When it comes to baseball there are a few names that ring out louder than the sound of the ball hitting the bat. Arguably one of the most famous is Babe Ruth. Read on for some interesting history about the Sultan of Swat.

Wikimedia Commons

1. Babe Ruth was born on February 6, 1895, as George Herman Ruth.

2. But for decades he thought his actual birthday was February 7th, 1894. He only discovered his real birthday after applying for a passport for a trip to Japan in 1934. 

3. Ruth was sent to a Catholic Boys Reformatory school at the age of 7. Each child was trained with an industrial career. Ruth was trained to be a shirt maker.

4. Young George Ruth played baseball at the school, thanks to encouragement by the monks.

5. For a time, young Ruth lived above what is now Camden Yards in Baltimore, above one of his father's saloons. 

Wikimedia Commons

6. He was signed to the major leagues at the age of 19.

7. He is the only baseball player in history to have the last name Ruth. 

8. He was the first baseball player to hit a home run in the All-Star game, at Chicago’s Comiskey Park in 1933.

9. Why Babe? Some say it’s because Ruth was so young when signed to MLB he required legal guardianship and was “adopted” by one of the monks. Others say it was just because he was still merely a babe.

10. His other nicknames included Bambino, the Home Run King and The Sultan of Swat.

 

Ed Browns via Wikimedia Commons

11. He began his career as a pitcher: Ruth was both a left-handed pitcher and a left-handed batter.

12. He was the first highest plaid player when in 1930, his salary hit the $80,000 mark. 

13. Ruth played for the Boston Red Sox (1914-1919), the New York Yankees (1920-1934) and briefly the Boston Braves (1935).

14. In six seasons with Ruth, the Red Sox won three World Series titles. In 107 seasons without him they have won four.

15. Babe Ruth had what many consider to be his finest season in 1921. He hit .378/.512/.846 with 59 home runs, 171 RBIs and 177 runs scored. The home run and RBI totals were single-season records. 

Wikipedia Commons

16. While the myth surrounding the "Curse of the Bambino" states Ruth was sold to finance the musical No, No, Nanette, it was, in fact, the musical My Lady Friends, which benefitted from the sale. 

17. At an exhibition game (a “for fun” or charity game) on April 2, 1931, a 17-year-old female pitcher named Jackie Mitchell struck Ruth out (Mitchell then went on to strike out Lou Gehrig.)

18. Babe Ruth was knocked unconscious during a game at Griffith Stadium in Washington D.C. He hit a concrete wall trying to catch a foul ball.

19. Although many believed him past his prime, on May 25, 1935, Babe Ruth played one of his final games in the major leagues hitting 3 home runs in a single game. He retired the next week.

20. In 1914, he married Helen Woodford, a coffee-shop waitress he met on his first day in Boston.

Skeeze via Pixaby

21. Babe Ruth only had one child in his lifetime. He had a daughter named Dorothy Ruth with Juanita Jennings.

22. Babe Ruth retired in 1935 and was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1936. He was one of the first five players to be inducted. The Yankees retired his famous number 3.

23. Upon his retirement, he was the career record holder in home runs, RBIs, total bases, walks and strikeouts.

24. The Sultan of Swat played 2503 games in his Major League career. During that time he had 2174 runs and stole 123 bases. Of his runs, 714 were home runs. In 1927 alone he scored 60 home runs. (This was the world record until Hank Aaron hit 755 in 1974 and Barry Bonds reached 762 in 2007 for the all-time record.)

25. In 1922, you could get chocolate-covered ice cream balls called Babe Ruth Home Runs. They cost 10 cents.

26. The candy bar, Baby Ruth, is most likely named for Babe Ruth. The bar was formerly called Kandy Kake but the name was changed right around Ruth’s rise to popularity. Because “official” permission was not requested, the company (then the Curtiss Candy Co.) denied that Babe Ruth was the namesake. However, in 1995, the Babe Ruth estate licensed his name and likeness for use in a Baby Ruth marketing campaign with Nestle. 

 

Wikimedia Commons

27. Babe Ruth appeared as himself in four different movies. In one, he lost 40 pounds in order to play a younger version of himself.

