SiliconValleyMom

Yea! Eoin Colfer is coming back to the Bay Area! Eoin’s Artemis Fowl series is a favorite at our house and we are looking forward to his next visit on July 22nd.

This year, instead of being held at Hicklebees in Willow Glen, Eoin will be speaking at the Cambrian Community Center which is on the campus of Ida Price Middle School. There will also be a charge of $10 per adult and $5 per child (or $20 for a family of four) for this event, but the ticket cost is applicable to the purchase of his newest Artemis Fowl book, Artemis Fowl and The Time Paradox.

Seating is first come, first served and tickets are available now either in person or via telephone (tickets are NOT available on the web site at this time).

Author visits are one of my favorite events and we have always had great fun with Eoin Colfer. He takes the time not only to sign books but also to take pictures with fans to spend a few moments chatting with everyone. The first time he signed a book for Ian, Eoin joked about the meaning of Ian’s name (Gracious gift from God). Eoin reminded Ian to use this tidbit of information the next time Ian got into trouble, which I believe was shortly after we left Hicklebees that day!

Here is a link to a clip of the Fairies, Fields and Flatulence Tour provided by Disney Hyperion. Eoin will also be stopping by the Kanbar Center for the Performing Arts in Marin on July 21st at 7 pm. Tickets for that event are $45 for a family of four and including the Artemis Fowl book.

Here are important links to regarding this visit. Author visits are a great way to stimulate a child’s love of reading. Nathaniel Parker also does a great job on the audio books.

We will see you there - look for us in the front row.

Eoin Colfer’s Fairies, Fiends & Flatulence Tour
July 22, 7 pm
Cambrian Community Center, (Ida Price Middle School)
2650 New Jersey Ave., San Jose, CA 95124
Hicklebees book store for tickets & books.
Eoin Colfer This link is for Eoin’s books at the SJ Public Library.
Eoin Colfer This link is for Eoin’s books at Amazon.com
Kanbar Center for the Performing Arts in Marin

One last note. The Artemis Fowl series is definitely for older children. But Eoin does have several books for younger children. Besides Artemis Fowl, my other favorites are The Wish List and the Supernaturalist.

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NEWS from CPSC
U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission
Office of Information and Public Affairs Washington, DC 20207

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 10, 2008
Release #08-326

Firm’s Recall Hotline: (888) 480-2854
CPSC Recall Hotline: (800) 638-2772
CPSC Media Contact: (301) 504-7908

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed.

Name of Product: Children’s Necklaces with Ballet Shoes Charms

Units: About 500,000

Distributor: Parragon Inc., New York, New York

Importer: Parragon Books Ltd., of United Kingdom

Hazard: Solder on the charm of the necklace may contain high levels of lead, which if ingested by young children can cause adverse health effects.

Incidents/Injuries: None.

Description: The recalled necklace has a silver-colored chain with a silver-colored charm consisting of a pair of ballet shoes and a bow. The necklace was provided with the purchase of a children’s book entitled, The Magical Ballet Slippers (alternatively titled Ballerina’s Magical Shoes), ISBN 1405411449, published by Parragon Books, Ltd. UPC 9781405411448 is printed on the back of the book. Spanish version, Las zapatillas magicas de la bailarina ISBN 1405448385; UPC 9781405448383. French version, Les petits chaussons magiques ISBN 1405449527; UPC 9781405449526.

Sold at: Retail chains and independent bookstores nationwide from January 2003 through June 2008 for about $7.

Manufactured in: China

Remedy: Consumers should immediately take the recalled necklaces away from children and contact Parragon for instructions on how to return the necklace and receive a free children’s book.

Consumer Contact: For more information, consumers can contact Parragon 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, toll-free at (888) 480-2854, or visit the firm’s Web site: www.parragonrecall.com

To see this recall on CPSC’s web site, including pictures of the recalled product, click here.

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To begin, I am making the assumption that you life is a little less hectic during the summer as the school year. But of course I could be wrong. If you do have extra time, then take the opportunity this summer to introduce your child to cooking.

Here are some suggestions:

Begin with setting aside one night a week (or every two weeks) for “children in the kitchen”.
Let your child create the menu (with your guidance).
Start with very easy recipes. Try the Kid’s Cook, 1-2-3 cookbook in this Amazon link.

We have had some great results with this activity including working nutrition lessons into our shopping. I am teaching my children how to read the nutritional labels and which questions to ask such as, how many calories are in a serving, do people really need 2000 calories a day, what is a serving size?

