WNCParent August 2010

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c o n t e n t s Back to school we go

My firstborn starts middle school this month, a milestone that I’m not certain I’m ready for. I had no problem sending my kids off to preschool or kindergarten. Not a tear shed. But middle school seems different. An acknowledgement that the little girl is not so little anymore. She’s definitely ready to leave the elementary school hallways behind. But I may have a little trouble in the drop-off line this year, not quite ready to let go.

Moms (and dads and maybe grandparents, too) across WNC deal with separation anxiety issues at the start of each school year. If you could use a bit of help making the break as your child reaches a milestone — be it kindergarten or college — see our story on Page 3.

With the start of school returns the drudgery of making school lunches. We’ve got a few new ideas for filling lunchboxes in our story on Page 9. (You’ll find some breakfast recipes, too.)

If your children are like mine, their backpacks weigh a ton.

Take a look at Brian Lawler’s great advice on guidelines for backpack weight and the effect a heavy bag has on a child’s health in his column on Page 32.

Enjoy the rest of summer!

Katie Wadington, editor

This month’s features

3 Make the break

Learn how to ease separation anxiety as school starts.

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6 The Waldorf way

The Waldorf philosophy of education is gaining ground.

9 Lunchbox meals

Fresh ideas for lunches and quick breakfasts.

12 Through young eyes

Regular vision screenings can catch problems early.

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14 A foreign tongue

From Latin to Spanish to Mandarin, kids in WNC can learn a new language.

18 Back-to-school saving

Tax-free weekend helps families save money on supplies as school starts.

22Date night

“Night out” programs offer parents a chance to catch a break while kids have fun.

25 Parent 2 Parent

Meet Erica Jourdan, who brings together families.

In every issue

Kids’ Voices ......................24 Growing Together ...............28 Artful Parent .....................30 Recall Roundup .................35 Home-School Happenings....38 Story Times ......................40 Librarian’s Pick ..................41 Divorced Families...............42 Parenting in a Nutshell .......44 Show & Tell.......................49 Kitchen Kids .....................53 Puzzles........................59-60 Calendar .................58, 61-71

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50 Snack clones

Make an Oreo or Hostess cupcake on your terms.

54 Tomato season

Celebrate the summer with these tomato recipes.

On the cover

Isaac Einsmann, of Asheville. By Sonya Stone Photography, sonyastone.com.

Are you a member?

Join the conversation, post photos and connect with other parents at WNCmom.com.

P.O. Box 2090, Asheville, NC 28802 828-232-5845 I www.wncmom.com PRESIDENT AND PUBLISHER Randy Hammer WNC PARENT EDITOR Katie Wadington - 232-5829 kwadington@citizen-times.com CONTRIBUTING EDITOR Nancy Sluder nsluder@citizen-times.com

FEATURES EDITOR Bruce Steele bsteele@citizen-times.com STAFF WRITER Barbara Blake bblake@citizen-times.com

ADVERTISING/CIRCULATION Miranda Weerheim - 232-5980 mweerheim@gannett.com CALENDAR CONTENT Due by Aug. 15. E-mail calendar@wncparent.com ADVERTISING DEADLINE Advertising deadline for the September issue is Aug. 17

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Getting over separation anxiety

Tips for parents of kindergartners and college freshmen alike

By Barbara Blake WNC Parent writer It’s one of the defining moments of parenthood: smiling (or pretending to) at the classroom door as your 5-year-old starts the first day of kindergarten and it’s time to say goodbye.

Many children are already savvy about separating from their parents if they’ve been in a day care setting or had other forms of child care away from mom and dad. But others will be breaking the bond for the first time, and some anxiety is not unnatural.

In many cases, it’s the parents at the classroom door who feel the anxiety more than the kids; many a mother (and some fathers as well) has had to sprint to the car to avoid anyone seeing a tear trickling down her cheek. In other cases, children may cling to mom or dad or shed a tear as the moment of departure arrives.

To minimize separation anxiety, on the first day of school and beyond, there are some tangible ways to prepare your children — and yourselves — for this important new step in a family’s life.

Offering some of those tips are Meggan Russell, director of the Transition to Kindergarten program operated by Smart Start of Buncombe County; Cathy

GANNETT PHOTO

Separation anxiety isn’t a problem just for parents of little ones. Even parents of college freshmen have to hold back tears when sending their kids off to school.

Hohenstein, a specialist in family and consumer sciences with the Buncombe County Extension Service; and Jackie McHargue, dean of students at UNC Asheville and the mother of a 5-year-old about to enter kindergarten. ◆ “Talk to your child about going to

kindergarten and ask them a variety of questions to see how they truly feel,” Russell said. “Don’t just ask, ‘ Are you excited?’ Kids by this age understand a generic response and will respond, ‘Yes,’ Continues on Page 5

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Separation Continued from Page 3

just as you do when someone asks, ‘How are you today?’ and you say, ‘Fine,’ whether you are or not. Ask questions like, ‘What are you most excited to do in kindergarten, what are you worried about, do you have any questions about what will happen there?’”

Hohenstein advises practicing the routine involved in going to school. “If your child will take the bus, practice going to the bus stop and waiting, and talk about what the bus will be like,” she said. “If your child will walk, practice walking the route, getting their backpacks, lunch, etc.”

Russell said it helps to be extremely specific with your child ahead of time about what to expect. “An example is, ‘Mommy and/or Daddy will walk you to your classroom. Then, you’ll put your

PHOTO BY JOHN FLETCHER

backpack on the hook. Then, your teacher will tell you what fun activity you are doing. Mommy and Daddy will give you a big hug, and then we have to leave.

Mommy and Daddy will go to work, while you play at school. Then, at 2:30, we will pick you back up.’ Be sure to include the part where you tell them what time they will see you again, and how they are getting home. This is comforting because it confirms that you are coming back.”

Hohenstein said it’s helpful to start getting on a new schedule in the week or two before the first day. Russell added that parents should move lunch and snack to the same time they will have them at school; if school has nap time, practice a quiet time at home beforehand.

Children this age take everything literally, Russell said, warning against saying words like, ‘Oh, I’m going to miss you so much — I wish you could stay home with me,’ (translation: I’m making

Parents bring their children to Ira B. Jones Elementary School on the first day last year. Talking to your children about their feelings about school and practicing the school routine before the first day of class are steps that families can take to minimize separation anxiety at the elementary level.

Mommy/Daddy sad by going to school), or ‘You can call me if you get upset or feel bad’ (translation: I already feel upset and bad — can I call yet?’) A better way to word it would be, ‘I’ll call the office later and check on you.’”

Plan ahead for how to say goodbye, Hohenstein advised. “Set expectations for leaving your child, and talk with your child about how that may feel. Parents also can pretend to drop the child off in the classroom in the home setting. Ask your child to make up what they think it will be like, and act it out,” she said.

“This way you can catch any unnecessary fears they may have about the first day.”

Russell said the farewell should involve a quick hug or kiss and a swift departure. “Hanging around the classroom just makes the goodbye process harder,” she said. “If your child does cry, this is completely normal. Most kids stop within a few minutes and are completely happy for the rest of the day.”

It’s helpful to give the child something to look forward to every day — a special note in their lunchbox, a treat in the afternoon, or a special task each day, Russell said. “For example, ‘When I see you this afternoon, I want to hear about what you played when you went outside,’ or ‘When I see you this afternoon, I want you to tell me two things in your classroom that are yellow.’”

Russell also advised visiting the library or bookstore and get books about going to school or being separated.

And Hohenstein said parents should always remember to tell their children that they are proud of them for starting school. “The positive attention will go a long way,” she said.

Jackie McHargue, the dean of students at UNC Asheville, said separation anxiety doesn’t end at kindergarten.

That anxiety can accelerate significantly when parents leave their 18-year-old children in their college dorm rooms, most about to be on their own for the first time in their lives.

She offers these tips for parents of the college-bound: “Try to give your student time to call you, rather than you always calling,” she said. “When you call or text, your stuContinues on Page 8

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Waldorf education gaining ground in WNC

By Julie Ball WNC Parent writer

Inside a Waldorf kindergarten class, children aren’t learning their letters or numbers. Instead, they are engaged in creative play and movement.

This educational philosophy is gaining ground in the Asheville area, with several early childhood programs available. And the goal is to start a new school for kindergarteners and first-graders in 2011.

“In general, schools today are teaching conceptual skills of reading and writing younger and younger, and schools are requiring children to learn letters and numbers in a conceptual way before the human brain is developed enough for conceptual ability,” said Amy Arrendell, an educational consultant who is on the Azalea Mountain School board of directors.

Organizers hope to open Azalea Mountain School for kindergartners and first-graders in the fall of 2011. Their goal is to eventually develop a K-8 school.

Azalea Mountain will offer parenttoddler programs for parents and their children up to age 4 this year.

Waldorf education aims to foster imagination and promote movement in the kindergarten classroom. Reading is taught beginning at age 7, when the child’s brain is ready, Arrendell said.

“They are eager, and very quickly and easily can learn reading at that time because it matches the pace of their brain development,” she said.

The Waldorf concept has its roots in the work of Rudolph Steiner and the school he started for children of workers at the Waldorf cigarette factory in Germany, said Elizabeth McKay-Gilbert, a parent and member of the board at Azalea Mountain School.

The movement spread and there are

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PHOTOS BY MARGARET HESTER

Children and their parents dyed silk scarfs using natural dyes at a gathering of a Waldorf Handwork Group. The trend of Waldorf education is on the rise in Western North Carolina. now more than 900 Waldorf schools in 83 countries.

“It’s really something that emerges out of the community,” McKay-Gilbert said.

Interested Asheville parents started a handwork group that meets once a month. There’s also a study group for parents interested in Waldorf education.

Last fall, Rachel Patton co-founded Dandelion Hill in West Asheville, which provides Waldorf education for children ages 3-6.

Patton said she likes that Waldorf education holds early childhood as “so sacred,” and that academics are held off until the child is more developmentally ready.

“There’s a big emphasis on beauty, the natural world and bringing that into the classroom,” she said. “It makes for a really nice loving warm place for children to be.”

Dandelion Hill began last year with 14 children. Classes will resume there at the end of August.

Susanne Brunton Taft is also starting a small Waldorf-based early childhood program at her West Asheville home this year. That program is slated to begin after Labor Day, and will focus on getting the children outdoors as much as possible.

Waldorf classes also emphasize rhythms — a time to be very active and a time for quiet activity, she said. There’s also time to be outdoors.

“Children these days are really under a lot more pressure than they were even 10 years ago. … They are not getting as much play time,” McKay-Gilbert said.

“Their time is much more structured.”

McKay-Gilbert said Waldorf education focuses on the “whole child, body, soul and spirit.”

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Mia Ankeney, 10, places a scarf in some dye.

The Waldorf method emphasizes learning through play.

“While it is not a religious education and families from all belief systems have their children in Waldorf schools, it is a philosophy that sees the child as a being of spirit, not just a mind,” she said in an e-mail. “That is something that draws a lot of people, too.”

Another aspect of Waldorf education is that teachers follow the students from grade to grade.

WALDORF EDUCATION ■ Azalea Mountain School: Classes for parents and their toddlers up to 4 years old offered at New Hope Presbyterian Church in south Asheville. Call 329-2649 or visit azaleamountain.org.

■ Dandelion Hill: Offers classes for children age 3-6 three days a week. Cost is $295 per month. Classes are 9 a.m.-1 p.m.

Tuesday-Thursday. Classes begin Aug. 31 at Abernethy United Methodist Church in West Asheville. Call 298-4655 or visit dandelionhill.org/Home.

■ The Children’s Earth: A small early childhood program for children ages 3 1/2 to 6 1/2. Classes begin after Labor Day. They will be held 9 a.m.-1 p.m. WednesdayFriday at the home of Susanne Brunton Taft in West Asheville. The cost is $300 per month. E-mail Taft at cstaft@gmail.com.

■ Handwork group: The Waldorf handwork group meets the fourth Sunday of each month. Call Emily Ankeney at 505-1566.

■ Parent Group: The Parent Group will meet on Aug.15. The meeting is open to anyone, including families interested in learning about Waldorf education. Call 296-8323.

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Anxiety Continued from Page 5

LEARN MORE ABOUT KINDERGARTEN READINESS To learn more about preparing your child for kindergarten, check out the school readiness link at smartstart-buncombe.org. dent will likely never call or text you back as soon as you think they should.

But they usually will, eventually.”

“Don’t be surprised to get calls home that are filled with emotion — and at times, exaggeration,” McHargue said. “It really helps if parents walk their student through options and resources the student can follow up on, rather than the parent trying to resolve an issue.”

Care packages and greeting cards “still bring happy dances when they are received, even if your student acts like it is no big deal,” she said.

McHargue’s final suggestion: “Parents, you have worked hard raising your student. Give yourself some credit that they have learned good things from you and are apt, more often than not, to make good decisions. Trust in your parenting.”

While McHargue is a counselor of 18-year-olds by day, she is the mom of a 5-year-old by night, and is already feeling a bit of anxiety at the prospect of the first day of school.

“We talk quite a bit about going to ‘big school’ — the need to listen to the teacher and pay attention, to be nice to the other kids and to share, to remember to say please and thank you, to raise your hand and ask for help or if you need something, to do your schoolwork and homework, and to have fun,” she said.

“I’m excited, but also hoping not to be too weepy, since I teared up walking into the kindergarten room on the tour,” she admitted. “I’d like to think I’d be a bit more composed on the first day — at least until I get to the car!”

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Break out of the

lunchbox rut

Experts offer suggestions for healthy, different, kid-friendly lunches and breakfasts

By Barbara Blake WNC Parent writer

One of the great challenges of parenthood is coming up with ideas for healthy school lunches that kids will actually eat.

Before you have children, the thought of packing a kid’s lunchbox may seem like a no-brainer. But when you’re trying to feed your child in a healthy way day after day, week after week, year after year, the allure of PB&J quickly diminishes, and the risk of trading for Twin-

kies increases.

With a little creativity and a system of rotating favorite foods so they never get boring, it’s possible to pack the lunchbox or brown bag with nutritious offerings that will keep your child fortified throughout the school day.

