PULSE TO THE BEST OF THEIR ABILITIES.When Marilyn Graves first volunteered for the Crippled Children's Society in 1951, she worked at the organization's summer camp. Graves, now 78, went on to become the director and president of the society. ``(People have) so much ability and so much to give but they needed more opportunity than they were receiving then,'' Graves, a Sherman Oaks resident, said. ``But that was 50 years ago.'' Now called AbilityFirst, the organization is helping its disabled students find ways to be self-sufficient. ``(The name was changed) to AbilityFirst to highlight abilities rather than disabilities,'' said director David Genders. ``We're finding ways for people to be independent and productive irrespective of irrespective of prep. Without consideration of; regardless of. irrespective of preposition despite issues in their life.'' On. Oct. 22, the organization celebrated 50 years in the Paul J. Weston Center in Woodland Hills. Graves worked with the Gold Diggers Diggers, members of a small English religio-economic movement (fl. 1649–50), so called because they attempted to dig (i.e., cultivate) the wastelands. They were an offshoot of the more important group of Puritan extremists known as the Levelers. , the National Charity League and other San Fernando Valley San Fernando Valley Valley, southern California, U.S. Northwest of central Los Angeles, the valley is bounded by the San Gabriel, Santa Susana, and Santa Monica mountains and the Simi Hills. service clubs to raise money for the building's construction in 1954. ``Marilyn is just an incredibly delightful lady,'' Genders said. ``She was intricately involved in development here.'' The center offers subsidized housing Subsidized housing (aka social housing) is government supported accommodation for people with low to moderate incomes. To meet these goals many governments promote the construction of affordable housing. , job opportunities, counseling and schooling for adults with mental and physical disabilities. In the afternoon, there is a day care for children with disabilities. For more information about AbilityFirst, call (877) 768-4600. - Nicole Sunkes DATES TO KEEP: Here's a wall calendar that serves a greater purpose than keeping track of 2005 birthdays, sporting events and dinner dates: ``Working Women Behind the Scenes: The Real Women in Hollywood'' features 11 glammed-up ladies who make their livings in set decoration Noun 1. set decoration - a decoration used as part of the set of a theatrical or movie production decoration, ornament, ornamentation - something used to beautify , floral design Floral design is the art of using plant materials and flowers to create a pleasing and balanced composition. Evidence of refined floristry is found as far back as the culture of Ancient Egypt. There are many styles of floral design. , makeup, animal training and other below-the-line jobs in film and television. The brainchild of food stylist food stylist n. One who arranges food to be professionally photographed, as for a magazine. Bonnie bon·ny also bon·nie adj. bon·ni·er, bon·ni·est Scots 1. Physically attractive or appealing; pretty. 2. Excellent. Belknap (Miss April), proceeds go to weSpark, the Sherman Oaks-based cancer support organization founded by actress Wendy Jo Sperber. Belknap's family benefited from weSpark's good works when her mother was stricken with cancer three years ago, and Belknap wanted to give back to the organization. ``The Calendar Girls'' was an inspiration, but unlike the English ladies in that movie, these women, from their 20s through 60s, keep their clothes on. They're shown with the tools of their trades - a Chihuahua, bolts of carpet, a tray of coffee cups, a piping bag full of cake frosting frosting the slight graying of the haircoat around the face, particularly muzzle, in dogs with aging and as a regular feature of some breeds such as the Belgian shepherd dog. . The calendars are available for a minimum donation of $20 plus shipping at Belknap's company Web site - www.GourmetProppers.com - as well as at entertainment industry events and holiday boutiques. - Valerie Kuklenski SMART SOLUTIONS: Confused about health issues? The always-helpful people at the ``For Dummies'' book series are at it again. Three new books in the series are designed to guide you through your questions about diabetes, sleep disorders Sleep Disorders Definition Sleep disorders are a group of syndromes characterized by disturbance in the patient's amount of sleep, quality or timing of sleep, or in behaviors or physiological conditions associated with sleep. and arthritis. All three books feature ``Cheat Sheets'' at the front. ``Arthritis for Dummies,'' by Barry Fox, Nadine Taylor and Jinoos Yazdany (Wiley; $19.99), is divided into six parts, and includes information about alternative medicine, lifestyle strategies, and tests and treatments. ``Sleep Disorders for Dummies,'' by Max Hirshkowitz and Patricia Smith Patricia Smith (1955) is a poet, spoken word performer, playwright, author, writing teacher, and former journalist. She was born in Chicago and lives in Westchester County, New York. (Wiley; $19.99), gives readers tips on turning a bedroom into a sleep sanctuary, improving the quality of sleep and helping children overcome sleep disorders. ``Diabetes for Dummies,'' by Dr. Alan L. Rubin (Wiley; $21.99), offers advice about working with the medical insurance system, how diabetes affects the body and the connection between diabetes and obesity. - N.S. CAPTION(S): 4 photos Photo: (1) ``(People have) so much ability and so much to give,'' says Marilyn Graves, director and president of AbilityFirst. Joe Binoya/Special to the Daily News (2) no caption (Bonnie Belknap (Miss April) (3) no caption (book: ``Sleep Disorders for Dummies'') (4) no caption (book: ``Arthritis for Dummies'') |
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