Augusta Family Magazine November 2014 by Augusta Family Magazine

November 2014 BEAT THE “CHRISTMAS CREEP” HOW TO PICK THE RIGHT PET MAKE TIME TO NURTURE YOUR SOUL

Holiday Helpers

Kristian, 3, and Khloe Clay, 5, are the children of Dameon and Leila Clay of Evans.

Family AUGUSTA

m a g a z i n e

w w w. a u g u s t af a m i l y. c om PUBLISHER Kate Cooper Metts

Contents

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EDITOR Karin Calloway

PRODUCTION Art Director / Web Producer Michael Rushbrook

Hurrying the Holidays

ADVERTISING Director of Advertising Lisa Dorn

How To Combat the Sinister Christmas Creep

Advertising Sales Doressa Hawes Lisa Taylor Maidi McMurtrie Thompson Mary Porter Vann

By Lucy Adams

Audience Development Manager Jessica Seigler

PHOTOGRAPHY Branch Carter and John Harpring CONTRIBUTORS Lucy Adams Kim Beavers, MS, RD, CDE J. Ron Eaker, M.D. Cammie Jones Mary Ashton Mills Jennie Montgomery Danielle Wong Moores PRE PRESS SERVICES .JDLFZ ,JCMFS r ,FMMZ :J

November

departments 7 9

editor’s page mom2mom

news&notes eating well with kim Healthy Eating + Active Lifestyle = Diabetes Prevention

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23 34

Picking Up Trash, Putting Down Stress

health&home Pet Persuasion

inspiration station Uniquely Abled The Augusta Training Shop Nurtures the Abilities of Disabled Adults -Danielle Wong Moores

36 46

qu ick pick

Nurturing Your Soul

-Mary Ashton Mills

doctor/dad -J. Ron Eaker, M.D.

smart mom’s guide -Cammie Jones

“Living Inside Myself”…Really? -Jennie Montgomery

10 14

-Kim Beavers, MS, RD, LD, CDE Augusta Family Magazine is published 10 times per year and distributed throughout the Augusta and Aiken area. Send press releases, story ideas or comments to the editor at karin.calloway@augustafamily. com or mail to 127A 7th Street, Augusta, GA 30901 or telephone (706) 828-3946. For advertising information, telephone (706) 823-3702. For circulation/distribution, call (706) 823-3722.

Best Gifts of the Season

calendar go girl! Tara Rice Simkins -Karin Calloway

“Anticipation of Santa, of opening gifts, of celebrating with cousins and grandparents and aunts and uncles adds to the thrill of the holidays. Anticipation incited too early, however, can backfire on parents. The fun of waiting for Christmas isn’t fun anymore. It becomes an irritation.” Read Lucy Adams’ article on battling the “Christmas creep” on page 28.

ON THE COVER Kristian, 3, and Khloe Clay, 5, are the children of Dameon and Leila Clay of Evans. Photo by Branch Carter.

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editor’s by Karin Calloway

Holiday Happenings

t happens every year. I’m going about my business in October when I’ll suddenly see something that will startle me into a pre-holiday panic. This year it was the hanging of the Christmas decorations near our office in downtown Augusta the third week of the month. My first thought was, “Wow, they’re getting an early start.” Then the panic struck. Although it was only October 20 my heart started pounding and I thought, “I am so behind!” There’s no doubt that this is a busy, stressful time of year. However, there are some really wonderful things about this season of cooking, shopping, decorating and cleaning. If I can focus on those positives—that this season isn’t really about any of this stressful stuff, but is all about family and friends—suddenly the panic dissolves and I’m back to calm, cool and collected. If thoughts of fun times with family and friends aren’t enough to help you breathe a collective sigh of relief, we’ve got lots of holiday help in this issue. Like me, Lucy Adams is conflicted about Christmas coming too soon and she shares some great ideas to help combat what she calls the “Christmas creep.” Mary Ashton Mills writes about things to consider before adding a pet to the family. Perhaps it will help you be prepared for the, “I want a puppy for Christmas,” request! Danielle Wong Moores shares a story about the workers at The Augusta Training Shop. Their handmade holiday snowflakes are available again this year and their mission of training disabled adults to do meaningful work is inspirational. In this stressful season, Cammie Jones’ “Smart Mom’s Guide” focuses on the topic of taking the time to nurture your soul. There are definitely some great ideas in her column on page 18. This issue also includes our annual guide to children’s toys, books and more. It’s a fun section to show the kids…kind of like those holiday catalogues that we used to happily peruse when I was a child! Happy Thanksgiving and until December,

KARIN CALLOWAY is a wife and mother of two. She’s also a journalist and recipe developer who writes the Wednesday cooking column for The Augusta Chronicle. Watch Karin prepare her recipes on WJBF NewsChannel 6 on Tuesdays during Mid-Day and Wednesdays during Good Morning Augusta.

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mom m m by Jennie Montgomery

ILLUSTRATION BY MICHAEL RUSHBROOK

“Living Inside Myself”…Really?

had the most interesting visit with a 15-year-old in early October. It had been a long time since I’d seen this girl, but she hadn’t changed at all! You know how there are people who you don’t see often, but when you do it’s like no time has passed? That’s how we were! She and I picked up right where we’d left off the last time we were together…and that would have been about 1978. My 15-year-old self showed up most unexpectedly, thanks to an incredible opportunity to interview my favorite singer of all time, my idol that I never outgrew, the amazingly talented singer-songwriter Gino Vannelli! Fifteen-year-old Jennie was obsessed with Gino. She played his records daily, sang every word and felt the music in her soul. In. Her. Soul. Gino made family road trips bearable, got her through break-ups…even danced at her wedding! Flash forward 35 years: My middle-aged self still plays Gino’s music daily and I feel it…In. My. Soul. He’s been with me through every phase of my life since 10th grade. So picture this: Out of the blue I get a call from Gino Vannelli’s manager, asking if Gino could come by the station the next week for an interview. What a silly question! Insomnia kicked in a couple of days out. Even though I was prepared for this interview-of-a-lifetime, and I had bought the right new outfit, the noise inside my head wouldn’t stop. I realized SHE was back. The 15-year-old had hijacked the journalist’s body. This could be disastrous! On GINO DAY, I appeased the 15-year-old and grabbed one special treasure as I was leaving my house: the 1978 Brother to Brother album, the first Gino Vannelli record I ever bought. Gino was gracious and generous with his time. He even played his guitar and sang some of my favorite songs, “I Just Wanna Stop” and “Living Inside Myself,” as we sat together in the studio. Yes, I was DYING! But Journalist Jennie kept the 15-year-old (mostly) at bay…waiting until the end of our taping to reach for the white LP and ask Gino to sign it. He took the album, smiled at its well-loved condition and wrote “To Jen-All my love, Gino.” Then he kissed my cheek…well, let’s just say he thought he was kissing the journalist’s cheek! JENNIE MONTGOMERY anchors the evening news at WJBF-TV. She and her husband, Scott, have three children: Zack, 22, Maddy, 20, and Sky, 18.

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news notes

8]k\i X ^ff[ [`ee\i fe\ ZXe ]fi^`m\ XepYf[p# \m\e fe\Ëj fne i\cXk`fej%É -Oscar Wilde (From A Woman of No Importance)

TRAFFIC ART Those large metal boxes at city street corners MORE THAN 80,000 PEOPLE

that control the traffic signals aren’t particularly

are treated in hospital emergency

attractive, tending to act as magnets for tacky fliers

rooms for skateboard-related in-

and graffiti. The city of Augusta, the Downtown

juries every year. Skateboarding

Development Authority and the Greater Augusta

injuries can range from mild to

Arts Council are giving the boxes a bit of a facelift

life-threatening. Skateboarders have been killed by head injuries and collisions with cars.

by inviting local artists to paint them with murals. Steve Cassell, assistant director of Richmond County traffic engineering, saw the idea work in

Wrist guards, knee pads and elbow

other cities, offering a spot of beauty, bringing a

pads are a good idea for everyone,

sense of pride and reducing the spread of graffiti.

but especially for beginners. Also, mouth guards are good protection against broken teeth. But what’s the most important protection? Helmets; yes, every skater should wear a helmet.

A call for artists went out this past fall, with seven traffic boxes downtown slated for embellishment plus another 15 across the city. Artists were invited to submit their ideas and even identify a specific box they’d like to paint (for example, a traffic box

Safe Kids Greater Augusta, led by Children’s Hospital of Georgia, works to prevent accidental childhood injury, the leading killer of children ages 1 to 14. Safe Kids Greater Augusta is a member of the Safe Kids Worldwide & USA network. To ﬁnd out more about local Safe Kids programs, call 706-721-7606, or visit grhealth. org/safekids. Read the whole article about safe skateboarding at www.augustafamily.com.

on James Brown Boulevard could have a tribute to the Godfather of Soul). For ongoing information, contact the Greater Augusta Arts Council by visiting www.augustaarts.com.

augustafamily.com FRESH FACES

View Our On-Line Extras at www.AUGUSTAFAMILY.com

2014 November MAS CREEP” “CHRIST BEAT THE RIGHT PET PICK THE HOW TO E TO NURTUR MAKE TIMEL YOUR SOU

FRESH FACES

Holiday Helpers

IS YOUR CHILD READY FOR THEIR “close up?” If you think you’ve got a “cover kid,” submit their photo and information on our website and they may grace the cover of Augusta Family Magazine!

Girl

Clay, 5, 3, and Khloe n Kristian, n of Dameo are the childre of Evans. Clay and Leila

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KNOW A MOM who deserves a “Go Girl!” (see page 46) in an upcoming issue of Augusta Family Magazine? Submit her on the contest page of our website.

! c i t s a App-T

WHAT IF YOUR KIDS BEGGED YOU TO LET THEM DO THEIR CHORES? The ChoreMonster app for smart phones lets you throw out the chore chart and engage your children with rewards that keep them motivated to complete their assigned tasks. Parents create scheduled chores and assign them point values. When your child says they’ve done a chore, parents approve the job and then the child gets the points. Parents also can add rewards that their kids can “purchase” from their point collection—anything from money to a camping trip. Kids can sign onto the ChoreMonster mobile or web app, designed especially for them, and see their chores for the day, review possible rewards and earn random monsters added for fun and surprises along the way. Suddenly, they find themselves wanting to do chores. The ChoreMonster app is free. It requires iOS 6.0 or later and is compatible with iPhone, iPad and iPod touch. The app is optimized for iPhone 5

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eating well with kim by Kim Beavers, MS, RD, LD, CDE

Healthy Eating + Active Lifestyle = Diabetes Prevention Fish in Salsa

This is a favorite for salsa lovers. Sodium is figured for bottled salsa. 1 pound fish fillets (snapper, sole, etc.) ¾ cup salsa, thick and chunky Arrange fish in a 9- by 13-inch baking pan that has been sprayed with nonstick cooking spray. Use a microwavesafe dish if cooking in the microwave. Follow directions below for microwave or conventional oven.

*--6453"5*0/ #: .*$)"&- 364)#300,

Conventional oven: Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Bake uncovered, for 4-6 minutes per ½-inch thickness. Drain any liquid. Spoon the salsa over ﬁsh. Return to oven for 2 minutes to heat salsa.

