Sing Oh-Blah-Meat-Blah-Da

Posted Dec 8, 2006 by Jeff Houck

Updated Dec 8, 2006 at 09:59 PM

Is being a butcher named “Meat-lah” irony or coincidence?

I can never remember.

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Fruit Salad, Yummy, Yummy

Posted Dec 8, 2006 by Clarisa Gerlach

Updated Dec 8, 2006 at 03:14 PM

The biggest story recently has to be “Wiggles’ Lead Singer to Stop Performing.”

Summer’s and Saylor’s dad says this is akin to David Lee Roth’s departure from Van Halen. In other words, it’s over. (Sorry, Sammy Hagar fans.)

I can actually tolerate Wiggles music. Except Fruit Salad. That has got to be the most annoying children’s song ever written but - like most of their songs - it gets stuck in your head and you continue singing it over and over and over.

I listen to waaaaay to much kid’s music courtesy of the “Kids Stuff” Channel 116 on my Sirius radio. My hubby questions why I even introduced this to our girls, but hey, anything to keep them entertained in the car.

Who knew there were enough artists out there catering to kids that they could devote an entire channel to it?

I’ll share some of my favorites next week…

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Here’s What To Consider If Kids Dogging You For Pet

Posted Dec 8, 2006 by Kristen Levine

Updated Dec 8, 2006 at 01:44 PM

Have your children started asking yet?

You know … for a pet.

If not yet, they probably will since this is the time of year when many of these requests pop up.

So, while pets have much to recommend them, it’s also important to keep in mind that they also have special needs.

A pet can be a child’s best friend. It also can help your youngster learn about responsibility, love and respect for life.

It’s not unusual for a child’s first pet to be a dog or a cat, but there are also many other animals that provide similar benefits.

Before you give your child a pet, it’s important to know the animal’s needs and to realize that you are making a commitment.

“Basically, caring for a pet is a great learning experience for kids,” says veterinarian Heather McCauley of Hidden Oaks Animal Hospital in Tarpon Springs. “Children learn by example, so parents need to set the tone, allow kids to help, but never expect that child to assume responsibility. They just don’t have the capacity for that level of accountability.”

The Right Time
So, how do you determine when your family is ready for a real-life critter?

A child’s age and disposition are important considerations.

Typically, 6 years of age is a good starting point, but that varies with a child’s maturity level.

Ask yourself these questions: Does my child listen to direction? Can she exercise self-control and obey the word “no” or “gentle”? Observing his behavior with pets that belong to family or friends will clue you in on whether your child is ready to have a pet in your home.

Dogs and cats are the most popular pets because they make wonderful companions. But they do require more living space. They also must be trained, walked and cleaned up after.

Dogs and cats also require a bigger financial commitment than many other pets.

You may want to consider bringing home a pet that requires less space, time and money.

Test the waters with pet goldfish - that’s simple and inexpensive. Fresh water fish are soothing and pretty to look at, and they are interesting creatures. It’s a safe bet for a first pet and may lead to an aquatic hobby later on.

Perhaps something cuddly is called for. Guinea pigs are delightful and have cute personalities. They communicate with squeaks and gurgles. And they are more durable than other small pets. Pigs require a roomy enclosure, a specialized diet and regular cleanup. They enjoy other pig pals, so consider a pair.

Rabbits are another excellent choice for a first pet. However, bunnies are most humanely cared for when indoors. Extreme outdoor temperatures, wind, humidity and rain cause stress for domestic rabbits.

“A rabbit can be trained to use a litter box and can be quite an affectionate creature when handled properly and often,” McCauley says. “They are very social animals but also have a series of special needs.”

She suggests researching rabbits online or in books before obtaining one as a pet.

Local animal shelters can also provide useful information about the care rabbits require.

A Good Fit
Pocket pets are critters that fit in your pocket. Gerbils, hamsters and even mice can be fun friends for kids but because of their size should be handled very carefully. Young ones should only do so when supervised by an adult.

Hamsters are friendly and adaptable, which makes them the most popular small pet in America. Handling them on a regular basis will keep them well-socialized. An ignored hamster (or any other pocket pet) is more likely to nip or bite.

Birds are also popular because they are fun to watch and can fill your home with sound.

While each bird has a unique personality, every species has a typical temperament and general behavior pattern. Some birds don’t make appropriate pets for children.

Tampa bird breeder Elizabeth Mills suggests a single parakeet or cockatiel as a great bird choice for kids.

“If you have a pair of birds, they will be more inclined to bond with each other, versus your child,” she says. “While neither species are known to be talkers, they can both whistle up a storm.”

The cockatiel is slightly larger and, therefore, less delicate - probably the better choice for a small child.

No matter what kind of pet you decide to welcome into your family, it’s essential that there is adult supervision when the pet and your child are together. The safety of both is of paramount concern.

Pets need space and may not always welcome human attention, especially when eating, sleeping or playing with a toy.

And, even the friendliest pets can become overstimulated, so be sure to teach your children how to recognize signs that your pet needs alone time.

Also keep in mind that small kids may not have developed the motor skills to properly handle a delicate pet.

A first pet is a unique relationship that your children will always remember. They will likely develop a wonderful bond with this animal, so be sure to commit to care for the pet for its lifetime. Teach by example that pets deserve love and respect just like the other members of the family.

