Online - October 12, 2009

Sip, Sip, Hooray

CamelBak Kids' Better Bottle

They say the oral stage ends before preschool. Try telling that to your paci-addicted 3-year-old.

Why not offer up a Better Bottle instead? The latest from Petaluma-based CamelBak, this mini rendition of the popular adult version has no choking parts and can be used for water, juice, or milk. Durable, dishwasher safe, and entirely BPA and phalate free, the clever design vanquishes all seven of the deadly sippy cup sins (toxic, leak prone, ugly, smelly, fragile, boring, and difficult to clean).

The secret sauce here is in the cap, which is fitted with a button-activated pop-up silicone bite valve. To drink, Kiddo flips open the valve and chomps down lightly while sipping or sucking.

Chew on that.

Available at REI, 840 Brannan Street (415-934-1938 or rei.com). To see styles, go to camelbak.com.

Photo: Courtesy of CamelBak

LISTEN
Lit Crawl at Paxton Gate: Edward Gorey Story Hour
What: A free Litquake storytelling event featuring Edward Gorey shorts and readers Em Gift and Michele Menard.
Why: Book it.
When: Sat., 6-7 p.m.
Where: Paxton Gate’s Curiosities for Kids, 766 Valencia St., b/t 18th & 19th Sts. (415-252-9990).

CELEBRATE
Fiesta on the Hill
What: An annual street fair boasting live music, a dunk tank, and friendly community vibe to benefit the Bernal Heights Neighborhood Center.
Why: You’re taking it to the streets.
When: Sun., 11 a.m.-6 p.m.
Where: Cortland Ave., b/t Bennington & Gates Sts.

COOK
Book signing for The Trader Joe’s Companion: a Portable Cookbook
What: Wona Miniati, a local mom behind Cooking with All Things Trader Joe’s, dishes on her new take-to-the-store compendium of busy-mom gourmet recipes.
Why: They’re no flash in the pan.
When: Sat., 4 p.m.
Where: Borders Stonestown, 3251 20th Ave., Stonestown Galleria (415-759-2626).