August 2012 "Proud to be Pagan"

ISSN 2159-9939

Have Faith A Case for Discretion Prayer Flags Cherry Chocolate Cookies The Call by Ankolie Coming Out Book Reviews Pagan Pride Project

“Proud to be Pagan” August 2012 Volume 3 • Issue 8

™•June 2012 • Volume 3

Publisher and editor Eberhardt, Personal Visions

Contributors Ankolie Eberhardt Faelin Wolf jess*ca mae Maeve Gregory S. J. Drew Zedral Z

STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER Nina Pak, http://www.ninapak.com Eberhardt

Layout Eberhardt Website

Personal Visions Consulting/Photography

Advertising Eberhardt Our goal at Pagan Edge is to provide readers a high quality, timely magazine with content relevant to modern pagans’ lifestyle and passions.

Our publication is a lifestyle magazine so while we may publish spells, rituals, and some magick how-to; we aim to focus on ways that pagans, wiccans, earth-based-spiritualists, and those of like mind can incorporate their values and beliefs into their everyday living.

Pagan Edge Magazine & paganedge.com exist solely to offer information to our readers. The publisher, editor, and the entire personnel of Pagan Edge, Pagan Edge Magazine, Personal Visions, Refraction Design and paganedge.com cannot be held responsible for misuse of any information provided. The views expressed in the articles and ads are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect those of Pagan Edge Magazine.

Product descriptions, recipes & any how-to information: While we, and our affiliates, attempt to provide accurate information in the magazine and on the site, we do not warrant that the content on this site will be accurate, complete, reliable, current, or error-free. It is your sole responsibility for the use of the content of this Magazine or web site. For additional details please see http://www.paganedge.com

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August 2012 • Volume 3

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N ow o N l i N e !

S.J. Drew’s Newest Title

Available through: Smashwords, Sony, Barnes & Noble, Kobe, Apple, and Diesel

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™•June 2012 • Volume 3

contents

6 Dream Weaving Pride or Harm?

7 Life’s Wit Having Faith 8 Finding the Edge Pagan Pride

9 Foood of Gods Chewy Chocolate Cherry Cookies

On The Cover

10 Feature A Case for Discretion

11 Craft Corner Prayer Flags

Photography by Nina Pak Model: Melice Bell Make up: Aphrodite Make Up Arts Designer: Temna Fialka

13 Feature Coming Out 14 The Call by Ankolie

18 Finding the Edge Pagan Pride

19 PE Book Review Discount Armageddon

Voodoo Hoodoo Spellbook

23 Feature The Pagan Pride

Volume 3 • Issue 8 • August 2012 “Pround to be Pagan” Pagan Edge™ is published monthly

by Personal Visions admin@paganedge.com

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August 2012 • Volume 3

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Dream Weaving It is an unavoidable fact that we are living in a culture of religious intolerance. The blame for who is the worst is really not as important as the fact that all of us share in the fault for some portion of this deeply negative trend. So the question needs to be, what can do to help stop this tide of forces which threaten all life across the face of this planet?

The place to start is within our own minds and hearts. It is in these paces we feel free to think what we want because no one else needs ever know. However, in minds our personal energies collect and become the actions that manifest in the world we share. We are also connected to the divine through our souls and negative thoughts about other people and their faiths can be shared outwards through this connection.

Is this not evident in our own images of various Gods and Goddess of War? They dance on the slain, rend the bodies of their greatest enemies, or they counsel wisdom of avoiding the fight to use war only as a last resort. Ask yourself, of these images, which have you found yourself most

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publisher speaks

closely dreaming about?

As we find our own connections to the divine and practice our crafts in groups or as solitaries, it is important to keep in mind any version of the “Golden Rule”. The familiar “Harm None” may be the most subtle and most strict, so we face the greater challenge. If we make “Harm None” part every thought and action, we then can hold our heads high. Our goal should be to part of the solution and not the plague of blind dogma. Take this rule with you when you come “out” to those that may react negatively and return only compassion and acts of caring. Never prophesize; instead go out and serve, give back to you family and community with charity, support, and wisdom. Be the first to offer friendship and the last to offer offence.

Remember, justice will come to those that bring with them the disease of hatred. We may not be privileged to understand the God’s justice, but we are all subject to it.

This issue invites you to go out into the world and do good deeds be the pillar of whatever cause means the most to you and be proud for who you are and the spirit you express in your actions.

