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Cindy Barshop may be known as the latest member of The Real Housewives of New York but she's not looking for her 15 minutes of fame.

Who needs 15 minutes when you have a lifetime of fortune and success? Barshop is a single mother to infant twin girls and the owner of Completely Bare, a chain of day spas with outlets in Manhattan, Scarsdale, N.Y., and Palm Beach, Fla. Her spas offer the usual hair removal, tanning and facials, but we also may have her to thank/blame for the idea of "vajazzling." You know, applying stick-on crystals to your lady parts.

Tamsen met up with her to talk about being a mom and a mogul and her story will surely inspire women out there. For more information, visit www.completelybare.com.

Curves For Change is an organization that demonstrates how the power of beauty can change the world.

Founded in 2010, Curves For Change reflects the commitment of Wilhelmina W Curve models to use their careers and visibility to advocate and support a variety of issues and causes. Curves For Change is committed to working for charities that benefit the empowerment of all women, no matter their size, shape, culture, or income.

The Curves for Change Fundraiser 5K Supporting the Empowerment of Women and Girls is taking place Thursday, May 19th at 7pm at 103rd Street and Riverside Drive. For more information, visit www.curvesforchange.com.

This week we hope to offer you useful career advice from where the jobs are to how to put together an attention-getting resume. And today, Meghan Casserly from ForbesWoman.com is here to talk recognizing when it's time to leave your job:

1. The job is literally making you ill
2. A productivity drop or too much downtime
3. No long learning new skills
4. Passed over for promotion, again
5. No raise in sight
6. Corporate values no longer align
7. Accomplishments go unrecognized
8. Can't even fake interest in the work
9. The company is contracting
10. You and your budget have been reassigned

For more information, visit ForbesWoman.com.

Lisa Mateo previews some toys will be hot in the toy market this summer and fall. But on the nice days, you're going to want your kids to take the fun and games outside. Jim Silver from TimeToPlayMag.com was here with outdoor toy picks.

• Blastos Mini Bubble Blaster
(Little Kids/Ages 3 years & up/Approx. Retail Price $3.99)

• Little Tikes Garden Bubble Leaf and Lawn Blower
(Little Tikes/ Ages 2 years & up/Approx. Retail Price $19.99)

In the book My Boyfriend Wrote a Book About Me: And Other Stories I Shouldn't Share with Acquaintances, Coworkers, Taxi drivers, Assistants, Job Interviewers, ... and Ex/Current/Future Boyfriends but Have -- TV writer Hilary Winston offers up a witty collection of autobiographical tales about her misadventures in dating. SNL'S Lornes Michaels loves the story so much that it's now being made into a movie.

Just when Hilary Winston feels like her life is finally in order, she gets a sucker-punch to the gut: Her ex has written a novel based on their relationship in which he refers to her throughout as the 'fat-assed girlfriend.' Her response to this affront is just one of the many hilarious stories in My Boyfriend Wrote a Book About Me--a laugh-out-loud, tell-all in which Hilary sets the record straight for all her exes

For more information, visit hilarywinston.com.

Designer pens, business card holders -- they're all great gifts for grads, but if you're looking for something different which captures your graduate's personality. Dana Holmes of Gifts.com has a few ideas.

• First Real Kitchen Cookbook - $15
Novices will discover how easy cooking for 1 or a crowd can be with this colorful & fun cookbook.

• Cloud 9 Experience Certificate - $120
He`s heading full throttle into his future, give him an extra adrenaline rush with a ride-along in an actual race car!

• Sedu travel hair dryer and straightening iron set - $90
She might be on the road a lot, now that she`s landed that job or gotten in to that school far from home. This kit will have her looking her best without weighing down her travel bag.

• Get your grad excited for college or support your alma mater with the Victoria`s Secret PINK Collegiate Collection. This line features fleece pants, hoodies, tees, shorts, dresses, and flip flops with VS PINK`s highly recognizable brand iconography and the names and logos of select universities across the country. $10.50 - $54.50

For more information, visit Gifts.com.

In celebration of the inagural 80 Sips Challenge in NYC, Bottlenotes is launching the event by showcasing six summer wines, each for under $20, and discussing pairing suggestions. Wine expert Kim Donaldson from Bottlenotes joins us with more about the challenge and suggested these wines:

• Brancott Sauvignon Blanc, $10.00
• Crios Torrontes , $13.00
• Stift Goettweig Gruner Veltliner Messwein 2010, $17.95
• Xavier Flouret Nationale 7 Rosé 2010, $16.95
• Savee Sea Pinot Noir, $16.00
• Domaine Piquemal, 'Cuvée Tradition', Cotes du Roussillon, 2006, $11.00
- This is a light-bodied wine that is extremely flavorful and goes well with savory goodies. It`s simple and pure fruit that will not overpower your food.
- Pair with: BBQ chicken, white meat, salad

For more information, visit www.bottlenotes.com.

Style Expert Pamela Pekerman stopped by with clothes and accessories for the boardroom, the boardwalk and beach, all for under $20!

BOARDROOM
TJMaxx:
Grey high waist pant - $19.99
Black Top w beadwork - $14.99
Nude shapewear cami - $7.99
Nude bag - $19.99
Shoes – (2 pairs of wedges and 1 pair of flats) $19.99 each

The Boiardi name has reached tables across America for more than 70 years. Most Americans have fond memories of this iconic brand, evoking nostalgia for a simpler time.

From a very young age, Anna Boiardi spent countless hours helping her mother and grandmother, kneading and folding, and listening to stories as rich as the tortellini she and her mother would work to perfection.

Now, for the first time, Anna brings us the authentic recipes that inspired the brand, including Ravioli with Ricotta and Squash Filling, Cotechino with Lentils, and Baked Fennel with Butter and Parmesan. Recipes for sauces, meats, and of course pasta dishes are just some of the secrets Anna shares in Delicious Memories.

For more information, visit www.chefboyardee.com.

The "Emperor of Hair" Elgin Charles will on the PIX11 Morning News tomorrow, May 12, to talk about his new VH1 reality show Beverly Hills Fabulous. The show follow Elgin as he manages his multicultural salon Elgin Charles Salon on Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills.

If you have a hair question, leave it in the comments section below!

Low self-esteem is paralyzing. It prevents us from attaining professional success, personal fulfillment, financial stability, and physical health. Conversely, confidence can open up a whole world of opportunity.

The "Confidence Coach" Keith Johnson will be here to combine motivating examples from his own life, helpful illustrations, exercises to increase self-esteem, and the steps of a confidence makeover, Johnson guides readers towards the confident state of mind required to turn their lives around.

His proven tips include:

• Develop new habits of success. You do not determine your future; you determine your daily habits.

Our Cheap Week continues with home improvements on a dime! Here with small and inexpensive updates to make a big difference in your home was Mark Powers, senior technical editor of This Old House. His tips included:

• Paint your front door
• Plant flowers
• Add wall decals to kid's room
• Switch out your hardware

For more home decorating ideas on a budget pick up the june issue of This Old House or visit www.thisoldhouse.com.

You put in the long hours, but no matter hard you work, you still live paycheck to pacheck and making no headway in your career. Well, the problem might be all in your head. Financial Expert/Author Farnoosh Torabi will stop by with 5 tips to Psych Yourself Rich.

• Learn from the recession.
The downturn in the economy taught young adults that "nothing in life is guaranteed. Even though they might have had the college degree and great work experience, the ground could go beneath them at any moment. They might lose their job, or suddenly not be able to live on their own. It's been a very humbling time," she says.

That means young adults will likely be more careful about taking on debt as well as risks of getting downsized at work, so they'll find other revenue streams and become entrepreneurial, as Torabi herself was when she was laid off in 2009.

At yesterday's Queens: Taste of the World event, featuring the best restaurants in the borough, Daizies on Queens Boulevard was honored with the iconic restaurant award. Not only is it known for its fine cuisine but owner Lily Gavin is an amazing example of a woman who followed her dreams.

We were also joined by entrepreneur Angela Kim, who started her own organic skin care company Om Aroma, with more insight on starting your own business. She also is the founder of Savor the Success, a company which helps women network and build their business. Her tips included:

- Saving/working to organically build your business (start at home, then maybe a market, then pop up shop, then a storefront)
- Grants/services that offer free money such as saviour the success (and anything else that you know of out there)
- Loans (banks are lending right now, probably not the best way to go because........)
- Networking

For more on her organization, visit www.savorthesuccess.com.

Ever get naked in front of your kids? Well, does going "au natural" create understanding about the body or confusion?

The following people will weigh in: Child Psychologist, Dr. Larry Balter and the creator of "The Mama Bird Diaries" a humor blog about life with four children, Kelcey Kintner.

CLICK HERE TO SUGGEST NEXT WEEK'S "MOM'S THE WORD" TOPIC

Dr. Larry Balter was here to talk about how you keep tabs on your teen as they graduate high school and get ready to go to college -- on the heels of missing Long Island teen who is a college student in Hawaii (she was found and is ok) -- but what plans do you have in place to keep in touch with your kid once the cord is cut.

The real estate market is FINALLY starting to pick back up in NYC. Is it time to consider a move? And how do you find the best deals for what you and your family need? Real Estate Attorney Adam Leitman Bailey author of Finding The Uncommon Deal joined us with the answers.

WHY WE HAVEN'T SEEN THE HOUSING MARKET REBOUND?
There are several factors:
• Number of Foreclosures
• Increased Loan Costs
• Interest Rate Increases
• Difficulty Obtaining a Loan

Sometimes you just want to eat out and New York City is a great place for it. Local foodie and blogger Lawrence Weibman of nycfoodguy.com is here with a few spots where you can dine on a dime.

• Hill Country BBQ - All American meal for an all American appetite.
• Becco - Owned by famous Italian chef Lydia Bastianich,
• Tulcingo Del Valle - Feeling adventurous, trek a few avenues over to this easy to miss spot serving some of the most authentic, filling and delicious Mexican in Manhattan
• Sripraphai - If that's not exotic enough for you, head out to Sripraphai in Jackson Heights for some of the most authentic Thai food in the 5 boroughs.
• Pio Pio - Staying in Jackson Heights, we've got Pio Pio, the shrine to Peruvian Rotisserie Chicken. Pio Pio actually has 7 locations, 4 in Manhattan, 2 in Queens - Jackson Heights and Rego Park - and 1 on the Bronx in Mott Haven.

For more tips, visit nycfoodguy.com.

Author Gever Tulley offers a radical concept for parents: Tech you children about safety by exposing them to risk. But some suggestions include "poison your friends", "play with fire", 'dive in a dumpster", "superglue your fingers together" -- really? Well, creativity is alive and well with the unique philosophy found in the activity book 50 Dangerous Things (You Should Let Your Children Do).

Resembling a field guide, with space for notes and completion dates, 50 Dangerous Things will inspire the whole household to embrace a little danger. Easy-to-follow instructions guide you through such child-friendly challenges as:
• Activities: walking a tightrope or cooking something in the dishwasher
• Skills: throwing a spear or map reading
• Projects: melting glass or deconstrucing an appliance
• Experiences: sleeping in the wild or owning a pocketknife

We spoke to the author about some of these suggestions and John and Tamsen will put a few to the test. For more information, visit www.fiftydangerousthings.com.

The bride has her dress, do you have yours!? Celebrity Stylist and David's Bridal Style Expert, Nicole Brewer stopped by with dresses to wear to your next wedding and beyond.

In Your 20's
Wedding Wear:
Special Occasion Dress, $149
(Style F14166)

Wear It Again:
Add flip flips and a hat

In this down-to-earth guide for moms of tweens, Erika Katz offers practical advice for building self-esteem, confidence, and trust.

Moms of tween girls know what`s coming: puberty. As a young girl heads toward the teen years and exerts her independence, mom suddenly seems out of touch. She just doesn`t understand.

That`s the shift Erika Katz -- former actress and model and now mother of a tween girl -- hopes to prevent by teaching moms how to open up a dialogue during the often awkward preteen and early teen years. Her approach: give moms all the information they need to guide their daughters through the trials of womanhood while providing fun bonding activities they can do with their daughters.

Bonding Over Beauty: A Mother-Daughter Beauty Guide to Foster Self-esteem, Confidence, and Trust is available in bookstores now. For more information, visit bondingoverbeauty.com.

There are a ton of baby products to choose from, so it can often be overwhelming for moms-to-be to decide what to put on their registry. Fashion and lifestyle expert Tara Vera (and mom, herself) gathered the best and brightest stars for our future stars and starlets.

Gear:
-Delta Children's Products LX Stroller--Gossip Girl mom Kelly Rutherford has been spotted in Central Park and Tori Spelling was recently on a leisurely walk with son Liam in this affordable umbrella stroller. Available in black, red and navy--it is perfect for a walk on a spring day!
MSRP: $79.99 Babies R Us

-ErgoBaby baby carrier--Lots of celeb moms also go hands-free with their tots. This all-in-one baby carrier that can be used in the front, back and hip position, infant to toddler. It makes babywearing safe, easy and comfortable.
MSRP: $115-$137

PIX's Sharon Carpenter eats her way through Queens checking out dining spots London Lennie's, The Astor Room (Astoria) and The Riverview (Long Island City).

For more on Queens Taste Of The World, visit www.discoverqueens.info.

In the face of a poor economy, overpriced tickets and unnecessary fees Teri Gault, CEO of the GroceryGame.com, lifestyle and savings expert and frequent flyer who travels over 150,000 miles a year. She has tips and tricks to saving money whether you`re traveling on business or with your family including:

- Be flexible when flying
- Bring your own food
- Chose lunch over dinner
- For advice, don't talk to the concierge
- Engage in conversations with locals
- Find sites and apps for good deals

For more information, visit GroceryGame.com.

There seems to be a resurgence in bedbugs across the city and for some it`s not only hitting close to home -- it`s also affecting the workplace. So what can we do to protect ourselves from these little critters? How can we detect where they're hiding? What do we have to do to get rid of them and stay rid of them? Bedbug specialist and Bedbug TV Host, Jeff White, joined us this morning to show us the latest in the Battle against the Bedbugs. He showed us these products:

• Climb Up Insect Interceptor - A simple "Pitfall" bed bug trap, used under the legs of furniture.

• Mattress Encasements:
Keep bed bugs from infesting your mattress and increase your ability to detect infestations earlier with our premium quality Protect-A-Bed® mattress encasements.

• Nightwatch Bed Bug Monitor: An active bed bug monitor that is intended to detect bed bug infestations early. ( Expensive: $600.00)

• Dissolvable Laundry Bags: Good for frequent flyers

• Portable Heat Chamber: To treat infested clothing

For more information, visit www.bedbugcentral.com.

Say a mother's love is unconditional, but Melanie Notkin, founder of savvyauntie.com says that you can still have love for a child without that biological connection. According to the US Census/The White House Report on Women in America (March 2011):

- 46% of American women without children
- In 2008, about 18 percent of women age 40-44 had never had a child, almost double that in 1976 (10 percent).
- The likelihood of a woman having her first child at age 30 or older increased roughly six-fold from about 4 percent of all first-time mothers in the 1970s to 24 percent in 2007.
- 14 percent of first-time moms are age 35 or older.

For more on Savvy Auntie: Tthe ultimate guide for cool aunts, great aunts, godmothers and all women who love kids is available in bookstores now. For more information, visit savvyauntie.com.

PIX's Tamsen Fadal visited a "kitchen-for-hire," so to speak. It is a huge industrial kitchen space which alloys small business owners a place to mass produce their baked goods. Instead of cooking at home or spending big bucks for your own kitchen, food entrepreneurs can go to the Incubator space in Long Island City for a fraction of the price with state of the art equipment. The Incubator is ideal for an up and coming food business professional who may not have the money to run their own kitchen.

For more information, visit www.culinaryincubator.com.

Two time New York Times bestselling author, television star, entrepreneur, natural foods chef, new wife and mom...Bethenny Frankel seems to do it all and have it all. She talks to our Tamsen Fadal at an event with Hanes about her journey to success which will hopefully inspire women everywhere.

Bethenny Frankel seems to do it all and have it all. But the road to this place in her life, this “place of yes”, wasn’t always easy. She climbed out of an unhappy childhood, dealt with the aftershocks of a dysfunctional family, built a business despite the obstacles, and got healthy and fit.

Now, in A Place Of Yes, Bethenny puts her personal experiences into a framework of rules to make her life lessons relatable and to encourage readers to take action when “good enough” really isn’t good enough. The book includes amusing and inspiring stories from Bethenny’s own life, written with her trademark wit and candor, and real tips for moving forward.

We also gave away a pretty cool Hanes prize pack to the 11th caller to 1-866-414-2911.

We're kicking off Cheap week with Financial Expert, Andrea Woroch. She'll share tips on how to cut down on your expenses and still live your best life on a budget.

Being frugal doesn't have to compromise your lifestyle. In fact, making just a few small changes could help you enjoy doing more on less. But if you aren't sure where or how to start, follow these cheap and easy steps to start living on less.

DOs

• Do use coupons. From the Sunday circular to cell phones and internet, coupons are more readily available making them easier than ever to use. in fact, spending just 20 minutes looking for coupons can save you up to $1,000 a year! For those who can't be bothered clipping coupons, check sites like CouponSherpa.com for printable in-store and grocery coupons. CouponSherpa also offers a free downloadable iPhone coupon app that uses a GPS to provide coupons for the stores based on your location. Simply present the barcode on your phone to the cashier to receive an instant discount.

PIX 11 News announces the passing of Bernard Cruickshank, our second floor security guard, on Sunday, May 1, 2011. PIX staffers affectionately called him "Mr. Bernard."

Bernard’s viewing will take place Friday, May 6th from 4pm-6pm at:

The Steve Legall Funeral Home
169 Empire Blvd. (btwn Bedford & Rogers Avenue)
Brooklyn, NY 11225
(718) 722-7800

The funeral service will immediately follow from 6:30pm-8pm.

Rest in peace, Mr. Bernard. Your PIX family misses you dearly.

Wish you could squeeze a little more time into your hectic day? Women's Health editor Sascha de Gersdorff will share some totally genius time-management strategies that will make your day infinitely less crazed. She suggested:

1. Defrost and dash
2. Reroute your commute
3. Take five
4. Use the 'Ohio' method
5. Move the clock

For other ways to "Get More From Your 24," visit www.womenshealthmag.com.

Dr. Ian Smith was here with his new book EAT: The Effortless Weight Loss Solution. He says EAT is a book for people who love food and flexibility.

In the same way that French Women Don’t Get Fat or Michael Pollan’s The Food Rules showed people how to eat, rather than dictating what to eat, Dr. Ian shares simple rules for good eating and lays out the best fruits to eat for weight loss, best non-meat proteins, best sources of fiber and best whole grain foods. He's also hosting a free health event on Sickle Cell Anemia.

Dr. Ian’s simple rules for good eating include:

Some of the best weight-loss fruits:
1. Apple
2. Pear
3. Kiwi

On Mother's Day, 30 honorary batgirls will be recognized at baseball games across the country, plus MLB players will use pink bats during their games for Breast Cancer awareness.

Glenn Donnellan is a violinist for the National Symphony Orchestra, and he will be performing the National Anthem on Mother`s Day at Citi Field. He`ll be doing this with an electric violin made out of a pink Louisville Slugger bat, and will be auctioning it off to raise funds toward breast cancer research. Below are some clips of previous performances.

We had one of the honorary bat girls and violinst Glenn Donnellan talking about the event with Suki. For more on the Mother's Day event, visit newyork.mets.mlb.com.

Celebrity Makeup Artist Lauren Lazaro stopped by with her sister Lisa (30's), mother Linda (50's) and grandmother Flora (80's) to celebrate beauty through the ages!

In Your 30's:
Dickinson’s Original Witch Hazel Oil Controlling Towelettes, $5.49 at Walgreens

FusionBeauty’s PrimeResults Tinted Moisturizer + SPF 15 Sunscreen, $25 at Barneys.

In Your 50's:
Vichy Aqualia Thermal Eye Roll, $28.50 at vichyusa.com.
Jane Iredale’s Longest Lash Thickening & Lengthening Mascara, $32.00 at shop.janeiredale.com.

In Your 80's:
Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser, $10.50 at drugstores
Anastasia Beverly Hills Eye Shadow Palette, $49.50

For those of you that procrastinate, instead of buying Mom flowers, why not give her something this Mother's Day that will last much longer! Beauty/Lifestyle Expert Jamie Krell stopped by with last minute picks that fits every budget and every mom!

