Couple a 'positive influence' on kids

And although the couple has no children of their own, since September a significant amount of their time outside of work is spent with kids. It was a Sunday morning in late September and Ray was out in the neighborhood mowing a lawn when one of the boys in the neighborhood come up and asked if he could help. After the two raked the lawn, the boy asked Ray if he could help fix his bicycle. In the days and months that have followed, Ray and Retha have been introduced to the boy's family, friends, cousins and neighbors. Now the Haases spend time with 12 to 15 local kids, taking them to New Life Community Church for youth group on Sundays and taking trips together such as going to see planes at the airport, watching for deer and looking at Christmas lights. Since the first boy asked for help with his bicycle, Ray started to ask people at church, work and Habitat for Humanity for unused bicycles.

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Mom needs affordable home to get kids back

A 25-year-old Edmonton mom who's trying to regain custody of her four kids from Children's Services is doing everything right, her lawyer says. After separating from her husband with whom she had a stormy relationship, Roxanne is staying sober and undergoing counselling for a variety of issues, including anger management, explained Vic Findlater. But there's one final stumbling block. She can't find any affordable housing and is currently living out of a west-end hotel. "I'm very proud of this young lady. This lady has turned her life around," Findlater told the Sun. .

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New activities for Cool Kids

Cool Kids Wednesday, sponsored by Smart Start and community donations, will hold the following events at the Little River Family Resource Center, 8307 Roxboro Road. Suggested donation is $3-$5.* Feb. 7: Frozen Treasure Dig - Dig through ice as it melts and try to figure out how to get the "treasures" out.* Feb. 14: Happy Valentine's Day - make Valentines for your special someone.* Feb. 21: Rainbow Stew - Make a squeezable mixture that allows children to play with color mixing and "squoosh" as much as they'd like with no mess.* Feb. 28: Ocean in a Bottle - Make an ocean bottle to take home that will be fun for days to come.For more information, call 471-3231 or e-mail Melissa Gibbs at treefrg@netzero.com. .

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