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The Circus Smirkus 2008 Big Top Tour is coming to the Beech Street School in Manchester, NH on July 22 and 23 with shows at 1:00 and 7:00 PM. Call 1-877-SMIRKUS or visit www.smirkus.org for ticket information.

Featuring teens from New England and around the country, this year’s “Science at the Circus” show is sure to please kids (and adults) of all ages. As the Manchester dates approach, we’re happy to share a review from Rob Williams of Vermont Commons:

I’ve always liked the circus, and, like many, have considered running away to join it from time to time, as the old adage goes.

For those who haven’t seen Vermont’s very own “Circus Smirkus,” it is a unique one-ring show, featuring teenagers trained at the in all kinds of Big Top-related activities – juggling, clowning, tumbling, and hanging by various parts of one’s body from all manner of contraptions suspended from the top of the tent.

Having been to “Circus Smirkus” for five summers running with my kids, I was feeling, on my sixth visit to the “Big Top,” a little less like an open-eyed kid, and more like a long-suffering parent, recognizing many of the names and faces in the program, and knowing that, at the end of the day, much of what I was about to see I’d seen before. This feeling was compounded by the theme of this summer’s “Smirkus” event, entitled “Smirkusology – A Science Extravaganza.”

“Science at the Circus?” I thought to myself? Sounds like a yawn fest, even after reading creative director Jesse Dryden’s breathless program description:

“Circus (he writes) is not an exact science. It is a volatile combination of danger and amusement, with a delicate balance of laughter and awe. Take some young artists with endless energy and astronomical skills. Put their hopes, their hearts and their lives into the ring. Mix in plenty of mirth and mayhem. Coat with whimsy and a pinch of artistry and emotion. Stir in some silly, and magnify it all under the Big Top. Just add an audience and let the chemical reaction inspire. The results are truly magical.”

OK, I thought. But science at the circus?

This slightly-jaded parent couldn’t have been more wrong. This summer’s 21st annual “Circus Smirkus” program may be the best “Smirkus” show to date.

One reason (as always) has to do with the hard-working members of the Smirkus troupe, who somehow manage to keep their energy up for more than two hours of big top fun. And there was some new stuff, too – like acrobatics on this dangling rectangular (sort of) cube structure, and the couple from Cali, Columbia (Francisco Javier Hartado and Leidy Tatiana Zainiga Vidal), who finished the first act with a stunning double display of balancing virtuosity involving a giant circular metal ring (It must be seen to be fully believed).

But there was more going on here than I remember, theme-wise. Seeing clowns dressed in scientific lab coats and glasses proved remarkably amusing throughout the show – a sort of visual cognitive dissonance that made their antics even more goofy – and the writers made some seriously funny hay out of this ongoing visual gag, featuring, for example, a nerdy-looking clown kid pulled from the crowd at show’s beginning who metamorphoses into a “wonder juggler” (complete with shiny jump suit) at the beginning of the show’s second half. New juggling tricks – including a wonderful moment involving 3 clowns juggling the same series of multi-colored balls and some serious fun with unicycles and uber-stilts – kept things fresh, too.

And then there was the sonics of Smirkus. The sounds of the 2008 summer show proved vital to its freshness this time around, and a big “hats off” to music composer Tristan Moore and sound technician Mike Cress for melding sound and story in such a compelling way – gadget noises, robotic and experimental mood music, and sonically-driven sight gags (my favorite involved some out-of-control robot hands, in reality, a pair of over-sized ice hockey gloves) kept audiences howling, and gave the clowns additional support and a sonic “foil” to play off of. Really nifty.

If you missed “Circus Smirkus” in Vermont and are kicking yourself – have no fear. You can catch them all over New England this summer – check out the schedule online at www.smirkus.org. They’ll even be touring in New Hampshire for the first time this year – July 22 and 23 at the Beech Street Elementary School in Manchester. The scientist, the clown, and the kid in you won’t want to miss it!

