DOUGALL FRASER/ “BUT YOU KNEW THAT ALREADY: WHAT A PSYCHIC CAN TEACH YOU ABOUT LIFE”

www.DougallFraser.com

Dougall Fraser's Biography:

Everyone wants to know when and where they will find true love, if they should change careers, how to find the courage to follow their dreams. In short, everyone would like a peek into their future! Whether you want to examine your past, present or future, Dougall Fraser has a special ability to tune into the lives of his clients. His gift is clairvoyance (second sight). His fresh voice, irreverent wit and dead-on predictions got him named Best Psychic in Dallas at the age of 20, and he soon relocated to New York, where he quickly became one of the City's top psychics.

Dougall knew at a very early age that he saw the world and others differently. He could easily perceive the desires, problems and secrets in people's lives -- not always an easy gift to have. He gave his first reading at the age of 8 and was regularly counseling adults while he was still in grade school. By the time he was 14, he began to truly understand his abilities and how to best use them for the greater good. He has studied massage, meditation, psychology and healing extensively to enhance his natural talent.

Dougall has maintained a professional practice for more than ten years and is now recognized as one of the country's top psychics, with a regular international clientele. With his own spiritual belief system, Dougall believes that we all have an individual blueprint for our lives. "It's my understanding that my ability is to help one understand their true destiny and continue on the path the universe has prepared for them."

Dougall has been featured on many national TV shows, including The John Walsh Show, Dancing With The Stars, Best Week Ever and Good Day Live! He has also been recognized as one of the country's top clairvoyant/psychics by Spin magazine and The New York Post. He is the author of the best selling book But You Knew That Already What A Psychic Can Teach You About Life. He currently lives and works in Los Angeles.

CHERYL JACKSON/ SISTERS OF SAVINGS

www.SistersOfSavings.com

Hints for shopping thrift stores:

Salvation Army:

Senior Citizens day-15% off every Tuesday

Clothing 50% every Wednesday

They receive 3500 items daily

They have clothing, shoes, appliances, electronics

Open 10-8p.m

Goodwill:

Once per week they have colors that are half off the entire week

Senior citizen receive 10% off

FYI: Many of the thrift stores support local charities such as Children Advocacy Center, Animal Rescue,Goodwill

Restaurant Birthday Offiers:

Be sure and check with each restaurant individually… as rules and guidelines can change by location:

Applebees - Free dessert
Atlanta Bread Company - They have a VIP eClub that you can sign up for, gaining you a free cookie on your birthday.
Baskin Robbins - Get a free ice cream treat if you sign up for their Birthday Club.
Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream - Become a Chunk Spelunker and you can get some free ice cream!
Benihana’s Japanese Restaurant - Free dinner with 3 other paying guests. (So bring your friends!)
Bennigan’s - Sign up for their Bennigan’s Club and get a coupon for a free entree plus a free dessert.
BJ’s Restaurants - Free Pazookie!!
Black Angus Steakhouse - Receive a complimentary dessert for joining the BA Prime Club and a free steak dinner for your birthday!
Boston Market - Free kids B-Day meal coupon for kids under 12 and coupons online for their various entrees.
Burger King - Free kids meal to all kids club members.
California Pizza Kitchen - Free kids meal during the month of their birthday if you register first.
Caribou Coffee - They’ll e-mail you a week before your birthday with a coupon for a free coffee drink. Or you can just print out this page and get your free coffee that way.
Cheesecake Factory - Free dessert
Chili’s - Free dessert if you join their club.
Cracker Barrel - Free dessert
Dairy Queen - Free ice cream coupon via e-mail for kids 16 and under. They also have a Blizzard Club for adults with the same offer.
Don Pablos - Free $10 gift certificate after joining the Don Pablo Habanero Club.
Denny’s - Free meal & sundae to kids under 10 as long as you sign up ahead of time.
El Chicos - Free dessert
Golden Corral - Free meal to Birthday Club members during the month of birthday
Hard Rock Cafe - Free dessert
Hooters - Free song & T-shirt
Joe’s Crab Shack - Free cake if you join their club.
Krispy Kreme - Free half dozen glazed donuts and a coffee mug with either coffee or soda in it! You might want to sign up ahead of time.
Macaroni Grill - Free dessert plus an OPERA -style “Happy Birthday” song, which is always different.
la Madeleine - Yet another on-line birthday club that will send you coupons for free food around your birthday.
Maggianos - $10 off purchase of $20 if you sign up in advance.
Marble Slab Creamery - Kids can join the Marble Slab Kids Club and get a free ice cream cone on their birthday up to age 12.
Olive Garden - Free dessert if you sign up.