29. Yankee Stadium opened on April 18, 1923. Ruth hit the first home run there, earning it the name “The House that Ruth Built.” In 1947, Happy Chandler declared April 27 officially Babe Ruth Day, and Ruth addressed the crowds at Yankee Stadium. At the time, Ruth had already been diagnosed with throat cancer.

29. Babe Ruth died at the age of 53 in 1948. For two days, his coffin was laid in state (open casket) at Yankee Stadium for fans to pay their final respects. More than 100,000 people attended.

 

 

 

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Whether you are a new mom, or a well-seasoned coraller of kids, a little extra support never hurt. Finding moms to turn to for advice and lean on as you make your way through all of the stages of motherhood is an important part of staying healthy, happy and top of your game for your kiddos. The following is a list of Portland moms groups offering local parents support. Read on to find out more.

Day Hike Moms
This is a Day Hike Group for moms and their children in the Portland area. This is a way to get out of the house, out of a rut, to explore nature with your kids and to become part of nature again. It is a great way to exercise, feel some serenity, and teach your children about what life is outside the city.

Jewish Moms 
Connecting Jewish Moms across Portland, to each other, to community events and to their Judaism. Members share  great activities, fun bargains, questions, events and outings that a Portland Jewish Mom would enjoy... especially in the rain!

Mamapedia
Mamapedia connects moms at every stage of their children's lives to compelling content from the source they trust most: other moms. Every day, moms turn to Mamapedia.com for advice on everything moms need: parenting, health, family, finance, pregnancy, nutrition, and travel; and on children of every age from infant to adult. Our vibrant local community network (formerly known as Mamasource) offers a place where moms can connect with each other in a supportive environment that serves as their very own local online moms group.

Portland Moms
This Facebook group is where fun, child loving, Portland area moms can share ideas and meet others. This is for the Portland mama looking to share kid-related tips, stories, deals, and adventures with other Portland parents.

Portland Mom Collective
Portland Mom Collective is a community — online and off — of women raising kids in the PDX area. The group is passionate about bringing moms together in a supportive community and encouraging you in your parenting journey.

Related: These Facebook Groups Keep Portland Parents Connected

 

istock

Mothers of Preschoolers (MOPS)
MOPS is a place to find friendship, community, resources and support for you as a woman and mother so you're not alone. Moms have found community through MOPS for almost 40 years - MOPS is the mothering authority. MOPS holds and shares the collected wisdom of mothers and experts.

New Moms of Portland
New Moms of North Portland is a small group for new moms in and around North Portland that meets for support, play dates and to get out of the house and have fun. This group is a safe place to vent, share, ask for help, and support each other without judgement. Keeping the group small makes it easier to foster trust and build real friendships.

Oregon Moms
Whether you're a new mom searching for the best Oregon has to offer kids, or an experienced Oregon Mom who'd like to share some wisdom on raising kids in Oregon - Oregon Moms FB Group is the perfect tribe for you. Learn about fun places, events for families, and your candid, insightful input and reviews can be added.

Single Parents 
This group is for single parents of young children who would like to get together for regular play dates in Portland.

Portland-Area Working Moms
The purpose of this FB group is to provide a place for moms to discuss issues unique to working parents. Moms give each other support, input and advice on topics that working mom face in daily life.

The Portland Step Mom Facebook
The Portland Step Mom Facebook is a club for step moms to share experiences, difficulties and triumphs with other step moms in the Portland area.

Related: Mark Your Calendar: 8 Parent-Baby Playdates in the City

From shapes and basic counting to SAT prep and AP Calculus, there are tons of free online math resources that will keep your kids minds sharp. Keep scrolling to see some of the best free online math resources for preschoolers on up to high school seniors.

photo: iStock

ABCMouse: Digital math activities for kids two to eight years old

Adapted Mind: Free math worksheets for first though ninth grade

Beast Academy Online: Great for ages eight to 13 with comic-book style illustrations

CK-12: First grade through Pre-Calculus math activities

Dad’s Worksheets: Over 9,000 free worksheets that include addition, subtraction, fractions and more

edHelper: Free daily math workbooks for first through sixth grade

Eduten: Over 200,000 math tasks for first through ninth grade students

eMathStudio: Digital notebooks and tools, like math editor, calculator and graphing tools

Fiveable: Past and live stream courses on AP prep, Calculus and more

JumpStart Academy Math: Core math concepts for kindergartners through sixth grade

Khan Academy: Early math through AP Calculus

Learning Resources: Online resources to help kids learn about money and basic financial concepts.

