whEn shE sayS she wantS to Buy Her Lunch, take it aS a cOmplimeNt. School lunch is now something you’d be proud to put on your own table. That’s because the same Tyson® product quality you trust at home can be found on your child’s school lunch tray. Learn more about the goodness of Kid Tested, Kid Approved TM school products at tysonschoollunch.com.
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NOW ENROLLING FOR SUMMER
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Our unique summer camp program is the perfect opportunity for boys and girls (ages 5-11) to engage in local, Austin culture through daily exploration and entertainment. entertainment. and
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He’s 5. Is that too young to talk with him about alcohol?
Brendan, son of Jeff, Anheuser-Busch employee
Knowing what to say—and when— can help prevent underage drinking. The truth is, it’s never too soon to talk about alcohol. When our kids are young, they count on us to provide guidance and establish boundaries. Now’s the time to set consistent rules and attitudes about alcohol. You’re not just talking; you’re laying a foundation of trust on which you can build your future relationship. To learn more, join us on Facebook and download our free Parent Guide. facebook.com/ABFamilyTalk © 2012 Anheuser-Busch, St. Louis, MO
4 | July 2014 | austinfamily.com
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inside 7/14 AW ESOM
austinfamily
®
smart parenting • healthy homes
E AUSTIN
TRAILS
12
16
columns
calendar
11 Family Matters Does “I’m bored” get you down?
40 41 46 46
18 The Learning Curve More than melody
features
Family Events Fourth of July Events Parenting Events Storytimes
in every issue
22 Lifelines Techniques, training may decrease knee injury risk for middle and high school girls
7 Play It Safe Product recalls 8 Around Austin 39 Kidzone Get out and get moving by YMCA 50 Book Recommendations
29 Family Connections Tidy bytes Your home data storage options 34 Test Drive Game reviews by ESRB, www.esrb.org 36 Ten things…for national anti-boredom month!
32 12
Take a Hike! Awesome Austin’s best trails
16
Custody dance Get in step with your ex to make this summer less stressful
20
A chat with Paul Cruz
32
Baby-moons due for a vacation
extras 25 26 32 49
Cool times for a hot summer Readers’ Poll Favorites Cover Kids Focus on Doctors
51 Films Coming soon to theaters 52 Humor Ah, the cheap thrills of childhood
20 cover shot
tune in
follow us on:
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Julius loves to hike with his family.
New items each week. Visit our website to register.
Cover photographed by Tiffany Corbett of Studio213.net
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austinfamily®
editor’s note by Sherida Mock
July 2014
Summer: if you’re doing it right, you have a little more time to rest and relax, a little more time to unwind with the family, a little more time to explore your surroundings and just, well, a little more time! Our July issue is packed with features to help you make that time memorable and relaxing. “baby-moon,” one last getaway that lets you reconnect before the little one arrives. Denise Yearian has some great tips on how to prepare, what to bring, and how to travel comfortably. If you are one of the many divorced parents who share custody of your children, summer is the time of year when you adjust to a different schedule.
Also this month, we bring you our annual “Awesome Austin” feature, and we have chosen to spotlight the many glorious hiking trails around town. From a leisurely stroll along Lady Bird Lake to a seriously rigorous trek through a steep canyon, we’ve got the details. So, lace up your boots, grab your water bottle, and get walking! In the rest of your downtime, take a look at our chat with Dr. Paul Cruz, the Interim Superintendent of Austin ISD. Or reorganize your home computer data with storage options from Richard Singleton. And in case you have too much downtime (is there such a thing?), did you know that July is national anti-boredom month? We’ve got ten things to offer as an antidote!
Volume 22, No. 4
PUBLISHER Kaye K. Lowak EDITOR Sherida Mock editor2003@austinfamily.com COPY EDITOR Paula Halloum ADVISING EDITOR Dr. Betty Kehl Richardson CALENDAR EDITOR Betty Kemper calendar2003@austinfamily.com CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Sherida Mock, Jack Kyser, Sara Rider, Jennifer VanBuren, Dr. Betty Richardson, Richard Singleton, Pam Heller, Susana Fletcher, Denise Yearian, Syd Sharples ART DIRECTORS Mary Sauceda nr2003@austinfamily.com John Franzetti ADVERTISING SALES Kaye K. Lowak kaye2003@austinfamily.com Greg Lowak greg@austinfamily.com BUSINESS & DISTRIBUTION MANAGER Greg Lowak greg@austinfamily.com
We are dedicated to serving the Greater Austin area by providing up-to-date information and ideas that promote smart parenting and healthy homes. We promote our clients’ businesses by increasing their customer bases and enhancing their public images. Austin Family is published monthly by KKKemper Inc.
Our school offers full Spanish immersion from Infants to 4 years of age. Starting at age 4 years we incorporate a dual language program that includes Mandarin & French. Our Focus: Language, Students, Arts, Diversity, Math, Science, Social Studies,& Technology
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Enroll now and bring your students on an adventure to the Circus Around the World Summer Camp where children will use their imagination enriched in art. NOW ENROLLING FOR FALL We are proud to announce that JDNI has been authorized as an International Baccalaureate (IB) World School offering the Primary Years Programme (PYP). As an accredited IB World School, JDNI is now part of a global community of schools committed to developing knowledgeable, caring young people who will be ready to negotiate their futures successfully and make contributions resulting in a more harmonious and peaceful world. Educating for the transformation of our world
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Mail Address:
107 RR 620, Ste. 300
P.O. Box 7559 Round Rock, Texas 78683-7559 Tel: (512) 733-0038 www.austinfamily.com
Advertising rates are available upon request. While we use great care in creating our display ads, mistakes can happen. Austin Family and the publisher are not liable for any damages arising from any typographical or mechanical errors beyond the cost of the ad. Austin Family does not necessarily endorse any of the advertisers, products or services listed in this publication. We do not assume responsibility for statements made by advertisers or editorial contributors. Subscriptions are available for $25 per year. Copyright 2014. All rights reserved. No portion of Austin Family may be reproduced without written permission from the publisher.
