My husband LOVES video games and I do not. LOL. However, we have been doing a study in our Sunday school class about marriage and his need for “shoulder to shoulder” time…or simply put, time to play WITH his wife. So…I thought about it and picked a computer game that I thought would be fun, Roller Coaster Tycoon 3. I was HOPING it was NOT made in China…and it was NOT! WHOO HOO! It is made in the USA!

Product: Roller Coaster tycoon 3 Platinum (it has 3 amusment parks; roller coaster tycoon 3, soaked, and wild.)

Where to Buy: We bought it for a bargain at the going out of business sale at CompUSA, but you can buy it at any electronics or game store, I am sure.

Price:Between $25-$30 maybe less if there are still some left at CompUSA!

Rating: 8

Review: Once my husband and I actually got it installed it is a blast! There are so many things you can do! It has challenges, custom events, a no limits option, and more. You can make a regular amusement park, a zoo, a water park, or a combination…oh, and making coasters is COOL!

It is very user friendly and great for the whole family. It is rated “E” for everyone. I think it’s a great gift for a teenager as well. It teaches them about money management and problem solving skills…especially the challenges.

I would recommend the game to anyone. And, go ahead and pay the extra few dollars to get the two additional parks…it makes for more excitement and adventures!

Cons: Unfortunately, there is one big con. We almost gave up. However, there is a fix that I will include at the end of this review. This game is not compatible with Vista UNLESS you use the fix. You will get an annoying error message and will be unable to play the game. This was a real pain, and I had to search and search and try a few fixes before I found a simple one that WORKED! I think Atari needs to get this little glitch fixed.  For now though…

The Windows Vista/Dual Core Roller Coaster Tycoon 3 Platinum Installation Fix

(note: you can iuse this for regular RCT3 too. Your file will be <RCT3.exe> instead of <RCT3plus.exe>)

It is VERY IMPORTANT that you follow these directions exactly, otherwise you will have to uninstall the entire game and start all over again.

1. Install the Game.

2. After installation do NOT try to start the game.

3. Delete the desk top shortcut.

4. Then, go into your Atari files located in folder C:\Program Files\Atari\Rollercoaster Tycoon 3 and rename <RTC3plus.exe> to <RCT3plus.old>. (DO NOT try and delete or override the file. It will NOT work! I tried it. You MUST rename the file.)

5. Then, after you have renamed the file, go to…

For RCT3 Platinum - http://www.securom.com/support/customers/atari/RCT3_wild_t147/rct3plus.zip

For RCT3 regular - http://www.securom.com/support/customers/infogrames/RCT3_t020bl/rct3.zip

These links will open a blank web page and a file download window.

6. From the file download window click open, extract the new <RCT3.exe> or <RCT3plus.exe> into the original’s folder (where the file you renamed is). OR, you can extract it to your desk top and then open the file, and then drag it into the folder. Whatever is easier for you.

7. Either way, once you have done this, right click on the new <RCT3.exe> or <RCT3plus.exe> and create a shortcut to your desk top. (You MUST make sure the old one was deleted or you will mess everything up and have to start all over!)

8. Once you have done this, close all programs, and restart your computer. Once you get back to your desk top, click on your new shortcut and you should be good to go!

If you run into any problems, uninstall and retry. You can also try and visit the roller coaster tycoon forums (rollercoastertycoon3.com)

Have fun!

My toddler LOVES Little People by Fisher Price. Unfortunately, they are all made in China. So, DH and I have been searching for an alternative.

We found Playmobile. Sadly, they are not made in the USA…but…they are also not made in China which is a HUGE plus!! Most of them are made in European countries…like germany and Malta. I would like to find something like this made in the USA.

Do any of my loyal readers know of any?

Below are a few toys that are not only NOT made in China, but they are MADE IN THE USA! I am trying to post as many and as much as I can to help us this holiday season!

• Battleship
• Bicycle Playing Cards
• Boggle Jr.
• Candyland
• Chutes and Ladders
• Clue
• Connect Four
• Crayola Crayons *
• Life
• Louisville Slugger
• Monopoly
• Mouse Trap
• Operation
• Parcheesi
• Play-Doh *
• Pop-O-Matic Trouble
• Radio Flyer Discovery Wagon
• Scrabble
• Sorry
• Stratego
• Tri-ominos
• Trivial Pursuit
• Yahtzee

** IMPORTANT Note: Not all packages of Crayola Crayons and Play-Doh are made in the USA — please be sure and check the label.

