CALENDAR OF EVENTS Continued from Page 63 chants. Fall Session begins in September in Asheville, Black Mountain and Weaverville. Contact Kari Richmond at karirichmond@ charter.net or 545-0990. More information at AshevilleAreaMT.com or musictogether.com.
Kindermusik
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Drawing and painting classes
Black Mountain Center for the Arts, 225 W. State St., offers weekly classes with nationally known wildlife artist Bob Travers. Six class times available for children (ages 8 and older), teens and adults. Cost is $60 for four two-hour lessons. For information or to register, call 776-6376.
Brayden Warren Black Mountain
WNC PARENT I AUGUST 2008
Mikayla Pressley Asheville
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Kindermusik is registering now for fall semesters. Programs promote creativity, listening skills, selfesteem, problem solving, vision and focus, language and literacy, hand-eye coordination, emotional and social skills, balance and coordination — all while providing a joyful introduction to music. Classes for newborns through 7-year-olds encourage all aspects of development. Call local area licensed educators: Lora Scott: 649-2320,
allsoulscathedral.org/music-choirs/kindermusik (Biltmore Village); Beth Magill: 298-9350, magills.net (Downtown Asheville); Patty Lee Book 253-4000, ashevilleartscenter.com (North and South Asheville); Debra Huff: 206-3145 or 6891128 (Madison County); Sonja Gorsline: 8838538 (Brevard); Linda Boyle-Smith: 768-9625, kinderwithlinda.com (Mills River).
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contents This month’s features 3
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Tax-free weekend tips How to get the most out of shopping for back-to-school gear during North Carolina’s sales tax holiday.
Educators speak up Teachers and administrators offer a “wish list” of expectations for kids and parents.
Preparing for kindergarten
PHOTO BY STEVE DIXON
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Experts give advice on making the transition to “real” school as easy as possible.
School style
14 Skills kids need
Find out what your rising kindergartner needs to know before the first day.
16 Learning disabilities
How to get help for your child if you suspect a problem.
In every issue
Registration starts Sept. 2 Sept. 5 Play and learn group
Parents/caregivers and children ages 2-5 in Buncombe County who are not in regulated child care are invited to attend a series of six free play and learn group sessions at 10 a.m. Tuesdays, Sept. 16-Oct. 21, and 10 and 11 a.m. Wednesdays, Sept. 17-Oct. 22. Each session lasts about 45 minutes and will be at the Family Resource Center at Asheville City Schools Preschool, 441 Haywood Road in West Asheville. The program focuses on developing preliteracy skills through rhythm, rhyme and repetition. Each week, adults receive information for educational activities to do at home with children and children ages 2-5 receive a free book. For information, call Marna Holland at 255-5423. Attendance is required at four of the sessions. New participants may register Sept. 2 and continuing/past participants may register Sept. 10. Registration is required by phone (255-5423) or e-mail (marna.holland@asheville.k12.nc.us).
Begins Sept. 4 Clogging classes
Beginner clogging lessons for children ages 5 and older. Learn to clog with Olympic junior medalist Ashley Shimberg. Introduction to clogging class begins Sept. 4, 4:15-5 p.m. Cost is $38 per month. Adult beginner class also available for parents. To register or learn more, contact Ashley Shimberg, 329-3856, or e-mail ashevillecloggingcompany@gmail.com
The latest in children’s fashion just in time for class. 10 tips for packing a delicious lunch.
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I remember my first day of school — not in detail — but some things about it still stand out. I know my mom always made sure I was dressed just right. My hair ribbon matched my dress and my white socks with the lace trim were neatly turned down above my shiny patent-leather shoes. My mom liked dressing me up when I was little, and the first day of school always meant a special outfit. Local boutiques, discount stores and consignment stores offer a wide array of back-to-school fashion. See our story on fashion trends on Page 9. I don’t remember being very nervous about that first day of kindergarten; I remember that I couldn’t wait to go. Making sure your child is well-prepared to handle what could be his or her first day away from home is important. Find some helpful tips on Page 7. We’re also nearing North Carolina’s tax-free weekend. Find out all the dos, don’ts, what’s exempt and more on Page 3. I hope this issue helps with a smooth transition for everyone from summer to back-to-school. Nancy Sluder Editor
12 Beat the lunch blues
Preschool Play Date
Formerly known as Fabulous Fridays, The Health Adventure’s Preschool Play Date series provide children 3-6 with a unique and safe venue to play and a chance for parents, grandparents, and caregivers to socialize and bond. Includes hands-on take-away activities led by an educator from museum. Free for members or with museum admission. The Preschool Play Date series is 10:30-11:30 a.m. every first Friday of the month. No registration in required. Call 2546373 or visit thehealthadventure.org.
Sept. 6 Lap the Lake for Ladies
Walk a lap (2.5 miles) around Enka Lake in Biltmore Park to raise funds for the National Ovarian Cancer Coalition. Event starts at 10:30 a.m., followed by a “Lunch and Learn” at noon. Lunch, with a speaker from Hope, A Women’s Cancer Center, will be provided by Carrabba’s Italian Grill. Registration begins at 9 a.m. on the day of the event. Walkers can also register by visiting lapthelake.org. A donation of $20 per walker is suggested and all walkers will receive a Tshirt. The optional lunch is $10, and advance registration for lunch is required by Aug. 23.
what threats they are facing in today’s world. Bring your cameras for an up-close encounter you’re sure to remember. Call 800-277-9611 to register. Cost is $12 per student, $11.50 for parents (for passholders, $7 for students and free for parents).
Lake Julian Scarecrow Festival. For information, contact Grace Young at 250-4265 or 777-5634.
Through Sept. 28
Immersion programs are the most effective way for children to learn Spanish. Kids will learn naturally in small, age-appropriate classes through fun experiences, music, visual aids, books and games in classes taught by professional native speakers. Enrollment is year-round in classes for children 3-12 with discounts for siblings. Please contact Claudia McMahan at 681-0843 or Beatriz Riascos-Socarras at 687-9620 or e-mail mm_spanish@hotmail.com.
Toys: The Inside Story!
The Health Adventure is the first museum in the country to show this exhibit all about toys. It includes 12 different hands-on stations illustrating the simple mechanisms commonly found in toys, and lets visitors create their own toy-like combinations of gears, pulleys, linkages, cams, and circuits. Runs through Sept. 28. For more information, visit TheHealthAdventure.org.
Oct. 3-5 Southeast Women’s Herbal Conference
A weekend gathering for women with inspiring workshops, food and sisterhood in Black Mountain. Child care for ages 2-10 and Young Women’s Circle for ages 11-17 are available. For information, visit sewisewomen.com.
Sept. 8
Oct. 4
Home-school program
Scarecrow Festival
Explore “Radical Raptors” at Chimney Rock Park. Students will learn what defines a raptor and
Buncombe County Parks & Recreation is looking for crafters and vendors for its fourth annual
Ongoing Spanish immersion program
Pre-kindergarten class
Merrimon Avenue Baptist Church PMO is accepting enrollment for the fall for its pre-kindergarten class. The school operates 9 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Tuesdays-Thursdays. Cost is $15 per day. The school is introducing a structured pre-kindergarten class focusing on kindergarten readiness, which will be taught by a licensed birth-to-kindergarten teacher. This classroom will be open for students who will begin kindergarten in fall 2009. Call Sara Calloway at 252-2768, ext. 315, or email scalloway@mabaptist.org for information.
Asheville Area Music Together
Try a free demo class of Music Together, an internationally recognized early childhood music program for children age 0-5 and the adults who love them. Each class is a playful, family experience full of new and traditional songs and Continued on Page 64
PHOTO BY BARBARA BLAKE
20 If the backpack fits
With kids hauling around more and more, it’s important their book bag fits correctly.
26 Saving money on gas
Suggestions on how to keep fuel costs down as your carpooling duties increase.
Librarian’s Picks by Jennifer Prince ..................13 WNCmom.com page..........................................18 Show and Tell .............................................22-23 Divorced Families by Trip Woodard ...................27 Kids Voices ......................................................28 Kids Health by Linden Veillette .........................31 Growing Together by Chris Worthy .....................38 Video Games ....................................................45 Parenting in a Nutshell ....................................48 Puzzles ........................................................52-53 Quick Dinners .............................................54-55 Calendar ...........................................................56
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New dresses and nerves must mean it’s back-to-school time
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
On the cover Photo special to WNC Parent.
P.O. Box 2090, Asheville, NC 28802 828-232-5845 I www.wncmom.com PRESIDENT AND PUBLISHER Randy Hammer WNC PARENT EDITOR Nancy Sluder nsluder@citizen-times.com
ADVERTISING Miranda Weerheim - 232-5980 mweerheim@gannett.com
SPECIALTY PUBLICATIONS EDITOR Polly McDaniel pmcdaniel@citizen-times.com
Gayle Smith - 232-5886 gjsmith@ashevill.gannett.com
STAFF WRITER Barbara Blake bblake@citizen-times.com
Or contact your dedicated Asheville Citizen-Times advertising representative for opportunities to advertise in this publication.
CIRCULATION
Charlie Davis - 232-6018, cpdavis@gannett.com
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR submit in writing via P.O. Box 2090, Asheville, NC 28802 CALENDAR CONTENT submit in writing via P.O. Box 2090, Asheville, NC 28802 or e-mail calendar@wncparent.com SUBMISSION DEADLINES advertising deadline for the September 2008 issue is Aug. 20 calendar items are due by Aug. 18
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Civil War party for boys and girls
Learn about the Underground Railroad and a soldier’s life at the Smith-McDowell House Museum. Dress code is casual. Cost is $25 for an adult and $20 for children ages 7-12. All children must be accompanied by an adult. Make reservations with the Smith-McDowell House Museum at least a week before the program. The museum is at 283 Victoria Road, on the campus of Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College. For information and tickets, call 253-9231.
are $1-$3 per activity. The Youth Challenge, in the Wachovia Bank parking lot at Main and Barnwell streets, is 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Aug. 30-31 and 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Sept. 1 and is good for a variety of ages. Tickets are $1-$5 per activity. King Apple Parade is 2:30 p.m. Sept. 1. Visit ncapplefestival.org.
North Carolina’s tax-free weekend is like the Black Friday of summertime. “It’s almost like Christmastime, it gets so busy during that weekend,” says Richard Burgin, operations manager for the Circuit City store on South Tunnel Road. Area retailers expect the tax break on clothing, school supplies, computers and more will mean big crowds in stores Aug. 1-3. Asheville Mall’s marketing director, Robyn Bacon, says the first weekend in August is the mall’s busiest of the back-to-school season, which starts in late July and runs through August. She says it ranks second only to the holiday season for the mall. Sandra Fowler, a co-owner of the Children’s Trading Post stores in North Asheville and Arden, says she thinks the economy is going to have a “big impact on the weekend.” “I think a lot of people do take advantage of it. I think this year, we’re going to see even bigger (crowds) than last year,” Fowler says. “I think people are just watching their money and are looking to second-hand stores.”
Aug. 30
1. What’s eligible
Rummage sale
Asheville Mothers of Multiples is hosting its fall rummage sale, 7 a.m.-2 p.m. at the National Guard Armory, near Brevard Road in Asheville. The sale offers baby clothes, children’s clothes, toys and equipment, maternity clothes and yard sale items. Cash and credit cards only.
‘Scratch and Sniff’ guided hike
School resumes
Henderson County Public Schools resume classes.
Aug. 26 Pardee parenting classes
All classes are at Pardee Health Education Center in Blue Ridge Mall, Four Seasons Boulevard, Hendersonville. Call 692-4600 for information. Classes are free, and registration is not required. Infant care class: Learn the basics of infant care. From 6:30-8 p.m. Prime-time with a pediatrician: Learn from a local pediatrician what to expect with a newborn in your home from 8-9 p.m.
Aug. 29-Sept. 1 N.C. Apple Festival
Street fair, arts and crafts, entertainment, children’s activities, parade, food and more in downtown Hendersonville. Runs 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Aug. 29-31 and 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sept. 1. Kiddie Carnival within the festival is in the Visitors Information Center parking lot, 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Aug. 29-31 and 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Sept. 1. Tickets
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PHOTO BY STEVE DIXON
Annie Dephouse works on a caramel apple at the Apple Festival in Hendersonville. This year the festival runs Aug. 29-Sept. 1.
Magic Ant-ics
Magician Eric Schweitzer presents programs that are fun for the whole family. His blend of comedy magic and audience participation keeps everyone entertained and amazed. At 2 p.m. at West Asheville Library, 942 Haywood Road, 250-4650.
Through Sept. 1 Butterfly exhibit
WNC Nature Center is hosting its fifth walkthrough butterfly exhibit, which invites visitors to feed a butterfly, meet a moth, find caterpillars and cocoons and experience hundreds of fancy flyers face to face. The exhibit is open 10 a.m.4:30 p.m. (except Aug. 23 and 30, when it is open 1-8 p.m.). For information call 298-5600 or visit wildwnc.org. Regular admission rates apply. The Nature Center is at 75 Gashes Creek Road, East Asheville.
Since 2001, North Carolina has waived sales tax for a weekend to help ease the pain of back-to-school shopping. The holiday begins at midnight Aug. 1 and ends at 11:59 p.m. Aug. 3. The key is to know what’s eligible and realize that all shoppers, not just those with school-age children, can benefit. Stores are not allowed to opt out of the sales-tax holiday. Items exempt from tax include traditional school supplies like pencils and notebooks, computers and clothing items less than $100. But there are unexpected things on the list, too. There is no tax, for instance, on diapers, wedding apparel, a wide array of arts supplies and sporting equipment
What are your back-to-school shopping strategies? Visit WNCmom.com to join the conversation with other moms. shopping experience enjoyable, we suggest that you map out your shopping trip, shop earlier in the day, and have a list prepared to keep you on track,” she says.
3. Shop against the crowds
PHOTO BY JOHN COUTLAKIS
Jennifer Green of Fairview shops for clothing at Target in Arden with her son Gavin, 6. All school supplies and clothing with a sales price of $100 per item or less is tax free the first weekend in August. beyond what is needed for the area’s school teams (like roller skates). Shoppers don’t have to go to a store to take advantage of the discount. Items ordered by Internet or telephone during the holiday weekend qualify. For a list of items considered tax-free, visit the state Department of Revenue’s Web site at www.dor.state.nc.us/taxes/sales/ holiday_4-08.pdf.
2. Check the list Like the Thanksgiving weekend sales, retailers urge shoppers to shop early, have a plan and remain calm. First, check the supply list for your child’s class. Many schools within the Buncombe County and Asheville City systems post lists on their individual Web sites. The county school system also suggests checking with your particular
school to obtain a list. Ray Guy, executive team leader of hardlines at the Target store in Arden, says that while his store calls schools to get their lists, shoppers should bring a copy rather than expect the store to have it on hand. “Not all schools have or will have sent their specific lists in by the taxfree holiday,” he says. “Also, with as many people that will be out shopping there could be some of the school lists will get gobbled up pretty quickly. We will do everything we can to replenish the lists throughout the day, but they will go fast.” To help teachers out, he says Target Corp. has started a system similar to a wedding registry called Target Lists that educators can use to post their lists online. Bacon also suggests planning ahead — and shopping early. “To make your tax-free weekend
What you’re in the market for will determine when you should shop. At Circuit City, Burgin suggests shopping early for items that will be available in limited quantities, but he points out that will also be the most crowded time of day. If you’re going to shop at a more leisurely pace or for items not on sale, he says to wait until later in the afternoon. He expects computers to be in high demand, but for many of the items the retailer carries that are not tax exempt, it will be “business as usual.” The opposite holds true for Target, Guy says. He said he anticipates the discount retailer’s aisles will be busiest between noon and 7 p.m. “The earlier you come in the weekend, then the more likely you are to get the items you are looking for,” Guy says. “We will receive replenishment over the weekend; however, not all items will be replenished.” Rick Davis, manager of Steve & Barry’s at Biltmore Square Mall, foresees a crowd through the weekend. “With everything at $8.98, we expect quite a few shoppers,” he says. Unlike holiday shopping times, though, many area retailers are not expanding their hours much that weekend. At the mall, Bacon says Belk and J.C. Penney will offer extended hours. Continued on Page 4
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Create a positive vision for the new school year in this co-creative collage experience between parent and child. Explore your child’s hopes and goals. Be on the same team in actualizing them this year. For elementary schoolers, 10 a.m.noon; middle schoolers, 1-3 p.m.; high schoolers, 4-6 p.m. At Spark Creative Wellness Studio in downtown Asheville. Visit sparkcreative wellness.com or call Jessica Chilton, expressive arts therapist and educator, at 301-5172.
Aug. 25
Make the most of the sales tax holiday weekend
By Katie Wadington Staff writer
Envision school through collage
Use your nose on this “Off the Beaten Path” hike at Chimney Rock Park to identify many of the growing plants and flowers. It’s a fun way to remember plants you might forget otherwise. Call 800-277-9611 to register. Cost is $20, $10 for ages 6-15 ($5 for passholders, $3 for members of Grady’s Kids Club).
tax-free shopping tips
CALENDAR OF EVENTS Continued fromPage 3
4. Teachers get breaks, too Shawna Butcher, a co-owner of Teacher’s Edition on Hendersonville Road, says the state started including teaching materials in the tax exemption within the last couple of years. But educators aren’t the only shoppers at her store, where she says she expects “everything in the store with the exception of toys is going to be a big seller.” “We have a large parent population
that comes in looking for supplemental materials for their kids for things they’re struggling with or that they need help with.”
5. Look beyond the traditional While back-to-school basics are one of the main focuses, sporting goods are also included in the exemption. Cleven Trammell, manager of the Play It Again Sports store on Tunnel Road in East Asheville, is hoping for a big weekend as parents get children
Sales tax holiday guidelines: What’s exempt?
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Clothing with a sales price of $100 or less per item. All apparel suitable for general use. Some items included are: aprons, household and shop; athletic supporters; baby receiving blankets; bandannas; bathing suits and caps; belts and suspenders; boots; overshoes; coats, jackets, capes, and wraps; costumes (does not include costume masks sold separately); diapers (children and adults, including disposables); earmuffs; gloves and mittens for general use; hats and caps; hosiery; scarves; formal wear (does not include rentals); garters and garter belts; girdles; leotards and tights; panty hose; socks; stockings and footlets; underwear; insoles for shoes; jogging suits; lab coats; neckties; rainwear; rubber pants; sandals; shoes and shoelaces; slippers; sneakers; steel-toed shoes; uniforms (athletic and nonathletic uniforms when purchased for nonbusiness use); wedding apparel (does not include rentals). Sport or recreational equipment with a sales price of $50 or less per item. Items designed for human use and worn in conjunction with an athletic or recreational activity that are not suitable for general use. The items listed are exempt from tax during the holiday period if the sales price of the item is
$50 or less: ballet and tap shoes; cleated or spiked athletic shoes; gloves (baseball, bowling, boxing, hockey, golf, and other sports); goggles; hand and elbow guards; helmets (bicycle, skating, baseball and other sports); life preservers and vests; mouth guards; roller and ice skates; shin guards; shoulder pads; ski boots; waders, wetsuits and fins. Computers with a sales price of $3,500 or less per item. An electronic device that accepts information in digital or similar form and manipulates it for a result based on a sequence of instructions. For purposes of the exemption during the sales tax holiday, a computer includes a central processing unit, monitor, keyboard, mouse, and speakers since these items are deemed to be necessary in the operation of the computer. The separate sale of a monitor, keyboard, mouse, or speakers is subject to the applicable tax when the item is not sold in conjunction with a central processing unit. Peripherals are not considered part of a computer and are subject to the applicable tax notwithstanding that they may be sold with the computer as a package. Peripherals must be separately stated on the invoice and the appropriate tax charged on those items. Computer supplies with a sales price of
ready for football and baseball seasons. “We generally see a pretty hefty increase in sales,” he said. “The first weekend in August is the jumping off point to boost sales back up again” after a slower June and July. Trammell points out that adults don’t have only their kids in mind when buying. “Parents try to take advantage of the tax-free weekend when it comes to fitness equipment,” he says, pointing out the significant savings to be
$250 or less per item. An item commonly used by a student in a course of study in which a computer is used. The items listed are exempt from tax during the holiday period if the sales price of the item is $250 or less. This list is all-inclusive: computer storage media, including diskettes and compact disks; handheld electronic schedulers, except devices that are cellular phones; personal digital assistants, except devices that are cellular phones; computer printers; printer supplies for computers, including printer paper and printer ink. School supplies with a sales price of $100 or less per item. An item commonly used by a student in a course of study; the term includes school art supplies and school instructional materials. The items listed are exempt from tax during the holiday period if the sales price of the item is $100 or less. This list is all-inclusive. Binders; blackboard chalk; book bags; calculators; cellophane tape; clay and glazes; compasses; composition books; crayons; erasers; folders (expandable, pocket, plastic, and manila); glue, paste, and paste sticks; highlighters; index card boxes; index cards; legal pads; lunch boxes; markers; notebooks; paintbrushes for artwork;
Helpful links K N.C. Department of Revenue sales tax holiday information www.dor.state.nc.us/taxes/sales/ holiday_4-08.pdf K Buncombe County Schools www.buncombe.k12.nc.us K Asheville City Schools www.asheville.k12.nc.us had on some machines. “Cardio equipment is probably the biggest thing.”
paints (acrylic, tempera, and oil); paper (loose leaf ruled notebook paper, copy paper, graph paper, tracing paper, manila paper, colored paper, poster board, and construction paper); pencil boxes and other school supply boxes; pencil sharpeners; pencils; pens; protractors; rulers; scissors; sketch and drawing pads; watercolors; writing tablets. School instructional materials with a sales price of $300 or less per item. Written material commonly used by a student in a course of study as a reference and to learn the subject being taught. The term is mutually exclusive of the terms “school supply” and “computer supply.” The items listed below are included in the term and are therefore exempt from tax during the holiday period if the sales price of the item is $300 or less per item. (Prior to the 2008 holiday, these items were categorized as “school supplies” and were exempt during the holiday period if the sales price of the item was $100 or less per item.) This list is all-inclusive: reference books; reference maps and globes; textbooks; workbooks.
Aug. 21, Asheville Arts Center South: 9:30 a.m. Village demo; 10:30 a.m. Our Time demo; 11:30 a.m. Imagine That demo.
Starts Aug. 20 Empowered birthing classes
Childbirth education classes taught by a certified nurse midwife, Trish Beckman, and doula and prenatal massage therapist, Laura Beagle. Hands-on techniques for labor support, stages of labor, birth plan discussions, handouts and videos. Three classes, 6-9 p.m., Aug. 20, 27 and Sept. 3, at 260 Merrimon Ave. Call 231-9227 for information.
Aug. 20 Butterfly Bash
Celebrate butterflies in story, song and craft. For ages 3 and older. At 10 a.m. at South Asheville/ Oakley Library, 749 Fairview Road, 250-4754.
School resumes
Asheville City Schools resume classes.
Aug. 20-21 Parents morning out open house
The Asheville Arts Center’s music- and arts-based parents morning out program invites parents and children to experience the program and meet instructors. From 9 a.m.-noon at the Arts Center South (a new location) 9 Summit Ave., Suite B, near Hendersonville and Long Shoals roads. Call 253-4000 or visit ashevilleartscenter.com
Aug. 21-Sept. 25 Spanish for kids
Expose preschoolers to Spanish through language sounds. Activities include games, songs and storytelling. Parents are welcome to come and learn, too. Program runs for six weeks, 4-4:45 p.m. Thursdays, at the French Broad Food Co-op on Biltmore Avenue. Call Monica at 335-2120.
Aug. 22 Parents night out
Children may come dressed in favorite pajamas, poodle skirt or bobby socks, ready for old fashioned rock ‘n’ roll fun. From 6-9:30 p.m. Cost is $20 for first child and $15 each additional child. Please RSVP and pay by Aug. 20. At the Asheville Arts Center, 308 Merrimon Ave. Call 253-4000 or visit ashevilleartscenter.com.
Soccer registration deadline
Register for Asheville-Buncombe Youth Soccer Association’s U5 and U6 teams by Aug. 22. Deadline for players in U7 and higher was June 28; those players can register with a $10 late fee but placement is not guaranteed. Visit abysa.org.
Aug. 23 Block party
Abernethy United Methodist Church, 1418 Patton Ave., West Asheville, is hosting a block party with food, games, music, slides, a petting zoo and more, 4-7 p.m. Event is free to the community. For more information call 254-2612.
Continued on Page 62
Source: N.C. Department of Revenue
PHOTO BY JOHN FLETCHER
Sixth-graders Jacob Robinson and Janet Avalos try their locker combinations during the first day of class last year at North Windy Ridge school in Weaverville. Buncombe County Schools resume classes on Aug. 14, Haywood students return Aug. 19, Asheville City starts Aug. 20 and Henderson County students go back to school on Aug. 25.
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Starts Aug. 17 YouthSPARK Creativity Class
An interactive expressive arts class that builds positive friendships, self-confidence, creativity and communication skills. Runs 1:30-3:30 p.m. Sundays, Aug. 17 and 24 and Sept. 7, for thirdto fifth-graders and 4-6 p.m. for sixth- to eighthgraders. At Spark Creative Wellness Studio in downtown Asheville. Call Jessica Chilton at 3015172 or visit sparkcreativewellness.com.
‘Back-to-School Blues Buster’
This three-session group uses the arts and creative games to express feelings of anxiety, insecurity or sadness and move beyond school-related challenges. For middle schoolers from 4-6 pm. Mondays, Aug. 18, 25 and Sept 8. For elementary children 4-6 pm. Tuesdays, Aug 19, 26 and Sept 2. At Spark Creative Wellness Studio in downtown Asheville. Call Jessica Chilton at 3015172 or visit sparkcreativewellness.com.
Aug. 18-21 Free baby oral health exam
Great Beginnings Pediatric Dental Specialists is giving free oral health exams to infants up to 14 months old. Exams are at 10B Yorkshire St., Asheville, and 50 Bowman Drive, Waynesville. For an appointment, call the Asheville office at 2749220, or the Waynesville office at 454-9156. For information, visit greatbeginningspedo.com.
Breast-feeding class
Learn the art of breast-feeding. Class covers breast-feeding basics to help give moms a good start. From 6:30-7:30 p.m. at Pardee Health Education Center in Blue Ridge Mall, Four Seasons Boulevard, Hendersonville. Call 6924600. Class is free; registration is not required.
School resumes
Haywood County Schools resume. Half-days on Aug. 19-20.
Aug. 19-21 Kindermusik demo classes
Experience Kindermusik, music and movement, child development, family fun. Times and locations follow. For information, call Patty Lee Book at 253-4000 or visit ashevilleartscenter.com. Aug. 19, Asheville Arts Center, 308 Merrimon Ave.: 9:30 a.m. Village demo for newborn-18 months; 10:30 a.m. Our Time demo for 18 months-3 years; 11:30 a.m. Imagine That demo for 3-4 years. Aug. 19, Asheville Arts Center South, 9 Summit Ave., Suite B: 4:15 p.m. for Imagine That demo for 3-4 years and Our Time demo for 18 months-3 years. Aug. 20, Asheville Arts Center: 9:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. Our Time demo; 10:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Imagine That demo; 11:30 a.m. Village demo; 3:30 p.m. Young Child demo for 5-7 years. Aug. 20, Asheville Arts Center South: 9:15 a.m. Imagine That demo; 10:15 a.m. Our Time demo; 11:15 a.m. Village demo.
PHOTO BY ERIN BRETHAUER
Kindermusik instructor Patty Lee Book laughs as Tobias Green takes a piggy back ride during a class at Asheville Arts Center. The center is offering free demo classes Aug. 19-21 at both its Merrimon Avenue and South Asheville locations.
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An educator’s ‘wish list’
A teacher and principal offer back-to-school expectations By Barbara Blake Staff writer It’s almost time for school to begin, and teachers have high hopes that all students will arrive in their classrooms happy, healthy and ready to learn. In a perfect world, what would be on an educator’s “wish list” of expectations for students, parents and themselves to ensure a peaceful and productive school year? “The bottom line is that we want children to love to read, to write and to do math, and we want them to be good people,” said Alida Woods, principal of Isaac Dickson Elementary School. The school’s role is to teach the basics, “beginning with exposure to a print-rich environment,” Woods said. “We expose children to the best literature; we read to them, we give them time to read and to share what they read. We want them to have a sound foundation from which to explore all print, and if they have trouble establishing this foundation, we will work on extra mortar and building blocks to be sure it is built.” Once that foundation is built, the goal is for children “to want to write and to be able to write well enough so that their voices can be heard,” Woods said. “We want them to understand the power of writing and that writing can change the world.” Having number sense and being able to manipulate numbers to solve problems and “navigate in the world” is another goal, Woods said. “Beyond the basics of learning, we want children to value each other, to respect the diversity that is their world, and to be able to celebrate their own uniqueness against the backdrop of diversity,’’ Woods said. “We want all children to develop passions and to feel that they matter. Education is power, and we want children to embrace learning as a tool for making the world just a little better.”
A principal’s Top 5
Five things on Isaac Dickson Principal Alida Woods’ “wish list”: 1. We hope parents will instill in their children the importance of doing homework on time and well each night.
CMYK 5P
Starts Aug. 18
Aug. 19
2. We expect each child to be at school on time and well-prepared with lunch or lunch money, homework, all papers signed, etc. 3. We expect our children to be respectful of their teachers and their fellow students, to come to school knowing the importance of sharing and helping others. 4. We expect our parents to come to us if they suspect their children are having problems we should be aware of. PHOTO BY BARBARA BLAKE
Alida Woods expects children to be on time and well-prepared for school.
5. We hope to work as a team with parents and we value their input and insights into their children.
A teacher’s Top 5
Five things for parents from Marti Sullivan, fifthgrade teacher at Jones Elementary School: 1. Establish a positive relationship with your school, particularly with your child’s teacher(s). 2. Reinforce school expectations at home. 3. Check your child’s planner/homework chart/book bag nightly for homework assignments and home/school correspondence. Return items requested by the teacher and/or school promptly. 4. Contact your child’s teacher with questions and/or concerns.
SPECIAL TO WNC PARENT
Marti Sullivan would like for parents to reinforce at home the school’s expectations.
5. Ensure your child is ready for school each day by making sure he/she is rested, well-fed and prepared for the school day (homework complete, correspondence signed, proper dress, on time, etc.).
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Calm those first-day jitters Educators offer advice for easy transition into elementary school By Lockie Hunter WNC Parent contributor The first day of kindergarten is an exciting time in a child’s life, but this milestone can also be one of anxiety for the parents and the child. Help ease the stress by heeding some advice from local experts. “We, as parents and teachers, should not underestimate the need to prepare our children,” notes Nan Gregory of Asheville Montessori. “It is important to do it over time, not the last week of summer. It is important to respond with loving reassurance and statements of understanding and confidence. We are their very best advocate, always and forevermore.”
Generate excitement “Project a positive attitude and show how excited you are about the
new adventures that await your child. Make preparation for kindergarten a stress-free, fun time,” said Susan Gottfried, executive director of Evergreen Community Charter School. Libby Roland and other educators at Carolina Day School say it is important to de-stress. “First, and probably most importantly, we must not let our children know our own angst or anxiousness over this giant leap,” Roland said. “They will pick up on these feelings and can become nervous and even scared. Make this transition an adventure.”
Shop for supplies together Nan Gregory notes “shopping together for school supplies is a fabulous way to help the child feel ownership for their new beginning,” and Roland adds that it, “allows your child to help select that perfect lunch box or book bag.”
34 Pearson Drive. For ages 8-12 at 10-11:15 a.m., ages 13-17 at 11:30-12:45 p.m. Tuition is $60 (covers workshop instruction and supplies.) Sliding scale fees available. E-mail asheville youngwriters@yahoo.com or visit myspace.com/ashevilleyoungwriters for details.
Aug. 13 Beetle Beatle Mania
Tour the school
Learn about beetles through story, movement, and sculpture … all the while enjoying the music of the Fab Four from Liverpool. For ages 3 and older. At 10 a.m. at South Asheville/Oakley Library, 749 Fairview Road, 250-4754.