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play it safe: product recalls
Government recalls color sorting boards, felt Easter baskets and bristle builders Discount School Supply is recalling about 3,700 magnetic color sorting boards because the magnet in the wand can detach, and the plywood backing can crack and release small metal balls that are sandwiched between the board and a clear plastic cover. These pose choking and serious internal injury risks associated with ingestion of a magnet and metal ball. The surface paint on the metal balls contains levels of lead that exceed the federal lead paint standard. This recall involves Excellerations™ magnetic color sorting boards with cupcake cut-outs that are used to teach color and sorting to young children. Affected units were sold online at discountschoolsupply.com from January 2013 through March 2014 for about $36. Consumers should immediately stop children from using the recalled board, put it out of their reach and sight, and contact the company for a full refund. Nantucket Distributing is recalling about 24,200 felt Easter baskets because decorative beads on the baskets can detach and pose a choking hazard to young children. The recall involves felt Easter baskets with scalloped edges and a handle sold in of pink. Affected units were sold at Christmas Tree Shops and That! stores nationwide from February 2013 to March 2014 for about $3. Consumers should immediately stop using or displaying the baskets and return them to any Christmas Tree Shops andThat! store to receive a full refund.
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me, Anyti r e t s Regi r Round! Yea
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Westlake Location 3267 Bee Caves Road 512-327-SWIM (7946)
Register TODAY! www.emlerswimschool.com
austinfamily readers’ poll FAVORITE
2014
2013 2102 2011 2010 2008 2007
Lakeshore Learning Materials is recalling about 2,000 Bristle Builders® for Toddlers can detach, posing a choking hazard to young children. The recall involves the Bristle Builders® for Toddlers sets sold with 52 plastic pieces consisting of building pieces and three a yellow duck with a purple round base, a brown horse with a blue round base and a pink pig with a round green base. Affected units were sold at Lakeshore retail stores, Lakeshore Learning Materials’ Early Childhood catalog and online at lakeshorelearning.com from December 2013 through April 2014 for about $30. away from children and contact the company to receive a free
The U.S. Consumer Products Safety Commission works to protect the public from unreasonable risks of serious injury or death from more than 15,000 types of consumer products.
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Around Austin Go to www.austinfamily.com for weekly updates of Around Austin news
CHECKLIST
Must-Do this month Participate in an Independence Day parade. Throw on a patriotic t-shirt, decorate the bikes and wagons and show your love of country. Check clearance sales. Stores are beginning to clear inventory for fall merchandise, especially furniture and appliances. Enjoy a meteor shower. The Delta Aquarids appear from late July into early August. A new moon in late July makes for favorable viewing. Combat West Nile virus and other mosquito-borne diseases. Repair window screens and empty bird baths and pet dishes.
RUNAWAY HOTLINE ADDS LIVE CHAT AND TEXTING SERVICES The Texas Department of Family and Protective Services has added texting and live chat to the services offered on its Texas Youth and Runaway Hotline, the agency announced in April. Teens and families in crisis can interact with the hotline in these ways: Text: 512-872-5777 Chat: TexasYouth.org Call: 1-800-989-6884 “Most everyone has a mobile phone these days, and texting is how many people, especially young people, communicate,” said Larry Imhoff, Director of the Texas Youth and Runaway Hotline. “We are hoping that more youth will reach out for help if we give them ways to contact the hotline that they’re comfortable with.” The State of Texas set up a runaway hotline in 1973 because a growing runaway problem was exposing teens to violence and exploitation. The Department of Family and Protective Services launched the Texas Youth Hotline in 1998 to provide a broader range of services to youth and families, including crisis intervention, advocacy and information and referrals. In 2013, the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services merged the two hotand their families by drawing on databases containing listings of thousands of state and local resources. These hotlines have answered more than 1 million calls, and more than 47,000 people visited the Texas Youth and Runaway Hotline website last year. However, the number of calls has been declining since 2010 as communications habits change.
SHAKESPEARE AT WINEDALE ANNOUNCES SUMMER PERFORMANCES Shakespeare at Winedale’s 2014 summer class takes the stage with performances of The Taming of the Shrew, The Merry
BY THE NUMBERS
314,303 Number of girls who participated in high school sports in Texas in the 20122013 school year. Knee injuries for girls are on the rise. See page 22 for tips on avoiding injury. source: National Federation of State High School Associations 8 | July 2014 | austinfamily.com
and Cressida. The season opens Thursday, July 17, and runs through Sunday, August 10. Performances are Thursday through Sunday at 7:30 p.m., with matinees on Saturdays and Sundays at 2 p.m. General admission tickets are $10 ($5 for students and University of Texas faculty and staff) and can be ordered online at shakespeare-winedale.org. of marriage, to devastating heartbreak. Director James Loehlin says, “The Taming of the Shrew, an early play, presents a boisterous and energetic account of wooing as an allout ‘battle of the sexes;’ The Merry Wives of Windsor takes a more mature perspective on middle-aged couples, asserting that ‘Wives may be merry, and yet honest, too;’ and Troilus and Cressida, from Shakespeare’s tragic period, is a shrewd and complex look at love in the context of war.” The Shakespeare at Winedale program, housed in the UT College of Liberal Arts, offers students a unique opportunity to explore Shakespeare’s rich and complex texts through the creative act of play. Established in 1970 as an undergraduate English course, Shakespeare at Winedale has grown into a year-round program reaching many different groups across the state and country.