Microwave Oven: Cover with plastic wrap, venting one corner. Cook on high for 4-6 minutes, depending on thickness of fish. Rotate ¼ turn halfway through cooking. Drain any liquid. Spoon salsa over fish. Cook for 1-2 minutes more, or until salsa is heated. Kim’s note: This recipe is easy to adapt here is an additional idea. • Bake the fish as directed but instead of spooning salsa over the fish brush on a mixture of olive oil-based mayonnaise + lemon zest + lemon juice + basil (make it a thin layer and you will not be adding too much additional fat, but the right amount of moisture and flavor).

he fall weather is perfect for just about any outdoor activity, especially in the CSRA. We are blessed with a climate that encourages outdoor activity 365 days a year yet over one-third of the population in both Georgia and South Carolina are reported to be inactive. This is an adult statistic, but inactivity in children can lead to a sedentary lifestyle as an adult. As a dietitian, the month of November brings thoughts of diabetes awareness because National Diabetes Education Week is in November. Health observances such as these help health professionals promote awareness and understanding about various disease prevention strategies. One of the issues facing the youth of today is a greater incidence of type 2 diabetes. Children have a higher risk of type 2 diabetes if they are obese, have a family history of diabetes or are not active and do not eat well. One of my favorite teaching points regarding

exercise and the impact it has on our health is that exercise is “free medicine.” That is a pretty powerful statement, right? Consider that exercise lowers blood pressure, blood sugar, cholesterol and aids in weight maintenance—all things that we take medication to control. So, how about getting active outside ASAP! Some free ideas to get you started include biking (canal, Greeneway, neighborhood), jumping rope, playing kick ball or freeze tag with the kids in the yard, walking the dog, playing tennis at the park or kayaking on the river/canal. In addition to an active lifestyle, healthy eating is also helpful in preventing diabetes in children and adults. Incorporate healthy foods at each meal and limit sugary beverages. Here is a delicious recipe to add to your weekly menu cycle. It is one of the simplest recipes for fish and you can whip it up in no time flat, which leaves plenty of time for outdoor activity.

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Yield: 4 servings Nutrition Breakdown: Calories 128, Fat 2g (saturated fat 0g), Cholesterol 42mg, Sodium 293mg, Carbohydrate 3g, Fiber 0g, Protein 23g Carbohydrate Choice: 0 Carbohydrates Diabetes Exchanges: 3 Lean meats Recipe courtesy of: Quick & Healthy Recipes and Ideas, 3rd Edition, © 2008 Brenda J. Ponichtera, R.D. (www.QuickandHealthy.net), published by Small Steps Press, division of the American Diabetes Association, publishing health-conscious books for the general population, available at local and online bookstores. v

KIM BEAVERS is a Registered Dietitian and Diabetes Educator for University Health Care System. She lives in North Augusta with her husband and two children and she is the co-host of the culinary nutrition segment Eating Well with Kim, which airs at noon Monday, Wednesday and Friday on WRDW. To join the recipe club or view recipes, visit www.universityhealth.org/ewwk. You can also watch the segments at www.wrdw.com/ewwk.

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doctor dad by J. Ron Eaker, M.D.

TRASH

PICKING UP

PUTTING DOWN

TRASH STRESS

spent the weekend picking up trash…and I loved it! I know medicine has become less lucrative during the Obama years, but I am not moonlighting as a sanitation worker. I volunteered for the Augusta 70.3 Half Ironman competition in the heart of the Garden City, along with a bevy of trash-collecting beauties. We had the Augusta Common area spotless for what is the largest 70.3 triathlon in the country. (For the uninitiated that is 70.3 miles traversed in the river, on the roads and with your legs…in one day!) It is a remarkable event with amazing participants, each one with a story of mental and physical stamina that rivals any sporting event. Augusta should take pride in the fabulous job the Augusta Sports Council does in making this a world-class event (Watch out Masters!). So I, along with my wife and a great group of folks, scoured the Common for cigarette butts, banana peels, Gu packs and Powerade containers, then headed out in a rental truck to collect all the garbage from the various water/Gatorade/pretzel/energy gel stations along the running course. As much as I wanted to be out there competing, volunteering and supporting the athletes was an important and vital function.

Volunteering Is Good for You

that volunteers with a history of heart problems had reduced chest pain and lower cholesterol levels compared with non-volunteers. Of course heart patients shouldn’t volunteer to do heavy construction for Habitat for Humanity, but they can do about anything else. Another study on older adults who volunteer regularly demonstrated that those who spend time volunteering may enjoy a longer lifespan. The science is clear: Those who remain engaged as they age show fewer signs of both mental and physical deterioration. Perhaps it’s time for AARP to stop worrying about choosing political battles and promote volunteerism. A study published by Harvard shows that those who volunteer have a better functioning immune system and are less susceptible to common colds and allergies—unless you volunteer in a daycare inhabited by little bacterial cultures known as infants! The University of Exeter Medical School in England found that volunteers reported lower levels of depression, increased life satisfaction and enhanced well-being. This means that if you are feeling down and out and beat up by life, you might achieve some respite by helping those who are likewise in need. This is not some Pollyanna, pie-in-the-sky, positive thinking miss mosh.

The Ultimate Win-Win Scenario Volunteering is not only the grease that makes many events flow with ease, but it also improves the health of the volunteers. A number of studies show that being a volunteer can lower your blood pressure and improve heart disease. A University of Michigan study recently showed

This is real science that shows that your body and brain changes chemically when you step out and volunteer. It’s the proverbial win/win scenario. The key is to pick something that already interests you and find a way to contribute, sort of like me and trash. Actually. it

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STRESS

was running that attracted me to the Ironman, but for continuity purposes we’ll go with garbage. Studies show that being actively involved in ongoing volunteer work actually increases life expectancy— while improving the quality of life at the same time. And the earlier you start, the better. Research tells us that those individuals who volunteer at an earlier point in their lives experience greater functional ability and better health outcomes later on in life. Another interesting study looked at volunteerism rates in various countries. For example it found that, worldwide, the prevalence of adult volunteering varies, with estimates of 22.5 percent in Europe, 36 percent in Australia and 27 percent in the U.S. My sense is that the data may be skewed if they included the kangaroo contingent. Nevertheless, about a quarter of us in the U.S. seem to be avid volunteers. Now I realize that you Georgia Bulldogs cringe at the thought of being labeled a Volunteer (snarky football reference) but that shows that we have a lot of room for improvement. Here is an activity that doesn’t cost anything (but time) and can improve our physical and mental well-being. Even if you disband the altruistic intentions, volunteering is good for you—so why not be like Nike and “Just Do It!” So, was my trash adventure worth it? Absolutely! I saw and cheered for some amazing athletes, added a few minutes to my lifespan, beat up some serious stress and left the Augusta Common as clean as baby’s bottom. v Dr. Eaker is an Augusta Ob/GYN and author. He and his wife, Susan, have two daughters in college.

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smartMom’sguide by Cammie Jones

nurturing

your

soul

aking time for yourself is a challenge that most of my mom friends experience on a daily basis. It doesn’t matter if you are a stay-at-home mom, a working mom, a part-time working mom or if you have one child or more—it’s a conversation I have had with most of my friends. We feel drained, used, unappreciated and exhausted both mentally and physically. How can we take time out for ourselves without playing the “woe is me” card? I contacted Tara Simkins, life coach, writer at tarasimkins.com, lawyer and co-founder of The Press On to Cure Childhood Cancer Fund (pressonfund.org), who offered some simple, yet extremely helpful ways for moms to begin nurturing their souls.

Leave Time To Feel.

Don’t we all go through the day marking stuff off our list without really thinking? Tara mentioned a quote she recently heard from country singer Kenny Chesney, “Success is great, but sometimes it doesn’t leave time to feel.” “So often we jump from one project to another—fundraising, parenting, working, etc.—yet we deny ourselves the opportunity to absorb, reflect, celebrate and rejuvenate after a job well done,” says Simkins. Also, we experience many highs and lows in life and, again, don’t allow ourselves to grieve. We “soldier on” through it. “Don’t forget the importance of having time to feel. The highs, the lows and everything in between,” she adds.

Notice the Seasons of Life. “I love the idea of seasons,” says Simkins. “The anticipation,

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the arrival, the lingering and the coming to a close of each seasonal cycle. The understanding that this too shall pass.” This is similar to the seasons of life we experience. Simkins suggests stepping back 20,000 feet and seeing the season for what it really is—an absolute miracle. Try to ground yourself in the anticipation and the arrival of the promise of the season and loosen your grip to allow the season to be what it is.

Practice Stillness.

“This is by far the number one thing that I do to nourish my own soul,” says Simkins. “I take a moment each morning to be still and breathe.” She suggests setting a timer for three minutes and noticing how you inhale and exhale. This awareness brings you back to your body. “You would be amazed at how much of our days we spend living in our heads with no connection to our bodies,” she adds. This is also a great way and time to pray. Simkins accidentally happened upon this time when her oldest son, Nat, began Kindergarten. “One morning, I slipped into the Adoration Chapel attached to St. Mary on the Hill School and sat quietly for 10 minutes before heading off to the office. I haphazardly continued to pop into the Chapel here and there. Slowly, I noticed that the days I began in the quiet, still Chapel ran smoother than the days I did not. I felt a pull to spend more and more time in still, contemplative prayer. Because in the stillness, I am waiting and listening for the guidance requested in my favorite prayer: Show me the way.”

Practice Forgiveness.

Simkins says to ask yourself each day, “What do I have to forgive?” It can be the tiniest of things. Maybe you forgot to send

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smartMom’sguide

a snack to school with your child or sign a permission slip for a field trip. It could be something small like that or something bigger such as forgiving your spouse or friend for what they did or said to you. She says that forgiveness is a practice and a mindset. “Forgiveness is not about being holier than thou. Forgiveness is about looking at life, ourselves and our relationships through a lens of love,” she says. Constantly judging life, ourselves and others is exhausting! If you think you have done something unforgivable, take some time to forgive yourself and move forward from there. Your continued guilt does nothing but bring down the world. “Lighten the load of your soul—forgive and practice forgiveness,” she says.

Let Go of Perfectionism.

I have a running competition with my co-worker that is dubbed the “Mom of the Year” (MOTY) Award. When we do something that doesn’t qualify as being “MOTY,” we share it with each other and claim the award for the day. We know we will never achieve perfection as mothers, but that’s okay with us. Simkins agrees that this perfectionism will never happen. “Practice imperfection! Goodness knows, I try real hard to get things right. And goodness knows, I am constantly reminded that life is nothing but constant change, and I am human,” she adds.

Laugh—a Lot!

Share your stories with other mothers. “Not only is it important to embrace our imperfections, but it is important to celebrate and share our stories of imperfection,” advises Simkins. Don’t take yourself so seriously!

“Last week, I was teaching a tele-class to the Pilgrim Soul community (amazing women from all over the country) on the invisible helpers that are constantly coming to our aid if only we opened our eyes and hearts to see them,” says Simkins. Just a few minutes later she looked out her window at her garden and saw that her neighbor, an invisible helper, was cleaning it up. “These plants were not in her garden. They were not her responsibility. Yet there she was. Quietly. Invisibly. Going about the work of doing something to help me,” she says.

Make Room for Wonder. Every Day.

“I love to marvel at the hues of the early evening and early morning skies,” says Simkins. “Sitting in that state of amazement is so nourishing for your soul.” She goes on to explain that maybe it is the abundance of it all, the creativity of it all and the generosity of it all that make it so awe-inspiring. It is there every morning and every evening for our pure enjoyment. Take time to notice those things in nature that we take for granted.

Fill Your “Pilgrim Soul’s Cup.”

