Vicki Iovine helps wired moms recharge with some girlfriend power
Girlfriendsguide.com was a labor of love for Vicki Iovine, author of the bestseller The Girlfriends' Guide to Pregnancy. "It took about nine months," she says. "That's the only rhythm I have anymore," adds the mother of James, 12, Jessica, 10, Jeremy, 8, and Jade, 6. Launched Mother's Day (natch), the site offers Iovine's witty takes on topics from stretch marks to bite-happy tots, along with message boards where moms can sound off. "Mothers are hungry for companionship and advice," declares Iovine, 46, who says visitors e-mail her up to 200 questions a day. " [But] some of us can only socialize between midnight and 7 a.m." The Hastings law-school grad and onetime Playboy centerfold's music-mogul husband, Jimmy, 47, a founder of Interscope Records, vouches that moms from Melissa Etheridge to receptionists rave about Vicki. "I get it everywhere I go," he says. " 'Your wife got me through pregnancy!' "
Wiz Kids
Awaiting your turn for the new Harry Potter book? Or don't you know a Snitch from a hippogriff? Either way, you can find aid at Web sites conjured up by Potter fans young and old. One of the best: the Unofficial Harry Potter Fan Club (harrypotterfans.net), which features an "Encyclopaedia Potterica" defining the books' whimsical terms (a Snitch is a ball in Harry's favorite sport, Quidditch; a hippogriff, a magical creature). Impatient Harryaholics can link to more than 100 Potter tales written by fellow devotees. "Kids can relate to these characters.... You end up falling in love with some of them," says Shayna Ingram, 14, of Rancho Cucamonga, Calif., who posts stories at www.angelfire.com/on2/harrypotter. Says series editor Arthur Levine of the homespun homages: "It's probably the most flattering thing I can think of."
Internet Manners
I plan to invite several friends to a party via e-mail. Is there a nice way to ask them please not to forward the invitation?
If you're past frat-party age, your friends should know that an invitation is meant strictly for its recipient. Others (dates, kids, thirsty moochers) get to tag along only if the invite so specifies. Of course, just one clueless blabbermouth can turn your soiree into Woodstock 2000. Don't issue any nasty warnings—just be crystal clear about the purpose of the party and who's invited. They'll get the picture.
One of my friends e-mails me lots of inflammatory political propaganda. How can I ask her to stop shoving it in my face?
It's tough staying friends across political lines, so bully for you (hope you don't debate over dinner). But it sounds like this relationship may not last until Election Day if you don't lobby for change. Explain to your pal (in person if possible) that you feel your friendship is more important than your differences, but that you would rather not get daily reminders of the second. And then hope your idea wins a landslide of support.
You Know the Drill: It's Hammer Time!
Home-improvement pro Lou Manfredini is a real homebody. Until last winter "I had never been to New York," admits the Chicagoan, 36. "So the first time I go, I'm on The Rosie O'Donnell Show. The second time I'm on the Today show. It's like [The Beverly Hillbillies'] Jethro Bodine goes to New York." Manfredini, a veteran builder who also hosts "The Mr. Fix-It Show" on Chicago's WGN Radio, became home-supplies and services-shop OurHouse.com's expert in August, hammering out answers to about 100 questions a day on topics such as plumbing and paint stripping. "I like to be able to explain things to people so they can understand them," says the father of three (wife Mary Beth, 34, is a human resources exec). Does he yearn to be the next Bob Vila? "I should be so lucky." For now he's as unassuming as his top three rules: "Have fun, try to be smarter than the materials you're working with, and never hold a nail for someone else."
Tales out of School
Wondering if your high school class's prom king is married yet, or just hoping that girl voted Most Likely to Succeed did jail time? Several Web sites aim to connect grads with their former classmates. A leader of the pack: highschoolalumni.com, with more than 22,000 schools listed. If the object of your curiosity hasn't signed up there yet, try browsing Alumni.net, planetalumni.com or SchoolNews.com. Or you could just (gulp) attend that next reunion.
Saved by the Bell Reunion
The hookups, the meltdowns, the memoires
The case reveals what was really going on what they think of each other now!
