Parents and caregivers of teething babies and children, listen up. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued a new warning about benzocaine being linked to a rare condition called methemoglobinemia (MetHb), where the blood does not effectively move oxygen throughout the body, which in worst cases can lead to stupor, seizures, coma and even death.

Benzocaine gels and liquids are sold OTC under different brand names such as Anbesol, Hurricaine, Orajel, Baby Orajel, Orabase, and store brands. Benzocaine is also sold in other forms such as sore throat lozenges, creams, ointments, and spray solutions. (See the benzocaine spray alert message here) These products are used to relieve pain from a variety of conditions, such as teething, canker sores, toothaches, burns, insect bites, and irritation of the mouth and gums.

Healthcare providers also use topical benzocaine during surgical procedures, dental procedures and other medical procedures to numb the mouth and throat. Moderate to serious side effects from using topical benzocaine include problems breathing or swallowing, swollen tongue or mouth, irregular heartbeat, malaise, body twitching, hypersensitivity, burning, redness, itching and rash.

Dated April 7, 2011, the FDA posted an alert on its website alerting parents “that the use of benzocaine, the main ingredient in over-the-counter (OTC) gels and liquids applied to the gums or mouth to reduce pain, is associated with a rare, but serious condition. This condition is called methemoglobinemia and results in the amount of oxygen carried through the blood stream being greatly reduced. In the most severe cases, methemoglobinemia can result in death.” The FDA says it will “continue to evaluate this safety issue and will take appropriate regulatory actions as warranted,” according to the online safety alert. Marketed products with the benzocaine ingredient currently do not have a warning label on them.

The FDA safety alert about benzocaine continues saying, “Methemoglobinemia has been reported with all strengths of benzocaine gels and liquids, including concentrations as low as 7.5%. The cases occurred mainly in children aged two years or younger who were treated with benzocaine gel for teething. People who develop methemoglobinemia may experience pale, gray or blue colored skin, lips, and nail beds; shortness of breath; fatigue; confusion; headache; lightheadedness; and rapid heart rate. In some cases, symptoms of methemoglobinemia may not always be evident or attributed to the condition. The signs and symptoms usually appear within minutes to hours of applying benzocaine and may occur with the first application of benzocaine or after additional use. If you or your child has any of these symptoms after taking benzocaine, seek medical attention immediately.”

Is there a possible connection between benzocaine, methemoglobinemia and Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS)? In the previous paragraph quoted, it says: “In some cases, symptoms of methemoglobinemia may not always be evident or attributed to the condition. The signs and symptoms usually appear within minutes to hours of applying benzocaine and may occur with the first application of benzocaine or after additional use.” That lead me to the Onder Law Firm website, which is handling the benzocaine class-action lawsuit, where their posted article about benzocaine, orajel and baby orajel mentions the question about SIDS saying:

“Some have wondered if many of the deaths attributed to SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome) were actually caused by Baby Orajel, Orajel, or one of the other benzocaine containing products. Upon the death of an infant, appropriate blood tests are often not run, such that this condition can be missed. Many times only a comprehensive review of the facts and medical records can reveal the true cause of death.”

The National Criminal Justice Reference Service (NCJRS) website shows an abstract from the Journal of Forensic Sciences (dated November 2005), titled “Death of an Infant Involving Benzocaine” and makes mention of a 4-month old baby boy whose death was officially ruled a SIDS death, but then says this:

“The official cause of death was attributed to sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS); however, a toxicological evaluation revealed a concentration of 3.48 mg/L of benzocaine, a widely used local anesthetic found in many over-the-counter medications. Benzocaine is a relatively safe local anesthetic, but there are two recognized adverse reactions, allergic sensitization and methemoglobinemia. Methemoglobin is hemoglobin with the iron oxidized to the ferric state (rather than the reduced ferrous state), making it incapable of reversibly binding oxygen. Death may result from methemoglobinemia if medical intervention is delayed. The corner’s investigation of the source of the benzocaine in the infant found that he was treated with Zenith Goldline Allergen Ear Drops, which contained 0.25 percent w/v benzocaine and 5.4 percent w/v antipyrine. A caregiver admitted that on the day before the child’s death he had been treated with three times the prescribed dose. Methemoglobin concentrations in postmortem cases are frequently elevated, however, and should be interpreted with caution. Still, in the current case, the unknown significance of the benzocaine and the circumstances of the case raise questions about attributing the child’s death to SIDS.”