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Students in the summer program spend two months living in the Texas countryside, studying and performing three plays in the nineteenth-century barn that has been converted into an Elizabethan theatre. The barn is part of the Winedale Historical Complex located at 3738 FM 2714 near Round Top, Texas.
and Museum at Texas A&M University announced the launch of Blue Star Museums, a collaboration to offer free admission to participating museums for the nation’s active-duty military personnel and their families. “We’re proud to honor America’s heroes and their families who have answered the call and followed in President Bush’s
Finch, Bush Library and Museum director. Blue Star Museums is a collaboration among the National Endowment for the Arts, Blue Star Families, the Department of Defense and more than 2,000 museums across the U.S. The program runs from Memorial Day through Labor Day 2014. To trip, visit arts.gov/national/blue-star-museums. continued on page 10
LOCAL ALLIANCE HONORS TEACHERS AND STUDENTS
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The Austin Area Alliance of Black School Educators named two educators African American Teacher of the Year at its annual scholarship banquet and award ceremony
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seniors were selected to receive $1,000 “The candidates this year are of the highest quality,� said Dr. Mary L. Thomas, event chairperson and master of ceremony. “They are an extraordinary group of young people, not only academically accomplished but also actively involved in will continue to inspire us in college and beyond.� The two teachers honored were Stacey Jackson of Wells Branch Elementary School in Round Rock ISD and Diana Wright Mean of Doss Elementary School in Austin ISD. The students who received scholarships were Aaron Mitchell Cartwright of James Bowie High School in Austin ISD, Kori Michele Cooper of Stony Point High School in Round Rock ISD, Eric Jerome Horton of Del Valle High School in Del Valle ISD, Tony Josh Jones of Hendrickson High
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Maxwell of William B. Travis High School in Austin ISD. Austin Area Alliance of Black School Educato improving the educational accomplishments of Austin area children, particularly African-American children.
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BUSH LIBRARY LAUNCHES BLUE STAR MUSEUMS PROGRAM The George Bush Presidential Library
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austinfamily.com | July 2014 | 9
continued from page 9
Enrich their summer. Free up yours.
austinfamily Youth Acting Intensive: “Charlotte’s Web” - July 7 - 19
readers’ poll FAVORITE
2014
Week-long Summer Camps include: ¤ Best of Cinderella ¤ Best of Annie ¤ Best of Wicked
¤ Best of The Little Mermaid
ANDY RODDICK FOUNDATION ANNOUNCES SUMMER GRANT RECIPIENTS The Andy Roddick Foundation announced its summer mini-grant award recipients, part of the foundation’s larger grant strategy. Seven Austin organizations received a total of $12,500 to help support their efforts to improve equity of and access to summer programs for Austin area youth in grades pre-K to 12. This year’s summer grantees include Camp Fire Balcones, Explore Austin, Extend-A-Care for Kids, GENaustin, Girlstart, KIPP Austin and NYOS Charter School. “I started the Andy Roddick Foundation when I was 17 years old, not far removed from the young people we are proud to serve,” said Andy Roddick, founder and chairman. “Giving grants is a network effect, more people working together to improve the lives of more kids. Our grant winners are doing outstanding things for young people, and we are proud to provide support and recognize their efforts.” The foundation focuses on improving the lives of under-served young people through opportunities that will help motivate them to reach their full potential. The foundation, a vision of now retired tennis professional Andy Roddick, was established in 2000 and moved its headquarters to Austin in 2012.
Don't miss a moment of coverage...
Enroll Today!
tex-arts.org 512-852-9079 ext. 104
DANCE & MOVEMENT CAMPS
Catch the latest news from Around Austin on our website!
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BALLET AUSTIN ACADEMY
DREAMS BEGIN HERE. The Broadway Kids AUG 4-8
Dance Discoveries AUG 11-15
Imagination in Motion AUG 18-22
FALL REGISTRATION NOW OPEN! • Classes for boys & girls beginning at age 3 • All children’s roles in The Nutcracker cast from Ballet Austin Academy
ENROLL TODAY AT BALLETAUSTIN.ORG OR CALL 512.501.8704 10 | July 2014 | austinfamily.com
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family matters by Dr. Betty Richardson
Does “I’m bored” get you down?
Q
My kids are bored. I get tired of hearing, “It’s so boring here at home.” Michael and Jennifer, who are 6 and 8, go to summer camp, but that’s for only a week and then they want me to keep them entertained. I’m a stay-at-home mom, but I seem to be somewhat depressed and have been depressed for a long time. I don’t
can I deal with these kids for the rest of the summer? You need to take care of yourself as well as your children. Your mental health affects
back to you and repeat this so again, they burn energy.
children of depressed mothers often don’t do as well in school as they could if their
For quiet activities at home, I suggest you Google “activity books by grade.” You will
depressed mother—without realizing it— models a lack of enthusiasm, motivation, creativity and enjoyment that are helpful in doing one’s best in school and in life. Whether this is true or not, I think you will enjoy mothering more if you deal with your pressed mood than you would like for some time. You may have what we used to call Dysthymia, a diagnosis that required feeling depressed for at least two years, more days than not, plus some additional symptoms. Dysthymia has been replaced in the new diagnostic manual DSM5 by the diagnosis of Persistent Depressive Disorder. In addition to a lower than normal mood for two years or more, a person with this diagnosis has to experience two or more additional symptoms such as appetite or sleep disturbance, low energy, fatigue or poor concentration. ing with a mental health nurse practitioner
grade the children are in (or moving to in the fall). Some of the books provide a wide variety of fun and creative activities, while skills. These activity books will provide good age-appropriate activities for your children to keep them from being bored and help them develop creative skills. One of my favorite teachers suggested that
boredom often involves a lack of knowledge of how to create something fun to do. If your children need help with activities, you might consider hiring a teenager from the neighborhood to supervise their activities, encouraging them to do as much on their own as possible and then guiding them in their activities a couple of hours a day. Also, don’t forget to check the Austin Family
Betty Richardson, Ph.D., R.N.C., L.P.C., L.M.F.T., is an Austin-based psychotherapist who specializes in dealing with the problems of children, adolescents and parents.
