Advice

Paul M. Anderson GLENDALE -- Pick-pockets and thieves beware. Glendale police are beefing up patrols and setting up several stings to catch crooks red-handed during the busy holiday shopping season thatwhich officially kicks off Friday. Police officials did not want to disclose exactly what they have planned, but undercover officers will be in crowds looking for pick-pockets, said Glendale Police Sgt. Rick Young. Last year, police set up a sting in the Glendale Galleria parking lot with open cars bearing gifts, and several thieves took the bait, Young said.

Within a span of three weeks, I've become a motivational guru. I never intended to be one, because when I try to motivate myself to actually do homework, go workout or take out the trash, it never seems to pan out. But little did I know that a 20-inch, 715-word column I wrote April 1 would motivate a local softball team. I analyzed the strengths and weaknesses of the three area teams -- Crescenta Valley, Hoover and Glendale -- that figured to be in contention for the Pacific League championship.

Editor's note: The following appeared in the January 1843 issue of Robert Merry's Museum (published 1841-1872). One of the premiere U.S. children's magazines of its day, the Museum published the work of the most important authors for children. Well, here we are again at the opening of a new year! It might seem that New Year's Day had come so often as to have lost its interest; that by repetition it would become stale; that the words, "I wish you a happy new year!"

State Sen. Carol Liu teamed up with 10-year-old Gerry Orz on Wednesday to talk about the bullying that plagues local schools. As a third-grader in the San Gabriel Unified School District last year, Gerry was bullied for having two moms and for being too tall, among other things. “Kids would kick him to the ground. His pants were torn up,” his mother, Kate Orz, said. But Gerry didn't say a word on Wednesday because he had taken a daylong vow of silence to honor those who suffered from bullying this year.

ALTADENA - While Ramses Barden stands in the middle of a critical crossroads in his career, the first-time free agent and possibly former New York Giants wide receiver took a timeout to speak at a local children's mental-health service. Barden visited Hathaway-Sycamores Child and Family Services' all-boys residential treatment facility in his hometown of Altadena Wednesday. The Flintridge Prep graduate shared with the group of around 40 people about keys to success and following your dream.

With some help from an assistant, Matt Sidlinger displayed his Braille machine Tuesday to roughly two dozen Glendale Community College students. He also offered his phone number and e-mail to anyone who wanted to read Braille ? his part in an effort of reaching out during an outdoor event organized to commemorate Disability Week at Glendale Community College. ?I?ve been learning since I was 3,? he said. ?And I?m still learning math.? Sidlinger, who is blind, joined fellow student Kimberly Staley and alumnus Jorge Acevedo to share their life experiences and worldview in the college quad.

The Associated Press last week published a story about David Ramsey of Brentwood, Tenn. He’s touted as a “Christian money guru” who mixes faith and financial advice by arranging money classes through churches where he uses the Bible to support his ideas of wise money spending. Critics feel that Ramsey’s financial advice does not belong in church, that “It was a way to make money instead of deliver a message.” What do you think about what Ramsey is doing?

Could it be déjà vu all over again? Thursday afternoon the Glendale Redevelopment Agency put on a seminar "Invest in Glendale" for about 200 invited guests. It did so for the express purpose of demonstrating that the city of Glendale is a city of promise and a worthwhile place to invest. I tend to agree. The staff described the many projects in the planning stage, and some that are under construction. The most notable are the Embassy Suites Hotel and the Americana at Brand. The Americana has become the catalyst for a renewal of activity in the redevelopment area of Glendale.

Graduations make this time of year particularly exciting, so Glendale High PTSA President Sydney Swainston offers congratulations and advice. ?Not much beats a nice diploma on the wall. And all the best to our seniors who aren?t graduating yet, but are continuing to attend school until they finish,? she said. ?Winning the race of life consists of showing up and finishing what you start. You don?t have to be the first one out the gate or at the finish line, as long as you get there with honor.

A few things to keep in mind if you're thinking of remodeling. These come from the Contractors State License Board. We hope you find them useful. For most Californians, a home improvement project is a huge investment. The Contractors State License Board (CSLB) wants to make sure homeowners make the most of the investment by hiring a competent and reputable contractor to do the job. Each year many homeowners get taken advantage of by fraudulent operators who are unlicensed and are trying to make quick cash.