Under the heading “Additional Information for Healthcare Professionals”, the FDA warns that “Patients who have breathing problems such as asthma, bronchitis, or emphysema, patients with heart disease, and patients who smoke are at greater risk for complications related to methemoglobinemia. China’s State Food and Drug Administration (SFDA) and Health Canada have also warned doctors, patients and drug manufacturers about the dangers related to the use of products containing benzocaine. (Link about China’s warning and link for Canada.) See KidsHealth for a complete list of medication products containing benzocaine in the U.S., Canada and Mexico.

The Consumer Reports Health website says “Some products that include Benzocaine are Cepacol Duel Relief Sore Throat spray, Lanacane spray, Solarcaine Medicate First Aid Spray, Benzocaine cream, Solarcaine lotion, Anbesol Maximum Strength liquid, and Cold Sore Therapy. If you use benzocaine topical products you should carefully follow the recommendations on the product label, and store it out of the reach of children. The products should not be used on children less than two years old, except under the supervision of a healthcare professional.”

The American Dental Association (ADA) also posted the warning on its website saying “For consumers who use benzocaine, the FDA advises that health care professionals advise them to use the smallest amount possible to relieve pain and not to apply the product more frequently than four times daily. Before recommending benzocaine products, health care professionals should discuss the signs and symptoms of methemoglobinemia with patients and tell them to look for signs and symptoms when using benzocaine products, and to seek medical attention immediately if they suspect methemoglobinemia.”

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends giving teething infants and children a chilled teething ring as well as softly rubbing or massaging the child’s gums for teething pain relief. There are also “natural teething remedies” available.

For more information on Benzocaine risks, toxicity etc, please carefully review the following informative links:

• The MayoClinic about Benzocaine
• Is Orajel Safe For Babies? from hippie dippie bebe (2009)
• Methemoglobinemia Related to Local Anesthetics: A Summary of 242 Episodes
• Benzocaine-containing topical sprays and methemoglobinemia (2002)
• Information on the benzocaine lawsuit from HazelwoodPatch

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What are the best toothbrushes, an electric powered toothbrush or manual toothbrush? What kind of toothbrush does the American Dental Association (ADA) recommend kids and adults use to take good care of teeth and for best overall health?

Choosing the best toothbrush for yourself, kids and family can be confusing, with so many brands and types of manual toothbrushes and electronically powered toothbrushes on store shelves. Which is better, a manual toothbrush or an electric one, according to Consumer Reports tests and reviews?

According to the American Dental Association, when used correctly, both manual and electric powered toothbrushes can be equally effective at thoroughly cleaning teeth and gums, remove plaque and prevent or reduce calculus (tartar) buildup, thereby reducing gingivitis (gum disease). What kind of toothbrush you or your family uses is not the most important thing to consider, but how you use it. Do you brush thoroughly twice a day for a minimum of two minutes and floss daily like dental hygienists and dentists recommend to patients?

The ADA’s recommendation about manual vs. electric toothbrushes simply says to “buy the one that you will use and one that displays the ADA Seal of Acceptance.” The ADA’s Seal assures you the products have been independently evaluated or endorsed by a body of scientific experts for safety and effectiveness, and the packaging and advertising claims are scientifically supported.

If your dentist or dental hygienist has recommended you buy an electric toothbrush as part of your dental care routine, do it. Children may find that brushing with a electric powered toothbrush is fun and will be more likely to brush their teeth regularly without parental prodding. Elderly, arthritic or physically disabled persons who have difficulty brushing properly while using a manual toothbrush may find a powered toothbrush easier to use or more comfortable.

Whether you choose to buy a manual or electric toothbrush, find a toothbrush that you like, is easy to use and reaches all surfaces of your teeth, so that you’ll use the toothbrush twice a day without fail to thoroughly clean your teeth and gums. Soft-bristled toothbrushes with rounded tips will typically be the most comfortable and safest choice for most dental patients, since medium to hard bristled brushes can cause damage to your tooth enamel and gums, depending on how hard you brush your teeth.

Consumer Reports Best Electric Toothbrushes

Consumer Reports Health (www.consumerreportshealth.org), in its March 2010 edition, listed test and review results of what it considers the best electric toothbrushes. Since the final ratings analysis and recommendations included a list of only 10 toothbrushes ranging in cost from $15 – $140.00, consider carefully what Consumer Reports says are the best toothbrushes on the market today.

