SiliconValleyMom

Let’s not forget to support the arts in the Bay area.  CSMA (Community School of Music and Arts) which provides the community with great free concerts is having a raffle.  The prizes include tickets to Wicked (the current hot ticket!), “wearable art” created by designers Soo-Ling and DGStudios, and a “staycation” comprised of 15+ events to theater, opera, music, more.

Tickets are only $20 (six for $100) and can be purchased at CSMA’s main office or call Development Associate Amy Streeper (650-917-6800, x334); gala@arts4all.org.  There will only be 450 tickets sold so buy yours today.

Celebrate-Family!

Tags: Around The Town, Uncategorized by admin
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From June 27, 2009, through March 28, 2010, we will be able to enjoy Tutankhamun and the Golden Age of the Pharaohs at the De Young in SF.   The exhibit will include over 130 outstanding works from the tomb of Tutankhamun, as well as those of his royal predecessors, his family, and court officials.  All of the treasures in the exhibition are more than 3,000 years old.

Tickets can be purchased now for members of the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco.  For the rest of us, tickets sales begin on April 6th. Ticket prices for non-members range from $16.50 (children) to $32.50 (adults).

There is also special pricing available for groups and field trips including a limited number of reduced price and free tickets for field trip groups.

Celebrate-Family!

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See this recall on CPSC’s web site, including pictures of the recalled products.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 19, 2009
Release # 09-134

Firm’s Recall Hotline: (866) 580-9930
CPSC Recall Hotline: (800) 638-2772
CPSC Media Contact: (301) 504-7908
HC Media Contact: (613) 957-2983
Old Navy Media Contact: (800) 333-7899 x75900

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission and Health Canada, 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: Stuffed Animal and Creature Toys

Units: About 35,500 in the United States and 5,400 in Canada

Retailer: Old Navy LLC, of San Francisco, Calif.

Hazard: The stuffed toys have two button eyes that could detach from the toy, posing a choking hazard to young children.

Incidents/Injuries: None reported.

Description: The stuffed animal and creature toys are made out of cotton and have plastic button eyes. They come in a variety of styles, such as a rabbit, penguin and reindeer. The recalled toys and style numbers are listed below:

Type of Stuffed Toy and Style Number:

Brown Plaid Creature (Stubby Stuberson) 612756
Pink Striped Dove 600571
Grey Dog 600572
Hot Pink Creature (Lucy Toothy) 612800
White Dog (Dr. Poopsie) 612738
Brown Penguin 612672
Light Pink Rabbit 612671
Brown Reindeer 612728
Dark Pink Rabbit (Honey O’Bunny) 612806

The style number is located on a white label sewn into the side seam of the toy.

Sold at: Old Navy stores and on the Web at www.oldnavy.com from July 2008 through February 2009 for between $6 and $10.

Manufactured in: China

Remedy: Consumers should immediately take the recalled stuffed toy away from young children and return it to any Old Navy store for a full refund. If purchased online, contact Old Navy for instructions on returning the toy for a full refund. Consumers who return the toy before July 1, 2009 will also receive a $5 coupon toward a future Old Navy purchase.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Old Navy toll-free at (866) 580-9930 between 9 a.m. and 9 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, or between 12 p.m. and 7 p.m. ET on Saturday, visit the firm’s Web site at www.oldnavy.com, or e-mail the firm at custserv@oldnavy.com

Note: Health Canada’s press release can be seen at http://209.217.71.106/PR/recall-retrait-e.jsp?re_id=666

Tags: CPSC Recalls by admin
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February is Heart Month, an excellent reminder that we should take good care of ourselves.  So many women, especially mothers ascribe to the ‘Super Woman’ myth of being indestructible. But because we are mothers we need to take even better care of ourselves. 

Do you know the symptoms of heart attack in women?   Here’s the quiz: Try to name three symptoms of heart attack that are associated with women.  And when you’re finished click on the links below to check your answers and check yourself.  Be your own advocate.  
 
Women’s Heart Attack Symptoms
Eight Critical Questions to Ask Your Doctor
Ten Questions to Ask Yourself  

Safeway.com - Free Heart Health Screening - a $40 Value
Heart disease is the #1 killer of women. Take five minutes for a free screening at our Pharmacy. 

As for me, I looked at the list and booked my appointment.  I discussed my concerns with my doctor, who immediately ordered an EKG and is now following up with a treadmill test.

Celebrate Family!

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See this recall on CPSC’s web site, including pictures of the recalled products.

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

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 12, 2009
Release #09-129

Firm’s Recall Hotline: (877) 322-8760
CPSC Recall Hotline: (800) 638-2772
CPSC Media Contact: (301) 504-7908

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is announcing today a voluntary recall by Hill Sportswear Inc., of Paramount, Calif., of 300,000 hooded drawstring sweatshirts. CPSC received one report of a death involving a 3-year-old boy in Fresno, Calif. He was strangled when the drawstring on the hooded sweatshirt that he was wearing became stuck on a play ground set.

The sweatshirts, Kid Pullover Hood Sweatshirt and Kid Zipper Sweatshirt with Hood, have drawstrings through the hood. The drawstrings should be removed immediately since they can become caught on objects and strangle a child. In February 1996, CPSC issued guidelines (pdf) to help prevent children from strangling or getting entangled on the neck and waist drawstrings in upper garments, such as jackets or sweatshirts.

The recall includes the Kid Pullover Hood and Kid Zipper with Hood. The Kid Pullover Hood has a flat style drawstring at the neck, one middle front pocket, and fleece inside lining. Top sewn in label reads “HILL/ Made in USA.” The hooded Zipper children’s sweatshirt has a rounded style drawstring at the neck, two front pockets, and fleece inside lining. Top sewn in label reads “HILL/ Made in USA”. The recalled sweatshirts were sold at various small retailers in California and Texas from August 1999 through December 2008 for approximately $8.

