ML Interest Tag: rehabilitation

Donating Used Toys in the Bay Area

by TaLeiza Calloway-Appleton

It’s always a good time to give back to your community. Why not give back, declutter your closets and toy bins while helping the planet at the same time? We’ve gathered a list of places where you can used toy donations support great causes and families in need. Everybody wins!

San Francisco

Parents in business is Otter
iStock

ToyCycle

Looking to offload some of your pre-loved toys to another family in your community? ToyCycle is perfect and offers peer-to-peer toy recycling where you post available items and arrange for pick up and vice versa if you see an item that you can use. They even have an app that makes it easy to post the items that you'd like to pass down. Note: Items are sorted by age to make it easier to find what you need.

Online: toy-cycle.org

SCRAP
Old objects find new lives at SCRAP, the Bay Area's first re-use center for creative education. Donations of art supplies, craft supplies, toys, textiles and office supplies are sorted, stored and made available to the community for educational programs and creative projects in the classroom and at home. SCRAP accepts donations of clean, reusable materials Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Check online for a full list of accepted materials and call ahead to ensure that they have enough storage space to accept your donation.

801 Toland St.
San Francisco, CA
Online: scrap-sf.org

Salvation Army
The Salvation Army Family Store and Donation Center in San Francisco accepts used toy donations, books and children's clothing. Mon.-Sat., 9 a.m.-7 p.m., and Sun., 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Donated items are sold in the Family Store and the proceeds are used to fund the Salvation Army's Adult Rehabilitation Centers. You can even schedule a pickup!

3921 Geary Blvd
San Francisco, CA
Online: salvationarmyusa.org

Edgewood

Editor's Note: Edgewood Center for Children and Families has moved from San Carlos to San Francisco.

New Location Alert! The Edgewood Center for Children and Families has moved but is still providing treatment and prevention programs to children, youth and families that have experienced traumatic stress. Show your support by donating to their wish list that includes art supplies, gently used tablets, personal care items, sports equipment, household items, books, dolls, puppets, toy trucks and games in new or excellent condition. Donations are given directly to clients.

1801 Vicente St.
San Francisco, CA
Online: edgewood.org

A boy plays with a toy giraffe
iStock

Goodwill
Goodwill in San Francisco accepts donations of household items, women's clothing, men's clothing and children's items including books, baby gear (must meet current safety standards), sports equipment, games and toys. Drop off hours are Mon.-Sat. 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Sun. 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Donated items are sold in Goodwill stores and the proceeds are used to fund programs that help disadvantaged individuals learn competitive job skills and find employment.

1669 Fillmore St.
San Francisco, CA
Online: goodwill.org

Homeless Prenatal Program
For over 30 years the Homeless Prenatal Program in San Francisco has been serving as an empowering resource center for families. The center accepts gently used baby and maternity clothing, children's and parenting books. COVID-19 Update: The program is ONLY accepting baby formula, baby food, diapers and wipes at this time. Call for drop-off hours. You can also make a cash donation online.

2500 18th St.
San Francisco, CA
Online: homelessprenatal.org

SF Smiles
SF Smiles collects donations by appointment only of new and gently used essentials for individuals and families in need throughout the San Francisco Bay Area. SF Smiles is run on a volunteer basis by Chad Christensen out of his family home in the Inner Sunset neighborhood of San Francisco. Chad and his volunteers redistribute donations directly to families and also work with many local organizations to reach their programs’ clients.

Online: sfsmiles.org

East Bay

iStock

BANANAS

Editor's Note: BANANAS is not accepting on-site donations at this time. Visit their Virtual Boutique to learn how to help those in need.

BANANAS provides affordable child care, workshops, classes and support groups for families in Northern Alameda County. Their BANANAS Boutique provides low-income parents with free books, toys and equipment for their children. Your donations of clean and gently used toys, books, puzzles, games, children's clothing and maternity wear keep the boutique stocked up. Items can be dropped off during business hours. Due to limited space, the BANANAS Boutique occasionally reaches storage capacity, so call ahead before heading over.