CRITTER CALENDAR
SNIP ‘N CHIP HOLIDAY OFFER: This month, Animal Coalition of Tampa is providing Snip ‘N Chip holiday packages, which include free pet microchipping with any spay/neuter procedure at its clinic (costs range from $40 to $95). If your pet has already been “fixed,” ACT offers microchipping for $20. Snip ‘N Chip is by appointment at the coalition’s clinic, 1719 W. Lemon St. For information, call (813) 250-3900 or go to http://www.actampa.org.

SHOT & MICROCHIP CLINIC: Reduced-cost shots and microchips also are available through the Animal Coalition of Tampa. Services are available for dogs and cats by appointment on Friday. The Shot & Microchip clinics are available the first and third Friday of each month. For information, call the number above or go to the Web site listed.

PETCO DOG ADOPTIONS: Lost Angels Animal Rescue will host dog adoptions from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Dec. 16 at Petco, 13127 N. Dale Mabry Highway, Tampa. Lost Angels is a nonprofit group that supports no-kill shelters. For information, go to http://www.lostangelsanimalrescue.orgor call (813) 514-0595.

PHOTOS WITH SANTA: Bring your pet to visit Santa for a holiday photo. Labrador Retriever Rescue of Florida hosts pet-friendly Santa from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Dec. 16 at PetSmart, 2920 Little Road, New Port Richey. Adoptable Labradors will also be featured. Photos with Santa cost $10, and proceeds benefit the rescue organization. For details, go to http://www.labradorrescue.netor call 1-866-464-5227.

SAFETY EVENT: The Humane Society of Tampa Bay is hosting an event to help its homeless animals while promoting child safety from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Dec. 16 at Man-Son-Hing Martial Arts Academy, 3307 W. Waters Ave., Tampa. Features include adoptable pets and training and martial arts demonstrations; the Tampa Police Explorers will offter concessions for donations. The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office will provide fingerprinting of children. Tampa Bay Lightning players will also be available for autographs and photo opportunities. For information, call (813) 876-4150 or go to http://www.humanesocietytampa.org.

Write to Kristen Levine at Fetching Communications, P.O. Box 222, Tarpon Spring, FL 34688; e-mail .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address); or fax to (727) 934-6451.

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Tampa Fiction, Tampa Style

Posted Dec 8, 2006 by Sandy Hughes

Updated Dec 8, 2006 at 02:17 PM

We’ve been saying for a while that we believe that Tampa is poised to become the next Big Thing when it comes to style and design, because there’s just nowhere else in the world quite like it. Tampa as a true hybrid: part Havana/Miami cool, part Genteel Old South, part Southern California Casual, with a big dollop of Wild West thrown in. We have to admit that a lot of what we know and feel about Tampa has come from reading not just history and current events, but also from some of our local fiction writers.
The holidays are a perfect time to give, get, and read a great novel, and what could be better than one set in Tampa? Here are some of the books that we think capture the unique flavor of our town.

Wendy Boucher’s Parvenue Throws A Party   is a fun, light social satire that takes place in the dark heart of South Tampa, and while we’re sure it’s pure fiction, we have to admit that some of its characters seemed awfully familiar…

And while we’re on the subject of South Tampa, you have to read Cody Fowler Davis’s Green 61—not only does he give us a dead-on portrayal of the Tampa elite, but he also tells a great story. You’ll never look at those boating channel markers the same way again!

We’ve also grown quite fond of Diane Vogt’s “Judge Wilhelmina Carson” novels. Even though the Willa lives in a part of South Tampa that doesn’t really exist, (Vogt creates a little fictional island in Hillsborough Bay), it’s still S.O.K. to us.

But, of course, even we have to acknowledge that there’s more to this city than the South Tampa peninsula, which is why we loved the West Tampa setting and retro mood of Ace Atkins’s superbly crafted novel White Shadow, even though much of the 1940’s and 50’s Tampa that he depicts is long gone. Based on real people and true events, this is a must-read for everyone who wants to truly understand Tampa and the people who have shaped it. The same goes for Ferdie Pacheco’s Ybor City Chronicles.

And no Tampa reading list is complete (not that we’re claiming this list is) without Tim Dorsey’s funny, funny, funny series of novels. If the South Tampa fiction captures the Genteel Old South face of Tampa, and the West Tampa fiction captures its rich Cuban-Italian heritage, Dorsey’s fiction definitely covers the Wild West angle, and then some. Although his morally-challenged characters don’t always stay in Tampa—they tend to careen all over the state—Dorsey captures the quirky, weird, seedy, larger-than-life side of Florida that Tampa, by virtue of being a member of the Sunshine State (where all the nuts seem to fall) inevitably shares.

Happy Reading!

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Canned Goodness

Posted Dec 8, 2006 by Marty Strasen

Updated Dec 8, 2006 at 11:58 AM

Avid followers of this blog (Jean) will note that I rarely bring anything in a can or package to eat for lunch. That’s in stark contrast to Janine, who does so about half the time.

But even this can of Campbell’s Select Mexican Style Chicken Tortilla soup should count as something of a leftover, as it’s been sitting in the pantry for a month. That’s because I almost always have a home-cooked meal to bring, making cans of soup, frozen entrees and the like ‘‘last resorts.’‘

Accompanying the soup is a ham and cheese sandwich, made with leftover ham from Thanksgiving that has been frozen since then. The pictured apple did not make it to lunch. I get to work very early on Fridays and am generally in need of a mid-morning snack.

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