The CPSC has teamed up with the Justice Department to enforce the legal sale and distribution of fireworks. Last month, a federal judge sentenced Jon Cea and Vincent Cea to 24 months and 36 months in federal prison, after they pleaded guilty to conspiracy to engage in the business of dealing in explosive materials, involving the illegal sale of more than 1,000 pounds of explosives. The defendants and their customers were not licensed, yet they purchased and sold professional display fireworks.

While the federal and state government remain committed to stopping the manufacture and sale of illegal fireworks, the CPSC has issued a press release encouraging consumers who decide to purchase legal fireworks to:

• Never allow young children to play with or ignite fireworks.

• Make sure fireworks are legal in your area before buying or using them.

• Avoid buying fireworks that come in brown paper packaging, as this can often be a sign that the fireworks were made for professional displays and could pose a danger to consumers.

• Adults should always supervise fireworks activities. Parents often don’t realize that there are many injuries from sparklers to children under five. Sparklers burn at temperatures of about 2,000 degrees – hot enough to melt some metals.

• Never have any portion of your body directly over a fireworks device when lighting the fuse. Move back a safe distance immediately after lighting.

• Never try to re-light or pick up fireworks that have not fully functioned.

• Never point or throw fireworks at another person.

• Keep a bucket of water or a garden hose handy in case of fire or other mishap.

• Light one item at a time, then move back quickly.

• Never carry fireworks in a pocket or shoot them off in metal or glass containers.

• After fireworks fully complete their functioning, douse the spent device with plenty of water from a bucket or hose before discarding to prevent a trash fire.

Of course, the safest way to celebrate the festivities is by going to your local fireworks display. If you live in Los Angeles county follow the link below to find out where and when they are showing.

Sited Articles:
U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission | Press Release
U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission | Press Release [video]

Helpful Links:
Fireworks Shows in LA County [schedule]
Safe July 4th

So if you want your kid to get a jump on next year’s testing or needs to play catch-up, check out his tests, he covers all the bases. At the end of each section he offers summer reading for that grade level, as well as other helpful sites with quizzes and tips.

He  frequently adds new activities, so check back often. Please check the keyboarding section- it’s new!

Henry Anker’s Tests

With my first kid, I could get away with jamming a few diapers in my back pocket and going on an adventure with him, now with three kids, two in diapers, I need as much organization as I can afford. The Diaper Dude (DD) brand, which takes the traditional “female-centric” diaper bag and makes it “dude friendly.” “Most diaper bags for men were backpacks, lacking in accessibility and functionality,” says Chris Pegula, founder of LA-based, Diaper Dude. This brand has star-power to boot; you cannot open a magazine without seeing a famous dad of today – ranging from Brad Pitt and David Arquette, to Matthew Broderick, Ben Stiller, Patrick Dempsey and more….carrying The Diaper Dude.

This line of bags has a number of options, both in design and in style. They have the compact Mini which seems derivative of the dreaded fanny packs of yester-year but it has been updated with a long shoulder strap which gives it a fresh look. For those runs to the park or to the store and back or the Survival Pack which will cover all the bases for you, right down to the matching insulated bottle holders, and changing pad for those longer trips. And yes, there is a backpack version as well, complete with a plethora of secret pockets and compartments for changing pads and bottles and such. And yes, they even have an eco-friendly Messenger bag. Style-wise and street-wise, Diaper Dude covers the bases of all the dad-types out there; the urban hipster, the metro-dude, the rock star, the hippy, the techie dude, the sports dude, the list goes on.

Going beyond just diapers, the Dude brand includes items such as an on-the-go first aid kit and a Dude picnic blanket. When your kid wants to dress more like Dad, Diaper Dude has created “Little D’s”, a kid style messenger bag. Most DD bags are in the $60-110 buck range, which is on par for well design and well constructed backpacks, sports bags and messenger bags out there, but you can find DD items as low as $10. Diaper Dude is sold at stores such as Niemen Marcus, The Right Start and Babies”R” US and of course at www.diaperdude.com.

Simply put, the Diaper Dude has the best options for dad on the market. Overall, I think Chris is definitely onto something, the biggest snag I have had with the bag is getting my wife from stealing it from me.

