Archive for May, 2008
May
28
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besttech
Ethan Fitz, a Parkside Intermediate School sixth-grader in Westlake, was the inspiration behind children’s author Suzy Kline’s latest book, “Horrible Harry Bugs the Three Bears.”
When Kline came to Fitz’s school in 2006 for an author visit, Fitz told her about his fascination with earwigs. He sent her a copy of his report on earwigs and the idea was planted. Two years later, the earwig storyline
was written into her Horrible Harry series.
Kline sent Fitz a copy of the book which was inscribed “For Ethan, Thank you for inspiring this book. Keep loving insects and writing. Suzy Kline.”
–Debby Klinec, The Chronicle...
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May
28
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besttech
Yellow duck alert! The little rubber quackers are poised to escape the tub and crowd into Porter Creek as Lake Erie Nature and Science Center prepares to bring back Family Fun Fest from noon to 4 p.m. Sunday at the center, 28728 Wolf Road, Bay Village.
During the 2:30 p.m. Great Duck Race, hundreds of yellow rubber ducks will bob along the creek to the finish line where cash and other prizes, including Indians tickets, await the winners. Individuals can sponsor aduck for $5 or 3 for $10.
The duck race will be a highlight of the summer event that will feature live animal and planetarium shows, nature crafts, carnival games, bounce houses and food. There will be free casting lessons with the Division of
Wildlife, guided family discovery hikes around Huntington...
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May
28
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besttech
By RAPHAEL TENTHANI
Associated Press Writer
LILONGWE, Malawi (AP) — A judge on Wednesday approved Madonna’s adoption of a Malawian boy she met in an orphanage in 2006.
The 49-year-old pop star wasn’t in court for the ruling, which took Justice Andrew Nyirenda an hour to read. Nyirenda said he was satisfied that Madonna and her British filmmaker husband, Guy Ritchie, “are perfect parents” for David, who will be 3 in November.
…
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May
28
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besttech
KETTERING, Ohio (AP) — A woman in suburban Dayton is angry that Subway restaurants has closed an essay contest to students who are home schooled.
Jen Hunter says she called Subway to complain that her 11-year-old son, Jonah, isn’t eligible to enter the contest called “Every Sandwich Tells a Story.”
Hunter home-schools her son.
Subway spokesman Mack Bridenbaker said home-schooled students are excluded because the winner’s school will get $5,000 worth of athletic equipment. He said the Milford, Conn.-based company didn’t intend to discriminate against anyone and is working on contests in which home-schooled students can participate....
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May
28
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besttech
MASON, Ohio (AP) — An automated message system told parents of a large explosion at a southwest Ohio elementary school, sending moms and dads into a panic before officials could clarify that it was all just a drill.
The Mason School District outside Cincinnati had informed parents last week that there would be a disaster drill on Tuesday, but they didn’t name the school where the drill would take place.
After receiving the first message Tuesday afternoon, about 100 parents hurried toward Mason Heights Elementary before a second message could be sent with the clarification....
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May
28
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besttech
Ellen Harter Wall
FamilyFun magazine
When Mom’s away, the boys will play. And that’s just what the title characters of the new cartoon “Phineas and Ferb” do.
The triangle-headed Phineas and his taciturn stepbrother, Ferb, fill their sunny afternoons with such antics as building a neighborhood roller coaster that incorporates a corkscrew around the interstate.
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May
28
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besttech
Aisha Sultan
St. Louis Post-Dispatch
I could have sworn that the McDonald’s clerk did not ask me if I wanted a McSkank with my daughter’s Happy Meal, but sure enough, when we opened the toy inside, there she was.
Also known as one of the “My Scene Barbie” Roller Girls, she looked ready for a night of action with her micro-miniskirt and midriff-baring top showing off her hard plastic cleavage.
This was not a doll I wanted in the hands of my preschooler. We went home and squeezed her scantily clad body into some rubbery — yet slightly more appropriate — Polly Pocket outfits.
Last year, a popular toy manufacturer in Britain was marketing its “Peekaboo Pole...
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May
28
Posted by
Alicia Castelli
For some more fun free stuff – check out the Lorain County Metro Parks. Here’s their website:
www.loraincountymetroparks.com...
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May
27
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besttech
Nancy Rabinowitz-Friedman
NEW YORK CITY MOMS BLOG
The last video game I played was Pong. That’s not a punchline, that’s the truth. I missed the Pac Man craze, never played Tetris. My husband and I have made a conscious decision to keep video games out of this house for as long as humanely possible. (Because really, wouldn’t it be inhumane to make my kids the... Read more
May
27
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besttech
By Leslie Postal
The Orlando Sentinel
I’m no expert, for sure, just a mom whose bumbled through nine years of parenting and gleaned a few things along the way. Here’s five things I’ve learned so far:
1. Avoid the “health and safety” aisle at baby stores — Yes, you should keep small children from open flames, electrical currents and all manner of poisons. Also, don’t let them drown. But this aisle makes you think you need to bubble wrap your entire house, latch every cabinet and the toilet seat, and pad all hard surfaces. I put ugly plastic corner guards on my coffee tables. My toddler son pulled them off almost as soon as they went on, leaving behind a sticky adhesive. Then he gave himself a bloody lip...
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