Don’t Miss Atlanta Parent Magazine’s Family Block Party, October 13
Parent Atlanta’s No. 1 Parenting Magazine
atlanta
October 2012
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SCARE UP SOME FUN!
enings p p a H n e Hallowe
What To Do With All That Candy Trick-or-Treating 101
Costumes, face painting, books, music and more!
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R FE
M
NBAN
K
USEUM
Celebrate Beloved Traditions — and Make New Ones!
A Country Christmas at Gaylord Opryland® Resort
It’s the most wonderful time of the year in Nashville, Tennessee! November 16 – January 1 Make it a Christmas to remember at Gaylord Opryland, where more than two-million lights along with acres and acres of stunning decor create a holiday atmosphere like no other. Delight in fine dining, eclectic shopping and festive entertainment, including ICE! — two million pounds of colorful, hand-carved ice slides and sculptures featuring DreamWorks Animation’s Shrek the Halls. It’s a holiday celebration you’ll never forget.
Two- and three-night package guests receive exclusive perks. Book your holiday getaway today!
ChristmasAtGaylordOpryland.com or call (877) 677-9872
*Restrictions apply. See website for details. Shrek, Madagascar, Kung Fu Panda and all related characters and properties © 2012 DreamWorks Animation L.L.C. Shrek the Halls © 2012 DreamWorks Animation L.L.C. © 2012 The Coca-Cola Company. “Coca-Cola” is a registered trademark of The Coca-Cola Company. All rights reserved.
GO-2773-12 ACC Atlanta Parent 7.5x9.75 MAG.indd 1
9/4/12 10:47 AM
Saturday
Nov. 10 2012 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. Forsyth Park Savannah, Georgia Presented by Live Oak Public Libraries and the City of Savannah
CELEBRATE the joy of reading,the power of the written word and the magic of storytelling! You’ll meet some of the biggest and best children’s book authors & illustrators in the country! The FREE festival also features arts and crafts, a comics area, costumed characters, the International Tent w/J’miah Nabawi, a variety of food and entertainment, and a Book Walk throughout the park led by bestselling author and illustrator Tad Hills. And don’t miss special performances at the festival by the Savannah Children’s Theatre!
Blue Balliett, "Chasing Vermeer," "The Danger Box" Shana Corey, "Here Come the Girl Scouts!" Carmen Agra Deedy, "Return of The Library Dragon” Elizabeth Dulemba, "Soap, Soap, Soap," "Lula's Brew" John Harris, "Jingle Bells: How the Holiday Classic Came to Be" Tad Hills, "How Rocket Learned to Read," "Duck & Goose" Victoria Kann, "Pinkalicious," "Purplicious" Alan Katz, "Smelly Locker: Silly Dilly School Songs" "Dino" Don Lessem, "Dinopedia" Raven Magwood, "The 7 Practices of Exceptional Student Athletes" Andrea Davis Pinkney, "Dear America: With The Might of Angels" Calvin Alexander Ramsey, "Ruth and the Green Book" Laura Vaccaro Seeger, "Green," "Dog and Bear" Michael P. White, "Return of The Library Dragon" Plus more than 60 Coastal Authors & Illustrators!
Rain location: Savannah Civic Center For more information: (912)652-3605
www.liveoakpl.org
4 Atlanta Parent October 2012
Major support provided by the Live Oak Public Libraries Foundation and Gulfstream Aerospace
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Inside Vol. 29 Number 10
October
Departments
Features 20
On the Cover: Cover Kid Neil Dhingra, 8, of Atlanta. Photo by Studio 7 Photography.
8 Publisher’s Note
Elections Simplified
How do elections work? Use these ideas to introduce your children to the democratic process.
10 News You Can Use 12 Dollars & Sense
Tips for Frugal Families
22
82 Humor in the House
Happy Haunting
Boo! Take the fright out of the night for young children, grab lots of fun Halloween ideas, teach your kids trick-or-treat skills and make a candy plan. Don’t miss all the Halloween Happenings in our Family Fun Guide.
36 42 50
Stop Bullying Now
Cleaning Confessional
Family Fun Guide 53
Not-to-Miss Events
54
Eating Out: Oak Street Café Leaf Watching
Teachers welcome help from parents and grandparents, especially those who know these “do’s” and “don’ts.”
55
Free Fun: Planes and More
56
Playground: Taylor-Brawner Park
Too Quick to Praise?
57
Tellus Museum:
Bullying affects nearly one-third of all young people, and it’s time to stand up to this hurtful and hateful behavior.
A Guide for Class Volunteers
How you talk to your child about accomplishments matters; follow this expert advice to avoid pitfalls.
Come out for All-Day Family Fun! Don’t miss Atlanta Parent Magazine’s annual Family Block Party. Saturday, October 13 from 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. at Mercer University’s Atlanta Campus.
Get Bit by the Science Bug
58
Five Corn Mazes:
Parent-tested
62
Halloween Happenings
70
October Calendar
77
Fall Festivals & Fairs
INSIDE: OUR FESTIVAL PULLOUT GUIDE
Magazine Association of the Southeast
2012 Award Winner
Like us on Facebook; facebook.com/ AtlantaParentMagazine
KRK AtlParentOct_Layout 1 9/4/12 1:52 PM Page 1
Atlanta’s Award-Winning Parenting Publication PUBLISHER Liz White lwhite@atlantaparent.com
80% of brain development occurs during the first five years of life.
ASSOCIATE Laura Powell PUBLISHER lpowell@atlantaparent.com
Your child’s educational foundation is crucial for their future success. Kids ‘R’ Kids understands brain development and implements the best learning environment, accredited program and exclusive curriculum to maximize your child’s learning opportunity and development.
EDITOR Julie Bookman editor@atlantaparent.com
BUSINESS Amy Smith DEVELOPMENT asmith@atlantaparent.com MANAGER
ACCOUNT Julia Sparks EXECUTIVES jsparks@atlantaparent.com
Andi Levine alevine@atlantaparent.com
EDITORIAL Sheri Taylor-Emery ART DIRECTOR creative@atlantaparent.com
PRODUCTION Natalie Thavenot MANAGER apads@atlantaparent.com
EDITORIAL Robin Mintz PRODUCTION rmintz@atlantaparent.com ARTIST
CALENDAR EDITOR Kate Wallace
calendar@atlantaparent.com
D L I H C R YOU G? N I Z E E WH
TIRED OF
TAKE PART IN A CLINICAL RESEARCH STUDY!
If YES then consider volunteering for a clinical research study conducted at Emory University. This clinical trial is for children 1–5 years of age, who suffer from wheezing. We are trying to see if giving an antibiotic (azithromycin) for upper respiratory infections will help improve asthma symptoms and lower the incidence of more serious lower respiratory infections in preschoolers. You may be asked to participate for as long as 18 months (82 weeks) in this study.
Contact:
Jennifer Dodds 404-727-5176 jcdodds@emory.edu or Denise Whitlock 404-712-1773 drwhitl@emory.edu
Study Includes: • Pulmonary evaluation • Physical exam (by a MD) • Study drug • Compensation for time and travel 6 Atlanta Parent October 2012
COPY EDITOR Glenn Emery
OFFICE Caroline Ward COORDINATOR cward@atlantaparent.com
SPECIAL EVENTS Kaitlyn Morris COORDINATOR kmorris@atlantaparent.com
ADMINISTRATIVE Kirsten Gromatzky ASSISTANT kgromatzky@atlantaparent.com
MARKETING MOM Felicia Barman
INTERNS Sarah Egan Jordan Lisvosky
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Atlanta Parent magazine is published monthly by Atlanta Parent, Inc., 2346 Perimeter Park Drive, Atlanta, Georgia 30341. Telephone 770-454-7599, Fax 770-454-7699. Atlanta Parent magazine is available free of charge at more than 1,000 locations throughout the metro Atlanta area. First class subscription only $30 per year. Subscription orders must include check or money order made out to Atlanta Parent magazine. Atlanta Parent magazine welcomes letters, articles, artwork and photographs from its readers and the community. Atlanta Parent magazine is not responsible for the return of unsolicited materials. All rights reserved. Any reproduction in whole or in part, is prohibited without written permission.
© Atlanta Parent, Inc. 2012
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Publisher’s Note Set an Example for Your Kids – Vote
Stadium Childcare Providers for the Atlanta Braves
Hope Flies Health Series: An Evening with Holly Robinson Peete Thursday, November 8 6 – 10 pm Four Seasons Hotel, Atlanta Tickets $ 50 to $ 125 Join us to hear Holly’s experience with Autism and Parkinson’s along with a clinical panel of experts in Autism, Parkinson’s and Mitochondrial Disease. For More Information and Tickets: http://bit.ly/HopeFlies-HollyRP
I’m worried about the elections in November, and my concern has nothing to do with who is inaugurated in 2013. Yes, I care who is elected president, but I care more about making sure we all participate in picking that person, and all of the officials who will lead us at the federal, state and local levels. More people voted in the 2008 U.S. presidential election than in any election in decades, yet the turnout of eligible voters was a mere 63.7 percent, according to the Census Bureau. It’s troubling that the percentage of voters is so low, election after election. I’m afraid we will pass that lackadaisical attitude on to the next generation. In this month’s issue, you’ll find some ideas on talking to your kids about politics, elections and the importance of voting, in language and actions they can understand. Why not take them into the polling place and let them participate as you vote? Why not talk with them about how decisions made by the city council or school board affect their lives? The election is a great opportunity to teach them that Americans have a privilege that many people in other countries do not enjoy: We can decide who will lead us as president, who will represent us in Congress and on the state level, who will be our city councilman, who will be on the school board, etc. We all have a voice, yet so many of us fail to be heard. Election day always offers a good excuse not to vote. It’s a Tuesday in early November, a workday, we’re busy. Yes, we have early voting opportunities, but we often have a reason we can’t do that, either. We rationalize that our candidates are doing fine and don’t really need our single vote. So we decide that if we can get away from work in time, or the kids don’t have ballet or Scouts or other activities, we’ll try to remember to vote. We need to change that view, if not for our sakes, then for our children’s and grandchildren’s and the generations after that. Whether we vote and how we talk about our vote makes an impression on our children. Do we want them growing up thinking our vote really doesn’t matter, and it’s too much trouble to get to the polling place? Future generations need to embrace the privilege most of us hold dear, lest someday we lose it.
How to Reach us: Telephone 770.454.7599
E-Mail lwhite@atlantaparent.com
Fax 770.454.7699
Website www.atlantaparent.com
The Old Fashioned Way 2346 Perimeter Park Drive Atlanta, Georgia 30341
We welcome your views and comments. Letters that appear in the magazine may be edited for content and space.
8 Atlanta Parent October 2012
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ItFigures by Cynthia Washam
Flaunt It!
Frightening Figures
It all starts with a call
12
Number of years in a row the most popular baby boy’s name in the U.S. has been Jacob, the name of a leading character in the Twilight vampire romance series of books and movies
2
FREE
Number of years in a row the most popular baby girl’s name in the U.S. has been Bella, also the name of a leading character in the Twilight series
Consultation
43
Percent of people giving out Hershey’s treats for who choose Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups, the company’s most popular Halloween treat
visit website for details code AP
110
Number of calories in one Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup
160
Number of calories in half a cup of pumpkin seeds
Motley Mix 49
Percent of children who, given a million dollars, say they would save it for college
91
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More than 170,000
Number of school book fairs Scholastic holds every year in 28 countries
11
Percent of McDonald’s Happy Meal consumers who choose fresh apple slices over french fries Sources: HuffingtonPost.com, Scholastic, Success, Foxborough.patch.com, Breitbart, Coloryourcontacts. com, Newsmax, Entertainment Close-Up, The Washington Post, Runner’s World
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Mark F. Deutsch, MD, FACS
Board Certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery
(770) 461-4824
Atlanta/Fayetteville
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Big or Small Save Them All October 2012 Atlanta Parent 9
News You Can Use
by Kate Wallace
Talk About Obesity? Here’s Help
Toys ‘R’ Us to Unveil Kids’ Computer Tablet A PRE-LOADED COMPUTER TABLET for young children will hit Toys ‘R’ Us stores on Oct. 21. Called “Tabeo,” the device was created exclusively for Toys ‘R’ Us and will retail for $149.99. It offers a 7-inch touch screen, Wi-Fi capabilities and 50 free apps, including the popular “Angry Birds” and “Fruit Ninja” games.
CHILDREN’S HEALTHCARE OF ATLANTA has launched strong4life.com, a new website to assist parents in having “the talk” about obesity with their kids. The site includes conversation topics, healthy recipes, a database of weight counselors and health quizzes. A chief aim is for parents to be healthy role models for their children. Strong4life.com arrives a year after CHOA debuted its controversial ad campaign featuring billboards with photos of obese children. CHOA continues to bring attention to the childhood obesity crisis because nearly 1-in-3 Georgia kids ages 10-17 are considered overweight.
Child Danger: Detergent Pods
Six Flags to Unveil Its Tallest Ride SIX FLAGS OVER GEORGIA continues to test a person’s thrill tolerance. Next year it will introduce the SkyScreamer, a new ride that reaches 24 stories in height – which will make it the tallest attraction in the park. The “extreme swing ride” will begin with a rider strapped to an open-air seat to be swung around in wide circles at increasing speeds and heights. Brave souls can look forward to hitting 40 miles per hour. Just don’t look down!
The average amount of money kids find under their pillows from the Tooth Fairy is $3. – according to Visa
RECENT MONTHS HAVE SEEN AN ALARMING SPIKE in hospitalizations of kids who accidentally ate detergent pods. According to the California Poison Control System, nine such poisonings were reported in three days, prompting a reminder to parents to lock cabinets and keep detergents and chemicals out of reach. One doctor suggested that packaging is a possible reason for the increase. “The pods are brightly colored and resemble candy packaging, making them more attractive to kids than a box of powder,” says Dr. Richard Geller, a California pediatrician. When ingested, these potent and dangerous detergent pods produce nausea, vomiting, respiratory distress and eye injuries. Babies ‘R’ Us, Home Depot and Lowe’s are just a few places to purchase childproof locks for drawers and cabinets.
Websites Worth Visiting n Lifehack.org. Find articles here such as “How to Overcome Boredom” and “5 Ways to Find Time to Exercise.” Lifehack.org is dedicated to helping people better manage their time and productivity. The site is frequently updated with ideas, tips and tricks to help you get things done more efficiently.
10 Atlanta Parent October 2012
n Thepioneerwoman.com. What started as a blog chronicling Ree Drummond’s city roots-to-country boots lifestyle in 2006 has exploded into a multimedia business with best-selling cookbooks, Food Network shows, a family advice column, and frequent “confessions of a pioneer woman.” Drummond’s topnotch photography makes you want to move to a ranch in Oklahoma.
atlantaparent.com
Tops for Working Moms
Be a Breast Friend BREAST CANCER WILL STRIKE one in eight women in the United States over their lifetime, with an estimated 288,000 women getting the bad news every year. Some 2,000 cases also are diagnosed in men annually. Many organizations hold events and fundraisers in October, Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and ask for your help and donations to fight the disease. These three have the benefit of exercise as well: Making Strides Against Breast Cancer, presented by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Georgia, is a 5K walk (3.1 miles) that begins at 9 a.m. Oct. 6 in Centennial Olympic Park. Making Strides Against Breast Cancer of Marietta is a 5K walk that starts at 8 a.m. Oct. 27 in Glover Park on Marietta Square. Information at makingstrideswalk.org It’s The Journey: Atlanta Two-Day Walk for Breast Cancer on Oct. 6-7 is a 30-mile trek and fund-raiser for breast cancer awareness. While it’s too late to sign up to participate in this walk, you can donate and cheer on the walkers. Find information at itsthejourney.org.
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THREE METRO ATLANTA COMPANIES have made the Working Mother 100 Best Companies list for 2012. Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, Turner Broadcasting System and Wellstar Health System were cited in the magazine’s October issue for their programs that help working mothers juggle home and job. The magazine lauded Children’s Healthcare for its Family Wellness Program, which offers free diet and exercise coaching for employees and their immediate families; its flexible work scheduling and telecommuting options; its concierge service to help with errands, and tuition subsidies for child care. Turner was applauded for its Laugh It Off campaign, with laughter yoga classes and free massages, plus flexible scheduling, health insurance benefits, and financial help with infertility treatments, adoption or surrogates. Wellstar’s benefits include nine job-guaranteed months for mothers after giving birth, three fully paid weeks of parental leave for all employees, financial help for infertility treatments or adoption, and childcare and concierge services.
Check Before You Give
✓
SCAMMERS ARE ALWAYS LOOKING FOR A WAY to make a buck, and unfortunately, they sometimes solicit as a charity organization. Who wouldn’t want to give a few dollars to support cancer research, disabled veterans, special needs kids or any number of other causes? Many organizations do great work, but some that sound just as caring spend more on “administration” than they do for the cause. Try one of these websites to check a charity’s finances: CharityNavigator.org, CharityWatch.org and Give.org.
October 2012 Atlanta Parent 11
Dollars&Sense TIPS FOR FRUGAL FAMILIES
Unplug Those Appliances Be mindful of the energy you use at home. Unplugging your cellphone charger and coffeemaker when they’re not in use saves money. It may not save a lot at once, but over the course of a year (or several years) it does make a difference.
n Book
Hot Spots where Kids EAT FREE! The Fickle Pickle. On Tuesday
Spotlight:
nights from 4-9 p.m., kids 12 and younger can eat a meal off the kids’ menu for free. One free children’s meal per adult meal purchased. For those mac ’n’ cheese lovers, this place has five different variations. 1085 Canton St., Roswell. 770-650-9838.
I Brake For Yard Sales by Lara Spencer Brain Food for Bargain Hunters Remember: The nicer the neighborhood, the nicer the junk! That’s just one of countless tips from “Good Afternoon America” co-anchor Lara Spencer, author of I Brake For Yard Sales (Stewart, Tabori & Chang, $24.95). This large and sturdy paperback is packed with tips and bursting with colorful mixand-match ideas. You’ll be re-energized to hit thrift stores, flea and antique markets, and garage sales hither and yon. Spencer even teaches us how to take the “hag” out of “haggling” so that we score the item for the right price.
Worthy Websites For a wealth of moneysaving tips, look to these sites: Thethriftymama.com This Dallas, Ga., mom of two devotes her time to helping families find healthful online deals. Expect coupon classes, crafts, recipes and other frugalliving strategies. Savingslifestyle.com “Save on what you need, spend on what you want” is this site’s motto. You’ll find information on household saving strategies and links to thousands of coupons.
12 Atlanta Parent October 2012
Shack on Main. On Thursdays
Hit the Spa and Save From October 15-21, spas and wellness locations across the country will offer some services that are usually priced at $100-$500, for just $50 each. Spa Week was started in 2004 to create awareness of stressrelated health issues and educate consumers on the benefits of spa visits. You must register to get the “bargain” rates. To do so and find participating spas, visit spaweek.com
after 4 p.m., kids eat free barbecue off the kids’ menu. An adult must purchase a meal. 2714 East Point St., East Point. 404-832-0685.
Moe’s Original BBQ. On Tuesday nights after 5 p.m., with the purchase of an adult meal, kids 10 and younger can eat free off the kids’ menu. Even the pickiest kids should find something to love from Moe’s menu. 349 14th St., Atlanta. 404-249-0707.
Atlanta Parent STAFF TIP: I always bake their birthday cakes myself. I took a cakedecorating class at Hobby Lobby for $20 (for three sessions) and learned a lot of tricks to make a professional-looking cake. (Similar classes are also available at Michaels; $22.50$27 for four sessions.) We never need to spend $50 on a sheet cake again! – Kirsten Gromatzky, Publishing Assistant
Drive Slower Don’t be so quick to accelerate, and lower your speed when driving on major roads and highways. This will save on gas. Need a tip for learning to drive slower? Pretend there is an egg between your foot and the gas pedal. – Kate Wallace
atlantaparent.com
14 Atlanta Parent    October 2012
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Atlanta Parent’s
family block party SATURDAY, OCTOBER 13 / 10 AM - 4 PM / MERCER UNIVERSITY — ATL ANTA CAMPUS
festival pullout guide 2012
Top Reasons
for you to attend this year’s Atlanta Parent Family Block Party
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 13 10 am - 4 pm ~ Festival Pullout Guide ~
Mercer University • Atlanta Campus l Visit Petco and love on some wet noses. Learn more about adoption and ways to get involved. l Great Entertainment: Jam with Radio Disney from noon until 2 pm; meet the Atlanta Falcons Cheerleaders; the Chick-fil-A cow; Will & Hope from Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta; Cirque Du Soleil Street Team; Ron, the comic juggler; Truckie with Two Men and a Truck and the Tooth Fairy from Dentistry for Children. l Join Pollo Tropical for fun limbo contests all day long for a chance to win Pollo Tropical restaurant gift cards. l Young Einsteins, come join Big Thinkers and dive into the fascinating world of science by creating your own slippery slime! l Look for clues in our Scavenger Hunt.
Buy Tickets
ONLINE!
www.familyblockparty.com
✔ ✔
A spot of their own: Little tots can enjoy a toddleronly zone with mini-moonwalks, games, crafts and interactive inflateables
✔
Preview Halloween: Take in the not-so-spooky Friendly Frights, check out the Trick or Treat Street and make your own Halloween mask with fluff, sparkle and sequins.
✔
Build, stack and stagger your imagination with LEGOLAND Discovery Center and boogie on over to listen to some tunes from Radio Disney, B98.5 and V103. Don’t miss the crazy twists and turns from Cirque Du Soleil Street Team.
✔
Enjoy making noise at the musical petting zoo with Music & Arts, buzzzz around a beehive and learn about beekeeping and make a bubble wand with all kinds of shapes and size, both big and small.
✔
Pick out your favorite temporary tattoo from Air Illustrations or shimmer in the sun with glittery face painting. Moonwalks, obstacle courses, mini-golf, a train, police cars, fire truck and more.
✔
Don’t miss these cool activities from Family Block Party’s beneficiaries: Practice your outdoor skills with Camp Sunshine; take part in the Diaper Derby with Atlanta Diaper Relief; and show off your athletic talents with Athletes on the Rise.
Animal lovers unite! Pet fuzzy alpacas from Southern Estate Alpacas, cuddle a bunny or pat a furry sheep at the Little Red Barn Mobile Petting Farm and saddle up with Sam’s Path Ponies! Check out the critters visiting from Zoo Atlanta.
ADMISSION: $5 per person
Children 2 & younger
FREE
Save $1 online with promo code: FBPearlybird 16 Atlanta Parent October 2012
Paid admission includes three activity tickets Cash only the day of the festival atlantaparent.com
SKIP THE LINES! BUY YOUR TICKETS ONLINE Northwest Parking
www.familyblockparty.com Save $1 online with promo code: FBPearlybird
Toddler Play Zone Big Wheels Stop
Two Men and a Truck
DeKalb County Police Dept. Food Vendors
Tickets
Bubble Celebration
Exhibitors Restrooms
Musical Petting Zoo
Bee Keeping
Mask Making
Pollo Tropical
Diaper Derby
Zoo Atlanta
LEGOLAND Face Painting
Walgreens
Friendly Frights
Storytelling Stage
Atlanta Falcons Cheerleaders
Athletic Adventures
Tickets We s t Parking
Big Thinkers Per formance Stage Airbrush Tattoos
Inflatable Playground
Scavenger Hunt Teddy Bear Hospital
Trick or Treat Street
West Entrance
Petco
Girls Scouts of Greater Atlanta
Alpaca Petting Zoo
East Parking
~ Festival Pullout Guide ~
The Little Red Barn Mobile Petting Farm
Duck Pond
Crafty Camp Activities
Performance Area
Pumpkin Treasures
Young Audiences Hat Making Center for Puppetry Arts
Wheel of Fortune
Atlanta Braves Atlanta Hawks Ford
Sam’s Path Ponies
Proceeds will benefit:
Train Rides
East Entrance
PLUS MUCH MORE! Activities subject to change. Map not to scale.
Parent atlanta
www.atlantaparent.com Go online for entertainment schedule
Athletes On The Rise
atlantaparent.com
770-454-7599 October 2012 Atlanta Parent 17
Family Block Party 2012 Performance Schedule: Main Stage 11:00 a.m.
My Reptile Guy
11:30 a.m.
Kidazzl Parties
12:00 p.m.
Look alikes & Characters
12:35 p.m.
Atlanta Hula & Belly Dance
1:25 p.m.
Kim Armstrong “A Popular Dance”
2:00 p.m.
Little Me Tea
2:30 p.m.
Talent Showdown Winners: 2 Unique G’s, Katie Hollenshead
2:50 p.m.
Tahino “Mariachi- Otto Rondon” – Young Audiences, Woodruff Arts Center
3:30 p.m.