For the Makeup Savvy Mom
• Even the most makeup savvy mom can use a few tips! The Makeup Wakeup shares Lois and Sandy's inside information on what stars do; how to face demons like brow abuse and sun damage; even a fail-proof shopping guide. Though focused on the simplicity of makeup, the authors also consulted with three prominent doctors to address the concerns of women who opt for cosmetic procedures. Price: $23; Where to Buy: local bookstores, Amazon.com

• Another fun gift for your makeup chic mom, give her Lancôme’s Color Design Eye Brightening All-In-One 5 Shadow & Liner Palette. Price: $48 dollars at Lancome-USA.com and Lancôme counters

• It’s Wet Pour Process is a new Japanese technology that delivers a supremely silky, vivid and long-lasting shadow is being used for the first time by Lancôme. Each palette contains an all-over color, lid color, crease color, highlighter and liner which can be applied wet or dry.

Until Tuesday is the story of former Captain Luis Carlos Montalvan, a 17-year veteran who served two tour duties in Iraq and after returning home found himself unable to reenter civilian life...until he met Tuesday, the service dog who saved his life.

Until Tuesday is an incredibly moving story which includes Luis`s experience in Iraq, his reintegration back into civilian life, and his relationship with service dog Tuesday, who helped Luis overcome the obstacles of post-traumatic stress. While this is as much a story about Luis, his physical, mental, and emotional injuries, and the problems many present and soon-to-be veterans are facing, it`s also about how Tuesday changed his life.

Until Tuesday: A Wounded Warrior and the Golden Retriever Who Saved Him is available in bookstores now. For more information, visit www.luiscarlosmontalvan.com.

Alexandra Robbins, author of The Geeks Shall Inherit the Earth was here to talk about why its "bad" to be popular and "good" to be unpopular and what people can do to.

In a smart, entertaining, reassuring book that reads like fiction, Alexandra Robbins manages to cross Gossip Girl with Freaks and Geeks and explain the fascinating psychology and science behind popularity and outcasthood. She reveals that the things that set students apart in high school are the things that help them stand out later in life.

Robbins follows seven real people grappling with the uncertainties of high school social life, including:

PIX11's Lisa Mateo visits SUNY Westchester Community College to watch students in action competing in Design Wars. As part of National Nurses Week, the students are redesigning nurses' uniforms from White Plains Hospital. It is part of a huge fashion event happening this weekend at The Westchester shopping mall.

For more information, visit www.simon.com.

Is it ok to spank your child? What are the basics of good discipline? We'll discuss this hot topic in this week's edition of Mom's the Word with Dr. Larry Balter and Beth Feldman.

CLICK HERE TO SUGGEST NEXT WEEK'S "MOM'S THE WORD" TOPIC

A new exhibit opens at the Metropolitan Museum of Art on Wednesday night honoring the late fashion designer Alexander McQueen. We got an inside look at "Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty," which opens on May 4.

For more information, visit www.metmuseum.org.

Spring showers bring May flowers, but why not let it rain gadgets. Tech and Gaming Columnist Marc Saltzman will give viewers a look at the latest tech and gaming gifts for spring and don`t forget Mother`s Day too! From the latest in wireless apps, gaming and mobile gadgets.

As Mother's Day and Father's Day near, it can be a particularly hard time of year if you are parentless. So how can you keep the memory of your parents alive? Allison Gilbert, author of "Parentless Parents," stopped by with some ideas.

They included:
Use Technology
Create a "fake" photograph showing three generations of your family. Within seconds, you will have created a photo of three generations that looks as if it was taken at the same time. Kids will see the physical traits they've inherited through the generations.

Tell Specific Stories
Tell your kids about your favorite Mother's Day you shared with your mom or Father's Day you shared with your dad. A specific story, geared to a specific holiday, is so much more effective and evocative than a general one.

Involve Kids in Kitchen
From recipe card, to shopping for ingredients, to slicing and dicing. Don't just serve it...your kids will remember more about this meal or dessert, if they're involved in its creation.

Talk to Others Who Understand
Visit the Keeping Their Memory Alive Blog

In 1970, Julie Dawn Cole was cast as the unforgettable Veruca Salt in the classic movie "Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory." Since its release in 1971, this musical has endured as a favorite of children around the world. Now, Julie has written a book, "I Want It Now!", that offers a rare behind the scenes at the film.

"I Want It Now!" is available in bookstores.

There's big buzz around the film "Roadie" and two stars of the flick, Ron Eldard and Jill Hennessy, stopped by to tell PIX11 viewers just why it's a film worth seeing.

"Roadie" has already played to sold-out crowds at the Tribeca Film Festival. Additional screenings of the movie have been added. Time Out NY just named it one of their top picks for the festival!

Actor Ron Eldard gained almost 40 pounds for his role, plus the actor's sporting some serious sideburns. In the film Jill Hennessy sang her song "Ghost in My Head" which is from her own album of the same name..

"Roadie" is a real New York story: Michael Cuesta directed "Roadie" and co-wrote the film with his brother Gerald Cuesta. They are both from New York and shot the movie right in the "Big Apple" on the streets of Queens and Brooklyn.

Check out these additional screenings of "Roadie":
Saturday at 3:30pm, Clearview Cinemas Chelsea
Sunday, May 1st at 4:00pm, AMC Loews Village

Vans Custom Culture is a national contest, in its second year, that allows students to design their own collection of Vans sneakers for the chance to win $50,000 towards their high school art program and have their designs sold in 2012. With over 400 schools who submitted designs in all 50 states, Brooklyn’s Bushwick School for Social Justice is one of 50 schools who were selected by Vans to move onto the next round.

The last day of voting is Monday, so students Roy Roman, Anthony Castro, Chris Fret and their teacher, Krystyna Printup stopped by LIVE to talk about the contest, show us their sneaker designs and urge people to vote for them.

You've seen them advertised on TV. But do they actually work? Well "Shape" has put them to the test, so you don't have to waste your time on money.

"Shape" Beauty Director, Ellen Miller, stopped by with tried and true TV beauty products.

American Cancer Society Spokesperson Desiree Berenguer Carton and cancer survivor Brian Rubin stopped by to talk about Cranford, New Jersey's "Paint the Town Purple."

In conjunction with Paint The Town Purple, Cranford will also host town-wide lemonade stands where teams sell purple lemonade around town!

To learn more about the American Cancer Society's Relay for Life and Paint the Town Purple, log onto cancer.org.

Coach Rahz Slaughter of Breakthroughs To Fitness stopped by to talk about Pushups for Charity. The Pushups for Charity Challenge will pit the Breakthroughs To Fitness team of ‘Regular Joe’s and Jane’s’ against the Locust Valley Fire Department. The Challenge will benefit the Grenville Baker Boys and Girls Club

Pushups for Charity was launched in 2010 and has raised over $250,000 for charities worldwide. Breakthroughs to Fitness raised $11,000 in their first Pushups For Charity Event in 2010. In 2011, the intention is to at least double that figure.

To learn more about the event log onto pushupsforcharityli.com.

Everyone's buzzing about the Royal Wedding tomorrow morning! Tongues will be wagging about the beautiful bride Kate Middleton. So what's a girl to do if you want to get the royal look right here in New York? Luckily we have some great tips to share with you, from style maven Verena von Pfetten, editor-in-chief of Styleite.com.

For those of us who can't make it to London this week, never fear, there are plenty of places to celebrate in New York.

Whether you're in the mood for a hoity toity champagne breakfast at New York's Palace Hotel, or you'd prefer a "right ol' knees up" with the locals at Tea & Sympathy, we've got you covered on some of the most fun spots for the wedding day.

Details Magazine Senior Editor Tyler Graham stops by with a list of foods that can erase the lines and add years to your life. And chances are, you already have most of them in your fridge including:

• Sweet Potatoes
• Wild Salmon
• Tomatoes
• Citrus Fruits
• Leafy Greens

Tyler explained why these are the top five to focus on adding to your diet, what foods you should stay away from and why you should try to eat the food and NOT take a pill to get these nutrients. For more information, visit www.details.com.

The Objective
Create a destination that provides people with an outlet to let all their stress out on the dance floor. The event space will be utilized for a creative arts exhibit and dance and wellness party.
The SWEAT party fuses dance, art, fashion and music to entertain people of different cultures in a wholesome atmosphere. Each SWEAT event focuses on one of the 4 fusion themes while incorporating health and wellness.

About SWEAT
The SWEAT Party is the creative engine of Tim Grae, Founder of GRAE Enterprises. He teamed up with DJ’s CEO & Snatch -1 (signature DJ’s of the event) to revive the concept of a “house party”. The notion of marrying nightlife with health and wellness has now evolved into a full campaign to improve the lives of others through the means of dance.

Since its inception on December 26, 2009; the SWEAT Party has grown from 75 people at the first event, to approximately 350 people at the party’s 1-year anniversary event on January 29th, 2011. With creative themes such as 90’s old school, the DJ Battle and the latest Zouk vs. Soca vs. Dancehall vs. Salsa, guests not only enjoy classic music from their “old party” days, they also dance until their soaking wet.

With the launch of the wellness campaign, The SWEAT Party now has its own website to document the progression of the campaign, a Twitter page to engage a broader audience and a Facebook page to keep SWEAT-goers abreast of upcoming events, promotions and giveaways. To make the campaign more cohesive, we’ve reached out to medical professionals to offer complimentary services such as health screenings and check-ups, heart-rate and caloric monitoring during the event, massage therapy, educational content on our site and workshops prior to each event.

Our target audience & venue

Can I Kick It? – an interactive event showcasing art (PopePhoenix [www.popephoenix.com] and Fernando Leon (artisepic.com), music (DJ Snatch-1 & DJ CEO) and fashion (focal point of sneakers) – will be held at the renowned Tribeca Cinemas on May 21st, 2011, the home of the Tribeca Film Festival. With a campaign on Kickstarter underway, the goal is to make Tribeca Cinemas the permanent home of SWEAT. By incorporating a wellness hour that includes blood pressure screening, Zumba and various fitness classes, SWEAT becomes an all-inclusive event that helps to improve the quality of life for individuals while they enjoy themselves on the dance floor. Our target audience includes:
• Young, urban, elite professionals
• Culturally involved
• Active with healthy to semi-healthy lifestyles
• Stylish, yet artistic trendsetters
• Generally between the ages 25-49

You can join The SWEAT Team!

Sweat has always rotated to different venues, but now we'd like to have a home at the Tribeca Cinemas. Proceeds generated from our kickstarter campaign will go towards the expenses of the event, specifically the venue costs.
• 10pm: Doors open for Wellness Hour w/ Zumba & Dance classes
• 11pm: Doors open for everything else!
• Tribeca Cinemas - 54 Varick Street – NYC

Help Make Sweat Happen >> http://kck.st/h2e6Mu

Currently we have opportunities to become a partner or sponsor for the event. Qualifications and benefits are different for each opportunity. There is also an opportunity for SWEAT-goers to donate to the cause or become a part of The SWEAT Collective, a cohort of professionals who believe in health and wellness that assist with the planning and coordination of the SWEAT Party, in addition to blogging about educational content from their industry on the site and offering workshops to help improve the lives of SWEAT-goers. For more information, send an inquiry to smorris@graeenterprises.com or info@graeenterprises.com, subject line “SWEAT Supporter”.

It's spring time and that means romance is in the air... maybe it's time to "make the move" with your sweetheart! So how do you know when the time is right to move in with your significant other? What kinds of things are essential to discuss? (paying bills, household chores, how often to eat out, etc.)

Once you make the decision, how do you prepare? And once you move in together, how do you keep the peace the first few weeks when you're getting settled? Joining us to discuss is Dr. Dale Archer, psychiatrist, author and radio and TV host.

Moving in together is a big deal
It's a much bigger step than folks realize. You may think, "well, we basically live together already," but having your own place to go back to is a giant safety net.

Walking to school alone? Going to the bathroom at a restaurant by themselves? Riding their bike around the block solo? When is your kid ready and old enough to do these things?

We'll weigh in, in Mom's the Word and talk to Dr. Larry Balter and moms Lisa Mateo and Sukanya Krishnan about this topic.

CLICK HERE TO SUGGEST NEXT WEEK'S "MOM'S THE WORD" TOPIC

Check your mailboxes, there are bound to be a few wedding invitations and save-the-dates in them as we approach a very popular season for weddings. Although, you may not need a lesson in manners for the royal wedding. There are some do's and don'ts you can use for all of those nuptials you're attending this year from Amy Eisinger from weddingchannel.com.

WEDDING GIFTS
• Two out of three newlywed couples polled indicated that they still haven`t received all of their wedding gifts - so clearly, the one-year rule isn`t working, so, take advantage of the modern conveniences of online shopping, and send a gift within two months of the wedding.

• How much to spend on a gift is always a mystery but guests should never spend less than $50 on a wedding gift.

• Using the price-per-plate as a measure isn`t a good idea either (only 10 percent of brides agreed with that rule) - you wouldn`t give your best friend a less expensive gift just because she was having a more casual affair.

Award-winning journalist and author Tavis Smiley stopped by to talk about his new book Fail Up: 20 Lessons on Building Success from Failure.

Failure is often the first step in a truly great success story. Reflecting on his 20-year anniversary if-how opportunity is often hiding just beneath the surface of disappointment, despair, or disgrace.

Revisiting the intimate tone of his New York Times best-selling memoir What I Know for Sure: My Story of Growing Up in America, Smiley recounts 20 instances of perceived failures that were, in fact, unforgettable lessons. He teaches through powerful, personal and, at times, painful examples pulled from his and other famous fail-uppers' own stories. Using today's headlines and the profound truths he's gained through the years, Smiley illuminates how the inevitable setbacks in both our private and professional lives can become possibilities for growth.

It may seem too good to be true, but you can travel the world on a tight budget and the proof is in the travel deals we are about to share with you. Stopping by with his picks of destinations with the best value is Gabe Saglie, senior editor at Travelzoo.com.

Tropical Getaway
Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic, $759/pp
- Roundtrip airfare from NYC to Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic
- 8 days, 7 nights at the Lifestyle Tropical Beach Resort & Spa
- All-inclusive: all meals, cocktails/drinks, activities and tipping included

A glass of cabernet with your steak. Sake with your sushi. Champagne in your skin care? That’s right – alcohol is now being infused in skin and beauty products. Research shows that everything from red wine to sake and vodka has some serious “boozy” beauty benefits to help your skin and hair look younger, healthier, and shinier. To give us the scoop is beauty expert Rebekah George.

The Booze: Champagne
Beauty Benefits: Increases circulation and blood flow to even out skin tone.
Try: Eminence Champagne Tonique with champagne grapes to even out skin tone. $38 at dermstore.com.

PIX's Debra Alfarone took a look at a teen Long Island theater company Stage 2 Screen that performed partsof their new production of' "Cabaret" for us. One of the camp members gives great detail about how being introduced to theater has changed his life.

For tickets visit manhattanmovement.com and follow the Events link.

With Mother`s Day just around the corner, on May 8th, you better start thinking about what gifts you may want to buy to show mom your thanks for what she does for you all year round!
New product trend reporter and senior editor of behindthebuy.com David Gregg joins us again with some practical gift ideas for mom on her special day.

For more on his picks, visit behindthebuy.com.

Today H&M will launch it's 2011 Fashion Against AIDS Collection. Selma Blair, Penn Badgley, Keri Hilson, Sky Ferreira and Akon are all part of the initiative to help raise awareness of HIV/AIDS.

This year's collection is unisex, featuring sporty t-shirts, tanks, shorts and track pants. H&M will donate 25% of proceeds from the sale of the collection to support international youth HIV / AIDS prevention and awareness programs through the Designers Against AIDS (DAA) partnership. The FAA initiative has raised more than $5.9 million since its inception in 2007.

For more info log onto hm.com.

The royal family is quite familiar with great love stories, but its almost as familiar with divorce and scandal.

We take a look at why some royal marriages of the past didn't make it and how Prince William and Kate can avoid the pitfalls.

Work and family -- women can have it all. Power Women can do it all too.

PIX's Tamsen Fadal met up with one of the powerful women behind the Mama Mio skin care brand to talk about how far they've come and where it all began. Mama Mio is high performance bodycare and spa treatments, using facial skincare technology and ingredients to ensure that every inch of a woman's skin looks and feels its very best.

Founded four years ago in London by four beauty experts. Tanya Kazeminy Mackay is the only American co-founder and comes from an advertising background working in a London agency as new business director and she'll be an inspiration to women out there.

For more on Mama Mio, visit www.mamamio.com.

It's Sneaker Mann Kiante Young's birthday today and he's celebrating by showing off some spring sneakers for men, women and teens including:

• Asics Gel-Speedstar 5, $90
• Reebok ZigTech, $100
• Nike Kobe 6, $130
• Reebok Easytone, $90
• New Balance 860, $100
• Fila Skeletoes, $60

For more information, visit www.kiante.com.

Steve van Aperen is an expert in the field of behavioral interviewing, reading body language and detecting deception.

Affectionately named the "Human Lie Detector', he's consulted for police departments, intelligence agencies and even Australia's Dept. of Defense. He'll tell us how to tell if someone is lying.

For more on Steve, visit thehumanliedetector.tv.

A Long Island bridal shop, Denise Leli Bridal Headpieces, showcases different tiara trends just in time for the Royal Wedding. One of the tiaras is a best-selling replica of the Princess Di headpiece tiara. You can see the full collection of the Denise Leli Boutique line and the Christie Lauren on the official websites.

The Independent Handbag Designer Awards (IHDA), presented by InStyle Magazine and Handbag Designer 101, is calling for submissions for the fifth annual IHDA recognizing excellence in design.

Winners will be announced June 15, 2011. The IHDA will also honor Peter Dooney of Dooney & Bourke with the ICONOCLAST Award. Tamsen Fadal finds out more about the awards and how it can change the winners life.

The Eco-Chic Boutique was held at Kimpton's Muse Hotel in honor of Earth Week, giving eco-friendly fashionistas a chance to shop stylish while shopping green. A number of local green vendors came out to showcase their hot products and help raise money for the Trust for Public Land, an organization that keeps New York's parks and gardens looking beautiful.

The Muse New York Hotel was awarded GS-33 Green Seal™ Silver certification, making it the second hotel in Manhattan to be certified.

Cross-body bags, big totes, neutrals, exotic skins...there is a wide variety of handbag trends for spring. Trend spotter Tara Vera cut through the clutter to show off bags that offer the most bang for your buck.

Just days before her high school talent show, Brooklyn Academy Senior, Shacara McLaurin was beaten by 5 fellow students.

But the teen, who auditioned for "American Idol", is not letting the attck define her. Rather, she is using her voice to make a stand against bullying.

September 11th. It's one of those moments in which you remember exactly where you were and what you were doing.

Brook Peters was just 4-years-old the day of the terrorist attacks. And now, he has a film about that fateful morning making it's debut at the Tribeca Film Festival. "The Second Day" is a documentary film about the students and educators at Ground Zero area schools who experienced September 11the first hand.

The Tribeca Family Festival will be hosting a FREE screening of "The Second Day" will take place Saturday, April 30th at 2:30 pm at BMCC Tribeca PAC (at 199 Chambers Street between Greenwich and West Streets). It will be followed by a short panel discussion.

Warm weather is almost here and it's time to shed some layers and spice up the wardrobe, and you don't have to be a size zero to be stylist. MadisonPlus.com -- a one-stop shop for the modern plus woman will show us how to dress our curves and feel fabulous - whether we're going from Happy Hour to the Hamptons! Founder, Aimee Cheshire was here to show us this season's spring/summer trends.

HGTV's Sabrina Soto stopped by with space saving, clutter-clearing products to help us kick off our spring cleaning on the right foot.
Sabrina believes that a cleaner home can also help with allergies this season.
Aside from clearing her clutter, Sabrina also fights her allergies with Claritin and she has teamed up with them to help allergy sufferers. For more on that claritin-clear collaboration, log onto www.Facebook.com/claritin

• Drawer Organizers
Drawer organizers are essential for home offices, but are also great for kitchens, bathrooms and kids rooms. They allow you to use all potential storage space while keeping like items grouped for easy access.