5232 Claremont Ave
Oakland, CA
Online: bananasbunch.org

Davis Street
This organization assists families in need by addressing issues facing low-income families and the homeless. In addition to gently used clothing, the organization also accepts household items, backpacks and school supplies in the fall as well as new toys for its holiday program. Donation hours are Mon.-Tues. 10 a.m.-2 p.m. COVID-19 Update: Only donations of in-kind donations of unexpired non-perishable canned food are being accepted.

3081 Teagarden Street
San Leandro, CA
Online: Davisstreet.org

Loved Twice

Loved Twice is a nonprofit organization that supports new mothers by providing them with baby clothing. They accept baby clothing sizes 0-12 months only and can also take small blankets and board books. Loved Twice has several Bay Area drop-off locations for your convenience. Visit their website to see if there’s a location near you and make a donation today!

Online: lovedtwice.org

Salvation Army
The Salvation Army Family Store and Donation Center in Alameda accepts used toy donations, books and children's clothing, Mon.-Sat. 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Donated items are sold in the Family Store and the proceeds are used to fund the Salvation Army's Adult Rehabilitation Centers.

1918 Park St
Alameda, CA
Online: salvationarmyusa.org

Goodwill
Goodwill in Oakland accepts donations of household items, women's clothing, men's clothing and children's items including books, baby gear (must meet current safety standards), sports equipment, games and toys. Drop-off hours are Mon.-Sat. 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Sun. 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Donated items are sold in Goodwill stores and the proceeds are used to fund programs that help disadvantaged individuals learn competitive job skills and find employment.

2925 E. 14th St
Oakland, CA
Online: goodwill.org

Peninsula

iStock

Goodwill
Goodwill in Palo Alto accepts donations of household items, women’s clothing, men’s clothing and children’s items including books, baby gear (must meet current safety standards), sports equipment, games, and toys. Drop-off hours are Mon.-Sun. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Donated items are sold in Goodwill stores and the proceeds are used to fund programs that help disadvantaged individuals learn competitive job skills and find employment.

4085 El Camino Way
Palo Alto, CA
Online: goodwill.org

PARCA
PARCA helps people with development disabilities and their families at all stages of their lives, from children’s services to independent residential programs to respite care. Through a partnership with Saver’s Stores, PARCA turns used clothing and household item donations into funds that support their programs. Requested items include toys, games, puzzles, stuffed animals, bicycles and sports equipment, as well as clothes and household items. Donors can schedule a donation pick up over the phone and online, or drop off donations at Saver’s Thrift Store in Redwood City or Milpitas, during store hours.

800 Airport Blvd., Suite 320
Burlingame, CA
Online: parca.org

CORA

This organization supports families escaping intimate partner abuse. Their needs include diapers, new clothing, umbrellas, strollers and more. They run seasonal school supply drives. You can view their wish list here and drop off donations at their office. COVID-19 Update: CORA is currently not accepting donations of goods. Check their website for updates.

2211 Palm Ave.
San Mateo, CA
Online: corasupport.org

South Bay

LifeMoves
LifeMoves provides interim shelter and services for families. Linens, towels and blankets are among the family shelters' greatest need. Household supplies such as towels are also needed for incoming residents. View shelter wish lists here and consider making a donation today.

184 South 11th Street
San Jose CA
Online: lifemoves.org

Salvation Army
We moved! The Salvation Army Family Store in San Jose is now located on West Taylor Street. It accepts used toy donations such as books, bikes, games, stuffed animals and children's clothing, Mon.-Sat. 9 a.m. to 8p.m. and Sundays 10 a.m.-6p.m. Donated items are sold in the Family Store and the proceeds are used to fund the Salvation Army's Adult Rehabilitation Centers.

702 W. Taylor St.
San Jose, CA
Online: salvationarmyusa.org

Santa Maria Urban Ministry

Santa Maria Urban Ministry was founded in 1983 to provide emergency food to impoverished families in downtown San Jose. Santa Maria has provided a food pantry continuously for 38 years and also collects donations of clothing and goods for families in need. In addition to clothing and care items, there is a need for school and craft supplies. Learn more about their wish lists and make a donation.