Little Beat Music
DJ services provided by Little Beat Music. Plus, don’t miss performances by Dance and Arts Showcase and our Talent Showdown finalists: Elyse Bell, 4Hgurlz, Ethan Bernhard, Max Hobbs & Ella Kolpakov, No Komment, Cobe & Ziya Jackson, Omoye’ Minniefield, Ethan Paul, and Alyssa King on our Children’s Performance Area. DJ services provided by DJ Kiki, The Platinum DJs.*Schedule and performers subject to change.
Storytelling 11:00 a.m. Auntie Reene’s Storyteller “Louisiana Bayou Tales” 11:30 a.m. Lawrenceville Ghost Tours 12:00 p.m. Juli-ette Robin Goldston 12:30 p.m. Jeff Johnson “It’s Good” – Young Audiences, Woodruff Arts Center 1:00 p.m. LaDoris Bias-Davis – The Story Express 1:30-2:50 p.m. Therapy Dogs International 3:00 p.m. Georgia Radio Reading Service
Directions to MERCER UNIVERSITY Atlanta Campus 3114 Mercer University Dr., Atlanta, GA 30341 Traveling north on I-85 From downtown Atlanta, take Exit 94 and turn RIGHT onto Chamblee-Tucker Road. At the second traffic light, turn RIGHT onto Mercer University Drive. Turn RIGHT onto Mercer Lane (campus entrance). Traveling south on I-85 From outside the perimeter, take Exit 94 and turn LEFT onto Chamblee-Tucker Road. At the third traffic light, turn RIGHT onto Mercer University Drive. Turn RIGHT onto Mercer Lane (campus entrance). Traveling on I-285 north/west Take Exit 34 and turn LEFT onto Chamblee-Tucker Road. Proceed for 1.2 miles, then turn LEFT onto Mercer University Drive. Turn RIGHT onto Mercer Lane (campus entrance).
18 Atlanta Parent October 2012
Traveling on I-285 east Head towards the I-85 S exit, following the Chamblee Tucker signs. Take the Chamblee-Tucker Road exit, turn RIGHT onto Chamblee-Tucker Road. Proceed for 1.2 miles, then turn LEFT onto Mercer University Drive. Turn atlantaparent.com RIGHT onto Mercer Lane (campus entrance).
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WIN! Each Friday be on the lookout for our “Question of the Week” to WIN great prize packs! Everyone who answers the “Question of the Week” will be entered to win 4 admission passes to Fernbank Museum of Natural History Winner will be announced on October 26. Enter each week for more chances to win.
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October 2012 Atlanta Parent 19
l Teach
Kids How Elections Work Even children in elementary school can get involved in learning about elections if you keep things simple and fun. During a previous presidential election, when our son Matt was almost 5, we explained – in very basic terms – how the electoral college worked. (Confession: We had to research that a bit ourselves first!) As Election Day neared, we printed colorful electoral-college maps from the Internet to show which states were leaning toward which candidates. We watched the presidential debates together and huddled around the television on election night.
It
’s
the Kids to the Polls
Ele
e!
l Take
ction
m i T
Teach your kids about the voting process – and much more about America. by Kathy Sena
As the 2012 presidential election enters the home stretch, it’s a great time to teach kids how our electoral process works. It’s also a wonderful opportunity to help our children develop a love of – and an appreciation for – our country. Here are some tips for involving kids in the voting process, for making U.S. history come alive, for remembering our veterans and more. 20 Atlanta Parent October 2012
At some voting precincts, children can stand alongside parents while they vote, and sometimes even get a children’s practice ballot. Matt has happily “voted” for Abraham Lincoln for president on more than one occasion. “The most important thing you can do to help generate your kids’ interest in the public process is to take them to vote with you,” says Marika Bergsund, who has three children. “They have all been voting with us since they were toddlers. We always include them in reviewing the voting materials and prepping our sample ballot. And we let them help in the voting booth. We treat voting like a very special privilege that should be valued – which it is!” l Follow
Local Politics
Kids need to know that their mayor, city council and school board make decisions that affect their lives. For a community report in third grade, we took Matt to visit the local city council chambers. He got to see the mayor’s office (and pick up the gavel – a big treat), sit where the council members sit during meetings, and learn how decisions are made. This is also a good place to teach kids that, when they start voting, their vote will matter. “We follow all local elections to help our daughter understand the importance of every single vote,” says Joyce Fahey. After a city council election in a nearby town was won by less than 10 votes, “we talked about the fact that the losing candidate undoubtedly had 10 friends who were ‘just too busy’ to take the time to vote,” she adds.
atlantaparent.com
l Sing
America’s Songs
A University of Florida study found that we are losing a large part of our national identity because we so seldom sing traditional American songs. Researchers note that many of our national songs are being ignored in favor of pop hits, and that today’s children are more likely to know the lyrics to the latest Taylor Swift song than to patriotic, folk and traditional children’s songs. “Although Americans say that the singing of folk songs and songs of our heritage is important, we are teaching very few of them in the schools,” says music professor Russell Robinson, who supervised the study. That’s why it’s more important than ever to enjoy these songs at home. CDs of classic American songs are available at your local library. Visit scoutsongs.com for lyrics to “America the Beautiful,” “I’m a Yankee Doodle Dandy,” “This Land Is Your Land” and many other traditional American songs. l Visit
America’s Historic Sites Washington, D.C. makes for a meaningful family getaway. Visit the various war memorials and the Smithsonian, as
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Interviewing a veteran is a great way for kids to learn about our country’s history and to show appreciation for those who have sacrificed for our freedom.
well as the Lincoln Memorial, Washington Monument and the U.S. Capitol. These are awe-inspiring to kids. A family trip to Boston is where you’ll find the Freedom Trail, Paul Revere’s house and a re-enactment of the Boston Tea Party. l Talk
With a Veteran
“My grandson’s school presents a patriotic program each year,” says Ellen Herron. Veterans and public safety officers are invited, along with family and friends. “The students each write a ‘Dear Soldier’ letter, some of which are read during
the program,” she adds. Other families report that a visit to a veterans’ hospital, whether as a family or as part of a school, scouting or church group, was particularly meaningful for their family. Interviewing a veteran is a great way for kids to learn about our country’s history and to show appreciation for those who have sacrificed for our freedom. “Our kids enjoy talking to their grandpa and looking over anything he has that relates to when he was in World War II,” says Joy Hall, mom of two. She also suggests interviewing veterans to learn about their wartime experiences. l Set
an Example
Kids watch what we do, and our actions tell them what we value, says Hall. “We display a flag, we turn on the TV for inaugural events, and we watch State of the Union addresses and presidential funerals,” she adds. “We also write letters to enlisted men and women.” One of the most important things we can give our children is to pass on our own love for America, says Hall. “Nothing can replace the pride and tears they see in your eyes at certain times that are significant to our country.” c
October 2012 Atlanta Parent 21
Smile! It’s Halloween Felicia Barman, Julie Bookman, Kirsten Gromatzky and Laura Powell contributed to this article.
Halloween Pumpkin Pointers! n For some clever pumpkin-carving ideas
and stencils you can download from the Internet to use for your design, start with these sites: zombiepumpkins.com family.com (search “pumpkin templates”) bhg.com (search “free printable pumpkin stencils”) ehow.com (search “Halloween templates”) n Both before and after carving, store your pumpkin in a cool, dark place – never in sunlight. Once it’s carved, fully cover it in a plastic wrapping when not in use.
Here are three great sites loaded with Halloween ideas, recipes and tips: Halloweenexpress.com Spoonful.com/halloween Halloweentips.com
n To keep your carved pumpkin fresh: mix together 2 tablespoons vinegar with 1 tablespoon lemon juice and 1 quart water. Brush mixture over the carved surface of your pumpkin. Coat the cut and peeled areas of your jack-o’-lantern (including the inside) with Vaseline; this will help avoid discoloration for up to a week. n Professionals sometimes use an acrylic spray or hairspray to help shine and preserve their carved pumpkins. n To add a little sparkle to your pumpkin after it’s carved it, “paint” a thin coating of all-purpose glue over the surface and sprinkle on some glitter. – JB
BOOKS n Jack and Jill: A Halloween Nursery Rhyme
by Salina Yoon (Little Simon, $5.99) Ages 2-4 It’s never too early to introduce the familiar nursery rhyme of Jack and Jill, so why not go with a Halloween twist? This extra thick and chubby board book is perfect for little hands. Toddlers follow two funloving jack-o’-lanterns on their journey up and down the hill – this time with a happy ending! n Duck & Goose Find a Pumpkin
by Tad Hills (Random House Children’s Books, $10.99) Ages 2-4 Friendship and teamwork prevail as Duck and Goose search near and far for the perfect pumpkin in this unique board book that’s as large as a typical picture book. This sweet tale will surely motivate your family to venture over to the nearest pumpkin patch to search for your own prize pumpkin. n The Boo! Book
by Nathaniel Lachenmeyer (Simon & Schuster, $17.99) Ages 4-8 Get ready for a friendly fright as you learn that books can be haunted, too! Little did we know that “book ghosts” tend to appear when we least expect it – but consider this a how-to guide on detecting when a silly ghost might be lurking on the next page. Be prepared for a surprise ending, sure to bring smiles to young readers. – FB
22 Atlanta Parent October 2012
TUNES n Kidz Bop CD:
Ding Dong Fun! Kids 5-12 love the Kidz Bop brand: popular music and videos starring talented kids. The 2012 “Halloween Hits” CD promises 48 minutes of fun-loving “monster hits” to get trick-or-treaters moving. The 14 songs include “Thriller,” “I Want Candy,” “Ding Dong the Witch is Dead,” “Ghostbusters” and “Monster Mash.” A bonus track provides five minutes of spooky sounds you can play on Halloween night; just put track 15 on “repeat” during the prime time kids will be visiting your doorstep. $11.99 retail.
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Grab Bag Face Painting 101: Lions, tigers and clowns – oh my! Face painting can be a delightful and creative alternative to wearing a mask at Halloween. Masks can sometimes be a safety hazard, especially when they don’t fit properly and obstruct a child’s vision. Another benefit to painting your youngster’s face as part of his Halloween disguise: There won’t be another mask cluttering up the house; face paint simply washes away! We tested a variety of face paints and turned to three “how to” guides:
Cute Costumes Pottery Barn Kids, The Children’s Place and Old Navy are stocked with adorable kids’ costumes this Halloween. Fans of Where the Wild Things Are will find high-quality themed costumes based on the book. Although a little pricey at $79.99, your toddler could be the perfect Max or Monster. Pottery Barn Kids also has some neat family costumes (think parents as chefs with their lobster baby in a cooking pot) and lots of animal and theme costumes; $29-$89, sizes infant to adult. The Children’s Place has cute costumes from a monkey, pictured above, to sunflowers, princesses, pirates and more; $18-$30 for infants up to size 12. Old Navy has affordable costumes such as cupcakes, hamburgers, princesses and more; $18-$35 for infants and toddlers (up to size 6 in some costumes). – LP
MOVIE
n Extreme Face Painting: 50 Friendly and Fiendish Step-by-Step Demos (Impact Books, FW Media, $24.99). Our tester, Kari Young of Dunwoody, easily turned her daughter Clara, 6, into an adorable puppy. “The step-by-step instructions were really helpful and easy to follow,” Young says. “The finished face wasn’t exactly like the picture, but I had fun with it and made it my own.” This book has more elaborate designs and might seem a bit intimidating – but the easy-to-follow steps produce winning results. n Face Painting by the editors of Klutz (Klutz, $24.95). You’ll feel like a real pro if you follow the excellent step-by-step instructions in this long-popular guide, which comes with a superb set of paints. This artfully designed book helps you paint everything from small decorations like dolphins, unicorns and rockets to dramatic full-face creations such as a vampire and Frankenstein’s monster. My 4-year-old daughter Sarah could hardly get enough and really liked the butterfly, spider and snake that I painted on her arm. The paintbrush included in the Klutz kit is nice and stiff and creates even, precise lines. The paints were bright and smooth and dried beautifully. n Fast Faces with Real Impact (Snazaroo, $15). We liked the quality of these paints and the easy-to-follow instructions. Even an artistically challenged parent can transform her child into something spooky (or cute) for Halloween. I had never painted a child’s face before, but this kit included a photo showing each stage of the process. My daughter loved her clown face and didn’t want to wash it off. She liked that the paint on her face was neither itchy nor smelly.
n ‘Ghouls Rule’ DVD
The first direct-toDVD full-length animated movie from Mattel’s Monster High brand, Ghouls Rule should put the whole family in the spooky-fun spirit. Follow the ghouls as they decide to take back Halloween from the “normies” and restore it as a day when monsters celebrate their individuality and prove that it’s cool to be yourself – even if you’re a monster.
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Tips for parents with zero experience: n Always use non-toxic, hypoallergenic, water-based paint; it will be safe and easy to wash off (available at Michaels, Party City, among other stores). n Don’t use too much water! Dampen sponges and brushes and squeeze out any excess. n Have your child wear a headband to keep hair out of the face while painting. n These supplies should come in handy while you work: a dish of water, paper towels, baby wipes (for quick cleanup of a mistake), a towel or smock, Q-Tips, brushes and sponges. n Allow each layer of paint to dry completely before adding a new one; this will prevent colors from running together. n Be patient. Have fun; you’ll surprise yourself at what you can do! – KG
Cont’d on page 24
October 2012 Atlanta Parent 23
Halloween Grab Bag For Cooks and Crafters A great new resource for scary-season decorations, games, crafts and recipes is Halloween Tricks & Treats & Other Nifty Stuff by Fiona Hammond (Barron’s, $8.99). You’ll find directions for making such goodies as Spiderweb Pumpkin Soup and Ghouly Tortillas. This colorful book includes a giant pull-out poster to hang up so the kids can play Pin the Nose on the Jack-O’-Lantern.
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Creepy Chocolate Spiders Ingredients: 2 ounces dried Asian noodles 3 ounces dark chocolate, broken into pieces Mini chocolates, such as mini M&M’s Line a tray with baking paper. Noodles should be in roughly 1¼-inch lengths. If yours are longer, put in a bowl and gently crush with your hand until the right length. Place chocolate in heatproof mixing bowl. Set bowl over a saucepan of gently simmering water. Make sure bowl does not touch water. Stir until chocolate melts; remove from heat. Cool for 5 minutes. Stir noodles into the melted chocolate until noodles are thoroughly coated. Mound tablespoons of the chocolate-coated noodles onto a prepared tray. Pull out noodle “legs” so the mounds look more like spiders. Stick 2 mini candies onto each for eyes. Put tray of spiders in refrigerator for 15 minutes or until chocolate sets. In airtight container, store in fridge for up to five days. – JB Source: Halloween Tricks & Treats & Other Nifty Stuff by Fiona Hammond
Product Test: Glitter Toos My 4-year-old daughter and I had so much fun testing out the Halloween Glitter Toos temporary tattoo kit. It comes with a bottle of brush-on glue, six tiny jars of glitter, three brushes and halloween tattoo stencils. The stencils stick on the skin and you simply paint the glue onto the stencil; the glue turns clear in about a minute, and then you brush on the glitter and remove the stencil. The process was so child-friendly that my daughter took over and put several on me – with great results. Beware: glitter does tend to go everywhere. Glitter Toos ($15.95) wash off easily with warm water and a washcloth. – KG c
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Smile! It’s Halloween
The NOT-So-Sweet Truth
about some of kids’ favorite Halloween candies
How can a parent limit the amount of Halloween candy their kids consume? Currently leading a campaign to combat child obesity in Georgia, Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta offers valuable guidance. It’s all about moderation and setting clear limitations. Let your child have three to five items on Halloween, depending on the size of the pieces, suggests Trisha Hardy, registered dietician and director of child wellness at CHOA. After that, allow your child to select just one or two pieces of bite-size candy per day – all the while making sure he remains active. Are some candy products really “better” than others? Choices such as Twizzlers and York Peppermint Patties may be lower in fat than some top candy products, but “even candy with low fat or no fat can be pure sugar – just a pure spike in blood sugar for a child,” Hardy says. Slightly better choices, she notes, “are those that are more balanced, such as ones that contain nuts, which are high in protein and have healthy fats.” If possible, go for dark chocolate because milk chocolate has more sugar, she adds, and the dark variety has a higher amount of antioxidants. – Julie Bookman
n Snickers:
170 calories, 18 grams sugar, 8 grams fat, 3 grams saturated fat, (per 1.3 ounces/four mini pieces)
n Reese’s
Peanut Butter Cups: 210 calories, 21 grams sugar, 13 grams fat, 4.5 grams saturated fat (per 1.48-ounce package)
n Peanut
M&M’s: 220 calories, 28 grams sugar, 10 grams fat, 6 grams saturated fat (per 1.56 ounces/three “fun size” bags)
n Candy
Corn: 150 calories, 33 grams sugar, 0 grams fat, 0 grams saturated fat (per 1.48 ounces/20 pieces) n Smarties:
25 calories, 6 grams sugar, 0 grams fat, 0 grams saturated fat (per .25 ounces/one roll)
n York
Peppermint Patty: 60 calories, 11 grams sugar, 1 gram fat, .5 grams saturated fats (per .6-ounce snack size)
Sources: Websites of various candy manufacturers; nutritiondata.self.com; caloriecount.about.com.
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October 2012 Atlanta Parent 25
Smile! It’s Halloween
Happy Hello-ween:
Social Skills for Trick-or-Treaters by Heidi Smith Luedtke
Kids greet many unknown adults as they make the rounds trickor-treating. Follow these tips to turn this year’s candy-grabbing fest into a social-skills training session. Meeting new people, even when they are wearing strange masks, doesn’t have to be scary.
n Go
with a Group Trick-or-treating with friends is safer and a whole lot more fun. Invite neighboring families to go door-to-door with yours, and host a low-key party afterward. The kids can trade treats while you enjoy a little adult conversation. n Speak
Clearly The “tr” sound can be troubling for small kids, who often say “twick or tweat!” Practice at home before the big day and encourage kids to enunciate both the “t” and the “r” sounds (say, “ter”). Reluctant public speakers may be more comfortable in a group, where their voices blend together. n Make
Eye Contact Looking others in the eye is a sign of respect and self-confidence. It’s also an important communication skill. Eye contact allows kids to show interest, see the other person’s reaction, and take turns in a conversation. Coach kids to look at the treat-giver’s eyes, not at their knees. If you’ll be handing out candy, bend down to make it easier for little kids to connect visually. n Keep
Your Distance Trick-or-treaters often crowd up front hoping to score their favorite candies. Remind your child that pushing isn’t pleasant. Kids should allow ample personal space to avoid stepping on the Bride of Frankenstein’s dress or jabbing someone with their own costume props. n Make
Conversation People often ask kids questions about their costumes, like, “What are you supposed to be?” Prep your child to answer these queries. If she struggles to start conversations, coach her to ask about other kids’ costume choices. Complimenting another child on her costume or appearance is one positive way to reach out. n Trust
Your Gut Halloween is supposed to be spooky, and kids should tune in to their instincts. Don’t push your child to go into a neighbor’s haunted house or to reach into a coffin for candy, even if you know it’s safe. Reinforce the value of that little voice inside that says “Beware!” It’s OK to back away from frightening situations. n Say
“Thank You” Kids may have more opportunities to practice gratitude on Halloween than on any other night of the year. Don’t let them move from one house to the next until they say “Thank you!” loud and clear. Even the ugliest ghouls aren’t too foul for good manners. c
26 Atlanta Parent October 2012
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Smile! It’s Halloween
Make Halloween
Wallet-Friendly
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October 2012 Atlanta Parent 27
Smile! It’s Halloween
Eight Tips for parents of young children:
How To Take the Fright out of Halloween by Sharon Nolfi
W
e rang the bell and waited: a 2-year-old knight, a 4-year-old princess and me. The door cracked open and a large menacing face peered out and yelled, “Boo!” The princess laughed and shouted, “Trick or treat!” The knight bolted, however, jumping off the porch and running across the lawn to the sidewalk. Our 11-year-old neighbor quickly removed his mask and tried to coax my son back saying, “It’s only a mask. It’s really me, Adam, your friend.” My son would not budge, his 2-year-old mind unable to understand that Adam was still Adam, although his appearance was covered-up by the mask. My son’s reaction was completely normal, as the ability to grasp that a person remains himself even when wearing a disguise does not develop until age 4 or 5. Even then, the ability may come and go in different situations. Like all aspects of mental development, this skill grows over time. Halloween, with its scary sounds and sights, can induce real fear in young children. The experience of being frightened can lead to nightmares and fears that persist long after the holiday. Protect the youngest members of your family from unnecessary and harmful fright by following these tips: 28 Atlanta Parent October 2012
n Choose unthreatening
costumes and party themes. Favor good fairies over witches, and pumpkins over goblins. n Encourage costumes
without masks. Mask-free costumes help children understand that a person can take on an imaginary role and still remain the same person. Many pediatricians and police officers recommend against masks because they block vision and can lead to accidents. n Avoid haunted houses.
Haunted houses contain multiple scary scenes, all of them displayed in the dark accompanied by scary music. They are disturbing and inappropriate for young children. atlantaparent.com
n Avoid groups of older
costumed children. Older masked and costumed children are another unnecessary source of fear, especially because some of them enjoy frightening their younger friends. Small children will be less confused by costumed figures their own size. n Play “dress up”
throughout the year. Kids love this game, which helps them learn how a person can take on an imaginary role but still remain herself. n Try the “mask” game.
Place a mask over only part of your face, and then quickly take it away. Let your child observe how mom or dad is still there, with or without the mask. Gradually cover up more of your face, again removing the mask quickly. Let your child try playing with the mask in the same way, in front of a mirror. This can be played as a variant of “peeka-boo,” an all-time favorite of most young children.
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Mask-free costumes help children understand that a person can take on an imaginary role and still remain the same person.
n Stay close while trick-or-treating.
In addition to ensuring their physical safety, you can explain threatening sights and sounds and diffuse fears as they arise. Remember that your presence is the ultimate security for your child. n Take your child’s fear seriously.
Don’t laugh it off, or worse, tease or mock your child over it. Don’t allow others to do these things either, including older children. Try to explain to your frightened child that the scary images are not real, but above all, comfort and help your child to feel comfortable. As for the frightened knight, my 3-year-old son would not even approach “that scary house” the next Halloween, even though he had played with the children who lived there and had visited the home during daylight hours. Two years later,
however, a confident 4-year-old was eager to trick-or-treat at the once-feared house. When the door opened and a masked face appeared, my son shouted, “That’s a mask! I know it’s you, Adam. Give me my candy!” Adam laughed, and handed over a chocolate pumpkin. c
October 2012 Atlanta Parent 29
Smile! It’s Halloween
Beyond Candy Land! A trick-ortreat grab bag of fun Halloween stuff without sugar!
by Mary Beth Bishop ou don’t need to hand out sugary stuff to make trick-or-treaters smile. Instead, drop something different into their bags, which will surely already have plenty of candies. We found magic tricks, small toys and other goodies at prices that won’t break the bank, even if you’re expecting a host of ghouls and goblins at your doorstep on Oct. 31. Many small toys come packaged together, making them budget-friendly for Halloween. If you take a little time to browse the aisles and shelves at discount or party stores, you can find lots of ideas besides pencils and stickers. Parents who hand out small toys on Halloween say they’re big hits with kids. “They think it’s different. They’re excited,” says Tamla Watkins of Decatur. She makes it a point to give out toys or non-sugary treats. She’ll hear trick-or-treaters call out excitedly to their parents that they got a small toy or some other unexpected prize. “We’ll have kids coming to our house more than once to get what we’re giving away,” says Kelly Huggins, dad of 10-yearold twins. He likes to hand out temporary tattoos, kid-sized organic Clif bars and other non-candy goodies. As a fitness and nutrition coach, Huggins wants to help turn the tide on childhood obesity. At their home in Kennesaw, the Huggins family gives out clear plastic bags with items that might include one small piece of candy. The idea of not giving out candy may worry parents more than it does their kids, says Huggins, who has spread the word among clients about his ideas for healthier Halloweens. The holiday, he says, is about a whole lot more than the traditional haul of
Y
How To Fill Your Bowl of Treats Here are just a few affordable ideas, with the prices, that we recently found at Atlanta stores. Some items may not be available at all stores. Also, look for plastic sunglasses, fortune cookies or small toy cars.
candy. “It’s about dressing up and walking through the neighborhood and hanging out with friends.” Parents may want to look to their own kids’ tastes when choosing what to give, he suggests. “Pay attention to what they’re paying attention to,” he says. “Some of those things are cheap.” We asked two veteran trick-or-treaters what treats earn a thumbs up when they dump out their “collection” bags at the end of the night. “I personally like bubbles and I like glow sticks,” says Roswell fifth-grader Samantha Hughes, declaring those items “fun.” When she was little, she was excited to get some toys in place of chocolate. She thinks that most kids prefer something to snack on once they reach the third or fourth grade. Watkins agrees that “older kids will ask where the candy is.” That’s why some families like to have two separate stashes of treats on hand for kids of different ages. Careful snack selections, however, can make for a sugar-free offering for everyone at your door. Samantha’s brother Robby, 13, says tiny plastic animals would have been a hit with him in his younger days. For older kids, he suggests giving decks of cards. These can sometimes be found in discount stores or packaged together as mini decks. As for healthy snacks, Samantha’s a fan of both pretzels and goldfish crackers. “I like that kind of stuff,” she says. And what’s easier to give out than loose change? She recalls one house that handed out quarters to trick-or-treaters. What did Samantha think about getting some coins? “I like candy,” she says. The rush gets earlier every year for tiny toys to hand out on Halloween, says Michael Simms, an assistant manager at Party City.
n Individual
containers of Fun Dough by Rose Art. The lids have molds for making animal shapes. Five for $1 at Target.
n Glow
bracelets. Five for $1 at Dollar Tree. n Deluxe
Magic Trick Assortment. 72 individually wrapped tricks for $21. Oriental Trading Company.
n Rubber n Cardboard
Punch-out Gliders. Six for $2 at Target.
