Memphis Parent October 2020 by Contemporary Media

O C TO B E R

2020

MUSIC FOR AARDVARKS MAKES LEARNING FUN!

DEALING WITH DIABETES

M E M P H I S PA R E N T.C O M

P L U S

HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE

PREPARING FOR BABY

OUTSTANDING TEACHER

O C T O B E R 2020

Worried about your

child or teen? If your child or teen is struggling with a mental health issue or addiction, we can help.

Our evidence-based and individualized treatment can focus on: Æ Group therapy and peer support

Æ Self-injurious behavior

Æ Trauma resolution

Æ Parent education

Æ Medication management

Æ Anger management

We can provide the level of support your child needs, including intensive outpatient, partial hospitalization, inpatient and short-term residential care. We also offer an accredited educational program.

Did you know? We offer a summer Intensive Outpatient Program for children and adolescents with high functioning autism and have a free monthly support group for parents. We are with you every step of the way and our caring professionals are here for you 24/7.

We Can

HELP

Call 901.377.4733

Together, we are

resilient.

Physicians are on the medical staff of Lakeside Behavioral Health System, but, with limited exceptions, are independent practitioners who are not employees or agents of Lakeside Behavioral Health System. The facility shall not be liable for actions or treatments provided by physicians. For language assistance, disability accommodations and the non-discrimination notice, visit our website. Model representations of real patients are shown. Actual patients cannot be divulged due to HIPAA regulations. 200251-1209 9/20

2911 Brunswick Road Memphis, Tennessee 38133 901.377.4733 | Mlakesidebhs.com E M PH I SPA R ENT.COM

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O C T O B E R 2020

Generosity of space. Millions of twinkling lights and our soaring 48-foot Christmas tree. Hundreds of enhanced cleaning protocols. Boundless fan-favorite and brand-new holiday events, from snow tubing, ice skating and Breakfast with Charlie Brown™ & Friends to our brand-new I Love Christmas Movies immersive pop-up experience featuring ELF™, THE POLAR EXPRESS™, and more! November 13 – January 3 | ChristmasAtGaylordOpryland.com Peanuts© 2020 Peanuts Worldwide LLC · ELF and all related characters and elements © & ™ Turner Entertainment Co. (s20) · THE POLAR EXPRESS and all related characters and elements © & ™ Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. (s20)

M E M PH I SPA R ENT.COM

O C T

2020

HEALTHCARE & HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE

Tutoring for Success

Music for Aardvarks — for kids and parents.

Over 30 years helping students learn

Math — Pre-Algebra, Algebra I, and Geometry

By Jesse Davis

ACT, SAT, GRE, PRAXIS, ISEE and more

NOW TUTORING ONLINE

DEALING WITH DIABETES A Le Bonheur doc discusses the disease.

By Matthew J. Harris

By Shara Clark

“Students Learn to Succeed” Pamela Palmer, M.S., M.A., Ed.D. 901.331.6082 • pam@pamelapalmer.com

PREPARING FOR BABY Ready your mind, body, and spirit.

6 901 FUN Films, frights, fairs, and more await

28 DAD LIBS Nature provides solitude and gratitude

Editor Shara Clark Art Director Bryan Rollins Advertising Art Director Christopher Myers Account Executive Michelle Musolf Production Operations Director Margie Neal Calendar Editor Julie Ray Social Media Coordinator Kalena Matthews

STATEMENT OF PURPOSE

Memphis Parent strives to provide information of value to all who are invested in our children’s future.

Personalized learning Pre-K through ﬁfth grade. Pre-K and Kinder seats available!

O C T O B E R 2 2002200

29 CALENDAR AND EVENTS Plan ahead for familyfriendly fun using this roundup of upcoming outings and events

Memphis Parent is published by Contemporary Media, Inc. CEO Anna Traverse Fogle Director of Business Development Jeffrey A. Goldberg Editorial Director Bruce VanWyngarden Special Projects Director Molly Willmott Distribution Manager Carrie O’Guin Controller Ashley Haeger Digital Services Director Kristin Pawlowski P.O. Box 1738, Memphis, TN 38101 p: 901.521.9000 • f: 901.521.0129 Send advertising queries to: margie@memphisparent.com

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Learn more: www.libertasmemphis.org

By Risha Manga

15 OUTSTANDING TEACHER Celebrating unsung heroes

OUR STAFF

A Tennessee Level 5 Montessori school … in the heart of Memphis!

THE ANT MINDSET Changing your perspective on failure.

By Monika Patel

8 DEAR TEACHER Teachers answer parents’ questions

GIVING TIME Holiday gift ideas for the whole family.

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E D I TO R ’ S

N O T E

A NEW GROOVE By now, I guess we’ve all figured out how to manage schedules, routines, schooling, shopping, and simply living our lives during a pandemic — at least, as best we can. Somehow when I look back, this year is a total blur. Did January and February actually happen? Were there really “before times”? It’s hard to imagine now, as our staff has been working from home since mid-March, a time when life didn’t revolve around the house solely. It was a shock at first, for sure; it was hard to know when to “sign off” from work when work was at home and you were always there. Personally, I’ve found a good groove with all of it now, and I hope you have, too, whatever your specific circumstances may be. And I’m sure you’ve noticed by now, Memphis Parent also has its own new groove — and a brandnew look! This is the second edition of the new and improved MP, now a glossy magazine format rather than the newsprint, tabloid-size publication our longtime readers have come to expect. And hello to, what I assume is, in part, a new audience! Glad to have you. We hope you enjoy our shiny, sleek pages and what’s printed on them. Our team has worked diligently during strange times to continue producing content that’s both interesting and valuable. Thanks for checking it out! We decided to have a little fun with this month’s cover story — “Music for All Y’all” by Jesse Davis (p. 17) — and talked to Music for Aardvarks Memphis founder Joe Murphy about the cool class that introduces kids, aged 6 months to 5 years, to music, both as listeners and interactors. Music is one thing that’s kept us going these past few months, and kids need to jam, too! There’s plenty of other great content in store for you this issue: a gift guide for your holiday shopping, an informative piece on diabetes, and a reminder to view failures as opportunities. We’ll see you again in print with our next issue in March. In the meantime, you can find fresh content on memphisparent.com. As always, take care of yourselves — and each other.

Shara Clark Editor

OUR COVER KID MACI

P H O TO B Y B R YA N R O L L I N S

M E M PH I SPA R ENT.COM

# 901F U N

Films, frights, fairs, and more await.

OCTOBER WEDNESDAY THE WIZARD OF OZ

Gather the family for an outdoor showing of the classic film at Germantown Performing Arts Center, 5-8 p.m., on October 7th. Also enjoy live music by local musicians, beverages and snacks on the First Horizon Foundation Plaza, and El Mero Taco food truck. $10. gpacweb.com. 751-7500.

FRIDAY ZOO BOO

The Memphis Zoo hosts a socially distant version of this annual event, beginning Friday, October 16th. A limited number of tickets will be available for each night of the Jurassic Journey-themed Halloween event. $15. Fridays-Sundays, 6-9 p.m., through October 31st. Tickets available online at memphiszoo.org. 333-6500.

FRIDAY

MID-SOUTH FAIR

The longest-running fair in the area returns to the Landers Center in Southaven, beginning Friday, October 23rd. Enjoy tons of rides, fair food, and more. Through November 20th. midsouthfair.com. 452-6500.

SATURDAY

DIA DE LOS MUERTOS REVERSE PARADE

From noon to 4 p.m. on Saturday, October 24th, Memphis Brooks Museum of Art and Cazateatro Bilingual Theatre Group hold this annual event at Overton Park, where families are invited to honor ancestors and celebrate the cycle of life and death. Free. cazateatro.org.

ZOO BOO

NOVEMBER SATURDAY

CRAFTS AND DRAFTS

Hosted by the Memphis Flyer from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, November 14th, the unique shopping experience features a curated group of more than 85 local artists, crafters, and makers showcasing and selling handmade arts and crafts. Enjoy kidsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; activities, a Santa visit, food, and drinks. Free. Visit memphiscraftsanddrafts.com for details.

THURSDAY

GRACELAND HOLIDAY LIGHTING PARTY

On Thursday, November 19th, watch as Graceland flips the switch on traditional Christmas lights and decorations with the help of a special guest. Free. graceland.com. 332-3322.

CRAFTS AND DRAFTS

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*Note: Event details current as of our September printing. Schedules subject to change. Please check online or call to confirm event details.