Confession time: parking lots scare me. Now that my daughter is mobile (and fast!), I tend to see danger lurking behind every parked car. There’s enough risk from people driving correctly in the lots, not to mention the idiots who appear to believe that 50 mph is the correct speed for navigating among parked cars. And don’t get me started on people who cut across the lots by driving through empty spaces…

Anyway, I’ve been using “a first-in, last-out” approach to getting my daughter into the car: I buckle her into her seat before loading anything else when we set out and upon arrival, everything else is unloaded before she gets out.  Generally, this works well and ensures that she’s either with me or buckled into her seat. However, there are times when I have to let go of her hand to set something down or open the car door. Whenever possible, I shield her between the car door and my body, but when that’s not possible I have her “touch the tire” for the few seconds I need to get things settled before putting her in the car.  I know, I know: the tire’s not the cleanest part of the car, but my daughter knows what it is and understands that she’s not supposed to move her hand from it until I tell her it’s ok.

However, I just learned about Parking Pal, a CD-sized magnet that serves the same purpose as my method, but in a manner that’s easier for kids to understand. And it goes without saying that the magnet should be a lot cleaner than my car’s tires.

The Parking Pal is available in several colorful designs featuring dinosaurs, flowers, fish and more. In the center of each Parking Pal is a bright handprint to show your child exactly where to put her hand, a definite improvement over my system (“but dad, you didn’t say which part of the tire!”). Made of heavy material, the magnets are durable, wipe clean and, although they’re easily removed, fasten securely to your car. That last feature is important if you’re like me and forget to take the Parking Pal off the car before hitting the highway.

Sure, you could use any one of the ribbon auto magnets sold in stores, but why not spend the $8 and pick up something that appeals to your child. Actually, for that price, why not pick up one for all your family’s cars?

As an added bonus, now instead of “touching the tire,” my daughter knows to “give the car five!”

We’ve added some key Nashua SummerFun 2008 event information to the SNHParents Calendar and there’s more to come.

You can also find complete program information on the Nashua City Website.

NH was ranked #5 in the country in a study of child health care done by The Commonweatlh Fund, trailing Iowa, Vermont, Maine, and Massachusetts. Unfortunately, we were also among the ten most expensive for that care and in the middle of the pack for access to health care services.

The study focused on “13 performance indicators of access, quality, costs, equity, and the potential to lead healthy lives, the authors find wide variation among states, including distinct regional patterns. Across states, better access to care is closely associated with better quality of care.”
The executive summary, as well as links to downloadable versions of the report are available here.

We’ve had good luck with doctors so far, but fortunately we haven’t had too many visits, and those we’ve had have always been to our chosen pediatrician. How about you? Do you think the New Hampshire ranking was on the mark?

[Foster's Daily Democrat]

Sunday I was going through the SNHParents stats and I cam across something interesting: in 2008 we haven’t had any visitors from Wyoming.

I know what you’re thinking, “SNHParents is about southern New Hampshire families, what would interest someone from WY? Nothing.”

And I would agree with you, except for one thing: in 2008 we’ve had visitors from every other state in the US. If someone in Alaska, or Hawaii found something interesting enough to follow a link to us, why not Wyoming? Not to mention the visitors from the Canada, UK, Germany, France, Sweden, or the other nine countries that have sent visitors this year. But not Wyoming. Was it something we said? Have we somehow offended Wyomingites?

Ok, I don’t really think that’s the case, but it is odd that WY is the only state we haven’t had a visit from, making it the only state not one of several shades of green on the map in our website statistics.

So I’m reaching out to SNHParents, both those who live in Southern New Hampshire and those who visit online and asking you for help. If you know someone who lives in Wyoming, ask them to visit the SNHParents blog so Wyoming can take its place alongside the 49 other green states who have “visited” this website.

Thanks!

Yesterday morning WMUR reported that a student at Sunset Heights Elementary school in Nashua had a confirmed case of Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and that a teacher was a possible second case. Unfortunately, the story really didn’t do a good job of explaining what MRSA is. I find this a bit surprising considering a student at Boscawen Elementary School died from MRSA in October (see Concord Monitor link below) and both of Nashua’s high schools had cases last fall (see The Telegraph link). None of these cases are related, but it’s obvious that MRSA is something parents should be aware of.

However, like BPA in baby bottles, it’s also a topic where a little bit of information can be a bad thing. Nobody wants to think of their kids being exposed to some sort of “super germ” in their school…I know my first reaction would be to keep my daughter at home if I learned of a case at her daycare. Of course, that would be a complete over-reaction on my part. One in three people are estimated to be carriers of the staph virus, but the percentage of those carrying MRSA is much lower. And, like “normal” staph infections, the risk of MRSA being passed between people is very low and can be greatly reduced with simple precautions. I’m not sure that makes me feel better, but it does help keep things in perspective.

