In this issue:
Refrigerator Study Request
Whole Foods Fashion Show
Tickets to Arctic Tale
Junior League Call for Volunteers

The fact that you are reading this makes me believe that instead of heading off on travels around the world this July 4th Holiday, you have most likely headed on travels to the local pool or have been exploring your backyard. In honor of this, I offer you the benefits of the home vacation...no one has screamed "when are we going to get there" in your ear as you drive by a police officer at 75 miles an hour, no one has told Grandma that her "face looks funny with all those lines", nothing sticky has been spilled on the new dress that you bought "just for this special vacation" and no one will come home more tired than when they left and wondering why they bothered to leave at all.

Sounding better by the moment right? Well, there's always more here at EssentialMom.com...The "more" we are offering to the smart folks who decided to stay home this week, is a first crack at some interesting deals and special events coming soon! Check out the fun below and get in on the goods before everyone else returns with their cranky, sunburnt kids and unhappy, running back to work husbands.

Enjoy the week wherever you are and Happy Fourth of July! The summer is officially here!

Calling all Moms interested in improving product design and appliance usability. SIS International, a NYC-based research firm, is seeking Moms between the ages of 29 and 39 in the New York City area to participate in a consumer research study about refrigerator use in the modern American family.

You will be compensated for your participation if selected. If you are a match for either one of the following hands-on studies (to be conducted in your own kitchen), please send an e-mail with all of your pertinent details to research@sisinternational.com. Participants will be screened on a first-come, first-served basis. Please provide your age, kids' ages and refrigerator make, model and year purchased.

For either project, you must be:
Female
29-39 years old
Born in the US
Married
Family of 4 or larger

Project 1 is an observational 'home visit' in which our clients (a four-person team) will spend two hours at your home and ask a series of questions about how you use your refrigerator. Compensation: $300. You must own one of the following (or equivalent) models:
-- a side-by-side (ice & water dispensing) refrigerator by GE Profile or Whirlpool, purchased within the last 2 years
-- a 3-door refrigerator (Bottom Freezer) by LG, purchased within the last 2 years

Project 2 is an interactive 'home stay' (begins: noon, Saturday, July 21 and ends 3pm, Sunday, July 22) Participants will provide two rooms for the clients (an eight-person team) for an overnight stay, and cook three meals for the clients. Clients will also accompany participants on one grocery shopping trip. Compensation: $1500. You must own:
-- a 3-door refrigerator (Bottom Freezer) by GE Profile or Whirlpool (or equivalent), purchased within the last 2 years

For more information or to submit your name for consideration, email research@sisinternational.com.

A story of unsinkable family devotion, unfolding courage and extraordinary survival, ARCTIC TALE takes audiences of all ages on an epic adventure inside an icy kingdom at the very top of the earth, where a bold little polar bear and wily young walrus are about to tackle the brave new world that confronts them, with everything they've got. More than five years in the making, the film's stunning and emotional images reveal the beauty, comedy and urgent dangers facing one of the most awe-inspiring, mystery-filled places on our planet. The storyteller of this unforgettable ARCTIC TALE, with a script written partly by nature itself, is Academy Award® nominee Queen Latifah.

Paramount Classics presents a National Geographic Films production in association with Visionbox Pictures, ARCTIC TALE, directed by Adam Ravetch and Sarah Robertson. The producers are Keenan Smart and Adam Leipzig, and Kevin McCarey and John Manulis are executive producers. Kattie Evans is co-producer.

NYMetroParents has just secured over 600 tickets to screenings of the movie and are inviting EssentialMom.com readers to participate in the ticket give-away contest. There will be a screening in White Plains on Thursday, July 19th at 7pm. To submit your information, Click here.

Combine your love for golf while supporting local families and children all at the same time!!

The Junior League of Northern Westchester (JLNW) is currently seeking volunteers for The Barclays Golf Tournament. Volunteer participation on behalf of JLNW will bring a share of the tournament profits into our community to support JLNW volunteer activities such as events focused on health and nutrition, family wellness, intergenerational programs and many others.

This year's tournament takes on great significance as it will be the first tournament of the new four-event PGA TOUR Playoffs for the FedExCup. The Barclays status as the first FedEx Cup tournament guarantees an amazing field of players at Westchester Country Club the week of August 20-26th. As a volunteer you receive two passes to the entire tournament and an invitation the exclusive Volunteer Appreciation dinner on Saturday August 25th.

Please consider participating in this exciting event on behalf of the JLNW! Be apart of the on-course action or gallery support. This is a great activity for the entire family. The minimum age for volunteers is 14 years old, and letters to schools are available for community service credit. Click here to register. Please mark your affiliation as the Junior League of Northern Westchester. All volunteer fees will be reimbursed by the Junior League.

If you have questions, please contact the JLNW at 914/234.4714 or info@JLNW.org.

The Junior League of Northern Westchester is a non-profit organization of women committed to promoting voluntarism, developing the potential of women and improving the communities through the effective action and leadership of trained volunteers. Its purpose is exclusively educational and charitable. For those interested in learning more about, or joining, The Junior League of Northern Westchester please call 914/234.4714, or email: info@ jlnw.org.

Junior League of Northern Westchester, P.O. Box 229, Bedford, NY 10506 Tel/Fax: 914/234.4714. Email: info@jlnw.org Web: www.jlnw.org