In this issue:
Happy Baby
Loukoumi Dream Day Contest
ProBody Optimum Nutrition Series
PPHP Luncheon
James Presents John Jordan
John Jay Road Race

Dream Day will take place at libraries, schools, bookstores and retailers nationwide from October 1 through January 31. 25 prize-winning finalists will be selected with 3 top winners living their dream career for a day (Ie:, if they want to be an actor they can visit a production set; a firefighter, they can visit a firehouse).

Contest judges include the narrators on the book's accompanying CD: Oscar winner Olympia Dukakis, Grammy Winner Gloria Gaynor, American Idol's Constantine Maroulis, CBS News anchor Alexis Christoforous, and Guiding Light's Frank Dicopoulos. The judging panel also includes actress Florence Henderson, Make-A-Wish Foundation of America VP Jennifer Maher, iParenting Media Editor-in-chief Elisa All, and The Children's Museum of Manhattan. iParenting Media is also a promotional sponsor.

Growing Up With Loukoumi, the second in a series of children's books by Nick Katsoris, following Loukoumi in 2005, has been featured on several national programs including The Martha Stewart Show, which called it "Charming, beautiful and gives confidence." Other media outlets followed suit including The Morning Show with Mike & Juliet (calling the book "inspiring!"), Good Day New York ("Adorable"), NY Daily News ("Darling"), and The Journal News ("A heartwarming story of a little lamb with big aspirations").

The Growing Up With Loukoumi CD includes a narration of both Loukoumi books plus an original song by Gloria ("I Will Survive") Gaynor called "Believe." The book has been featured at over 150 Barnes & Noble storytimes nationwide, where it reached their children's bestseller list in April. $2 from the sale of each book/CD benefit a national children's charity.

For more information on Dream Day, to locate an event near you or to set up a Dream Day event with your school, library or retailer visit: www.Loukoumi.com, e-mail info@loukoumi.com or call: 212-397-2804.

Read more about the Loukoumi contest here!

* Sponsored by Growing Up With Loukoumi.

* Sponsored by ProBody

Planned Parenthood Hudson Peconic, Inc (PPHP) will honor four dedicated advocates and community leaders at the Empower Lunch 2007 on October 26th at Tappan Hill Mansion in Tarrytown, N.Y.

PPHP will honor New York State Senator Suzi Oppenheimer, Mount Vernon City Clerk Lisa Copeland, and former PPHP Board Chair Daphne Philipson and her husband Bob Philipson, with the Community Leadership Award. Now in its fourth year, the Empower Lunch has established itself as one of the most successful PPHP events.

Ann Crittenden, award-winning journalist and author of If You've Raised Kids, You Can Manage Anything and The Price of Motherhood will be the special guest speaker.

Empower Lunch chairpersons are Jamie B. Gordon, Randi Robinowitz, and Jill C. Scheuer.

Empower Lunch 2007 will be held on Friday, October 26th from 11:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the Tappan Hill Mansion in Tarrytown, N.Y. Tickets start at $150 and can be reserved by calling the Manager, Annual Campaign at (914) 467-7321. Deadline to purchase tickets is October 12th. Purchase tickets online at www.pphp.org. Proceeds from the event help PPHP sustain and expand medical, counseling, education, and advocacy services in Westchester, Rockland, and Putnam Counties.

Planned Parenthood Hudson Peconic, Inc. has served the community for almost 75 years. Planned Parenthood is dedicated to educating and empowering individuals to make responsible choices regarding their sexuality and sexual health. Through its health centers and educational programs, Planned Parenthood has done more to reduce the incidence of abortion and unintended pregnancy than any other health care provider or advocacy group. For more information about PPHP services and programs, visit www.pphp.org.

Don't have anyone to sit with? Ask to sit with me at the EssentialMom.com table, I'd be happy to have you!

James presents John Jordan, Outsider Art
A self-taught artist and 50 year resident of Bedford Hills.
September 25th through October 26th

John Jordan documents the memories of his 88 years through his inspired, intuitive and prolific artistic creations. The passion of his desire to create can be seen in each piece, from drawings and paintings to sculpture and collages. John has an innate talent for mark-making and for story-telling. It is a talent that is untouched by art training and therefore it holds a primitive or naive quality which is mixed with John's wit, sharp sense of humor and keen observation of life.

JAMES is a design boutique and gallery in Bedford Hills, NY.

JAMES features fine art along with home furnishings and accessories, semi-custom clothing, and jewelry by contemporary designers and artists mixed with antique and vintage pieces. The semi-custom clothing and jewelry are hand-made at our on-site studio.

With a focus on art and design and an appreciation of traditional crafts, we strive to support and promote environmentally sustainable sources and socially responsible production.

The owner and designer, Cynthia Brennan graduated from the Rhode Island School of Design and the New York Botanical Garden. This training, combined with experiences growing up in Tehran, Iran and Milan, Italy, have informed her visual language and an appreciation for other cultures.

Cynthia lives in Katonah, NY with her architect husband and 3 children. Her youngest son, Patrick James, was the inspiration for the shop.

JAMES is open Tuesday through Saturday, 10am to 5:00pm. 21 Babbitt Rd., Bedford Hills, NY. Telephone 914-514-8981.

Proceeds from the race will go to support the John Jay Homestead Carriage Barn Campaign as well as Westchester Land Trust and the Bedford Riding Lanes Association.