you see in your child.
When Francesca was a little girl, we knew she had a flair for the dramatic and loved the performing arts. So, into ballet she went and then show choir, community theatre and later professional theatre, singing and acting lessons, guitar lessons, camps, conferences and college. All with an eye toward her future and a sense that God had a plan for her in the world of performing arts.
Did we know when she was four years old and starting ballet that she would grow up to be a Grammy nominated Contemporary Christian singer with five Dove awards, five top ten radio hits (two of them number ones), song placements in 6 different TV shows and a major motion picture? No. But my husband and I knew God had something special for her, just as he has something special for your child! We diligently sought Him for wisdom and clarity for her call, He narrowed the field, opened some doors and closed others. Step by step, He made her path clear.
Our part was recognizing “the way she should go” and her part was being diligent in her work, honoring her commitments, practicing and perfecting her skills and always giving her best and pursuing excellence. We learned along the way that it’s never okay to settle for good enough. We strove to instill purpose, a sense of destiny and a passion for excellence and give her the desire to honor God by becoming the absolute best she could be.
We learned how powerful parent’s words are and we learned to speak purpose and destiny into her life. We weren’t afraid to dream big dreams. We provided the best tools we could afford and were always available to talk and maintained open communications. We modeled humility and purity in heart and mind and above all, prayed. A lot!
Kate Battistelli is a wife, mother, grandmother, food and faith blogger, former Broadway actress and Mom to one of Christian music’s most celebrated new recording artists, singer-songwriter Francesca Battistelli. She is currently writing her first book, entitled Growing Great Kids, about her and husband Mike’s journey raising Francesca and the fifteen lessons God taught them on their journey. You can find her blog at http://www.sparkymarketing.com/.
(EDITOR’S NOTE—Photo: Kate Battistelli)
View from the Pugh 