We asked for ideas from Susan Kosma, clinical nutritionist with Mission Hospital’s weight management program; Julie Palmer, community wellness educaContinues on Page 10

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Break out

Continued from Page 9

tor at Park Ridge Hospital, and Leah McGrath, registered dietitian with Ingles Markets. Here are some of their suggestions, along with some ideas for spicing up breakfast at home or on the run.

LUNCHES

◆ Keep a good supply of small freezer packs to keep cold foods chilled, and invest in a small thermos for warm foods and small, reusable plastic containers for cut fruits, vegetables and salads. ◆ Halve grape tomatoes and mix with soft mozzarella, a little balsamic vinegar, olive

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oil and kosher salt. As an alternative, make small kabobs with grape tomatoes, mozzarella and basil on toothpicks. ◆ Spread a whole wheat tortilla with low- or no-fat cream cheese, lean turkey and red peppers and/or shredded carrots. Roll up and slice into spiral “rounds.” ◆ Take a slice of roast beef, spread with low- or no-fat cream cheese, and top with a red pepper slice or carrots. Roll up the slice of beef into a log shape, and cut into pieces or leave whole. ◆ Chill egg, tuna or chicken salad in a small container, and send it along with a pita or a toasted English muffin with a plastic spoon or fork to spread it with. If your child agrees, send along some chopped tomato and lettuce pieces in separate zipper bags to add to the mix. ◆ Pack a container of hummus with a bag of any veggies your child will eat: red pepper strips, baby carrots, celery, cucumber, grape tomatoes, etc. ◆ Do the same with yogurt (not the artificially colored kind normally marketed to kids), and a container of chunked cantaloupe or watermelon, pineapple, grapes, any type of berries or other fruit that won’t brown after

being cut. ◆ Make your own trail mix suited to your child’s taste, using pretzels, dry cereal, nuts, dried fruit (raisins, cranberries, mango), sesame sticks and granola, for example. ◆ Cheese and crackers. Buying healthy, whole-grain crackers and slicing a block of natural cheese is a much healthier option than pre-packaged cheese and crackers. The homemade version will be lower in artificial ingredients, cholesterol and saturated fats. ◆ Dry cereal is a good, crunchy addition to lunch, but pick cereals that have more than 3 grams of fiber and less than 10 grams of sugar. Add your own nuts (preferably walnuts or almonds), raisins or other dried or fresh fruit. ◆ Instead of sliced bread, make a whole-wheat waffle sandwich with natural peanut or almond butter and jam or honey — or add banana slices rather than sugared jam. Whole-wheat wraps or muffins can be substituted for the waffles. ◆ A thermos can hold an assortment of warm foods, like spaghetti or other noodles and a healthy sauce, vegetarian chili

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or any other leftovers. ◆ Send containers of beans, brown rice and salsa along with shredded cheese and a tortilla, and let kids make their own burrito. ◆ Kids tend to like almost anything on a toothpick. Mix up a variety of your child’s favorites and put them in a zipper bag: grapes, cubes of cheese or lean meat, olives, pepper squares, pineapple chunks. And for children who like them, containers of olives and pickles. ◆ For treats, mix fresh blueberries, blackberries or other nonsugared fruits with a bit of light whipped topping; add a small zipper bag of granola if your child approves. ◆ For the gourmet kid in your household, try sliced cantaloupe wrapped in prosciutto, or blanched asparagus with shaved parmesan wrapped in prosciutto. ◆ For fun, send a few large black olives: kids like to put them on their fingers before popping them into their mouths.

BREAKFASTS

◆ Try an egg in a cup, from Leah McGrath: Mix together a beaten egg, a tablespoon of low-fat milk and one wedge of Laughing Cow light cheese.

Spray a large mug with non-stick spray.

Pour in egg mixture and microwave on medium heat for two or three minutes.

Turn the mug upside down and serve by itself or on toast. ◆ Julie Palmer offers this idea for egg burritos: Scramble an egg or two with cheese, add whatever veggies your child will eat, add light sour cream and roll it up in a whole wheat tortilla. “It’s also a good on-the-go breakfast,” she said. ◆ Whole-grain pancakes made ahead of time. Look for whole grain pancake mix in the baking aisle. Add apple sauce, blueberries, wheat germ, ground flax and anything else you want to slide in unnoticed. Make a large batch on the weekend and divide into sandwich bags for a quick microwave or toasted breakfast. ◆ Top whole-grain toast with natural peanut butter and sliced banana or strawberries. Use fruit instead of jelly for a healthier breakfast.

Whole grain banana muffins

1 cup whole wheat flour 1 cup oats 3 tablespoons sugar 1/2 teaspoon salt 1 egg 2 1/2 teaspoons baking powder 1 cup mashed bananas 1/4 cup milk 2 tablespoons oil Mix well. Place in lightly sprayed muffin pan or use paper muffin cups. Bake at 350 degrees for 15-20 minutes. Yields 12 muffins.

Source: Julie Palmer, Park Ridge Hospital

Frozen peanut butter-banana roll-ups

1 banana 1 whole wheat tortilla 1 tablespoon all natural peanut butter 1 teaspoon wheat germ (optional) Spread peanut butter on one side of tortilla.

Shake wheat germ evenly over peanut butter.

Peel banana and lay in the middle, then roll the tortilla around it. Wrap in plastic wrap and put in freezer for an hour or more. Once frozen, unwrap and slice into half-inch sections.

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Making sure they see clearly

By Mat Payne WNC Parent contributor One of the greatest gifts that a child will receive is one that almost everyone is born with: the gift of vision. Unfortunately, all children are not born with healthy eyes, making it necessary for some parents to seek corrective medical help.

Health care professionals try to catch vision problems as early as possible, said Dr. Alice Bashinsky of Asheville Eye Associates. This process begins at birth for all hospital-born children, when they are given a standard eye examination that focuses on a light reflex test and a red reflex test.

They’re also screened for any infectious diseases that may be transmitted from the mother.

These tests will continue throughout all of a child’s “well-baby” exams, where doctors will also test for other problems such as blocked tear ducts and excessive eye discharge as well as well as visual tracking. If any problems are detected during the course of these visits, children may be referred to an optometrist.

Aside from the more common problems of near- and far-sightedness, it’s important for parents to watch for misaligned eye disorders, more commonly known as having Amblyopia or “lazy eye.”

“Vision is a big deal,” said mom Michele Kopp.

Two and a half years ago, Kopp and her husband, Kevin, began noticing their daughter Ella’s eyes crossing.

“We weren’t sure if she was playing or if she actually had a problem,” Kevin

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OPTICIAN VS. OPTOMETRIST VS. OPHTHALMOLOGIST

PHOTO BY JOHN FLETCHER

Melanie Allen holds her son, Logan, as Dr. Alice Bashinsky examines his eyes at Asheville Eye Associates in Asheville.

Kopp said.

With Bashinsky’s help, the Kopps were able to take steps to improve Ella’s vision, such as glasses and patching when at home.

Amblyopia is most prominently caused by eye blockage due to cataracts (the clouding of the eye’s lens which blocks vision), strabismus (a constantly turned eye), lid droop and different vision prescriptions in each eye, according to Lazyeye,org. It’s crucial that this disorder is caught during the child’s first six years or else they may experience permanent vision problems.

Once children become verbal, more traditional methods of testing are put into effect. Tests where kids cover an eye and read from an eye chart are still the most common. At this stage, doctors begin trying to establish a child’s visual IQ , Bashinsky said.

This simple vision testing is also of-

fered at most public schools, at least through the elementary years. Bashinsky said many of her patients initially found out they had less-than-perfect vision because of these tests.

As children age move through the first few years of life, there are different visual expectations for different ages.

At birth, vision is not perfect but will adjust to normal over time. Bashinsky said that from birth to 4 months, most children are expected to have 20/200-20/ 400 vision. By the end of the first year, this is expected to have improved to 20/50, and by 2 years of age, children are expected to have somewhere between 20/20-20/30 vision.

Aside from recognizing the ocular problems that your child may have, it’s just as important to know the qualifications of the various professionals involved in insuring your child’s visual health.

All eye care professionals are not the same. Here’s what the Bureau of Labor Statistics has to say of the differences: Optician: An individual who is licensed to make and dispense glasses. All opticians are required to have a minimum of a high school diploma and to pass a state licensing exam.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, most workers have completed at last some college-level courses or have received a degree.

Optometrist: The primary providers of vision care, optometrists are required to have completed a fouryear program at an accredited school of optometry, and at least three years of pre-optometric study at an accredited college or university.

Ophthalmologist: A doctor of medicine. Only after graduation from medical school, four years of residency and passing of a licensing exam can one hold the title of ophthalmologist. Ophthalmologists and doctors of osteopathy are the only doctors permitted to perform ocular surgery.

WHAT DOES 20/20 MEAN? 20/20 vision denotes measurement of acuity. It is the standard that’s been determined to be normal, and the numbers represent distance— meaning when you stand 20 feet from an object with small detail, as the first number states, you see it as it should appear from 20 feet away, as stated by the second number.

20/40 vision denotes someone who sees what’s 20 feet away only as well as a person with normal vision sees it from 40 feet away. Superior 20/10 vision denotes someone who sees what’s 20 feet away as well as a person with normal vision sees what’s 10 feet away.

Source: Upstate Parent magazine

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Language options

available for young students

PHOTO BY ERIN BRETHAUER

Dressed in a toga and laurel wreath, Atlas Kinzel, 11, sings in Latin during a graduation ceremony this spring for the weekly Latin Club in Kenilworth.

By Gordie Murphy WNC Parent contributor The world is becoming more global, and the need for language training ever more acute. In WNC, there are options for children to learn another language beyond what is taught in public school.

Jennifer Macdonald teaches Arabic at Christ School and tutors college students and journalists who travel to the Middle East. She said language instruction is important at a young age.

“The language center of the brain goes through a remarkable period of growth between the ages of about 6 and 15, which makes it an ideal time to introduce a language.” Macdonald said.

There are a number of options for language from private teachers or pri-

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“The language center of the brain goes through a remarkable period of growth between the ages of about 6 and 15, which makes it an ideal time to introduce a language.” Jennifer Macdonald, Arabic instructor vate schools.

Karen Boekschoten’s children take Latin instruction from John Paul McDonald, a retired UNC Asheville professor of language and history.

Boekschoten said she feels she’s getting great results.

“He’s just been brilliant. The kids just respond to him. I have a 10- and a 13-yearold who take Latin … they love it,” Boekschoten said.

Latin can serve as a strong grammatical foundation for children.

“I think there’s this idea that Latin is a dead language and is an elitist thing to do, but it’s very practical.” Boekschoten said. “I really feel strongly that I think my children can sleepwalk through Spanish I and II.”

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Languages Continued from Page 14

in the area who give lessons for young children.

Monica Bastin gives Spanish lessons to children ages 3-5. She says it’s important to start early.

“They’re like sponges. They absorb everything,” Bastin said. “The more opportunities you give to your brain,” then later in life it is easier “to make connections; not only in language but in other areas.”

She teaches through songs, dances and games. Her goal is to get young children accustomed to the idea of other languages.

“There are other sounds out there,” Bastin said.

Beyond Romance There are also options outside of Romance languages that embrace the growing influence of Eastern cultures.

The Early College at Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College will soon offer Mandarin, said Jan Blunt, director of communiations for Buncombe County Schools. At least one private tutor in the area teaches the Chinese dialect, as well.

Macdonald will start teaching Arabic to middle school students this fall. It is spoken by more than 200 million people as a first language, and by another 200 million as a second language, she said.

“The current rate of development in the Mideast is creating a host of new opportunities and many challenges, and the world could sure use a few sensitive intelligent people able to communicate acrosscultural boundaries to help in these transitions,” Macdonald said.

“Language is consciousness brought into form, and the study of any language gives one insight into another culture and another way of seeing the world.”

She pointed out that Arabic is particularly useful because it uses one of the largest arrays of sounds of any modern spoken language.

“Mastery of these sounds can help you in your pronunciation and comprehension of many other languages,” Mac-

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donald said.

She said language training is beneficial for academics, and so much more.

“It opens our minds to new experience while encouraging communication and respect; all things that can make the world a better, more peaceful place.”

In the public schools Buncombe County Schools offers some exposure to language. Blunt said that there is little to no formal programming offered before middle school.

“In middle school there is some exposure; I would call it limited exposure,” she said. “You might have a few weeks of art and music and foreign language.

Students typically have a choice.”

More opportunities open up at the high school level.

Blunt said high schools all offer Spanish. Some offer French and German, but only the larger high schools have enough support for classes like Latin. Some high schools offer online classes in other languages.

Asheville Middle School offers Spanish. Students who move on to Asheville High can choose from Spanish, Mandarin, French and Latin.

Foreign language classes are not required in public school. Middle school students don’t have to take a language, and it’s not a requirement for graduation.

But many four-year colleges require foreign language credits for acceptance.

PRIVATE LANGUAGE LESSONS

A sampling of foreign language offerings around Asheville.

Arabic: Jennifer MacDonald, onebigtoe2004@yahoo.com.

Latin: Karen Boekschoten, Karen.boekschoten@hotmail.com.

Classes are at Kenilworth Presbyterian Church, 123 Kenilworth Road, for one hour a week for two 12-week semesters.

Semesters run September-December and January-April. $150 per semester.

Mandarin: Shao-Ting Chung, shaotinger@yahoo.com. Classes are in Kenilworth, 4-5 p.m. Wednesdays. Ages 6-10. $10 per class.

Spanish: Monica Bastin, Monicav.bastin@gmail.com. Classes are at North Asheville Library, 4:15-5 p.m. Thursdays.

Ages 3-5.

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Back to school

savings

By Damien Chambers WNC Parent contributor

While students enjoy their last days of summer vacation, many parents may be feeling the anxiety that comes with buying school supplies.

Getting the most for your money this time of year is made easier with savvy shopping and taking advantage of the tax-free weekend that North Carolina offers on Aug. 6-8.

Parents and small-business owners shared advice on how to effectively save when buying school supplies.

Samantha Moore has come up with an

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easy strategy when shopping for her daughter, Camryn.

“If the supplies she has from the previous year are in good condition, we just reuse those,” Moore said.

