WNCParent November 2009 by Stacey

c o n t e n t s Volunteering teaches

kids valuable lessons

This month’s features

2 Thanksgiving dinner

Whether you’re cooking your first Thanksgiving dinner or your 15th, we offer some recipes for a traditional meal.

6 A helping hand

Family-friendly volunteer opportunities are plentiful around Asheville.

9 Get crafty

Tap into your children’s creativity with these holiday crafts.

Lookin’ good

Area retailers show off their best picks for children’s holiday fashions.

memories last 16 Make Share your memories with family this year by creating unique photo gifts.

22 Adoption month

Celebrate National Adoption Month by learning more about fostering children.

27 Turkey-free

Thanksgiving

31 Holiday events in WNC

Between now and New Year’s, there’s an abundance of holiday celebrations in and around Asheville.

60 Parenting groups

Find support and friendship in one of the area’s many moms’ groups.

62 Holiday camps

If you need child care or just an outlet for activity over school breaks, find a camp on our list.

Need vegetarian alternatives to the traditional feast? Look no further.

In every issue

During the holidays it can be especially nice and educational for kids to volunteer. When my daughters were 5, we delivered Meals on Wheels in Hendersonville. They learned that not everyone was as healthy and able to get around like their Grammy and Popsie and that sometimes being alone can be a very difficult thing. I also took my girls to the Humane Society to volunteer with the animals. Learning through volunteering and doing it as a family can be one of the best educations we can give our kids. See our story on Page 6 for volunteering options. Cooking Thanksgiving dinner is something my daughters and I have been able to do together for a couple of years now. There are traditional dishes that we look forward to eating each Thanksgiving Day. This year’s celebration will be even more eventful because on the day after Thanksgiving, my parents will celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary. Happy anniversary, Mom and Dad — your lives and times together have been inspiring. Wishing a happy Thanksgiving to all our readers. Nancy Sluder, Editor

Kids’ Voices.................................29 Divorced Families .........................37 Show & Tell.............................38-39 Puzzles...................................40-41 Kids in Sports ..............................42 WNCMom.com .............................43 Home-school Happenings...............44 Growing Together..........................46 Librarian’s Pick ............................47 Story times .................................48 Parenting in a Nutshell ..................49 Recalls.......................................50 Calendar ................................51-64

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 ADVERTISING Nancy Sluder Miranda Weerheim - 232-5980 nsluder@citizen-times.com mweerheim@gannett.com FEATURES EDITOR Lisa Field - 252-5907 lmfield@gannett.com Bruce Steele bsteele@citizen-times.com WNC PARENT DESIGNER STAFF WRITER Katie Wadington kwadington@citizen-times.com Barbara Blake bblake@citizen-times.com CALENDAR CONTENT Submit in writing via P.O. Box 2090, Asheville, NC 28802-2090 or e-mail calendar@wncparent.com SUBMISSION DEADLINES Advertising deadline for the December issue is Nov. 16 Calendar items are due by Nov. 10

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The best

Thanksgiving

GANNETT NEWS SERVICE

Every family has a few traditions for Thanksgiving that make their holiday dinner a special one.

Make the feast special with traditional recipes By Rick McDaniel WNC Parent contributor Thanksgiving dinner is the ultimate meal of the entire year. Whether you go over the river and through the woods to grandmother’s house or have a small celebration with just the kids, this is one meal that calls for special food. But what foods make Thanksgiving dinner so special? “Sweet potato casserole with marshmallows is the one dish all my girls absolutely have to have,” said Sarah Howell about her three daughters, Brittany, 15, Taylor, 14, and Tori, 12. “They just pitch a fit if my mother (Ruby Green) doesn’t make it.” Although there are as many ways to

make this traditional dish as there are leaves on the lawn, the Howell sisters don’t go for the pecans found in many recipes. “They want marshmallows melted over the top,” Howell said. “And instead of pumpkin pie, it has to be lemon.” For Jackie Westle, Thanksgiving is definitely a family affair. “We are lucky to have grandparents and great grandparents and lots of our family here in Asheville and in Clyde,” Westle said. “Every year we are asked to bring the famous corn casserole.” A staple at many Southern feasts, corn casserole has been a part of Thanksgiving at the Westle table for as long as anyone can remember. “The only thing that changes is how

many batches I have to make,” Westle laughs. “Each year it goes up.” The tradition has passed on to Westle’s daughters. Second-grader Amanda and kindergartener Lacy have now taken over making the casserole. Pumpkin pie is required at most Thanksgiving tables, but not for 16-yearold Rome Widenhouse. “Chocolate cream is my favorite,” Widenhouse said. “It’s rich and creamy, and delicious.” No matter what you choose to serve this Thanksgiving, you’ll enjoy these tasty recipes. E-mail Rick McDaniel at southerncooking@charter.net. For recipes, turn to Page 4.

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Traditional Thanksgiving recipes Ruby Greenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s sweet potato casserole

2 cups sweet potatoes, mashed and cooked 2 eggs 1 cup sugar, brown or white 1 (8 ounce) can evaporated milk 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon 1 stick butter 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg 1/8 teaspoon ground cloves Blend sweet potatoes and sugar; add eggs and mix well. Add all other ingredients. Bake at 375 degrees for 35 minutes. Remove from oven and top with marshmallows. Return to oven and bake until marshmallows turn light brown, about 5 minutes.

Herb-roasted turkey with citrus glaze

1 (15-pound) whole turkey, fresh or frozen (thawed) 3 large lemons 2 large limes 1 1/2 teaspoons salt, divided 1/2 teaspoon black pepper coarsely ground 1/4 cup dry white wine (see note) 1/4 cup packed brown sugar Pan gravy 1 bunch each: fresh sage, marjoram and thyme, divided Preheat oven to 325. Remove giblets and neck from turkey; reserve for gravy. Rinse turkey with cold running water and drain well. Blot dry with paper towels. Peel skin from lemons and limes to make rose garnishes. Reserve in refrigerator. Squeeze enough juice from the lemons and limes to equal 2 tablespoons each. Cut the remaining lemons and limes in half and place in the turkey cavity. Sprinkle salt in the cavity. In a small bowl, mix the wine, brown sugar and citrus juices; reserve for glaze. Gently loosen skin from the turkey breast without totally detaching the skin and carefully place 1 tablespoon each fresh sage and marjoram under the skin. Replace the skin. Fold neck skin and fasten to the back with 1 or 2 skewers. Fold the wings under the back of the turkey. Return legs to tucked position. Place turkey, breast side up, on a rack in a large shallow (about 2 1/2 inches deep) roasting pan. Rub turkey with salt, pepper and 2 to 3 tablespoons of salad oil. Insert oven-safe meat thermometer into the thickest part of the thigh, being careful that the pointed end of the thermometer does not touch the bone. Roast the turkey in a preheated oven about 3 hours 45 minutes. During the last hour of roasting time, baste with the pan drippings. During the last 30 minutes, baste with the citrus glaze. Loosely cover with lightweight foil to prevent excessive browning. Continue to roast until the thermometer registers 180 degrees F. in the thigh, or 170 degrees F. in the breast. Remove turkey from the oven and allow it to rest for 15-20 minutes before carving. Source: The National Turkey Federation

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Real mashed potatoes

Pumpkin pie

1 9-inch unbaked pie crust 3/4 cup white sugar 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves 2 eggs 1 (15 ounce) can pumpkin 1 (12 ounce) can evaporated milk Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Combine sugar, salt, cinnamon, ginger and cloves in a small bowl. Beat eggs lightly in large bowl. Stir in pumpkin and sugar spice mixture. Gradually stir in evaporated milk. Pour into pie shell. Bake for 15 minutes. Reduce temperature to 350 degrees, bake for 40-50 additional minutes. Cool on wire rack for 2 hours. Serve or refrigerate. Source: allrecipes.com

6 large baking potatoes 1 stick unsalted butter, melted 2 teaspoons salt 1 pint half and half 2 teaspoons minced garlic (optional) Peel and cut potatoes into 1-inch cubes. Boil until fork tender, about 10 minutes. Drain and return to heat, string for about 1 minute to dry out water. Mash by hand or use electric mixer or potato ricer. Add butter, salt and garlic if desired. Gradually add half and half until potatoes are desired consistency. Makes10 to 12 servings.

GANNETT NEWS SERVICE

Jackie Westleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s famous cream corn casserole

1 (15 ounce) can of whole kernel corn (drained) 1 (15 ounce) can cream style corn 1 box Jiffy corn muffin mix 1 (8 ounce) container sour cream 1 stick of butter, melted Mix all ingredients together and pour into a 2-quart baking dish (spraying the sides with cooking spray first will make cleanup a little easier). Bake at 350 degrees for about 45-50 minutes or until the top and edges are brown. It will set up as it cools.

Easy chocolate cream pie

1 Oreo cookie chocolate crust 1 box Jell-O instant chocolate pudding Whipped topping or whipped cream 2 tablespoons chocolate syrup Prepare pudding per package directions; pour into pie shell. Top with whipped topping or whipped cream; drizzle syrup over pie as garnish.

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Give a little bit

Infuse the holidays with volunteering By Barbara Blake Staff Writer

For many children, the holidays can be less about giving than receiving as they are inundated with ads, commercials and store displays filled with tantalizing toys and tempting treats. Many parents like to infuse a bit of giving into the holiday season by showing their kids the power of philanthropy, whether it’s taking a simple tray of cookies to a fire station or hosting a neighborhood coat drive to help the homeless at a local shelter. Here are ideas to get children involved in volunteering not only during the holidays but throughout the year.

Give a hand to Hands On Hands On Asheville-Buncombe, the volunteerism arm of the United Way, is something of a clearinghouse for families who want to volunteer together, with more than 200 short-term, seasonal and ongoing opportunities listed on its online database (handsonasheville.org). Hands On will soon be posting a “Twelve Days of Caring” list of 12 simple projects that can be done in 12 days to help the community during the holidays. Kids Care is an ongoing project for children age 4-6 and age 7-12, when children are involved in an age-appropriate learning component and a hands-on activity such as planting flowers in pots and distributing to nursing homes, making treats for service dogs at a fire department or cleaning up graffiti. ◆ Other ways to help: Wrap holiday gifts and raise money to benefit local

SPECIAL TO WNC PARENT

Coco Parham, left, and her daughter, Emma, volunteer together at the Asheville Humane Society shelter and also act as foster parents to animals awaiting permanent homes. agencies; donate turkeys or other food items to homeless shelters and food banks; donate pet food and supplies to animal support agencies; donate a gift from a child’s holiday wish list through many local civic groups. For more, visit handsonasheville.org or call 255-0696.

Reach out to helpless animals There are myriad opportunities for children to help homeless pets through animal shelters and rescue groups throughout the mountain region. At the Asheville Humane Society, volunteers must be either 18 or accompanied by a parent or guardian who has gone through two-part volunteer training with the child. Training includes general orientation and a 90-minute shelter training class focused on cats and

dogs. Volunteer opportunities include: ◆ Socializing animals by walking dogs and playing with cats. ◆ Getting firsthand shelter experience by bathing animals and cleaning kennels. ◆ Working at special events such as adoption days at local businesses and at information tables at community events. ◆ Spending a day with other animal lovers helping with mass mailings. ◆ Offering special talents such as carpentry, drawing or office skills. For more about AHS, visit ashevillehumane.org or call 236-3885, ext. 311. To contact other animal organizations for volunteer opportunities: ◆ Animal Compassion Network: animalcompassionnetwork.org, 258-4820. ◆ Brother Wolf Animal Rescue: Continues on Page 8

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Infusing some giving into the holiday season

PHOTO BY JOHN FLETCHER

Students from Reynolds High School deliver the donations they have collected during the past six weeks to MANNA FoodBank. Families can volunteer there, as well.

Continued from Page 6

brotherwolfcaninerescue.org, 808-9435 ◆ Henderson County Animal Services, hendersoncountync.org/animals, 697-4723. ◆ Transylvania Animal Alliance Group: petfinder.com/shelters/ taag.html, 966-3166. ◆ Sarge’s Animal Rescue Foundation, Haywood County : sargeandfriends.org, 246-9050. ◆ Animal Haven of Asheville: animalhaven.org., 299-1635.

Help feed the hungry through MANNA FoodBank

MANNA helps hundreds of nonprofit

agencies throughout the mountain region provide hundreds of thousands of meals for the poor and hungry each year. Some ways to help: ◆ Go as a family to help sort and pack boxes of food at the MANNA warehouse. ◆ Help at the Holiday Ingles Giving Tree (in two-hour increments) from Nov. 23-Dec. 24 at the Asheville Mall. Volun-

teers accept food and donations and offer MANNA literature to mall-goers, giving an opportunity for children to read about MANNA and thank those who come to the table to donate. ◆ Hold your own neighborhood/ holiday/church food drive. Kids can send out invitations, schedule a collection place and day, or perhaps encourage a $1 from every neighbor or church member to be donated to MANNA. For $1, MANNA can provide three meals. For more, visit mannafoodbank.org/ volunteer or call 299-3663, ext. 232.

Other ways to help ◆ Collect donations or sponsor a food or gift drive in your neighborhood or church, with proceeds to be given to organizations such as Santa Pal, ABCCM, Salvation Army, Hearts with Hands, Eblen-Kimmel Charities, the Foster Care Association or Eliada Home. ◆ Spend a day as a family baking and decorating cookies and other treats and arranging them on festive holiday trays or baskets. Take them to a fire or police station (don’t forget those who work the overnight shifts), a nursing home in your neighborhood, a homeless shelter or a shelter for abused women. ◆ Help prepare, cook or serve a meal at a homeless or domestic abuse shelter. ◆ Call Meals on Wheels (253-5286 in Asheville) and ask if you and your children can accompany a regular volunteer on a route to help deliver and visit with elderly and homebound recipients.

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Crafty kids

Make unique holiday decorations Compiled by Barbara Blake ◆ WNC Parent writer

The holidays are a great time to involve your kids in handmade crafts, especially those that can be proudly displayed on the Thanksgiving dinner table or elsewhere in the house when family and friends come together to celebrate. Here are a few ideas, below and continuing on Pages 10-11.

CORNY CANDLES Kids can assemble these pretty decorations in a flash, either as a single touch on an occasional table or grouped together as a centerpiece for the dinner table.

All they need is a glass container wider than the candle, whether it’s a small votive or a tall pillar. Place the candle in the center of the glass holder, then pour dried corn kernels to surround the candle, making sure the corn is well below the top of the candle and wick. For a touch of whimsy, use yellow, white and orange candy corn or the brown and orange variety, instead of plain yellow corn kernels. Source: Better Homes and Gardens, bhg.com.

TINY PINECONE TOMS No danger in anyone biting into these prickly turkeys.