As mentioned at the beginning of this article, many moms often feel unappreciated and mentally and physically exhausted. Tara says that one of her favorite lessons is the importance of only giving when your cup is FULL. It is all about reminding women that giving of ourselves should only come from our overflow. “Imagine that you are a beautiful chalice which holds the most amazing life-giving and refreshing water,” she says. “Our job is to keep our chalices full of our own life-giving water so that it might spill over into the lives of others.” We are not asked to drain our own life-giving water to give to others, only the overflow. The challenge, of course, is learning when you are full and empty. v

Find the Meaning in Difficult Times.

Simkins says you have a choice when life turns down a difficult path: to begrudge the hand that you have been dealt, to play the hand or to create a new hand. Find something meaningful out of those hard times.

ment, a gift left at your door for no reason, etc.

Notice the Invisible Help, Friendship and Hospitality in Others.

It’s the little things in life that make it worthwhile. I say it all the time and mean it. Look for those moments when someone offers you a small token of friendship or help. It can be a nice compli-

Tara’s Favorite Books Brene Brown’s The Gifts of Imperfection Glennon Doyle’s Carry On Warrior Meadow DeVor and the Rowdies, The Tao of Rowdy Anything written by David Whyte, Thich Nhat Hanh.

Cammie Jones is an Augusta freelance writer and mother of three.

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Special Advertising Section

Family m a t t e r s

hen it comes to your family, the quality of care they receive really matters. Whether itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s medical care, dental or orthodontic care or even vision care, you want only the best. In this issue of Augusta Family Magazine, the Family Matters section takes the opportunity to tell parents and caregivers why the practices here are the best choice for their families.

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Hurrying the Holidays How To Combat the Sinister Christmas Creep By Lucy Adams | Illustrations by Michael Rushbrook

erhaps you remember the unfortunate incarceration of an innocent young lad on December 3, 2006. The Rock Hill, S.C., police department official incident report read: Officers Reid and Smith responded in reference to a juvenile causing problems at his grandmother’s house. When officers arrived on the scene, they spoke with the victim (the suspect’s grandmother). She bought a Game Boy and wrapped it for Christmas and placed it under the Christmas tree. She stated she gave specific instructions for the suspect not to bother it because it was a present for Christmas. She advised that she came home and found the present unwrapped and the Game Boy box opened. The child was charged with opening a Christmas gift early, way early, before Christmas day. As the police put him in the patrol car, neighbors stood around talking about crime spiraling out of control. Shaking their heads, they said things like, “He never seemed the type.” He knew he shouldn’t have done it. He didn’t want to do it. His grandmother plainly told him not to do it. He tried to stop himself. But sometimes a kid can’t help being a kid. Like a candy cane, he snapped. Considering that holiday decorations were in stores in October, radio stations started playing carols in November and Main Street America decked out for December weeks in advance, it’s a wonder more kids haven’t been hauled off in cop cars for prematurely tearing into presents. But the problem might not be that the holidays begin too soon. The real issue might lie in how we as parents handle it. u

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The Psychology Behind Santa Parents talk up the holidays because they want to promote, for their own kids, the warm feelings they experienced as children. They buy early to save money and put presents under the tree at Thanksgiving to extend the season and the sentimentality a little longer. Christmas comes once a year. Why not get the most out of it? Right? To captivate children and impart the good cheer and good feelings promised by holidays like Hanukkah and Christmas, good timing is imperative. “Something just beyond the reach is innately rewarding to pursue,” says Dr. Bernard Davidson, a family psychologist at Georgia Regents Medical Center. “Something too far out of a child’s grasp is frustrating.” Anticipation of Santa, of opening gifts, of celebrating with cousins and grandparents and aunts and uncles adds to the thrill of the holidays. Anticipation incited too early, however, can backfire on parents. The fun of waiting for Christmas isn’t fun anymore. It becomes an irritation. Furthermore, decking the halls and playing the carols and saturating life with signs of the season weeks in advance leads to tradition becoming nothing more than routine. It isn’t special if it doesn’t stand out from normal everyday life. “Novelty is very important for kids,” says Dr. Davidson. “We’re wired

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to seek it out at a very young age. Looking at the same thing over and over again doesn’t produce the same pleasure as looking at something new.” Setting the stage too soon and talking about it too much too far ahead of time can rob a holiday of the pizzazz wellmeaning parents are attempting to pump into it.

Developmental Readiness For little ones especially, parents set the tone. Young children take their cues about celebrations from their caregivers’ behavior and words. If Mom and Dad create a frenzy of excitement about Santa, the child will feed off of that. Understanding where kids are developmentally can help parents pace the presentation of all the wonders of the season. It can help them understand how well a child will tolerate sustained anticipation of an event. “Look at the age group that gets into the magic of Santa. Those kids are the ones who don’t understand how far off it is,” says Kimberly Allen, Manager of Child and Adolescent Services at Children’s Hospital of Georgia. Combined with this inability to accurately appreciate time, this age group also wrestles with delay of gratification, which is a fancy way of expressing the ability to forego something now in order receive something better later. It’s hard for them to imagine that anything could be better that what they want right this instant. “Preschoolers don’t un-

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derstand time and they don’t understand waiting,” says Allen. Building up the big day well in advance can lead to the child feeling like it’s never going to come. Instead of generating awe, it creates confusion and frustration for the youngster. Allen says, “You don’t start talking about a child’s birthday three months in advance. You talk about it a couple of weeks ahead of time. Preschool kids don’t even understand how long it is to the end of a Disney show. They’re not going to understand three months.” The same rule of thumb applies to holidays. As children enter school, they begin to grasp how long a week is, how long a month is. “The older the child,” says Allen, “the longer the time to prepare him.” As children advance in age, they enjoy anticipation more and more. They master the task of delaying gratification. The gifts they want for Christmas or Hanukkah are also likely to be big ticket items that require more than last minute notification for Mom, Dad and Santa. Nonetheless, waiting for desired surprises can still be difficult, especially with the barrage of advertising targeted to kids.

Stay in Control Parents are busier than ever. Exhaustion can make a person susceptible to being pushed down the

path that commercialism blazes beginning in September. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We wouldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t think about Christmas in September 20 years ago,â&#x20AC;? says Blyth Lipman, a parent and preschool consultant who runs the website www.mybestparentingadvice.com. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The commercialism pushes parents.â&#x20AC;? Parents want to make their children happy, but it becomes stressful. A yearning to recapture that feeling from childhood also whisks a parent into the fray. Where parents go, children follow. Take control of the message and the memories. Make sure children are getting the meaning you want them to internalize, not what advertiser A is telling them on TV. Lipman says, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a time to create memories with the family. Thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s what children remember, not the $50 toy they got.â&#x20AC;? She suggests that families celebrate each distinctive holiday preceding Hanukkah or Christmas by developing a ritual for each one that makes it different from the others. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Take time to do things with the kids,â&#x20AC;? says Lipman. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The beautiful customs are whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s important.â&#x20AC;? This will keep the celebrations from bleeding into each other and minimize confusion for younger children. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s important for children to remember something specific they did,â&#x20AC;? she says. Talk about each holiday, decorate for each holiday, develop family traditions for each in its time. This will deflect the outside worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s premature focus on Hanukkah and Christmas. During the Christmas and Hanukkah season, direct the discussion and the activity beyond the gifts. Share the why behind the holidays and include doing good for others in the planning and preparation.

Strategies for Battling the Christmas Creep r %JTUSBDUJPO UFDIOJRVFT XPSL XFMM GPS ZPVOHFS LJET "WPJE UBMLJOH BCPVU Santa and such more than a couple of weeks in advance. When the world shoves it in your childâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s face, engage her in activities or discussions centered around present events. r $PVOUEPXO XJUI ZPVS LJE ŃŽF FYQFSUT BSFO U JO GVMM BDDPSE PO UIJT TUSBUFHZ CVU JG ZPVS DIJME JT JOTJTUFOU PO JEFOUJGZJOH FYBDUMZ IPX MPOH VOUJM IF HFUT UP open gifts, let him mark off days on a calendar. Another option is to make a paper chain and allow him to remove a loop each day until the big day. r -JNJU UIFJS FYQPTVSF &WFO PMEFS DIJMESFO CFOFĂŞU GSPN NJOJNJ[JOH UIF IZQF by turning off the TV, tuning out the radio station with 24/7 carols and staying out of stores. I confess that Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve been there where that young man from Rock Hill, S.C., went. Not to jail, but underneath the tree crawling through a joyland of surQSJTFT DIFDLJOH FWFSZ UBH TIBLJOH FWFSZ CPY 8IFO * XBT XIJMF NZ QBSFOUT were out, not only did I rearrange all the wrapped delights, moving mine to the forefront, I also sent the tree cascading to the floor with a swwwuuuushhh and a crinkling tinkle of bursting ornaments. That child and I are kindred spirits, both victims of society, both falling prey to the sinister Christmas creep.v Lucy Adams is a freelance writer and the author of Tuck Your Skirt in Your Panties and Run. She lives in Thomson, Ga., with her husband and their four children. Contact Lucy at lucybgoosey@aol.com.

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health home by Mary Ashton Mills

Pet

Persuasion

Tips for Making a Decision To Add a Pet to the Family

ow many times have you heard the question, “When can we get a pet?” Pets are a nice companion and can positively impact our lives every day. If you are pondering a family addition of the pet persuasion there are a few things to consider. According to Augusta veterinarian Dr. Ryan Rhodes of St. Francis Animal Hospital, selecting a family pet is something that involves careful thought. Here are some criteria that Rhodes recommends you bear in mind during the selection process.

Evaluate Your Family’s Wants and Needs Time “First you need to decide how much time you or your family have to care for a pet,” says Dr. Rhodes. “Dogs will need to be let out regularly and require exercise whether it be walking, running or playing ball. I personally don’t think it’s fair to a dog to leave it in the yard all the time and just deliver food and water twice a day without any sort of personal contact,” he adds. If your family doesn’t have a lot of time to care for the animal, Dr. Rhodes suggests starting with a fish. Fish, the easiest to care for, require food, water and a clean tank or bowl.

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Lifestyle In addition to how much time your family has to care for the animal, it’s also important to think about your lifestyle and what your family wants from the pet. Consider if you want a guard dog, snuggle cat, lap dog, hunting dog, running buddy or just something to admire in a tank. Environmental factors are also important to consider. According to Dr. Rhodes if you live on a busy street, you’ll want to consider the potential for an outdoor dog or cat to get into traffic. Furthermore, if there are other cats in the neighborhood, your cat could wind up fighting with other outdoor cats. Lastly, Rhodes suggests considering any allergies that you or your family members may have when selecting a pet.

Age Once you decide on which type of pet will be joining your family, another important choice is selecting the age of the animal. “Puppies need to be potty trained, taught manners and commands and require more time and energy than an adult dog. However, getting a puppy gives you the ability to shape it into your ideal dog,” says Dr. Rhodes. An older pet may be a nice choice for someone who is older or lives a sedentary lifestyle.

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health home Cost Some pets are more expensive to purchase and care for than others. A pet snake or lizard may seem reasonable at first, but after regularly feeding them live rats or worms, the cost adds up. Food, veterinary treatment, medications, boarding and grooming can add up quickly. Dr Rhodes cautions pet owners to make sure they can afford to properly care for their pet. “Giant breeds cost more to medicate and require larger sizes in heart worm and flea prevention.” Rhodes advises you plan for the costs of not only preventative care, but also unforeseen illness or emergency care.

