Gifts from the Heart

If you are like most people, you likely have lots of photos on your cell phone, digital camera or printed in storage boxes – photos that will never be seen, but have captured priceless moments that you want to remember.   The idea of creating a scrapbook can be overwhelming to most people if you’ve never tried it before. 

Darrell Paulk, President/CEO of Child & Family Center is pleased to announce that Dr. Joan Aschoff has been hired to fill the new position of Executive Vice President of Programs effective January 13, 2014.
A passionate and results oriented health care executive, Aschoff has a reputation of improving the efficiency and performance of programs and departments by evaluating current processes and performance, identifying inefficiencies, implementing changes, and measuring and evaluating outcomes.

Here in Santa Clarita, as well as nationally, we debate what our children should learn in school to be contributing members of American society and competitive actors on a global stage.  Opinions on the advantages of different curriculum are given with thoughtfulness and passion.  However, no matter what subjects are decided on, one item seems clear.  Arts education will not be included on the list of essential subjects.  Unfortunately, that decision presents an obstacle to every child reaching his full academic and creative potential.

Studies show the average person will encounter 42 potential loss experiences, ranging from loss of job and loss of health to death and divorce, said Jeff Zhorne, MA, a grief counselor and director of The Grief Recovery Program. “If these losses are not resolved appropriately, pain and melancholy begin to erode our mental and physical health and the lives of those around us,” Zhorne said. “Something like a low-grade infection sets in.”

Ma Maison continues to carry unique baby items and gifts, always on the lookout for what is best for your little one.  One thing is for sure, swaddling infants is every new mom’s best friend.  What is swaddling?  It is the age old method of snugly wrapping your baby in a lightweight blanket for warmth and security.  In the past few years many studies have been completed on the impact swaddling your infant may have on the babies’ health and experts agree swaddling is vital for many reasons:

Wow, I had a great surprise last month when I had a phone call from a person who read my February article and wants to help create an art center.  The caller told me how much they thought the city of Santa Clarita needed an art center and why.  Of course, this was so great for me to know there is an interest in SCV having art center. I hope I will hear from some more people telling me they want our city to have an art center and why.

By now, I’m sure you’ve already failed to keep a few of your New Year’s resolutions.  This year, how about changing the pattern and making a resolution that will be easy to stick with?  Consider updating your home or office easily and cost effectively by changing some elements of your décor.  Certainly, there are many ways to update and redecorate your space, but one you might not have considered is framing.  

Well, WiSH is new to many of you… so let me take the opportunity to introduce ourselves! The WiSH Education Foundation was formed in 2012 with 15 community members to bridge the gap between pre-2008 public school funding and the recent budget cuts.  Much of our first year was spent on foundational work – becoming a 501(c)3, establishing bylaws, etc. 

Are you in need of jewelry or watch repair?  Have your special keepsakes repaired by a skilled jeweler and craftsman at Mike’s Jewelry. 
Mike’s Jewelry provides services such as jewelry repair, watch repair, watch batteries and replacement and much more. 

Nothing impresses a loved one quite like the gift of chocolate.  From decadent fudge to mouthwatering caramel apples and creamy truffles, make sure to say “I love you” this Valentine’s Day with delicious treats from Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory.
At Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory, it’s all about the quality of the product.  Its main factory is located in Durango, Colorado and produces approximately 300 different handmade chocolate delights and other confectionary creations.

On November 13, 2013, proud parents Cory and Deanna Noji along with Big Brother Breyden welcomed a beautiful baby girl into the world.  Brooklyn was born weighing seven pounds and eight ounces and was 20 inches long. 

Valentine’s Day usually brings to mind a box of chocolates for your sweetheart. Solid milk chocolate hearts and cherry creams are delicious, but what about something a little different this year?
Lian’s Sweet Shoppe suggests a wonderfully French confection for this Valentine’s Day: Macarons.

As many of you already know, Ma Maison made a huge change and moved our business from the center of Valencia to downtown Newhall on Main Street.  February marks our one-year anniversary in our new location and we are so blessed and happy with our new neighborhood. 

The tradition of exchanging cards with loved ones on St. Valentine’s Day dates back to 18th Century England, where it was customary to show your affection with handwritten sentiments – often accompanied by sweet confections or flowers.  Show your loved ones how much you care by surprising them with a handmade Valentine’s Day card this year.  With just a few basic supplies (scissors, paper, pen and glue) you can create a one-of-a-kind heartfelt creation that your loved ones will cherish.

How often do you remember the gift you have given, or received, on Valentine’s Day?  A box of assorted chocolates, a variety of flowers, or a group of heart shaped Mylar balloons may be your best memory of past Valentine’s Day gift giving.  Or, maybe you can’t remember what it was at all.  Unfortunately, flowers wilt and chocolates go stale and balloons lose their air.

Happy New Year everyone!  Hopefully you enjoyed the holidays as much as we did at Fastframe.  With many family members at the house, some from out of town and haven’t been seen for a while, all of those digital cameras were flashing and clicking up a storm.
Well now that all the excitement of the holidays has passed, now is the time to preserve all of those wonderful memories. 

Nothing compares to the light and airy, crispy-on-the-outside, tender-on-the-inside, melt-in-your-mouth texture of a French macaron. Each of their colored, intensely flavored, ganache-filled almond meringue cookies has a delicious character all its own. Enjoy each flavor of red velvet, vanilla, pistachio, coconut, coffee, hazelnut, chocolate mint, lavender, salted caramel, almond, Earl Grey tea, green tea and strawberry. And the best part of all, they are gluten free!