For food, we tapped a couple of our favorite local haunts hear in West LA, Dos Hermanos catering and Paddy Mac. Dos Hermanos has been around for 20+ years and like the name suggests, is a couple brothers originally from the Jalisco region of Mexico who have been serving up distinctly regional fare out of their small yet immaculate kitchen. There menu is short but these incredibly fresh dishes are memorable with favorites like savory chicken or cheese enchiladas, hearty Birria de la Jalisco and an almost cassoulette-style fajita. You cannot beat their price at $4.50 a person, you get an entree with rice and beans, salad (with dressing), and chips & salsa.

One of the few things our son can eat seemingly endless amounts of is macaroni & cheese. Always kid-friendly and parent-approved, we decided to order some of the famed Mac and Cheese from Paddy Mac. They have a diverse menu (all Mac & Cheese) including the standard, The Ship, with five kinds of cheese (pictured above) – you know the kids won’t go hungry. Our personal favorite is the Super Mac which slips in puree of cauliflower and carrot for a super vitamin boost, which goes virtually undetected amidst all that cheesey goodness. Other items on their menu seem to cater to a more mature palette like their Gourmet Mac (braised leeks, mushrooms and a touch of Gruyere) and the Old MACdonald’s Farm (bacon, broccoli and pockets of goat cheese & feta), regardless all recipes are perfectly balanced, thus always reminding you that what you have on you plate is some fresh and fancy Mac and Cheese.

My wife was in charge of fun and games, and considering we were hosting a party full of 2-4 year olds, she kept all the games non-competitive. Here is the break-down of the activities;

• She had the kids make a big circle and grab the ends of the Play Parachute while singing “Ring Around the Rosey” and other songs.
• When that started to get a bit tired, I (tried) to up the ante, by coming out with dozens of balloons that I had previously blown up and tossed them on top of the outstretched parachute. Unfortunately, we all quickly discovered one half of the kids wanted to pop the balloons while the other half was scared crazy of the popping noise. Note to self; strike the balloon surprise from next toddler bash.
• Musical Chairs with an equal number of chairs (nobody gets bumped out of the game), to reduce mid-party melt-downs.
• Simon Says – you really can’t go wrong with this one.
• Duck, Duck, Goose – fun for days.
• We have learned that setting up a “Chill-out” Zone for the kids is great to have. We set up our little beach tent in the corner of the backyard, so kids could slip in there, lie down and catch their breath.
• We set-up a kids table filled with Play-Dough and cutters, rollers and stamps for those who wanted to relax with one of their favorite quiet activities.

While all of this was going on, I was able to clear the food and set up the cake and coffee. The light was quickly fading, which works out well with the theme of the party. As our sleepy guests filtered out my wife gave each of them a clear gift bag of her homemade butter cookies (*pictured above) in the shape of Zzzz’s and wished them all “sweet dreams.”

PARTY TOOLBOX:
Paddy Mac
Dos Hermanos, 4510 Inglewood Blvd Culver City, CA 90230 (310) 391.1303
La Pinata Party Rentals, 1711 Lincoln Blvd (@ Superba), Venice, CA 90291 (310) 306.3348 [*they have kid's height tables and chairs]

We were greeted at the Rose Bowl parking lot by a small army of Rose Parade workers (known simply as “White Suitors” because of their pristine white suits and white straw hats which are a throwback to the Parade’s 100 history), that directed us with mechanical precision to an open field that quickly swelled into a tightly packed lot full of SUV’s and Minivans.

We arrived kinda early, so they lines moved faster than we could scoot our kids along and we were on our way to one of the many chartered school buses taking us across town to the floats. Knowing that three Park N’Ride locations were feeding bus-loads of us to the same neighborhood, things got pretty congested. The three parking locations are the Rose Bowl, Pasadena City College, and the Community Education Center in Pasadena.

If you are planning on going here are some parent tips to make the trip a little easier;

• Go Early! - The streets fill up late morning, if you can afford to get there when they open to the general public (9am), you will have a much easier experience. We got there around 10-10:30am and it was filling up quickly! When we were leaving (early afternoon), the ticket line was twice the length as it was for us!
• Bring your most nimble and lightest stroller – We have three kids and opted not for the double stroller and that was a wise decision.
• Pack drinks and snacks - They do have delicious kettle corn, funnel cake and other county fair favorites at a price. For families visiting on a budget, pack a bag of sandwiches and drinks (non-alcoholic).
• Wear comfortable shoes - It will be crowded and you will be moving at a leisurely pace. Skateboards, roller skates, bicycles, tricycles, Segways and wagons are not permitted.
• Bring cash - $7 for anyone over the age of 5 yrs. and $3 bucks for parking, but the ticket booth takes plastic, not to worry. Be warned though, if you’re yearning for some of that tasty funnel cake you best be packing some cash in your wallet. There are only two ATMs at the venue, sponsored by the Pasadena Federal Credit Union. ATMs are located near the West (Red) Gate and at the corner of Washington and Sierra Madre Boulevards.
• Download the free Audio Tour - The Tournament of Roses is currently offering a free audio tour of the floats featured in the 120th Rose Parade.  The audio tour can be downloaded from the “podcast” area on iTunes. We did. Since we have small children, we listened to most of it on the car ride there, so it was a good primer for what we were about to see.

