The Courier-News from Bridgewater, New Jersey • Page 10

0 err. Lifestyle coming UP In Last Word Short cuts Reasonable risks in Atlantic City. Things to do this week From the conga to Gilligan, it will be a fun week. Details on Page C-12 Beatlemania It's alive. And it's big.

The "Beatles Anthology Video" arrives in stores Thursday. The eight-olume set is 10 hours long and sells for $160. Get a preview in Lifestyle Tuesday. ffsjuii ,4 I mm mm mm iVMT'S JEW Personal Choice Early years key to kids' development Did you know that 80 percent of a child's brain development takes place before he turns a year old? Before he turns 3, many of his patterns are set for life. Yet most children have little or no for- -mal education before they go to kinder- garten.

In fact, few parents realize the importance of early childhood develop- ment. Judy Sikora, who works with the New York State Association for the Education for Young Children, says the first three years of life are the most important in terms of brain development, and families. play a crucial role in children's school readiness and success. Sikora is helping to develop a national pilot program in New York Physician-assisted dying legislation is goal of Hemlock Society 1 i By MILLICENT K. BRODY Courier-News Writer i Free publications from the American Social Health Associ- ation can help young people avoid sexually transmitted dis-eases.

To obtain copies of the guides call the association's HealthLine at (800) 972-8500. with the association and the Manhattan-based Families and Work Institute that will Illlil help parents and people who work with young children to understand the importance of the first three years of life. The aim of the National Engagement Campaign (its ANN LANDERS: who has time to do any work? B-6. iBOIEFLY A note about ib our TV page Today we introduce a new daily television column written by Mike i Hughes. It will provide you with highlights on the best to watch i each night on TV.

In addition, we've added four new listings to 1 our daily grid (based on your Channel 55, Faith and I "Values, the Cartoon Network, and Classic Movies. CAREERS i Window-washing into vogue I' vt Sharon Solomon's mother died last year. "The long painful process was increased by the physician not being able to administer enough medication to ease her pain," the Branchburg resident says. "Too much would have hampered her breathing, hastening her death. My mother suffered needlessly for many months." She adds: "It seems we have more compassion for a suffering pet than for a human being." Her experiences with her mother's death eventually led her to join the Hemlock Society, a non-profit grassroots group.

The society's goal is the passage of legislation for physician-assisted dying. There may be doctors who don't want to participate in this choice, and if that's their personal decision, that's fine. But, why should people have to suffer, chapter members believe. "I'd like to see a change in the legal system, so that doctors can support end-of-life decisions for their patients who so choose. Basically this is an issue of choice," says Sharon Solomon.

By joining the New Jersey Chapter of the Hemlock Society, people may attend meetings where they may talk with others who share the same opinions on life and death. The New Jersey chapter currently has 400 members. Man of action Dr. Jack Kevorkian has drawn a great deal of attention to physi-cian-ssisted dying. In all, the Michigan physician has acknowledged attending 38 deaths since 1990.

Kevorkian has faced a great deal of opposition to his acts, including two unsuccessful trials. Such opposition is not universal. In 1995, Australia's Northern Territory passed the first parliamentary law legalizing physician-assisted death. In the Netherlands, guidelines have been codified into their laws protecting physicians from prosecution, if they follow the guidelines. In 1994, citizens of Oregon passed the nation's first physician aid-in-dying law.

Currently, it is on hold. Recent decisions by the U.S. Courts of Appeals for the 2nd and 9th Circuits have granted legal immunity for doctors to participate in physician-assisted dying. This may eventually set the stage for a final decision by the Supreme Court of the United States to grant physicians the right to assist the terminally ill who choose a peaceful death. New Jersey law does not recognize the right for citizens and physicians to participate in physician-aid-in dying.

An April 1996 Gallup Poll indicated 75 percent of the population was interested in physician- i For as little as $100 in start-up costs, there is quick cash to be f' I '-Ynade in the window-washing business, say experts from Small Business Opportunities magazine. The tools of the trade are squee-, gees, rags, cleanser, buckets and y-; a few hand tools, The best strategy to attract business is to walk through com-X inercial districts, making cons' tacts with newer enterprises that may not have hired window wash-! ers. working title) is to help peo-T pcllg pie in communities across L'tail the country become aware OVQ of early childhood issues and work toward involving FAMILIES families and community groups in providing educational opportunities for all children. "The word engagement is key here," says Sikora, who before this project ran the Fun and Learn Center at Rockland Community College in Ramapo, N.Y. "We want to get people involved." Sikora first learned of the Families and Work Institute campaign at a National Association for the Education of Young Children conference in Denver last year.