She said the best deals they have found on school supplies were at discount stores like Target and Walmart.

“They usually have really great savings on paper, pens, crayon boxes, scissors and other basic supplies,” she said.

“But if you have the patience, it’s best to wait until tax-free weekend … to save even more money.”

Included items during the tax-free weekend are the basic back-to-school

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necessities from pens and paper to electronics and clothing. But there are unexpected things on the list, too. There is no tax, for instance, on costumes, arts and crafts supplies, and sporting equipment of all kinds.

Don’t have school-age kids? The tax-free benefits still apply. The key to maximizing Continues on Page 20

CONSIGNMENT SALES Some of the best places to get good deals for school clothing are consignment sales, and there are two big ones early this month: Munchkin Market: July 31-Aug. 3 at Biltmore Square Mall, Asheville. Children’s clothing, equipment, toys and more.

Public sale is 8 a.m.-7 p.m. July 31; 1-5 p.m. Aug. 1; 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Aug. 2 and 3. For details, visit munchkinmarket.com.

Wee Trade Best Made: Aug. 6-8 at WNC Ag Center, Fletcher.

Children’s clothing, toys, furniture, equipment and more. Sale is 8 a.m.-6 p.m. Aug. 6; 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Aug. 7; noon-4 p.m.

Aug. 8 (items are 50 percent off). Visit wee-trade.net for details.

Watch the Calendar section of WNC Parent in upcoming issues for more consignment and rummage sales.

WNC PARENT PHOTO

Madison Wolfe shops for back-to-school clothes with her mother, Chrissy, at Asheville Mall before school started last fall. Clothing is exempt from sales tax the weekend of Aug. 6-8.

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Shopping Continued from Page 19 your bargain-shopping is knowing what’s eligible. And, stores are not allowed to opt out of the holiday.

Parents on a tighter budget or those who are buying for several kids might want to try to find clothes for school at a consignment shop, such as Children’s Trading Post, which has locations on Merrimon Avenue and Airport Road.

“The advice I would give to parents who are school shopping on a budget is to check out a consignment shop before heading out to the more common retailers,” Fowler said. “A lot of the time we carry the same brands for a lot less so your kids will still be able to find the clothes that best suit their style.”

STEPHEN MILLER

Jessica Allen, right, and Brittany Brooks shop for back-to-school clothes last August at Belk’s in the Asheville Mall.

TAX-FREE WEEKEND Qualifying items are exempt from sales tax in North Carolina between 12:01 a.m. Aug. 6 and 11:59 p.m. Aug. 8. All shoppers, not just back-to-school shoppers, receive the tax break. Included in the exemption are: clothing, footwear and school supplies of $100 or less per item; school instructional materials of $300 or less per item; sports and recreation equipment of $50 or less per item, computers of $3,500 or less per item; and computer supplies of $250 or less per item.

Clothing accessories, jewelry, cosmetics, protective equipment, wallets, furniture, items used in a trade or business, and rentals are not covered by the exemption and will be subject to the applicable tax. For more details, visit dornc.com.

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Baby sitters ‘R’ us

Date night gets easier with inexpensive group child care

By Carol Motsinger WNC Parent writer With five kids — the youngest under a year — it’s a big deal when Maranda Everson and her husband, Gary, get to have some time alone.

But that doesn’t always mean this West Asheville couple has to do something out on the town for date nights.

“Sometimes budget wise, it’s easier to stay home,” Everson said. “Sometimes the budget says we stay home and watch a movie.”

The budget might also say that a bythe-hour baby sitter is out of the question on top of, say, a restaurant meal or tickets to a movie. To solve that financial dilemma, parents turn to weekly evening child care options at the YMCA or a city rec center to give the kids something fun to do, give parents a break — and not break the bank.

The programs are professional variations on informal baby-sitting co-ops that parents may arrange with their friends.

When she was a single mother, Everson said, she and her friends would swap child care for other help with errands or chores, or agree to watch each other’s children.

Now that role can be filled inexpensively, on certain nights, by the city, the

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PHOTO BY STEVE DIXON

Kids check out the playground as the YMCA in downtown Asheville hosts Parents Night Out, with activities for children from 2-12 years old.

YMCA or an area business.

As a parent, Fired Up! Creative Lounge owner Linda Chester knows how difficult it can be to get time alone with your significant other — and how expensive it can be to get good child care. It was one of the reasons she was inspired to start a parent nights out program the second Friday of every month at the paint-your-own-pottery studio on Wall Street, she said.

The next program will be from 6-9 p.m. Aug. 13. The cost is $25 per child and Fired Up provides pizza, drinks and bisque items for the kids to paint. Reservations are recommended; call 253-8181.

Here are some other child care ideas for date night: ◆ Asheville Parks, Recreation and Cultural Arts now offers a Parents Night Out program 7-10 p.m. Fridays at the Burton Street Recreation Center, 134 Burton St. Designed for families with children ages 5-12, the program offers parents an evening out, while their children enjoy games, storytelling and silly movies.

Registration is required and space is limited. Cost is $10 per child. To register, contact Tameka Crudup at 254-1942 or

PHOTO BY STEVE DIXON

Jacob Diehn, 10, puts on flippers as he takes a dip in the YMCA’s pool during Parents Night Out. burtonstreetrec.center@ahsevillenc.gov. ◆ The YMCA at 30 Woodfin Ave. offers a Parents’ Night Out for children ages 2-12 from 6-10 p.m. the first Saturday and 6:30-9:30 p.m. the third Friday of each month. The next dates are Aug. 7 and 20.

Activities include swimming, arts and crafts, inflatable obstacle course, snacks and a movie. Register online or in person at least 24 hours in advance. Cost is $12 Fridays, $15 Saturdays for members, $24/

$30 nonmembers, with $2 sibling discounts for everyone. For information or to register, call 210-5622 or visit ymcawnc.org. ◆ Asheville Racquet & Fitness Club, at 200 Racquet Club Drive, offers a Parents’ Night Out 7-10 p.m. on one Friday a month. Dinner is provided and the cost is $10 per child. All proceeds directly benefit the child care program. For more information, call 274-3361 or visit ashevilleracquetandfitnessclub.com.

These programs can be essential to nurturing a marriage, said Maranda Everson.

Even though it can sometimes be difficult — and costly — to find a way for a couple to carve out time away from the kids, she said, you “have to make it happen.”

When she and Gary do hit the town, they hang out with friends at the Wedge Brewery in the River Arts District or watch rugby games at Dirty Jack’s downtown, she said. It might not seem like much, but it matters, she said.

“Call a friend — call someone (to watch the kids),” she said. “Marriage is work and you have to work on it together.”

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kids’ voices

My fun summer break As the days count down to the beginning of another school year, we asked kids

at Camp Ruach at the Jewish Community Center on Charlotte Street to describe one of the most fun or meaningful experiences they’ve had during their summer vacation. Here’s what they told staff writer Barbara Blake.

“We went to Wetlands Water Park (in Jonesborough, Tenn.), and it’s really fun there.

You have to take a test and swim across the pool before you can go down the big slide.

And there were other parts where you could go into a place where they dump buckets of water on you, or you could just swim laps. I love swimming.”

Abe Goldstein, age 7 “My favorite thing was going kayaking down the Green River with camp. I did it before at my sleep-away camp, and I got to ride in a Jackson kayak. It’s fun when you get flipped, but it’s not dangerous. If you get a flip, you come right back up.”

Frankie Schulkers, age 10

“I liked it when I got to go to my friend’s house and we watched the World Cup and played ‘Star Wars.’ We also had pizza. I watched Spain play the Netherlands and Germany play Uruguay. I was pulling for Germany and Spain.”

Miles Wilson, age 7

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“I love just being here (at camp) all day, every day, and getting to swim every day. I like being the oldest in the oldest group, and being a role model for the younger kids. Last week we had Wacky Water Olympics, and that was really fun.”

De’Onna Moore, age 11

“We had Seth Olson Day (on July 16), honoring this counselor who died (in his sleep in 2005, after being a JCC counselor for years and a new teacher at Dickson Elementary School). Everybody, from the youngest to the oldest, does something to help raise money for his favorite charities — a bake sale, car washes and other stuff.

When I was in preschool … I loved him a lot. This is just something I can do for him, because he was my favorite. Everybody here misses him.”

Max Kline, age 9 “My favorite was the JCC sleepover, where each group has its own sleepover in the gym. We had pizza and got to swim until 9 or 10 at night, then we got to watch a movie that we got to pick. The first movie was Harry Potter, and the second was ‘Inkheart.’ The first movie was supposed to be to go to sleep by, but if the first one didn’t calm us we got to watch a second one. Everybody fell asleep during the second one.”

Eli Katz, age 10

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Bringing families together

Social worker Erica Jourdan makes a difference in children’s lives

By Barbara Blake WNC Parent writer

work from Boston University. The family lives in North Asheville.

Erica Jourdan, 39, is a recruitment specialist working with foster and adoptive families at the Buncombe County Department of Social Services. She and her husband, Josh Jourdan, a host for classical music in the morning on WCQS public radio, are the adoptive parents of Cynthia, 20; Julian, 6; and Adrian, 2. She holds a bachelor’s of arts degree in psychology from the University of California at Santa Cruz and a master’s in social

Q. How did you get into the field of social work?

A. Actually, a dog got me started on

this track. I was working at an SPCA (Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) in another state and did an adoption of a female Doberman, a super sweet dog, to a family who just wouldn’t say much during the interview. I was not Continues on Page 26

Erica Jourdan started out working with animals, but now finds foster homes for children.

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Continued from Page 25

allowed to deny the adoption simply based on their reticence. She came back into the shelter three months later as part of an abuse investigation. Seeing her and knowing that I had placed her in that home broke my heart. I resolved right then that I was going to go back to school to learn more about how to be effective, about how to improve the system enough to keep horrors like that from happening. As it turns out, I work with children rather than with pets, but the lesson remains the same … keeping children safe is vitally important to me.

Q. What are the challenges and rewards of social work?

A. Social work is hard, it’s heart-

breaking, it’s exhausting. But that’s what makes it so rewarding. These families are hurting, and that’s hard to hear, see and be around. But it’s also where you truly have an opportunity to make a difference, to help families turn things around and to watch the worst in human nature become the best.

Q. What’s a typical work day like for you?

A. I work with many other foster care agencies, community businesses, places

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of worship, individuals, different types of media. I post information online, coordinate info tables at local events, speak to civic groups and truly any other way that I can get the information to people. My belief is that everyone can help in some way, no matter how big or small. And if they are willing, then it’s my job to help them find out what way works best for them.

Q. What do you enjoy doing together as a family?

A. Reading, being outside, nature shows, rough-and-tumble play.

Q. What do you and your husband do just for yourselves?

A. We finally have a baby sitter that

we love, so date nights finally exist again. We go for walks, watch movies, eat out — and luxuriate in being able to complete an entire sentence without being interrupted four or five times.

Q. What do you do just for you to keep your sanity and stay healthy?

A. Reading, walking and baking are

my favorites. I love vegan/vegetarian baking. My favorite cookbook of all time is a new one called “Vegan Cookies Invade Your Cookie Jar.” Everything I’ve tried is amazing, and my non-veg friends agree.

Q. If you couldn’t be in social work, what other job would you enjoy?

A. Anything working with people

and animals, or being a nutritionist.

Q. What’s one of your guilty pleasures?

A. Chocolate! Belgian dark chocolate

to be precise.

Q. What’s your favorite vacation destination?

A. Cape Cod, in the summer. I’ve been going there with my mom since I was 3 years old.

Q. What do you admire most about each of your children?

A. Julian: his light. His enthusiasm.

His love of learning. Cynthia: her insights. Her creativity. Her willingness to love. Adrian: his sense of humor. His hand-holding. His creative words. All cats are “bee-boos,” and pacifiers are “loplees,” for example.

Q. When you became a mom, what was most surprising about parenthood?

A. Actually, what surprised me most was how upset I could get when I couldn’t get my infant to stop crying, and how helpless I felt when I couldn’t get my teenager to talk to me — and just how bad I was at asking for help.

I’ve learned so much. None of us can do this alone, and parenting seems to be as much about facing all the negatives that you never wanted others to see in you as it is about the incredible joys and exultation of having a child light up just because you walked into a room.

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PHOTO BY JOHN COUTLAKIS

As a recruitment specialist with Buncombe Department of Social Services, Erica Jourdan finds homes for kids needing foster care or adoption.

Jourdan, who also is an adoptive mother of three, is pictured with husband Josh, sons Adrian, 2, and Julian 6, and cat Sashi.

Q. What legacy do you want to leave for your children?

A. Parenting is not about learning a

skill and then being done. It’s about working every minute of every day to be

the sort of parent that I want my children to remember — and to pass on to their children eventually. And, most importantly, it’s about learning from our mistakes and learning to enjoy being

with our kids. Someone once said to me that the ultimate goal is to raise kids who, as adults, actually want to come home every year for Christmas just to spend time together. I try to live by that.

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growing together

Thankfully, we aren’t all afraid of the same things

By Chris Worthy WNC Parent columnist

FDR might have been on to something when he said, “The only thing we have to fear is fear itself.”

Admittedly, “only” is a pretty strong word.

My teenager was leaving town for a speech and debate tournament recently, and she asked me to go in the attic to retrieve a suitcase. The attic does not frighten me — at least it didn’t.

Of course, an attic in the South in summer is an inherently risky place to be. I would not go up there without someone at home to call 911 should I trip and break an ankle. Otherwise I would succumb to heat exhaustion and perish before anyone could find me.

Because I had kids at home who would presumably seek medical atten-

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tion on my behalf, I entered the inferno.

And then I saw her. Hanging from the gable was a steely-eyed creature of the night. This was not Stellaluna, all furry and cute. This girl was more Anne Rice circa 1990 than Stephenie Meyer. (I believe she is a girl because Google told me that bats in attics in the summer are looking for a place to give birth. Let that thought settle in for a moment.)

I looked at the bat for approximately 0.2 seconds before turning and descending the steps Mary Poppins-style, in what was perhaps the most glorious expression of physical coordination I have ever displayed. For a brief moment, I actually took flight.