#1 and Best rated: Oral-B Professional Care SmartSeries 9400 (floss action head). Discontinued but replaced by similar model Oral-B Professional Care SmartSeries 4000 in CR with comparable reviews. 3-speed spin brush; average price of $130; replacement head $7. Overall score of Very Good (82 out of 100). Categories for Plaque Removal and Comfort, both received an “excellent” rating, with Ease of Use receiving a “Good” rating.

#2 is Philips Sonicare Flexcare R910. 5-speed sonic brush; average cost of $140; replacement head $10. Overall score of Very Good (81 out of 100). “Excellent” rating for Plaque Removal, with Comfort and Ease of Use each receiving a “Very Good” rank.

#3 is Oral-B Professional Care 7400 (precision clean head), now discontinued but replaced by Oral-B Professional Care 1000 in CR with comparable review. 1-speed spin brush; avg cost of $70; replacement head $7. Overall score of “Very Good” (71 out of 100). Plaque Removal score “very good”, with Comfort and Ease of Use each receiving an “Excellent” rating.

#4 is Waterpik Sensonic Professional (standard head). 2-speed sonic brush; average price of $80; replacement head $5. Overall score of “Very Good” (68 out of 100). Plaque Removal, Comfort and Ease of Use all received a “Very Good” rating.

#5 is Spinbrush Pro Clean Sonic (Arm & Hammer), also listed as Consumer Reports “best buy”. 1-speed sonic brush; average cost of $15; replacement head $5.00. Overall score of “Very Good (62 out of 100). Plaque Removal and Comfort received a “Very Good” rating, while Ease of Use received a “good” review.

#6 is Oral-B Vitality Sonic. 1-speed sonic toothbrush; average price of $22; replacement head $7. Overall score of “Very Good” (61 out of 100). Plaque Removal received only a “Good” rating. Categories for Ease of Use and Comfort, both received a “Very Good” review.

#7 is Philips Sonicare Essence e5500. 1-speed sonic brush; avg cost of $85; replacement head $18. Overall score of “Very Good” (61 out of 100). Plaque Removal received a “Good” rating, while categories for Ease of Use and Comfort received “Very Good” ratings.

#8 is CVS Sonic, a 3-speed sonic toothbrush. Average cost of $50, with replacement head costing an average of $9.00. Overall score of “Good” (56 out of 100). Plaque Removal receives a “Good” rating, while Comfort and Ease of Use received an equal rating of “Very Good”.

#9 is Interplak OptiClean Power Plaque Remover. 1-speed spin brush. Avg cost of $21, with replacement head cost of $7. Overall score of “Good” (49 out of 100). Plaque Removal, Comfort and Ease of Use ALL received a rating of “Good”.

#10 is Walgreens Vital Health Pulsating Clean. 1-speed pulsating toothbrush. Average cost of $15, and replacement head $3.00. Overall score of “Good” (49 out of 100). Plaque Removal and Comfort received “Good” ratings, while Ease of Use received a “Very Good” rating.

Research studies have shown that between the different types of toothbrushes, manual or electric, both kinds can be equally effective if used right. Do you and your children brush and floss your teeth correctly, for a full two minutes, every single day including weekends? Time yourself with a stopwatch and see, because it is common for people not to brush long enough and thoroughly reaching those hard-to-get-to places in your mouth.

When brushing with a manual brush or an electric toothbrush, be sure to cover all the surfaces of your teeth. Don’t rush through brushing your teeth, be a good example for your kids by flossing properly everyday and teach your kids the importance of taking good care of their teeth and gums. Remember that silly quote dentists use all too often: “You don’t have to brush all your teeth…just the ones you want to keep!”

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Free dental care is available at FREE Dental Clinics for low income people in Dallas TX and surrounding cities, who can prove they meet eligibility requirements for free or low cost dental treatment. Trying to find a dentist who provides low cost or no cost (free) dental services for needy dental patients, with or without dental insurance, can seem daunting if patients don’t know where to look for such care.

There are numerous sites online that provide information, locations and application criteria for low income or no income dental patients in need of free dental clinics in Texas or by state. There is also a great deal of information online about free clinical trials and research studies patients may choose to participate in, where their dental care and treatment is provided at little or no cost by experienced dentists and dental teams.

Donated Dental Services for Elderly and Disabled

Donated dental services are provided in each state by volunteer dentists and dental labs who donate their time, offices, supplies and equipment for charitable dental care to those in need. The Texas Donated Dental Services (TXDDS) program provides free dental care for individuals who can show they have no other means of getting needed dental care.

