This week's show highlights:

• Performing for Autism Awareness
• Finding Our Manners

Paul Whelihan is the artistic director of Pushcart Players, and a producer for three decades in New Jersey's professional theater circuit.

Since its founding in 1974, Pushcart Players has traveled over 2 million miles nationally and abroad, from the White House to the little red schoolhouse. Nominated for an Emmy©, the organization is the recipient of numerous state and private awards for excellence and innovation. Pushcart addresses social studies, literature, history, the autism spectrum, special educational needs and values clarification. All performances by professional artists (Actors' Equity Association) are supported by study guides and other supplemental materials, and adapt to any location with innovative scenery, lighting and sound systems.

What do you do when you feel like you are about to cough or sneeze? Are cellphones appropriate for the dinner table? Life is full of lessons that need to be learned by children at a young age. Children do not immediately know what is proper and polite, but parents play a key role in instructing them.

As an educator with over 40 years experience, Gail Reed shares, "I Cant Find My Manners" with parents and readers hoping to encourage kindness, positivity and courtesy in all aspects of life.

"When children learn early the basics of good etiquette and the proper way to respond to the challenges of our world then they will be much better prepared to react in a positive way," Reed said.

So pull up a chair, shake up a cocktail, and kick up your heels while you tune in to the refreshingly real talk about what it takes to be a functional - and fun - parent in today's wild world of raising kids.

Call in to join the conversation 877-864-4869

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