778 South Almaden Avenue
San Jose, CA
Online: santamariasj.org 

Marin

iStock

Salvation Army
The Salvation Army does more than just ring bells and accept change! Their Family Store and Donation Trailer in San Rafael accepts donations Tues.-Sat. 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. Donated items are sold in the Family Store and the proceeds are used to fund the Salvation Army's Adult Rehabilitation Centers.

350 Fourth St
San Rafael, CA
Online: salvationarmyusa.org

Goodwill
Drop off your used toy donations, household items, women's clothing, men's clothing and children's items including books, baby gear (must meet current safety standards), sports equipment, games and toys at Goodwill's Drop Off Center, located inside the Mill Valley Safeway on Camino Alto. Drop off hours are Mon.-Sun., 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Donated items are sold in Goodwill stores and the proceeds are used to fund programs that help disadvantaged individuals learn competitive job skills and find employment.

1 Camino Alto
Mill Valley, CA
Online: goodwill.org

—TaLeiza Calloway-Appleton and Chantal Lamers

Featured photo: iStock

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10 Women Who Changed Atlanta Forever

by Tinybeans Team

Women’s History Month means it’s time to take a closer look at the women who helped shape Atlanta. From voting activists to savvy businesswomen and generous philanthropists, Atlanta’s women have forged a path for others to follow. Keep reading to learn about 10 women who changed Atlanta forever.

Stacey Abrams

Stacey Abrams is a political leader, voting rights activist and author who is best known for losing the gubernatorial race for Georgia only to launch Fair Fight and Fair Count, two organizations dedicated to funding and training voter protection teams in 20 battleground states. Her organizations are credited with having a hefty role in the reversal from Red to Blue of Georgia voters.

Get a Sense for It
Make plans to visit the Atlanta History Center’s exhibit, “Any Great Change: The Centennial of the 19th Amendment.” Marking the 100th year anniversary of the right for women to vote (which was ratified Aug. 18, 1920), the exhibit celebrates the suffrage movement with a collection of photos, documents, memorabilia and interactive voting stations. Furthermore, the exhibit, which is displayed in the Swan House, also highlights Georgia’s hometown connections to the movement; the original Swan House owners, Emily C. MacDougald and her daughter, Emily Inman, were active suffragettes in the local efforts.

130 West Paces Ferry Rd. NW
Buckhead
404-814-4000
Online: atlantahistorycenter.com.

 
 

Sara Blakely

Sara Blakely is founder and owner of shapewear brand Spanx, which sells undergarments, leggings, swimwear and maternity wear in over 50 countries. And we're willing to bet we didn't have to tell anyone that. Blakely went from selling fax machines door-to-door to inventing, branding, and marketing a product that's ballooned to worldwide recognition—and turned her into a self-made billionaire.

Check It Out
Head to the Savannah College of Art and Design's fashion museum (SCAD FASH) to marvel at the role of garments as important conduits of identity. And, because of Blakely, we all have a leg up on getting ourselves into any identity we care to claim.

1600 Peachtree St. NW
Atlanta, GA 30309
404-253-3132
Online: scadfash.org

Anne Cox Chambers

Anne Cox Chambers was a businesswoman, philanthropist, and power broker in Atlanta during the 1960s until her recent death, at 100 years old in 2020. She co-owned the family business, Cox Enterprises, with her sister for 33 years. She engineered the partnership between The High and The Louvre, and a wing of the museum is named for her. She served as the Ambassador to Belgium, and she served on the board of nearly every philanthropic organization in Atlanta, not to mention The Coca-Cola Company.

Walk in Her Shoes
Check out just a tiny bit of Chambers' legacy by heading to The High Museum of Art, where you can get messy with your Toddler on Toddler Thursdays, or enjoy a Second Sunday family day.