4
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medication and/or therapy, you could see your mood, energy and sleep improve. In planning activities for your children, I’d suggest something like taking a picnic and a good book to the park or a pool. The fresh air and sunshine will help elevate your mood, and you can take it easy while your kids play and burn off energy. The food trailer court on Texas Hwy. 360 has a lot of safe space for kids to run and North Lamar. Of course, it goes without saying that you still have to keep an eye on the children, but hopefully you can do it mainly from your chair. You could also take your kids for a nature walk, collecting leaves and identifying trees. Exercise helps boost one’s mood. I suspect your kids will walk at least three miles for each one you walk. They tend to run ahead and then run
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austinfamily.com | July 2014 | 11
Take a hike! Awesome Austin’s best trails by Sherida Mock
Austin is awesome for so many reasons, not the least of which is its natural beauty. Here we present a list of hiking trails for your enjoywork your way to the end of the list for a real challenge. Either way,
Butler Hike and Bike Trail
!
line More trails on
www.austinfa
mily.com
12 | July 2014 | austinfamily.com
With the completion this June of a milelong boardwalk, the Butler Hike and Bike Trail now makes a complete 10-mile loop around Lady Bird Lake, stretching from MoPac on the western edge to Pleasant Valley on the eastern edge. This landmarks, including Zilker Park, the Long Center, and the towers of downtown. Good for: All ages. Stroller-friendly. Bikes okay? Yes. Dogs okay? Yes, if leashed. Parking: Available at any of the access points along the trail—Butler Park (1000 Barton Springs Rd.), Zilker Park (2100 Barton Springs Rd.), Auditorium Shores (920 Riverside Dr.), Fiesta Gardens (2100 Jesse E. Segovia St.), Roy Guerrero Park (400 Grove Blvd.) or Lamar Beach (1200 Cesar Chavez St.). Admission: FREE. View the magazine online at austinfamily.com
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Walnut Creek Park Trails
Bull Creek Greenbelt Trail
This 293-acre park packs a whopping 15 miles of shady trails, most of which are easy to moderate, with a few steep sections. Several trails cross the creek. The park also boasts a playground and swimming pool, for extra fun before and after the hike. Good for: All ages. Some trails are stroller-friendly. Bikes okay? Yes. Very popular with mountain bikers. Dogs okay? Yes. Includes a popular offleash area. Parking: Available at the swimming pool lot at 12138 N. Lamar Blvd. Admission: FREE.
This park has such a history of the you can now see the jumbled concrete walls of an abandoned attempt to dam the creek for swimming. This is a great location to explore water; the creek runs shallow and rapid in some spots, but collects in gentle pools in others. The 3.5-mile trail crosses the creek multiple times, requiring balance to keep from getting wet. Depending on the time of year and recent rains, there are several waterfalls and swimming spots along the trail. Good for: All ages, depending on the length of the hike. Not stroller-friendly. Bikes okay? Yes. Dogs okay? Yes, if leashed. Parking: Available at 6701 Lakewood Dr. Admission: FREE.
McKinney Falls State Park Trails This state park lies a mere 13 miles from the state Capitol Building, making it a popular destination for getting away from it all. The paved, 2.8-mile Onion Creek Trail welcomes bikes and strollers. The 2.75-mile Homestead Trail, accessed by crossing the Lower Falls, may be hard to reach after heavy rains. The northern stretch of the Homestead Trail provides access to a 2.25-mile Flint Rock Loop. UnOnion Creek last year caused the closure of both the Rock Shelter Interpretive Trail and the Smith Visitor Center. Good for: All ages. Only the Onion Creek Trail is stroller-friendly. Bikes okay? Yes. Dogs okay? Yes, if leashed. Parking: Available inside the park at 5808 McKinney Falls Pkwy. Admission: $6 per person, FREE to children age 12 and under.
Barton Creek Greenbelt This trail stretches nearly 8 miles, making a V-shaped southerly dip from Zilker Park to the Lost Creek neighborhood in West Lake Hills. The trail follows Barton Creek, and varying spots ged. The trail is popular with mountain bikers, rock climbers and those who enjoy its seasonal swimming holes. The length and ruggedness of the trail make it a great place to train youth groups for long hikes and backpacking. Good for: All ages, depending on the section of the trail. Near Zilker Park,
parts are at the Scottish Woods end of the trail, which is appropriate for middle school and high school aged children. Bikes okay? Yes. Dogs okay? Yes, if leashed. Parking: Available at multiple access points—Zilker Park (2100 Barton Springs Rd.), Spyglass (1500 Spyglass Dr.), Homedale (2010 Homedale Dr.), Gus Fruh (2642 Barton Hills Dr.), Loop 360 (3755-B Capital of Texas Hwy.), Twin Falls (3918 S. Mopac Expy) and Scottish Woods Trail (1710 Camp Craft Rd.). Admission: FREE.
Lake Georgetown, Goodwater Loop The 28-mile Goodwater Loop trail encircles Lake Georgetown. This trail offers something for everyone: easy access and wide trails near the access points, narrowing to steep and rugged stretches farther out, with lots of elevation changes and gorgeous views of the lake. This is a good trail for training youth groups for long hikes and backpacking. Elementary-aged kids will enjoy short hikes out and back. Good for: All ages, depending on the section of the trail. Stroller-friendly in short stretches only near the access points. Bikes okay? Yes, but rarely encountered on the trails. Dogs okay? Yes, if leashed. Parking: Available at multiple access points—Cedar Breaks Park (2100 Cedar Breaks Rd.), Russell Park (2101 County Road 262), Jim Hogg Park (500 Jim Hogg Rd.) and Tejas Camp (4560 County Road 258). Admission: FREE for day hikers. continued on page 14
the trail at times becomes rugged and steep, more appropriate for school-aged children. The steepest and most rocky
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austinfamily.com | July 2014 | 13
continued from page 13
River Place Nature Trail This 3-mile trail is about as rugged, steep and challengbut narrow trail follows Panther Hollow Creek in a wooded canyon. If you’re looking for a challenge, you Currently, a center portion of the trail is under construction, so until the fall—when park officials expect the entire length to reopen—your hike will have to be an out-and-back. This is a great trail for teaching topographical maps or training youth groups for long hikes and backpacking. Good for: School-aged kids ready for adventure. Bikes okay? No. Dogs okay? Yes. Parking: Available at Woodlands Park at 8820 Big View Dr. Two other access points offer limited on-street parking along River Place Blvd. Admission: FREE.
Want to to see your kid on our cover?