You’ll need: Yellow and red felt; glue: googly eyes; brown pom-poms; pinecones; pipe cleaners; scissors. 1. For each turkey, cut out a yellow beak and a red snood from felt. 2.Glue the beak, snood and a pair of googly eyes onto a pom-pom to make the turkey’s head. 3.Glue the pom-pom head to the tip of the pinecone. Allow the glue to dry. 4.Wrap a pipe cleaner around the middle of the turkey’s pinecone body, starting from the top and twisting it together a few times on the underside. Separate the ends of the pipe cleaner (below the twists) and bend each tip into a three-toed foot. 5.For the turkey’s tail, individually wrap 3 or 4 pipe cleaners around the back of the pinecone, starting from the underside and twisting them together a few times on the top of the pinecone to secure them. Then loop both ends of each pipe cleaner to shape the tail feathers. Make a flock to decorate the Thanksgiving dinner table, or consider them a homemade favor for each guest to take home. Source: National Wild Turkey Foundation

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WILD TURKEY

Take a walk in the woods and find nature items to make this Thanksgiving pal. You’ll need: Items from nature, such as pinecones, leaves, sticks, pebbles, bark, and seeds; kitchen items, such as bay leaves and dry bean-soup mix; colored poster board; scissors; pencil; small plate; thick white craft glue. 1. First gather items from the outdoors, such as those listed above. 2. Cut poster board to the desired size. On poster board, trace around a small plate for the body shape. 3. Starting at the outside of the circle, glue on small pieces in rows. Create a tail and feet from long pieces of nature items. Use bark for the head. Add eyes, a beak, and a red wattle. Let the glue dry. 4. To make the turkey last longer, spray it with a coat of clear sealer. Source: familyfun.com

Craft classes For upcoming craft classes, contact: A.C. Moore, 299-0777, acmoore.com; Michaels, 299-0183, michaels.com; Buncombe County Libraries, library@buncombecounty.org.

TURKEY CHAIR COVERS Make these simple chair covers for Thanksgiving, then customize them for any celebration at home or school.

You’ll need: Felt; fabric glue or needle and thread; pins; repositionable glue, available at craft stores. The Slipcover: This easy slipcover, made from a few yards of felt, serves as a backdrop for a year’s worth of decorations. 1. First, decide how far down the back of your chair you want the slipcover to hang. Measure from that point up and over the top of the chair, then down to the seat (or stop at the arms if your chair has them). This is the total length of felt you’ll need for each cover. 2. Now measure the width of the chair back at its widest point; add to that measurement the thickness of the chair back and 1 inch for the seams (1/2 inch per side). 3. For each chair, cut a piece of white felt to fit your measurements. Fold the felt over the chair and pin the sides in place. Remove the cover and sew up the sides or glue them together with fabric glue. If you sew them, turn the cover inside out. The Decorations: 1. Download turkey template 1, turkey template 2, and turkey template 3 from familyfun.com. 2. Once they’re in place, stick on the rest of the turkey’s body parts. Trace the templates onto felt (or other lightweight materials such as ribbon), then cut them out. Dimensions will depend on the size of your chair covers. 3. Spray the back of each piece with a thin layer of repositionable glue, then press them onto the slipcovers or layer them on top of one another. (If little hands peel off any of them, just apply another layer of glue and press them back on.) Tip: If you get a clump of glue, spread it out with a paintbrush so it doesn’t leave a mark on the white felt. 4. Store the pieces in plastic bags, preferably with the sticky sides facing away from one another. Next time you use them, spritz on another layer of glue. Chair cover templates for other seasons and occasions like birthdays, Valentine’s Day, Easter and July 4 are available at familyfun.com.

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THANKFUL TREE

PUMPKIN-CANDLE CENTERPIECE

This project makes a wonderful annual tradition that your family can really grow into.

Kids can play a role in creating this very easy arrangement using only three ingredients: a pumpkin, a candle, and leaves or berry sprigs.

You’ll need: Flowerpot; art sand (sold at craft supply stores); bare tree branch; colored craft foam; scissors; permanent marker; large ornament hanger or straightened paper clip.

1.Fill a flowerpot with sand and set in a shapely bare tree branch. 2.Next, cut a pile of leaf shapes from colored craft foam. 3.As your Thanksgiving dinner guests arrive, have them take a leaf and, with a permanent marker, write their name and the date on one side and something they’re grateful for on the other. 4.To decorate your tree, push a large ornament hanger or straightened paper clip through the stem of each leaf and hang it in place. Source: familyfun.com.

You’ll need: Medium-size pumpkin; 6-inch pillar candle; sprigs of bittersweet, preserved leaves, vines, or artificial berries; sharp knife; marker. 1.Snap or cut the stem off the top of the pumpkin. Placing the bottom end of the pillar candle on the top of the pumpkin, tightly trace the perimeter of the candle’s bottom with a marker. 2.Using a sharp knife (this job goes to mom or dad), cut vertically just inside the traced outline. The cut portion can then be discarded. 3.Wedge the candle securely inside. If you’ve cut the hole a bit too large, simply place a can or other object inside the pumpkin as a base for the candle. If necessary, keep the candle from tipping by wedging one end of a vine in between the candle and the cut edge. 4.Tuck in a few leaves and sprigs of vine around the base of the candle. Source: Better Homes and Gardens, bhg.com.

BOOK OF THANKS Make this book featuring all the things you are thankful for.

You’ll need: Construction paper; stapler or yarn; glue; crayons; magazines, photos, clip art, etc. 1. Decide how many pages you want your book to have. Gather that many pieces of paper and staple one side to make a booklet. You could also punch holes on the sides of the pages and tie them together with yarn. 2. Now, fill each page of your book with an item you are thankful for. For example, on the first page you could write “My Family” or write the name of a specific person. Include a picture of your family or person and write a few sentences about why you are thankful for them. 3. Do the same for other things you are thankful for, adding a few more sentences for each item. 4. As an alternative, invite each family member or Thanksgiving dinner guest to contribute to the book. Source: Familycrafts.about.com.

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The holidays’ finest attire By Lockie Hunter WNC Parent contributor

Special occasions call for special dress. Luxe fabrics like velvets and corduroys pair with soft cottons. The reds and greens of the season play with deeper royal purples, serious navy and colorful prints. Formal marries function, as many of this season’s picks can be worn year round but are still elegant enough for the family portrait.

Fun and merry

Thea Youngblood-Sailors, owner of William and Grace, said “velvets have already been a big seller for Christmas 2009.” Velvets paired with silks add dimension and further elegance for that special holiday dress for girls. William, of William & Grace, Bishop-style dresses are also wears the classic brown in great demand.wool pea coat for winter “Bishops are my paired with labrador embroidered pants. Pea coat most popular retails for $90 and the style of dress,” labrador pants are $66.

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said Youngblood-Sailors. “The Santa Safari bishop dress is fun and merry. It is still the classic bishop with a fun twist the girls love.” Boys’ clothing is steeped in tradition this year. “For boys this holiday season, the traditional look is very popular,” said Youngblood-Sailors. Camel cord pants, warm cable knit sweaters and classic blazers in traditional navy all make their way onto on the scene this season. Look for elements of whimsy such as embroidered animals or other designs.

Stylishness and versatility “There is a trend this season toward clothing that has a festive look but can also be worn throughout the winter, not just for holiday events,” said Sallie Broach, owner of Just Ducky Originals. “Girls’ dresses and boys’ longalls that mix red and green fabrics with floral patterns and checks are versatile enough to be worn every day and special enough Continues on Page 14

PHOTOS SPECIAL TO WNC PARENT

Grace, of William and Grace, is wearing the Santa Safari bishop dress, topped with festive hairbows. The Santa Safari retails for $82.

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Holiday attire Continued from Page 13

for family pictures. Reversible styles are popular since they can be made with holiday colors on one side and nonholiday colors on the reverse to ensure kids get plenty of wear out of the outfit.” Consider creating a family portrait with matching outfits for the children for a sense of continuity of colors or designs. “Matching brother/sister outfits are always very popular,” said YoungbloodSailors.

Oh, what a beautiful morning Rosiland Whiteley, owner of Heaven Rains, opened her doors six years ago carrying Thea nightwear. “Remember opening your first present on Christmas Eve?” asked Whiteley. “Your present traditionally was your new Christmas nightwear. You would don them immediately in grand anticipation of what would follow on the morning to come.” Heaven Rains captures this spirit by

Special nightgowns, like these from Heaven Rains Boys and Girls in the Grove Arcade, are a holiday treat.

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Floral prints add versatility to holiday outfits. And reversibles, like these longalls, inlude a hoilday theme on one side and nonholiday pattern on the other. Both are from Just Ducky Originals. The skirt is $44.95, the longall is $58.95, plus $15 for applique. offering the finest cotton nightgowns they could find in the international market. These gowns reflect the look of Old World Europe, while offering both comfort and elegance. “We have mother and daughter matching Victorian-style gowns,” Whiteley said. “I often have customers whose yearly tradition is to buy a great Christmas nightgown to complete their special holiday family time.” Parents can feel good about their purchase on many levels. The gown manufacturer is Thea, which is an acronym for Thread of Hope for Economic Advancement. Thea works with many organizations assisting refugees and providing humanitarian aid, training, jobs and skills for more than 100 women in a co-op. These women are among the poorest in Manila. Working with Thea they receive a decent wage. Whiteley also notes that Heaven Rains “still carries some fun, less expensive holiday pajamas such as an organic red and white stripe long johns from Under the Nile, and a red set with black moose throughout from Lazy One. Each will be able to outfit the entire family.” From graceful embroidered nightgowns for those special mornings, to sumptuous dresses for those holiday evenings, special holiday outfits craft memories that will last a lifetime.

Luzette Kinkaid, of Marion, and Alanna Hanson, of Asheville, model bright coordinating holiday jumpers from Just Ducky Originals. Red contrast jumper, on left, $42.95. Red empire waist jumper, on right, $53.95.

WHERE TO BUY A sampling of where to buy holiday fashions ◆ Bon Bebe (new location) 8 Town Square Blvd., Biltmore Park, Asheville, 687-7200 ◆ Heaven Rains Boys and Girls 1 Page Ave., Asheville, 252-1484 ◆ Just Ducky Originals (new location) 10 All Souls Crescent, Biltmore Village, Asheville, 277-7084 ◆ William & Grace 4 Swan St., Biltmore Village, Asheville, 277-8991

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Make a gift with photos By Pam J. Hecht WNC Parent contributor

The number of gifts you can create with photos is endless, for pennies or dollars, from kitschy to classy. With a little thought, it’s a snap to come up with personalized gifts that can bring joy to your loved ones. So, grab the kids or go solo. But first, read on for some ideas and, hopefully, a flash of inspiration.

Go digital The photo books that Asheville mom and textile artist Betsy Couzins made at blurb.com for her kids’ grandparents last Christmas took SPECIAL TO WNC PARENT Make a mug with a family photo more at Photoworks.com. work than anticipated but were worth it, she says. “Choosing and retouching photographs took time,” she says. “But everyone still looks at them, and they’ll last forever.” Other online choices take virtually no work at all. Google “photo gifts” and you’ll find a multitude of Web sites that easily allow you to download photos to make gifts from $5. In just a few clicks, you can order things like mouse pads, puzzles, clocks, blankets and more.

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Some sites, like photohim in the middle, and varnworks.com, have a ished it. It had special meanvariety of items costing for both of them, Stott ing $10 or less, like says, and “each painted stickers, bookmarks, square had its own story.” key chains and lugPut a photo on almost gage tags. For higheranything and spend as little end gifts, try as $10 on decoupage supplies ilovephotogifts.com, to make a gift, says Tamara to have your photos Rose, Michaels manager. SPECIAL TO WNC PARENT adorn everything Another option, she sugYou can add a photo to a handbag gests, is to glue photographs from fine jewelry to at ilovephotogifts.com. dartboards. and decorations onto a scrapbook page (at 99 cents each) and buy a readymade frame for your creation for as Head to a store little as $10. Try a local screen printing, copy or Or, make a personalized mug or coasart supply store, for personalized service ter with a craft store kit, says Lina Olson, and fast turn-around time, without shipAsheville art teacher and mother of two. ping costs. Make a photo magnet by gluing a Asheville T-shirt Co. (formerly called photo copy into a recycled Altoids tin or It’s a Snap), for example, can put your jar cap, says mixed media artist Jane photos on mugs, fabrics like pillowcases Reeves, of Black Mountain. Glue a magand T-shirts, mouse pads and ceramic net onto the other side and use beads or tiles, with prices from $10-$25. Clip art ribbon to decorate the edges, she adds. and borders are also available, and you Use inkjet fabric/T-shirt transfer pacan either e-mail or bring in your phoper from a craft or office supply store tos. and iron a copy of your photo onto any Dancing Moon Print Solutions in Mars Hill offers customized posters for $20 and can make them look like magazine covers, says co-owner Laura Ponder. The store can also make custom photo cards with envelopes at 65 cents each. Other stores providing copy services like Office Max, Office Depot, Staples or FedEx Kinko’s offer photo calendars, among other things, and special products for the holidays, either at the store or online. In-store photo kiosks, like those at Walgreens, allow you to order online without shipping costs. Michaels Arts & Crafts in Asheville can transform your photo into an oil painting. Prices start at $119 in three sizes; order 28 days in advance. Or, go online for other companies that do this, like paintmyphotonow.com, among others.

type of fabric, like a tote bag, says Olson. Have the kids help make a photo collage to copy onto cards and laminate them to make magnets or coasters, or make a homemade photo SPECIAL TO WNC PARENT book using Jane Reeves, artist, has cardstock parefrigerator magnets she’s per and a bindcreated at her studio in er ring clip, she Black Mountain. adds. Color a black-and-white photograph with markers, acrylics or oil paint (best with matte photo paper, and Marshall photo oil paint kits work especially well), says Stott, “to turn a mundane photograph into something cool and artistic.” Pam J. Hecht is a freelance writer and editor based in Asheville. E-mail her at pamjh8@gmail.com.

Get crafty When Asheville photographer Angela Stott’s 11-year-old son was 5, they created a piece of photographic art together. Each day for a month, Stott gave her son a small square of paper to paint. She glued his tiny, colorful paintings onto a large wooden board, glued a portrait of

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Foster children have much to teach FOSTER/ADOPT FALL FESTIVAL

The annual WNC Foster/Adopt Fall Festival is 2-5 p.m. Nov. 14 at Coleman Place, By Darlena Moore above the Asheville Area Chamber of ComSpecial to WNC Parent Ave. Contact merce building at 36 Montford Erica Jourdan at 775-2404 or I will celebrate National Adoption Erica.jourdan@buncombecounty.org.