She approached institute director Ellen Galinsky and offered to help develop a pilot program in New York. A national television program with some of the information is in the works. It's being produced by Rob Reiner and Castle Rock Entertainment, and stars Robin Williams, Billy Crystal and others. Plans are to air it on ABC early next year. Also in the works are sets of "Did You Know" cards containing facts about early childhood development, and a traveling exhibit of photos and facts.

"We want this to be a grass-roots campaign," says Sikora. "We'd like to set up some non-traditional alliances in the com munity, like having a fire department get -involved with a local chapter of the Association for the Education of Young Children. There are a lot of partnerships that can be formed to help kids. "A lot of organizations that are trying to help are going about it in the wrong way, -and just a few changes can make all the difference." For example, she says, an organization offering a program for parents on a week- night, even if child care is provided, may not lure many parents. "It's nearly impossible for working par-; ents to pick up their children, go home, fix and eat dinner and get to a program at 7 o'clock," she says.

That's why she devel- oped a cable television program for ing parents in Orange County, N.Y., where she lives. "They don't have to go anywhere, they -can just tune it in and watch while the kidsC do their homework." Leslie Boyd's column appears on Monday. Write to her at Rockland Journal-News, 200 N. Route 303, West Nyack, N.Y. 10994.

What you can do Networking with interior deco-! Trators, landscape contractors, i home painters, subcontractors for Capartment-prep firms and con-iF'Struction cleanup crews can be extremely helpful. I I For more information on the window-washing industry, write ii 1 Cleaning Consultant Services, i 3693 E. Marginal Way, South Se-attle, 98134. For more information write: The Hemlock Society U.S.A., Box 101810, Denver, Co. 80250-9932, or call (800) 247-7421.

Single Membership is $35, couple is $43. Statewide meetings are conducted at Ethical Cultural Society in Maplewood and at other places throughout the state. Hemlock services provide: A series of patient pamphlets covering issues such as patients' rights and how to talk to your doctor. A Letter to My Physician' enabling patients to initiate a dialogue with their physician regarding end-of-life-decisions. A packet offering advice and referral information to other organizations such as hospice for those in the final stages of illness.

Information about living wills and durable powers of attorney Books on the right to choose to die, including "Death With Dignity: Making Choices and Taking Care" by Timothy E. Quill, MD, and "Final Exit: The Practicalities of Self-Deliverance and Assisted Suicide for the Dying" by Derek Humphry. A chance to meet and discuss death with dignity with others. Couner-News illustration by Andre Malok liative care. As the Hippocratic oath states, "physician's purpose is to heal and not to harm." But Hemlock members argue that this is not a choice involving who shall live and who shall die.

It is merely offering those terminally ill patients, in critical and severe pain, the opportunity to make their own end-of-life decisions. Ron Graham of New Providence heard about the Hemlock Society through a friend "Death is an important issue which deserves careful thought," says Graham. "We all seem to know people who have suffered unremitting pain at the end of life. Physician assisted death is an idea whose time has come. "Most of us feel the government should exercise the least possible control over our lives.

Most of us feel the state should interfere with individual actions only when those actions clearly harm others," he adds. "Contributing to the Hemlock Society," says Winthrop DrakeThies, current president of the New Jersey chapter, "will not get you a dying kit. Nor will you receive a prescribed sheet of instructions to end your life. (This) organization is working to change stupid and unjust laws." YOUR MONEY ic Be cautious with your accountant Tho Mnnov MinHor nowcWtor assisted-suicide as a way of dying. Polls also show that if legalized, relatively few Americans would actually exercise the option of physician-aid-in-dying.

But they'd like to have that option, just as they have the option for a living will which stipulates what life-saving actions can and cannot be taken in serious medical situations. Differing views Among the opponents to physician assisted suicide are the Roman Catholic Church, other religious groups and some right-to-life organizations who believe that only God gives life and only God takes it away. A strong line also has been drawn between physician assisted dying and removal of life support systems. At a recent annual meeting, the American Medical Association overwhelmingly voted to affirm its stance against physician assisted suicide promoting instead better pain management and other forms of pal- cautions taxpayers not to be so to give your accountant a pat on the back just because you received a refund. The Money Minder says that you essentially gave the government an interest-free loan during 1995.