On The Border - Free appetizer if you sign up.
Outback Steakhouse - Free dessert or appetizer
P.F. Chang’s - Free cake or cheesecake via their e-mail list.
Quizno’s - Join their mailing list and get a free birthday gift (I think this means coupons?)
Red Lobster - Free slice of cake if you join their Overboard Club.
Ruby Tuesday - Sign up in advance and they’ll send you something!
Schlotzsky’s - Get a free sandwich if you sign up ahead of time.
Spaghetti Warehouse - Signup for a free meal & possibly free appetizer?
Sonic - An advertising company for Sonic, they’ll send you coupons for free Sonic goodies if you sign up. Also, get a free Wacky Pack Kid’s Meal on children’s birthdays if you register here.
Souper Salad - Join their Souper Salad Club and they’ll e-mail you a coupon for one free birthday meal which can be used within a week or your birthday.
Steak & Ale - Free mini choco cake plus other free gifts.
Steak-N-Shake - Free dinner for “birthday club” kids.
Taco Bell - Free combo meal of your choice.
Texas De Brazil - Sign up for their e-club and they’ll send you a $40 gift certificate!

TGI Friday’s - Free birthday dessert plus free appetizer just for signing up!
Wendy’s - Free kids meal
Wingstop - Get 10 free buffalo wings on your birthday.

FIRST CHOICE EMERGENCY ROOM

www.firstchoiceER.com

First Choice Emergency Room is a free-standing, fully equipped emergency room, and is an entirely new concept in the delivery of emergency medical services. We have taken the Emergency Department out of the hospital and placed it in the community. Our physicians are board certified in emergency medicine and our nurses are emergency trained. We are prepared to manage all adult and pediatric major and minor emergencies.

Our mission at First Choice Emergency Room is to provide patients an alternative to conventional hospital based emergency departments. We believe the residents of each community deserve and expect an improved level of service from their emergency care providers.

First Choice Emergency Room opened their first facility in Flower Mound in December 2002 and has been voted the BEST ER in Denton County for four consecutive years by the Star Community News Reader's Choice Awards. Today, First Choice Emergency Room has grown to eight facilities and was recognized by The Dallas Business Journal's 2006 Top 100 Fastest-Growing Private Companies in the Metroplex. Our facilities in Dallas are located in Carrollton, Flower Mound, Frisco and Plano, and our Houston facilities are located in Atascocita, Copperfield, Spring and The Woodlands. We are continuing to grow in 2007 and will be opening additional facilities in the DFW, Houston and Austin areas.

First Choice Emergency Room is open everyday and no appointment is needed. GUEST SPEAKERS: Gregory Blomquist, M.D., Plano Facility Medical Director

Dr. Blomquist received his medical degree from Chicago Medical School in 1991. He completed his residency at UT Southwestern, Parkland Memorial Hospital where he remained on staff as an instructor until 1997 and practiced in area hospital emergency departments. He is board certified in both Internal Medicine and Emergency Medicine. Dr. Blomquist lives in Plano with his wife and two children. GUEST SPEAKERS: Kirk Mahon, M.D. - Carrollton Facility Medical Director

Dr. Mahon earned his medical degree from Baylor College of Medicine in 1996. He completed his residency in Emergency Medicine at Carolinas Medical Center in 1999. He was made a diplomat of the American Board of Emergency Medicine (ABEM) in 2001 and has been practicing emergency medicine in the Dallas area since 1999.

For more information about First Choice Emergency Room, log onto www.firstchoiceER.com or call 866-99-FIRST.

DR. LISA Y. PIERCE/ UNDERSTANDING AUTISM

LisaPiercemd@aol.com

Early Detection of Autism or Autistic Spectrum Disorders allows for early intervention and treatments.

The  earlier these interventions occur, whether Behavioral, or OT or Speech offer the best opportunities for an improved outcome, ie development of speech, improved social relatedness and social functioning.