Due to the serious nature of this hazard, parents are urged to immediately remove the drawstrings from the sweatshirts or return the garment to either the place of purchase or to Hill Sportswear for a full refund.

Consumers should contact Hill Sportswear toll-free at (877) 322-8760 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. (PT) Monday through Friday.

Tags: CPSC Recalls by admin
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See this recall on CPSC’s web site, including pictures of the recalled products.

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

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 12, 2009
Release #09-128

Firm’s Recall Hotline: (866) 902-2798
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: Playhouse Disney “Handy Manny” Toy Tool Sets

Units: About 20,000

Importer/Retailer: Disney Store USA LLC, of Pasadena, Calif.

Hazard: The tools contain eyes that can separate, posing a choking hazard to young children.

Incidents/Injuries: The firm has received three reports of detached eyes, including two reports of children who started to choke on the pieces. No injuries have been reported.

Description: The recalled Playhouse Disney “Handy Manny” Tool Set is a plastic, eight-piece toy set that includes a tool box, hammer, saw, pliers, wrench, tape measure and two screwdrivers. The name “Handy Manny” is embossed on one side of the tool box. The UPC (#405144100614 or #422147400633) can be located on the product’s packaging.

Sold exclusively at: The Disney Store nationwide from October 2007 through January 2009 for about $15.

Manufactured in: China

Remedy: Consumers should immediately take the recalled toy away from children and return it to any Disney Store for a full refund.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact the Disney Store toll-free at (866) 902-2798 between 8:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. PT Monday through Friday, or visit the firm’s Web site at www.DisneyStore.com

Tags: CPSC Recalls by admin
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See this recall on CPSC’s web site, including pictures of the recall product

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

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 17, 2009
Release #09-131

Firm’s Recall Hotline: (800) 233-5921
Firm’s Media Contact: (212) 299-3962
CPSC Recall Hotline: (800) 638-2772

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: Evenflo Activity Centers

Units: About 213,000

Manufacturer: Evenflo Co. Inc., of Miamisburg, Ohio

Hazard: When used as an activity table, the cap on one end of the product can loosen and fall off, posing a fall hazard to a young child.

Incidents/Injuries: Evenflo has received 11 reports of dislodged end caps which resulted in nine minor injuries, including bumps and bruises. Evenflo has also received a report of a dislodged end cap that resulted in a child suffering a broken collarbone in Canada.

Description: The recall involves Evenflo ExerSaucer Triple Fun stationary activity centers made between October 2006 and December 2008. The model number is 6231711. Stage 3 position involves converting the product into an activity table. No other ExerSaucer models use end caps and, therefore, no other models are included in this recall.

Sold at: Juvenile product and mass merchandise stores nationwide, including Toys ‘R Us and Burlington Baby Depot, from October 2006 through February 2009 for about $120.

Manufactured in: United States

Remedy: : Consumers should immediately stop using the activity table in Stage 3 and contact Evenflo to receive a free replacement end cap. The product may continue to be used in Stages 1 and 2 without changes.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Evenflo at (800) 233-5921 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday or visit the firm’s Web site at www.exersaucertriplefun.com

Tags: CPSC Recalls by admin
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It’s time for Science Fair projects.  Two very important tips for successful science fair projects:

1) Create a time line of deadlines and relevant dates. Nothing worse than finding that the ‘perfect project’ takes three weeks to complete, but there are only two weeks until the project must be submitted.

2) Pay careful attention to the list of items needed for the project.  Triple check the list of items needed before you make that first trip to the store.

3) Have only one parent supervise.  The project looks like a great deal of fun (and why should only the children get to have fun??).  But unless both parents share the same style of teaching or it has been decided (before the project begins) who will be responsible for what tasks, it will be easier for the child and parents if this is just a two person team.

Some resources for your use:

Michaels and Lakeshore Learning - easy sources of display boards and materials.

Link + listing of science fair books available through the local libraries.

Amazon.com Science Fair Projects - Listing of Science Fair project books.

Tags: Things to Do by admin
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Kids Are Authors is an annual competition open to Grades K–8 and is designed to encourage students to use their reading, writing, and artistic skills to create their own books.

Under the guidance of a project coordinator (teacher, librarian or parent), children work in teams of three or more students to write and illustrate their own book.

Two Grand Prize winning books will be published in each of these categories: Fiction and Nonfiction. The winning books will be published by Scholastic and sold at Book Fairs throughout the country.

The deadline for submission is March 15, 2009.  For more information click here.

Celebrate-Family!

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Microsoft (with several partners) has launched a new public service campaign “Get Game Smart” designed to help parents and kids talk about age appropriate PC games, media useage and more specifically, video gaming on the Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system and Windows-based PCs in their homes.

While this campaign may initially be construed as a marketing tool in order to get people to gravitate to games geared towards Microsoft’s XBox and Windows PCs, after reviewing the site, I must commend Microsoft and their partners in creating an excellent resource for parents (and hopefully children) including guides to using parental controls, helpful hints on rule setting, game ratings, online buddies and cyberbullying.

Also as part of the campaign, Micorsoft is looking for parents and teens to be Get Smart Ambassadors.  This national wide search couples children and parents to act as messengers for making smart video and gaming choices.  Prizes include an Xbox 360 entertainment system, a suite of Xbox 360 family-friendly games, Zune digital media players, Insignia 7-megapixel digital cameras and cash. The contest ends April 30, 2009.

Visit Get Game Smart to get more information, view the hints and guides and of course, to enter the contest.

Celebrate-Family!

Tags: Things to Do by admin
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