Uproot front yard garden bans: 15 reasons to grow front yard vegetable gardens

Flowers in a front yard garden grow smiles, but a veggies in front yard garden sow seeds of doubt at least with Florida lawmakers. A south Florida couple, Hermine Ricketts and Tom Carroll, of Miami Shores, were made to uproot their front yard garden in 2013. They finally got the chance to air their grievances on the front yard garden bans on June 13, 2016, reported the Courthouse News Report. The case is similar to that of an Oak Park, Michigan mother. In 2011, the city of Oak Park charged Julie Bass with misdemeanor front yard vegetable garden growing. Here are 15 reasons to uproot front yard garden bans and grow front yard vegetable gardens.   Uproot front yard garden bans: 15 reasons to grow front yard vegetable gardens | Examiner.com

Walmart shopper curses dad using food stamps: Walmart wages qualify for welfare

 A viral video showed an irate woman Walmart shopper cussing out a working dad using food stamps to buy groceries at Walmart. The Huffington Post reported May 2 it was ironic that the harassing woman was shopping at Walmart as Walmart's low wages qualify workers for welfare assistance. Walmart is double dipping on welfare exploitation, too. A 2014 report found that U.S. taxpayers paid $6.2 billion annually in food stamps, EBT (Electronic Benefits Transfer) cards, Medicaid, subsidized housing and public assistance for Walmart employees. But then Walmart gets that welfare assistance back in sales--a 2013 report showed that almost $1 out of every five EBT or food stamp dollars is spent at Walmart.  Walmart shopper curses dad using food stamps: Walmart wages qualify for welfare | Examiner.com

Free printable Passover activities, Jewish lessons for Hebrew Pesach holy days

Passover, or Pesach in Hebrew, is one of the highest Jewish holy days. Passover, an ancient 7-day Hebrew observance generally falls in April in the western calendar. In 2016, Passover begins at sundown Friday, April 22 and lasts till Saturday, April 30. On the Hebrew lunisolar calendar (which is based on both moon phases and solar cycles), Passover is celebrated on Nissan 15-22. Here are resources and free printable Passover activities for Jewish kids and parents to explore and celebrate Passover, or Pesach more fully. These activities can help non-Jewish families understand and experience Hebrew traditions, too.  Free printable Passover activities, Jewish lessons for Hebrew Pesach holy days

Free printable world flags: Flag coloring pages, geography lessons, printables | Examiner.com

United Nations Day is October 24. There is no more enduring symbol of a nation that the national flag. It 's a thumbnail, an icon for a country. The flag symbolizes pride and rallies people. The flag is flown or lowered to reflect national joy or sorrow. Here are free printable world flags from around the globe. Use these free printable flag coloring pages in geography lessons and social studies cultures units. Students should not be allowed to "free color" the world flags. They should be taught to color them correctly.  Free printable world flags: Flag coloring pages, geography lessons, printables | Examiner.com

Free printable Catholic St. Valentine lesson plans, Valentine's Day worksheets

 The story of St. Valentine has nothing to do with flowers and candy or Valentine's Day as we celebrate it on Feb. 14. Except in one way (we'll get to that). It has nothing in common with romance as we know it. But Valentine's story is spiritually romantic. Valentinius was a Roman Christian priest. In those days, this was not popular. In fact, it was downright illegal.



Then-Emperor Claudius II decided he'd make marriage illegal too--so men would give up women go fight his battles. Not exactly an even quid pro quo. But Claudius wasn't the most savvy guy. Anyway, Valentine understood human nature better. He performed underground marriages so people could keep sanctified romances and holy love. Valentine was jailed for his pains.



So, being a helpful and proactive kind of guy, Valentine wrote notes of encouragement to his fellow incarcerated. He signed them "Your Valentine." There grew the card-sending tradition--the only part of the real meaning of Valentine's Day that is practiced today. Valentine was martyred on Feb. 14. It became a holy day--holiday--in the Catholic church.



Predictably, the spiritual bits of the story are ignored for the commercial. True, Valentine's story is based on legend, but most stories of antiquity are oral tradition. Anyway, it seems a more fitting expression of the holiday than just flowers and candy. If you do too, here are free printable Catholic St. Valentine activities and lessons.  Free printable Catholic St. Valentine lesson plans, Valentine's Day worksheets | Examiner.com

Black History Month movies: African American slavery, abolition, emancipation

 Black History Month, February in the U.S. is about three things: exploring black culture, grieving the struggles of African Americans and celebrate their triumphs. The U.S. Census Bureau released facts about black Americans--where they've been, are and are going--reports PR Newswire, Jan. 21. And while helpful, stats can only show just so much.  Black History Month movies: African American slavery, abolition, emancipation | Examiner.com

Chinese New Year of the Monkey, Spring Festival, Lantern Festival party planner | Examiner.com

Chinese New Year of the Monkey begins Feb. 8, 2106. The Chinese zodiac is distinguished by 12 animals. 2016 is the Year of the Monkey and each year celebrates a different animal--rat, ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, goat, monkey, rooster, dog and pig. Here are activities and ideas for parents to explore Chinese traditions.  Chinese New Year of the Monkey, Spring Festival, Lantern Festival party planner | Examiner.com