Bright Blessings!

Life’s Wit

by S.J. Drew

Having Faith Katie put on her pentacle necklace. "Today's the day," she thought. Then she threw her books in a backpack and ran down the stairs.

"Are you sure about this, honey?" her father asked.

"I'm sure Dad. It'll work out. It will."

Frank smiled weakly and within minutes he was dropping his daughter off at her high school.

Katie walked down the halls proudly displaying her pentacle.

She was drawing odd looks, but she expected that in her small town. Everyone she knew was Christian, even her father. She saw her best friend walking up to her.

"Hi, Katie!" Emma said brightly.

"Why are you wearing that necklace?" she asked, looking horrified.

"You know why. I told you I was thinking of becoming pagan, and I have. I'm not ashamed of my new religion," Katie said defiantly.

"This is just not a good idea."

"Why not?"

"I've got to go," Emma said, and hurried away.

Later, Katie was getting books out of her locker for science class when two other girls walked up to her. "Hi Ashley, hi Taylor," she said, confused.

"Are you worshipping the Devil?"

Taylor asked.

"What?"

"The pentagram," she said, pointing to the necklace. "Are you worshipping Satan?"

"Of course not!"

“Then why are you wearing a pentagram?” Ashley asked snidely.

“It’s a pentacle, not a pentagram.

It’s the other way ‘round, which is the way it’s supposed to be.”

They clearly didn’t believe her and walked off.

She shrugged and went to her next class. The rest of the day proceeded normally enough, although her science teacher asked her to remove her neck

lace. She was packing up to go home when a boy walked up to her. She blushed.

“Hi, Justin,” she said shyly.

“I heard you were worshipping Satan.”

“Oh, for Pete’s sake, of course I’m not. I told Taylor and Ashley this is a pentacle, not a pentagram.

My goddess is the Earth Mother, not Satan.”

“But you’re not Christian anymore?” he asked.

“No. It wasn’t easy, and I still have great respect for Christianity, but it’s just not right for me,” she answered.

“You can’t turn your back on Christ or you go to Hell,” he said insistently. “’Thou shalt not worship other gods before me.’

That’s a Commandment. You need to repent of your idolatry and return to the church before it’s too late.”

“I-I-I need to go. Dad’s waiting for me,” she stuttered, and got out of the school as fast as she could.

Continued on Page 17 ™•

August 2012 • Volume 3

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Food of

By Zedral Z

Gods

Chewy Chocolate Cherry Cookies How does food fit into coming out of the broom closet? Well, if you’re a kitchen witch (and I am), you can relate just about anything back to food. Before I sat down to write this article, I made some notes and came up with some ways in which groups and individuals who are ‘out’, so to speak, can make themselves more visible to the community, share information, spread awareness, and promote acceptance.

One thing that an individual or a group can do is donate to a local food bank. You can do it anonymously if you choose, of course, but you could donate in the name of your group. It depends on the name of your

group and how tolerant the organization running the food bank is. The ones I’ve donated to were always associated with a church. If nothing else, you could refer to yourselves as an “Interfaith Community of Like-Minded Individuals” or something.

Volunteer at a soup kitchen if your community has one.

Remember that the simple act of serving food to someone is an act of love and a small ritual.

Say a quick private blessing over the food if you desire.

Chewy Chocolate Cherry Cookies • • • • • • • • • •

Hold a bake sale and donate the money to charity. Find a cause to support and raise money for it. It could be for victims of a natural disaster, children in need of cleft palate surgery, St. Jude’s hospital… check around.

Don’t forget our furry friends.

Collect donations of dog, cat, kitten, and puppy chow for your local animal shelter.

Again, donate in the name of your group and really let the community know that a group of Pagans is working to make a positive difference in the town.

• • •

2.5 cups flour 1 tsp. Baking powder Pinch or two of salt 1 cup butter 2 eggs 1 cup brown sugar 1/2 cup white sugar 1 tsp vanilla extract ½ tsp almond extract 6-8 ounces dark

chocolate (semisweet or unsweetened, so the cookies aren’t too sweet) 1 cup chocolate chips (the darker the better) 1 cup dried cherries, coarsely chopped 3/4 cup chopped toasted almonds (optional)

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August 2012 • Volume 3 9

A Case for Not everyone wants to come out of the pagan closet. Plenty of pagans do not go public with their spiritual beliefs by choice. There are risks involved in revealing that part of our lives to family, friends, neighbors, and coworkers. Each person has to decide whether the risks outweigh the benefits that come with being open about who they really are and for many the decision is to remain silent on that aspect of their lives.