Visit

sgis.org

Students engage in active instruction by agile teachers who meet individual needs — whether on campus or learning from home. Join us for a virtual Open House on October 21 or November 18 at 11:30am. RSVP at sgis.org/ visit. We look forward to meeting you!

T R AC K STAT E C H A M PIO N. S G A P RES I D EN T. RO BOT I C S EN G I N E E R . He gets to be all of these things at Harding.

Take a Virtual Tour HardingLions.org /tour

SR. K–GRADE 12 (East Memphis)

18 MOS.–JR. K (East Memphis and Cordova)

M E M PH I SPA R ENT.COM

D E A R

T E A C H E R

By Peggy Gisler and Marge Eberts

DOES MY CHILD HAVE ADHD?

NO MORE CURSIVE HANDWRITING?

My second grade daughter has very poor concentration. Her teacher commented on this several times last year. Does that mean that my child has ADHD? – Wondering

What is the latest on cursive writing? Is it making a comeback or gone forever? All my children have been taught is how to write their names in cursive. – Love Cursive

When children have trouble concentrating in school and are overly active, disruptive, and inattentive, many teachers and parents jump to the conclusion that a child has ADHD. However, to find the answer to your question, you need to start with a routine visit to your daughter’s primary care doctor. Tell the doctor about the teacher’s observation of your daughter. You might even want to bring the child’s report card along to the appointment. Ask the doctor to test her for ADHD. Some doctors will do the evaluation. However, others will give you a referral to an ADHD expert because testing for ADHD takes several hours and a large amount of time to analyze the test. If your doctor does not give you a referral and you still want testing, you should seek out a referral from the special education teacher, a psychologist, or guidance counselor at your child’s school.

The decision of states to drop cursive handwriting instruction from their curriculum was definitely influenced by the dropping of this skill from the Common Core standards in 2010. However, by 2016 cursive instruction began making a comeback, especially in the South, and is continuing to do so throughout the country. Today, the older generation laments the passing of cursive instruction. But the younger generation questions its role in a time when both cursive and print handwriting are being replaced in schools by keyboarding on computers and typing on mobile devices. Both advocates of teaching printing and/or cursive agree that each play a major role in child development and need to be taught. An MRI scan study has shown that each type of handwriting fires up a “reading circuit” in the brain that is not engaged in children when they are typing. There is, at the present time, no conclusive evidence that learning cursive contributes to developmental gains in children. Research does show that it can benefit children with dysgraphia (a handwriting learning disability). Plus, cursive handwriting is typically faster than printing and reduces the confusion between “b” and “d.” Most experts now say that one form of handwriting is no better than the other.

Here are the areas that will be used in helping to make the diagnosis of your daughter: Social history: a typical day in your daughter’s life Medical history: any medical concerns that your daughter might have Family history: ADHD runs in families Strengths and weaknesses: activities the child can and can’t focus on Education: how your daughter is doing academically By the time the clinical interview is over, most experts who diagnose and treat people with ADHD will have a good idea of whether your daughter has ADHD.

Parents should send questions and comments to dearteacher@dearteacher.com or to the Dear Teacher website. ©Compass Syndicate Corporation, 2020 8

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St. Francis of Assisi Catholic School

OPEN HOUSE Tuesday, November 10th 5-7 pm

Grades PreK–8, Part-time program ages 2–4

Call 901-388-7321 for more information or visit sfawolves.org M E M PH I SPA R ENT.COM

F E AT U R E

Dealing With Diabetes A Le Bonheur doc discusses the disease.

Kathryn Sumpter was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes as a junior in college. “I was really thirsty all the time, having to go to the bathroom all the time,” she says. “I didn’t know anything about diabetes.” She first thought that maybe the Houston, Texas, heat was causing dehydration. But then she lost a lot of weight. “I came home for a weekend, and my mom said, ‘You need to go to the doctor.’ I did not have to be hospitalized, but it was a huge shock,” she says. “I had nobody in my family with type 1, and I’d always been a really healthy person. So it was a big upheaval for me to figure that all out and come to terms with having a condition that, at least so far, we can’t get rid of — there’s no cure.” The process Sumpter went through after her diagnosis led her to where she is today, working as a pediatric endocrinologist at Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital. “I had amazing medical care, doctors, diabetes educators,” she says. “Everybody took such great care of me, and I realized what a difference a physician can make in someone’s life. That, for me, was the inspiration to pursue the career I did.” Today, Sumpter specializes in type 1 diabetes, formerly known as juvenile diabetes, but sees pediatric patients with both type 1 and type 2. Here, she shares some valuable information about both.

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By Shara Clark

Our passion for teaching and learning never goes offline.

Dr. Kathryn Sumpter Memphis Parent: At what age is a child with diabetes typically diagnosed? Dr. Kathryn Sumpter: Type 1 can be any age range in pediatrics. The earliest I’ve heard of is about 7 months of age, but for the most part, diagnosis in infancy is uncommon. They can still be very young, toddlers, with the peak being around puberty, age 12 or 13. Most patients with type 2 are 10 and older, on average. We have a few who are younger, but that is uncommon. It’s much more commonly seen in tweens and teens.

For Boys in Grades 7-12 l musowls.org MUS_MemParent_ThirdSquare.indd 1

8/10/20 11:34 AM

What are signs that a child might have diabetes? The most common thing we see is increased thirst and increased urination; going to the bathroom over and over again and still being thirsty. Weight loss, we see that a lot with type 1. Some people, if it gets more severe before they’re diagnosed, can develop vomiting, have trouble breathing. Those are signs of something called diabetic ketoacidosis. What are some of the risk factors for type 1 diabetes? Some of it is genetic, so we know that people who have family members with type 1 have a higher risk. That being said, most of our patients don’t have anyone in their family with it. So people will say, ‘Well, it doesn’t run in my family,’ but you may still have the genes that predisposed you to it. There’s not one gene, it’s a bunch of different genes. Take identical twins: If one of them has CONTINUED ON PAGE 12 M EM M EP M HP I SHPIAS R PE AN RT E .NCTO. C MO M 11 11

F E AT U R E

What is type 1 diabetes?

If you have type 1 diabetes, your pancreas doesn’t make insulin or makes very little insulin. Insulin is a hormone that helps blood sugar enter the cells in your body where it can be used for energy. Without insulin, blood sugar can’t get into cells and builds up in the bloodstream. High blood sugar is damaging to the body and causes many of the symptoms and complications of diabetes. Type 1 diabetes (previously called insulin-dependent or juvenile diabetes) is usually diagnosed in children, teens, and young adults, but it can develop at any age.

What is type 2 diabetes?

Insulin is a hormone made by your pancreas that acts like a key to let blood sugar into the cells in your body for use as energy. If you have type 2 diabetes, cells don’t respond normally to insulin; this is called insulin resistance. Your pancreas makes more insulin to try to get cells to respond. Eventually your pancreas can’t keep up, and your blood sugar rises, setting the stage for prediabetes and type 2 diabetes. High blood sugar is damaging to the body and can cause other serious health problems, such as heart disease, vision loss, and kidney disease.

Source: Centers for Disease Control, cdc.gov

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type 1 diabetes, the other one will develop it, on average, 50 to 60 percent of the time. So the genes are important, but they’re not the only factor. Then there’s the question of, beyond the genes, what is it that makes one twin get it and the other not? That’s the billion-dollar question. We still don’t completely know. There are a lot of things that we think are risk factors. It could be certain viruses. People are infected with certain viruses, and they seem to increase the risk. Not COVID, as far as we know at this time. There are also some studies that suggest that certain stressful life experiences for kids might increase the risk. There are also theories that as kids become heavier, that increases the risk of even type 1 diabetes, even though we think of that as usually type 2. How does obesity factor in? For type 1, it’s what we call an accelerating factor, meaning people who might have developed type 1 anyway might get it at an earlier age because of obesity. As for type 2, it’s exceedingly uncommon for a person under the age of 18 to get type 2 diabetes without obesity. It seems to

be a much bigger player in type 2 where, with obesity, the body has to work harder to keep the blood sugars normal. There are also genetic factors in type 2 as well. There are lots of obese patients who don’t have type 2 diabetes, but in the genetically predisposed person — type 2 may be even more genetic than type 1 — obesity can lead to type 2. How is diabetes managed? Type 1 always requires insulin to be managed. Since with type 1 you lose the ability to make insulin, it requires insulin injections. Most of our patients take at least four injections of insulin a day. Our goal is to, as close as possible, match what the body would do in response to food and the normal ins and outs of your daily routine. We want to do as good of a job at making insulin as the pancreas would. Part of that is, with type 1, the insulin you take for food needs to match the amount of food you’re eating. We don’t need our patients to be on a very restricted diet. It’s OK for them to have a chocolate chip cookie with lunch, but it’s crucial that the amount of insulin we give

is enough to take care of that amount of food. That’s one of the biggest challenges. With type 2 diabetes, there are more options. We find that our pediatric patients often need insulin much more quickly than adults do with type 2 diabetes, which is one of the scary parts of it. We find that kids with type 2 diabetes often progress to needing insulin in a relatively short period of time, one to two years — or sometimes even less — compared to an adult who may go many years on just oral medications. They also seem to be developing the complications of diabetes much more quickly than adults; things like kidney problems, eye disease related to diabetes, nerve damage. Many of our patients need insulin, but some can be managed solely with oral medications. Just like type 1, the relationship between the food and the medicine is important. For type 2, if they also take insulin, we always have to make sure the food and the insulin are balanced. Too much of one or the other can cause high or low blood sugars.