• Magnetic Wall Strips
Perfect for items I need quick access to like scissors, rulers, and letter openers in my office or my favorite knives in the kitchen.

Didn't get away for Spring Break? Well the kids can still have a memorable and fun filled vacation! Mary Squillace of "Time Out New York Kids" stopped by with a look at affordable family activities for a Big Apple staycation!

They included:
FREE Eloise Reading Series:
Everyone's favorite sassy Plaza resident has invited her favorite authors for storytime. Expect appearances by Elisha Cooper (Farm), Stephen Savage (Where’s Walrus) and more! Eloise at the Plaza Hotel, 768 Fifth Ave between Central Park South and W 58th St (212-759-3000, theplaza.com). April 18–22; 11am daily. Ages 3 to 8.

Remember shopping for that perfect prom dress? It seemed as if your whole high school experience came down to what you were wearing to prom and who you were going with. And here to show off the latest looks from promgirl.com is stylista Nicole Young.

Trend: Girl Next Door Glam
Look: Stylish innocence
Inspired by: Dakota Fanning
Dress: $129

Prom is a big night in a teen's life and while you want them to enjoy themselves, also want to protect them from potential pressures. We'll offer tips on how to talk to your kids about drinking, sex, etc. in a discussion with Dr. Balter and Jennifer Wagner.

CLICK HERE TO SUGGEST NEXT WEEK'S "MOM'S THE WORD" TOPIC

A Taste of the World is a gastronomically delightful journey into the city’s most diverse borough and its eateries. The annual event, which has quickly become one the most anticipated events in the NY Metro area, brings together an eclectic collection of many of Queens’ finest restaurants.

These gourmet chefs, specializing in the cuisines of the world, offer an array of mouth- watering appetizers, entrées and confectionary concoctions sumptuous enough to please the palate of the epicureans and enthusiasts in attendance.

ENTER THE TASTE OF NEW YORK SWEEPSTAKES

Easter is right around the corner and who says kids should have all the fun. From the fashionista, to the mom-to-be, the dads and even the workaholic in your life, Lifestyle Expert Maura Doug says there's an Easter baskets for adults, packed full of sweets and treats that'll have any grown up feeling like a little kid.

FASHIONISTA
Sunglasses by Tiffany & Co.
Woodbury Common gift card
Rouge Prodige Lipstick by Clarins
Scarf by MANGO

Marcia Clark, the former Los Angeles District Attorney from the O.J. Simpson trial, has written her first work of fiction titled Guilt By Association.

The book is about Los Angeles DA Rachel Knight -- a tenacious, wisecracking, and fiercely intelligent prosecutor in the city’s most elite division. When her colleague Jake is found dead at a grisly crime scene, Rachel is shaken to the core. She must take over his toughest case: the assault on a young woman from a prominent family. But she can’t stop herself from digging deeper into Jake’s death, a decision that exposes a world of power and violence and that will have her risking her reputation—and her life—to find the truth.

Clark co-wrote a bestselling nonfiction book about the O. J. Simpson trial, Without a Doubt, and currently she is a special correspondent for Entertainment Tonight and writes periodically for the Daily Beast. For more information, visit www.marciaclarkbooks.com.

With the aging population, health care remains the go-to field for job growth, among the positions expected to have greater demand in coming years: nurses, medical scientists, physician assistants, skin-care specialists and dental hygienists.

Information-technology also will be adding jobs as companies that have been sitting on cash will want to upgrade their technology to gain a competitive edge as the economy emerges from the recession. Another field that is currently hiring across the country, but specifically in our area is the insurance field.

Victor Muro, MBA, CLU, ChFC, would make an excellent in-studio appearance talking about how he is hiring or Financial Integrity Strategies, LLC, the official broker for National Life of Vermont in the New York tri-state region. In addition to the 200 people Victor already has, he is hiring about twenty new workers.

Victor just opened a new office on Staten Island in addition to two others he has in Jericho, Long Island, and Morristown, New Jersey. Victor's main office is about six blocks from WB-11 at 733 Third Avenue by 46th Street! He plans on opening at least one more office in 2011, perhaps, two.

It's the day after the tax deadline... and YOU (who were living under a rock) forgot to file! Are you in huge trouble or is there still a solution? Ray Lucia, Certified Financial Planner and personal finance expert will be here with details.

Those famous bunnies Max and Ruby are here live along with their creator Rosemary Wells to talk about their new live show Max & Ruby: Bunny Party.

It's a surprise party for someone special and Max and Ruby have a-million-and-one things to do before the big event. This brand new live show bounces into New York on Sunday, May 1st for performances at 1:30pm and 4:30pm at Best Buy Theater.

For tickets and more information, visit www.maxandrubyontour.com.

As pet parents, we all want our pets to look good. We love our pets, but we also know that grooming is not always the most agreeable activity we face when together. Sure you can go to the groomer, but in our modern day luxury is taking a backseat to necessity and corners have to be cut somewhere.

It’s time to pull out the scissors and get to trimming, because believe it or not grooming your pet from home can be fun! Wendy Diamond of AnimalFair.com was here with some simple steps to help get your pet the right coif without breaking the bank!

1. Not all dogs are huskies! Help your pet stay warm. If your dog’s hair is groomed short, let it grow longer. They were lucky enough be born with their own fur coat... let them use it! Remember that the pets still need brushing. Long-haired dogs usually need to be brushed daily or every other day to prevent matting and tangling and medium-haired dogs should be brushed weekly.

The Dyson Groom tool is great for this- it’s a mess-free accessory that let’s you vacuum up lose hair and dander as you groom, before it ends up on the floor or the couch. It helps capture and retain allergens, so it’s good for allergy sufferers too. Suitable or medium or long haired dogs, it fits onto the hose of a Dyson vacuum cleaner. It’s is available at www.dyson.com for $69.99.

Aron Hirtz, owner of Aron's Kissena Farms in Flushing, Queens the largest kosher superstore in the country, was here to talk about the Passover Seder. He's bringing matzoh, Gefiltah fish, brisket and dessert.

Aron says Passover marks the time when the Jews had their exodus out of Egypt and found their freedom. It's a happier, more festival holiday than say Yom Kippur, and mostly a time when families get together, enjoy their company and of course some great food!

• MATZOH AND MATZOH BALL SOUP
The Jews had to flee Egypt and didn't have time to wait for the bread to rise and, hence, matzoh was born! here we have two different types of matzoh: machine made and hand made. There are two main differences between them, the shape and the price - handmade is much more expensive, but with that comes an even higher guarantee that the product is kosher, and it's usually a little tastier! And it's very easy to take this matzoh and turn it into delicious matzoh ball soup.

Easter candy is a sweet tradition, but some of the day`s top treats, even the small ones, can do serious damage to your diet. Fitness Magazine's Executive Editor Pam O'Brien was here with tips to building a better Easter basket. We'll compare 10 candies to see how they stack up.

• CHOCOLATE EGGS
The Russell Stover egg is the winner here, with only 110 calories and 3 grams of fat, compared to the Cadbury Crème, which has 150 calories and 6 grams of fat. the Russell Stover Egg is still chocolaty and delicious, but without the extra calories and fat.

• PEANUT BUTTER CANDY
If you are looking to get your peanut butter fix, reach for the Reese`s pieces to fill your basket. They have 180 calories and 8 grams of fat, versus 220 calories and 8 grams of fat for the Peanut Better M & M`s.

An epic true story set against the backdrop of one of the wildest places on Earth, African Cats captures the real-life love, humor and determination of the majestic kings of the savanna.

Narrated by Oscar-nominated actor Samuel L. Jackson, the story features Mara, an endearing lion cub who strives to grow up with her mother's strength, spirit and wisdom; Sita, a fearless cheetah and single mother of five mischievous newborns; and Fang, a proud leader of the pride who must defend his family from a rival lion and his sons. African Cats leaps into theatres on Earth Day, April 22.

Directors Alastair Fothergill and Keith Scholey joined us this morning to discuss how they The Lion King to life on the big screen in this true life adventure that follows in the footsteps of Earth (released Earth Day 2009) and Oceans (released Earth Day 2010).

For more information, visit disney.com/AfricanCats.

You may think that blooming tulips and freshly mowed lawns that come with springtime are what`s making you sneeze, but the culprits might actually be lurking inside your home. Shape Magazine's Senior Associate Health Editor, Bahar Takhtehchian, will be here to fill us in on things we need to know that may be preventing us from achieving your optimal health - from right inside your home!

• ROLL OUT A WELCOME MAT
After trudging around all day, you can pick up dirt, pollen, and chemicals on your shoes, and you don`t want to bring these things into your home.

Wage a two-pronged attack: Put a scraper-style doormat down at your entrance and start a shoes-off policy - This combination could reduce the amount of dust and chemicals inside your house by about 60 percent.

A birthday is a special day on the calendar for just about anybody -- but it`s a particularly meaningful milestone to cancer survivors and their families.

The American Cancer Society`s Relay For Life of New York University offers survivors and their loved ones a chance to celebrate all the additional candles on their cakes since diagnosis at NYU Jerome S. Coles Sports and Recreation Center on Saturday, April 16, 2011.

It is also a way for the community to honor and celebrate the lives of local cancer survivors at this late-night event held to recognize that cancer doesn`t sleep and neither will we until we find the cure.

The event is being spearheaded by NYU Junior Adam Butterfield. When he was 11-years-old his mother Peggy was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. Adam, Peggy and Ashley Engleman from the American Cancer Society will be here to discuss it.

For more informatiokn on the event, visit main.acsevents.org/goto/stern.iag.

FiDi, MiMA, WaHI....you live where?! Graham Wood, Associate Editor of "AM New York" stopped by with a look at trendy neighborhood nicknames.

They included:
Neighborhood: Financial District
Nickname: FiDi

Neighborhood:Midtown Manhattan
Nickname: MiMa

Neighborhood: Washington Heights/ Inwood
Nickname WaHI

For more neighborhood nicknames including ProCro and RAMBO check out amny.com.

Kathy Parmer, designer for Susie Rose, knows how to find a bargain. Her stylish clothing line, which is available at WalMart, sells at a nice price…most items are under $20. According to the fashionista the trends to look for this season are florals, wedge shoes and stacking lots accessories together. She showed off looks for work, a date and playing around on the weekend.

Many of us dread the looming April 15th tax deadline (well, it's realy the 18th this year). And some may even get an extension. But imagine if we could file for a beauty extension to get more time out of our hair color, hairstyle, manicure and lipstick? Beauty expert Polly Blitzer is here to show you how!

1. Cover your roots
Celebrity hair colorist Rita Hazan JUST launched a collection of easy-to-use, spray-on root concealer so you can milk a few extra weeks between appointments!

This week's topic in "Mom's the Word"...do you "play favorites" with your kids? Perhaps even unknowingly? We discussed how it affects your kids with Psychologist and author Dr. Lawrence Balter and Editor-In-Chief of Care.com, Wendy Sachs. Care.com is a place for families and care providers to easily connect, share caregiving experiences, and get advice.

CLICK HERE TO SUGGEST NEXT WEEK'S "MOM'S THE WORD" TOPIC

Ronny Abenhaim, Executive Chef and Owner of Leña Latin Grill in Midtown NYC was here to discuss Latin healthy eating for Spring and recipe ideas and staples from the 'seven Latin power foods.'

Latin America's many vibrant cultures produce the 'seven Latin power foods' with dishes containing proteins, fruits, nuts, vegetables, and fish-that are not only flavorful and fiery but also much healthier than many people realize. Ronny will prepare his signature seared tilapia salad and the honeydew juice, and explained how the salad can become a wrap using the same ingredients or other additions.

For more information, visit www.lenanyc.com.

We're checking out goods that help to make life a little bit easier from a rolling alarm clock to a "one swipe" eyeshadow. Real Simple's Danielle Claro was here with more.

How would you react if your spouse of two decades told you: “I don’t love you anymore. I’m not sure I ever did. I’m moving out. The kids will understand. They’ll want me to be happy.”

Laura Munson didn’t scream. She didn’t run. She gave her husband the space she knew he needed to deal with his personal crisis and save her marriage. In This Is Not The Story You Think It Is: A Season of Unlikely Happiness.

Munson shares how her faith in herself and her marriage were tested and shares the personal philosophy that enabled her to weather this storm with grace and growth. This is a poignant, wise and often funny memoir about empowerment, transformation, personal responsibility, and happiness.

David Gregg, Senior Editor of BehindTheBuy.com, is back again to help us usher in Spring with a host of new products and buying trends designed to help you do a better job of cleaning, organizing, communicating and entertaining!

Vacuum cleaners should not be selected based on power alone…this new model will allow you to clean faster thanks to a wider suction area, hold 3x’s more dirt and even get rid of bed mites and allergens using a specially designed attachment!

Each year, the Garden of Dreams Foundation hosts a special talent show event where close to 100 children put their troubles aside and perform in front of their friends and family on the legendary stage of Radio City Music Hall. To top that off, the show is free and open to the public!

The show takes place tonight and will be emceed by none other than Mark Hoppus (Blink-182 and Fuse's Hoppus on Music). Hoppus and one of the kids, Patrick Keastead, 11, of Waldwick, New Jersey was here live and will perform for us on his keyboard.

Patrick is currently a 5th grader at Crescent Elementary. He has been playing piano for four years and has recently started playing guitar. He loves all types of music but is a huge fan of the Beatles. In his free time he enjoys writing songs and stories, watching movies, collecting Godzilla memorabilia, and playing video games. Patrick has two dogs named Bailey and Tucker. He hopes to one day live his dream of being a singer/song writer and an author.

For more information, visit www.gardenofdreamsfoundation.org.

Call it "The Facebook Effect"! Although it is a fundamental took of communication that many of us can't live without, one of the skills gradually being lost because of the amount of time we spend on the internet is the ability to talk face-to-face. The biggest problem? Our ability to listen. Dr. Dale Archer, psychiatrist, syndicated columnist, talk show host and author, was here with some tips.

Tips for facebook-free communicating:
• Get comfortable
• Focus on the other person
• Stop talking
• Make eye contact
• Pay attention to your body language
• Give affirmations.
• Ask open ended questions such as "How did you feel about that?"
• Listen for the message: What does the person want? Sympathy? Advice? The chance to vent?

For more on Dale Archer, visit www.drdalearcher.com.

Larry Mendte is back from Libya and he gave us his thoughts on Gaddafi and the violent conflict that has striken the country.

You can run, but you can't hide from Uncle Sam's April 18th tax deadline. Financial Expert Vera Gibbons was here with tax tips for procrastinators to get the most from your return.

• Think In Bite Size Chunks
• Skip the Pro
• Take Advantage of All Credits & Deductions You're Entitled To
• Make a Contribution to Your IRA
• Work Out an Installment Plan

Spa Week, created in 2004, is the original, largest and most successful Spa Marketing Event in the history of the spa industry. Nearly 1000 spas across North America concluded their participation in the Fall 2010 Event, and bowing to popular demand, the Spring 2011 Event, presented by the CAREFREE® brand, will further expand into even more cities.

Taking place from April 11th - 17th, the 14th edition of Spa Week will provide consumers across the United States and Canada with the most luxurious and wellness-focused treatments available.

Day spas, medical spas, resort spas, yoga and Pilates studios, and fitness/weight-loss centers among other beauty and wellness facilities will offer 2-3 of their most exclusive services, originally costing anywhere from $100 all the way up to $500, for a discounted price of $50 each.

Just be sure to book your treatment now, before the best deals sell out. For all the info on Spa Week bargains across the country and details on buying Spa Week gift cards — go to www.spaweek.com.

Make-up artist and determined entrepreneur, Sonia Kashuk, is a unique talent with a can do spirit, unafraid to blaze her own trail. A trail has led her to fulfilling her dreams partnering with Target to create the Sonia Kasuk beauty brand.

She invited Tamsen over to her studio for a preview of her Spring collection for Target. She also shares her story and gives advice tor women out there who either want to start their own business or who feel that achieving success is a far fetched idea.

For more information, visit www.soniakashuk.com.

The newest autism statistics from the Centers for Disease Control are staggering; 1 in 100 individuals are diagnosed with autism each year (1 in 90 in New Jersey; 1 in 74 among New Jersey boys!) Two decades ago an autism diagnosis was one in 10,000! Research into causes and cures is NOT the only discussion. How do we address the needs of the one million-plus autistic individuals TODAY....80 percent of whom are fast approaching their 20s?

The Daniel Jordan Fiddle Foundation (DJF) is the first national autism organization that has focused exclusively on program development and support for ADULTS living with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) since its 2002 inception. http://www.djfiddlefoundation.org

Linda Walder Fiddle, the founder and executive director of DJF, is changing the way the government and the public at large think about autism. Says Walder Fiddle: “The common misconception is that autism is a ‘childhood disorder.’ However, autism is really a life span challenge, so the question is ‘what happens when autistic individuals ‘age out’ of educational and therapy programs available only to those under 21?’”

Linda is an architect for social change…a visionary who is building a future for adults living with ASD through groundbreaking programs designed to become blueprints for grassroots communities throughout the U.S.

The Daniel Jordan Fiddle Foundation is named in memory of Linda's son Danny who was autistic and died at age nine. Since then, Linda has turned tragedy into hope via the foundation’s mission to develop and fund innovative programs to improve the lives of adults living with autism.

To find out more about The Daniel Jordan Fiddle Foundation and its innovative programs for autistic adolescents and adults, visit: www.djfiddlefoundation.org. The website also includes links to dozens of valuable resources specifically geared to programs and services for adults living with ASD.

Lawrence "The Fashion Guy" Zarian will be here with affordable trends for women in their 20s, 30s and 40s.

For more information, visit www.thefashionguy.com.

Hofstra University's School of Communication spents a week without the web. That's right -- students and faculty members are tried to give up the internet from Monday to Friday and see if they can function.

Paul Mihailidis, assistant professor of Journalism/media studies, and students Nikki Croney and Briana DeLuca joined us to talk about what it was like to go cold turkey.

The KR3TS (Keep Rising To The Top) Dancers are a local dance program gives children a great after school activity plus really pushes them to go to college. Violeta Galagarza was here to talk abotu the program and the troupe.

You can see them perform next at the Aaron Davis Hall Harlem Stage Theater. For more information, visit www.kr3ts.com.

CLICK HERE FOR THEIR FLYER

The Bugaboo Donkey is the hot new stroller that's already selling out before it is in stores. It is adjustable to tote one, two or even more kids and is described as the Mercedes Benz of strollers.

For more information, visit www.bugaboo.com.

In this week's "Mom's the Word," we'll talk about when it comes to putting kids to sleep...should we let them cry it out or rush to their side to comfort them? Our panel will consist of: child psychologist and author Larry Balter, Michelle Zipp of CafeMom.com's "The Stir," Ellen Meister a mother of three from Jericho, Long Island.

CLICK HERE TO SUGGEST NEXT WEEK'S "MOM'S THE WORD" TOPIC

Iyanla Vanzant is here to talk about her new book, Peace from Broken Pieces: How to Get Through What You`re Going Through; which is currently No. 1 on the New York Times best seller list.

The motivational speaker and life coach will be here to talk about picking up the pieces after the death of her daughter and her heated re-union with Oprah, which became one of the most talked about episodes for the talk show queen's final season.

For more information, visit www.innervisionsworldwide.com.

Skip the squeeze bottle. Whole Living Magazine's Shira Bocar shares four flavor-packed, nutrient rich, low-fat spreads that bring the zing to your meal. And best of all, women (25-54) can make them with the kids. The 4 mayo-alternative spreads includes

1. Mashed Avocado Spread
2. Yogurt-Herb Spread
3. Walnut-Parsley Pesto
4. Hummus with Chile

When you think about it, stress is a mysterious thing: You can`t see it or touch it, but you definitely know it`s there. And its enigmatic nature just might be preventing us from fully realizing the damage stress can do -- to our minds, bodies, and spirits.

According to the American Psychological Association, more than half of all women say they`re 'highly stressed,' an increase of 25 percent from just four years ago. But very few do anything to chill out. In fact, many seem to be saying 'bring it on!' because somewhere along the line being stretched to the limit turned into a badge of honor.

Women's Health Senior Editor Sascha de Gersdorff will be here to discuss why some women seek out stress and offer some tips to outsmart stress traps.