30 Atlanta Parent October 2012
Ducks. Buy a variety and let kids choose from monster, princess and pirate ducks. $6 to $6.50 for 12. Oriental Trading Company.
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Spider rings and squishy eyes are especially popular. “We sell out every year,” says Simms about trick-ortreat trinkets. Some toys, he notes, are packaged so that customers pay just 25-35 cents per item. Silly Bands, the stretchy bracelets in shapes of animals, cars, etc., are another idea. Watkins, a mother of 4-year-old twin sons, was inspired to hand out small toys when she saw how excited some kids got about Wikki Stix, colorful sticks that bend and stick together to form new shapes. “I’m an educator by profession, so I see the effects of candy on kids at school,” she says, “and I see the effects on my own kids and how they act when they have too much sugar.” Kim Burdette started handing out salty snacks a few years ago when she noticed small bags of pretzels alongside the packages of Halloween candy. She thought: “I work in a dental office. I should be giving away healthy stuff.” The kids in her neighborhood “think it’s awesome,” she says. “I think it’s because they get so much candy and they want something salty to balance the sweet.” c
Be a House with Winning Treats n Budget-minded parents can be on the lookout for trick-or-treat loot throughout the year. Watch for sales year-round on the party favor aisles. Think Halloween whenever you visit dollar stores, and hit the post-Halloween sales in early November to stock up for next year. Unlike chocolate and lollipops, toy treats won’t go bad. n Consider having a basket of small toys set aside for those trick-or-treaters you know best. Let these kids know it’s a special treat so word won’t spread to others who might come ringing the bell.
Think Safety Above all, make sure you’re handing out safe toys. Here are some guidelines from Megan Popielarczyk of Safe Kids Georgia: n Any toy that fits through an empty toilet paper roll might cause a child 4 or younger to choke, she says. Popielarczyk adds that even older kids could choke on popcorn or candies that are small and hard. n Look for toys that are well made and don’t have small pieces that can fall off. A toy may be too big to fit through the toilet paper roll, but could still have pieces that can come loose and cause a child to choke. n Follow age guidelines on toy labels. n Remember that strings and cords can be dangerous as well.
Let Your Kids Help Kids can get creative preparing your Halloween offerings. n Have your kids turn healthy snack bars into friendly ghosts. Cover each bar with a tissue (or a small square of tissue gift wrap); tie a colorful ribbon around the neck of the phantom. For an easy ghost, draw two eyes and it’s done. Kids who want to get creative can add a paper pumpkin or spider for the ghost to hold. n Kids can also decorate clear baggies with fall stickers, then help fill the bags with trinkets or healthy treats.
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October 2012 Atlanta Parent 31
n Let
Smile! It’s Halloween
Tricks For Getting Rid of Those Treats by Lara Krupicka
If you’re like me, Halloween goes like this: Wrangle kids into costumes. Take pictures. Tag along while kids run from house to house. Occasionally fix costumes and hold heavy candy bags. Watch kids sort candy, count candy, gobble candy. Wait for kids to fall asleep late, post sugar rush. Sneak candy from kids’ bags. It’s fun and exhausting, like any good celebration. And like any special event, it leaves behind cleanup work – only in this case, one cleanup issue is how to dispose of all that candy. If you’ve scratched your head over this dilemma before, here are a few solutions:
32 Atlanta Parent October 2012
Them Eat
Do you ever wonder why we let our children collect so many sweets if we have no intention of allowing them to eat it all? After all, they do work hard (run around the neighborhood in clumsy getups) to get it. They “deserve” to enjoy some of it. But how much and when can vary widely depending on your view of sugary diets. Our house follows a closed-cabinet policy. Our children know to ask before grabbing a snack. When it comes to Halloween candy, we typically say, “One piece.” The Halloween haul takes a long time to disappear, but we know they’re not ruining their teeth or their health. You may dole out your candy this way or attach a healthy-eating rule such as requiring your children to eat a piece of fruit before having any candy. Lunchtime provides another opportunity to whittle down your treats. Let your child select a candy for their lunch bag in place of a cookie or dessert. Or you can create a candy countdown for an upcoming event, like a holiday, a special visitor or vacation. Make paper links of construction paper cut into ½-inch wide by 3-inch long strips – one for each day of the countdown. Glue each strip into a loop, linking each successive loop into the last one before gluing. Tape or glue a piece of candy to each strip. Hang from the wall or ceiling. For the countdown, have your child tear off one loop with candy each day until the awaited day arrives.
n Give
It Away
There’s no reason to pitch good candy, particularly when there are those who’d love to receive a special treat. After you’ve sorted through your children’s stash to remove any broken or unwrapped pieces (and left a few for your kids), you can package them to give away. To donate close to home, ask if your local food pantry takes candy, or check with your church, if it has programs to assist families in need. In metro Atlanta, many American Legion posts will accept donations to send to servicemen and women. Contact your local chapter for information, or call Jim O’Brien, 4th District commander, at 770-820-9202. Operation Gratitude and Operation Shoebox, which also support the military, are two of the larger nonprofit organizations accepting donations of candy. Mail donations, by Dec. 1, to: Operation Gratitude/California Army National Guard, 17330 Victory Blvd., Van Nuys, CA 91406, Attn: Rich Hernandez; or Operation Shoebox, P.O. Box 1465, Belleview, FL 34420 n Trade
or Sell
Some dental offices have become creative in recent years. While wanting to discourage excessive consumption of sugary treats, they recognize that collecting Halloween candy is an age-old tradition that kids love. Some dentists will “buy back” a youngster’s candy stash, generally for $1 a pound. Atlanta Dental Spa (with locations in Buckhead and Roswell) has done this in previous years and will participate again this Halloween. Some dentists trade toys for candy. Ask if your dentist has a program like this, or visit halloweencandybuyback.com, and punch in your zip code to find participating dentists near you; a number of dentists in metro Atlanta participate in the program. Parents can also offer compensation to “buy back” their child’s candy. Offer to swap so many pounds of candy for a new toy or book or game your child wants. Just be sure to remove the candy from your house before your children want it back – unless you want it for yourself.
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n Get
Cooking
You can use leftover Halloween candy the same way you might use leftover turkey at Thanksgiving: in a recipe. This is easiest with chocolate candies. Simply break them into smaller pieces, if need be, and mix into chocolate chip cookie dough and bake. Or melt down chocolates to help you make brownies or fondue. To make use of a wider variety of candies, set up an ice cream sundae bar. Crush larger candies and place into bowls to use as ice cream toppings. Add healthy items as well such as fresh berries and pineapple chunks. Snickers Salad, anyone? The caramel and nuts in the candy, combined with apples, gives this salad the flavor of an old-fashioned taffy apple. (See recipe.) With a strategy or two in hand, you can relax this Halloween and let your children ring doorbell after doorbell. Because the only cleanup challenge you’ll face this year is where to hide the empty candy wrappers. c
Dr. Debbie King and daughter Elyse
Photo by Lara Krupicka
RECIPE Snickers Salad 4 full-size Snickers bars (or 9 miniatures) 4 apples, cut up 4 bananas, cut up 4 serving-size vanilla instant pudding 1/3 cup milk 8 oz. nondairy whipped topping Combine milk and pudding. Stir in whipped topping, then add rest of ingredients. Top with crumbled Snickers to garnish. Chill before serving.
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Healthy Smiles Are Contagious “One of the greatest responsibilities we are given as parents is to establish and maintain healthy routines to ensure the best for our children. Often, the demands of our hectic schedules overshadow the necessary time to establish or maintain a good oral health routine for ourselves. In order for you to care for those who count on you most, we at Buckhead Dental Care remind you to schedule routine time for your oral health. I invite you to contact me and my talented dental team to assist you in establishing, or re-establishing a regular oral health routine you wish your children will adopt”
(404) 239-9566
- Dr. Deborah King
2964 Peachtree NW Suite 340
(next to Barnes and Noble, just behind Brio Italian Restaurant)
www.buckheaddentalcare.com October 2012 Atlanta Parent 33
A bat’s wing structure is similar to a human hand.
Batty For BATS by Kate Wallace
Welcome to the “Year of the Bat.” Who knew? Bat conservation groups, along with the United Nations, have unofficially dubbed 2012 a year to turn attention to bats, which are fascinating, somewhat misunderstood creatures.
HANG WITH BATS
Fernbank Museum of Natural History plays host to two different bat-related activities. In Fernbank’s NatureQuest, kids can use a flashlight to search for bat replicas hiding out in a cave. Kids can also visit a model bat habitat in the Walk Through Time in Georgia exhibit. 767 Clifton Rd. NE, Atlanta. 404-929-6300. Mon.-Sat., 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sun., noon5 p.m. Adults, $17.50; kids ages 3-12, $15.50; 2 and younger, free. Chattahoochee Nature Center offers a permanent bat exhibit created last year as a memorial to Lee Bibb Lindsley, a Cobb County teacher and longtime bat advocate. This interactive exhibit is a replica of a giant hollowed tree trunk, where bats would likely roost. Life-size 3-D bat replicas line the outside of the tree, with a focus on bat species native to Georgia. On the inside of the tree, kids can examine molds of bat species from around the world. “We placed the native bats on the outside of the tree because in Georgia, most bats nest on the undersides of tree bark,” says Rebecca Gilbert, community programs director for the nature center. “Bats are not aggressive,” Gilbert wants to remind us. “We are giants to them; they want to get far away.” The exhibit allows us to learn which bat species can be found in various regions of the world, and which bugs and plants they love to eat. Bats: Live and In Person! On Oct. 13, the CNC will host “Creepy Critter Day” (11 a.m.-3 p.m.), when kids can get up close and personal with live bats, snakes and owls, and also enjoy a special Halloween experience called “Flightening Flora.” 9135 Willeo Rd., Roswell. 770-9922055. Mon.-Sat., 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sun., noon5 p.m. Adults, $8; kids ages 3-12, $5; 2 and younger, free.
34 Atlanta Parent October 2012
Bats cannot take flight from the ground. They must drop 2-3 feet before taking off.
Egg Carton Bat Craft
The kids – with just a little supervision and help from you – should have fun making these little bat friends out of recycled egg cartons. Each carton will make four bats, so with three egg cartons you can make a dozen bats. Attach them using varying lengths of string or fish line to decorate your front door or porch for trick-or-treaters. Materials you need egg carton (one for every four bats) black spray paint pair of craft eyes for each bat ribbon (such as black and orange) glue
Start with an empty egg carton and cut off the top so that you just have the bottom half (the part that holds the eggs). Cut the carton into four sections of three egg slots each. Turn each one upside-down and trim as needed so the piece can sit flat. Cut an upside-down arch into e ach side to make the bat wings, leaving the middle egg slot whole for the bat’s body. Spray paint each bat black; let dry. Glue craft eyes on the front of the middle egg slot. Make a small hole in the top of the bat’s head. Push a ribbon through the hole and tie a knot at the end of the ribbon to keep it from pulling through. Hang and enjoy! Source: Courtesy of domesticcharm.blogspot.com
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Bats Star in Two New Storybooks Nightsong by Ari Berk, illustrated by Loren Long (Simon & Schuster, ages 4-8, $17.99) A subtle story about learning to be independent, facing fears and using one’s senses. “Sense is the song you sing out into the world, and the song the world sings back to you,” whispers the mother bat to little Chiro. The dark acrylic-and-graphite illustrations are alive with mystery and detail – and it helps that Chiro’s face is about as sweet and innocent as Winnie-the-Pooh’s face.
A Place for Bats by Melissa Stewart, illustrated by Higgins Bond (Peachtree, ages 6-10, $16.95) Did you know that 45 kinds of bats live in North America? Or that bats can live up to 20 years? This same author/ illustrator team gave us A Place for Birds and A Place for Butterflies. Combining crisp and engaging storytelling with hard facts about creatures in the wild that need protection, the A Place for . . . series is also artistically beautiful. Sure to engage a youngster in learning. – Julie Bookman
Some species of bats can fly over 50 miles per hour.
The biggest bat in the world is the Malayan flying fox found in Asia. It weighs about 2 lbs. and has a wingspan of about 6 feet.
The Word from a Bat Expert
Robert Ball of Jackson, in Butts County, found bats in his attic years ago. His respect for nature and for the flying endangered mammal unleashed a passion to provide them with adequate homes. A woodworker and engineer, Ball set about building and selling bat houses. One thing we learned in talking to Ball: The expression “blind as a bat” is hogwash! Here’s what else we learned: Q: Were you interested in bats as a child? A: As a kid, I would stay outside for hours and hours up in the Ashville area. I’ve always been the one to run toward stuff when others run away. I have a tremendous respect for nature.
Bats cannot stand upright due to a very small pelvic girdle. They hang upside down nearly all the time.
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Q: What do you most love about bats? A: I really like the personalities of bats. They’re mammals, not rodents. They are indifferent to your presence. Bats can be grumpy or happy. Some can be personable and some keep to themselves. Q: What are common misconceptions about bats? A: One of the most prevalent misunderstandings is that bats can’t see. Bats actually have excellent eyesight because they’re meant to be able to see at night.
Q: What attracts bats to an area? A: Bats are curious animals. The young ones can be playful. When bats are around you, they’re eating the bugs in the area. The bigger the bugs, the better. They love moths. Bats also eat mosquitoes. They eat about their body weight, a couple of ounces, in bugs every night. Q: What should someone do if they have bats living in the attic? A: A lot of people want to get bats out of their attic. Bats are endangered. It’s illegal to kill them or exterminate them. An active bat colony can hold up the sale of a house. I recommend that bats not be in contact with people, but do not panic if you’re around a bat. They are wild but not vicious. Provide an alternate roost. Simple exclusion techniques can usually be done by the homeowner. Q: Where is a good place to go in Georgia if you want to spot live bats? A: In Georgia, I’ve spotted bats almost anywhere I’ve been. Bats live in cities, parking garages, forests and more. The peak time to view them is August to November. For more information on Robert and his wife Cecilia’s bat houses, visit habitatforbats.org.
October 2012 Atlanta Parent 35
No More Bullying
Hateful Behavior is Becoming Epidemic, but Parents, Teachers and Peers Hold the Keys to a Cure
n Part
1: In this issue
n Part
n Do
Bullying’s toll and its prevalence is more serious than most parents realize; here’s how to intervene.
2: Coming next month Technology gives cyber bullies access to torment their victims, 24/7, but these prevention strategies will keep your child from becoming a target.
Has your child been a target of a bully, or have you had to intervene when your child’s teasing crossed a line? Please e-mail Julie Bookman at editor@atlantaparent.com and tell us about your experience.
36 Atlanta Parent October 2012
you have a bullying story to share?
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When Tormentors Strike, We Must Intervene by Todd Patkin Every few months, it seems, there’s another headline about the death of a child or teen as the result of bullying. That’s terrifying, and it’s also unacceptable. To some extent we expect to hear about economic woes, political strife, and natural disasters. We don’t expect to hear about the premature (and preventable) deaths of our young people. And we shouldn’t have to. It’s past time for America to realize that bullying is “the” problem of our day, and for parents and educators to lead the revolution on stopping this dangerous behavior. If you’re skeptical, consider the following statistics from bullyingstatistics.org: Almost 30 percent of young people participate in bullying behaviors or are bullying victims. Every day, about 160,000 students do not attend school because they are afraid of being bullied. Young people who have been bullied are two to nine times likelier than their nonbullied peers to consider suicide. Perhaps most concerning of all, a 2009 study indicated that every half hour, a child commits suicide because he has been bullied. And that trend is on the rise.
Yes, bullying is a big problem. I know from personal experience just how devastating bullying can be. My tormenters verbally abused me, and they would also push me around and knock my books or drinks out of my hands. They caused me to often dread coming to school or attending social functions. My confidence and selfesteem took a huge hit. And looking back, I believe that the negative self-image bullying cultivated lasted well into my adult years and contributed to the anxiety and depression from which I suffered. There are definitive links between childhood bullying and adult depression. Being bullied can also lead to anger management problems and aggression in adulthood.
The importance of combating and preventing bullying should be obvious. By preventing a young person from being bullied, we may be freeing him from a lifetime of feeling inadequate and being haunted by horrible memories. We may even be saving a life.
So, why isn’t the current approach working? Yes, bullying receives a lot of media attention, and as a result, schools and communities are providing more resources for bullied kids. They’re encouraging victims to reach out for help, and they’re also instituting zero-tolerance policies aimed at the bullies themselves. But too many victims are still slipping through the cracks. Why? We’re putting too much responsibility on the young people we’re trying to protect. First of all, kids who are being bullied often lack the self-esteem and confidence to stand up for themselves and let adults know what’s happening. They also worry that turning a tormentor in will make them new targets, or intensify the former level of bullying. I believe that many young people today feel just as powerless to speak up and “out” bullies – and also that repercussions for them could be worse than those he might have faced due to cyberbullying. In other words, today’s bullies aren’t forced to stop once the school bell rings – their vicious and hurtful behavior can continue 24/7 thanks to social media sites, texting, and emails.
13 million children will be bullied in our nation this year.
How much longer are we going to let this problem go on? Are we going to continue to allow more kids to become victims because, like I was, they’re too scared to speak up? Not on my watch!
Here’s what our goal should be. We need to spark a culture-wide revolution to make bullying uncool – in fact, unacceptable. There needs to be a palpable stigma attached to tormenting and belittling another person. I compare the bullying problem to drunk driving. Once upon a time, getting behind the wheel after a few alcoholic beverages was fairly common and casual, and was not seen as “that big of a deal” Until recent time, bullying was seen simply as “a part of kids growing up.” Similarly, bullies need to lose the “cool” image that comes with being at the top of the social pecking order. The public – adults and kids alike – needs to view bullying as something that brands you with a modernday scarlet letter. Our current zero-tolerance policies are a good start, but we need to add another prong to our anti-bullying approach. In short, parents have to lead the way (along with other students) to say that we are no longer going to accept this behavior. It has to start in your house.
What can parents do to change things? We as parents need to be more proactive in raising kids who are not bullies. If young people see bullying as something to avoid at all costs – something that they don’t want to participate in or allow to happen – we’ll be directly attacking the problem instead of treating the symptoms. The best news is, getting started is pretty simple. Cont’d on page 38
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October 2012 Atlanta Parent 37
38 Atlanta Parent    October 2012
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When Schools Tackle the Bully
by Julie Bookman
When bullying is a problem in schools, experts offer some key strategies for dealing with it.
Across the metro area, kids are bullied every day, in quick and subtle ways such as verbal teasing (which tends to be the ways girls are most often bullied), to more physical harm and harassment (boys, generally). Because bullying is most likely to occur on or near school property, or on the way to and from school, it’s morphed into one more “subject” that schools are expected to teach. It’s a problem that schools are expected to solve. And schools have indeed stepped up their efforts and their commitment to tackle bullying. “Bullying will not be tolerated,” says Chantel Mullen, dean of student discipline for Atlanta Public Schools. The district is “committed to the fact that it takes all of us – students, parents, staff and community – to help end bullying. Our social workers, counselors and psychologists work with students individually and schools as a whole to target bullying.” She is reminded of a young girl who was recently “picked on by other kids because of the way she wore her hair.” Once the school became aware this was going on, all parties were brought in to sit down and talk about it: the children, their parents, the counselor, principal and even the bus driver who witnessed the bully behavior. “They had to all talk about their behavior and how hurtful it was,” Mullen recalls. “There were letters of apology written. The parents understood what had been going on, and that was very important.” Cont’d on page 40
FIND AN OPEN HOUSE FOR A SCHOOL NEAR YOU! Atlanta Parent announces our NEW online Open House Directory for Schools & Preschools. atlantaparent.com
OPEN HOUSE atlantaparent.com
For more information on how to get your school listed on our Open House Directory, please contact Amy Smith Asmith@atlantaparent.com or 678-222-1918. October 2012 Atlanta Parent 39
When Schools Tackle the Bully
When a peer intervenes in a bullying situation, the bullying stops within 10 seconds more than half (57 percent) of the time.
“
If the culture of the kid at school is to walk by, walk past when they see a group of three girls pushing around another girl who is dressed differently – if the culture in that school is that that’s OK, then that behavior is going to continue. Edward F. Dragan, author of The Bully Action Guide
”
Bullying “is not just a kid issue, it’s a people issue,” says Jeff Dess, who’s been a prevention specialist and consultant for the Cobb County School District for 23 years. “We want to teach parents – and adults everywhere – everything that we’re teaching kids. [It’s] four key concepts: tattling versus telling; playful teasing versus harmful teasing; what is bully behavior; and bystander strategies.” These concepts, lessons and strategies are available for anyone to read at: cobbk12.org/ bully. DeKalb County Schools “has taken the subject of bullying head on,” says Quentin Fretwell, director of the district’s department of safe schools and student relations. Under way is a comprehensive and straightforward bully awareness campaign, now in its third year, that’s about training all stakeholders. The mission is “to change the entire culture,” Fretwell says. “We have to change the overall mindset, and that means that we as adults need to be even more aware of our own
October is National Bullying Prevention Month 40 Atlanta Parent October 2012
actions and understand that just because we are adults, we cannot have the ‘do as I say, not as I do’ mentality. “You can have rules and regulations and policies in place to deal with bully issues, but if a bully is dealing with the consequences of his actions, that means some child has already been hurt. We want kids to not be bullied in the first place, so it’s about prevention and intervention. We must instill tolerance and understanding that we are all in one society and we all need to help lift each other up.” There’s a growing movement to take some of the burden off of school staffers – the adults – and put it at least partly on the student body as a whole – the kids. “The key is the bystanders,” says Clete Bulach, a retired school administrator with 40 years experience. He continues to work with schools in the areas of bullying, “school culture and climate,” and character education. (He spent several of years evaluating “character education” programs for Georgia schools.)
“The bystanders stand around and watch and sometimes even encourage the bully and join in,” Bulach says. “Why? Because it’s not their responsibility. We don’t handle something when it’s not our responsibility. But if you make it so kids are supposed to help control each other, then you change the culture of the whole school.” Before schools can begin to empower their students more and turn the tide on bullying activity, Bulach says they must measure the extent of their bullying problem. Bullies don’t bully anywhere near an adult, and kids who see bully behavior don’t tell.” He has examined the extent of bullying activity at a number of schools using his own survey – free on his website: westgaedu/~cbulach – and says “survey responses from faculty and students are always night and day, because the faculty doesn’t see bullying and the kids see a great deal of it.” When students can be anonymous filling out a survey, the results are more accurate and revealing, he adds. Once a school’s administration grasps the realities of the bullying activities, Bulach’s advice is for that school to put students into peer mediation teams – small groups of students who are trained to be peer mediators. “The kids who get bullied can go to a peer mediator, who gets the bully and the victim together, and the peer mediator mediates that dispute. In this way, he says, “kids themselves are taking control, taking responsibility. That can be very powerful.” Edward F. Dragan, author of The Bully Action Guide: How to Help Your Child and Get Your School to Listen (Palgrave Macmillan, $16), is also concerned with a school’s “culture” and its role in the bullying spectrum.