1280 Peachtree St. NE
Midtown
404-733-4400
Online: high.org

Shirley Franklin

Shirley Franklin served as the 58th mayor of Atlanta, and was the first woman to hold the post. She was the first black woman to be elected mayor of a major Southern city, and the was Atlanta's 4th black mayor. Franklin announced an initiative called "Clean Water Atlanta" to address the problem and begin improving the city's sewer system, and was lauded for efforts to make the City of Atlanta "green." Under Franklin's leadership Atlanta went from having one of the lowest percentages of LEED certified buildings to one of the highest. She currently serves as a member on the board of directors for both Delta Air Lines and Mueller Water Products.

Understand Her Legacy
Explore the Chattahoochee, and marvel at why Atlanta's known as "The City in the Trees." Most Atlantans live within striking distance to one of the Chattahoochee’s neighboring city parks or National Recreation Areas. And while the rest of Atlanta continues to sizzle well into autumn, the Chattahoochee stays a frigid temperature year-round.

West Palisades Trail
3444 Cobb Pkwy.
Vinings
Online: tinybeans.go-vip.net

Coretta Scott King

Notable as the widow of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Coretta Scott King has created an enormous legacy of her own. She was a leader for the civil rights movement, taking on the leadership of the struggle for racial equality herself after her husband's assassination. She was an activist in the Women's Movement, LGBT progress, and was an outspoken opponent of apartheid. She also founded the King Center and succeeded in making her late husband's birthday a national holiday.

Explore Her Legacy
From the King Center to Ebenezer Baptist Church, Atlanta is full of places to learn about Black history. Find out how many of Atlanta's most well-known centers for Black culture and history were impacted by King as you explore Atlanta through a new lens. Start at the MLK National Historic Park.

450 Auburn Ave., NE
Atlanta, Ga
404-331-5190
Online: nps.gov

Anne Rivers Siddons

Born in Atlanta in 1936, Siddons returned home after earning her bachelor’s degree at Auburn University. Rejecting her parents’ expectation that she would teach school, Siddons instead wrote about the political and social changes she witnessed in the “City Too Busy to Hate,” including one of her most famed pieces for Atlanta magazine: “Maid in Atlanta.” She went on to write over a dozen bestselling books, and her work challenged the stereotypes of the ‘Old South’ and gave readers strong, female characters who weren’t afraid to challenge social norms.

Get to Know Her
If you're going to start anywhere, start with her "Maid in Atlanta" article for Atlanta magazine. Then, graduate to her first bestselling book, "Heartbreak Hotel." After that, you can pretty much throw a dart at her publication list and land on a good one. Pack a picnic and a blanket and spend an afternoon getting to know her through her writing at one of these perfect picnic spots around town.

Alana Shepherd

Alana Shepherd and her family co-founded Shepherd Center in Atlanta in 1975 to treat spinal cord injury after her son, James, sustained a paralyzing spinal injury in 1973. Frustrated by the lack of state-of-the-art rehabilitation care in the southeastern United States, the family galvanized support among the Atlanta community to open a specialty facility. Alana also recognized early on that she had to help change the community to which patients would return so these individuals would be accepted and could, once again, assume their place in society. Through the years, Shepherd Center has grown from a six-bed unit to a world-renowned, 152-bed rehabilitation hospital specializing in medical treatment, research and rehabilitation for people with spinal cord injury, brain injury and other neurological conditions.

Walk in Her Shoes
Shepherd's advocacy for accessibility resulted in the addition of lifts to Atlanta’s MARTA bus system and in making Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport one of the country’s most accessible airports. The next time you're on MARTA or chasing your toddler through Atlanta's airport, remember her!

Dorothy Lee Bolden

In 1968 Dorothy Bolden transformed domestic workers’ rights by founding the National Domestic Worker’s Union of America (NDWUA). Her efforts to organize domestic workers so that they might gain better wages, better conditions, and respect for their profession came from 40 years of domestic work herself. Bolden also understood the power of the ballot and made registration and voting a requirement for the members of the NDWUA. She organized a boycott of Atlanta schools to protest the school board’s reluctance to improve the quality of education for Black students, and worked with Dr. Martin Luther King and other civil rights leader to confront police brutality, especially in her Atlanta neighborhood, Vine City.