What is Autism?  The hallmark characteristic is that it is a disorder of social relatedness.

It has three main features which include impaired socialization, repetitive or stereotypic behaviors and impaired language.  However, it is a spectrum disorder and some forms of autism do not include all three components.  Other forms of Autism include Asperger’s Symdrome which has a relative preservation of speech. 

Symptoms include poor eye contact, avoidance of cuddling or close touch, hypersensitivity to sound,  repetitive movements, lack of response to others, etc.

The treatments are numerous and include things such as OT (occupational therapy, speech therapy, physical therapy, ABA (a program that provides a very structured environment for learning new behaviors as well as practicing and maintaining them.

Later interventions may involve treatments for the co-morbidities or problems that often co-exist with Autism such at attention and focus problems, aggression, anxieties, learning differences etc., OCD, Bipolar symptoms

Are children with Autism ever able to show affection?

Yes, it can be difficult, but very possible.  Each child is an individual in there abilities toward social relatedness.  Often, this milestone requires hard work from their parents, and teachers and clinicians.  Depending on where the child is on the spectrum, this  accomplishment may be easier to learn; some children over learn the skill and become a little indiscriminate because at the core of the disorder, some children really struggle with the need for  such an interaction.

.Are we seeing more diagnoses of Autism?

Yes, but the reason for the increase is multifactorial such as improvement in testing instruments, differences in diagnostic criteria, , more readily recognized, and more widely accepted.

Autism be outgrown?

No,  however, due to earlier interventions, many children make great strides and some can lead lives similar to their peers, such as college or jobs independent of their parents.

What about the rumors of a link between Autism and vaccines?

 Remember, this topic is pretty controversial.  My opinion is that though there is not a direct link between Autism and Vaccination, perhaps there is more of a multifactorial component, such as a genetic vulnerability  that is exacerbated with the administration of the vaccines.  Perhaps it is also the timing of the vaccinations.  Some families elect to delay the schedule for the vaccine if there are delays in communication skills or if there is another first degree relative (sib or parent) with Autism.

At any rate, everyone benefits from further clinical studies regarding this disorder as it relates to vaccines or any other potential risk or causative agent.

CRISTINA BUSU/ AUTISM PLAYGROUP THERAPY

www.Helphopessolutions.com

www.autismspot.com

Christina Busa discusses the importance of play and social skills programs to address one of the core deficits of autism: impairment in social interaction.

Why should we work on social skills?

We function as social beings almost every second of our life: at school, on a playground, at work, etc. When we enter these environments we all use a lot of social skills that come really easy to us: awareness of other people, using eye contact to initiate or avoid a social interaction, tapping in our previous experience to assess whether a situation is safe or not, etc. For individuals with autism these skills do not come naturally– we have to put some programs in place to teach these skills.

What are some examples of social skills that children with autism struggle with?

First of all children with autism have a really hard time reading body language. While a neurotypical child can infer that a gesture like shrugging you shoulders means “I don’t know” a child on the spectrum cannot read that sign. Further more, children with autism have a hard time interpreting and processing facial expressions and emotions, initiating and maintaining interactions and conversation, assessing and interpreting other people’s intentions. Because all these skills are instrumental in making and maintaining friends as well as in situations such as going to a job interview, maintaining a job and assuming independent living responsibilities it is extremely important to address them as early as possible in order to prepare our children for successful independent living.

When should we start working on social skills?

As soon as possible! Neuro typical children start practicing social interactions as early as 4 months of age through reciprocal eye contact and back and fort cooing with the parent. Children with autism lack the ability to reciprocate both verbally and nonverbally. Social skills intervention should start at the same time with language and sensory interventions. They are as important if not more!

Why is play important?

It is main medium through which children start experiencing and practicing back and fort social interactions. Children start playing at a very young age – one of the simplest games they learn early on is Pick-a-boo. As simple at it sounds, this is hard for children on the spectrum because it requires skills such as awareness of the other person, reciprocal interactions and looking at faces. Later on, children start playing with objects, using them functionally, imitating others, and building on other’s people behaviors – all these things are extremely hard for children with autism and they have to be addressed through specific programs.

What are some differences we see in the play of children with autism when compared with neurotypical children?