Oct. 10
Oct. 7-13
Oct. 4-20
National Stop Bullying Day
National Stop Bullying Week
Bullying Bystanders Unite Week
This year’s theme is:
Bullying is the cause of Bullying. It’s Contagious. Don’t Catch It! atlantaparent.com
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October 2012    Atlanta Parent 41
Classrooms Need Parents Tips for being the best volunteer ever. by Paddy Eger
A
s states continue to slash education budgets to accommodate declining tax revenues, schools respond by trying to squeeze even more out of their beleaguered teachers: class sizes grow, planning periods are cut, each student gets less attention. What can we do? Project Appleseed, a nonprofit public education advocate, is asking parents across the country to lend a hand in their child’s school on Nov. 15, its 18th annual National Parent Involvement Day. Not coincidentally, it falls during American Education Week, Nov. 11-17. Volunteers and adult assistants in classrooms make a huge difference, especially with schools and teachers under so much stress. With a little training and a handful of strategies, most adults can effectively assist both teachers and students. One hour a month or a week helping students is a small investment of time that has big returns. Sometimes, however, the bestintentioned volunteers become yet another pair of hands tugging for attention on the teacher’s sleeve. Volunteers working with small groups of students, such as tutoring sessions, also risk wasting precious instructional time if they’re not prepared and don’t know how to manage the group. In more than 20 years as a primaryand intermediate-grade teacher, I have developed a number of simple strategies that allow volunteers to both maximize 42 Atlanta Parent October 2012
their usefulness and minimize distractions to the teacher. These suggestions don’t replace training provided by the school, since that’s tailored to the teachers’ needs, but they should greatly enhance time spent working directly with students.
a softer voice. For round tables, sit so you – not the students – face nearby tables or other distractions.
Schedule a meeting with the teacher
Don’t repeat questions. If the student says he doesn’t understand the question, ask him to repeat what he thinks he heard. If the student is still confused, ask another student to rephrase the question. Then ask the first student to repeat what he just heard.
Make it a time when students are not in the classroom. Do not expect to meet with the teacher unannounced for “just a minute.” Also, if the teacher provides materials for an activity, don’t expect her to walk you through it. Take time to read the directions and gather supplies days before your classroom visit.
Establish a consistent meeting place If your group will meet regularly, ask the teacher before your first visit to help you establish a place that you can use every time you visit. Nothing kills an activity faster than spending valuable time looking for a place to work.
Choose your seat wisely Don’t sit at one end of a rectangular table. Sitting in the middle along one side allows you to see all of the students and reach out to touch their work. It also makes you part of the group and allows you to speak in
Help children become active listeners
Be prepared to change plans Have a “pocket activity” ready in case a schedule change means you’ll have less time with the children. This can be a simple game, such as a math or spelling game, or a book or news article that can be started or stopped at any time without losing its value. Assistants, especially those who’ve taken the time to prepare, can have a big impact in a classroom. They provide extra hands and help gather materials, lead small groups, prepare enriching activities and manage day-to-day tasks. While they can’t solve all of the problems associated with drastic budget cuts, they can help ensure students feel as little of the sting as possible. c Paddy Eger is a veteran teacher, parent trainer and volunteer, and author of Educating America 101: Strategies for Adult Assistants in K-8 Classrooms. atlantaparent.com
Student Success Depends on Parental Involvement by Kate Wallace
Parents are sought to take on some of the jobs and duties that were previously handled by paid staffers. Such jobs range from recess aides and cafeteria monitors to office work.
W
hen kids have a parent who is actively engaged in their learning process, they are more successful in school, say both educators and parents. According to the National Institute of Education, effective parental involvement is in direct harmony with students earning higher grades and test scores. Here in Atlanta, the fact that class sizes have increased while funding has decreased makes the need for parent volunteers greater than ever. Parents are sought to take on some of the jobs and duties that were previously handled by paid staffers. Such jobs range from recess aides and cafeteria monitors to office work. Across the metro area, teachers are counting on parents to help with everything from science experiments and craft projects to reading and writing activities. Sharyn Briscoe, program administrator at Morris Brandon Elementary in Buckhead, oversees 400 students in the kindergarten and first-grade classrooms. She knows that parental involvement goes hand in hand with student and school success. “The scope
and scale of extracurricular activities and enrichment multiply greatly when you have parent involvement,” she says. “The level of commitment among some parents is so strong that it’s like a regular part-time job for them. They work in the library, do some gardening, help organize other volunteers.
They are amazing.” And the children love to see their parents on the premises, Briscoe adds. “The parents’ presence in the school helps drive home the importance of not only education, but of volunteering.” Cont’d on page 44
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October 2012 Atlanta Parent 43
Student Success Depends on Parental Involvement Marcia Coward, president of the DeKalb County School PTA and mother of a recent Druid Hills High School graduate, continues to devote herself to her child’s former school district because the need is always there. “Some parents don’t understand the value of volunteering. They see it as grunge work, the kinds of stuff that seem like a job,” Coward says. “But there’s more to volunteering than just making copies and walking the halls.” Coward’s children initially attended private school, but she came to realize that a child can be educated anywhere – as long as the parent is involved with and tuned into the education experience. Just some of the duties she’s handled: running school book fairs, monitoring students during recess, donating books, and giving talks about student career options. And she’s helped drum up other parent volunteers, too. “I am busier now than I ever have been, even when my kids were in school,” says Coward, who still has nephews and friends’ kids in the school district who rely on her to step in when they can’t get away from work. She knows it’s hard for some parents to volunteer when their jobs are not flexible.
44 Atlanta Parent October 2012
parents’ presence in the school helps “ The drive home the importance of not only education, but of volunteering. ” Sharyn Briscoe, program administrator at Morris Brandon Elementary
But there are myriad ways to help a school or support your child’s teacher. “Parents don’t have to enter the school building to be engaged in their children’s education,” Coward says. Heather Williamson is just starting out as a member of the PTA at Toomer Elementary, a Title I Atlanta school. With a son in first grade at the newly redistricted school, Williamson recently left her full-time paralegal job to devote herself to a school that she feels “desperately” needs her – and more parents, too. She serves as “room parent” for her son’s class and helps with classroom activities. She also recruits other parents to pitch in. You can’t “wait for someone else to take the reins,” she says. “I really do believe that schools get better when parents are involved, and it does take a village.”
Volunteering, the Easier Way VolunteerSpot, a website and iPad app, is helping schools all over metro Atlanta sign up and communicate with their volunteers. “We’re getting a lot of value from it,” says Rachel Berenthal, PTO president at Davis Academy in Sandy Springs. “We’re in our second year, and there was a little resistance at first, but now people love it.” The organization uses it to sign up volunteers for events such as the school carnival, and as classroom helpers, library volunteers and more. With this free online volunteer coordination tool, for instance, an event organizer can put out a call for the number volunteers they need for specific jobs, and people can sign up, without e-mails flying
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back and forth among the participants and in-boxes overflowing. The coordinator can then see what jobs are unassigned, and find volunteers to fill those holes. The program sends an automatic e-mail reminder a couple of days before the event. “It relieves your mind,” Berenthal says. “You know you’ve got it covered.” Michelle Schueber, a class mom at Morningside Elementary School, has used VolunteerSpot as a volunteer before, but used it as an organizer for the first time a few weeks ago. She was impressed with how easy it was to pull together a class party. “You just set up the things you want for the party and the number of people you need. For instance, I needed four cases of water, and I asked for two volunteers to bring two cases each. You also can ask for volunteers for set up and clean up, craft activities, or anything else you need, and you can see at a glance where you still need people.” The site, which has more than 1.75 million users, also offers fundraising features and free e-books such as Room Parent Survival Guide. For more information, see volunteerspot.com. c
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Transforming opportunities. Transforming lives. October 2012 Atlanta Parent 45
Ask a Teacher
Q: A:
How can I help boost my child’s reading confidence?
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Friday, October 19, 2012
Campus Tour and Orientation Meeting 9:00 am to 11:00 am (Program begins Promptly at 9:00 a.m.)
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46 Atlanta Parent October 2012
First-graders enter the school year at many different reading levels. Some kids are less confident in their abilities and even afraid to sound out words. Others are reading chapter books with ease. It all boils down to reading confidence, something students struggle with. We need to encourage s t u d e n t s t o b e c o m e Libby Tyler confident and provide them with tools to succeed. If unsure of your child’s reading ability, contact his teacher. No matter what your child’s reading level, you can help improve his reading confidence. Here’s my advice: Below Level: Be patient with your child, even if you feel frustrated. Ask your child’s teacher what you should work on at home. For example: sight words, if that’s an area in which your child struggles. One fun way is to make a memory game out of the flash cards. Another game we use in my classroom is called BAM! What you need: sight words printed on paper, 10 other pieces of paper with the word “BAM!” printed on each, and a basket. Take turns picking out a paper and reading it. If you can read the word, you keep the paper; if you cannot, you put it back. If you receive the word “BAM!” you must put all of your papers back. The goal: to have the most papers at the end. On Level: Working on your child’s fluency while reading aloud is always helpful. Practice proper intonation when reading different types of sentences. A sentence that ends with an exclamation point or question mark should have more emotion than a sentence that ends in a period. Read some of the more “emotional” sentences in funny voices (opera singer, mouse voice or scary voice), still using the correct intonation. Above Level: Comprehension matters. It is wonderful that your child is a successful reader, but does she have any idea what she has read? Ask her questions about what she has read. I have story wands with questions written on them: “What was the setting of the story?” “Who is your favorite character and why?” “What do you think will happen next?” These prompts push the students to think on their own and use deductive reasoning from what they read to make a new idea. – Libby Tyler teaches first grade at St. Martin’s Episcopal School in Atlanta. atlantaparent.com
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October 2012 Atlanta Parent 47
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48 Atlanta Parent October 2012
GEORGIA’S EIGHTH-GRADERS had a four-point “scale score” increase, compared to just two points for the nation, according to a 2011 National Assessment of Educational Progress report. The increase brings Georgia’s average scale score up to the national average: 151. A student’s scale score is determined by test answers and summarizes the overall level of performance of a student. The NAEP compares and tracks student achievement on a national level in fourth-, eighth- and 12th-grade math, reading, writing and science.
SEVEN GEORGIA PUBLIC SCHOOLS have been named 2012 National Blue Ribbon Schools by U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan. The four Atlanta metro-area schools are: Austell Intermediate School (Cobb County), Kittredge Magnet (DeKalb), Crabapple Crossing Elementary (Fulton) and Simpson Elementary (Gwinnett). The National Blue Ribbon Schools program recognizes schools where students are performing at high levels or where significant improvements, even among economically disadvantaged students, have been made in academic success.
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FRENCH CLASSES FOR CHILDREN Saturday program ages 18 mo-12 yrs • Buckhead location
Bedtime Math = One Problem a Night YOU READ A STORY BEFORE BEDTIME, so how about tossing in one math problem before tucking in your child? Bedtime Math is a free website that provides parents with math problems that kids can relate to. Laura Overdeck, site creator, started giving her own kids math problems at bedtime; before she knew it, her 2-year-old was asking for his own math problems. Overdeck contends that getting into this habit is just one way to help kids gain confidence in their math skills and ease their “math anxiety” at school. Visit bedtimemathproblem.org.
at Atlanta International School New Class: Bébé et Moi (Baby and Me) for children ages 18-36 months
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770-634-6228
Decatur Parents Want Healthier Foods at School SCHOOL OFFICIALS WILL WEIGH THE OPTIONS of changing up the lunch menu at Renfroe Middle School and other schools in the City Schools of Decatur district. A group of eight called the Ultimate Menu Committee, composed of Decatur parents, school staff and a student, presented a healthy eating proposal to the school board in September, prompting the board to consider eliminating items such as fried tater tots and chocolate milk. The committee has already seen some success this year by getting the district to drop some high-calorie foods with little nutritional value, including fried shrimp poppers. Courtney Burnett, legislative and community liaison for the school district, says additional surveys have been sent out to get input from other parents. “It’s going to take over the course of the school year to evaluate the suggested changes and possibly implement some of them,” Burnett says. “But it’s a really good conversation starter for the community.” – Kate Wallace
atlantaparent.com
October 2012 Atlanta Parent 49
How Much Praise Is Too Much?
by Mary Jo Rapini
I was on my run the other day and stopped at the park to get some water. I sat on a bench to quench my thirst, closed my eyes and listened. Among the happiest sounds in the world are children at play: their little voices, their excited screams, their bargaining with their parents for more time to play. What I also overheard: “Mommy, was that good?” and “Daddy, did you see that throw?” The mom and dad each responded with affirming comments such as “Good job!”
Are we raising a generation of kids who expect praise for almost anything? Expecting and receiving praise on a regular basis weren’t standard when I was a kid – or at least I don’t remember that happening much in my family. Eastern cultures believe too much praise causes kids to grow up into self-serving adults with big egos who are lazy. They may have something there; more and more young people seem not to have as strong of a work ethic as previous generations. These are likely the same kids who grew up getting an allowance “just because.” However, the whole idea behind an allowance is to instill the concept of working for pay (by doing chores, for example) and to teach a youngster to manage money. Like praise, it seems that some parents are giving away allowance for free. Is praise bad for kids? No, not if done appropriately. For example, research has shown that praising a small toddler for having good manners actually does produce more polite teens. When might praise be inappropriate? When you praise your Little League pitcher simply for throwing a good pitch. You should not necessarily praise a child’s gifts or natural talents. However, if you praise your star ballplayer for being compassionate toward another player, or for demonstrating excellent sportsmanship – that’s praise that can ultimately serve your child well. It can all be so confusing for parents. One doctor tells you to praise your kids; your own parents may tell you not to. If you were raised by parents who rarely praised you, you may be determined to regularly praise your children. But, from your kids’ point of view, praising too often could mean one of two things: that you feel sorry for them and think they need praise because they are losers; or that you aren’t really engaged with them because you are praising them for something they already know. Here are a few guidelines that will help you re-consider before you praise:
Be careful praising them for what comes naturally. If you praise your kid for an A in math that comes easily, your child may end up taking fewer risks and be less willing to fail. He could worry that you won’t praise him for the effort. This can cause anxious, hesitant kids. 50 Atlanta Parent October 2012
atlantaparent.com
Be careful praising kids for something they love to do. This can lead a child to believe that he must always love what he’s doing. Such children may grow up thinking life shouldn’t be so hard; they can be easily defeated when challenged.
Using comparisons with other children can backfire. Telling your children that they are better, stronger or more attractive than their peers makes children grow up to think in a win/ lose mindset. They become very competitive. These children may not seek to understand others; they will seek to win an argument, win a position, or win a relationship. Don’t forget, no matter whom you know or how high you go, getting along with others can make or break you. Teaching your kids to be compassionate and polite can be more important and more highly correlated to their future happiness and success than promoting comparisons and competitiveness.
Praising your youngster for physical attractiveness should be used with caution. As a parent, it is easy to tell children how beautiful or handsome they are. When a girl is praised for her looks, it tells her that the person issuing the praise puts a real value on physical appearance. The media’s focus on looks and beauty puts additional pressure on girls to “look pretty.” Your daughter in middle school may begin to think she cannot leave the house without her hair and makeup done. Encouragement and modest praise when your child is discouraged with, for example, a tedious practice schedule or difficult lesson plan will help build your child’s self-esteem more than telling her how pretty she is. When praising, bear in mind a child’s age and developmental level. If you praise a teen insincerely, he may think you are trying to manipulate him. A toddler may need to hear frequently that he did good work, or you liked the colors he chose. Kids naturally will begin building their own internal confidence if they face a challenge and work well with it. Constantly telling children how great they are makes them take fewer risks to try the very challenges that will build their self-esteem. Praise is powerful, so use it wisely. c Mary Jo Rapini is a licensed psychotherapist and co-author with Janine J. Sherman of Start Talking: A Girl’s Guide for You and Your Mom About Health, Sex or Whatever. atlantaparent.com
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w w w. n o r t h w o o d s m o n t e s s o r i . o r g October 2012 Atlanta Parent 51
Don’t Miss Atlanta’s BEST Block Party!
Saturday, October 13 Mercer University Atlanta Campus
10 am - 4 pm
More than 50 family-friendly activities! ENTERTAINMENT TODDLER-ONLY PLAY AREA STORYTELLING • CRAFT ACTIVITIES TRICK-OR-TREAT STREET • EXHIBITORS • FOOD Brought to you by Atlanta Parent Magazine atlantaparent.com
2012 beneficiaries: Admission: $5 per person (cash only at gate) Admission includes 3 activity tickets Children 2 and younger FREE
familyb l o c k p a r t y. c o m
Join the Fun!
Volunteer, exhibit, donate Call about opportunities: 770-454-7599 or kmorris@atlantaparent.com
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Family Fun Guide * Eating Out
n
Free Fun
n
Playground
Not-to-miss events for October
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Calendar
sit We Vi rea Five A azes M Corn 58 Page
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Sunday in the Park Oakland Cemetery / Oct. 7, noon-6 p.m. Dress in your Sunday Victorian best (optional!) and step back in time at Atlanta’s historic garden cemetery, all the while enjoying live musicians, artists’ market, food, living history demonstrations, carriage tours and friendly spirits of all kinds. Old-fashioned fun is also in store for kids: crafts, games, storytelling and the Teddy Bear Tea. Dating to 1850, the famous Oakland Cemetery is the final resting place of many of Atlanta’s early prominent families as well as 6,900 Confederate soldiers, including 3,000 unknowns. 248 Oakland Ave. SE, Atlanta. 404-688-2107. Suggested donation: $5; kids 3 and younger free.
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2
3
Atlanta Parent’s Family Block Party
Atlanta Parent’s Family Block Party
Disney On Ice: Rockin’ Ever After
Mercer University, Atlanta Campus Oct. 13, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
Philips Arena Oct. 10-14. Wed.-Thurs., 7:30 p.m.; Fri., 10:30 a.m. and 7:30 p.m.; Sat., 11 a.m., 2:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m.; Sun., noon and 4 p.m.
Celebrate with your family at Atlanta Parent’s biggest event of the year. Kids can enjoy more than 50 action-packed attractions, including delightful bounce houses that will suit kids of all sizes. Practice your batting swing with the Atlanta Braves, and shoot hoops with the Atlanta Hawks. We’ll have face painting, animal encounters, craft stations, storytelling and much more. Take a stroll down Trick-or-Treat Street! Win prizes! We’ll see you there! 3001 Mercer University Dr., Atlanta. 770-454-7599. $5/ person; 2 and younger, free. Admission includes three activity tickets. Buy tickets online at familyblockparty.com.
Family Fun Guide
Prepare to rock on with characters from the movies Brave and Tangled as they sing and dance their hearts out and glide beautifully over the ice for their favorite fans. Many other magical Disney idols will perform in this musical extravaganza of tunes and iceskating talent. 1 Philips Dr., Atlanta. 800-745-3000. $15-$75.
October 2012 Atlanta Parent 53
Family Fun Guide Oak Street Café
oakstcafe.com 45 Oak Street, Roswell; 770-594-1300 Mon., 11 a.m.-2:30 p.m.; Tues.-Sat., 11 a.m.-3 p.m. and 5:30-9 p.m.; Sun., 10 a.m.-2 p.m. At first, with the deep burgundy color scheme and heavy furnishings, Oak Street Café seemed too elegant for a casual family meal. However, my 12-year-old daughter and her friend were entranced by the dark, mysterious European ambience, and the wonderful aroma of Italianinfluenced cooking was instantly welcoming to the whole family. n What’s on the menu: I sampled the wholegrain salad ($9) and a bowl of chunky gazpacho ($5.50). Both dishes were refreshing and healthy, if a little tame for my taste. The grain salad featured toasted Israeli couscous, farro, cured olives, cherry tomatoes, roasted red peppers, Vidalia onions, feta crumbles, crisp arugula, and toasted pistachios, drizzled with a tangy vinaigrette. My husband, a meat-and-potatoes kind of man, ordered the polpettone ($15), an Italian mainstay, prepared with a closely guarded family recipe of ground beef and pork. He was surprised that it was actually a medium-sized meatball rather than the squared-off chunk of meat he
EATING OUT
had expected. He found it very tasty, particularly paired with the garlicky “olive oil-crushed potatoes.” I have to admit, I kept sneaking tastes of those potatoes. The thick and hearty sandwiches, made with bread from Artisan Foods and Buckhead Bread Co., were the kids’ favorites. For dinner, there were three sandwich options: chicken ($9), crab cake ($12) and hamburger ($10), dressed any way you like. Sides included delicious fries, soup, two salads, and macaroni and cheese. Oak Street Café is also open for lunch. For dinner, be aware that it’s not a quick-service restaurant. We frequently looked at our watches, because we had an engagement later in the evening. There was almost no time for dessert, but we opted for homemade ice cream, which was relatively quick. n Why parents will like it: The café is small, with a neighborhood feel. Parking is a breeze. You may want to bring a book or a quiet gadget to keep small children occupied. We had the sense that the chef would not rush any dish.
THE COLORS
OF THE SEASON
Tallulah Gorge State Park
Great places for leaf peeping with the family Want an activity for the kids? Georgia State Parks Department suggests leaf rubbing: Find a few fallen leaves that you think are pretty. Lay them on a table and cover with a sheet of paper. Use a crayon or soft pencil to rub back and forth across the paper. You’ll see a copy of the leaf on your artwork. Look online at tree identification websites. Do you know what kind of leaf you have?
54 Atlanta Parent October 2012
When we explained at the outset that we were in a bit of a hurry, our waiter kindly advised us how long each entrée would take to prepare. n Why kids will like it: The kids enjoyed the chance to dine in relative elegance for a familyfriendly restaurant; it made them feel grown up. My daughter appreciated the opportunity to customize the Lafayette, a grilled all-natural chicken sandwich, substituting provolone for the unfamiliar Emmenthaler cheese. Both kids raved about the crispy, well-seasoned, hand-cut french fries. While service was a little slower than they were used to, they enjoyed commenting on the displayed artwork. The lollipops available to departing customers were a big hit, much more fun than the usual mints. – Beth Balga
The air is crisp, the days sunny and mild. Consider a family drive to enjoy fall foliage in all its glory. Just for starters: n Georgia State Parks: At an altitude of 3,640 feet, Black Rock Mountain State Park in Rabun County is Georgia’s highest state park. Roadside overlooks provide 80-mile vistas of the Blue Ridge Mountains and hiking trails lead leaf peepers into forests bursting with color. The 2.2-mile Tennessee Rock Trail is popular with families. At Amicalola Falls State Park in Dawsonville, you can hike to the top of the Southeast’s tallest waterfall, or choose the easy shortcut on a stroller-friendly boardwalk. At Tallulah Gorge State Park in Tallulah Falls, the scenery is spectacular and a little-known paved trail is a great option for families. The incredibly scenic Cloudland Canyon State Park, on the edge of Lookout Mountain, gives leaf enthusiasts a bird’s-eye view of the 1,980-foot-deep canyon from an easy trail along the canyon’s rim. There’s a $5 parking fee at Georgia’s state parks. There are plenty more state parks. Check the “leaf watch” web page: gastateparks. org/leafwatch; 800-864-7275 n Make a day trip out of it by packing your lunch and setting your sights on North Georgia towns such as Ellijay, Blue Ridge, Helen and Dahlonega. With a summit elevation of 4,785 feet above sea level, Brasstown Bald is the highest natural point in Georgia; the Brasstown Bald Visitors Center is in Blairsville (706-896-2555). – Julie Bookman
Family Fun Guide
atlantaparent.com
FREE FUN
Wild Blue Yonder
Celebrate the history of aviation by viewing aircraft and artifacts documenting Atlanta’s long connection with airplane manufacturing and flight. Self-guided tours are free, though donations are encouraged. If museums are not enough, go see airplanes land and take off at some small Atlanta airports. Marietta Museum of History: Aviation Wing Hours: Thurs.-Sat., 10 a.m.-3 p.m., corner of Atlanta Road and South Cobb Drive, Marietta. (Parking $5 per vehicle) 770-794-5710; mariettahistory.org Unravel the history of Marietta and its long connection to aircraft manufacturing at this 15.5 acre outside park displaying civilian and military aircrafts. The story begins with Bell Aircraft in the early 1940s and continues by exploring Lockheed Martin aircraft from the 1950s to the present.
Delta Heritage Museum Hours: Mon.-Thurs., 9 a.m.-4 p.m. (Must make appointment 24 hours in advance for self-guided tour; security requires Photo ID for those 18 and older.)1060 Delta Boulevard, off Loop Rd. (I-85 exit 74), north of the airport 404-773-1219; deltamuseum.org Experience the rich history of Delta Airlines and its affiliates at this museum on the grounds of the Delta World Headquarters. The aircrafts on display include Delta’s first passenger plane, Travel Air, and the Spirit of Delta, the airline’s first 767. Check out the replica of the first Delta station in Monroe, La. The museum store is in a redesigned section of the hull of the first L-1011 built. This museum is more suitable for older children. The best time to visit is Wed-Thurs., noon-2 p.m., to see the inside of The Spirit of Delta.
The Spirit of Delta, the airline’s first 767 is on display at the Delta Heritage Museum.
DeKalb-Peachtree Airport 2000 Airport Road, Atlanta This airport is the second busiest in Georgia, behind Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport. DeKalb-Peachtree reduces air carrier congestion for Hartsfield Jackson, welcoming corporate and business jets, personal aircraft, helicopters and aircraft charters. Kids will love the playground as they wait for planes to land or take off. pdkairport.org.