Six Cover Kid Contest winners will be selected to appear on future austin family magazine covers. 2014 cover kid winners
our Check out e first 250 offer for th . Deadline eived . entries rec r 15, 2014 Novembe
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Go to austinfamily.com to enter our contest It’s a chance to see your child on the cover of 35,000 magazines, on our website and on our FOX “Good Day Austin” Friday morning segment. Entries are judged by a panel of industry professionals.
We welco me teens and tweens, a s well as to ddlers an d babies! Sponsored by
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8 Basics for happy hiking Depending on the length and ruggedness of your intended hike, you’ll need to bring one or more of these hiking essentials:
1. Water (in bottles or a backpack system) 2. Sun protection (sunscreen, hat and sunglasses)
austinfamily readers’ poll FAVORITE 2014
3. Sturdy shoes or hiking boots 4. First aid supplies (bandages, antibiotic ointment and pain reliever)
5. Rain gear (jacket and pants) 6. Map and compass (or GPS system) 7. Phone (note that some locations lack coverage) 8. Snacks (trail mix, jerky, pretzels and dried fruit are all good choices)
Hike on over to www.austinfamily.com for more awesome trails.
aus t read infam ily er FAV s’ poll OR 2014 ITE
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austinfamily.com | July 2014 | 15
Custody dance Get in step with your ex to make this summer less stressful by Syd Sharples
Summers introduce a new rhythm to family life. Children are home from school, many parents must schedule child care and families might plan vacations. For some families, uring out how to keep the kids engaged and out of trouble for nearly three months is a daunting task. For the 40 percent of children from divorced families, there is the additional dimension of considering the needs and schedules of two separate households. On a recent case I worked with, newly-divorced parents had fantastic trips planned for their kids. They’d set the vacations up before consulting each other on their summer custody schedule, however, and there was overlap with some of the dates. Neither parent wanted to budge on changing dates initially, and though they eventually worked out a compromise, it reignited some of the tensions they’d experienced while settling their divorce. There are as many summer custody schedules as a schedule that works best for your unique situation will help everyone have an enjoyable, peaceful summer.
Plan ahead for a smooth summer
Key to making the entire summer schedule a success is planning and communication. Typically, the schedule that divorced families follow during the school year undergoes at least some minor changes when summer arrives. If possible, parents enjoy extended, 16 | July 2014 | austinfamily.com
uninterrupted time with their children during the summer, when kids are free from their weekday obligations at school. Parents should identify how much time each would like to reserve with their children. Children’s summer schedules can get pretty packed, and since many parents work during the summer—and vacation time can be limited—blocks of one to two weeks are fairly typical amounts of time to specify. It’s also important to be clear about whose summer plans have priority in any given year. If you both want to get away with the kids for a Fourth of July weekend, for example, it’s helpful to have a system for alternating ents frequently do trade this back and forth from year to year.
Communicate to keep everyone involved Communicating plans early on is both respectful and conducive to a successful and peaceful summer. Some families will
start this process as early as mid-March, you to secure low fares and rates if you plan on getting away. Most families need to arrange for more child care and/or child activities during the summer. The more parents can talk about this and agree on the summer plan, the more stress-free and enjoyable it will be for everyone. Get a leg up on the summer activity offerings and start discussions early to gauge the children’s interest and determine the most workable plan, schedule-wise, to set the kids up for summer success. Consider using an online scheduling tool such as Google Calendar or Our Family Wizard to help track activities, camps, vacations and any other events that might disrupt the schedule. Most importantly, keep the is high between the parents, it can be helpful to work with a mental health professional who can facilitate the conversation and help the divorced parents devise a summer plan that works as smoothly as possible.
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Try a 50-50 schedule remix
It’s not unusual to vary the regular schedule during the summer. Parental work schedules might not synchronize as well with child activity schedules during the summer as they do during the school year. Families might choose to minimize transitions during the summer and develop a schedule that accommodates this. I’ve worked with a number of families who have developed creative solutions for their summers. I offer some examples here (names have been changed in the During the school year, Robert and Sandy’s daughter Lizzy spent every Monday and Tuesday with her father, every Wednesday and Thursday with her mother, and alternating weekends with each parent. Lizzy was an active middle schooler who enjoyed spending time with her friends and sleeping late during the summer. Robert and Sandy decided to follow a different form of a 50-50 schedule during the summer, whereby Lizzy would spend one week at Robert’s house, and the next at Sandy’s. Once school started, they resumed their usual schedule but during the summer, the entire family enjoyed the different rhythm.
Let summer provide balance
For families in which the children spend more time with one parent, summer is an opportunity to even out the time the children spend with each parent over the course of a year. In the case of Kate and Arthur, their three children followed a Standard Possession Schedule: they spent every Monday through Wednesday at Kate’s house, every Thursday at Arthur’s, and they alternated weekends between their parents’ homes. The Standard Possession Schedule called for Arthur to have the kids for 30 days during the summer, but this proved wasn’t able to take 30 days off from work to fully enjoy his time with the children, the children felt out of touch with their friends who lived in Kate’s to be away from the children for such an extended period of time. Several years after divorcing, Arthur asked Kate if they might consider a more outside-the-Standard-Possession-Schedule box for changing the schedule during the summer. He and Kate were able to have constructive discussions about this, and decided to alternate weeks during the summer,
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which turned out to be a good schedule for everyone. Casey and Mark took another approach: they just switched their school-year schedules for the summer, so Mark (typically having custody on the 1st, 3rd, and 5th weekends of the month, plus Thursdays) adopted Casey’s schedule, Casey adopted Mark’s schedule, and they even switched a weekend so Mark could spend Father’s Day with his children. That allowed Mark to enjoy more time with the kids during the summer while still maintaining a routine and allowing each parent uninterrupted blocks of family time. Ideally, summer is a time for everyone to relax a bit, enjoy a more leisurely schedule, and spend good time together. Set your family up for the best summer possible by talking with your children and your ex-spouse to determine a summer plan that works for your family.
Syd Sharples, LCSW, is an Austin-based psychotherapist and collaborative divorce facilitator and the current president of the Collaborative Law Institute of Texas.