Discretion

different classical religions. To some extent they each seem to have their own personal spiritual system while still sharing some common beliefs within their community. That’s understandable. Many of us are coming t o

Denying equal rights to another group of human beings based on your religious beliefs is still call bigotry.

I personally have decided not make my spiritual beliefs widely known.

However, it’s not because of the risks that I might face from others in my community. Many of the people I know are pagan themselves, and non-pagans in my community are deliberately tolerant of other viewpoints citing “It’s not my business!” So I suspect I don’t face any real danger or even minor repercussions if I were to announce my beliefs.

What keeps me from coming out of the pagan closet is more complicated.

The pagans around me assume I’m pagan as they are. They talk about their beliefs tending toward the New-agish for want of a better term. They’ve formed their beliefs from personal experience and influences of 10

™•June 2012 • Volume 3

By Maeve Gregory foundation of that structure is atheism and science, and not Magick or the supernatural. The framework is based heavily on Buddhism, as I find it to be quite compatible with my atheism and questioning nature.

paganism from non-pagan backgrounds and are tearing down and then rebuilding a system of belief.

To an extent I can get by in this type of pagan community. I can talk the Magick talk. I can even walk the labyrinth walk.

But I don’t share the beliefs. I too demolished what religious ideas I had growing up and cobbled together my own pagan spiritual structure. The

Continued on Page 18

Craft Corner Prayer Flags We here at Pagan Edge magazine like to encourage keeping things as green as possible, so to that end, this column’s craft this month isn’t a specific project. Rather, it’s a roundup of methods for making prayer flags with material that you may have on hand.

The prayer flag tradition is ancient, dating back thousands of years in India and to the shamanistic Bon tradition of pre-Buddhist Tibet.

Bonpo priests used solid colored cloth flags, perhaps with their magical symbols, to balance the elements both internally and externally. The 5 colors of prayer flags represent the 5 basic elements: yellow-earth, green– water, red-fire, white-air, blue-space.

Balancing these elements externally brings harmony to the environment.

Balancing the elements internally brings health to the body and the mind.

Wood-block prints of the sutras (Buddhist scriptures) and images were placed on colorful squares of fabric, which were then strung together on a rope and hung in high places out in the elements. Their message of peace, compassion, wisdom, and strength is carried into the universe as they fade in the elements.

While they are traditionally associated with the Buddhist tradition, the concept of prayer flags can be used as a template for making colorful and personal statements of an individual’s own spiritual tradition.

Materials for the flags can vary using traditional cotton cloth, scrap fabric, or paper. Woven fabrics can often be used without finishing the edges, but if a cleaner edge is desired it can be folded under and sewn or tacked down with fabric glue. Paper left from other projects or even gift wrap or tissue paper from gifts can be used. Wrinkled paper can be smoothed with an iron set on low.

The normal red of these flags have faded to orange from exposure to the Sun. Continued This is normal the “falling” apart of the flags is part of their nature.

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August 2012 • Volume 3 11

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™•June 2012 • Volume 3

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 

Coming Out



universally worshiped. Even our There should never be diverse community suffers from a time when a person hatred and misgivings about has to worry about those that are different. How how their spiritual many of us can say that we have path, faith, or absence not laughed or even retold a thereof is subject to religiously intolerant joke? humiliation, threats, Against this background, each of or discrimination. us has to consider what it means However, the sad fact to come out and let everyone is people fight and kill freely know where we stand on each other every day over just those Morality is doing what is things.

coming out, but it actually boils down to this; lying to yourself, avoiding what feels good and honest in you will in the end pull you down. Not being truthful to yourself is the one guaranteed way to ensure that you will not find happiness or peace in this life. This is reflected both internally and externally every time you chose to tell a white lie about your beliefs or lead other by omission to believe what they will of you. right Often these things are regardless of what you are told. in self-defense, for that you cannot be faulted.

Coming out about your However, when taken beliefs if they do not Obedience is doing what is told as a short cut it will conform to the religion become very hard to of dominance can regardless of what is right. make ethically sound be something that is choices. It is at this point terrifying or even a non- ~ H. L. Mencken c. 1925 that your beliefs fall starter for many people. apart, your potential for Expressing yourself by growth dries up, and embracing your chosen the religious spectrum. Even to doubt and depression take root.