“At the ‘meet the teacher’ time, it would be wonderful to take pictures of the classroom and the teacher,” said Gregory. “After developing the pics, it would be a good idea to make a book with the rising kindergarten child. Read the book together often and talk about the teacher. Bringing her/him up often; talking together about the teacher will help the child relate to and realize that their new teacher is a real person.”
Home School Happenings
At The Health Adventure from 1:30-2:30 p.m. For information, call 254-6373 or visit thehealthadventure.org.
Origami Folding Frenzi
Learn new folds, share favorites, and meet fellow origami enthusiasts. All levels welcome. Paper is available at the museum store or bring your own. No club dues, just the cost of museum admission. From 4-5 p.m. at The Health Adventure in Pack Place. For information, call 254-6373 or visit thehealthadventure.org
Discuss the first-day logistics All of the educators we polled agreed that it was vital to discuss the details of pickup and drop-off. “We feel comfortable with these routines as an adult, but we forget what a big deal these little changes can be to a child. It can be unsettling to them not to know these details,” said Gregory. Ona Armstrong, a
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
Through Aug. 13 SPECIAL TO WNC PARENT
Arming your rising kindergartner with details of how the first day will go can help make for a successful transition.
Strong Roots youth garden program
Children 6-14 are invited to spend time in the garden. Supervised hands-on instruction in growing food, including games and activities that teach about biology, ecology and food, gardenbased art projects, and a healthy snack. From 9 a.m.-1 p.m. at Shiloh Community Association Garden, 59 Hampton St. Call Norma Baynes at 242-0224 or Susan Carrara at 230-2900.
Aug. 14 Arts center open house
CMYK 6P
The Asheville Arts Center South is hosting an open house with free sample classes and crafts. Learn about ballet, Irish dance, musical theater, Kindermusik, acting and parents morning out. Free 10-minute music lessons in guitar, voice, piano and more. Meet instructors. From 4-7 p.m. at the Asheville Arts Center South, 9 Summit Ave., Suite B, near Hendersonville and Long Shoals roads. Call 253-4000 or visit ashevilleartscenter.com.
School resumes
Buncombe County Schools resume classes.
Aug. 15 Performance Fest open house
Asheville Arts Center hosts an open house offering free sample classes in ballet, Irish dance, musical theater and acting; free performances in Irish dance, rock band and musical theater. Crafts for kids will also be offered, as well as free 10-minute music lessons for guitar, violin, drums, voice, piano and more. Experience the arts center’s diverse classes for all ages and meet instructors. From 5-8 p.m. at the Asheville Arts Center, 308 Merrimon Ave.
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For information, call 253-4000 or visit ashevilleartscenter.com
Through Aug. 15 Fun in the Sun camp
Waynesville Parks and Recreation Department hosts Fun in the Sun camp this summer. Camp will include High Touch High Tech, which provides fun, interactive, hands-on science and nature experiences for children. There also will be field trips, sports, and arts and crafts. Two age divisions: 5-7 and 8-11. Other activities include Wednesday theme days. Cost is $85 per week for members of the Waynesville Recreation Center and $95 per week for nonmembers. A two week deposit is required. Enrollment is limited to 60 campers. For information, call 456-2030 or e-mail recyouth@townofwaynesville.org
Aug. 15-16 Fun with Fiber day camp
Fun with Fiber summer day camp at Historic Johnson Farm, 3346 Haywood Road, Hendersonville, will offer a wide variety of weaving experiences. Morning sessions are 9 a.m.-noon, afternoon sessions are 1-4 p.m. Each session is $15 per student, limited to 12 students per session. Camp is led by the Heritage Weavers of the Opportunity House. For ages 8 through middle school; adults is space is available. Younger students may come if accompanied by adult. For information, call 891-6585.
Aug. 16 ‘Back-to-School Blues’
Is your child “singing the blues” as school begins? Whether your child feels shy, anxious, scared, or sad this workshop offers creative ways to express school-related challenges in a supportive environment. Kindergarten to secondgraders, 10 a.m.-noon; third- to fifth-graders, 1-3 p.m.; sixth- to eighth-graders, 4-6 p.m. At Spark Creative Wellness Studio in downtown Asheville. Visit sparkcreativewellness.com or call Jessica Chilton at 301-5172.
Ice cream social
Children of all ages are invited to an ice cream social 6–8 p.m. (rain or shine) at First Congregational United Church of Christ, West Fifth Avenue and White Pine Drive, Hendersonville. Cones are $1. Sundaes are $2. Mardi Gras Blues Band will perform. Call 6928630 or visit fcchendersonville.org.
La Leche League meeting
La Leche League of Asheville and Buncombe hosts a meeting at 10 a.m. the third Saturday of the month at Awakening Heart Chiropractic, on the corner of Merrimon Avenue and Hillside Street, across from Claxton Elementary. Enter on Hillside and park in the back of the building. All ages of nurslings and their moms are welcome. For information, call Susan at 628-4438 or 2802895, Jane at 670-1032, Jenn at 713-3707 or Adrienne at 713-1534.
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CALENDAR OF EVENTS Continued from Page 57
Through Aug. 7 Woodsy Owl’s Curiosity Club
Nature-oriented activities each week for children at the Cradle of Forestry. Attend one program or all. Programs run 10-11:30 a.m. Thursdays, through Aug. 7, and Saturdays through Aug. 2. Each program is $4 per child. Accompanying adults are admitted to the Cradle of Forestry at half price ($2.50). Visit cradleofforestry.org.
Aug. 8 Children may come dressed as a favorite pet and ready for extreme weather fun for the “Raining Cats and Dogs” theme. From 6-9:30 p.m. Cost is $20 for the first child, $15 each additional child. Please RSVP and pay by Aug. 6. At the Asheville Arts Center, 308 Merrimon Ave. For information, call 253-4000 or visit ashevilleartscenter.com.
Aug. 8-9 ‘101 Dalmations’
You’ll see spots, as the lovable canines escape from one of Disney’s most noted villains, Cruela De Vil. The Asheville Arts Center Children’s Theatre Production Workshop presents “101 Dalmations.” Shows at 6 p.m. Friday and 2 p.m. Saturday. Tickets $5-7. At the Asheville Arts Center, 308 Merrimon Ave. For information, call 253-4000 or visit ashevilleartscenter.com.
benefit the Skyland/South Buncombe Library, 260 Overlook Road. Call 250-6488.
Wee Trade Best Made sale
Smokey Bear’s birthday party
The largest consignment sale in Western North Carolina at the WNC Ag Center in Fletcher. Sign up to consign by Aug. 3. Drop-off is 8 a.m.-7 p.m. Aug. 5-6. Presale for volunteers and consignors starts Aug. 7. Public sale is 8 a.m.-6 p.m. Aug. 8, 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Aug. 9, and noon-4 p.m. Aug. 10 (half-price SPECIAL TO WNC PARENT day). For information, visit weeA pair of shoes waits to be trade.com or call sold at the Wee Trade Best Nina at 697-2952 Made consignment sale. or 606-8680 or Rita at 692-0033 or 275-0859.
Aug. 9 Skyland Library book sale
Friends of South Buncombe hosts its annual big book sale with paperbacks, videos, cassettes, specialty books and more. Preview party for Friends members is 7 p.m. Aug. 8, and Friends memberships can be purchased at the door of the preview sale. All proceeds from the sale will
Celebrate Smokey Bear’s birthday at the Cradle of Forestry, U.S. 276 in the Pisgah National Forest near Brevard. Child-oriented event with music, games, art activities, wildland fire fighting tools, birthday cake and the guest of honor, Smokey Bear. From 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Cost is $6 for adults, $3 for youth younger than 16 and holders of Golden and America the Beautiful passes. For details, call 877-3130 or visit cradleofforestry.org.
Aug. 9-10 Sourwood Festival
Alcohol-free street festival with more than 200 vendors, food and entertainment in Black Mountain. Visit exploreblackmountiain.com.
Aug. 10 ‘The Art of Friendship Workshop’
Spark Creative Wellness Studio in downtown Asheville offers a positive, supportive place to “spark” new friendships. Through this fun and interactive creative experience, your child will gain interpersonal skills while making new friends. Runs 1:30-3:30 p.m. for third- to fifthgraders; 4-6 p.m. for sixth- to eighth-graders. Visit sparkcreativewellness.com or call Jessica Chilton at 301-5172.
Irish dance workshop
The Asheville Arts Center’s Gallagher School of Irish Dance hosts a free Irish dance workshop and Ceili social fest for all ages. Live music will accompany the family event. From 3-5 p.m. at the Asheville Arts Center, 308 Merrimon Ave. Call 253-4000 or visit ashevilleartscenter.com.
Aug. 11 Home-school expressive arts workshop
Make new friends, expand your creativity, and express yourself through the arts. For 7- to 12year-old homeschoolers, 10 a.m.-noon; for 13to 17-year-old homeschoolers, 1:30-3:30 p.m. At Spark Creative Wellness Studio in downtown Asheville. Visit sparkcreativewellness.com or call Jessica Chilton, expressive arts therapist and
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educator, at 301-5172.
La Leche League meeting
La Leche League of Asheville and Buncombe hosts Baby, Pregnant Mamas and Toddler meetings at 10 a.m. the second Monday of each month at First Congregational Church, Oak St., Asheville. Enter behind the church. Babies and pregnant moms are upstairs, first room on the left; toddlers are upstairs, second room on the left. For information, call Susan at 628-4438 or 280-2895, Jane at 670-1032, Jenn at 7133707 or Adrienne at 713-1534.
Aug. 11 and 25 ‘My Mom Is Having a Baby’
A free program to help children ages 3-8 understand, accept and anticipate changes as the family prepares for the birth of a baby. Each child will see and hold life-like models that show how a baby grows and develops, make a kite mobile for the baby’s room, SPECIAL TO WNC PARENT receive an activity book and tour the Peggy Tobin is a volunteer Mother/Baby Unit for the My Mom is Having a Baby class at Mission at Mission Hospital to see Hospitals. It will be where mom and offered Aug. 11 and 25, baby will stay. and Sept. 8 and 22. Program runs 4-5 p.m. the second and fourth Mondays of each month at Mission Hospitals. (Enter the hospital at the visitor entrance off Biltmore Avenue. Take G elevators to the fourth floor.) Children older than 8 may attend the adult tour with their parents. To register, call 254-6373, ext. 316. For information, visit thehealthadventure.com and click on the “Programs” tab.
kindergarten teacher with Evergreen Community Charter School, notes that it is helpful to “establish what you will do on the first day of school with your child, such as ‘I will walk you to the door, give you a kiss and you will walk in by yourself.’“ Gottfried suggests that you “do a practice run of the morning routine so your family can work out any surprises in timing before the big first day. This practice run can also unveil some hidden fears your child may have so you can deal with them ahead of time.”
Share your emotions of the day “Ask them how they feel about kindergarten and tell them how you feel,” said Heather Tate, kindergarten teacher at Evergreen Community Charter School. “I often begin the first day of kindergarten telling the children that I am excited about our new adventures and meeting our new classroom family, but also nervous about having to learn so many new names and learn about so many new friends. This is comforting because many of them are feeling many different emotions about starting kindergarten and this helps them relate.”
Work on kindergarten skills At the Claxton Elementary orientation the students were “provided with a goodie bag filled with activities to help students practice fine motor skills. An emphasis on fine motor skills, as well as social skills, is critical in the development of readiness skills,” said McArthur. “Kindergarten teachers have an arsenal of tools to help students develop math and literacy skills, but fine motor skills support the
development of these skills.” Gregory adds “reading together books that refer to new beginnings and to school and to making new friends is important. Talking about the contents of those books together will extend its value. Reading through the summer, providing gentle repetition and thoughtful discussion over time is key.” Armstrong suggests “The Kissing Hand” which deals with scenarios like the first day of school.”
Consider summer camp Roland notes that your children “can learn valuable lessons at a quality day camp. They can learn how to work and play with other children while in a more structured environment. They can learn about and become part of a classroom community. ... During camp, children can learn about the golden rule, circle time, being a door-holder or line leader all while having fun.”
Get some sleep “Get your child happily tucked in with plenty of time for good rest,” Roland said. “Good nutrition and plenty of sleep are more important than you can imagine.”
A final special touch Consider “enclosing a note of love and encouragement in their lunch box,” said Gregory. “It can be so encouraging to your child!” Lockie Hunter can be reached at Lockie@lockiehunter.com
Immunization requirements for students North Carolina requires the following immunizations for entry into public schools: Diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis; polio; measles; mumps; rubella; haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib); hepatitis B; varicella. Certificate of Immunization A physician, health clinic or local health department administering required vaccines must give a Certificate of Immunization to the person who presented the child for immunization. Exemptions K Medical exemptions: An exemption is permitted for medical reasons when a physician determines that an immunization is or may be harmful to a student for a specific reason. Valid medical exemptions must be written and signed by a physician licensed to practice medicine in North Carolina. The medical exemption must correspond to those medical contraindications specified in the N.C. Immunization Rules or an approved Rules’ exception approved by the State Health Director. These physician statements must be maintained in the student’s permanent record. K Religious exemptions: Parent(s), guardian or person in loco parentis who have a bona fide religious objection to immunization requirements must place a signed statement on file in the student’s permanent record. An objection based upon a “scientific” belief (i.e. a foreign substance or chemical may be harmful) or nonreligious personal belief or philosophy (i.e. clean living, fresh air, pure water) is not considered to be a religious exemption and is not allowed under N.C. law. Source: State of North Carolina
Aug. 11-15 Asheville Young Writers’ Workshop
Poets, storytellers, interested beginners welcome. Special one-week “end of summer” session runs Aug. 11-15 at the Montford Community Center,
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CMYK 7P
Parents night out
Aug. 8-10
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
Aug. 2
17 de julio – 21 de agosto
Family Day: Robots workshop
¡Listos para Aprender!
Gather your resources for this Robot Challenge at The Health Adventure. Use an assortment of mechanical parts to design, build, and test a functioning robot. Fun for the whole family from 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. For information, call 2546373 or visit thehealthadventure.org.
La Sociedad del Éxito de Aprendizaje invita a niños de 2-5 años quienes no están en la escuelita, juntos con sus padres o guardianes del condado de Buncombe, a participar una serie de 6 clases gratis. Ayude a su niño al desarrollo social y emocional en un contexto de alfabetismo temprano y de pre-matemáticas por medio de cuentos, canciones, poemas, y vocabulario. Las clases empiezan el 17 de julio – 21 de agosto, los jueves de 10:30 a 11:15 a.m. en el Centro de Literatura de la Familia de ACSP, 441 Haywood Road. Cada niño recibe un libro gratis al final de cada clase. Para registrarse por favor llame a Mónica Bastin al 255-5001. (This program is offered exclusively to families who are fluent in Spanish and speak it as their primary language at home.)
Aug. 2 and 9 Fall baseball sign up
Aug. 6 and 15
Registration for the 2008 WNC Fall Baseball season will be 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Aug. 2 and 9 at the Murphy-Oakley Recreation Center, 749 Fairview Road. Visit wncfallball.com or call Bill Stewart at 691-3679 or Donna Messer at 713-5775.
Parents morning out open house
The Asheville Arts Center’s music- and artsbased parents morning out program invites parents and children to experience the program and meet instructors. At the Asheville Arts Center Annex, 366 Merrimon Ave. (behind Atlanta Bread) from 9-11 a.m. Also noon-3 p.m. at the Arts Center South (a new location) 9 Summit Ave., Suite B, near intersection of Hendersonville and Long Shoals Roads. For information, call 253-4000 or visit ashevilleartscenter.com.
Aug. 4 Rock U! School of Rock open house
Learn how to rock with Rock U!, Asheville Arts Center’s year round school of rock on guitar, bass, drums, keys, vocals. Meet instructors and register for a free consultation. From 5:30–6:30 p.m. at the Asheville Arts Center, 308 Merrimon Ave. For information, call 253-4000 or visit ashevilleartscenter.com.
Aug. 5 Appalachian clogging for kids
Junior Olympic medalist Ashley Shimberg presents a session for children ages 5 and older on traditional Appalachian clogging. There will be a demonstration and children will learn the basic steps as well as the roots of clogging in Asheville. At 2 p.m. at South Buncombe/Skyland Library, 260 Overlook Road, 250-6488.
Aug. 5 and 12 Childbirth 101
CMYK 8P
A two-session class for expectant parents covering the labor and delivery process, relaxation, breathing patterns, birth options, positioning and comfort measures. Bring two pillows and a blanket. Two Tuesdays, Aug. 5 and 12, 6:30-9
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CITIZEN-TIMES PHOTO
Registration for WNC Fall Ball begins Aug. 2. p.m. Cost is $90, or free with Medicaid. Registration required. At Pardee Health Education Center in Blue Ridge Mall, Four Seasons Boulevard, Hendersonville. Call 6924600 for information.
Aug. 7 Ed Osada’s honeybees
Come listen to a real beekeeper, Edward Osada. Find out about bees, how they live and the wonderful things they do. At 11 a.m. at Leicester
Library, 1561 Alexander Road, 250-6480.
Theater open house
The Asheville Arts Center hosts an information session for its year-round acting and musical theater conservatory programs. Meet our instructors at 6:45 p.m. for the Junior Acting Company (ages 7-10) and at 7:15 p.m. for The Academy (ages 10-18). At Asheville Arts Center, 308 Merrimon Ave. For information, call 253-4000 or visit ashevilleartscenter.com.
World Breast-feeding Week celebration
If you’re breast-feeding, pregnant or thinking of becoming pregnant, join Park Ridge Hospital and its community partners to celebrate breast-feeding. At 6 p.m. Park Ridge Hospital, 100 Hospital Drive, Hendersonville. Vendors with information and gifts, refreshments, games for kids, etc., will be available. For details, call Jodi at 650-2724.
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Aug. 6 Dance open house
An information session for the dance company and ballet classes at Asheville Arts Center, 308 Merrimon Ave. Meet instructors. At 5:15 p.m. For information, call 253-4000 or visit ashevilleartscenter.com
Colburn Museum free day
Visit the Colburn Earth Science Museum for free from 3-5 p.m. Museum is in Pack Place, downtown. Visit colburnmuseum.org or call 254-7162.
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Make a statement
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
Things to do
July 28-Aug. 8 Visual arts camp
July 29 Free Kindermusik class
Try out Kindermusik, music and movement, child development, and family fun. Demos are 11:30 a.m. for Village/Sign & Sing for newborn-18 months; noon for Our Time, 18 months-3 years. At the Asheville Arts Center, 308 Merrimon Ave. For information and to RSVP, call Patty Lee Book at 253-4000. Visit ashevilleartscenter.com.
Teen Safe Driver Program
The State Highway Patrol will present a free program focused on issues that teen drivers face. They have the highest crash risk of any age group, and traffic accidents are the leading cause of teen fatalities. Program is 10 a.m. at Buncombe County Parks & Recreation Services Administration, 49 Mount Carmel Road, Asheville. For more information, contact Grace Young at 250-4265 or grace.young@buncombecounty.org.
July 29-30 Interesting Invertebrates
The N.C. Natural Science Museum comes to you with touchable live animals and natural objects. Meet live invertebrates like millipedes, crayfish, tarantulas, scorpions and Madagascar hissing cockroaches in this up close, safe look at ani-
Distinctive back-to-school clothes that are bold and comfy Story by Lockie Hunter, WNC Parent contributor K
July 30 Catch the Magic Bug with Zelnik the Magician
Zelnik the Magician needs your help — the mystical Reading Bug is in danger! Go on a magical adventure with storytelling, comedy, magic, child participation and puppetry. For ages 5 and older. At 2:30 p.m. at South Buncombe/Skyland Library, 260 Overlook Road, 250-6488. SPECIAL TO WNC PARENT
July 31 Bug visors
Craft a “bug-a-licious” visor. For ages 5 and older. At 11 a.m. at South Asheville/Oakley Library, 749 Fairview Road, 250-4754.
Hobey Ford and his Golden Rod Puppets
Using innovative puppets of his own design, Hobey Ford adapts folk tales from various cultures, always adding a special “golden rod” twist. For ages 5 and older. At 10:30 a.m. at Fairview Library, 1 Taylor Road, 250-6485.
Kaleidoscope workshop
Learn how to make your very own kaleidoscopes. For ages 4 and older. At 11 a.m. at Leicester Library, 1561 Alexander Road, 250-6480.
WNC Bugs and their Buddies Explore the world of insects that live in the
Carl Sandburg Home National Historic Site presents “The World of Carl Sandburg” and “Rootabaga Stories,” Aug. 1-16. mountains, and the bigger animals that depend on them. An interactive program for all ages from the WNC Nature Center. At 11 a.m. at Swannanoa Library, 101 W. Charleston St., 2506486.
Aug. 1 Toddler ‘Bee’ Bop
Calling all little ones, 5 and younger: See what the “buzz” is all about! We’ll jive the hive with guitar and rhythm instruments in this summer sing-along. At 10:30 a.m. at Enka-Candler Library, 1401 Sandhill Road, 250-4758.
Preschool Play Date
Formerly known as Fabulous Fridays, The Health Adventure’s Preschool Play Date series provide children 3-6 with a unique and safe venue to play and a chance for parents, grandparents,
and caregivers to socialize and bond. Hands-on take-away activities led by an expert educator from museum make these play dates enriching for children and adults alike. Free for members or with museum admission. The Preschool Play Date series is 10:30-11:30 a.m. every first Friday of the month. No registration in required. Call or visit thehealthadventure.org.
Aug. 1-16 Carl Sandburg Home programs
The Carl Sandburg Home and The Vagabond School of the Drama present “The World of Carl Sandburg” at 10:15 a.m. Wednesdays and Fridays and “Rootabaga Stories” at 10:15 a.m. Thursdays and Saturdays. Thirty-minute performances are free and held rain or shine, at the Carl Sandburg Home amphitheater in Flat Rock. For information, call 693-4178.
The first day of school is fast approaching. Now is the time to stock your child’s wardrobe with functional, fashionable clothing. From boutique children’s stores to consignment shopping, the area provides an array of retail options to suit your children’s clothing needs. Some of these fashions are even produced locally, and purchasing them will help support local designers. “The closer you are to where it is made the better,” said Holly Kirschbaum, co-owner of Heaven Rains Boys & Girls in the Grove Arcade downtown. “Made in the USA is great. But if you can say it’s made by a local artist it’s an automatic in.” This year’s trends include bright custom prints, knitwear, and vintage and urban wear.
Color is big “Distinct, one-of-a kind prints and colors are the rage this season,” said Melody Fox, owner of Bon Bébé in Asheville. “Favorites being designers like Baby Nay, Baby Lulu and Little Mass use futuristic designs while still offering a soft cotton and modal blend.” “The trend of brown seems to be hanging on, for children and adults,” said Diana Eirhart, retail general manager of the Just Ducky Originals store on Charlotte Street. “Mixing vibrant colors with brown such as turquoise, hot pink and lime seems to be holding steady in the world of fashion.” The bold color trend has even extended to organic clothing lines. “Ecofriendly and organic clothing has become really fashionable,” noted Kirschbaum. “Organics used to only come in those three bland colors. Now there are several fun options.”
Gotta be comfortable
“Comfort is always a ‘trend’ as your little ones need to be comfy to learn,” said Eirhart. “You can find true comfort and style in fashion knits. A monogram or appliqué will style up your knits, but keep your little ones looking young. Fox from Bon Bebe agrees, “Details, like crochet floral accents on long sleeved dress, gathered sides on the elastic waist leggings in bold, bright, fun colors create that wow factor.”
‘Bolder the better’ “This fall, it’s definitely ‘in’ to make a statement,” Kirschbaum said. “The bolder the better. I’m happy to see all of the ‘peace’ and ‘love’ shirts coming back around. I will say that boys clothes are finally fun. We found this boys line Knuckleheads — it is vintage and skateboard inspired; the kids are eating it up and so are their parents.” Fox agreed: “Vintage and urban inspired designs are also strong this season for both girls and boys.”
Check consignment shops Fun fashions can be found at consignment stores as well. Children’s Trading Post, on Merrimon Avenue and Airport Road, has a selection that is always in flux. “New inventory is put out every day,” said Mimi Swinger, a sales associate at the Children’s Trading Post, “and we are taking fall and winter clothes so those are going out on the racks for back to school. “Every month the clothes are marked down, so there is always something on sale and the markdown goes all the way to 75 percent off,” Swinger said. “We are very picky about what brands we take, so you will find a lot of Gap, Gymboree, Lands’ End, Columbia.” Contact Hunter at Lockie@lockiehunter.com. For more fashions, see Page 10.
Catherine Cullen, 8, looks ready for back to school in this soft, comfortable, 100 percent cotton outfit that is inlaid with the details of velvet and lace from Bon Bébé.
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Photos by Stephen Miller
Helena Cullen, 6, in a cheerful combo from Bon Bébé, at 1950 Hendersonville Road, Asheville.
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Black Mountain Center for the Arts will offer two sessions of visual arts camp. The first week, July 28-Aug. 1, is for children going into kindergarten to second grade. It runs 9 a.m.-noon and costs $95. The camp Aug. 4-8 is for rising second- to fifth-graders. It runs 9 a.m.-3 p.m. and costs $140. To register, visit blackmountainarts.org or call 669-0930.
mals without backbones. For ages 6-12. At 2 p.m. July 29 at West Asheville Library, 942 Haywood Road., 250-4650 (pick up a free ticket before the program for this location); at 6:30 p.m. July 29 at Pack Memorial Library, 67 Haywood St., 250-4700; and at 11 a.m. July 30 at Enka-Candler Library, 1401 Sandhill Road, 250-4758.
Making a back-to-school fashion statement
Baja Joes
Roasted lime-chili chicken and potatoes
Prep time: 10 minutes Total time: 10 minutes Servings: 4
Prep time: 10 minutes Total time: 55 minutes Servings: 2 Juice and zest from 2 limes 2 teaspoons olive oil 2 teaspoons chili powder 1/2 pound small new potatoes, cut in fourths 1 large (about 1 pound) bone-in, skin-on chicken breast
SPECIAL TO WNC PARENT
Approximate values per serving: 260 calories, 4 g fat, 16 mg cholesterol, 8 g protein, 27 g carbohydrates, 3 g fiber, 299 mg sodium, 14 percent calories from fat.
Solutions to puzzles on Page 53
Preheat oven to 400 degrees. In a large, resealable bag, combine lime juice and zest, oil and chili powder. Add potatoes and chicken; shake and turn bag to coat ingredients with marinade. Refrigerate 15 minutes. Lightly oil a 9-inch-by- 13-inch baking pan. Pour chicken, potatoes and marinade into pan. Roast, occasionally stirring potatoes and turning chicken once or twice, 35 to 40 minutes, or until chicken registers 180 degrees on a meat thermometer. Helena Cullen shows off the urban glam look from the Pampolina Fall ’08 line. Available at Heaven Rains Boys & Girls in the Grove Arcade.
Approximate values per serving: 422 calories, 22 g fat, 116 mg cholesterol, 41 g protein, 26 g carbohydrates, 3 g fiber, 147 mg sodium, 47 percent calories from fat. Gannett News Service
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Nicholas Shealy is wearing a rollneck sweater in brown with a khaki letter. His coordinating pants are stone cord with embroidered dogs that reverse to a coordinating plaid tattersall. A red turtle neck completes the look. From Just Ducky Originals on Charlotte Street.
Bold patterns in an artistic mirage of flowers spotlights one of fall’s most popular colors — purple. Outfit, modeled by Catherine Cullen, from Bon Bébé.
Lightly oil a large skillet and heat over medium-high heat. Add beef and half the green 8 ounces extra-lean ground beef onion. Cook, crumbling and stirring, until 1/4 cup chopped green onion, divided browned, about 2 minutes. Stir in marinade, 2 tablespoons Lawry’s Baja chipotle marinade water and brown sugar; heat 30 seconds. 2 tablespoons water Warm tortillas according to package direc1/2 tablespoon brown sugar tions. For each serving, stack two tortillas, fill 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro with 1/4 cup beef mixture and top with 8 small corn tortillas cilantro and remaining green onion.
SPECIAL TO WNC PARENT
Connor Brown is wearing a 100 percent cotton sweatshirt that features an array of sport ball appliques. Sweatshirt can be personalized with a block monogram. Pants are 100 percent cotton corduroy in stone. From Just Ducky Originals.
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Designer Baby Gassy Gooma is based in Asheville but is internationally known. Here, Helena Cullen models one of the designer’s outfits, available at Heaven Rains Boys & Girls.
WNC PARENT I AUGUST 2008
Jaden Rodriguez Hirst, 6, looks stylish in a retro green and brown outfit by Knuckleheads from Heaven Rains Boys & Girls.
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Quick dinners
Grilled asparagus with tomatoes and feta Prep time: 10 minutes Total time: 10 minutes Serves: 2 to 4
Sizzling citrus shrimp Prep time: 8 minutes Total time: 23 minutes (includes marinating) Servings: 4
1 bunch asparagus Salt and pepper, to taste 2 tablespoons garlic-flavored or plain olive oil 1/2 pint grape or cherry tomatoes 2 tablespoons crumbled feta cheese Preheat grill to medium high. Lay asparagus on cutting board and cut off stems to make roughly 7-inch-long uniform spears. Place asparagus in large bowl and toss with oil. Season with salt and pepper. Place on grill crosswise to grate so spears don’t fall through, or use a nonstick vegetable grilling mat. Cook 2 minutes per side. To easily turn them, use a big spatula to roll all of them at once. Transfer asparagus to cutting board and chop into 1-inch pieces. Return to original bowl. Cut cherry tomatoes in half and add to bowl. Add feta and toss to combine.
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1 orange 1 lime 4 green onions 2 teaspoons olive oil, divided Salt and pepper 1 pound shrimp, peeled and deveined 2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro Cut orange and lime in half and squeeze juice into a large resealable bag. Grate orange and lime zest and reserve. Chop green onions and add to bag, along with 1 teaspoon oil. Add shrimp, seal bag and shake to coat. Refrigerate for 15 minutes, shaking occasionally. Heat 1 teaspoon oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add shrimp and marinade to skillet. Saute until shrimp are pink and cooked through, 1 to 2 minutes. Sprinkle with cilantro and reserved zest; season with salt and pepper. Approximate values per serving: 156 calories, 4 g fat, 173 mg cholesterol, 23 g protein, 5 g carbohydrates, 0 fiber, 171 mg sodium, 23 percent calories from fat.
Approximate values per serving: 81 calories, 8 g fat, 2 g saturated fat, 4 mg cholesterol, 2 g carbohydrates, 1 g protein, 56 mg sodium, trace fiber, 89 percent of calories from fat.
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10 ways
to spice up a packed lunch
Kids page
CONNECT THE DOTS
MAZE
By Rick McDaniel WNC Parent contributor
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The bag lunch blahs can strike at any time from Kindergarten to graduation, but with a little planning, you can pack a healthy, fun lunch for your child. All it takes is a little imagination and some thinking outside the (lunch) box. “One of my son’s favorite foods is California rolls,” said Carolyn Crook of Weaverville. “You can get them at the deli counter at most of the larger supermarkets, and he’d take them every day if he could.” Building a better brown-bag lunch starts with the bread. Not only are whole-grain breads such as wheat and rye more healthful than white bread, they’ll hold up better until lunch. Pita breads or bagels — preferably wholegrain varieties — are sturdier for sandwiches as well. Freeze breads first for easier spreading then make your sandwiches. This can also help keep foods chilled and it will be thawed in time for lunch. Don’t be afraid to spice things up— there are lots of alternatives to loaf bread. Try pita pockets, croissants, tortillas, bagels and English muffins for fun alternatives. “My son Patrick’s favorite lunch is roast turkey breast, cheese and lettuce rolled up in a flour tortilla,” said Margit Strout-Abernethy of Asheville. “It’s quick and easy and doesn’t get soggy like a sandwich.”
