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January 2025
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WILD RIDES, CLOSE CALLS
Guard Against Teenage Joyriding
As it turned out, my brother had been driving the Explorer pretty hard. He drove it to Brace Park one day, veered off the road into the grass, and started doing doughnuts. The next day, my dad noticed a swirly mark on the front window. “What happened to the car? It didn’t go anywhere — what is this?” he said. My brother claimed to know nothing about it. What had happened, he told me later, was that he had flipped the Explorer on its side doing doughnuts. He and a friend called a bunch of guys on the football team who came over and tipped that 2-ton vehicle back on its wheels. Eventually, my parents, intent on keeping my brother on the right path, sent him to a boarding school in Utah. Fortunately, my brother, who is a great guy, survived his risk-taking years. But those stories and others like them serve as a reminder to keep an eye on your car. Parents often use GPS trackers such as Tracki or Apple AirTag to monitor a teen driver’s location. If you have a teen who may be tempted to take the family car out joyriding, the peace of mind you gain may be worth the cost. -Adrianos Facchetti
the late 1980s, and it had a leathery smell and a Blaupunkt radio, a famous German-engineered system. My brother did not yet have his driver’s license, but that was of no concern to him. “If Mom and Dad won’t let me drive this, we’re going to take it out for a spin on our own,” he said. We lived on a steep hill, so we pushed the car backward down the hill and jumped in while it was rolling. “Put your seat belt on,” my brother said. “We’re going for a ride!” Based on the specs, this Mercedes’ top speed was supposedly 139 mph. My brother started gunning it on the freeway and hit 146 mph. I was freaking out, thinking, “This is crazy! We’ve got to go back home!” Fortunately, nothing bad happened. We made it home and went to sleep; our parents had no idea what had happened. When we looked at each other the next day, we just smiled. It was epic. That was just how my brother was. Later, when my brother was in high school, my dad splurged on a 1992 Ford Explorer Eddie Bauer Edition. My brother loved driving it. It had transmission issues, so my brother and I nicknamed it “the Exploder.” Whenever our dad raised questions about the transmission, we would say, “It’s just the Exploder.”
Wrapped up in their own world, teenage drivers’ yen for excitement can easily lead them to take foolish risks behind the wheel, leading many states to raise the minimum driving age. As we enter Teen Driving Awareness Month, I’m remembering some of the unique risk- taking I witnessed as a kid years ago — thanks to my teenage brother. My brother was five years older than I, and we were both adopted. He was, to put it mildly, a wild guy. As readers of this newsletter know, I was very close to him. I admired and learned a lot from him, including how to stand up for myself against older, bigger bullies bent on drawing blood (mine). One night, my brother woke me up in the middle of the night. “Wanna have some fun?” he asked. It must have been 1 a.m. or 2 a.m., but as a 10-year-old who admired his big brother, what am I going to say? I leaped out of bed, threw on some sweats and shoes, and tiptoed out of the house with my brother. In the driveway sat our dad’s brand-new, fancy car, a 560SL Mercedes, which a friend had sold him at a reduced price. It was almost embarrassing to me because it was so fancy, but my brother loved that car. It was a classic design from
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Babies Delivered Via Mail?
How America’s Youngest Were Once Mailed to Grandma’s
and trusted with these precious deliveries. Take 5-year-old May Pierstorff, who was mailed about 75 miles to her grandparents. Or 3-year-old Maude Smith, who traveled from Caney to Jackson, Kentucky, with snacks in hand and a shipping label sewn to her dress. It wasn’t until after several instances and a good deal of head-scratching by the postal authorities that regulations tightened up. Parents could no longer avoid train ticket costs by handing their kids to the local postal carrier. Today, thankfully, we have more sensible travel options for our kids. The days of slapping stamps on their clothing and waving as they disappear with the mail are long gone. But the stories we have from those early days of mail mischief are sure to remind us that thrifty parents will go to any lengths to save a few dimes!