Adoption vs. Pure-Bred Adopting a pet from local rescue groups or animal shelters can be a mutually beneficial experience. By adopting a dog, you are saving the life of an animal. Rhodes suggests you make multiple visits to the shelter and introduce all of your family members to the dog or cat. “Watch how they respond to their surroundings. Just because it is the cutest dog in the shelter does not mean it has the best temperament for your family,” says Rhodes. Try to introduce any current pets to the potential new pet as well. Rhodes says you should have any pet examined before taking them home. Intestinal parasites can be contagious to other pets and people. All pets that are adopted from the CSRA Humane Society are spayed or neutered, microchipped and are current on their vaccinations. They are also treated for any heartworms or parasites, should they have them. They also test all cats and kittens for feline leukemia and FIV. Petfinder.com is the best option for searching for a pet online. Many CSRA Shelters post available animals to this site regularly. Purchasing an animal through a breeder is another popular choice when choosing a dog or a cat. It’s good to do your homework first and research the breed before buying. Rhodes says some breeds are very active and will require a lot of exercise daily while others are prone to allergies and skin issues leading to more expensive vet bills. Others may not be ideal family pets. “It is important to know what diseases are common in the breed and what their typical temperament is like,” she says. Rhodes recommends you visit the breeder’s facility before committing. “Make sure the environment is clean and the puppies are included in the lives of the family. The puppies should be examined by a veterinarian and given age-appropriate vaccines and de-wormings,” she adds.

Choosing your first family pet is an exciting process and can be educational for the entire family so be sure to take your time and enjoy it. Nothing beats the excitement and smile on your child’s face when they bring home their pet for the first time!

Pet Heaven Is for Real! They touch our lives and become part of our family, but the day will come when it’s time to say good-bye to the beloved family pet. Whether they die peacefully from natural causes or we have to choose to euthanize them, the loss is difficult to deal with. Many times this can be a child’s first experience with death. Lynn Williams, a third grade teacher at Episcopal Day School, helps children cope with the loss of a pet. “I purchased Dog Heaven and Cat Heaven in November 2005 from the Parsonage Books and Gifts where I volunteered after school, holidays and summers. We suddenly had the need to comfort a student who lost a pet. It is sweet and beautifully written for a young child. I have shared at least one of these each year,” she says. “I felt it could comfort the child and even the whole family. When it is sent home, I just require that it be returned whenever the family feels they have worked through their loss,” she adds. For additional means of support, the ASPIRE clinic at the University of Georgia offers traditional counseling and holistic care for a variety of family-related issues including distress related to the loss of a family pet. They also refer families to petpartners.org for comprehensive resources on pet loss. Information on memorials, cemeteries, support books and articles are available on this site as well as an immediate support hotline.

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Mary Ashton Mills lives in Augusta with her husband and two children. Her work has appeared in Charleston Magazine, The Post and Courier and Augusta Family Magazine.

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inspirationstation by Danielle Wong Moores

Uniquely Abled

The Augusta Training Shop Nurtures the Abilities of Disabled Adults

is non-verbal, took to it immediatelyâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;so much so that one of the snowflake designs is named after him. The training shop now sells more than 60 designs of snowflakes, weaving them all year long, but production ramps up during the holidays. Last year, Garden & Gun magazine even featured the crafts at its annual Jubilee, during an invitation-only artisans market. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Everything we do here at the training shop is an art,â&#x20AC;? says Murell. â&#x20AC;&#x153;It takes time and patience and love for everything we do here and they do it so willingly and joyfully.â&#x20AC;?

Inside the Augusta Training Shop Mid-afternoon, the Augusta Training Shop is quieting down. Most workers end their day at 2 p.m. and a handful remain, waiting on their rides home. In her bright orange shirt, rivaling her bright and pretty smile, Dee swoops in for a hug. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Sheâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s my little sunshine,â&#x20AC;? says Murell with a grin. She stops to give Nick a highfive for a great day of work before sending him off with a hug too. Inside the shop located on Jenkins Street (on the bus route to provide convenient transportation for employees), rows of finished chairs, gleaming with fresh yellow cane, stand ready to be picked up, while others are partially woven, the yellow strands standing up in a cheery wave. Kenny and Wayne show off a gal-

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nside the Augusta Training Shop, row upon row of wooden cane snowflakes hang, seemingly ready to dance and float on the air. â&#x20AC;&#x153;These are true representations of snowflakes in the natural world. Not one is the same and never will be,â&#x20AC;? Executive Director Audrey Murell often says in describing these handcrafted decorations. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s also an apt description of the wonderful abilities of the 25 mentally disabled men and womenâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;who truly earn the title of artisanâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;in their gainful employment at the Augusta Training Shop. Launched in 1947 as a day care center for those with disabilities of all ages, the training shop branched off as its own entity in the â&#x20AC;&#x2122;60s, with a unique mission: to provide a place where adults with mental disabilities can conduct meaningful work that they can be proud of and that can demonstrate their many abilities. The employees at the Augusta Training Shop restore, repair, strip, refinish or paint furniture; polish brass, copper and silver; and cane all types of chairs, rockers and benches. Their fees are reasonable and their work rivals that of professional refinishing shops. The employees earn not only a paycheck, but the joy and satisfaction of knowing that they have crafted something beautiful. The snowflakes are just the latest iteration of this. Murell happened to find a pattern and started showing some of the employees how to weave the lacy creations. One young man, Adrian, who

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inspirationstation lery of art on the wall—all pieces painted and drawn by employees, which will be auctioned off at the shop’s spring Derby Day fundraiser—and then lead the way to the back room where sanding and staining take place and where the snowflakes are woven. The room has the fresh scent of new wood, undercut by a whiff of the staining compound, which tickles the nose. Kenny and Wayne, says Murell, both do a lot of the heavy lifting in the back room, where much of the dirtier work of furniture refinishing takes place. Both of their faces light up when they’re asked what they like about working at the training shop. “I love it down here,” says Kenny. The shop emphasizes work habits like arriving on time, staying on the job, doing a job correctly, maintaining good work relationships and using break time appropriately. Free time happens to be Kenny’s favorite time, and he lists out his favorite activities—dancing, exercising, playing basketball and duck-duck-goose or Simon Says. Kenny, in fact, has even written a letter invit-

ing President Barack Obama to visit the training shop. In his beautiful clear penmanship, “I hope you come down here to see at the shop,” he writes. “We work at a non-profit that helps us. Come support at the Augusta Training Shop.”

True Heroes After growing up with a neighbor with Down Syndrome, Murell says that she always had a heart for those with mental disabilities. She first became familiar with the training shop during an internship in college—“I immediately fell in love with it then”—and was hired as executive director in 2001. One of her first duties was organizing fundraisers for the organization, and today her creativity has resulted in some of the area’s most popular annual events. Spring ushers in Derby Day, a celebration with mint juleps, big hats and an auction of art by Augusta Training Shop employees on the day of the Running of the Roses (the Kentucky Derby). In the fall, the Lock, Stock & Barrel is an old-fashioned clay pigeon shoot-out with other sporting

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activities and a seasonal fall dinner. She is quick, though, to downplay her role and just as quick in encouraging Kenny, Wayne, Dee, Nick and the other employees to take pride in their work and their talents. “I see myself as a person who is a voice for them,” says Murell. “But they are the true heroes.”

Buy a Snowflake! By purchasing a snowflake, you can help support the nonprofit Augusta Training Shop’s mission of providing employment and job skills to those with mental disabilities in the CSRA. Donations are always welcome—as are willing hands to help support the program. The employees also love visitors to come by and see their work. To find out more, visit www.augustatrainingshop.com. v Danielle Wong Moores is an Augusta freelance writer and frequent contributor to Augusta Family Magazine, Augusta Magazine and The Augusta Chronicle.

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calendar November 2014

Mama Mia! Have the time of your life on November 15 as writer Catherine Johnson’s sunny, funny tale unfolds on a Greek islandparadise. On the eve of her wedding, a daughter’s quest to discover the identity of her father brings three men from her mother’s past back to the island they last visited 20 years ago. The story-telling magic of ABBA’s timeless songs is the heartbeat of Mama Mia! and propels an enchanting tale of love, laughter and friendship. Part of the Taylor BMW Broadway in Augusta Series. Bell Auditorium For Tickets: www.augustaentertainmentcomples.com

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calendar

HOLIDAY EVENTS November 1. St. John’s Apple Fest. Fresh apples and apple desserts will be for sale at this annual harvest celebration that also features games for the kids, trash and treasure booths, and a silent auction. 8 a.m.-2 p.m. St. John’s United Methodist Church. Downtown Aiken. 803-648-6891. November 9. Senn Designs Holiday Trunk Show. Susan Senn-Davis and Amy Hammarlund of Senn Designs will have new pieces to preview. It’s the perfect time to start, or finish, your Christmas shopping. Noon-4 p.m. Morris Museum of Art. 706-724-7501. November 13. Gift Shop Holiday Open House. Your holiday shopping destination for the latest in decorating and gift items, nativities, ornaments plus scrumptious cakes and more. Free gift wrapping and admission. Cooking demonstrations, book signing by Tara Rice Simkins and complimentary coffee bar. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Sacred Heart Cultural Center. 706826-4700. November 14-16. Junior League of Augusta Holiday Market. Augusta Convention Center at the Marriott. For tickets and details visit www.jlaugusta.org. November 14-16. Holiday House Tour. The Augusta Ballet Guild presents its second annual Holiday House event, a holiday design showcase featuring some of the CSRA’s finest interior designers, florists, architects and stylists. Preview party, Nov. 13. 7-10 p.m. Holiday House hours: Nov. 14 and 15, 11 a.m.6 p.m. Nov. 16, 1-6 p.m. Various homes in Westlake. www.augustaballet.org. 706-261-0552. November 20-30. Holiday Gingerbread Village. Ten local bakers have been invited to create amazing gingerbread creations of historic structures of the CSRA. Augusta Museum of History rotunda. 706722-8454. November 20-December 30. Lights of the South. More than five million lights twinkle throughout a 100-acre forest. Hay rides, marshmallow roasting, Christmas tree maze, food, sweets and much more. Open seven days a week. 6-10 p.m. www.lightsofthesouth.com. November 27. Blessing of the Hounds. The traditional ceremony held in Hitchcock Woods gathers people from across the community as a priest blesses the hounds, horses and riders before a drag hunt. 11 a.m. Memorial Gate in Hitchcock Woods. There is no parking at the South Boundary entrance, but at-

tendees can park downtown. No motorized vehicles or dogs are permitted in the woods for this event. www.hitchcockwoods.org or call 803-642-0528. November 29. Christmas in the Backcountry. Learn how colonists and their slaves observed Christmas in the backcountry. Famed storyteller Kitty WilsonEvans shares her wisdom and Santa Claus stops by with candy canes and other holiday surprises. Free. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. North Augusta Living History Park. 803-279-7560 or www.colonialtimes.us.