What advice do you have for parents who think their child may have diabetes? It’s often in times where people are close together that they’ll recognize the types of changes you’ll want to look for. On a road trip, for example. COVID has actually been a time where people are noticing what their kids are doing more because they’re home together all the time. If you’re noticing that your kid’s pattern of using the restroom or their drinking is very different than it was before, or another big sign is if they’re waking up in the middle of the night needing a drink when they didn’t need that before, or you’re hearing them wake up multiple times at night to go to the bathroom — those are signs that deserve investigation. Usually it’ll be pretty easy. Often a physician will start by checking their urine. Get a urine test and look to see if there are any signs of diabetes. Sometimes parents will think, ‘Maybe it’s just a urinary tract infection or kidney or bladder infection,’ and that urine test can work for that, too.

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O C T O B E R 2020

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O U T S TA N D I N G

T E A C H E R

MYRA JENKINS

When parents send their children to school, they often hope the educator that lands in their child’s classroom will show them the same love and encouragement that they find at home. Myra Jenkins was recognized by our readers for going above and beyond the call for her students. When Jenkins began teaching, she was trying to emulate the feeling that her teachers had given her years ago. “I wanted to create a place where kids could have fun while learning and go home knowing that someone in their lives loves them and wants them to do their best,” she says. From a young age, Jenkins knew she wanted to be a teacher. “There have been two teachers in my life that made a big impact on me from a young age,” she says. “One was my first grade teacher. She had a fantastic way of talking to us and making us feel like our voice mattered in the classroom. The other would be my aunt. She showed her students so much love in the classroom and made it a fun place for her kids. When I began teaching, I knew I wanted to have a teaching style that resembled a little bit of both of theirs.” Though she has taught for nearly 35 years, Jenkins has spent the majority teaching kindergarten, deciding not to change because of the

excitement that kindergarteners bring to the classroom. “I think I taught first grade maybe one or two years, but I always kept coming back to kindergarten. I love how excited the kids get when it comes to learning. The younger kids have so much fun in the classroom, and it keeps me young.” A large part of Jenkins’ success in the classroom is tied directly to her kids’ belief in her. Jenkins works hard to build a rapport of trust between her and her kids. She tries to create an environment in which the kids feel confident to explore and make mistakes. More than anything, she wants her kids to know that even when they fail there is someone who cares about them no matter what. “I always want my kids to know I love them and that they are important,” Jenkins says. “When kids feel that you love them, they always want to overperform for you. The first thing I do every day is give them a smile, then say ‘hello, hand-

by Matthew J. Harris

some boys and handsome girls’ so that we start the day on a good note. Then when we leave I have them all tell me one thing they learned that day. The entire point is to make them think of the classroom as a fun place.” During her time as a teacher, Jenkins has never underestimated the capabilities of her students. And she stresses the importance to push kids when they are younger. “Kids can take in so much knowledge. The younger they are, the more they are like a sponge,” she says. “They can get so excited when they learn something new, and it’s infectious. What’s so important about younger kids is that they also want to show it to everyone they meet. Many times, my children would be walking down the hall and see the principal and ask to show what they learned.” Through her years of teaching, something that has helped Jenkins was her ability to keep an open mind and allow her kids to use their creativity to teach themselves. “I remember one year I was teaching the differences between numbers and how to count,” she says. “As time went on, my kids began to correlate the differences between the size of numbers and their families. My kids would say, ‘My brother is a small number, my mom is a bigger number, and my dad is the biggest!’ I was amazed. I never stopped them because I think a child should always have a way to experiment with how they learn.” For a new teacher, Jenkins says an important thing to remember is staying flexible and always trying to find the positive aspects of a student’s day. “I would encourage new teachers to try and get the best from each child every day,” she says. “Teaching can be a hard job, but when you work with the kids, it gets a lot easier. Let each child leave the classroom learning something new every day. What they learn does not always have to be necessarily related to the curriculum. If you are making the classroom a fun place and a place where kids are excited to come to, the job will feel easier. Teaching should be rewarding because you can sculpt and mold a child into a better person.”

We want to shine a light on your child’s teacher, or even a teacher who made a difference in your life. Submit your nomination today by emailing teacher@memphisparent.com. M EM M EP M HP I SHPIAS R PE AN RT E .NCTO. C MO M 15 15

SUMMON YOUR CREATIVITY IN OUR SECOND

IT’S THAT TIME. SHO W OFF YOUR LITTLE GH O

ULS!

SOME TIPS!

1. Get Creative The costume may be spooky , but think about dressing up your surround ings! 2. Keep it practical A little color correction is fine, Photoshop magic in the spe but keep the llbook. 3. Have fun There’s more to Halloween tha creatures. Be whatever you n creepy want to be!

E N T E R

OCT21 THRU NOV1 V O T E

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O C T O B E R 2020

C O V E R

S T O R Y

By Jesse Davis

Joe Murphy brought Music for Aardvarks to Memphis — for kids and parents. Aardvarks are medium-sized nocturnal mammals native to the southern two-thirds of Africa. They’re insectivores, subsisting primarily on ants and termites. And aardvarks have long, almost cartoonishly large ears. Music for Aardvarks is not, as one might imagine, an incredibly specific sub-genre of music about delicious bugs and gorgeous African nights designed to be played quietly — so as not to hurt aardvark listeners’ big, sensitive ears. No, Music for Aardvarks isn’t a style of music at all. It’s a class and an accompanying dozen or so CDs worth of original music aimed at introducing kids, aged 6 months to 5 years, to music, both as listeners and interactors. And Memphis has its own Music for Aardvarks class, hosted by Joe “Mr. Joe” Murphy, director and head teacher of the Memphis program.

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S T O R Y

IT CAME FROM MANHATTAN Songwriter David Weinstone created the program in New York in 1997. “I’ve known him forever. We worked together in a restaurant,” Murphy says of Weinstone. At the time, Murphy, who moved to New York from Wisconsin in 1985, was working as an actor and occasional caterer, where he met Weinstone. “He was always a musician. He went to Berkley School of Music and is a really, really, really great musician. He was doing the rock band thing, always really quirky rock. And he had his first child and had been working for another program, a national program, called Music Together. It’s a big program, kind of the behemoth of the early childhood music thing.” The music didn’t really speak to Weinstone, though — or to his guitar-playing, actor, and sometimes-restaurant-worker friend. “It’s what you think it is,” Murphy says, politely if not enthusiastically, “overly cute.” So, Murphy remembers, “David started writing his own songs.” And the former punk rocker developed an alternative childhood education music program, what he dubbed Music for Aardvarks and Other Mammals. And like so many indie and lo-fi bands with a new angle, passion, and a guitar, he had hit on a formula that worked — one that appealed to kids and their parents. “It just took off like wildfire in the lower east side,” recalls Murphy. “David’s going around hanging out cassettes, and his classes are getting packed. Little by little, it just grew.” Murphy worked as a Music for Aardvarks teacher in New York before bringing the program to Memphis. But first, he did his homework. “I studied with David,” Murphy says. “I also did get trained at Music Together. And I also went to this place called the Diller-Quaile School of Music to work on pedagogy stuff and just understanding how to teach early childhood music, what that really means from a theoretical standpoint. “It all paid off because I feel like it gave me my own approach.” BRING IT ON HOME TO MEMPHIS When Murphy and his wife had their first child, they decided it was time to move. “In New York, it takes full focus on your career all the time,” Murphy explains. “I just was kind of burned out and wanted something different as a lifestyle, especially since I had a child.” So when his wife mentioned Memphis, Murphy was receptive to the idea. “I had never really