Sites of Interest:

www.ShopForAmerica.com
www.ZebulonUSA.com
www.usmadetoys.com
www.unclegoosetoys.com
www.holgatetoy.com
www.maplelandmark.com

It’s awesome to see there are some FUN and KNOWN toys that are NOT made in China! Let me know if you hear of any others and THANK YOU to those of you who have!

I know I know, I’m late in posting this…. yet another reason I have to pass this site on…

Continue Reading »

taken from www.cpsc.gov

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE October 11, 2007 Release #08-022

Firm’s Recall Hotline: (888) 333-6063 CPSC Recall Hotline: (800) 638-2772 CPSC Media Contact: (301) 504-7908

J.C. Penney Recalls Disney™ Winnie-the-Pooh Play Sets Due to Violation of Lead Paint Standard

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed. Name of Product: Disney™ Deluxe Winnie-the-Pooh 23-Piece Play Sets

Units: About 49,000

Importer: J.C. Penney, of Plano, Texas

Hazard: Surface paints on the play sets contain excessive levels of lead, violating the federal lead paint standard.

Incidents/Injuries: None reported.

Description: The recalled play set consists of 23 pieces including: either a white or black baby doll and assorted Winnie-the-Pooh themed items such as a diaper bag, blanket, playpen, highchair, swing, stroller, and carrying bags.

Sold through: The J.C. Penney catalog, Web site and outlet stores nationwide from August 2005 through August 2007 for about $40.

Manufactured in: China

Remedy: Consumers should take the recalled play set away from young children immediately and return it to any J.C. Penney store for a full refund.

Consumer Contact: For further information, contact J.C. Penney toll-free at (888) 333-6063 anytime, or visit the firm’s Web site at www.jcp.com

taken from cpsc.gov

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE October 11, 2007 Release #08-021

Firm’s Recall Hotline: (888) 296-2721 CPSC Recall Hotline: (800) 638-2772 CPSC Media Contact: (301) 504-7908

Cracker Barrel Old Country Store® Recalls Travel Art Sets Due to Violation of Lead Paint Standard

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed. Name of Product: Princess Magnetic Travel Art Set Lap Desks

Units: About 7,800

Importer: CBOCS Distribution, Inc., of Lebanon, Tenn.

Hazard: The surface paint on the zipper pull of the lap desk contains lead in excess of the federal lead paint standard.

Incidents/Injuries: None reported.

Description: The recalled Travel Art Set Lap Desk is a zippered case that opens into a lap desk with markers, crayons, and magnetic pieces. The lap desk is 10 3/4-inches wide and is pink colored. “Made in China” and item number 266822 are printed on a sticker located on the product’s packaging.

Sold at: Cracker Barrel Old Country Store® locations nationwide from April 2007 through August 2007 for about $20.

Manufactured in: China

Remedy: Consumers should stop using these art sets immediately, and contact the firm or return the product to any Cracker Barrel location for a full refund.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Cracker Barrel toll-free at (888) 296-2721 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, or visit the firm’s Web site at www.crackerbarrel.com (pdf)

From the cpsc.gov

Bendable Dinosaur Toys Recalled by Kipp Brothers for Excessive Lead

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed. Name of Product: Bendable Dinosaur Toys

Units: About 10,000

Distributor: Kipp Brothers, of Carmel, Ind.

Hazard: The recalled toys pose a risk of lead exposure to young children.

Incidents/Injuries: None.

Description: The bendable dinosaur toys are about three inches long and come in brown, green or orange/green colors. While the toys were sold in boxes of 36, consumers may have received these products as a giveaway or promotional item from schools, libraries, churches, community groups, etc.

Sold in: The Kipp Brothers’ showroom, catalog and Web site from October 2006 through August 2007 for about $10 per box of 36.

Manufactured in: China

Remedy: Consumers should take the recalled toys away from children immediately. Consumers can return the toy to the place of receipt for a free replacement toy.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Kipp Brothers at (800) 428-1153 between 8:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, or visit the Web site at www.kipptoys.com