SPECIAL EVENTS November 1. Hounds Around Towne. Featuring the Hyperflite Skyhoundz Disc-Dogathon World Qualifier, pet costume contests, hound blessing, animal demonstrations and pet vendors. Live music by Doug and the Henrys. 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Evans Towne Center Park. 706-312-7194. November 1. Georgialina Porcelain Artists Show. 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Main Gallery. Arts and Heritage Center of North Augusta. 803-441-4380. November 1. SafeHomes 7th Annual Casino Night. Roll the dice to save a life. A fundraiser for SafeHomes Domestic Violence Intervention, whose goal is to transform victims of domestic violence into survivors. Call 706-736-2499 or go to www.safehomesdv.org for more information. November 1-8. Columbia County Fair. Carnival rides, food vendors, live musical entertainment, exhibits, games, petting zoo and much more. Fairgrounds are located at 5462 Columbia Rd. in Grovetown. Visit www.columbiacountyfair.net for full schedule of events. November 6. Oysters on Telfair. This fundraising event for the Gertrude Herbert will be held in the gardens of historic Ware’s Folly. Guests will enjoy a delectable “down-on-the-bayou feast” of succulent oysters and Cajun-inspired delicacies. Combined with toe-tappin’ music and a silent art auction of works from regional artists, Oysters on Telfair has become one of Augusta’s favorite fundraisers. 706722-5495.

is free and open to the public and is co-sponsored by the Center for the Study of Georgia History at Georgia Regents University. 6:30 p.m. Augusta Museum of History. 706-722-8454. November 8. Red, White and Blue Veteran’s Day Celebration. Evans Towne Center Park. 706-3127194. November 8. 15th Annual CSRA Parkinson’s Walk. Annual fundraising walk and “Moving Day” to raise awareness of Parkinson’s disease. Event also includes exhibits, music, refreshments, prizes and family fun as well as a Movement Pavilion that encourages a variety of physical activities through demonstrations of and participation in exercise, square dancing, tai chi and boxing. Register at 9 a.m. Walk 10 a.m. Wilson Y walking track. www. movingdayaugusta.org. November 14. Luncheon With Marcel Biro. Internationally renowned chef Marcel Biro treats the audience to an entertaining presentation. Enjoy prosciutto-wrapped melon, caprese skewers, a salad of seasonal beets with feta and chicken Florentine. Save room for a dessert of assorted truffles. Cookbooks available for purchase and signing. Noon-2 p.m. Arts and Heritage Center of North Augusta. Tickets must be purchased by Nov. 11. 803-4414380. November 14. CSRA Gyn Cancer Support Group Wine Tasting and Silent Auction. Gourmet food, fine wine and auction treasures. Master of ceremonies will be WJBF's Brad Means. Music by Fred Williams. 6:30 p.m. at the Savannah Rapids Pavilion. Call 706825-1554 or email reneemc103@gmail.com for corporate sponsor tables and other reservations. November 14. A Chef’s Extravaganza. Join Helping Hands for their 11th anniversary celebration, themed this year Home-Grown: From Farm to Table. This black-tie dinner offers a six- to eight-course menu, a selection of fine wines, silent auction and live entertainment. The event will benefit programs of Helping Hands, which aims to enrich the quality of life and well-being of children, youth and families in need in Aiken County. Woodside Plantation Country Club. For tickets, 803-648-3456.

November 7. Edward J. Cashin Memorial Woodrow Wilson Lecture. Speaker Dr. Anne Sarah Rubin, associate professor of history and director of the Center for Digital History and Education at the University of Maryland, Baltimore, will present “Through the Heart of Dixie,” which focuses on Sherman’s March. A reception and book signing will follow. The lecture

November 14-15. Course II of the Gardening Study School. Sponsored by the Augusta Council of Garden Clubs and the Azalea District. Enjoy a variety of gardening lectures during this session, which is part of a four-session program sponsored by the National Council of Garden Clubs, Inc. Take one or all of the

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calendar

courses in any order and at any location they are offered. Open to the public. Daily registration includes a meal and morning refreshments. For information email mmcdonnell25@comcast.net, jukirkland@ knology.net or call 706-556-3417. The course brochure and registration form can be found at www. augustacg.com under the events tab.

November 10. Veterans Concert. Presented by the North Augusta Cultural Arts Council and featuring the Savannah River Winds. The concert will include patriotic music as well as other selections including featured vocalists. 7:30 p.m. Wesley Center of Grace United Methodist Church. Downtown North Augusta. www.naartscouncil.org.

November 22. Art After Dark. The Artistsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Guild of Columbia County hosts its annual gala featuring an evening of art, food and entertainment. 7-10 p.m. Savannah Rapids Pavilion. 706-294-2188.

November 13. Film Screening: Abolitionists. On New Yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Day, 1863, William Lloyd Garrison, Harriet Beecher Stowe, Frederick Douglas and countless other abolitionists across the nation waited for word on the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation. After screening of the documentary, discussion will be facilitated by Paine College humanities scholar Dr. Tina Marshall-Bradley, associate vice president of Academic Affairs, and GRUâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Dr. Lee Ann Caldwell, director of the Center for Georgia Studies. 6:30-8 p.m. Richmond County Board of Education. 706-722-8454.

November 23 & 30. Photos With Santa. Have your family photo or your children's photos made with Santa. No Session fees or appointments necessary. 9 a.m.-4 p.m. at the Old Government House, 432 Telfair Street. 706-821-1812 November 29. Toys for Tots Fishing Tournament. Wildwood Park. 706-541-0586.

THE ARTS, MUSIC AND MORE November 1. Sunset Music and Arts at Heritage Pine. QuietStorm performs as part of a celebration of community in Laney Walker/Bethlehem. Presented by Garden City Jazz and the City of Augusta. 6:308:30 p.m. Heritage Pine Pocket Park. 762-233-5299. November 4. Tuesday's Music Live: Yooni Han, Pianist. Enjoy lunch in the River Room and a performance. Noon. St. Paul's Church. Reservtions required. Call 706-722-3463 or go to www.TuesdaysMusicLive.com. November 6-7. The Bronx Wanderers. One part oldies, two parts rock nâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; roll, the Bronx Wanderers are the perfect musical storm, effortlessly creating a synergy between generations. A father and his two sons form the heart and soul of this pitch perfect band that delivers a non-stop barrage of hit after delicious hit. 7:30 p.m. URS Theater. Aiken. 803-648-1438. November 6-December 12. Art Exhibition and Opening Reception. Featuring artwork by GRU art department faculty, watercolorist Thomas Needham and the Southeastern Wood Turners. Opening reception, Nov. 14. 6-8 p.m. Gertrude Herbert Institute of Art. 706-722-5495. November 7 and November 8. Omura Plays Barber. Mozartâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s The Marriage of Figaro Overture, Barberâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Violin Concerto, Schumannâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Overture, Scherzo and Finale; Schubertâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Symphony No. 3. Featuring Mao Omura on violin. First Baptist of Augusta. Nov. 7, 7:30 p.m. First Baptist Aiken. Nov. 8, 8 p.m. www. soaugusta.org or 706-826-4705.

November 13. Country Madness. Classic country hits of more than 20 legendary artists, including Johnny Cash, Patsy Cline, Hank Williams and Tammy Wynette. 7:30 p.m. Bell Auditorium. www.soaugusta.org or 706-826-4705. November 13. Augusta Childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Chorale Dessert Concert. 7 p.m. Sacred Heart Cultural Center. 706826-4700. November 13. The Glenn Miller Orchestra. More than 60 years since the public first embraced the Miller sound, both the legend and the music live on. The Glenn Miller Orchestra has played an average of 300 live dates a year around the world. 7:30 p.m. Jabez S. Hardin Performing Arts Center. 706-7260366 or www.augustaamusements.com. November 14. Karla Bonoff. This extraordinary folk singer/songwriter has composed lyrics for Bonnie Raitt and Wynonna Judd. 7:30 p.m. Jabez S. Hardin Performing Arts Center. 706-726-0366 or www. augustaamusements.com. November 14. Marty Stuart and His Fabulous Superlatives. Marty Stuart is a five-time Grammy winner, platinum recording artist, Grand Ole Opry star, country music archivist and Southern culture historian. A charismatic force of nature, Stuart has spent more than four decades celebrating American roots music. 7:30 p.m. Imperial Theatre. 706-722-8341.

Junior Leagues' Kids in the Kitchen November 1. 9 a.m.-noon. Salvation Army Kroc Center. Call 706-736-0033 for information. The Junior League of Augusta, Georgia's annual initiative on childhood obesity and nutrition, encouraging children to learn to make healthy decisions. Activities include a variety of fun, interactive demonstrations and educational experiences including: r )BOET PO DPPLJOH EFNPOTUSBUJPOT GSPN Dana Keen, owner of The Kids' Table. r *OUFSBDUJWF EFNPOTUSBUJPO GSPN 5IF Veggie Truck. r &EVDBUJPO GPS DIJMESFO PO IPX UP properly clean vegetables. r ,JET XJMM MFBSO KVTU IPX RVJDLMZ HFSNT spread by shaking hands with someone with glitter-dusted hands and will also have the opportunity to measure the amount of sugar in popular drinks.

panic to get the stranger dressed and out of the way, the bride arrives and the girl is trapped in the bathroom. The Perfect Wedding is a riotous comedy and a touching love story. Dinner, 7 p.m. Show, 8 p.m. Fort Gordon Dinner Theatre. 706-793-8552. November 14-15. Annie. Greater Augusta Youth Theatre proudly presents one of Broadwayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s longest running shows. Enjoy the delightfully heart-warming musical about the Depression-era orphan girl who finds happiness with a grouchy millionaire and his loving companion. 7-9:30 p.m. Salvation Army Kroc Center Chapel Theater. 706-860-9729. November 15. Mama Mia! Writer Catherine Johnsonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s sunny, funny tale unfolds on a Greek island paradise. On the eve of her wedding, a daughterâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s quest to discover the identity of her father brings three men from her motherâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s past back to the island they last visited 20 years ago. Part of the Taylor BMW Broadway in Augusta Series. Bell Auditorium. www.augustaentertainmentcomplex.com.

November 14-15, 21-22 and December 4-6. The Perfect Wedding. A bridegroom wakes on his wedding morning in his own bridal suite, with his bride-to-be about to arrive any moment and finds a strange girl in bed beside him. During the ensuing

November 15. Shades of Love. Written by Power 107â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Miss Monique and directed by Anthony Page, Shades of Love is a stage play that focuses on the negative impact that sometimes occurs when interracial relationships are revealed. Presented by Raisin AJ Productions. 7 p.m. Imperial Theatre. 706-722-8341.