Month in November, as I’m sure Brandon Nivens will, who has finally found a permanent, loving home. Last year he was adopted at the age of 16, after years in foster care. When I heard his story, I saw myself and the many others I knew in the late 1970s in the foster home of Dick and Mary Gilbert in Asheville. The large, gray historic home right off of Charlotte Street was a safe haven for those of us lucky enough to land there. It was a godsend for the overworked and underpaid social workers of DSS who had run out of time and ideas for what to do with us.

frightening and After the death of All these years later There are still my mother and several more than 10,000 children in foster often unfair stigyears of living with care in North Carolina … Buncombe ma attached to words like “fosfamily members, I enCounty is home to 260 of them. ter” children, and tered the foster care “abused” and system at the age of 14. I “neglected.” was separated from four siblings, inThe Gilberts, who had headed a child cluding a 5-year-old sister and a brother welfare agency in Anchorage, Alaska, who was only 8 months old. before moving to Asheville, with the I lived in five places in the eight help of friends, opened their doors and months before coming to the Gilberts. their hearts to many foster children, Most of the kids there, like me, had exmost of them older. They gave everyperienced numerous temporary placething they could both fiscally and emoments and all were abused or neglected, tionally. We all came with just the or both. We were hard-to-place children clothes on our backs and whatever trinin a bogged-down system with nowhere kets from our complicated young lives else to turn. Hard-to-place, not because that we could manage to hang onto. we were bad, but because we were weIt’s a lot harder than you think to hold ren’t so young anymore, and there is a onto tangibles when you are in survival mode. The inexpensive white unicorn pin that my mother bought for me that last Christmas made it with me through all of those placements. That little pin was proof that I had a mother once. When I held it, I knew that she had held it, too, and had chosen it just for me. The Gilberts understood the importance of helping us hang onto our past and accepted us exactly as we were, garbage bags of belongings and all. After living there for a while, and seeing many

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friends come and go, they offered to adopt me. I wanted to hang onto my name. I wanted to keep it to remember who I was and where I came from. We finally decided on legal guardianship because it would remove me from state custody and allow me access to Social Security survivor benefits. I was a hard-working student and athlete, and I went to college with the Gilberts’ help and with my Social Security payments, which they had held in trust for me. There are more than 10,000 children in foster care in North Carolina, many waiting for someone like the Gilberts. Buncombe County is home to 260 of them. From 2-5 p.m. Nov. 14 the Buncombe County Department of Social Services, along with many other area foster care agencies, will host the WNC Annual Foster/Adopt Fall Festival at the Coleman Place (upstairs in the Asheville Chamber of Commerce). It is a fun, nopressure, drop-in event, where you can learn about becoming a foster parent and about adopting older children from the foster care system. You can talk directly to foster and adoptive parents and also to some of the children. Children in foster care sometimes get a bum rap about coming with lots of problems. And some of them do have a hard time adjusting. We all came to the Gilberts with a painful story to tell, and admittedly, with a little baggage. But with that baggage came other qualities and strengths that privileged children may learn about much later in life, or never — like the appreciation of food, clothing, shelter and love — an unconditional love for our siblings, with whom we would have given anything to spend more time. The ability to remain flexible, open-minded, accepting of others and always strong in the belief that something better was around the corner. Yes, foster children have a lot to teach us, if we listen. I am proud of the strength of children like Brandon Nivens, and I am proud to say that I have lived some of the experiences of his world. Although I was never adopted, someone did offer, and I was able to celebrate the dream of having a place to call home. As for the Gilberts, when I think of the salaries paid to professional athletes

and movies stars, I think of them. They should be the richest people in the world for what they gave to me and other kids in their home. It didn’t take a whole village to save me. It just took a couple of caring people who weren’t afraid to accept me just as I was. And besides that unicorn pin from my mother, I have never been given a more perfect gift.

recruitment specialist for the Children’s Home Society of N.C. E-mail her at darlena_moore@charter.net.

Darlena Rice Moore owns MooreProjects!, a marketing and communications consulting business, and is a contract

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video games

Kids design heroes in ‘Spore’ spinoff ‘SPORE HERO’

By Jinny Gudmundsen Gannett If you could create your own video game hero, what would it look like? Kids can explore this concept in the Nintendo Wii game “Spore Hero,” Electronic Arts’ newest spinoff of “Spore,” last year’s popular PC game. In “Spore Hero,” a game targeted at kids ages 10-13, you earn parts to build your hero as you play through this exciting action adventure game. In this savethe-world romp, kids will need to explore the advantages and disadvantages of the more 250 parts that they acquire. They must constantly tweak their hero so that it evolves to fit into continually changing environments and adapts to take on ever-challenging foes. The game starts with your embryonic hero hurtling out of space, cocooned

Rating: 4 stars (out of 4) Best for: Ages 10-13 From Electronic Arts, sporehero.com, $49.99, Nintendo Wii inside a blue meteor, and smashing onto the surface of a planet inhabited by friendly creatures. Unfortunately, your hero isn’t the only one who has crashlanded in this new world. A red meteor filled with an evil nemesis has also landed. These dual meteoric impacts have scattered both blue (good) and red (bad) shards throughout this planet; and these magical shards affect the planet’s inhabitants. You control your hero from the moment it emerges from its egg. Mild combat is essential to survival. The friendly species will only respect

your hero when you prove your prowess in combat, a bloodless competition that takes place in a makeshift arena. It isn’t about killing, it is all about one-upping your opponent. While fighting is a part of the game, this is really a game of adventure. As your hero explores its surroundings, it will meet a wide range of whimsical creatures. Some teach you things, like how to control your hero in fighting, dancing, posing or singing. Others ask for your hero’s help to go on quests. By completing quests, you can earn parts for your hero or other items needed to propel the story. A real plus in this game is that kids have creative freedom in designing their hero. This customization makes this adventure much more personal. Contact Gudmundsen at gnstech@gannett.com.

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Hold the turkey

How to prepare a vegetarian Thanksgiving By Carol Motsinger WNC Parent writer According to Ann Green, vegetarian Thanksgiving is easy. Especially for the turkeys, she added. Green, a member of the Asheville Vegetarians, enjoys traditional side dishes (most of which may already be vegetarian) and a hearty main dish to replace the bird, such as stuffed and roasted winter squash, on Thanksgiving. With some simple planning and sensitivity to a guest’s animal-free diet, a meatless Thanksgiving won’t ruffle your feathers. Although many traditional side dishes are vegetarian, such as mashed potatoes and corn, pay close attention to the broth you are using or if the recipe calls for animal fat or bones for flavoring, said Michael Vess, food service manager at South Asheville Earth Fare location. Earth Fare offers take-home traditional and meatless Thanksgiving dinners. Vess substitutes olive oil for pork fat in collards and green beans. If some of his guests are big fans of greens served up Southern style, he’ll make a version using animal fat and one that doesn’t. “No one would even know it necessarily if you didn’t tell someone that there was no chicken stock in it or pork fat in it,” Vess noted. For stuffing, Vess will substitute nuts Continues on Page 28

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Vegetarian Thanksgiving ideas Continued from Page 27

GANNETT NEWS SERVICE

Traditional Thanksgiving already includes a lot of vegetarian-friendly side dishes.

for turkey giblets, and cook it outside of the bird. This approach exemplifies his advice for preparing a meatless Thanksgiving: Don’t worry about producing a dish that tastes like meat; focus on providing vegetarian guests the protein the meat would provide. Another focus: Don’t limit yourself on Thanksgiving. You don’t have to be traditional, no matter whom you are cooking for, Vess said, suggesting looking to other culture’s food traditions, such as Indian, for the holiday meal. “There’s an infinite world of culinary options,” he said. William Najger, vegan chef and coowner of Veg-In-Out, a vegetarian home delivery meal service, makes a grain loaf as a main course for his company’s Thanksgiving meal. “We always have a (main course); we don’t want to just give them sides,” he

said. If you don’t want to make a vegetarian main course, consider getting meat substitute products at the grocery store, like a veggie burger, and slice and serve in a special way, Najger said. But most importantly, cooks need to remember “the celebration is not about the turkey tradition,” Najger said. “It’s about sharing and giving thanks to the abundance that we have.” “Don’t stress over the meal because Thanksgiving is all about family, friendship, sharing and the spreading of wealth.”

Vegan gravy

1/2 cup vegetable oil 1/3 cup chopped onion 5 cloves garlic, minced 1/2 cup all-purpose flour 4 teaspoons nutritional yeast 4 tablespoons light soy sauce 2 cups vegetable broth 1/2 teaspoon dried sage 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper Heat oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Saute onion and garlic until soft and translucent, about 5 minutes. Stir in flour, nutritional yeast, and soy sauce to form a smooth paste. Gradually whisk in the broth. Season with sage, salt and pepper. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer, stirring constantly, for 8 to 10 minutes or until thickened. Source: allrecipes.com

Grain loaf

2 cups of vital wheat gluten 2 cups of hot water 3 pinches of Italian seasoning 1 teaspoons of cumin ¼ cup of vegetable oil ¼ cup of soy sauce 1 tablespoon garlic Mix all ingredients and knead together so you get a very moist dough. Bake at 375 degrees on a flat tray for 90 minutes-2 hours until the middle feels cooked. Slice and serve. Serves 4-6 people. Source: William Najger

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kids’ voices

Children give thanks

With November comes Thanksgiving, and the opportunity to consider our blessings. We asked fourth-graders in the classes of Amy Smith, Sarah Nuttall and P.J. Johnson at Hominy Valley Elementary School to tell us what, aside from their families, they are most grateful for. Here’s what they told staff writer Barbara Blake. “Aside from my family, I am most grateful for my friends because they are nice to me when I come over. I can trust them and tell them anything. We support and play with each other all the time. It would be so boring if I didn’t have them to play with. My life would be nothing without my friends.” Chae Lynch “Aside from my family I am most grateful for my home, because if I did not have a place to live I might not survive. I like my home also because I have tons of goodies and toys to play with. I hope my home never goes byebye. It is a fun place to live and I never want to go somewhere else. When I get married I want to live there.” Cody Carver “I am most grateful for my name because it is unique to me and it is special. I was named after my mom’s dad, Paul. I wasn’t born when he was alive. So my name is so special. I will never change it or sell it for anything. I want to keep my name forever and ever. I just love my name.” Paula Johnson

“I am most grateful for my friends, my church and my dog. Because my friends teach me different stuff and so does my church. My church tells me what is right and wrong. My dog keeps me company and makes me wish I was a dog.” Carson Ownbey “I am glad that we have an Earth to live on and friends to talk to, a Lord to keep us safe and a house and money to keep us warm and safe. A long life up in heaven, and grocery stores. And trees to let us breathe.” “I’m most grateful for sports because it feels like I am out of my life doing the best thing in the world. Plus, the adrenaline is great, and just the love for the game I am playing.”

Jason Smith

Josh Grover

“What I am most thankful for in life is my home. Lots of people have lost their home because they can’t pay the bills. If I didn’t have a home I wouldn’t be able to survive through the winter, it would be so cold. I am just so thankful I have a home.” Victoria Howle

“My dog Rocko is a very good dog, and I love him very much. Rocko is my Chihuahua baby, and he loves me, too. Rocko is adorable and is really different from all the other Chihuahuas in the world. Rocko has cute eyes and big ears and I love that dog. He is a good boy.” Christina Hampton “There are a lot of things I’m thankful for. The best thing is my home. I only have an apartment, but it is better than nothing. I’ve learned that what you have may be small, but they are better than nothing. So I am thankful that I at least have somewhere to live.” Lauren Layne “I’m thankful for my teacher, Ms. Smith. Without her I would not be a straight-A student right now. She has helped me love to read. She has also helped me with long division. Ms. Smith understands that there is more than one strategy. That is what I am grateful for.” Olivia Wolfe

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Kick off the holidays By Katie Wadington WNC Parent writer

Clydesdales make their way up the street during the 2007 Asheville Holiday Parade.

Where can you see Clydesdales, Volvo trucks and Santa all in one place? Marching up Biltmore Avenue during the 63rd edition of the Asheville Holiday Parade. This year’s event, which kicks off at 11 a.m. Nov. 21, has a little something for everyone. Parade director Sandie Rhodes said the horses — from “spectacular” Clydesdales to the Asheville Highriders 4-H group — are always a big 63RD ASHEVILLE hit with kids. “For little HOLIDAY PARADE boys, we’ll ◆ 11 a.m. Nov. 21 have the an◆ Biltmore Avenue to tique tracPatton Avenue to French tors,” she Broad Avenue, downadds. And town. children can ooh and aah at Volvo Construction’s big equipment, too, she said. The parade starts on Biltmore Avenue at Charlotte Street, moves up to Patton Avenue, and out Patton to French Broad Avenue. Rhodes says the only performance stop is in front of Pack Place on Biltmore. “Anywhere is a good vantage point, anywhere along Biltmore and Patton,” Rhodes said. Organizers are continuing a facet of last year’s parade: Some entrants will be collecting specific items to donate to charity. Rhodes says the parade’s Web site, ashevilleparade.org, will have details on what items are being sought. The parade is just one event in a week of holiday-themed activities, Rhodes said, many of them made for families. After the parade, Santa will be at Pritchard Park, which will be outfitted for the holidays by Friends of Pritchard Park and Asheville GreenWorks. Then head to The Orange Peel, where Secret Agent 23 Skidoo will perform at 1:45 p.m.

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Holiday happenings for families Holiday events and festivals

Nov. 1-Dec. 26 ◆ CarePartners Festival of Trees Asheville Mall hosts the CarePartners Festival of Trees and Memorial Trees Garden outside Sears. Ornaments can be purchased in honor or in memory of a loved one, with proceeds going to CarePartners Hospice. Call 277-4815 for information on ornaments. Nov. 6-Dec. 23 ◆ ‘The Polar Express’ Read along with the story “The Polar Express” and enjoy a trip on Great Smoky Mountains Railroad. Meet Santa, enjoy caroling, hot cocoa and a treat. Times and dates vary. Tickets start at $38 for adults and $26 for children (ages 2-12). For schedule and reservations, visit gsmr.com or call 800-872-4681. Nov. 6-Jan. 2 ◆ Christmas at Biltmore Experience Christmas as it would’ve been celebrated more than 100 years ago at Biltmore Estate. See dozens of hand-decorated Christmas trees, including a 35-foot Fraser fir. Enjoy unique shopping, special holiday menus at our restaurants, free holiday how-to seminars, complimentary wine tastings at the Winery, and more. Your ticket includes daytime admission to Biltmore House, Winery, Gardens, and River Bend Farm. Nov. 16-Jan. 3 ◆ National Gingerbread House Competition The Grove Park Inn Resort and Spa hosts its 17th Annual National Gingerbread House Competition this year. Entries may be delivered starting Nov. 15. Judging is Nov. 16, with a 5 p.m. awards presentation that is free and open to the public. Entries will be on display from Nov. 18-Jan. 3 and are open for public viewing from 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Mondays-Thursdays at the hotel, 290 Macon Ave., Asheville. Some houses will be on display at the Grove Arcade in downtown Asheville. For information, visit groveparkinn.com. Nov. 25-29 ◆ Thanksgiving House Party High Hampton Inn and Country Club hosts its 38 annual Thanksgiving House party. Rates start at $250 per night and include lodging, all meals, events, fees for golf greens, tennis and boats, and children’s program. Activities include golf and tennis scrambles, guided hikes, craft workshops, nightly entertainment and more. Call 743-2411 or e-mail reservations@highhamptoninn.com. Nov. 28 ◆ Ole Timey Christmas Henderson County Curb Market features wreaths, fresh greenery, crafts, music, carriage rides and refreshments. From 8 a.m.-2 p.m. at 221 N. Church St., Hendersonville. Call 692-8012. Dec. 4 ◆ A Winter’s Tale Music, crafts, food and fun at the WNC Nature Center’s annual holiday event from 6-9 p.m. Bring a camera and stroll along the trail to see the animals

PHOTO BY BILL SANDERS

Three trees are grouped together in the Oak Sitting Room at the Biltmore House, where Christmas celebrations start Nov. 6. at night. Enrichment programs and presentations will be provided, with entertainment from Mountain Marionettes. Cost is $6 per person. Call 298-5600 or visit wildwnc.org. ◆ Holly Jolly Enjoy a Christmas celebration in downtown Black Mountain with refreshments, street music, Santa and more. Shops will be open late. Free. From 2-11 p.m.