Gwinnett County Airport 600 Briscoe Blvd., Lawrenceville This airport at Briscoe Field is one mile northeast of Lawrenceville, serving general aviation and corporate aircraft. Check out The Flying Machine restaurant where you can sit, eat, and watch the planes land. lzuairport.com. – Sarah Egan
28th annual
Presented by
SATURDAY, NOV. 3, 2012 TURNER FIELD
• 10k run 8 a.m. • 5k run/walk 9:15 a.m. • Mascot Trot 10 a.m.
Kids II ®, Inc. has been inventing and reinventing toys and gear for more than 40 years and has quickly become one of the world’s fastest growing infant and toddler product companies. Headquartered in Atlanta with 13 international offices, Kids II spans the globe with operations in six continents serving customers in more than 70 countries. The brand portfolio strength runs deep with seven brands under the Kids II umbrella, including Bright StartsTM, InGenuityTM, Comfort & HarmonyTM, DisneyTM, Baby EinsteinTM, Rhino ToysTM and TaggiesTM. www.kidsii.com
• • • • • • • • • • • • choa.org/stronglegs | 404-785-7370
• 2k Fun Run and Stroller Roll 10:15 a.m. Qualifier for the 2013 AJC Peachtree Road Race
atlantaparent.com
All proceeds benefit Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta Family Fun Guide
October 2012 Atlanta Parent 55
Playground: Taylor-Brawner Park
Get on the Bus!
Where will you find Ralphie’s Hot Air Balloon Race, Wanda’s Watery World and Keesha’s Wind Globe? At The Children’s Museum of Atlanta, starting Oct. 6. That’s when Scholastic’s “The Magic School Bus™ Kicks Up a Storm” begins a four-month run. Using the characters from the popular Magic School Bus™ book series, this major interactive exhibit will teach kids – and their folks – about weather science in many fun and engaging ways. In collaboration with Scholastic Books, the “Storm” exhibit was created by the Children’s Museum of Houston. The exhibit features three hands-on environments: Weather Observatory, Walkerville Weather Center and Mrs. Frizzle’s Classroom. When: Oct. 6-Jan. 27. Mon.-Fri. 10 a.m.-4 p.m.; Sat.-Sun. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Cost: $12.75 ages 2-adult; younger are free. Hours are extended only on the second Tuesday of every month for “Target Tuesdays,” when admission is free from 1-7 p.m. Visit childrensmuseumatlanta.org, 404-659-5437.
n Features: Because the playground – more than 3,000 square feet – is tucked deep inside the park, traffic noise is filtered out. This is a unique space where having fun with your children is guaranteed. One area is designated for ages 2-5, and another for ages 5-12. Play equipment was selected partly to blend into the natural landscape. Rock and rope climbing are popular. The area for younger children offers a vertical wall climber, panel climber, corkscrew climber, musical and activity panels, and three slides, including a tube slide and an open double slide. My 3-yearold son especially loves the climbers, but when he swings he is flying to the sky! Older kids enjoy similar equipment to suit their sizes and abilities, including a zipper climber and net climber; they have four different slides to choose from, including a triple
open slide and another in an L configuration. The swing set offers two toddler seats. Also available: park benches, picnic tables and shade trees. n Amenities: The 10-acre park features open lawns, a halfmile walking trail, a “wedding” gazebo, picnic pavilion, outdoor classroom, terraced/grassy amphitheater and fountain, plus drinking fountains. Restrooms provide changing stations. Trails can accommodate walkers, bikers and runners. Large green spaces allow for flying kites, playing soccer and other activities. n Directions: The park is at 3180 Atlanta Road, Smyrna; 770431-2842. It is a quarter-mile south of Spring Road and just over one mile north of Paces Ferry Road. There is ample parking. – Anthony Le. Special thanks: Steve Ciaccio, City of Smyrna Parks and Recreation
! N I W One lucky family will win 4 tickets for The Great
Pumpkin Patch Express
on the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad and a special gift pack. Also enter to win 4 tickets to the Saturday, Oct. 13 show at 6:30 p.m.
Disney on Ice Rockin’ Ever After
at Philips Arena.
Go to atlantaparent.com to enter. Deadline is Monday, October 8.
56 Atlanta Parent October 2012
Family Fun Guide
atlantaparent.com
Oct 10 - 21 By Frisch Marionettes of Cincinnati, OH A symphonic double-bill! Magnificent marionettes share the stage with puppeteers to recreate two classic tales set to striking music by Sergei Prokofiev and Dimitri Kabalevsky. Photo courtesy of Frisch Marionettes
Oct 24 - Nov 4
By Frogtown Mountain Puppeteers of Bar Harbor, ME Back for an encore run! Ichabod Crane helps the Headless Horseman find a new head and even spookier image when the Frogtown Mountain Puppeteers bring their hip humor to Washington Irving’s famous story. Photo courtesy of Frogtown Mountain Puppeteers
404.873.3391 www.puppet.org 1404 Spring Street NW Atlanta, GA 30309 Limited FREE Parking • MARTA Accessible Advance purchase is highly recommended as many show sell out quickly. Season supported in part by: Fulton County Arts Council, City of Atlanta Office of Cultural Affairs, National Endowment for the Arts, Georgia Council for the Arts.
atlantaparent.com
Family Fun Guide
October 2012 Atlanta Parent 57
Have an Ahh-MAZE-ing Time Amid the Corn Stalks Atlanta Parent sent five families to scope out the fun at five terrific corn maze attractions north of the metro area. Each family had a grand time following the clues and emerged from the tall stalks with tales to share. The kids especially enjoyed some of the extra features on site, from hayrides and bonfires to “corn boxes,” which are sandboxes filled with dried corn.
Buck’s Corn Maze Not-So-Corny Tips n Wear comfortable, closed-toe shoes. n If there’s been recent rain, consider bringing mud boots or old sneakers. n Be sure kids visit restrooms before you enter the corn maze. n Bring sunscreen on sunny days; flashlights if going at night; water bottles for your time within the maze (think of it as going on a hike); bug spray. n Check websites and call ahead before you go; not all attractions are open every day. In addition to the main attraction – the corn maze itself – these rural locations offer a variety of other fun “country” things to do, along with combo packages. Several have snacks and other concessions for sale.
1923 New Hope Road, Dawsonville. About 70 miles from Atlanta 706-344-8834; buckscornmaze.com n Open: through Nov. 4 Your family can experience Buck’s Corn Maze in the daytime or at night. In the light of day, Buck’s is perfect for little ones. Owned and run by Truman and June Samples, the 12-plus acres of corn rows – to be decorated for Halloween – have wide paths meant to accommodate most strollers. The youngest explorers can meander along well-maintained paths cut into a menagerie of farm animal shapes. Along the way, kids use hole punchers at various stations to check their progress on a map. There are five miles of paths within the full maze. The shorter route took our family about 30 minutes, which included several stops our 2-year-old had to make to pick up dirt. June Samples says most people take about 45 minutes to get through the full maze. If anyone gets “corn-fused,” or if your toddler gets tuckered out, there’s a phone number on your map to get assistance. n What parents like: The scenic drive from the main highway to Buck’s.
58 Atlanta Parent October 2012
Family Fun Guide
n What kids like: Hole-punch stations to chart your maze progress; the pretty country landscape. n Extras: Only on Saturdays in October, the maze becomes the “haunted maze” after dark (recommended for ages 12 and up). Hayrides take you around the maze, along a creek and through a shady stand of mature Bradford pear trees. Buck’s also offers a fire pit and a corn hole game. Visitors are welcome to bring a picnic and enjoy the pastoral views. Group tours by appointment. n Oct.: Sun.-Thurs., 10 a.m.- 6 p.m.; Fri., 10 a.m.-9 p.m.; Sat., 10 a.m.-10 p.m. n Nov. 2-4: Fri., 5-8 p.m.; Sat., 10 a.m.9 p.m.; Sun., 10 a.m.-6 p.m. n Costs: Corn maze only, $7 ages 5-10, $8 ages 11 and older; hayride only, $4 and $5; combo ticket $11 and $12. Ages 4 and younger free with paid adult. Horse rides, $5 all ages. Tip: Visit nearby apple farms or the town of Ellijay for a full day of fun. – Sarah Buehrle
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Uncle Shuck’s Corn Maze 4520 Hwy. 53 E, Dawsonville About 50 miles from Atlanta 770-772-6223; uncleshucks.com n Open: through Nov. 18 Getting lost with a 7-year-old and a 4-year-old has never been so much fun! Uncle Shuck’s offers three mazes that are open daily – plus a haunted maze that is open on select evenings. If you have young kids, it’s best not to jump headfirst into the largest maze, as that can take up to an hour to weave through. We warmed up with the short introductory maze that is marked with fun facts about corn. Then we stepped up to the medium-size maze, which contains six checkpoints to find. At each one, you can stamp your map and move onto the next. The boys enjoyed punching holes in their card as much as anything else! Finding your way from one checkpoint to the next is much harder than you might think. Twists and turns are all along the way. There’s a wooden bridge in the maze that is a great landmark if you get a little turned around. The boys loved climbing on the bridge and trying to get the lay of the land. We found that going through the maze provided great lessons in both math and map reading. Older kids will enjoy solving the F.S.I. (Farm Scene Investigation) mystery, and they can collect stamps along the way. Some older kids may choose to try the haunted maze, but be warned: No flashlights allowed!
n What parents like: It’s a fun, fresh-air activity for the whole family. Kids leave happy and tired after wandering through up to four miles of trails.
n Oct.: Sun.-Thurs., 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; Fri. and Sat., 10 a.m.-10 p.m.;
n What kids like: Roasting marshmallows on a giant bonfire. It’s included with the hayride!
n Cost: $10 corn maze; $13 corn maze and hayride (includes bonfire); $13 haunted maze (with corn maze); $16 corn maze, haunted maze and hayride. $5 hayride/bonfire only; $1 corn cannon. Children 4 and younger, free. – Rachel Quartarone
n Extras: There’s a kiddie maze and a playground. There’s plenty of festival-type food. Visitors are welcome to feed resident goats. A variety of pumpkins, gourds and Indian corn are for sale.
Jaemor Farms 5340 Cornelia Highway, Alto About 70 miles north of Atlanta 770-869-3999; jaemorfarms.com n Open: through Nov. 4 Jaemor’s corn maze is celebrating its centennial year. Carved into the maze are the words “100th ANNIVERSARY JAEMOR,” along with several happy jack-o’-lantern faces. Spanning eight acres and with stalks 10 feet high, this maze is full of challenging twists and turns. There are not many dead ends, but there are
n Nov.: Fri., 4-10 p.m.; Sat., 10 a.m.10 p.m.; Sun., 10 a.m.-6 p.m.
plenty of opportunities to end up back where you started! Hidden in the maze are nine story boards that answer questions about the farm’s history. There are also picture stations hidden in the maze that can be used for a crayon rubbing. This all resulted in a great maze experience. We enjoyed trying to figure out which part of the jack-o’-lanterns we were in, or which alphabet letter we were walking though. My husband led the way with the help of a Maize-O-Vision map, and our three girls (ages 7, 7 and 8) were more than eager to offer their two cents about which direction to take next. n What parents like: My husband enjoyed the opportunity to use his map-reading skills to lead the family through the maze. I was happy to tag along, just enjoying the family outing. n What kids like: Our 8-year-old enjoyed the challenges of the story boards and rubbings, while the two 7-year-olds liked trying to figure out which way to go in the maze. n Extras: You’re welcome to bring your own picnic to enjoy. Restrooms are available. There are also a hayride and Pumpkin Train, plus added attractions such as apple cannons, hand-pump duck races and a farm slide. n Oct.-Nov.: Fri., 10 a.m.-11 p.m.; Sat., 10 a.m.-11 p.m.; Sun., 1-6 p.m. Corn maze and hayrides open all day. Other attractions 4 p.m. to close on Fridays and all day Saturdays and Sundays. n Cost: $9 corn maze (ages 4-9), $10 (ages 10 and older). $3 mini maze, ages 4 and older. Last ticket sold one hour before closing. $4 hayrides (ages 4 and older); $3 Pumpkin Train (ages 3 and older); $12 “value access pass” includes maze, hayride plus three attractions. Kids under age 3 admitted free with paying adult. – Leigh Middleton Cont’d on page 60
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Family Fun Guide
October 2012 Atlanta Parent 59
Ahh-MAZE-ing Time Cagle’s Family Farm 362 Stringer Road, Canton About 54 miles from Atlanta 770-345-5591; caglesfamilyfarm.com n Open: through Nov. 11 I’ve been leery of trying corn mazes in the past. The thought of being trapped in a cornfield with two young sons and trying to figure our way out was just not something I wanted to do. But I decided to face my “fear,” and we set out to enjoy the early fall weather at Cagle’s Family Farm in Cherokee County. With more than three miles of paths, the maze offered plenty of farm fun. We followed clues and navigated our way through the maze in about 20 minutes. We liked that the Cagle farm designed its maze to raise awareness for the Brian Tumor Foundation for Children; on opening weekend, a portion of proceeds was donated to that cause. With its easy twists and turns, the maze was fun for our 8-year-old, who enjoyed reading the clues. Our 5-year-old, however, was anxious to get to the other activities. Dad and our 8-year-old decided to do the maze again, while younger brother hopped his way to other fun. n What parents like: The farm tour offered a lot of bang for the buck; it was an educational experience that the entire family enjoyed. n What kids like: Our 8-year-old was intrigued by the idea of visiting the “haunted barn,” but settled for a peek from the outside. Our 5-year-old enjoyed the giant jumping pillow (50-by-20 feet) and the pony rides. Both boys enjoyed roasting marshmallows at the bonfire and picking out pumpkins for us to bring home. n Extras: Hayride, petting farm, full farm tour with dairy cow milking demonstration and more. A nicely shaded openair picnic pavilion offers ample seating to enjoy snacks and concessions. You can bring your own picnic to enjoy under one of the many shaded trees. n Oct. & Nov.: Fri., 5-11 p.m.; Sat., 10 a.m.-11 p.m.; Sun., 10 a.m.-6 p.m. n Cost: $10 corn maze; $7 “Ag-Venture” farm tours (Sat. and Sun. only, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.); $7 bonfire/hayrides (Fri. and Sat., 6-10 p.m.); $12 “Haunted Barn” (Oct. 5-27 only, Fri.-Sat., 7 p.m.-midnight, ages 13 and up). Combo tickets (excluding haunted barn): $15 for two events; $20 for three events. $28 All-Access Pass (includes haunted barn). Kids younger than 3 admitted free with paying adult. – Dana diLorenzo
Buford Corn Maze 4470 Bennett Rd., Buford About 30 miles from Atlanta (from Spaghetti Junction) 678-835-7198; bufordcornmaze.com Open: through Nov. 4 This family-run corn maze is a fun-filled place and a great outing for all ages! The corn maze is moderately difficult; its pattern is likely to lead even a group of teenagers to a few dead ends. Younger children will enjoy navigating the map with their parents, family or friends, while trying to figure out the Secret Phrase! The path within the maze is a little bumpy, but can be navigated with a jogging stroller. Once you are inside the maze, there are not many clues to guide you along the map – so it’s important to focus on any turns you make. We decided it was reasonably challenging, but not enough that we needed to call for assistance. It took our family of four (with jogging stroller), about an hour to complete the maze. We felt very accomplished when we successfully came out! n Extras: The 20-minute hayride takes you around the maze and into a forest. Kids ages 1-5 will love the corn box. Pony rides cost $5, while a bounce house is $2 per jumping session. The haunted forest (ages 8-12 must be accompanied by an adult) is only open at night: Thurs. and Sun., 8-10 p.m., Fri. and Sat., 8 p.m.-midnight; encounter creatures and ghosts during this scary adventure on foot. Chopper, the Gwinnett Braves mascot, is set to visit Oct. 13, 2-3 p.m. Relax in a shaded pavilion. There are 20 snow cone/slushie flavors for sale at the concession booth. You’ll also find great spots for taking group photos. n Oct.: Mon.-Wed., 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; Thurs., 10 a.m.-10 p.m.; Fri., 10 a.m.midnight; Sat., noon-midnight; Sun., 1-10 p.m.; Oct. 31, 10 a.m.-10 p.m. n Nov.: Thurs., 6-10 p.m., Fri., 6 p.m.-midnight; Sat., noon-midnight; Sun., 1-10 p.m. n Cost: $12 maze/hayride package or haunted forest/hayride package; $18 combo maze/haunted forest/hayride package. Kids 3 and younger are free. – Sharie Basset
But wait, there’s more! For additional area corn mazes see Page 64. 60 Atlanta Parent October 2012
Family Fun Guide
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Buck’s Corn orn Maze Maze Sept. 1 - Nov. 4 Visit our 12 acre corn maze, bring a flashlight for a night time “Haunted Maze” in October. Enjoy hayrides, bonfires, drinks & snacks are available or bring a picnic and spend the afternoon. Horse Rides Sat & Sun Thru Oct 21 11am - 3pm
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Fall Family Fun down on the Mitcham Farm Sept. 21-early Nov.
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Halloween is the most wonderful season of all – for ghosts, that is!! Get ready for a month chock-full of pumpkins, corn mazes, scarecrows, haunted houses and candy. From trick-or-treating to ghost tours, there are plenty of Halloween events around Atlanta to keep your little goblins happy this October.
Special Events Pumpkin Festival. Stone Mountain Park. Weekends in October enjoy attractions, entertainment and plenty of fall fun. Dress your own scarecrows, then let kids try the trick-or-treat scavenger hunt and join the costume dance party. Sept. 28-Oct. 28. Fri. and Sun., 10:30 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sat. 10:30 a.m.-7 p.m. US Hwy. 78, Stone Mountain. 770-498-5690. Adults, $28; children ages 3-11, $22; under 3, free; parking, $10. Brick-or-Treat. Legoland Discovery Center. Trick-or-Treat, build your own LEGO ghost and hunt for ghosts. Costume contest for kids 12 and younger. Every Fri.-Sun. in October. Fri. and Sun., 10 a.m.-7 p.m., Sat. 10 a.m.-9 p.m. (Last admission is 2 hrs. before closing.) Phipps Plaza, 3500 Peachtree Rd., Atlanta. 404-8489252. Adult, $20.52; ages 3-12, $16.20, 2 and younger, free. Great Chefs of Atlanta PumpkinCarving Contest. Atlanta Botanical Garden. A 25-minute Halloween showdown using only knives and power tools during the Oct. 25 Festof-Ale. The winner is decided based on audience applause. Contest, 7-8 p.m. Fest-of-Ale every Thursday in Oct., 5-10 p.m. Regular Garden hours, Tues.-Sun., 9 a.m.-7 p.m. 1345 Piedmont Ave. NE, Atlanta. 404-876-5859. Adults, $18.95; Children 3-17, $12.95; 3 and younger, free. Scarecrow Harvest. Historic Downtown Alpharetta. Colorful scarecrows decorated by school children on display on Main Street. Hayrides, live music and food. Oct. 6. 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Milton Ave. in Downtown Alpharetta. 678297-6000. Free.
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Candler Park Fall Fest. Candler Park. Atlanta’s largest neighborhood festival. Wear costumes, listen to live music, let the kids trick-or-treat, participate in a costume contest and more. Oct. 13-14. Sat., noon-10 p.m.; Sun., noon-8 p.m. Corner of McLendon Ave. and Candler Park Dr. See fallfest.candlerpark.org for more information. Free. Halloween Fun House. East Roswell Recreation Center. Enjoy face painting, magic shows, carnival games, inflatables, hayride and Trick or Treat Street. Oct. 19. 4:30-7 p.m. 9000 Fouts Rd., Roswell. 770-594-6134. Free. Haunted Museum: Villains in History. Downtown Kennesaw. Storytelling, puppet shows, the Incredible Pumpkin Trail, inflatables, costume contest nightly at 7 p.m. around the Southern Museum of Civil War and Locomotive History. Oct. 19-20. Fri., 6 p.m.; Sat., 5 p.m. 2829 Cherokee St., Kennesaw. 770-424-8274. $5/person. Haunted Halloween Festival. Lucky Shoals Community Rec Center. Enjoy crafts, games, a costume contest, haunted hay house, hayride and more! Includes a walk-through dark attraction with incredible monsters and special effects for older children. Oct. 20, 5-8 p.m. 4651 Britt Rd., Norcross. 678-277-0860. Pre-register. $5/person. Halloween Hayride & Family Festival. Cochran Mill Nature Center. Hayride, photos with live animals and haunted house! Crafts and activities, haunted house and costume contest at 6:45 p.m. Sweets and treats available for purchase. Sat., Oct. 20. 5-9 p.m. 6300 Cochran Mill Rd., Palmetto. 770-306-0914. $7.
Family Fun Guide
Little Five Points Halloween Festival & Parade. Findley Plaza. Live music, street entertainment, vendors, a costume contest and street parade. Oct. 20. Noon-10 p.m. Parade, 4 p.m. Intersection of Moreland and Euclid Avenues, Atlanta. 404-230-2884. Free. Run Like Hell 5k and 1k Run Like Heck Races. Historic Oakland Cemetery. Runners of all ages can race through the cemetery and Grant Park then enter the costume contest. Oct. 20. 5k, 9 a.m.; 1k, 10 a.m. 248 Oakland Avenue SE, Atlanta. 404-688-2107. Pre-register at active.com. 5k, $27; 1k, $20. Trick or Treat on the Square. McDonough Square. Trick or treat around downtown. Oct. 26. 3-5 p.m. 5 Griffin St., McDonough. 770-957-3915. Free. Spooky Mill. Autrey Mill Nature Preserve. Go trick-or-treating in the Heritage Green, play games, enjoy spooky stories. Fortune telling and a not-so-spooky haunted house. Oct. 26-27. 5-9 p.m. Fri., preschool only, 11 a.m.-2 p.m. 9770 Autrey Mill Rd., Johns Creek. 678-366-3511. Activities are ticketed, free trick-or-treating. Train or Treat. Southeastern Railway Museum. Make special crafts, trick or treat around historic trains, participate in a costume contest and more. Oct. 27, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. 3593 Buford Hwy, Duluth. 770-476-2013. Adults, $8; children 2-12, $5; under 2, free; Wild West train ride, $3. Family Fall Festival. Southern Belle Farm. 7-acre corn maze, pumpkin and flower patches, hayride and cow train. Kids costume contest at 6:30 p.m. Oct. 27. 3-7 p.m. 1658 Turner Church Rd., McDonough. 770-288-2582. Adults and children, $12; 2 and under, free.
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Trick or Treat. The Children’s Museum of Atlanta. A night of fun, fall activities including crafts, prizes, games, and a costume parade. Come dressed in a costume. Ages 8 and under. Oct. 27. 6:30-8:30 p.m. 275 Centennial Olympic Park Dr., Atlanta. 404-6595437. $15. Trek or Treat. Suwanee Creek Park. Trick-or-treat along the park’s greenway and participate in fall festival activities. Oct. 27. 11 a.m. 1170 Buford Hwy., Suwanee. 770-945-8996. Free. Trunk or Treat. Kennesaw United Methodist Church. Wear your costume. Inflatable’s, a balloon artist, games, contests and more. Oct. 27, 4-6 p.m. 1801 Ben King Rd., Kennesaw. 770-428-1543. Free. Donation of a non-perishable food item and bag of candy suggested. Trick or Treat on Main Street. Downtown Fayetteville. See the jack-o-lanterns that decorate the Fayetteville Square and trick-or-treat at local businesses. Oct. 27. 4-6 p.m.; kids costume contest, 4 p.m. Main St., Fayetteville. 770-719-4173. Free. Dark Harvest Family Festival. Academy Theatre. Outdoor festival with carnival games and prizes, face painting, music, artist market and food. Special “Family Friendly” Dark Harvest Haunted House for younger Halloween fans. Oct. 27-28. noon-5 p.m. 119 Center Street, Avondale Estates. 404-474-8332. Free admission. Haunted House, $10 adults, $5 ages 12 and younger. Goblins in the Garden. Atlanta Botanical Garden. Wear your favorite costume for an afternoon of treats and activities, including a parade, storytelling and more. Train and pony rides extra. Oct. 28. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. 1345 Piedmont Ave., Atlanta. 404-8765859. Adults, $18.95; children 3-12, $12.95; under 3, free. Day of the Dead Festival. Atlanta History Center. Celebrate the Mexican festival and see elaborately decorated altars, listen to storytelling, enjoy authentic Mexican food, music, and much more. Oct. 28. Noon-5 p.m. 130 West Paces Ferry Rd., Atlanta. 404-814-4000. Free with admission. BOO-seum Trick-or-Treat. Fernbank Museum of Natural History. Halloween party with music, games, costume characters and treats for kids in costumes. Also, visit the rest of the museum. Oct. 29. 10 a.m.-2 p.m. 767 Clifton Rd. NE., Atlanta. 404929-6300. Adults, $17.50; children 3-12, $15.50; 2 and younger, free. Downtown Trick or Treat. Historic Newnan Square. Downtown merchants pass out Halloween treats to costumed kids. Oct. 31. 10 a.m.-noon. Historic Downtown Newnan Courthouse Square. 770-253-8283. Free.