Follow in Her Footsteps
Even as a child, Bolden told of waking at 4 a.m. to get on a bus at 6 a.m., to arrive at work by 8 a.m. and manage the household of a family that relied on her entirely for all aspects of household management—only to return home at 6 p.m. to do it all again, for her family. In her honor, imagine doing all the things that need to be done in a day to keep your family on track... only twice.

Ella Josephine Baker

Ella Josephine Baker was a civil rights and human rights activist, who often worked behind-the-scenes alongside some of the most noted civil rights leaders of the 20th century, including W. E. B. Du Bois, Thurgood Marshall, A. Philip Randolph, and Martin Luther King Jr. She had a huge impact on the leadership of the movement by mentoring many emerging activists, such as Diane Nash, Stokely Carmichael, Rosa Parks, and Bob Moses—whom she first mentored as leaders in the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC). Baker has been called "one of the most important American leaders of the twentieth century and perhaps the most influential woman in the civil rights movement."

Take a Closer Look
Find the Student Movement Marker at the former site of Yates & Milton Drug Store, which is now the Student Center on the campus of Clark Atlanta University. You can find a Georgia Historical Society marker that tells the story of the Atlanta Student Movement, which began when three Morehouse College students—Lonnie King, Joseph Pierce and Julian Bond—formed the Committee on the Appeal for Human Rights and involved all the historically black institutions of the Atlanta University.

Corner of James P. Brawley Dr. SW & Atlanta Student Movement Blvd.
Atlanta GA 30314

Featured photo via iStock.

—Shelley Massey

 

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The Giving (Family) Tree

By Carol Lavin Bernick
Partner Content

Some of my earliest and fondest memories of my parents are the ones where we gave back to our community. You see, my mom and dad were always charitable people, long before they had the means to make significant financial donations. I remember once, my dad’s close friend suffered a debilitating stroke and my dad immediately took up the cause, dedicating his time and energy to further grow the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago (now the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab). I remember my mom sitting at our dining room table, addressing donation envelopes by hand. The point is, philanthropy has always been a core part of our family and when I had kids, I began to think, how can I make sure my kids understand the value of giving back?

I figured you might be asking the same thing. So here, I’ve assembled my top four tips for raising kind and generous kids.

One In, One Out: For me, the key was to start instilling generosity when my kids were, well, still kids. Our house had a very firm “get a toy, give a toy” policy around Christmas and birthdays: If my kids received a new toy, then they had to choose one of theirs to give to kids that didn’t have many toys. Admittedly, it’s not a flawless system: A 10-piece toy would come in and a beloved stuffed animal would go out, but still, it planted the initial seed of giving. Admittedly, it also helped me keep down the clutter that comes with parenthood.

About Allowance: When my kids were old enough to start doing chores and earn allowances, we stressed “Save Some,” “Give Some” and “Spend Some.” A friend of mine even divided her kid’s allowance into three labeled envelopes to engrain this…sort of self-explanatory system, but the whole goal was to build a solid foundation of saving money and cultivate the value of giving back.

Holiday Spirit: No season better embodies the spirit of giving quite like the holidays. Every year at Christmas, we would adopt several families in need and, together, my kids and I would shop for and wrap gifts for the families. My kids would contribute some of their allowance to help buy the presents. I wanted my kids to understand that it’s not about the size of the check, but rather about giving of yourself to something you believe in.

Beyond Your Family: I realize I keep writing “my kids”. But they haven’t been kids for a long time. Now they’re grown and married, have kids of their own, and still adopt families at the holidays. I’ve been proud to watch them create their own paths in philanthropy. So now I’m left wondering, What’s next? For me, the answer was to look outside of my own family and make an impact on the community at large. I decided to put my 40-years of corporate experience to work and create a charity called Enchanted Backpack to deliver resources to underserved schools. Starting your own charity or becoming deeply involved in one you truly believe in is the best way to encourage others to be charitable. People follow by example. Whether it’s your kids or your best pals, when they see you being passionate about philanthropy, they’re likely to follow suit—or at least join you for an afternoon.