Math Playground: Hundreds of games on topics like shapes, graphs, fractions and decimals

Math Chops: Helps kids in grades 4-11 build skills for standardized tests, including the SAT, ACT, ISEE

Mathnasium@Home: Live sessions 2-3 times per week where students get face-to-face tutoring for their personalized learning plan

Math Games: Online games and digital worksheets to make learning math fun

Mathnook: Games, worksheets, mobile apps, tutorials and teaching tools for kids in kindergarten through high school

Omni Calculator: Over 1,000 calculators from finance and food, to chemistry and conversion

Outschool: Numbers, fractions, statistics, probability and more

Prodigy: Math activities for first through eighth grade students

Varsity Tutors: Live, daily classes for kindergarten through high school seniors

––Karly Wood

 

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Parents wear many hats and it can be difficult to make sure we’re raising our kids with all the necessary life skills. A new survey from the National Financial Educators Council (NFEC) is shedding light on a very specific life lesson that is key to raising independent adults: financial literacy.

Using over 1,000 respondents, the survey asked the question “Which parent taught you the most about money and personal finance?” The overwhelming answer? “Neither.”

photo: Pexels

While respondents did say that their mother was more likely to teach financial literacy than their father (23.7 percent over 22.6 percent), it’s clear that the majority has grown up with little to no instruction on finances.

The study grouped respondents into age groups that included 18-24, 25-34, 35-44, 45-54, 55-64, and 65+ years old. Interestingly, the two youngest groups, 18-24 and 25-34, reported “Neither” more than all other age groups making this issue a relevant topic for today’s parents.

“It’s essential for parents to make a conscious and consistent effort to discuss finances, model good financial decision-making, and provide opportunities for kids to practice earning, budgeting, saving, and spending, especially while they still have the safety net of living at home and receiving family support,” says Vince Shorb, NFEC CEO.

So how can you make sure your kiddos are prepared financially as they become adults? One of the main goals of the NFEC is to encourage and provide tools for parents to teach financial literacy skills to their children from an early age. You can head to their website for tons of info.

You can view the full survey results here.

––Karly Wood

 

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Are you looking to make a move in 2021? Before you start packing your bags, you’ll want to check out WalletHub’s findings on the best and worst states to raise a family.

Personal finance website, WalletHub compared all 50 states across 52 key indicators of family-friendliness, including housing affordability, life expectancy, annual family income, neighborhood support and unemployment rates. So who won out in the end?

photo: Benjamin Rascoe via Unsplash

According to findings, the top 5 best states to live in are:

1.Massachusetts

2. Minnesota

3. North Dakota

4. New York

5. Vermont

 

On the flip side, WalletHub also determined the lowest ranking states which include

50. New Mexico

49. Mississipi

48. West Virginia

47. Louisiana

46. Oklahoma

 

WalletHub coordinated with a panel of experts to discuss issues that include child development and how it’s influenced by the state a family lives in and what things to consider when setting down roots. The super detailed study compared all 50 states across five key dimensions: Family Fun,  Health and Safety, Education and Child Care, Affordability and Socio-economics.

Finally, WalletHub used 52 relevant metrics that was graded on a 100-point scale, with indicating the most favorable conditions for family life. The super detailed study can be fund on the WalletHub website.

––Karly Wood

 

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Safety is one of the most important factors families look at when choosing a city or town in which to live. The personal-finance website WalletHub today released its report on 2020’s Safest Cities in America. Read on to see where your state falls on the list.

To determine where Americans can feel most protected against life’s hazards, including nonphysical forms of danger, WalletHub compared more than 180 U.S. cities across 42 key metrics. The data set ranges from COVID-19 cases in the past seven days per 100,000 residents and assaults per capita to the unemployment rate and road quality.