In those early days, some parents took the phrase “special delivery” to a new level by mailing their kids! Just a few weeks after the service began, one Ohio couple decided their 8-month-old son, James, needed to visit Grandma and figured the mail was the best way to get him there. Weighing in just under the 11-pound limit, baby James cost a mere 15 cents
Oh, the good old days of 1913, when the U.S. Post Office decided to let just about anything — and we mean anything — go through the mail. Imagine a time when sending eggs, bricks, and even your college laundry via post was the norm. When the U.S. Post Office first began offering parcel service, one of the first packages sent was a brindle English bulldog!
But of course, it gets stranger. The initial days of the Parcel Post service saw creative shipping solutions, including more than one instance of a surprise opossum delivery in Flushing, Queens. Then, parents short on cash or time decided to do something truly questionable: shipping their own children.
to mail. Talk about a budget-friendly travel option!
If it’s any consolation, parents didn’t hand off these pint-sized parcels to strangers. In most cases, the local mail carriers in these rural communities were well-known to the families
From Forbidden Fortune Telling to Sandwich Shop Silence Unpack America’s Quirkiest State Laws
a no-go, as it’s considered a serious traffic hazard. So, those planning to sell hot dogs should keep their attire conservative to avoid stirring up more than just appetites. Fight Back Birds in Indiana In Indiana, you can only throw a rock at a bird if you’re defending yourself. Hopefully, you’ll never find yourself in such a peculiar predicament (or Hitchcockian nightmare), but it’s good to know the law’s got your back — just in case. No Clairvoyance in Cedar Rapids Fancy yourself a fortune teller in Cedar Rapids, Iowa? Think again. Practices like palm reading or phrenology are off limits, preserving the town’s focus on the tangible here and now rather than the mystical future. Grease Is the Word in North Carolina In North Carolina, stealing over $1,000 of used restaurant grease is a felony.
Every state has its own bizarre laws, and while they make for a fun read, the fact is that these rules were once created to address some specific “problem!” From unusual dress codes for hot dog vendors in Florida to bizarre regulations about fighting birds in Indiana, every state has its share of head-scratchers. Let’s take a stroll through six of the wackiest laws — you can’t make this stuff up! Quiet Hours for Sandwich Lovers In Arkansas, think twice before honking your horn at a sandwich shop after 9 p.m. This law might have stemmed from one too many late-night sandwich cravings disturbing the peace. So, keep your sandwich enthusiasm to a respectable volume! Dress Code for Hot Dog Vendors In Florida, hot dog vendors must think twice about skimpy wardrobes as a marketing tactic. Dressing provocatively is
Yes, used grease! As biodiesel’s popularity rises, so does the value of this slippery commodity — so keep your hands away from the grimy fryer vats. Oklahoma’s Animal Antics And finally, in Oklahoma, you’d better not find yourself tripping a horse or wrestling a bear. Engaging in or even promoting these dangerous and unusual animal antics is illegal. It’s all fun and games until someone gets a bear hug they didn’t ask for! So, next time you think you’ve heard it all, remember: The law books might have a few more surprises waiting for you.
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SHINING THE LIGHT ON LIGHTHOUSE PARENTING
BRAIN GAMES
A Balanced Approach to Raising Independent Children
BEGINNINGS BLANKETS CARNATION CAPRICORN GARNET HEALTHY ICICLE PENGUIN PLANNING RESOLUTION SNOWBOARD SOUPY
Among the countless parenting styles out there, an approach called “lighthouse parenting” is a beacon for guiding children through life’s turbulent waters while giving them the space to navigate on their own. While it may sound ideal, is it the right parenting style for your kids? What is lighthouse parenting? Coined by Dr. Ken Ginsburg, a professor of pediatrics at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, lighthouse parenting is a philosophy detailed in his book “Raising Kids to Thrive.” This approach emphasizes a balance of nurturing and communicating with children while allowing them the freedom to grow independently. Just as a lighthouse guides without steering the ship itself, lighthouse parents offer direction and ensure safety without overly controlling their children’s lives. It advocates for a balanced approach. Lighthouse parenting positions itself in the sweet spot on the parenting spectrum — not as overbearing as helicopter parenting nor as detached as free-range parenting. It focuses on being emotionally present and available, providing a safe space for children to bring up issues and learn from their experiences. This method involves: • Checking in Regularly: Ensuring open lines of communication. • Encouraging Autonomy: Allowing kids the freedom to make decisions and learn from the outcomes. • Promoting Resilience: Supporting children as they navigate challenges, helping them to develop coping skills and independence. Parents set boundaries and offer support.
