With Your Family in Mind

“Shall I be a gateway or a gatekeeper?” – Anonymous

It is the public policy of California to assure that children of divorce have frequent and continuing contact with both parents and to encourage parents to share the rights and responsibilities of child rearing, except where the contact would not be in the best interest of the child (California Family Code §3020).

Every child deserves to have a safe, loving and permanent home.  Children’s Bureau needs foster families who will care specifically for infants and toddlers during the reunification process with their parents.  There are also 114,000 children currently in foster care who are unable to return to their families of origin. 

The Magazine of Santa Clarita readers continue to send in pertinent questions about the voice-acting business.  This is the first part of my answer regarding voice-over demos:

Q:  I’ve voiced a number of commercials, and think I’m ready to make a demo.  But do I really need to?  Any suggestions as to how to go about it?  –Roberta K., Santa Clarita
A:  There are many things to consider and remember before plunging into the project that will be your audio calling card, help you find an agent, introduce you to casting directors and producers, and help get you work—providing you have achieved proficiency in voice-acting.  Here are a few tips to ensure a successful outcome:

Use your visit to tell if a loved one needs help to stay at home safely.

Are you going home for the holidays?  If you are, in addition to celebrating take a moment to make sure your older loved ones are still capable of managing their daily lives on their own.  Often older adults need some help to stay safe and healthy.

“Giving frees us from the familiar territory of our own needs by opening our mind to the unexplained worlds occupied by the needs of others” – B. Bush

I have always loved this point of view, because it touches on a whole other aspect of giving, realizing that when we give, we are able to get outside of ourselves and reach out to others.  When we give to others and look for ways to serve them, we are stepping outside of ourselves and are free to focus on their needs without distraction.

The holidays are almost here and the emotions surrounding divorce, separation, custody and new situations in general often place this question at the top of the list.

1. They don’t hate you, but they may hate what you represent: The failure of a marriage, the breakup of the family, fear that they may have ruined their child’s life by not being able to make the marriage work.

This community is suffering from an invisible illness: A large percentage of our kids and family members are addicted to drugs; most prominently opiates such as Oxycontin, Norco, Vicodin and other “prescribed” medications as well as heroin which is typically smoked, but more and more we’re seeing cases of IV use.  We have meth and ecstasy and other issues too, but the opiates are taking over fast.  The attraction our youth (and many adults) have to them is more than just the euphoric feeling they provide. 

Separation poses a very important question to parents: Who will get custody of the kids? California Family Code states that both parents are equally entitled to the custody of their children, but custody is not always as simple as an equal division.

Family Code §3010 states, “The mother of an unemancipated minor child and the father... are equally entitled to the custody of the child.” 

Brainstorming ideas about how to celebrate Christmas is always an exciting time at the Newhall Church of the Nazarene – even when you have to begin planning in September!  Located on The Old Road, just south of Calgrove, many people in the community know the church only because of the beautiful gym that supports many community activities!  

It goes without saying that neither spouse should ever physically harm the other.  But I will say it again anyway.  Neither spouse should ever physically harm the other.  I am not condoning mental cruelty, but physical violence can absolutely destroy a marriage.  Couples fight all of the time.  But physical violence should never even be considered an option.

After almost two years in development, Golden Oak is pleased to provide our community with another training opportunity – Custodial Maintenance Basics.  This program was developed through collaboration with custodial supervisors from the five local school districts and the City of Santa Clarita.  It is geared to persons who are interested in pursuing employment in this area, and/or are looking to increase their level of skill. 

DHS decided to focus its enforcement resources on removing violent criminals, felons, and repeat offenders. DHS will defer removal of individuals who as of June 15, 2012:

1. Were under the age of 31;

The holidays can be times of joyous celebration but often painful reminders of missing loved ones.  The prospect of the empty chair at mealtimes can evoke overwhelming sadness and loneliness.  Everything we touch, taste and smell may be reminders.

When a bankruptcy case is filed, an “Automatic Stay” is created preventing creditors from taking certain actions.  While the Stay is in effect, creditors cannot demand payment on debts, file lawsuits, collect on judgments through wage garnishment or otherwise, and they cannot continue foreclosures or repossessions.

Signs and symptoms of teens on drugs will be the topic of a discussion Thursday, November 29, at a meeting held at the Action Family Zone Teen Center beginning at 6 p.m.  Our substance abuse exerts, local teens in recovery, will share their personal stories and address what every family needs to know about drugs in the Santa Clarita Valley.  Local teens will discuss where they get their drugs and from whom, what do their drugs of choice look like and what do they do to their bodies and minds, where they hide their drugs,  and what are the tattletale  signs of drug use.

There is a huge variation among assisted living facilities. While this can make the process of choosing one seem daunting, you have a good chance of finding something perfectly suited to your preferences and needs.

As you start your search, try not to get overwhelmed.  Remember, amenities matter much less than the residents and staff.  You can tell a lot about a facility by the people who live and work there. You want someplace with an active social atmosphere, where the residents are friendly and the staff is caring and warm…a place where you will fit in and develop new relationships.

A friend, whom we’ll call Charlie, has assets in excess of $150,000, including his own business, a sole proprietorship.  He asks, “If I die, what will happen to my business?”

If his estate is subject to probate, everything will be tied up for nine months or more.  His personal representative won’t even be officially appointed for over a month after filing a Petition for Probate. 

When looking at colleges, it’s important to think strategically so you aren’t hit with surprises or hidden expenses along the way.  Here are two key questions to ask that will help lower college costs and increase aid.