Fun alternatives to the soggy sandwich:
1. Cold-cut roll ups (low-fat turkey,
ham, or roast beef and low-fat cheese rolled in flour tortillas) are a great alternative to boring sandwiches. They can also be made with lettuce leaves instead of tortillas for a lower-calorie lunch treat. 2. Make cold pizza from shredded mozzarella cheese, pizza sauce and English muffins. 3. Make crispy cracker sandwiches with whole-wheat crackers, slices of assorted cheese and lean meats. Add fresh fruit, which goes nicely with the cheese and adds fiber and nutrition.
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STEVE DIXON/SDIXON@CITIZEN-TIMES.COM
Cold-cut roll ups are a great alternative to boring sandwiches.
4. If you’re firing up the grill, throw on an extra burger or some chicken strips and vegetables. Bag them separately and add them to a salad or roll up for extra flavor. 5. A wide-mouthed thermos container can be the brown bagger’s best friend. Fill it with soups, pastas or even stir-fry and they’ll stay hot until lunchtime. 6. Pasta now comes in all sorts of fun shapes: basketballs, grape clusters and Christmas trees. Make pasta salads using these silly shapes, and the kids will love it. 7. Make cookie-cutter sandwiches with your kids. Slice the crusts off the bread and use cookie cutters in fun shapes. Pack a few extras to share with friends. 8. Peanut butter and celery sticks or veggie sticks with low-fat dip or
dressing are crunchy vegetarian options. 9. One of the most boring things about brown bag lunches is the lack of variety and texture. Adding nuts or sunflower seeds to salads, soups and even sandwiches makes for crunch appeal. Try some toasted, spiced pecans in your bag instead of chips. 10. Flavored gelatin, low-fat pudding, oatmeal raisin cookie, graham crackers or fresh fruit are healthy choices for a sweet ending to a school lunch. Rick McDaniel is a freelance writer. E-mail him at southerncooking@ charter.net.
COLORING
FIND THE HIDDEN WORDS chalkboard classroom clock desk detention gymnasium hallway janitor library locker lunchroom nurse principal schoolyard secretary student teacher
n d s u h d ms p o d s u c i h t o l o n l e y k a o r u d c h
y k r i r o a t e a c h e r d i
r c y s n k r c t i l c u r e n
a y b g e c a h c s e l a r t i
t d a e y t i l c n i o i s e l
e r n y n a wo r l ms a n n y e e n k b u c k s i a l n t r r
c s c h s l d a l r r l o o i o
e u o r o e a a s e a c s t o t
s n o t u b h h a i k t n n n i
r o c t r c i r n e u e o t i n
mr l c a a p a i r c a n l i t r i p u d r mc s k r i ma a j
a c j e a h r e t r l a s e n y
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PUZZLES FOR PARENTS
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Story times, readiness kit can help prepare kids for school
48. Flora and _____ 50. Psychiatrist Jung 52. *M in IM 56. “Deck the Halls,” e.g. 57. “____ up” in poker 58. Black and white treat 59. Plural of #58 Across 60. Breezed through 61. Gambler’s cube 62. *Junk mail 63. Sea in French 64. Inquires DOWN 1. “Stuck in my ____” 2. * ____page on a Web site 3. Unstressedstressed pattern in poetry 4. Crooner Bing 5. Gas station in Australia 6. Forced on or recommended 7. One who dyes 8. * :) or :-(, e.g. 9. Christian fast 10. Asian food thickener 11. Geological period 13. ______ borealis 14. Feed the fire 19. Political action 22. * This “ware” is unwanted 23. Yankee Yogi 24. Margarines
By Jennifer Prince Buncombe County Public Libaries Starting kindergarten is an important step in a child’s life. The months leading up to that first day of school are the perfect time for parents to prepare their child socially, emotionally and intellectually. One way parents can help prepare their child for kindergarten is by taking advantage of some of the resources at the Buncombe County Public Libraries. For instance, the main library and every branch library offer weekly story times for parents and their preschoolers. Story times consist of combinations of the following: reading picture books aloud, puppetry, finger rhymes, songs and sometimes crafts. These activities encourage listening and comprehension skills, manual
25. Earp of the Wild West 26. Arrange by categories 27. Bind 28. Fill with optimism 29. Fictional cowboy Red 32. Key player in Bush presidency 33. Burned by femi-
nists 36. *Discussion place 38. Swedish money 40. “He ___ and drank the precious Words...” 41. Entertained 44. Small streams 46. Asian temple 48. Home barrier
49. Primarily fallblooming herbs with daisylike flowers 50. Goldfish or koi, e.g. 51. A particular region 52. Derived from madame 53. Purple flower of Van Gogh’s fame
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dexterity and interest in the printed word. Also, since other children and adults attend story times, the story times help with socializing and making friends. Check with the library nearest you to find out its weekly schedule or go to www.buncombecounty.org and follow the library links. In addition to the story times, Buncombe County Public Libraries offer kindergarten readiness kits for check out. The kits were provided by Transition to Kindergarten, a Smart Start program. These “Little Bear Gets Ready for Kindergarten” kits contain a booklet with information on how to register
for school, health assessments, city schools, county schools and charter schools. Also, each kit contains seven picture books that deal with the first day of school and missing a parent. Titles include “Off to School, Baby Duck!” by Amy Hest, “Spot Goes to School” by Eric Hill, and “When I Miss You” by Cornelia Maude Spelman. An accompanying activity book contains booklists and suggestions for activities that encourage the development of fine motor skills, math skills, logic, reading comprehension, and independence. In addition, each kit contains a Little Bear puppet. The activity book contains tips on how to incorporate him into activities.
While the kits are designed to give parents ideas about what to do with their child in the months before kindergarten begins, some aspects of the kits (like the picture books) can be useful in the weeks or days before kindergarten begins. Preschool teachers might find these kits useful as well. Each library branch has one kit (though many of the picture book titles are available individually through the library). The kits are available for checkout to any library card holder. For more information about these kits, call the main library at 250-4700 or contact the branch nearest you. Parents can download brochures about preparing a child for kindergarten and about kindergarten registration at www.smartstart-buncombe.org or call the Transition to Kindergarten office at 225- 5283. This book is available through the Buncombe County Public Libraries. For more details, call 250-4700 or visit www.buncombecounty.org.
Find puzzle solutions on Page 55
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ACROSS 1. Stylish 5. South in France 8. “Or ____” 12. “I am woman, here me ____” 13. Eagle’s nest 14. Stain 15. Bullets and cannonballs 16. Strong desire 17. Polynesian kingdom 18. *It serves pages 20. First name, palindrome 21. Stallone’s “First _____” 22. Winter glider 23. One who sells bows 26. Ghostly apparition 30. Minnesota Boundary Waters entry point 31. Bottle for corrosive liquids 34. Greasy 35. Respond 37. Hockey great Bobby 38. Work the dough 39. Rocker David Lee 40. *Game participant 42. Member of Shoshonean people 43. Goddess, counterpart of Ishtar 45. On the cleaning crew 47. It’s black at a formal
LIBRARIAN’S PICK
What every kindergartner should know
By Barbara Blake Staff writer
What sort of skill set should a child have before entering kindergarten? It depends on whom you ask. A generation ago, kindergarten was typically the beginning of a child’s academic and social life with peers, and most kids started on a level playing field. With the advent of child care centers and an increasing focus on preschool education, the field is no longer as level. “There have long been extreme discrepancies between school systems in North Carolina as to what skills and knowledge a child should present when they enter kindergarten,” said Pat Creighton, training specialist with Buncombe County Child Care Services. “If you go around and ask kindergarten teachers within our own two school systems here in Buncombe County, I would bet that you would find vastly differing expectations between some of the districts,” she said. “I hear this con-
stantly in the training I do.” Cathy Hohenstein, family and consumer sciences extension agent with the N.C. Cooperative Extension Service in Asheville, said times have changed since the days when kindergarten was the gateway to learning and coexisting with other kids. “With more parents working and children in day care, children are in social settings at earlier ages now, and they are coming into kindergarten with some of those skills already,” Hohenstein said. Lesa Schirmacher, director of the Smart Start-funded Transition to Kindergarten Program in Buncombe County, agreed that “each child is unique and develops at a different rate.” But she and other preschool educators say that there are certain basic skills that all children should be expected to have, even if their academic prowess varies more widely. Hohenstein and Schirmacher offered a list of general skills rising kindergartners should possess:
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Skills a 5-year-old should have
K Can follow directions and rules. K Can recognize authority. K Can talk in sentences. K Can manage bathroom needs. K Can dress himself, button and zip clothing. K Can count to 10. K Can use scissors, crayons and a pencil correctly. K Knows his name and address. K Knows basic colors. K Is able to hop on one foot, skip and walk backward. K Can bounce and catch a ball. K Can point to and identify body parts such as elbow, knees, hips and shoulders. K Can recognize their name and attempt to write it (scribbles are the first step to writing). K Can point out letters in everyday items like cereal boxes or traffic signs. K Understands that numbers are different from letters. K Can create patterns and sort materials by color or shape. K Knows how to get along in a group, negotiate for toys, discuss feelings and how to be a friend.
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PHOTO BY BARBARA BLAKE
Eve Whitman and Deante Green, both 5, read in their classroom at the child care center at First Presbyterian Church in Asheville. The children, who will begin kindergarten this year, have been constantly exposed to books and words, as well as learning to share and work as a team.
NUTRITION
Make sure your tween is getting enough nutrition
Whether she’s a picky eater, a tween who’s watching her weight or a budding vegetarian, your child may be falling short in key nutrients, says Marilyn Tanner-Blasiar, a pediatric dietitian at Washington University in St. Louis School of Medicine. Make sure your child is getting enough of these: K Calcium: Only 36 percent of boys and 14 percent of girls get enough of this bone-building mineral. Low- fat dairy products and leafy green vegetables are the best sources, but Tanner-Blasiar recommends calcium-fortified products such as orange juice as a last resort. “Shake the container before you pour, or the calcium just settles on the bottom,” she says. K Iron: It’s crucial for brain development, especially in young children, says Tanner-Blasiar. Meats, poultry, fish, legumes and fortified cereals
contain the most. K Zinc: This mineral (which meat provides a healthy dose of) is crucial for growth and sexual maturity during the adolescent years. Good non-meat sources include wholegrain breads, tofu, peanuts and almonds. K Fiber: Kids need it for the same reason as adults: It helps keep them regular and fills them up on fewer calories. Fiber-rich foods include fruits, vegetables and whole-grain products. How much does your kid need every day? “A good rule of thumb is your child’s age plus 5 (in grams),” says Tanner-Blasiar. “So a 5year-old would need 10 grams daily.” From the editors of Woman’s Day magazine First printed in the Aug. 1 issue of Woman’s Day. For videos, recipes and more, visit womansday.com.
Ways parents can help
K Encourage children to express their thoughts and feelings. K Read with your child every day. K Read books that have rhymes. K Encourage your child to scribble, draw and print. K Point out letters in everyday items like menus, tickets and notes. K Ask questions: “What did you think of that song? What was your favorite part of the movie?” K Provide time for unscheduled activities that allow your child to explore the world. K Discuss friendship and how to deal with differences. K Remind your child about sharing and “using their words” to get what they want. “Can I have a turn with that train?” “You took my piece. I don’t like that.” K Give your child daily responsibilities such as washing out her lunch box and setting the table. K Help children see the natural consequences of their actions. K Promote respect and appreciation for the cultures and abilities of others. K Establish, explain and model simple rules. K Take rainy-day hikes, splash in mud puddles, make mud pies. K Encourage use of muscles in the hand: cut out art work, hang clothes, use clay or PlayDoh, use markers or crayons daily. K Limit use of coloring books or worksheets with lines. K Encourage using small sewing cards and small beads for eye-hand coordination. K Offer assistance as needed, but give children room to manage for themselves. K Join in pretend play with your child, letting him take the lead. Source: Smart Start of Buncombe County
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Area story times Buncombe County Public Libraries
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Saturdays. Enka-Candler, 10:30 a.m. Wednesdays. Fairview, 10:30 a.m. Thursdays. Leicester, 10:30 a.m. Wednesdays. North Asheville, 10 a.m. Saturdays and 11 a.m. Wednesdays. Oakley/South Asheville, 10 a.m. Wednesdays and 10:30 a.m. Thursdays. Pack Memorial, 11 a.m. Wednesdays. Skyland/South Buncombe, 10:30 a.m. Thursdays. Swannanoa, 11 a.m. Thursdays. Weaverville, 11:15 a.m. Tuesdays. West Asheville, 11 a.m. Thursdays. School Age Story Time is for kids ages 5 to 7 years with intermediate level picture books, crafts, songs and other activities for young readers. Pack Memorial, 10 a.m. Wednesdays
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Asheville-Buncombe Library System Storyline Call 251-5437 to hear a story anytime. Spanish Story time Asheville-Buncombe County Library System, West Asheville Library, 942 Haywood Road, Asheville. Free story reading in Spanish for preschool through kindergarten. Parents need to be able to remain in the library, and those with younger kids may need to sit with them during the reading. 251-4990.
Barnes & Noble events
Story time is held at 1 p.m. every Saturday. American Girl Club with discussion and crafts is held at 4 p.m. every third Saturday. Magic Tree House Club meets at 4 p.m. every fourth Sunday with discussion and activities. Call 296-9330 or 296-9326.
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Story time at the library focuses on early literacy to help children develop a love of language and books. Buncombe County Public Libraries have story times for every age group. For more information, call 250-4720, visit www.buncombecounty.org or any local library. Mother Goose Time is a lively language enrichment story time serving the youngest folks, the 4-month-old to 18 month-old set. Fairview, 10:30 a.m. Tuesdays. Pack Memorial, 10 and 11 a.m. Tuesdays. Swannanoa, 11 a.m. Wednesdays. West Asheville, 10 a.m. Thursdays.
Toddler Time is an interactive story time with singing and activities for children ages 18 months to 3 years. Black Mountain, 10:30 a.m. Thursdays. Enka-Candler, 10:30 a.m. Thursdays. Fairview, 10:30 a.m. Wednesdays. Leicester, 11 a.m. Tuesdays. North Asheville, 10 a.m. Wednesdays. Pack Memorial, 10 and 11 a.m. Thursdays. Skyland/South Buncombe, 10:30 a.m. Wednesdays. Swannanoa, 11 a.m. Tuesdays. Weaverville, 10:30 a.m. Thursdays. West Asheville, 11 a.m. Wednesdays. Preschool Story Time is geared toward 3- to 5year-olds and includes songs, stretches and creative activities. Black Mountain, 10:30 a.m. Wednesdays. East Asheville, 11 a.m. Wednesdays and
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CRAFTS
Put jewelry on display with canvas holder
Learning disabilities can – and should – be caught early By Carol Motsinger Staff writer Like many things involving a child, when it comes to learning disabilities, the earlier the diagnosis, the better. “One of the things we’ve been working on is making sure pediatricians have screening tests,” said Pamela Lee, developmental specialist with the Buncombe County Health Center. “Even in infants, you can tell … a lot of things are easy to overlook when they are little.” Brain development begins the day a child is born and learning certainly doesn’t start with kindergarten. A learning disability is a lifelong concern that can be treated, but doesn’t mean the affected child is not intelligent. A learning disability
may mean that the person has an issue writing, reading, reasoning and recalling or organizing information. Here’s what Maggie Panther, director of Children’s Developmental Services, had to say about the subject. Question: What should parents do if they think their child may have a learning disability? Who should they turn to for help and advice? Answer: I cannot emphasize enough that parents should not “wait and see” if their child will catch up. Because the brain is undergoing rapid growth between birth and age 5, it is a window of opportunity to help children learn the foundational skills they will need to be successful in school. Early intervention in the first years of life has been
proven in numerous studies to reduce the need for special services in the school age years. If you suspect your child might have a learning disability, call your doctor and request a developmental screening. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends periodic developmental screening at well-child visits for all children, so your doctor should be familiar with this process. If your child is younger than 3, your local Children’s Developmental Services Agency (N.C. Early Intervention program) will provide a developmental evaluation at no cost, and help you find services such as speech therapy and special instruction. If your child is age 3 or older, your local school system can
By Kathy Cano-Murillo Gannett News Service
SPECIAL TO WNC PARENT
If your children is younger than 3, your local Children’s Developmental Services agency will provide an evaluation at no cost if you suspect any learning disabilities.
Here’s a sentimental project that comes from my personal archives. When my husband and I married in 1990, we vowed to live the artist’s life and earn a living from our handmade creations. But when it came time to pay the first electricity bill, that idea had yet to pay off. With $20 in our pockets, we went to the craft store, bought a canvas and materials to make earrings. We figured if we could fill the canvas with earrings, maybe we could talk a boutique owner into buying the whole shebang. Our plan not only worked, but it served as the launching pad to our craft business that is now 18 years strong. To this day, I have a canvas in our bedroom — filled with earrings. It’s a meaningful reminder of how far one idea can go! This design is great for jewelry artists who want to display their wares, or for earring addicts who want a fun way to hang their goods.
Canvas Jewelry Holder Supplies 1 canvas, assorted acrylic paints, brush 4 or more hook tacks, small hammer, dowel rod, cut to fit the canvas horizontally, nail.
CMYK 16P
Directions 1. Paint the canvas however you want. You can paint it all a solid color, or make a fullon painting. Let dry. 2. Use the small hammer to attach the hook
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WNC PARENT I AUGUST 2008
KATHY CANO-MURILLO/GANNETT PHOTO NETWORK
This design is great for jewelry artists who want to display their wares, or for earring addicts who want a fun way to hang their goods.
Kathy Cano-Murillo is a freelance craft designer and author. Send your questions or ideas to her at kathy@craftychica.com or visit her Web site, www.craftychica.com.
tacks to each corner in the wood frame. Make sure the hook is facing up, because you will add the dowel rod last. 3. Use the nail to make holes for your earrings. Hang your earrings in the holes. Place the dowel rod on the hooks and use it to hold necklaces or clip on earrings. Hang in place. Variation: Glue the canvas to the back of a frame for a more artful look. You can also add hooks to the sides of the canvas to hang earrings and bracelets. Use hinges to connect several canvases for a standing display.
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PARENTING IN A NUTSHELL
Common reasons why women can’t get pregnant By Doreen Nagle Gannett News Service
You’re ready to have a baby. So, how come you’re still not pregnant? Only your doctor knows for sure, but here are a few reasons why you may not be (adapted from my book, “But I Don’t Feel Too Old to Be a Mommy ...” HCI 2002): 1. Healthy eggs are produced from
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Common causes of infertility
K Polycystic ovary syndrome: It affects about 5 million women annually. K Hormonal imbalances: Could result in a lack of ovulation. K Body fat: Too high or too low. K Chronic diseases like diabetes or hepatitis. K Endometriosis. K Some prescription medications. Don’t forget to tell your doctor which ones you are using. K Previous miscarriages. K Impaired fecundity, a medical term that translates to the inability to carry a baby to full term. K Poor lifestyle choices like poor diet, smoking, alcohol, drugs. K Environmental factors in the home or workplace. K Sexually transmitted diseases. K Fallopian tube blockage. See step No. 2 of “How conception occurs” above. This problem accounts for about 20 percent of infertility in women, says Dr. Eldon Schriock, former director of the fertility program at the University of California, San Francisco.
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K Not knowing what time of the month fertility occurs in one’s own menstrual cycle. If you do not know how to tell when you are fertile, talk to your gynecologist. K Abnormal Pap smear. K Ecotopic pregnancies. K An additional 20 percent of causes fall into “miscellaneous,” including uterine and cervical problems. K Older than 35? Delaying pregnancy is generally the single biggest cause of infertility for women 35 and older. Fertility drops 30 percent to 40 percent by the mid-30s to mid-40s. By the time a woman reaches 50, her fertility can be practically zero.
Tip from the parenting trenches A workup by a medical professional should be ordered if you are having trouble conceiving. Include a workup for your partner as well, since infertility affects men and women almost equally and is generally easier to treat in men. Doreen Nagle welcomes your parenting tips and concerns at parentinginanutshell@joimail.com.
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How conception occurs
the ovaries. 2. The fallopian tubes must be free of blockages in order for the egg to go through them where it meets ... 3. … healthy sperm. The sperm merges with one or more eggs in the fallopian tubes. 4. The lining of the uterus is prepared (progesterone’s job), so that the fertilized egg can attach itself successfully to the lining of the uterus. 5. The right hormones nourish the fertilized, implanted egg.
also provide a free developmental assessment. Q: What else should parent know? A: Trust yourself. You know your child better than anyone else and if you are concerned, do not dismiss the feeling. If you are right, your child will begin getting the help that he/she needs. And if you’re wrong, you will have relieved your mind. Here are some warning signs for a learning disability from Panther: K Difficulty following directions. K Slow to acquire language compared with other children. K Difficulty learning and using new words. K Articulation (pronunciation) problems. K Doesn’t enjoy rhyming words and word play. K Trouble learning numbers and letters. K May seem physically “clumsy.” K Difficulty learning fine motor skills, like buttoning and coloring.
NEED HELP? If you are concerned your child has a learning disability, call: K Children’s Developmental Services for children ages 0-3: 251-6091 K Child Service Coordination at the Buncombe County Health Center for children ages 0-5: 250-5299 K Preschool program for children ages 3-5, which includes: Asheville City Schools: 255-5001 Buncombe County Schools: 255-5983 K Developmental specialist at the Buncombe County Health Center for children ages 5 and younger: 250-5080
Difficulty learning fine motor skills like buttoning and coloring could be an early sign of a learning disability.
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This is just a sampling of the posts and photos at WNCmom.com. Visit the site for lots more.
Discussion from the forums Jennifer asks in ‘Mothers morning out’: Does anyone participate in a great mothers morning out program?
Karen responds: I have been to the one on Tuesdays at the Y in South Asheville. I went for the first time last week, and I will definitely go back. I still am looking for more opportunities though. I don’t have any family here in town, and my friends don’t have kids.
Michelle asks: How about a morning out program for older children? I have a special needs 3-year-old, and I would love to see him have some peer interaction. I don’t have friends or family with children in the area.
Heather replies: I know of several PMO programs for 2-, 3-, 4- and 5-year-olds. I understand your desire to have him interact with his peers. I have a 3-year-old daughter and would be happy to meet for coffee or ice cream or something if you are still interested in learning about some of the options in the area as well as have a play date with our children.
Ashevillemommies responds: Check out our MySpace page for July events we have planned: Myspace.com/ashevillemommies. We are a pretty new group to the area, but we are growing! Hope to see you at our next event! We do a meet and greet every Tuesday at The Hop for half-priced teas, lattes and coffees. (There is a) child area, and they play while the moms sit and talk for a good hour or so!
Julia asks ‘Any good parks with shade?’ I live in the Haw Creek area and am looking for some good parks nearby that are suitable for toddlers. Shaded would be great. Any advice?
Kari responds: I’ve never been to it, but I’ve heard there’s a really good shaded playground behind the East Asheville library on Tunnel Road. Also, there’s an awesome shaded, big park with a pretty stream you can wade in and good playground equipment in Black Mountain. ... Also, Jones Park in North Asheville is wonderful. Nice and shady and a huge playground. I can’t explain how to get there, but if you find Jones Elementary on Google Maps or Mapquest, that’ll get you there. The playground is right next to the school.
Tonya replies: If you’re ever looking for indoor play, I’m opening a kid-friendly cafe with a soft play area for babies and toddlers as well as a play area for kids ages 3 and up. It will be in the shopping center with Play It Again Sports and it will be opening Aug. 1. It’s called Growing Young Cafe. Check out more info on growingyoungcafe.com.
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A few of the nearly 400 photos on WNCmom.com
Thanks to health campaigns like Meatless Monday, meat eaters are starting to enjoy vegetarian meals more often. Here are three recipes from the campaign. Find more at meatlessmonday.com.
Hot and sour tofu stir-fry 1 to 2 tablespoons canola oil 1 block firm tofu 1 medium red pepper 1 large carrot 4 to 5 cabbage leaves 1 teaspoon coriander seeds
Marinade ingredients: 4 cloves garlic 1-inch piece fresh ginger, finely chopped 2 tomatoes, finely chopped or 2 teaspoons tomato puree 3 teaspoons soy sauce Juice of 1 lemon 1/2 cup orange juice 1/2 teaspoon red chili powder
Crush garlic with a broad knife and mix with remaining marinade ingredients. Cut tofu into 1/2-inch pieces and put in bowl with the marinade. Place in the fridge for up to an hour. Cut the carrots, peppers and cabbage into thin strips or matchsticks and put to one side. Lift the tofu pieces out of the marinade (don’t throw it away) and put them on a plate. Add 1 tablespoon of the oil in a heavy frying pan or wok and heat until the pile begins to shimmer. Add the coriander seeds and then the tofu pieces a few seconds later, then turn the heat down a little. Move the tofu pieces around gently and cook for about 2 minutes each side until they start to brown. Lift the pieces out of the pan and return them to the plate. Turn the heat back up and place the vegetables into the pan. Stir-fry for 5 minutes, then add the marinade and tofu pieces. Stir gently, cover the pan and turn down the heat. Simmer for 5 more minutes and serve with brown rice or noodles. Makes 4 servings.
Meatless sloppy joes 2 cups onions, thinly sliced 2 cups green peppers, chopped 2 garlic cloves, finely chopped 2 tablespoons ketchup 1 tablespoon mustard 1 15-ounce can kidney beans, mashed One 8-ounce can tomato sauce 1 teaspoon chili powder Cider vinegar, as needed 2 sandwich rolls, halved Spray large nonstick skillet with cooking spray; heat over medium heat until hot. Add onions, peppers and garlic. Cook and stir 5 minutes or until vegetables are tender. Stir in ketchup and mustard. Add beans, sauce and chili powder. Reduce heat to medium-low. Cook 5 minutes or until thickened, stirring frequently and adding up to 1/3 cup vinegar if dry. Top sandwich roll halves evenly with bean mixture. Makes 4 servings.
Portobello pizzas 8 large portobello mushrooms (4 ounces each), stems removed and reserved 1/2 cup water 3 cloves garlic, minced 1/2 teaspoon salt 1 cup cooked white beans (rinsed and drained) 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved 1 cup arugula, spinach or watercress leaves, torn into bite-size pieces 4 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Use a small spoon to scrape the black “gills” out from the mushroom caps. Spray a rimmed baking pan with nonstick cooking spray and place the mushroom caps on the sheet, stemmed side down. Cover with aluminum foil and bake until the mushroom caps are tender, about 7 minutes. Transfer the baked mushroom caps to paper towels so they can drain (lay them stemmed side down). Discard any liquid left in the baking pan, and leave the oven on while you finish prep work. Finely chop the mushroom stems and saute them with the garlic in a nonstick skillet over medium heat. Stir frequently, cooking until the stems are tender and the liquid has been absorbed, about 5 minutes. Transfer the sauteed veggies to a large mixing bowl, then add 1/4 teaspoon of the salt, the beans, cherry tomatoes, the greens, 1 tablespoon of the Parmesan and the vinegar. Return the baked mushroom caps to the baking pan, this time laying them in the pan stemmed side up. Sprinkle the mushroom caps with the remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt, then fill the caps with the vegetable-bean mixture and sprinkle with the remaining 3 tablespoons Parmesan. Bake until the bean mixture is piping hot and the Parmesan cheese is browned and crusty, about 5 minutes. Serve hot or at room temperature. Makes 8 servings.
Tyson and Aubrie, posted by Ashevillemommies. Graduation day, posted by Carrie Rowe.
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Future firefighters, posted by Sonya Stone.
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Flexitarians: By Autumn Shrum Gannett News Service
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fowl at restaurants, about 7 percent said “always,” about 8 percent said “often,” about 40 percent said “sometimes,” and about 41 percent said “never.”
More than rabbit food
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Flexitarians are on the rise. Restaurants like the Jungle Organic Restaurant and Market in Indialantic, Fla., are starting to offer more vegetarian-friendly dishes like this baked stuffed portobello to satisfy them.
tion that tracks vegetarianism in the United States. The group estimates only 2-3 percent of the population is vegetarian, meaning they do not eat meat, fish or fowl. But a 2008 poll asking 1,000 Americans about their dining out habits produced interesting results. When asked how often they ate meat, fish or
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While many self-proclaimed vegetarians might “flex” or “cheat” once in a while, meat eaters do the same thing, sometimes without realizing it. “Some people eat bacon and eggs for breakfast every day, but generally, most people in the country are eating cereal or a doughnut,” Stahler says. “Those are both vegetarian.” While most Americans aren’t about to completely convert to vegetarianism, it’s pretty surprising to find about 7 percent of them always order dishes without meat, fish or fowl when they go out, Stahler says. The desire to try new flavors could be one explanation that response. People also could want to eat less fat, even if it’s only one day a week. That’s what the folks at Meatless Monday are hoping, anyway. The idea of the Meatless Monday campaign, which started in 2002 and is affiliated with the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, is to encourage Americans to abstain from meat every Monday, with the goal of reducing their consumption of saturated fat by 15 percent by 2010.
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There are those who can’t stand the thought of eating anything that once had a digestive tract, and there are those whose mouths water just thinking about a juicy, medium-rare tenderloin steak hot off the grill. Then there are those who fall somewhere in the middle. Some part-time vegetarians go by a modern title — flexitarian. A term that’s been around since the early ’90s and has been recognized by the American Dialect Society, “flexitarian” generally is defined as an omnivore whose diet is composed mostly of vegetarian meals, but sometimes includes meat or fish. It could go the other way, too. Some say people who eat meat daily are now taking breaks from their usual habits, perhaps replacing cheeseburgers with veggie pitas or portobello mushroom sandwiches. A flexitarianism trend is on the rise because of the abundance of vegetarian and organic foods available in grocery stores, and because of restaurants that are revamping menus to offer a mix of vegetarian and nonvegetarian options. “Just about everyone is saying ‘eat more fruits and vegetables,’” says Charles Stahler, co-director of the Vegetarian Resource Group, a national organiza-
Fewer omnivores find meatless meals a dilemma
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Backpack
do’s and don’ts
By Rick McDaniel WNC Parent contributor
A well made backpack can make heavier loads much easier to carry.
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A school backpack is something your child will use daily, and choosing one that has the right degree of “cool” coupled with good quality design and features may not be an easy task. What do you look for? What makes a backpack a “quality backpack”? For children in the younger grades, choosing a backpack is fairly easy, since they often only have a book or two and a notebook to carry. As they get older, they have more homework – and more books to bring home. A well made backpack can make these heavier loads much easier to carry. “We used to buy inexpensive backpacks and they wouldn’t even last through Christmas break before they were threadbare,” said Kathleen Riddle of Asheville. “Last year, I
bought a quality backpack made by a company that makes outdoor gear, and it’s still going strong. It definitely pays to get a better quality pack.”
The ones to watch While packs with the latest movie or cartoon character will make your first-grader happy, older kids are more backpack savvy. “Older kids are involved in lots of activities, so packs that can hold everything from books to sports equipment are very popular,” said Kira Gutknecht, a spokesperson for national retailer Lands’ End. “One of our most popular packs this year is the MultiTask Backpack, which has pockets for books, athletic gear, and even a bike helmet.” Other popular features are pockets for cell phones and MP3 players, lightweight packs made out of rip stop nylon, and packs that coordinate colors with lunchboxes.