First of all, children with autism tend to play by themselves. Along the same lines, we also see that children with autism engage in object oriented play (they are concentrating more on the objects than on people) while neurotypical children orient their play towards other individuals. Children with autism tend to engage in repetitive play (rolling a car back and fort) and non functional play (not using the object for the purpose they were designed for – using a pretend plate to tap and not to pretend to put food on it). But, one the most important differences is the inability to reciprocate an action in play based on the context and to build on the peer’s behavior. When confronted with these last scenarios children with autism usually disengage or stick to a previously learned script not taking into account their friend’s actions or statements.

Why are social skills programs overlooked?

Because, as a parent you want your child to talk. Not taking is one of the most obvious signs that makes a child on the spectrum stand out when placed in a peer group. So, the first instinct is to get the child to talk. However, if we do not work on that ability to reciprocate, to maintain back and fort exchanges we will have a child who has a lot of isolated language skills but is not able to use them in a back and fort interaction or conversation. The older the child gets, the need for reciprocity increases in various settings and the more obvious the gap becomes. I would like to emphasize here that a child does not need to be verbal in order to be social.

SHARON MOORE/ CITY CREDIT UNION

www.citycu.org

City Credit Union is a not-for-profit financial cooperative, with branches in Dallas, Cooke and Ellis Counties, Texas. Owned by its Members and directed by a volunteer Board of Directors, City Credit Union operates on the principle of credit union philosophy, "People Helping People". City Credit Union's full-range of financial services, from free checking, competitive rates on consumer loans and deposit products, as well as cutting-edge convenience services, are designed to the benefit of people, not to profit.

As President and CEO of City Credit Union, Sharon Moore leads more than 117 City CU Associates in "Making the Difference" for our Members. "City Credit Union, as well as others, was founded on a basic principle of People Helping People. As a not-for-profit financial cooperative, we are owned by our members, and that truly makes a difference in how we operate. Each day, we start by asking ourselves, how can we make the difference in our members' and associates' lives? - and that is how we measure our daily success."

Moore celebrates 25-years in the Credit Union industry, this year. As a young finance major at Southwest Texas State University - now known as Texas State University - Moore took a 2-1/2 day class on banking and credit unions. As Moore describes, "that was it, I fell in love with the Credit Union philosophy and knew that was what I wanted to do." After earning her Bachelors of Business Administration, Moore began her career as a Credit Union Examiner.

When Moore decided to start a family, it was imperative to her that she be able to spend time as the primary caretaker of her children. As a result, she followed her entrepreneurial spirit and began her own credit union consulting company, S. Moore and Associates. Performing financial audits and consulting services, Moore, as President of S. Moore and Associates, assisted numerous credit unions in the Texas region. One such credit union was City Credit Union, where Moore performed audit and financial consulting for nearly 10 years. In 2004, Moore was asked to join City Credit Union as a Senior Vice President, due to her financial expertise. By 2006, she was appointed Interim President and CEO and as of January 2007, serves as President and CEO.

Moore's passion for credit unions is fueled by an extreme commitment to education, especially financial education. "Education is the true liberator in our society. As individuals, our education can catapult us into areas previously unknown. I truly believe to achieve financial goals, such as overcoming poverty or debt, financial literacy is the key to success. This is especially important in the communities of modest means that credit unions serve. Often times, when there is no money to talk about in a household, it simply isn't spoken about. But that is when talking about money and planning on how to save and spend it, is so important. I will have achieved success if I can help our associates, members and communities gain the financial knowledge necessary for them to achieve their lives' goals."

Moore serves on the Town North Bank Board of Directors, as Secretary for the Dallas Chapter of Credit Unions Board and volunteers time to community projects such as Habitat for Humanity. As an active member in her community, Moore especially enjoys her time at the ball park with her two sons, both baseball fanatics, just like their mom!

Website: www.citycu.org

E-mail: sharon@citycu.org

Phone: 214-515-0100

HEROES FOR CHILDREN 

www.heroesforchildren.org

Heroes for Children, a Dallas based nonprofit, provides direct assistance to families with children battling cancer.  Two moms founded the organization in their daughters’ memory to provide hope and help to other families in need. 

BUCA DI BEPPO

www.Bucadibeppo.com

Guests can call 1-866-EAT-BUCA or visit www.bucadibeppo.com to make reservations.