They must be uninsured and not eligible for any state dental health programs, and must complete, sign and return the application form found here in order to be approved and placed on the waiting list. Prospective dental patients for the TXDDS donated dental program must meet at least one of the eligibility requirements of being 55 years of age or older, and/or have a permanent debilitating disability, otherwise these patients do not qualify for the TXDDS program.

Dallas Texas area residents in need of scheduled or emergency dental care at low cost or completely free have several options to choose from. Consider this list of low cost or free dental clinics in the Dallas and North Dallas area for children of low income families and adults, the elderly and/or disabled in need or low cost, sliding scale or free dental work.

Free Dental Clinics in Dallas Texas

1. Dallas County Hospital District, located at 5000 Harry Hines Blvd, Dallas, TX, 75235. 214-590-0153. Services include: Dental Care Services, Enabling Services, Mental Health/Substance Abuse Services, Other Professional Services, Primary Medical Care, Specialty Medical Care.

2. Los Barrios Unidos Community Clinic, located at 809 Singleton Boulevard, Dallas, TX, 75212. 214-571-6132. Services include: Dental Care Services, Enabling Services, Obstetrical and Gynecological Care, Other Professional Services and Primary Medical Care.

3. Martin Luther King, Jr. Family Clinic, located at 2922-B Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd, Dallas, TX, 75315. 214-426-3645. Services include: Dental Care Services, Obstetrical and Gynecological Care, Primary Medical Care and Other Professional Services.

4. North Dallas Shared Ministries, located at 2875 Merrell Road, Dallas, TX, 75229. 972-620-8696. Services include both Medical care and a Dental Clinic (Adult Extractions & Gum Disease Only) Website: www.ndsm.org

5. The Stewpot/Homeless, located at 408 Park Avenue (at Young Street), Dallas, TX, 75201. 214-746-2785. Services include: dental and medical care, mental health services, legal aid to the homeless and at-risk, and much more. Website: www.thestewpot.org

6. Parkland Health & Hospital System, located at 5201 Harry Hines Blvd, Dallas, TX, 75235. 214-590-8000. Parkland Hospital’s 11 Community Outreach Patient Dental Care (COPC) local facilities are listed here, including addresses, phone numbers, map and directions, fees and more.

7. Baylor College of Dentistry Clinic, located at 3302 Gaston, Dallas, TX, 75246. 214-828-8100. Website: http://bcd.tamhsc.edu. Baylor College clinics provide a full range of comprehensive dental treatment for those who have needs that correspond to the teaching needs of the dental students. Baylor’s Dentistry Clinic also offers an Urgent Care Emergency Extraction Clinic to extract (pull) teeth on a first-come, first-serve basis. Fees are somewhat lower than in a private dentist’s office, but more frequent and longer visits are typically required.

8. Dental Health For Arlington Inc, located at 201 N. East Street, Arlington, TX, 76011. 817- 277-1165. Services include: preventive and pain relieving dental care for low-income families and to educate children about good oral hygiene. Website: www.dentalhealtharlington.org

9. Bluitt-Flowers Health Center, located at 303 E. Overton Road, Dallas, TX 75216. 214-266-4200. Services include: Dental, Laboratory, Radiology, Pharmacy, Mammography, Nutrition, Psychology/ Psychiatry, Social Work, TDHS, WIC, Adolescent Medicine Specialty.

10. deHaro-Saldivar Health Center, located at 1400 N. Westmoreland Rd, Dallas, TX 75211. 214-266-0500. Services include: Dental, Texas Department of Health and Human Services, Laboratory, Radiology, Pharmacy, Nutrition, Mammography, Psychology/Psychiatry, Social Work, Language Assistance.

11. East Dallas Health Center, located at 3320 Live Oak, Dallas, TX 75204. 214-266-1000. Services include: Dental, MHFP, Laboratory, Radiology, Pharmacy, Mammography, Nutrition, Psychology, Refugee Program, Social Work, TDHS, WIC.

12. Garland Health Center, at 802 Hopkins, Garland, TX 75040. 214-266-0700. Services include: Dental, MHFP, Laboratory, Radiology, Pharmacy, Epilepsy, WCS and Anti-coagulation, Adult Diabetes Education, Pediatric Asthma Education, Epilepsy, Mammography, Nutrition, Psychology / Psychiatry, Social Work, TDHS, WIC.