Goddess, God, or even your those we trust the basic act of basic humanity on any spot This article does not advocate of this planet will make you a taking a stand can cause a great any specific religion or ethical target for someone else that deal of turmoil and discussion to reach mutual understanding. path, it’s about being truthful at hates you and in many cases So why come out at all? Why this point in your life. Character will not even be able to explain exactly why. This should be a not stay in the closet and just or the courage by which you do good things like charity, live make the right choices should deep source of shame for all sustainably, and celebrate the humans as it is ignorance and public holidays? There are many the fear of difference that seem Continued on Page 24 fancy ways of giving reasons for to be the actually Gods that are

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August 2012 • Volume 3 13

Continued from 11 Buddhists added their own texts to increase the power of the flags. There are ancient symbols, prayers and mantras for generating compassion, health, wish fulfillment, and for overcoming diseases, natural disasters and other obstacles. In this present dark-age disharmony reigns and the elements are way out of balance. The earth needs healing like never before. Prayer flags moving in the wind generate a natural positive energy. Acting on a spiritual level the emanating vibrations protect from harm and bring harmony to everything touched by the wind.

Depending on the material used as the flag, the messages can include ink/marker, embroidery, screen-printing (see Pagan Edge issue July 2012 for a tutorial on a DIY method), appliques, fabric or paper glue, or glitter; the only limit is the imagination and what’s in the craft drawer. The same goes for the string or rope. The flags can be sewn or glued to a string. They can also be overlapped and sewn together to form something of a banner. Paper flags can also be attached by string or sturdy thread by punching holes in them and sliding them onto the string or loosely sewing them together with a needle and thread.

And the fun part is of course the messages.

Pagans can proclaim their beliefs loudly and proudly or quietly and modestly. The flags can be covered with symbols and prayers. Messages can be simple sentiments, meaningful quotes, and heartfelt drawings.

The finished string can be a compilation of one person’s spiritual beliefs and feelings, or it can be a compilation of a group of people.

It can be an activity held during a gathering, a party or done for in solitary contemplation.

J 16

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Continued from Page 7

She didn’t say anything on the ride back and went directly to her room.

Frank gave her some time to herself and then went upstairs. “Can I come in?” he asked.

live your faith and don’t listen to them. Eventually they’ll probably leave you alone about it.

Emma will I’m sure. And if others don’t, they aren’t your friends anyway.”

“Whatever,” came the muffled response.

“Thanks, Dad,” she said without much conviction.

“Today wasn’t good?” he asked, entering the room.

“It will get better. It just takes time. Dinner will be ready in fifteen minutes,” Frank said, and left her alone.

“No,” she answered shortly, and then told him about her day.

He sighed. “I’m sorry.”

“Why are people like that?”

“There are lots of reasons.

They’re scared, or they don’t understand.”

Katie did feel a little better. “Faith isn’t easy,” she thought. “But that doesn’t mean I should hide it.

I’ll just have to get through.”

Then she went downstairs to dinner.

✪

“It’s not fair!” Katie said.

“No, it’s not. But life isn’t about fair. You can’t make anyone accept your new faith. You just

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August 2012 • Volume 3 17

Continued from Page 10 By nature, I hold my beliefs close, something which I also don’t often share. I don’t care to debate them with an outside source. That’s not because I don’t want them challenged. It’s that I prefer to conduct my own examinations and challenges at my own pace. I question every new thing I learn, be it spiritual in nature or otherwise. I can’t help myself as that too is a part of my nature. I have my own sources and my own schedule for mulling

I question every new thing I learn, be it spiritual in nature or otherwise.

If a person does come out of the pagan closet, do they fully emerge? Are they holding some things back? With so many different types of pagans, does a simple statement mean so very much? And how much acceptance is a pagan likely to get for their specific beliefs?

And how many others are out there, who like me, feel no need to claim their paganness publicly? There is safety in numbers after all. The more pagans who do come out could lessen the fear about coming out. But does that mean that those of us who have personal, internal reasons for keeping that information private should go public? What obligation do we have?

✪

over spiritual concepts and don’t want to share my mental space with other people’s thoughts.

And, like I said, I’m an atheist.