The Bronx Zoo has the top five names for the female cobra who escaped for six days last week.
They are:

• Cleopatra -- who supposedly killed herself by means of an Egyptian cobra bite
• Mia -- for missing in action
• Subira -- the Egyptian word for patience
• Amaunet -- a goddess in Ancient Egypt, meaning the female hidden one
• Agnes -- Greek for pure or holy

The zoo will announce the winner on Thursday.

CLICK HERE TO PLACE YOUR VOTE.

Got the end-of-winter blahs? Especially when it comes to your beauty regimen? Well, we've got some tips for "freshening" everything up. Turns out, putting a little spring on your face- could literally make you happier! Joining us with details on mood is Anna De Souza with these suggestions:

Physician’s Formula Happy Booster Blush
Available at Drugstores, $11.99
• Infused with the Euphoryl Omega 3 concentrate (The “Happiness” Concentrate that increases the dopamine in your system.
• Also has a fun lilac scent that can put you in a good mood just by itself!

April is Child Abuse Prevention Month and it has brought some startling statistics to the forefront.

In New York City, approximately 245 children and adolescents are reported abused or neglected everyday. In the United States, a report of child abuse is made every 10 seconds. Almost 5 children die everyday due to abuse or neglect. The majority of child fatalities are children under the age of 4.

We'll talk to Dr. Mary Pulido, executive director of the New York Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children, about signs of abuse, who is at risk, what to do if you suspect abuse.

For more information, visit www.nyspcc.org.

We all know we can't lose 20 pounds by Saturday, but that doesn't stop us from becoming frustrated when the latest fad or crash diet fails. Unrealistic expectations and our instant gratification society can turn losing weight into such an overwhelming concept that many simply stop trying.

Popular dietitian Keri Gans has heard every story out there and spent years helping clients retrain their habits so they can form new routines that will have a decisive impact on their weight. The cornerstone of her belief, and that of her new book "The Small Change Diet: 10 Steps to a Thinner, Healthier You" is that the changes that will make the most impact are often the smallest ones.

"The Small Change Diet" shows readers how to take 10 bad habits and transform them into ways to spark immediate weight loss and guarantee a lifetime of good health. For more information, visit kerigansnutrition.com.

Hofstra University's School of Communication is spending a week without the web. That's right -- students and faculty members are going to try to give up the internet from Monday to Friday and see if they can function.

Paul Mihailidis, assistant professor of Journalism/media studies,a nd students Nikki Croney and Briana DeLuca joined us to talk about going cold turkey.

With the help of jcpenney, we transformed PIX11’s drab outdated lobby into a stylish welcoming space. With affordable and functional décor and furniture pieces from jcpenney’s Studio collection, we achieved a relaxed yet clean aesthetic that merges minimalist design with bold accents. With a few easy tips from design expert Susanna Salk and jcpenney, your one-stop-shop décor destination, you too can transform any space for spring!

Lighting
Element LED Touch Lamp, $99.99

On the evenings of April 1 and 2, 2011, prominent buildings across North America and the world -- including the Empire State Building in New York City and the CN Tower in Toronto, Canada -- will turn their lights blue to raise awareness for autism and to commemorate World Autism Awareness Day on Saturday, April 2.

Autism Speaks is aiming to light the world blue all throughout April --city by city, town by town-- by taking action to raise autism awareness in our communities. Owen Saunders and his classmates from Pelham recorded a song for Autism Speaks urging the world to Light It Up Blue for World Autism Awareness Day. They will be here to perform it.

For more on Autism awareness, visit www.wpix.com/autismawareness.

One hundred pounds overweight, loaded up on steroids and suffering from a debilitating autoimmune disease, Joe Cross is at the end of his rope.

In the mirror, he saw a 310lb man whose gut was bigger than a beach ball and a path laid out before him that wouldn`t end well— with one foot already in the grave, the other wasn`t far behind.

Fat, Sick and Nearly Dead is an inspiring film that chronicles Joe`s personal mission to regain his health -- and he did! Joe traded in junk food for juices and e'll be here to share his story and his signature juice "Mean Green Juice."

For more information, visit www.fatsickandnearlydead.com.

Larry Mendte spoke to John Feal of the Feal Foundation 9/11 first responders and his organization's walk-a-thon. It'll be held on April 3 at 9am to 2pm. Registrations begins at 7:30am at Gibbs Pond Park.

For more information, visit www.fealgoodfoundation.com.

April is Autism Awareness Month and this morning we talked to Academy Award-winning director Gerardine Wurzburgon her new documentary that opens on April 1 Wretches & Jabberers. The film follows two men with autism, Tracy Thresher and Larry Bissonnette, who embark on a global quest to change attitudes about disability and intelligence.

Determined to put a new face on autism, the men travel to Sri Lanka, Japan and Finland, where at each stop they challenge public attitudes about autism and issue a hopeful message to reconsider competency. A poignant narrative of personal struggle that rings with intelligence, humor, hope and courage, Wretches & Jabberers is about the life-sustaining power of relationships - the personal connections that people make through communication.

We're talking with a camp expert Jill Tipograph about how to find the right camp for your child, how much to expect to pay, what are the deadline and key dates to keep in mind.

For more tips, visit www.everythingsummer.com.

Your little kid is clamoring to get her hands on your cell phone or iPad so they can play games -- or learn their letters. Whether you want to embrace or escape our high-tech world, you can help your child find the right balance. Dr. Larry Balter, Kimora Lee Simmons and Diane Debrovner talked about technology and kids.

Whole Living Magazine shares five nutrient-rich, dairy-free drinks from plants - and most of them clock as much calcium as their cow derived counterpart. Suki, Jim and Tamsen will participated in a taste test of the five different kinds of milk. Terri Trespicio, senior editor of Whole Living will also discuss which milk works best for coffee, baking, cereal, etc. and the health components of each while highlighting the lesser known milks like Hemp Milk.

For more information, visit www.wholeliving.com.

After losing her brother to a tragic car accident involving a teen drunk driver, Cynthia Stafford was left with his five kids to care for. The California foster care system quickly took in the kids and Ms. Stafford was forced to quit her job to fight the system to regain control of the children.

In May 2007, her luck and life changed drastically. She won the $112 million lotto and since then has used her winnings wisely. She has donated multi millions, as well as serves as a top supporter, to several charities like Kids in the Spotlight, an organization that shows underprivileged kids how to shoot their own short films. She also supports the NRDC, Unicef, The Interface Foundation, and Joan Rivers charity God's Love We Deliver. She is backing the research for a major cancer drug and is one of the biggest backers of NewZonia, a new social site that strives to change global philanthropy.

On top of all of her philanthropic efforts, Ms. Stafford has launched a new feature film production company, Queen Nefertari Productions, that is being represented by the Gersh Agency in Hollywood. Ms. Stafford will be able to execute her passion for arts not only in charity efforts, but in business efforts as well. Her goal is to produce movies with a message. Stafford`s film company is financing 3-4 feature films per year.

For more on Queen Nefertari Productions, visit www.nefertariproductions.com.

Little Brown is the latest creation from Oded Brenner, founder of Max Brenner, Chocolate by the Bald Man. The new coffee and chocolate shop is located on the Upper East Side and features a range of pastries, coffees and chocolate drinks. Lisa Mateo tries some of the goodies and finds out what sets Little Brown apart from the competition.

For more information, visit www.ourlittlebrown.com.

Travelzoo's Senior Editor Gabe Saglie will be here not just to give us the best deals of the week, but also broadcast exclusively on the PIX 11 Morning News the 1 Millionth Deal announcement from Travelzoo which will go live on the Travelzoo web site today.

For more information, visit travelzoo.com.

Fred Forcellati, Creative Director of Annie sez stores, reports that "Skin is IN" for spring 2011 (at least, the illusion of skin!). Fred walks us through "the new NUDE" looks for spring, including sexy neutrals such as blush, ballet pink, champagne, sepia, taupe, ivory and white...all worn with a pop of color for contrast. Filmy layers and lacy treatments will be hot this season.

To find an Annie sez store near you, visit the website at: anniesez.com.

Every woman has at least one “holy grail” beauty item – that beloved lipgloss or concealer you always gravitate towards for an instant pick me up. In an industry saturated with products, this special group of best-sellers has stood the test of time and have earned the reputation of “must-haves” for countless women. And their sales figures speak for themselves:

L’Oréal Paris Voluminous Mascara
If you want volume, Voluminous is your mascara – it gives you luxuriously full lashes like you’ve always dreamed of – in an instant. Beloved for its clump-resistant, flake-proof properties, Voluminous is the preferred mascara of professional makeup artists worldwide. Uniquely formulated to resist clumping, soften lashes and build lashes to 5x their natural thickness, it’s no wonder Voluminous is an international best seller year after year. Celebrating its 20th anniversary this year, 40,000 Voluminous units are sold daily, or 28 products a minute.
Price: $7.25, Available at www.lorealparis.com and chain drug, food and mass market retailers nationwide

Sukanya Krishnan talks with Laurie Dhue about her personal story and they are joined by Joe Schrank, CEO of the Core Company, a post-rehab sober living house in Brooklyn (the first one of its kind in NYC) and Chairman of the Board of the National Youth Recovery Foundation, a nonprofit dedicating to helping families in crisis, specifically, providing education, support and treatment to adolescent addicts and their parents.

From texting to video games to the more serious drugs and sex, teens are not immuned from addiction. Joe also discussed how to recognize the warning signs and how to get them help. He talked to us about co-founding a new website thefix.com, which is also geared toward helping sufferers on their road to recovery.

For more information, visit www.corecompanynyc.com and www.nationalyouthrecovery.com.

http://www.gadgetnation.net/Steve Greenberg, Author of "Gadget Nation" stopped by with a look at the latest in affordable home security.

The items included:

1. ARCHERFISH SOLO is a 'thinking' surveillance camera that`s smarter than motion detection camera. It actually understands what it sees, which is a great benefit to any homeowner because for example it can tell the difference between your daughter coming home from school and truck turning around in the driveway. It`s self contained—no hidden box- just need a wireless router—broadband access—and your ready to go. It does all the work so you don`t have to watch hours of video to know what`s going on.

You can customize the system to your needs and schedule it to alert you about specific activity - such as when a person or car arrives. You can receive customized alerts to any mobile phone or email. And, you can jump online anywhere to watch live or recorded video. Archerfish Solo is less than $350 and is available at Amazon.com, Fry`s, Micro Center, BestBuy.com and at most major consumer electronics retailers.

Find out more about Archerfish at www.thinkingcamera.com

Debra Alfarone has hair guru Oscar Blandi in the passenger seat and their do quick hairstyles right in the backseat.

For more on Oscar, visit oscarblandi.com.

Internet communication can be difficult these days because of common mistakes that can cause any range of problems if words are misunderstood or taken out of context. Before you hit send, it`s important to be aware of proper career etiquette when communicating with other professionals -- this way you can avoid being confusing, unprofessional, or even insulting. Shape's Ellen Miller will be here to give us the inside scoop on protocol when communicating with workplace professionals so you can be sure you`re doing the right thing before you hit the send button.

When do I need to use the cc line?
The cc line should be used to help separate the people who need to respond from those recipients you want to just inform.

For example: You are sending a client a proposal plan that you’ve been working on. Both you and your client have a team of people working on the proposal, but ultimately, it’s just you and this one individual that have been communicating about it. Send the proposal directly to the client you’ve been working with, and cc each of your teams so that everyone is looped in.

Prince Lorenzo Borghese has starred on ABC`s The Bachelor, launched a successful business and been an integral part of his family`s cosmetics empire. Now, he takes on a new challenge: that of author. And there is no better story for him to tell than that of his scandalously famous ancestor Princess Pauline Bonaparte Borghese, sister of Napoleon and wife of Prince Camillo Borghese in The Princess of Nowhere. Tamsen met up with him for more on this unforgettable tale of love and loss, loyalty and betrayal.

Pressured by her brother’s ambitious goals to marry Prince Camillo Borghese for an alliance with Italy, Pauline finds herself constantly seeking the attention of other men to the dismay of her new husband, Camillo.

Submit a Cool PIX 11 photo and you could win a Digital Camera Kit from Adorama. Your photo will also air in the Morning News this Friday!

The folks at Adorama want to see your camera skills. Upload a photo you are proud of or one that makes you smile or laugh or reminds you of PIX 11.

One lucky winner will be chosen each week for four weeks and they will win a digital camera kit from Adorama. Each Friday the winning photo will appear in the Morning News.

CLICK HERE TO ENTER THE CONTEST

Please see the official rules for details of eligibility.

Long Island girl Jenna Rose, 12, has become an internet sensation ever since her music video "My Jeans" became popular following Rebecca Black's "Friday." Now she has a new song called "O.M.G" which performed live for the first time on PIX11 Morning News. Surrounded by dancers, the 7th-grader showcased her voice and dance moves.

She also sat down with PIX11 News’ Howard Thompson and Tamsen Fadal to discuss her aspirations and the harsher side of fame. Although the teen is enjoying the opportunity to do something she really loves, she has been hurt by negative comments posted on the internet. However, Jenna is holding her head up and forging on. She even released a new video answering to those mean postings. Her new video and song “O.M.G.” addresses how she plans to live her life and pursue her dreams regardless of the hurtful words gracing the internet. Next stop for this local girl….record deal.

Larry Mendte gives us his take on on the hottest topics of the week.

The New Jersey Nets Dancers are competing in the NBA Dance Team Bracket, and stopped by to show us their moves. On Thursday, we featured their competition the Knicks City Dancers.

So far in 2011, the IRS has issued more than 45 million tax refunds and the average refund was $3,129! We've got five smart ways to put that tax refund to good use.

Sterling Brinkerhoff, Age 9 from Benjamin, UT has won the 36th ANNUAL NATIONAL ODOR-EATERS ROTTEN SNEAKER CONTEST. He plans to donate 10 percent of his $2,500 winnings to The American Red Cross Japan earthquake and Pacific tsunami relief efforts.

In its 36th year, the National Odor-Eaters Rotten Sneaker Contest is the ultimate test of just how offensive sneakers can get when they're not taken care of properly. Sneakers are judged on the conditions of the sole, tongue, heel, toe, laces or Velcro, eyelets/grommets, overall condition and most important ODOR, by a panel that includes NASA "Master Sniffer" George Aldrich, Chemical Specialist for NASA space missions, and Rachel Herz, Ph.D., author of The Scent of Desire, and professor at Brown University. T

he Champion confessed that his sneakers got dirty and smelly because he wore his sneakers looking for frogs and bugs in the irrigation ditch and just playing outside.

The Knick City Dancers were here to talk to us about the NBA Dancer Competition and perform!

For more information, visit www.nyknickscitydancers.com.

Why do some women feel comfortable turning 40, while others become overwhelmed by the life challenges inherent in entering the fifth decade? Why are some women more apt to dwell on what they haven't accomplished professionally relative to their colleagues, whereas others celebrate their career achievements. Why do some women bevome obsessed with and jealous of younger women, while others become generous and inspiing mentors.

Drawing on her own personal stories and real life examples of women she advises in her practice. Sarah Brokaw's new book "FORTYTUDE: Making the Next Decades the Best Years of Your Life- through 40s, 50s, and Beyond" explains how women can navigate the transition into midlife with more enjoyment-helping them to adjust their attitudes, discard negative mindsets, and embrace the positive qualities they have to achieve fullfillment.

For rmoe information, visit www.myfortytude.com.

Dr. Larry Balter discusses "boomerang babies." It's the syndrome of adults going off to college and returning home, and some adults are even returning after they lose a job. The nest is not so empty these days.

For more on Dr. Balter, visit www.drlawrencebalter.com.

Promo Man, the dapper new superhero of the promotional products industry is flying into our studio to demo wacky, high-tech swag and spread the word about a $17 billion industry that braved the recession and grew by 9.3% in 2010. Some of the items being showcased at the Advertising Specialty Institute's national trade show include:

Scented Tee. Scented ink of fruity flavors, chocolaty confections, seasonal smells or personal perfumes is delivered on T-shirts, with a constant release scent that remains through multiple washes.

Fish School. Complete training system kit explains in simple, detailed steps how to easily train fish to play fetch, shoot hoops, swim the slalom, do the limbo and more.

Mingle Sticks. Two users merely aim their high tech “business cards” at each other and push a button to exchange information. Plug device into USB port to launch website featuring your personal info

Whether you're in your 20s, 30s or 40s - you should be stocking up on the superfoods that keep your body in top shape each decade. Courtenay Smith, Executive Editor of Every Day with Rachael Ray magazine will stop by with some of nature's tastiest finds for your heart, bones, memory and mood right now.

Here is a sampling of what they recommend -

20's
• Frozen fruit - helps satisfy sweet cravings minus too much bad sugar
• Low-fat greek yogurt - helps strengthen bones

30's
• Walnuts - soothes stress
• Avocados - helps with fertility

40's
• Cherries - reduce wear & tear on your joints
• Ginger - helps keep blood pressure in check and helps enhance sex!
• Kale - helps keep vision sharp

For more tips, visit www.rachaelraymag.com.

Spring is here! Let`s start off on the right paw with some Spring Cleaning!

Whether you are renovating, decorating, or trying to create the perfect pet-friendly home. You don`t have to compromise the beauty of your home to make it pet-friendly. With a little guidance and doggie diligence having a pet-friendly home can be super easy. We sharing tips and product suggestions that help keep your home purr-fect and pouch friendly and of course people friendly.

Oreos, Mallomars, Chips Ahoy. Nutter Butters.

It's hard to walk through the supermarket and not get seduced by the cookie aisle! But you don't have to sabotage your diet to satisfy your craving.

We're creating "no bake" healthy versions of popular cookies with Lori Kaufman. For more information, visit www.lorikwellness.com.

No matter what your issues, you can make peace with your finances. Get your mind on your money by figuring out your money style. Author and Natural Health Expert Dr. Belisa Vranich will help us figure out which money style we are and the best ways to shape them. We also discussed can how to find that financial peace with some of these tips:

• Explore your money patterns
• ID your spending urges
• Excavate your money history
• Make some small changes
• Map out your spending plan
• Keep your eye on the prize

When traveling to another country or doing international business it is often easy to stand out like a sore thumb by easily forgetting to adjust to the local culture. To help travelers avoid making simple mistakes on their next trips, Lonely Planet pulled together a thorough list of etiquette tips you should keep in mind when venturing on any type of international journey.

U.S. Travel Editor Robert Reid will be here with tips. Some highlights include:

- In restaurants in Portugal, don't ask for salt and pepper if it is not already on the table. Asking for any kind of seasoning or condiment is to cast aspersions on the cook. And cooks are highly respected people in Portugal.

Ngo Okafor is a two-time golden glove champion who also happens to be the most downloaded African American model.

Ngo sits down with our Tamsen Fadal at Nespresso to talk about a cause he's willing to fight tooth and nail for. He also has a sexy calendar out, which is available at getngo.com.

InStyle Magazine's Beauty Editor Kahlana Barfield stopped by with 10 Ways To Great Nails. They included:

1. FLAUNT YOUR MOONS
When you want to make a statement with your nails, two-tone is the new black. Ashlie Johnson, an L.A. manicurist who works with Megan Fox, gave the star a dramatic moon manicure: The top of the nail was a dark glittery purple, while the half-moon was silver. “It gets a lot of attention and looks cool and modern,” says Johnson.
- Nicole by OPI “I’m a Pool for Love” nail color, $7; at Target
- Orly “Shine” nail polish, $8; at Ulta

Many new parents are trying to kick off rasiing their child not just on the right foot, but down an organic all-natural path: by choosing natural options that support a healthy start to a growing family`s wellness.

Louise Keenan, new mom and Whole Foods Market team leader will be here with a Whole Baby shopping list - and give tips on what to look for and what to avoid starting from pregnancy to babycare.

For more information, visit wholefoodsmarket.com.

We`re all in a rush and always looking for the fastest ways to look fresh when we don`t have time to sit down and do a full blown fix-up.

Whether you`re going from work, to a meeting, to a dinner, to a party, or wherever else your busy life takes you, we've got the best beauty shortcuts that are a must for always looking your best.

"Shape" magazine's Beauty Director, Ellen Miller, stopped by with tips and products that are essential for looking good on-the-go.