Here’s a quick overview of MRSA as well as some additional links to help you learn more:

What is MRSA?
In short, MRSA is a strain of staph bacteria that is resistant to all but the most powerful antibiotics. Often found in hospitals or nursing homes, the growth of MRSA outside those areas has been linked to the increased use of antibiotics. There are two types, hospital-acquired MRSA (HA-MRSA) and community-acquired (CA-MRSA). Other than the source of the infection, the two are very similar.

How is MRSA Transmitted?
Skin-to-skin contact, or contact with items that have come in contact with someone else’s infection

Symptoms
According to the CDC: “Staph or MRSA infections in the community are usually manifested as skin infections, such as pimples and boils, and occur in otherwise healthy people.”

Treatment
Currently MRSA can be treated with more powerful antibiotics like vancomyacin. However, increased use of these antibiotics could lead to bacteria becoming more resistant to them in the future. Wounds may also be drained by a physician.

Prevention
The best ways to prevent MRSA infections are the same things you would use to prevent other infections: Wash hands regularly, keep wounds covered, and don’t share personal items.

Additional Links

• MRSA in Schools – CDC
• Overview of Community-Associated MRSA – CDC
• MRSA Infection – Mayo Clinic
• MRSA: Understand your risk and how to prevent infection – Mayo Clinic
• Hand washing: An easy way to prevent infection – Mayo Clinic
• Wikipedia entry on MRSA
• Understanding MRSA – WebMD
• School aid and student have MRSA – The Telegraph
• N.H. official answers staph questions – Concord Monitor

Let me know if you have any other links that would be useful to SNHParents.

A few months ago I reviewed the weemote 3 from Fobis Technologies. Today it’s time to look at another of their children’s remotes, the weemote DV. The weemote 3 did a great job simplifying TV viewing, but can the weemote DV do the same thing for DVDs?

First Impressions
Picture your average remote: it’s probably black or silver and has a ton of little buttons on it, right? Ok, the weemote DV looks nothing like that. Instead, like the weemote 3, it features a colorful, rounded body and brightly colored buttons. However, it also has a soft rubber ring around its edge that makes it easy to grasp. Finally, there are only nine buttons (Play, Pause, Stop, Ok, Up, Down, Left, Right and (M)enu) on the weemote DV. Removing a screw on the bottom allows you to change batteries and access the three programming buttons.

Setup
Setting up the weemote DV is very simple. Just find your DVD player manufacturer in the instruction manual and enter the matching codes until you find the one that controls your player. If for some reason, you can’t find one that works, don’t worry: unlike the weemote 3, the weemote DV is a true learning remote so you can use your current remote to teach the weemote DV commands for any of its nine buttons. The learning feature also lets you use the weemote DV with devices other than DVD players. For example, you could program it to control a CD player and use the “Up” and “Down” keys for volume.

Testing
I tested the remote with our Sony DVD player. Unfortunately, the first weemote DV we received had a defective LED, making it impossible to program the remote using the codes from the manual. A quick e-mail to Fobis Technologies and a new remote was on the way. In the meantime I was able to use the learning feature (which uses a different LED) to program the weemote using my original Sony remote control. Programming was done by pointing the remotes at each other and following a simple sequence for each button.

Once programmed, the weemote DV worked perfectly. I didn’t notice any difference in performance between it, the factory remote, or our much more expensive universal remote. Next I reprogrammed the remote to work with our cable box and it did a great job controlling on-demand titles or programs recorded with the built-in DVR. However, this setup permitted access to all the cable channels, so I’d still recommend the weemote 3 for TV viewing.

After receiving the replacement remote, I entered the DVD player code from the manual and tried the tests again. This was easier than using the learning feature and I would recommend using this method first as there’s no difference in the weemote DV’s performance when it is programmed using the provided codes versus learning from the original remote.