13. Dental Health Clinics of Collin County McKinney Clinic, located at 825 N. McDonald Street – Suite 130 (inside Collin County healthcare), McKinney, TX, 75069. 972-548-5580. Non-profit dental center providing quality dental care for low-income patients. Medicaid and CHIP accepted, and have greatly reduced copay fees for uninsured patients, regardless of treatment.

14. Community Dental Center of Plano TX, located at 900 E. Park Blvd, Plano, TX, 75074
972-633-3380. Same details as the McKinney Community Dental Center: Non-profit dental center providing quality dental care for low-income patients. Medicaid and CHIP accepted, and have greatly reduced copay fees for uninsured patients, regardless of treatment.

15. Community Dental Center of Carrollton/Farmers Branch, located at 13551 Dennis Lane, Dallas, TX, 75234. 972-241-2259. Non-profit dental center providing quality dental care for low-income patients. Reduced rates for low-income children, proof required of low-income status (check stub, income tax form, notarized letter from employer). Medicaid and CHIP accepted, and have greatly reduced copay fees for uninsured patients, regardless of treatment.

16. Dental Hygiene Center Collin County at the Community College McKinney, (hygiene students provide supervised, quality dental care) on a sliding scale. The clinic is located at the Central Park Campus, 2200 W. University Drive in McKinney. 972-548-6537 or 972-516-5030. Community Dental Programs of Collin County provides primary dental care for low income children ages 1-20, who qualify for the National School Lunch Program or Medicaid. Services include exams, cleaning, x-rays, pit and fissure sealant application, periodontal scaling and root planing, restorations and extractions.

Each year on the first Friday in February, thousands of U.S. dentists and their dental team members provide free oral health care services to children from low-income families across the country. The ADA’s Give Kids A Smile program enhances the oral health of large numbers of needy children.

Give Kids A Smile activities also highlight for policy makers the ongoing challenges that low-income families face in finding affordable dental care. For more information, dates and locations of upcoming Give Kids A Smile programs in your area, visit the American Dental Association (ADA) website at www.ada.org.

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The 2010 State Fair of Texas at Fair Park in Dallas starts with opening day Friday, Sept. 24th and runs until Sunday, Oct. 17, 2010. Fair Park in Dallas, with the infamous 52-foot tall Big Tex, is located at 1300 Robert B. Cullum Blvd, Dallas, TX 75210.

The theme for the 24-day 2010 State Fair of Texas is “Super Sized Fun.” The theme is appropriate since we have Big Tex greeting visitors, the tallest Ferris Wheel in North America, the largest new car show in the southwest, and lets not forget the annual Big 12 college football rivalry around in the Red River Shootout between the University of Texas Longhorns (UT) and the University of Oklahoma (OU) Sooners on Saturday, October 2nd.

In addition to the Red River Rivalry and the annual State Fair Classic featuring Grambling State vs. Prairie View A&M in a Southwestern Athletic Conference on Saturday, Sept 25th at 6 p.m., the other Big 12 contest pits the Texas Tech Red Raiders against the Baylor Bears on Saturday, October 9th at Cotton Bowl Stadium.

There will also be another high-profile soccer match, following on the heels of last year’s successful doubleheader. The must-see Halftime show is the legendary GSU Tiger Marching Band, “The Granddaddy of All Collegiate Show Bands,” and the mighty “Marching Storm” of Prairie View. Tickets will be sold through the respective universities and your local Ticketmaster outlet locations.

Each year, the Texas State Fair attendance at Fair Park brings in more than three million people to this excellent annual event, making the State Fair of Texas one of the largest annual expositions in North America. The event features amusement rides, livestock shows, an all-new canine show, cooking contests, art competitions, outdoor live entertainment on the main stage, starlight parade, the famous Fletcher’s Corny Dog and some of the strangest fried food concoctions imaginable, and lots more.

Shrek the Musical at the 2010 State Fair of Texas

The State Fair of Texas spotlight will shine on Shrek the Musical during this year’s event, starting on Sept. 28 through Oct. 17. The Broadway hit show will be presented every day (except Mondays) at the Fair Park Music Hall. Shrek the Musical Tickets will include admission to the State Fair on the day of the performance.  Music Hall at Fair Park is celebrating its 85th anniversary on October 10th of this year.

The show time schedule for Shrek the Musical is Tuesday-Friday 8 p.m., with two Saturday and Sunday shows at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. Ticket price ranges for Shrek vary, so shop early and buy your tickets before they’re sold out, to get the best seats and price for the money. Tickets for Shrek the Musical may also be purchased through Ticketmaster, at any Ticketmaster outlet or by phone at 214.631.ARTS.