VIDEO GAMES
Nancy Drew sleuths in Italy in top-notch mystery game By Jinny Gudmundsen Gannett News Service In her 18th PC game, intrepid youth sleuth Nancy Drew jets off to Venice, Italy, to solve a mystery involving a masked bandit. In “Nancy Drew: The Phantom of Venice,” Nancy has been invited to Venice by the Italian police to help them solve a series of crimes where priceless Venetian artifacts have been stolen. For the first time, Nancy is working undercover as she infiltrates a crime syndicate. Set against the beautiful backdrop of Venice, as depicted in almost photo-realistic scenes, the mystery takes you around the city to many of its famous piazzas and other locations. The game takes advantage of being in Venice, and lets you ride on gondolas to get from place to place. You play as Nancy and see Venice through her eyes. The plot is complicated and fascinating, as you meet characters who aren’t what they seem, and others who are hiding behind masks. You get to do
"Nancy Drew: The Phantom of Venice” Rating: 5 stars (out of 5) Best for: Ages 10 and older From Her Interactive, herinteractive.com, $19.99. Windows. spy things like planting bugs in pens and decoding encryptions that use Chinese ideograms and chess notations. There are even arcade-type games, including one where you must smoke out a screen full of buzzing bees. Fans of this Her Interactive series won’t be disappointed with this newest installment because it delivers a topnotch mystery game experience. While Her Interactive has not deviated much from the formula that has made this series so popular, the Nancy-as-a-spy play mechanics make the game play feel fresh. For fans who have played the earlier games in the series, you will still find two levels of difficulty and the quintessential “second chance” feature that returns you to the moment before you made a fatal mistake and lets you replay the scene. If you have never played a Nancy
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In "Nancy Drew: The Phantom of Venice," from Her Interactive for the PC, Nancy sees the sights of Venice as she infiltrates a Venetian crime ring in this mystery set in Italy. Drew game before, you can jump right in with this one. Each game stands on its own and comes with a complete tutorial. The game is structured to help you with a journal that automatically keeps clues Nancy discovers by talking to others and snooping. If you play on the easier of the two levels as a junior detective, a clipboard is available with a list reminding you what to do next. The recommended age of 10 and older reflects the difficulty of the mys-
tery and puzzle play, but it does not mean there is inappropriate content. This is a fabulous E-rated game, and one that families could enjoy playing together. If you get stuck, there are hints and tips on herinteractive.com. Gudmundsen is the editor of Computing With Kids magazine (www.ComputingWith Kids. com). Contact her at gnstech@ gns.gannett.com.
Rick McDaniel is a freelance writer. E-mail him at southerncooking@charter.net.
Watch the weight
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According to the American Occupational Therapy Association, physicians see thousands of students each year for back pain caused by carrying book bags that are too heavy. In one study, six out of 10 students ages 9 to 20 reported chronic back pain related to heavy book bags. In another study conducted after backpack education, eight of 10 middleschool students who packed their school backpacks and carried them correctly reported less pain and strain in their backs, necks and shoulders. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that children carry no more than 10 percent to 20 percent of their body weight in a backpack. For example, a child weighing 60 pounds should not carry a backpack exceeding nine pounds. An older student weighing 100 pounds can safely carry a backpack weighing up to 15 pounds.
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Greenville offers a zoo on a smaller scale By Michael Burns Gannett News Service
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Want to go? Visit greenvillezoo.com for more information attractions, exhibits, programs and camps at Greenville Zoo. Adults are admitted for $6, children 3–15 for $3, and children younger than 3 are free. Children younger than 13 must be accompanied by an adult. The zoo is open 10 a.m.–4:30 p.m. seven days a week, except on Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Day.
Zoo within a park Shady play areas, rest areas, picnic areas, a farm animal area and educational building are ringed by exhibits of lions, elephants, giraffes, orangutans, leopards, reptiles and more. The zoo is on a 10-acre site within Cleveland Park — which boasts playgrounds, picnic shelters, walking trails, bike paths, volleyball courts and tennis courts of its own. Visitors to the zoo can walk through the park along the Reedy River to Falls Park downtown and never have to wait on a red light. The area has remained leafy green as the city around it has grown. The zoo, itself, has changed over
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The exhibit of giraffes at the Greenville Zoo opened this spring.
the years, particularly in the 28 years Sims has been there. Much of the zoo’s original construction was complete around 1960, Sims said, but most of the facilities were torn down and rebuilt in the mid-1980s. Additions and expansions have followed. The exhibit of giraffes opened just this spring, and Bob the baby orangutan was born in early 2006. Those attractions have stirred a buzz, Sims
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K Think small. Choose the smallest backpack that accommodates your child’s books, notebooks, folders and other school supplies. As a general rule, the backpack shouldn’t be wider than your child’s torso. The bottom of the backpack should rest against the curve of your child’s lower back and never more than 4 inches below your child’s waist. K Look for wide, padded C-shaped shoulder straps and lumbar panels, and waist belts to help kids carry their loads more comfortably. A sternum strap helps keep the shoulder straps from slipping, and a waist belt helps distribute the weight of the backpack more evenly. K Packs with multiple compartments for smaller items can better distribute weight as well as make it easy to find things that might otherwise be lost in the jumble. K Backpacks that can be pulled with wheels are easier on your child’s back, but check with your child’s school before you buy. Wheeled backpacks aren’t allowed in some schools because they pose a tripping hazard. They can also be tough to pull up stairs or through slush or snow.
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Seth Mills has lived in Greenville, S.C., all his life, and he’s visited the Greenville Zoo about as long. Now he takes his children on the educational adventures he enjoyed as a kid. He and wife, Summer, don’t have to drive daughter Charity, 3, and son Isaiah, 5 months, two hours, one way, to the more renowned Riverbanks Zoo in Columbia, S.C. “It’s not quite as big as Riverbanks Zoo, but it’s easier to get here since we live in Greenville,” Mills said. “There’s just as much stuff to enjoy here as in Columbia — and with gas prices these days …” Lee Sims, the director of Greenville Zoo, said Riverbanks visitors from Charleston and Columbia enjoy visiting Greenville Zoo, too, when they’re in the Upstate. More than half of the zoo’s visitors come from outside of Greenville County, and about 20 percent come from out of state. “We’re not as large as a lot of facili-
ties, but if they’re in the area it’s a great place to drop by,” Sims said. “If you have small children, they do better here than at a bigger zoo. Children aren’t going to do well at two hours or three hours. I have a lot of people tell me that’s the charm of this place, that they don’t want to get into a place that’s hot and takes them two-and-ahalf hours to get out of.”
Choosing the right backpack
said. Bob has finally reached toddler stage. He delights children and adults, alike, with acrobatic tumbles and a face that triggers “ooooohhs.” About 7,500 different families have purchased memberships as Friends of the Zoo, gaining free admission to Greenville and Riverbanks and free or discounted admission to 140 other zoos across the nation. Mills and family will be back soon. Isaiah made his first visit at 2 weeks of age. “It’s just fun to come out here, and it’s good to bring the kids,” Seth Mills said.
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Send us your photos We welcome photos of family, neighborhood, school, church and other social activities involving children. Send your high-resolution photos, along with a brief description of the event and names of everyone pictured. Don’t forget your name, address and phone number. Send to: Katie Wadington, WNC Parent photos, P.O. Box 2090, Asheville, NC 28802 or e-mail to kwadington@CITIZEN-TIMES.com
Try these 3 books to beat the kids’ road-trip blues By Jayne Clark Gannett News Service
The license plate game can go only so far in remedying a bout of white-line fever. Several new books suggest other ways of combating monotony on the road, from divining historical meaning from geographic boundaries to digging into a heap of travel trivia to contemplating the Zen of commuting. Here are three books that might help pass the time on summer road trips — both close to home and far away.
‘How the States Got Their Shapes’ By Mark Stein Smithsonian Books, 2008, $22.95
The premise: The shapes of the United States’ individual states are all over the map. But why? The setup: Mountains, rivers and other natural boundaries aren’t the only things that shaped state borders. Nor do these physical features necessarily explain oddities
such as why Michigan’s Upper Peninsula is detached from the rest of the state or why Oklahoma has that weird panhandle. Sound bite: “Asking why a state has the borders it does unlocks a history of human struggles.” Fun fact: Hawaii extends 1,000 or so miles beyond the main islands to include numerous uninhabited islands that were once valued as a rich source of guano — bat droppings used as fertilizer. Bottom line: Its theme is geography, but the book offers a mini-review of history lessons long forgotten by many.
‘Travia: The Ultimate Book of Travel Trivia’ By Nadine Godwin The Intrepid Traveler, 2008, $15.95
The premise: It’s a great big world filled with lots of littleknown facts. The setup: Godwin, an editor for the trade publication Travel Weekly, has
visited more than 100 countries in 40 years of writing about the industry. During her travels, she absorbed odd bits of information — how much money gets thrown daily into Rome’s Trevi Fountain (about 500 euros); the first movie to be shown in flight (“The Lost World” in 1925). Sound bite: “At about 43 square miles, Orlando’s Walt Disney World Resort is about twice the size of Manhattan.” Fun fact: Lots of them, including: Northwest Airlines saved $2 million annually when it stopped serving pretzels. Bottom line: This is information you can probably live without, but it has its “who knew?” moments.
‘A Commuter’s Guide to Enlightenment’ By Stewart Bitkoff Lewellyn Publications, 2008, $13.95
The premise: It’s possible to find inner peace — even during the daily commute. The setup: Bitkoff, a psychiatric
worker, has spent years commuting in the New York area — and realizes he’s tapped into some deeper consciousness to, psychologically at least, cut through traffic snarls. Sound bite: “Somehow, as I drove to work while focusing on the movements of the cars my soul learned to sing.” Fun fact: States with the longest average commutes: New York (30.8 minutes); Maryland (30 minutes); New Jersey (28.3 minutes); Illinois (26.7 minutes); and California (26.6 minutes). The nation’s fastest commutes (about 15 minutes): North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska and Montana. Bottom line: A theoretical how-to manual infused with Sufi mysticism and Bitkoff’s own stream of consciousness. It might help some drivers close their minds to commuter aggravations, but it’s still wise to keep your eyes on the road.
Olivia Traylor, seen at age 2, of Asheville, likes “primping” at Granddaddy and Nettie’s house. Submitted by Annette Mills Traylor.
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Conrad Traylor, 20 months, of Asheville, enjoys a spring day at Lake Julian. Submitted by Annette Mills Traylor.
Kimberly Kellough and daughter Brooke, 2 1/2, both of Marion, leave Tampa, Fla., on a Carnival cruise ship for Cozumel, Mexico, and the Cayman Islands. Submitted by mom and grandma Ruby Kellough of Marion.
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Cousins Cloe’ Allen and Jadein Wilson celebrate their birthday together. Cloe’ turned 5 on June 11 and Jadein turned 6 on June 9. Submitted by Kelly Allen.
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Games to keep questions at bay
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The Ledermeier family believes in being prepared for long family road trips. Gary, clockwise from left, Austin, 8, Alex, 12, Lori, and Aaron, 8, gather their belongings that will be packed for their road trip, including games and plenty of bottled water.
“Are we there yet?” “I’m bored!” “She’s touching me!” Is the thought of a road trip with your kids making you feel like you’re going to need a vacation from your vacation? Here are some ideas that might make your drive a little more fun for everyone involved: K Play the license plate game. Print out a list of states and bring along a pencil. When someone in the vehicle spots a license plate from another state, cross it off the list. K Video fun. Purchase a new game for their hand-held game system and they will be occupied for hours trying to beat the game. Or pick up an inexpensive hand-held electronic game and take turns playing it. K Play the alphabet game. Find a word that starts with the letter “A” on a sign or billboard. Everyone competes to see who can spot the word first. Once the letter “A” is found, move on to a word that starts with “B,” etc. Hint: This works best in cities. On the freeway, you might want to include letters appearing on license plates or
words on cars. K Tell stories. Start a story and then pass it to the next person. They can add to the story and then pass it along to the next person. K Plug them in. Get them a portable DVD player and let them watch a movie or their favorite television show with headphones. K Have a scavenger hunt. Create a list of things you might see while traveling. They can include things like a man in a baseball hat, a VW bug, someone talking to themselves, a woman driving a semi-truck, kids making faces in the back seat, etc. Can you find everything on the list before you get to your destination? K Play “I Spy.” Take turns selecting something in the car and see whether the others can guess what it is with a few clues. K Play car bingo. Make up bingo cards for each person. Use words or pictures of things you might see while driving, like a road sign or a cornfield or a barn. When a person spots the item on their card, they get to mark it off. Gannett News Service
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suggestions from Fletcher for entertaining teens: K Books are good if the teen doesn’t get motion sickness. K Buy him or her a journal. K Providing teens a camera (disposable or digital as budget allows) gives them a way to share their trip with their friends when they return home. K Teens always enjoy spending time with their friends. Is it possible to invite one or two of them along? If you have tweens or teens, headphones and a CD or MP3 player are a must, especially if you have more than one teen and they disagree on music. And to entertain the whole family, you can always take turns telling jokes, suggests Fletcher. Despite the long haul to Pennsylvania, Long is looking forward to his time off at the end of summer. But he’ll have to wait. He has a host of summer programs at the club. “I’ll be ready for a vacation,” he says.
EmmaJo Davis, 4 1/2, daughter of Joe and Caroline Davis, of Marshall, picks black raspberries at the Zimmerman Berry Farm in Madison County.
Wesley Randall Edwards, son of Todd and Sara Edwards, of Asheville, sits on his papaw’s new Harley just days before his 1st birthday. Submitted by his grandmother, Elaine Edwards of Leicester.
Clayton Albrecht, 6, of Asheville, with a Westie belonging to the folks who ran the bed-and-breakfast where his family stayed recently in Paris, Ky. The photo was taken on a boat on Stoner Creek during a family reunion over a long July 4th holiday. Submitted by grandmother Barbara A. Hodgson.
Sydney Fiore Kral, 5, before her dance performance with Weaverville Dance Academy on May 31. Submitted by her mom, Beth Fiore Kral.
Kylan D. Gaines, 11 months, of Charlotte, enjoys a field trip to the water park with his day care. Submitted by Kristen Gaines, an Asheville native. Kylan’s grandparents Marilyn Knox Gaines and Edward L. Gaines, among other relatives, live in Asheville.
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Sarah Davis, 2 1/2, daughter of Joe and Caroline Davis of Marshall, enjoying her first Fourth of July marshmallow roast.
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Surviving road trips with the family By Juliana Goodwin Gannett News Service
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If you have tweens or teens, headphones and a CD or MP3 player are a must, especially if you have more than one teen and they disagree on music.
Keep kids entertained Jeff Long and his family — which includes a 1-year-old and 3-year-old
— plan to drive 15 hours from Missouri to Pennsylvania to visit family at the end of the summer. For their 3-year-old, they bought a
About those older kids ... Teens like electronics, but those can be expensive. Here are some other Continued on Page 42
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The children bicker about being bored in the back seat. Someone passes gas and refuses to admit it. Mom is pulling out her hair. Dad refuses to stop for another bathroom break. Sound like your family road trip? If your family has decided to drive for your next vacation instead of flying because of high airfares, you’ll want to either plan for the long haul or face a miserable journey, especially if you have young children. Not only will you save money by planning ahead, but it’ll save you some headaches, too. And while some people will stay off the roads because of gas prices, some families are opting for road trips. “Due to the fuel crunch, people are driving instead of flying,” says Phil Linck, approved auto repair specialist for AAA Missouri.
back-seat organizer that looks like a small shoe organizer, but they use it to store toys. When his sister-in-law drove her children to Florida, she packed puzzles and games and parceled them out throughout the trip. “Every couple of hours she’d break out a new activity so it kept it fresh. Kids want to try everything at first, and then halfway through the trip, they are bored,” says Long, who is unit director for Boys & Girls Clubs’ Musgrave Unit in Springfield, Mo. A portable DVD player is another option when traveling with children. The nondriver can play games like peek-a-boo or this little piggy, or have an older sibling teach the younger child how to point to their nose or head, suggests Angie Fletcher, University of Missouri Extension human development specialist.
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Tips for more efficient carpooling off the kids at an activity, do other errands until it’s time to pick them up. K Bartering system. Trade off with your relatives, neighbors, friends — one person can drive the kids to practice, while another can watch other children or do errands or PHOTO BY STEVE DIXON chores. With gas prices this high, carpooling becomes a fuel-saver.
Common questions K Does carrying more kids burn more gas? Probably not, since better gas mileage is based more on the type of vehicle and how fuel-efficient it is. If you are transporting more kids as part of a carpool arrangement, there are probably some days that you are not driving at
all, which will save you a lot of gas (and money). K Is it better to get a more fuelefficient car? If you have a choice between using two cars at home, choose the one that gets better mileage to do your carpooling. You’ll have to decide if it makes financial sense to get a new car. In the long run it may make sense but in the short run, it may be more costly to take on a new or larger car payment. K Remove extra cargo? Check to see what you are carting around in your car. Take extra junk out of your trunk and take off overhead cargo carriers when not in use. Hauling around an extra 100 pounds can cut
fuel economy by up to 2 percent. K Buying gas at different times? AAA Carolinas recommends buying gas whenever you can find it at a reasonable price or whenever your car is low on fuel.
General tips for fuel efficiency K Slow down. For every extra 5 mph you drive over 65 mph, your gas mileage can drop by up to 10 percent. K Use your cruise control to help maintain a steady speed. K Drive conservatively. Punching the gas pedal uses more fuel than is necessary to accelerate. K Combine errands. Making several stops during one trip is more efficient than making “cold” starts with your vehicle. Frequent short trips can reduce fuel economy. K Change oil and air filters. A clogged or dirty air filter makes your engine work harder, cutting gas mileage by up to 10 percent. Compiled by Barbara Blake
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Carol Gifford, public relations manager with AAA Carolinas in Charlotte, offered these gas-saving tips for busy parents. K Sign kids up together for activities. Carpool with another parent — one drops off the kids and the other picks up. K Ask the Little League group or soccer club if they are willing to use their Web site to help people find carpool matches. Ask the team mom or dad if they can send out a note listing the parents (and kids) interested in carpooling. Hire a bus or van to transport the group to away tournaments (and you’ll have the added benefit of relaxing in the vehicle instead of driving). K Look for free activities for kids. Check out things offered by libraries, park and recreation departments, and churches to try to find things that are closer to home. A free activity helps pay for the transportation costs of getting there. K Combine your trips. If you drop
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GROWING TOGETHER
Greatest Generation’s stories worth remembering By Chris Worthy WNC Parent columnist
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Divorce adds a layer of challenge to academics By Trip Woodard WNC Parent columnist
GANNETT NEWS SERVICE PHOTO
The World War II Memorial in Washington honors the 16 million who served in the armed forces of the U.S., the more than 400,000 who died and all who supported the war effort from home. the opportunity to leave a legacy to moms and children who round a table to see him and offer feeble thanks for his sacrifice. I felt a sense of urgency as I left — a great need both to save his stories and those of his contemporaries before time steals them away and to say a thousand thanks to those for whom the
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wounds are still all too fresh. May we welcome them home and honor them now. Sixty-five years is too long to wait. Chris Worthy is an attorney who took down her shingle to be a stay-athome mom. Write to her at growingtogether@chrisworthy.com.
Going back to school. Ah, the good old days when I packed up my trusty slide rule (never did figure out how that thing worked), my No. 2 pencil (whatever happened to No. 1?) and trekked to school in the blinding snow. Oh wait, that last part is what my Dad did … we had something called cheap gasoline during my time. Things now are so much more complicated as far as going to school, and divorce, unfortunately, does not make the process any easier. A primary issue is custody. Just because you have joint custody does not mean the school will keep both parents informed of activities or concerns regarding your child. On the contrary: One parent will have to act as the “designated driver” when it
comes to receiving school information and then, in good faith, work to keep the other parent posted. As with all things concerning divorced or divorcing parents, collaboration is critical. When this is not possible and the courts have determined that a parent’s right to school information is to be limited, the school may require documentation. Step parents and/or other interested relatives like grandparents need to realize that their “voice” at school conferences is recognized as a courtesy only when the custody arrangement allows for such. However, they have no legal power to sign off on any official forms requiring a guardian nor do they have a realistic “vote” in any conference process. That is certainly not to say that their opinion is not important or needed; it is just that it will not have a decisive bearing from the school’s standpoint for legal reasons. Ideally, parents will strive to prioritize the needs of the child. This means parents try to get past their own emo-
tional issues with each other (way easier said than done) and recognize that children want both parents to be involved in their life as much as possible, including academics. Consistent definitions of divorce boundaries should be demonstrated, such as parents sitting in separate areas when attending school events. This keeps in mind that children often nurse the fantasy of their parents reuniting sometime in the future. Any sign of “togetherness” may confuse children, especially during the early stages of divorce, even if it is well intended and both parents truly get along. Today’s teacher and school counselor tend to be very sympathetic to the realities of divorcing or divorced families. While their role is education and not therapy, information about significant family turbulence can help them provide a more supportive role and not label your child unfairly when it comes to any behavioral issues. Events like court dates involving the children or custody shifts are exam-
ples of what may be useful information to the school. What teachers and school administrators do not need are blow-by-blow descriptions of any unfortunate warfare between you and your former spouse. That should be information for therapists to hear and possibly the court to address. Well-meaning school officials may listen to this, but their priority remains the education of your child. In a similar way, you want to have a collaborative relationship with the school, as with the other parent. You have everything to gain from being as inclusive as possible among all parties involved with your child. The good news is that, luckily, you will not have to contend with explaining to your children how a slide rule works. Trip Woodard is a licensed marriage and family therapist and a clinical member of the N.C. Association of Marriage and Family Therapists. Contact him at 274-9031.
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My son has yet to learn much about Normandy, Remagen or the liberation of Paris, but when our upcoming fifth-grade studies turn to World War II, I will remind him of the living history he witnessed in the corner of a science room. We were drawn in by the array of military items, organized like some ancient surplus store with a World War I gas mask that gave only the illusion of impermeability and a vast row of ammunition lined up like the soldiers it represented. There were bags and cases inscribed with dates and names long forgotten and medals bought at a heavy price that once adorned a proud chest. At the end of the line, an elderly gentleman sat in a folding chair and chatted with all who passed by. He was still a soldier through and
through, and my first thought was that I wanted to learn everything I could from him. I wanted to hear from him what it was like to see the French countryside when the now grassedover marks were still fresh from bombing raids. Was he welcomed — over there and back at home? In the heat of battle, could he see that he was saving the world or did he long to come back to a sweetheart? They have been called the Greatest Generation, and rightly so. They ended the reign of tyrants, liberated the oppressed and shone the light of democracy in places where hope of escaping the darkness had all but dwindled away. That’s what soldiers do — both then and now. On this day, I held most of my questions. I didn’t need to ask them. The stories flowed freely, as did his tears when he told of watching his friends die when he was still just a kid himself, of visiting their gravesites on foreign soil and of a lifetime lived in between. I wonder how many decades those tears were stoically dammed up, those emotions faced now that he has
DIVORCED FAMILIES
KIDS VOICES
Going to the big school
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As summer begins to wane, we asked 5-year-old students in Diane Ramsey, Sharon McIntire and Kuumba Zuwena’s classes at First Presbyterian Church’s child care center what they think kindergarten will be like when they begin “real” school in August. Here’s what they said.
Carson Hegler
Maya Philips
Jake Rogers
“The school is really big. Sometimes I get lost because it is a circle. They have a jungle gym with pogo sticks, and you can do basketballs and jump rope. They have hopscotch but it’s got colors on it.”
“My teacher will be kind of like my teachers here. Her face is different and her hair, but she will teach very well like my teachers here.”
“It will be the same as here but you will have snacks and at lunch you will have different juices like orange juice.”
Deante Green
Jillian Ray
Scotlyn Eubanks
“We will eat pizza and macaroni and cheese and play on the playground with slides and steps.”
“I think it is going to be like you are in big school. Big school is like you know to do things really well. It’s going to be really fun because we get to take a trip to a museum.”
“I am excited about playing with my new friends and learning shapes and colors. The lunchroom will have tables and chairs but you buy food at kindergarten and sometimes you can pack a lunch. Your mama has to give you money to pay for your food.”
Lacie Harwood
Eve Whitman
Miles Wilson
“You can play with a computer at kindergarten and paint and play outside with friends.”
“We will learn about colors, letters and numbers. There will be different teachers and kids. We will make projects like feather ones.”
“I am excited about field trips when you go somewhere different than your school like the Fun Depot, but only if you have a bus.”
As kids get older, they drop the ball on exercise The amount of exercise children in the U.S. get each day drops dramatically from ages 9 to 15, according to one of the largest studies done on the activity levels of children. Fewer than one-third of 15-yearolds get 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity a day, the minimum amount recommended for children by the federal government. Inactivity has been shown to contribute to obesity. One-third of children in the USA — about 23 million ages 2-19 — weigh too much, which puts them at an increased risk of type 2 diabetes, high cholesterol and other health problems. In the latest study, researchers measured and analyzed the activity of more than 1,000 children from 10 different cities from 2000-06. The kids wore monitors called accelerometers for four to seven days during the school year when they were 9, 11, 12 and 15. The accelerometer, which measures movement, tracked activities
such as playing tag, biking, jumping rope, dancing, walking briskly and running, and playing noncontact sports. The data are part of a long-term study by the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, part of the National Institutes of Health. Among the findings, published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, on how many hours kids spend in moderate to vigorous exercise: K 9-year-olds spent an average of three hours each day. K 15-year-olds spent an average 49 minutes on weekdays and 35 minutes on weekend days. K Only 31 percent of 15-year-olds exercised at least one hour on weekdays; only 17 percent did that much on the weekend days. K Overall, boys were more active than girls, exercising an average of 18 more minutes on weekdays and 13 more minutes on weekend days. Gannett News Service
Compiled by Rachel Letcher
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Back-to-school by the numbers
Shopping
$7.5 billion: The amount of money spent at family clothing stores in August 2007. Only in November and December — the holiday shopping season — were sales significantly higher. Similarly, sales at bookstores in August 2007 totaled $2.3 billion, an amount approached in 2007 only by sales in January and December.
75.2 million: The number of children and adults enrolled in school throughout the country in October 2006 — from nursery school to college. 56 percent: 3- and 4-year-olds enrolled in school in October 2006. 72 percent: Children 3 to 6 enrolled in kindergarten who attended all day, as of October 2006. 56 million: The projected number of students to be enrolled in the nation’s elementary through high schools (grades K-12) this fall. 17,000: Number of students 30 and older enrolled in elementary school, as of October 2006. 11 percent: Projected percentage of elementary through high school students enrolled in private schools this fall. 41 percent: Elementary through high school students who were minorities, as of October 2006. 23 percent: Elementary through high school students who have at least one foreignborn parent in October 2006.
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33 percent: Children 6-11 who participated in lessons as of 2004. Lessons include those taken after school or on the weekend in subjects such as music, dance, language, computers or religion. The corresponding percentage a decade earlier was 24 percent. 26 percent: Children 6-11 who had ever attended or been enrolled in first grade or higher and had changed schools at some point as of 2004, down from 30 percent a decade earlier. For children 12-17, the corresponding rate declined from 52 percent to 42 percent over the period.
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Students
Five percent were foreign-born themselves.
7 percent: Children 6-11 who had ever repeated a grade as of 2004, unchanged from a decade earlier. For children 12-17, the rate declined from 16 to 11 percent over the period.
Languages 10.9 million: Number of school-age children (5-17) who speak a language other than English at home; 7.8 million of these children speak Spanish at home.
Lunchtime 30.5 million: Average number of children participating each month in the national school lunch program in 2007. 9.3 billion: The nation’s total apple production, in pounds, in 2007, down from 9.9 billion in 2006. The chances are good the apples your children present to their teachers or enjoy for lunch were grown in Washington state, which accounted for more than half of the nation’s production. Source: The Census Bureau
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Sophie jumps, and the Boyleses’ son Hunter, 3, jumps, too, but the CPSC recommends no one under age 6 use a trampoline.
Jumping guidelines
Even with the safety netting, it is a recommended that children jump on a trampoline one at a time.
GANNETT NEWS SERVICE
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The CPSC offers the following advice for families who choose to allow their children to use trampolines: K Allow only one person on at a time. K Do not attempt or allow somersaults because landing on the head or neck can cause paralysis. K Do not use the trampoline without shock-absorbing pads that completely cover its springs, hooks and frame. K Place the trampoline away from structures, trees and other play areas. K Do not allow children younger than 6 to use a full-sized trampoline. K Do not use a ladder with the trampoline because it provides unsupervised access by small children. K Always supervise children. K Use an enclosure such as a safety net to help prevent injuries from falls off trampolines.
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Look before spring-loaded leaps
Safety advocates say trampolines are athletic training equipment, not toys By Michael Burns Gannett News Service
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from falling off onto the ground, but more than half that show up in the ER are from colliding with other jumpers.”
Lisa Colby, special projects coordinator for Safe Kids Upstate in South Carolina.
Think before you jump
sider trampolines to be toys, and the international nonprofit safety advocacy organization Safe Kids Worldwide does not recommend their use.
Children get hurt The Consumer Product Safety Commission has received reports of the deaths of six children younger than 15 from accidents involving trampolines since 1990. “In 2004, 93,000 children age 14 and younger were treated in U.S. emergency rooms for trampolinerelated injuries, and that’s gone up
every year,” said Lisa Colby, a special projects coordinator for Safe Kids Upstate. “The American Academy of Pediatrics and Safe Kids recommend against trampolines in the home and yard.” Colby said most of the injuries are minor and may include broken arms and broken legs, but she said many are concussions and injuries to the head, neck and spine. “All those things can be pretty serious to a child,” she said. “Some parents think that as long as they have that safety net around it that should be good for keeping them
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Boyles said parents should limit jumpers to one at a time and use common sense, such as halting rough play, to increase safety. David and Lynn Ramsey, of Simpsonville, S.C., bought their trampoline for children Gabe, 6, and Sophie, 3, in February, and they’re loving it. “We’ve never had a problem with it,” Lynn Ramsey said. “Our kids love it. We had a swing set, and they played more with the trampoline than they did with the swing set. My husband and I jump on it a lot in the evenings with the kids. It’s great exercise. It wears you out after five minutes.”
Get the kids in shape with your own ‘Lighten Up 4 Life’ By Linden Veillette WNC Parent columnist Most Asheville residents have heard of the Lighten Up 4 Life program. While this type of fitness challenge may not be the best for children or adolescents, your family can create its own fitness challenge and some friendly family competition. A family fitness challenge can be of varying lengths and complexity. One, two or three months are all good options. Longer challenges give family members more time to improve their fitness levels. A quicker challenge may be better for families with young kids because of short attention spans. Begin by sitting down together and deciding on the time frame for your family’s fitness challenge. Decide if everyone will compete
separately or even pair or team up. Parent-child teams are motivating for both team members, while kids against parents is always fun. Create a chart with funny names for teams or individuals. Components of a kid-friendly fitness challenge are easy and free to create. Strength, flexibility and cardiovascular fitness are equally important to test. Simple strength tests are good old sit-ups and push-ups. See how many of each exercise participants can do in one minute. Help family members by holding each other’s feet during sit-ups. Bend the knees and keep the hands across the chest. Push-ups can be done with knees down or up depending on your family’s fitness level. A squat test is another way to test leg strength. Use a flat wall to position the body in a squat position. Keep the back against the wall and the knees at a 90-degree angle. See how long competitors can hold
this position. The safest place to do the cardiovascular part of the fitness challenge is to use a local track or flat trail. Test how long it takes each family member to run or walk a mile. If you have younger kids, try a half- or quarter-mile instead. If you don’t have access to a track, pick a neighborhood road with sidewalks and simply run from one point to another while timing everyone. The goal is to retest participants at the end of the time frame your family decides on and see how much everyone improves. Decide on fun prizes that everyone will enjoy. This fitness challenge is sure to get parents and kids working out together and hopefully building a lifetime of healthy habits. Linden Veillette is an ISSA-certified personal trainer who has developed a program for children called FitKids. E-mail her at linden_v@yahoo.com.
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Sonya Boyles’ trampoline has been in her family longer than she has. Her husband, Sam, a former Clemson University cheerleader, had it when he was in college, and his cheer squad mates came over to jump and perform tricks. The Boyles children now take most of the spring-loaded leaps. The Easley, S.C., family is not deterred by incessant warnings from safety advocates who cite staggering numbers of injuries. “That can happen if you walk out the door,” Sonya Boyles said. “So far we haven’t had any accidents — cross my fingers. I wouldn’t have it if we didn’t have the safety net around it. I like that.” Safety net or not, the American Academy of Pediatrics does not con-
“In 2004, 93,000 children age 14 and younger were treated in U.S. emergency rooms for trampoline-related injuries, and that’s gone up every year.”