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austinfamily.com | July 2014 | 17
the learning curve by Jennifer VanBuren
Benefits of a musical education In the live music capital of the world, music education is not a hard sell. Music enriches our quality of life, but it can also have a positive impact on cognitive abilities, intelligence and reasoning, the ability to focus and improve our chance for academic and social success. Music training “tones the brain for audiKraus and Bharath Chandrasekaran, of the Auditory Neuroscience Laboratory at Northwestern University, who pubNeuroscience (“Music Training for the Development of Auditory Skills,” August 2010). Their study indicates that skills developed by music training, such as processing pitch, timing and timbre, transfer to cognitive skills needed for speech and language. Musical training increases our brain’s your friend’s voice in a noisy room. It also trains the brain to focus on the part of a sound that carries the most critical information, like the tone in an infant’s cry. These skills impact student achievement “by improving learning skills and listening ability, especially in challenging listening environments,” say Kraus and Chandrasekaran. When playing music, a person has to adjust tempo, tone, rhythm and feeling, so the brain has to organize and carry out many activities simultaneously. John J. Ratey, in his book “A User’s Guide to the Brain,” states that “dedicated practice of this orchestration can have a great payoff for lifelong attention skills, intelligence and an ability for self-knowledge and expression.” Skills learned through the discipline of music can transfer to improved 18 | July 2014 | austinfamily.com
study skills, communication skills and cognitive abilities. One study of 237 second grade children used piano keyboard training and newly designed math software to demonstrate improvement in math skills. The group scored 27 percent higher on proportional math and fractions tests than children that used only the math software. (“Enhanced learning of proportional math through music training and spatial-temporal training,” Neurological Research, March 1999.) In an analysis of U.S. Department of Education data (NELS:88, National Education
Longitudinal Survey), researchers found that students who report consistent, high levels of involvement in instrumental music during middle and high school observation holds regardless of students’ socio-economic status, and differences in those who are involved with instrumental music vs. those who are not is more tion Project at UCLA Graduate School of Education and Information Studies, 1999.) How does music education affect mathematical skill? Spatial temporal reasoning is the ability to visualize spatial patterns and be able to mentally manipulate them in a time-ordered sequence. For example, a student with developed spatial-temporal reasoning skills could look at an abstract painting and visualize the individual shapes and colors and determine how the artist created the painting. These skills are important in analyzing and understanding mathematical processes. Researchers have found that young children, when given music instruction, poral reasoning tests. beyond elementary school. A study by The College Entrance Examination Board indicated that students with experience in music performance and music appreciation scored 57 points higher in the verbal and 41 points higher in the math portions in the SAT (“College-Bound Seniors NaTakers,” 2001). If that was not enough to erase any doubt, the Texas Commission on Drug and Alcohol Abuse reported that students who participated in band or orchestra had the lowest lifetime and current use of alcohol, tobacco and drug abuse (“Texas school survey of substance use among students: grades 7-12,” 2000). Parents do not need to rush out and enroll their preschool children in private piano lessons or force hours of violin
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practice on an unwilling teenager in of music education. Music education has porated into a family’s daily routine. During the school year, most elementary-level students have music classes as well as exposure to music and movement elsewhere in the curriculum. In middle and high school, students can join choir, orchestra or band. In the summer, parents take on the responsibility of continuing the musical experiences. While private piano lessons, camps and mom-and-me music classes are effective ways to bring music into a child’s life, these resources can be expensive and can put stress on the family schedule. Parents
song and some salsa music and have your kids guess the origin of these songs. Explore one of the many Internet-based music stations available. Create a station that plays music related to a composer such as Bach, Beethoven, Brahms or Gershwin. People of all ages, from infants to the ellives. We are fortunate to live in a city
with a rich musical heritage, where you can hear live music in the airport, coffee shop and even the street corners. Make the most of the opportunities to build those brains over the summer! edition. Read the full story at our website. Jennifer VanBuren, educator and mother of three, is grateful for the musical education of her childhood.
of music education without breaking the bank with some simple and inexpensive musical opportunities. Check out the CD section of your local library. are often accompanied by books, games Tap into the local music scene. From children’s concerts in a coffee house, a symphony in the park or free music lessons at your local grocery store, you day. There are free music and dance classes at local bookstores, children’s singers performing in libraries and barn dancing at recreation centers. Get active! Get a ball and bounce to a rhythm. Play follow-the-leader with rhythms patted out on knees, clapping and stomping. Move the furniture to the walls and have a family room dance party.
Start Early. Start Right.
Get creative. Make personalized instruments with paper plates, dry rice, glue and glitter. Fill empty oatmeal canisters with beans and stretch rubber bands across a shoebox, and you have the beginnings of a kitchen band.
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Time travel. If your child has an interest research and listen to the music of the period. With the power of the Internet, Chants to Rock and Roll. Expose your family to world music. Practice identifying music by the culture or region in which it was created. Try to, for example, differentiate Jamaican steel drums from the rhythms of Sub-Saharan African percussion. Make it a game. Play Pick us up at HEB, Whole Foods and Central Market
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austinfamily.com | July 2014 | 19
A Chat with Paul Cruz by Sherida Mock
On April 15, the Austin Independent School District named Paul Cruz as Interim
ground and his thoughts on education.
>>
20 | July 2014 | austinfamily.com
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Tell us about your family.
This December, my wife Diana and I will have been married 25 years. We have four children: (a daughter) Mari is a junior at UT; another daughter, Selly, who’s going to be a senior in high school; a son, Paul, who’s going to be a freshman in high school; and another son, Manny, who’s two dogs. Laredo is a big old Bassett hound, and we have a little Shih Tzu, Abigail, who’s our baby of the family. got married, I was a teacher in Corpus Christi and my wife was studying at Del Mar College. Then we moved to Brownsville, and then San Antonio. It wasn’t until we moved to Austin and I started working on my Ph.D. that we had our is our Harlingen baby, Paul is our Laredo baby and Manny is our Round Rock baby. Every city, we had another child, until we started having dogs. (Laughs) No more moves, no more children!
involved with the school, I saw my very Christi—was just a really great principal. She was another connector for me, getting to see her work, being part of the school.
