Eyewitness account investigated by Jonathan Whitcomb:

For Lakewood residents, don’t leave your Chihuahua overnight in the backyard, at least not if your backyard is bordered by a storm channel. On June 19, 2012, a lady was sitting in her backyard, at about noon, when she noticed her dog was barking more wildly than usual. She walked over to the dog and then looked up to see what appeared to be a “dragon-pterodactyl” sitting on the lowest telephone line, almost above the storm channel at the back of her property. When the animal became aware of her presence, it quickly flew off to a neighbor’s property, where it hid in the canopy of a tree.

When she was gazing at the creature, she felt like running into the house from fear, but her curiosity kept her rooted to where she was standing, until the “dragon-pterodactyl” flew away. Then she dashed into the house and she and her husband drove through the neighborhood, searching unsuccessfully for what she would soon learn had a name: “ropen.”

She had found one of my web pages and sent me an email. I was soon in her backyard, interviewing her and her husband. Their mannerisms and answers to my questions convinced me that no hoax was involved and that the lady had indeed seen a ropen, a modern Rhamphornynchoid pterosaur.

She estimated the wingspan at about six feet (at first, she thought it a bit smaller, but after consideration she felt it may have even been larger than six feet). The tail she estimated at about four feet long, but I felt that this may be less accurate an estimate, for it was flying away from her and she used an indirect method of estimation: She based the tail length estimate on the way that it was vibrating during flight. Nevertheless, she did get more of a side view of the tail when the creature entered into the tree foliage.

Compared with the size estimates for other long-tailed pterosaurs observed in North America, including some sightings in California, the Lakewood ropen seems almost like a baby “pterodactyl.” The one seen flying just above a road near the state university at Irvine (Orange County) five years ago—that ropen was about thirty feet long, nose-to-tail-end.

I believe that the storm channel is significant, for it provides a way for the ropen to fly around at night, without being seen by people, as it hunts for rats and possums. I believe this daylight sighting was from an exception to its normal routine, perhaps because squirrels in daylight had become easier to catch than possums at night.

That’s not pure speculation. The woman’s husband told me that he has noticed that during the past year possums are no longer running along the phone lines at night, although they used to do that all the time. While I was talking with the man, in their backyard, the other day, we saw a squirrel running along the phone line. I don’t think it grossly speculative to suggest why a ropen was on that phone line in the middle of the day on June 19th. Since nocturnal possums had become less common, that ropen now hunts squirrels in daylight.

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Storm channel at the south end of Mayfair Park in Lakewood, California

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Lakewood, California, has a Flying Predator

An apparent ropen [modern living Rhamphorhynchoid pterosaur] was seen by a 38-year-old lady in her backyard, in Lakewood, California, on June 19, 2012, at about noon. She at first estimated the wingspan at about five to six feet, later revising her estimate to at least six feet.

Tale of the Pterosaur Tail

Contrary to what some paleontologists believe, the orientation of the tail vane, in the “basal” pterosaurs, now appears to be horizontal. Two eyewitnesses, both living in California, have made this clear: Patty Carson, of Riverside; and an anonymous eyewitness living in Lakewood.

When is a child most benefitted by being read to by a grownup? The most dramatic results come from beginning the reading very early, even before the child is twelve months old. But whatever the age of a preschooler, an adult’s out-loud reading of a children’s book can improve that child’s opportunities for intellectual growth and preparation for school.

Pippi Longstocking, by Astrid Lindgren

The six books in this popular series have been translated into 64 languages. Here is an English-language excerpt from the first book:

It soon became known throughout the little town that a nine-year-old girl was living all by herself in Villa Villekulla, and all the ladies and gentlemen in the town thought this would never do. All children must have someone to advise them, and all children must go to school to learn the multiplication tables. . . .

‘I already have a place in a children’s home,’ said Pippi [to the policement].

‘What?’ asked one of the policeman. ‘Has it been arranged already then? What children’s home?’

‘This one,’ said Pippi haughtily. ‘I am a child and this is my home: therefore it is a children’s home, and I have room enough here, plenty of room.’

Recommended Books for Preschoolers

Actual Size (by Steve Jenkins)

The Adventures of Max and Pinky, Best Buds (by Maxwell Eaton III)

Anatole (by Eve Titus, illustrated by Paul Galdone)

Angelina Ice Skates (by Katharine Holabird and Helen Craig)

Bartholomew and the Oobleck (by Dr. Seuss)

Books for Preschoolers

In a family child care in the provider’s home, reading to children helps them to prepare to read for themselves.