KIDS HEALTH
GANNETT NEWS SERVICE
A family fitness challenge can involve teaming up a parent and child or pitting children against parents. Either way, the entire family can share in the fun of getting in shape.
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Look before spring-loaded leaps
Safety advocates say trampolines are athletic training equipment, not toys By Michael Burns Gannett News Service
34
from falling off onto the ground, but more than half that show up in the ER are from colliding with other jumpers.”
Lisa Colby, special projects coordinator for Safe Kids Upstate in South Carolina.
Think before you jump
sider trampolines to be toys, and the international nonprofit safety advocacy organization Safe Kids Worldwide does not recommend their use.
Children get hurt The Consumer Product Safety Commission has received reports of the deaths of six children younger than 15 from accidents involving trampolines since 1990. “In 2004, 93,000 children age 14 and younger were treated in U.S. emergency rooms for trampolinerelated injuries, and that’s gone up
every year,” said Lisa Colby, a special projects coordinator for Safe Kids Upstate. “The American Academy of Pediatrics and Safe Kids recommend against trampolines in the home and yard.” Colby said most of the injuries are minor and may include broken arms and broken legs, but she said many are concussions and injuries to the head, neck and spine. “All those things can be pretty serious to a child,” she said. “Some parents think that as long as they have that safety net around it that should be good for keeping them
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Boyles said parents should limit jumpers to one at a time and use common sense, such as halting rough play, to increase safety. David and Lynn Ramsey, of Simpsonville, S.C., bought their trampoline for children Gabe, 6, and Sophie, 3, in February, and they’re loving it. “We’ve never had a problem with it,” Lynn Ramsey said. “Our kids love it. We had a swing set, and they played more with the trampoline than they did with the swing set. My husband and I jump on it a lot in the evenings with the kids. It’s great exercise. It wears you out after five minutes.”
Get the kids in shape with your own ‘Lighten Up 4 Life’ By Linden Veillette WNC Parent columnist Most Asheville residents have heard of the Lighten Up 4 Life program. While this type of fitness challenge may not be the best for children or adolescents, your family can create its own fitness challenge and some friendly family competition. A family fitness challenge can be of varying lengths and complexity. One, two or three months are all good options. Longer challenges give family members more time to improve their fitness levels. A quicker challenge may be better for families with young kids because of short attention spans. Begin by sitting down together and deciding on the time frame for your family’s fitness challenge. Decide if everyone will compete
separately or even pair or team up. Parent-child teams are motivating for both team members, while kids against parents is always fun. Create a chart with funny names for teams or individuals. Components of a kid-friendly fitness challenge are easy and free to create. Strength, flexibility and cardiovascular fitness are equally important to test. Simple strength tests are good old sit-ups and push-ups. See how many of each exercise participants can do in one minute. Help family members by holding each other’s feet during sit-ups. Bend the knees and keep the hands across the chest. Push-ups can be done with knees down or up depending on your family’s fitness level. A squat test is another way to test leg strength. Use a flat wall to position the body in a squat position. Keep the back against the wall and the knees at a 90-degree angle. See how long competitors can hold
this position. The safest place to do the cardiovascular part of the fitness challenge is to use a local track or flat trail. Test how long it takes each family member to run or walk a mile. If you have younger kids, try a half- or quarter-mile instead. If you don’t have access to a track, pick a neighborhood road with sidewalks and simply run from one point to another while timing everyone. The goal is to retest participants at the end of the time frame your family decides on and see how much everyone improves. Decide on fun prizes that everyone will enjoy. This fitness challenge is sure to get parents and kids working out together and hopefully building a lifetime of healthy habits. Linden Veillette is an ISSA-certified personal trainer who has developed a program for children called FitKids. E-mail her at linden_v@yahoo.com.
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Sonya Boyles’ trampoline has been in her family longer than she has. Her husband, Sam, a former Clemson University cheerleader, had it when he was in college, and his cheer squad mates came over to jump and perform tricks. The Boyles children now take most of the spring-loaded leaps. The Easley, S.C., family is not deterred by incessant warnings from safety advocates who cite staggering numbers of injuries. “That can happen if you walk out the door,” Sonya Boyles said. “So far we haven’t had any accidents — cross my fingers. I wouldn’t have it if we didn’t have the safety net around it. I like that.” Safety net or not, the American Academy of Pediatrics does not con-
“In 2004, 93,000 children age 14 and younger were treated in U.S. emergency rooms for trampoline-related injuries, and that’s gone up every year.”
KIDS HEALTH
GANNETT NEWS SERVICE
A family fitness challenge can involve teaming up a parent and child or pitting children against parents. Either way, the entire family can share in the fun of getting in shape.
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Sophie jumps, and the Boyleses’ son Hunter, 3, jumps, too, but the CPSC recommends no one under age 6 use a trampoline.
Jumping guidelines
Even with the safety netting, it is a recommended that children jump on a trampoline one at a time.
GANNETT NEWS SERVICE
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The CPSC offers the following advice for families who choose to allow their children to use trampolines: K Allow only one person on at a time. K Do not attempt or allow somersaults because landing on the head or neck can cause paralysis. K Do not use the trampoline without shock-absorbing pads that completely cover its springs, hooks and frame. K Place the trampoline away from structures, trees and other play areas. K Do not allow children younger than 6 to use a full-sized trampoline. K Do not use a ladder with the trampoline because it provides unsupervised access by small children. K Always supervise children. K Use an enclosure such as a safety net to help prevent injuries from falls off trampolines.
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Back-to-school by the numbers
Shopping
$7.5 billion: The amount of money spent at family clothing stores in August 2007. Only in November and December — the holiday shopping season — were sales significantly higher. Similarly, sales at bookstores in August 2007 totaled $2.3 billion, an amount approached in 2007 only by sales in January and December.
75.2 million: The number of children and adults enrolled in school throughout the country in October 2006 — from nursery school to college. 56 percent: 3- and 4-year-olds enrolled in school in October 2006. 72 percent: Children 3 to 6 enrolled in kindergarten who attended all day, as of October 2006. 56 million: The projected number of students to be enrolled in the nation’s elementary through high schools (grades K-12) this fall. 17,000: Number of students 30 and older enrolled in elementary school, as of October 2006. 11 percent: Projected percentage of elementary through high school students enrolled in private schools this fall. 41 percent: Elementary through high school students who were minorities, as of October 2006. 23 percent: Elementary through high school students who have at least one foreignborn parent in October 2006.
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33 percent: Children 6-11 who participated in lessons as of 2004. Lessons include those taken after school or on the weekend in subjects such as music, dance, language, computers or religion. The corresponding percentage a decade earlier was 24 percent. 26 percent: Children 6-11 who had ever attended or been enrolled in first grade or higher and had changed schools at some point as of 2004, down from 30 percent a decade earlier. For children 12-17, the corresponding rate declined from 52 percent to 42 percent over the period.
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Students
Five percent were foreign-born themselves.
7 percent: Children 6-11 who had ever repeated a grade as of 2004, unchanged from a decade earlier. For children 12-17, the rate declined from 16 to 11 percent over the period.
Languages 10.9 million: Number of school-age children (5-17) who speak a language other than English at home; 7.8 million of these children speak Spanish at home.
Lunchtime 30.5 million: Average number of children participating each month in the national school lunch program in 2007. 9.3 billion: The nation’s total apple production, in pounds, in 2007, down from 9.9 billion in 2006. The chances are good the apples your children present to their teachers or enjoy for lunch were grown in Washington state, which accounted for more than half of the nation’s production. Source: The Census Bureau
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KIDS VOICES
Going to the big school
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As summer begins to wane, we asked 5-year-old students in Diane Ramsey, Sharon McIntire and Kuumba Zuwena’s classes at First Presbyterian Church’s child care center what they think kindergarten will be like when they begin “real” school in August. Here’s what they said.
Carson Hegler
Maya Philips
Jake Rogers
“The school is really big. Sometimes I get lost because it is a circle. They have a jungle gym with pogo sticks, and you can do basketballs and jump rope. They have hopscotch but it’s got colors on it.”
“My teacher will be kind of like my teachers here. Her face is different and her hair, but she will teach very well like my teachers here.”
“It will be the same as here but you will have snacks and at lunch you will have different juices like orange juice.”
Deante Green
Jillian Ray
Scotlyn Eubanks
“We will eat pizza and macaroni and cheese and play on the playground with slides and steps.”
“I think it is going to be like you are in big school. Big school is like you know to do things really well. It’s going to be really fun because we get to take a trip to a museum.”
“I am excited about playing with my new friends and learning shapes and colors. The lunchroom will have tables and chairs but you buy food at kindergarten and sometimes you can pack a lunch. Your mama has to give you money to pay for your food.”
Lacie Harwood
Eve Whitman
Miles Wilson
“You can play with a computer at kindergarten and paint and play outside with friends.”
“We will learn about colors, letters and numbers. There will be different teachers and kids. We will make projects like feather ones.”
“I am excited about field trips when you go somewhere different than your school like the Fun Depot, but only if you have a bus.”
As kids get older, they drop the ball on exercise The amount of exercise children in the U.S. get each day drops dramatically from ages 9 to 15, according to one of the largest studies done on the activity levels of children. Fewer than one-third of 15-yearolds get 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity a day, the minimum amount recommended for children by the federal government. Inactivity has been shown to contribute to obesity. One-third of children in the USA — about 23 million ages 2-19 — weigh too much, which puts them at an increased risk of type 2 diabetes, high cholesterol and other health problems. In the latest study, researchers measured and analyzed the activity of more than 1,000 children from 10 different cities from 2000-06. The kids wore monitors called accelerometers for four to seven days during the school year when they were 9, 11, 12 and 15. The accelerometer, which measures movement, tracked activities
such as playing tag, biking, jumping rope, dancing, walking briskly and running, and playing noncontact sports. The data are part of a long-term study by the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, part of the National Institutes of Health. Among the findings, published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, on how many hours kids spend in moderate to vigorous exercise: K 9-year-olds spent an average of three hours each day. K 15-year-olds spent an average 49 minutes on weekdays and 35 minutes on weekend days. K Only 31 percent of 15-year-olds exercised at least one hour on weekdays; only 17 percent did that much on the weekend days. K Overall, boys were more active than girls, exercising an average of 18 more minutes on weekdays and 13 more minutes on weekend days. Gannett News Service
Compiled by Rachel Letcher
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GROWING TOGETHER
Greatest Generation’s stories worth remembering By Chris Worthy WNC Parent columnist
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Divorce adds a layer of challenge to academics By Trip Woodard WNC Parent columnist
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The World War II Memorial in Washington honors the 16 million who served in the armed forces of the U.S., the more than 400,000 who died and all who supported the war effort from home. the opportunity to leave a legacy to moms and children who round a table to see him and offer feeble thanks for his sacrifice. I felt a sense of urgency as I left — a great need both to save his stories and those of his contemporaries before time steals them away and to say a thousand thanks to those for whom the
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wounds are still all too fresh. May we welcome them home and honor them now. Sixty-five years is too long to wait. Chris Worthy is an attorney who took down her shingle to be a stay-athome mom. Write to her at growingtogether@chrisworthy.com.
Going back to school. Ah, the good old days when I packed up my trusty slide rule (never did figure out how that thing worked), my No. 2 pencil (whatever happened to No. 1?) and trekked to school in the blinding snow. Oh wait, that last part is what my Dad did … we had something called cheap gasoline during my time. Things now are so much more complicated as far as going to school, and divorce, unfortunately, does not make the process any easier. A primary issue is custody. Just because you have joint custody does not mean the school will keep both parents informed of activities or concerns regarding your child. On the contrary: One parent will have to act as the “designated driver” when it
comes to receiving school information and then, in good faith, work to keep the other parent posted. As with all things concerning divorced or divorcing parents, collaboration is critical. When this is not possible and the courts have determined that a parent’s right to school information is to be limited, the school may require documentation. Step parents and/or other interested relatives like grandparents need to realize that their “voice” at school conferences is recognized as a courtesy only when the custody arrangement allows for such. However, they have no legal power to sign off on any official forms requiring a guardian nor do they have a realistic “vote” in any conference process. That is certainly not to say that their opinion is not important or needed; it is just that it will not have a decisive bearing from the school’s standpoint for legal reasons. Ideally, parents will strive to prioritize the needs of the child. This means parents try to get past their own emo-
tional issues with each other (way easier said than done) and recognize that children want both parents to be involved in their life as much as possible, including academics. Consistent definitions of divorce boundaries should be demonstrated, such as parents sitting in separate areas when attending school events. This keeps in mind that children often nurse the fantasy of their parents reuniting sometime in the future. Any sign of “togetherness” may confuse children, especially during the early stages of divorce, even if it is well intended and both parents truly get along. Today’s teacher and school counselor tend to be very sympathetic to the realities of divorcing or divorced families. While their role is education and not therapy, information about significant family turbulence can help them provide a more supportive role and not label your child unfairly when it comes to any behavioral issues. Events like court dates involving the children or custody shifts are exam-
ples of what may be useful information to the school. What teachers and school administrators do not need are blow-by-blow descriptions of any unfortunate warfare between you and your former spouse. That should be information for therapists to hear and possibly the court to address. Well-meaning school officials may listen to this, but their priority remains the education of your child. In a similar way, you want to have a collaborative relationship with the school, as with the other parent. You have everything to gain from being as inclusive as possible among all parties involved with your child. The good news is that, luckily, you will not have to contend with explaining to your children how a slide rule works. Trip Woodard is a licensed marriage and family therapist and a clinical member of the N.C. Association of Marriage and Family Therapists. Contact him at 274-9031.
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My son has yet to learn much about Normandy, Remagen or the liberation of Paris, but when our upcoming fifth-grade studies turn to World War II, I will remind him of the living history he witnessed in the corner of a science room. We were drawn in by the array of military items, organized like some ancient surplus store with a World War I gas mask that gave only the illusion of impermeability and a vast row of ammunition lined up like the soldiers it represented. There were bags and cases inscribed with dates and names long forgotten and medals bought at a heavy price that once adorned a proud chest. At the end of the line, an elderly gentleman sat in a folding chair and chatted with all who passed by. He was still a soldier through and
through, and my first thought was that I wanted to learn everything I could from him. I wanted to hear from him what it was like to see the French countryside when the now grassedover marks were still fresh from bombing raids. Was he welcomed — over there and back at home? In the heat of battle, could he see that he was saving the world or did he long to come back to a sweetheart? They have been called the Greatest Generation, and rightly so. They ended the reign of tyrants, liberated the oppressed and shone the light of democracy in places where hope of escaping the darkness had all but dwindled away. That’s what soldiers do — both then and now. On this day, I held most of my questions. I didn’t need to ask them. The stories flowed freely, as did his tears when he told of watching his friends die when he was still just a kid himself, of visiting their gravesites on foreign soil and of a lifetime lived in between. I wonder how many decades those tears were stoically dammed up, those emotions faced now that he has
DIVORCED FAMILIES
Tips for more efficient carpooling off the kids at an activity, do other errands until it’s time to pick them up. K Bartering system. Trade off with your relatives, neighbors, friends — one person can drive the kids to practice, while another can watch other children or do errands or PHOTO BY STEVE DIXON chores. With gas prices this high, carpooling becomes a fuel-saver.
Common questions K Does carrying more kids burn more gas? Probably not, since better gas mileage is based more on the type of vehicle and how fuel-efficient it is. If you are transporting more kids as part of a carpool arrangement, there are probably some days that you are not driving at
all, which will save you a lot of gas (and money). K Is it better to get a more fuelefficient car? If you have a choice between using two cars at home, choose the one that gets better mileage to do your carpooling. You’ll have to decide if it makes financial sense to get a new car. In the long run it may make sense but in the short run, it may be more costly to take on a new or larger car payment. K Remove extra cargo? Check to see what you are carting around in your car. Take extra junk out of your trunk and take off overhead cargo carriers when not in use. Hauling around an extra 100 pounds can cut
fuel economy by up to 2 percent. K Buying gas at different times? AAA Carolinas recommends buying gas whenever you can find it at a reasonable price or whenever your car is low on fuel.
General tips for fuel efficiency K Slow down. For every extra 5 mph you drive over 65 mph, your gas mileage can drop by up to 10 percent. K Use your cruise control to help maintain a steady speed. K Drive conservatively. Punching the gas pedal uses more fuel than is necessary to accelerate. K Combine errands. Making several stops during one trip is more efficient than making “cold” starts with your vehicle. Frequent short trips can reduce fuel economy. K Change oil and air filters. A clogged or dirty air filter makes your engine work harder, cutting gas mileage by up to 10 percent. Compiled by Barbara Blake
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Carol Gifford, public relations manager with AAA Carolinas in Charlotte, offered these gas-saving tips for busy parents. K Sign kids up together for activities. Carpool with another parent — one drops off the kids and the other picks up. K Ask the Little League group or soccer club if they are willing to use their Web site to help people find carpool matches. Ask the team mom or dad if they can send out a note listing the parents (and kids) interested in carpooling. Hire a bus or van to transport the group to away tournaments (and you’ll have the added benefit of relaxing in the vehicle instead of driving). K Look for free activities for kids. Check out things offered by libraries, park and recreation departments, and churches to try to find things that are closer to home. A free activity helps pay for the transportation costs of getting there. K Combine your trips. If you drop
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Surviving road trips with the family By Juliana Goodwin Gannett News Service
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If you have tweens or teens, headphones and a CD or MP3 player are a must, especially if you have more than one teen and they disagree on music.
Keep kids entertained Jeff Long and his family — which includes a 1-year-old and 3-year-old
— plan to drive 15 hours from Missouri to Pennsylvania to visit family at the end of the summer. For their 3-year-old, they bought a
About those older kids ... Teens like electronics, but those can be expensive. Here are some other Continued on Page 42
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The children bicker about being bored in the back seat. Someone passes gas and refuses to admit it. Mom is pulling out her hair. Dad refuses to stop for another bathroom break. Sound like your family road trip? If your family has decided to drive for your next vacation instead of flying because of high airfares, you’ll want to either plan for the long haul or face a miserable journey, especially if you have young children. Not only will you save money by planning ahead, but it’ll save you some headaches, too. And while some people will stay off the roads because of gas prices, some families are opting for road trips. “Due to the fuel crunch, people are driving instead of flying,” says Phil Linck, approved auto repair specialist for AAA Missouri.
back-seat organizer that looks like a small shoe organizer, but they use it to store toys. When his sister-in-law drove her children to Florida, she packed puzzles and games and parceled them out throughout the trip. “Every couple of hours she’d break out a new activity so it kept it fresh. Kids want to try everything at first, and then halfway through the trip, they are bored,” says Long, who is unit director for Boys & Girls Clubs’ Musgrave Unit in Springfield, Mo. A portable DVD player is another option when traveling with children. The nondriver can play games like peek-a-boo or this little piggy, or have an older sibling teach the younger child how to point to their nose or head, suggests Angie Fletcher, University of Missouri Extension human development specialist.
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Games to keep questions at bay
Continued from Page 41
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The Ledermeier family believes in being prepared for long family road trips. Gary, clockwise from left, Austin, 8, Alex, 12, Lori, and Aaron, 8, gather their belongings that will be packed for their road trip, including games and plenty of bottled water.
“Are we there yet?” “I’m bored!” “She’s touching me!” Is the thought of a road trip with your kids making you feel like you’re going to need a vacation from your vacation? Here are some ideas that might make your drive a little more fun for everyone involved: K Play the license plate game. Print out a list of states and bring along a pencil. When someone in the vehicle spots a license plate from another state, cross it off the list. K Video fun. Purchase a new game for their hand-held game system and they will be occupied for hours trying to beat the game. Or pick up an inexpensive hand-held electronic game and take turns playing it. K Play the alphabet game. Find a word that starts with the letter “A” on a sign or billboard. Everyone competes to see who can spot the word first. Once the letter “A” is found, move on to a word that starts with “B,” etc. Hint: This works best in cities. On the freeway, you might want to include letters appearing on license plates or
words on cars. K Tell stories. Start a story and then pass it to the next person. They can add to the story and then pass it along to the next person. K Plug them in. Get them a portable DVD player and let them watch a movie or their favorite television show with headphones. K Have a scavenger hunt. Create a list of things you might see while traveling. They can include things like a man in a baseball hat, a VW bug, someone talking to themselves, a woman driving a semi-truck, kids making faces in the back seat, etc. Can you find everything on the list before you get to your destination? K Play “I Spy.” Take turns selecting something in the car and see whether the others can guess what it is with a few clues. K Play car bingo. Make up bingo cards for each person. Use words or pictures of things you might see while driving, like a road sign or a cornfield or a barn. When a person spots the item on their card, they get to mark it off. Gannett News Service
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suggestions from Fletcher for entertaining teens: K Books are good if the teen doesn’t get motion sickness. K Buy him or her a journal. K Providing teens a camera (disposable or digital as budget allows) gives them a way to share their trip with their friends when they return home. K Teens always enjoy spending time with their friends. Is it possible to invite one or two of them along? If you have tweens or teens, headphones and a CD or MP3 player are a must, especially if you have more than one teen and they disagree on music. And to entertain the whole family, you can always take turns telling jokes, suggests Fletcher. Despite the long haul to Pennsylvania, Long is looking forward to his time off at the end of summer. But he’ll have to wait. He has a host of summer programs at the club. “I’ll be ready for a vacation,” he says.
EmmaJo Davis, 4 1/2, daughter of Joe and Caroline Davis, of Marshall, picks black raspberries at the Zimmerman Berry Farm in Madison County.
Wesley Randall Edwards, son of Todd and Sara Edwards, of Asheville, sits on his papaw’s new Harley just days before his 1st birthday. Submitted by his grandmother, Elaine Edwards of Leicester.
Clayton Albrecht, 6, of Asheville, with a Westie belonging to the folks who ran the bed-and-breakfast where his family stayed recently in Paris, Ky. The photo was taken on a boat on Stoner Creek during a family reunion over a long July 4th holiday. Submitted by grandmother Barbara A. Hodgson.
Sydney Fiore Kral, 5, before her dance performance with Weaverville Dance Academy on May 31. Submitted by her mom, Beth Fiore Kral.
Kylan D. Gaines, 11 months, of Charlotte, enjoys a field trip to the water park with his day care. Submitted by Kristen Gaines, an Asheville native. Kylan’s grandparents Marilyn Knox Gaines and Edward L. Gaines, among other relatives, live in Asheville.
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Sarah Davis, 2 1/2, daughter of Joe and Caroline Davis of Marshall, enjoying her first Fourth of July marshmallow roast.
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Send us your photos We welcome photos of family, neighborhood, school, church and other social activities involving children. Send your high-resolution photos, along with a brief description of the event and names of everyone pictured. Don’t forget your name, address and phone number. Send to: Katie Wadington, WNC Parent photos, P.O. Box 2090, Asheville, NC 28802 or e-mail to kwadington@CITIZEN-TIMES.com
Try these 3 books to beat the kids’ road-trip blues By Jayne Clark Gannett News Service
The license plate game can go only so far in remedying a bout of white-line fever. Several new books suggest other ways of combating monotony on the road, from divining historical meaning from geographic boundaries to digging into a heap of travel trivia to contemplating the Zen of commuting. Here are three books that might help pass the time on summer road trips — both close to home and far away.
‘How the States Got Their Shapes’ By Mark Stein Smithsonian Books, 2008, $22.95
The premise: The shapes of the United States’ individual states are all over the map. But why? The setup: Mountains, rivers and other natural boundaries aren’t the only things that shaped state borders. Nor do these physical features necessarily explain oddities
such as why Michigan’s Upper Peninsula is detached from the rest of the state or why Oklahoma has that weird panhandle. Sound bite: “Asking why a state has the borders it does unlocks a history of human struggles.” Fun fact: Hawaii extends 1,000 or so miles beyond the main islands to include numerous uninhabited islands that were once valued as a rich source of guano — bat droppings used as fertilizer. Bottom line: Its theme is geography, but the book offers a mini-review of history lessons long forgotten by many.
‘Travia: The Ultimate Book of Travel Trivia’ By Nadine Godwin The Intrepid Traveler, 2008, $15.95
The premise: It’s a great big world filled with lots of littleknown facts. The setup: Godwin, an editor for the trade publication Travel Weekly, has
visited more than 100 countries in 40 years of writing about the industry. During her travels, she absorbed odd bits of information — how much money gets thrown daily into Rome’s Trevi Fountain (about 500 euros); the first movie to be shown in flight (“The Lost World” in 1925). Sound bite: “At about 43 square miles, Orlando’s Walt Disney World Resort is about twice the size of Manhattan.” Fun fact: Lots of them, including: Northwest Airlines saved $2 million annually when it stopped serving pretzels. Bottom line: This is information you can probably live without, but it has its “who knew?” moments.
‘A Commuter’s Guide to Enlightenment’ By Stewart Bitkoff Lewellyn Publications, 2008, $13.95
The premise: It’s possible to find inner peace — even during the daily commute. The setup: Bitkoff, a psychiatric
worker, has spent years commuting in the New York area — and realizes he’s tapped into some deeper consciousness to, psychologically at least, cut through traffic snarls. Sound bite: “Somehow, as I drove to work while focusing on the movements of the cars my soul learned to sing.” Fun fact: States with the longest average commutes: New York (30.8 minutes); Maryland (30 minutes); New Jersey (28.3 minutes); Illinois (26.7 minutes); and California (26.6 minutes). The nation’s fastest commutes (about 15 minutes): North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska and Montana. Bottom line: A theoretical how-to manual infused with Sufi mysticism and Bitkoff’s own stream of consciousness. It might help some drivers close their minds to commuter aggravations, but it’s still wise to keep your eyes on the road.
Olivia Traylor, seen at age 2, of Asheville, likes “primping” at Granddaddy and Nettie’s house. Submitted by Annette Mills Traylor.
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Conrad Traylor, 20 months, of Asheville, enjoys a spring day at Lake Julian. Submitted by Annette Mills Traylor.
Kimberly Kellough and daughter Brooke, 2 1/2, both of Marion, leave Tampa, Fla., on a Carnival cruise ship for Cozumel, Mexico, and the Cayman Islands. Submitted by mom and grandma Ruby Kellough of Marion.
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Cousins Cloe’ Allen and Jadein Wilson celebrate their birthday together. Cloe’ turned 5 on June 11 and Jadein turned 6 on June 9. Submitted by Kelly Allen.
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Greenville offers a zoo on a smaller scale By Michael Burns Gannett News Service
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Want to go? Visit greenvillezoo.com for more information attractions, exhibits, programs and camps at Greenville Zoo. Adults are admitted for $6, children 3–15 for $3, and children younger than 3 are free. Children younger than 13 must be accompanied by an adult. The zoo is open 10 a.m.–4:30 p.m. seven days a week, except on Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Day.
Zoo within a park Shady play areas, rest areas, picnic areas, a farm animal area and educational building are ringed by exhibits of lions, elephants, giraffes, orangutans, leopards, reptiles and more. The zoo is on a 10-acre site within Cleveland Park — which boasts playgrounds, picnic shelters, walking trails, bike paths, volleyball courts and tennis courts of its own. Visitors to the zoo can walk through the park along the Reedy River to Falls Park downtown and never have to wait on a red light. The area has remained leafy green as the city around it has grown. The zoo, itself, has changed over
SPECIAL TO WNC PARENT
The exhibit of giraffes at the Greenville Zoo opened this spring.
the years, particularly in the 28 years Sims has been there. Much of the zoo’s original construction was complete around 1960, Sims said, but most of the facilities were torn down and rebuilt in the mid-1980s. Additions and expansions have followed. The exhibit of giraffes opened just this spring, and Bob the baby orangutan was born in early 2006. Those attractions have stirred a buzz, Sims
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K Think small. Choose the smallest backpack that accommodates your child’s books, notebooks, folders and other school supplies. As a general rule, the backpack shouldn’t be wider than your child’s torso. The bottom of the backpack should rest against the curve of your child’s lower back and never more than 4 inches below your child’s waist. K Look for wide, padded C-shaped shoulder straps and lumbar panels, and waist belts to help kids carry their loads more comfortably. A sternum strap helps keep the shoulder straps from slipping, and a waist belt helps distribute the weight of the backpack more evenly. K Packs with multiple compartments for smaller items can better distribute weight as well as make it easy to find things that might otherwise be lost in the jumble. K Backpacks that can be pulled with wheels are easier on your child’s back, but check with your child’s school before you buy. Wheeled backpacks aren’t allowed in some schools because they pose a tripping hazard. They can also be tough to pull up stairs or through slush or snow.
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Seth Mills has lived in Greenville, S.C., all his life, and he’s visited the Greenville Zoo about as long. Now he takes his children on the educational adventures he enjoyed as a kid. He and wife, Summer, don’t have to drive daughter Charity, 3, and son Isaiah, 5 months, two hours, one way, to the more renowned Riverbanks Zoo in Columbia, S.C. “It’s not quite as big as Riverbanks Zoo, but it’s easier to get here since we live in Greenville,” Mills said. “There’s just as much stuff to enjoy here as in Columbia — and with gas prices these days …” Lee Sims, the director of Greenville Zoo, said Riverbanks visitors from Charleston and Columbia enjoy visiting Greenville Zoo, too, when they’re in the Upstate. More than half of the zoo’s visitors come from outside of Greenville County, and about 20 percent come from out of state. “We’re not as large as a lot of facili-
ties, but if they’re in the area it’s a great place to drop by,” Sims said. “If you have small children, they do better here than at a bigger zoo. Children aren’t going to do well at two hours or three hours. I have a lot of people tell me that’s the charm of this place, that they don’t want to get into a place that’s hot and takes them two-and-ahalf hours to get out of.”
Choosing the right backpack
said. Bob has finally reached toddler stage. He delights children and adults, alike, with acrobatic tumbles and a face that triggers “ooooohhs.” About 7,500 different families have purchased memberships as Friends of the Zoo, gaining free admission to Greenville and Riverbanks and free or discounted admission to 140 other zoos across the nation. Mills and family will be back soon. Isaiah made his first visit at 2 weeks of age. “It’s just fun to come out here, and it’s good to bring the kids,” Seth Mills said.
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Backpack
do’s and don’ts
By Rick McDaniel WNC Parent contributor
A well made backpack can make heavier loads much easier to carry.
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A school backpack is something your child will use daily, and choosing one that has the right degree of “cool” coupled with good quality design and features may not be an easy task. What do you look for? What makes a backpack a “quality backpack”? For children in the younger grades, choosing a backpack is fairly easy, since they often only have a book or two and a notebook to carry. As they get older, they have more homework – and more books to bring home. A well made backpack can make these heavier loads much easier to carry. “We used to buy inexpensive backpacks and they wouldn’t even last through Christmas break before they were threadbare,” said Kathleen Riddle of Asheville. “Last year, I
bought a quality backpack made by a company that makes outdoor gear, and it’s still going strong. It definitely pays to get a better quality pack.”
The ones to watch While packs with the latest movie or cartoon character will make your first-grader happy, older kids are more backpack savvy. “Older kids are involved in lots of activities, so packs that can hold everything from books to sports equipment are very popular,” said Kira Gutknecht, a spokesperson for national retailer Lands’ End. “One of our most popular packs this year is the MultiTask Backpack, which has pockets for books, athletic gear, and even a bike helmet.” Other popular features are pockets for cell phones and MP3 players, lightweight packs made out of rip stop nylon, and packs that coordinate colors with lunchboxes.