But how did the weemote DV do with its target audience? My two-year-old took to the weemote DV as quickly as she did the weemote 3. However, because the weemote DV’s buttons send a single command rather than the macros used on some of the weemote 3 buttons, she was able to use it more effectively without having to keep it pointed at the DVD player after each button was released. Finally, she ran the remote through her battery of “drop and step” tests and it handled them all without problem. The weemote DV’s rubber ring seemed to make it easier for her to hold and may have provided a bit of cushioning during the drop tests (I would love to see a similar feature added to the weemote 3).

Once again, my daughter’s testing also pointed out a way to improve the way I had programmed the weemote DV. This time it was the “Stop” button that was causing trouble because it took her out of the DVD menus, requiring me to press “Play” or “Enter” to restart the disc and sit through the FBI warning before I could get her back to her movie. Disabling this button kept her within the DVD menu structure.

Final Thoughts
The weemote DV, like the weemote 3, is a welcome addition to the family room, particularly given it’s $25 suggested price. More and more children’s DVDs are including interactive games and puzzles and this remote is a great way to let your children control their discs without overwhelming them with complex remotes or risking them accidentally changing your player’s settings. And although it really shines with a DVD player, as long as you only need nine buttons, it should work well with other remote-controlled electronics.

Heard of Bisphenol-A (BPA)? If not, get ready, because you’re about to. The chemical is used in a variety of consumer products, but its use in water bottles, baby bottles, and food cans that has been a growing source of concern due to BPA’s possible links to number of health problems.

Now The Boston Globe is reporting that CVS has joined Wal-Mart, Nalgene and “other companies in pulling tens of thousands of the shatter-proof, transparent products off store shelves” because they contain BPA. According to the article, BPA has been linked to reproductive problems and possible cancers in animals. It’s also possible that it contributes to obesity. However, plastics industry representatives say “no study has proved a link between Bisphenol A and health problems in humans.”

So let me get this straight: a growing number of scientists and consumer groups have been warning about the possible dangers of BPA and now retailers, including the world’s largest, are pulling products containing BPA off the shelves. And while all this is happening, the chemical industry is saying not to worry? Hmm, I wonder whom I should trust with my family’s health.

Since the evidence is pointing toward BPA being harmful, does it make sense to keep using products that contain it? Of course not. Look, if the chemical industry turns out to be right, and independent studies support them, I’ll consider using products containing BPA again. But until that happens I’m going to look for alternatives.

What can you do?

Well, for starters, don’t panic. Although the list of possible medical issues is scary, remember that no direct link between BPA and those issues in humans has been identified. However, according to a source quoted by The New York Times article linked below, “research strongly suggested that polycarbonate food and beverage containers and food cans were the main source of human exposure to B.P.A.” So reducing or eliminating your family’s exposure to these sources should also reduce the potential risk. And doing this is easy:

1 – Check Your Plastic Bottles and Containers
Look at the recycling logo on any shatterproof plastic bottles or containers you’re using to store food or beverages, including baby bottles. If the number 7 appears inside the logo, the container may contain BPA and you should consider using alternatives. I found the logo on our Nalgene bottles, but thankfully not on our daughter’s cups. Her old bottles, Playtex Ventaire Naturals, had no recycling mark on them, but the Z Report (see below) shows other bottles in the Ventaire line as containing BPA, so I’m glad we’re done using them.

2 – Look for BPA-Free Alternatives
If you do find problem containers, see if you can identify other options, especially for baby bottles. One place to look is the Z Report on BPA in Children’s Feed Products. This site has BPA information for bottles, tableware, pacifiers, utensils, and more. They also offer a text-messaging service, a great option if you want information on a product while you’re in the store. Simply send a text message containing the company name and product line (e.g. ‘avent pacifiers’) and you’ll receive an automated reply with related information.

As far as food cans go, just reduce the amount of canned foods you eat by eating fresh or frozen foods instead. Of course, this also means you’ll probably be eating better, so that’s an added bonus.

3 – Learn More About Bisphenol A
This is a developing issue and both sides are trying to promote their views. The best thing you can do is stay informed and make up your own mind. Go beyond what you see on the nightly news and do your own research. I found the links below by searching Google for “Bisphenol A”, but there are plenty more out there.