Tickets for Shrek are also available for purchase at The Box Office, 542 Preston Royal Shopping Center in Dallas. For more information, visit Ticketmaster at www.ticketmaster.com or Dallas Summer Musicals at www.dallassummermusicals.org. Season ticket holders for the Dallas Summer Musical shows should call 214.691.7200 for more information.

State Fair of Texas Main Stage Performances

Chevrolet Main Stage is a festival-type venue sponsored by Chevrolet, with State Fair concerts all week long and headliner performances on weekends. Concert tickets are FREE with State Fair admission.

The list of this year’s main stage performers are still being decided as of this writing, but those already scheduled to appear include Eli Young Band on Saturday October 2; Wade Bowen and the Josh Abbott Band on Saturday October 9; Intocable on Sunday October 10; Allstar Weekend on Monday October 11th (Columbus Day); and Laura Bell Bundy on Saturday October 16.

Be sure to check the official State Fair of Texas website at www.bigtex.com for the complete list of live, headliner performances as they become available.

State Fair of Texas Discount Tickets and Coupons

General Admission: $15
Kids under 48” tall:  $11
Seniors 60 and over: $11
Children 2 and under: Free
Seniors 60 and over: Free every Thursday. (Sept. 30, Oct. 7 & Oct. 14)

While there is no specific coupon policy listed on the State Fair of Texas website, coupons will have a specific season for which they are valid. Coupons for earlier years are not valid the following year or later. Coupons and special discount offers for the State Fair of Texas are often valid for only one specific day, so be sure to read the specific offer or coupon details carefully.

Advance discount tickets to the State Fair of Texas starts on September 1, 2010, including DART combo tickets, general admission and season passes. As the official advance ticket outlet for the State Fair, Kroger stores will have discount tickets in combination with special Fair prices for Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) Green Line.

As has been the case in previous years, State Fair sponsors, radio and news stations, movie theatre and fast-food restaurants like McDonalds have offered discount deals for the Fair. Watch for Dr Pepper $3 Tuesdays and Dr Pepper $5 after 5 p.m. discounts, where every Tuesday, Fair patrons bring an empty Dr Pepper can and enter the State Fair for just $3, or the $5 after 5 p.m. deal to enter for just $5.00.

Watch for Kroger “Three for $1″ Wednesdays deals, where admission has previously been $1 for each visitor bringing 3 cans of food for local area food banks. Coca-Cola admission discount offers called “Coke $4 Thursdays” has offered patrons entry to the Fair for just four dollars by bringing an empty 20 oz. bottle of a Coca-Cola product for a discounted admission fee. McDonalds, Dickies, Cinemark, “Save Me Steve”, radio station KISS-FM and others typically offer a variety of deals and discounts for the State Fair of Texas, so be sure to check their respective websites for specific details.

State Fair of Texas coupon tickets for food, rides and drinks can be purchased at coupon booths throughout the State Fair fairgrounds. Credit cards are accepted and ATMs are available.

State Fair of Texas Parking

Parking is on a first come, first serve basis. Disabled parking spaces are clearly marked and can be located at each lot. If spaces are full, an attendant will direct you to other available parking spaces/lots. Be sure to look for “Official State Fair Parking” signs for self-parking lots, at a cost of $15.00 per space.

Don’t risk getting your car towed! Watch out for unsavory characters trying to rip-off Fair-goers pretending to be a reputable car lot, only to discover your vehicle has been towed upon your return to the unofficial lot. Valet parking is offered at Grand Avenue daily for $30.00, and Saturday/Sunday weekend parking at Haskell/Parry for $30.00.

The State Fair of Texas is a fun, family-oriented annual event, one of the most fun things to do in and around the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex. Fun and entertainment of all kinds at the Fair means there is something for everyone, for all ages. Keep safety in mind, don’t leave valuables in your car or in plain sight, and if possible, don’t bring a purse.

Pickpockets and thieves look for easy targets, so consider wearing a fanny pack around your waist with your wallet, keys and other valuables inside. Have a safe and wonderful time at this year’s 2010 State Fair of Texas at Fair Park!

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Are parents obligated to pay college tuition for their kids to attend college? Should parents pay for college or should college students be responsible for paying college related expenses including tuition, with or without their parents help? The question of who pays for college continues to be a controversial (sometimes heated) debate between kids planning to attend college, and their parents.

