Strollerderby : cincinnati

Chiming Lullaby Marks New Births At Ohio Hospital

Karen Murphy — Tue, 05 Jun 2007 15:07:00 GMT

Aww. I hope this marks a trend, because I think this is a sweet idea: a Cincinnati hospital began a program not long ago where a short bit of "Brahm's Lullaby" is played for every birth through the ringing of chimes on the hospital's PA system. Not only does it serve to commemorate a new life, welcome the new baby, and to make the parents feel a bit special, but it also allows the hospital staff, doctors, and nurses to take a second and recognize their own part in the ongoing circle of life that's so present in a hospital setting.

The downside, of course, would be for those parents not bringing a healthy baby home, either through stillbirth or adoption or time in the NICU. Those are difficult situations no matter how you look at it.

Still, the connection felt by new parents every time a chime sounds, knowing that yet another birth has taken place and knowing that they share that remarkable moment with other people unknown to them yet so close by, has got to be amazing.

Deadbeat Parents Put on Pizza Boxes

Stefania Pomponi Butler (CityMama) — Tue, 27 Mar 2007 18:01:00 GMT

Customers of some suburban Cincinnati pizza restaurants aren't just getting a side of ranch dressing with their pizza, they're also getting wanted posters of deadbeat parents affixed to their pizza boxes.

Local officials, trying to collect cumulative past-due child support of $106 billion, realized that parents who are running from the law rather than pay child support probably aren't dining out, they're ordering in. They see this innovative approach as a way to put pressure on parents to do the right thing.

Authorities contacted local pizzerias about the program and three restaurants agreed to participate leading to one arrest so far. Restaurants claim no customers have complained and most "think it's a good idea."

A local fathers' rights attorney disagrees, calling the tactic "horrible." He feels it can have a devastating effect on kids to see their dad's faces on a pizza box. More devasting than having a father (or mother) who doesn't want anything to do with you? I think not.