For Your Nails
If you don’t have time to dry your nails….
Tip: Dunk your nails into ice cold water or use cool air from your blow dryer to help them dry faster.
Or, use:
- Sally Hansen Salon Effects Real Nail Polish Strips. These nail polish strips give instant glam for style that lasts up to ten days, and they don’t require dry-time! This easy and affordable at-home nail technology puts bold color, high- shine, and intricate design at your fingertips—just peel, apply, file, and go. Each Salon Effect Real Nail Polish Strips kit includes 16 nail polish strips, a cuticle stick, mini file/ buffer and instructions for easy at-home application. $10; at drugstores
-Revlon’s Quick Dry nail polish is also a great option. It’s an easy top coat for your mani that has super fast drying time and protects from nicks and smudges too. $6; at drugstores

Use social media to find a better job, Entrepreneur, author, speaker, and worldwide connector, Peter Shankman, recognized worldwide for radically new ways of thinking about Social Media, PR, marketing, advertising, creativity, and customer service - was here with tips on how to get a job through social media.

1. Everything is public forever

2. Know your audience - and that it includes people you've yet to meet

3. Not everything is sharable or needs to be shared

4. Everyone searches, and everything is searchable

5. Oldest rule still applies: People hire people, not companies. It's all about who you know, and how you network.

For more information, visit shankman.com.

''My Jeans" by Jenna Rose & Baby Triggy 2010

READ MORE: Dix Hills girl's YouTube music video a hit

"Friday" by Rebecca Black

READ MORE: Worst song of all-time? Rebecca Black - 'Friday'

Tamsen chats with lifestyle expert-turned author about her new book The Official Booty Parlor Mojo Makeover.

Sexy lifestyle expert and creator of Booty Parlor, Dana B. Myers, helps readers figure out their “mojo model”—Pleasure Virgin, Frustrated Fox, Adventure Seeker, Busy Mommy or Late Bloomer—and identifies specific hang-ups and fixes for each unique type.

Filled with inspiring, practical tips and advice, interactive exercises, and real-world anecdotes and examples, this 30-day program teaches women of all ages how to feel more confident, and how to gain heightened enthusiasm and satisfaction in bed. After just four fun weeks, women will feel happier, sexier, and more fulfilled—whether they’re in a relationship or not.

Daffy's is celebrating their 50th anniversary this year and as you might have heard has announced the opening of a Times Square location.

They're known for offering consumers great designer fashions for less and they're helping us duplicate celeb spring trends for cheap and step into spring with savings.

Caryn Lerner the newly announced CEO of Daffy's will be here to walk us through the trends.

Captain Joe will be in to talk about the World Police & Firefighter Games and the gala they are holding this Wednesday. Among the list of special guests are Mayor Michael Bloomberg, Jets quarterback Mark Sanchez and comedian Jon Stewart.

For more information, visit 2011wpfg.org.

"Dine In Brooklyn" at a discount! Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz and Fabrizio Di Mitri, owner of Scopello in Fort Greene, Brooklyn stopped by to talk about "Dine In Brooklyn."

The event, taking place March 21st to March 31st, features more than 200 of Brooklyn’s eateries. They're serving up three-course dinner menus for just $25, three-course lunches for $20.11 and even some are offering “two for the price of one."

For more information and a list of participating restaurants, log onto www.brooklyn-usa.org.

You don't have to eat eggs or bacon to get your protein, you can just have cereal. The editors at Whole Living Magazine tried out 46 different kinds of trendy protein-rich cereals with 5 grams or more per bowl and narrowed it down to their final six. They'll reveal the results and why they picked it and we'll have our very own taste test.

1. BARBARA’S BAKERY - HIGH FIBER CRANBERRY
5g Protein Per Serving; $4.30

2. KASHI - GO LEAN CRUNCH
9g Protein Per Serving; $3.80

Spring is in the "hair!" Liz Russell of the Liz Russell Aveda Lifestyle Salon stopped by with 3 hair trends for Spring.

They included:
- Textured Waves
- Retro Styles
- The Modern "Bob"

Our models we holding bags by Amalia Gomez.
Our "retro" model was sporting a dress by EMc2 by Emmett McCarthy.

On April 18th Liz Russell Aveda Lifestyle Salon is hosting a fundraiser for Clean Ocean Action, a coalition dedicated to stopping ocean pollution. So, if you love the shore, fish, boating or clean ocean water then check it out for a night of great food, music and sustainable fashion. For tickets or more information call 212 557 0005.

Larry Mendte gives us his take on the weeks hottest topics including Afghanistan, Hillary Clinton and Japan.

Sometimes, it`s simply a matter of eating foods that offer anti-aging benefits (there are many and not to worry, they taste great). Other times, a supplement may be in order. Oh, and of course, a beauty product here and there never hurts. Natural Health's Melissa Foss will discuss four health boosters that will help you look and feel amazing - inside and out.

Our John Muller spoke to Lionel about the nuclear crisis in Japan and why the government waits so long to inform the public for a nuclear disaster.

We have the five young finalists in the Jif Most Creative Peanut Butter Contest here live with their "nutty" concoctions. The winner will be announced later in the day, receiving a $25,000 college scholarship.

For more information, visit promotions.jif.com/most-creative-contest.

High school student Michelle Hackman joined Tamsen Fadal on the PIX11 Morning News to share her great news—she placed second in the Intel Science Talent Search. The 17-year-old Great Neck native receives $75,000 as part of this national competition.

Michelle studied the effect of separating teenagers from their cell phones for her behavioral and social sciences project. After noticing that her friends at a group dinner were texting each other instead of speaking, Michelle designed a project to research the anxiety that humans might feel when unable to use their cell phones.

This morning we had 11 dancers from Lynn Academy of Irish Dance to help us celebrate St. Patrick's Day. On June 25th, the troupe will put on their first professional show at White Plains High School.

Two of their dancers just competed in the All Ireland Championships: Caroline Murphy placed 6th and Abby Coyman placed 13th out of over 150 competitors from around the world. And today, Caroline Murphy's great grandmother G.G. Murphy will be turning 100 on St. Patrick's Day. She will be heading up to her party after the show.

For more information, visit www.lynnacademy.com.

Yahoo! Shine`s fashion and Beauty Expert Joanna Douglas will be here with iconic beauty products from our childhood. We'll see how they've received makeovers. Products include: Bonne Bell Lipsmackers, Hard Candy Nail Polish, Sun-In, Love's Baby Soft, Zinka, Aquanet and Maybelline Great Lash Mascara.

For more information, visit shine.yahoo.com.

Support a good cause for St. Patrick’s Day and a few days beyond. MDA Shamrocks Against Dystrophy program now in its 29th year and runs through the end of March. Stop by a participating supermarket and donate a dollar or more. All funds raised go to Shamrocks Against Dystrophy program which funds such initiatives in our area as NY Metro Area Summer Camp.

MDA Camper and 8-year-old spokesperson Eric Applebaum came to the PIX11 studios to share his experiences with the program. This year camp is taking place from August 22 – August 26th in Spring Valley, New York, Just about 100 campers will attend the session. Each camper is paired with a volunteer counselor – so it is a 1 to 1 ratio of counselor to camper around the clock. In addition to the NY area camp, about 90 other sessions take place around the country. Camp is a magical place offering a wide range of activities specially designed for MDA campers – barriers simply don’t exist. Even if you have braces or a wheelchair.

Inishfree School of Irish Dancing stopped by to help us celebrate St. Patrick's Day. The school's directors are Sean Reagan and Colleen Carey.

Our dancers this morning included: Grace Budde, Megan Walters, Kathleen McGowan, Morgan Murray, Janie Turek, Paige Turilli, Kerry Jensen, Marykate Dichiara, Sean Sanders, Liam McMahon, Conor Reagan and Connor Sullivan.

For more information, visit www.inishfreeny.com.

Does your company or organization play The Blame Game?

For better or for worse, the dynamics of credit and blame are at the heart of every team and organization and make or break every career. Unfortunately, credit and blame are rarely assigned in an objective or fair manner, and individual psychology, team dynamics, and corporate culture all influence, and are influenced by, how credit and blame are given and received.

Too often, people and organizations get caught up in "the blame game" and the wrong people get blamed for the wrong reasons at the wrong time. The result can be that people are demotivated and demoralized, focus more on organizational politics than on getting the job done, and are too afraid to speak up or experiment with new approaches.

Ben Dattner, the author of The Blame Game was here to explain more. For more information, visit www.creditandblame.com.

The DeNogla School of Irish Dance was here to kick off our St. Patrick's day celebration. The school is located in Verona and Westfield, New Jersey and the school's instructors are Jennifer McGovern, Alison Keane and Bernadette Kelly.

Alison and Jennifer (sisters) opened up in 1992 and then Bernadette joined the staff in 2005. The DeNogla School has 12 dancers going to the World Championships in Dublin in April.

The school also performs at all the Irish Organizations and parade events in the Essex County, NJ area. For more information, visit denoglaschool.com.

UniverSoul Circus, armed with a beat that has transformed the heart and soul of family entertainment, arrives in New York City in the Bronx March 16-27, Queens March 29-April 10, and in Newark April 12-17. Bronx and Queens tickets on sale now. Newark tickets on sale soon.

The UniverSoul Circus line up includes a wide array of new acts from around the globe, including an opening presentation of break dancing Transformers who practically reach for the sky. We have a group of biker girls who play tricks on bicycles from Dalian, China, a Russian Swing act from Belarus, Kung Fu Acrobats from Shao-Lin, China, and Rahel, an amazing contortionist from Ethiopia.

For more information, visit www.universoulcircus.com.

If you know anyone who’s ever been pregnant, or you’ve ever visited big box superstore Target, then you’ve no doubt encountered Liz Lange’s clothing line. Lange is a fashion pioneer, mega-retailer, super-mom and now, a web sensation, with her new website www.Shopafrolic.com. The site offers a newsletter full of fashion, beauty and lifestyle tips. So, we asked the co-founder (she runs it with her sister) for ways to incorporate spring fashion into our wardrobes now, while it’s still a little dreary outside

First tip, colorful florals can lift your mood. Lange shows us a floral scarf for $48 by Sir Alistair Rai. She thinks it’s the perfect way to pop your look by wearing it with a t-shirt, a button-down, a dress, “It’s pretty and it will cheer you up, wear it over your black raincoat.”

High fashion trends are not designed with all shapes and sizes in mind. Charla Krupp author of How To Never Look Fat Again will show us how to wear 3 of Spring's hot trends without looking fat! She'll offer style savvy solutions for those who don`t fit the size zero mould.

Courtney- bold print
• Bisou Bisou dress polyester cotton w wide self belt-$70
• W Worthington patton pink pumps-4 inch heel-$65

Kim-stripes and white
• W Worthington pant $40
• Allen b by allen schwartz-black/white zip up top$58
• a.n.a green strappy platform-$60

Kate- big floral
• Bisou Bisou polyester/spandex-black, fuschia, coral-$70
• Call It Spring samuels natural patton leather $39.99

In a captivating combination, Master Magician Mickey Mouse and the always-dazzling Minnie join forces with professional illusionists for a magical stage production coming to New York City.

Disney Live! presents Mickey’s Magic Show features grand illusions and favorite Disney characters, including Donald and Goofy; Cinderella and her Fairy Godmother; Alice in Wonderland and the Mad Hatter; and beloved Disney princesses Jasmine, Belle and Snow White. Disney Live! presents Mickey’s Magic Show visits New York City’s Theater at Madison Square Garden March 17- 20. Tickets are on sale now.

Theater at Madison Square Garden: March 17 – 20, 2011
Thursday, March 17: 11:00 AM, 7:00 PM
Friday, March 18: 11:00 AM, 7:00 PM
Saturday, March 19: 11:00 AM, 2:00 PM, 6:30 PM
Sunday, March 20: 11:00 AM, 2:00 PM, 6:30 PM

For more information, log onto: http://disney.go.com/

We take an in-depth look at the new video game DC Universe Online with Jim Lee, the executive creative director of DCUO, and tech expert Julian Arenzon. DCUO lets you, the player, become a superhero or villain and play alongside the likes of Superman, Batman, Joker, Wonder Woman and Green Lantern.

It is the first massively multiplayer online game for Playstation3, where gamers all over the world can participate by creating their own comic book characters and interacting with other gamers in an online, comic book universe.

In addition, the makers of the game are planning to integrate DCUO with their corresponding 26-part bi-weekly comic books series called DCUO Legends by taking one of the characters created by a fan and include it in the actual comic book.

DC Universe Online is now available for the PS3 and PC. For more information, visit www.dcuniverseonline.com.

Like lots of college grads, Daniel Seddiqui was having a hard time finding a job. But despite more than forty rejections, he knew opportunities had to exist. So in 2009 he set out on an extraordinary quest: 50 jobs in 50 states in 50 weeks. And not just any jobs -- he chose professions that reflected the culture and economy of each state.

Working as everything from a cheesemaker in Wisconsin, a border patrol agent in Arizona, and a meatpacker in Kansas to a lobsterman in Maine, a surfing instructor in Hawaii, and a football coach in Alabama, Daniel chronicles how he adapted to the wildly differing people, cultures, and environments. We'll talk to him about his journey, what he learned and what he's doing now.

For more information, visit www.livingthemap.com.

Test your knowledge about pregnancy with this quiz from Web MD.

CLICK HERE TO TAKE THE QUIZ.

For women, appearing taller is as easy as putting on a pair of heels. Unfortunately the same cannot be said for men. So we're sharing wardrobe secrets that guys can use to feel taller, more confident and completely pulled together with Dale Sudakoff of Dale Style.

• Cuffs clip the ankle so opt for no cuffs to elongate the leg
• A monochromatic outfit elongates the frame
• Pointy shoes help to lengthen the body
• Keep several buttons unbuttoned to elongate the neckline

For more information, visit www.dalestyle.com.

In the wake of the teen basketball player that just died after winning a game, it's clear that we are all in danger of heart disease and age isn't a factor.

Women's Heart Health Expert Dr. Nieca Goldberg, medical director of New York University's Women's Heart Program was here to talk about how we can all better understand the easy steps we can take - no matter what age - to help reduce heart disease risks.

Dr. Goldberg told us what signs women, children and men should look out for -- plus, how the signs may vary? She'll also share the Heart Healthy super foods for each group.

We're taking a look at side jobs that will add fast cash to your bank account. Jonathan Shannon, senior online editor of Time Out New York recommended: bartending, turning your car into a mobile billboard, hosting a pet, giving a virtual opinion, dressing up in costume and serving on a mock trial.

For more information, visit newyork.timeout.com.

Anti-oxidants, Salicylic acid, Retin A -- women spend billions of dollars every year buying beauty products with those ingredients, based on what they promise. Many can barely pronounce them, know what they really or whether or not it's suitable for their particular skintype.

Well, women are about to get schooled on the ABC's of Skincare Lingo. Dr. Sapna M. Westley will break down some of the top ingredients found in over the counter skincare products and tell you what's good and what's not for all skin type.

• A is for Anti-Oxidants
WHAT IT DOES: Deeply penetrates dry skin and fights free radical damage, restoring and soothing skin leaving it radiant and gorgeous
A PRODUCT THAT CONTAINS ANTI-OXIDANTS: Jergens Overnight Repair Nightly Restoring Moisturizer
SKIN TYPE: For dry and damaged skin. This breakthrough formula works in concert with the body’s own healing process, to repair a week’s worth of damage overnight for conditioned, visibly smoother skin when you wake.

With more than 100 million workout videos sold, Billy Blanks is back from Japan after spending the past several years training with the masters and developing the all new Ultimate Tae Bo workout called PT24/7.

Our Tamsen Fadal met up with the ultimate celebrity trainer at New York Sports Club to try out the new program. PT24/7 is the first to combine cardio and strength training into one easy workout using boxing gloves that are attached to resistance bands. Users are guaranteed to feel results in 24 hours and see results in seven days.

For more information, visit https://www.billyblankspt247.com.

Woman’s World magazine has found the top tips and tricks to prolong the life of everything in your closet- so you can save a bundle by keeping your wardrobe in great shape! We all have that favorite pair of jeans, heels, jewelry and sweaters that we hope lasts forever, and we’ve compiled a list to help you do just that!

Woman’s World fashion editor Stephanie Prommer walked us through a table top of the top 10 items to make your items last.

Going to an event outdoors? Try plastic heel covers to keep your heel from getting damaged or dirty! Sweater Savers, made of pumice, lift pills from warn in sweaters without causing snags. Leafing pens can keep the metallic finish on your purse looking fresh!

We`ve all heard the same ol` grocery list of items that women should be eating on a daily basis. Wild salmon for Omega, blueberries for antioxidant, greek yogurt for probiotics.

But, gaining steam are a new set of items that we should all keep an eye out for. Dr. Lindsey Duncan of "Genesis Today" with the supermodels and super athletes for the food world - giving the biggest bang for your buck and delivering a powerful punch of important nutrients helping women to maintain optimal health.

1. RAW CACAO
Place of origin: The tropical belt: countries within 10°N and 10°S of the equator.
What it is: Cacao (Theobroma cacao) is the purest, rawest form of chocolate.
What are the benefits: Cacao is an antioxidant powerhouse that helps support healthy antioxidant levels and heart health; plus natural energy, mental alertness and focus.
How to incorporate into diet/everyday routine: Cacao is one of the easiest superfoods to incorporate into your daily diet and routine. Who doesn’t love chocolate?

The action/blockbuster "Battle Los Angeles" fights its way into theaters today, starring Aaron Eckhart, Michelle Rodriguez and Ne-Yo. It's a science fiction thriller loaded with huge battle scenes, crowd pleasing explosions, big guns, tough guy one-liners...and yes, of course...aliens.
 

We went head-to-head with each of the action stars to find more on how they trained for their roles as Marines. Singer/Performer Ne-Yo was up for the challenge and shared with us his excitement for taking on the role of military man. He's mixing it up and I don't mean with music. He signed up for the film project with the intent of hitting the big screen in a role that is as far from his life as a musician, hoping to show audiences another layer of Ne-Yo. However, you're going to have to catch him theaters to see just how he did.

Ne-Yo isn't the only star we caught up with, tough-talking actress Michelle Rodriguez and Aaron Eckhart gave us a few words on leadership, playing the bad-ass Marine and the creating on-screen magic with special effects.

For more on the film, visit http://www.battlela.com.

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Larry Mendte wraps up the week's hottest stories that made headlines. WINNING!

Denise Albert, Melissa Gerstein and Raina Seitel Gittlin, co-hosts of Moms and the City and bloggers for momsandthecity.net and babycenter.com stopped by to talk about the debate behind if babies should have them, and when they should stop using them.

Babycenter.com's polls on toddlers and pacifiers say:
• 77% of moms used or plan to use a pacifier with their children.
• 61% allowed their child 1 year old or older to continue to use it. (39% took it away before the first year was up.)
• Most moms took it away when they child was 1 year to a year and a half old (23%).
• 42% of moms agreed that they left their child on the pacifier longer because it made their lives easier – 12% or 1 in 10 agreed strongly with this reason.

Sample size – 237 online U.S. women age 18+, new and expectant moms.

For more information, visit momsandthecity.net and babycenter.com.

Hawaii is the happiest state in the US according to a new survey--it must be the great food. You'll know soon enough because we're cooking up Hawaiian cuisine and getting everyone in a happy state of mind.

In anticipation of Daylight Savings Time, the FDNY will be handing out free Duracell batteries (for smoke detectors) at subway hubs during morning and evening rush hours on Friday, March 11, and a Fire Safety Education Lieutenant Anthony Mancuso to discuss:

• Fire safety tips featuring a firetruck and safety product table top
• The free battery giveaway at subway hubs during morning and evening rush hours
• Important statistics including:
• More than 97 percent of homes have at least one smoke alarm. However, the smoke alarms in a third of those homes do not work due to a missing or dead battery
• Having a working smoke alarm increases your chance of surviving a fire by 50 percent

Every day thousands of people turn to the scientists at the popular blog TheBeautyBrains.com for answers to their most pressing beauty questions.

In Can You Get Hooked on Lip Balm?: Top Cosmetic Scientists Answer Your Questions about the Lotions, Potions and Other Beauty Products You Use Every Day, cosmetic chemist Perry Romanowski reveals how cosmetic products work, what advertising claims actually mean, and how to make smarter buying decisions.

He answered the questions:
1. Can you get hooked on lip balm?
2. Can saliva cure acne?
3. Are nail polish fumes dangerous?
4. Do curling shampoos really work?