See visitblackmountain.com. ◆ Circle of Lights See Santa, enjoy music, food, hay rides, a bonfire and more. From 5-7 p.m. at Lake Tomahawk Park, 401 S. Laurel Circle Drive, Black Mountain. Free. Call 419-9300, ext. 687.

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Holiday events Continued from Page 31 Dec. 4-5 and 11-12 ◆ Dillsboro Festival of Lights and Luminaries The town is transformed into a winter wonderland of lights, candles, laughter and song with 2,500 luminaries lighting the way to shops and studios. Shopkeepers provide live music and serve holiday treats with hot cider and cocoa. Carolers sing and children visit with Santa at Town Hall. For information, call 800-962-1911 or see visitdillsboro.org. Dec. 4-6 ◆ Biltmore Village Dickens Festival Historic Biltmore Village marks the season with three days of merriment and music. Opening night entertainment includes seasonal Celtic music by the Magills, Bonnie Pell with mythical stories and songs, and more. Throughout the weekend there will be musicians, singers, storytellers, carolers and entertainers performing on the stage and streets. Call 274-8788 or visit biltmorevillage.com. Dec. 4-20 ◆ Lake Julian Festival of Lights Drive through Lake Julian Park, which is brightly lit with thousands of colored lights and more than 50 animated and stationary light displays. Cost is $5 per car, $10 per van and $20 per bus. A portion of the proceeds will be donated to Buncombe County Special Olympics. Entrance on Long Shoals Road at Overlook Road. Dec. 5 ◆ Brevard Twilight Tour Heart of Brevard’s 22nd annual Twilight Tour is 4-9 p.m. in downtown. The street festival includes music, children’s activities and more. Call 884-3278. ◆ Christmas at the Farm Historic Johnson Farm hosts Christmas at the Farm, with house tours, bake sale, wagon ride, children’s crafts, live music, refreshments and more. From noon-5 p.m. Cost is $5 for adults, $3 for students, and free for children younger than kindergarten. The farm is at 3345 Haywood Road, Hendersonville. Call 891-6585 or visit historicjohnsonfarm.org.

PHOTO BY STEVE DIXON

The “Spirit of Christmas Present” in the Montford Park Players production of “A Christmas Carol” uses his torch to “light” a Christmas tree during the Dickens Festival in Biltmore Village. This year’s festival is Dec. 4-6.

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Tree lightings and parades

◆ Flat Rock Holiday Stroll Spend the day in Flat Rock, 10 a.m.-8 p.m., and enjoy refreshments, luminaries, music, shopping and more. Visit flatrockonline.com Nov. 20 or call 697-7719. ◆ Biltmore Park tree lighting, 6-8 ◆ Smoky Mountain Toy Run p.m. on Town Square Boulevard, The annual event collects toys for South Asheville, with Santa and needy area children. Toys go to the Mrs. Claus, storytelling, refreshSalvation Army. The parade of ments and more. Visit biltmoremotorcycles leaves South Charlotte park.com. Street at 1 p.m. and heads to ParkNov. 21 way Harley-Davidson in Swannanoa. ◆ Asheville Holiday Parade, 11 Rain or snow date is Dec. 6. Call a.m., steps off on Charlotte Street 298-1683 or visit genelummushnear Biltmore Avenue, turns up d.com/hog/events.html. Biltmore, turns left on Patton Dec. 5 and 12 Avenue and ends at Patton and ◆ A Night Before Christmas French Broad Avenue. For informaDowntown Waynesville celebrates tion, visit AshevilleParade.org. the holidays with caroling, a live Santa will be in Prichard Park, at nativity, storytelling, wagon rides Patton Avenue and College Street, and more. Until 9 p.m. Visit downafter the parade. He will appear at townwaynesville.com. the park from 10-11 a.m. each ◆ Santa on the Chimney PHOTO BY JOHN FLETCHER Saturday until Christmas. Santa practices on 315-ft. Chimney Fireworks light up downtown Asheville during the Seasonal Sizzle celebration. ◆ Old Fort tree lighting, 7 p.m. at Rock before climbing down millions the downtown park, then move to of much shorter chimneys all around the Rockett Building for hot chocolate and singing. Union Grove Family Life Center, Hendersonville, from the world on Christmas Eve. From 11 a.m.-2 p.m. No Call 668-4244. 3-6 p.m. A festive celebration of African-American additional cost with park admission. culture with food, entertainment and fellowship. Call Dec. 5, 12 and 19 697-9698 or 696-0772. ◆ Seasonal Sizzle at Seven Celebrate the season with evening fireworks in downContinues on Page 36 town Asheville. For details, visit ashevilleseasonalsizzle.com. Dec. 6 ◆ Major Bear’s Holiday Party The Grove Park Inn Resort & Spa’s Major Bear hosts a party for kids featuring ornament making, face painting, games, refreshments and more. Runs 2-4 p.m. at the hotel, 290 Macon Ave, Asheville. Cost is $25 for adults, $22 for children. Call 800-4380050, ext. 7005 or 8045, for reservations. Dec. 11 ◆ Christmas Candlelight Stroll Luminaries, carolers, carriage rides, refreshments, raffle and Santa from 6-9 p.m. in downtown Weaverville. See visitweaverville.com/candlelight. Dec. 12 ◆ Christmas at Connemara Celebrate Christmas with the holiday traditions of the Sandburgs with holiday decorations and holiday music at the Carl Sandburg Home in Flat Rock from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Call 693-4178 or visit nps.gov/carl. Dec. 13 ◆ Christmas at Vance Birthplace Take a candlelight tour of the Zebulon B. Vance Birthplace and get a glimpse of how Christmas was celebrated in the early 19th century in the southern Appalachian mountains. From 4-7 p.m., tour the house with costumed guides and enjoy Christmas music. The site is at 911 Reems Creek Road, Weaverville. Call 645-6706 or visit nchistoricsites.org/ vance. ◆ Hanukkah dinner The community is invited to celebrate Hanukkah at the Jewish Community Center of Asheville, 236 Charlotte Street. Call 253-0701 or visit jcc-asheville.org. Dec. 26 ◆ Kwanzaa celebrations

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Holiday events Continued from Page 35 Nov. 22 ◆ Marion Christmas parade, 3 p.m., Main Street. Call 652-2215. Nov. 27 ◆ Hendersonville Downtown Lighting Celebration, 5:30 p.m. at the gazebo between Fourth and Fifth avenues. With carols, Santa and more. Call 6972022. Nov. 29 ◆ Franklin Christmas parade, 3 p.m., Main Street from Highlands Road to Town Hill, to Porter Street, ending at Franklin High School. Call 524-3161. Dec. 4 ◆ Fletcher tree lighting, 5:30 p.m. at Fletcher Community Park. Enjoy hot chocolate, storytelling, Santa and more. Free, with nonperishable food donation suggested. In the case of inclement weather, the event will take place at Fletcher Town Hall at 5:30 p.m. Visit fletcherparks.org. ◆ Lighting of Christmas tree dedicated to America’s armed forces, 4 p.m., Henderson County Heritage Museum, Main Street, Hendersonville. ◆ Valdese tree lighting, with entertainment, refreshments a shop hop and more. Call 879-2129 or see visitvaldese.com. Dec. 5 ◆ Black Mountain Christmas parade, 4 p.m. Call 669-2300, e-mail bmchamber@juno.com or visit exploreblackmountian.com. ◆ Brevard Christmas parade, 3 p.m., downtown. Call 883-3700. ◆ Bryson City Christmas parade, 2 p.m., downtown. Call 488-3681 or 800-867-9246 or visit greatsmokies.com. ◆ Hendersonville Christmas parade, 10:30 a.m., Five Points to Caswell Street. Call 692-4179. ◆ Maggie Valley Christmas parade ◆ Valdese Christmas Parade, call 879-2129 or see visitvaldese.com. Dec. 7 ◆ Waynesville Christmas Parade, 6 p.m., down Main Street. Visit downtownwaynesville.com. Dec. 12 ◆ Cherokee Christmas Parade, 5:30 p.m., starting at Cherokee Bear Zoo and ending at Museum of the Cherokee Indian. Call 800-438-1601. ◆ Fletcher Christmas Parade, 10:30 a.m., on U.S. 25. Call 687-0751 or visit fletcherparks.org. ◆ Marshall Christmas Parade, townofmarshall.org.

Letters from Santa Santa will send your child a letter from his workshop at the North Pole. Download the form from buncombecounty.org/parks. Submit one letter per child. Make sure that the child’s name and address are easy to read. Fax to 250-6259 or mail it to Santa Letters, Buncombe County Recreation Services, 59 Woodfin Place, Asheville, NC 28801. Free. Applications must be received by Dec. 4.

PHOTO BY STEPHEN MILLER

Gregory Dunn tells Santa what he’d like to see under the tree. Santa will again greet children at Fletcher Town Hall after the annual Fletcher Christmas Parade, which is Dec. 12.

Holiday classes Nov. 12 ◆ Holiday napkin folding class Set a beautiful holiday table by learning how to fold napkins. From 1-2:30 p.m. at Historic Johnson Farm, 3346 Haywood Road, Hendersonville. Cost is $3 per person. Registration suggested. Call 891-6585 or visit historicjohnsonfarm.org.

Holiday performances Nov. 19-29 ◆ ‘The Best Christmas Pageant Ever’ Flat Rock Playhouse YouTheatre presents “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever,” the story of how an unruly bunch of siblings help everyone else rediscover the true meaning of Christmas. Performances at 7:15 p.m. Nov. 19-21 and 27-29. Matinees at 2:15 p.m. Nov. 21-22 and 28-29. Tickets are $15 for adults, $6 for students. At 2551 Greenville Highway, Flat Rock. Call 693-0731 or 866-732-8008. Nov. 20 ◆ Asheville Lyric Opera Christmas concert Hear music of the season performed by the Asheville Lyric Opera, joined by the Celebration Singers of Asheville, at 7:30 p.m. at Diana Wortham Theatre. Tickets start at $15 for children and $28 for adults. For tickets, call 236-0670. Nov. 27-Dec. 20 ◆ ‘It’s a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play’ N.C. Stage Company presents an adaption of Frank Capra’s Christmas story. For information and tickets, call 239-0263 or visit ncstage.org. Dec. 3-7 ◆ Carolina Mountain Christmas Spectacular Biltmore Baptist Church’s annual production, with performances at 7 p.m. Dec. 3-7 and 3 p.m. Dec. 5-6. Tickets start at $10. Get tickets at biltmorebaptist.org/calendar/tickets. At 35 Clayton Road, Arden.

For information, visit biltmorebaptist.org or call 687-1111. Dec. 3-13 ◆ Charles Dickens’ ‘A Christmas Carol’ The annual production by Montford Park Players is a tradition for the entire family with period costuming and sets. At Asheville Arts Center, 308 Merrimon Ave., Asheville. Call 254-5146. Dec. 6 ◆ ‘The Nutcracker’ At 2:30 p.m. at Smoky Mountain Center for the Performing Arts in Franklin. Tickets are $15. ◆ UNC Asheville holiday concert Enjoy seasonal music by the university’s ensembles at 4 p.m. at Lipinsky Auditorium. $5. Call 251-6432. Dec. 9 and 11-13 ◆ Christmas pageant Mud Creek Baptist Church presents a free Christmas pageant at 7 p.m. Dec. 10, 13 and 14 and 5:15 p.m. Dec. 12. Free, but tickets are required. For tickets call the church office at 692-1262.

Dec. 10-13 ◆ ‘Return to Bethlehem’ Now in its 22nd year as a benefit for AshevilleBuncombe Community Christian Ministry, this production at Groce United Methodist Church on Tunnel Road takes you through the experience of the Bethlehem marketplace as it might have been on the day Christ was born. Runs 6-9 p.m. Dec. 10-11, 2-9 p.m. Dec. 12 and 2-6:30 p.m. Dec. 13. Donations requested. Call 259-5306 or visit abccm.org. Dec. 11-13 ◆ Asheville Ballet’s ‘The Nutcracker’ Asheville Ballet presents “The Nutcracker,” at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 11-12 and 2:30 p.m. Dec. 12-13 at Diana Wortham Theatre. Tickets start at $20. For tickets, visit dwtheatre.org or call 257-4530. For information, visit ashevilleballet.com. Dec. 18 ◆ ‘The Nutcracker’ Ballet Conservatory of Asheville presents “The Nutcracker” at 7 p.m. at Diana Wortham Theatre. Tickets are $10 for adults, $7 for children. Visit balletconservatoryofasheville.com. For tickets, call 257-4530 or visit dwtheatre.org. Dec. 19 ◆ Asheville Symphony Holiday Pops concert The Asheville Symphony Orchestra and Chorus, as well as its Children’s Chorus, perform at 8 p.m. at Thomas Wolfe Auditorium. Call 254-7046 or visit ashevillesymphony.org. Dec. 22 ◆ ‘Great Russian Nutcracker’ The Moscow Ballet presents the “Great Russian Nutcracker” at 7:30 p.m. in Thomas Wolfe Auditorium. Call or visit Ticketmaster.com for tickets, which start at $26.50. Compiled by WNC Parent writer Katie Wadington.