• 1 cup almond flour • 3/4 cup sugar • 2/3 cup medium-grind cornmeal • 1 1/2 tsp baking powder • 1/2 tsp sea salt • 3 eggs • 3/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil Ingredients Directions CITRUS OLIVE OIL CAKE Inspired by GimmeSomeOven.com
• 1 tsp vanilla extract • 1/2 tsp almond extract • Zest of 1 lemon, plus 2 tbsp juice • Zest of 1 orange, plus 2 tbsp juice • Powdered sugar, optional
Unlike authoritarian parenting, which might stifle a child’s sense of independence, lighthouse
parenting encourages self-reliance through trust and minimal but firm boundaries. Parents provide the framework, trusting the kids to make good decisions. This method helps to build a robust support system where children know they have the safety net of their parents’ guidance when needed. Keep the Light On Adopting the lighthouse method involves unconditional love paired with expectations and boundaries. It’s about guiding children through the complexities of growing up without removing the essential experiences that teach them about life. Of course, no single parenting style is perfect for every child. How you reinforce lighthouse parenting depends entirely on your child’s needs and developmental trajectory. Ultimately, lighthouse parenting aims to prepare children to thrive independently, ensuring they know the way back to shore, no matter how far away they sail.
1. Heat oven to 350 F. Line the bottom of a 9-inch springform pan with parchment and lightly grease the sides with cooking spray. 2. In a large mixing bowl, whisk almond flour, sugar, cornmeal, baking powder, and salt until combined. 3. In another bowl, whisk eggs, olive oil, vanilla, almond extract, and lemon and orange zest and juice. Combine the wet ingredients with the dry ingredients. 4. Pour batter into the springform pan. Bake for 35–40 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Let cool for 15 minutes. 5. Run a knife gently around the edges of the cake, then remove the sides of the pan. If desired, dust cake with powdered sugar using a fine-mesh strainer.
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INSIDE THIS ISSUE
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Thrills and Spills: The Perils of Teenage Joyrides
The Curious Case of Mailing Children in the Early 1900s
6 State Laws You Won’t Believe Exist!
Citrus Olive Oil Cake
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Lighthouse Parenting: Illuminate the Path to Independence and Resilience
Crime and Cavities
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From Aggravated Assault to Dental Drama Runaway ‘Dentist’ Dodges Detection
offenses include assault with a deadly weapon, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, and unlawful carrying of a weapon by a felon — and that was just in 2023 and 2024! In one infamous case, she was accused of shooting at her boyfriend’s former girlfriend. Her record also includes a December 2016 conviction for the delivery of a controlled substance. “Juanetta Solomon is the definition of a career habitual offender,” commented Andy Kahan, director of victim services and advocacy at Crime Stoppers of Houston, in a story on Katy Magazine Online. “She’s been in prison multiple times in different counties, so it’s no surprise she is once again wanted. Her latest offense is extremely brutal, pretending to be a dentist [and] causing undue pain and stress on individuals, so the quicker we get her back in custody, the less anyone has to suffer as a result of her criminal conduct.”
While TikTok may be a go-to app for funny videos, it’s probably not the best way to find a new dentist. Last year, Texas-based “dentist” Nikki Calloway used TikTok to generate buzz for her business, ISmilez Cosmetic Designz. The campaign attracted new patients, including one who scheduled an appointment after receiving a $1,350 quote from Calloway to have 16 teeth removed, replaced, and a bridge added. There was only one problem: “Nikki Calloway” wasn’t a licensed dentist. In reality, she was Juanetta Solomon, a notorious local felon with a long history of crime. The botched dental surgery left the patient dizzy, bleeding, and with a tooth that fell out shortly afterward — and prompted Solomon to go on the run from the law. According to authorities, Solomon had operated her “dentistry” office while out on bond for a weapons charge. Her past
Law enforcement was still attempting to capture Solomon at the time of this writing. Her bizarre turn as a “dentist” serves as a chilling reminder that Google and a little research — not social media — are the best tools to determine whether your chosen provider is a professional or someone destined for prison.
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