Saturday Morning Cartoons Not Meant for Babies

August 29, 2011

Babies are born with the ability to learn anything and retain an enormous amount of information during their first years of life. Thus, early exposure to social and interactive activities will create unique learning experiences that help a baby adapt and adjust to his or her new environment. By simply spending time with your baby and giving him or her attentive love and care, you are nurturing their cognitive development.

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Our Littlest 'Strangers' Need Everyone's Help

August 16, 2011

Why do people help perfect strangers? That question really hit me last week. I was driving on Airways Boulevard at Lamar when a young couple in an old car rhythmically motioned with downward-pointing fingers, like John Travolta dancing in "Saturday Night Fever." These strangers were telling me that my back tire was quickly going flat.

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Coalition Fights Teen Pregnancy, Infant Deaths in Shelby County

July 11, 2011

The Tennessee Department of Health announced last September that Shelby County ranked last among Tennessee's 95 counties for the healthy growth and development of children and families. The finding was based on a statewide needs assessment that identified risk factors affecting families' health and well-being. The factors included rates of infant mortality and teen pregnancy, as well as exposure to poverty, domestic violence and crime.

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Teen Pregnancies Hurt Quality of Workforce

May 9, 2011

One of the most important initiatives for Memphis and Shelby County is economic development, which includes attracting new business and industry to our city. Having spent 2½ years as the executive director of the Workforce Investment Network (WIN), a federally funded workforce development program, I am very aware that the availability of a skilled workforce is one of the key things businesses look for when deciding where to relocate or expand.

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