My daughter, waiting at the bottom of the steps for her suitcase, had eyes like saucers as I screamed at her, “Shut it!

Shut the attic! Bat! Bat!” As I write this in my downstairs home office, Vampira is about 20 feet above me. When and how she will be

removed is an ongoing marital debate.

My daughter borrowed a suitcase from a bat-free relative and I am accepting that sometimes irrational fear is a fact of life. My husband and I try to teach our children not to fear many things: trying, failing, exotic foods, science and helping their fellow man, for instance. My oldest child hates roller coasters but she will speak in front of hundreds of people. My youngest pales at the thought of public speaking but conquered a high ropes course that would make adults tremble.

I am learning a little tolerance for others’ fears after having a close encounter with my own. And while I ponder my newly discovered fear of bats and my desire to live free of that spirit of fear, I am shopping online for luggage and Christmas decorations because I am never going in the attic again.

E-mail Chris Worthy at chris@worthyplace.com.

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the artful parent

Art from around the house

By Jean Van’t Hul WNC Parent columnist

You don’t need an art studio or even a well-stocked art cupboard in order to make art every day. There is so much you can create just from the recycle bin and junk drawer! Add in items from the sewing basket, toy bin, kitchen and tool box and you will have a bounty of materials to work with. So grab the kids and let’s explore your house. We’re going to make a found-object collage sculpture.

First, let’s look for a box to form the base of your collage sculpture. Any cardboard box will do, from a cereal box or milk carton to the box that held your

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new toaster oven.

OK, now let’s scrounge around the recycle bins — grab some papers to rip or cut into shapes, including newspaper, a paper grocery bag or gift bag, old wrapping paper or tissue paper, more cereal boxes, and postcards. How about some bottle caps or juice box caps?

Let’s go look in the toy bins for random extra puzzle pieces, game pieces, small action figures or old toy parts.

The junk drawers are sure to contain keys so old you don’t even remember what they open. Do you have a sewing basket? Choose some fabric scraps, ribbon, old thread spools, and buttons.

Now on to the toolbox… Any wood scraps, metal washers, or nuts and bolts?

You can even look around the kitchen cupboards for dried beans, rice, and pasta.

Grab your glue and let’s get this (collage) party started! Glue your fabulous finds

to your box. Any way you like. Really. You can glue them randomly or you can arrange them into designs, abstract or realistic. You can create an even layer on all sides of the box or pile your booty on top. This can be worked on in one sitting or over the course of multiple days. And don’t let your kids have all the fun: Try one yourself! You’ll be surprised at how fun it is.

Now step back and look at your found object collage sculpture. What do you think?

Now that you know how fun creating with everyday objects and recycle-box materials can be, you may want to start setting them aside specifically for art and craft projects. Build a stash of papers, cardboard, egg cartons, bottle tops, trinkets, toilet paper rolls, beads, buttons, random small game or puzzle pieces, and anything else you might be able to repur-

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Junk drawers and sewing baskets can provide a multitude of finds for your art projects.

Arrange your finds any which way you like on your box.

Buttons are one of countless items you can use on an art project. Build a stash of found objects for future projects. pose or upcycle into creative works of art.

If you like the idea of making art with things you already have around the house, check out MaryAnn F. Kohl’s new book “Art with Anything,” which is all about using materials you already have, such as bubble wrap, yarn and leaves to

create art.

Variations: ◆ Paint over the collaged box with one color of tempera paint so the overall appearance is all about texture variations rather than color variations. ◆ Use the collaged box for texture rubbings. Hold a piece of copy paper

PHOTOS BY JEAN VAN’T HUL

over the box and rub with the side of a peeled crayon until the texture appears on the paper. ◆ Glue several boxes together to create a multiple-box sculpture then add the collage elements.

Jean Van’t Hul blogs as The Artful Parent at artfulparent.typepad.com.

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Heavy backpack?

Tips for lightening the load and staying healthy

By Brian Lawler WNC Parent contributor Is your child at risk for developing back pain because of carrying a backpack? How much of a load is considered too much? What features should you look for in a backpack?

A recent research study has found that one-third of all students ages 10-18 experience pain that is attributed to backpack use. Kids are stuffing their backpacks with an assortment of items, including heavy textbooks, school supplies, lunches, athletic equipment, musical instruments, laptops and iPods.

Overloaded backpacks can lead to neck, back and

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shoulder pain and can contribute to poor posture.

To make matters worse, many students will choose their backpack based on color and fashion and fail to consider the features and fit of their pack.

Below are some recommendations to help your child to stay pain free and safe this school year.

When purchasing a backpack: ◆ Check the size. The back pack should sit on your child’s torso 1-2 inches below the shoulders and above their waist. The pack should not sag toward the buttocks. ◆ Check the fit. When wearing Continues on Page 34

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Backpacks Continued from Page 32

the backpack (equipped with books, etc.) your child should be able to stand upright without a change in his normal posture. He should not have to lean forward and round his shoulders nor should he have to arch his back to carry the load. ◆ Check the straps. The shoulder straps should be wide and padded so as to distribute the load over a greater area and reduce compression to the underlying skin, nerves and blood vessels.

When wearing a backpack: ◆ Always use both straps. This distributes the load more symmetrically over your child’s back and helps maintain proper posture. The straps should be tightened in order to keep the pack close to your child’s spine. ◆ Keep the load to no more than 10 percent of a child’s total body weight. Excessive weight creates abnormal postures, fa-

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tigues the muscles and can cause nerve compression. Girls and younger kids may be at greater risk for back-related injuries because they are smaller and may carry loads that are heavier in proportion to their body weight. ◆ Pack smart. The heaviest items, such as books, should be placed at the bottom of the pack and lie against the child’s back in order to keep the pack’s center of gravity close to the spine. ◆ Bend the knees and not the back when bending down. Do not bend over at the waist when wearing or lifting a heavy pack so as to reduce stress to the low back muscles and discs. ◆ Learn back-strengthening exercises to build up the muscles used to carry a backpack. This is especially important if your child needs to carry a pack that is greater than 10 percent of her body weight.

Brian Lawler is a physical therapist and sports performance trainer at Asheville Physical Therapy. He can be contacted at 277-7547 or at brianlawler@juno.com for questions or comments.

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recall roundup

Death prompts recall of playard tents

The death of a 2-year-old boy in Maine prompted the Consumer Product Safety Commission and Health Canada to recall about 20,000 Cozy Indoor Outdoor Portable Playard Tents Plus Cabana Kits in cooperation with Tots in Mind Inc. of Salem, N.H. Clips that attach the tent to the top of the playard can break or be removed by a child, according to the CPSC. A child can lift the tent and become entrapped at the neck between the rigid playard frame and the metal base rod of the tent, posing a strangulation hazard.

The tents were made in China and sold at Walmart, Amazon.com and baby and children’s stores nationwide from January 2005-February 2010 for about $60. Consumers should immediately stop using the tents and contact Tots in Mind to get free replacement clips. Call 800-626-0339 or visit totsinmind.com.

Pottery Barn Kids cribs About 82,000 Pottery Barn Kids drop-side cribs have been recalled because the drop-sides can detach when hardware breaks, creating a space into which a young child can become entrapped, which can lead to suffocation.

A child can also fall out of the crib. The recall involves all Pottery Barn Kids drop-side cribs regardless of the model number. Pottery Barn Kids is printed on a label attached to the crib headboard or footboard. They were sold nationwide at stores and online from January 1999-March 2010 for $300-$600. Contact Pottery Barn Kids to receive a free fixed-gate conversion kit that will immobilize the drop side. Call 877-8043847 or visit potterybarnkids.com.

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Learn

home-school happenings

by doing

By Nicole McKeon WNC Parent columnist My daughter is a kinesthetic learner.

This is a fancy way of saying she learns better by doing. So, we’ve had to find ways to incorporate her “need to move” into our home school. One of the greatest discoveries we’ve made is the fact that her love of horseback riding not only improves her physical education but also helps her concentration and focus in all areas of study.

When my daughter was 3, she started asking for a horse. Where did it come from? Not from me. I was so afraid of horses I wouldn’t even pet one. My husband, the hockey player, had no interest in horses either. However, my husband has two sisters who both love horses; one has had a riding academy out of her home for many years. So, you might say her love of horses is, well, genetic. For the first three years my husband and I ignored the requests for horses, horseback riding lessons and all things horsey. We hoped it would go away. Alas, it did not. So, when our daughter turned 6, we broke down and got her some professional horseriding lessons.

Imagine my surprise when my previously easily distractable daughter became intensely focused the minute she sat on a horse. My total shock when she was able to repeat every single thing her instructor had told her during her lesson. And, even more surprisingly, she not only remembered what she had learned from lesson to lesson, but actually strived to do everything her in-

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structor requested of her. It was magic. And, her focus seemed to continue into the rest of her day on the days she had lessons.

Flash forward five years. We now own two horses. My husband put off all house renovations and built the most beautiful barn in Western North Carolina. And, not only do I pet the horses, I give them their shots, and pick out their feet. (I’ve come a long way, baby.)

What does this all have to do with homeschooling? Well, here’s the thing. Because of our daughters’ intense desire to be around horses, we have all evolved, grown and been educated about something we’d not before thought about. So, we’ve been home schooled by our daughter and her horses.

In addition, we have learned the power of learning styles, and how small things can make big differences in your child’s success in things academic. Because we noticed the increase in focus that horseback riding gave our daughter, we have been able to incorporate movement and action into our education plan. This has made all the difference for her. The more physically challenging something is, the more focused our daughter becomes.

She is an amazingly talented horsewoman, but her horses have also helped her to learn the

importance of challenging her body and her mind to perform at the highest level possible, as well as the required discipline it takes to care for two large, demanding and spoiled animals.

Now, I am not saying that horseback riding lessons are the cure for any child who has difficulty focusing, but, if your child is highly active, finding an activity that requires intense physical concentration may improve all areas of focus.

If you are interested in trying some horse-related adventures, there are many fabulous places to go here in WNC. I can recommend Christine Dolan at B&B Stables in Fairview and Jackie Sainsbury at CZ Equine, and for fun trail rides, Hickory Nut Gap Farm. We have also enjoyed trail riding adventures at Sandy Bottom Trails in Madison County.

It’s important to find an instructor that is safety-focused and also is able to develop a trusting relationship with your child. For us, Christine has the right mix of discipline and love.

Happy trails.

McKeon is a home-schooling mom in Asheville. E-mail her at nmckeon@msn.com.

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area story times Buncombe County Public Libraries

Visit buncombecounty.org Mother Goose Time (ages 4-18 months) 11 a.m. Mondays: West Asheville 10:30 a.m. Tuesdays: Fairview 2:30 p.m. Tuesdays: Black Mountain 10:30 a.m. Wednesdays: Weaverville (nonwalkers) 11 a.m. Wednesdays: Swannanoa, Weaverville (walkers) 11 a.m. Thursdays: Oakley 11:30 a.m. Thursdays: Enka-Candler Toddler Time (ages 18-36 months) 10 a.m. Wednesdays: N. Asheville 10:30 a.m. Wednesdays: Fairview, Skyland 11 a.m. Wednesdays: Oakley, W. Asheville 10 a.m. Thursdays: Swannanoa 10:30 a.m. Thursdays: Black Mountain, Enka-

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Candler 11 a.m. Thursdays: Weaverville (first Thursday only) Story time (ages 3-5) 11:15 a.m. Tuesdays: Weaverville 10 a.m. Wednesdays: Oakley 10:30 a.m. Wednesdays: Black Mountain, Enka-Candler, Leicester 11 a.m. Wednesdays: E. Asheville, N. Asheville 10:30 a.m. Thursdays: Fairview, Skyland 11 a.m. Thursdays: Swannanoa, W. Asheville 11 a.m. Saturdays: E. Asheville School-age story time (ages 5-7) 3:15 p.m. Thursdays: N. Asheville Family story time 11:15 a.m. Tuesdays: Weaverville Storyline Call 251-5437 for a story anytime.

Haywood County Public Library

Visit haywoodlibrary.org.

Family story time (all ages) 11:15 a.m. Tuesdays: Canton

11 a.m. Wednesdays: Waynesville Ready 4 Learning (ages 4-5) Mondays with Ms. Lisa (grades K-5)

Henderson County Public Library Visit henderson.lib.nc.us.

No story time in August.

Barnes & Noble

Asheville Mall, 296-7335 11 a.m. Mondays (toddlers) and 2 p.m. Saturdays (young readers).

Biltmore Park, 687-0681 11 a.m. Wednesdays (toddlers) and 2 p.m.

Sundays.

Spellbound Children’s Bookshop

19 Wall St., Asheville, 232-2228, spellboundchildrensbookshop.com Tuesdays, 10:30 a.m. (ages 3-5) and 3:30 p.m. (ages 5-7).

Blue Ridge Books

152 S. Main St., Waynesville, 456-6000 10 a.m. Tuesdays (ages 3 and younger)

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librarian’s pick

Shoes step forward in new picture books

By Jennifer Prince Buncombe County Public Library Dorothy’s silver shoes, Cinderella’s glass slippers, Hans Brinker’s silver skates. Certainly shoes have their place in children’s literature. Two new picture books for kids continue the tradition by celebrating the mysterious fascination kids have with shoes.

In Elise Primavera’s “Louise the Big Cheese and the La-Di-Da Shoes,” little Louise Cheese defends her choice of fancy shoes to her practical-minded mother: “You can never be TOO la-dida,” she sighs.

Louise’s mother has the final say, so instead of leaving the shoe store with the black patent, glittery shoes, Louise ends up leaving with the clunky brown lace-ups that squeak when she walks.

Primavera possesses an infallible instinct to know what kids find funny. In the story, the scene shifts back and forth from real life to Louise’s daydreams.

Her daydreams are described in detail and are enlivened with exaggeration: Louise becomes a hermit and subsists

on worms, she is the star of a Paris fashion show, and she meets the Queen.

And she has gold underwear.

Diane Goode’s trademark lively watercolor illustrations complement the story perfectly.

Each spread is full of details kids will enjoy poring over: the pink and sparkly mansion of Louise’s daydreams, the descriptions on the shoeboxes at the shoe store, and the fabulous variety of la-di-da shoes at the shoe store.