If you were back in the classroom as a teacher today, what changes would you notice?
First would be technology, because it’s a different world. As a teacher you have to be so familiar with what kids are doing, how they use technology, so that it’s relevant for them. Also, you have access to the entire world. When I was a teacher, you had access to a textbook. What is similar is that you need to develop a positive relationship with your kids. That’s how they will learn and excel. Even today, that rings true.
growing up?
I do remember! This was in Robstown, Texas. We lived right across the street from our church, St. Anthony Church, and the St. Anthony School. I remember the nun, Sister Carmen, took us out for recess. Well, recess was right next to my house, so when everybody went in (after recess), I went to my grandma’s house, because my grandma lived next door. I don’t even know that they knew I was missing! (Laughs)
When did you decide to become an educator?
When I was in high school I wanted to do something with music, because I really enjoyed performing. I played the saxophone. But then when I started school at UT and took some classes in English and literature, I really enjoyed that. At that point, I said, “I want to teach.”
What made you decide to go into administration?
My dad was a principal, and so I think I wanted to do anything but be a principal. But once I started to teach and get more
What challenges does AISD face? AISD is a big, complex system. We have 86,000 students; we have 12,000 employees; we have 129 sites. This year our graduation rate is at an all-time high at 82.5 percent, but nonetheless we have a
who are Hispanic or African-American and on top of that, Hispanic male or African-American male. Another thing that’s a challenge is developing different environments. There are some kids in high school, particularly—because high schools are a special interest of mine—where we have kids who want the traditional experience, who want the big high school—band, choir, art, athletics. And there are some kids who really don’t want that; that’s just not their thing. choice where they’re self-paced, kids do their courses online and it’s just a much better environment for them.
Probably my grandfather. He really instilled the value of an education. He’s the one who always inspired me and said, “Whatever you do, you need to get an education.”
of school?
relationships really come into play. That has been the most valuable experience: not so much the skills base—how to educate and balance budgets—but relationships and hiring very talented people to actually do the work.
Pull out your crystal ball: If you stepped into a classroom in 2034, what changes would you see?
I would hope to see that we don’t necessarily have schools as they exist today, as big facilities. I hope that it is a different opportunity; that kids come together at different points in time in the semester to meet with the teachers. Kids get projects, and they go off and get busy and work on those projects as teams, and then come back together. The teacher checks on them from time to time, but it’s not something where kids sit for an eight-hour period. I just don’t think that life works like that. I workforce and what kids are going to experience.
What lessons have you learned as an educator?
It really comes down to the importance of relationships, because there are great times in education and then there’s some challenging times. You know, when times are good, everybody’s happy. But in the challenging times, those
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The other big piece is that we are a Chapter 41 district, and so we pay back to the state under the Robin Hood plan. This year we paid $125 million…and if the formula continues, we’re going to pay may be property-rich, but we don’t look like a property-rich district. We are 64% economically-disadvantaged; we are 70% minority; we have 26,000 students who are English language learners. We need resources to provide support for the kids and their families.
Let’s say you had a whole day to spend in Austin with your family. What would you do?
There are so many good things to do in Austin! Well, even though my kids have seen it, we haven’t been there in a while, so I’d bring them to the Capitol just to explore the richness of Texas history. Then we’d go on a boat ride. We went on a boat ride as a family last summer. We had a great time. The kids were dancing on the boat and the scenery was amazing. It was just wonderful. It’s hard in our times, with working parents, to focus on each other and your own relationships, enjoy each other’s company.
austinfamily.com | July 2014 | 21
lifelines by Sara Rider
Techniques, Training May Decrease Knee Injury Risk for Middle and High School Girls
n Texas and across the country, the number of middle and high school girls playing sports is on the rise. According to the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS), the number of girls participating in sports has more than doubled in the last 20 years. That’s the good news. But with that growth in sports participation has come an increased risk of injury for girls, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). That’s the bad news.
I
Now the AAP says that research indicates the risk for one particular type of injury—tears to the anterior cruciate ligament, or ACL—may be able to be reduced. The AAP report (“Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injuries: Diagnosis, Treatment, and Prevention,” can reduce the risk of ACL injury, especially in young women.
Sports and strength
According to the NFHS, nationally some 55.5 percent of high school students play sports of some type. The leading choice for by basketball at 438,933, and volleyball with 409,332. Soccer Texas leads the way in number of participants overall, with 786,262 boys and girls involved in sports. That’s a lot of young people running, jumping, stopping and starting. And all of those movements put their knees at greater risk of injury, says Orthopedist Dr. Randall Schulz, of Texas Orthopedics. “We know that high velocity sports are the ones that really put them at risk (for knee injury), so soccer is a big one, basketball as well and probably to a lesser degree volleyball and softball.”
Anatomy and risk
According to AAP, the anterior cruciate ligament is one of the major ligaments that stabilizes the knee, helping to protect it when the person jumps or pivots or slows down suddenly while running. When pre-teens enter puberty they grow taller and heavier, and this puts the ACL at greater risk as well; for girls, this risk begins at age 12. And girls have a higher risk of ACL injury overall because as their body size increases, they usually do not develop more muscle power. But if you have a daughter who plays soccer or basketball, or any sport that involves jumping or stopping and starting quickly, how do you know at what level of risk she is for tearing her ACL? And what can you do to reduce her risk? 22 | July 2014 | austinfamily.com
“First, I would look at family risk,” advises Dr. Schulz. “Have other members of the family had problems with ACL tears? Then I would look hard at the sports they’re playing and how common ACL injuries are in those sports.” According to the AAP, special types of physical training can reduce the risk of ACL injury by as much as 72 percent in young women. The recommended tools: neuromuscular and strength training.