If you want to sit down and take a break, check out the 15 minute documentary about the making of a float for the Rose Parade at the 1600 theater at Pasadena High School. It puts some perspective on the massive effort put forth every year. I guarantee you won’t watch the parade the same way.

Some of the highlights of the showcase for me was being able to look into the underbelly of these homemade monstrosities. Many of the ones with heavy animatronics rigs looked like they had full server racks next to the driver’s seats! Sure that is probably on of the geeker fun facts, but it really is interesting to get up close to these works of art after seeing them on TV.

Float Detail | 2009 Rose Parade Float Showcase

Previously, there was no system whereby information could be passed from the public to the police and back without the identity of the person providing information being known to the police. Ultimately, many valuable tips were withheld from police because people lacked confidence that their identity would be kept anonymous. Anonymous letters did not have a mechanism to ask simple follow-up questions, or eliminate hoaxes. These new services offered by the LAPD overcome all of these concerns. The LAPD is hopeful that these two new anonymous tip systems will open the flow of information between a community fearful of gangs and the police.

Text-A-Tip Service; this allows a tipster to provide information to the LAPD and remain completely anonymous through text or SMS messaging. SMS or Short Message Service are common text messages which can be used by virtually any cell phone user. Tipsters type the word “LAPD” plus their crime information on their cell phone or PDA to the number 2-7-4-6-3-7 which spells out the word “CRIMES”. The text message is encrypted and an alias is generated for the tipster, masking their identity from the police. There is no way for the police to determine the user’s identity.

To text a tip to the Los Angeles Police Department, you must have text messaging enabled on your phone and subscribe to a participating cell phone carrier. To begin your tip session, text the word “LAPD” along with your crime information to the number, 2-7-4-6-3-7, which spells the word “CRIMES” on your phone’s keypad.

While handset menus differ by carrier or model, here are some basic steps on how to compose a text message.

1. Find “Messaging” or “SMS” on your phone’s menu.
2. Create a new text message or send text or SMS text.
3. When composing your message – enter the number 2-7-4-6-3-7 as the mobile # or in the “to” line. In the message body, type the word LAPD, a space, and then your crime tip information (LAPD is not case sensitive).
4. Hit “Send” to send the message.
5. You will receive a response from TipSoft shortly, which will start the secure text dialogue. For your safety, when you complete your tip submission, you should always delete all text messages to and from 2-7-4-6-3-7 from your text message in box and out box.

TIPSOFT WEB TIPS; submitting a crime tip through the web is as easy as going to the www.lapdonline.org website and clicking on the ANONYMOUS WEB TIP link. Tipsters will fill out the web tip form. Once completed, they can elect to create a password and click on the Submit Tip button. A tip code is created after a tip is submitted. Tipsters can check the status of their tip at a later date by logging in with their code and password.

The Two-Way Dialogue features allow the tipster to return at their convenience and securely provide additional information to their original tip and investigators can securely ask questions or provide instructions back to the tipster as well.

No mobile phone information is collected by the Los Angeles Police Department as part of this program. Your Text-A-Tip and Web-Tips are completely anonymous to the LAPD and is only identifiable by the code provided to you. Any information submitted is directed to the LAPD’s Regional Crime Center detectives, who will disseminate the information to the appropriate LAPD investigative unit.

Sited Links;
Los Angeles Police Department | Annonymous Web Tip Form
Los Angeles Police Department | Text-a-Tip Brochure

Whenever family comes to town for a visit, my wife tries to plan some type of tourist trip for them. Since we have young kids, as the saying goes, “we don’t get out much,” so it is generally something we genuinely look forward to as well. This past weekend, we ventured up to check out the Griffith Observatory overlooking metro Los Angeles. It was closed in 2002, for a four year renovation and expansion project after decades of heavy use.