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divorced families

Remember to take care of yourself as well as the kids during the holidays By Trip Woodard WNC Parent columnist Ah … October … one of my favorite times of the year. I love the beauty of the Christmas trees and decorations. Whoops. I have been hypnotized again by walking through a local Mega Mart. Holiday traditions can be difficult for divorcing or divorced families, pressure from the retail world aside. Memories about how holidays have been and how holiday traditions “should be,” can put unrealistic strain on families going through the change of divorce. Here is a suggested survival — I mean, enhancement — guide to holiday traditions: ◆ Take care of yourself as a parent, whether you like it or not, during this time. Divorces can wreak havoc on people, emotionally and physically. Do the basics. Eat right, exercise (at least some) and socialize within reason. If you don’t take care of yourself as an adult and a parent, how can you expect to be there for your children? ◆ Make necessary sacrifices, grieve and move on. You might not be able to financially pull off what you have done for your children in the past concerning the holidays. Acceptance about this is better than denial and consequent trouble from debt or disappointment. Staying within your financial means is in itself a valuable lesson to pass on to children. Yes, holidays may involve grieving. This is not abnormal. Again, strive to accept this and move on. ◆ Consider new slants on traditions. The Internet is ripe with ideas about creative ways to do holidays differently

and at lesser cost. If You might not be able to financially traditions originally you have a religious pull off what you have done for your were designed to affiliation, consider children in the past concerning the celebrate a point. Thanksgiving can be relying on that conholidays. Acceptance about this is to give thanks for nection point more your own reasons, heavily as a resource better than denial. the December seafor celebrating the son to give thanks about becoming speholidays. cial for some experience larger than ◆ Take comfort in the fact that reyour family, and Halloween, one of my search indicates that people (which infavorites, to get candy. That is because clude children) remember experiences chocolate rules! and time spent with special people rather than “things” you buy. Trip Woodard is a licensed family and ◆ Consider “collective” gifts. Do marriage therapist and a clinical member Thanksgiving dinner with a group of of the N.C. Association of Marriage and friends. Buy holiday gifts that benefit the Family Therapists. Contact him at 606whole family and not just individuals. 8607. ◆ Strive to remember that holiday

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We welcome photos of your children. Send high-resolution images, along with a brief description of the event, and names, ages and hometowns of everyone pictured. Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t forget your name, address and phone number. Send to Katie Wadington by e-mail at kwadington@citizen-times.com or to WNC Parent Photos, P.O. Box 2090, Asheville, NC 28802.

Matteo Geiner, 5, is in kindergarten in Muri, Switzerland. He is the son of Pamela and Markus Greiner and grandson of Margaret and Don Biondo, of Asheville, who sent in the photo.

Katie Gorman, 10, of Fairview, takes in the beach at her brotherâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s wedding in St. Petersburg, Fla. Submitted by her mom, Linda.

Megan Nicholson, 2, enjoys a beautiful day in her Waynesville backyard. Sent in by her mom, Tami Nicholson.

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Nick Murphy, Shaina and Kayla Mastermann, and Meadie Jernigan are all smiles at The Learning Community School’s back-to-school family campout. Submitted by the school’s executive director, Katherine Murphy.

Peyton Hixson, 3, of Asheville, enjoys a Day out with Thomas at Great Smoky Mountains Railroad in Bryson City over the summer. With her is Ryan Ritchie, 3, of Fairview. Submitted by Kim Hixson.

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puzzles for parents Across

1. Make a mess of 6. Rest stop 9. At a great distance 13. Love intensely 14. “Old Man’s” turf, according to Hemingway 15. Native of Oman 16. Rotating mechanism 17. Parking surface 18. Man-skirts 19. Similar to cake, but usually richer 21. Willy Wonka’s lucky visitor 23. Past tense of “do” 24. Chocolate ____ 25. CSI network 28. Palo ____, Calif. 30. Become moldy 35. Hawaiian dance 37. Grey, of tea fame 39. John’s political running mate 40. Hunch-backed assistant 41. Scour 43. The Wise Men 44. Braid 46. Unit of pressure named after Torricelli 47. River’s muddy deposit 48. Lampoon 50. ASL user 52. Clinton ___ Rodham 53. Taxi payment 55. It supplies a key ingredient in milk chocolate 57. A candy or edible tuber 61. First book of Old Testament 65. Deceitful and unreliable scoundrel 66. Archaic “your” 68. Scare away 69. Small island 70. When chocolate is hot it’s in this

71. Join forces 72. Jack and Jill’s bucket 73. The Chiffons hit “___ So Fine” 74. Impede

Down

1. George W.’s mom 2. Chocoholics love its taste as well as this 3. Dorothy’s dog 4. “Three is a _____” 5. Painful consequence of heavy lifting 6. ____ of Man in Irish Sea 7. Modern, prefix

8. Rump of beef 9. Independent Arabian chieftain 10. Sudden drop 11. Opposed to 12. “____ and shine!” 15. Similar to giraffes but smaller 20. Runs without moving 22. That male 24. Destroyed by acid, e.g. 25. They can be bittersweet or Erik Estrada’s TV show 26. “Reveille” instrument 27. MIT’s school of management 29. Consideration in dealing with others 31. Flees 32. Brain _____, as in loss of technical personnel 33. Two under par on a hole 34. Type of chocolate that isn’t actually chocolate 36. Like desert climate 38. Angler’s decoy 42. Punctuation mark used for enclosure 45. Little Miss Muffet’s seat 49. Pen ___ 51. Dipping chocolate 54. Throw up 56. Gradually deprives 57. LSD experience, e.g. 58. She famously refused to give up her seat on a bus 59. Tangerine plus grapefruit 60. Obtained at the pump 61. Cons or scams 62. Slang for one who works in management 63. 2009 movie “He’s Just Not That ____ You” 64. Type of aerobics 67. Chocolate’s is brown

Solutions on Page 64 40

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kidsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; page Dot-to-dot

Coloring

Maze

Word search

crab dolphin jellyfish lamprey lobster mollusks octopus otter penguin sea turtle seal shark shrimp sponge squid starfish stingray walrus whale

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kids in sports

View changes as a cheerleader’s dad By Tom Kuyper Gannett News Service I have a confession to make. The youngest of my four kids, Kamryn, is a cheerleader. Yes, it is true; I am the father of a cheerleader. For about 20 years, I have coached and watched my kids win championships, pump iron to get stronger, make last-second shots to win the game, finish a game with torn jerseys and scrapes and bruises indicating they fought hard and gave it their all. This past year I even had the thrill of watching my son win the high school state basketball title and be selected to the All-Region team.

And now I am a cheerleader’s dad. I will spend my Friday nights sitting up in the football bleachers with the other cheerleading parents watching my daughter do cartwheels, kick jumps and half-time dances. I will probably miss that last-second long bomb touchdown pass to win the game. And then it will soon be basketball season — my sport! This year will be different. As the parents come to me for expert opinion, or strategic explanations, I will answer like this: “I don’t know, I didn’t see the game, but did you see Kamryn do that cheerleading stunt? Did you see how high she lifted that girl up?” These were my original thoughts

when Kamryn announced with a knowing grin that she was trying out. After I got over the shock of her actually making the squad, I watched her come home from cheerleading practice worn out, completely physically drained. She has black-and-blue marks all over. She wakes up with sore muscles. She has learned a new discipline and has given it her all. She has become committed to get stronger, more flexible and to be the best cheerleader she can be. She even had a week of cheerleading camp. A physically grueling week that depleted her of all energy while filling her up with skills, disciplines and new relationships and friendships. Sure, during her past 17 years or so, she has played basketball, flag football, soccer, swimming, softball and many other sports, enjoying each and every one. She has benefited from all that each sport has to offer. She made the right choice. She loves being on the cheerleading team. She has a new sense of excitement. She gets up in the morning looking forward to her school day. I am the proud father of a cheerleader! “Rah, rah!” E-mail Tom Kuyper at tomkuyper@kidsandsports.com.

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Some of the hundreds of photos posted on WNCmom.com

"Little Miss Independent," submitted by Laura.

Submitted by Suzy.

JOIN WNCMOM.COM Are you a member of WNCmom.com, WNC Parentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s online community? Join the conversation, share photos and more.

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home-school happenings

Don’t expect bliss right from the start Nicole McKeon WNC Parent columnist

So you’ve decided you’re going to home-school. You are convinced this is the right choice. Now what? Well, first, do not — yes, I said do not — go out and buy a bunch of curriculum you read about online, or some dear friend told you about. I know you’re going to do it anyway. No matter how many times anyone tells you not to — the temptation is too great. Stop right there because you’re going to waste money. Been there, done that, still have the $142 math program to show for it. The first step in home-schooling isn’t buying curriculum. It isn’t even teaching your kids anything. The first step is to take a deep breath and sit down with your family to talk about home-schooling. Your kids will have some definite ideas and opinions about what they want their education to be like. They may not want anything to do with a formal teacher/student situation for a long while. Most home-schooling experts will tell you that for every year your child has been in public school, you should expect a month of de-schooling time. Deschooling indicates a need to get away from the aspects of traditional schooling. It also includes time to allow your children to figure out how to be themselves without the pressure cooker of schedules. Just like adults, kids have inner time clocks, some are night owls, some are morning glories (I have one of each, lucky me.) When I tell you that it is a bad idea to make a night owl get up at 7:30 a.m. to prove some point about how keeping to a certain schedule will help them be a more successful adult, I tell you only out of my deep concern for your sanity. If you want success, work

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with your child’s inner time clock as much as is possible. De-schooling includes time and space for your kids to process all of the reasons that they are no longer going to school. It may take some time for a reluctant home-schooler to appreciate your decision. In our case, even though our daughter was pretty miserable in school, she had a terrible fear that she would have no friends if she wasn’t in school. And, it took time to make homeschooling friends, so her belief was reinforced each day that she was at home alone with her 4-year-old brother, me and her Dad. It was really a struggle. The first year felt like carrying a heavy, guiltfilled burden up a steep and rocky hill. I think it is perfectly normal for that year to be a real struggle. There is so much pressure to succeed. You’ve taken on the daunting task of educating your children. Most families are working with one salary or scheduling things to work between two jobs. You don’t necessarily have a lot of support from your family (most grandparents are not initially enthusiastic about home schooling). And

you have the added pressure of all of these home-school books that make it seem like every home-schooled kid must be a genius working four grade levels above his age-related curriculum. Plus, now you’re with each other all day, every day. A little discord around the newly home-schooling homestead is normal. So, plan for it. I wish someone had told me that it is OK to take some time to just get to know each other. Read together if that works for your family. Or, watch old movies together, like we did. There was a lot of learning going on when we watched things like “The Devil and Daniel Webster” or “The Grapes of Wrath.” We finally realized that trying to make our daughter do school at home was making her just as unhappy as she was in school. We had to create a new school, one that worked for us. It’s a work in progress. But, the second year is much better than the first. Nicole McKeon is a home-schooling mom who lives in Asheville. Contact her with your questions or ideas at nmckeon@msn.com.

HOME-SCHOOL EVENTS Nov. 9, Chimney Rock Park: Learn about critters native to Western North Carolina. Runs 10:30 a.m.-noon. Cost is $12 per student, $11.50 for parents ($7 for students and free for Annual Passholder parents). Visit chimneyrockpark.com. Call 800-2779611 to register. Nov. 10, Asheville Art Museum: Program for students in first to fifth grades that meets 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. the second Tuesday of the month. Tour the museum and participate in a hands-on activity. Cost is $4. To register, call 253-3227, ext. 121 or 122, or e-mail eshope@ashevilleart.org. For information, visit ashevilleart.org. In Pack Place, 2 S. Pack Square. Nov. 19, Colburn Earth Science Museum: A home-school program for first- to thirdgraders from 2:30-3:30 p.m. the third Thursday of the month. November’s topic is “Journey Through Time: Fantastic Fossils.” Cost is $5 for members, $6 for nonmembers. Visit colburnmuseum.org or call 2547162. In Pack Place, 2 S. Pack Square.

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growing together

Put your worries aside and give thanks By Chris Worthy WNC Parent columnist I am going to take it as a sign of spiritual maturity that I am still smiling at the end of a long week. If you know me, you are probably saying, “No, that can’t be it.” You’re probably right, but work with me here. Trying really hard to make my view less myopic, I am doing a little better at not getting bogged down in the details. So the van needs repair, the ideal carpool just fell apart and a Saturday visit to the pediatrician cost $536.10. I swear to you, I am not making that up. I get positively overwhelmed by a list

like that. Woe is me — or woe is I, if you want to get technical. Getting over myself requires perspective. Maybe being married for 20 years or having a teenager plays a role in getting that, but I feel it coming on in fits and starts these days. And I know I can counter those negatives that seem insurmountable today, but it will mean little in the timeline of my life. Outside my window, six birds are queued up for the two bird baths. While some bathe, the others flail around in the mulch, chirping and puffing up and generally doing very little to remedy their predicament. But they don’t seem to worry about that. I can take a hint. We mothers have cornered the market on worry, I think. It’s as if the discharge nurse from the labor and delivery floor

had told me, “Here’s your free diaper bag, a suction bulb for her nose and a lifetime supply of worry. Knock yourself out.” I’ve now been a mom for 16 years, so I know that supply compounds annually, with interest. The challenge remains in knowing what is in my control and what is far beyond it — and how big a blip each event makes on the eternal picture. So I will indeed cloak myself in gratitude this season of thanks. Saturday pediatrics notwithstanding, I am happy and blessed beyond measure. Life is good indeed. Chris Worthy is an attorney who took down her shingle to be a stay-at-home mom. Contact her at chris@worthyplace.com.

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librarian’s pick

A ‘Forever Dress’ helps save the Earth By Jennifer Prince WNC Parent correspondent Even after writing more than 200 books for children, author Harriet Ziefert’s storytelling abilities have not lost their luster. She spins yet another golden tale in her newest book, “My Forever Dress.” In it, Ziefert gently blends lessons of responsibility and nurturing family relationships with the fun of expressing one’s personal style. The story is that of a girl and her dress. The girl helps her seamstress grandmother select fabric from some the grandmother has saved. Grandmother cuts and bastes. She sews up seams and inserts a zipper.

Soon enough, the dress is ready. It is a “one-of-a-kind party dress!” A year later, when the girl turns 7, her grandmother tells her how important it is for each person to do his or her part to save the Earth. “We should only use new material if we have to,” the grandmother says. So, since the girl is no wider, just taller, Grandma makes pink leggings out of fabric she has on hand. The girl wears last year’s party dress as a tunic with the leggings. The next year, when the girl turns 8, the grandmother and the girl decide to take the old dress completely apart and piece it back together in a totally different way.

From the girl’s “Ta-da!” pose on the front of the book to the crazy-quilt endpapers, Liz Murphy’s mixed-media illustrations complement the story perfectly. In addition to pencil and acrylic paints, dozens of paper scraps that resemble fabric swatches are applied. The simple, breezy text with the gleeful refrain, “How do I look?” combined with the eye-catching illustrations make “My Forever Dress” a great choice for a read aloud. Perhaps more importantly, the timely topic and the friendly, fun way in which it is handled makes “My Forever Dress” relevant to children (and adults) of all ages. This book is available through the Buncombe County Public Libraries. Visit buncombecounty.org.

