All LMC members are invited to attend our monthly meetings, held the second Tuesday of each month* at St. Mark’s Church in Orinda from 7:00-8:45 p.m.

Topics are of interest to local parents and range from the relatively serious and practical (family financial planning, preschool selection, children’s health) to downright fun (planning memorable birthday parties, fitness for moms). Over the years, we’ve had dozens of excellent speakers, lively panel discussions, and demonstrations.

If you are interested in speaking at one of LMC's monthly meetings, please visit our Speaker Information page.

Come to socialize and enjoy complimentary meeting refreshments! Social time is from 7:00-7:30 p.m. We hope to see you at our next meeting!

*Please note: there is no meeting in August. Always confirm dates, times, and/or meeting locations as they are subject to change depending on topic or calendar.

Upcoming Monthly Meetings

May's Monthly Meeting: Tuesday, May 13, 2008

Common Household Products that Risk Children's Healthy Development & Safer Alternatives

Curious about what scientists say are the risks of using the most commonly used herbicides and insecticides used in schools and homes? Want to know what cleaning product alternatives work, are cheaper, and used by those who want to decrease chronic asthma and chemical sensitivities? Then you don't want to miss our May monthly meeting where you can learn ways to protect your family.

We often don’t consider lawn chemicals or commonly used ant control pesticides to be of concern, but exposure even at low levels can cause serious health impacts, especially compounded over time. Research studies from major Universities throughout the world, such as UC Berkeley’s School of Public Health, Colombia University, and Keck, at the USC Medical School’s Public Health Department have linked low levels of pesticide exposures in the fetus and children to chronic asthma, childhood leukemia, and developmental damage, among other problems.

Fortunately, there are simple ways to protect ourselves and safer alternatives that work.

Susan JunFish, MPH, founder and director of Parents for a Safer Environment (PfSE), will be presenting an overview of the risks of toxic pesticides and cleaning products and will give recommendations for safer alternatives. Susan earned her BS and MPH from UC Berkeley and worked as a Cal/EPA hazardous substances scientist. She has given numerous talks to politicians, physicians, at conferences, and to service groups throughout the Bay Area, which have resulted in policy changes to decrease toxic pesticides and cleaning products usage by public agencies. PfSE is an all-volunteer, grass roots organization founded in 2002. Its mission is to encourage the use of safer alternatives to pesticides, which fosters the healthy development of children and helps protect wildlife and the environment. www.pfse.net

Please join us! This is one meeting you cannot afford to miss, and Susan promises a good Q & A session on all your environmental health questions.

Tuesday, May 13 at St. Mark’s Church, Orinda
Social: 7:00 – 7:30 p.m.
Meeting: 7:30 – 8:45 p.m.
Steering Committee: 8:45 p.m.

Past Meetings

• April 2008: Planning for your Family's Financial Future
• March 2008: Simple Rules for Photographing Children
• February 2008: Healthy Eating
• January 2008: Establishing Good Sleep Habits
• November 2007: Preschool Panel
  
• October 2007: How to talk so your kids will listen, how to listen so your kids will talk
• September 2007: Scrapbooking
• July 2007: Raising Healthy, Uncomplicated Children
• June 2007: Potty Training
  
• April 2007: Planning for Your Child's Financial Future
• March 2007: Spoiling Childhood
  
• February 2007: Indoor Games for Rainy Days (and more!)
  
• January 2007: Kindergarten Readiness
  
• November 2006: Preschool Panel
  
• October 2006: Crayons to Careers
• September 2006: Children's Sleep Issues
• July 2006: How to Raise a Healthy Eater
• June 2006:Alternative Medicine
• May 2006: Scrapbooking
• April 2006: Reducing and Managing Stress
• March 2006: Pediatric Health Panel
• February 2006: Community Safety
• December 2005: Unique Wines from around the World
• November 2005: Preschool Selection and Kindergarten Readiness
• October 2005: Taking Children's Photos
• September 2005: Planning for your Family's Financial Future
• July 2005: Nurturing the Couple Relationship
• June 2005: Children and Pets
• May 2005: That was the Best Party Ever!
• April 2005: Fitness and Nutrition for Busy Moms
• March 2005: Children's Health Panel
• February 2005: Fun Things to do with Kids in the Bay Area
• January 2005: Personal Coach

Directions to St. Mark’s, 451 Moraga Way, Orinda

Exit highway 24 at Orinda and travel toward Moraga on Moraga Way. Go through the Glorietta stoplight, past the fire station, then make a left into the St. Mark’s parking lot. There is ample parking available. Meetings are held in the main sanctuary.