Global Influence Buzzed Driving St. Patrick’s Day Campaign

St. Patrick’s Day is right around the corner, and it’s not the luck of the Irish that will keep the roads safe – it’s planning ahead for a safe and sober way home.

For many Americans, St. Patrick’s Day has become a popular night out for drinking and celebrating with friends and family.  Unfortunately, some of these people might also be driving home from their festivities and therefore, the night out has also become potentially dangerous.

On St. Patrick’s Day 2009, 37 percent of the drivers and motorcyclists involved in fatal crashes had a blood alcohol content (BAC) of .08 or above, according to statistics by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

Thank you for offering to help spread the word!  Global Influence members have been helping to change the world for more than two years, and these messages are among the most important.

Let’s remind everyone about the importance of remembering to:

• Plan ahead and designate a sober driver before you leave for your event.
• Be ready to take alternate transportation such as a bus or taxi. Have the phone number of a taxi service stored in your phone before you leave for the party.

Even if you will not be celebrating this St. Patrick’s Day, keep in mind that in 2009, 1,119 occupants of other vehicles were killed in crashes involving alcohol-impaired drivers, so pay attention to others on the road.  And remember, you don’t have to be “falling down drunk” to be too impaired to drive safely. Even a few drinks can impair driving…and a buzzed driving crash has the same consequences as a drunk driving crash.

NHTSA needs your help in keeping the roads safe for everyone this St. Patrick’s Day by spreading the word that buzzed driving IS drunk driving.

To learn more about the impact buzzed driving can have on a life, please consider posting the attached poster to your blog or even your Facebook wall. And we can also ask our readers to follow Buzzed Driving on Facebook and Twitter for more information.

Remember: Buzzed Driving IS Drunk Driving. Don’t rely on dumb luck this St. Patrick’s Day. Plan ahead and ask your loved ones to do the same.

10 Historical College Campuses

Flagler College in St. Augustine

As many high school juniors and seniors are busy debating on what higher education path they will be traveling, it is always fun and educational to look at a diversity of universities and their origin.

In St. Augustine, our nation's oldest city, Flagler College is one of the most beautiful campuses that combines history and education with the small town family atmosphere.

Although colleges and universities more than understandably evolved over the centuries, all of them owe a debt of gratitude to the medieval institutions who started it all. Since 1088, the world of higher education has expanded magnanimously to all corners of the globe, encompassing a far more diverse range of programs, faculty, staff and students. The following have paid witness to this drastic change more than any others, laying the rocksteady foundation for today's institutions. But even beyond that, they have all played an active role in shaping world history itself, regardless of their contributions' sizes.

