| A driver's apology
A Lane Transit District driver's seemingly obstinate refusal to stop an EmX bus for a panicked parent unexpectedly separated from his two young children has prompted outrage and amazement at both the local and national level. And understandably so. Any parent can empathize with Craig Parsons' plight last Monday when he took his 2-year-old daughter, Margaux, and 5-year-old son, Tor, on an outing to check out LTD's new EmX system. After escorting them off the bus at the Hilyard Street station, Parsons stepped back on board to retrieve a stroller. Then he watched in horror as the doors closed and the bus pulled away, leaving his bewildered children standing alone near a busy street. Parsons shouted to the driver to stop the bus, a plea echoed by other passengers. But the driver refused to let the father off until the next stop two blocks away.
Wave of US heists puts new breed of bandits in spotlight
The names may have changed, but the grand tradition of American bank robbers like Machine Gun Kelly, John Dillinger and Baby Face Nelson is alive and well and enjoying a revival. Now meet the Paparazzi Bandit, Panama Jack and the Harry Caray Bandit, who robs banks dressed as a much-loved American sports announcer. But the criminals are no laughing matter. New statistics reveal that the US is suffering a wave of bank robberies, as many other crimes have fallen in number over the past decade. Many large cities reported a huge spike in bank robberies last year: Los Angeles has been dubbed the "bank robbery capital of America," with 470 last year. Chicago had 284 heists, up from 2005's previous record of 240. Dallas and Washington both saw bank robberies double last year. The crime wave has left the FBI and city police departments baffled.
CEOs rally business women
A national gathering of women executives heard a clear message Thursday in Laguna Niguel: Don't let anything stand in the way between you and your passion. A panel of female CEOs urged women to be willing to fight through obstacles, which are bound to emerge. They spoke at the "Executive Women Leading the Way" conference produced by the Executive Women's Network at the Ritz Carlton Laguna Niguel in Dana Point. Lisa Druxman identified her passion as having a career that was supportive of motherhood. She founded Stroller Strides (strollerstrides.com) and now is CEO of a franchised fitness company with more than 300 locations in 30 states. The 5-year-old company is based in San Diego. "Don't expect it to be an easy road," Druxman said. "If you're not passionate about what you're doing, you'll get lost along the way.
Dateline Florida
A Pensacola man doing yard work heard the sound of whimpering coming from his neighbor's yard. It turned out to be a dog. Buried alive. In his neighbor's back yard. Robbie Wilson said he peeked over his fence and saw the dog's nose poking out of the ground Sunday, a day after he first heard the cries for help. With the help of a friend and an animal control officer, the dog was rescued and is being treated for dehydration. His new caregivers call him Lazarus. An animal abuse investigation is underway. FAU receives record $16-million donation Florida Atlantic University, based in Boca Raton, is celebrating a donation windfall. Philanthropists Carole and Barry Kaye, longtime FAU supporters, are giving the College of Business $16-million. It is the largest donation in FAU's history, and with state matching dollars it could total up to $32-million.
Parents, let's fight to preserve the Family Medical Leave Act
After my son was born, I took four weeks off from work to help take care of him. I feared dirty diapers, worried excessively when he didn't nap and banged on the baby monitor to make sure it worked when he slept too quietly.
Despite my jittery parenting beginnings, it turned out to be the most rewarding month of my life. More importantly, my son had a healthier and happier start in life because of it. Not to mention that it was much easier for my wife to return to work after she took seven months off.
And when I returned, I had not only renewed appreciation for my job and bosses, but found myself taking on extra assignments and longer hours to show it. It was worth the extra work, because every working parent should have the right to bond with a child when it counts most, when they need help with everything from feeding to learning how to grasp a pacifier.
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