Safest Cities in America

  1. Columbia, MD
  2. South Burlington, VT
  3. Plano, TX
  4. Nashua, NH
  5. Lewiston, ME
  6. Burlington, VT
  7. Salem, OR
  8. Virginia Beach, VA
  9. Raleigh, NC
  10. Gilbert, AZ

Least Safe Cities in America

173. Chattanooga, TN
174. Oklahoma City, OK
175. Memphis, TN
176. Baton Rouge, LA
177. Jackson, MS
178. Detroit, MI
179. Birmingham, AL
180. San Bernardino, CA
181. St. Louis, MO
182. Fort Lauderdale, FL

Safest vs. Least Safe

Irvine, California, has the fewest aggravated assault incidents (per 100,000 residents), 23.58, which is 60.5 times fewer than in Detroit, the city with the most at 1,426.82.

Port St. Lucie, Florida, has the fewest thefts (per 1,000 residents), 8.74, which is 9.1 times fewer than in Springfield, Missouri, the city with the most at 79.81.

Washington has the most law-enforcement employees (per 100,000 residents), 641, which is 5.8 times more than in Irvine, California, the city with the fewest at 111.

St. Paul, Minnesota, has among the fewest pedestrian fatalities (per 100,000 residents), 0.32, which is 24 times fewer than in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, the city with the most at 7.67.

To read the full report and your city’s rank, please visit: https://wallethub.com/edu/safest-cities-in-america/41926/

—Jennifer Swartvagher

Featured photo: Seth Dewey on Unsplash

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Surprise! Billie Lourd is a mom. She delighted fans when she announced the birth of her son on Thursday evening. 

 

 

View this post on Instagram

 

👑💙👑Introducing: 💙👑💙Kingston Fisher Lourd Rydell💙👑💙

A post shared by Billie Lourd (@praisethelourd) on

Lourd posted a sweet photo of her son’s feet on Instagram. 

She wrote, “Introducing: 💙👑💙Kingston Fisher Lourd Rydell💙👑💙”

Kingston’s middle name, Fisher, is a tribute to her mother, the late Carrie Fisher.

This is the first child for Lourd and finance, Austen Rydell. The couple announced their engagement this past June. 

—Jennifer Swartvagher

Featured photo: Megan Menegay on Unsplash

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It sounds overwhelming already, I know. Just the thought of returning to school is difficult but now as a parent?!? Whether you are looking to complete a college degree, sharpen your skills, get your Master’s degree or even a PhD, I am here to tell you, from my own experience, it’s possible, even as a parent.

Here are just a few tips on things that have worked for me over the two and a half years. I began my degree with a 5 year old, 3 year old and a newborn. As a full-time working mom to three young boys, I know that it is possible and so worth it.

Remember you can still chase your dreams while chasing your tiny humans.

1. Find the right school. First of all, one positive out of this pandemic is that online learning has become even easier and possibly even less expensive than ever before. My first recommendation is to look into all possible resources for the degree that you want to obtain. You can look into local community colleges, state universities and even all-online universities such as DeVry, Northeastern, and University of Phoenix.

What matters most, is if you are looking for particular credentials or a specific degree (such as an MBA) make sure the school is accredited. It may be less expensive to earn a degree online but it may not be from an accredited institution. The database of postsecondary institutions and programs can be found here. Also, if you are seeking education or skills but not necessarily a degree, one can look into a variety of online resources and credentialing like digital badges or even certificates from places such as Linked In Learning, Khan Academy, edX, Skillshare and Coursera.

Next, is the biggest tip I can give.

2Make the time. If you have decided you want to work toward a degree and invest in your own education, you have to set aside the time. First, think of the things in your week that suck a lot of time out of your day. Examples could be a hobby, social media, your favorite TV show or a book that you are reading, etc. I learned very quickly the time to yourself will need to be replaced with time for school.