VIDEO GAMES
Nancy Drew sleuths in Italy in top-notch mystery game By Jinny Gudmundsen Gannett News Service In her 18th PC game, intrepid youth sleuth Nancy Drew jets off to Venice, Italy, to solve a mystery involving a masked bandit. In “Nancy Drew: The Phantom of Venice,” Nancy has been invited to Venice by the Italian police to help them solve a series of crimes where priceless Venetian artifacts have been stolen. For the first time, Nancy is working undercover as she infiltrates a crime syndicate. Set against the beautiful backdrop of Venice, as depicted in almost photo-realistic scenes, the mystery takes you around the city to many of its famous piazzas and other locations. The game takes advantage of being in Venice, and lets you ride on gondolas to get from place to place. You play as Nancy and see Venice through her eyes. The plot is complicated and fascinating, as you meet characters who aren’t what they seem, and others who are hiding behind masks. You get to do
"Nancy Drew: The Phantom of Venice” Rating: 5 stars (out of 5) Best for: Ages 10 and older From Her Interactive, herinteractive.com, $19.99. Windows. spy things like planting bugs in pens and decoding encryptions that use Chinese ideograms and chess notations. There are even arcade-type games, including one where you must smoke out a screen full of buzzing bees. Fans of this Her Interactive series won’t be disappointed with this newest installment because it delivers a topnotch mystery game experience. While Her Interactive has not deviated much from the formula that has made this series so popular, the Nancy-as-a-spy play mechanics make the game play feel fresh. For fans who have played the earlier games in the series, you will still find two levels of difficulty and the quintessential “second chance” feature that returns you to the moment before you made a fatal mistake and lets you replay the scene. If you have never played a Nancy
GANNETT PHOTO NETWORK
In "Nancy Drew: The Phantom of Venice," from Her Interactive for the PC, Nancy sees the sights of Venice as she infiltrates a Venetian crime ring in this mystery set in Italy. Drew game before, you can jump right in with this one. Each game stands on its own and comes with a complete tutorial. The game is structured to help you with a journal that automatically keeps clues Nancy discovers by talking to others and snooping. If you play on the easier of the two levels as a junior detective, a clipboard is available with a list reminding you what to do next. The recommended age of 10 and older reflects the difficulty of the mys-
tery and puzzle play, but it does not mean there is inappropriate content. This is a fabulous E-rated game, and one that families could enjoy playing together. If you get stuck, there are hints and tips on herinteractive.com. Gudmundsen is the editor of Computing With Kids magazine (www.ComputingWith Kids. com). Contact her at gnstech@ gns.gannett.com.
Rick McDaniel is a freelance writer. E-mail him at southerncooking@charter.net.
Watch the weight
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According to the American Occupational Therapy Association, physicians see thousands of students each year for back pain caused by carrying book bags that are too heavy. In one study, six out of 10 students ages 9 to 20 reported chronic back pain related to heavy book bags. In another study conducted after backpack education, eight of 10 middleschool students who packed their school backpacks and carried them correctly reported less pain and strain in their backs, necks and shoulders. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that children carry no more than 10 percent to 20 percent of their body weight in a backpack. For example, a child weighing 60 pounds should not carry a backpack exceeding nine pounds. An older student weighing 100 pounds can safely carry a backpack weighing up to 15 pounds.
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Flexitarians: By Autumn Shrum Gannett News Service
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fowl at restaurants, about 7 percent said “always,” about 8 percent said “often,” about 40 percent said “sometimes,” and about 41 percent said “never.”
More than rabbit food
GANNETT NEWS SERVICE
Flexitarians are on the rise. Restaurants like the Jungle Organic Restaurant and Market in Indialantic, Fla., are starting to offer more vegetarian-friendly dishes like this baked stuffed portobello to satisfy them.
tion that tracks vegetarianism in the United States. The group estimates only 2-3 percent of the population is vegetarian, meaning they do not eat meat, fish or fowl. But a 2008 poll asking 1,000 Americans about their dining out habits produced interesting results. When asked how often they ate meat, fish or
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While many self-proclaimed vegetarians might “flex” or “cheat” once in a while, meat eaters do the same thing, sometimes without realizing it. “Some people eat bacon and eggs for breakfast every day, but generally, most people in the country are eating cereal or a doughnut,” Stahler says. “Those are both vegetarian.” While most Americans aren’t about to completely convert to vegetarianism, it’s pretty surprising to find about 7 percent of them always order dishes without meat, fish or fowl when they go out, Stahler says. The desire to try new flavors could be one explanation that response. People also could want to eat less fat, even if it’s only one day a week. That’s what the folks at Meatless Monday are hoping, anyway. The idea of the Meatless Monday campaign, which started in 2002 and is affiliated with the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, is to encourage Americans to abstain from meat every Monday, with the goal of reducing their consumption of saturated fat by 15 percent by 2010.
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There are those who can’t stand the thought of eating anything that once had a digestive tract, and there are those whose mouths water just thinking about a juicy, medium-rare tenderloin steak hot off the grill. Then there are those who fall somewhere in the middle. Some part-time vegetarians go by a modern title — flexitarian. A term that’s been around since the early ’90s and has been recognized by the American Dialect Society, “flexitarian” generally is defined as an omnivore whose diet is composed mostly of vegetarian meals, but sometimes includes meat or fish. It could go the other way, too. Some say people who eat meat daily are now taking breaks from their usual habits, perhaps replacing cheeseburgers with veggie pitas or portobello mushroom sandwiches. A flexitarianism trend is on the rise because of the abundance of vegetarian and organic foods available in grocery stores, and because of restaurants that are revamping menus to offer a mix of vegetarian and nonvegetarian options. “Just about everyone is saying ‘eat more fruits and vegetables,’” says Charles Stahler, co-director of the Vegetarian Resource Group, a national organiza-
Fewer omnivores find meatless meals a dilemma
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This is just a sampling of the posts and photos at WNCmom.com. Visit the site for lots more.
Discussion from the forums Jennifer asks in ‘Mothers morning out’: Does anyone participate in a great mothers morning out program?
Karen responds: I have been to the one on Tuesdays at the Y in South Asheville. I went for the first time last week, and I will definitely go back. I still am looking for more opportunities though. I don’t have any family here in town, and my friends don’t have kids.
Michelle asks: How about a morning out program for older children? I have a special needs 3-year-old, and I would love to see him have some peer interaction. I don’t have friends or family with children in the area.
Heather replies: I know of several PMO programs for 2-, 3-, 4- and 5-year-olds. I understand your desire to have him interact with his peers. I have a 3-year-old daughter and would be happy to meet for coffee or ice cream or something if you are still interested in learning about some of the options in the area as well as have a play date with our children.
Ashevillemommies responds: Check out our MySpace page for July events we have planned: Myspace.com/ashevillemommies. We are a pretty new group to the area, but we are growing! Hope to see you at our next event! We do a meet and greet every Tuesday at The Hop for half-priced teas, lattes and coffees. (There is a) child area, and they play while the moms sit and talk for a good hour or so!
Julia asks ‘Any good parks with shade?’ I live in the Haw Creek area and am looking for some good parks nearby that are suitable for toddlers. Shaded would be great. Any advice?
Kari responds: I’ve never been to it, but I’ve heard there’s a really good shaded playground behind the East Asheville library on Tunnel Road. Also, there’s an awesome shaded, big park with a pretty stream you can wade in and good playground equipment in Black Mountain. ... Also, Jones Park in North Asheville is wonderful. Nice and shady and a huge playground. I can’t explain how to get there, but if you find Jones Elementary on Google Maps or Mapquest, that’ll get you there. The playground is right next to the school.
Tonya replies: If you’re ever looking for indoor play, I’m opening a kid-friendly cafe with a soft play area for babies and toddlers as well as a play area for kids ages 3 and up. It will be in the shopping center with Play It Again Sports and it will be opening Aug. 1. It’s called Growing Young Cafe. Check out more info on growingyoungcafe.com.
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A few of the nearly 400 photos on WNCmom.com
Thanks to health campaigns like Meatless Monday, meat eaters are starting to enjoy vegetarian meals more often. Here are three recipes from the campaign. Find more at meatlessmonday.com.
Hot and sour tofu stir-fry 1 to 2 tablespoons canola oil 1 block firm tofu 1 medium red pepper 1 large carrot 4 to 5 cabbage leaves 1 teaspoon coriander seeds
Marinade ingredients: 4 cloves garlic 1-inch piece fresh ginger, finely chopped 2 tomatoes, finely chopped or 2 teaspoons tomato puree 3 teaspoons soy sauce Juice of 1 lemon 1/2 cup orange juice 1/2 teaspoon red chili powder
Crush garlic with a broad knife and mix with remaining marinade ingredients. Cut tofu into 1/2-inch pieces and put in bowl with the marinade. Place in the fridge for up to an hour. Cut the carrots, peppers and cabbage into thin strips or matchsticks and put to one side. Lift the tofu pieces out of the marinade (don’t throw it away) and put them on a plate. Add 1 tablespoon of the oil in a heavy frying pan or wok and heat until the pile begins to shimmer. Add the coriander seeds and then the tofu pieces a few seconds later, then turn the heat down a little. Move the tofu pieces around gently and cook for about 2 minutes each side until they start to brown. Lift the pieces out of the pan and return them to the plate. Turn the heat back up and place the vegetables into the pan. Stir-fry for 5 minutes, then add the marinade and tofu pieces. Stir gently, cover the pan and turn down the heat. Simmer for 5 more minutes and serve with brown rice or noodles. Makes 4 servings.
Meatless sloppy joes 2 cups onions, thinly sliced 2 cups green peppers, chopped 2 garlic cloves, finely chopped 2 tablespoons ketchup 1 tablespoon mustard 1 15-ounce can kidney beans, mashed One 8-ounce can tomato sauce 1 teaspoon chili powder Cider vinegar, as needed 2 sandwich rolls, halved Spray large nonstick skillet with cooking spray; heat over medium heat until hot. Add onions, peppers and garlic. Cook and stir 5 minutes or until vegetables are tender. Stir in ketchup and mustard. Add beans, sauce and chili powder. Reduce heat to medium-low. Cook 5 minutes or until thickened, stirring frequently and adding up to 1/3 cup vinegar if dry. Top sandwich roll halves evenly with bean mixture. Makes 4 servings.
Portobello pizzas 8 large portobello mushrooms (4 ounces each), stems removed and reserved 1/2 cup water 3 cloves garlic, minced 1/2 teaspoon salt 1 cup cooked white beans (rinsed and drained) 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved 1 cup arugula, spinach or watercress leaves, torn into bite-size pieces 4 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Use a small spoon to scrape the black “gills” out from the mushroom caps. Spray a rimmed baking pan with nonstick cooking spray and place the mushroom caps on the sheet, stemmed side down. Cover with aluminum foil and bake until the mushroom caps are tender, about 7 minutes. Transfer the baked mushroom caps to paper towels so they can drain (lay them stemmed side down). Discard any liquid left in the baking pan, and leave the oven on while you finish prep work. Finely chop the mushroom stems and saute them with the garlic in a nonstick skillet over medium heat. Stir frequently, cooking until the stems are tender and the liquid has been absorbed, about 5 minutes. Transfer the sauteed veggies to a large mixing bowl, then add 1/4 teaspoon of the salt, the beans, cherry tomatoes, the greens, 1 tablespoon of the Parmesan and the vinegar. Return the baked mushroom caps to the baking pan, this time laying them in the pan stemmed side up. Sprinkle the mushroom caps with the remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt, then fill the caps with the vegetable-bean mixture and sprinkle with the remaining 3 tablespoons Parmesan. Bake until the bean mixture is piping hot and the Parmesan cheese is browned and crusty, about 5 minutes. Serve hot or at room temperature. Makes 8 servings.
Tyson and Aubrie, posted by Ashevillemommies. Graduation day, posted by Carrie Rowe.
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Future firefighters, posted by Sonya Stone.
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PARENTING IN A NUTSHELL
Common reasons why women can’t get pregnant By Doreen Nagle Gannett News Service
You’re ready to have a baby. So, how come you’re still not pregnant? Only your doctor knows for sure, but here are a few reasons why you may not be (adapted from my book, “But I Don’t Feel Too Old to Be a Mommy ...” HCI 2002): 1. Healthy eggs are produced from
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Common causes of infertility
K Polycystic ovary syndrome: It affects about 5 million women annually. K Hormonal imbalances: Could result in a lack of ovulation. K Body fat: Too high or too low. K Chronic diseases like diabetes or hepatitis. K Endometriosis. K Some prescription medications. Don’t forget to tell your doctor which ones you are using. K Previous miscarriages. K Impaired fecundity, a medical term that translates to the inability to carry a baby to full term. K Poor lifestyle choices like poor diet, smoking, alcohol, drugs. K Environmental factors in the home or workplace. K Sexually transmitted diseases. K Fallopian tube blockage. See step No. 2 of “How conception occurs” above. This problem accounts for about 20 percent of infertility in women, says Dr. Eldon Schriock, former director of the fertility program at the University of California, San Francisco.
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K Not knowing what time of the month fertility occurs in one’s own menstrual cycle. If you do not know how to tell when you are fertile, talk to your gynecologist. K Abnormal Pap smear. K Ecotopic pregnancies. K An additional 20 percent of causes fall into “miscellaneous,” including uterine and cervical problems. K Older than 35? Delaying pregnancy is generally the single biggest cause of infertility for women 35 and older. Fertility drops 30 percent to 40 percent by the mid-30s to mid-40s. By the time a woman reaches 50, her fertility can be practically zero.
Tip from the parenting trenches A workup by a medical professional should be ordered if you are having trouble conceiving. Include a workup for your partner as well, since infertility affects men and women almost equally and is generally easier to treat in men. Doreen Nagle welcomes your parenting tips and concerns at parentinginanutshell@joimail.com.
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How conception occurs
the ovaries. 2. The fallopian tubes must be free of blockages in order for the egg to go through them where it meets ... 3. … healthy sperm. The sperm merges with one or more eggs in the fallopian tubes. 4. The lining of the uterus is prepared (progesterone’s job), so that the fertilized egg can attach itself successfully to the lining of the uterus. 5. The right hormones nourish the fertilized, implanted egg.
also provide a free developmental assessment. Q: What else should parent know? A: Trust yourself. You know your child better than anyone else and if you are concerned, do not dismiss the feeling. If you are right, your child will begin getting the help that he/she needs. And if you’re wrong, you will have relieved your mind. Here are some warning signs for a learning disability from Panther: K Difficulty following directions. K Slow to acquire language compared with other children. K Difficulty learning and using new words. K Articulation (pronunciation) problems. K Doesn’t enjoy rhyming words and word play. K Trouble learning numbers and letters. K May seem physically “clumsy.” K Difficulty learning fine motor skills, like buttoning and coloring.
NEED HELP? If you are concerned your child has a learning disability, call: K Children’s Developmental Services for children ages 0-3: 251-6091 K Child Service Coordination at the Buncombe County Health Center for children ages 0-5: 250-5299 K Preschool program for children ages 3-5, which includes: Asheville City Schools: 255-5001 Buncombe County Schools: 255-5983 K Developmental specialist at the Buncombe County Health Center for children ages 5 and younger: 250-5080
Difficulty learning fine motor skills like buttoning and coloring could be an early sign of a learning disability.
SPECIAL TO WNC PARENT
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CRAFTS
Put jewelry on display with canvas holder
Learning disabilities can – and should – be caught early By Carol Motsinger Staff writer Like many things involving a child, when it comes to learning disabilities, the earlier the diagnosis, the better. “One of the things we’ve been working on is making sure pediatricians have screening tests,” said Pamela Lee, developmental specialist with the Buncombe County Health Center. “Even in infants, you can tell … a lot of things are easy to overlook when they are little.” Brain development begins the day a child is born and learning certainly doesn’t start with kindergarten. A learning disability is a lifelong concern that can be treated, but doesn’t mean the affected child is not intelligent. A learning disability
may mean that the person has an issue writing, reading, reasoning and recalling or organizing information. Here’s what Maggie Panther, director of Children’s Developmental Services, had to say about the subject. Question: What should parents do if they think their child may have a learning disability? Who should they turn to for help and advice? Answer: I cannot emphasize enough that parents should not “wait and see” if their child will catch up. Because the brain is undergoing rapid growth between birth and age 5, it is a window of opportunity to help children learn the foundational skills they will need to be successful in school. Early intervention in the first years of life has been
proven in numerous studies to reduce the need for special services in the school age years. If you suspect your child might have a learning disability, call your doctor and request a developmental screening. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends periodic developmental screening at well-child visits for all children, so your doctor should be familiar with this process. If your child is younger than 3, your local Children’s Developmental Services Agency (N.C. Early Intervention program) will provide a developmental evaluation at no cost, and help you find services such as speech therapy and special instruction. If your child is age 3 or older, your local school system can
By Kathy Cano-Murillo Gannett News Service
SPECIAL TO WNC PARENT
If your children is younger than 3, your local Children’s Developmental Services agency will provide an evaluation at no cost if you suspect any learning disabilities.
Here’s a sentimental project that comes from my personal archives. When my husband and I married in 1990, we vowed to live the artist’s life and earn a living from our handmade creations. But when it came time to pay the first electricity bill, that idea had yet to pay off. With $20 in our pockets, we went to the craft store, bought a canvas and materials to make earrings. We figured if we could fill the canvas with earrings, maybe we could talk a boutique owner into buying the whole shebang. Our plan not only worked, but it served as the launching pad to our craft business that is now 18 years strong. To this day, I have a canvas in our bedroom — filled with earrings. It’s a meaningful reminder of how far one idea can go! This design is great for jewelry artists who want to display their wares, or for earring addicts who want a fun way to hang their goods.
Canvas Jewelry Holder Supplies 1 canvas, assorted acrylic paints, brush 4 or more hook tacks, small hammer, dowel rod, cut to fit the canvas horizontally, nail.
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Directions 1. Paint the canvas however you want. You can paint it all a solid color, or make a fullon painting. Let dry. 2. Use the small hammer to attach the hook
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KATHY CANO-MURILLO/GANNETT PHOTO NETWORK
This design is great for jewelry artists who want to display their wares, or for earring addicts who want a fun way to hang their goods.
Kathy Cano-Murillo is a freelance craft designer and author. Send your questions or ideas to her at kathy@craftychica.com or visit her Web site, www.craftychica.com.
tacks to each corner in the wood frame. Make sure the hook is facing up, because you will add the dowel rod last. 3. Use the nail to make holes for your earrings. Hang your earrings in the holes. Place the dowel rod on the hooks and use it to hold necklaces or clip on earrings. Hang in place. Variation: Glue the canvas to the back of a frame for a more artful look. You can also add hooks to the sides of the canvas to hang earrings and bracelets. Use hinges to connect several canvases for a standing display.
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Area story times Buncombe County Public Libraries
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Saturdays. Enka-Candler, 10:30 a.m. Wednesdays. Fairview, 10:30 a.m. Thursdays. Leicester, 10:30 a.m. Wednesdays. North Asheville, 10 a.m. Saturdays and 11 a.m. Wednesdays. Oakley/South Asheville, 10 a.m. Wednesdays and 10:30 a.m. Thursdays. Pack Memorial, 11 a.m. Wednesdays. Skyland/South Buncombe, 10:30 a.m. Thursdays. Swannanoa, 11 a.m. Thursdays. Weaverville, 11:15 a.m. Tuesdays. West Asheville, 11 a.m. Thursdays. School Age Story Time is for kids ages 5 to 7 years with intermediate level picture books, crafts, songs and other activities for young readers. Pack Memorial, 10 a.m. Wednesdays
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Asheville-Buncombe Library System Storyline Call 251-5437 to hear a story anytime. Spanish Story time Asheville-Buncombe County Library System, West Asheville Library, 942 Haywood Road, Asheville. Free story reading in Spanish for preschool through kindergarten. Parents need to be able to remain in the library, and those with younger kids may need to sit with them during the reading. 251-4990.
Barnes & Noble events
Story time is held at 1 p.m. every Saturday. American Girl Club with discussion and crafts is held at 4 p.m. every third Saturday. Magic Tree House Club meets at 4 p.m. every fourth Sunday with discussion and activities. Call 296-9330 or 296-9326.
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Story time at the library focuses on early literacy to help children develop a love of language and books. Buncombe County Public Libraries have story times for every age group. For more information, call 250-4720, visit www.buncombecounty.org or any local library. Mother Goose Time is a lively language enrichment story time serving the youngest folks, the 4-month-old to 18 month-old set. Fairview, 10:30 a.m. Tuesdays. Pack Memorial, 10 and 11 a.m. Tuesdays. Swannanoa, 11 a.m. Wednesdays. West Asheville, 10 a.m. Thursdays.
Toddler Time is an interactive story time with singing and activities for children ages 18 months to 3 years. Black Mountain, 10:30 a.m. Thursdays. Enka-Candler, 10:30 a.m. Thursdays. Fairview, 10:30 a.m. Wednesdays. Leicester, 11 a.m. Tuesdays. North Asheville, 10 a.m. Wednesdays. Pack Memorial, 10 and 11 a.m. Thursdays. Skyland/South Buncombe, 10:30 a.m. Wednesdays. Swannanoa, 11 a.m. Tuesdays. Weaverville, 10:30 a.m. Thursdays. West Asheville, 11 a.m. Wednesdays. Preschool Story Time is geared toward 3- to 5year-olds and includes songs, stretches and creative activities. Black Mountain, 10:30 a.m. Wednesdays. East Asheville, 11 a.m. Wednesdays and
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What every kindergartner should know
By Barbara Blake Staff writer
What sort of skill set should a child have before entering kindergarten? It depends on whom you ask. A generation ago, kindergarten was typically the beginning of a child’s academic and social life with peers, and most kids started on a level playing field. With the advent of child care centers and an increasing focus on preschool education, the field is no longer as level. “There have long been extreme discrepancies between school systems in North Carolina as to what skills and knowledge a child should present when they enter kindergarten,” said Pat Creighton, training specialist with Buncombe County Child Care Services. “If you go around and ask kindergarten teachers within our own two school systems here in Buncombe County, I would bet that you would find vastly differing expectations between some of the districts,” she said. “I hear this con-
stantly in the training I do.” Cathy Hohenstein, family and consumer sciences extension agent with the N.C. Cooperative Extension Service in Asheville, said times have changed since the days when kindergarten was the gateway to learning and coexisting with other kids. “With more parents working and children in day care, children are in social settings at earlier ages now, and they are coming into kindergarten with some of those skills already,” Hohenstein said. Lesa Schirmacher, director of the Smart Start-funded Transition to Kindergarten Program in Buncombe County, agreed that “each child is unique and develops at a different rate.” But she and other preschool educators say that there are certain basic skills that all children should be expected to have, even if their academic prowess varies more widely. Hohenstein and Schirmacher offered a list of general skills rising kindergartners should possess:
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Skills a 5-year-old should have
K Can follow directions and rules. K Can recognize authority. K Can talk in sentences. K Can manage bathroom needs. K Can dress himself, button and zip clothing. K Can count to 10. K Can use scissors, crayons and a pencil correctly. K Knows his name and address. K Knows basic colors. K Is able to hop on one foot, skip and walk backward. K Can bounce and catch a ball. K Can point to and identify body parts such as elbow, knees, hips and shoulders. K Can recognize their name and attempt to write it (scribbles are the first step to writing). K Can point out letters in everyday items like cereal boxes or traffic signs. K Understands that numbers are different from letters. K Can create patterns and sort materials by color or shape. K Knows how to get along in a group, negotiate for toys, discuss feelings and how to be a friend.
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PHOTO BY BARBARA BLAKE
Eve Whitman and Deante Green, both 5, read in their classroom at the child care center at First Presbyterian Church in Asheville. The children, who will begin kindergarten this year, have been constantly exposed to books and words, as well as learning to share and work as a team.
NUTRITION
Make sure your tween is getting enough nutrition
Whether she’s a picky eater, a tween who’s watching her weight or a budding vegetarian, your child may be falling short in key nutrients, says Marilyn Tanner-Blasiar, a pediatric dietitian at Washington University in St. Louis School of Medicine. Make sure your child is getting enough of these: K Calcium: Only 36 percent of boys and 14 percent of girls get enough of this bone-building mineral. Low- fat dairy products and leafy green vegetables are the best sources, but Tanner-Blasiar recommends calcium-fortified products such as orange juice as a last resort. “Shake the container before you pour, or the calcium just settles on the bottom,” she says. K Iron: It’s crucial for brain development, especially in young children, says Tanner-Blasiar. Meats, poultry, fish, legumes and fortified cereals
contain the most. K Zinc: This mineral (which meat provides a healthy dose of) is crucial for growth and sexual maturity during the adolescent years. Good non-meat sources include wholegrain breads, tofu, peanuts and almonds. K Fiber: Kids need it for the same reason as adults: It helps keep them regular and fills them up on fewer calories. Fiber-rich foods include fruits, vegetables and whole-grain products. How much does your kid need every day? “A good rule of thumb is your child’s age plus 5 (in grams),” says Tanner-Blasiar. “So a 5year-old would need 10 grams daily.” From the editors of Woman’s Day magazine First printed in the Aug. 1 issue of Woman’s Day. For videos, recipes and more, visit womansday.com.
Ways parents can help
K Encourage children to express their thoughts and feelings. K Read with your child every day. K Read books that have rhymes. K Encourage your child to scribble, draw and print. K Point out letters in everyday items like menus, tickets and notes. K Ask questions: “What did you think of that song? What was your favorite part of the movie?” K Provide time for unscheduled activities that allow your child to explore the world. K Discuss friendship and how to deal with differences. K Remind your child about sharing and “using their words” to get what they want. “Can I have a turn with that train?” “You took my piece. I don’t like that.” K Give your child daily responsibilities such as washing out her lunch box and setting the table. K Help children see the natural consequences of their actions. K Promote respect and appreciation for the cultures and abilities of others. K Establish, explain and model simple rules. K Take rainy-day hikes, splash in mud puddles, make mud pies. K Encourage use of muscles in the hand: cut out art work, hang clothes, use clay or PlayDoh, use markers or crayons daily. K Limit use of coloring books or worksheets with lines. K Encourage using small sewing cards and small beads for eye-hand coordination. K Offer assistance as needed, but give children room to manage for themselves. K Join in pretend play with your child, letting him take the lead. Source: Smart Start of Buncombe County
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PUZZLES FOR PARENTS
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Story times, readiness kit can help prepare kids for school
48. Flora and _____ 50. Psychiatrist Jung 52. *M in IM 56. “Deck the Halls,” e.g. 57. “____ up” in poker 58. Black and white treat 59. Plural of #58 Across 60. Breezed through 61. Gambler’s cube 62. *Junk mail 63. Sea in French 64. Inquires DOWN 1. “Stuck in my ____” 2. * ____page on a Web site 3. Unstressedstressed pattern in poetry 4. Crooner Bing 5. Gas station in Australia 6. Forced on or recommended 7. One who dyes 8. * :) or :-(, e.g. 9. Christian fast 10. Asian food thickener 11. Geological period 13. ______ borealis 14. Feed the fire 19. Political action 22. * This “ware” is unwanted 23. Yankee Yogi 24. Margarines
By Jennifer Prince Buncombe County Public Libaries Starting kindergarten is an important step in a child’s life. The months leading up to that first day of school are the perfect time for parents to prepare their child socially, emotionally and intellectually. One way parents can help prepare their child for kindergarten is by taking advantage of some of the resources at the Buncombe County Public Libraries. For instance, the main library and every branch library offer weekly story times for parents and their preschoolers. Story times consist of combinations of the following: reading picture books aloud, puppetry, finger rhymes, songs and sometimes crafts. These activities encourage listening and comprehension skills, manual
25. Earp of the Wild West 26. Arrange by categories 27. Bind 28. Fill with optimism 29. Fictional cowboy Red 32. Key player in Bush presidency 33. Burned by femi-
nists 36. *Discussion place 38. Swedish money 40. “He ___ and drank the precious Words...” 41. Entertained 44. Small streams 46. Asian temple 48. Home barrier
49. Primarily fallblooming herbs with daisylike flowers 50. Goldfish or koi, e.g. 51. A particular region 52. Derived from madame 53. Purple flower of Van Gogh’s fame
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dexterity and interest in the printed word. Also, since other children and adults attend story times, the story times help with socializing and making friends. Check with the library nearest you to find out its weekly schedule or go to www.buncombecounty.org and follow the library links. In addition to the story times, Buncombe County Public Libraries offer kindergarten readiness kits for check out. The kits were provided by Transition to Kindergarten, a Smart Start program. These “Little Bear Gets Ready for Kindergarten” kits contain a booklet with information on how to register
for school, health assessments, city schools, county schools and charter schools. Also, each kit contains seven picture books that deal with the first day of school and missing a parent. Titles include “Off to School, Baby Duck!” by Amy Hest, “Spot Goes to School” by Eric Hill, and “When I Miss You” by Cornelia Maude Spelman. An accompanying activity book contains booklists and suggestions for activities that encourage the development of fine motor skills, math skills, logic, reading comprehension, and independence. In addition, each kit contains a Little Bear puppet. The activity book contains tips on how to incorporate him into activities.
While the kits are designed to give parents ideas about what to do with their child in the months before kindergarten begins, some aspects of the kits (like the picture books) can be useful in the weeks or days before kindergarten begins. Preschool teachers might find these kits useful as well. Each library branch has one kit (though many of the picture book titles are available individually through the library). The kits are available for checkout to any library card holder. For more information about these kits, call the main library at 250-4700 or contact the branch nearest you. Parents can download brochures about preparing a child for kindergarten and about kindergarten registration at www.smartstart-buncombe.org or call the Transition to Kindergarten office at 225- 5283. This book is available through the Buncombe County Public Libraries. For more details, call 250-4700 or visit www.buncombecounty.org.
Find puzzle solutions on Page 55
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CMYK 13P
ACROSS 1. Stylish 5. South in France 8. “Or ____” 12. “I am woman, here me ____” 13. Eagle’s nest 14. Stain 15. Bullets and cannonballs 16. Strong desire 17. Polynesian kingdom 18. *It serves pages 20. First name, palindrome 21. Stallone’s “First _____” 22. Winter glider 23. One who sells bows 26. Ghostly apparition 30. Minnesota Boundary Waters entry point 31. Bottle for corrosive liquids 34. Greasy 35. Respond 37. Hockey great Bobby 38. Work the dough 39. Rocker David Lee 40. *Game participant 42. Member of Shoshonean people 43. Goddess, counterpart of Ishtar 45. On the cleaning crew 47. It’s black at a formal
LIBRARIAN’S PICK
10 ways
to spice up a packed lunch
Kids page
CONNECT THE DOTS
MAZE
By Rick McDaniel WNC Parent contributor
CMYK 12P
The bag lunch blahs can strike at any time from Kindergarten to graduation, but with a little planning, you can pack a healthy, fun lunch for your child. All it takes is a little imagination and some thinking outside the (lunch) box. “One of my son’s favorite foods is California rolls,” said Carolyn Crook of Weaverville. “You can get them at the deli counter at most of the larger supermarkets, and he’d take them every day if he could.” Building a better brown-bag lunch starts with the bread. Not only are whole-grain breads such as wheat and rye more healthful than white bread, they’ll hold up better until lunch. Pita breads or bagels — preferably wholegrain varieties — are sturdier for sandwiches as well. Freeze breads first for easier spreading then make your sandwiches. This can also help keep foods chilled and it will be thawed in time for lunch. Don’t be afraid to spice things up— there are lots of alternatives to loaf bread. Try pita pockets, croissants, tortillas, bagels and English muffins for fun alternatives. “My son Patrick’s favorite lunch is roast turkey breast, cheese and lettuce rolled up in a flour tortilla,” said Margit Strout-Abernethy of Asheville. “It’s quick and easy and doesn’t get soggy like a sandwich.”
Fun alternatives to the soggy sandwich:
1. Cold-cut roll ups (low-fat turkey,
ham, or roast beef and low-fat cheese rolled in flour tortillas) are a great alternative to boring sandwiches. They can also be made with lettuce leaves instead of tortillas for a lower-calorie lunch treat. 2. Make cold pizza from shredded mozzarella cheese, pizza sauce and English muffins. 3. Make crispy cracker sandwiches with whole-wheat crackers, slices of assorted cheese and lean meats. Add fresh fruit, which goes nicely with the cheese and adds fiber and nutrition.
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STEVE DIXON/SDIXON@CITIZEN-TIMES.COM
Cold-cut roll ups are a great alternative to boring sandwiches.