Parents, are you responsible for paying your kids college education or not? If parents are supposed to pay for college, how much should parents pay towards tuition, books, housing costs, transportation, gas, insurance, food, clothing, entertainment and miscellaneous expenses for college? Where do parents draw the line between helping kids attend college and not jeopardizing their savings and retirement accounts? To say that your retirement plans are more important than your children’s college funds is putting it mildly.

The all too common belief some people have that it is somehow a parents obligation to pay for college, as if parents “owe” their kids a paid-for college education, reeks of unrealistic expectations and a sense of entitlement in today’s society. Parents who cannot afford to pay for their kids to attend college, or choose not to pay some or all college expenses for their own personal or financial reasons, are almost made out to be bad parents.

These parents are accused of not loving their kids, not wanting their children to be successful in life, and not worthy of being called parents amongst other things. Loving your children has nothing to do with who is going to pay for college, or a parent’s desire for their kids to become successful, independent adults. In an article entitled “don’t pay your children’s college education”, the writer aptly points out that paying for college is not about love, sacrifice or devotion towards kids. There is much more to it than that.

So, parents have to pay for college if they have the money, right? Wrong. “How am I going to pay for my college education if my parents won’t pay, can’t afford to help, or refuse to fill out the FAFSA?” is a common question.

Who Pays For College?

Opinions on why parents should pay for college vs. parents who should not pay for college vary, as expected. Even “personal finance experts” can’t seem to agree. Words like should, must, have to, obligation, responsibility and similar terms used by college-aged kids expecting their parents to pay for all college expenses with little or no “skin in the game” themselves is ludicrous. I have yet to find a parenting manual that states parents must pay for their child’s college education, whether parents can afford the costs or not.

Don’t get me wrong, education is important. Many parents already do what they can to ensure their kids get a great education until high school graduation. But, parents do not owe their children a college education. Parents paying for college is not a kids “right” to a free ride through college, but is a parents choice to decide whether to pay or not pay for any part of their kids higher education, how much, and on what terms.

You can take loans for college but not for retirement. Even financial expert Suze Orman says it is financially irresponsible and downright dangerous for parents to basically write a blank check from the bank of mom and dad to pay for their kids college education, or take out a second mortgage to pay for college. IF parents can afford to pay for college and choose to do so, then by all means pay for your child to go to college to whatever degree you are financially able to do so, without sacrificing your savings account or retirement account.

How to Pay For College

Planning ahead towards college costs with money set aside in a 529 plan for your kids education is a smart option for parents, if they choose to and can afford it. Parents can also help their children look for scholarships, federal grants, student loans and sources of “free money” for college. For those in Canada, similar to a 529 plan is an RESP, or Registered Education Savings Plan. It’s a tax-free savings account you can open up for your child and contribute money to until he or she attends post-secondary. Anyone can contribute; the lifetime limit is $50,000 per beneficiary.

Do not allow your children, or society in general, to guilt-trip or demand that you pay for your child’s college education if you cannot afford to pay or choose not to pay for your kids to go to college. It is entirely up to you, the parents.

I couldn’t help but laugh when I read this article suggesting the “federal government and the schools consider it the family’s primary responsibility to pay for the child’s education”, wrongly implying that parents are legally required to pay for college. Let the whining and moaning commence. Parents who have college-aged kids have already fulfilled their responsibility to their kids education throughout elementary, middle/intermediate and high school. The article about the federal government even suggests kids who have Christian or religious parents should hurl scripture quotes from the Bible at parents in order to manipulate or coerce parents into paying for college.

Should parents pay for college or should parents make kids find a job and work through college to help themselves get a great education? A parents legal and moral obligation to care and provide for their children ends when kids reach the age of 18 and they are considered to be adults in the U.S. While parents have an obligation to care for minor children and provide them the best education possible, parents are not obligated or responsible for adult children. Unfortunately, many parents continue to pay for and enable their grown kids anyway.

If you are a parent researching information on the advantages and disadvantages of paying for all or some of your kids college education, carefully consider and bookmark these devil’s advocate articles on who should pay for college, and who should not pay and how helping pay for college can lead to trouble. The decision is ultimately yours, so choose wisely, unless you don’t mind eating cat food in your elderly years. The book The Best Way to Save for College-A Complete Guide to 529 Plans by Joseph Hurley comes highly recommended by finance expert Suze Orman.