Giving back doesn’t just make an impact on your community, it makes an impact on your soul. Nothing warms my heart more than seeing the impact Enchanted Backpack has made in Chicagoland or watching my children become involved in their own charitable endeavors. And I know that, wherever they are, my parents would be proud, too.

Carol Lavin Bernick
Tinybeans Voices Contributor

Carol Lavin Bernick is a former executive chairman of Alberto Culver, civic leader, working mother and philanthropist. She is the author of Gather As You Go, a collection of short, digestible stories that offer powerful lessons, key insights and helpful tips based on her life experiences.

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My Mother, My Hero

By Leah Day

My mother is disabled. She has been paralyzed since she was 42 when her light-blue VW bus was struck by another vehicle while stopped at an intersection. Her body flew through the front windshield, and she was declared dead at the scene. She wasn’t. She had seven children all under 14 and we needed her. I was three.

I don’t remember much from that time, just a string of well-meaning neighbors and relatives and a lot of frozen lasagna. I do remember visiting her in the hospital on her birthday later that summer. My father had to sneak me in because no children were allowed in the ICU, and I hid under his trench coat so that no one would see me. When I saw her, she was immobilized in a hospital bed and was dressed from head to toe in pale green hospital apparel. She looked shockingly weak. I remember her smiling at me. I was afraid that she would never come home.

After months of hospitalization and rehabilitation, she did come home. The accident caused her to permanently lose the use of her right arm, left leg, diaphragm and neck mobility. Breathing was difficult, and she often became out of breath just from trying to read out loud to me. She couldn’t walk. She couldn’t cough. She couldn’t write. She couldn’t kneel. She couldn’t carry things. She couldn’t do many of the many activities that had comprised her life. And she had seven children, did I mention that?

Against all odds, as time passed, she started walking. I am not sure how it was possible, but my understanding is that she retrained different muscles in her body to compensate for those that could no longer work. At first, the walks were short, but they got progressively longer until eventually, she could poke along for several blocks. She learned to write left-handed. She learned to knit with one hand and has created countless beautiful pieces. She relearned to drive with a special knob on the steering wheel. She relearned to swim by holding on to little floaties. She is a fantastic cook and learned to utilize all manner of cool, one-handed contraptions to help her navigate her way in the kitchen. She seemed to refuse to give anything up. But all this was lost on me because I couldn’t remember her any different.

By the time I was six, I had become well-versed in pushing her wheelchair, and I would torment her by pushing her over grates that opened to the subway far below and laugh and laugh as she would shriek in fear. Sounds mean, right? But, to me, there was nothing wrong with her. I was just teasing, and she seemed to be playing along. Her disability was as normal as any mother’s slightly annoying, but endearing habit. As I got older I would push that wheelchair down bumpy, forested paths up and over all manner of tree roots and gravel. She would groan good naturedly and hold on tight with her good hand. She has been launched from that thing several times and is always trying to find a wheelchair more suitable for all-terrain travel. Just last year I pushed her through a jungle in Mexico so that we could see Mayan ruins. It can’t be comfortable, all that jostling and jarring, but she always wants to go.

I cut her no slack. She cuts herself no slack. Today she is 87.

I only have one memory of my mother before her accident. I am sitting on a metal folding seat, attached to the back of my mother’s black, clunky Schwinn. The seat is covered with a blue-plaid vinyl. It has little metal armrests and a small backrest. Not at all safe by today’s standards. My legs dangle freely below. I kick them forward and back. My mother’s legs are pedaling up and down, and her butt is in my face. It swishes a little, side to side. I don’t mind. Her efforts are creating a nice breeze, and the landscape whizzes by. Green grass, suburban lawns, huge maple trees. She is talking and laughing with my father who is on a matching bike.

I know there must be some connection between my mother’s internal drive and my quest to remain physical and engaged with life. She could have given up so many times, but she didn’t. She still doesn’t. She is hauling herself up to an island in Maine from Philadelphia for a visit again this summer. The trip involves a lot of logistics and not everything is handicapped-accessible in the little cottages she rents. Her mobility is decreasing and little tasks are getting more difficult, but she’ll be damned if she is going to stay home and sit around. She doesn’t want to miss out!