4. If you’re firing up the grill, throw on an extra burger or some chicken strips and vegetables. Bag them separately and add them to a salad or roll up for extra flavor. 5. A wide-mouthed thermos container can be the brown bagger’s best friend. Fill it with soups, pastas or even stir-fry and they’ll stay hot until lunchtime. 6. Pasta now comes in all sorts of fun shapes: basketballs, grape clusters and Christmas trees. Make pasta salads using these silly shapes, and the kids will love it. 7. Make cookie-cutter sandwiches with your kids. Slice the crusts off the bread and use cookie cutters in fun shapes. Pack a few extras to share with friends. 8. Peanut butter and celery sticks or veggie sticks with low-fat dip or
dressing are crunchy vegetarian options. 9. One of the most boring things about brown bag lunches is the lack of variety and texture. Adding nuts or sunflower seeds to salads, soups and even sandwiches makes for crunch appeal. Try some toasted, spiced pecans in your bag instead of chips. 10. Flavored gelatin, low-fat pudding, oatmeal raisin cookie, graham crackers or fresh fruit are healthy choices for a sweet ending to a school lunch. Rick McDaniel is a freelance writer. E-mail him at southerncooking@ charter.net.
COLORING
FIND THE HIDDEN WORDS chalkboard classroom clock desk detention gymnasium hallway janitor library locker lunchroom nurse principal schoolyard secretary student teacher
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Quick dinners
Grilled asparagus with tomatoes and feta Prep time: 10 minutes Total time: 10 minutes Serves: 2 to 4
Sizzling citrus shrimp Prep time: 8 minutes Total time: 23 minutes (includes marinating) Servings: 4
1 bunch asparagus Salt and pepper, to taste 2 tablespoons garlic-flavored or plain olive oil 1/2 pint grape or cherry tomatoes 2 tablespoons crumbled feta cheese Preheat grill to medium high. Lay asparagus on cutting board and cut off stems to make roughly 7-inch-long uniform spears. Place asparagus in large bowl and toss with oil. Season with salt and pepper. Place on grill crosswise to grate so spears don’t fall through, or use a nonstick vegetable grilling mat. Cook 2 minutes per side. To easily turn them, use a big spatula to roll all of them at once. Transfer asparagus to cutting board and chop into 1-inch pieces. Return to original bowl. Cut cherry tomatoes in half and add to bowl. Add feta and toss to combine.
CMYK 11P
1 orange 1 lime 4 green onions 2 teaspoons olive oil, divided Salt and pepper 1 pound shrimp, peeled and deveined 2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro Cut orange and lime in half and squeeze juice into a large resealable bag. Grate orange and lime zest and reserve. Chop green onions and add to bag, along with 1 teaspoon oil. Add shrimp, seal bag and shake to coat. Refrigerate for 15 minutes, shaking occasionally. Heat 1 teaspoon oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add shrimp and marinade to skillet. Saute until shrimp are pink and cooked through, 1 to 2 minutes. Sprinkle with cilantro and reserved zest; season with salt and pepper. Approximate values per serving: 156 calories, 4 g fat, 173 mg cholesterol, 23 g protein, 5 g carbohydrates, 0 fiber, 171 mg sodium, 23 percent calories from fat.
Approximate values per serving: 81 calories, 8 g fat, 2 g saturated fat, 4 mg cholesterol, 2 g carbohydrates, 1 g protein, 56 mg sodium, trace fiber, 89 percent of calories from fat.
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Making a back-to-school fashion statement
Baja Joes
Roasted lime-chili chicken and potatoes
Prep time: 10 minutes Total time: 10 minutes Servings: 4
Prep time: 10 minutes Total time: 55 minutes Servings: 2 Juice and zest from 2 limes 2 teaspoons olive oil 2 teaspoons chili powder 1/2 pound small new potatoes, cut in fourths 1 large (about 1 pound) bone-in, skin-on chicken breast
SPECIAL TO WNC PARENT
Approximate values per serving: 260 calories, 4 g fat, 16 mg cholesterol, 8 g protein, 27 g carbohydrates, 3 g fiber, 299 mg sodium, 14 percent calories from fat.
Solutions to puzzles on Page 53
Preheat oven to 400 degrees. In a large, resealable bag, combine lime juice and zest, oil and chili powder. Add potatoes and chicken; shake and turn bag to coat ingredients with marinade. Refrigerate 15 minutes. Lightly oil a 9-inch-by- 13-inch baking pan. Pour chicken, potatoes and marinade into pan. Roast, occasionally stirring potatoes and turning chicken once or twice, 35 to 40 minutes, or until chicken registers 180 degrees on a meat thermometer. Helena Cullen shows off the urban glam look from the Pampolina Fall ’08 line. Available at Heaven Rains Boys & Girls in the Grove Arcade.
Approximate values per serving: 422 calories, 22 g fat, 116 mg cholesterol, 41 g protein, 26 g carbohydrates, 3 g fiber, 147 mg sodium, 47 percent calories from fat. Gannett News Service
CMYK 10P
Nicholas Shealy is wearing a rollneck sweater in brown with a khaki letter. His coordinating pants are stone cord with embroidered dogs that reverse to a coordinating plaid tattersall. A red turtle neck completes the look. From Just Ducky Originals on Charlotte Street.
Bold patterns in an artistic mirage of flowers spotlights one of fall’s most popular colors — purple. Outfit, modeled by Catherine Cullen, from Bon Bébé.
Lightly oil a large skillet and heat over medium-high heat. Add beef and half the green 8 ounces extra-lean ground beef onion. Cook, crumbling and stirring, until 1/4 cup chopped green onion, divided browned, about 2 minutes. Stir in marinade, 2 tablespoons Lawry’s Baja chipotle marinade water and brown sugar; heat 30 seconds. 2 tablespoons water Warm tortillas according to package direc1/2 tablespoon brown sugar tions. For each serving, stack two tortillas, fill 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro with 1/4 cup beef mixture and top with 8 small corn tortillas cilantro and remaining green onion.
SPECIAL TO WNC PARENT
Connor Brown is wearing a 100 percent cotton sweatshirt that features an array of sport ball appliques. Sweatshirt can be personalized with a block monogram. Pants are 100 percent cotton corduroy in stone. From Just Ducky Originals.
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Designer Baby Gassy Gooma is based in Asheville but is internationally known. Here, Helena Cullen models one of the designer’s outfits, available at Heaven Rains Boys & Girls.
WNC PARENT I AUGUST 2008
Jaden Rodriguez Hirst, 6, looks stylish in a retro green and brown outfit by Knuckleheads from Heaven Rains Boys & Girls.
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Make a statement
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
Things to do
July 28-Aug. 8 Visual arts camp
July 29 Free Kindermusik class
Try out Kindermusik, music and movement, child development, and family fun. Demos are 11:30 a.m. for Village/Sign & Sing for newborn-18 months; noon for Our Time, 18 months-3 years. At the Asheville Arts Center, 308 Merrimon Ave. For information and to RSVP, call Patty Lee Book at 253-4000. Visit ashevilleartscenter.com.
Teen Safe Driver Program
The State Highway Patrol will present a free program focused on issues that teen drivers face. They have the highest crash risk of any age group, and traffic accidents are the leading cause of teen fatalities. Program is 10 a.m. at Buncombe County Parks & Recreation Services Administration, 49 Mount Carmel Road, Asheville. For more information, contact Grace Young at 250-4265 or grace.young@buncombecounty.org.
July 29-30 Interesting Invertebrates
The N.C. Natural Science Museum comes to you with touchable live animals and natural objects. Meet live invertebrates like millipedes, crayfish, tarantulas, scorpions and Madagascar hissing cockroaches in this up close, safe look at ani-
Distinctive back-to-school clothes that are bold and comfy Story by Lockie Hunter, WNC Parent contributor K
July 30 Catch the Magic Bug with Zelnik the Magician
Zelnik the Magician needs your help — the mystical Reading Bug is in danger! Go on a magical adventure with storytelling, comedy, magic, child participation and puppetry. For ages 5 and older. At 2:30 p.m. at South Buncombe/Skyland Library, 260 Overlook Road, 250-6488. SPECIAL TO WNC PARENT
July 31 Bug visors
Craft a “bug-a-licious” visor. For ages 5 and older. At 11 a.m. at South Asheville/Oakley Library, 749 Fairview Road, 250-4754.
Hobey Ford and his Golden Rod Puppets
Using innovative puppets of his own design, Hobey Ford adapts folk tales from various cultures, always adding a special “golden rod” twist. For ages 5 and older. At 10:30 a.m. at Fairview Library, 1 Taylor Road, 250-6485.
Kaleidoscope workshop
Learn how to make your very own kaleidoscopes. For ages 4 and older. At 11 a.m. at Leicester Library, 1561 Alexander Road, 250-6480.
WNC Bugs and their Buddies Explore the world of insects that live in the
Carl Sandburg Home National Historic Site presents “The World of Carl Sandburg” and “Rootabaga Stories,” Aug. 1-16. mountains, and the bigger animals that depend on them. An interactive program for all ages from the WNC Nature Center. At 11 a.m. at Swannanoa Library, 101 W. Charleston St., 2506486.
Aug. 1 Toddler ‘Bee’ Bop
Calling all little ones, 5 and younger: See what the “buzz” is all about! We’ll jive the hive with guitar and rhythm instruments in this summer sing-along. At 10:30 a.m. at Enka-Candler Library, 1401 Sandhill Road, 250-4758.
Preschool Play Date
Formerly known as Fabulous Fridays, The Health Adventure’s Preschool Play Date series provide children 3-6 with a unique and safe venue to play and a chance for parents, grandparents,
and caregivers to socialize and bond. Hands-on take-away activities led by an expert educator from museum make these play dates enriching for children and adults alike. Free for members or with museum admission. The Preschool Play Date series is 10:30-11:30 a.m. every first Friday of the month. No registration in required. Call or visit thehealthadventure.org.
Aug. 1-16 Carl Sandburg Home programs
The Carl Sandburg Home and The Vagabond School of the Drama present “The World of Carl Sandburg” at 10:15 a.m. Wednesdays and Fridays and “Rootabaga Stories” at 10:15 a.m. Thursdays and Saturdays. Thirty-minute performances are free and held rain or shine, at the Carl Sandburg Home amphitheater in Flat Rock. For information, call 693-4178.
The first day of school is fast approaching. Now is the time to stock your child’s wardrobe with functional, fashionable clothing. From boutique children’s stores to consignment shopping, the area provides an array of retail options to suit your children’s clothing needs. Some of these fashions are even produced locally, and purchasing them will help support local designers. “The closer you are to where it is made the better,” said Holly Kirschbaum, co-owner of Heaven Rains Boys & Girls in the Grove Arcade downtown. “Made in the USA is great. But if you can say it’s made by a local artist it’s an automatic in.” This year’s trends include bright custom prints, knitwear, and vintage and urban wear.
Color is big “Distinct, one-of-a kind prints and colors are the rage this season,” said Melody Fox, owner of Bon Bébé in Asheville. “Favorites being designers like Baby Nay, Baby Lulu and Little Mass use futuristic designs while still offering a soft cotton and modal blend.” “The trend of brown seems to be hanging on, for children and adults,” said Diana Eirhart, retail general manager of the Just Ducky Originals store on Charlotte Street. “Mixing vibrant colors with brown such as turquoise, hot pink and lime seems to be holding steady in the world of fashion.” The bold color trend has even extended to organic clothing lines. “Ecofriendly and organic clothing has become really fashionable,” noted Kirschbaum. “Organics used to only come in those three bland colors. Now there are several fun options.”
Gotta be comfortable
“Comfort is always a ‘trend’ as your little ones need to be comfy to learn,” said Eirhart. “You can find true comfort and style in fashion knits. A monogram or appliqué will style up your knits, but keep your little ones looking young. Fox from Bon Bebe agrees, “Details, like crochet floral accents on long sleeved dress, gathered sides on the elastic waist leggings in bold, bright, fun colors create that wow factor.”
‘Bolder the better’ “This fall, it’s definitely ‘in’ to make a statement,” Kirschbaum said. “The bolder the better. I’m happy to see all of the ‘peace’ and ‘love’ shirts coming back around. I will say that boys clothes are finally fun. We found this boys line Knuckleheads — it is vintage and skateboard inspired; the kids are eating it up and so are their parents.” Fox agreed: “Vintage and urban inspired designs are also strong this season for both girls and boys.”
Check consignment shops Fun fashions can be found at consignment stores as well. Children’s Trading Post, on Merrimon Avenue and Airport Road, has a selection that is always in flux. “New inventory is put out every day,” said Mimi Swinger, a sales associate at the Children’s Trading Post, “and we are taking fall and winter clothes so those are going out on the racks for back to school. “Every month the clothes are marked down, so there is always something on sale and the markdown goes all the way to 75 percent off,” Swinger said. “We are very picky about what brands we take, so you will find a lot of Gap, Gymboree, Lands’ End, Columbia.” Contact Hunter at Lockie@lockiehunter.com. For more fashions, see Page 10.
Catherine Cullen, 8, looks ready for back to school in this soft, comfortable, 100 percent cotton outfit that is inlaid with the details of velvet and lace from Bon Bébé.
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Photos by Stephen Miller
Helena Cullen, 6, in a cheerful combo from Bon Bébé, at 1950 Hendersonville Road, Asheville.
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CMYK 9P
Black Mountain Center for the Arts will offer two sessions of visual arts camp. The first week, July 28-Aug. 1, is for children going into kindergarten to second grade. It runs 9 a.m.-noon and costs $95. The camp Aug. 4-8 is for rising second- to fifth-graders. It runs 9 a.m.-3 p.m. and costs $140. To register, visit blackmountainarts.org or call 669-0930.
mals without backbones. For ages 6-12. At 2 p.m. July 29 at West Asheville Library, 942 Haywood Road., 250-4650 (pick up a free ticket before the program for this location); at 6:30 p.m. July 29 at Pack Memorial Library, 67 Haywood St., 250-4700; and at 11 a.m. July 30 at Enka-Candler Library, 1401 Sandhill Road, 250-4758.
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
Aug. 2
17 de julio – 21 de agosto
Family Day: Robots workshop
¡Listos para Aprender!
Gather your resources for this Robot Challenge at The Health Adventure. Use an assortment of mechanical parts to design, build, and test a functioning robot. Fun for the whole family from 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. For information, call 2546373 or visit thehealthadventure.org.
La Sociedad del Éxito de Aprendizaje invita a niños de 2-5 años quienes no están en la escuelita, juntos con sus padres o guardianes del condado de Buncombe, a participar una serie de 6 clases gratis. Ayude a su niño al desarrollo social y emocional en un contexto de alfabetismo temprano y de pre-matemáticas por medio de cuentos, canciones, poemas, y vocabulario. Las clases empiezan el 17 de julio – 21 de agosto, los jueves de 10:30 a 11:15 a.m. en el Centro de Literatura de la Familia de ACSP, 441 Haywood Road. Cada niño recibe un libro gratis al final de cada clase. Para registrarse por favor llame a Mónica Bastin al 255-5001. (This program is offered exclusively to families who are fluent in Spanish and speak it as their primary language at home.)
Aug. 2 and 9 Fall baseball sign up
Aug. 6 and 15
Registration for the 2008 WNC Fall Baseball season will be 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Aug. 2 and 9 at the Murphy-Oakley Recreation Center, 749 Fairview Road. Visit wncfallball.com or call Bill Stewart at 691-3679 or Donna Messer at 713-5775.
Parents morning out open house
The Asheville Arts Center’s music- and artsbased parents morning out program invites parents and children to experience the program and meet instructors. At the Asheville Arts Center Annex, 366 Merrimon Ave. (behind Atlanta Bread) from 9-11 a.m. Also noon-3 p.m. at the Arts Center South (a new location) 9 Summit Ave., Suite B, near intersection of Hendersonville and Long Shoals Roads. For information, call 253-4000 or visit ashevilleartscenter.com.
Aug. 4 Rock U! School of Rock open house
Learn how to rock with Rock U!, Asheville Arts Center’s year round school of rock on guitar, bass, drums, keys, vocals. Meet instructors and register for a free consultation. From 5:30–6:30 p.m. at the Asheville Arts Center, 308 Merrimon Ave. For information, call 253-4000 or visit ashevilleartscenter.com.
Aug. 5 Appalachian clogging for kids
Junior Olympic medalist Ashley Shimberg presents a session for children ages 5 and older on traditional Appalachian clogging. There will be a demonstration and children will learn the basic steps as well as the roots of clogging in Asheville. At 2 p.m. at South Buncombe/Skyland Library, 260 Overlook Road, 250-6488.
Aug. 5 and 12 Childbirth 101
CMYK 8P
A two-session class for expectant parents covering the labor and delivery process, relaxation, breathing patterns, birth options, positioning and comfort measures. Bring two pillows and a blanket. Two Tuesdays, Aug. 5 and 12, 6:30-9
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CITIZEN-TIMES PHOTO
Registration for WNC Fall Ball begins Aug. 2. p.m. Cost is $90, or free with Medicaid. Registration required. At Pardee Health Education Center in Blue Ridge Mall, Four Seasons Boulevard, Hendersonville. Call 6924600 for information.
Aug. 7 Ed Osada’s honeybees
Come listen to a real beekeeper, Edward Osada. Find out about bees, how they live and the wonderful things they do. At 11 a.m. at Leicester
Library, 1561 Alexander Road, 250-6480.
Theater open house
The Asheville Arts Center hosts an information session for its year-round acting and musical theater conservatory programs. Meet our instructors at 6:45 p.m. for the Junior Acting Company (ages 7-10) and at 7:15 p.m. for The Academy (ages 10-18). At Asheville Arts Center, 308 Merrimon Ave. For information, call 253-4000 or visit ashevilleartscenter.com.
World Breast-feeding Week celebration
If you’re breast-feeding, pregnant or thinking of becoming pregnant, join Park Ridge Hospital and its community partners to celebrate breast-feeding. At 6 p.m. Park Ridge Hospital, 100 Hospital Drive, Hendersonville. Vendors with information and gifts, refreshments, games for kids, etc., will be available. For details, call Jodi at 650-2724.
Continued on Page 58
Aug. 6 Dance open house
An information session for the dance company and ballet classes at Asheville Arts Center, 308 Merrimon Ave. Meet instructors. At 5:15 p.m. For information, call 253-4000 or visit ashevilleartscenter.com
Colburn Museum free day
Visit the Colburn Earth Science Museum for free from 3-5 p.m. Museum is in Pack Place, downtown. Visit colburnmuseum.org or call 254-7162.
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CALENDAR OF EVENTS Continued from Page 57
Through Aug. 7 Woodsy Owl’s Curiosity Club
Nature-oriented activities each week for children at the Cradle of Forestry. Attend one program or all. Programs run 10-11:30 a.m. Thursdays, through Aug. 7, and Saturdays through Aug. 2. Each program is $4 per child. Accompanying adults are admitted to the Cradle of Forestry at half price ($2.50). Visit cradleofforestry.org.
Aug. 8 Children may come dressed as a favorite pet and ready for extreme weather fun for the “Raining Cats and Dogs” theme. From 6-9:30 p.m. Cost is $20 for the first child, $15 each additional child. Please RSVP and pay by Aug. 6. At the Asheville Arts Center, 308 Merrimon Ave. For information, call 253-4000 or visit ashevilleartscenter.com.
Aug. 8-9 ‘101 Dalmations’
You’ll see spots, as the lovable canines escape from one of Disney’s most noted villains, Cruela De Vil. The Asheville Arts Center Children’s Theatre Production Workshop presents “101 Dalmations.” Shows at 6 p.m. Friday and 2 p.m. Saturday. Tickets $5-7. At the Asheville Arts Center, 308 Merrimon Ave. For information, call 253-4000 or visit ashevilleartscenter.com.
benefit the Skyland/South Buncombe Library, 260 Overlook Road. Call 250-6488.
Wee Trade Best Made sale
Smokey Bear’s birthday party
The largest consignment sale in Western North Carolina at the WNC Ag Center in Fletcher. Sign up to consign by Aug. 3. Drop-off is 8 a.m.-7 p.m. Aug. 5-6. Presale for volunteers and consignors starts Aug. 7. Public sale is 8 a.m.-6 p.m. Aug. 8, 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Aug. 9, and noon-4 p.m. Aug. 10 (half-price SPECIAL TO WNC PARENT day). For information, visit weeA pair of shoes waits to be trade.com or call sold at the Wee Trade Best Nina at 697-2952 Made consignment sale. or 606-8680 or Rita at 692-0033 or 275-0859.
Aug. 9 Skyland Library book sale
Friends of South Buncombe hosts its annual big book sale with paperbacks, videos, cassettes, specialty books and more. Preview party for Friends members is 7 p.m. Aug. 8, and Friends memberships can be purchased at the door of the preview sale. All proceeds from the sale will
Celebrate Smokey Bear’s birthday at the Cradle of Forestry, U.S. 276 in the Pisgah National Forest near Brevard. Child-oriented event with music, games, art activities, wildland fire fighting tools, birthday cake and the guest of honor, Smokey Bear. From 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Cost is $6 for adults, $3 for youth younger than 16 and holders of Golden and America the Beautiful passes. For details, call 877-3130 or visit cradleofforestry.org.
Aug. 9-10 Sourwood Festival
Alcohol-free street festival with more than 200 vendors, food and entertainment in Black Mountain. Visit exploreblackmountiain.com.
Aug. 10 ‘The Art of Friendship Workshop’
Spark Creative Wellness Studio in downtown Asheville offers a positive, supportive place to “spark” new friendships. Through this fun and interactive creative experience, your child will gain interpersonal skills while making new friends. Runs 1:30-3:30 p.m. for third- to fifthgraders; 4-6 p.m. for sixth- to eighth-graders. Visit sparkcreativewellness.com or call Jessica Chilton at 301-5172.
Irish dance workshop
The Asheville Arts Center’s Gallagher School of Irish Dance hosts a free Irish dance workshop and Ceili social fest for all ages. Live music will accompany the family event. From 3-5 p.m. at the Asheville Arts Center, 308 Merrimon Ave. Call 253-4000 or visit ashevilleartscenter.com.
Aug. 11 Home-school expressive arts workshop
Make new friends, expand your creativity, and express yourself through the arts. For 7- to 12year-old homeschoolers, 10 a.m.-noon; for 13to 17-year-old homeschoolers, 1:30-3:30 p.m. At Spark Creative Wellness Studio in downtown Asheville. Visit sparkcreativewellness.com or call Jessica Chilton, expressive arts therapist and
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educator, at 301-5172.
La Leche League meeting
La Leche League of Asheville and Buncombe hosts Baby, Pregnant Mamas and Toddler meetings at 10 a.m. the second Monday of each month at First Congregational Church, Oak St., Asheville. Enter behind the church. Babies and pregnant moms are upstairs, first room on the left; toddlers are upstairs, second room on the left. For information, call Susan at 628-4438 or 280-2895, Jane at 670-1032, Jenn at 7133707 or Adrienne at 713-1534.
Aug. 11 and 25 ‘My Mom Is Having a Baby’
A free program to help children ages 3-8 understand, accept and anticipate changes as the family prepares for the birth of a baby. Each child will see and hold life-like models that show how a baby grows and develops, make a kite mobile for the baby’s room, SPECIAL TO WNC PARENT receive an activity book and tour the Peggy Tobin is a volunteer Mother/Baby Unit for the My Mom is Having a Baby class at Mission at Mission Hospital to see Hospitals. It will be where mom and offered Aug. 11 and 25, baby will stay. and Sept. 8 and 22. Program runs 4-5 p.m. the second and fourth Mondays of each month at Mission Hospitals. (Enter the hospital at the visitor entrance off Biltmore Avenue. Take G elevators to the fourth floor.) Children older than 8 may attend the adult tour with their parents. To register, call 254-6373, ext. 316. For information, visit thehealthadventure.com and click on the “Programs” tab.
kindergarten teacher with Evergreen Community Charter School, notes that it is helpful to “establish what you will do on the first day of school with your child, such as ‘I will walk you to the door, give you a kiss and you will walk in by yourself.’“ Gottfried suggests that you “do a practice run of the morning routine so your family can work out any surprises in timing before the big first day. This practice run can also unveil some hidden fears your child may have so you can deal with them ahead of time.”
Share your emotions of the day “Ask them how they feel about kindergarten and tell them how you feel,” said Heather Tate, kindergarten teacher at Evergreen Community Charter School. “I often begin the first day of kindergarten telling the children that I am excited about our new adventures and meeting our new classroom family, but also nervous about having to learn so many new names and learn about so many new friends. This is comforting because many of them are feeling many different emotions about starting kindergarten and this helps them relate.”
Work on kindergarten skills At the Claxton Elementary orientation the students were “provided with a goodie bag filled with activities to help students practice fine motor skills. An emphasis on fine motor skills, as well as social skills, is critical in the development of readiness skills,” said McArthur. “Kindergarten teachers have an arsenal of tools to help students develop math and literacy skills, but fine motor skills support the
development of these skills.” Gregory adds “reading together books that refer to new beginnings and to school and to making new friends is important. Talking about the contents of those books together will extend its value. Reading through the summer, providing gentle repetition and thoughtful discussion over time is key.” Armstrong suggests “The Kissing Hand” which deals with scenarios like the first day of school.”
Consider summer camp Roland notes that your children “can learn valuable lessons at a quality day camp. They can learn how to work and play with other children while in a more structured environment. They can learn about and become part of a classroom community. ... During camp, children can learn about the golden rule, circle time, being a door-holder or line leader all while having fun.”
Get some sleep “Get your child happily tucked in with plenty of time for good rest,” Roland said. “Good nutrition and plenty of sleep are more important than you can imagine.”
A final special touch Consider “enclosing a note of love and encouragement in their lunch box,” said Gregory. “It can be so encouraging to your child!” Lockie Hunter can be reached at Lockie@lockiehunter.com
Immunization requirements for students North Carolina requires the following immunizations for entry into public schools: Diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis; polio; measles; mumps; rubella; haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib); hepatitis B; varicella. Certificate of Immunization A physician, health clinic or local health department administering required vaccines must give a Certificate of Immunization to the person who presented the child for immunization. Exemptions K Medical exemptions: An exemption is permitted for medical reasons when a physician determines that an immunization is or may be harmful to a student for a specific reason. Valid medical exemptions must be written and signed by a physician licensed to practice medicine in North Carolina. The medical exemption must correspond to those medical contraindications specified in the N.C. Immunization Rules or an approved Rules’ exception approved by the State Health Director. These physician statements must be maintained in the student’s permanent record. K Religious exemptions: Parent(s), guardian or person in loco parentis who have a bona fide religious objection to immunization requirements must place a signed statement on file in the student’s permanent record. An objection based upon a “scientific” belief (i.e. a foreign substance or chemical may be harmful) or nonreligious personal belief or philosophy (i.e. clean living, fresh air, pure water) is not considered to be a religious exemption and is not allowed under N.C. law. Source: State of North Carolina
Aug. 11-15 Asheville Young Writers’ Workshop
Poets, storytellers, interested beginners welcome. Special one-week “end of summer” session runs Aug. 11-15 at the Montford Community Center,
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Parents night out
Aug. 8-10
Calm those first-day jitters Educators offer advice for easy transition into elementary school By Lockie Hunter WNC Parent contributor The first day of kindergarten is an exciting time in a child’s life, but this milestone can also be one of anxiety for the parents and the child. Help ease the stress by heeding some advice from local experts. “We, as parents and teachers, should not underestimate the need to prepare our children,” notes Nan Gregory of Asheville Montessori. “It is important to do it over time, not the last week of summer. It is important to respond with loving reassurance and statements of understanding and confidence. We are their very best advocate, always and forevermore.”
Generate excitement “Project a positive attitude and show how excited you are about the
new adventures that await your child. Make preparation for kindergarten a stress-free, fun time,” said Susan Gottfried, executive director of Evergreen Community Charter School. Libby Roland and other educators at Carolina Day School say it is important to de-stress. “First, and probably most importantly, we must not let our children know our own angst or anxiousness over this giant leap,” Roland said. “They will pick up on these feelings and can become nervous and even scared. Make this transition an adventure.”
Shop for supplies together Nan Gregory notes “shopping together for school supplies is a fabulous way to help the child feel ownership for their new beginning,” and Roland adds that it, “allows your child to help select that perfect lunch box or book bag.”
34 Pearson Drive. For ages 8-12 at 10-11:15 a.m., ages 13-17 at 11:30-12:45 p.m. Tuition is $60 (covers workshop instruction and supplies.) Sliding scale fees available. E-mail asheville youngwriters@yahoo.com or visit myspace.com/ashevilleyoungwriters for details.
Aug. 13 Beetle Beatle Mania
Tour the school
Learn about beetles through story, movement, and sculpture … all the while enjoying the music of the Fab Four from Liverpool. For ages 3 and older. At 10 a.m. at South Asheville/Oakley Library, 749 Fairview Road, 250-4754.
“At the ‘meet the teacher’ time, it would be wonderful to take pictures of the classroom and the teacher,” said Gregory. “After developing the pics, it would be a good idea to make a book with the rising kindergarten child. Read the book together often and talk about the teacher. Bringing her/him up often; talking together about the teacher will help the child relate to and realize that their new teacher is a real person.”
Home School Happenings
At The Health Adventure from 1:30-2:30 p.m. For information, call 254-6373 or visit thehealthadventure.org.
Origami Folding Frenzi
Learn new folds, share favorites, and meet fellow origami enthusiasts. All levels welcome. Paper is available at the museum store or bring your own. No club dues, just the cost of museum admission. From 4-5 p.m. at The Health Adventure in Pack Place. For information, call 254-6373 or visit thehealthadventure.org
Discuss the first-day logistics All of the educators we polled agreed that it was vital to discuss the details of pickup and drop-off. “We feel comfortable with these routines as an adult, but we forget what a big deal these little changes can be to a child. It can be unsettling to them not to know these details,” said Gregory. Ona Armstrong, a
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Through Aug. 13 SPECIAL TO WNC PARENT
Arming your rising kindergartner with details of how the first day will go can help make for a successful transition.
Strong Roots youth garden program
Children 6-14 are invited to spend time in the garden. Supervised hands-on instruction in growing food, including games and activities that teach about biology, ecology and food, gardenbased art projects, and a healthy snack. From 9 a.m.-1 p.m. at Shiloh Community Association Garden, 59 Hampton St. Call Norma Baynes at 242-0224 or Susan Carrara at 230-2900.
Aug. 14 Arts center open house
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The Asheville Arts Center South is hosting an open house with free sample classes and crafts. Learn about ballet, Irish dance, musical theater, Kindermusik, acting and parents morning out. Free 10-minute music lessons in guitar, voice, piano and more. Meet instructors. From 4-7 p.m. at the Asheville Arts Center South, 9 Summit Ave., Suite B, near Hendersonville and Long Shoals roads. Call 253-4000 or visit ashevilleartscenter.com.
School resumes
Buncombe County Schools resume classes.
Aug. 15 Performance Fest open house
Asheville Arts Center hosts an open house offering free sample classes in ballet, Irish dance, musical theater and acting; free performances in Irish dance, rock band and musical theater. Crafts for kids will also be offered, as well as free 10-minute music lessons for guitar, violin, drums, voice, piano and more. Experience the arts center’s diverse classes for all ages and meet instructors. From 5-8 p.m. at the Asheville Arts Center, 308 Merrimon Ave.
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For information, call 253-4000 or visit ashevilleartscenter.com
Through Aug. 15 Fun in the Sun camp
Waynesville Parks and Recreation Department hosts Fun in the Sun camp this summer. Camp will include High Touch High Tech, which provides fun, interactive, hands-on science and nature experiences for children. There also will be field trips, sports, and arts and crafts. Two age divisions: 5-7 and 8-11. Other activities include Wednesday theme days. Cost is $85 per week for members of the Waynesville Recreation Center and $95 per week for nonmembers. A two week deposit is required. Enrollment is limited to 60 campers. For information, call 456-2030 or e-mail recyouth@townofwaynesville.org
Aug. 15-16 Fun with Fiber day camp
Fun with Fiber summer day camp at Historic Johnson Farm, 3346 Haywood Road, Hendersonville, will offer a wide variety of weaving experiences. Morning sessions are 9 a.m.-noon, afternoon sessions are 1-4 p.m. Each session is $15 per student, limited to 12 students per session. Camp is led by the Heritage Weavers of the Opportunity House. For ages 8 through middle school; adults is space is available. Younger students may come if accompanied by adult. For information, call 891-6585.