Can You Get Hooked on Lip Balm? is available in bookstores now.

With so many people choosing to rent instead of buy, the rental market is tighter than ever. And now there are additional costs to consider when renting. AnnaMaria Andriotis of SmartMoney.com stopped by to explain.

For more on the new costs of rending log onto SmartMoney.com.

New York Times bestselling author Erin Brockovich was a legal clerk when she pursued evidence that amounted to the largest toxic tort injury settlement in U.S. history, forcing utility giant Pacific Gas & Electric to pay out $333 million in damages for contaminating the ground water of Hinkley, CA. Her story became the blockbuster movie Erin Brockovich starring Julia Roberts, in a role that earned the actress an Academy Award.

Now, in her debut thriller Rock Bottom, the first in a series, Erin Brockovich explores the issues she champions every day as an environmental and consumer advocate: protecting communities from environmental crimes that affect people’s lives and health, and the irreplaceable loss of pristine landscapes and potable water caused by greed and lax laws. Writing with award-winning medical suspense author C.J. Lyons, Brockovich delivers a dramatic, fast-paced thriller.

SeaWorld's rescue and education teams will bring their rescue stories and animal ambassadors, including a roseate spoonbill and American alligator to New York area school children. The team will also provide tips on how kids and families can help make a world of difference through ordinary, everyday actions.

SeaWorld is visiting P.S. 6 to learn more about the planned Eco-Center on the roof of the school and to reward the students for their commitment to conservation and the environment.

The SeaWorld folks brought in a roseate spoonbill, alligator and penguins to our studios. For more information, visit www.seaworld.org.

Tamsen Fadal goes one on one with the cast of the play -- Brian Cox, Jim Gaffigan, Chris Noth, Jason Patric, Kiefer Sutherland and director Gregory Mosher.

That Championship Season is a powerhouse drama about the promise of youth... and the challenge of staying in the game. For over two decades, four players and the coach of a high school championship basketball team have gathered every year to re-live their greatest moment of glory. While three of the players have found small-town success, the fourth has never found his way. At this year's reunion, tensions boil over, and as the celebratory evening turns brutal, long-held secrets bubble to the surface and life-long bonds are shattered.

That Championship Season began preview performances on Wednesday, February 9th with an official opening this past Sunday, March 6that the Bernard B Jacobs Theatre (242 West 45 Street). This is a limited engagement through Sunday, May 29th. For more information, visit www.thatchampionshipseason.com.

We're turning back the clock and filling in those lines and wrinkles without emptying out your pocket. From over the counter creams, to at home gadgets and an treatment recently approved by the FDA, Dr. Neil Sadick of helped us share options to help women fight those fine lines on any budget..WINNING!

1. A - L'Oréal Paris Youth Code Collection
Products Available: Youth Code Serum Intense, Youth Code Day/Night Cream, Youth Code SPF 30 Day Lotion and Youth Code Eye Cream
Price: $24.99 each
Hydrate your skin and feel luminous on the big day with the latest in skincare technology from L'Oréal Paris. The new Youth Code collection unveils a breakthrough anti-aging skincare technology that unlocks the genetic code to younger-acting skin.

Backed by 10 years of gene research that's internationally patented, the L'Oréal Paris Youth Code skincare collection is specially formulated with GenActiv TECHNOLOGY™, clinically proven to energize the repair gene expression, enhance the skin's capacity for recovery and unveil younger-acting skin.

Barbara Allen, the author of Front Toward Enemy, gives her account into the alledged cover-up of her husband.

Just four days into his deployment in Iraq, June 7, 2005, Lt. Louis Allen, husband and father of four young boys is killed, alongside his commander and friend Captain Phillip Esposito by 700 steel ball bearings erupting from a clay mine fastened to the window frame outside their military headquarters as they were unwinding from a long day of combat .

The killer was a fellow American soldier, Staff Sgt. Alberto Martinez, a disgruntled supply Sgt, who had previously been removed from his duties by Allen and Esposito for, among other infractions, unlawful disposition of United States Government property to the Iraqis. What happens next is unbelievable and a frightening miscarriage of justice.

In this new book by his widow, Ms. Allen exposes what she says is a military cover up and blatant failure of our military justice system. Sgt. Martinez is arrested, charged with two counts of premeditated murder. He pleads quilty, goes to trial and is acquitted! He is a free man! Ms. Allen claims the military is trying to keep this case under wraps and has denied her husband The Purple Heart.

We checked out common mistakes home buyers make with Vera Gibbons of Zillow.com .The top 5 mistakes homebuyers make are: including

1. Trying to time the market bottom
2. Not researching loan options
3. Buying a house you can't afford
4. Not knowing your credit score
5. Falling in love too quickly

For more financial tips, visit Zillow.com.

Between separation anxiety and childcare concerns, the decision whether or not to return to work after time off for children can be a challenging process for some moms. Meghan Casserly of Forbes Woman was here to talk about the best jobs for working moms.

• Landscape Architect -- Want to create a yard fit for House Beautiful? Working as a landscape architect can be the ultimate green job and mom job. Get zen working with inanimate objects all day instead of people.

• Life Coach -- People change careers, spouses, and zip codes like they change their underwear these days. Be the grounded guide for those confused souls and make a pretty penny while doing so.

Oh, yes. The onions were flying at the James Beard Foundation in the West Village, where PIX 11 Morning News Anchor Tamsen Fadal competed charity cook-off sponsored by Moves Magazine.

She has been paired with chef Chris Siversen of Maritime Parc and they are competing against Julie Chang (Fox5) and Top Chef alum Ed Cotton of Plein Sud and Darlene Rodriguez (NBC) and Top Chef alum Dale Talde of Buddakan.

The three anchors will find out the winner of the Moves Magazine Annual Competition, Thursday, March 10, 2011. For more information, visit www.movesmagazine.com.

It’s true - there aren’t many old-school mom-and-pop shops left, but NYC’s Cowit Furs has managed to survive more than 75 years in the fur matching business. If you haven’t heard of the art and business of fur matching, the three generations of Cowits say it’s simple, they take old furs and make them look new. But in the last year, their business has been all about remodeling – taking grandma’s fur and cutting and shaping it into new fashionable styles, including fur vests, stoles, and hats.

Larry Cowit is half the remaining duo, “There used to be close to a hundred fur matchers in the country and now there’s only 1, and that’s us.” Larry’s brother Steve says right now, fur is hot, partly because it’s been so cold. It’s dripping off the collars and cuffs of more and more luxury labels this year than ever before. And you can thank China for it’s rising price, customers there are buying 70% of furs worldwide. Larry says fur is flying off racks in Russia too, “The last two years in both of those countries…demand is out of control. They literally sell out.”

About 90% of women have cellulite and many have tried everything from creams to massages to eliminate the dimpled skin, caused by bulging pockets of fat that lie just under the skin's surface. We're taking a look at what helps and what doesn't with Life & Style Weekly's Cellulite: Fact or Fiction. Jill, Tamsen and Lisa will guess what is fact and what is fiction.

1. FACT - Pilates can help reduce cellulite.
2. FICTION - Creams can make cellulite disappear.
3. FACT - Skipping sweets can help eliminate cellulite.
4. FICTION - Massage improves cellulite.
5. FACT - Toning sneakers can help reduce the appearance of cellulite.

For more information, visit pick up the latest issue of Life & Style Weekly.

Everyone's cordially invited to the kickoff party for The Nutropolitan Museum of Art - presented by Peanut Butter & Co. and the National Peanut Board to celebrate the start of March which is National Peanut Month!

The exhibit at Openhouse Gallery will be open to the public for three days only (Fri March 4, Sat March 5, and Sun March 6), and guess what? It's FREE to the public and everyone that visits will get a FREE jar of peanut butter. Even better, they are donating a second jar of peanut butter to The Food Bank for New York City for every jar they give away!

Lee Zalben, the founder/president of Peanut Butter & Co., was here to explain more about the event. For more information, visit ilovepeanutbutter.com/nutropolitan.

This morning we spoke to Comedian Chuck Nice, Steve Battaglio, business editor for TV Guide, and Lori Levine, founder of Flying Television on the lastest with Charlie Sheen.

We're recreating Oscar Red Carpet trends with SimplyDresses.com. We recreated the looks ofHalle Berry, Reese Witherspoon, Sandra Bullock and Natalie Portman.

• Halle Berry
Trend: Chic in Champagne (dress, $750)

• Sandra Bullock
Trend: Ravishing in Red (dress, $260 )

• Reese Witherspoon
Trend: Beautiful in Black and White (dress, $298)

• Natalie Portman
Trend: Pretty in Purple (dress, $358)
Black Swan Ring is Wendy Brandes Fine Jewelry.

For more on these dresses, visit SimplyDresses.com.

For more on the shoes, visit, ChineseLaundry.com.

A special thanks to Nicola Augustine for getting our models red carpet ready. For more on Nicola, visit NicolaAugustine.com .

Our Tamsen Fadal gave us a recap of Two and a Half Men actor Charlie Sheen's latest escapades on the talk circuit.

RadarOnline.com's Dylan Howard also weighed in on Charlie Sheen and discussed their exclusive access to the drug testing ABC's 20/20 had Sheen undergo as part of his interview.

Mike Paul, also known as “The Reputation Doctor,” offered up advice on how Charlie Sheen can repair his very damaged image. As president of MGP & Associates PR, Paul has garnered experience working on public perception and image. The company’s motto “Because Your Reputation is Everything.”

And if that is the case, what does actor Charlie Sheen have going for him these day?. In Paul’s opinion, Sheen has not hit rockbottom yet. For more on “The Reputation Doctor” and his company MGP & Associates PR, log onto www.mgppr.com

READ: "Charlie Sheen escalates war of words with TV bosses"
WATCH: "Charlie Sheen smokes during interview; says he'll sue CBS"

A group from Long Branch Middle School in New Jersey are singing a statement about anti-bullying.

The group rewrote the lyrics to a popular Enrique Iglesias song "I Like It" and made it their own to get the word out. Iglesias heard about it and fully supports the kids. He's even trying to help them reach more people. The performance is on his website and has 25,000 hits so far.

Debra Alfarone was at the school to find out more about their positive message.

They say 3,500 is the magic number! This is how many calories you need to cut (or burn) to lose a pound. Shape Nutrition Editor Juno DeMelo was here with ways to cut 100, 250, and 500+ calories from your diet. Here are some tricks that we can share that are easy and will make all the difference:

Save 100+ calories
• Add the olive oil last. We often think of sautéing as a lowfat cooking method, but some vegetables, such as eggplant, mushrooms, and greens, tend to soak up the majority of the fat that’s added to the pan. Try steaming your veggies instead, then tossing them with a few teaspoons of extra-virgin olive oil, a squeeze of lemon, and a pinch of red pepper flakes and sea salt.
Calories saved per cup: 150

We all know eating our vegetables is important for our overall health, yet we all struggle. In fact, a recent survey found that only six percent of men and four percent of women are eating enough vegetables on a daily basis. Kettle Cuisine’s Chef Volker Frick demonstrated a one-pot soup recipe that’s so good you won’t have any trouble getting all of your daily serving’s every time you enjoy a bowl.

Chef Volker Frick, one of the country’s preeminent and more outspoken soup chefs, was here to demonstrate how you can make restaurant quality soup at home and shared with us his recipe for Pan Roasted Vegetable and Potato Soup.

Hollywoodlife.com's Bonnie Fuller stopped by with highlights/lowlights, best and worst dressed, and her report card on how Anne Hathaway and James Franco faired as Oscar hosts.

For more oscar dish, or everything hollywood, log on to hollywoodlife.com.

Gas prices are soaring closer to $100 a barrel as trouble pours out of the Middle East. It looks like transportation is going to cost us plenty for at least the near future, but there are ways to cut back on costs. Consumer Savings Expert Andrea Woroch will shares some frugal fuel-consumption tips so you won't have to leave the gas pump with a half-empty tank, or wallet

1. Use Your Smart Phone
There are plenty of money-saving apps dedicated to trimming everyday expenses, some of which include travel costs. The GasBuddy app will coordinate your location with the best gas prices in your area. Another app worth test driving is CheapGas, which provides precise directions to the nearest and least-expensive gas station.

It's Movie Soundtrack Week at the PIX11 Morning News!

We're counting down to the Oscars with a celebration of famous songs from the movies. We'll be playing film songs throughout the show all week.

Send us your requests by leaving a comment here and listen for them to be played.

2011 OSCAR NOMINATIONS
• Best Picture: Black Swan, The Fighter, Inception, The Kids Are All Right, The King's Speech, 127 Hours, The Social Network, Toy Story 3, True Grit, Winter's Bone
• Actor in a Leading Role: Javier Bardem, Jeff Bridges, Jesse Eisenberg, Colin Firth, James Franco
• Actress in a Leading Role: Annette Bening, Nicole Kidman, Jennifer Lawrence, Natalie Portman, Michelle Williams
• Directing: Black Swan, The Fighter, The King's Speech, The Social Network, True Grit

Liz Lange, designer known for making maternity wear chic and sister Jane Wagman, interior designer inherited a love of shopping from their Upper East Side shopaholic mother.

While Liz prefers classic black and Jane prefers bubble gum pink they both love the rush of the perfect purchase and have figured out when you need to lay out the big bucks and when you can get a deal. They started shopafrolic.com to share their finds with other fashionistas. They'll share spring fashion splurge vs. steal. 4 models, 2 glass tables for shoes

We've covered the highlights and lowlights of Hollywood's biggest night, so as Tinseltown gears up for this weekend, we'll get in the spirit by putting our anchors to the Oscar Challenge. It's John and Tamsen versus Chris and Suki. Jill was keeping score.

If you wish you could hang with the likes of Bono, Blake Lively, Kim Kardashian, and Kellan Lutz, there’s one place where you can find celebrities like these every night of the week, midtown’s Lavo. This week, Chef Manuel Trevino III, sat in the VW Beetle and waited out alternate-side-of-the-street-parking with me.

Trevino has an impressive cooking resume with stints at Le Cirque, Travertine and Bravo TV’s “Top Chef.” He dished about the dishes that make the celebrities swoon. “We opened our first restaurant in Vegas two years ago about 6 months ago we opened up our location on 58th Street and it has been gangbusters ever since we opened the door.”

Moldy cheese, days-old leftovers and other questionable foods are actually often fine go ahead and eat! SELF is giving us the skinny on when to dine and when to ditch in some commonly questioned scenarios. Nutrition director Carin Gorrell for SELF was here to explain more.

• Cook poultry to an internal temperature of 165 degrees
• Hard cheese is safe to eat once moldy portion is removed
• Milk should be ok up to 7 days after the sell-by date
• Make sure your fridge is at about 40 degrees
• Thawed meat will keep for up to 2 days in the fridge

For more tips, visit www.self.com.

On Thursday, The Museum of Tolerance will be holding a special presentation regarding cyber bullying, digital terrorism, and hate crimes that happen online.

The Simon Wiesenthal Center is debuting this year`s findings in front of a group of NYPD officers in order to teach them and make them aware of the threat that the internet holds. This year especially fatal incidences have occurred because of digital bullying and terrorism and the Wiesenthal Center wants to do their part to put it to a stop.

This year the findings have shown a dramatic spike in attacks on the internet being directed toward minorities and religious groups.

Rabbi Abraham Cooper, who will be presenting this reporter later today, stopped by our PIX11 Morning News studio to give us an exclusive sneak peek at some of the research.

• CLICK HERE TO READ THE REPORT.

• CLICK HERE FOR THE INFOGRAPHIC

Judge Karen of Judge Karen's Court stops by to talk to about her show which airs weekdays right here on PIX11, her book "Stay in Your Lane" for which she has a book signing tomorrow night at the Hueman Bookstore at 2319 8th avenue, bw 124th and 125th Streets.
That's from 6 to 8 pm.

She's not just a TV judge and author, Judge Karen is everyone woman, and she's going to whip up a quick and easy recipe that "any and every woman" will appreciate. She'll be making Oven Fries.

February is Black History Month, and the perfect time to have an honest conversation with kids about racism. Parenting Magazine senior editor Deborah Skolnik will offer advice on what to say and when.

Don't be afraid to bring it up. For many parents, the race talk is as difficult as the birds and the bees talk. Dr. Beverly Tatum, president of Spelman College and author of Why Are All the Black Kids Sitting Together in the Cafeteria? And Other Conversations about Race attributes this awkwardness to a lack of communication about race in many of our own childhoods. "There are concerns about saying the wrong thing and sounding racist, even if that is not the intent." says Dr. Tatum. "Sometimes parents naively believe that if they talk about issues of race with their children, they will cause them to notice race in a way that they did not before."

Brooklyn blacksmiths Patrick Quinn and Scott Behr of Total Metal Resource was here with the MetroCard Belt Buckle.

Patrick created it after moving from Vermont to New York and needed easy access to his MetroCard. The shop is owned by Scott Behr, they also make metal furniture and other custom-designed items.

For more information on Total Metal Resource, visit www.tmrnyc.com.

Ben Dworkin, Director of the Rebovich Institute for New Jersey Politics at Rider University, stopped by to discuss Governor Christie's budget proposal.

The Rebovich Institute for New Jersey Politics is dedicated to public service and scholarly analysis of government, public policy, campaigns and elections in New Jersey. To learn more log onto Rider.edu.

Budget stretched to the limit? We've got simple tricks to help you spend less and save more. Stephanie Prommer of Woman's World was here with easy things every family can do to save big.

• Save $200 a year with a "smart" power strip
BITS Smart Strip Power Cord available at Green Depot
Green Depot is located at 222 Bowery in Manhattan

• Save up to $100 a week with coupon-sharing sites
LiveFabuless.com or TheKrazyCouponLady.com

• Save $140 a month by paying with cash

• Save up to $650 a year by choosing spandex fabrics

• Save $100 a year by showing your AAA card

• Use OpenTable.com to earn points for a free meal

For more money saving secrets check out the latest issue of Woman's World.

Your body isn't the only thing that need toning and tightening. Your face could use a little exercise and author Cynthia Rowland's Facial Magic can help. She showed us a special regimen of movements which are supposed to help tighten and tone your face, including sagging eyelids, chin area and forehead wrinkles.

For more Facial Magic exercises, visit www.cynthiarowland.com.

ELLEgirl Model Search joined forces with Style 360 designers Indashio and White Trash Beautiful to give 12 aspiring models the chance of a lifetime during last week's Fashion Week when they were cast in both runway shows. White Trash Beautiful designers Richie Sambora and Nikki Lund helped announce the 2010 grand prize winner: Kristen Ottea, 19, from San Antonio, TX.

In addition to walking in Fashion Week alongside fellow finalists, Ottea was awarded a top agency modeling contract, a professional photo shoot, and the opportunity to work with top casting directors for print and television commercials.

YipIt.com is a new website that aggregates and recommends the best daily deals in New York (and other cities). They collect all the great daily deals from 351 services including Groupon, LivingSocial, Buy With Me, Tippr, Yelp and many more. They recommend the best of the daily deals to their users based on the preferences they have expressed to them. We'll check out some specific deals happening this week with Vin Vacanti.

For more information, visit YipIt.com.

Everyday Icon covers more than just what Michelle Obama is wearing. As a Time writer and former editor in chief of Harper's Bazaar, Kate Betts writes from the unique perspective of both a journalist and a fashion industry leader, providing the first real analysis of how Mrs. Obama has redefined American style.

Michelle Obama’s every outfit and gesture—from her knack for mixing high fashion with affordable labels to her barefoot leap across the White House lawn—has incited scrutiny and sparked conversation. For good reason: as the first African American First Lady she is writing her own rules, establishing a new etiquette, and changing the definition of what it means to be a woman in America today. With her indelible style she changes mores and pronounces values. Her studied sophistication is trendsetting and inclusive. She embraces both style and substance. “This book is about why style matters, and why in particular the style of the new American First Lady Michelle Obama matters,” says Kate Betts in the introduction to Everyday Icon.

Everyday Icon: Michelle Obama and the Power of Style is available in bookstores now.

Imagine watching "Jaws" without that those two notes pulsating (duh-nuh...duh-nuh) whenever the finned villain appears on screen, or picture Darth Vader making an entrance in "Star Wars" without his theme music. It's just not the same. We need soundtracks and music scores to add to the drama of films. And this week, we're paying homage to the motion picture music.