Clear out the non-essentials: You may need to shed some responsibilities temporarily such as PTO, your side-gig, or can someone help you carpool? I think exercise is still very important and so I don’t recommend letting that go. Look at your week and see where you have some “time thiefs” and try to scale it back. You may need to plan ahead and ask others in your life to help a little bit here and there with your kids too—cousins, siblings, grandparents, neighbors, etc. A few hours here and there will really help you out to finish a paper or take an exam.

3. Carve out the time. Now that you have thought about shedding some non-essential obligations from your week, decide when you will fit in school. To me, this was very easy to figure out as a parent. Here are some quick suggestions that may work for you: your lunch hour, evenings after the kids go to bed, (or early mornings if you are an early riser), and Sunday afternoons are great for project/group work. Remember, it is valuable to be very intentional with your time. I like to make sure that I am not studying all weekend and letting the boys just watch TV all day. I will say to them, if you play nicely and let Mommy get her homework done, then we can go to the park afterwards. Doing something really fun after study time is rewarding for everyone!

4. Embrace your new normal. Once in school, it may feel like it hits you hard at first. But remember, it won’t be this way for long. I tell everyone I know, just like with anything else that you have accomplished in life, pretty soon it will become part of your new normal. School and class work will be part of your every day and honestly, the quiet hour or two to myself here and there throughout the week feels like a luxury. Your partner or spouse will be a big help in allowing you to set aside class and homework time.

5. Remember to network. This may be harder to do virtually but still very possible to chat during a Zoom class or stay in touch with those in your group for a project. Also, connect with them via LinkedIn. Talk to your friends, family, and colleagues about your educational goals. It isn’t bragging. You need their support and insights! You won’t believe the network you will build or the connections you can make by talking to others about your decision to go back to school. Also, I always recommend staying in contact with your professor during class and even after. They are there for you and are a tremendous resource.

6. Stay motivated! Keep your eyes on the prize. I cannot wait to graduate in May. I am so excited and this helps me to stay motivated when I feel like I can’t stand another minute of an economics or finance lecture. Always remember why you began in the first place and what you plan to get out of your degree—maybe a new job, a promotion, salary raise or a transition into another field. One day at a time, class by class and before you know it, you will be ready to graduate.

Congrats on your decision to push yourself, invest in yourself (and your family!) and think about the good example that you are setting for your children. My kiddos like to join me, watch a few minutes of a lecture and ask me what I am working on. It is very healthy to let them know about your classes and why you have chosen to go back to school. They are part of your journey too!

This post originally appeared on Life, Love & Little Boys blog.

Located in Bloomington, Indiana I am a wife, full-time working Mom to 3 boys, a part-time graduate student & a writer. I am also an optimist, problem solver, peacemaker, gardener, runner and a crazy-busy mom just trying to enjoy each moment. I truly value my friends, family and my mommy tribe.

She’s a New York Times Bestselling author, TV host, chef and now Ayesha Curry is a Whole Foods meal kit creator too!

Curry recently teamed up with Whole Foods Market to curate a line of meal kits. The kits, which fall under Curry’s lifestyle brand Homemade, will feature fresh, local-to-the-customer ingredients provided by Local Crate.

According to Yahoo! Finance, Curry said, “As a devout Whole Foods Market shopper, I’m thrilled to be partnering with Whole Foods Market and Local Crate to launch my new line of premium meal kits.” She also added, “I’m passionate about helping families get back around the dinner table and developed my meal kits for cooks of all skill levels to execute a delicious weeknight meal the whole family will love.”

Homemade Meal Kit options include Honey-Lime Chicken Breasts with Wasabi Mashed Potatoes and Sautéed Garlic Kale, Pomegranate Chimichurri Steak with Spiced-Rubbed Roasted Parsnips and Carrots, Cheesy Baked Penne Primavera with Ricotta, Parmesan & Mozzarella and Warm Vegetable & Chickpea Coconut Curry Bowls with Basmati Rice.

Sadly, for right now the kits are only available at two Whole Foods Market locations in California—Harrison (Oakland) and Stevens Creek (Cupertino). But here’s to hoping that Whole Foods rolls out Curry’s kits across the country!

—Erica Loop

Featured photo: Ayesha Curry via Instagram 

 

 

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