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calendar

My Best Friend’s Sewing Room 3850 Washington Rd., Suite 4C, Martinez. Contact Jordan Nuques, 706-993-8819 or email mybfsewingroom@yahoo.com Call or email for class fees. Pre-registration is required. November 7. Sip and Sew. Get a jump on the holidays and learn how to make your own Christmas stocking for this open sewing event. Beginners are welcome. Sewing kit included. 7-9 p.m. This class is for adults only. November 8. Mommy and Me. Have you ever wanted to learn how to sew with your child? Now is your chance. Sew a headband and share some precious time together. Supplies are included. 10-12 p.m. Children must be ages 9-12. November 15. Sewing Seeds Club. Learn the basics of sewing, a valuable life skill, while completing a fun project. Sewing machine and kit provided. This club meets the third Saturday of every month. 10-12 p.m. Ages 9-12. November 15. Open House. Come and check out this new sewing studio, meet the instructors and see some sewing project samples. Sewing classes and parties are offered for children. Girl Scouts and homeschoolers are welcome. Don’t forget to enter the drawing for a free class. 2-5 p.m. November 20. Sew Blessed. An open sewing event for adults. Bring your own project to work on and borrow sewing machines. They also will have a small sewing project for you. All class fees will be donated to Julie’s House. Bring a sack lunch. 10-1 p.m. November 24-25. Kids Sewing Camp. School is out, so come learn the sewing basics in this two-day camp and complete two cool projects. Bring a sack lunch. 9-1 p.m. Ages 9-12

Canto. GRU professor Dr. William Hobbins directs the group Augusta Bel Canto in a spirited interpretation of music from the Civil War era. Free. 2 p.m. Morris Museum of Art. 706-724-7501. November 18. Good Company. A collective of Nashville singers/songwriters, Good Company presents Under the Influence of Great American Music, a kaleidoscope of rhythm and blues, rock, gospel and bluegrass music by such artists as Willie Nelson, Ray Charles, the Allman Brothers, Otis Redding, Billy Joel and many more. 7 p.m. Burke County Office Park Auditorium. 706-437-0070. November 18. Kicks 99 Guitar Pull. The largest annual concert in the CSRA benefits the Million Pennies for Kids Campaign, an organization that works with United Way. This year’s Guitar Pull line-up includes Hunter Hayes, Joe Nichols, Kip Moore, Thompson Square, Dan + Shay and Dustin Lynch. 7:30 p.m. James Brown Arena. www.augustaentertainmentcomplex.com. November 20-23. For Whom the Southern Belle Tolls and the Actor’s Nightmare. This light-hearted parody of Tennessee Williams’s The Glass Menagerie is one of Christopher Durang’s most popular one acts. Presented by the USC-Aiken University Theatre Players. Nov. 20-22, 7:30 p.m. Nov. 23, 2 p.m. O’Connell Theatre. USC-Aiken Etherredge Center. 803-641-3305. November 21. The Harlem Quartet. Praised for its “panache” by the New York Times, the quartet’s mission is to advance diversity in classical music, engaging young and new audiences through the discovery and presentation of a varied repertoire that includes works by minority composers. Part of the Harry Jacobs Chamber Music Series. 7:30 p.m. Maxwell Performing Arts Theatre. GRU campus. 706-667-4100. November 22 and December 27. Soiree: Jazz and Wine. Join Karen Gordon for an evening of live jazz, various wines selected by the host and light delights provided by Augusta’s finest chefs. 7:35-9 p.m. Jessye Norman School for the Arts. 762-233-5299.

November 16. Vega Quartet With Pianist William Ransom. Part of the Concerts With a Cause music series. Benefits the Maxwell Theatre Project. 3 p.m. St. John United Methodist Church. 736 Greene St. 706-724-9641, extension 4.

November 22. Tamela Mann. The 2014 BET Best Gospel Artist of the Year, NAACP Image Award nominee and Dove Award-winning vocalist is on a mission to share the strength and joy that can be found in being a child of God. Produced by Myron Butler, this showcase highlights Mann’s powerful voice and her gift for wringing every ounce of emotion from a great lyric. 7 p.m. Bell Auditorium. www.augustaentertainmentcomplex.com.

November 16. Music at the Morris: Augusta Bel

November 23. LA Guitar Quartet. The Grammy

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Award-winning LA Guitar Quartet is one of the most multifaceted groups in any genre. The four uniquely accomplished musicians bring a new energy to the concert stage with programs ranging from bluegrass to Bach. 7:30 p.m. Jabez S. Hardin Performing Arts Center. www.soaugusta.org or 706-826-4705. November 28-29, December 5-7 and 12-13. It’s a Wonderful Life. Don’t miss the classic story of George Bailey, whose guardian angel descends on Christmas Eve to save him from despair and to show him what the world would have been like had he never been born. Nov. 28-29, Dec. 5-6 and Dec. 12-13 at 8 p.m. Dec. 7 at 3 p.m. Aiken Community Playhouse. 803-648-1438. November 28-30. The Nutcracker. Come and experience the same magic and grandeur that Ron Colton brought to Augusta in 1971. Your entire family will enjoy this classic holiday tale that has become a tradition in the CSRA. Nov. 28, 7 p.m. Nov. 29-30, 1 and 4 p.m. Imperial Theatre. 706722-8341. November 30. Sixth Annual Handel’s Messiah SingIn. With the Columbia County Orchestra. 6 p.m. In the Sanctuary of Powell Baptist Church. Harlem. www.columbiacco.org.

Morris Museum of Art 1 Tenth St. 706-724-7501 or www.themorris.org. November 2. Artrageous! Family Sunday: Mr. Bill and His Guitar George Celebrate Fall. Sing, laugh, listen and dance while Mr. Bill presents autumn stories, poems and songs. After the festivities make you own autumn tree. Free. 2 p.m. November 1-2. Oh! Augusta! Photographs by William Greiner. This exhibition, drawn entirely from the Morris Museum’s permanent collection, represents a group of photographs that were shot over a period of just a few days in January 2012 and is accompanied by a fully illustrated catalog. In addition to the Morris, William Greiner is represented in the permanent collections of more than 60 museums around the country, including the Ogden Museum of Southern Art, the Art Institute of Chicago, the J. Paul Getty Museum and the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art. November 1-December 7. Sculpture by Nathan Bindler. Drawn from the collections of the artist’s son and daughter, local collections and the Morris’s permanent collection, this exhibition features more than 15 carved wood sculptures by Nathan Bindler, for many years a mainstay of Augusta’s cultural community.

calendar November 1-December 7. Broken Land: Photographs by Eliot Dudik. Photographer Eliot Dudik explores the connection between culture, landscape, memory and politics. For his current project, Broken Land, Dudik revisited Civil War battlefields and sites, documenting the current landscape using largeformat cameras. The resulting highly-detailed color images are a visual contradiction; the serenity and passiveness of the modern-day scenes contradict the land’s history of sorrow and death.

Hephzibah. 706-771-2980.

November 6. Mommy and Me: Go Team! Listen to a story about the North Carolina Tar Heels and learn about Eugene Thomason’s painting “Duke versus UNC Football.” Afterwards, show your team spirit by creating your own pennant. Registration required. 10-11 a.m.

CSRA Defensive Arts

November 6. Reading and Book Signing: Allan Gurganus. Meet acclaimed American writer Allan Gurganus, author of Oldest Living Confederate Widow Tells All and Local Souls. Reception and book signing follow the reading. Free. 6 p.m.

Champions Made From Adversity

November 7. Films on Friday: Young Mr. Lincoln (1939). After viewing this film starring young Henry Fonda, museum director Kevin Grogan leads a discussion. Participants are invited to bring a lunch. Free. Noon. November 11. Southern Circuit Film Series: Go With Le Flo. A dynamic love story set in modernday Europe. Presented in French and German with English subtitles. After viewing the movie, enjoy a question-and-answer session with filmmakers Michael Glover and Robyn Rosenkrantz. Free. 6 p.m.

SPORTS Augusta-Richmond County Recreation and Parks Department East Augusta, May Par, 622 4th St. 706-724-0505. South Augusta, Fleming Athletic Office, Daniel St., 706-796-5047. West Augusta, Eisenhower Athletic Office, 488 Eisenhower Dr. 706-821-2801. Through November 7. Youth Winter Basketball Registration. Leagues: Boys & girls Bantam Basketball for ages 6-8; Pee Wee Basketball for ages 9-10; Midget Basketball ages 11-12; Junior Basketball for ages 13-14; Senior Basketball ages 15-17. Registration held from noon to 6 p.m. at all locations. November 3-28. Adult Basketball Registration. Divisions: Open Co-Ed & Men’s Open, Men’s & Women’s Church, Open—Co-Ed Church and Open— Men’s Industrial. Register Monday-Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Diamond Lakes Regional Park—Adult Complex, 108 Diamond Lakes Way,

Columbia County Parks & Recreation Department 5445 Columbia Rd., Grovetown. 706-863-7523. Through November 7. Winter Sports Registration: Basketball. Ages 5–14. Season played January/ February 2015.

803-221-0330 or csraDefensiveArts.com. Martial Arts Classes. Ages 8-adult. Goshinjitsu, Kindai Karate and Kobojutsu. Call for information.

RECREATION PROGRAMS P.O. Box 980, Evans, Ga. 706-364-2422. www.cmfa.us This nonprofit organization strives to advance the lives of people with physical disabilities and their families through sport and leisure opportunities. Current weekly schedule: Monday—Adapted fitness at the Kroc Center, 2-4 p.m. and wheelchair basketball at Garrett Elementary School, 6:30-8 p.m. Tuesday—Swimming at Fort Gordon, 9-11 a.m., and quad rugby at the Kroc Center, 6-8 p.m. Wednesday—Wheelchair basketball, 6:30-8 p.m. Thursday—Swimming at Fort Gordon, 9-11 a.m., and Adapted Fitness at the Kroc Center, 3-5 p.m. Friday—Adapted cycling at the uptown VA, 1:302:30 p.m.

The Family Y Financial assistance is available for all Family Y programs. Register at any branch or online at www.thefamilyy.org or call 706-922-9622. Through November 16. Registration for Youth Basketball League and Cheerleading at the Family YMCA of Aiken, the Family YMCA of Augusta South and the Wilson Family YMCA. Each team will meet for two hours each week for practice and games. Teams have a volunteer coach who organizes practices and coaches the team. Games will be played on Saturdays. The season will run from December 15-February 21. The League will not hold practices during Christmas or New Year’s weeks. Basketball for ages 5-18 years (as of November 1). Cheerleading for ages 3-14 (as of November 1).

November 1) are welcome. Each class will meet for 45 minutes each week for instruction. Through November 21. Registration for Thanksgiving Camp at the Marshall and Steiner Branch Family Y. Camp provides a safe environment to campers, where kids can learn social skills and develop values. Thanksgiving Camp will take place from November 24-28 and there will be no camp on Thanksgiving. Camp activities are from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. with early drop-off starting at 7 a.m. and late pick-up lasting until 6 p.m.

The Salvation Army Kroc Center 1833 Broad St., Augusta. www.krocaugusta.org. 706-364-KROC or info@krocaugusta.org Call to register and for fee information. November 1. Art Club. Kids in grades K5-7 explore different media and styles while creating individual works of art inspired by the season. Class is taught by Nanette Langner. Supplies provided. 10 a.m.-noon. November 4, 11, 18 & 25. Toddler Tuesdays. Enjoy the splash area and have fun doing a variety of outdoor activities and connect with other parents/ children. One adult is free with child. Parent must remain with child. Walking toddlers through age 5. 10:30 a.m.-noon. November 7, 14 & 21. Kroc Tots Activity Hour. Inspire your toddler's social growth, cognitive and physical development with children's literature, art and craft projects and social play. A guardian must remain with the child. Walking toddlers through age 5. 9:30-10:30 a.m. November 7. Kids' Night Out. Ages 2-12. Activities may include swimming, gym play, inflatables or crafts. Dinner included. Children must be potty trained. Children ages 5 and up should wear a swimsuit, bring a towel/change of clothes and wear tennis shoes. 6-10 p.m. November 8. Acrylic Painting Into Christmas Cards. Ages 15 and up. Create a holiday painting in this stepby-step class and then learn how to make Christmas Cards from your work. Sharon Taylor will instruct. 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Call for class fee information. November 8. Clay Candy Dishes or Ornaments. Make Christmas candy dishes or holiday ornaments. Class is taught by Betsy Borgatti. Supplies included in class fee. Ages 15 and up. 10 a.m.-noon.

Through November 16. Registration for Iddy Bitty Basketball at the Family YMCA of Aiken County and Marshall Family YMCA. Ages 3-4 years (as of

November 8. Christmas Watercolor. Paint a holiday themed watercolor with artist Nanette Langner. Sup-

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calendar plies included in course fee. 10 a.m.-2 p.m.

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November 13, 14 & 15. Nantucket Basketweaving. Make beautiful and functional baskets with weaver Joni Dee Ross. Call Cathy Rumble at 706-922-0171 for supply fees. 9 a.m.-5 p.m.

www.classicalconversations.com. Classical Conversations is a community of home educators following a Christian, classical model of education. Five locations currently serve families in the CSRA—Augusta, Evans, Grovetown/Martinez, North Augusta and Aiken.