Brian Hiatt from Rolling Stone shared his picks for his favorite soundtracks: "Star Wars" and "Pulp Fiction." He also touched upon the rocker trend in film scoring. Rocker Trent Reznor is nominated for an Oscar this year, and many others have made the transition over the years from 80's group Devo to Danny Elfman.

Here's a bit of trivia: "The Bodyguard" is the best-selling soundtrack album of all-time and "White Christmas" is the best-selling soundtrack song of all-time with somewhere around 50 million singles sold. "Thite Christmas" first appeared in the film "Holiday Inn" in 1942 and later in the movie of the same title in 1955.

In his new book "Presidential Leadership," author and political analyst Nick Ragone highlights many facts about the leaders of our nation. He shared some of the trivia with us this morning as well as discussed 15 presidential decisions that changed our nation.

"Presidential Leadership" is a must-have for anyone history-buff. It also gives real insight into today's leadership and crisis management. Studying the decision-making process by those in such high office is a good foundation for effective business management.

In addition, Ragone weighed in about President Obama's current approval rating and whether or not the Healthcare Bill is really taking a toll on his Presidency.

Chef Andy D'Amico of Nice Matin stopped by for the 4th Annual Stinky Cheese Festival. The Stinky Cheese Festival is a ten day festival that will showcase dishes inspired by stinky cheeses. It's taking place at the various Tour De France Restaurants throughout New York City including, Nice Matin, Marseille, Café D’Alsace, French Roast (Uptown & Downtown), Le Monde, L’Express, Maison and Pigalle.

The festival was designed to attract diners, particularly foodies, who appreciate cheese no matter how strong the stench.

Chef Andy shared the following cheeses this morning:
Raclette: Washed rind, cow's milk cheese, Switzerland.
Accompaniments : Potatoes & Cornichons

Alsatian Munster: Washed rind, cow's milk, France.
Accompaniments: caraway seeds

Stinking Bishop: Washed Rind, cow's milk, England.
Accompaniments: 404 Walnut Raisin Bread

Quadrello di Buffala: Washed Rind, Buffalo Milk, Italy.
Accompaniements: Bresaola

The festival is taking place through Friday, February 25th.

Larry and Lionel stopped by this morning to discuss three topical stories. Now, these guys can talk, but here's the catch : they have just one minute to discuss each of the topics.

Consumer Reports current feature article showcases what do with surplus of stuff filling your home, closet, garage. We're talking about those items you just don't know how to get rid of, such as cellphones and furniture.

• FURNITURE - Try selling on eBay or donate to a charity
• APPLIANCES - ApplianceSmart.com, Best Buy & Sears work with EPA
• CELL PHONES - Earth911.org; call2recycle.com
• FLUORESCENT LIGHTBULBS: They have mercury in them
• HOUSEHOLD BATTERIES: Recycle rechargeable batteries
• ANIMALS: Give to charity such as BeaniesForBaghdad.com

For more on this Consumer Reports feature story, check out the latest issue and visit consumerreports.org.

High school seniors are invited to enter the Verizon Wireless/UNCF Black History Month Essay Contest. Submit an essay about how the evolution of wireless technology has changed the world for a chance to win up to $5,000 toward college tuition.

FIRST PLACE - $5,000 Scholarship
• Free netbook and free DROID X by Motorola

SECOND PLACE - $4,000 Scholarship
• Free netbook and free DROID X by Motorola

THIRD PLACE - $3,000 Scholarship
• Free netbook and free DROID X by Motorola

For details, go to uncf.org.

Allison Gilbert, author of Parentless Parents: How the Loss of Our Mothers and Fathers Impacts the Way We Raise Our Children stopped by to discuss how absence of grandparents affects everything about the way mothers and fathers raise their children

To help your kids remember their grandparents, Allison suggests:
1. Use Specific Language
2. Plan Special Trips
3. Use Technology

To connect with other "Parentless Parents" log onto Facebook.

You can call them fashion police, but instead of pulling you over and handing you a summons, they're handing out tickets to fashion shows. The Mercedes Benz Fashion Force is a sparkly 2012 CLS 63 AMG - and as long as fashion week is going on, it'll be there to give fashionistas a ride or a compliment.

For this week's Alt Side, we parked the bug, and hopped inside along with Jordan Reid from Ramshackle Glam, "We've been driving all over Fashion Week and we've been looking for people with really unique style. It's not about piling on all the trends, it's about that one really great piece whether that's a gorgeous pair of sunglasses, or a great coat or my favorite, the shoes."

Our Tamsen Fadal explores counter-terrorism technology called ACT System by Thermal Matrix. It's a somewhat portable scanning system designed to be easily camouflaged for covert observation and detection in target areas for concealed for explosives and weapons using a camera, laptop and hi-tech software. It does not replace the body scanners at the airport but can work in conjunction with that technology.

For more on Thermal Matrix, visit www.thermalmatrixusa.net.

Our Tamsen Fadal followed contestants while they participated in Bridal Guide's Race for the Rock, a scavenger hunt around the city. All of the clues during the hunt brought them closer to a free $7,000 diamond engagement ring.

We had the winning couple and a live wedding proposal on our show.

Today's Everyday Hero is Vic Butler. He's retiring after 29 years of coaching basketball at Erasmus High School. His biggest accomplishment wasn't achieved on the court, Erasmus High School's basketball coach's biggest victory wasn't on the court - but in getting every kid he mentored to go on to college. All 400 of them.

Butler stopped by the PIX11 Morning News for a look back at the nearly three decades he spent making a difference and changing lives at the Brooklyn high school

When it comes to boxed chocolates, there's nothing worse than craving a caramel and biting an orange crème! Square, round, rectangular and oval, we're deciphering what's hiding inside some common boxed chocolates. It's with Kelly Senyei, content producer for Gourmet Live.

In your typical box of chocolates, there are four basic types – and we’ve got some tips for how you can identify your favorites:

1. CARAMELS
• These will always be square in shape
• They are generally enrobed in milk chocolate
• Some companies may drizzle a complementary chocolate on top, but don’t let that fool you - just look for the square shape

This week, for Valentine’s Day, we invited Bruce Littlefield, lifestyle expert, and author of Garage Sale America, and Merry Christmas America, to sit in the passenger seat and share some tips for those of us last-minute gift-givers.

Bruce clues us in. “Last night, I decided on one stop, I went to TJ MAXX, I gave myself 15 minutes, I had seven gifts to buy, a guy, a girl, my grandma, a pet, a friend, a son and daughter.”

He completed the task, and did it all under $100. “The secret of Valentine's is not to empty your banking account, but to let someone know that you love them.”

Tip #1 from Bruce, “Any present becomes a great present if you creatively wrap it.” And with that, Littlefield whips out a vase seemingly filled with just pink and red colors, but when you pull it out, it’s lingerie!

And if you want to take it to the next level. You can buy a piece of jewelry and a box of chocolates and combined the two. Littlefield took one chocolate out of the box and replaced it with a ring!

Fashion stylist Kevin Lennox helps a New Jersey couple married for 13 years, with two young children, get a makeover for Valentine's Day. See the before and after!

Our "Glam Squad" consisted of:
King of Shaves- http://www.shave.com/
Somme Institute- http://www.sommeinstitute.com/somme.aspx
Louis Licari- http://www.louislicari.com/
VMV Hypoallergenics- http://www.vmvhypoallergenics.com/
TJ Maxx- http://www.tjmaxx.com/
Marshalls- http://www.marshallsonline.com/

No date for Valentine's Day? No Problem. Suzy McCoppin, Playboy.com's "Party Girl," stopped by to talk with Jill Nicolini and the morning show crew to provide tips for all the single ladies (35-54) on how to make Valentine's Day about spending time with your closest girlfriends instead of stressing over a date.

Suzy's top fun-filled Valentine's Day "singles party" tips / themes for the ladies include:
1) Casino Night
2) Dance Party
3) Spa Night with make-up and beauty tips
4) Singles Sleep-over

Lisa checks out the Clear Store to see the technology behind our video Valentine's booth in Union Square. You can still visit the store located at 865 Broadway through Valentine's Day and record your video message of love. You may get to see your video Valentine on PIX11.

Click HERE for a candid, behind-the-scenes look of our morning show.

With Starbucks introduction of the 31 oz. Trenta coffee, we could all use a little grounding of what actually is a normal size portion. Nutritionist Dr. Oz Garcia shares his fool-proof methods on how to use everyday items to gauge and measure proper portion sizes. Dr. Oz Garcia suggested the following comparisons:

- PANCAKE - Compact Disc
- 1/2 CUP OF FRUIT - Tennis ball
- SERVING OF CHICKEN - Deck of cards
- 1/4 CUP - Golf ball
- SERVING OF CHEESE - 6 Dice
- PIECE OF FRUIT – Baseball
- PORTION OF FISH - Checkbook
- BAKED POTATO - Computer mouse
- VEGGIES - A handful

For more information, visit www.ozgarcia.com.

Love and dating has taken on a new meaning, with the use of cell phones. All it take is one wrong text and you can lose your guy or girl.

With Valentine's Day around the corner, Bing has teamed up with the co-authors of Flirtexting to find out a few fun facts, as well give ladies tips on what texts to avoid.

For more fun facts from bing and tips from the Flirtexting experts, visit www.flirtexting.com.

Ellie Krieger, the host of the hit Food Network show Healthy Appetite is a registered dietician and a New York Times best-selling author. she stopped by to show us how to make some yummy dishes and shared with us her recipes for Spiced Red Wine-Poached Pears, Chocolate Fondue and Cinnamon Raisin Rice Pudding.

Ellie believes in educating people on eating healthy in a realistic, delicious and easy way. She believes in living life to the maximum by being in healthy balance, and working with food in a positive way to help achieve that goal.

She is a contributor to New Way RA, an online lifestyle show hosted by Deborah Norville which is geared toward Rheumatoid Arthritis sufferers in which she talks about an anti-inflammatory diet and recipes. And in her years of private practice, she has counseled a variety of clients, from homemakers and CEOs, to celebrities and top models.

She received her undergraduate and postgraduate degrees in nutrition from Cornell and Columbia University. She held the position of director of nutritional services at the prestigious La Palestra Center for Preventative Medicine for several years. She also was an adjunct professor in the New York University Department of Nutrition, Food Studies and Public Health.

She has published three books: Small Changes Big Results, THE FOOD YOU CRAVE: Luscious Recipes for a Healthy Life, and So Easy: Luscious, Healthy Recipes for Every Meal of the Week. For more on Ellie, visit www.elliekrieger.com.

It's called "Oh, ohh, ohhh! Female Pleasure, Desire and Orgasms" and it's just one of the workshops sex educator Megan Andelloux offers and now her sassy presentation are causing a stir in Connecticut.

Anthony Cannella, a Central Connecticut State University associate professor who criticized Megan's presentation at the unversity said: "I think it's a lot of pandering and unnecessary titillation. I don't think kids need any more encouragement than they already have. It's sort of irresponsible in my view. It's really disingenuous to say that it's mainly education."

Megan Andelloux is a nationally Certified Sexuality Educator (CSE) through The American Association of Sexuality Educators, Counselors and Therapists, an HIV educator and a Board Certified Sexologist through The American College of Sexologists. For more on Megan, visit www.ohmegan.com.

READ MORE: College Talk 'Fornication 101' Provokes Criticism

Joe Brosi stopped by to talk about the 2011 World Police and Fire Games, which will be holding a kickoff event. JIM NYC Fire Commissioner will officially put out a call to the New York area community to volunteer and support the 2011 World Police & Fire Games.

The Games have a 25 year history. They happen every two years and are the "Olympics" for firefighters and police officers around the world. There will be competition in 69 different sports from angling to wrestling.

The 2011 World Police & Fire Games will be held in New York City for the first time August 26th to September 5th just days before the 10th Anniversary of 9/11.

Dunkin' Donuts will be sampling their new "Cupid's Choice" heart-shaped donut to those who sign up to volunteer at the Games.

For more information, visit 2011wpfg.org.

Lending guidelines are tighter than a Nicki Minaj outfit and so more and more wanna-be buyers are running into a major financial dilemma: one partner qualifies for the home loan, but the other's job record, credit blemishes or insufficient income fouls up the financing. Financial expert Vera Gibbons of WalletPop.com was here to explain what to do.

• Don't play the blame game, but take action
• Diagnose and fix the problem
• Qualify on your own
• Get a co-borrower
• Wait and see

To learn more about the mortgage process, visit walletpop.com.

Candles are a must-have for Valentine’s Day. They’re a memorable gift for a friend or loved one, and you can even create your own candle at home to gift or use to set the mood. Candlemaker Harry Slatkin showed us how to create the perfect ambience using candles as well as show how to make your own candles.

Materials Needed:
- Wax- Soy Wax Chips or Crisco
- Fragrance
- Glass Container
- Wick/Wick Clips
- Candle Dye (red candle dye supplied by Tractenberg & Co.)
- Fresh Edamame (supplied by Tractenberg & Co.)

There are only a few more days left until Valentine's Day, which is apparently more than enough time for even the stingiest man to get it together.

Our resident MacGuyver, Andrew Ramos managed to put together a dinner, date and gift all for under 15 bucks! With a little help from a local 99 cents store, a culinary genius and of course some creativity - celebrating Valentine's Day was just another effortless day.

We already know that not all food options are created equal, but in some cases, the better choice may just surprise you! From the second you roll out of bed, you're making constant food decisions-"This one, or that one?" Shape's Senior Health Editor, Sharon Liao, will offer advice for lower-calorie options for your favorite foods so you can make the smartest nutritional decision for you!

• Glazed doughnut or bagel with cream cheese?
Answer: Grab the doughnut!
Both are made with white flour, which offers little in the nutrient department, but bagels are much bigger. One can be the calorie equivalent of five servings of bread, and even a medium bagel contains 320 calories, before adding any spreads. A glazed doughnut has only 260 calories and 2 fewer grams of fat than the bagel with cream cheese. Pair the pastry with a glass of lowfat milk to avoid a sugar crash. If the bagel is beckoning, have half a whole-grain one with a light spread of peanut butter.

Top Secret Recipes founder and cookbook author, Todd Wilbur, who has sold more than 5 million books since he started unlocking America’s favorite restaurant recipes. Todd’s 10th book Top Secret Restaurant Recipes 3 was released this fall

Todd’s been perfecting his craft of cloning restaurant recipes and he showed us how to duplicate P.F. Chang's Chicken in Soothing Lettuce Wraps and Serendipity's 3 Frrrozen Hot Chocolate.

Ronald Reagan is celebrating his centennial birthday on Sunday, February 6th. Political anaylist Nick Ragone was here to talk about Ronald Reagan. He spoke about the comparison of Reagan to Obama, how Sarah Palin and how others are "hijacking" his legacy.

Nick's book Presidential Leadership: 15 Decisions That Changed the Nation is available in stores now.

Preparing for the worst and learning a few simple driving techniques can help you avoid a crash in heavy rain, snow, fog and wind. Here with some secrets to staying in control is Jody Rohlena senior editor Shop Smart Magazine.

• SNOW - Steer wheel where you want to go
• HEAVY RAIN - Don't steer or brake suddenly
• FOG - Damp, thick fog will cover the windshield with moisture
• LIGHTENING STORM - Don't touch anything metal if the car gets struck by lightning, the current could pass through them and into you
• WIND - Steer into the wind and slightly stay on course

To learn more about how to drive in any weather, check out the March issue of Shop Smart Magazine.

Feld Motor Sports presents "Advance Auto Parts Monster Jam Freestyle Mania!"

This show will feature some of the most popular monster trucks, including the legendary Grave Digger®, Spider-Man®, Aftershock, Krazy Train, and Samson among others. It also includes freestyle competitions, featuring Monster Jam Freestyle, Quad-FMX, Freestyle Super Bike, Freestyle Motocross and Freestyle BMX during an action packed two-hour show.

Performances at Izod Center will be from February 4 to February 5. For more information, visit www.monsterjam.com.

Financial Expert Vera Gibbons of WalletPop.com will be here to discuss how the unrest in Egypt may impact our wallets.

She says feel it: at the pump, at the grocery store, at the mall and at home.

To celebrate Fashion Week (Feb 10-17th), below, we’ve highlighted some great, FREE events and offers taking place at Time Warner Center.

FREE JAZZ PERFORMANCE
• Delight in hearing Grammy-nominated jazz vocalist, Denise Donatelli, as she belts out jazz standards with her band. (Friday, Feb 11, 6:30-7:30pm, 2nd Fl)
FREE FITNESS
• Sculpt a model body - Equinox is offering a FREE CORE Fitness class (Feb 13, 12:30-1:30pm) AND a FREE VINYASSA Yoga class (Feb 15, 4:30-5:30pm)
• New York Running Company: Bring your special someone in for a competition-fueled relay race through Central Park OR be paired with another cute, athletic single. The fastest couple wins a $125 dinner at Landmarc. The quickest new match wins a $75 gift certificate to Bouchon Bakery for their first date! (Feb 14, 6:30-8pm)
FREE DEMOS
• Watch couture gift wrap demos from Campo Marzio at Kate’s Paperie while admiring designer-made couture paper dresses. (Feb 12 – all day)
FREE APPEARANCES:
• Come meet the fabulous characters and costumes of Priscilla Queen of the Desert, the feel-good musical of the year. Stop by SAMSUNG EXPERIENCE to see the cast perform a medley of their favorite ballads. You could win free tickets to see them on Broadway! (Feb 11, 4:30pm)
FREE BEAUTY
• Look fabulous from head to toe. Get a FREE hair touch-up from Aveda at the Eileen Fisher store. (Feb 16, 2-5pm)

For a complete list of events, promotions and happenings going on throughout Fashion Week, people can visit: www.TheShopsatColumbusCircle.com

Could your kids be hanging out with the wrong crowd? There's at least one way to find out.

We spoke to retired NYPD sargeant Andy Spieler turned private investigator. He specializes in spying on teens and is hired by suspicious parents to spy on their kids. You can call him the "Columbo for Kids."

To learn more about Andy's PI firm log onto www.pifinest.com.

Before a big interview, most job seekers prepare for what questions they’ll be asked – but far too many fail to consider what they’ll say when the tables are turned. Asking smart questions during a job interview is a golden opportunity to set yourself apart from the competition, impress a hiring manager, and ultimately increase your chances of landing the job.

Daryl Pigat, Metro Market Manger for Robert Half International, will discuss the 5 questions every job seeker should ask during an interview.

1. What are the opportunities for advancement, and do you typically promote from within?
2. What types of training programs do you offer?
3. While researching your firm I learned that the company recently [fill in the blank]. Can you tell m e a little bit more about this development?
4. Can you tell me what my average day would be like?
5. What happened to the person who previously held this role?

For more on Robert Half International, visit www.rhi.com.

To keep everyone's spirits high about our Jamaica Trip Giveaway, we're showcasing the music of the island with a performance by New Kingston.

For more on New Kingston, visit www.myspace.com/newkingstonband.

While New York may be a Mecca for quick and convenient cuisines, it's not always easy to find a healthy food choice. Mary Hartley, RD, MPH and Director of Nutrition for CalorieCount.com shares the fact that she actually "lives" on takeout food, without compromising her healthy lifestyle.

Hartley says to be sure to: 1. Order Vegetables First; 2. Order Low-Fat Protein Next; 3. Make One Meal into Two; 4. Augment the Rest. Hartley also recommends whole grain products, and warns against ordering anything fried, crispy, cheesy, creamy or saucy.

Chinese
- Stir fry that is mixed with heavy sauces
- Order brown vs. White rice whenever possible.
- Broth-based soup and a Buddha’s delight (rice and veggies)

Japanese
- Miso, hot and sour and other broth-based soup
- Sushi and sashimi
- The best dipping sauces and condiment choices include low-sodium soy sauce with wasabi paste, ponzu, grated fresh ginger, shiso or shredded daikon radish

This dazzling, diamond engagement ring could be yours if you enter Bridal Guide's Race for the Rock. This annual scavenger hunt takes contestants throughout New York City to find the ultimate grand prize...a diamond engagement ring. ....And it is no ordinary piece of jewelry, it is a Gelin Abaci tention-set diamond valued at over $7,000. The winner will walk away with the sparkler, plus the opportunity to propose live on the PIX11 Morning News.

So if you're thinking about getting engaged, this is the way to do it on the cheap. Enter now until 11:59pm, January 30th. Stay tuned to watch the live proposal on Valentine's Day on the PIX11 Morning News.