Halloween Theater and Music Ghost Tales & Trails. Woodstock. Hear spooky tales based on Woodstock’s history mixed with Paul Boehlert’s staged reading of “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow”. Oct. 19, 20, 26, 27. Groups depart at 7 p.m., 7:45 p.m., 8:30 p.m., 9:15 p.m. 8534 Main Street. 678-494-4251. Adults, $11; under 13, $6. Halloween on Hogwarts. Woodruff Arts Center. Led by a wise old wizard with a bedazzling assortment of tricks up his sleeve, the Orchestra performs selections from the Harry Potter films. Dress as your favorite witch, sorcerer or other fantasy character and delight in the annual musician costume contest and a slew of surprises. Oct. 21, 1:30 and 3:30 p.m. Atlanta Symphony Hall. 1280 Peachtree St., Atlanta. 404-733-5000. $15-20 plus tax & service charge.
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HaLLoweeN TOP PICKS
Atlanta Parent’s not-to-miss events that will have your boos and ghouls howling with delight. Scarecrows in the Garden Atlanta Botanical Garden Through Oct. 31 For the 10th year in a row scarecrows will fill the Atlanta Botanical Garden for this favorite fall tradition, Scarecrows in the Garden. Families can enjoy more than 100 kooky and spooky scarecrows crafted by Atlanta-area business, organizations and individuals. Keep your eyes peeled for Atlanta Parent’s scarecrow, “The Ten Man.” 9 a.m.-7 p.m. 1345 Piedmont Ave. NE, Atlanta. 404-876-5859. $18.95 for adults; $12.95 for ages 3-12; 2 and younger, free.
Pumpkin Festival Stone Mountain Park Weekends through Oct. 28 Get the kids dressed in their best Halloween duds to participate in a costume dance party (mom and dad, you can dress up, too). The whole family can comb the park for clues to participate in scavenger hunts and compete in the pie eating contest. There’s also a Great Pumpkin Puppet Parade, pumpkin palooza game show, storytelling and more! Fri. and Sun., 10:30 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sat., 10:30 a.m.-7 p.m. U.S. Hwy. 78, Stone Mountain. 770-4985690. Adults, $28; children ages 3-11, $22; 3 and younger, free; parking, $10.
Fright Fest Six Flags Weekends through Oct. 28 Expect to scream both on the roller coasters and on the paths at Six Flags as the amusement park transforms into a ghoulish place with ghosts and goblins, with haunted attractions, pumpkin painting and trick-ortreating. Watch out for the cobwebs with oversized spiders! Sat. 11 a.m.-11 p.m.; Sun., noon-10 p.m. Oct. 26, 6 p.m.-12 a.m. 275 Riverside Parkway, Austell. 770-948-9290. General admission, $56.99; kids under 48", $39.99; 2 and younger, free; parking, $15. Cont’d on page 64
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October 2012 Atlanta Parent 63
HaLLoweeN TOP PICKS Tour of Southern Ghosts Stone Mountain Park Oct. 11-28 Do you believe in ghosts? This 45-minute tour showcases some of the best ghost stories from the South that will leave even the skeptics wondering. Your guide will meet you at the plantation gates to lead you on the lantern-lit stroll. Along the way, storytellers dressed in period costumes, will interrupt your stroll with a spooky, or notso-spooky, tale. This is the 27th year that the Tour of Southern Ghosts will be held, so be prepared for some fascinating stories. Thurs. and Sun., 7-9 p.m.; Fri.- Sat., 7-9:30 p.m. U.S. Hwy. 78 East, Exit 8, Stone Mountain. 770-469-1105. Adults, $15; 12 and under, $7; parking, $10.
Halloween Night Hikes Chattahoochee Nature Center Oct. 19, 20, 26, 27 Enjoy nature’s nightly offerings at The Chattahoochee Nature Center on a guided hike along well-lit trails where children meet friendly forest creatures, including a opossum, beaver, bull frog and black widow spider, who chat about themselves as well as what, and who, they like to eat! There also are some real animals on hand to see at this spook-free event. After the half-mile hike, stay for live music, a marshmallow roast and hot chocolate. 9135 Willeo Rd., Roswell. Hikes begin at 7 p.m. and run continuously. 770-992-2055. $8/person; 2 and younger, free.
Boo at the Zoo Zoo Atlanta Oct. 20, 21, 27, 28
Strandemonium. Marietta Strand Theatre. Halloween rock and roll spectacular. Watch favorite Halloween musical classics come to life. Oct. 2628. Fri.-Sat., 8 p.m; Sun., 3 p.m.; Oct. 31, 7 p.m. 117 N. Park Sq., Marietta. 404-377-9948. $20. Halloween Magic Show. Aurora Children’s Playhouse. Atlantan Arthur Atsma will amaze and amuse with a show filled with captivating sleight of hand magic, audience interaction and comedy. Oct. 27. 10 a.m. 128 Pike St., Lawrenceville. 770-476-7926. Reservations recommended. $7.
Corn Mazes and Pumpkin Patches * Designates pick-your-own Enchanted MAiZE. Blowing Springs Farm. Find your way through this year’s maze, “celebrates 80 years.” Through Oct. 28. Thurs., 9 a.m.-6:30 p.m.; Fri., 9 a.m.-6 p.m.; Sat., 10:30 a.m.-6 p.m.; Sun., noon-6:30 p.m. 271 Chattanooga Valley Rd., Flintstone. 706-820-2531. Adults, $9; children 4-12, $7. *Yahoo Farm. Wander through the corn maze or try the Cosmic Corn Maze at night. Shoot the corn cannon, try fossil digging, take a hayride and visit the butterfly garden. Then choose your pumpkin! Open daily through Oct. 30. 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; Cosmic maze, Saturdays in Oct., 7-10 p.m. 4729 Waleska Hwy. 108, Jasper. 770-735-3638. Activities range from $2-$7. Carlton Farms. Choose a pumpkin, play on the hay jump, shoot the corn cannon, visit the catfish farm and explore five acres of corn and nearly two miles of winding trails. Haunted maze, Oct. 12-13, 19-20, 26-27, 31. Corn maze open through Nov. 3. Fri., 6-10 p.m.; Sat., 11 a.m.-10 p.m.; Sun., noon-8 p.m. 1276 Cartersville Hwy., Rockmart. 770-6843789. Attractions, $12 for hayride, hay maze, animal barn and hay jump. $7/person for corn maze; haunted maze, $10/person. Pumpkin patch, free. Colonel Cob’s Corn Maze and Pumpkin Patch. Hayrides, mountain slide, petting zoo and corn silo, choose a pumpkin. Through Nov. 4. Fri., noon-10 p.m.; Sat., noon-10 p.m.; Sun., 1-5 p.m. Wednesdays in Oct., noon-6 p.m.; Fridays in Oct., 1-10 p.m. 797 Macedonia Church Rd., Oxford. 770-855-1530. $10/person; some activities extra. Corn Dawgs. Corn Maze and Pumpkin Patch. “Chipper” Jones-themed corn maze, inflatable maze, zip line, petting zoo, giant checkerboard and pumpkins galore. Open through Nov. 4. Fri., 5-10 p.m.; Sat., 10 a.m.-10 p.m.; Sun., 10 a.m.-7 p.m. 955 Leone Ave., Loganville. 770-786-9000. Admission, $12; 2 and under, free.
Celebrate Halloween with more than 1,000 animals that call the zoo “home.” Zoo Atlanta will be decked out with festive paths with craft stations set up for little ghosts and goblins to create Halloween crafts and bewitching creations. Costumed creatures will join in the festivities, and your kids can enter a costume contest and win prizes. Kids will love meandering in the new hay maze. Boo at the Zoo hours: 11 a.m.-3 p.m. 800 Cherokee Ave. SE, Atlanta. 404-6245600. Adults $20.99, children $15.99, under 3 free. 64 Atlanta Parent October 2012
HaLLoWeeN HaPPeNiNGS
Sports Corn Maze. The Rock Ranch. Sportsthemed maze, train and hay rides, pumpkin cannon, food and more! Fall Family Fun Days on Saturdays, Through Nov. 10, 10 a.m.- 9 p.m. 5020 Barnesville Highway, The Rock. 706-647-6374. $15/person. $2-off coupons at Chick-fil-A locations. Kernel Kob Corn Maze. Jasper. Get lost in the maze, take a hayride or pony ride, visit the petting zoo and pick a pumpkin. Though Nov. 4. Oct. hours: Fri., 6-10 p.m.; Sat., 10 a.m.-10 p.m.; Sun. 11 a.m.-6 p.m. 1153 Salem Church Rd., Jasper. 706-692-4464. Adults, $8; children 5-11, $6; 4 and under, free.
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HaLLoweeN TOP PICKS The Headless Horseman of Silly Hollow Center for Puppetry Arts Oct. 24-Nov. 4 The Headless Horseman needs a new head once again! This comedic version of the classic Washington Irving story is performed by the Frogtown Mountain Puppeteers. Schoolteacher Ichabod Crane must help the Headless Horseman find a scarier image and a new head. Unfortunately, Ichabod is forced to deal with a jealous Brom Bones, who also has eyes for the lovely Katrina Van Tassel. Kids can also craft a “Pumpkin Head Hand Puppet” at the Create-A-Puppet Workshop. Wed.-Fri., 10 and 11:30 a.m.; Sat., 11 a.m., 1 and 3 p.m.; Sun., 1 and 3 p.m. 1404 Spring St., Atlanta. 404-873-3391. $16.50.
Capturing the Spirit of Oakland Halloween Tours Historic Oakland Cemetery Oct. 25-28 Few things are spookier than trekking through a cemetery at dark, and the Historic Oakland Cemetery offers guided tours doing just that! During the highly anticipated Halloween tours, visitors walk through the moonlit paths of the cemetery, hearing stories from some of Oakland’s eternal “residents.” The tours last about an hour, it’s recommended to wear comfortable shoes and bring a flashlight. Also, enjoy entertainment and fortune telling. Costumes are encouraged. 248 Oakland Ave. SE, Atlanta. 404-688-2107. Get your tickets soon, as this event is known to sell out. Adults, $20; children, $10; 3 and younger, free.
Day of the Dead Festival Atlanta History Center Oct. 28 Celebrate the Mexican festival known as “El Dia de los Muertos” with storytelling, crafts and elaborately decorated altars. Enjoy authentic Mexican food, music and entertainment. Families build altars to honor lost loved ones and decorate them with flowers, favorite foods, beverages and memorabilia. Noon-5 p.m. 130 West Paces Ferry Rd., Atlanta. 404-814-4000. Free.
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Family Fun Guide
October 2012 Atlanta Parent 65
HaLLoWeeN HaPPeNiNGS Burt’s Farm. Dawsonville. Thousands of pumpkins, stop by the store or take a hayride pulled by a tractor! Through Nov. 10. Hours through Oct. 30: 9 a.m.-6 p.m.; Oct. 31-Nov. 10: 9 a.m.-5 p.m. 5 Burt’s Farm Rd., Dawsonville. 706-265-3701. *Southern Belle Farm Cornfield Maze and Pumpkin Patch. Seven acres of corn stalks to wander through. Through Nov. 4. Sat., 10 a.m.-10 p.m.; Sun., 1-6 p.m. 1658 Turner Church Rd., McDonough. 770-288-2582. Ages 3 and older, $12; 2 and younger, free. *Washington Farms. Eight and a half acres of ears to explore, with new jumping pillows. Ride on the cow train, see pig races, take a romp in the corn box or a hayride, then choose a pumpkin. Through Nov. 4. Tues., 6-10 p.m.; Fri., 3-11 p.m.; Sat., 10 a.m.-11 p.m.; Sun., 1-6 p.m. 5691 Hog Mountain Rd., Bogart. 706-769-0627. Ages 5 and older, $12/person for farm fun and corn maze; Ages 2-4, $8/person for farm activities and corn maze; 2 and younger, free. Uncle Bob’s Pumpkin Patch and Tricky Crop Maze. Redwine Farms. See farm animals, try the crop maze, listen to storytelling, take a hayride, see puppet shows and choose a pumpkin. Through Nov. 11. Fri. and Sun., 1:30-6 p.m.; Sat., 10 a.m.-6 p.m. 3781 E. Happy Valley Cir., Newnan. 770-253-8100. $14/person; ages 3 and younger, free. Goofy Rooster Corn Maze. Helen. Cook s’mores by the fire pit, ride the Barrel Train, pick out the perfect pumpkin and more. Bring a flashlight to explore the maze at night. Through Nov. 18. Fri., 4-11:30 p.m.; Sat., 10:30 a.m.-11:30 p.m.; Sun., 10 a.m.-9 p.m.; Haunted Corn Maze, Oct. 6-27, Saturdays, 8-11:30 p.m. 7264 Hwy 75 Alt., Helen. 706-878-1777. Adult, $8; child, $6; add on hayride, $4-5.
“Creating Smiles with Caring Hands” Hours: Mon 9 a.m. - 6 p.m., Tues-Thurs 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Pumpkin Patch Only Big Springs Farm. Woodstock. Visit the petting zoo, pick from hundreds of pumpkins, enjoy a scenic tour of the farm on a wagon ride, or bounce on inflatables. Oct. weekends. Fri.-Sun., 10 a.m.-6 p.m. 2100 Sugar Pike Rd., Woodstock. 678-899-3900. Free, activities and goods extra.
NEW
PATIENTS • Ages 1 - 18 WELCOM E! • Digital X-ray • TV’s in all exam rooms • Video game area • Calm caring environment for kids
*Berry Patch Farms. Take a hayride to the pumpkin patch, enjoy apple cider, fried pie, boiled peanuts and the petting zoo. Oct. 1-30. Sat.-Sun., 10 a.m.-7 p.m.; Oct. 17-28, Mon.-Fri., 3:30-7 p.m. 786 Arnold Mill Rd., Woodstock. 770-926-0561. Free.
Most insurance plans accepted including Peachcare & Medicaid
CareCredit Patient Payment Plans
Dr. Sonya Windham
8180 Mall Parkway, Suite 810 • Lithonia • 770-484-4994 • www.ChildrensDentistryAtStonecrest.com
66 Atlanta Parent October 2012
North Georgia Corn Maze. Cleveland. Find your way through the 7-acre maze, relax on the hayride, enjoy a movie at dark or venture into the haunted “House of Burm” and take the elevator down to the “Dungeon of Fear”! Through Nov. 18. Fri., 4-11:30 p.m.; Sat., 10 a.m.-11:30 p.m.; Sun., 10 a.m.-9 p.m. 550 Tom Bell Rd., Cleveland. 706348-7634. Adults, $10; children, $9; hayride and Barn of Fear, extra.
Family Fun Guide
Pumpkins, Decorative Gourds, & Bounce House Fun! Christ Episcopal Church. Search for pumpkins in our 1000+ patch as well as decorative gourds. Oct. 7-31. Sat., 9 a.m.-7 p.m. for Bounce House. Weekdays, noon-8 p.m., Sun., noon-6 p.m. 1210 Wooten Lake Rd, Kennesaw. 770-422-9114. Free.
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Haunted Tours and Storytelling Ghosts of Marietta. Marietta. A 90-minute lantern led walk through historic Marietta. Each night in Oct. times vary. Visit ghostsofmarietta.com. 131 Church St., Marietta. 770-425-1006 . Adults, $17; children 12 and younger, $12. Lawrenceville Ghost Tours. Aurora Theatre. Hear spooky tales about an heiress who was buried alive, flying corpses and what really happens in the old jail. Oct. 1-31. Sun.-Thurs., 7:30 p.m.; Fri.-Sat., 7 and 9 p.m. 128 Pike St., Lawrenceville. 678-226-6222. Pre-register. Sun.-Thurs., adults, $12; children 12 and younger, $9; Fri.-Sat., adults, $15; children, $12. Ghosts of Marietta
*Kinsey Family Farm. Hayrides, petting barn, fish feeding and pumpkins. Through Oct. 31. Mon.-Fri., 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sat.-Sun., 9 a.m.-6 p.m. 7170 Jot-em Down Rd., Gainesville. 770-887-6028. Activities, $1-$3.
*Southern Tree Plantation. Ride the kids train, roast marshmallows, take a hayride or pony ride, enjoy inflatables and more. Weekends Oct. 13-28. Sat., 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; Sun., noon-6 p.m. 2531 Owltown Rd., Blairsville. 706-745-0601. Activities, $5 each; packages, $10-$12.
*Yule Forest Pumpkin Patch. Inflatables, talking chicken show, petting zoo, a rabbit pioneer village, paintball hayrides and more. Oct.1-31. Mon.-Fri., 4-7 p.m.; Sat.-Sun., 9 a.m.-6 p.m. 3565 Hwy. 155 N., Stockbridge. 770-954-9356. $7.50/person; free admission and hayride on Wed. for kids in costume. Additional fees $1-$5.
Cumming First United Methodist Church Pumpkin Patch. Cumming. Pick your pumpkin. Story time for preschoolers on some days. Pumpkin Patch, through Oct. 31. 9 a.m.-dark daily; Storytime, Oct. 9-31, Tues.-Thurs., 9 a.m.-noon. 770 Canton Hwy, Cumming. 770-887-2900. Reservations required for story time. Free to visit.
fear
Pumpkin Fest. Pettit Creek Farms. Hayride, a corn maze, petting zoo and inflatables. Pick a pumpkin. Through Nov. 4. Farm hours, Mon.-Fri., 2-6 p.m.; Sat., 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; Sun., 11 a.m.-5 p.m. 337 Cassville Rd., Cartersville. 770-386-8688. Adults, $10; children, $12; under 2, free.
40155 Hwy 441 S. Commerce, GA
Roswell Ghost Tour. Roswell Square Bandstand. Learn about current paranormal phenomena in local homes and businesses. Oct. 1-31. Sun.-Thurs., 8 p.m.; Fri., 7-9 p.m.; Sat., 6-10 p.m. (tours start on the hour). 617 Atlanta St., Roswell. 770-649-9922. Adults, $15; children 12 and younger, $10. Scary-etta Ghost Tour. Marietta Trolley Co. Hop aboard the trolley for a 90-minute, fully-narrated ride through the city, learning the history and hearing stories of the resident ghosts. Includes a brief period of walking, about 2 blocks. Fri.-Sat. in Oct., 8 p.m. and 10 p.m. 131 Church St., Marietta. 770-425-1006. Reservations needed. Adults, $27; children 12 and under, $15. Family Storytelling: Spooky Stories. Retreat at Callanwolde. Spooky stories for all ages, costume parade and contest and festive snacks. Oct. 19. 7 p.m. 980 Briarcliff Rd. NE, Atlanta. 404872-5338. Adults, $3; children, $1.
Atlanta History Center
WHERE THE FUN AND FEAR BEGINS AND NEVER ENDS!
Frightful Funopolis Weekends In October
Sunday, October 28, 2012 12:00 – 5:00 pm
*Zombie Shoot Hayride *Pumpkin Launcher *Alien Asylum Haunted House *WASO Aliens Attack Haunted Laser Tag *Boo-opolis Pumpkin Inflatable for Little Tykes
Enjoy a festive day of culture and discover traditions of the Day of the Dead festival through storytelling, crafts, authentic Mexican food, dancing, live music, and beautiful altars created by families in honor and celebration of the memory of their lost loved ones.
Five Acres of Indoor & Outdoor Attractions Fun for ALL Ages and Best Party Place in GA! *Arcade Games *Laser Tag *Mini Golf *Go Karts *Rock Wall *Spider Zone *Inflatables Upgraded Themed Parties have matching character visit.
706-335-FUNN FUNOPOLISFAMILYFUNCENTER.com
$
atlantaparent.com
Exp. October 31, 2012
$
BOOK A BIRTHDAY PARTY FOR 10 AND GET THE BIRTHDAY CHILD FREE with coupon
Funding for this family program is provided in part by the Fulton County Board of Commissioners under the guidance of the Fulton County Arts Council.
BUY ONE ADULT GET ONE YOUTH
This outdoor program is free. Separate admission for access to Museum and Historic Houses. Discount offer below.
FOUR CODE: AP12 ADMISSION FREE LIMIT
404.814.4000 • AtlantaHistoryCenter.com/Family Family Fun Guide
October 2012 Atlanta Parent 67
HaLLoWeeN HaPPeNiNGS Breakfast with BroomHilda. Mountain Park Park. Eat a yummy breakfast and get swept away into BroomHilda’s not too spooky, make believe world. Dress in your favorite Halloween costume and enjoy crafts, games, and storytelling! Adult participation required. Ages 3-6. Pre-registration required by Oct. 17. Adult must accompany children. Sat, Oct. 20. 8:30 a.m. Mountain Park Activity Building, 1063 Rockbridge Rd., Stone Mountain. 678-277-0179. $8/child, $2/adult.
Haunted Fun For Older Kids Netherworld Haunted House. Norcross. This terrifying haunted house is not recommended for small children. Oct. 5-31. Sun., 7-11 p.m.; Mon.-Thurs., 7:30- 11 p.m.; Fri.- Sat., 7 p.m.- midnight. Nov. 1-3, 7- 11 p.m. 6624 Dawson Blvd, Norcross. 404-608-2484. $22/person for the main haunt, The Banshee; $28/person for The Banshee plus The Hive. Fear The Woods. Stockbridge. Haunted Hayride and Haunted Barn. Seven new attractions including Zombie Paintball Hayride. Not recommended for small children. Oct. 5. Fri-Sat. 7 p.m.-midnight, Sun. 7-11 p.m. 3565 N Hwy 155 Stockbridge. 770-954-9356. Adults, $15. 10 and younger, $12. Trail of Terror Haunted Trail. Olde Sharon Schoolhouse. The Northeast Georgia factor of the Z.W.A.T. (Zombie Weapons and Tactical) Infected control teams are looking for new recruits to help them control the infected. Fridays and Saturdays in Oct. 7-11 p.m. Other date and times vary. FearofShadows.com. 3604 Old Atlanta Rd, Suwanee. ZOMBIE Outbreak: $10 per person, Asylum $13. Combo Ticket 1: $20 for both, Combo Ticket 2: $27 for both plus t-shirt. Horror Hill. Newnan. Horror Hill has grown from a simple 100-150 ft. long trail to four main attractions on several acres and the opportunity to camp out overnight. Oct. 5-Nov. 3. See horrorhill. com for times. 181 Ware Road, Newnan. $25 for all four attractions. 13 Stories Haunted House. Kennesaw. Take a terrifying tour through two attractions; 13 Stories Haunted House and the all-new Big Top Secret in 3D haunt. Through Nov. 10. See 13storieshauntedhouse.com for times. 2975 Ring Rd., Kennesaw. $22 per person includes both attractions. Big Hair Halloween Party. Rhodes Jordan Community Rec Center. Special event for teens with disabilities. Come to this 80’s themed throwback party. Ages 13 and up. Oct. 27. 7-10 p.m. 100 East Crogan St., Lawrenceville. 770-8225414. Pre-register. $10/person. Dead Bird Singing. Decatur, Duluth. Enjoy an evening of good old-fashioned ghost stories. Recommended for children over 13 and adults. Oct. 27, 8 p.m. The Friends School, 862 Columbia Dr., Decatur. 404-626-4453; Oct. 28, 7 p.m. Red Clay Theatre, 3116 Main Street, Duluth. 404-4782749. $15. The Ghastly Dreadfuls. Center for Puppetry Arts. Celebrate six years of undead delight with this cast of dreadheads. Recommended for ages 16 and older. Oct. 11-27, Wed.-Sat., 8 p.m. 1404 Spring St., Atlanta. 404-873-3391. $16.50.
68 Atlanta Parent October 2012
Family Fun Guide
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Haunted Museum: The Curse of Kennesaw Mountain. The Southern Museum of Civil War and Locomotive. Book a one-way ticket to terror at this spooky event (not recommended for ages 12 and younger.) Includes a Waxworks of Horror featuring a classic horror film and a secret scare at the end of the tour. Oct. 19-20. Sat., 5-10 p.m. 2829 Cherokee St., Kennesaw. 770-427-2117. Adults, $7.50; children ages 4-12, $5.50; younger than 4, free.
Mother/Son Halloween Dance. George Pierce Park Community Rec Center. Dance with mom, enjoy refreshments and wear your costume. Ages 4 and up. Oct. 19. 7-9 p.m. 55 Buford Hwy., Suwanee. 770-8314173. Pre-register. $10/person.
Mall-oween Events
Halloween Father-Daughter Dance. Gwinnett Historic Courthouse. Princess and Me, a favorite event for dads and daughters returns with a Halloween twist! Come in your favorite costume and enjoy a dessert buffet and punch in the Superior Court Ballroom. Games and prizes. Oct. 26. 6:30-8 p.m. 185 Crogan Street, Lawrenceville. 770-822-5450. Seating is limited. Pre-registration required by Oct. 23. Ages 4 and older, $9/person.