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area story times Buncombe County Public Libraries

For more information visit buncombecounty.org/ governing/depts/Library/default.asp Nov. 10: Bilingual Bedtime Storytime at the Weaverville Library. All ages. Read stories, learn rhymes and sing songs in English and Spanish. At 6:30 p.m. The library is at 41 N. Main St. Call 250-6482. Nov. 10: Night-Night Family Storytime at the Enka Library. Stories, lullabies and a craft. From 6:30-7:30 p.m. At 1401 Sandhill Road. Call 250-4758. Mother Goose Time (ages 4-18 months) 11 a.m. Mondays: West Asheville 10:30 a.m. Tuesdays: Fairview

11 a.m. Wednesdays: Swannanoa, Weaverville 11 a.m. Thursdays: Oakley 11:30 a.m. Thursdays: Enka-Candler Toddler Time (ages 18-36 months) 10 a.m. Wednesdays: North Asheville 10:30 a.m. Wednesdays: Fairview, Skyland/South Buncombe 11 a.m. Wednesdays: West Asheville 10 a.m. Thursdays: Swannanoa 10:30 a.m. Thursdays: Black Mountain, Enka-Candler 11 a.m. Thursdays: Weaverville (first Thursday only) Story time (ages 3-5) 11:15 a.m. Tuesdays: Weaverville 10 a.m. Wednesdays: Oakley 10:30 a.m. Wednesdays: Black Mountain, Enka-

Candler, Leicester 11 a.m. Wednesdays: East Asheville, North Asheville 10:30 a.m. Thursdays: Fairview, Skyland/South Buncombe 11 a.m. Thursdays: Swannanoa, West Asheville 11 a.m. Saturdays: East Asheville School-age story time (ages 5-7) 3:15 p.m. Thursdays: North Asheville Family story time 11:15 a.m. Tuesdays: Weaverville Storyline Call 251-5437 for a story anytime.

Henderson County Public Library

For more information, visit henderson.lib.nc.us. Bouncing Babies (ages 0-18 months) 11:15 a.m. Tuesdays: Etowah 11 a.m. Wednesdays: Main Library 11:15 a.m. Wednesdays: Fletcher Toddler time (ages 18 months-3 years) 10 a.m. Tuesdays: Etowah 10 a.m. Wednesdays: Fletcher 10:30 a.m. Wednesdays: Main Library Preschool story time (ages 3-5) 10:30 a.m. Tuesdays: Main Library, Etowah 10:30 a.m. Wednesdays: Fletcher 10:30 a.m. Thursdays: Main Library Family story time (all ages) 10 a.m. Mondays: Edneyville 10 a.m. Thursdays: Green River 10:30 a.m. Saturdays: Main Library Stories Alive 10:30 a.m. Saturdays: Main Library 4 o’clock Craft Club 4 p.m. Thursdays: Main Library

Barnes & Noble

Asheville Mall, 3 S. Tunnel Road, 296-7335 Nov. 2: “Jungle Drums” story time with Asheville Arts Center at 11 a.m. Ongoing story times: 11 a.m. Mondays (toddlers) and 2 p.m. Saturdays (young readers). Biltmore Park, 33 Town Square Blvd., 687-0681. Nov. 8 and 11: “Jungle Drums” story time with Asheville Arts Center at 2 p.m. Nov. 8 and 11 a.m. Nov. 11. Ongoing story times: 11 a.m. Wednesdays (toddlers) and 2 p.m. Sundays.

PHOTO BY JOHN COUTLAKIS

Melisa Pressley leads an evening family story time at the Enka-Candler Branch Library.

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parenting in a nutshell

Your 7 most important parenting jobs By Doreen Nagle Gannett New Service Consider these some of the most important duties you’ll perform as a parent: 1. Let go of your old fears and stop inserting them into your child’s new experiences. Being a parent intensifies old feelings because of our desire to shield our children from the same bad experiences or reactions we may have had as children. Your job is to keep an open mind when your child enters into situations that you found challenging as a child. Pocket up your unfounded fears and old prejudices (no one said it would be easy) so you can help your child learn through his or her own experiences without having them filtered through yours. By all means, teach your children what they reasonably need to be aware of; just don’t instill unnecessary fears or worn out prejudices. 2. Guide, don’t push. When your child is learning to walk, you gently guide her to learn to take steadier steps; forcing her by physically picking up her feet for her would never work. Your child knows when she is ready for the next step. This same principle should apply to most everything she does later on as well, i.e.: Doesn’t want to play soccer? Guide her to find another sport that fills the bill. Too shy to get into the middle of the group? Make a one-on-one playdate. 3. Stay tuned in. At every age level, check in with your child by regularly asking the big three: What makes you happy? Do you have any disappointments? Is there anything you want to talk about? These questions, asked in an age appropriate way, will keep you on course with what’s going on in your child’s life — as well as what your child is thinking. 4. Respond, don’t react. One can hurt, the other can help your relationship with your children: Responding means that you have given thought to the consequence, reacting means you have lost control of the situation. Homework not turned in? Respond by telling your child

to write a letter of apology to her teacher versus reacting by screaming. Toddler hitting another child at the park? Respond by taking your child away from the situation, explaining that you will have to leave the park if he does that again versus hitting your child back in reaction. 5. Frown at the behavior, not the child. Tell your children that while you are unhappy with a particular behavior, you still love them. It is the behavior that is unacceptable, it is the behavior that must change; the behavior is only a part of your child, it is not your whole child. This sends the message that your child is not wholly unworthy. It will also boost your child’s confidence and aid in learning right from wrong. This message is the necessary motivation for your child to change behaviors.

6. Respect your child. True, you are the adult and therefore have been crowned the decision maker. Your crown, however, does not mean that your children should not be given a voice in their own lives as well as participate in family matters as appropriate. Taking your children’s feelings and wishes into account when you are making decisions that will affect them is an inclusive act that benefits. It also serves to bring you a closer lifelong relationship. 7. Discipline is the most important job a parent has. Remember, discipline is guidance, not punishment. Doreen Nagle is author of “But I Don’t Feel Too Old to Be a Mommy” (HCI, $12.95). She welcomes your parenting tips and concerns at doreennagle@yahoo.com.

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recalls The following recalls were recently issued by the Consumer Product Safety Commission. For details, visit CPSC.gov.

Target’s Halloween flashlights About 610,000 Halloween flashlights — miniature and standard — sold at Target stores in August and September have been recalled because they can overheat and melt, posing a burn hazard to consumers. The mini flashlights, sold for $1, have a key ring extending from the bottom and were sold in a pack of three colors: orange, green and black. The packaging has “Mini Flashlights (3 Pack)” printed on the front and “DGI,” “Made in China” and “DPCI# 234-02-1813” printed on the back. The standard-sized flashlights, sold for $2.50, have a black handle and an orange top. The flashlights were sold with six stencils in various colors and images: a pumpkin, ghost, spider, cat, witch and skull & cross-bones. “Flashlight with Stencil” is printed on the front and “Tien Hsing,” “Made in China” and ”234 02 1838” is printed on the back of the packaging. Consumer should immediate-

ly stop using the flashlights and return the product to any Target store for a full refund. For additional information, contact Target at 800-440-0680 or visit target.com.

nationwide between February and July. Consumer should return the shoes to the nearest Clarks store for a full refund. Call 800-425-2757 or visit clarkskidsusa.com.

Clarks children’s shoes

O’Neill children’s hooded sweatshirts

Clarks has recalled about 2,000 children’s shoes because molded rubber pieces on the sole of the recalled shoes can detach, posing a choking hazard to infants and young children. The recall involves Clarks children’s shoes sold under the “crawlers” and “hazy daze” style names. The crawlers were sold in infant sizes 2 to 3 1/2; and the hazy daze in sizes 4 to 6 1/2. “Clarks” is printed on the sole underneath the heel and the words “Clarks First Shoes” is printed on a multicolored label inside the shoe’s heel area. The following names and model numbers are included in this recall: Little Kyle Blue Crawler (89823) and Tan Crawler (89824), India Sparkle White Crawler (88000), Kirstin Baby Pink Crawler (88109), and Hazy Daze White Sandal (88234). They were sold

About 2,300 children’s hooded fleece sweatshirts distributed by La Jolla Sport USA of Irvine, Calif., have been recalled because the drawstring through the hood can pose a strangulation hazard to children. The recall involves hooded fleece sweatshirts with style names “Love Goes” (style no. 39810012) and “Up and Under” (style no. 39202202). They were sold under the O’Neill brand name in child sizes small to extra large at Dillard’s, Ron Jons’ Surf Shop and McCaulous stores nationwide from June to August. The RN #85773 is printed on the care label in the neck. Consumers should immediately remove the drawstrings from the sweatshirts to eliminate the hazard, and return the garment to the place of purchase or to the firm for a full refund. Call 800-6627873 or visit lajollagroup.com.

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calendar of events

Things to do

The deadline to submit items for December’s calendar is Nov. 10. Send information to calendar@wncparent.com.

Nov. 2

Candy buy-back

Dr. Steve Edney Orthodontics will buy back Halloween candy at $1 per pound from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. The office is at 689 Blythe St. Court in Hendersonville. For more information, call 696-1662.

Starts Nov. 2 Essay contest

Friends of the Black Mountain Library will sponsor an essay contest for kids ages 12-14. The topic of the essay is “What Books Mean to Me,” and the prize for the winning essay will be $50. Contest runs Nov. 2-25. The winning entry will be announced and read at a program at the library at 6:30 p.m. Nov. 30. The library is at 105 Dougherty St. Call 250-4756.

SPECIAL TO WNC PARENT

The Health Adventure offers programs for Brownie and Junior Girl Scouts. “I’m Electric,” for Juniors, is Nov. 5.

Swim lessons

Waynesville Parks and Recreation Department offers swim lessons for children starting at 6 months old at Waynesville Recreation Center. The next session runs Nov. 2-30. Cost starts at $23 for members, $29 for nonmembers. For schedule and more information, visit townofwaynesville.org, e-mail recaquatics@ townofwaynesville.org or call 456-2030.

Nov. 2-8

Asheville International Children’s Film Festival

Enjoy films from around the world with adventure, surprises, laughs and stories that will make kids see the world in a new way. At Asheville Pizza & Brewing, 675 Merrimon Ave. Visit aicff.org. Tickets are $4 for children, $5 for adults.

Nov. 3

Sit and Knit

A casual needlework group for all skill levels at 1 p.m. at Weaverville Library, 41 N. Main St. Call 250-6482.

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Nov. 3 and 10 Childbirth 101

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, Nov. 3 and 10, 6:30-9 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 692-4600.

Nov. 4

Breast-feeding and Calming a Fussy Baby class

Class that teaches tips and tricks to feed, calm and soothe a baby meets 6-9 p.m. at The Women’s Wellness and Education Center, 24 Arlington St., Asheville. Cost is $25. For information, call Holly at 250-0226 or visit AshevilleWomensWellness.com.

Skyland Library Knitters

A casual knitting group for knitters of all skill levels at 6 p.m. at the Skyland/South Buncombe Library, 260 Overlook Road. Call 250-6488.

Swannanoa Library Knitters

A casual knitting group for knitters of all skill levels meets at 5 p.m. at the Swannanoa Library, 101 W. Charleston St. Call 250-6486.

Nov. 5

Health Adventure Girl Scout program

Junior Girl Scouts can earn the “I’m Electric” badge after learning about electricity in the human body through hands-on activities. Runs 3:15-5:15 at the museum, 2 S. Pack Square. Cost is $6 per scout. For information, call 254-6373, ext. 327, or visit thehealthadventure.org.

Teachers’ Night Out

Osondu Booksellers offers Teachers’ Night Out for educators in Haywood County. Teachers receive 25 percent off all stock. Author Dawn Cusick will speak. At 6 p.m. at 184 N. Main St., Waynesville. Call 4568062 or visit osondubooksellers.com.

Nov. 5-Dec. 10 Spanish for Kids

An enjoyable and effective way to learn Spanish by exposing children ages 3-5 to the language sounds. Classes are 4:15-5 p.m. Thursdays for six weeks at the North Asheville Library. Call Mónica at 335-2021 or e-mail monicav.bastin@gmail.com.

Nov. 6

MOPS Chili Cook-Off and Hoedown Biltmore Baptist Church’s MOPS group invites moms and dads of preschoolers to an evening of food and fellowship, 6-9 p.m. at the church, 35 Clayton Road,

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calendar of events Arden. Cost is $15 per couple and includes chili and potato bar, dessert, drinks and entertainment. Enter a chili in the cook-off. Child care is available for $5 per child ($15 maximum per family). Visit mopsofbbc.com or e-mail info@mopsofbbc.com.

Through Nov. 6

Youth basketball

The city of Asheville and YMCA offer basketball for children ages 4 through eighth grade. Register through Nov. 6 at city recreation centers. League plays December-March. For information, contact Kim Turner at 232-4526 or kturner@ashevillenc.gov.

Nov. 7

Altamont Theatre Conservatory auditions and open house

The new Altamont Theatre holds auditions and information session for its acting and musical theater training program, the Altamont Theatre Conservatory, from 1-2 p.m. Includes acting, dance and singing classes, workshops, performances and career guidance with experienced professionals. For students ages 7-19 and adults. Beginner classes available. Contact Christopher Lynn for information or audition appointment at 274-8070 or clynn@altamonththeatre.org. At Five Points Building, 6 E. Chestnut St. Visit altamonttheatre.org.

SPECIAL TO WNC PARENT

The Wiggles will perform their latest show at the Bi-Lo Center in Greenville, S.C., on Nov. 7.

‘The Wiggles Go Bananas!’

The Wiggles, the popular preschool band, presents its new show “Go Bananas Live!” at the Bi-Lo Center in Greenville at 1:30 and 5 p.m. Bring a donation of a new children’s book to support Reach Out and Read, the national literacy program. Tickets start at

$10 and are available at Ticketmaster or by calling 202-397-SEAT.

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Family Harvest Festival

East Asheville Public Library hosts games, crafts and family fun at the second-annual Family Harvest Festival. Bring a canned or boxed food item for MANNA FoodBank and bring a pumpkin to enter in the pumpkin beauty contest. Free. All ages. Call 250-4738. The library is at 902 Tunnel Road.

Foothills Highland Games

Celebrate Celtic heritage at the Foothills Highland Games, featuring Scottish athletic competition, highland dancers, sheep herding demonstrations, bagpipe bands, children’s games, parade of tartans, women’s games, Scottish music and entertainment, Scottish and American food and more. Runs 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m. at Jackson Park, Hendersonville. Visit scotsfoothillshg.org.

Garden Science Investigation

The Botanical Gardens at Asheville offers a class for kids ages 5-11, from 9:30-11:30 a.m. Learn to identify birds by their color, size and sounds. Discuss migration and make a chart to monitor birds this winter. Each participant will make bird feeders from pinecones, peanut butter and seeds. Suet feeders will also be completed to take home. Prepayment is required. At the Botanical Gardens, 151 W.T. Weaver Blvd. (next to UNCA). To register, call Heather at 252-5190 or visit ashevillebotanicalgardens.org.

Meet the author: Nick Bruel

Nov. 9

YMCA parents’ night out

Try a free ballet class at Ballet Conservatory of Asheville, 193 Charlotte St., Asheville. At 3-3:45 p.m. for ages 3-4 and 3:45-4:30 p.m. for ages 5-6. Call 255-5777. Visit balletconservatoryofasheville.com.