November 15. Kids' Clay Creations: Christmas. Ages 4-7. Children and their adult buddies will make a Christmas clay project with Betsy Borgatti. Registration suggested. 11-11:45 a.m. November 18. Manga Club. Join Xavier Jones for a fun-filled day learning techniques for drawing in the popular Manga style. Supplies provided. 10 a.m.-2 p.m. for ages 10 and up. November 21. Family Movie Night. Members may reserve seats up to a week in advance. Spots are filled first-come, first-served. Refreshments available. Free. Adult must remain with children. 6 p.m. November 22. The Kids Table. Put on your apron and prepare tasty Thanksgiving dishes. 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. for ages 9-12. 6:30-7:30 p.m. for ages 5-8. November 24. Camp Kroc. Kids will play games, swim, do arts and crafts and make memories while parents go to work without having a break in their schedule. Register early as spots are filled on a firstcome first-served basis. Ages 5-12. Camps are held from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Additional cost for early drop-off/ late pick-up.

'".*-: "$5*7*5*&4 "JLFO )PNF 4DIPPM 5JNFT 1MBZHSPVQ 803-648-7042 or fourmckeels@yahoo.com. Thursdays. This playgroup is open to all home schoolers. Meets at the O’Dell Weeks playground for unstructured play for the children and time with other home school parents for the adults. Noon.

"VHVTUB +FXJTI $PNNVOJUZ $FOUFS 898 Weinberger Way. 706-228-3636 or log on at augustajcc.org. Ongoing. The Mothers Circle. Free course, resources, education and events for women of other backgrounds raising Jewish children. Call for details. Sign Up for Class! The AJCC offers a wide variety of classes for children of all ages and adults, including athletics, the arts, cooking, language and more. Log on to download a complete listing.

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.POLFZ +PF T 368 Furys Ferry Rd. 706-922-JUMP (5867). www.monkeyjoes.com. First Sunday of Each Month. Special Needs Night at Monkey Joe’s. This event is held the first Sunday of each month after general store hours to ensure a calm environment for special needs children and their parents. 6-7 p.m.

/PSUI "VHVTUB )PNFTDIPPM 1MBZHSPVQ Meets Thursdays at various North Augusta parks for play. Field trips will also be scheduled. All homeschoolers are welcome. Call 803-613-0484 or e-mail emilykohlbacher@hotmail.com.

CHILDBIRTH, BREASTFEEDING AND PARENTING SUPPORT GROUPS "VHVTUB"SFB.PNNJFT Contact Jennifer Stanley at 706-855-0072 or phlegalesfan@att.net. A community for moms in the Augusta area offering support, friendship and fun as well as the opportunity to exchange information. The group, which is part of The Mommies Network, also provides discussion forums, an events calendar and more. Meeting are held online, at local parks, members homes (for monthly BUNCO) and on field trips. All mothers are welcome.

"VHVTUB 'PPE "MMFSHZ (SPVQ Does your child have severe, potentially fatal food allergies. Would you like to get together with other parents who face the same challenges? This group meets the fourth Tuesday of each month in the Evans Government Center Auditorium, Building A, 630 Ronald Reagan Dr. Free and welcome to anyone dealing with food allergies. Meetings often include special guest speakers. 6 p.m. Contact Sheena Whitlock at swhitlock@ augustafoodallergy.org or go to www.augustafoodallergy.org.

"VTUJ$BSF Contact Donyale Clarke at 803-384-0522. This Autism support group meets the first Thursday of each month at 6 p.m. at AGC Teacher Supply.

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Preregistration is required. Attendance is free.

#VSO 4VSWJWPST 4VQQPSU (SPVQ The Southeastern Firefighters Burn Foundation invites all burn survivors to attend this monthly support group. Meetings are held the fourth Wednesday each month at 2 p.m. at the Southeastern Firefighters Burn Foundation, 3614 J. Dewey Gray Circle, Building C. Call 800-650-BURN or go to www.sfbd.net.

$FMJBD %JTFBTF 4VQQPSU (SPVQ Email RoseforHealth@aol.com. Meets the third Tuesday of every month in Suite 120 of the Summerville Building, adjacent to Trinity Hospital of Augusta. Open to those with celiac disease, gluten intolerance or on a gluten-free diet. Discussions include information on celiac disease, do’s and don’ts of a gluten-free diet and more. 7-8:30 p.m.

$PNNPO #POE 1BSFOU 4VQQPSU (SPVQ Geneice McCoy, organizer. 706-729-0012 or commonbond@comcast.net. For parents of children of all ages and diagnoses with challenging disabilities but remarkable perseverance and resilience. Meets the second Thursday of each month at 7 p.m. Call for location.

-B -FDIF -FBHVF This breastfeeding support group meets the second Tuesday of each month at 10 a.m. at the First Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church, 2204 Kimberly Dr. Evening meetings are held on the third Thursday of each month at 7 p.m. at Wesley United Methodist Church. Call 706-737-2405 or log on at lllusa.org/web/AugustaGA.html.

.0.4 $MVC Visit momsclubaugusta.org. Ever feel like you’re the only mother who stays home? You are not alone! Come meet other at-home mothers at the MOMS Club, an international nonprofit organization.

.0.4 $MVC PG (SPWFUPXO www.momsclubofgrovetown.weebly.com Momsclubofgrovetown@gmail.com Members come from Grovetown, Harlem and the communities of Fort Gordon. The group is not affiliated with any parenting style, religion, or ethnic group. MOMS Club is open to and accepting of any and all moms who are at-home with their children.

Moms Connection Call 706-721-8283 for more information. Every Tuesday. A free weekly support group for new

calendar mothers. All new moms are welcome and can bring their baby. Information from International Board Certified Lactation Consultant/Educator/Perinatal Nurse. Weigh your baby, share refreshments and meet other moms while getting answers to your questions along with timely advice from the Georgia Regents Women’s Health team and guest speakers. 1-2 p.m. , Georgia Regents Medical Center, second floor, Terrace Dining Magnolia Room.

Mothers of Advanced Maternal Age (Mama’s) Did you have a child at age 35 or older? Are you expecting? This group of “older” moms welcomes you for meetings, support and play dates. Disabled children welcome. Contact Ami McKenzie at 706-3645245 or hoopnhollar2@yahoo.com or go to http:// groups.yahoo.com/group/MaMasInAugusta/.

Mothers of Preschoolers (MOPS) A nondenominational Christian group for mothers of preschool-aged children. Childcare provided. Meets the first and third Tuesday of each month from 10 a.m.-noon at First Presbyterian Church of Augusta, 642 Telfair Street. Call Amy Toney at 803-341-1904 or go to www.firstpresaugusta.org/MOPS. The Aiken charter group of MOPS meets the Second Tuesday of each month for moms to learn, share, support each other and socialize. Meetings are held in the South Aiken Presbyterian Church fellowship hall, 1711 Whiskey Rd. Free childcare and dinner for those attending, reservations required. You do not need to be a member of South Aiken Presbyterian to attend. Check out MOPS Aiken on Facebook, contact Jennie Beat at 803640-4742 or email mopsaiken@gmail.com for more information or to register for childcare.

Neighbor To Family 801 Greene St., Augusta.

Call Kimberly Lee-Branch, coordinator of licensing, recruitment and training at 706-396-2180, ext. 107. The goal of this organization is to revolutionize foster care by keeping siblings together while building healthier families.

Overeaters Anonymous 907-854-1509. A non-profit 12-step support group for people addicted to food. No dues or fees for membership. Meets in Augusta on Tuesdays at 7:30 p.m. at St. Andrews Presbyterian Church, 3551 Wheeler Road, and Saturdays at 1:30 p.m. at Covenant Presbyterian Church, 3131 Walton Way.

Parent Support Group The Child Advocacy Center, a program of Child Enrichment Inc., a nonprofit organization serving victims of sexual abuse in our community, is offering a support group for parents and caregivers of children who have been sexually abused. Groups will be held the second Tuesday of each month. Call 706-7374631 for information and location. This group is not appropriate for sex offenders.

Peaceful Parenting Augusta This unofficial Attachment Parenting support group is for families who believe in parenting gently and building children’s spirits, minds and bodies through nurturing, attentive and practical approaches. Join their Yahoo! group at Peaceful_ Parenting_Augusta or email Jen at theotherbradford@yahoo.com.

Prevent Child Abuse Augusta Rape Crisis & Sexual Assault Services: 706-7245200. prefentchildabuseaugusta@gmail.com. Prevent Child Abuse Augusta is a volunteer-based non-profit organization which meets on the third Wednesday of each month at University Hospital.

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Meetings include informative speakers and other community representatives. If you are interested in participating in this collaborative effort or would like more details please call or email.

HOSPITAL PROGRAMS Doctors Hospital Call 706-651-BABY (2229) or go to doctors-hospital. net for registration and class location. Pre-registration required for most programs. November 4. Pickles and Ice Cream. This class is great for the first-time mom, but recommended for all. Nutrition, exercise, fetal development and body changes are discussed. 7-9 p.m. November 8. You're a Big Girl Now. This is a class for girls ages 9-12, along with their mothers. Information on puberty and adolescence is discussed, including subjects such as emotions, acne, menstruation and normal body changes. Girls will discuss ways to survive these natural changes. 10 a.m.-noon. November 11. Ready and Able. This five-session class is recommended for late pregnancy. Topics include childbirth process, comfort techniques, medications/epidurals, relaxation, and breathing techniques. Intended to be taken with Showing and Glowing. 7-9:30 p.m. November 13. Breastfeeding. Getting started, latching on and positioning are discussed for a smooth start to breastfeeding. 6:30-9:30 p.m. November 22 & 23. Short and Sweet. A weekend childbirth class covering the process of labor and delivery, comfort techniques and childbirth, medication/epidurals and relaxation and breathing tech-

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calendar Story Time at Barnes & Noble Augusta Mall. 706-0737-0065. www.barnesandnoble.com. November 1. Holiday Book Drive Begins. Kick off the season of giving. This year Barnes and Noble has partnered with Reach Our & Read, an early literacy/ school readiness program implemented through pediatricians in low-income communities serving children age 6 months to 5 years. Stop by and make a donation of your choice beginning at 9 a.m. November 5, 12, 19 & 26. Wacky Wednesday Story Time. It’s never too early to start reading to your child. 10 a.m. November 8. Paddington Bear Story Time. This holiday season, enjoy the Barnes & Noble exclusive edition of the book—featuring a scrapbook of Paddington’s travels. Story time and activities begin at 11 a.m.

(Medicare, Peachcare or WICC) will receive a portable crib, fitted sheet, sleep sac and a pacifier for a fee of $10 per registered child. 5:45-8 p.m. on October 2. 9:45a.m.-noon on October 15. To register or for more information, call Rene Hopkins, RN, Safe Kids Coordinator, at 706-721-7606 or visit grhealth.org/safekids. November 7 & 12. Child Safety Seat Inspections. November 7 in Building 1010C, 1225 Walton Way. Call Rene Hopkins, RN, at 706-721-7606 to schedule an appointment at the downtown location. November 12 at Columbia County Sheriff’s Office Substation, 650 Ronald Reagan Dr. Call 706-541-3870 to make an appointment at the Columbia County location. November 13 & 26. Car Seat Class. Safe Kids Office, Building 1010C, 1225 Walton Way. Call 706721-7606 to register. 5:45-8 p.m.

