arts &
entertainment
A Grand tradition
Grand magazine lends advice,
inspiration to loving grandparents
member profile
GRAND, “The Magazine for Grandparents,”
is the only magazine in the world dedicated to
discussions of the complexities, challenges,
responsibilities and joys of being a contemporary grandparent.
As baby boomers become grandparents—by 2010, 112 million of them will be
showing off their grandkids’ photos—the issues
of full-time “kinship”
care, long-distance relationships, blended families and home sharing,
as well as the need to
help provide for a grandchild’s financial security,
healthy living and education, bring the role of
today’s grandparents
into sharp focus.
Regular subjects
include first-time grandparents, fitness and
health, lifestyle, travel and nutrition, product
reviews, finances and transportation, to name
just a few.
A five-year-old publication owned
by Grand Media in St. Petersburg, Florida,
Grand is helmed by Costco members Christine
Crosby, publisher, and Wendy Reid Crisp,
editor in chief and the author of When I Grow
Up I Want to Be 60 (Penguin/Perigee, 2006).
“Our readers have
told me that Grand is
their secret weapon,” says
Crisp. “They say it helps
them succesfully navigate
everything from the challenges of family issues to
finding the perfect gift for
their precious grandkids.”
Testament to the
magazine’s position on
the cusp of what’s current,
Grand has been delivered
exclusively in a digital format since the September/
October 2008 issue, a
move that has already
won the support of environmental groups around the country.
The following edited article is a sample of
Grand magazine’s monthly content. C
Name: Grand Media LLC
Employees: 12
Address:
4791 Baywood Point Drive S.
St. Petersburg, Florida 33711
Phone: 1-866-327-9039
Web site: www.grandmagazine.com
Comments about Costco:
“Now, more than ever, Costco is the
place where grands get the best values for themselves, their families and
their precious grandkids. Also, today’s
boomer grands have started their own
home-based businesses in record
numbers, and Costco has us covered
there as well.”—Christine Crosby
The Costco Connection
Grand magazine is making digital subscriptions available to Costco members
at a reduced rate. For details, go to www.
grandmagazine.com/costco.
Grand-proofing
The grandchildren are
coming to visit! What on
earth will they get into?
By Debbie Baisden
TAKE THIS SAFETY CHECKLIST through
the house and make the grandchildren’s visit
safe and worry-free (well, almost)!
Entire house
• Medicines. No matter what age the grandchildren are, lock up all medications. This
applies to over-the-counter medications as
well as prescriptions. No exceptions—the
risk of poisoning or abuse is too high.
• Firearms. Again, age doesn’t matter.
Unload and lock up all firearms. Store ammunition separately. Put the key(s) where only
you have access. No exceptions.
• Poison control. Post the national poison
control number: 1-800-222-1222.
• Electrical. Cover all unused outlets with
outlet covers or plates. Make sure all lamp
and appliance cords are out of reach.
• Windows. Install window guards in rooms
above the ground floor.
• Houseplants. Many common houseplants
are deadly if eaten. Move out of reach.
• Small items. Put away anything smaller
than a ping-pong ball—knickknacks, coins,
jewelry, batteries, candy, decorative stones
or marbles, etc.—it’s a choking hazard.
• Doors and gates. Use doorknob covers,
hook latches or safety gates to keep children
out of rooms you can’t completely grand-proof. Don’t forget doors leading to the
garage, outside or the basement.
• Curtain and blind cords. Tie up or install
safety tassels and stops to prevent strangulation.
• Plastic bags. A suffocation risk—store all
grocery, dry-cleaner, garbage, storage and
sandwich bags out of reach.
• Stairs. Install safety gates at the top and
bottom.
• Fireplaces. Use a fireplace screen. Cover
gas valves or remove the key. Hide matches
out of reach.
• Furniture. Secure heavy furniture against
tipping.
In the kitchen
• Cabinets and cupboards. Pots and pans
are fun to play with; drain cleaner is not.
Install cabinet-door safety latches.
• Dishwasher. A preschooler can open the
dishwasher and pull out the steak knives.
Install a dishwasher lock.
• Stove/range. Keep pot handles turned to
the back. Consider removing lower range
knobs temporarily.
• Refrigerator. Remove small magnets.
• Trash can. Store behind a closed door or
use one with a tight-fitting lid.
• Pet food and water. Toddlers will eat it
and drink it. Move pet dishes to where kids
can’t reach them but Fido and Fluffy can.
• Tablecloths. What fun to pull down!
Bathrooms
• Secure doors to keep toddlers out.
• Stash bath products, toiletries, makeup
and first-aid supplies out of reach.
• Make sure you can unlock the bathroom
door from the outside.
For the complete story, see www.grand
magazine.com/baisden.
