Reel In Some Outdoor Memories

All you need to recover from the hectic pace of daily life is a day in the great outdoors.

This season, explore the open waters for yourself by treating the entire family to the world of fishing and boating. According to a recent survey, Americans cite relaxation, stress relief, time with family, the thrill of the catch and connecting with the outdoors as what they appreciate most about fishing. Not only are these activities fun and affordable, they provide lasting memories for all to cherish.

Get Hooked on Fishing
Fishing is easy and enjoyable for the whole family. And, it's simple to get started. If you're not sure what you need or want a refresher course, TakeMeFishing.org is a website that helps people of all ages and experience levels learn, plan, and equip for a successful day on the water.

How to Fish - Need a beginner;s guide to fishing? The website's Fishopedia section has information about specific fish species where they live, and how to catch them. For kids, the site's Little Lunkers pages help develop fishing skills and knowledge before getting out on the water.

Where to Fish - Find your perfect local fishing and boating spot with an interactive map that guides you to your nearest park, bodies of water, fishing spots, campgrounds, and more.

Where to Boat - Download a free app to find places to launch or dock boats, including more than 35,000 boat ramps and marinas across the country.

Connect and Share - Connect with others to view and share photos, plus read expert blogs and forums to help guarantee you have the best day on the water.

Gear Up for Fun
There are just a few items you'll want to pack to enjoy your day. You can gear up with the basics- a rod and reel combo, tackle kit, and bait - at local sporting goods stores, large retailers and bait and tackle shops.

For all on-the-water festivities, be sure everyone has a life jacket, a current fishing license, and that any boat being used meets registration requirements. Licenses and registrations can be purchased for your state online.

While you're out, be sure you have proper sun protection. This includes sunscreen, sunglasses and a hat to protect skin and eyes from the sun's rays. You may also want to bring some insect repellent.

Give Yourself a Pat on the Back
Most people don't realize when you purchase a fishing license, you're giving back to local conservation projects, helping protect, preserve and enhance the nation's waterways for generations to come.

So, round up the kids and head outside to enjoy all the season has to offer. Remember, some of the best memories are caught while fishing and boating.

FREE Concert at Millennium Park Today!

Hosted by ABC 7 Chicago's Janet Davies, Val Warner and Ryan Chiaverini, the headlining performance will feature cast members from the smash hit Broadway musical MOTOWN THE MUSICAL, as well as Broadway's biggest blockbuster WICKED, and showcase additional cast performances from ELF, EVITA, FLASHDANCE THE MUSICAL, GHOST THE MUSICAL, MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET, ONCE and WE WILL ROCK YOU. This year's concert will also feature performances by the 2013 Illinois High School Musical Theater Award recipients: John Clay III of Oak Park, Illinois, and Taylor Marie Sherry of St. Charles, Illinois. Clay and Sherry will participate in The Jimmy™ Awards in New York City, named for legendary Broadway theater owner and producer James M. Nederlander, on July 1, 2013. The Broadway In Chicago Summer Concert at Millennium Park is sponsored by ABC 7 Chicago and produced in partnership with The City of Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs & Special Events. (Program is subject to change). The Pavilion will open at 5:15pm, one hour prior to the start of the concert. Admission is free for both the available seats in the Jay Pritzker Pavilion and the Great Lawn. No ticket is needed for admission.

The Guide to Baby Sleep Positions: Survival Tips for Co-sleeping Parents

Photo courtesy of Barnes and Noble
barnesandnoble.com

The clever yet sleep-challenged fathers from HowToBeDad.com, the popular parenting entertainment site, found that laughter was the best way to cope with the confounding nighttime needs of newborns. The Guide to Baby Sleep Positions: Survival Tips for Co-sleeping Parents is a humorous visual catalog of ways that co-sleeping with a baby can completely sabotage a good night's sleep. Each diagram is paired with bulleted text that outlines the particulars of each position: it's Sleep Deprivation Ranking; tips for coping; side effects you'll feel the next day; and what this position reveals about the hidden "talents" of your child.

Authors Andy herald adn Charlie Capen started their blog after bonding over mutual caffeine addictions and new-baby-picture oversharing on Facebook. Only two chapters into a parenting book for fathers, Charlie dumped it in the trash and gave Andy a call for the first time. So they created the incredibly successful HowToBeADad.com with the intention of doing something completely different, where you learn by learning nothing. So far, they have survived the process.

Their baby sleep positions have been widely viral on every conceivable digital space, and many new parents will be delighted with the brand-new content in this gift book. Whether given as a present to a spouse or as a shoer gift to the new parent-to-be in your life, everyone can laugh at the universally relatable humor in the book.

Safer than sleeping pills. The Guide to Baby Sleep Positions is a surefire sanity saver making those sleepless nights less daunting and more entertaining.