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I have been a Skype user for a long time now, keeping in contact with friends and family living in the U.S and abroad. One of my family members lives in Spain, and having Skype to at least instant message or chat while on different time zones has been great. Email only does so much, but Skype is better. While instant messaging with Skype helps keep me closely connected with family and friends who don’t live nearby, instant messaging on Skype isn’t enough for me anymore.

I’ve known about webcams for Skype but hadn’t taken the time to learn how to use Skype with a webcam, and I needed to find out more about choosing a good webcam to use with Skype. I’ve heard there is a way to use a digital camera with Skype too, but using Skype on my home computer with a webcam is all that matters to me at this point.

What is Skype?

Skype’s free downloadable software allows you to talk, instant message and make video calls to other Skype users for FREE. Skype uses your broadband internet connection to make unlimited free voice and video calls over the internet through your computer. You can also call phones and mobile cell phones and send text messages at very cheap rates – a lot cheaper than typical long distance/international plans.

The “Skype Out” features allows users to make cheap international calls with Skype to phones and mobile cell phones at a mere fraction of the cost of current international rates, and this is one of my favorite features since it allows me to call Spain for mere pennies. When my dad was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma awhile back, calls were made from Spain to check on my dad’s health status and the total cost was just a few cents.

Why use Skype and Webcams for Skype?

Webcam dangers are a reality in this crazy world we live in, but there are some benefits to using a webcam that is hooked up and connected with Skype that I can’t pass up. There are many good, valid reasons to use a webcam, whether it is for business or personal use. Some people choose to use webcams to keep an eye on what is going on at their house while they are away. Military personnel stay closely connected with their husband, wife and/or children while they are working far away, perhaps overseas.

Others like to watch what their pets are doing in the backyard, and what problems or chaos the dog is creating back there. Some use webcams to watch their children at school, daycare or in the care of babysitters in their home. Grandparents can use webcams to see their grown children and grandchildren who live far away and stay connected via video conferencing, which is my primary reason for deciding to buy a webcam to use with Skype.

Who should get Skype?

Anyone interested in staying connected with family and friends who don’t live nearby should download Skype. If you are wondering why you should get a webcam to use with Skype, especially if you are grandparent with grandchildren who live far away, understand that there are many advantages to using webcams to stay connected with family and friends. Having a webcam set up with Skype allows me to see my children and grandchildren on live video, and where they can also see Grandma and Grandpa talking to them too.

I’ve heard of some grandparents who use a webcam with Skype to read story books to their grandchildren, and grandparents are able to see their grandchild’s school report card and help with homework, amongst many other wonderful possibilities. My two grandkids are still too young to read children’s books to via webcam, but having the ability to see my grandchildren grow and learn how to talk (and say Grandma, Grandpa, Nana or Papa) makes for some fun times on Skype.

What is the Best Webcam for Skype?

One of the best things about being on Facebook is the ability to get suggestions and recommendations from friends and family on any given product, and that includes our search for a new smartphone as well as finding the best webcam to buy to use with Skype. Webcam prices vary, and while we certainly wanted a good quality webcam with clear imagery, we didn’t want to spend a lot of money on the webcam.

Thanks to some great advice from Shayne at GrandparentsTLC, we were able to narrow down the webcam choices to a great quality webcam with built-in microphone that is very inexpensive and works extremely well with Skype. Since we weren’t knowledgeable about the differences between the more expensive webcams versus the cheap webcams (and how well the cheaper webcams would work), Shayne’s suggestions were a big help.

It would never have crossed my mind that there are different webcams to choose from depending on if you are a Mac user versus a Windows PC like we use. Since I’ve never used a Mac computer yet, despite knowing how popular they are, I didn’t need to find a compatible webcam for Mac but I was able to tell a friend of mine about those since she is a Mac user.

If you are looking for a webcam to use with Skype, you don’t need to spend a lot of money on a webcam. The Macally IceCam webcam we bought is inexpensive, and it only took a few minutes to install and hook up the webcam to the computer and have it running perfectly with Skype. We didn’t have any problems getting the webcam to work right, and after testing the webcam on Skype a couple of times, our webcam was set and ready to video conference and chat on Skype with the kids, grandkids, friends and family that use Skype.

Aside from the Blackberry smartphones we recently bought, buying the webcam to use with Skype for the benefit of staying closely connected with the kids and grandchildren was money well spent. Every computer-user grandparent should get Skype and get a webcam to use with Skype, in my opinion. Money very well spent.

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