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continued from page 18 spent much time in Memphis, and I came down skills. “We work on simple rhythms. And we here and loved it right away. Especially being a work on simple melody,” he says. He will sing the music person,” he says. “It kind of reminded me melody of a song — one that usually has lyrics of when I first moved to Manhattan in ’85. Not — and replace the words with la las or do dos. It that it’s like New York City, but it was raw still. helps kids learn the function of melody, how It’s just raw. New York is so bought up now by the intervals of the notes are a complementary wealth.” In Memphis, Murphy found an authen- component of the song. “It’s just working with ticity he had begun to miss in the Big Apple sound and melody.” Murphy stresses the social aspect of the class — and a path to homeownership and family security that would have been, if not impossible, certainly more difficult to navigate for an actor/music teacher and a teacher in New York. So Music for Aardvarks, along with the growing Murphy family, moved to Memphis. “I brought it here. It’s been about 14 years now. I kind of gauge it off my son, who’s 14. He was less than 1 when I started. He was like the prop baby,” Murphy remembers, laughing. “The first space I looked at was in First Congregational Church in Cooper-Young, which has been a godsend. They’re amazing people there, and they just totally embraced me. I’m using their studio for very little rent.” “I was able to get some families together to try it out,” Murphy says, remembering a time more than a decade ago. “It’s been going strong since then.” DANCE TO THE MUSIC So what will kids take away from a Music for Aardvarks class? “First off, music is fun, and it’s something you can engage with. It doesn’t always have to be a passive experience,” Murphy says. “It’s a very interactive class. It’s not a passive class at all.” That’s part of what makes the program appeal to children of such young ages. Beyond the multitude of musical styles, the understanding that music can be age-appropriate without being all fluff and no substance, there is the simple knowledge that, at the end of the day, music is fun. And it’s more fun when as well. It’s a safe place to learn, move, have fun listeners interact — whether by tapping a toe, — and to make mistakes. He shrugs off singing dancing, or singing along. Music for Aardvarks off-key, saying that his aim is to get kids and parents singing. “I’ve seen so many kids come teaches kids that they can make music, too. There are a host of other benefits, too, out of their shell in class.” The teacher says he’s Murphy says. “Rhythm improving, speech had parents tell him that, even though their child improving. I see kids walk early. There are all is quiet in the lesson, “He goes home and he these little milestones that can be enhanced with re-does the whole class.” Murphy is excited to inspire future music music.” It’s about balancing social development with musical development — and simple motor lovers, however their appreciation presents itself.

“They want to play guitar. They want to have an instrument in their hands.” While some other programs focus on prerecorded music, Music for Aardvarks utilizes Weinstone’s recordings alongside songs played live in the class. “They’re seeing me produce music right in front of them. “Each semester is usually based around one CD,” Murphy continues. “So they’re hearing the fully produced song, but in class we’ll strip it down. Maybe we’re just using the sticks [and focusing on rhythm].” That way kids learn the different pieces that, put together, make up a song. And they can participate to their ability. One important thing for potential Aardvark parents to remember: They will be expected to join in, too. “It is a parent-child class,” Murphy says. “If you’re gonna be in here, you’ve gotta participate. If the parent’s singing, the kids will sing.” Murphy reminds his classes that it’s OK not to be a virtuoso. “I can sing, but I’m not Bono. I’m not some great singer.” MUSIC IS HEALING Though Murphy’s classes are usually an in-person affair, he’s adapted the next semester to be fully virtual. “The COVID thing hit and that just kind of shifted everything a bit because it had to move online,” he explains. “You can still do it and not have to be in the classroom.” Murphy says the online classes have exceeded his expectations. They haven’t been without the occasional hurdle, of course, but overall he’s been pleased with the result. As for adapting to quarantine classes? There are ways. “I say their names a lot. I have them unmute to talk to me, or I talk to them,” Murphy says. Usually semesters are longer, but right now they’re four-week programs. There are Music for Aardvarks songs on Spotify and iTunes, but Murphy makes sure they get a download code to the CD he’s structuring each semester around. And if parents still aren’t sure if the class is right for their child, Murphy will let parents try out one class for free. Murphy’s confident the program speaks for itself. After all, he explains, “It’s like growing a relationship with music.”

Find out more at memphisaardvarks.com, or by emailing info@memphisaardvarks.com or calling (901) 871-0227. M E M EP M H IPSHPIAS R PE AN R TE .NCTO. C MO M 19 19

F E AT U R E

By Monika Patel

PREPARING FOR BABY How to ready your mind, body, and spirit for your little one.

It’s easy to let the excitement and anticipation of the arrival of a new little one into your family translate into physical preparations: establishing the most ideal car seat, loading up on your army of bottles, and preparing your body for one of the biggest athletic events of its life. But, what about mental and emotional preparation? It’s so easy to get swept up in the newness of it all. I remember wanting to read every resource I could get my hands on about what to expect and how to prepare for motherhood. And with the internet, it’s easy to become engrossed in the acquisition of external information rather than being reflective or introspective. That’s what makes me wonder — what if we thought about meditation during pregnancy as

important as taking prenatal vitamins? Meditation is a powerful, totally affordable way to reduce stress. A great 2019 study called “Associations of perceived prenatal stress and adverse pregnancy outcomes with perceived stress fears after delivery” followed 10,000 women pre- and postpartum. They discovered that maternal stress is a risk factor for adverse pregnancy outcomes such as delivering preterm and developing gestational diabetes or preeclampsia. They also discovered

the stress experienced during pregnancy can predict how stressed mothers feel two to seven years postpartum! Stress is also a big generator of fear, pain, and anxiety. A Harvard study called “Emotions and Decision Making” (2014) discovered that you literally can’t think deeply about anything if you are stressed. But combatting stress sometimes can be stressful. Where do you even start? I suggest starting with two minutes of meditation a day. Think of meditation as a momentary pause that gives our brains time to quietly process ourselves and the world around us. I’d even make the analogy that our brains need meditation just as much as our bodies need water. Meditation can take several forms, from sitting with closed eyes in a quiet space, to really generating gratitude for a meal, to giving yourself grace for not doing something you told yourself you “should” do. It can be a shift in perspective of allowing hardships to be perceived as growth opportunities. It can be envisioning a positive journey into parenthood or focusing on your breath. My favorite place to meditate is sitting in my parked car, just before I get out to go somewhere. I set a timer for a few minutes and just be still. It helps me set my intention for why I’m there, establish how I’m feeling, and create a sense of awareness. This routine, over time, yields a sense of peace and resiliency to life’s unexpected jolts. I can’t think of a better gift you can give your little one than the benefit of a calm nervous system and the ability to be your most aware, clear-minded, gratitude-filled self.

Monika Patel is a Doctor of Physical Therapy and strength and conditioning specialist. She has a passion for empowering women to prepare for well-balanced motherhood — both mentally and physically. She has applied her knowledge of preventative medicine to establish Train4Birth, an affordable online course with a built-in accountability feature. She is also the mother of a truck-loving toddler and couldn’t be happier digging with him in the backyard. Visit train4birth.com for more information. 20 20

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O C T O B E R 2020

F E AT U R E

by Matthew J. Harris

Giving Time A few ideas for your holiday shopping.

With the holiday season right around the corner, it’s almost time to start putting up the tree and heading out to buy gifts for friends and family. Not a shopper? Worried about battling crowds? Not up-to-date on what your kids want? Don’t worry! Here at Memphis Parent, we took the time to compile a list of local and national brands that will make you the gift-giving guru! From the latest fashions to the newest toys, we did our best to curate a list that’s modern and trendy while also being readily available from the safety of home. Here is the 2020 Holiday Gift Guide.

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F E AT U R E

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1. Children’s Clothes from Cotton Tails Shopping for clothes for infants and young adults can be a struggle, especially if you are looking to support local businesses. Luckily, Memphis’ own Cotton Tails boutique specializes in stocking unique and fun clothes for boys and girls. Carrying a wide variety of clothing that can fit infants to preteens, Cotton Tails is an easy choice if you are shopping for kids’ clothes. Their striped pajamas or flower smock dress would make great gifts. Available at Cotton Tails (389 Perkins Extd.) or online at cotton-tails-memphis.myshopify.com, $34-$92. 2. Nintendo Switch Whether it’s exploring dungeons in The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, making and testing puzzles in Mario Maker 2, or creating a dream island in Animal Crossing New Horizons, the Nintendo Switch offers a little bit of everything. Though on the pricier side, the Switch is the perfect gift for young kids and teens. Available online at Nintendo’s website or Amazon, $299.99.

