Holiday pet dangers

Before you decorate your house with mistletoe and cook up a storm, be careful with certain foods and plants that can be harmful and toxic to your pets. Grapes, raisins and macadamia nuts are dangerous for dogs. Mistletoe, holly and lillies can be toxic. And don't forget chocolate. More details here.

Santa shortage?

Hard to believe in these tough economic times, there is a Santa shortage, but there is. But it's not here in the U-S. It's in Germany, where they have tougher standards. Santa, not only has to be cheerful and chubby, but also has to be a good actor who can't be seen driving to his location. He must park several blocks away, so kids don't see him in a car, and not a sleigh. But the payoff is good. 75 bucks an hour! How do you say Merry Christmas in German? Details here.

Naps are good

With Thanksgiving Day just two days away, good news from the experts: We should all take a nap. A nice nap after a belly full of turkey sounds good. Researchers found when adults take naps, they get creative, remember better and see the big picture. And I see the "big picture" on Thanksgiving Day as a day of eating--after eating turkey and all the fixings, we all take a nap. Then wake up, and have some turkey sandwiches. Details here about napping.

Turkey day tops for fires

If you're cooking this Thanksgiving Holiday, please remember some basic food safety tips, like keeping the kids out of the kitchen and all flammable products away from the stove. Thanksgiving Day is the top day for home cooking fires. More tips here.

Auditions for kids

The Roxy Theatre Group is hosting open auditions for "West Side Story" Friday, Nov. 21st at 6 p.m. Girls, ages 11 to 25 and boys ages 13 to 25, are welcome at the Roxy Performing Arts Center, 1645 SW 107 Ave. in Miami, across from Florida International University South Campus. (305-226-0030)

Sunday fun for kids

It's called Sunday Afternoons of Music For Children. And that's what it is at the University of Miami Gusman Concert Hall this Sunday. Bring the kids to see and hear "Peter and the Wolf & Friends," with the Frost Symphony Orchestra. Before the performance there's the musical instrument petting zoo and after, apple juice, balloons and cookies. Details here.

Childhood obesity link to ads

We all watch tv and see those tempting commercials for food. Now researchers believe there is a link bewteen fast food tv ads and childhood obesity and if there was a ban on those commercials, childhood obesity would be reduced by 18 percent. I'm not sure how they can come up with these claims. But I'm thinking if that were true, let's ban everything tasty looking on TV and we'll all lose weight. More on the research here.

Kids need to play

We're busy and so are our kids. We work, they go to school. And then there's homework, soccer, karate and planned playdates. Experts say kids need to play more and the lack of playtime is hurting them. They say kids need to learn creativity and social skills through unscheduled play time. Kids just being kids. Read more about it here.

Nat'l. Geographic goes video

National Geographic is getting into video games. The first title already out is available for computers and the iphone. It's "Herod's Lost Tomb." They're calling it entertainment with substance. Coming up, they're going to launch games for Nintendo DS about Pandas, and Zoo's. And down the road, titles include "Rain Forests," "Greencity" and "Africa." The timing couldn't be better. How far away are the holidays? Details here.

Pembroke Pines is Tops

In a new survey, Pembroke Pines is ranked as one of the best palces to raise your kids in 2009, according to BusinessWeek. The ranking based on school performance, crime rates, air quailty, parks theater and arts, as well as diversity. If I didn't live there already, I'd move! Read more about it here.

Pudgiest pets compete

We all love our pets. We pamper them and we feed them way too much and that's why many of them are severely obese. Britian is doing something about it. They're having a Pudgiest Pet Contest, with seven dogs and one cat, deemed the fatest of all. The one that loses the most gets a crown and a pet friendly holiday. I see TV show written all over this. Details here.

Unhappy? Turn off the TV.

If you're feeling unhappy, it could be your tv viewing. New research has found that unhappy people watch 30 percent more television. But it also found the longer those who watched TV, the more unhappy they became. So is it the TV or the viewer? More details here.

Fun Festivals

There's the Storybook Festival at the SW Regional Library in Pembroke Pines. Saturday, from 10-4. A parade of princesses, pirates and storybook characters is at 11 am. Your kids could be included. (954-538-9996)

There's the K-9 Winter Festival at CB Smith Park, Pembroke Pines, Saturday from 9-4. (954-437-2650)

Fairy Tea Party for your little ones at the Coconut Creek Center Saturday at 1 pm. (954-545-6670)

Toy buying? Remember safety!

If you have kids, you know it's never too early to start thinking about the Holidays. My kids already have their wish lists for Santa. Before you hit the stores to go searching for their must-have toys, please don't forget safety. Last year, 18 children under the age of 15 died in toy related accidents, according to the Consumer Product Safety Commission. Here's a some safety tips from the Commission.

Don't panic: Paranoia is up

If you think they're out to get you, you're not alone. Study finds many of us have irrational fears that other people are trying to upset or annoy us. Some studies show at least 40 percent of us have had a least some paranoid thoughts. Not to worry, you don't need professional help unless your odd thoughts provoke real behavior. And some experts believe a little bit of paranoia could be helpful. It's beneficial to be on guard. Details here.

Want smarter kids?

Get them into music. Study finds kids who study a musical instrument for at least three years outperform kids with no instrumental training on non musical tests of vocabulary and non verbal reasoning. So I guess those piano lessons really do paid off. Details here.

Oprah stuff

If you love Oprah, you'll love that you now can get some of the wares offered at the Oprah Store in Chicago online. She is even offering some of her own shoes and dresses. So you walk in her shoes, in a very small way. Check out her store here.

Weekend ideas

You can celebrate Bike Miami on Sunday, from 10 am to 3 pm. Bike Miami is sponsored by the City of Miami, and is a day for bicyclists, pedestrians and skaters to explore downtown Miami in a fun, safe and free way. It includes a free yoga class and bike safety workshops. A special rally with Mayor Manny Diaz is at 1 am on the corner of Biscayne Blvd. and Flagler Street.

You can "Rock for the Wetlands." It's a concert at "The Inner Circle" on the southwest corner of Royal Palm and University Drive, Sunday from 2 pm to 7 pm. The concert is to save the wetlands along Atlantic Blvd. and Lyons Rd. in Coral Springs. A five dollar donation would be appreciated. There will be raffles and prizes.

Got a dirty car? Head to the Girl Scout Troop 1577 Car Wash Saturday at the Burger King, 14095 SW 88 Street, Miami, from 9 am til 1 pm and Sunday at the Checkers Drive-In at 2701 SW 42 Street from 9 am til 1 pm. Funds go to the scouts camping trip.

Love Barbie? Saturday between noon and 3, Barbie fans are invited to donate their old Barbie dolls at participating Walmart Stores. For every doll collected, Mattel will give a new one to a local children's hospital. As an added bonus, Barbie herself wil be at select stores. Details here.

Toy Hall of Fame inductee is...

A stick! The National Toy Hall of Fame inducted the universal plaything powered by a child's imagination: a stick. The stick joins the bicycle, kite and crayons. To get in, a toy must be widely recognized and foster learning, creativity and discovery through play. Next year could be a rock! Details here.

Metrozoo's Big Cats

Two of the most fearsome and dangerous cats in the world are now at Metrozoo. The jaguars arrived from Houston and Massachusettes and will have their own exhibit debut December 6th. They will have 27 acres to roam, with plenty of space between visitors and them. Details here.