1. University of Bologna: This lauded institution has been in continuous operation since 1088, give or take a few years. For the longest time, they only offered doctoral degrees, though in recent times they expanded their offerings. Today, around 100,000 students spread across 23 different faculties at 8 different branches and schools — including an international location in Buenos Aires. Considering its Catholic roots, it probably comes as little surprise that University of Bologna receives accolades for its civil and canon law programs. Throughout its incredible history, the school has graduated such diverse cultural luminaries as Dante Alighieri, Nicolaus Copernicus, Albrecht D–rer and Umberto Eco.
2. University of Oxford: As with many medieval universities, the exact date of founding remains largely unknown, though it's well known that teaching was going on in 1096. Although the oldest English-speaking school in the world (pictured), much of University of Oxford's wealthy intellectual legacy stems from massive influxes of Continental students and ideologies. Catholic orders, Renaissance beliefs and figures and scholars fleeing Nazism and Communism have all, at one time or another, flocked to this academic safe haven and eventually left their permanent mark. The year 1878 saw the landmark addition of the first women's college, with a second following a year later — and three more came shortly thereafter. Even today, it remains one of the world's most eclectic, prestigious and influential universities thanks to this diverse heritage.
3. University of Salamanca: Spain's oldest university started offering classes around 1130, but never received a papal charter until 1218 and a royal charter from King Alfonso X until 1254. By 1255, it was able to refer to itself as a university thanks to the confirmation of Pope Alexander IV. Because of its age, this institution participated in its fair share of notable historical events, both amazing and absolutely terrible. For one, many of its graduates and faculty assisted the government in its unjust expulsion and torturing of innocent Jews. Geographers at the University of Salamanca also played an integral role in assisting Christoffa Corombo on his historic voyage attempting to discover a quicker trade route towards the West Indies. After his accidental landing in the Americas, the very same school that backed his journey would go on to debate the ethical and economic impact of interacting with its indigenous peoples.
4. University of Modena: University of Modena actually spreads itself across the eponymous city as well as Reggio Emilia, with eight faculties comprising the former and four in the latter. The original campus was founded in 1175 by former University of Bologna educator Pillio of Medicina, but its original medieval structure fizzled out entirely by 1338. At that point, it ceased offering degrees and focused more on holding classes until funding forced the 1590 suspension. However, it revived itself in Modena around 1680 and eventually picked up its charter five years later. Today, both campuses host a total of around 20,000 students. Anyone visiting Modena needs to head over to the school and explore the Orto Botanico dell'Universit– di Modena e Reggio Emilia. This free botanical garden began as a small plot for medicinal plants, grew into an herbarium and subsequently expanded to its lush form locals and tourists currently enjoy.
5. University of Vicenza: Many academics, unfortunately, consider the University of Vicenza one of the least significant surviving medieval schools. In spite of this mindset, however, it still deserves recognition for its age and endurance. It was founded in 1204 and received recognition as a stadium generale at some point in the 13th Century.
6. University of Cambridge: The second-oldest stadium generale in the English-speaking world sprouted thanks to the first. Because of myriad disputes with faculty and townspeople alike, a small throng of Oxford intellectuals went on to found the competing university in 1209. Today, it is considered amongst the best institutes of higher learning on the planet, but it certainly took an interesting historical path to get here. On the orders of King Henry XIII, Cambridge disbanded its canon law program and dissolved any and all associations with Catholicism. As a result, classes shifted towards math, science, the classics and Bible — offerings which eventually inspired some of the most influential politicians, scientists, mathematicians, writers and thinkers of all time. Without Cambridge, there would be no laws of motion, atom splitting, unified electromagnetism, theory of evolution and natural selection, Turing machines or quantum mechanics. Nor would the electron, hydrogen or structure of DNA been discovered. Among a staggering heap of other accomplishments, of course.
7. University of Padua: A 1222 split from the University of Bologna resulted in the creation of University of Padua, whose new students and faculty desired more flexibility and freedom. At first, it only focused on providing degrees in law and theology, though it expanded its offerings to include astronomy, rhetoric, medicine, dialectic, philosophy, rhetoric, grammar and philosophy by 1399. During and shortly after the Renaissance, University of Padua enjoyed recognition as one of the world's intellectual and research powerhouses, likely due to its closer affiliation with the Venetian government than the Catholic Church. Even now, the 65,000-student institution is oftentimes considered amongst the greatest institutes of higher learning in Italy.
8. University of Naples Federico II: Unlike the other historical universities listed here, this one never affiliated itself with any religious institution. Rather, it received its initial patronage from Emperor Frederico II in 1224, making it the oldest state school in the world. Curiously enough, however, its most famous alum made a name for himself as one of the foremost Catholic theologians. St. Thomas Aquinas likely formed many of his influential religious theories based on his exposure to classical philosophy, letters and political science at University of Naples Federico II.
9. University of Siena: Established in 1240, University of Siena funded itself on taxes levied upon individuals and families renting living quarters to citizens. By 1252, Pope Innocent IV was declaring that teachers and students alike would be exempt from taxes, forced labor, night watchman duty and military service — particularly those involved with Latin, medicine and the natural sciences. Following a giant influx of University of Bologna faculty and students angered with a young man's death sentence, the institution in Siena swelled significantly, even enjoying stadium generale status. While it may not have played a huge role in Italian history, the school did witness major power switches in the region and hosted many extremely vocal demonstrations against Risorgimento.
10. University of Coimbra: Portugal's oldest university is a public school founded in 1290 following the approval of King Dinis. It actually started out in Lisbon before the 1308 move to Coimbra — a result of tensions with Pope Nicholas IV, the citizenry and the students. The core curriculum originally offered classes in the arts, canon law, law and medicine, which remained intact during the transition. In 1338, King Alfonso IV brought the school back to Lisbon, where it stayed until 1537 when King Jo–o III sent it to Coimbra permanently.