While I’m still technically a pagan...not Christian, Jewish, or Muslim..., that doesn’t always sit well with other pagans. I seem to get no more acceptance in the pagan community for being an atheist as I would amongst a monotheists. This has led me to wonder how much other pagans withhold of their personal beliefs when discussing them with pagans.

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Did you know that you can buy all of our back issues for only a $1.95 each?

Just look for our store at http://www.paganedge.com

The Pagan Edge

Book Review

by Faelin Wolf Verity Price, or Very, is a member of the infamous Price family, cryptozoologists who turned “traitor” and left the Covenant because they did not believe that all cryptids (or supernatural, non-human beings) were evil and in need of killing. She struggles with choosing between the “family business” of being a cryptozoologist and doing what she loves—being a professional ballroom dancer. Her family has given her the opportunity to lead a double life in New York, dancing under a pseudonym and maintaining good relationships and protecting the cryptids in the city.

Very runs into difficulties when a untried Covenant member turns up in her neighborhood, hunting the cryptids she protects.

She confronts and investigates him, only to find that there are mysterious disappearances that neither of them are responsible for. Turns out, maybe dragons aren’t a myth after all…

Discount Armageddon

by Seanan Mcguire , 2012, ISBN: 978-0756407131 Seanan Maguire is an author I enjoy. I found this, the first of her new series, at the library.

I thought this book might be related to our theme this month because Very, the main character, is trying to determine her identity and who she really is.

I loved this book! It was action packed, funny and snarky, and a satisfying mystery. The book provides a lot of backstory and seems to set up future books in the series. Definitely something to look forward to! And if you don’t love the Aeslin mice and want some of your own, I’d be very surprised! Check them out in the Seanan Mcguire’s field guide at: http://seananmcguire. com/fieldguide.php

Book Review continued on page 25

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August 2012 • Volume 3 19

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August 2012 • Volume 3 21

Continued from Page 18

Putting it Together 1. Melt the butter * with the dark chocolate. Put the sugar into a mixing bowl. Add the melted chocolate. Mix until well combined.

2. Beat two eggs. Add a spoonful or two of the melted chocolate to temper the eggs so they don’t scramble. Add the egg mixture.

3. Add vanilla and almond extracts. Stir in the dry ingredients, and then mix in the chocolate chips and dried

cherries. Mix in the almonds if you are using them.

4. Grab about a tablespoonful at a time, roll into a ball, and place onto a greased cookie sheet. Flatten slightly.

5. Place the cookies 1 1/2-2 inches apart.

6. Bake at about 350-375 for 6-8 minutes per tray.

HuNGER lIkEs AcTIoN moVIEs, Too. 1 IN 6 AmERIcANs sTRuGGlEs WITH HuNGER.

Makes 2 dozen cookies I like to remove them when they’re just a teeny bit soft and just let them finish firming up as they cool. * I melt the butter because I like chewy cookies. Cream together softened butter and sugar if you want crunchier cookies.

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™•June 2012 • Volume 3

ToGETHER WE’RE

Hunger is closer than you think. Reach out to your local food bank for ways to do your part. Visit FeedingAmerica.org today.

The Pagan Pride Project Statement of Purpose: “The Pagan Pride Project is a non-profit organization. The primary purposes of this corporation shall be the advancement of religion and elimination of prejudice and discrimination based on religious beliefs.”

Mission Statement: “The mission of the Pagan Pride Project is to foster pride in Pagan identity through education, activism, charity and community.

Defining the Mission Statement: We try to keep our purpose balanced through the inspirations of Air,

Fire, Water, and Earth: Air: Education We’re never going to be able to practice our spiritual paths openly if we don’t give the public accurate information about what we do and do not do.

Fire: Activism People aren’t necessarily going to go out of their way to find out what Pagans really do. We have to have the courage to act on our convictions and do what we need to do.

Water: Charity We know that what we do returns to us. We need to demonstrate this by offering compassion to our communities where it is needed. When we share our own abundance, we show that we trust the Gods to share abundance with us in return.

Earth: Community We’re never going to be able to practice openly if we don’t know anyone else in our local Pagan communities.

We need to weave networking webs in our cities, in our towns, in our rural areas. We need these webs to support one another. That support will also show those who would restrict our practice that we are not just a few isolated wackos, but are a growing congregation of people who adhere to a faith that, while different, is as valid as their own.”

