Smurfing U.S.A.

Published 8:40 pm Monday, December 20, 2010

Blue language: The maker of a popular game for the iPhone and iPad, “The Smurfs’ Village,” is adding a warning for parents that they can be billed for virtual items, such as “Smurfberries,” that their kids may buy while playing, getting stuck with charges for items costing as much as $100.

Fortunately for Dad, there is no additional charge for use of the term “Smurf” when he opens his credit card bill: “What the smurf?! Who the smurf told you that you could smurfing smurf with my smurfing iPhone, mister? You’re smurfing grounded for an entire smurfing month!”

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Hottest thing since the cup holder: Ford’s newest minivan, the C-Max, will be available next fall and offers a hands-free liftgate. The C-Max’s liftgate opens with a wave of the foot under the back of the minivan.

An added selling point: If your kids weren’t embarrassed to be seen in a minivan before, wait until their friends see you, arms loaded with groceries, waggling your foot at the back of a van.

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Fumble! The guy who writes this column erred when he wrote in a teaser on Sunday’s front page that the Seahawks lost to the Eagles. We goofed. Seattle lost to the Atlanta Falcons.

We’d like to take full responsibility for the error, but frankly our offensive line never gives us enough time in the pocket.