The visit is free (including parking), and includes all of the exhibits in the main halls, “The Once and Future Griffith Observatory” video (24 minutes) in the Leonard Nimoy Event Horizon Theater, as well as the Zeiss Telescope on the roof (7-10pm on those rare clear nights, of course).

There is currently a show entitled, “Centered in the Universe” (33 minutes), playing in the planetarium but since we had the toddlers in tow we did not venture. For those of you interested, please know that they do admit children 4 years and under but only to the first show of the day.

The main exhibits are stuffed with interactive kiosks describing everything from the relationship between the ocean’s tides and the moon, what happens during an eclipse, what the surface of Saturn is like and why Pluto is not considered a planet anymore. There is a lot to take in and fortunately the experience was very tactile (good to keep the kids entertained).

After soaking up the exhibits, be sure to walk along the southern edge of the observatory (outside the planetarium), you will experience an breathtaking views of Los Angeles. The lawn by the Astronomer Monument was a perfect place for the boys to work off some of that pent-up energy and have a snack in the shade.

If you do decide to go on the weekend, go early. The parking lot fills up quickly.

Related Sites:
Griffith Observatory

Tucked in the expansive Exposition Park (between USC and the Los Angeles Coliseum), the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County is a crown jewel of Los Angeles’ museums. Touted as the national leader in exhibitions, education and research, the Museum was L.A.’s first cultural institution to open its doors to the public in 1913. It is the largest natural and historical museum in the Western United States, with a collection of more than 35 million different specimens and artifacts, so it is fair to say the Museum is worth a few visits if you want to give it it’s due diligence.

Last week, I took the kids to see as much of the three floors of permanent exhibits as we could cover. We were greeted by the towering “Dueling Dinosaurs,” complete skeletons of a Tyrannosaurus Rex and Triceratops in battle in the majestic Grand Foyer. At that point it was clear to me that this museum was going to be in pure Hollywood style – all about the lighting. Pools of light pulled us into each of the grand halls and past each of the exquisite dioramas.

In addition to special exhibitions (currently you can look through the glass and over the shoulders of the Museum’s paleontology team as they prepare the fossil of the Tyrannosaurus rex nicknamed “Thomas” in a specially designed exhibit room and lab) , the Museum boasts magnificent permanent halls that feature grand dioramas of African and American mammals, rare dinosaurs and fossils, marine animals, Pre-Columbian culture, and historical artifacts from California and Southwest history, as well as early Hollywood memorabilia. The exquisite Gem & Mineral Hall features the largest collection of gold in the United States.

At lunch we walked passed the Butterfly Pavilion (I think it is currently being transformed into the Spider Pavilion for the Fall Season), and grabbed a picnic table within view of the Rose Garden and enjoyed our spread.

The kid-friendly Ralph M. Parsons Discovery Center and Insect Zoo, located on the ground floor (more like the basement since you enter from above), provides interactive family learning with “handle-able” specimens such as shells and fossils; terrariums filled with insects, reptiles and amphibians; and Gallery Interpreters who answer questions and offer daily animal presentations.

In the Paleo Dig Pit [*photo above] which is also on the ground floor, kids learn can about excavation by digging for dinosaur bones and they get to spin off some energy. There is jars of molted snake skin for the kids to feel as well as leathered snake hide to handle.

Sited Links:
LA Museum of Natural History

826LA is a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting students ages 6 to 18 with their creative and expository writing skills, and to helping teachers inspire their students to write. Their services are structured around our belief that great leaps in learning can happen with one-on-one attention, and that strong writing skills are fundamental to future success.

They have two locations in metro Los Angeles; one in Venice and one in Echo Park. Aside from providing tutoring services they have helped published collections of short stories, musings, poetry and essays from area kids and have a basket of t shirts and posters that are too cool for school!

(Via 826la.Org)

Below is a list of Frequently Asked Questions concerning these new laws.

Q: When do the new wireless telephone laws take effect?
A: The new laws take effect July 1, 2008.

Q: What is the difference between the two laws?
A: The first prohibits all drivers from using a hand held wireless telephone while operating a motor vehicle, (Vehicle Code (VC) §23123). Motorists 18 and over may use a “hands-free device.” Drivers under the age of 18 may NOT use a wireless telephone or hands-free device while operating a motor vehicle (VC §23124).

Q: What if I need to use my telephone during an emergency, and I do not have a “hands-free” device?
A: The law allows a driver to use a wireless telephone to make emergency calls to a law enforcement agency, a medical provider, the fire department, or other emergency services agency.