A savvy accountant, the newsletter's editors claim, will "Strive to reduce your withholding and invest the excess so that you can benef itirom that money during the year. For more information, call (800) ASK-ACPA or write Money Minds, 205 East Charles Road, Villa Park, 111., 60181. What you can do For more information on the" National Engagement Campaign, call the New York State Association for the Education of Young Children at (800) 246-2393, or The Families and Work Institute at (212) 465-2044. LEISURE TIME TOOfiY Sesame Street has new international addresses "The Flemington Agricultural Fair," 10 a.m.-midnight today, Flemington Fairgrounds, Route 31 North, Raritan Township. (908) "Third Annual Sandcastle Festival," today, New Jersey State Aquarium, Camden.

Aquarium admission: seniors, and students children ages 3-11 children 2 and under free. (609) 365-3300. "AAUW Used Book Sale," today, Liberty Corner School. Hosted by the Somerset Hills Branch of the American Association of University Women. only in the Catalonia region.

In Poland, "Ulica Sesamkowa' becomes the biggest children's television production in the country with; the workshop teaming with EuroMe-; dia TV to produce 52 original half-; hours for broadcast on Poland's TV This production also marks the first time TV producers in Poland' have conducted research with children to shape the production of a series. In addition, "Ulica Sesamkowa" will feature two new-Muppets Beeata, a curious and sweet lamb and Bazyli, a full-body rainbow-colored dragon. I In Russia, "Ulitsa Sezam" is first-ever Russian joint-venture pro-i ject to produce a television show specifically created for children. The Children's Television Workshop and VideoArt of Russia are currently in post-production on 52 half-hour episodes of "Ulitsa Sezam." Debuting later this year, the series has been endorsed by educators in the Russian Ministry of Education. For the past 21 seasons, the workshop has worked with CBC on a limited production of a Canadian version with CBC producing 20 minutes of local content, which was edited into the American version of "Sesame Street." This season, CBC will be responsible for producing an original half-hour version of the popular series.

In Spain, new episodes of "Sesame Street" return after an eight year absence as the workshop joins forces again with Television Espanola S.A. on "Barrio Sesamo'V'Barri Sesam." The new series is in production in Barcelona and calls for 130 episodes to be produced. In an interesting production twist, 130 episodes of "Barrio Sesam" will be shot in Catalan, the local dialect of Barcelona, during the morning hours. Then, the same 130 episodes are reshot in the national dialect of Castilian during the afternoon hours. approach." Among the new developments: Canada's "Sesame Park" is the first production of the popular children's show to feature a disabled Muppet.

Based on input from the program's educational advisers, the character was created to provide a role model for children with disabilities and children in general. Working with Jim Henson Productions, the Children's Television Workshop and the Canadian Broadcasting Corp. (CBC) created Katie, who is bound to a wheelchair, seven years ago. This season, Katie takes on new challenges by utilizing an electrical wheelchair instead of a manual one which she had used before. Katie also dreams of being "Super Katie" who wears a cape and zips around in her wheelchair helping those in need.

A new character to the show, the hand puppet Chaos The Kitten, plays her sidekick, "Super Chaos." By Courier-News wire reports NEW YORK New international co-productions of "Sesame Street" will premiere this fall in Canada, Spain, Poland and Russia, increasing the number of indigenous productions to 17, reaching children in 65 countries around the world. 'Sesame Street' is unique in that is can be freely adapted by the host broadcaster in order to achieve different educational results in different countries," said Gregory Gettas, vice president, production and executive producer, International Television Group for Children's Television Workshop. "Rather than requiring clones of the American original, we continually encourage local broadcasters to fully represent their own needs, and those of their own children, though the production of their series. Localization has always been an integral cornerstone of the 'Sesame Street' For questions or comments, you can e-mail us at or you can reach Lifestyle Editor Paul Grzella at (908)707-3149 Courier-News file photo The language spoken on Sesame Street is international. The Catalan "Barri Sesam" will simulcast over the Castilian version.