Special contributor:  Carol Brown

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Self-Esteem and Your Teens

Self-esteem, confidence, feeling good about yourself etc… All of these are very important to helping your teen make good decisions for their future.

You have been saving for your teen’s college tuition for more than a decade. You have kept him on track in his studies. You have ferried him to countless soccer meets and football games. You may feel like you’re doing everything you can to ensure that your children have bright and promising futures, but you still may have overlooked a crucial element: their self-esteem.

Self-esteem is not something that should be pushed aside. In fact, a healthy sense of self-esteem is much more crucial to your teen’s future than you may initially think. Self-esteem is a measure of someone’s confidence in his or her capabilities as well as his or her sense of identity. It allows people to determine what they can and cannot do. Those with higher levels of self-esteem tend to feel more confident about their capabilities and therefore are more willing to take on challenges and try new things. They also are more likely to be independent and motivated, which is good for teenagers because it will allow them to better tackle the rigors of academics and college life.

Those with lower levels of self-esteem, however, are likely to be nervous, uncertain, dependent, and unmotivated. This is because they lack a sense of security in their capabilities, and therefore are more unwilling to do anything where failure is a possibility. Alarmingly, research cited by the Counseling and Mental Health Center of the University of Texas indicates that low levels of self-esteem can also increase a teen’s likelihood of becoming involved in drug use. For young women, unplanned pregnancies are more prevalent for those with low levels of self-esteem. Low self-esteem also can lead to the development of depression or anxiety.

Unfortunately, teenagers naturally have lower levels of self-esteem because they are going through numerous life changes and facing many new and uncertain things. For example, the onset of puberty, having to navigate high school politics, and moving away to tackle college are all uncertainties that can cause many teens to feel unsure about who they really are and who they will become. The overall result of all these changes is a shaken self-esteem.

It is important for parents to guide their teens through this confusing period so that they may regain the self-esteem they need to get through it all unscathed. You can do this by encouraging your teen to take care of himself. Good physical health can do wonders for mental health and self-esteem, so when your teen seems to be feeling bad about himself, go for a brisk walk with him. This will help him to get his muscles moving and perk his spirit up, according to the U.S. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. You can also strive to praise him whenever he does something commendable, such as having a good soccer meet or receiving a good grade in class. The praise does not have to be over-the-top gushing each time. In fact, a simple, “Good job!” can improve a teen’s self-esteem dramatically.

All in all, parents can ensure that their teens have a healthy level of self-esteem by offering them support, love, and respect. This way, teens can develop a good sense of who they are and what they can do, leading to the bright and promising future you always wanted for them.

By-line:
Lauren Bailey, a freelancer who blogs about online colleges, contributed this guest post.  She can be reached via email at: blauren99@gmail.com.

Continue reading on Examiner.com: Do you need a boost? Start early! - Jacksonville Parenting Teens | Examiner.com http://www.examiner.com/parenting-teens-in-jacksonville/do-you-need-a-boost-start-early#ixzz1FMcyHfwa

Door of Hope for Teens

There is help, only a call away.

Door of Hope 4 Teens is a Christian-based free counseling resource for young women and teens who struggle with self-injury. We provide help via a toll free support line, instant messaging, e-mail and a local youth group. Our team of counselors rotate around set posted hours to pray, encourage, help and direct young people towards recovery through the saving knowledge and power of Jesus Christ.

Our aim is to get teens the help they need in their local communities. This help may come in the form of linking young people with a local church or para-church organization which will help the young people overcome self injury on an ongoing basis.  Door of Hope will call for you and contact local pastors and youth pastors in order to involve you with a church and/or youth group.  We believe the local church is what God has ordained to help people. Likewise, Door of Hope provides referrals to hospital and mental heath professionals in your local area to help those who need crisis intervention and medical treatment.

