Paging Darth Vader! Some 60,000 of these Skywalker Trampolines have been recalled by the manufacturer and Consumer Product Safety Commission because the straps connecting the top of the enclosure to the poles don’t work. The enclosure can drop, which puts bouncy kids at risk of falling off the trampoline. The company has received 250 reports of strap failure but, fortunately, no injuries. If you’ve got one of these in your backyard, contact Skywalker Holdings for a free repair kit.

1. The California Pops Orchestra meets the Flying Karamazov Brothers in this rollicking, musical and very silly performance May 30 at 7:30 p.m. at Palo Alto’s Spangenberg Theater and May 31 at 3 p.m. at the Venture Christian Church Theater in Los Gatos. ($10-$30)

2. Lawrence Hall of Science presents Animal Grossology, the oozing, squishy, gross-out adventure that brings to life the scientific know-how behind, well, behinds and other animal body parts. Learn about vomit slurpers, dookie lovers and ewww, so much more. Now through Sept. 6, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily in Berkeley. ($6-$11)
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Mean girl syndrome starts early, says Times reporter Theresa Harrington. Teachers and parents are starting to spot the signature jealousy, cattiness and vicious back-stabbing as early as fifth grade. Now, El Monte Elementary principal Christina Boman (pictured, above) and fifth grade teacher Linn Kissinger are doing something about it. They launched a lunchtime Girls Club at the Concord school so tweens could express concerns, share insights and strengthen their friendships – and the program has been so successful, a male teacher launched a Boys Club too. Join Boman and Kissinger online Thursday from noon to 1 p.m. (PST) for a round-table chat about the Girls Club and the issues facing tween girls.

I can’t wait to hear the dad’s explanation. From Union City:

Police: Union City dad fires gun during argument with daughter over prom night

UNION CITY — A father upset with his teenage daughter for being out late on prom night was arrested Monday after he fired a gun during the argument and nearly hit his wife, who jumped in the way to protect their daughter, police said.

Full story

Time for another installment in our Backyard Fun series, inspired by you guys. We’ve talked about children’s gardens and beanpole tepees, stickball and street games, homemade sidewalk chalk, and gigantic bubbles. And this week’s edition was inspired by Cindi and Jackie’s descriptions of lazy summer afternoons spent splashing in grandparents and aunts’ swimming pools. So without further ado, here are six great swimming pool games, none of which involve Marco Polo. Check ‘em out, then click comments and add your favorites.

Ping-Pong Scramble: Ahead of time, use a Sharpie marker to number a bunch of ping pong balls – the more the better. Line up two teams of swimmers at opposite ends of the pool. Dump the balls into the center of the pool. At the signal, both teams scramble to grab as many ping-pong balls as they can carry back to a bucket at the side, but no one can carry more than one ball at a time. When all the balls have been scooped up, add up the numbers printed on each. Highest score wins. (From Family Fun Magazine)
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Caffeine, cell phones and no sleep – there’s a recipe for ill health. A new study being released today by the American Academy of Pediatrics says today’s teens, ages 12-18, are living a dangerously multi-tasking, 24/7 lifestyle. Just 20% get 8 hours of sleep a night, everyone else skimps on the shut eye. Most of them are using electronic media – cell phones, computers and video games – late into the night, and they’re getting through the day by drinking coffee, colas and caffeine-laden energy drinks. A third of the teens reported falling asleep in class twice a day (!) and 7% had fallen asleep at the wheel.

“Adoption Book Group”
May 26 at 6:30 p.m. at Bananas, Oakland
This month’s topic is “Debating Race,” by Michael Eric Dyson.

“Childhood Matters: Raising Strong and Healthy Families”
May 30 from 9 to 10 a.m. on Green 960 AM and streamed live on Childhoodmatters.org. Rona Renner, RN, and panelists discuss parenting issues.

“Childhood Matters”
June 6 from 9 to 10 a.m. on Green 960 AM and streamed live on Childhoodmatters.org. Rona Renner, RN, and panelists discuss parenting issues.
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Headed for a pool this weekend? Lifeguards are certainly important, says aquatic safety expert Jill White, who wrote “StarGuard: Best Practices for Lifeguards,” but parents need to pay attention when their little ones are in or near a pool. “Lifeguards are not baby-sitters,” says White. “Parents and guardians should not leave children unattended, and preschool children and non-swimmers should be directly supervised – within touching distance – by a responsible adult.”

Be particularly aware, she says, when you see any of these red flags, because they’ve been associated with drownings:

• Breath holding contests and no-breather laps
• Large groups of unsupervised children
• Little ones bobbing or wading toward deeper water
• Non-swimmers on a noodle or inflatable
• Non-swimmers at the deep end without a life jacket. Water wings are not safe alternatives.

Be particularly cautious about group pool trips, including parties and day camp outings. “Often group leaders or party hosts inappropriately view the trip to the pool as a chance to relax and turn over responsibility to the lifeguards,” says White. “The energy level of the participants is often high, and peer pressure can encourage children to try activities that would not be allowed under parental supervision.”

So stay safe, wear sunscreen and get in the pool with your kids.

So this was cool – video production students from Windemere Ranch Middle School got a first-hand look at how the pros do it when PBS “MoneyTrack” series went on location in San Ramon recently. The show’s executive producer Neil Alford (pictured at left with the students), a veteran of CNN, FOX and NBC, spoke with the students and answered questions during the 90-minute visit. Pretty inspiring stuff for the middle schoolers, who have been using iMovie to develop and edit weekly video segments shown throughout the school. The school’s production studio features video cameras, a mixing soundboard and video switcher.

1. Oakland’s Fairyland (pictured) is always big fun. Between the rides, shows and other live entertainment, there’s always something to do. And now, there’s a brand new puppet production of “Snow White & the Seven Dwarves,” complete with envious stepmother, Doc, Sleepy and the gang, this weekend at 11 a.m., 2 and 4 p.m. ($7, includes all rides and attractions).

2. Concord celebrates its 20th annual KidFest this weekend at Todos Santos Plaza. Live entertainment, obstacle courses and inflatable games, and plenty of kid-friendly fun Saturday through Monday, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. ($5)
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