5SJOJUZ )PTQJUBM PG "VHVTUB Call Women’s Health Services at 706-481-7727 or visit trinityofaugusta.com for information and registration.

November 15. Thanksgiving Story Time. Featuring The Great Thanksgiving Escape by Mark Fearing is a hilarious, kid-friendly take on Thanksgiving—full of family, food and lots of fun. 11 a.m.

November 1. Saturday Express Lamaze Childbirth Education. Helps mother and support person understand the final stages of pregnancy as well as labor and the birth of your baby. Covers natural and medicated deliveries, Lamaze coping techniques and more. 8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m.

November 18. Love Monster and the Perfect Present Story Time. This adorable follow up to Love Monster is sure to be a new holiday favorite. 11 a.m.

November 3. Infant CPR. Learn how to respond in an emergency situation using infant mannequins and a simple step-by-step method. 6-8 p.m.

niques. 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m. on Saturday, 1-5 p.m. on Sunday.

(FPSHJB 3FHFOUT )FBMUI 4ZTUFN Register online at gru.edu. Ongoing. Support Group for Families Who Have Lost a Baby During Pregnancy, Childbirth or Early Infancy. Call 706-721-8299. November 4. Autism Spectrum Disorder Support and Resource Group (The “A-Team”). 6-7 p.m. Call Family Services Development at 706-721-5160 for more information. November 6 & 19. Cribs for Kids. Co-bunking and inappropriate infant furniture are putting area babies at risk. Learn how to provide a safe sleep environment by knowing what dangers to watch out for. Families who can demonstrate a financial need

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November 3 Childbirth Education 101. Learn about the signs and symptoms of labor as well as labor and delivery. 6-8:30 p.m. November 6, 13 & 20. Mommy Stretch and Tone. 5:30-6:30 p.m. November 7. Baby Care Basics and Breastfeeding. Two popular classes offered together. 9 a.m.-noon. November 8. Baby Food Basics. Learn how to make baby food at this informative session held at Earth Fare, 368 Furys Ferry Rd., Martinez. 10-11 a.m.

6OJWFSTJUZ )FBMUI $BSF 4ZTUFN Call 706-774-2825 or logon at www.universityhealth. org/calendar for information. Registration is required for most programs. November 3, 10, 17 & 24 (Mondays), November 4, 11, 18 & 25, (Tuesdays) or November 5, 12 &

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19 (Wednesdays). Prenatal Education. This multiweek series of childbirth preparation classes is designed to inform and prepare all expectant parents regardless of birth plans. Class topics include various stages of labor, breathing and relaxation and how to care for yourself and your new baby. 7-9 p.m. in the Women’s Center Third Floor Classroom. Registration required. November 4. Parents Healing Together. For parents, families and friends who have lost infants through miscarriage, death, ectopic pregnancy or stillbirth. Meets the first Monday of each month. November 5. Breastfeeding Support Group. A monthly support group for pregnant women, nursing mothers and their babies, including mothers who have infants in University's Special Care Nursery. Anyone looking for a breastfeeding support network can attend. Held in University's Special Care Nursery, 3rd floor. 1-2 p.m. November 6. Introduction to Infant CPR. Do you worry about knowing how to revive your baby should the need arise? This class provides an opportunity to learn and practice infant CPR on mannequins and learn other aspects of infant safety. Space is limited, so early registration is suggested. 7-8:30 p.m. November 7 & 8 or 21 & 22. Childbirth Preparation Weekend Class. A complete childbirth preparation class designed for those with time constraints or fluctuating schedules. Class meets from 6:30-9:30 p.m. on Friday and from 9 a.m.5:30 p.m. on Saturday. Also included is a followup evening at the W.G. Watson, M.D., Women’s Center for a tour, question-and-answer session and review. November 20. Breastfeeding Class. This class offers indepth information on how to evaluate breastfeeding and get off to a good start. Registration is suggested. Call 706-774-2825. 7-8 p.m. at Babies R Us, 4225 Washington Rd., Evans.

LIBRARY PROGRAMS Appleby Branch Library 2260 Walton Way. 706-736-6244. November 5, 12, 19 & 26. Toddler Story Time @Appleby. 10:05-10:25 a.m. November 5, 12, 19 & 26. Preschool Story Time @ Appleby. 10:30-11 a.m. November 8. Family Fun Movies. 2:30-4 p.m.

calendar Diamond Lakes 101 Diamond Lakes Way, Hephzibah. 706-772-2432. November 3. Book Signing With Dr. J. Calvin Alberty. Author of “Balloons,” “Who’s In Your Circles and Why?,” “Making the Frat: The Old School” and “Hanging with Fools Will Get You Hung!” signs copies of his books. No registration necessary. 3-7 p.m. November 4 & 18. Young Children’s Story Time. Songs, finger plays, and story readings best for children ages 0-3. Registration required for groups of 6 or more. 9:30-9:50 a.m. November 4 & 18. Preschool Story Time. Stories, songs, games, short movies and crafts. Registration required for groups of 6 or more. Best for ages 3-5. 10-10:30 a.m.

November 25. Thanksgiving Crafts for Teens. Celebrate Thanksgiving by making crafts. All supplies will be provided. Required registration begins Nov. 3. Best for ages 12-17. 2-3 p.m.

Evans Branch 7022 Evans Town Center Blvd. 706-863-1946. Toddler Time: November 3, 10 & 17 at 10:15 a.m.; November 5, 12 & 19 at 10:15 a.m. or November 6, 13 & 20 at 10:15 a.m. Baby & Me: November 4, 11 & 18 at 11 a.m. Preschool Class: November 5, 12 & 19 at 11 a.m.; November 6, 13 & 30 at 10:15 a.m. Afternoon Adventures: November 6, 13 & 20 at 4:30 p.m.

November 5. Self-Esteem Seminar. A free seminar led by Tara Tanksley-Stallings, Certified Life Coach. Registration recommended. 6-7:45 p.m.

November 17. Teen Photography Club. A place for teens to meet, share photography, discuss techniques and learn more about the craft. 4-5 p.m.

November 6 & 13. Introduction to Excel. Two sessions. Learn and practice essential excel skills, including how to create, save and print your spreadsheets. Registration required. 10 a.m.-noon.

Friedman Branch

November 13. Special Program for Special Needs. Short films, crafts, and other activities for adults with disabilities. Registration required. 10-11 a.m. November 17. Diamond Lakes Evening Book Club. Join the Diamond Lakes Evening Book Club as they discuss “Queen” by Alex Haley. Light refreshments provided. No registration necessary, but ask to be placed on a reminder call/email list. 6-7:45 p.m.

1447 Jackson Rd. 706-736-6758. November 4, 11, 18 & 25. Preschool Story Time. Tuesdays at 10 a.m. for stories, crafts, and fun at the library. Groups of 6 or more must sign up. November 6. Jazz for Kids. Sing, clap, wiggle and shake in this high-energy program that's fun for all ages! Groups of 6 or more must pre-register. 1010:30 a.m.

November 19. Teens @ Your Library. Join your friends at the library for movies, crafts, and/or board games. Ages 12-17. Registration required.

November 10. Goal Setting for Young Adults. Learn how to use the Gale Testing and Education Database that you can access for free as a Richmond county public school student or with your own library card. Registration is required. 5:30-6:30 p.m.

November 20. Weather with Matt Sanderson of WRDW. Join Matt as he talks about the weather around us. Best for ages 3-6. Registration required. 10-11 a.m.

November 15. Couponing Group. Exchange coupons; discuss money saving strategies with online and print couponing. Drop in or stay the whole time. 10 a.m.-noon.

November 24. International Game Day @ Your Library. Celebrate International Game Day @ Your Library with board and card games to play. Registration not required, but be placed on a reminder call list starting Nov. 3. 11:30 a.m.-2 p.m.

Headquarters Library

November 25. Thanksgiving Crafts for Kids. Celebrate Thanksgiving by making crafts. Best for ages 1-11. All supplies will be provided. Required registration begins Nov. 3. 10-11 a.m.

November 4. Ice Cream Election Story Time. Sample three ice creams to determine our favorite flavor. For ages 3-7. 10-10:30 a.m. November 5, 12, 29 & 26. Story Time for Tots. Subjects change each week. Suggested for ages 3 and under. 10-10:30 a.m. November 15. International Games Day @ Your Library. Registration required. 2-4 p.m. November 20. It’s Your Book Club. It's Your Book Club is a co-ed book club. This month's selection is Brained Washed: Challenging The Myth Of Black Inferiority by Tom Burrell. Discussion and fun starts at 6pm! Please contact Leasher Robinson at 706-399-7474 for more information. 5:308:30 p.m. November 22-24. Diary of a Wimpy Kid Marathon. Diary of a Wimpy Kid on Saturday, Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Rodrick’s Rules on Sunday and Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Dog Days on Monday. Call for times. All rated PG. November 22. Couponing 101. For information, contact Carletta Harris at 706-267-5638 ash12809@ gmail.com. Noon-1 p.m. November 29. LEGO Club. The library provides the LEGOs and you provide the imagination. 2-3 p.m.

Maxwell Branch 1927 Lumpkin Rd. 706-793-2020. November 5, 12 & 19. Story Time. Nov., 5 with Rich Rogers from News 26. Nov. 12 with Aspasia Luster, Librarian from the Main Library. Nov. 19 with Vicky Davis. 10-10:30 a.m. November 5. Paws for Literacy. Bring your children to read to a therapy dog! 3:30-4:30 p.m. November 10. Game Day at Maxwell. Bingo, Scrabble and playing cards. 10-11 a.m.

Wallace Branch 1237 Laney-Walker Blvd. 706-722-6257.

823 Telfair St. 706-821-2600.

November 5 &19. Preschool Story Time. Stories, songs, short movies and crafts. 10-10:30 a.m.

November 1. Children’s Book Swap. Do you have children's books that are in good condition, but your family has lost interest in them? Come exchange those well-read books for new (free) titles during the Book Swap. Each book is good for one ticket to be used to exchange for another book on swap day. 2-3 p.m.

November 20. Special Needs Adult Story Time. Stories and crafts. 10-10:30 a.m.

Submit calendar entries to Karin Calloway at karin. calloway@augustafamily.com or enter your event online at www.augustafamily.com.

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Tara Rice Simkins | Grateful Tara Rice Simkins, 47, is a lawyer “turned life coach,” writer and pediatric cancer philanthropist. She and her husband, Turner, whom she describes as a “modern-day renaissance man,” have three sons and are co-founders of The Press on Fund (www.pressonfund.org) which raises money to find a cure to childhood cancer. Their son, Brennan, 12, is a cancer survivor. Dream job: My job! I get to listen to people everyday and witness the unique gifts which they bring to this world, help them develop those gifts and offer those gifts back to their families and communities. Hobbies: Yoga, running and watching the sunset. Quality she admires the most: Humility. Favorite foods: Green smoothies and champagne! Is inspired by: Nat, Brennan and Christopher, aka The Band of Brothers, and their dad, Turner. Dream vacation: To walk the Camino de Santiago. Turner and I both want to experience this old pilgrimage through Spain. Best thing about being a mom: Being amazed by the kindness, strength and resilience of my kids. Looking at their faces and knowing I really have nothing to do with the amazing people they are. Learning from the wisest teachers born to lead me back to love. Hardest thing about being a mom: Letting them learn their own lessons. Favorite indulgence: The poetry of David Whyte. Greatest Hope: That we will find a cure for pediatric cancer in my lifetime. Life lesson: Learning to listen to and trust my own inner voice.

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