Ghostly Halloween Party. Northlake Mall. Radio Disney hosts this bash. Kids can stock up on goodies from mall retailers and the first 200 trick or treaters receive a special Halloween bag. Oct. 31. 6-8 p.m. 4800 Briarcliff Rd., Atlanta. 770-938-3564. $5. Boo Bash. Town Center at Cobb. Enjoy trickor-treating, a bounce house and Halloween giveaways hosted by Radio Disney. Oct. 27. 6-8 p.m. 400 Barrett Pkwy., Kennesaw. 770-424-9486. $5. Trick-or-Treating. Mall of Georgia. Mall-wide trick or treating. Ages 12 and younger. Oct. 31. 6 p.m until the candy runs out. 3333 Buford Dr., Buford. 678-482-8788. $5.
Monster Mashes & Bashes Mother/Son Halloween Dance. Bill Johnson Community Activity Building. Moms and sons dress in costumes and dance the night away. Games, prizes and snacks also included. Oct. 19. 7-9 p.m. 10495 Woodstock Rd., Roswell. 770-641-3760. Pre-register. $12 for Roswell residents; $18 for non-residents.
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Family Halloween Dance. Pinckneyville Park Community Rec Center. Bring the whole family to this frightfully great Halloween dance, with light refreshments. Ages 4 and older. Oct. 22. 7-9 p.m. 4650 Peachtree Industrial Blvd., Norcross. 770-417-2200. Pre-register by Oct. 14. $5/person.
Play it Safe Halloween. Rhodes Jordan Community Rec Center. Special event for young children with cognitive disabilities. Wear costumes! Ages 12 and younger. Oct. 29. 5-7 p.m. 100 East Crogan St., Lawrenceville. 770-822-5414. Pre-register. Admission is one bag of individually wrapped candy.
Beyond Atlanta The Great Pumpkin Patch Express. Great Smoky Mountains Railroad. Kids can pick their own pumpkin, meet Charlie, Lucy and Snoopy and enjoy hayrides and music. Wear your costumes. Oct. 6-7, 12-14, 19-21, 26-28. Fri. departures, 3 p.m. Sat.-Sun. departures, 11:30 a.m. and 3 p.m. 226 Everett St., Bryson City, NC. 1-800-872-4681. Pre-register online at gsmr. com. Adults, $53; children 2-12, $31; under 2, free.
Family Fun Guide
Fall Hoedown. Vogel State Park. Celebrate fall with a 2 p.m. cakewalk, 4:30 p.m. hayrides, 5 p.m. chilli and drinks, 6 p.m. campfire and square dancing trick or treating and 8 p.m. storytelling. Oct. 20. noon-8 p.m. 405 Vogel State Park Rd., Blairsville. 706-745-2628. Free, parking, $5. Not So Spooky Halloween Fest. The Rock Ranch. Try pumpkin carving and painting, a costume contest for humans or pets, and entertaining shows. Families can trick-or-treat all over the Ranch, then try the corn maze after dark with no lights! Oct. 27. 10 a.m.-9 p.m. 5020 Barnesville Hwy., The Rock. 706-647-6374. Adults and kids, $15. Ghost Train Halloween Festival. Tweetsie Railroad. Visit the 3-D maze, the Freaky Forest and of course, the Ghost Train! Older kids and adults, visit the Haunted House. Fridays and Saturdays through October 27. 7:30-11:30 p.m. U.S. Hwy. 321 between Boone and Blowing Rock, NC. 877893-3874. Adults and children 2 and older, $28; under 2, free. Haunted Cavern. Ruby Falls. Visit the terrifying Haunted Cavern and beware of the Cerebrus Virus – this spooky event takes place above and below ground. Not recommended for young children or pregnant women. Through Oct. 31. Fri.-Sat., 8-11 p.m. Sun., 8-10 p.m. 1720 S. Scenic Hwy., Chattanooga, Tenn. 423-821-2544. $21/person online at hauntedcavern.com; $23 at the door. Pumpkin Fest and Scarecrow Trail. North Georgia Zoo. Take a look at some unique scarecrows or enter one of your own. Enjoy the wool jump, hayrides and more. Through Oct. 31. Sat.-Sun. 10 a.m.-6 p.m. 2912 Paradise Valley Rd., Cleveland. 706-348-7279. Adults, $7; 10 and younger, $5; infants, free. c
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Calendar
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Visit our Calendar at atlantaparent.com for calendar updates and ongoing events and attractions in Atlanta.
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Events may be cancelled or changed after our deadline.
classes Home Depot Kids’ Workshop. All locations. Learn tool safety while building a craft and receive a kid-sized orange apron. First Saturday of each month. Oct. 6. 9 a.m.-noon. homedepot.com. Ages 5-12. Free. Lil’ Bean Heads Crafts. Bean Head Toys. Create an art project twice a month. All ages welcome, but smaller children may need assistance. First and third Wednesday of every month. 3-4 p.m. 220 Johnson Ferry Rd., Sandy Springs. 404-851-2980. Free.
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ATLANTA PARENT’S FAMILY BLOCK PARTY Mercer University OCT. 13, 10 A.M.-4 P.M. Join the annual party where kids can partake in more than 50 exciting activities and live entertainment, including performers, storytelling, food, interactive exhibits, craft booths, a huge toddler play area, petting farm, interactive sports games, inflatable playground, pony rides, music and more. 3001 Mercer University Dr., Atlanta. 770-454-7599. $5 per person, ages 3 and older; 2 and younger, free.
Mommy and Me Preschool Program. Southern Museum of Civil War and Locomotive History. Oct. 4, Animals Aboard; Oct. 11, Fire Safety; Oct. 18, Fall Festival; Oct. 25, Pumpkin Party; 10 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. 2829 Cherokee St., Kennesaw. 770-427-2117. Ages 3-5. Free with museum admission. Adults, $7.50; children 4-12, $5.50; 3 and younger, free. Magic Monday. Atlanta History Center. Storytime, sing-a-longs and crafts. Oct. 15. 10 a.m.-1 p.m. 130 W. Paces Ferry Rd., Atlanta. 404814-4000. Adults, $6.50; kids 5 and younger, $5.50. Homeschool Day. Atlanta Botanical Garden. Spend a morning learning environmental studies. Oct. 12. 9 a.m.-noon. 1345 Piedmont Ave. NE, Atlanta. 404-876-5859. Adults, $18.95; ages 3-12, $12.95; 2 and younger, free. Toddler Thursdays. High Museum of Art. Create masterpieces to complement the museum’s current exhibits. Oct. 4, 11, 18, 25. 11 a.m.-3 p.m. 1280 Peachtree St., Atlanta. 404-7334550. Adults, $19.50; ages 6-17, $12; 5 and younger, free. Art Workshops. Vinings School of Art. Take a drawing, painting or pottery class. Supplies included. Ages 2-13. Saturdays, 10 and 11 a.m. 1675 Cumberland Pkwy., Smyrna. 678-2134278. Pre-register. $15 for one-hour workshop. Crafts for Kids. Lakeshore Learning Store. Make a different craft each week. Oct. 6, 13, 20, 27. 11 a.m.-3 p.m. 4287 Roswell Rd., Marietta. 770-578-3100. 3 and older. Free. INK Craft Weeks. Interactive Neighborhood for Kids. Pirate Craft, Oct. 1-5; Firefighter Craft, Oct. 8-12; Police Officer Craft, Oct. 15-19; Halloween Craft, Oct. 22-26; $1 with paid admission to museum. Mon.-Sat., 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sun., 1-5 p.m. 999 Chestnut St., Gainesville. 770-536-1900. Adults, $8; children, $6. Build and Grow Clinics. Lowes. Clinics teach kids to build wooden crafts. Kids receive a free apron, goggles and merit patch. Sat. Oct. 13. 10 a.m. Visit lowesbuildandgrow.com for locations. 800-445-6937. Pre-register. Free. EnviroVentures Saturday Drop-By. Piedmont Park. Projects, hula-hooping and crafts while parents shop at the Green Market. Saturdays, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. 1320 Monroe Drive, Atlanta. 404875-7275. Free.
70 Atlanta Parent October 2012
Second Thursday Program. Southeastern Railway Museum. Parents and tots program includes circle time, an activity and craft. Ages 1-4. Oct. 11. 10:30 a.m.-noon. 3595 Buford Hwy, Duluth. 770-495-0253. $7 per child, one adult free, additional adult, $8. Weekends in the Naturalist Center. Fernbank Museum of Natural History. Activities include animal encounters, science explorations and more. Sat., 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sun., noon-5 p.m. 767 Clifton Rd., Atlanta. 404-929-6400. Activities included with price of admission. Adults, $17.50; children 3-12, $15.50; younger than 3, free. American Girl Crafts. American Girl Boutique and Bistro. Have fun making crafts inspired by the stories of American Girl. Oct. 2, Bitty Twins’ Ballerina Paper Doll Craft, 10:30 a.m.; Oct. 9, Josefina’s Lace Fan Craft, 4 p.m.; Oct. 12, Historical Character Scavenger Hunt, 4-6 p.m. and Caroline’s Bonnet Craft, 4 p.m.; Oct. 23, Kit’s Tree House Craft, 4-6 p.m. Ages 8 and older. 1202 North Point Circle, Alpharetta. 877-247-5223. Free.
Family Fun Guide
exhibits Bodies. Atlantic Station. This exhibition provides an intimate and informative view into the human body. Mon.-Thurs. 11 a.m.-6 p.m., Fri.- Sun. 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Last ticket sold 1 hour before closing. 2685 18th St., Atlanta. 404-496-4274. Adult, $24; children 4-12, $16. Hubble Exhibit. Tellus Science Museum. See huge images from space thanks to the Hubble space telescope. Includes images of galaxies, exploding stars, stars being born, even some planets. Through Nov.11. Mon.-Sun., 10 a.m.-5 p.m. 100 Tellus Dr., Cartersville. 770-606-5700. Adults, $12; ages 3-17, $8. Crime Lab Detective Exhibit. Gwinnett Environmental and Heritage Center. Visitors become Sherlock Holmes as they examine clues such as DNA. Through Oct. 15, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. 2020 Clean Water Dr. Buford. 770-904-3500. Adults 13 and older, $10.50; ages 3-12, $6.50.
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Calendar Dolphin Tales. Georgia Aquarium. The live show incorporates dolphins, live human actors, dramatic costuming, and special effects. Multiple shows per day, times vary. Reservations recommended. Sun.-Mon., 9 a.m.-6 p.m.; Tues.-Sat., 9 a.m.9 p.m. 225 Baker St., Atlanta. 404-581-4000. Admission price depends on date of visit; Adults, $34.95; ages 3-12, $28.95. Titanic: The Artifact Exhibit. Atlantic Station. Travel back in time and experience the wonder and tragedy of this ill-fated ship. Mon.-Thurs. 11 a.m.6 p.m.(last ticket sold at 5 p.m.); Fri.-Sun., 11 a.m.-7 p.m. (last ticket sold at 6 p.m.). 265 18th St. (second floor), Atlanta. 866-866-8265. Adults, $24; Ages 4-12, $16. Anne Frank in the World: 1929-1945. Parkside Shopping Center. Learn about the life of the Frank family and others who lived in the secret annex in Amsterdam; includes replica of Anne’s room in the annex. Tues.-Thurs., 10 a.m.-4 p.m.; Fri., 10 a.m.-2 p.m.; Sat.-Sun., 12-4 p.m. 5920 Roswell Rd., Sandy Springs. 770-206-1558. 10 and older. Free. Turtle Tours. Heritage Sandy Springs Museum. Through stories, hands-on exhibits and crafts, museum mascots Sandy the chipmunk and Spring the turtle introduce the youngest visitors to history. Through Dec. Second Saturday of each month. 11 a.m. 6075 Sandy Springs Circle, Sandy Springs. 404-851-9111. Donations encouraged. Ghengis Kahn. Fernbank Museum of Natural History. Experience the amazing true world of Ghengis Kahn, one of the world’s greatest and most misunderstood conquerors. Opens Oct. 5. Mon.-Sat., 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sun., noon-5 p.m. 767 Clifton Rd. NE, Atlanta. 404-929-6300. Adults, $17.50; ages 3-12, $15.50; 2 and younger, free.
ELEVATE 2012 Downtown Atlanta OCT. 19-27 Get set for nine days of free art activity all over downtown Atlanta. The purpose: to transform buildings, windows, sidewalks and public spaces into “works of art and inspiration” and to get folks exploring downtown. Family-friendly activities include an art tour on Oct. 20 (both a walk and run). On Oct. 26 (noon-6 p.m.), everyone’s invited to watch downtown buildings as they are painted by graffiti artists; budding artists are welcome to bring their crayons and join in. The huge Elevate Street Party on South Broad Street (Oct. 27, 4-8 p.m.) promises live music and dance. For a complete listing of activities, visit ocaatlanta.com/ElevateAtlanta; 404-546-6980. Free. The Magic School Bus Kicks up a Storm. The Children’s Museum of Atlanta. Kids can learn about the weather and what makes it happen. Opens Oct. 6. Mon.-Fri., 10 a.m.-4 p.m.; Sat.-Sun. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. 275 Centennial Olympic Park Drive NW, Atlanta. 404-659-5437. Adults and ages 2 and older, $12.75; younger than 2, free. Free admission starting at 1 p.m. on the second Tuesday of every month brought to you by Target Free Second Tuesday.
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family concerts
December 9 & 16 Sun: 1:30 & 3:30pm Jere Flint, conductor Lee Harper and Dancers Alliance Theatre Atlanta Symphony Youth Orchestra
ASO KiD’S CHriSTmAS Second Chance Christmas By ric reitz
Presented by:
Frogs: A Chorus of Colors. Georgia Aquarium. Features 15 species of frogs in more than 3,000 square feet of habitats, with hands-on and interactive activities. Through Jan. 2013. Sun.-Mon., 9 a.m.-6 p.m.; Tues.-Sat., 9 a.m.-9 p.m. 225 Baker St., Atlanta. 404-581-4000. Admission price depends on date of visit; Adults, $34.95; ages 3-12, $28.95.
February 17 Sun: 1:30 & 3:30pm Jere Flint, conductor Platypus Theatre’s
CHArLOTTe AnD THe muSiC-mAKer
April 14 Sun: 1:30 & 3:30pm Jere Flint, conductor enchantment Theatre Company
mOTHer GOOSe by Maurice Ravel
New this season: instrument petting zoo at every concert!
404.733.5000 | aso.org All concerts take place in Atlanta Symphony Hall, Woodruff Arts Center Memorial Arts Building
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Family Fun Guide
October 2012 Atlanta Parent 71
Child Models
GENGHIS KHAN Fernbank Museum of Natural History OCT. 5-JAN. 21
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Genghis Khan, a special exhibit, will explore the life of the Mongolian conqueror, with more than 200 rare relics from Khan’s reign and empire, including gold jewelry, ceramics, coins, armor, weaponry, silk robes, costumes, religious relics and a mummy. Videos and dioramas will also tell the story of Khan’s empirebuilding. 767 Clifton Road NE, Atlanta. Free with museum admission, $17.50 adults, $16.50 students and seniors, $15.50 children 3 –12, free ages 2 and under. 404-929-6300; fernbankmuseum.org
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Skate It or Hang It!? The Evolution of Skateboard Art. Museum of Design Atlanta. An exhibit that examines the visual expression in skateboard art. Through Oct. 27. Tues.- Fri. 10 a.m.-8 p.m., Sat. 10 a.m.5 p.m., Sun. noon-5 p.m. 1315 Peachtree St., Atlanta. 404-979-6455. Adults, $10; ages 6-17, $5; 5 and younger, free. Troublesome Times: Impact of the Civil War in Roswell. Barrington Hall. Through the use of letters, official documents and photographs, this exhibit explores the effect of the Civil War on the lives of those with connections to the Roswell area. Through Oct. 31. Tours start on the hour from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. 535 Barrington Dr., Roswell. 770-640-3855. Adults, $8; ages 6-13, $6. LEGOLAND Discovery Center. Phipps Plaza. Come play, build and look at a variety of spectacular LEGO exhibits that will have all LEGO lovers amazed. Sun.Fri., 10 a.m.-7 p.m. (Last admission is at 5 p.m.) Sat.,10 a.m.-9 p.m. (Last admission is at 7 p.m.) 3500 Peachtree Rd., Atlanta. 404-848-9252. Adult, $20.52; ages 3-12, $16.20, 2 and younger, free.
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Jim Henson Special Exhibitions. Center for Puppetry Arts. This long term exhibit profiles the life of Jim Henson and his most famous puppet, Kermit the Frog. Tues.-Fri., 9 a.m.-3 p.m., Sat.; 9 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sun., 11 a.m.-5 p.m. 1404 Spring St., Atlanta. 404-873-3391. Museum admission, $8.25. Free admission Thursdays from 1-3 p.m. Quarry Exhibit at Stone Mountain. Stone Mountain Park. This outdoor display was developed to tell the story of an industry that played a significant part in the history of Stone Mountain. Mon.-Sun., dawn to dusk. 770-498-5690. U.S. Hwy 78 E., Stone Mountain. Free. Parking, $10. Permanent Exhibit. Jimmy Carter Library and Museum. View photographs and historic memorabilia from the Carter presidency. An exact replica of the Oval Office and gifts received by the Carters are featured. Mon.-Sat. 9 a.m.-4:45 p.m., Sun. noon-4:45 p.m. 441 Freedom Pkwy., Atlanta. 404865-7100. Adults, $8; 16 and younger, free. Centennial Olympic Games Exhibit. Atlanta History Center. Learn about the exciting 1996 Olympic Games that were held in Atlanta. Permanent exhibit. Mon.-Sat. 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m., Sun, noon5:30 p.m. 130 West Paces Ferry Rd., Atlanta. 404-814-4000. Adults, $16.50; ages 4-12, $11; 3 and younger, free.
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Family Fun Guide
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Calendar movies Rescue. Fernbank Museum of Natural History. Get an inside look at what it is like to be a first responder and understand what it takes to provide aid in times of need. Through Nov. 15. See fernabankmuseum.org for show times. 767 Clifton Rd. NE, Atlanta. 404-929-6300. IMAX tickets: adults, $13; ages 3-12, $11; 2 and younger, free. Africa’s Elephant Kingdom. Fernbank Museum of Natural History. Journey into Kenya for a glimpse of an elephant’s wild world through waterfalls, desert and vast plains. Through Nov. 15. See fernbankmuseum.org for show times. 767 Clifton Rd. NE, Atlanta. 404-9296300. IMAX tickets: adults, $13; ages 3-12, $11; 2 and younger, free.
music Pickin’ on the Square. Newnan. Acoustic musicians of all genres and skill levels are welcome to join in on the first and third Saturday of every month. 11 a.m. on Oct. 6 and 20. Newnan Courthouse Square at LaGrange St. and E. Broad St. 770-253-8283. Free. Riverside Sounds. Riverside Park. Outdoor concert series in the park. The Lee Boys, Oct. 6. Concerts from 7-9 p.m. Free shuttle available from Azalea Park and Don White Park. 575 Riverside Rd., Roswell. 770-641-3705. Free. Schoolhouse Rock Live Jr.. OnStage Atlanta. The Emmy Award-winning 1970s Saturday morning cartoon series makes a comeback in this production through clever, tuneful songs, instructing a whole new generation to “Unpack Your Adjectives” and “Do The Circulations.” Oct. 13-14. 1 p.m. 2597 North Decatur Rd. Atlanta. 404-897-1802. $10. Beethoven in Bluejeans. Michael C. Carlos Museum. This family concert features the master himself, commenting on his life, music and influence, as the Vega Quartet and pianist William Ransom perform a variety of music from Bach to the present. Oct. 21. 4 p.m. 571 South Kilgo Circle, Atlanta. 404-727-4282. Free. Music at Noon. Centennial Olympic Park. Enjoy lunch and live music performed by local artists. Tues. and Thurs. through Oct. Concerts from noon-1 p.m., 265 Park Avenue West, Atlanta. 404-223-4412. Free. Friday Night Live. Atlantic Station. Up-andcoming artists perform on the stage in Central Park; genres range from country to rock, jazz to blues. Through Nov. 23. Concerts are from 7-9 p.m. 18th St. NW., Atlanta. 404-733-1221. Free.
nature Saturday Afternoon Fly Fishing. Panola Mountain State Park. This clinic focuses on casting and safety. Bring snacks, sunscreen, and water. A Georgia fishing license is required for children 16 and older. Oct. 13. 9-11 a.m. 2600 Hwy. 155, SW, Stockbridge. 770-389-7801. Preregister. $15 or $12 with own gear, parking, $5.
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Family Fun Guide
October 2012 Atlanta Parent 73
Calendar Ranger-led Mountain Hike. Panola Mountain State Park. See wildlife and learn about this important ecosystem. Saturdays at 10 a.m. 2600 Hwy. 155, SW, Stockbridge. 770-389-7801. Pre-register. $7/person; parking, $5. The Sky Tonight. Fernbank Science Center. An astronomer leads the tour through the constellations, planets and events of the evening sky. Saturdays, 11 a.m. 156 Heaton Park Dr., Atlanta. 678-874-7102. Adults, $4; ages 3-18, $3; 2 and younger, free. Candlelight Hike to the Mill. Sweetwater Creek State Park. A mile-long night hike leads to the five-story ruins of the Civil-War era New Manchester textile mill. Oct. 20. 7-9 p.m. 1750 Mt. Vernon Rd., Lithia Springs. 770-732-5817. $5/person; parking, $5.
special events Lauren Oliver Book Signing. Barnes and Noble at the Mansell Crossings Shopping Center. Young adult author of the Spindlers will read and sign copies of her book. Oct. 2. 7 p.m. 7660 Northpoint Pkwy, Ste. 200, Alpharetta. 770-993-8340. Free. Teen Arts Night. City Center. Teens can bring instruments, poetry, artwork and short stories to share. Includes a slice of pizza and a soda. Oct. 5. 6-8 p.m. 8534 Main St., Woodstock. 678-494-4251. $5.
74 Atlanta Parent October 2012
HIKE AND SEEK Piedmont Park OCT. 27, 9 A.M.-NOON Kids can become one with nature in the heart of the city at Piedmont Park. The National Wildlife Federation is hosting the event where kids learn about nature on this 1.5-mile hiking adventure throughout Piedmont Park. Stationed along the trail will be interactive booths about insects, reptiles, plants, mammals and birds. REI will be on hand to teach kids the importance of safe and fun outdoor recreation. To participate, you must arrive 9-10 a.m. 1320 Monroe Dr., Atlanta. Adults, $15 ($12 in advance); children 17 and younger, $9 ($7 in advance.) hikeandseek.org.
Doc Healey Carousel Party. Come ride Doc Healey’s carousel! This event, put on by Atlanta pediatric dentist Michael Healey, includes fresh popcorn, lemonade, face painting, and a photo of your child on a horse. Oct. 6. 10 a.m.-noon. 1145 Hightower Trail NE, Atlanta. 770-993-9395. Free.
Family Fun Guide
Urban Coop Tour. Wylde Center. View beautiful backyard chicken coops and learn gardening tips. Oct. 6-7. noon-5 p.m. 435 Oakview Rd., Decatur. 404-371-1920. $25 per person. Kids 12 and younger, free.
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Calendar Sunday Funday. East Cobb Park. Enjoy live entertainment and family fun, visitors are encouraged to bring a picnic dinner. Sundays through Oct. 28. 4-7 p.m. 3322 Roswell Rd. Marietta. 770-591-3160. Free. Harvest on the Hooch. Chattahoochee Nature Center. A fundraiser for the Unity Garden. Enjoy family outdoor games, live music, cooking demonstrations, a scavenger hunt and more. Oct. 14. 3-6 p.m. 9135 Willeo Rd., Roswell. 770-992-2055 ext. 226. $30 per person. Creepy Critter Day. Chattahoochee Nature Center. Enjoy a day of animal presentations and up close encounters. Also catch a book signing and reading. Oct. 13. 11 a.m.-3 p.m. 9135 Willeo Rd., Roswell. 770-992-2055. Adults, $8; ages 3-12, $5; 2 and younger, free. History Tours. Piedmont Park. Learn about Piedmont Park’s history and the city of Atlanta. Tuesdays and Saturdays through Dec. 11 a.m. Reservations for Tuesdays required. Meet at the Green Market Info booth near 12th St. park entrance. Piedmont Park. 404875-7275. Free. Fulton County Free Saturday. High Museum of Art. Admission is free for Fulton County residents with I.D. on the first Saturday of each month. Oct. 6, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. 1280 Peachtree St. NE, Atlanta. 404-733-5000. Free.