The story in “Louise the Big Cheese and the La-Di-Da Shoes” is longer than most other picture book stories. The length of the story and the humor are just right for younger elementary school age kids. (Those who like Louise might want to read her previous adventure, “Louise the Big Cheese: Divine Diva.”)

In “Ooh La La Polka-Dot Boots,” the author Ellen Olson-Brown describes in short, bouncy phrases all the different kinds of outfits that look good with polka-dot boots.

So whether kids wear “Big shirts, small shirts, short shirts, long shirts” they all “look spiffy with polka-dot boots!”

Brown invents fun names for outfits, too: “Over-wear, underwear, whisperwear, thunder-wear” (the latter two being outfits worn while playing hide and seek, and playing drums, respec-

tively).

Christiane Engel’s bright, busy illustrations are filled with cheer and whimsy.

The multiethnic cast of kids is shown climbing trees, opening presents, playing at the beach and engaging in other activities kids find fun.

A clever design feature of “Ooh La La Polka-Dot Boots” is the bottom half-page that separates each two-page spread.

With each flip of the half-page, the appearance is that the readers are taking shoes on and off the characters.

With the brief text, cute characters and featured activities to which even the youngest kids can relate, “Ooh La La Polka-Dot Boots” promises to be a winner with toddlers and preschoolers.

These books are available through the Buncombe County Public Libraries.

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divorced families

Back-to-school list for families in transition

By Trip Woodard WNC Parent columnist So, you are getting your child ready for school, huh? I remember those days. Luckily, the school always provided me with a shopping list of essential equipment for my son including the TI-9,000,000 series calculator complete with thermal imaging and an orbital satellite calibration for the pre-calculus problems, a Mount Everest-tested backpack for all the books (complete with the optional disability plan in case his back gave out before puberty), elastic book covers that nobody in town stocked, a stopwatch to help him make the circuit between his class, the locker, and the next class and a No. 2 pencil.

Families going through the transition of separation/divorce do not tend, unfortunately, to get the “preparation list� that I am going to suggest apart from school supplies. Consider following my suggestions in this sequence: 1. Make sure the school has a copy of the child custody order for their files.

This is critical for any therapists who may be treating your child, as well. This will define who can pick up your child from school as needed, who has medical authority for emergencies and who has legal say so in school conferences.

2. If there is not a defined custody arrangement, advise the school. As this may change, keep school officials copied on which parent has what authority.

3. Meet with the school counselor and teacher. Keep them advised of any changes in your child’s life that may impact classroom or academic behavior.

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4. Be aware that family transitions frequently create anxiety that may look like ADHD behavior. Get a qualified professional to determine the difference before allowing your child to be labeled.

5. Active communication and participation is important to most schools among the parent(s), counselor and the teacher. Again, keep them updated about important events such as court dates and legal changes concerning your child.

6. If your child is in therapy, encourage collaboration between the therapist and the school personnel. This will probably involve signing release of information forms. Do not expect that your child’s therapist will attend school conferences (some do), but they can always communicate relevant treatment information to the school.

7. Equally important is that schools communicate to the therapist regarding problems your child may be experiencing in the classroom, academically or among peers.

8. Keep informed about what your particular school considers to be “contraband items.” I wish these were universally defined and enforced, but un-

fortunately, they are not. Some teachers may allow the use of MP3 players during classroom time. Cell phones may be tolerated as long as the teacher does not catch the student texting during class.

Ultimately, this may be your call about your child’s “social judgment” and what impairs his or her academically.

9. Some school systems allow for paddling as a means of discipline. Others may make students “walk the track” if they are considered disruptive. If your child has been abused by an adult during the past marriage in a manner that is similar to the school’s disciplinary policy, then make teachers and counselors aware of this. Strive to find a disciplinary response that makes sense to you, the school and the child. Discipline should be about learning, not punishment.

The key points are mutual sharing of information and collaboration. Blaming never benefits a child.

Trip Woodard is a licensed family and marriage therapist and a clinical member of the N.C. Association of Marriage and Family Therapists. Contact him at 6068607.

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parenting in a nutshell

Add ‘yes!’ to your family’s vocabulary

By Doreen Nagle Gannett I know you know this statistic; I’ve said it often enough: A child hears the word “no” many more times each day than the word “yes.” If you feel you are tired of saying “no” too often to your child (like I “know” I am), here are some “yes” ways to get your message across: ◆ It’s not your child, but your child’s behavior that is driving you crazy, right?

So, make sure both you and your child know it’s not about who she is but about what she does. ◆ Put your focus on what your child does right, not what he does wrong.

Positive attention may make your child want to shine under your approval vs. wither under your disapproval. Wouldn’t you want to if you were in your child’s shoes? So, instead of only communicating with your child when he does something wrong (meaning: screaming at), make it a habit to point out the positives at least three times a day. ◆ Examine your bottom line. Your purpose in disciplining is to teach your child to be a better person. Remind yourself of this as you dole out punishments and rewards. Search for ways that you can reward your child with small, more frequent privileges vs. larger and less frequent. ◆ Spend time having fun with your child. Take time to play games together or go to places of interest to your child together. Talk about what’s important to him. ◆ Keep negative words and name calling out of your communication with your child. While it’s tempting to call your child “lazy” when he doesn’t put his clothes in the hamper, or “not smart” when he brings home a poor report card, these labels stick in your child’s mind.

Write to Doreen Nagle at doreennagle@yahoo.com.

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Caylee Pafford, 3 months, smiles for the camera.

She lives in Asheville.

Submitted by mom Crystal.

Jett Leatherwood, 2, plays at Hilton Head. Submitted by Alex and Allison Leatherwood of Arden.

Noah Painter, 5, of Marion, and his daddy, Chris, ride the cars at Tweetsie Railroad this spring. Submitted by mom Alisha Painter.

Arwen Imfeld, 4, of Asheville, looks for dolphins on a trip to Savannah.

Submitted by her mom, Teresa.

SEND US YOUR PHOTOS We welcome photos of your children. Send high-resolution images, along with names, ages and hometowns of everyone pictured.

Include your name, address and phone number. Send to Katie Wadington by e-mail at kwadington@citizen-times.com or to WNC Parent Photos, P.O. Box 2090, Asheville, NC 28802.

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Cloning in the kitchen

Gannett

Imitation fuels the kitchen creations of many a home chef.

Case in point: the popularity of copycat recipes, where cooks of all abilities attempt to duplicate Oreos, Hostess Cup Cakes and other favorite manufactured foods.

For many cooks, healthier eating is a compelling motivation to replicate a favorite treat, but without the artificial additives and preservatives found in many processed foods.

“I don’t eat that much processed food

and try to avoid it when possible — but childhood nostalgia is a powerful seductress even when she comes cloaked in trans fats,” says Heidi Swanson, a San Francisco-based photographer, cookbook author and blogger.

Because many processed foods contain trans fat (found in partially hydrogenated oils and shortening), improving the nutrition profile of a junk food can be as simple as replacing the trans fat in the original recipe with butter. The result is usually a slight difference in color and taste.

For anyone with food allergies, copy-

cat recipes provide a way to indulge in an otherwise forbidden taste. For example, Swanson remade a Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup with a filling made from Brazil nuts. Similarly, someone allergic to eggs or wheat can make the necessary substitutions to enjoy a favorite food.

“People want to make stuff they love to eat,” says Todd Wilbur, author of “Top Secret Recipes” and a maverick in the clone recipe field who started in the late 1980s. “With these recipes, you know what the finished product is and that it’s something you like.”

His start in culinary cloning came in 1987, when he received a chain letter purporting to contain the secret formula for Mrs. Fields Chocolate Chip Cookies.

The recipe was a hoax, containing ingredients not even found in the mall staple’s product, but Wilbur was amazed at how the letter spread, reflecting people’s desires to re-create something thought of as “top secret.”

“I tried the recipe in the chain letter, and it was nothing like Mrs. Fields, so I thought I’d experiment to make it better,” Wilbur says. “After a dozen or so tries, I had what I thought tasted like her cookies, and I was hooked. I did a Big Mac next, then just kept working on figuring out other recipes.”

Almost Oreos

For the cookies: One 18.25-ounce box dark chocolate cake mix 1/3 cup water 2 tablespoons Crisco shortening For the filling: 3 1/2 cups confectioners’ sugar 1/2 tablespoon granulated sugar 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract 1/2 cup Crisco shortening 3 tablespoons hot water Preheat oven to 325 degrees.

In a large bowl, combine cake mix, water and Crisco. Knead with your hands until it dough is pliable.

Form dough into 2-inch balls.

Place on a greased cookie sheet

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and flatten with the bottom of a glass. (It helps to dip the glass into unsweetened cocoa powder so that it doesn’t stick.)

Bake 8 to 10 minutes, until cookies are hardened.

Let cookies cool on baking sheets, then remove to a rack.

Make filling: In a medium bowl, combine confectioners’ sugar, granulated sugar, vanilla extract, Crisco and water. Beat well until light and fluffy. Form into balls and sandwich in the center of two cookies, carefully pressing down until the filling spreads almost to the edge.

Makes 24 cookies Source: www.recipezaar.com

Just-Like-Hostess Cup Cakes

For the cupcakes: 1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons flour 2 1/2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder 3/4 teaspoon baking soda 1/4 teaspoon salt 1/2 cup granulated sugar 1/2 cup water 3 tablespoons vegetable oil 1 1/2 teaspoons distilled white vinegar 1 teaspoon vanilla extract For the filling: 1 cup vegetable shortening 1 1/2 teaspoons clear vanilla extract 5 cups confectioners’ sugar 2 to 3 tablespoons milk For the chocolate icing: 6 ounces bittersweet chocolate, finely chopped 6 tablespoons boiling water For the white icing: 1/2 cup confectioners’ sugar 1 tablespoon water Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Spray muffin tins with nonstick spray and line with paper liners.

In a medium bowl, mix the flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, salt and sugar. Make a well in the

center and whisk in the water, oil, vinegar and vanilla extract. Blend until smooth.

Spoon batter into prepared cups, filling only halfway. Bake until wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean, 12 to 14 minutes for mini cupcakes, 20 to 25 minutes for large cupcakes. Cool in pan for five minutes, then remove to wire rack.

When cupcakes are completely cool, level the tops with a serrated knife.

Make filling: In a medium bowl with an electric mixture, beat shortening with vanilla extract and confectioners’ sugar, gradually adding enough milk to make it light and fluffy.

Spoon the filling into a pastry bag fitted with a ¼-inch star tip. Holding a cupcake in your hand, plunge the tip into the top of the cake, pushing it about ½-inch deep. Gently squeeze the pastry bag to fill the cupcake, withdrawing it slowly as you squeeze. Scrape any filling from the top of the cupcake and repeat with the remaining cupcakes.

Make chocolate icing: In a small bowl, pour boiling water over chocolate. Let stand a minute or two, then whisk until smooth and melted. Dip the tops of the cupcakes into the icing, smoothing with a knife. Refrigerate for 15 minutes to set.

Make the white icing: In a small bowl, whisk together the confectioners’ sugar and water.

Spoon into a pastry bag with a small round writing tip and make looped lines on each cupcake. (Or spoon icing into a small plastic bag, cutting off one bottom corner and squeezing icing through hole.)

Variations: ◆Mint: Add 1/4 teaspoon mint extract and four drops of green food coloring to filling, as well as two drops of green food coloring to white icing. ◆ Peanut butter: For filling, beat 1 cup creamy peanut butter with 3 tablespoons butter. Add two-thirds cup confectioners’ sugar and beat until light and fluffy. Spoon into pastry bag and fill cupcakes as directed above. ◆ Double chocolate: Add one-fourth cup unsweetened cocoa to filling recipe.

Makes 22 mini or 12 full-sized cupcakes Source: Reprinted with permission from Todd Wilbur, author of “Top Secret Recipes” (Plume, $14), www.topsecretrecipes.com.

For a creme pie recipe, see Page 52.

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Snack clones Continued from Page 50

Imitation Little Debbie’s Oatmeal Creme Pies

For the cookies: 1 cup margarine 3/4 cup dark brown sugar 1/2 cup sugar 1 tablespoon molasses 1 teaspoon vanilla 2 eggs 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour 1/2 teaspoon salt 1 teaspoon baking soda 1/8 teaspoon cinnamon 1 1/2 cups 1-minute Quaker Oats For the filling: 2 teaspoons very hot water 1/4 teaspoon salt 2 cups marshmallow creme (one 7-ounce jar) 1/2 cup shortening 1 cup confectioners’ sugar 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

In a large bowl, cream together margarine, sugars, molasses, vanilla and eggs.

In a separate bowl combine the flour, salt, baking soda and cinnamon.

Combine the dry ingredients with the wet ingredients. Mix in the oats.

Drop dough by tablespoonfuls onto an ungreased baking sheet. Bake for 12 to 14 minutes, or until cookies just start to darken around the edges. They will still appear moist in the center. Be careful not to overcook when cooled, the cookies should be soft and chewy.

While the cookies bake, prepare the filling.

Use a small bowl to dissolve the salt in 2 teaspoons of very hot water. Set this solution aside to cool.

Combine the marshmallow creme, shortening, confectioners’ sugar and vanilla in a medium bowl and mix well with an electric mixer on high speed until fluffy. Add the cooled salt solution to the filling mixture and combine with the mixer.

Assemble each creme pie by spreading the filling over one side of a cookie (the flat side) and press another cookie on top, making a sandwich. Repeat for the remaining cookies and filling. Makes 2 dozen.

Source: Reprinted with permission from Todd Wilbur, author of “Top Secret Recipes” (Plume, $14), www.topsecretrecipes.com.

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kitchen kids

Berries on a cloud Special to WNC Parent

What does it take to be a Kitchen Kid? The recipe is quite simple. Safety first. Then, add an interest in learning.

Finally, sprinkle in a few simple kitchen skills. Make this recipe for dessert with your kids this summer.

Berries and Cream Clouds

1/4 cup confectioner’s sugar 1 8-ounce container Wisconsin Mascarpone Cheese 1 cup whipping cream 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract 4 cups angel food cake, cubed 2 cups strawberries, sliced Garnish: Fresh mint, sliced strawberries In medium bowl, whisk sugar, Mascarpone and whipping cream until blended. Do not overbeat—mixture will curdle. Stir in vanilla.