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3. LEGO DUPLO My First Alphabet Truck What if learning didn’t have to be so difficult? LEGO DUPLO’s My First Alphabet Truck is a fun way to make learning outside of the classroom fun. With cute colors and easy-to-handle bricks, toddlers can practice memorizing letters or building simple words. Available online at Amazon, $19.99. 4. Play-Doh Compound Corner Variety 6-Pack A new take on a classic toy! The Play-Doh Compound Corner gives six different varieties of Play-Doh for parents and kids to play with. The colorful and playful textures give kids tons of opportunities to touch, squeeze, and stretch as much as they see fit. Available online at Amazon, $14.99. 5. Scented Candles from Downtown Candle Co. Downtown Candle Co. has fans of candles covered. From the Flower Bomb scent, which mixes lotus, gardenia, and jasmine, to the Rain scent made up of lemon, lavender, and amber, Downtown Candle Co. has a candle for the special person in your life. Available at Downtown Candle Co. (107 GE Patterson) or downtowncandleco.com, $18.

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6. Ivy by David When looking at artist David Quarles IV’s work, it’s hard to tell the difference between modern art and earrings. Quarles has taken his rich family history and put a modern spin on it, with pieces that reflect aspects of West African art. The Círculo de Vida or Na'eemah would make great gifts. Available online at ivbydavid.com, $48-$68. 7. Ugly Mug Premium Coffee Blends Ugly Mug makes shopping for the coffee lovers in your life a lot easier. With 26 different blends — from Buttermoon to Classic Espresso — there’s a flavor for everyone. Throw in a handmade mug to take the gift to the next level. Available at Ugly Mug (4610 Poplar) or online at uglymugcoffee.com, $10.25-$15.95.

8. Art prints by Whitney Winkler Nothing ties a room together like a good picture, and Whitney Winkler has many to choose from. Winkler’s watercolor art is vibrant and full of life, harking back to nature and family. The art prints are beautiful and affordable gifts that can fill a room with life. Available online at whitneywinkler.com, $22. 9. Handmade Cutting Boards High-quality kitchen equipment can often cost a pretty penny. Luckily, Memphian Adam Morris of Modiggworkings is working to fix that. His homemade cutting boards are both beautiful and affordable. Each board that Morris makes is one-of-akind and customizable to the user’s liking. Available at modiggworkings.com, $40-$110.

10. Central BBQ Signature Sauce Pack For almost 20 years, Central BBQ has provided Memphians with good food, and now you can give a little bit of that Memphis barbecue taste to the family chef. The signature sauce pack lets you pick out three 16-oz. bottles of sauce that will give chefs in the family tons of ideas. Available at Central BBQ locations or online at eatcbq.com, $30.

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F E AT U R E

The Ant Mindset Changing your perspective on failure.

Have you ever noticed how ants always look for a way around an obstacle? Put your finger in an ant’s path and it will try and go around it, or over it. It will keep looking for a way to move forward. It won’t just stand there and stare. It won’t give up. Today I want to share with you all what I call “the ant mindset” and how noticing an ant helped change my perspective on failure. When I was first introduced to the idea of how failure was a good thing, it was quite alarming. How can not doing good in something equate to something good? When we think of the word failure, we kind of see this huge, dark cloud behind it. And I get it. We perceive failure as a negative. Throughout our entire lives, we have been told that “failure is not an option.” I have learned that failure is an option, but giving up is not! How can we know where we need to improve if we’ve never failed at something? Every lesson learned, every failure, is a movement in the right direction. I say this because failure is such a huge part of living — it happens to us all. Take the example of Thomas Edison, whose most memorable invention was the light bulb, which purportedly took him 1,000

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tries before he developed a successful prototype. “How did it feel to fail 1,000 times?” a reporter asked him. “I didn’t fail 1,000 times,” Edison responded. “The light bulb was an invention with 1,000 steps.” So, is there a lesson to be learned from failure? Let me tell you my personal experience with failure. The last couple of years, my friends and I have participated in the National History Day competition. The first time we participated, we placed third at the regional contest, which wasn’t high enough to make it to the state level. I remember after the results came out we were all so disappointed. We felt as if we had tried our best and that there was no way we could be better. Making it to the state level looked like an unachievable dream. We didn’t even want to participate in the competition the following year. However, upon reflection, we realized that the way forward from here was to learn from

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our mistakes and improve. We used our disappointment from our failure and turned that into determination to do better the next year. We analyzed all the feedback from the judges and made some changes to our approach. We were now more motivated than ever to ace the regionals and make it to state. I was chosen to be the narrator. I had to memorize a lot of lines and there was no room for error, as my words as a narrator had the power to change our interpretation of history. It was the morning of the competition, and I knew I had to deliver. I had to muster up all the courage and confidence and deliver those lines in front of an audience and judges. Looking at the piercing eyes of the judges, my heart started racing and I could feel the back of my neck sweating. But I thought back about last year’s competition and reminded myself that this is it. This was our chance to exhibit our persuasive abilities and unending capabilities. I could feel a childlike enthusiasm crawl all over me, and I felt more determined than ever. Our team’s name was called: Word after word, scene after scene, the play went as smooth as we had envisioned. As we were driving back home from the competition, our history teacher informed

A Kids’ Music Class that Really Rocks Come Jam with Music for Aardvarks, Memphis!

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us that we had won first place. We did it! I remembered Henry Ford’s quote, “Failure is simply the opportunity toin Midtown, beginEast Memphis, Collierville, and Cordova Classes now Visit us on the web at www.memphisaardvarks.com or contactNow us at 871-0227 again, this time more intelligently.” I or info@memphisaardvarks.com realize that Ford was so right. I experienced every word in this quote come true. Our team went on to place first at state level, and we represented Tennessee at nationals. This single event facilitated a huge transformation in me. I learned to be like an ant. Never give up, look ahead, stay positive, and find ways to keep moving forward. I have learned the importance of hard work and grit. My eyes opened to new possibilities when I started to look at failure with a new lens. I gained self-confidence, an open mind, and a resilient nature to look at every failure as an opportunity. Failures have an innate ability to teach us much bigger things

Fall registration now open! Due to COVID-19, we are now offering ONLINE CLASSES and drop in lessons by request. Please visit the website or call for further information.

• Great Music • Fun for parents too! • Live guitar and storytelling, singing and dancing • Great for birthday parties, special events, and school programs Newcomers welcome to drop in for one FREE class CLASSES IN MIDTOWN AND EAST MEMPHIS Visit us at www.memphisaardvarks.com or call 871-0227 for more info

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Everyone fails at one time or another — the courage part comes in continuing to try. in life. Everyone fails at one time or another — the courage part comes in continuing to try. I hope you all will join me in celebrating your failures. I hope you will use failures to fuel your dreams! I hope you all will embrace the ant mindset. Risha is the co-founder of 901PLEDGE and a sophomore at Lausanne Collegiate School. 901PLEDGE was honored by Volunteer Memphis for “Non Profit Impact Memphis Volunteer Project” in 2020. Risha was the winner of the National Civil Rights Museum 2019 Keeper of the Dream Award for her work to help refugee children achieve academic success through literacy. She is SCYC District 4 Representative for 2020-2021. Risha turned her passion for crafting jewelry into compassion for others who are victims of inequality and was inducted into the 100 High School Students America Needs to Know About.™

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D A D

L I B S

By Jeff Hulett

A CHANGE OF SCENERY Nature provides solitude and gratitude.