Click Here: Enter the Bridal Guide's Race to the Rock

Have you ever thought that your dog bears a striking resemblance to Jerry Seinfeld? Or perhaps, in the right light, your cat could be confused for Mayor Bloomberg or Sarah Jessica Parker?

If so, then bring your pet to a celebrity look-alike contest, hosted by the new Banfield Pet Hospital in NoHo, on Saturday, January 29th.

Dr. Seth Vredenburg of the Banfield Pet Hospital explained all pets and pet parents are welcome to attend and participate. A panel of judges will select one winner who will receive a year's worth of free veterinary care.

Regardless of whom your pet may or may not look like, this event promises to be a purrfectly good time, so come on out and see these howl-arious celebrity look-alikes!

For more on the contest and Banfield Pet Hospital, visit www.banfield.net.

Kiante "The Sneaker Mann" Young is leaving his famous sneakers at home and showing off some trendy boots for the weather. He showed them right in the snow with John Muller.

• Timberland Washington Summit, $140
• Mountrek Lisa Boot, $100
• Nike Air Max Posite Bakin, $215
• Diesel Olsen Boot $130
• Rampage Abigail, $49.99
• North Face Women’s Alycia, $125
• Nike Air Force 1 Duckboots, $165

For more on The Sneaker Mann, visit www.kiante.com.

New York, NY- On January 27, 2011 the creators of Belief Net’s new web series, www.ProphetorMadmantv.com, will open the stage version of “the lighter side of higher consciousness” with their performance of The Ice Cream Man Cometh at the historical 13th Street Theatre in Greenwich Village.

God, a Seinfeld Character, and an Ice Cream Man

When: January 27 and 28 at 7:30 Where: The 13th Street Theatre
January 29 at 3:30 and 7:30 50 West 13th St., NY, NY 10011
212.675.6677

Both the play and the web series involve real life Bruce Adams, an ice cream man from Fort Meyers, Florida. After a life-altering conversation with God, Adams wrote the book Prophet or Madman, and then enlisted the help of publicity guru Steve Allen, head of www.SteveAllenMedia.com, whose team brainstormed a one-of-a-kind PR campaign. “Let’s not only create a web series around Bruce, let’s write and produce a play in New York, film it, and include it in the web series.” Allen, who just happens to be a former actor and Seinfeld alumnus (the Father of the Ugly Baby), combines his acting and publicity skills by sharing the stage with Adams in The Ice Cream Man Cometh and promoting the play… hence, this release. (Sounds like the makings of a Seinfeld episode)

In The Ice Cream Man Cometh, Adams plays himself as he interacts with Allen as Sunshine Steve, a cynical TV reporter, who is interviewing Adams for the local morning news in Fort Meyers. Sunshine Steve has pressing problems of his own that bubble to the surface during the interview, and he grudgingly turns to Adams for advice. A third character lends comic and cosmic relief with an unexpected appearance….the cherry on top. The play and the making thereof will be filmed and included in the footage for the on-going web series, www.ProphetorMadmantv.com, which is featured on BeliefNet at http://blog.beliefnet.com/prophetormadman/.

In www.ProphetorMadmantv.com, the web series, Allen resurrects his old character from Seinfeld days, the Father of the Ugly Baby. Together with Adams, he launches a road trip in his ’89 Honda Civic. Along the way, Pa (Father of the Ugly Baby/a.k.a. Steve Allen) and Scoop (the Ice Cream Man/a.k.a. Adams), encounter family, friends and acquaintances of Adams, as well as celebrities of all types, such as TV star Tony Denison and rock star Mickey Avalon, all of whom dish on his authenticity and attempt to answer the question, “Would God speak to an ice cream man?”

Monster Jam Freestyle Mania Set To Roll Into Long Island and New Jersey For Car Crunching Excitement!
Kids Tickets Priced At An Incredible $15!
Preshow “Party In The Pits” Provides Amazing Chance To Meet The Monsters and Their Drivers Up Close!

Feld Motor Sports announced today tickets are now on sale for a new, explosive and action packed version of Monster Jam® titled Advance Auto Parts Monster Jam Freestyle Mania. Monster Jam Freestyle Mania will be at Nassau Coliseum from January 28 – 30, 2011 and IZOD Center from February 4 – 5, 2011.

This show will feature some of the most popular monster trucks ever assembled to compete at Nassau Coliseum and IZOD Center, including the legendary Grave Digger®, Spider-Man®, Aftershock, Krazy Train, and Samson among others.

Advance Auto Parts Monster Jam Freestyle Mania combines an array of mind-blowing freestyle competitions, featuring Monster Jam Freestyle, Quad-FMX, Freestyle Super Bike, Freestyle Motocross and Freestyle BMX during an action packed two-hour show.

Advance Auto Parts Monster Jam Freestyle Mania will feature the following show elements:

* Monster Jam Freestyle Mania Wheelie Competition - Unlike the traditional power wheelie, where the driver uses the engine’s power to transfer up onto the back wheels, this Freestyle Mania wheelie competition is where the driver will be tested by how the he manipulates the unyielding obstacle course in an attempt to pull off the perfect Freestyle wheelie.

* Monster Jam Freestyle Mania Maniac Challenge - Drivers will be time challenged as they skillfully navigate their way through an obstacle course that includes cars, trucks and more barriers positioned on the track in an attempt to slow down the 10,000 pound trucks.

* Freestyle Mania Jam Session
Integrated into the program will be the first-ever ‘Jam Session,’ where Quad-FMXers, Freestyle Superbikers, Freestyle Motocrossers, and Freestyle BMXers perform simultaneously at one time on the course.

* Monster Jam Donut Competition
Performing a donut while driving has been around for a long time, but through the defiance of monster truck drivers, a regular donut was just not enough. Enter the cyclone, a move where the driver creates enough speed while performing a regular donut that the truck’s rear tires gyrate so rapidly that the truck appears to be nailed to the floor.

* Monster Jam Freestyle Competition
Bigger, better and badder than ever before, this competition will feature fan favorite Monster Jam Freestyle. No rules, no restriction as the trucks pogo-stick their way around the course in an effort to deliver the most entertaining run possible.
A special “Built Ford Tough” Party In The Pits will take place at Nassau Coliseum on Friday, January 28 from 5:30 PM – 6:30 PM and Saturday, January 29 from 11 AM – 1 PM. At IZOD Center, the Party In The Pits will take place on Friday, February 4 from 5:30 PM – 6:30 PM and Saturday, February 5 from 11 AM – 1 PM. The incredibly popular Party In The Pits events give fans a chance to get a view of the trucks up-close and personal and meet the drivers of the 10,000 pound behemoth monster trucks. Pit Passes are $5.00 and are available at the arena box offices and Ticketmaster while supplies last. Pit Pass holders must also have a ticket for the performance for entry.
Tickets are available at the Nassau Coliseum and IZOD Center Box Offices, all Ticketmaster locations or by phone at 800-745-3000. Advance ticket prices are $70.00 (VIP Front Row) and $40.00 (Gold Circle), and Super Value tickets available for $30.00 (adults) and $15.00 (children 2-12). Tickets are $2.00 more on the day of the performance. Additional facility fee and taxes may apply.

NASSAU COLISEUM (Uniondale, NY) – January 29-31, 2011:
Friday, January 28 7:30 PM
Saturday, January 29 2:00 PM 7:30 PM
Sunday, January 30 2:00 PM
IZOD CENTER (East Rutherford, NJ) – February 5-6, 2011:
Friday, February 4 7:30 PM
Saturday, February 5 2:00 PM 7:30 PM

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For more information on Feld Entertainment, visit monsterjam.com or ticketmaster.com

Stretch a dollar a bit further! Diaper bags shouldn't weigh you down anymore that they already do! Melissa Foss of Fit Pregnancy magazine will share their favorite products that will surely lighten your load while proving useful to both you and baby!

• Yes to Baby Carrots Wipes, $6
• Aveeno Baby Moisturizing Wash, $5
• Noodle & Boo Baby Soap, $12
• Burt's Bees Baby Powder, $9
• Poo-pourri Little Stinker Odor Eliminator, $12.95
• Mustela Sunscreen for Baby, $15
• Zulilly.com offers up to 70% off
• Sock a Bye Baby, $40

For the latest in health and nutrition for mom and baby, check out the February issue of Fit Pregnancy.

One person will win five days of customized meal planning from Lori K Wellness ($1,025 value). Start the new year off right!

To enter to win, click here.

Also, text "WELLNESS" to 77944 for weekly health tips from Lori K!

We constantly keep up with what's in and out for fashion, technology, but never for food. Well, that's about to change. The folks at Every Day with Rachael Ray magazine will share some of the food trends that are out and whats in for 2011.

Out: Vacations
In: Foodcations
Keep the skis and bathing suits at home and pack your kitchen knives and apron. We’re all becoming food-crazed and enrolling in cooking classes in exotic places is something that families and spouses are sure to be doing more and more.

Out: Junk Airport Food
In: Gourmet airport food
We love what JFK has done with the JetBlue terminal and even some of the best chefs in the country are realizing there’s a hungry and deserving customer base in the country’s airports that have been underserved for far too long!

For most of us, lost money is what's under couch or in a coat pocket, but there are much larger unclaimed assets out there waiting to be recovered! Vera Gibbions of WalletPop.com stopped by to tell us just how much.

Money in old banks accounts you've forgotten about, wage checks, dividend checks you never cashed, rent deposits, tax refunds, savings bonds etc. There are billions out there waiting to be claimed! Do you have "lost" money? We'll tell you how to find out.

MISSINGMONEY.COM
FIND: old bank accounts you forgot about; stock dividends; insurance refunds; annuities, customer overpayments. 1 in 8 Americans have some missing money. Average amount is $800-$1,000

Home sweet home is getting hooked up! Lisa Casey-Weiss was here with gadgets and gizmos from the 2011 International Home and Housewares Show.

• CityKitty Automatic Training Kit, $29.99
• Folding Cane with Glow-In-the-Dark Handle, $24.99
• The Dipr
• Zoku Quick Pop Maker, $49.95
• Spectroline CellBlaster, $97.50
• Nespresso Pixie
• Kids Line Baby Chef Food Center, $149.99
• Ultimate Gym Towel, $19.99
• The RakaStaka
• One Less Can, $9.99

For more on the 2011 International Home and Housewares Show, visit www.housewares.org.

Five West Supper Club in Hoboken is hosting a party where the staff will bring awareness to food allergies and the dangers of dining out.

The event takes place on Saturday, but we're going to get a preview from the restaurant manager. Also onboard is the Food Allergy Initiative (FAI).

This leading advocate for food allergies awareness will give tips on how to eat out and order safe.

It was a story that tugged at our heart strings. More than a dozen dogs rescued from a house of horrors on Long Island. Hempstead Animal Control officers pulled 17 abused and neglected dogs from a home in Rockville Center last week.

They were in pretty bad shape and rushed to the Hempstead Animal Shelter where they've been getting around the clock care. The dogs look a lot different now thay they've gotten some much needed TLC.

Kate Murray, Hempstead Town Supervisor, told us how we can adopt these dogs and give them a proper home.

For more information on adoption you can log onto the Town of Hempstead website at www.toh.li or you can call (516) 489-6000

With an emphasis on delicious living, Crazy Sexy Diet offers a prescription for anyone who wants to feel and look better-and be better to the planet, too.

Carr, subject of the TLC documentary Crazy Sexy Cancer (which she also wrote and directed) and best-selling author of Crazy Sexy Cancer Tips and Crazy Sexy Cancer Survivor, is living an exceptionally active, healthy, and happy life seven years after being diagnosed with a rare and incurable Stage IV cancer.

In her new book, Crazy Sexy Diet: Eat Your Veggies, Ignite Your Spark, and Live Like You Mean It!, Kris details her diet and lifestyle renovation plan that will transform your life and help keep you going and glowing, inside and out.

For more on Carr and Crazy Sexy Diet, visit crazysexylife.com.

We regret to inform you that brunch as you know it is gone, possibly forever. The good news is its replacement brought some serious DJ chops and something a whole lot stronger than your typical Bloody Mary.

Introducing Daytime Deviation @ The West Five Supper Club, brunch's more outgoing evil twin, currently living it up once a month on the Corner of 5th and Madison in Hoboken. Find your way to the West end of Hoboken and look for the window front with a tree silhouette. Walk through the front doors into a place where mimosas flow like water, dancing is expected, and there's a lot more champagne than orange juice.

Brunch 12pm - 6pm. Reservations needed for dining Bar space available without reservation

http://kaufman-center.org/merkin-concert-hallThree local competitors from the 2011 New York USA Yoga Asana Championship, hosted by Bikram Yoga NYC stopped by to talk about the competition.

On Sunday, January 23 yogis will flock to the Merkin Concert Hall at the Kaufman Center to test the boundaries of balance, strength and flexibility. Three minutes, seven poses, and a slew of unwavering yogis are the makeup of an intense Yoga Championship competition.

The championship, now in its eighth year, welcomes New York City's own famed cabaret performer, actor and comedic pianist, Mark Nadler, as M.C. and Rajashree Choudhury, teacher at Bikram's Yoga College of India and wife of Bikram Choudhury, as one of the judges.

We've all commited "shoe-i-cide" at some point in our quest to step out in style, but no need for all the foot pain. Some sole comfort is here! A recent New York Times article showed how brands like Naturalizer, Aerosoles and Geox are at the forefront, implementing comfort technology without sacrificing style. Style Expert Maura Duggan was here to show us how these shoe companies are incorporating comfort technology with the latest trends.

• GEOX - Breathable Sole with a patented membrane
• Camper- P87 Cushioning System
• Aerosoles - Comfort Heel Rest, Scored Sole and Extended Calf Room
• Kenneth Cole Shoes with Memory Foam
• Naturalizer - N5 Technology (insole, lightweight, ergonomic, cushion, breathable) - showing ballet flat $75

Chef Alton Henry shared with us his recipe for The Perfect Jerk Roasted Chicken and showed off other tasty dishes. He and friend David Rooney helped us kick off PIX 11's Jamaican Your January vacation contest.

Hollywoodlife.com's Bonnie Fuller stopped by to talk about the highs and lows of the Golden Globes and what those wins or losses mean for the nominees come Oscar night.

The New York Public Library's Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture is set to launch Black History month on February 1 with two incredible exhibitions: one on exquisite quilts created by quilters of African descent based in India; the other centers around views of Harlem from the perspective of 25 photographers -- emerging and established.

Howard Dodson, chief of the Schomburg Center since 1984, is a specialist in African-American history and a noted lecturer, educator and consultant. He stopped by to explain more about the exhibit.

The world-renown Schomburg Center was founded 85 years ago. It is named after Arturo Alfonso Schomburg, a Puerto Rico-born historian and lifelong-collector of artifacts, books, documents, art related to the African Diaspora and African American experience.

For more information on the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, visit www.schomburgcenter.org.

We all dread doing housework, but it can be a little fun if you have the right tools...or at least easier. Nia Ready from The Container Store, was here to show us new gadgets and gizmos for indoor and outdoor cleaning. They're guaranteed to make any chore more enjoyable.

Tip 1:
The first thing we should do before starting housework is to put a cleaning schedule in place and create a cleaning command center. This will prevent housework from overwhelming you and your family. After you make a schedule, find one place in your home for all your cleaning solutions. This will be you command center. It you live in a tiny apartment, create a portable center by using a caddy.

Products:
Magnetic Monthly Calendar Lime
elfa Mesh Laundry Storage White
Rectangular Cleaning Caddy
Grook 5-Hook Tool Holder Black

He moved up through music and dance, and even after his sudden death, Micheal Jackson's legacy continues. Rabbi Shmuley was here live to talk about the King of Pop. He told us about his new book Honoring The Child Spirit - Rabbi Shmuley Boteach In Conversation With Micheal Jackson.

Honoring The Child Spirit - Rabbi Shmuley Boteach In Conversation With Micheal Jackson is available on Amazon.com.

Makeup myths debunked! Today, we once and for all, separated fact from fiction when it comes to your beauty routine. Celebrity Makeup Artist and Founder of Sue Devitt Beauty, Sue Devitt, stopped by with the scoop.

• BEAUTY MYTH:Test foundation on your hand first.
THE TRUTH: Test foundation on your jawline for perfect match

• BEAUTY MYTH: Foundation should always be worn all over face.
THE TRUTH: Foundation can be worn just on the T-Zone. Apply to forehead, nose and chin and blend out for natural look

No need to sacrifice style or comfort this winter. The season's best clothing and gadgets marry fashion with function. Prevention Magazine's Fitness Editor Jessica Cassity show us how to conquer the cold from head to toe. Today's featured items included:

• Saucony Ult-Mitt II, $40
• The Original Buff, $27
• Point6 Socks, $13 to $21.99
• The YakTrax Pro, $29.95
• Run-Phones, $50
• New Balance Windblocker Jacket, $130.00
• Columbia Sports Women's Black Diamond Dash Parka, $270

For the latest in health and fitness, check out the february issue of Prevention Magazine or visit www.Prevention.com.

A modern-day Dr. Doolittle, Marc Morrone really knows how to talk to the animals -- and about them, too. He is Martha Stewart's go-to guy in the world of four-legged and winged beasts, from dogs to cats, rabbits to ferrets, parrots to canaries, and he is bringing his wisdom to Hallmark Channel for a new season of Petkeeping with Marc Morrone, which premiered in January 3.

Marc’s 30 years of experience combined with his quirky and charming approach to taking care of his friends in the animal kingdom makes this subject informational and highly entertaining. Joined by top animal behaviorists and veterinarians along with his trademark menagerie of pets, the show is filmed in Parrots of the World, Marc’s pet shop, in Rockville Centre, New York. Customers and their family pets stop by seeking Marc’s advice on every topic from common cat/dog myths and misconceptions to how to keep children and pets safe and happy while living under the same roof.

The weather outside, may be cold and harsh. But did you know it can also wreak havoc on your skin? Cosmetic Surgeon Dr. Arthur Perry and the co-founder of Fresh Lev Glazman stoped by with tips on how you can give you an extra boost, which included:

• Drink plenty of water
• Use a humidifiers
• Exfoliate
• Use winter sunscreen

Home Remedies
• Heal With Honey
Indulge in an at-home revitalizing facemask of pure Manuka honey. Rich with natural enzymes, honey gently exfoliates the skin. This specific kind is made by bees in New Zealand and has additional anti-bacterial properties that do wonders for your skin. Because honey is a popular allergen, be sure to test it first on the side of your neck to make sure you don't experience any burning sensations or itch before using it as a mask.

• Sugar Face Polish
Sugar face polish utilizes sugar with real strawberries. You can use this as a mask and an exfoliator.

Exercise, makeup and even caffeine are part of a daily routine for most women - but could those habits be doing more harm than good to our aging process? Dr. Neil Sadick stops by with five surprising things women do everyday that may be aging their skin.

• High impact exercise - Can lead to sagging skin and loss of volume
• Birth control pills - Can give you Melasma, resembling age spots
• Makeup application
• Caffeine and alcohol
• Hormone replacement

It can happen anywhere. The supermarket, the mall, even at the park. You turn around to grab your child's hand and they're not there. Now there's a new GPS tracking device from SecuraTrac, that let's you know exactly where your child is at all times.

SecuraPAL Guardian is a small Personal Automated Locator that can be placed in a child's pocket, backpack or attached to a belt. The device is tracked via a cell phone or laptop. There's also an SOS button, which when pressed, sends a text message or e-mail to the parent, with the child's exact location. Each SecuraPAL Guardian can also be setup with SecuraFences, a virtual boundary. If the child enters or leaves this boundary, an alert is sent to the parents via text or e-mail.

SecuraPAL Guardian is not only for children. It can also be used for the elderly, people with dementia, and for pets.

The lastest model, LifeTrac Mobile Protector, includes all of the same features, but can also be used to make and receive emergency calls with up to four preset buttons.
For more information on how to purchase or rent a device, log onto www.cmstelehealth.com.

Written by Lisa Mateo

With the holiday season behind us, we could all use a little pick-me-up. But our piggy banks are tapped from all that gift-giving. Polly Blitzer, founder of the No. 1 online beauty magazine, BeautyBlitz.com, found the best ways to jump-start a gorgeous new year - on a budget wi