My determination pales in comparison.

Beginning in August 2019, my son Oakley and I will cycle across America over the course of three months. Oakley is a spirited 15-year-old boy who has always struggled to fit into the confines of mainstream culture. I am Leah, his mother—and we are ready for adventure.

 

 

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The Mother of Dragons Opened Up about Her Health Scare & She’s Helping Others, Too

by Shahrzad Warkentin

The Mother of Dragons recently revealed that she underwent surgery—twice—for life-threatening brain aneurysms. Game of Thrones star Emilia Clarke is sharing her story now in hopes raising awareness of her condition, which affects more young people than you might think.

Clarke recently shared her story of undergoing brain surgery for two aneurysms in a personal essay in The New Yorker. Her first aneurysm was discovered while filming Game of Thrones in 2011. She described her diagnosis, surgery and the long path to recovery after. “On the set, I didn’t miss a beat, but I struggled,” Clarke wrote. “Season two would be my worst. I didn’t know what Daenerys was doing. If I am truly being honest, every minute of every day I thought I was going to die.”

Along with her published essay, Clarke launched a new charity called Same You to help raise awareness about the recovery needs of those who have suffered a brain injury, especially young people. “I am calling for the prioritization of increased funding for neurorehabilitation,” Clarke’s blog on the Same You site said. “Everyone after leaving hospital should have the multi-disciplinary rehabilitation and recovery care they desperately need.”

You can read Clarke’s moving essay for The New Yorker here.

—Shahrzad Warkentin

Featured photo: gameofthrones via Instagram

 

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A Georgetown Kind of Day

by rttriciamirchandani

This is the perfect time of year to get out and about in our hometown. And where better to spend a day than among the cobblestone streets and charming scenery of Georgetown. Here are our suggestions on what to see, where to eat, and how to play.

Photo: Dumbarton Oaks Gardens

See

Begin your day by just wandering down M Street. Be sure to make it to the Old Stone House, the oldest house in D.C. It’s temporarily closed for rehabilitation but makes for a fun bit of history as you stroll. When you’re ready to veer off the beaten path of the Georgetown’s main street for a little more history and nature, you’ve got a couple choices.

Tudor Place
Head north on 31st street to Tudor Place, an 1816 estate offering daily tours. 

Cost: $10/adults; $3/kids
1644 31st St., NW
Online: tudorplace.org

Dumbarton Oaks Gardens
Keep walking north and make your way to Dumbarton Oaks Gardens, a museum surrounded by beautiful gardens, perfect for running and playing. 

1703 32nd St., NW
Online: doaks.org

C&O Canal Towpath
Wander towards the river and pick up a stretch of the C&O Canal Towpath. 

Online: nps.gov

Georgetown’s Hogwarts
Make your way to Georgetown University and check out our own local Hogwarts—known to students as Healy Hall. 

O St. at 37th St., NW
Online: georgetown.edu

Photo: Il Canale

Eat

All of that walking will work up an appetite and you’ll find no shortage of restaurants in Georgetown. For our favorites, check out:

Pinstripes
Delicious food in a welcoming atmosphere is enough to draw us in. But add in bocce and bowling with game-side food service and we can’t stay away. 

1064 Wisconsin Ave., NW
Online: pinstripes.com

Il Canale
Pizza for the kids. A truly authentic Italian experience that will have you feeling as though you’ve made it to Naples for the adults. Everybody’s happy. (illcanale.com)

1065 31st St., NW
Online: ilcanale.com

Dessert
If you’re in Georgetown, then you’re having cupcakes. Our favorites are the classics: Georgetown Cupcake, Sprinkles, and Baked & Wired.

Photo: Daniel Lobo via flickr

Play

With full bellies, find a place to play for the rest of the day.

Georgetown Waterfront
While the splash park is gone for the season and ice skating hasn’t started yet, the Georgetown Waterfront still offers plenty of space to run around, a Labyrinth to follow, lovely river views and overlooks, and a functioning steam gauge.

Online: georgetownwaterfrontpark.org

Big Wheel Bikes
Take a break from walking and hop on a set of wheels. Big Wheel Bikes offers bike rentals so you can go farther and see more.