Q: What are the fines(s) if I’m convicted?
A: The base fine for the FIRST offense is $20 and $50 for subsequent convictions. With the addition of penalty assessments, the fines can be more than triple the base fine amount.

Q: Will I receive a point on my driver license if I’m convicted for a violation of the wireless telephone law?
A: No. The violation is a reportable offense, however, DMV will not assign a violation point.

Q: Will the conviction appear on my driving record?
A: Yes, but the violation point will not be added.

Q: Will there be a grace period when motorists will only get a warning?
A: No. The law becomes effective July 1, 2008. Whether a citation is issued is always at the discretion of the officer based upon his or her determination of the most appropriate remedy for the situation.

Q: Are passengers affected by this law?
A: No. This law only applies to the person driving a motor vehicle.

Q: Do these laws apply to out-of-state drivers whose home states do not have such laws?
A: Yes.

Q: Can I be pulled over by a law enforcement officer for using my handheld wireless telephone?
A: Yes. A law enforcement officer can pull you over just for this infraction.

Q: What if my phone has a push-to-talk feature, can I use that?
A: No. The law does provide an exception for those operating a commercial motor truck or truck tractor (excluding pickups), implements of husbandry, farm vehicle or tow truck, to use a two-way radio operated by a “push-to-talk” feature. However, a push-to-talk feature attached to a hands-free ear piece or other hands-free device is acceptable.

Q: What other exceptions are there?
A: Operators of an authorized emergency vehicle during the course of employment are exempt, as are those motorists operating a vehicle on private property.

DRIVERS 18 AND OVER

Drivers 18 and over will be allowed to use a “hands-free” device to talk on their wireless
telephone while driving. The following FAQs apply to those motorists 18 and over.

Q: Does the new “hands-free” law prohibit you from dialing a wireless telephone while driving or just talking on it?
A: The new law does not prohibit dialing, but drivers are strongly urged not to dial while driving.

Q: Will it be legal to use a Bluetooth or other earpiece?
A: Yes, however you cannot have BOTH ears covered.

Q: Does the new “hands-free” law allow you to use the speaker phone function of your wireless telephone while driving?
A: Yes.

Q: Does the new “hands-free” law allow drivers 18 and over to text message while driving?
A: The law does not specifically prohibit that, but an officer can pull over and issue a citation to a driver of any age if, in the officer’s opinion, the driver was distracted and not operating the vehicle safely. Sending text messages while driving is unsafe at any speed and is strongly discouraged.

DRIVERS UNDER 18

Q: Am I allowed to use my wireless telephone “hands-free? “
A: No. Drivers under the age of 18 may not use a wireless telephone, pager, laptop or any other
electronic communication or mobile services device to speak or text while driving in any manner, even “hands-free. ” EXCEPTION: Permitted in emergency situations to call police, fire or medical authorities (VC §23124).

Q: Why is the law stricter for provisional drivers?
A: Statistics show that teen drivers are more likely than older drivers to be involved in crashes because they lack driving experience and tend to take greater risks. Teen drivers are vulnerable to driving distractions such as talking with passengers, eating or drinking, and talking or texting on wireless devices, which increase the chance of getting involved in serious vehicle crashes.

Q: Can my parents give me permission to allow me to use my wireless telephone while driving?
A: No. The only exception is an emergency situation that requires you to call a law enforcement agency, a health care provider, the fire department or other emergency agency entity.

Q: Does the law apply to me if I’m an emancipated minor?
A: Yes. The restriction applies to all licensed drivers who are under the age of 18.

Q: If I have my parent(s) or someone age 25 years or older in the car with me, may I use my wireless telephone while driving?
A: No. You may only use your wireless telephone in an emergency situation.

Q: Will the restriction appear on my provisional license?
A: No.

Q: May I use the hands-free feature while driving if my car has the feature built in?
A: No. The law prohibits anyone under the age of 18 from using any type of wireless device while driving, except in an emergency situation.

Q: Can a law enforcement officer stop me for using my “hands-free” device while driving?
A: For drivers under the age of 18, this is considered a SECONDARY violation meaning that a law enforcement officer may cite you for using a “hands-free” wireless device if you were pulled over for another violation. However, the prohibition against using a handheld wireless device while driving is a PRIMARY violation for which a law enforcement officer can pull you over.

Related Links:
California Department of Motor Vehicles | Hand-Held Wireless Telephone…
Wireless Earpieces