Door of Hope 4 Teens provides additional help by mailing out at no cost to you: Bibles, books and media resources to help teens better understand self-injury and to help them learn healthy Godly coping mechanisms to overcome their struggle.

Door of Hope 4 Teens gathers young people for spiritual retreats, youth meetings, and seminars to help young people on a more personal one-on-one level.  On a case by case basis, Door of Hope may help in providing transportation costs, housing, food, and other related costs to get people to these meetings.

Are you looking for private residential therapy?  Visit www.helpyourteens.com.

Mistakes Parents Make with Teens

Parenting books - so many to choose from!

Parenting. 

It is probably one of the hardest and most rewarding jobs there is.  Although there are many times you have to look hard for those rewards, as they can become hidden during those teen-hood and pre-teen times, you will eventually see them.

WebMD put together five mistakes that parents make with teens and tweens.  As second semester is progressing, there are many parents struggling with their kids to understand the importance of finishing school and doing well in it.  As with many adolescents, they see their social life is more of their priority.

Teen Parenting Mistake # 1: Expect the Worst
Teenagers get a bad rap, says Richard Lerner, PhD, director of the Institute for Applied Research in Youth Development at Tufts University. Many parents approach raising teenagers as an ordeal, believing they can only watch helplessly as their lovable children transform into unpredictable monsters. Expecting the worst sets parents and teens up for several unhappy, unsatisfying years together.

Teen Parenting Mistake #2: Read Too Many Parenting Books
Rather than trusting their instincts, many parents turn to outside experts for advice on how to raise teens. “Parents can tie themselves into knots trying to follow the advice they read in books,” says Robert Evans, EdD, executive director of the Human Relations Service, Wellesley, Mass., and author of Family Matters: How Schools Can Cope with the Crisis in Child Rearing.

“Books become a problem when parents use them to replace their own innate skills,” Evans tells WebMD. “If the recommendations and their personal style don’t fit, parents wind up more anxious and less confident with their own children.”
Use books (and articles like this) to get perspective on confusing behavior and then put them down. Spend the extra time talking with your spouse and children, getting clear about what matters most to you and your family.
Teen Parenting Mistake #3: Sweat the Small Stuff
Maybe you don’t like your daughter’s haircut or choice of clothes. Or perhaps she didn’t get the part in the play you know she deserves. Before you intervene, look at the big picture. If a certain mode of self-expression or set of events does not put your child at risk, give her the leeway to make age-appropriate decisions and live with the results.

Teen Parenting Mistake # 4: Ignore the Big Stuff
If you suspect your child is using alcohol or drugs, do not look the other way. Parents should address suspected drug or alcohol use right away, before it escalates into a bigger problem, says Amelia M. Arria, PhD, director of the Center on Young Adult Health and Development at the University of Maryland School of Public Health.

“The years when kids are between 13 and 18 years old are an essential time for parents to stay involved,” Arria tells WebMD. Parents might consider teen drinking a rite of passage because they drank when they were that age. “But the stakes are higher now,” she says.

More drugs are available today, illegal drugs and legal medications. For example, cough remedies with DXM (dextromethorphan) have become a new drug of choice for some teens. DXM is easy to get and teens and parents alike underrate its potential dangers. Studies show that between 7% and 10% of U.S. teens have reported abusing cough medicine to get high. Although safe when used as directed, DXM can cause hallucinations and disassociations similar to PCP or ketamine (Special K) when used in excessive amounts, as well as rapid heartbeat, unconsciousness, stomach pain, and vomiting.

Watch for unexplained changes in your teen’s behavior, appearance, academic performance, and friends. If you find empty cough medicine packaging in your child’s trash or backpack, if bottles of medicine go missing from your cabinet, or if you find unfamiliar pills, pipes, rolling papers, or matches, your child could be abusing drugs. Take these signs seriously and get involved. Safeguard all the medicines you have: Know which products are in your home and how much medication is in each package or bottle.

Mistake #5: Rule With an Iron Fist, or Kid Gloves
Some parents, sensing a loss of control over their teens’ behavior, crack down every time their child steps out of line. Every day brings a new punishment. The home becomes a war zone. By contrast, other parents avoid all conflict for fear their teens will push them away. They put being a cool parent ahead of setting limits and enforcing rules. For these parents, discipline is a dirty word.