Pagan Edge Magazine supports the mission of the “The Pagan Pride Project” if you would like to learn more please check out their website: http://www.paganpride.org

Proud to be

Pagan ™•

June 2012 • Volume 3 23

Continued from Page 13 To save a child, there’s no such thing as too far away.

In every corner of the world, local health workers like Salif Diarra bring lifesaving care to the children who need it most.

only ever be positively impacted by whatever spiritual path you have chosen. When we chose not to set a good example by opening embracing others and giving them the chance to embrace you the example you set is one that says it is ok to be stifled, suppressed, and belittled. For any person that has ever looked up to you, it tells them to accept being devalued in some way. It is a short hop to tacit endorsement of gender, racial, and sexual discrimination. It allows others to make choices about your body, about your creativity, and almost every other aspect of your life.

When the concept of free speech was conceived it opened a door that so many have been trying to shut ever since. If you chose not to bring your true self forward, it begs the question of which side of the door you push on?

✪

HELP ONE. SAVE MANY. See where the good goes at GoodGoes.org

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™•June 2012 • Volume 3

Book Review continued from page 19 She has had experiences within Catholicism, Hare Krishna, the Universal Life Church, Native American spiritualities, and of course, New Orleans voodoo hoodoo. She is a scholar and a religious leader. Her book reflects both of these aspects of her life and provides a wealth of information.

She begins with a brief history and explanation of New Orleans voodoo hoodoo and how it is different from and similar to African voodoo, Haitian voodoo, and other religious traditions.

This was so helpful to me, since I knew very little about voodoo and thought it was mostly the same. What follows the history portion is a lot of information: saints, prayers, rituals, tools, spells, and recipes! The recipes and spells cover many areas like gris gris, candle magick, inks, waters, powders, and talismans. The uses of all these magickal items and spells cover all manner of topics from health, relationships, work, and more.

The Voodoo Hoodoo Spellbook

by Denise Alvarado, 2005, ISBN: 978-1578635139

I wanted to find something a little different this month, but somehow related to identity.

I found a great book! Alvarado’s The Voodoo Hoodoo Spellbook is an awesome resource for those who don’t know anything about voodoo, hoodoo, or voodoo hoodoo and for those who are well versed in the craft. Personally, I knew very little, but found that I learned so much from just the first chapter!

Anyone who practices voodoo or has an interest in voodoo should pick up this book. I think it is a valuable resource. Of course, it is also important to know your own personal ethical/ moral code. Some folks feel that voodoo may impinge upon the rights of others. This could limit the usefulness of The Voodoo Hoodoo Spellbook for you. Personally, I think anyone could find some useful information from the book!

Happy reading!

✪

Denise Alvarado is a pretty amazing woman.

She is an anthropologist and a psychologist.

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August 2012 • Volume 3 25

"First, have a definite, clear practical ideal; a goal, an objective. Second, have the necessary means to achieve your ends: wisdom, money, materials, and methods. Third, adjust all your means to that end." ~Aristotle

"What affects one thing affects, in some way, all things: All is interwoven into the continuous fabric of being.

Its warp and weft are energy, which is the essence of magic."

-Starhawk

“We are not evil. We don't harm or seduce people. We are not dangerous.

We are ordinary people like you. We have families, jobs, hopes, and dreams.

We are not a cult. This religion is not a joke. We are not what you think we are from looking at T.V. We are real. We laugh, we cry. We are serious. We have a sense of humor. You don't have to be afraid of us. We don't want to convert you. And please don't try to convert us. Just give us the same right we give you--to live in peace. We are much more similar to you than you think.” ~ Margot Adler

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™•June 2012 • Volume 3

Lead paint poisoning affects over one million children today.

Learning disabilities, hearing loss, speech delays, violent behavior and, in rare cases, seizures and even death: these are just some of the effects lead paint poisoning has on young children. If your home was built before 1978, lead paint on your walls, doors, windows and sills may be dangerous. And it’s not just large paint chips that can cause damage. In fact, three granules of lead dust are enough to poison your child. Let’s make all kids lead-free kids. To learn more about the simple steps you can take to safeguard your family, log on to LEADFREEKIDS.org or call 800-424-LEAD.

Moving is the best medicine. Keeping active and losing weight are just two of the ways that you can fight osteoarthritis pain. In fact, for every pound you lose, that’s four pounds less pressure on each knee.

For information on managing pain, go to fightarthritispain.org.