What are typical charges for babysitting in Southern California? Note that this care differs from licensed family home child care, in which a number of children are cared for in the home of the care giver. Babysitting usually involves one child being cared for by someone who stays for a short while in the home of the child. Let’s look at some examples:

South Pasadena Babysitter

A full-time, 47 yr old, babysitter from South Pasadena, CA, with 5 years of experience — $20-$30 per hour

Newhall Babysitter 

57-year-old with 5 years of experience — $10-$15 per hour

• I have been there to help raise my twin sister’s children. I’ve been like a second mother . . .

Santa Monica  “

38-year-old with 10 years of experience — $15-$30 per hour

• If you are having a child soon, now is the time to interview me. I am the one of the highest requested and in demand . . .

Costa Mesa  “

Lady 62 years old with ten years of experience babysitting — $10-$20 per hour

• Offering extensive knowledge in providing long term care for children. I have comprehensive experience and expertise . . . the oldest of seven children, mother of two successful daughters . . .

Los Angeles  “

27-year-old with ten years experience — $10-$15 per hour

• I’m married and I have a son who is almost 4 years old. I started babysitting when I was 12. I took care of our neighbor’s newborn son. Since then I worked in 8 families taking care for kids from birth to 14.

Nobody questions the qualifications of the above babysitters. But notice the cost when many hours of care are required. Eight hours of babysitting can cost between $80 and $240. And what about the joy children can have playing with each other? Compare babysitting with licensed family daycare, for the cost can be less than $175 per week, for a full-time rate.

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Whitcomb Family Daycare Rates

Two kinds of part-time rate are available: daily and hourly: $35 per day or $7 per hour.

Cost of Child Care in Long Beach and Lakewood, California

. . . This home childcare, licensed by the state of California and by the City of Long Beach, has served parents for many years, giving loving care and preschool education (in addition to school-age care). No entry fee is required; no annual renewal is required. The normal weekly charge for full time children is $150-$160 . . .

Long Beach Babysitter

. . . the average hourly rate for family child care is much lower than that of a truly professional babysitter . . .

Long Beach Childcare

Fun educational child care activities can include craft activities for kids, drawing, coloring, and stories . . .

Rather than delve into details about California law in general, regarding child care, let’s look briefly into some of the forms often given to parents by family child care providers.

Identification and Emergency Information

Child care providers must be able to get in touch with parents and guardians in case a child is injured or becomes sick. Names of parents and their phone numbers must be recorded on this form, in addition to alternate phone numbers and names, if possible.

Child’s Preadmisson Health History

The care provider may need to know details about a child’s health, especially when it is likely to allow the provider to better care for the child or prevent problems from arising.

Consent for Medical Treatment

Sometimes a parent cannot be contacted quickly in an emergency. This form gives the provider permission to see that “care may be given under whatever conditions are necessary to preserve the life, limb, or well being” of the child.

Family Home Child Care Policies

“The full-time weekly charge is normally $160 for infants and toddlers needing diaper changing, and $150 for children who are potty trained. Any special rate needs to be arranged with Gladys, based upon unusual hours or special needs or circumstances.”

Childcare Resources in California

For short-term child care help, babysitting may be preferred, in some cases; but the average hourly rate for family child care is much lower than that of a truly professional babysitter*. Consider home childcare for regular care needs of the child.

How often a mother phones a family daycare home or preschool facility with a question about cost! ”How much does it cost?” The larger facilities may have large web sites, but if they publish their fees online they sure make those fees hard to find. It seems that they want to hide the cost.

It’s very common for a preschool facility (a big business, not in a home) to require a preliminary fee for child care. It sort of seems that those businesses are doing parents a favor by accepting their children. Regular charges for child care are not enough: They want extra money just to keep your child on their records, with annual renewal fees, as if it were a great privilege for you to be on their records.

Whitcomb Family Daycare, however, is different. This home childcare, licensed by the state of California and by the City of Long Beach, has served parents for many years, giving loving care and preschool education (in addition to school-age care). No entry fee is required; no annual renewal is required.

The normal weekly charge for full time children is $150-$160, depending on age and whether or not diaper changing is required. The normal part time charge is $35 per day. Call Gladys for details: (562) 427-6027. In addition, the Whitcomb Family Daycare is open earlier than most child care centers or large facilities: as early as 6:00 a.m. or earlier if needed.

Special consideration is given to parents who are medical nurses, for their schedules differ from the normal.

Long Beach Child Care Home

Far beyond and above babysitting, this licensed and recommended large family day care will provide your child with many hours of delight. . . . Kids in the Whitcomb Family Daycare receive the security precautions that include online hiding of faces in photos.