• A Hard Plastic is Raising Hard Questions – New York Times (added 4/23)
• Canada Likely to Label Plastic Ingredient ‘Toxic’ – New York Times
• News You Can Use: How Can I Avoid BPA? – ABC News
• Bisphenol A Free
• National Geographic Green Guide
• Wikipedia Entry on Bisphenol A
• Z Recommends collection of BPA links (added 4/29)
• Safe Mamma BPA Free Bottle and Sippy Cup Cheat Sheet (added 5/07)
• Plastics Industry Sites:
  • American Chemistry Council’s “Facts on Plastic”
  • BisphenolA

So let’s hear from you: Did you find any products with BPA in your home? If so, what alternatives are you using?

The Telegraph posted a story yesterday about a Pelham man who had advertised a party on MySpace. Among those who paid to get in were 25 minors from Dracut, Lowell, Lawrence, Chelmsford, Tyngsboro, Tewksbury, Nashua and Hampton. But I’m not posting about this story because local kids were drinking, after all that’s nothing new. And although I have to wonder why a 40-year-old man let minors into his party, I’m also not writing about that.

It was the headline that prompted me to write: Pelham police bust ‘Myspace’ [sic] drinking party

Yes, the party was advertised on the host’s MySpace account, but this wasn’t a ‘MySpace’ party any more than a party advertised via e-mail is an ‘e-mail’ party. Instead, the headline s is simply an attempt to draw in readers by using a buzzword. And since it got me to read it, I guess it worked. But honestly, I’d be surprised if the majority of social activities, including illegal drinking, involving 14-20 year-olds weren’t organized using social media. Why? Because that’s how teens are talking to each other. And if you think that’s not the case, then you haven’t been paying attention.

Look, teens are teens. They do stupid things. I know I did when I was young and I’m sure you did too. And that’s what this story is about: teens who did something stupid. But because of the very minor roll MySpace played in it, this story could also be another reason for some parents to say, “that’s it, no MySpace in my house!”

I’m not saying we shouldn’t be concerned about how our children use social media, in fact quite the opposite. However, if you’re considering a household ban as a solution, I urge you to look at other options. Forbidding things outright isn’t going to solve the problem. I remember how well it worked when I was a teen and I don’t think technology has improved anything. Back in my day (insert old man voice), we organized parties by phone. Prohibiting phone use back then was a lot easier than it is today, but we still got around it. How are you going to control things that can be accessed from just about any computer?

Myspace..Facebook..Twitter..instant messaging, e-mail, blogs…your children have a number of new communication channels available to them. And yes, some of them could put them at risk in ways that we could never have imagined when we were their age. But we’re not their age anymore and it’s now up to us to help them understand the risks, and opportunities, involved with new media, particularly social media. These technologies aren’t inherently bad or good, so rather than freaking out over possible problems, let’s help our kids understand the world they live in and what we expect of them. Let’s give them the tools to make smart choices, even when we’re not around. Hopefully, we’ll be able to help them see why being among 25 minors drinking in a group of “approximately 100 people in the basement of a home” is probably something they should avoid.

To learn more about how kids are using social media, I suggest watching Frontline: Growing Up Online. Not only can you watch the full program online, but you’ll also find additional related information. Of course, you could also simply ask your kids what they’re doing online. No really, you might just learn something. And finally, remember that social media also offers you and your children new ways of communicating with each other.
Of course, I’m sure some of you might think I’m out of line for writing about this when my own daughter is only 2. Don’t worry, my time will come. After all, 12 years ago we could never have imagined the options for communicating that are available today. And who knows what the next 12 years will bring. The only thing I can be sure of is that when my daughter is 14, I’ll be looking back enviously on the days when all parents had to deal with were things like Twitter, Facebook, and MySpace.

So how are you dealing with your children’s online lives?

New Hampshire just keeps getting better and better, at least according to CQ Press. They’ve named NH the “Most Livable State” for the fifth time in a row. This year we’re the only New England state in the top five spots which also include Utah, Wyoming, Minnesota and Iowa.

New Hampshire also ranked highly on the list of “Healthiest States,” passing our neighboring states in our move from last year’s #5 ranking to this year’s #2 spot behind Minnesota. Vermont, Maine And Massachusetts came in right behind us.
And if that’s not enough to convince you that New Hampshire is a great place to live, consider that CQ Press also named NH the “Safest State” for 2008 (up from last year’s #3 spot).

Visit the CQ Press website for the full lists and additional information:

• Crime State Rankings 2008
• Health Care State Rankings 2008
• State Rankings 2008