To read the complete report by Joanne Barker, visit www.webmd.com.

It is very easy for outsiders to judge and give advice about raising our teens.  Remember, each family is unique and each child is different.  Although some people believe in the tough love approach, it is diffcult to employ when your teens are still minors.

Continue reading on Examiner.com: 5 Parenting mistakes with teens and tweens - Fort Lauderdale Parenting Teens | Examiner.com http://www.examiner.com/parenting-teens-in-fort-lauderdale/5-parenting-mistakes-with-teens-and-tweens#ixzz1EExJX3cf

Summer Jobs: Get Your Applications In Now!

The time is now to apply.

Is your teenager ready to get a job this summer?

The time is now to get your applications in and schedule your interviews.  Summer camp is a tradition for many families.  Whether you are involved in day camp programs or sleep away camps, it is a great time to make new friends and have lots of fun.

Part of that fun is generated by the staff of the camps.  Have you considered working at a summer camp?  What activities are your favorite?  Find a camp that has your interests and you may find your dream summer job.
Since 1999, MySummers has proved to be a great resource for applicants looking to work at a summer camp. Working as a camp counselor and watching the kids have fun is very rewarding. Campers always remember their counselors, and the impact that each counselor has had on their lives. For future teachers, camp jobs are a great way to gain experience working with and living with children.

To get started, sign up for MySummers and find out what jobs are open throughout the East Coast. Applicants must be 18 years or older by August 1st and a High School graduate.  Some teen programs go into different countries; Canada, Europe, Australia, Central America, the Caribbean & Virgin Islands, and more.  What an opportunity!

Learn more at www.MySummers.com.

Are you looking for a summer camp for your child? Visit www.CampFinders.com.

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School Loans, Educational Loans and Debt: Informational Blogs and Resources

Guest Blogger, Julia Watson, prepared this fantastic, informational and educational list of Blogs that can help give you advice when you are overwhelmed with student loans.

Are you strapped with student loans?

Going to college, whether online or off, close to home or in a foreign country, can be an exciting, enlightening and ultimately life-changing experience. While it may be well worth it in the long run, it comes at a high cost to many students, and debt after graduation can be crippling for those who don’t have high paying jobs or who cannot find work at all. Finding a way to manage your finances and battle down that debt is a common struggle, so why not share in it with others who are where you are and who’ve come out on the other side? Here are some great blogs that will help you learn about debt reduction, pay off your debts and become a more financially savvy adult.

Education
These blogs will teach you the basics of managing your finances.

1. Engineer Your Finances: Want some great advice on how to structure your financial situation so that you’ll be financially secure instead of in tons of debt? Give this blog a read, or two.
2. I Will Teach You to Be Rich: One of the most popular PF blogs on the web, this blog will show you how to make the best use of your income.
3. Get Rich Slowly: It’s not going to happen overnight, so learn how to make your finances work for you the slow and steady way.
4. MintLife Blog: While using a site like Mint can help you really keep track of your finances, you don’t have to use it to appreciate the great advice offered on this blog.
5. Realm of Prosperity: Who doesn’t want to be prosperous? On this blog, you’ll get financial advice geared towards young adults.
6. Bargaineering: From saving to smart spending, check out this blog for all your financial advice needs.
7. Consumerism Commentary: Don’t be stupid when it comes to spending your money. Learn how to spend smart, save and plan for the future on this blog.
8. Independent Beginnings: Being out on your own and managing your own finances can be tricky. This blog offers help for young people in need of personal finance advice.

For Students and Recent Grads
Geared towards those who’ve just emerged from school or who are due to graduate soon, these finance blogs deal with a wide range of grad finance issues.