Aug. 16 ‘Back-to-School Blues’
Is your child “singing the blues” as school begins? Whether your child feels shy, anxious, scared, or sad this workshop offers creative ways to express school-related challenges in a supportive environment. Kindergarten to secondgraders, 10 a.m.-noon; third- to fifth-graders, 1-3 p.m.; sixth- to eighth-graders, 4-6 p.m. At Spark Creative Wellness Studio in downtown Asheville. Visit sparkcreativewellness.com or call Jessica Chilton at 301-5172.
Ice cream social
Children of all ages are invited to an ice cream social 6–8 p.m. (rain or shine) at First Congregational United Church of Christ, West Fifth Avenue and White Pine Drive, Hendersonville. Cones are $1. Sundaes are $2. Mardi Gras Blues Band will perform. Call 6928630 or visit fcchendersonville.org.
La Leche League meeting
La Leche League of Asheville and Buncombe hosts a meeting at 10 a.m. the third Saturday of the month at Awakening Heart Chiropractic, on the corner of Merrimon Avenue and Hillside Street, across from Claxton Elementary. Enter on Hillside and park in the back of the building. All ages of nurslings and their moms are welcome. For information, call Susan at 628-4438 or 2802895, Jane at 670-1032, Jenn at 713-3707 or Adrienne at 713-1534.
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Starts Aug. 17 YouthSPARK Creativity Class
An interactive expressive arts class that builds positive friendships, self-confidence, creativity and communication skills. Runs 1:30-3:30 p.m. Sundays, Aug. 17 and 24 and Sept. 7, for thirdto fifth-graders and 4-6 p.m. for sixth- to eighthgraders. At Spark Creative Wellness Studio in downtown Asheville. Call Jessica Chilton at 3015172 or visit sparkcreativewellness.com.
‘Back-to-School Blues Buster’
This three-session group uses the arts and creative games to express feelings of anxiety, insecurity or sadness and move beyond school-related challenges. For middle schoolers from 4-6 pm. Mondays, Aug. 18, 25 and Sept 8. For elementary children 4-6 pm. Tuesdays, Aug 19, 26 and Sept 2. At Spark Creative Wellness Studio in downtown Asheville. Call Jessica Chilton at 3015172 or visit sparkcreativewellness.com.
Aug. 18-21 Free baby oral health exam
Great Beginnings Pediatric Dental Specialists is giving free oral health exams to infants up to 14 months old. Exams are at 10B Yorkshire St., Asheville, and 50 Bowman Drive, Waynesville. For an appointment, call the Asheville office at 2749220, or the Waynesville office at 454-9156. For information, visit greatbeginningspedo.com.
Breast-feeding class
Learn the art of breast-feeding. Class covers breast-feeding basics to help give moms a good start. From 6:30-7:30 p.m. at Pardee Health Education Center in Blue Ridge Mall, Four Seasons Boulevard, Hendersonville. Call 6924600. Class is free; registration is not required.
School resumes
Haywood County Schools resume. Half-days on Aug. 19-20.
Aug. 19-21 Kindermusik demo classes
Experience Kindermusik, music and movement, child development, family fun. Times and locations follow. For information, call Patty Lee Book at 253-4000 or visit ashevilleartscenter.com. Aug. 19, Asheville Arts Center, 308 Merrimon Ave.: 9:30 a.m. Village demo for newborn-18 months; 10:30 a.m. Our Time demo for 18 months-3 years; 11:30 a.m. Imagine That demo for 3-4 years. Aug. 19, Asheville Arts Center South, 9 Summit Ave., Suite B: 4:15 p.m. for Imagine That demo for 3-4 years and Our Time demo for 18 months-3 years. Aug. 20, Asheville Arts Center: 9:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. Our Time demo; 10:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Imagine That demo; 11:30 a.m. Village demo; 3:30 p.m. Young Child demo for 5-7 years. Aug. 20, Asheville Arts Center South: 9:15 a.m. Imagine That demo; 10:15 a.m. Our Time demo; 11:15 a.m. Village demo.
PHOTO BY ERIN BRETHAUER
Kindermusik instructor Patty Lee Book laughs as Tobias Green takes a piggy back ride during a class at Asheville Arts Center. The center is offering free demo classes Aug. 19-21 at both its Merrimon Avenue and South Asheville locations.
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An educator’s ‘wish list’
A teacher and principal offer back-to-school expectations By Barbara Blake Staff writer It’s almost time for school to begin, and teachers have high hopes that all students will arrive in their classrooms happy, healthy and ready to learn. In a perfect world, what would be on an educator’s “wish list” of expectations for students, parents and themselves to ensure a peaceful and productive school year? “The bottom line is that we want children to love to read, to write and to do math, and we want them to be good people,” said Alida Woods, principal of Isaac Dickson Elementary School. The school’s role is to teach the basics, “beginning with exposure to a print-rich environment,” Woods said. “We expose children to the best literature; we read to them, we give them time to read and to share what they read. We want them to have a sound foundation from which to explore all print, and if they have trouble establishing this foundation, we will work on extra mortar and building blocks to be sure it is built.” Once that foundation is built, the goal is for children “to want to write and to be able to write well enough so that their voices can be heard,” Woods said. “We want them to understand the power of writing and that writing can change the world.” Having number sense and being able to manipulate numbers to solve problems and “navigate in the world” is another goal, Woods said. “Beyond the basics of learning, we want children to value each other, to respect the diversity that is their world, and to be able to celebrate their own uniqueness against the backdrop of diversity,’’ Woods said. “We want all children to develop passions and to feel that they matter. Education is power, and we want children to embrace learning as a tool for making the world just a little better.”
A principal’s Top 5
Five things on Isaac Dickson Principal Alida Woods’ “wish list”: 1. We hope parents will instill in their children the importance of doing homework on time and well each night.
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Aug. 19
2. We expect each child to be at school on time and well-prepared with lunch or lunch money, homework, all papers signed, etc. 3. We expect our children to be respectful of their teachers and their fellow students, to come to school knowing the importance of sharing and helping others. 4. We expect our parents to come to us if they suspect their children are having problems we should be aware of. PHOTO BY BARBARA BLAKE
Alida Woods expects children to be on time and well-prepared for school.
5. We hope to work as a team with parents and we value their input and insights into their children.
A teacher’s Top 5
Five things for parents from Marti Sullivan, fifthgrade teacher at Jones Elementary School: 1. Establish a positive relationship with your school, particularly with your child’s teacher(s). 2. Reinforce school expectations at home. 3. Check your child’s planner/homework chart/book bag nightly for homework assignments and home/school correspondence. Return items requested by the teacher and/or school promptly. 4. Contact your child’s teacher with questions and/or concerns.
SPECIAL TO WNC PARENT
Marti Sullivan would like for parents to reinforce at home the school’s expectations.
5. Ensure your child is ready for school each day by making sure he/she is rested, well-fed and prepared for the school day (homework complete, correspondence signed, proper dress, on time, etc.).
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4. Teachers get breaks, too Shawna Butcher, a co-owner of Teacher’s Edition on Hendersonville Road, says the state started including teaching materials in the tax exemption within the last couple of years. But educators aren’t the only shoppers at her store, where she says she expects “everything in the store with the exception of toys is going to be a big seller.” “We have a large parent population
that comes in looking for supplemental materials for their kids for things they’re struggling with or that they need help with.”
5. Look beyond the traditional While back-to-school basics are one of the main focuses, sporting goods are also included in the exemption. Cleven Trammell, manager of the Play It Again Sports store on Tunnel Road in East Asheville, is hoping for a big weekend as parents get children
Sales tax holiday guidelines: What’s exempt?
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Clothing with a sales price of $100 or less per item. All apparel suitable for general use. Some items included are: aprons, household and shop; athletic supporters; baby receiving blankets; bandannas; bathing suits and caps; belts and suspenders; boots; overshoes; coats, jackets, capes, and wraps; costumes (does not include costume masks sold separately); diapers (children and adults, including disposables); earmuffs; gloves and mittens for general use; hats and caps; hosiery; scarves; formal wear (does not include rentals); garters and garter belts; girdles; leotards and tights; panty hose; socks; stockings and footlets; underwear; insoles for shoes; jogging suits; lab coats; neckties; rainwear; rubber pants; sandals; shoes and shoelaces; slippers; sneakers; steel-toed shoes; uniforms (athletic and nonathletic uniforms when purchased for nonbusiness use); wedding apparel (does not include rentals). Sport or recreational equipment with a sales price of $50 or less per item. Items designed for human use and worn in conjunction with an athletic or recreational activity that are not suitable for general use. The items listed are exempt from tax during the holiday period if the sales price of the item is
$50 or less: ballet and tap shoes; cleated or spiked athletic shoes; gloves (baseball, bowling, boxing, hockey, golf, and other sports); goggles; hand and elbow guards; helmets (bicycle, skating, baseball and other sports); life preservers and vests; mouth guards; roller and ice skates; shin guards; shoulder pads; ski boots; waders, wetsuits and fins. Computers with a sales price of $3,500 or less per item. An electronic device that accepts information in digital or similar form and manipulates it for a result based on a sequence of instructions. For purposes of the exemption during the sales tax holiday, a computer includes a central processing unit, monitor, keyboard, mouse, and speakers since these items are deemed to be necessary in the operation of the computer. The separate sale of a monitor, keyboard, mouse, or speakers is subject to the applicable tax when the item is not sold in conjunction with a central processing unit. Peripherals are not considered part of a computer and are subject to the applicable tax notwithstanding that they may be sold with the computer as a package. Peripherals must be separately stated on the invoice and the appropriate tax charged on those items. Computer supplies with a sales price of
ready for football and baseball seasons. “We generally see a pretty hefty increase in sales,” he said. “The first weekend in August is the jumping off point to boost sales back up again” after a slower June and July. Trammell points out that adults don’t have only their kids in mind when buying. “Parents try to take advantage of the tax-free weekend when it comes to fitness equipment,” he says, pointing out the significant savings to be
$250 or less per item. An item commonly used by a student in a course of study in which a computer is used. The items listed are exempt from tax during the holiday period if the sales price of the item is $250 or less. This list is all-inclusive: computer storage media, including diskettes and compact disks; handheld electronic schedulers, except devices that are cellular phones; personal digital assistants, except devices that are cellular phones; computer printers; printer supplies for computers, including printer paper and printer ink. School supplies with a sales price of $100 or less per item. An item commonly used by a student in a course of study; the term includes school art supplies and school instructional materials. The items listed are exempt from tax during the holiday period if the sales price of the item is $100 or less. This list is all-inclusive. Binders; blackboard chalk; book bags; calculators; cellophane tape; clay and glazes; compasses; composition books; crayons; erasers; folders (expandable, pocket, plastic, and manila); glue, paste, and paste sticks; highlighters; index card boxes; index cards; legal pads; lunch boxes; markers; notebooks; paintbrushes for artwork;
Helpful links K N.C. Department of Revenue sales tax holiday information www.dor.state.nc.us/taxes/sales/ holiday_4-08.pdf K Buncombe County Schools www.buncombe.k12.nc.us K Asheville City Schools www.asheville.k12.nc.us had on some machines. “Cardio equipment is probably the biggest thing.”
paints (acrylic, tempera, and oil); paper (loose leaf ruled notebook paper, copy paper, graph paper, tracing paper, manila paper, colored paper, poster board, and construction paper); pencil boxes and other school supply boxes; pencil sharpeners; pencils; pens; protractors; rulers; scissors; sketch and drawing pads; watercolors; writing tablets. School instructional materials with a sales price of $300 or less per item. Written material commonly used by a student in a course of study as a reference and to learn the subject being taught. The term is mutually exclusive of the terms “school supply” and “computer supply.” The items listed below are included in the term and are therefore exempt from tax during the holiday period if the sales price of the item is $300 or less per item. (Prior to the 2008 holiday, these items were categorized as “school supplies” and were exempt during the holiday period if the sales price of the item was $100 or less per item.) This list is all-inclusive: reference books; reference maps and globes; textbooks; workbooks.
Aug. 21, Asheville Arts Center South: 9:30 a.m. Village demo; 10:30 a.m. Our Time demo; 11:30 a.m. Imagine That demo.
Starts Aug. 20 Empowered birthing classes
Childbirth education classes taught by a certified nurse midwife, Trish Beckman, and doula and prenatal massage therapist, Laura Beagle. Hands-on techniques for labor support, stages of labor, birth plan discussions, handouts and videos. Three classes, 6-9 p.m., Aug. 20, 27 and Sept. 3, at 260 Merrimon Ave. Call 231-9227 for information.
Aug. 20 Butterfly Bash
Celebrate butterflies in story, song and craft. For ages 3 and older. At 10 a.m. at South Asheville/ Oakley Library, 749 Fairview Road, 250-4754.
School resumes
Asheville City Schools resume classes.
Aug. 20-21 Parents morning out open house
The Asheville Arts Center’s music- and arts-based parents morning out program invites parents and children to experience the program and meet instructors. From 9 a.m.-noon at the Arts Center South (a new location) 9 Summit Ave., Suite B, near Hendersonville and Long Shoals roads. Call 253-4000 or visit ashevilleartscenter.com
Aug. 21-Sept. 25 Spanish for kids
Expose preschoolers to Spanish through language sounds. Activities include games, songs and storytelling. Parents are welcome to come and learn, too. Program runs for six weeks, 4-4:45 p.m. Thursdays, at the French Broad Food Co-op on Biltmore Avenue. Call Monica at 335-2120.
Aug. 22 Parents night out
Children may come dressed in favorite pajamas, poodle skirt or bobby socks, ready for old fashioned rock ‘n’ roll fun. From 6-9:30 p.m. Cost is $20 for first child and $15 each additional child. Please RSVP and pay by Aug. 20. At the Asheville Arts Center, 308 Merrimon Ave. Call 253-4000 or visit ashevilleartscenter.com.
Soccer registration deadline
Register for Asheville-Buncombe Youth Soccer Association’s U5 and U6 teams by Aug. 22. Deadline for players in U7 and higher was June 28; those players can register with a $10 late fee but placement is not guaranteed. Visit abysa.org.
Aug. 23 Block party
Abernethy United Methodist Church, 1418 Patton Ave., West Asheville, is hosting a block party with food, games, music, slides, a petting zoo and more, 4-7 p.m. Event is free to the community. For more information call 254-2612.
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Source: N.C. Department of Revenue
PHOTO BY JOHN FLETCHER
Sixth-graders Jacob Robinson and Janet Avalos try their locker combinations during the first day of class last year at North Windy Ridge school in Weaverville. Buncombe County Schools resume classes on Aug. 14, Haywood students return Aug. 19, Asheville City starts Aug. 20 and Henderson County students go back to school on Aug. 25.
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Civil War party for boys and girls
Learn about the Underground Railroad and a soldier’s life at the Smith-McDowell House Museum. Dress code is casual. Cost is $25 for an adult and $20 for children ages 7-12. All children must be accompanied by an adult. Make reservations with the Smith-McDowell House Museum at least a week before the program. The museum is at 283 Victoria Road, on the campus of Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College. For information and tickets, call 253-9231.
are $1-$3 per activity. The Youth Challenge, in the Wachovia Bank parking lot at Main and Barnwell streets, is 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Aug. 30-31 and 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Sept. 1 and is good for a variety of ages. Tickets are $1-$5 per activity. King Apple Parade is 2:30 p.m. Sept. 1. Visit ncapplefestival.org.
North Carolina’s tax-free weekend is like the Black Friday of summertime. “It’s almost like Christmastime, it gets so busy during that weekend,” says Richard Burgin, operations manager for the Circuit City store on South Tunnel Road. Area retailers expect the tax break on clothing, school supplies, computers and more will mean big crowds in stores Aug. 1-3. Asheville Mall’s marketing director, Robyn Bacon, says the first weekend in August is the mall’s busiest of the back-to-school season, which starts in late July and runs through August. She says it ranks second only to the holiday season for the mall. Sandra Fowler, a co-owner of the Children’s Trading Post stores in North Asheville and Arden, says she thinks the economy is going to have a “big impact on the weekend.” “I think a lot of people do take advantage of it. I think this year, we’re going to see even bigger (crowds) than last year,” Fowler says. “I think people are just watching their money and are looking to second-hand stores.”
Aug. 30
1. What’s eligible
Rummage sale
Asheville Mothers of Multiples is hosting its fall rummage sale, 7 a.m.-2 p.m. at the National Guard Armory, near Brevard Road in Asheville. The sale offers baby clothes, children’s clothes, toys and equipment, maternity clothes and yard sale items. Cash and credit cards only.
‘Scratch and Sniff’ guided hike
School resumes
Henderson County Public Schools resume classes.
Aug. 26 Pardee parenting classes
All classes are at Pardee Health Education Center in Blue Ridge Mall, Four Seasons Boulevard, Hendersonville. Call 692-4600 for information. Classes are free, and registration is not required. Infant care class: Learn the basics of infant care. From 6:30-8 p.m. Prime-time with a pediatrician: Learn from a local pediatrician what to expect with a newborn in your home from 8-9 p.m.
Aug. 29-Sept. 1 N.C. Apple Festival
Street fair, arts and crafts, entertainment, children’s activities, parade, food and more in downtown Hendersonville. Runs 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Aug. 29-31 and 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sept. 1. Kiddie Carnival within the festival is in the Visitors Information Center parking lot, 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Aug. 29-31 and 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Sept. 1. Tickets
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PHOTO BY STEVE DIXON
Annie Dephouse works on a caramel apple at the Apple Festival in Hendersonville. This year the festival runs Aug. 29-Sept. 1.
Magic Ant-ics
Magician Eric Schweitzer presents programs that are fun for the whole family. His blend of comedy magic and audience participation keeps everyone entertained and amazed. At 2 p.m. at West Asheville Library, 942 Haywood Road, 250-4650.
Through Sept. 1 Butterfly exhibit
WNC Nature Center is hosting its fifth walkthrough butterfly exhibit, which invites visitors to feed a butterfly, meet a moth, find caterpillars and cocoons and experience hundreds of fancy flyers face to face. The exhibit is open 10 a.m.4:30 p.m. (except Aug. 23 and 30, when it is open 1-8 p.m.). For information call 298-5600 or visit wildwnc.org. Regular admission rates apply. The Nature Center is at 75 Gashes Creek Road, East Asheville.
Since 2001, North Carolina has waived sales tax for a weekend to help ease the pain of back-to-school shopping. The holiday begins at midnight Aug. 1 and ends at 11:59 p.m. Aug. 3. The key is to know what’s eligible and realize that all shoppers, not just those with school-age children, can benefit. Stores are not allowed to opt out of the sales-tax holiday. Items exempt from tax include traditional school supplies like pencils and notebooks, computers and clothing items less than $100. But there are unexpected things on the list, too. There is no tax, for instance, on diapers, wedding apparel, a wide array of arts supplies and sporting equipment
What are your back-to-school shopping strategies? Visit WNCmom.com to join the conversation with other moms. shopping experience enjoyable, we suggest that you map out your shopping trip, shop earlier in the day, and have a list prepared to keep you on track,” she says.
3. Shop against the crowds
PHOTO BY JOHN COUTLAKIS
Jennifer Green of Fairview shops for clothing at Target in Arden with her son Gavin, 6. All school supplies and clothing with a sales price of $100 per item or less is tax free the first weekend in August. beyond what is needed for the area’s school teams (like roller skates). Shoppers don’t have to go to a store to take advantage of the discount. Items ordered by Internet or telephone during the holiday weekend qualify. For a list of items considered tax-free, visit the state Department of Revenue’s Web site at www.dor.state.nc.us/taxes/sales/ holiday_4-08.pdf.
2. Check the list Like the Thanksgiving weekend sales, retailers urge shoppers to shop early, have a plan and remain calm. First, check the supply list for your child’s class. Many schools within the Buncombe County and Asheville City systems post lists on their individual Web sites. The county school system also suggests checking with your particular
school to obtain a list. Ray Guy, executive team leader of hardlines at the Target store in Arden, says that while his store calls schools to get their lists, shoppers should bring a copy rather than expect the store to have it on hand. “Not all schools have or will have sent their specific lists in by the taxfree holiday,” he says. “Also, with as many people that will be out shopping there could be some of the school lists will get gobbled up pretty quickly. We will do everything we can to replenish the lists throughout the day, but they will go fast.” To help teachers out, he says Target Corp. has started a system similar to a wedding registry called Target Lists that educators can use to post their lists online. Bacon also suggests planning ahead — and shopping early. “To make your tax-free weekend
What you’re in the market for will determine when you should shop. At Circuit City, Burgin suggests shopping early for items that will be available in limited quantities, but he points out that will also be the most crowded time of day. If you’re going to shop at a more leisurely pace or for items not on sale, he says to wait until later in the afternoon. He expects computers to be in high demand, but for many of the items the retailer carries that are not tax exempt, it will be “business as usual.” The opposite holds true for Target, Guy says. He said he anticipates the discount retailer’s aisles will be busiest between noon and 7 p.m. “The earlier you come in the weekend, then the more likely you are to get the items you are looking for,” Guy says. “We will receive replenishment over the weekend; however, not all items will be replenished.” Rick Davis, manager of Steve & Barry’s at Biltmore Square Mall, foresees a crowd through the weekend. “With everything at $8.98, we expect quite a few shoppers,” he says. Unlike holiday shopping times, though, many area retailers are not expanding their hours much that weekend. At the mall, Bacon says Belk and J.C. Penney will offer extended hours. Continued on Page 4
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CMYK 3P
Create a positive vision for the new school year in this co-creative collage experience between parent and child. Explore your child’s hopes and goals. Be on the same team in actualizing them this year. For elementary schoolers, 10 a.m.noon; middle schoolers, 1-3 p.m.; high schoolers, 4-6 p.m. At Spark Creative Wellness Studio in downtown Asheville. Visit sparkcreative wellness.com or call Jessica Chilton, expressive arts therapist and educator, at 301-5172.
Aug. 25
Make the most of the sales tax holiday weekend
By Katie Wadington Staff writer
Envision school through collage
Use your nose on this “Off the Beaten Path” hike at Chimney Rock Park to identify many of the growing plants and flowers. It’s a fun way to remember plants you might forget otherwise. Call 800-277-9611 to register. Cost is $20, $10 for ages 6-15 ($5 for passholders, $3 for members of Grady’s Kids Club).
tax-free shopping tips
contents This month’s features 3
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Tax-free weekend tips How to get the most out of shopping for back-to-school gear during North Carolina’s sales tax holiday.
Educators speak up Teachers and administrators offer a “wish list” of expectations for kids and parents.
Preparing for kindergarten
PHOTO BY STEVE DIXON
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Experts give advice on making the transition to “real” school as easy as possible.
School style
14 Skills kids need
Find out what your rising kindergartner needs to know before the first day.
16 Learning disabilities
How to get help for your child if you suspect a problem.
In every issue
Registration starts Sept. 2 Sept. 5 Play and learn group
Parents/caregivers and children ages 2-5 in Buncombe County who are not in regulated child care are invited to attend a series of six free play and learn group sessions at 10 a.m. Tuesdays, Sept. 16-Oct. 21, and 10 and 11 a.m. Wednesdays, Sept. 17-Oct. 22. Each session lasts about 45 minutes and will be at the Family Resource Center at Asheville City Schools Preschool, 441 Haywood Road in West Asheville. The program focuses on developing preliteracy skills through rhythm, rhyme and repetition. Each week, adults receive information for educational activities to do at home with children and children ages 2-5 receive a free book. For information, call Marna Holland at 255-5423. Attendance is required at four of the sessions. New participants may register Sept. 2 and continuing/past participants may register Sept. 10. Registration is required by phone (255-5423) or e-mail (marna.holland@asheville.k12.nc.us).
Begins Sept. 4 Clogging classes
Beginner clogging lessons for children ages 5 and older. Learn to clog with Olympic junior medalist Ashley Shimberg. Introduction to clogging class begins Sept. 4, 4:15-5 p.m. Cost is $38 per month. Adult beginner class also available for parents. To register or learn more, contact Ashley Shimberg, 329-3856, or e-mail ashevillecloggingcompany@gmail.com
The latest in children’s fashion just in time for class. 10 tips for packing a delicious lunch.
CMYK 2P
I remember my first day of school — not in detail — but some things about it still stand out. I know my mom always made sure I was dressed just right. My hair ribbon matched my dress and my white socks with the lace trim were neatly turned down above my shiny patent-leather shoes. My mom liked dressing me up when I was little, and the first day of school always meant a special outfit. Local boutiques, discount stores and consignment stores offer a wide array of back-to-school fashion. See our story on fashion trends on Page 9. I don’t remember being very nervous about that first day of kindergarten; I remember that I couldn’t wait to go. Making sure your child is well-prepared to handle what could be his or her first day away from home is important. Find some helpful tips on Page 7. We’re also nearing North Carolina’s tax-free weekend. Find out all the dos, don’ts, what’s exempt and more on Page 3. I hope this issue helps with a smooth transition for everyone from summer to back-to-school. Nancy Sluder Editor
12 Beat the lunch blues
Preschool Play Date
Formerly known as Fabulous Fridays, The Health Adventure’s Preschool Play Date series provide children 3-6 with a unique and safe venue to play and a chance for parents, grandparents, and caregivers to socialize and bond. Includes hands-on take-away activities led by an educator from museum. Free for members or with museum admission. The Preschool Play Date series is 10:30-11:30 a.m. every first Friday of the month. No registration in required. Call 2546373 or visit thehealthadventure.org.
Sept. 6 Lap the Lake for Ladies
Walk a lap (2.5 miles) around Enka Lake in Biltmore Park to raise funds for the National Ovarian Cancer Coalition. Event starts at 10:30 a.m., followed by a “Lunch and Learn” at noon. Lunch, with a speaker from Hope, A Women’s Cancer Center, will be provided by Carrabba’s Italian Grill. Registration begins at 9 a.m. on the day of the event. Walkers can also register by visiting lapthelake.org. A donation of $20 per walker is suggested and all walkers will receive a Tshirt. The optional lunch is $10, and advance registration for lunch is required by Aug. 23.
what threats they are facing in today’s world. Bring your cameras for an up-close encounter you’re sure to remember. Call 800-277-9611 to register. Cost is $12 per student, $11.50 for parents (for passholders, $7 for students and free for parents).
Lake Julian Scarecrow Festival. For information, contact Grace Young at 250-4265 or 777-5634.
Through Sept. 28
Immersion programs are the most effective way for children to learn Spanish. Kids will learn naturally in small, age-appropriate classes through fun experiences, music, visual aids, books and games in classes taught by professional native speakers. Enrollment is year-round in classes for children 3-12 with discounts for siblings. Please contact Claudia McMahan at 681-0843 or Beatriz Riascos-Socarras at 687-9620 or e-mail mm_spanish@hotmail.com.
Toys: The Inside Story!
The Health Adventure is the first museum in the country to show this exhibit all about toys. It includes 12 different hands-on stations illustrating the simple mechanisms commonly found in toys, and lets visitors create their own toy-like combinations of gears, pulleys, linkages, cams, and circuits. Runs through Sept. 28. For more information, visit TheHealthAdventure.org.
Oct. 3-5 Southeast Women’s Herbal Conference
A weekend gathering for women with inspiring workshops, food and sisterhood in Black Mountain. Child care for ages 2-10 and Young Women’s Circle for ages 11-17 are available. For information, visit sewisewomen.com.
Sept. 8
Oct. 4
Home-school program
Scarecrow Festival
Explore “Radical Raptors” at Chimney Rock Park. Students will learn what defines a raptor and
Buncombe County Parks & Recreation is looking for crafters and vendors for its fourth annual
Ongoing Spanish immersion program
Pre-kindergarten class
Merrimon Avenue Baptist Church PMO is accepting enrollment for the fall for its pre-kindergarten class. The school operates 9 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Tuesdays-Thursdays. Cost is $15 per day. The school is introducing a structured pre-kindergarten class focusing on kindergarten readiness, which will be taught by a licensed birth-to-kindergarten teacher. This classroom will be open for students who will begin kindergarten in fall 2009. Call Sara Calloway at 252-2768, ext. 315, or email scalloway@mabaptist.org for information.
Asheville Area Music Together
Try a free demo class of Music Together, an internationally recognized early childhood music program for children age 0-5 and the adults who love them. Each class is a playful, family experience full of new and traditional songs and Continued on Page 64
PHOTO BY BARBARA BLAKE
20 If the backpack fits
With kids hauling around more and more, it’s important their book bag fits correctly.
26 Saving money on gas
Suggestions on how to keep fuel costs down as your carpooling duties increase.
Librarian’s Picks by Jennifer Prince ..................13 WNCmom.com page..........................................18 Show and Tell .............................................22-23 Divorced Families by Trip Woodard ...................27 Kids Voices ......................................................28 Kids Health by Linden Veillette .........................31 Growing Together by Chris Worthy .....................38 Video Games ....................................................45 Parenting in a Nutshell ....................................48 Puzzles ........................................................52-53 Quick Dinners .............................................54-55 Calendar ...........................................................56
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New dresses and nerves must mean it’s back-to-school time
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
On the cover Photo special to WNC Parent.
P.O. Box 2090, Asheville, NC 28802 828-232-5845 I www.wncmom.com PRESIDENT AND PUBLISHER Randy Hammer WNC PARENT EDITOR Nancy Sluder nsluder@citizen-times.com
ADVERTISING Miranda Weerheim - 232-5980 mweerheim@gannett.com
SPECIALTY PUBLICATIONS EDITOR Polly McDaniel pmcdaniel@citizen-times.com
Gayle Smith - 232-5886 gjsmith@ashevill.gannett.com
STAFF WRITER Barbara Blake bblake@citizen-times.com
Or contact your dedicated Asheville Citizen-Times advertising representative for opportunities to advertise in this publication.
CIRCULATION
Charlie Davis - 232-6018, cpdavis@gannett.com
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR submit in writing via P.O. Box 2090, Asheville, NC 28802 CALENDAR CONTENT submit in writing via P.O. Box 2090, Asheville, NC 28802 or e-mail calendar@wncparent.com SUBMISSION DEADLINES advertising deadline for the September 2008 issue is Aug. 20 calendar items are due by Aug. 18
WNC PARENT I AUGUST 2008
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CALENDAR OF EVENTS Continued from Page 63 chants. Fall Session begins in September in Asheville, Black Mountain and Weaverville. Contact Kari Richmond at karirichmond@ charter.net or 545-0990. More information at AshevilleAreaMT.com or musictogether.com.
Kindermusik
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Drawing and painting classes
Black Mountain Center for the Arts, 225 W. State St., offers weekly classes with nationally known wildlife artist Bob Travers. Six class times available for children (ages 8 and older), teens and adults. Cost is $60 for four two-hour lessons. For information or to register, call 776-6376.
Brayden Warren Black Mountain
WNC PARENT I AUGUST 2008
Mikayla Pressley Asheville
CMYK 1P
Kindermusik is registering now for fall semesters. Programs promote creativity, listening skills, selfesteem, problem solving, vision and focus, language and literacy, hand-eye coordination, emotional and social skills, balance and coordination — all while providing a joyful introduction to music. Classes for newborns through 7-year-olds encourage all aspects of development. Call local area licensed educators: Lora Scott: 649-2320,
allsoulscathedral.org/music-choirs/kindermusik (Biltmore Village); Beth Magill: 298-9350, magills.net (Downtown Asheville); Patty Lee Book 253-4000, ashevilleartscenter.com (North and South Asheville); Debra Huff: 206-3145 or 6891128 (Madison County); Sonja Gorsline: 8838538 (Brevard); Linda Boyle-Smith: 768-9625, kinderwithlinda.com (Mills River).
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