I'VE SPOKEN TO hundreds of groups over the years, from older people with a hearing loss ("What's she saying?") to college students who aren't really awake. But I've never given a talk to middle school kids. Could there be anything more terrifying?

I'd been invited to give the keynote address to 250 girls last Saturday at the third annual "She's All That" conference at Iron Horse Middle School. The Soroptimists International San Ramon Valley did an incredible job of hosting and herding these bright and eager attendees through a daylong series of workshops specifically designed for preteen girls. During the course of the day, which began around 9:30 a.m. and ended at 3:00 p.m., the girls took classes of their choice, with breaks for healthy snacks and lunch, music and conversation, and the raffling off of girl gifts -- yoga videos, hair care products, hot chocolate mugs, and so on.

Canada Lawmakers Wants Product Labels

Ontario's New Democrats are spearheading an effort that would help Canadians learn exactly what carcinogens or toxins they are exposed to on a daily basis.

Toxic chemicals are in many everyday products, from household cleaners and laundry detergents to hair dyes and cosmetics, said NDP environment critic Peter Tabuns, who is pushing for a new law that would compel manufacturers to disclose dangerous ingredients in their products.

Consumers would demand changes if labels listed everything a product contains, Tabuns said in an interview.

"Right now, most people don't know whether or not products that they buy have cancer-causing agents in them," he said.

Tabuns wants Ontario to follow the example of California, where community right-to-know legislation has helped get arsenic out of bottled water and lead removed from some candies.

Beauty and care

Loyalty seldom exists where rewards are absent. Adherents to particular products or services constantly need evidence that they have opted for the best. Loyalty cards meet this requirement. They enable the loyal customer or client to access a set of special privileges. VLCC has joined the club, offering the `Way Of Life' card for its patrons. A member will be part of one of three categories — Nuvo, Gold and Platinum. The rewards will vary from one to another. Founder Vandana Luthra, actor Trisha Krishnan and Aishwarya Danush were present during the launch of the card at VLCC's workstation in Indira Nagar. The health and beauty services provider also unveiled a hair treatment package that is "based on resources from the sea". Rebalance Treatment wages war on the excess sebum. A mix of micro-nutrients, algae spirulina platensis and salvia officinalis essential oil are used to check the sebum levels.