Recently, I had the opportunity to get out of town for a minute, by myself. The destination was Hardy, Arkansas, on the Spring River. From the second I pulled into this quaint river town, my mood immediately changed from anxious to peaceful. What is it about traveling that can totally change your perspective? I was literally just two hours away from home, but my sense of self and mindset quickly improved. While I felt a little strange about traveling without my family, I knew it was what my soul needed, and in the end it was just what the doctor ordered for all of us. Not to mention my girls encouraged me to do it, as they wanted a few boy-free days. It’s no surprise that the past six months have been hard for many of us. So much isolation and desperation — and anxiety. Sometimes you just need a break. Getting away by myself has been on my mind for some time, especially the prospect of venturing into nature. The water, the trees, wildlife, and yes, the quiet. My batteries were low and creativity was waning. Ultimately, I needed a boost that only a road trip could deliver. Thankfully, I wasn’t completely alone, as I dragged

Chalupa along to be my road dog. Chalupa is my 6-year-old pit bull/shepherd mix. She’s a 70-pound brick house with a heart of gold. Five seconds after arriving at my friend’s cabin, I took the quick nickel tour to get the lay of the land and fell in love with what would be my new home for two days. What was I going to do first? I could fish, swim, canoe, hike, or just chill. I’m a planner, so I first wanted to unload the groceries and make sure that Chalupa was comfortable. Once we got settled in, it was down to the dock where I tried to get Chalupa in a canoe. She thought about it but wasn’t feeling it, so I set her up on the screened-in porch for some rest and relaxation while I paddled down to the rock beach just down the way. My trip was midweek, so the river was pretty chill with only a few beach goers enjoying unseasonably cool weather. I envisioned myself setting up like I was on the Gulf Coast, but this was a special place that I didn’t want to disturb with my beach setup. I also wanted to get back and check in on Chalupa. Chalupa was fine, of course, and I began to cook some food and play some tunes on the smart speaker. If the pandemic has taught me one thing it’s that I like to cook and use my hands. I brought some shrimp and scallops and made some ceviche for the first night. Then I just relaxed for a bit, and after recording some music, I switched on the Cubs/Cardinals game on the radio to wind down for the night. Day two started and I had to do some work,

including jumping on a couple of Zoom calls. Once that was done, I headed into town to grab a few snacks and supplies. But the river kept calling, and before I knew it, I was back at that sweet little rock beach. This time I ran into my friend Robert, who greeted me (with distance), introduced me to his wife Susan, and showed me how to navigate the nearby waterfall. After a quick visit, they were back to their cabin to work and I was once again able to do whatever I wanted. Crazy how having no agenda can be overwhelming. So I tried to do some fishing and took Chalupa on a walk before cooking out some sausages and chilling on the dock for what felt like hours. I almost forgot how the stars look when you are out of the city. I saw two shooting stars in 10 minutes. Chalupa sat next to me the whole time on the dock, and we just listened to the river together. In the end, I got my mojo back and recorded some new music. I also listened to some new music, went on some walks, canoed, and ate some good food, enjoyed along with some delicious beers. And then I was back home hugging on my girls. Turns out a little absence does make the heart grow fonder. If you are able, I highly recommend getting away by your lonesome. I’m grateful for the solitude, and silence, and now I look forward to what should surely be a fun and interesting fall.

Jeff Hulett is a freelance writer, musician, and PR consultant in Memphis. He lives in the Vollintine Evergreen neighborhood with his wife Annie, two girls Ella and Beatrice, and two dogs Chalupa and Princess Freckles. 28 28

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O C TO B E R

C A L E N DA R

OCTOBER

Foundation Plaza, and El Mero Taco food truck. $10. gpacweb.com. 751-7500.

*Note: Event details current as of our September printing. Schedules subject to change. Please check online or call to confirm event details.

Dia de los Muertos Reverse Parade Overton Park SATURDAY, OCTOBER 24 NOON-4 P.M.

Memphis Brooks Museum of Art and Cazateatro Bilingual Theatre Group hold this annual event, where families are invited to honor ancestors and celebrate the cycle of life and death. FREE CAZATEATRO.ORG. 662-469-6095.

1 ∙ THURSDAY

Art In the Loop. Ridgeway Loop (between Briarcrest and Ridge Bend). Fri., 1-6 p.m.; Sat., 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; and Sun., 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Explore works of art in metal, glass, wood, clay, and fiber, as well as jewelry, paintings, photography, and more in an outdoor festival setting. Free. artintheloop.org.

3 ∙ SATURDAY

Fall Plant Sale. Memphis Botanic Garden (MBG), 750 Cherry. Thur.-Sat., 9 a.m.5 p.m. In-person shopping by appointment only. Featuring plants for color in the autumn landscape, including mums, pansies, ornamental kale, and cabbage. Perennials and a selection of trees and shrubs selected, as well those adapted to our Mid-South climate, will also be available. memphisbotanicgarden.com. 636-4100.

2 ∙ FRIDAY

Lemony Snicket’s A Series of Unfortunate Events. Germantown Performing Arts Center (GPAC), 1801 Exeter, Germantown. 5-8 p.m. When a massive fire kills their parents, three children are delivered to the custody of cousin and stage actor Count Olaf, who is secretly plotting to steal their parents’ vast fortune. Featuring family-friendly music by Michelle and Jeremy Shrader. Say Cheese! food truck on site. $10. gpacweb.com. 751-7500.

By Julie Ray

Fairy and Gnomes Hunt. MBG. 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Gnomes have come to the Garden. Families can explore to see what kind of fun and mischief these garden visitors have gotten into with a special tool to help look under the leaves where they like to play. Free with Garden admission. memphisbotanicgarden.com. 636-4100. Memphis 901 FC vs Birmingham Legion FC. AutoZone Park, 200 Union. 7 p.m. memphis901fc.com. 721-6000.

7 ∙ WEDNESDAY

Musical Theatre Bingo with Opera Memphis. Online. Get serenaded with your favorite musical theater songs sung by company members of Playhouse on the Square and Opera Memphis. Print your cards online and get ready for a night of songs, laughter, and fun on Facebook Live. playhouseonthesquare.org. 725-0775. The Wizard of Oz. GPAC. 5-8 p.m. Classic movie plus live music by local musicians, beverages and snacks on the First Horizon

9 ∙ FRIDAY

Dinos After Dark. Memphis Zoo, 2000 Prentiss Place. Fri.-Sat., 6:30-8:30 p.m. Explore the zoo at night with a fun-filled evening featuring visits from some of the zoo’s animal ambassadors, a sneak peek into the zoo at night, and some hands-on activities. For ages 5 and up. $25-$30. memphiszoo.org. 333-6500.

Tradition. Premiering on Facebook. Fri.Sat.,Oct. 9-10, 8 p.m., and Sun., Oct. 11, 2 p.m. Absurdist comedy offers audiences a space to laugh through their own experiences and reflect on their adjustments to the new normal. This devised piece utilizes theatrical texts of the past to gain insight about theater of the future by exploring the current state of theater in the middle of a global pandemic and where it will go from here. playhouseonthesquare.org. 725-0776. Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory. GPAC. 5-8 p.m. A poor but hopeful boy seeks one of the five coveted golden tickets that will send him on a tour of Willy Wonka’s mysterious chocolate factory. Featuring Mempops, Magic Mr. Nick, and Yippie Trippie & the Porkstars food truck. $10. gpacweb.com. 751-7500.

14 ∙ WEDNESDAY

The Mersey Beatles. The Orpheum, 203 S. Main. 7:30 p.m. $42-$57. The world’s most authentic and only Liverpool-born Beatles tribute band. orpheum-memphis.com. 525-3000.

15 ∙ THURSDAY

Orchestra Unplugged — Amadeus: Inside The Mind Of A Genius. Halloran Centre, 225 S. Main. Thur.-Fri., Oct. 15-16, 7:30 p.m. Join Robert Moody and the musicians of the Memphis Symphony as they take you inside this musical story of Mozart. $37.50. orpheum-memphis.com. 525-3000.

16 ∙ FRIDAY

Coco. GPAC. 5-8 p.m. Aspiring musician Miguel, confronted with his family’s ancestral ban on music, enters the Land of the Dead to find his great-great-grandfather, a legendary singer. Featuring Mempops, snacks and beverages on the First Horizon Foundation Plaza, and Yippie Trippie & the Porkstars food truck. $10. gpacweb.com. 751-7500. Zoo Boo. Memphis Zoo. Fri.-Sun., 6-9 p.m. through October 31. Limited number of tickets available for each night of the Jurassic Journeythemed Halloween event. $15. Tickets available online at memphiszoo.org. 333-6500.

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C A L E N DA R 17 ∙ SATURDAY

All-Stars Virtual SportsBall Gala. Online from Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Mid-South. Games for grown-ups to raise awareness for mentoring and its benefits to help our kids stay engaged in their academic and personal growth. All proceeds support the Big Brothers Big Sisters. $100. bbbsmidsouth.org. 323-5440.

Harvest Festival. Agricenter International, 7777 Walnut Grove. 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Featuring pumpkin-painting, kids’ activities, arts and crafts, hayrides, and educational stations. Entertainment will be provided by Grassfire bluegrass band, and concessions available. Free. agricenter.org. 757-7777. Movie Night: Great Pumpkin and Casper. MBG. 6-9 p.m. Enjoy an outdoor movie night at the Garden, socially distanced on the lawn. Bring your own lawn games for your area. Food trucks will be available. $8 members/ $10 nonmembers. memphisbotanicgarden.com. 636-4100. Southern Flea Market. The Landers Center, 4560 Venture, Southaven. Sat.-Sun., Oct. 1718. 8 a.m. Shop vendor booths in one location. $2. 282-9556.