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Wren’s Nest Storytelling. The Wren’s Nest. Wren’s Nest Ramblers host storytelling sessions every Saturday. 1 p.m. 1050 Ralph D. Abernathy Blvd., Atlanta. 404-753-7735. Adults, $8; children $5, 4 and younger, free.
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Storytime. Yawn’s Books. Enjoy a story for all ages. Every Tuesday at 10:30 a.m. 210 East Main St., Canton. 678-880-1922. Free. Tales for Toddlers. Bean Head Toys. Stories read in the indoor tree house, then kids make a craft to take home. Every Thursday. 10:30 a.m. 220 Johnson Ferry Rd., Sandy Springs. 404-851-2980. Free.
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Storytime at Little Shop. Little Shop of Stories. Storytelling three times a week; Thursday nights, milk and cookies provided and kids can come in pajamas. Sundays, 3 p.m.; Tuesdays, 11 a.m.; Thursdays, 7 p.m. 133A East Court Sq., Decatur. 404-373-6300. Free.
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Second Sunday Funday. High Museum of Art. Enjoy art demonstrations, art-making workshops and live performances. Oct. 14. 1-4 p.m. 1280 Peachtree St., Atlanta. 404733-4550. Adults, $19.50; ages 6-17, $12; 5 and younger, free.
Children’s Story Time. FoxTale Book Shoppe. Age-appropriate stories followed by dance and song. Mondays and Saturdays. 11 a.m. 105 East Main St., #138, Woodstock. 770516-9989. Free.
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October 2012 Atlanta Parent 75
CIRQUE DU SOLEIL TOTEM
Grand Chapiteau at Atlantic Station OCT. 26-DEC. 2. Inspired by many founding myths, the Cirque du Soleil show TOTEM illustrates, through visual and acrobatic language, the evolution of our species. The performance explores the dreams and infinite potential of man. Kids will love the visual arts and challenging acrobatics performed live on stage before their eyes. 20th St. NW, Atlantic Station, Atlanta. Tickets, $36.50 and up. 800-450-1480. Storybook Time. Atlanta Botanical Garden. Listen to stories about bees, butterflies, frogs and flowers. Wednesdays through Oct., 10:30 a.m. 1345 Piedmont Ave. NE, Atlanta. 404-876-5859. Adults, $18.95; ages 3-12, $12.95; 2 and younger, free. Storytime by the River. Chattahoochee Nature Center. Listen to storytellers read about the night sky as they use books and crafts. Every first Wed. of the month. 9135 Willeo Rd., Roswell. 770-992-2055. Free with admission. Adults, $8; ages 3-12, $5; 2 and younger, free.
Robin Hood. Aurora Theatre’s Main Stage. Children will love this fast-paced, sword fight-fueled adventure that comes to life. Oct. 13. 10 a.m. 128 Pike St., Lawrenceville. 678-226-6222. $7. Improvised Fairy Tale. Company Act 3 Productions. Spend the afternoon where the young audience determines the story’s setting, characters and even the costumes. Oct 27. 2 p.m. 6385-R Roswell Rd., Sandy Springs. 770-241-1905. Free. Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre. Escape down the Mississippi River and examine friendship and freedom in the face of ubiquitous prejudice. Oct. 28. 6:30 p.m. 2800 Cobb Galleria Pkwy., Atlanta. 770-916-2852. $15.
theater Anything Goes. Marietta Strand Theatre. This musical and tap dancing extravaganza tells the story of two unlikely pairs that embark on the course of true love as the S.S. American sets sail. Through Oct. 7. Thurs.-Fri., 8 p.m.; Sat. 2 p.m., 8 p.m.; Sun., 2 p.m. 117 N. Park Sq., Marietta. 404-377-9948. $40-45. Sleeping Beauty. Center for Puppetry Arts. Join hero Prince Stefan as he sets out to rescue the princess Aurora. Through Oct. 7. Wed.-Fri. 10 a.m., 11:30 a.m., Sat. noon, 2 p.m., Sun. 1 p.m., 3 p.m. 1404 Spring St., Atlanta. 404-873-3391. $16.50. Peter and the Wolf & The Frog Prince. Center for Puppetry Arts. This marionette style puppetry performance tells a rendition of these two classics with an energetic symphonic score. Oct. 10-21. Wed.-Fri., 10 a.m., 11:30 a.m.; Sat., noon, 2 p.m., Sun. 1 p.m., 3 p.m. 1404 Spring St., Atlanta. 404-873-3391. $16.50.
76 Atlanta Parent October 2012
Family Fun Guide
beyond atlanta First Friday Night Concert Series. Hancock Park. Travel to the gold-mining town for some outdoor tunes. Oct. 5. 6:30 p.m. Corner of North Park St. and Warwick St., Dahlonega. 706-864-3711. Free. River Giants Exhibit. Tennessee Aquarium. A collection of freshwater fish at legendary sizes, the “goliaths” of freshwater. Open daily 10 a.m.-6 p.m. One Broad St., Chattanooga, Tenn. 800-262-0695. $24.95 per adult; $14.95 per child ages 3-12. Family Fun Days. The Rock Ranch. Enjoy farming attractions and kids activities. Sat., Oct. 6, 13, 20, and 27. 9 a.m.-10 p.m. 5020 Barnesville Hwy., The Rock. 706-647-6374. Admission, $15; ages 3 and younger, free. Mom’s Morning Out. North Georgia Zoo and Petting Farm. Bring the kids for a morning out and enjoy special rates. Oct. 9. 9 a.m.-2 p.m. 706-348-7279. 2912 Paradise Valley Rd., Cleveland. Petting zoo and hayride, $6 or add in a wildlife walk for $15. c
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fallfestivals&fairs Charges may apply for some festival activities, such as inflatables and activity stations in addition to entrance fees.
Cumming Country Fair and Festival. Cumming Fairgrounds. Carnival rides, live music, fireworks, chainsaw carving and more! Oct. 4-14. Mon.-Thurs., 4-10 p.m.; Fri., 4 p.m.-midnight; Sat., 10 a.m.-midnight; Sun., 12:30-9 p.m. 235 Castleberry Rd., Cumming. 770-781-3491. Adults, $7; ages 5-18, $3; 4 and under, free; parking, $3. Taste of Atlanta. Midtown at Tech Square. Celebrate Atlanta’s best chefs, local farmers, music cafes and live cooking stages. Oct. 5-7. Fri., 7:30-10:30 p.m.; Sat.-Sun., 11 a.m.6 p.m. Spring Street & 5th Street, Atlanta. 404-875-4434. Advance purchase, $25; at gate, $35; 13 and under, free with paid adult. Crossroads at Crabapple Antique and Art Festival. Downtown Crabapple. Featuring antiques dealers and local juried artists, roaming musicians, food trucks and kids’ activities. Oct. 6. 9 a.m.-4 p.m. 765 Broadwell Rd., Milton. 770-241-1125. Free. Autumn Fest. Barrett Park. Arts and crafts, children’s activities, a petting zoo, food and inflatables. Oct. 6. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Park Lane and Hickory Rd., Holly Springs. 770-3455536. Free. Scarecrow Harvest. Historic Downtown Alpharetta. Over 100 scarecrows decorated by elementary school children, a farmers market, awards, music, hayrides to the log cabin, face painting, cornhole, storytelling, inflatables and activities. Oct. 6. 10 a.m-2 p.m.. 2 South Main St., Alpharetta. 678-2976078. Free. Norcross Art Fest. Historic Downtown Norcross. Local and national artists display and sell folk art, photography, pottery, jewelry and more. Oct. 6-7. Sat., 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; Sun., 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Downtown Norcross. 770-452-1727. Free.
Oakhurst Arts & Music Festival
Sunday in the Park. Historic Oakland Cemetery. Live music, Victorian costume contest, artists market, living history demonstrations, storytellers, Irish dancers, and a scavenger hunt. Oct. 7. Noon-6 p.m. 248 Oakland Avenue SE, Atlanta. 404-688-2107. Free, but suggested donation of $5; parking, $5. Atlanta Parent Magazine’s Family Block Party. Mercer University, Atlanta Campus. More than 50 kid-friendly attractions, storytelling, inflatables, pony rides and prizes. Oct. 13. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. 3001 Mercer University Dr., Atlanta. 770-454-7599. $5/person; 2 and under, free. Mall of Georgia Fall Festival. Mall of Georgia. Kids can enjoy crafts, games, a bounce house and stage performances. Radio Disney will entertain. Oct. 13, 1-3 p.m. 3333 Buford Dr., Buford. 678-482-8788. $5. Taste of Suwanee. Town Center Park. Local performers and restaurants, kids activities. Oct. 13. noon-5 p.m. Buford Hwy. and LawrencevilleSuwanee Rd., Suwanee. 770-831-3159. Free admission, tasting tickets for a fee. Oakhurst Arts & Music Festival. Decatur. More than 50 artists, seven bands, 5K run, neighborhood parade, African drumming and more. Oct. 13. 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Corner of East Lake Dr. and Oakview Rd., Decatur. 404-371-9583. Free.
Fall Festival. Wilburn Farm at Davidson-Arabia Mountain. Hayrides, Face art , mini farmers market, live music, vendors, fresh apple cider and more. Oct. 19-21. Fri., 5-9 p.m., Sat., 9 a.m.2 p.m., Sun., 8-10 a.m. 3899 N. Goddard Rd., Lithonia. 770-484-3060. Free. High Point Elementary Fall Festival. High Point Elementary. Come enjoy train and pony rides, a rock climbing wall, pumpkin patch, face painting, bake sale, inflatables and more. Oct. 20, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. 520 Greenland Rd., Atlanta. 404-843-7716. $15 for all activities; or $5 for arts & crafts, or games or rides. Harvest Balloon Festival. Sterling on the Lake. Take part in balloon adventures, competitive races and tethered rides. On land, pumpkin carving, hayrides, face painting and a bake sale. Oct. 20. Sat., balloon rides, 5:30-8 p.m., festivities 3-8 p.m. 7004 Lake Sterling Blvd., Flowery Branch. 770-967-9777. Festival free. Parking, $5. Harvest Square Festival. Glover Park-Marietta Square. Halloween games, family activities. See scarecrows and more. Oct. 20. 9 a.m.-6 p.m. 50 Park Sq., Marietta. 770-794-5601. Free.
Pace Fall Fair. Pace Academy. A popular tradition that offers laser tag, a dunk tank, inflatables, a street market, fair games and more. Rain or shine. Oct. 20, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. 966 W. Paces Ferry Rd., Atlanta. 404-240-7411. Free. Parktoberfest. Whittier Mill Park. Live music in the 22-acre park with local food and beverages. Oct. Flavors of Fall Festival. Smith-Gilbert Gardens. 13. 3-10 p.m. 2975 Wales Ave., Atlanta. 404-384See artwork from local artists, listen to musicians 7884. $5 admission; $20 for adults to receive a play and stroll through the garden. Pack a picnic cup that can be filled with local craft beer; children lunch. Oct. 20. 3 p.m.-8 p.m. 2382 Pine Mountain 12 and under, free. Rd., Kennesaw. 770-919-0248. Adults, $7; children, $5; 4 and younger, free. Highland Games and Scottish Festival.
Taste of Atlanta
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Stone Mountain Park. Featuring musical entertain- AutumnFest. Avondale Estates. Annual arts and ment, children’s events and more. Oct. 19-21. 9 music festival. Features regional artists, live music a.m.-5 p.m. Old Hugh Howell Rd., Stone Mounand entertainment, food and recreational activities tain. 770-521-0228. Sat., adults, $15 (at gate, for the kids. Oct. 20-21. Sat. 10 a.m.- 6 p.m.; Sun. $17); Sun., adults $13 (at gate, $15); both days, noon-5 p.m. Clarendon Ave. and S. Avondale Rd., ages 4-12, $4 ($5 at gate); under 4, free. Advance Avondale Estates. 404-294-5400. Free. purchase 3-day parking pass, $10. smhg.org. Cont’d on page 78
Family Fun Guide
October 2012 Atlanta Parent 77
fallfestivals&fairs
Southeastern Cowboy Festival and Symposium, Booth Western Arts Museum
Southeastern Cowboy Festival and Symposium. Booth Western Arts Museum. Children’s activities, pioneer demonstrations, Western gun fight reenactments, Native American dancing and more. Oct. 25-28. Thurs., 9 a.m.-7 p.m.; Fri., 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Sat., 8 a.m.-7 p.m.; Sun., noon-5 p.m. 501 Museum Dr., Cartersville. 770-387-1300. Adults, $10; children 12 and younger, $3. Country Living Fair. Stone Mountain Park. Over 150 booths of antiques and hand-crafted goods, plus a harvest market and general store. Oct. 26-28. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. U.S. Highway 78 East, Stone Mountain. 770-498-5690. $16/one day; $20/weekend pass; one-day parking, $10. Fall Jonquil Festival. Smyrna Village Green. Arts and crafts market, festival food, live music and kids’ activities. Oct. 27-28. Sat., 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; Sun., noon-5 p.m. 200 Village Green Circle, Smyrna. 770-423-1330. Free. Family Fall Festival. Elachee Nature Science Center. See a live animal program, play games, make crafts, enjoy hikes. Also costumed animal characters, face painting and more. Oct. 27. 2-5 p.m. 2125 Elachee Dr., Gainesville. 770-5351976. $5/person.
Beyond Atlanta Georgia National Fair. Georgia National Fairgrounds. Carnival rides, concerts, food vendors, livestock, live entertainment and more. Oct. 4, 3-10 p.m.; Oct. 5-14, 8 a.m.-10 p.m. 401 Larry Walker Pkwy., Perry. 478-987-3247. Adults, $5; children 10 and younger, free with paid adult. Unlimited ride wristband, $13. National Storytelling Festival. Jonesborough, Tenn. America’s favorite storytellers perform at this three-day outdoor festival. Nightly family-friendly ghost story concerts and much more! Oct. 5-7. Fri.-Sat., 10 a.m.-10:30 p.m.; Sun., 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Historic Downtown Jonesborough. 800-952-8392, ext. 221. Tickets start at $45. See storytellingcenter.net for complete ticket package breakdown.
78 Atlanta Parent October 2012
Family Fun Guide
Cotton Pickin’ Fair. Gay Family Farmstead. Enjoy musicians, folk dancers, marionettes and delicious Southern food on the 1828 family farm. Oct. 6-7. Sat., 9:30 a.m.-4 p.m. Sun., 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m. 18830 Georgia Hwy. 85, Gay. 706-5386814. Adults, $7; children 7-12, $3. Georgia Mountain Fall Festival. Georgia Mountain Fairgrounds. Arts, crafts, history, music and more. Oct. 12-21. Mon.-Sat. 10 a.m.- 8 p.m., Sun. 10 a.m.- 6 p.m. 1311 Music Hall Rd., Hiawassee. 706-896-4191. georgiamountainfairgrounds.com. $5/person; parking $2.. Georgia Apple Festival. Ellijay Lions Club Fairgrounds. Handmade and handcrafted items, plus all the apples you can eat! Oct. 13-14, 20-21. Sat., 9 a.m.-6 p.m.; Sun., 9 a.m.-5 p.m. 1729 South Main St., Ellijay. 706-636-4500. Adults, $5; children 10 and under, free. Fall Hoedown. Vogel State Park. Celebrate fall with noon chili, a cakewalk, hayrides, bonfire, line dancing, trick or treats and professional storytelling. Oct. 20. noon- 8 p.m. Details at gastateparks.org. 405 Vogel State Park Rd., Blairsville. 706-7452628. Free; parking, $5. Dahlonega Gold Rush Days. Dahlonega Gold Museum. Celebrate the 1828 discovery of gold with 300 arts and crafts exhibitors, a parade, gold panning, hog calling, buck dancing, wrist wrestling, live entertainment and more. Oct. 20-21. 9 a.m.-6 p.m. 1 Public Square, Dahlonega. 706-864-2257. $3.50. Mossy Creek Barnyard Festival. Mossy Creek Barnyard. Have fun in the “Enchanted Forest.” Find arts and crafts and listen to live entertainment. Oct. 2021. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. 315M Lake Joy Rd., Perry. 478-922-8265. Adults, $5; children, $1. c
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Kid’s Party
Entertainment
• Great Costumes • Cartoon Characters • Princesses • Superheroes • Face Painting • Balloon Tying • Clowns • Magic
www.poloclubofatlanta.com
Parties include: • Pony Rides • Petting Zoo • Play Area • Picnic Area
*reservations required
Day Care, Mother’s Morning Out, Church Groups & Day Camp outings available
Trackless Train Rides Conce ssio Game ns s Much Much More
walks Moon lides S r Wate os Comb
Pony Up PONY RIDES FOR ALL OCCASSIONS
J&S Funtastic Entertainment
Contact Cowboy Jim and they'll giddy up to your 678-378-1889 next Party or Event. Licensed & Insured Happy Trails
www.jsfuntastic.com
www.PonyUpPonies.com
24ft Rock Climbing Wall 770-973-2633
atlantaparent.com
Party Rooms with glow & regular lighting
(770)
424-2287
WWW.COPYCATSFORKIDS.COM
✷
Auntie Renee Storyteller
✷
CHILDREN’S PARTIES
guests with Impress your party rience. a unique party expe ets pp ✷ Pu ✷ Storytelling Arts & Crafts ing ✷ int Pa ce Fa ✷
✷
770-402-0564
www.AuntieReneeStoryteller.com
October 2012 Atlanta Parent 79
& DIVAS
O
Party Planner
A Party Paradise for girls 3-14
FUN-
Classified Pages DOLLS
★ Princess ★ Fairy Pixie ★ Banquets ★ Idol Karaoke ★ Pajama Jam ★ Hollywood Diva ★ Girls Day Out ★ Summer Camps
1-800-388-2810 www.DollsAndDivas.com LOCATED ON THE SOUTHSIDE OF ATLANTA
A MA -R
S med Parties PARFTullISE ervice The Inflatables & Party Rentals •Face Painting Creative Balloon Art • Characters & Mascots Puppets, Magic & MORE!
770-572-1737 www.funoramaparties.com
We come to you! Miniature farm animals & a pony to ride.
• Birthdays • Fieldtrips • Church Productions • Pony Carousels
Wild Birthday Parties! Give them the best party ever!
Manufacture your own chocolate candies!
Birthday Parties & Field Trips for all ages! Learn to create your own candies and take them home in a personal goody bag.
678-493-5860
www.littleredbarn.us
MyReptileGuys.com • 678-472-8441
678-728-0100 www.WeAreSweet.com
Conveniently Located off of I-75 CALL TO SCHEDULE YOUR PARTY!
The
Fun
50
Most
FREE TOKENS!
For Everyone! 770-416-7630
WHEN YOU BOOK YOUR NEXT BIRTHDAY PARTY OR GROUP OUTING
770-422-7227
All restrictions apply. One coupon per person per visit. Cannot be combined with any other discounts or promotions.
Recycle this magazine 80 Atlanta Parent October 2012
atlantaparent.com
Classified Pages
Marketplace
BABY
CHILDCARE
SERVICES
Loving Care Nanny Agency CARING MAKES A DIFFERENCE
Loving Care Nanny Agency matches families with *RELIABLE *HONEST *QUALIFIED *CARING Nannies, Babysitters, Housekeepers and Caregivers Fully Screened & traditional FACE to FACE interviews 678-310-3588 or 678-653-2529 www.LCnannyagency.com
PA R T Y Liza Bean Designs. Face Painting for any occasion: Parties, School, or Church Events and Festivals. Also, custom murals, artwork, belly casting and painting. 404-247-4783. www.LizaBeanDesigns.com.
CL ASSES QUALITY LESSONS TO ENRICH YOUR CHILD’S LIFE
5151 S Royal Atlanta Drive Tucker, 30084 “Each franchise is independently owned and operated.”
PORTRAITS
Blackmon Art Henry M. Blackmon III - Artist
Supplement or replace Your Income
Specializing in oil, acrylics & watercolor paintings:
Highly Qualified Instructors • All Ages
Music Lessons In Your Home
All Instruments All Skill Levels Performance Opportunities AVAILABLE FOR GENERAL MUSIC CLASSES
(404) 931-2330 or (678) 851-5793
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Family portraits Murals Illustrations blackmonart@att.net P.O. Box 360878 Decatur, GA 30036
678-863-1266
Blackmonart.com SPECIAL NEEDS
Visit Us at
www.UCanWahu.com On Time Assistance: Need an extra set of hands? On TiMe Assistance provides the extra help you need when time is not on your side. http://ontimeassistanceatl. blogspot.com 404-434-4640
CLASSES
• • • • • •
Just You & Me Kid (3mos-3yrs) Preschool Gymnastics (3-5yrs) Recreation Gymnastics (K+) Tumbling (2nd Grade +) Mighty Mites (2-8 yrs) Boys Gymnastics • Golf
404-252-JUMP (5867) 5920 Roswell Rd. Sandy Springs
www.jumpstartgym.com
DANCE The Bush Centre for Ballet: Classical ballet, contemporary and modern ballet, and jazz classes for children 4+, adults 18+. Annual recital, Field Trips, Summer Camp, Private and Pointe Lessons, community service participation. Sandy Springs. www.bushballetcentre.com. 404-256-5542.
atlantaparent.com
DELIVERING QUALITY EDUCATION TO YOUR DOOR
TUTORING See us at Atlanta Parent's Family Block Party Oct. 13
Tutor Wise LLC: Tutoring based on student’s learning style, interests and academic objectives. Student’s understanding is fostered while building confidence. All elementary subjects, Orton-Gillingham. Georgia certified instructor. www.TutorWiseLLC.com 404-9552872.
To Advertise Call Andi at 678-222-1917 October 2012 Atlanta Parent 81
Humor
by Tiffany Doerr Guerzon
Cleaning Confessional When company is coming to our house, I clean. Sometimes it takes all day. While in the midst of my pre-visit cleaning marathons, I often wonder if cleaning for company is a lie. I guess it must be, because it puts forth a false impression of how our family really lives. It’s the depth and complexity of the lie that changes, depending upon who is coming to visit.
Old Friends (White lie) Our old friends already like us and will be forgiving of a messy house. This type of visit requires only that I give the kitchen counters a swipe, pick up toys and make sure there isn’t a ring in the toilet.
New Friends (Bald-faced lie) With new friends, one wants to give the best impression. The house must be clean and stylishly decorated, with flowers on the table and soft music playing in the background. This façade will be destroyed as soon as the “new friends” are moved into the “old friends” category. When anticipating the visit of new friends, the blinders that I normally wear to tolerate my house are ripped off. Cobwebs in high
corners glare like neon lights. The porch needs sweeping, and when was the last time I shampooed the carpet? The walls around the light switches are dirty – is that jam? I usually worry so much about the smaller details that I run out of time and end up throwing the rest of the clutter into the master bedroom.
Families with Children (A small falsehood)
These people are fellow parents, so they will understand the toys on the floor or even the occasional un-flushed toilet. However, the outside play areas and children’s bedrooms must be clean. For example, one day, I decided not to clean the back yard. I assumed that since there was a steady drizzle and an ambient temperature of 50 degrees, no child would want to go outside. Of course, one kid determinedly donned her raincoat and galoshes to go out and swing. Later, I felt embarrassed when she asked for a Popsicle. I was puzzled until she showed me a handful of Popsicle sticks she had unearthed from the gravel of the swing set pit, left over from the previous summer.
Dinner Guests Who Like To Help (Lie of omission)
This category requires a “new” or “old” friend-style cleaning along with a full dose of avoidance. These guests really want to help. They want to wash dishes and even put away leftovers. Searching for Tupperware would reveal the drawer of containers along with an assortment of goldfish and graham cracker crumbs – or in one instance, the humiliating find of a blackened, half-eaten 82 Atlanta Parent October 2012
banana. Then, because there is never room in the kitchen refrigerator, the leftovers must be put away in the second fridge, which is in my garage. On a good day, my garage is an obstacle course. On most days, it’s a death trap. I’m afraid of finding a dinner guest hours later, wedged in between boxes, waving the lid of a covered dish with a dusty Christmas wreath dangling from around her neck. No thanks, I’ll take care of the leftovers myself.
Visiting Family
Another bald-faced lie – although the truth is revealed if they stay long enough) For this category, a whole house cleaning is needed. Family will think nothing of popping into my bedroom to borrow a shirt or rummaging through my bathroom in search of a hairdryer. Consequently, my usual refuge/storage area (my bedroom) must be clean. Some family visitors may want to do laundry. I have no objection to the use of my soap or machine, I’m just afraid they might suffer a fall while kicking their way through the piles of dirty laundry in the laundry room. I’d also hate for them to see the gummy layer of dried detergent on the washer lid, and what if they develop a chronic cough from the thick layer of dust and lint on top of the dryer?
The In-laws
(Lie requiring confession with a priest) Here’s where I surrender. Regular lies aren’t enough. I’ve been known to call a cleaning service, and have even entertained the idea of a professional decorator. c atlantaparent.com
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