1034 33rd St., NW
Online: bigwheelbikes.com

—Tricia Mirchandani

featured image: NPS 

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The “It Still Works” Viral Pregnancy Announcement Couple Has Awesome Update

by Erica Loop

After becoming viral sensations in early 2017, the “It still works!” pregnancy announcement couple have some adorable family updates.

First, a little backstory: in 2014, former dirt bike racer Todd Kreig was paralyzed after a biking accident. Following the accident, Kreig met Amanda Diesen, a recovery specialist at Kreig’s rehabilitation facility. Kreig and Diesen didn’t let their relationship stay professional for long… and before Kreig could pop the question, they found out they were pregnant. Hence, the “It still works!” pregnancy announcement and the birth of a viral meme.

photo: itstillworks1 via reddit

In August 2017, Diesen gave birth to their son, Everett Jason Kreig. Rhett, as they’ve nicknamed their son, is growing steady and the former couple turned surprise family of three is loving every second of it, the challenges of newborn parenting included.

“The tough part for Todd is that he can’t help out as much as he’d like to,” Diesen told TODAY Parents. “If Rhett gets fussy he likes to be walked and bounced and rocked, but Todd is unable to do that.” Even so, Todd is not a hands-off parent. “We’re thankful, though, to have learned early on Todd can do a lot more than we originally thought,” Diesen said.

D’awww, too sweet!

Do you have a funny pregnancy announcement story? Share yours in the comments below.

—Erica Loop

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Literary Locals: Create a D.C.-Inspired Reading List

by rttriciamirchandani

When it comes to children’s book authors, the DMV has no shortage of all stars. From beloved classics to freshly pressed favorites and covering topics from sports to zoos to nature, we’ve rounded up a must-read list that kids of all ages and interest can enjoy. Read on for our picks by local literary heroes.

Judy Sierra
Whether you’ve sung your way through Zoozical or witnessed the Big Bad Wolf’s rehabilitation in Mind Your Manners, B.B. Wolf, you’re likely familiar with the work of Judy Sierra. The Wild About Books author now lives in Portland, Oregon but grew up nearby in Falls Church, Va. Wonder if she had any local places in mind when she wrote We Love Our School!

Online: judysierra.net

Judith Viorst
Yes, it’s true. Alexander’s terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day startedright here in D.C. Author Judith Viorst has lived in the area since 1960. And besides stories about Alexander (there are three beyond the original that has since become a movie), she’s written dozens of other titles including another series about a precocious little girl named Lulu.

Online: authors.simonandschuster.com/Judith-Viorst

Katherine Paterson
Do you remember reading The Bridge to Terabithia? It, and Paterson’s equally awarded The Great Gilly Hopkins were set in Virginia. Jacob I Have Loved, another classic favorite, was set in the Chesapeake Bay. Although she now lives in Vermont, her childhood and early adulthood in Virginia continues to inspire her legendary stories.

Online: katherinepaterson.com

Courtney Pippin-Mathur
Unlike some of the others in this list, you won’t recognize elements from the district in Maya Was Grumpy. But you’ll definitely want to read it when the snow days get long and tempers get short as a way to help everyone feel a little less crispy. And then, maybe see if Pippin-Mathur could do a visit at your school!

Online: pippinmathur.com

Fred Bowen
Got a sports fan in your home? Spend the off-season reading the short, fast-paced sports fiction stories crafted by local author and Silver Spring resident, Fred Bowen. With titles about Football, Baseball, Soccer, and Basketball, there’s sure to be something to keep your kids’ head in the game until spring. And in between books, check out his weekly sports column for kids in the Washington Post!

Online: fredbowen.com

Henry Cole
Author, illustrator, and Alexandria native, Henry Cole infuses the beautiful nature of our area into his books. See the Chesapeake Bay come alive in On the Way to the Beach or hear his childhood days in Loudon County come through in I Took a Walk.

Online: henrycole.net

Who are your favorite local authors?

—Tricia Mirchandani

feature photo: Kevin Davenport via flickr

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