In a clear, wide glass bowl or similar container, alternate even layers of cheese mixture, cake and strawberries, finishing with Mascarpone mixture on top. Cover and refrigerate until serving.

Garnish with fresh mint and strawberries, if desired.

Serves 4-6

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JUICY, RIPE

TOMATOES

By Ron Mikulak Gannett

It is not possible to let a summer go by without writing about tomatoes. At least not for me. Summer always starts when fresh local tomatoes ripen, and I can gorge once again.

Perhaps because I avoid the tasteless, juiceless supermarket tomatoes for six or seven months of the year, the seasonal pleasure of locally grown tomatoes is precious.

There is much to be said for the standard, grown-in-every-backyard varieties of tomatoes — nice, meaty, round, red tomatoes, full of juice and flavor. But I get strange crushes on vegetables that look different from normal, something that exasperates my wife when I bring home purple cauliflower and yellow watermelons.

The so-called heirloom tomato varieties, in all shades from green when ripe to greenish purple to striped yellow and red to light yellow to bright orange, call to me, and I love them all.

While Europe was happily breeding and eating tomatoes in the mid-1700s, Americans were slower to accept them.

A widely repeated but difficult to authenticate story has one Robert Gibbon Johnson startling his Salem, N.J., neighbors in the 1820s by publicly eating a raw tomato — and not dying! Supposedly, Johnson’s courageous act kickstarted the tomato industry in New Jersey, of which I was a beneficiary some 140 years later, when I feasted all summer long on tomatoes fresh from our backyard garden.

And I am feasting still. I eat raw tomatoes three times a day in the summer — on the side of a poached egg, in a BLT at lunch and as a salad at dinner, sliced, salted, splashed with a little oil and vinegar, sprinkled with chopped basil and sometimes a little cheese.

Here are some other suggestions.

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TOMATOES Continued from Page 54

Gratin Provencal This side dish marries tomatoes with other peak summer vegetables.

2 yellow or red bell peppers (or one of each) 6 small Japanese or Italian eggplants — the long slim kind (about 1 pound) Salt 3 tablespoons olive oil Salt and black pepper 2 garlic cloves, peeled and minced 2 teaspoons fresh oregano 1 cup Parmesan cheese, grated 4 small zucchini, sliced diagonally inch thick 6 ripe tomatoes, sliced inch thick 1 1/2 cups vegetable or chicken broth Heat oven to 400 degrees.

Place peppers on a baking sheet, place in hot oven and roast until skin is browned, crisped, slightly puffy and blackened in spots, turning so all sides get roasted well, 45 minutes to 1 hour. Remove, and when cool enough to handle, peel and remove seeds. Slice flesh

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into 1-inch strips.

Reduce oven to 375 degrees.

Slice eggplant on the diagonal about inch thick.

Salt slices liberally, and place in a single layer, salted side down, in a colander. Salt liberally the other side. Let sit for 30 to 60 minutes to sweat out moisture.

Rinse eggplant slices well, and pat dry. Brush both sides of slices with olive oil, and place on

a baking sheet. Season lightly with salt and pepper, and bake, turning once or twice, until eggplant is soft and golden, 15 to 18 minutes.

Set aside, and leave oven on.

In a small bowl, mix together garlic, oregano and Parmesan.

Brush a 3-quart baking dish lightly with oil.

Place one-quarter of eggplant slices across one end of the dish. Place a layer of zucchini in the dish, overlapping eggplant slightly, as if shingling a roof. Continue moving on down the length of the casserole dish, layering about a quarter of the tomatoes the same way, and then the peppers. Continue filling the casserole with overlapping layers until you use up the vegetables. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Pour stock over vegetables, and sprinkle on the cheese mixture. Bake until most of liquid is absorbed and vegetables are tender, about 1 hour. Serve hot or warm.

Serves 8 as a side dish.

Source: Ron Mikulak, Louisville Courier-Journal

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Ron’s favorite tomato salad

Figure on one large tomato per serving, plus one for the plate.

5 large heirloom tomatoes of different varieties and colors, but about the same size Salt and pepper to taste 2 tablespoons red wine or balsamic vinegar 3 to 4 tablespoons olive oil 4 to 6 large basil leaves 1/4 cup feta or fresh goat cheese, crumbled, or fresh mozzarella, cut into cubes Core and slice the tomatoes and arrange attractively on a serving plate. Season with salt and pepper.

Splash with vinegar and olive oil — but not too much. Roll the basil leaves together into a cigar, and slice thinly. Scatter the basil leaf slices across the tomatoes. Scatter on the cheese.

Serves 4.

Source: Ron Mikulak, Louisville Courier-Journal

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calendar of events

Things to do

Through Aug. 5

Woodsy Owl’s Curiosity Club The Cradle of Forestry offers a weekly summer nature program in which kids help Woodsy Owl in his conservation mission to “lend a hand, care for the land!”

Each day a variety of outdoor-oriented activities will explore a forest related theme to engage young children in the natural world around them. For ages 4-7. 10:30 a.m.-noon Thursdays. $4 per child per program, adults are $2.50. Reservations requested.

Call 877-3130 or visit cradleofforestry.org.

Through Aug. 14

‘Abraham Lincoln & Rootabaga Stories’ The Carl Sandburg Home and The Vagabond School of the Drama present “Abraham Lincoln & Rootabaga Stories,” 10:15 a.m. Wednesdays-Saturdays through Aug. 14. Performances are free and held rain or shine, at the Carl Sandburg Home amphitheatre, Flat Rock. Call 693-4178 or visit nps.gov/carl.

July 26-27

Munchkin Market consignment drop-off Munchkin Market is receiving items for its consignment sale at Biltmore Square Mall from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. July 26 and 27. The public sale is July 31-Aug. 3. Call 230-8909 to make an appointment for furniture drop-offs. Consignors shop early. For details, visit munchkinmarket.com.

July 27

Claying Around workshop Claying Around, 1378 Hendersonville Road, offers workshops for kids ages 6-12 from 1-3 p.m. This week, kids will create clay wall pockets and do other craft projects. $32. Call 277-0042 to register.

Groovin’ on Grovemont Free event on the square in the Grovemont community next to Swannanoa Library. At 6 p.m. Ol’Hoopty will perform. Call 250-6486 or e-mail Swannanoa.library@buncombecounty.org.

Leicester Library Knitters For all skill levels. At 6:30 p.m. at the library, 1561 Alexander Road. Call 250-6480.

July 28

Black Mountain Library Knitters Knitting group for all levels, 6:30 p.m. at Black Mountain Yarn Shop, 203 W. State St.

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Kids page

Word search

Dot-to-dot

canoe catamaran dinghy dory ferry

galleon hovercraft hydrofoil kayak outrigger

pontoon schooner scow skiff steamer

submarine trawler whaler yacht

Coloring

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puzzles for parents Across

1. Some statements on “To Tell the Truth” 6. Bread roll to a Brit 9. Type of cabinetry joint 13. Like Tower of Pisa 14. AV manufacturer 15. CCR’s “Born on the _____” 16. Read from in a synagogue 17. Poetic “even” 18. Radio sign 19. “Parks and Recreation” location and native American people 21. Beet farmer on “The Office” 23. Greed or sloth, e.g.

24. Karma chaser in recent hit comedy 25. Sheepish sound 28. It comes before a storm?

30. Color of “The Simpsons” 35. They’re seen but not identified 37. Like most universities

5. Like Thai cuisine, e.g.

6. The perfectionist houselived on Cemetery 71. Novice or 39. “Superman” 47. Buddies wife on Wistebeginner Lane Christopher 48. Type of elecria Lane 72. David Duchov- 7. Card with 63. European 40. Betty White tricity ny’s spouse on “The Golden 50. It was artificial blackbird one pip 64. Make a mis- 73. Top class Girls” in “The Brady 8. Bambootake 41. Lowest mold- Bunch” Down eating bear 66. Rival of Car- 1. What the biging on a column 52. Beatles’ 9. Euphemism thage 43. A fit of shiver- “____ It Be” gest loser tries to for ‘darn’ 68. A sprite ing 53. Urge or prod shed 10. Indian 69. Catch a wink 2. At the top 44. Ax mark, e.g. 55. Long time nursemaid 46. Vicki Law57. Stewie Griffin’s 70. Khloe Kar3. Italian money 11. “Just _ dashian’s other rence’s classic hometown 4. Shredded cab- __” half comedic character 60. This family bage dish, pl.

12. Opposite of their 15. Waterheating apparatus 20. Decree, as in a law 22. Dry, as in humor 24. The _______ City of Oz 25. He and

Gracie had their own show 26. Where there’s trouble 27. Popular perennial garden plant 29. Rumpelstiltskin’s weaver 31. Scott Bakula made a quantum one 32. “Boston _____,” which aired through 2008 33. Immature ovum 34. Most wee 36. Dissenting clique 38. Russian governmental agency 42. Sliced, as in wood 45. Extremely 49. Pigeon call

51. A small node 54. A “CSI” worker, e.g.

56. Relating to birth 57. Wharf built parallel to shoreline 58. Substance abuser 59. Airy prefix 60. River in Armenia 61. Drew Carey’s nemesis 62. Type of jazz singing 63. Short for oftentimes 65. Charlotte of “Facts of Life” fame 67. British classic “___ You Being Served?”

Solutions on Page 71 60

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calendar of events Continued from Page 58 Sammy Cortino’s Magic Workshop At 2 p.m. with performance following at 3:30 at North Asheville Library. For ages 8 and older.

Parents admitted only for performance. Free ticket required; pick up tickets at the library.

Splash into the Ojibwe — Dreamcatching the Wave Make a dreamcatcher. Bring any small items or beads you’d like to thread onto it. Free ticket required. All ages. At 11 a.m. at Black Mountain Library.

July 29

Balloon Fairy Magic All ages show at 3 p.m. at Weaverville Library.

Pick up free tickets at the library.

Infant CPR and Choking class At Pardee Hospital, 800 N. Justice St., Hendersonville. $10. Meets 6:30-8:30 p.m. Registration required. Call 866-790-WELL. Labor and Birth Forum Free forum based on the Six Lamaze Healthy Birth Practices and represent “evidence-based care” for a normal birth and postpartum. July’s topic: “Special Tips for Successful Breastfeeding.”

Discussion is “birth circle style” and will include importance of being skin to skin the first hours and days after birth, early breast-feeding cues, newborn needs for breastmilk in the first hours

YMCA AFTERSCHOOL PROGRAM The YMCA offers after-school care from 2:30-6 p.m. at 17 Buncombe County schools and serves three Asheville City Schools at the YMCA Beaverdam location.

Curriculum focuses on arts and humanities, literacy, health and wellness, conflict resolution, math and science, service learning and cultural diversity. For information on how to register, visit ymcawnc.org or call 210-2273. and days after birth, how to increase milk supply and how to identify if your baby is getting enough milk. All pregnant women and their partners are invited, as well as those who provide pregnancy and labor support. On Mission Campus at the Wellness Resource Center, 50 Doctor’s Drive. Visit peacefulbeginning.org or call 258-3327.

Watery Tales & Splishy Splashy Songs All ages show. ◆ 11 a.m. at Swannanoa Library. ◆ 2:30 p.m. at South Asheville/Oakley Library.

Zelnick the Magician All ages show. ◆ 11 a.m. at Leicester Library. ◆ 2 p.m. at Fairview Library. Pick up free tickets at the library.

July 29-31

Book sale Haywood County Public Library hosts its annual book sale at the Waynesville Library, lower level, 678 S. Haywood St. From 9 a.m.-7 p.m. July 29, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. July 30 and 9 a.m.-3 p.m. July 31. Visit haywoodlibrary.org or call 452-5169.

July 29-Aug. 1

Thomas the Tank Engine Take a 25-minute ride with Thomas the Tank Engine, meet Sir Topham Hatt, enjoy storytelling, live music and more. Tickets are $18. Children 2 and younger are free. Leaves Bryson City depot. Call 800-8724681. Visit gsmr.com.

July 30

Fur, Feathers & Scales Join WNC Nature Center animals at 11 a.m. at West Asheville Library. All ages.

July 31

Pirates & Mermaids Party Wear a pirate or mermaid costume and be part of the costume parade. All ages. At 11 a.m. at East Asheville Library.

Shindig on the Green Celebrate the music and dance of WNC at 7 p.m. at Pack Square Park. Visit folkheritage.org/ shindigonthegreen.htm

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July 31-Aug. 1

Military History Weekend Smith-McDowell House Museum hosts a weekend featuring living history talks and demonstrations from re-enactors of several wars. All ages. $5 for adults, $2 for school-age children. Call 253-9231 or e-mail education@wnchistory.org.

July 31-Aug. 3

Munchkin Market consignment sale Children’s clothing, equipment, toys and more for sale at Biltmore Square Mall. Public sale is 8 a.m.-7 p.m. July 31; 1-5 p.m. Aug. 1; 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Aug. 2 and 3. For details, visit munchkinmarket.com.

Aug. 1

Breastfeeding and Newborn Parenting Class 11 a.m.-2 p.m. At The Women’s Wellness and Education Center, 24 Arlington St., Asheville. Visit ashevillewomenswellness.com or call 231-9227. $25. Call Holly Mason at 250-0226.

Starts Aug. 1

Dance lessons New classes for ages 3 and older in clogging, Irish step dancing, hip-hop, ballet and jazz. All skill levels.

Visit ashevillecloggingcompany.com or call 3293856.

Aug. 2

Food allergy group COCOA — Caring for Children with food Allergies — is a free group for parents of food allergic children that meets at 6:45 p.m. the first Monday of the month at Earth Fare on Hendersonville Road in South Asheville. E-mail Kristie at cocoa_in_asheville@ yahoo.com.

Aug. 3-4

Wee Trade drop-off Drop off items for the Wee Trade consignment sale at the WNC Ag Center in Fletcher from 8 a.m.-7 p.m.

Aug. 3-4. Price tags must be created in online system by Aug. 1. For details, visit wee-trade.net.