You might take this opportunity to share with your children how to choose produce and meats in the store. How does one shop for the perfect apple or cut of meat?

Menu planning because humans do not live on pb & j and pizza. What is a balanced meal?

Budget planning, saving money and coupon shopping: which item or size is more or least expensive, which is the better deal, buy one get one free or 50% off one item?

My fan favorites: why does it take so long to shop for groceries and if I have to be here, so do you.

One other benefit is that cooking and menu planning in the summer can lead to your child preparing the menus and their lunches during the school year! Yippee!

Links and more links here:

Cookbooks for children (available from Amazon.com)
Fruit & Veggies Matter (created by the CDC to help increase the number of fruits and veggies in our diets.) Try the fruit and veggie of the month section for ideas about using new fruits and veggies in your diet.
Create a personal cookbook and save 20% at TasteBook.com

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NEWS from CPSC
U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission
Office of Information and Public Affairs Washington, DC 20207

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 10, 2008
Release #08-329

Firm’s Recall Hotline: (800) 949-3311
CPSC Recall Hotline: (800) 638-2772
CPSC Media Contact: (301) 504-7908

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed.

Name of Product: “Faded Glory” Lip Gloss, Locket, and Bracelet Sets

Units: 30,000

Importer: F.A.F. Inc., of Greenville, R.I.

Distributer: Wal-Mart Stores Inc., of Bentonville, Ark.

Hazard: The lobster claw clasp on the bracelet contains high levels of lead, which is toxic if ingested and can cause adverse health effects.

Incidents/Injuries: None reported.

Description: The recalled three-piece sets contain a rectangle-shaped lip gloss container, a heart-shaped locket necklace, and a charm bracelet. The following models are included in the recall:

Item | Model Number | UPC
Frog Set | 6709-4250 | 72783357703
Monkey Set | 6709-4251 | 72783357704
Cat Set | 6709-4252 | 72783357705

“Faded Glory”, the model number, and UPC are printed on the product’s hangtag.

Sold at: Wal-Mart stores nationwide from May 2008 through June 2008 for about $6.

Manufactured in: China

Remedy: Consumers should immediately take the bracelet away from children and return the set to any Wal-Mart store for a full refund.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact F.A.F. Inc. at (800) 949-3311 between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, or visit the firm’s Web site at www.faf.com

To see this recall on CPSC’s web site, including pictures of the recalled product, please click here.

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NEWS from CPSC
U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission
Office of Information and Public Affairs Washington, DC 20207

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 10, 2008
Release #08-327

Firm’s Recall Hotline: (800) 772-2846
CPSC Recall Hotline: (800) 638-2772
CPSC Media Contact: (301) 504-7908

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed.

Name of Product: Children’s Charm Craft Kits

Units: 18,500 units

Importer: Action Products International Inc., of Ocala, Fla.

Hazard: The clasp in the charm craft kits contains high levels of lead. Lead is toxic if ingested by young children and can cause adverse health effects.

Incidents/Injuries: None reported.

Description: This recall involves “Super Dooper Charms” (item #63403) and “Shoelace Charms” (item #67310) children’s charm craft kits. The craft kits contain components (i.e., charms, beads, wire, clasps) to assemble necklaces, jewelry accessories, or charms that can be hooked on shoelaces, backpacks, or used as zipper pulls. The item number can be found on the back of the package.

Sold through: Various retailers nationwide from July 2007 through April 2008 for about $17 for the “Super Dooper Charms” kit and $6 for the “Shoelace Charms” kit.

Manufactured in: China

Remedy: Consumers should immediately take the recalled product away from children and contact Action Products International for instructions on returning it for a free replacement.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Action Products International at (800) 772-2846 between 8:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday or visit the company’s Web site at www.apii.com

To see this recall on CPSC’s web site, including pictures of the recalled product, please click here:

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Kids.gov

This site have links to government and other kids’ sites — grouped by age and subject. Explore, learn, and have fun!

For example, CryptoKidsâ„¢ - America’s Future Codemakers & Codebreakers. You can learn all about codes and ciphers, play lots of games and activities, and get to know each fun character.

Ben’s Guide to US Government for Kids

Activities are grouped at this site by grade (K-2, 3-5, 6-8 and 9-12) and whether the activity is interactive or printable. Children (and parents too!) will enjoy the Preamble Scramble, Presidential Names Word Scramble, Ben’s Lost — Maze.

Source USA.gov

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