On Superbowl Sunday (2/7/10) , mention the New Orleans Saints “who dat” catch phrase and save 10% on any cheese purchase. The owner happens to be from New Orleans- no word on what happens if you wear an Indianapolis Colts t shirt into the store on that day. 

The Cheese Store of Beverly Hills
419 N Beverly Drive
Beverly Hills, CA
310-278-2855

In these economic times, making your own Valentine’s Day gifts not only saves money, but is also a fun afternoon art project. Here are a few that we think are creative and cute. All projects take approximately an hour.

Clap Happy

Materials Needed:

• Card stock
• Marker
• Tube of lotion or your choice of gift (perfume, candy, book, etc.)
• Double-sided tape

Instructions:

• Trace your child’s hand on card stock.
• Cut out the traced hand and use it as a template to make a second hand.
• Write a message with marker. 
• Affix the hands to a tube of lotion and add card stock hearts with double-sided tape.

Suggested Messages:
“You deserve a hand!” “Hands down, you’re the best.” “I’ve got to hand it to you!”

Valentine’s Butterflies

Materials Needed:

• Sticks of gum
• Licorice strings
• Construction paper
• Scissors
• Heart stickers
• Tape

Instructions:

• Place two pieces of string licorice between two sticks of gum, taping the top and bottom closed to secure the antennae in place.
• Next, cut two heart-shaped wings from construction paper, write your valentine message on them, and secure them to the top stick of gum with a heart sticker.
• Add other stickers to give personality to your butterfly.

The Write Card

Materials Needed:

• Cardboard Pencil (to use)
• Colored card stock
• Scissors
• Markers or metallic pens
• Stickers
• Hole punch

Instructions:

• Make a template for your kids to trace around:
• Cut out a cardboard heart.
• Have your child trace the heart onto card stock and cut it out.
• Decorate with pens and stickers.
• Use the hole punch to make holes on each side of the heart and slide the cool pencil through.

Are you an Amateur Chef who has a Signature Dish?

Yet another foodie show soon to hit the wire. A producer from RelativityREAL writes, “If you make at least one signature dish that your family and friends go crazy for, then we are searching for someone EXACTLY LIKE YOU. No professional chefs or fussy, fancy dishes. We’re looking for family favorites and comfort foods…So pick the dish you’re most proud of and put it to the test in a cooking competition that gives amateur chefs the chance to win a BIG CASH PRIZE.” Interested parties should email cookingshow@rrstaff.com before February 8.

When you think of Mary Poppins, you probably do not picture a man. In a female driven industry, manny’s have become a trendy alternative to female caregivers in today’s society. The term “manny” was coined in a Friends episode when Jennifer Aniston’s character hired a manny to take care of her infant daughter. High Profile families have hired mannies to also serve as bodyguards. When clients call The Help Company requesting a manny, it is usually because they have a family full of energetic and active kids and want someone who can kick the soccer ball and who doesn’t mind to get dirty.

ABC must be up to speed on this new type of caretaker, and have a new sitcom titled “Melissa & Joey” starring Melissa Joan Hart as an aunt who gains custody of her niece and nephew and hires a manny, played by Joey Lawrence, for her sister’s kids.

Freddie Prinze JR played a Manny on Friends, which made the term for a male nanny part of pop culture. Click on the photo to read more information on the show "Melissa & Joey".

Are you settling for a job you never imagined you’d accept before the Recession? Or did you have to start your own business just to make a living? Share your experience in confidence for a PBS story about the professional dilemmas facing the underemployed.

SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA RESIDENTS ONLY.

Please email

claudia@thehelpcompany.com

The debate about when a child is “too old” to be breastfed is always an interesting one. A new study in Australia proves that breastfeeding your baby for more than 6 months has long term benefits including a stronger mother-child bond and having a greater mental health long term. Breastfeeding supposedly also helps babies deal with stress better.

At the end of the day, how long a mother chooses to breastfeed is entirely her decision and what she feels most comfortable with. We just like to share interesting articles like this with you.