Aug. 3

Claying Around workshop Claying Around, 1378 Hendersonville Road, offers workshops for kids ages 6-12 from 1-3 p.m. This week, kids will paint a ceramic flower pot. $32. Call 277-0042 to register.

Aug. 4

Babysitter’s Training class For children ages 11-15. Learn how to care for a child. Basic first aid included. Dress comfortable and bring lunch. 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m. at Asheville-Mountain Area Chapter, American Red Cross, 100 Edgewood Road, Asheville. $45. For details and to register, visit

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Cloggers perform at the Mountain Dance and Folk Festival. This year’s event is Aug. 5-7 at Diana Wortham Theatre. redcrosswnc.org and click on “Take a Class” or call 258-3888.

Mountain Story Magic For all ages, at 11 a.m. at East Asheville Library.

Storytelling at the Farm Historic Johnson Farm features storytellers at 10:30 a.m. Bring a blanket or chair. Free popcorn. $8 per family, $4 per person. At 3346 Haywood Road, Hendersonville. Call 891-6585 or visit historicjohnsonfarm.org.

Aug. 5

Splash into Japan Kamishibai stories for all ages at 10:30 a.m. at Black Mountain Library.

Traditional Family Dance Join in the dancing at 11 a.m. at Leicester Library. For children old enough to walk and older. Children younger than 8 need a parent or guardian to dance with them.

Aug. 5 and 12

Childbirth class A two-session class for expectant parents covering the labor and delivery process, relaxation, breathing patterns, birth options, positioning and comfort measures. Also includes tour of the Pardee Women and Children’s Center. Runs 6:30-9 p.m. July 1 and 8. Cost is $40, or free with Medicaid. Registration required. At Pardee Hospital Orientation Classroom, 800 N. Justice St., Hendersonville. Call 866-790WELL.

Aug. 5-7

Mountain Dance & Folk Festival Mountain fiddlers, banjo pickers, dulcimer sweepers, dancers, and more. 7-10 p.m. at Diana Wortham Theatre. $20 adults, $10 children (12 and younger).

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MOMS GROUPS

For all three nights, $54 for adults, $24 for children.

Visit folkheritage.org or dwtheatre.org.

A sampling of support groups for moms in WNC. Arden Moms Meetup Group: A group for stay-at-home moms of preschoolers or babies in the Arden/South Asheville/Fletcher area. Visit meetup.com/arden-moms or contact Susan Toole at ArdenMoms@gmail.com.

AshevilleMommies.com: Meet and greets for moms while kids play. Two sessions, 11 a.m.-noon and 3-4 p.m. Wednesdays at The Hop Ice Cream and Coffee Shop, 640 Merrimon Ave. Asheville Moms with Multiples: Group for moms with multiples meets 7 p.m. the first Thursday of each month at the Women’s Resource Center on Doctors Drive, behind Mission Hospital. Meetings are an opportunity to share experiences and offer support in a social setting. Call 444-AMOM or visit ashevillemom.com.

Biltmore Baptist MOPS: Group for all mothers of children from infancy through kindergarten. Morning group meets 9:3011:30 and evening group meets 6:15-7:45 on the first and third Wednesday of each month at Biltmore Baptist Church, 35 Clayton Road, Arden. Call 687-1111, e-mail mopsofbbc@yahoo.com or visit mopsofbbc.com.

La Leche League of Asheville mornings: Pregnant moms, babies and toddlers welcome at all meetings. Meets at 10 a.m. the second Monday of the month at First Congregational Church on Oak Street. Contact a leader: Susan, 628-4438; Jessica, 2426531; or Falan, 683-1999.

La Leche League of Asheville evenings: Pregnant moms, babies and toddlers welcome at all meetings. Meets at 7 p.m. the third Monday of the month at Awakening Heart on Merrimon Avenue. Contact a leader: Yvette, 254-5591; or Molly, 713-7089.

La Leche League of Hendersonville: Offers information and support for pregnant or breastfeeding women. Meets at 10 a.m. the second Wednesday of the month at Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Hendersonville, 2021 Kanuga Road. Babies and toddlers are welcome. For more information, Contact a leader: Andrea 676-6047, Katie 808-1490,

Aug. 6

Swannanoa Shindig Mountain music, dancing, bingo, farmers market, food, games and more. Bring a chair but leave pets at home. At 6 p.m. Take Interstate 40 to Exit 59. Turn right onto U.S. 70 East. Take right onto Whitson Avenue and follow the signs. Call 337-4718 or visit SwannanoaShindig.com.

Aug. 6-8

Mountain Mater Fest Parade, antique car drive-in, Mrs. Materfest pageant and more in Canton. Visit focusoncanton.com.

Sales Tax Holiday All day Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Clothing, footwear and school supplies up to $100 per item, sporting equipment up to $50 per item, computers up to $3,500, and school instructional materials up to $300 per item can be purchased tax-free in North Carolina. For details, visit dornc.com/taxes/sales/ salestax_holiday.html.

Wee Trade consignment sale Children’s clothing, toys, furniture, equipment and more for sale at WNC Ag Center in Fletcher. Sale is 8 a.m.-6 p.m. Aug. 6; 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Aug. 7; noon-4 p.m. Aug. 8 (items are 50 percent off). Visit weetrade.net for details.

Aug. 7

Rummage sale Sale benefits Swannanoa Valley Museum. 8 a.m.noon at corner of Padgettown Road and Old U.S. 70, east of Swannanoa. Call 669-1679 for details.

Smokey Bear’s Birthday Party Cradle of Forestry hosts a birthday party for Smokey Bear with games, singing, firefighting equipment and more, 11 a.m.-1 p.m. $6 for 16 and older; $3 for 15 and younger. Visit cradleofforestry.com.

Tax-Free Weekend-Foster Child event During tax-free weekend, buy additional items to help foster children get ready for school or learn more about becoming a foster parent or helping children in foster care or at risk of foster care. From 10 a.m.-1 p.m. at Asheville Mall. Contact Erica Jourdan, Buncombe County DSS, at 250-5868 or erica.jourdan@buncombecounty.org for information.

Tomato Festival Henderson County Tailgate market hosts its 31st Anniversary Tomato Festival, 7 a.m.-noon. Enjoy a tomato sandwich, music and prizes. At 100 N. King St., downtown Hendersonville. Call 693-7265 or e-mail hendersoncountytailgatemarket@gmail.com.

YMCA parents’ night out The YMCA in downtown Asheville offers a parents night out for children ages 2-12. Activities include

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or MC 693-9899.

Mom2mom: Christian moms group meets at St. Paul’s Church, 32 Rosscraggon Road, Rosscraggon Business Park Building B, Asheville. Moms with any age children are welcome. Call 388-3598.

Mommy and Me: Park Ridge Hospital offers a support group for moms at 10 a.m. the fourth Monday of the month. Contact Amy Mast at 216-7244. The hospital offers a luncheon for moms and babies, noon-1 p.m. the third Monday of the month, at the hospital’s private dining room. Call 681-2229.

MOMS Club of Hendersonville: A support group open to mothers of all ages in the Henderson County area, including mothers who have home-based businesses and those who work part-time but are home with their children during the day. The group meets for speeches and topics for discussion, park days, playgroups, nights out, holiday activities and service projects benefiting needy children in the community.

Meets 9:30 a.m. the first Thursday of the month at Hendersonville Church of Christ, 1975 Haywood Road, Hendersonville. Children welcome. Call Kerry at 692-7724 or visit hendersonvillemomsclub.wordpress.com Montreat/Black Mountain MOPS: Join other moms for fun, laughter and friendship.

Group Meets 9-11 a.m. the second Tuesday of each month at Black Mountain United Methodist Church, 101 Church St. Free child care available. Call Michelle at 669-8012, ext. 4001, to reserve a spot.

MOPS at Mud Creek: Mothers of Preschoolers (infancy through kindergarten) provides an open, faith-based atmosphere. Meets second and fourth Wednesdays, 9:15-11:15 a.m., September-May, at Mud Creek Baptist Church, 403 Rutledge Drive, Hendersonville.

E-mail MOPS.MudCreek@gmail.com or visit http://mopsatmudcreek.webs.com/ links.htm.

North Asheville MOPS: Meets 9:30-11:30 a.m. the first Monday of each month at Maranatha Baptist Church, 1040 Lower Flat Creek Road, Weaverville. Contact Jennifer Warner at 423-6180 or Liban Morris at lmorris_cid@hotmail.com.

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swimming, arts and crafts, inflatable obstacle course, snacks and a movie. Register online or in person (at least 24 hours before scheduled program). Offered 6-10 p.m. the first Saturday and 6:30-9:30 p.m. the third Friday of each month. Cost is $12 for members ($24 nonmembers); Saturday cost is $15 for members ($30 for nonmembers), with $2 sibling discounts for everyone. For information or to register, call 210-5622 or visit ymcawnc.org.

Aug. 9-13

Clay Camp Black Mountain Center for the Arts will offer a camp just for kids to work with clay. Potter Atcha Turner will teach campers about the many things that can be done with clay. Camp is for ages 8-12; tuition is $140, which includes all materials and firing, and a $25 nonrefundable deposit. Runs 9 a.m.-noon. To register, or for more information, call 669-0930 or download a registration form at blackmountain arts.org. The center is at 225 W. State St.

Aug. 10

Claying Around workshop Claying Around, 1378 Hendersonville Road, offers workshops for kids ages 6-12 from 1-3 p.m. This week, kids will paint pottery with marbling technique and tie-dye T-shirts. $32. Call 277-0042 to register.

Groovin’ on Grovemont Free event on the square in the Grovemont community next to Swannanoa Library. At 6 p.m. The Groovemont Players will perform. Call 250-6486 or e-mail Swannanoa.library@buncombecounty.org.

SCHOOL START DATES Aug. 5: Madison Aug. 9: Yancey Aug. 17: Buncombe, Asheville Aug. 19: Haywood Aug. 25: Henderson, McDowell, Transylvania

FALL SPORTS REGISTRATION ABYSA Registration deadline for U5, U6 and high school leagues is Sept. 7. Visit abysa.org for details.

WNC Fall Ball Aug. 7 and 14 at Oakley Community Center. Visit wncfallball.com.

Aug. 11

Black Mountain Library Knitters Knitting group for all levels, 6:30 p.m. at Black Mountain Yarn Shop, 203 W. State St. Holistic Parenting Forum The Holistic Parenting Forum meets monthly to provide support, education and resources for a diverse community of parents committed to natural living. From 6-8 p.m. on the second Wednesday at Earth Fare in West Asheville. Children welcome. Call

230-4850 or e-mail shantisunshine@gmail.com Origami Folding Frenzy Learn new folds, share favorites, and meet fellow origami enthusiasts. All levels welcome. Paper is available at the museum store or bring your own.

Cost is museum admission. From 4-5 p.m. the second Wednesday of the month at The Health Adventure, 2 S. Pack Place. Call 254-6373 or visit thehealthadventure.org.

Splash into Ghana Adinkra Prints at 10:30 a.m. at Black Mountain Library for ages 3 and older. Space is limited; ticket required.

Aug. 12

Make an Ice Cream Splash For all ages at 11 a.m. at Leicester Library. Each participant should bring 1/2 cup of milk, cream or half and half.

Aug. 13

Parents’ Night Out Fired Up! Creative Lounge offers a program for kids, 6-9 p.m. at 26 Wall St., downtown Asheville. Drop off the kids for pizza, drinks and bisque items for the kids to paint. $25 per child. Call 253-8181 for reservations.

Aug. 14

Ballet classes Ballet Conservatory of Asheville celebrates its new

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calendar of events Continued from Page 65 Five Points Studio with free ballet classes: 10:30-11 a.m. (age 3-5) and 12:30-1 p.m. (age 6-8). Open house is 2:30-5 p.m. for all ages with live music, studio tour, faculty meet and greet, and fall registration. At 6 E. Chestnut, Asheville. Call 255-5777.

Visit BalletConservatoryofAsheville.com.

Dulcimer workshops Chimney Rock Park hosts workshops in mountain dulcimer (10 a.m.-noon) and hammered dulcimer (1-3 p.m.). No previous musical experience necessary. Attend one for $32 ($25 for passholders) for adults, $22 for ages 6-15 ($18 for Grady’s Kids Club members). Attend both for $50 ($42 for passholders) for adults or $40 for ages 6-15 ($35 for Kids Club members). Visit chimneyrockpark.com.

Movie in the Park Watch “The Blind Side” under the starts at Fletcher Community Park. Visit fletcherparks.org.

Rummage sale Children First/CIS will hosts a rummage sale 7 a.m.-noon at the Family Resource Center at Emma Elementary, 37 Brickyard Road in Asheville. All proceeds will support programs at the center. Visit childrenfirstbc.org/efrc.htm.

Southwest Fiesta Smith-McDowell House Museum hosts a children’s tea party with a Southwest Fiesta theme. Program centers on 1820s life in New Mexico. Enjoy treats for the era and break a piñata. At 11 a.m. $25 for adults, $20 for children ages 7-12. At 283 Victoria Road, Asheville. Call 253-9231 or visit wnchistory.org.

Wood Day The Folk Art Center, at Milepost 382 on the Blue Ridge Parkway, hosts Wood Day, where Southern Highland Craft Guild woodworkers demonstrate their craft. 10 a.m.-4 p.m., with 10th Annual Carve-Off from 1-3 p.m. Free. Visit southernhighlandguild.org.

Aug. 14, 21 and 28

Shindig on the Green Celebrate the music and dance of WNC at 7 p.m. at Pack Square Park. Visit folkheritage.org/ shindigonthegreen.htm.

Aug. 14-15

Sourwood Festival Downtown Black Mountain hosts this alcohol-free street festival with vendors, food and entertainment.

Visit exploreblackmountain.com.

Aug. 15

‘Folktales and Foolishness’ Asheville Storytelling Circle hosts a tell-off, “Folktales and Foolishness,” at 6 p.m. at Buncombe County Recreation Park Pavilion No. 1. Bring chairs or blankets for seating. Call 274-1123 for information.

Foster parent training classes Have you ever considered becoming a foster parent?

Model Approach to Partnerships in Parenting (MAPP) classes will run 6-9 p.m. Tuesdays for 10 weeks.