Spellbound Children’s Bookshop hosts Nick Bruel, the best-selling creator of “Bad Kitty” and other picture and early chapter books. He will read and sign. At 5 p.m. Free. Recommend for ages 3-8. The shop is at 19 Wall St. Call 232-2228 or visit spellboundchildrensbookshop.com. The YMCA in downtown Asheville offers a parents’ night out for children ages 2-12. Activities include swimming, arts and crafts, inflatable obstacle course, snacks and a movie. Register online or in person (at least 24 hours before scheduled program). Offered 6-10 p.m. the first Saturday of each month. Cost is $15 for members ($30 for nonmembers), with $2 sibling discounts for everyone. Call 210-5622 or visit ymcawnc.org.

Nov. 7 and 14

Love and Logic workshop

This two-part workshop will use hands-on learning to help parents gain practical skills in the Love and Logic method. Learn to show love in a healthy way and establish effective control. Kids will learn responsibility and develop coping skills. Runs 9 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Nov. 7 and 14. Cost is $60 for one person or $100 for two people, plus $9 materials fee for the workbook. At The New Classical Academy in Weaverville. Visit raisingresponsiblekids.com or contact Beth Hockman at raisingresponsiblekids1@gmail.com or 299-9844.

Ballet class

Sibling class

Park Ridge Hospital’s Baby Place offers a class, from 7–8 p.m., designed to help the soon-to-be big brother and/or sister get ready for the new baby. Cost is $25 and includes a craft, T-shirt and tour of the Baby Place. Call 681-2229 to register. The hospital is at 100 Hospital Drive, Hendersonville.

Veritas Christian Academy community open house

Veritas Christian Academy, a classical Christian school for pre-kindergarten through 12th grade, will host a community open house from 5-6:45 p.m. Tour the school, see the curriculum, talk with the faculty and catch the vision. Veritas Christian Academy is at 17 Cane Creek Road in Fletcher, at the corner of Hendersonville and Cane Creek roads. Call Darla Hall at 681-0546.

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calendar of events

Starts Nov. 9

YMCA swim lessons

◆ The Reuter Family YMCA in South Asheville offers swim lessons for children ages 3-13, as well as parent-child and adult classes. Four-week weekday sessions start week of Nov. 9. Cost is $40 for members and $70 for nonmembers. Call 651-9622. ◆ The Asheville YMCA offers a four-week session with weekday classes for children ages 6 months-14, parent-child classes, adult classes, and a swim club for children ages 7-14. Cost starts at $40 for members and $70 for nonmembers. Call 210-9605.

Ends Nov. 10

YMCA basketball registration

Asheville Parks and Recreation and the downtown YMCA, 30 Woodfin St., will offer basketball for children age 3 through eighth grade. Cost is $70 for YMCA members and $90 for nonmembers. Late registration fee of $20 applies after Nov. 6. Registration ends Nov. 10. Visit ymcawnc.org. or call Brennan Splain at 777-6035 for details.

Nov. 10 and 17

Wolf Howl

Discover the legends and lore of red and grey wolves at the WNC Nature Center. Presentation is both indoors and outdoors. Learn to howl like a wolf. Tickets are $10 per person and are sold in advance only. For a ticket request form, visit wildwnc.org. Refreshments provided. Come with questions, flashlights, and warm clothing. Call 298-5600, ext. 305, for more details.

Nov. 11

Altamont Theatre Conservatory auditions and open house

The new Altamont Theatre holds auditions and information session for its acting and musical theater training program, the Altamont Theatre Conservatory, from 4-5 p.m. Includes acting, dance and singing classes, workshops, performances and career guidance with experienced professionals. For students ages 7-19 and adults. Beginner classes available. Contact Christopher Lynn for information or audition appointment at 274-8070 or clynn@altamonththeatre.org. At Five Points Building, 6 E. Chestnut St. Visit altamonttheatre.org.

Apron workshop

Begin the holiday season with a mother-daughter apron project, for girls 8 and older. Make and decorate at this class at Waechter’s Fine Fabrics, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Cost is $45 plus supplies from Waechter’s. The store is at 9 Reed St., Biltmore Village. Call 274-3146 or e-mail info@waechters.com.

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Nov. 12

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‘How to Study’ and College Scholarship session

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Holistic Parenting Forum

Learn effective note-taking skills for college-level tests, enhance study techniques, improve EOC scores, and learn about the cost of college and scholarships available. From 6:30-9 p.m. at MAHEC, classroom 5, 501 Biltmore Ave., Asheville. Open to students in seventh to 12th grades and parents/guardians. Free. E-mail rachel.hawkins@ mahec.net or call 257-4409.

The Holistic Parenting Forum is a free group that meets monthly to provide an opportunity for a diverse community of parents committed to natural living to gather. The group provides support, education and resources. All meetings take place on the second Wednesday of every month at Earth Fare in West Asheville from 6-8 p.m. Children are welcome. For more information, call 230-4850 or e-mail shantisunshine@gmail.com

Origami Folding Frenzy

Knitty Gritty Knitting Night

A casual knitting group for knitters of all skill levels meets at 6:30 p.m. at the East Asheville Library, 902 Tunnel Road. Call 250-4738.

PHOTO BY STEVE DIXON

Learn new folds, share favorites, Veterans Day is Nov. 11. and meet fellow origami enthusiasts. All levels welcome. Paper is available at the museum store or bring your own. Cost is museum admission. No club dues, just the cost of museum admission. From 4-5 p.m. the Kids’ night out second Wednesday of the month at The Health Drop the kids off for pottery painting, a craft project, Adventure, 2 S. Pack Place. Call 254-6373 or visit pizza and more at Claying Around, 1378 Hendersonthehealthadventure.org. ville Road, South Asheville. Bring a white cotton T-shirt for tie-dying. Runs 6-8 p.m. For ages 6-12. Veterans Day Reservations are required. Cost is $25 per child. Call Federal holiday.

Nov. 13

277.0042 or e-mail clayingaround@bellsouth.net.

Lunch ‘n Learn parenting series: Raising Resilient Children

Maccabi Academy and the JCC Early Childhood Programs host a four-week series, “My Baby’s Ready for School But I’m a Nervous Wreck!” Get answers to critical questions every preschool parent asks. Share and learn great ideas and activities to help you and your child prepare for kindergarten. First session is “Raising Resilient Children in Today’s Crazy World,” based on a book by Dr. Robert Brooks. Free and open to all preschool (and near preschool) parents. Runs noon-1 p.m. at Asheville JCC, 236 Charlotte St. Contact Caroline Martin at 253-0701 or caroline@jcc-asheville.org.

Parents’ night out

Fired Up! Creative Lounge offers a parents’ night out, 6-9 p.m. for children ages 5-12. Cost is $25 per child and includes pizza, drinks, bisque items for kids to paint and games. Call 253-8181 for reservations. Fired Up! Is at 26 Wall St., Asheville.

Storytelling concert

In conjunction with the Brevard Storytelling Fest on Nov. 14, Connie Regan-Blake will perform “Finding Your Way Home,” a storytelling concert, at 7 p.m. at Transylvania County Library, 212 S. Gaston St., Brevard. Free. Call 884-3151.

Tap class

Try a free tap class at Ballet Conservatory of Asheville, 193 Charlotte St., Asheville. From 4-5 p.m. for ages 8-12. Visit balletconservatoryofasheville.com.

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calendar of events Teen Book Character Costume Party

The Weaverville Library Teen Awesome Group hosts a costume party at 4 p.m. Dawn your favorite book character persona. Open to ages 12-18. Snacks provided. Visit myspace.com/weavervillelibrary or call 250-6482 . The library is at 41 N. Main St.

Nov. 14

Ballet class

Try a free ballet class at Ballet Conservatory of Asheville, 193 Charlotte St., Asheville. From 10:3011:30 a.m. for ages 8-10. Visit balletconservatory ofasheville.com.

Holiday Book Sale

Friends of the Fairview Library will host a book sale 9 a.m.-3 p.m. at the Fairview Community Centerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Annual Craft and Holiday Fair, at 1355 Charlotte Highway by Fairview Elementary School. High-quality used books, many in like-new condition, will be on sale. Start your holiday shopping early. Call 2506485.

Fall Storytelling Festival

Transylvania County Library, 212 S. Gaston St., Brevard, hosts the 11th annual Fall Storytelling Festival, 9 a.m.-9:15 p.m. Family storytelling concert is 2-4:30 p.m. Free. Call the library at 884-3151 or visit ncstoryguild.org.

Foster/Adopt Festival

Learn how to become a foster and/or adoptive parent, find out more about children who need a family right now, talk to families who have fostered and adopted and enjoy arts and crafts, games and more. Event is 2-5 p.m. at The Coleman Place, on the third floor of the Chamber of Commerce building, 36 Montford Ave., Asheville. Hosted by Buncombe County Department of Social Services. For more information, call 250-5868.

Holiday Market

Roberson High Schoolâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s PTSO will host a Holiday Market with dozens of crafters, as well as vendors like Mary Kay and Pampered Chef, food, music and more. Runs 9 a.m.-3 p.m. at the school, 250 Overlook Road.

Joyful Birth & Breast-feeding Expo

BirthNetwork of WNC a hosts an educational event featuring birth and breast-feeding information, speakers, a fashion show, baby gear demos, giveaways and more. From 10 a.m.-6 p.m. at Blue Ridge Mall in Hendersonville. E-mail birthnetworkofwnc@gmail.com or visit birthnetwork.org.

Self-defense workshop

Learn basic self-defense at this seminar from 1-5 p.m. at Dojoku Martial Arts, 36A Rosscraggon Road, Asheville. Register by Nov. 7. Cost is a donation of toys or clothing for local foster kids and Toys for Tots. Call 681-5023.

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6 p.m. at the Skyland/South Buncombe Library, 260 Overlook Road. Call 250-6488.

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baby unit while learning about birth options, registrations services and amenities available. From 6-7 p.m. Free.

Used Book Sale

Starts Nov. 16

A casual knitting group for knitters of all skill levels meets at 5 p.m. at the Swannanoa Library, 101 W. Charleston St. Call 250-6486.

Registration is open for the fall session of the SAT prep class offered by UNC Asheville’s Professional Education Programs. Classes will meet 6-9 p.m. Mondays and Wednesdays at UNCA for three consecutive weeks. Cost is $275. For information or to register, contact Nancy Williams at 250-2353 or nwilliams@unca.edu or visit unca.edu/distedu/ce.

Nov. 19

Friends of the East Asheville Library will be host a book sale 8:30a.m.-2 p.m. in the community center next to the library. Hardcover books will be $1 and paperbacks will be 50 cents. All proceeds will benefit the Friends of the East Asheville Library. Call 2504738 or e-mail eastasheville.library@ buncombecounty.org. At 902 Tunnel Road.

Nov. 16

Nov. 17

Auditory Integration Training information session

An introduction to Berard AIT will be given at 6:30 p.m. at Earth Fare, 1856 Hendersonville Road, South Asheville. Children who have auditory processing issues, reading delays, attention challenges and other issues can often benefit dramatically from this 10-day intensive, noninvasive program involving the use of frequency modulated music. Visit AITtoday .com or BerardAITwebsite.com. Call 667-0912.

Park Ridge Hospital Baby Place

SAT prep class

To register for either class, call 681-BABY. Park Ridge Hospital is at 100 Hospital Drive, Hendersonville. ◆ Childbirth classes: One-day class runs 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Cost is $90 per couple. ◆ Baby Place Experience class: Explore the mother-

Breast-feeding class

Learn the art of breast-feeding. Class covers breastfeeding 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 692-4600. Free.

Sit and Knit

Swannanoa Library Knitters

Asheville Christian Academy open houses

For more information call 828-581-2200 or visit acacademy.org. ◆ Explore Kindergarten: ACA welcomes parents to the Explore Kindergarten program, 10-11 a.m. Meet teachers and learn about the unique approach to kindergarten. Tour campus and observe classes in session. ◆ Drop-in open house: Explore all grades at Asheville Christian Academy from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Experience the liberal arts approach to a college preparatory education distinguished by a biblical worldview. ACA serves K4 to 12th grade.

A casual needlework group for all skill levels at 6 p.m. at Weaverville Library, 41 N. Main St. Call 250-6482.

Nov. 19-20

Nov. 18

Theater Veritas presents Ovid’s “Metamorphoses” at Fairview Christian Fellowship at 7 p.m. Admission is $5. Call 681-0546 or visit veritasnc.org.

A casual knitting group for knitters of all skill levels at

Nov. 20

Skyland Library Knitters

‘Metamorphoses’

Ornament painting night

Families can spend the evening painting, glass fusing or doing a mosaic from 6-9 p.m. at Claying Around, 1378 Hendersonville Road. Receive a free ornament with your purchase, along with snacks. Reservations required. Call 277.0042 or e-mail clayingaround@bellsouth.net.

YMCA parents’ night out

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

Nov. 20

Autism spectrum networking program

The Waynesville Parks and Recreation Department offers a networking program for children and young adults on the autism spectrum, ASPY (Autistic Socialization Program for Youth). Sessions are divided into two hourlong sections. The first hour (5-6 p.m.) focuses on a broad category like arts/crafts. The youth fitness room, with a climbing wall, Wii and more, is also available for use. The second hour (6-7

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calendar of events Continued from Page 58 p.m.) is swim time. ASPY requires all parents, guardians or representatives to be present at all times. The cost is $3 for members of the Waynesville Recreation Center or $5 for nonmembers. Call 456-2030 or e-mail recyouth@townofwaynesville.org.

Lunch ‘n Learn: ‘My Child Can Read … or Can She?’

Maccabi Academy and the JCC Early Childhood Programs host a four-week series, “My Baby’s Ready for School But I’m a Nervous Wreck!” Get answers to critical questions every preschool parent asks. Share and learn great ideas and activities to help you and your child prepare for kindergarten. Nov. 20 session is “My Child Can Read … or Can She?” Parents will get information and tools to help develop early literacy skills. Free and open to all preschool (and near preschool) parents. Runs noon-1 p.m. at Asheville JCC, 236 Charlotte St. Contact Caroline Martin at 253-0701 or caroline@jcc-asheville.org.

Nov. 21

Neighborhood Appreciation Party

Mount Moriah Wesleyan Church is hosting party with free lunch, face painting, inflatables and a free concert with Direct Message, 11 a.m.-2:30 p.m. At 1 Fairmont Road, Candler. For more information, call 667-2494.

Secret Agent 23 Skidoo concert

Kids can rock The Orange Peel after the Asheville Holiday Parade with Secret Agent 23 Skidoo. Doors open at 1 p.m. Showtime is 1:45 p.m. Tickets are $8 (ages 2 and younger are free) and are available at theorangepeel.net.

Teen Open Mic Afternoon

Calling all poets, singers, drummers, actors, ukulele players, guitarists, comedians and lovers of the limelight in general: Share your talents with other teens at the East Asheville Public Library, 902 Tunnel Road. Free. Ages 11-18. Call 250-4738.

