By Sensei Rick Zimmerman
In the not-too distant past, Greenwich children who wanted to jump, kick and grunt had few options beyond playing ball in the same old places. Now dozens of dojos dot the landscape, each with a defined martial arts curriculum and philosophy. How to decide which is the best school for your karate kid? The process need not be confusing.
By Stephanie Raia, LCSW
Discipline is a hot topic in parenting. There are many schools of thought, philosophical approaches and techniques all geared to help parents bring up happy, well-
adjusted,respectful children. The basic ingredients remain the same -- love, praise and encouragement are the starters. But clearly stated expectations are also essential to the mix, as is a calm approach to problem solving. And don't forget the natural consequences resulting from poor choices. If both parents are relatively consistent and you're blessed with flexible and adaptable children with good temperaments, you're probably good to go.
By Michelle Frankel
What do Audubon and Judaism have in common? They both teach us to be responsible stewards of the earth, and that each of us can take on personal actions to help repair the 
world. As we celebrate the Jewish New Year – the “birthday” of the Earth in Jewish tradition – and the fall harvest festival of Sukkot, I can’t think of a better time for some green tikkun olam, starting with our own backyards. By making just a few easy changes in the way we landscape, even the brownest thumb can create a backyard sanctuary
for native wildlife and a healthy, pesticide-free haven that we and our children can enjoy.