Meet other people interested in fostering and learn more about how you can help. There is no cost and

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Buck Tanner, left, looks at a honey bee display with his sons Sage and Rowan at the Sourwood Festival in Black Mountain. This year’s festival is Aug. 14-15.

no commitment. To sign up, or to get more information, contact Erica Jourdan, Buncombe County DSS, at 250-5868 or erica.jourdan@buncombecounty.org.

Aug. 17

Claying Around workshop Claying Around, 1378 Hendersonville Road, offers workshops for kids ages 6-12 from 1-3 p.m. This week, kids will create a mosaic sun catcher. $32. Call 2770042 to register.

Aug. 19

Pardee parenting classes Both classes at Pardee Hospital, 800 N. Justice St., Hendersonville. Call 866-790-WELL to register. ◆ Breast-feeding class: Learn the art of breast-feeding. 6:30-8 p.m. Free. Registration required. ◆ Daddy Duty class: Learn helpful ideas and tips for dads during the labor and birth process. 6:30-8 p.m. in Video Conference Room. Free. Registration required.

Starts Aug. 19

Buncombe County Walking Club You’ll never walk alone on Tuesday and Thursday mornings at the Buncombe County Sports Park. Open to anyone who wants to be fit and have fun reaching a personal goal. Gather at 8:15 a.m. at picnic shelter.

Contact Grace Young at 250-4260 or grace.young@buncombecounty.org.

Aug. 19 and 26

Children’s Community Chorus auditions Celebration Singers of Asheville welcomes singers ages 7-14 to audition for the Children’s Community Chorus at First Congregational Church, 20 Oak St., Asheville.

Chorus offers musical education and performance opportunities for talented youth. Prepare a song and bring sheet music if possible. Visit singasheville.org or

contact Ginger Haselden at 230-5778.

Aug. 20

Pamela Gabler’s Camelot Puppets See the puppets perform “The Wolf Tales” at 11 a.m. at West Asheville Library. Free tickets available starting Aug. 6. For ages 3-10.

YMCA parents’ night out The YMCA in downtown Asheville offers a parents night out for children ages 2-12. Activities include swimming, arts and crafts, inflatable obstacle course, snacks and a movie. Register online or in person (at least 24 hours before scheduled program). Offered 6-10 p.m. the first Saturday and 6:30-9:30 p.m. the third Friday of each month. Cost is $12 for members ($24 nonmembers); Saturday cost is $15 for members ($30 for nonmembers), with $2 sibling discounts for everyone. For information or to register, call 210-5622 or visit ymcawnc.org.

Aug. 21

Ballet auditions Ballet Conservatory of Asheville hosts auditions for its December “Nutcracker” production and its Intermediate Level Training Program, 10 a.m.-noon for ages 11-13, 1-2 p.m. for advanced level (ages 14+).

At Five Points Studios, 6 E. Chestnut St., Asheville.

Call 255-5777. Visit BalletConservatoryofAsheville.com.

Babysitter’s Training class For children ages 11-15. Learn how to care for a child. Basic first aid included. Dress comfortable and bring lunch. 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m. at Asheville-Mountain Area Chapter, American Red Cross, 100 Edgewood Road, Asheville. $45. For details and to register, visit redcrosswnc.org and click on “Take a Class” or call 258-3888.

Camp Heart Songs Four Seasons will host its seventh-annual Camp Heart Songs at Falling Creek Camp in Zirconia for

children ages 6-14 who have experienced the loss of a parent, sibling or other loved one. Activities promote healthy expressions of grief and campers learn to share and empathize with other peers who have had similar experiences. Professional bereavement counselors, chaplains, social workers, hospice volunteers and staff lead the support groups. Activities include swimming, climbing the 80-foot rock wall and more. Parents and guardians are encouraged to attend a support group session in the afternoon led by a hospice bereavement counselor who provides child grief education and the opportunity to share and receive support from the group.

Call 233-0334 for details.

Garden Science Investigation Botanical Gardens at Asheville offers a series designed to engage kids in observation and investigation of living and nonliving things using their senses and simple tools. This month’s topic is "Rot Rangers.” Kids will learn about the importance of decomposition and how it occurs in nature. With flashlight, bug boxes and an insect book, participants will use their senses to find signs of decomposition in the gardens. For Ages 5-11. $7/per child. Registration required. From 9:30-11:30 a.m. at 151 W.T. Weaver Blvd. (adjacent to UNCA). Call 252-5190 or visit ashevillebotanicalgardens.org.

Starts Aug. 23

Fall Dance Classes Ballet Conservatory of Asheville Fall Dance offers ballet, modern, jazz/Broadway, tap, hip-hop, and acting for dance classes at its new Five Points Studio. Register Aug. 21. At 6 E. Chestnut St., Asheville. Call 255-5777. Visit BalletConservatoryofAsheville.com.

Starts Aug. 24

After-school craft classes Fired Up! Creative Lounge, 26 Wall St. in downtown Asheville, and 321B N. Main St. in downtown Hendersonville, offers classes for ages 5-12 from 4-5:30 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays. Clay, mosaics, tie-dye, painting pottery and more. Drop-in for one class or sign up for entire semester. $20 per session. Call 253-8181(Asheville) or 698-9960 (Hendersonville).

Aug. 25

Black Mountain Library Knitters Knitting group for all levels, 6:30 p.m. at Black Mountain Yarn Shop, 203 W. State St.

Aug. 26

Infant care class Pardee Hospital offers a course on infant care from A to Z. From 6:30-8:30 p.m. at Pardee, education classrooms, 800 N. Justice St., Hendersonville.

Free. Registration required. Call 866-790-WELL. Labor and birth forums Peaceful Beginning Labor and Birth Forums are based on the Six Lamaze Healthy Birth Practices and represent “evidence-based care.” Free. At 7 p.m. on the Mission Campus at the Wellness Resource Center, 50 Doctor’s Drive. Visit peacefulbeginning.org or call 258-3327.

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A Goombay Festival visitor tries out different drums. This year’s festival is Aug. 27-29.

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Aug. 26-29

Hickory Nut Olympiad Annual family sports festival for amateurs of all ages at Lake Lure. Includes 5K, triathlon, Junior Olympics and more. Visit hickorynutolympiad.com.

Aug. 27-29

Goombay Festival YMI Cultural Center in downtown Asheville hosts an African-Caribbean festival of food, music and entertainment. Visit ymicc.org/goombay.

Aug. 31

Leicester Library Knitters For all skill levels. At 6:30 p.m. at the library, 1561 Alexander Road. Call 250-6480.

Sept. 1

Kent Family Magic Circus Share an evening of family fun with Kent Family Magic Circus at 6:30 p.m. at New Life Community Church, 1417 Riverside Drive, Asheville. Free and open to public. Call 254-0040, ext. 208, for information. Visit kentfamilymagiccircus.com.

Sept. 3

Swannanoa Shindig Mountain music, dancing, bingo, farmers market, food, games and more. Bring a chair but leave pets at home. At 6 p.m. Take Interstate 40 to Exit 59. Turn right onto U.S. 70 East. Take right onto Whitson Avenue and follow the signs. Call 337-4718 or visit SwannanoaShindig.com.

Sept. 3-6

N.C. Apple Festival Street fair with arts and crafts, food, entertainment, apple growers and their apples, children’s activities and more on Main Street in downtown Hendersonville. Visit ncapplefestival.org for schedule of events.

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Sept. 4

Shindig on the Green Celebrate the music and dance of WNC at 7 p.m. at Pack Square Park. Visit folkheritage.org/shindigonthegreen.htm.

Sept. 5

Lexington Avenue Arts and Fun Festival Art, food, performers and more on Lexington Avenue in downtown Asheville. Visit arts2people.org/laaff.

Sept. 6

Labor Day

Sept. 10-19

N.C. Mountain State Fair Family oriented agricultural fair with competitions, displays, midway games, good and more and WNC Ag Center in Fletcher. Visit mountainfair.org.

Ongoing

Kindermusik Kindermusik is enrolling for fall semester. Programs begin in August/September, depending on educator.

Four unique curricula promote creativity, listening skills, self-esteem, problem solving, vision and focus, language and literacy, hand-eye coordination, emotional and social skills, balance and coordination.

Classes for newborns through 7-year-olds. Call: Lora Scott, 649-2320, allsoulscathedral.org/musicchoirs/kindermusik (Biltmore Village); Beth Magill, 298-9350, magills.net (downtown Asheville); Yvette Odell 253-4000, ashevilleartscenter.com (North and South Asheville); Debra Huff, 206-3145 or 6891128, dhuff@mhc.edu (Madison County); Sonja Gorsline, 883-8538 (Brevard).

Parents morning out program St. Eugene Catholic Church is enrolling children for its parents morning out program. Two teachers for each 10 children. For ages 6 months to 4 years.

Program is 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Monday-Friday. Church is at 72 Culvern St., Asheville. Call Cynthia Francis at 254-5193, ext. 25, or e-mail mamabear123123@yahoo.com Paint-your-own pottery night Pottery A Go-Go hosts Ladies Night with discounts on painting fees and bisque prices, 7-10 p.m. Fridays.

Cocktails and snacks welcome. At 1 Woodfin Ave., Asheville. Call 545-5473.

Health Adventure exhibits The Health Adventure is home to “Eyes on Earth,” an interactive exhibit that examines satellites and space technology, and “The Wonderful Wizard of Oz,” where you can follow the yellow brick road on a storybook adventure. Open into September. Call 254-6373 or visit thehealthadventure.org. At 2 S. Pack Square, Asheville.

Dance lessons Asheville Clogging Company offers clogging, Irish step dancing, hip-hop, jazz, ballet and tap classes for all ages, preschool to adult. Visit ashevillecloggingcompany.com, call 329-3856 or e-mail ashley@ashevillecloggingcompany.com.

Tennis lessons Asheville Racquet Club offers tennis lessons this fall

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calendar of events Continued from Page 69 in two locations, ARC South on Hendersonville Road and ARC Downtown, at 1 Resort Drive, Asheville.

Classes starting at age 4-14, as well as a tournament program for ages 9-18. For ARC South, contact Mindy Sheppard at 274-3361, ext. 310, or arcmindy@yahoo.com. For ARC Downtown, contact Bo Webb at 545-4939 or bothepro5@yahoo.com.

Merrimon Avenue Baptist Preschool Merrimon Avenue Baptist Church Preschool is now accepting enrollment for its classes for ages 1 to pre-kindergarten. Classes run 9 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

Tuesday-Thursday; 3- to 5-year-olds also meet Mondays. $15/day. The structured pre-kindergarten class focuses on kindergarten readiness and is taught by a licensed birth-kindergarten teacher. Call Sara Calloway at 252-2768, ext. 315, or e-mail scalloway@mabaptist.org.

Breast-feeding education classes Introduction to tips and tricks that make breastfeeding easier. 6-9 p.m. Wednesdays at Women’s Wellness and Education Center, 24 Arlington St., Asheville. $25. Classes are taught by Holly Major.

For details or to register, call Holly at 250-0226.

Preschool Play Date The Health Adventure hosts interactive fun just for preschoolers led by museum facilitators at 10:30 a.m. Thursdays. Visit thehealthadventure.org.

Park Ridge Hospital’s Baby Place childbirth classes Choose from weekly Wednesday night classes for six weeks or a one-day class, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. the first Monday of the month. Held in the Duke Room at Park Ridge Hospital, 100 Hospital Drive, Hendersonville. Cost is $90 total for the series. Start at any point in the class cycle. Please call Sheri Gregg at 681-2229 for information or to register.

Mom’s meet-up Join other moms at The Hop, 640 Merrimon Ave., at 11 a.m. the first Wednesday of each month, and then every Tuesday the rest of the month at 11 a.m.

There is a carpeted children’s area with toys, and moms enjoy half-priced coffees and teas. Moms with kids of all ages welcome. The Hop Ice Cream Shop is at 640 Merrimon Ave. Call 252-8362.

Balloon artist The Hop Ice Cream Cafe hosts the talented Jolly Balloon Smiths from 7-9 p.m. Fridays. For more information, call 254-2224. The Hop is at 640 Merrimon Ave., North Asheville.

Mommy and Me for Babies This is a free group that meets weekly in two locations to provide an opportunity for new parents to gather. On Mondays, meet at the new Woodfin YMCA. Mommy/baby yoga for pre-crawlers is 1111:45 a.m.; forum is noon-1 p.m. On Tuesdays, meetings are at Reuter Family YMCA in the Mission Wellness Resource Center Room. Mommy/baby yoga for pre-crawlers is at 10:30 a.m.; guest speaker/open discussion is at 11:30; walk and talk starts at 12:45 p.m. Please call 213-8098 or e-mail shantisunshine@gmail.com to register.

Toddler Fun Toddler Fun is a free group that provides an opportunity for parents to have some structured fun with their children ages 1-3 including 45 minutes of songs, x stories, finger-plays, parachute play and more. At 10 a.m. Mondays at the new Woodfin

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YMCA and 9:30 a.m. Tuesdays at the Reuter Family YMCA. To register, call 213-8098 or e-mail shantisunshine@gmail.com.

Wee Naturalist program Wee Naturalists at the N.C. Arboretum is a hands-on, outdoor learning experience for pre-kindergarten children. Each lesson includes age-appropriate activities for ages 3-5 (2-yearolds are also welcome) such as nature walks, garden exploration, stories, crafts and visits from classroom animals. Runs 10-11 a.m. most Tuesdays, OctoberMay. Parent or guardian must attend with child. Participants should dress for an outdoors program. Contact Jonathan Marchal at jmarchal@ncarboretum.org or 665-2492, ext. 228.

Visit ncarboretum.org.

Asheville TAASC TAASC (The American Adventure Service Corps) is a nonprofit program dedicated to inspiring young people to become compassionate leaders, stewards of the environment and responsible community members.

Year-round and summer program participants are challenged through high-powered outdoor adventures of up to 10-days in length. Activities include wilderness backpacking, climbing and rappelling, white water and flat water paddling, cave exploration, mountain biking, wilderness first-aid, leadership development, and community service.

Visit ashevilletaasc.com or call 299-9844 or e-mail ashevilletaasc@gmail.com.

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