Click on Icon to Read Full Article

If you’re not looking for full-time help, The Help Company Club gives you
unlimited access to our skilled and professional candidates on an on-call
basis. A membership will provide you with nannies, housekeepers, chefs,
chauffeurs, gardeners, security personnel, assistants on an hourly basis,
eldercare, butlers, party help, and pet care. Whether you are planning a date
night out, need a last minute housekeeper, chef for a romantic dinner, or
someone to fill in while your permanent help is out, be rest assured that The
Help Company can help you with your needs.

Here’s How it Works:
• Annual Membership Fee of $300, payable via credit card.
• A client can contact The Help Co during our regualr office hours, 9-5pm.
• There is a non refundable booking fee billed for all on-call requests. Fee
structure varies depending of type service. Please call us for more details.
• Clients agree to pay the candidate according to their hourly rate, which
includes a 4 hour minimum. Overtime rates apply on most major holidays.

Our Candidates:
• Are subject to a meticulous interview process to verify work history, salary,
quality of work, and integrity.
• Arrive 15 minutes before their scheduled start time to sit down with you
and go over any necessary information/guidelines for your household.

Please call us to join the club or if you have any questions.
310-828-4111
claudia@thehelpcompany.com

RAINY DAY ACTIVITIES

In LA, when it rains, the city seems to shut down. Here are just a few ideas to entertain the kids until the sun comes out.

Activities for All Ages:

Arts and Crafts

• Since you know your children the best, we suggest Googling Arts and Craft Projects with keywords of what they like to do. Some keyword suggestions would be: paint, draw, clay, play doh, paper mache & collage.

Put on a Show

• Get together a group of kids (or just you and your kid!) to stage a play or talent show. They may need help getting started, so jump start them with opening lines such as : “Once upon a time”, “in a land far far away”, etc.

Some Activities for Older Kids:

Reverse Writing

• Challenge your older child, with a pencil and paper.  See is they can write a sentence backwards, without looking in the mirror. Can they write you a secret message ?

Change of Appearance

• Have your child observe you for a minute. Leave the room, and then return to the room, having changed a small detail in your appearance (put on some lipstick or change your hair, remove a scarf or put on glasses, etc.) Did they notice your Change Of Appearance?

If you want to, and don’t mind the clean up involved– GET WET ANYWAY! Bundle up, put on rain boots, slickers, grab umbrellas and playfully splash around in the puddles. When you’re done, come back in, sit by a fire, drink hot coca, or take a warm bath.

Don’t forget to book your Valentine’s Day Private Chef.

Opt out of the tasteless Pri-Fixe, overpriced menus at restaurants this Valentine’s Day and book one of our fabulous private chefs. Our private chefs can make a personalized menu of your favorite dishes (including multiple course tasting menus if desired) in the most intimate of settings- your own home. The chefs can set the table along with flowers and candles to your liking.

The Help Company also has experienced and professional servers who can make this night truly something special.

Chef’s fees range between $250-$500 plus the cost of food. Special Rates Apply to Help Company Club Members.

The earthquake in Haiti has been catastrophic. More than three million people have been affected, and estimates are that over 50,000 have died.

The easiest way to donate is probably to text “HAITI” to 90999 to donate $10 to the Red Cross. There are other reputable nonprofits that are already providing relief to Haiti such as: Doctors Without Borders, UNICEF, and The Salvation Army.

We think this is a great opportunity to get the children involved and make them aware of this global crisis.

Here are a few fun ways to get children involved in raising money for this cause:

JUMP-A-THON

• Form a jump-a-thon to raise money for Haiti earthquake victims. Invite the children’s friends and neighbors over to join in. Have adults and local businesses pledge money per hop, and donate the earnings. The children hop for one minute, with the adult timing the minute.

BAKE SALE

• Pretty basic and self explanatory. You will need to ask parents and caregivers help children make baked goods and then buy them. All money generated should be donated.

DROP YOUR CHANGE

• These donation boxes are common in markets and stores. You can extend this to school, church, college, and office canteens. Advertise with the school or organization telling children, parents, and caregivers to bring in their spare change to donate to Haiti earthquake relief.

We welcome any other suggestions! These are just a few things we thought that could be fun for everyone while benefiting a good cause.