Nov. 22

Tellabration!

Asheville Storytelling Circle hosts Tellabration! at

MOMS GROUPS

A sampling of support groups for moms in WNC. Biltmore Baptist MOPS: MOPS is a place designed specifically for mothers of children from infancy to kindergarten. Experience authentic community, mothering support, personal growth and spiritual hope. MOPS of Biltmore Baptist Church welcomes and invites any and all mothers to attend. Meetings are 9:3011:30 a.m. the first, third and fifth Wednesday of each month at Biltmore Baptist Church, 35 Clayton Road, Arden. For more information, call 687-1111, e-mail mopsofbbc@yahoo.com or visit mopsofbbc.com. La Leche League of Asheville: Pregnant moms, babies and toddlers welcome at all meetings. Monday morning group meets at 10 a.m. the second Monday of the month at First Congregational Church on Oak Street. Contact a leader: Susan at 628-4438, Falan at 683-1999 or Tamara at 505-1379. Monday evening group meets at 7 p.m. the third Monday of the month at Awakening Heart on Merrimon Avenue. Contact a leader: Jen at 713-3707 or Yvette at 254-5591. La Leche League of Hendersonville: Offers information and support for pregnant or breastfeeding women. Meets at 10 a.m. the second Wednesday of the month at Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Hendersonville, 2021 Kanuga Road. Babies and toddlers are welcome. For more information, contact a leader: Andrea 676-6047, Katie 808-1490, or MC 693-9899. Mom2mom: Christian moms group meets at 6:30 p.m. the third Tuesday of the month at St. Paul’s Church, 32 Rosscraggon Road, Rosscraggon Business Park Building B, Asheville. Moms with any age children are welcome. For information, call 388-3598. Mommy and Me: Park Ridge Hospital offers a support group for moms at 10 a.m. the fourth Monday of each month. Contact Angie Collins at (231) 838-4853 for more information. The hospital offers a luncheon for moms and babies, noon-1 p.m. the third Monday of the month, at the hospital’s private dining room. Call 681-2229 for information. MOMS Club of Hendersonville: A support group open to mothers of all ages in the Henderson County area, including mothers who have home-based businesses and those who work part-time but are home with their children during the day. The group meets for speeches and topics for discussion, park days, playgroups, nights out, holiday activities and service projects benefiting needy children in the community. Meets 9:30 a.m. the first Thursday of the month at Hendersonville Church of Christ, 1975 Haywood Road, Hendersonville. Children welcome at meetings. Call Kerry at 692-7724 or visit hendersonvillemomsclub.wordpress.com Moms with Multiples: Group for moms with multiples meets 7 p.m. the first Thursday of each month at the Women’s Resource Center on Doctors Drive, behind Mission Hospital. Meetings are an opportunity to share experiences and offer support in a social setting. For information, call 444-AMOM or visit ashevillemom.com. Montreat/Black Mountain MOPS: Join other moms for fun, laughter and friendship. Group meets 9-11 a.m. the second Tuesday of each month at Black Mountain United Methodist Church, 101 Church St. Free child care available. Call Michelle at 669-8012, ext. 4001, to reserve a spot. North Asheville MOPS: Meets 9:30-11:30 a.m. the first Monday of each month at Maranatha Baptist Church, 1040 Lower Flat Creek Road, Weaverville. For information, contact Jennifer Warner at 423-6180 or Liban Morris at lmorris_cid@hotmail.com.

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calendar of events 3 p.m. at the Folk Art Center on the Blue Ridge Parkway in East Asheville. Part of international Tellabration! events. Call 658-4151 or 777-1977.

Nov. 24

BirthNetwork of WNC

Nov. 25

Breast-feeding class

Learn the basics of breast-feeding from Park Ridge Hospital’s Baby Place. Cost is $25. Starts at 7 p.m. Call Sheri Gregg at 681-BABY for more information or to register.

Peaceful Beginning labor support

Learn about mother-friendly childbirth and get answers to your birth-option questions. Facilitated by a certified nurse midwife. From 7-8 p.m. at the Pardee Education Center at Blue Ridge Mall in Hendersonville. E-mail birthnetworkofwnc@gmail.com.

Forum open to all who support women during labor and birth, from family and friends to nurses, new doulas, midwives and other practitioners. Topic is “Avoid Procedures Unless They are Medically Necessary.” At 7 p.m. at Women’s Wellness Center, 24 Arlington St., Asheville. Visit peacefulbeginning.org. Call Cheryl at 258-3327.

A casual knitting group for knitters of all skill levels that meets monthly at the Black Mountain Library. At 7 p.m. at 105 Dougherty St. Call 250-4756.

Nov. 25-29

Black Mountain Library Knitters

Leicester Library Knitters

A knitting and crocheting group for people of all skill levels at 6:30 p.m. at Leicester Library, 1561 Alexander Road. Call 250-6480.

Pardee parenting classes

Classes at Pardee Health Education Center in Blue Ridge Mall, Four Seasons Boulevard, Hendersonville. Call 692-4600 for information. Classes are free. Registration is not required. ◆ Infant care class: Learn the basics of infant care, 6:30-8 p.m. ◆ Prime-time with a pediatrician: Learn from a local pediatrician what to expect with a newborn in your home, 8-9 p.m.

Nov. 24-Dec. 2

World AIDS Day Quilt Exhibition

Featuring Russian dancer Rudolf Nureyev’s quilt square. At Pack Place, 2 S. Pack Square, Asheville.

Disney On Ice: ‘Finding Nemo’

Disney on Ice presents Disney/Pixar’s “Finding Nemo” at Asheville Civic Center. Performances are 7 p.m. Nov. 25 and 27, 3 p.m. Nov. 27, noon and 4 p.m. Nov. 28 and 2 p.m. Nov. 29. Tickets are $12$42, available at DisneyOnIce.com.

Nov. 26

Thanksgiving Day

Nov. 27

Family Movie Night

Enjoy a family movie, popcorn and drinks for free at 7 p.m. at Cummings Memorial United Methodist Church, 3 Banner Farm Road, Horse Shoe. Call ahead for movie being shown, 891-9413.

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SPECIAL TO WNC PARENT

Disney on Ice presents Disney/Pixar’s “Finding Nemo” at Asheville Civic Center, Nov. 25-29.

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HOLIDAY CAMPS

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Nov. 28

‘The Rainbow Bridge and Other Tales’

The Asheville Puppetry Alliance presents Hobey Ford’s Golden Rod Puppets at 11 a.m. at Diana Wortham Theatre. “The Rainbow Bridge and Other Tales” brings to life “The Rainbow Bridge,” “El Coqui” and “The Three Billy Goats Gruff.” Tickets are $7. Purchase tickets at box office, by calling 257-4530 or at dwtheatre.com. For information, visit ashevillepuppetry.org or contact Winnie Barrett at winkiebai@charter.net.

Nov. 30

Music Together class

Try a free class with Asheville Area Music Together at 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. at the Reuter Family YMCA, 3 Town Square Blvd., Asheville. To reserve a space, contact Kari at karirichmond@charter.net or 5450990. Visit AshevilleAreaMT.com or musictogether.com.

Dec. 3

Music Together class

Try a free class with Asheville Area Music Together at 10 and 11 a.m. in West Asheville. To reserve a space, contact Kari at karirichmond@charter.net or 5450990. Visit AshevilleAreaMT.com or musictogether.com.

Dec. 4

Asheville Art Museum Holiday Arts Extravaganza for students in firstfourth grades runs 1-4 p.m. Dec. 28-31. Students spend their days exploring and creating art. Admission and supplies are included. Cost is $18 per day for members, $20 for nonmembers. The museum is at Pack Place, 2 S. Pack Square, Asheville. Download a registration form at ashevilleart.org. Call 253-3227, ext. 122. Jewish Community Center of Asheville The JCC offers its Just Kids full-day program for school breaks for children in kindergarten-fifth grades. Runs 8 a.m.-6 p.m. Nov. 25 and Dec. 21-23 and 28-30. Programs include field trips include Waynesville Recreation Center for swimming (Dec. 21), The Health Adventure (Dec. 22), Biltmore Estate (Dec. 23), ClimbMax PHOTO BY STEVE DIXON (Dec. 28) and more. Price per full day is $42 Will Joerling selects materials at the Asheville for most programs ($33 for JCC members). Art Museum during its Holiday Arts Extravaganza Annual per-child registration fee of $50 and a Camp. This year’s camp will be Dec. 28-31. $75 per family annual security fee additional. Register by Dec. 14 for December programs. To register, contact Sep Shams at 253-0701 or sepi@jccasheville.org. Visit jcc-asheville.org for details. The JCC is at 236 Charlotte St., Asheville. YMCA The YMCA of Western North Carolina’s Schools Out Programs are designed to meet the needs of both working families and families looking for care so they can get last-minute shopping, errands, etc. accomplished. Programs are offered at Avery’s Creek Elementary, 15 Park South Blvd., Arden, and the YMCA Beaverdam site, 201 Beaverdam Road, Asheville, on Nov. 25 and Dec. 21-23 and 28-30. Curriculum includes arts and humanities, health, wellness and fitness, science, outdoor playtime, games, literacy, cultural diversity, character development and more. For kindergarten to fifth grades. Cost is $28 daily (Avery’s Creek location accepts Subsidy Child Care Vouchers). Registration required. Call the YMCA Child Care Services Branch at 210-2273 (CARE) for additional information and to register. YWCA of Asheville The YWCA, 185 S. French Broad Ave., will offer a camp program including arts and crafts, swimming, field trips, games and more from 7:30 a.m.-6 p.m. Dec. 21-22 and 28-31. Drop-off is 7:30-9 a.m. and pickup is 4:30-6 p.m. Lunch and afternoon snack served. Cost is $30 per day or $150 for the entire camp. Applications available at ywcaofashevlle.org or can be picked up at the YWCA. Call 254-7206.

Lunch ‘n Learn: ‘Who’s in Charge?’

boundaries. Free and open to all preschool (and near preschool) parents. Runs noon-1 p.m. at Asheville JCC, 236 Charlotte St. Contact Caroline Martin at 253-0701 or caroline@jcc-asheville.org.

or doing a mosaic from 6-9 p.m. at Claying Around, 1378 Hendersonville Road. Receive a free ornament with your purchase, along with snacks. Reservations required. Call 277.0042 or e-mail clayingaround@bellsouth.net.

Families can spend the evening painting, glass fusing

Dec. 6

Ornament painting night

The Big Crafty

Dozens of crafters show off their work. With food and music, too. Runs noon-6 p.m. at Pack Place, 2 S. Pack Square, Asheville. Visit thebigcrafty.com.

Ongoing

Asheville Area Music Together

Open enrollment begins Dec. 3. Music Together is an internationally recognized early childhood music program for children age 0-5. Each class is a rich, playful, family experience full of new and traditional songs and chants. Winter session begins the week of Jan. 4. Free demo classes available. Visit AshevilleAreaMT.com or musictogether.com. Contact Kari at karirichmond@charter.net or call 545-0990.

‘Grossology’

The Health Adventure’s new traveling exhibit explores

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calendar of events all the gross stuff adults don’t like to talk about in polite company. “Grossology: The (Impolite) Science of the Human Body” is a science-in-disguise exhibition where kids get the answers to many of the slimy, oozy, crusty, stinky questions they absolutely love to ask about the human body. At The Health Adventure, 2 S. Pack Place, downtown Asheville. For more information, visit thehealthadventure.org.

Nativity Preschool

crafts and visits from classroom animals. Runs 10-11 a.m. most Tuesdays, October-May. Parent or guardian must attend with child. Participants should dress for an outdoors program. Contact Jonathan Marchal at jmarchal@ncarboretum.org or 665-2492, ext. 228. Visit ncarboretum.org.

Mommy and Me for Babies

This is a free group that meets weekly in two locations to provide an opportunity for new parents to gather. On Mondays, meet at the new Woodfin YMCA. Mommy/baby yoga for pre-crawlers is 11-11:45 a.m.;

forum is noon-1 p.m. On Tuesdays, meetings are at Reuter Family YMCA in the Mission Wellness Resource Center Room. Mommy/baby yoga for precrawlers is at 10:30 a.m.; guest speaker/open discussion is at 11:30; walk and talk starts at 12:45 p.m. Please call 213-8098 or e-mail shantisunshine@gmail.com to register.

Toddler Fun

Toddler Fun is a free group that provides an opportunity for parents to have some structured fun with their children ages 1-3 including 45 minutes of songs,

Nativity Preschool and Kindergarten at Lutheran Church of the Nativity in Arden will start early kindergarten registration for the 2010-11 school year in November. Families registering for kindergarten in November or December will receive a $25 discount on the registration fee. Preschool registration begins in January. Scholarships are available. Visit nativity.ws or call Debbie McGinnis at 687-8381.

Kindermusik classes

Register your child, newborn to age 7, for a musical play date every week. Four unique curricula promote creativity, listening skills, self-esteem, problem solving, vision and focus, language and literacy, hand-eye coordination, emotional and social skills, balance and coordination — all the while providing a joyful introduction to music. Call area licensed educators: Lora Scott, 649-2320, allsoulscathedral.org/ music-choirs/kindermusik (Biltmore Village); Beth Magill, 298-9350, magills.net (downtown Asheville); Yvette Odell 253-4000, ashevilleartscenter.com (North and South Asheville); Debra Huff, 206-3145 or 689-1128, dhuff@mhc.edu (Madison County); Sonja Gorsline, 883-8538 (Brevard).

Wee Naturalist program

Wee Naturalists at the N.C. Arboretum is a hands-on, outdoor learning experience for pre-kindergarten children. Each lesson includes age-appropriate activities for ages 3-5 (2-year-olds are also welcome) such as nature walks, garden exploration, stories,

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The N.C. Arboretum offers the Wee Naturalist program for children ages 3-5 on most Tuesday through May.

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calendar of events stories, finger-plays, parachute play and more. At 10 a.m. Mondays at the new Woodfin YMCA and 9:30 a.m. Tuesdays at the Reuter Family YMCA. To register, call 213-8098 or e-mail shantisunshine@gmail.com.

‘My Mom Is Having a Baby’

A free program to help children ages 3-8 understand, accept and anticipate the changes that will happen as the family prepares for the birth of the new baby. Each child will see and hold life-like models that show how a baby grows and develops, make a kite mobile for the new baby’s room, receive an activity/ coloring book and tour the Mother/Baby Unit at Mission Hospital to see where mom and baby will stay. Program runs 4-5 p.m. the second and fourth Mondays at Mission Hospital. To register, call 2546373. For more information, visit thehealthadventure.com and click on the “Programs” tab.

Asheville Arts Center preschool

Drop in and check out the preschool offered by Asheville Arts Center from 9:15 a.m.-1 p.m. Wednesdays at its Main location (308 Merrimon Ave.) and South location (Summit Avenue, off Hendersonville Road).

Solutions to puzzles on Page 40

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