Holiday Market of Memphis. Agricenter International, 7777 Walnut Grove. Fri.-Sat., Oct. 23-24, 9 a.m., and Sun., Oct. 25, 11 a.m. Over 175 of the finest merchants in the South for this three-day shopping event showcasing gourmet foods, beauty products, gifts, trendy fashion, and the newest home decor ideas. $10-$20. Kids 12 & under, free. agricenter.org. 757-7777.

24 ∙ SATURDAY

Dia de los Muertos Reverse Parade. Overton Park, 2080 Poplar. Noon-4 p.m. Memphis Brooks Museum of Art and Cazateatro Bilingual Theatre Group hold this annual event, where families are invited to honor ancestors and celebrate the cycle of life and death. Free. cazateatro.org. 662-469-6095. Family Planting Party: Scarecrow Families. MBG. 2-3:30 p.m. Families will work together to create a scarecrow family to decorate a yard. Learn the history of scarecrows and see examples from around the world. $20. memphisbotanicgarden.com. 636-4100.

27 ∙ TUESDAY

Wolfman Duathlon and 3-Mile Trail Run. Shelby Farms Park, 6489 Mullins Station. Off-road duathlon including 3-mile trail run, followed by a 6-mile mountain bike ride on the Tour de Wolf trail, and finishing with a 1-mile trail run. $20-$80. shelbyfarmspark.org. 568-0779.

Special Needs Family Hiking Club. Pinecrest Camp, 21430 Highway 57, Moscow, TN. 1011:30 a.m. A guide will take your family on various short hikes around Pinecrest at a slow pace. Not suitable for wheeled equipment at this time. Hikers should be able to walk in a standing position and be assisted by their families. Adaptive carriers are also welcome. Call or email to RSVP. 878-1247. charity@ camppinecrest.org.

22 ∙ THURSDAY

30 ∙ FRIDAY

18 ∙ SUNDAY

14 ∙ SATURDAY

Crafts and Drafts. Hosted by Memphis Flyer. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. A unique shopping experience. Features a curated group of over 85 local artists, crafters, and makers showcasing and selling handmade arts and crafts. Enjoy kids’ activities, Santa visit, food, and drinks. Free. Visit memphiscraftsanddrafts.com for details. NASA Regional Championships. Sat.-Sun., Nov. 14-15. Regional champions, qualify drivers to become eligible to compete at the NASA National Championship Event. racemir.com. 969-7223.

19 ∙ THURSDAY

Holiday Lighting Party. Graceland. Watch as Graceland flips the switch on traditional Christmas lights and decorations with the help of a special guest. Free. graceland.com. 332-3322.

24 ∙ TUESDAY

27 ∙ FRIDAY

Drive-In Movie Night. Shelby Farms Park. Fri.-Sat., Oct. 30-31, 7-10 p.m. Familyfriendly outdoor movie and entertainment. shelbyfarmspark.org. 722-7275.

31 ∙ SATURDAY

Brickworld Virtual LEGO Con. Online. 11 a.m.5 p.m. Participate in discussions, watch tutorials and presentations, visit vendors, and join display rooms. A portion of ticket sales benefit MakeA-Wish, Riley Children’s Hospital, Creations for Charity, and FIRST LEGO League. $9. brickworld.com.

Repair Days. Metal Museum, 374 Metal Museum. Thur.-Sat., Oct. 22-24. Join the museum to have your items repaired and participate in the online auction benefiting the Metal Museum. metalmuseum.org. 774-6380.

23 ∙ FRIDAY

Mid-South Fair. The Landers Center. Through November 20. midsouthfair.com. 452-6500.

UPCOMING EVENTS

NOVEMBER

10 ∙ TUESDAY

Peter Pan Reunion Special. Online with Playhouse on the Square. 6 p.m. Join host Marcus Cox as he catches up with the casts and crews of past productions via Zoom or Facebook. playhouseonthesquare.org. 725-0776.

O C T O B E R 2 2002200

Holiday Wonders at the Garden. MBG. Through December 27. Annual outdoor holiday light show featuring 30 nights of activities in three venues: Snowy Nights in My Big Backyard, Under the Stars outdoor lounge, and the City of Memphis Christmas Tree. Expanded operating hours help spread out guest traffic with strict enforcement of capacity limits. $10. memphisbotanicgarden.com. 636-4120.

28 ∙ SATURDAY

Southern Flea Market. The Landers Center, Southaven. Sat.-Sun., Nov. 28-29, 8 a.m. Shop vendor booths in one location. $2. 282-9556.

By Julie Ray

DECEMBER

6 ∙ SUNDAY

15 ∙ TUESDAY

Special Needs Family Hiking Club. Pinecrest Camp 21430 Highway 57, Moscow, TN. 1011:30 a.m. A guide will take your family on various short hikes around Pinecrest at a slow pace. Not suitable for wheeled equipment at this time. Hikers should be able to walk in a standing position and be assisted by their families. Adaptive carriers are also welcome. Call or email to RSVP. 878-1247. charity@ camppinecrest.org.

19 ∙ SATURDAY

Black Violin. The Orpheum. 7:30 p.m. Featuring classically trained string players Wil B. (viola) and Kev Marcus (violin) with guests DJ SPS and drummer Nat Stokes. Their unique blend of classical and hip-hop music overcomes stereotypes while encouraging people of all ages, races, and economic backgrounds to join together to break down cultural barriers. $25$45. orpheum-memphis.com. 525-3000.

12 ∙ SATURDAY

Southern Flea Market. The Landers Center, Southaven. Sat.-Sun., Dec. 12-13, 8 a.m. Shop vendor booths in one location. $2. 282-9556.

Repticon Memphis. The Landers Center, Southaven. Sat., Oct. 19, 9 a.m.; Sun., Oct. 20, 10 a.m. Reptile event featuring vendors offering reptile pets, supplies, feeders, cages, and merchandise, as well as live animal seminars and frequent free raffles for prizes. $10. landerscenter.org. 662-280-9120.

JANUARY

14 ∙ THURSDAY

Orchestra Unplugged: Music, Memphis, and Martin Luther King. Halloran Centre @ The Orpheum. Thur-Fri, Jan. 14-15, 7:30 p.m. Memphis Symphony Orchestra Music Director Robert Moody brings you inside the minds of music of composers to discover new connections and meaning to incredible works of art. $37.50. orpheum-memphis.com. 525-3000.

15 ∙ FRIDAY

Wit. Germantown Community Theatre, 3037 Forest Hill-Irene, Germantown. Jan. 15-31. A

renowned professor of English spent years studying and teaching the sonnets of John Donne. Diagnosed with terminal ovarian cancer, she comes to reassess her life and her work. gctcomeplay.com. 453-7447.

22 ∙ FRIDAY

The Sporkful Podcast Live. Buckman Performing and Fine Arts Center at St Mary’s, 60 Perkins. 7 p.m. Food podcast featuring Dan Pashman and a special guest using humor and humanity to approach food from many angles, including science, history, and more. Not for foodies, for eaters. $30. 537-1485. buckmanartscenter.com.

29 ∙ FRIDAY

Las Cafeteras. Buckman Performing and Fine Arts Center at St Mary’s. 8 p.m. Remixing roots melodies and telling modern-day stories with a vibrant, musical fusion and unique East L.A. sound. Performing on traditional Son Jarocho instruments with songs in English, Spanish, and Spanglish, from rock to hip-hop to rancheras. $28. buckmanartscenter.com. 537-1485. Clarksdale Film Festival. Fri.-Sun., Jan. 29-31. Specializes in Mississippi-connected and blues/ roots-music movies. clarksdalefilmfestival.com.

30 ∙ SATURDAY

Momix. GPAC. 8-10 p.m. A company of dancer-illusionists under the direction of Moses Pendleton. Dancers conjure up a world of surrealistic images using props, light, shadow, humor, and the human body. $15-$75. 751-7500. gpacweb.com.

ONGOING Events MUSEUMS AND EXHIBITS Memphis Botanic Garden (MGB). “Color Obsession.” October 1-30. Exhibition of paintings depicting the transformations in the Southern garden and landscape. memphisbotanicgarden.com. 636-4100.

The Dixon Gallery and Gardens. “The Beauty of Calligraphy.” October 4-January 2, 2021. Exhibition bringing together nearly 40 examples of calligraphy from 17 members of the Memphis Calligraphy Guild, both past and present. Ranging from envelope calligraphy to larger illustrations, the exhibition encompasses a wide variety of examples of this highly individualistic practice that makes manifest the relationship between visual art and written language. dixon.org. 761-5250.

