Did you know that surveys show that more than half of parents are unaware of the television rating system currently in effect, and only 16% are aware of the V-Chip in their TVs and what it can do?

In reality, the provisions of the 1990 Children’s Television Act are little known and mostly not enforced. Bottom line is that TV and cable networks are not held accountable to what is considered the minimum standard of “educational/informational” programming. 

The Smart Television Alliance believes that parents and other caregivers can make more informed choices about what and when children watch if they are provided easily accessible tools and information. 

Instead of focusing on the negative, the Smart Television Alliance promotes good programs – everything from MythBusters to The Adventures of Jimmy Neutron. They intend to grow the audience for these quality shows, and convince the networks that there is indeed a market for high quality children and family programming. 

They’re also partnering with the National Council of Women’s Organizations, the National PTA, the National Education Association, the Parent’s Choice Foundation, and 10 other non-profits all who have signed on as founding organizations. 

Check out their website at www.smarttelevisionalliance.org and sign up for the twice monthly SmartNewsletters with recommendations for quality children’s programming. And if you’ve been thinking about signing up with TiVo, check out their sponsor offer. For a limited time, TiVo will give you a free DVR (with a minimum one year subscription plan) and give a nonprofit member of the Smart Television Alliance a $25 donation!

And how about munching on some Thanksgiving popcorn balls while you’re watching TV?

This is taken from the Popcorn Treat Candy Recipe at ThanksgivingNovember.com. I’ve adjusted it to make it even more “Thanksgiving-ish.”

Thanksgiving Popcorn Balls

Ingredients:

1. 3 quarts plain popped popcorn
2. 60 large marshmallows
3. 1 cup chopped dried fruits like cranberries, raisins, apples, pineapple, etc.
4. 1/4 cup pecans (skip if you’re allergic to nuts and substitute with more dried fruit, M&Ms, or leftover candied corn from Halloween)
5. 1/4 cup shredded coconut
6. 3/4 cup butter

Directions:

1. Take a small frying pan and melt the margarine and marshmallows over low heat.
2. Pour this mixture over the popped popcorn and then, stir in the pecans/candy, dried fruits and the coconut.
3. Now butter your hands and mold the popcorn mixture into the ear of corn shapes approximately 6 inches long.
4. Grease a cookie sheet and place the corn shaped popcorn mixture on it to set.
5. Place the dried fruits and the nuts on the shape to resemble the colorful kernels of the corn while the marshmallow is still sticky.
6. Now insert a skewer in the end of each and let it cool.
7. If you’d like to turn these treats into presents, when the marshmallows set in, wrap each ball in colored cellophane and tie with bow.

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