1. Studentnomics: This blog is all about helping young people like yourself pay off their students debts, save their money and enjoy living life in the real world.
2. The Frugal Law Student: Anyone with crushing school debt can understand the concerns of this law student struggling to save and make ends meet.
3. 20 Something Finance: As you enter your 20s, you’ll learn more than a few things about personal finance. This blog is there to help you along the way.
4. Poorer Than You: Check out this site for posts on financial issues that affect students and young grads, like school debt, building net worth and much more.
5. Money Under 30: There are some money issues that are a lot more important to fresh grads and twenty-somethings than those over 30. Learn more about them on this site.
6. Grad Money Matters: Your education may have helped get you a job, but it doesn’t guarantee smarts when it comes to money. Learn more about financial issues that all grads should be worried about here.
7. Green Panda Treehouse: The financial articles on this blog are geared towards money issues that new grads face, from finding a first post-college job to paying off those horrible school debts.

Debt Blogs
Through these blogs you’ll find the information and inspiration you need to help pay off your student debts.

1. No Debt Plan: These bloggers share how they’re working their way out of debt and into financial security.
2. Stop Buying Crap: Want to focus on getting your school debts paid off? This blog could offer the solution.
3. Man Vs. Debt: Even with kids, this young dad shows that it is possible to pay off even huge amounts of debt.
4. Debt Free Adventure: If you’re unsure how to even begin paying off debts, give this blog a read. It offers pointers on everything you’ll need to know to get rid of debt and get on your feet.
5. Single Guy Money: If you’re like many college grads, you’re single, have your first job and not much practice managing your money. This blogger shares your struggle, so read on to see how he got through.
6. The Simple Dollar: The articles on this blog are easy to understand and can help you learn how to save more and pay off your debts before doing anything else.
7. Debt Hater: Hate your debt? So does this blogger. Learn what measures they’re taking to battle debts and how you can follow suit.

Inspiration
These bloggers prove that paying off your debt really can be done, and they’ll show you how.

1. TeacHer Finance: Teachers don’t make big bucks, but even on a limited budget this young teacher is trying to power through paying back her debts.
2. My Money Blog: This blogger is working towards financial security bit by bit, and you can follow along here.
3. Budgets are Sexy: Learn why creating a budget, however boring it sounds, can really be a boon for your finances. Don’t think so? This blogger shows off just how it’s helped.

Loan Blogs
Learn more about student loans, from consolidation to payment options, on these sites.

1. Forgive Student Loan Debt to Stimulate the Economy: This blogger supports helping students and the economy at the same time by forgiving loan debt.
2. Student Loan Blog:From finding a job post-college to understanding your loan repayment, this blog has loads to offer debt-saddled students.
3. The Credit Blog: Loans are a form of credit, and you need to learn all you can about them to best pay them off.
4. Financial Aid News Blog: This financial aid news site offers not only information about programs to help you pay back your debt, but helpful information you might not find elsewhere.
5. College Loan Consultant: Learn more about what kinds of loans are out there, how to repay them, and what kind of tax breaks you can get from this site.

Helping Your School: Box Tops for Education

I don’t have kids in school anymore but I certainly collect these box tops!  My niece hands them in monthly to help her school.  If you don’t have a friend or relative to pass them on to, many local libraries are collecting them.

Don’t let this opportunity to give back to our community pass you by.


If you have kids in school or have a relative with students in school (private or public) are you involved with “Box Tops for Education?”

It is so easy and the best part is, you probably have many of the items/products in your pantry today!  Have you noticed the little “Box Top for Education” pink logo (see photo on sidebar)?  Cut it off and give them to someone that is collecting them for their school.

When you join Box Tops, you’ll be able to track your school’s progress on the way to their earnings goal – all in real time. See the numbers for your school, as well as how you compare to other schools in your state, and in the nation.  This is an opportunity for you to make a difference and help your child to understand that working as a community you can make positive changes.

America’s Schools have earned over $320,000,000 since 1996.

There are always new products being added as participants in Box Tops.  Click here for a complete listing.

You don’t know anyone in your neighborhood collecting Box Tops?  All branches of the St. Johns County Public Library System are drop off locations for Boxtops for Education for schools in their communities! Please join them in supporting education for the kids of St. Johns County by saving Boxtops from these products and simply dropping them off at your SJCPLS branch library!

Let’s be a part of our community.  Clip your wait to building and enhancing our children’s future in education.

Watch the video for more information.

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