The Dixon Gallery and Gardens. “Illuminating the Word: The St. John’s Bible.” October 11-January 9. Exhibition presenting the story of the book’s creation, featuring more than 30 original unbound folios, including illustrations for select scriptural accounts. Alongside the folios, the exhibition presents a selection of tools, materials, and sketches used in the project. dixon.org. 761-5250. Metal Museum. “It Takes A Village.” September 28-March 13. Exhibition of crowdcurated work voted into the exhibit from the permanent collection and “Tributaries” by the public. metalmuseum.org. 774-6380.

OTHER PROGRAMS

Birds of Prey Program. Meeman-Shelby Forest State Park, Nature Center. Saturdays and

Sundays, 3 p.m. Meet some of Tennessee’s native birds of prey. Registering guarantees a spot. Adding a donation helps provide food and care for the birds. Free with registration. tnstateparks.com. 876-5215. Reptile Program. Meeman-Shelby Forest State Park, Nature Center. Saturdays and Sundays, 3:30 p.m. Meet some of Tennessee’s native reptiles. Register to guarantee a spot. Free. tnstateparks.com. 876-5215. Family Field Trips. Pinecrest Camp, 21430 Highway 57, Moscow, TN. Sept. 1-Dec. 21. Choose from family/small group field trips. October: Nature Journaling and Art; November: Math in Nature; December: Survival Skills. A private family hike to the Overlook and back with a guide also available. Observe nature, hear local history, and gain MEM PH I SPA R ENT.COM

C A L E N DA R skills on how to hike safely. Specific nature focus upon request. camppinecrest.org. 878-1247. Twilight Thursdays. MBG. Thursdays, 6-8 p.m. Furry-friendly hours on the second and fourth Thursday of the month. All are welcome with or without a pet. memphisbotanicgarden.com. 636-4100. Science Saturday at the Garden. MBG. Saturdays, 10-11 a.m. Weekly series for kids 5-10 who are interested in food science and experiments. Learn about planting, understanding food basics, watching reactions occur, and more. $20. 636-4100. memphisbotanicgarden.com.

CLASSES & WORKSHOPS Sunset Yoga. Mississippi River Park near Riverside Drive. Sundays, 6:15 p.m. Through October 25. Join instructor Bridget Danielle on Fourth Bluff at Front and Madison or on Facebook Live for a weekly yoga series. All ages and experience levels are welcome. Free. downtownmemphis.com.

Skate School. Society Memphis, 583 Scott. Every Saturday, 9 a.m.-10 a.m. Let your child learn in a safe and encouraging environment. As kids advance in their ability, they will be taught to handle faster speeds, how to connect lines, fakie, frontside, backside, switch, and introduction to the ollie. $20-$25. societymemphis.com. Distance Learning “Live” Dance Classes. Ballet on Wheels, online. Mondays-Thursdays and on Saturdays. Classes in various dance genres including ballet, jazz, hip-hop, and more. The online dance curriculum includes weekly bonus classes that are not offered as a part of the normal schedule. Financial aid available. To enroll, visit balletonwheels.org. My Desk at Pinecrest. Pinecrest Camp, Moscow, TN. Wednesdays, 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Through November 18. Options for both working adults and students in grades 2-8. A 6-foot workspace, WiFi, and hand sanitizer provided. For students, outdoor programming throughout the day and morning/afternoon virtual school time with a learning coach in a study hall setting. $5-$15. camppinecrest.org. 878-1247. Dixon at Home Series. JT Willbanks, art instructor at the Dixon Gallery and Gardens, shows children how to create art projects without having to leave their house or backyard. Check out Visual Art Adventures via Facebook and Instagram Live. dixon.org.

HOMESCHOOL CLASSES

Literacy Mid-South’s Families: Safer at Home Resources. Provides resources for families with elementary-aged students at home. Includes reading tips, guides, at-home interactive literacy activities, and ideas. literacymidsouth.org.

National Civil Rights Museum E-Learning Activities. Educator resources provide tools to engage students by prompting them to reflect on big questions about the human experience and how history relates to contemporary events and everyday life. civilrightsmuseum.org. Tennessee Aquarium’s Educational Series. Offers activities for families who are staying #SaferAtHome. Weekday Wonders is a series designed for parents interested in engaging children in science at home. Explore Mr. Bill’s Naturalist’s Notebook, written by Bill Haley, the Tennessee Aquarium’s education outreach coordinator. Also, visit the Tennessee Aquarium Facebook page each morning to find out the topic and timing of daily stream for #AquariumAtHome each weekday at 1 p.m. tnaqua.org. The Memphis Brooks Museum of Art Online Lessons. For teachers (and now parents) of children in grades K-12. Follow Brooks Museum on Facebook and Instagram for updates on virtual programs. brooksmuseum.org.

Museum of Collierville History Facebook page. colliervillemuseum.org.

FAMILY-FRIENDLY

Free Skate + Games. Enjoy free skate rental or yard games like spikeball, pickleball, Kanjam, frisbees, and hula hoops at the bottom of the Vance steps in the park. Fridays-Sundays, 6-8:30 p.m. Free. memphisriverparks.org.

Ask Playhouse. An interactive live-streamed talk show with monthly updates and special guests. You never know who may drop by. Every first Friday of the month on Facebook Live. playhouseonthesquare.org. POTS in the Vault. Take a peek into the archives of past Playhouse on the Square performances, spanning over 30 years of the theater’s 50-year history. Past episodes include productions of Ragtime, Godspell, and Hairspray on Facebook and YouTube. Every Friday at 1 p.m. playhouseonthesquare.org. Crafts Fair Pop-Up Shop. Pink Palace Museum. Through Dec. 27, Fri.-Sat., 10:30 a.m.-6:30 p.m., and Sunday, noon-5 p.m. Featuring 30-plus artists and brands from Memphis and the surrounding areas. From paintings and home decor to jewelry and candles in a safe and socially distanced pop-up experience. memphismuseums.org. 636-2362.

STORY TIME

Crosstown Arts: Against the Grain. An online platform where viewers can watch new, madeat-home videos of performances by Memphis musicians and donate to the artists with virtual tickets. crosstownarts.org.

International Storytime. October 1 and every other Thursday on Crosstown Concourse Facebook page. Kids are invited to watch videos and hear stories they may be familiar with in a language they have never heard before. Also for ex-pats and immigrants who miss hearing their native language and friends from all over who want to try something new. crosstownconcourse.com.

Fall Plant Sale. MBG. October 7-30. Order online with curbside pick-up. Featuring plants for immediate color in the autumn landscape, including mums, pansies, ornamental kale, and cabbage. Perennials and a selection of trees and shrubs selected, as well as those adapted to our MId-South climate, will also be available. memphisbotanicgarden.com. 636-4100.

Story Time with la Abuela Tomasa. Tuesdays on Facebook Live. Visit Cazateatro Bilingual Theatre Group’s Facebook to watch. For more information, visit cazateatro.org.

Literacy Mid-South’s Interactive Read-Aloud Videos. Memphians read a book from the Read901 Libib Lending Library. This also includes links to a lesson plan and activities that families can use to follow along with the story. literacymidsouth.org. National Civil Rights Museum’s Small but Mighty Story Time Video Series. Read along with K-12 museum educator Dory Lerner on the NCRM Facebook page. civilrightsmuseum.org. Morton Museum presents Virtual Story Time with Miss Susan. Every Friday, 10 a.m. Miss Susan reads stories and shares craft ideas each week from her backyard, on the Morton

By Julie Ray

O C T O B E R 2 2002200

Harry Potter Series. CTI 3D Giant Theater at the Pink Palace Museum. Saturday-Sunday, 4 p.m. Through October 31. Off to Hogwarts! Grab your broom, Thestral, Hippogriff, or hop in your flying Ford Anglia so you don’t miss eight weeks of the original Harry Potter series. $8, kids. $10, adults. memphismuseums.org. 636-2362. Orion Virtual Concert Series. Online from the Levitt Shell. Fridays, 7:30 p.m. Local musicians streamed live via the Levitt Shell Facebook page. Visit levittshell.org for details.

M E M PH I SPA R ENT.COM

The Best Place for Kids. Always. Le Bonheur is proud to be recognized by U.S. News & World Report as one of the nation’s best children’s hospitals for the 10th consecutive year. This national distinction is a symbol of our commitment to safety, quality and transparency in the treatment of all children. When it comes to providing the best for your children, there is no substitute for the care, expertise and attention you’ll find at Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital. You can always rely on us.

Where Every Child Matters lebonheur.org

O C T O B E R 2020