As good as the boys
According to Angela Rich, ATC, PT, Sc.D, of Elite Physical Therapy, several types of neuromuscular exercises can help girls avoid ACL tears. The goal of the exercises is to overcome some of the differences in girls’ physique and strength that can put them at greater risk than boys for ACL tears. Some of the differences in body build and strength begin with four variations in the way girls land on their feet, compared to boys. First, girls’ quadriceps (the muscle group in the top of the thigh) is the dominant, or strongest, muscle in the leg, explains Rich. This means that girls don’t use their hamstrings or their knees as much when they land or change direction during sports. “Males have a tendency to use their hamstrings more and to absorb shock with their knees,” explains Rich. Next, in girls one leg tends to be stronger than the other leg, while in boys, both legs usually have the same strength. “Research has found that females tend to have one stronger leg,” explains Rich. “So what happens is that when you’re landing, you’re basically landing off balance, and that sets you up for an ACL injury.” The third factor that makes ACL injuries more common in girls is that girls “have less core strength and stability than boys,” says Rich. This makes it harder for girls to have control over their bodies during physical activity. The fourth factor that sets young girls up for injury is that they tend to not use muscle mass to stop forward movement—they rely instead on their bones and their ligaments.
Putting the brakes on
To overcome these problems, parents can turn to neuromuscular training for their budding athlete. “Research has shown that neuromuscular training can reduce risk of injury in girls,” says Rich. “The key component of a View the magazine online at austinfamily.com
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neuromuscular program is progressive strengthening of the core and the legs. So we are talking about squats, lunges, single leg bridging, planking—that is all part of the strengthening.” Neuromuscular training also includes plyometrics, or repetitive jumping. “You start with jump squats—so you stand in place, squat and then jump,” explains Rich. The training program progresses to single leg exercises and then jumping for distance.
And that combination can mean a reduced risk for an injury that can keep your daughter from enjoying and succeeding in a sport she loves.
have some evidence that we can slow these injuries down,” says Dr. Schulz. By incorporating more neuromuscular training into a young athlete’s preparation, the risk of future problems can be reduced.
Sara Rider is a native Austinite who has worked with physicians and hospitals throughout Texas. She frequently writes freelance articles on health topics for newspapers and magazines.
“Optimum training begins in early adolescence,” says Rich. “You have to develop strength, and develop muscle memory.”
But how do you know if your daughter needs neuromuscular training? “I would want to take a look at their body mechanics and see how strong they are,” says Dr. Schulz. “If they’ve grown rapidly, do they have a hard time carrying their bodies around in a coordinated fashion?” Dr. Schulz acknowledges that this can be hard for any parent to assess, but says there are training programs and theratheir daughter’s individual risk and then develop a program to reduce that risk. “A lot of it comes down to the position of the foot relative to the knee, and then the ability to have the strength to control and slow down a rapid deceleration or a quick change in direction,” explains Dr. Schulz. Rich recommends that parents pay attention to how their daughters land when they jump. “Do they land with their legs straight? Do they tip to one side? Is their trunk forward? If you think it doesn’t look right, then a professional should assess it.”
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Obviously, no competitive middle school or high school athlete wants to be sidelined by injury. But an ACL injury can have more far-reaching consequences. “The real long-term problem with an ACL injury is that many times it damages the cartilage in the knee,” says Dr. Schulz, “and that can lead to early arthritis.” According to Rich, research shows that regardless of whether you have ACL surgery following an ACL injury, “the likelihood of developing osteoarthritis was the same.
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28 | July 2014 | austinfamily.com
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family connections
Tidy bytes
by Richard Singleton
Your home data storage options growing faster than your electric bill is the massive digital history book of pics piling up on all your devices. Oh, and that mountainous summit of schoolwork that you’ve been promising to sort through
erase your amazing pictures of summer vacation. You don’t have to scrap your refrigerator Michaelangelo. You don’t have to recycle the glorious reminders of kindergarten. You don’t even have to cull away the fading glimpses of elementary school. But, it might be a great idea to preserve them digitally and then bid them adieu (I’m preaching at myself here, if you can’t tell…and my kids are
still there, but I won’t tell anyone if you won’t. “They” once said computers would simpliand give us more leisure time. “They” also
You can scan those precious reminders of childhood, archive your videos of school plays, catalog your amazing football game snapshots and store away the choir performances for when your song
“they”—whoever they are—get it wrong. stardom…or karaoke. Well, take courage. All is not lost. You don’t have to erase your oh-too-cute
Properly stored, your house and devices will be all tidy again, and you’ll have the
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assurance that even if disaster strikes, you’ll still have your timeless memories a click away, ready to brighten a rainy day, poised for the senior slide show or somewhere along the way. You have a wide range of options for freeing up space on your devices and around the house. Following are a few key approaches that, depending on your level of tech skills and your comfort zone, will open the door to a more organized, less cluttered existence. The cloud. Some folks are squeamish about having their personal information uploaded into the ether, but for many, this is an option that just works. There are many different services out there, both free and subscription based. continued on page 30
austinfamily.com | July 2014 | 29
August 15–17 2014
A Birthmother's Love Lasts Forever The Everlasting Gift Retreat will be held at The Cenacle Retreat House in Houston, Texas. Scholarships are available! Please register online at www.CatholicCharities.org/EverlastingGiftRetreat or call Colleen Kitowski at 713.874.6760. If you are a birthmother who has experienced adoption...open, closed, a recent placement, a placement many years ago...we hope you will consider coming to this retreat:
Catholic Charities
continued from page 29
Google, for instance, now offers 1TB of storage for only $9.99 per month. Wow! With a small download on your device and a few simple setup steps, you can have your pics, papers and Picassos uploaded in a jiffy. And, if you set up these cloud services such as Dropbox, Google Drive and Microsoft OneDrive to back up automatically, soon you’ll not even have to worry much about your device becoming bloated with media to begin with. External hard drives. Some people are traditionalists, and that’s okay. These are the folks who—perish the thought—actually like to read books made out of paper. I’m sometimes in this tribe. There’s an option for those who prefer the actual sky to one measured in bits and bytes. You don’t have to store your media in the cloud to keep it organized, accessible and safe. This time of year, there are the all-too-familiar news stories you can only hold a handful of belongings? What if you didn’t need to grab any of your most important papers and pictures because they were already stored safely in the lock box at the bank? But, they don’t make them that big, right? A good plan to keep your precious memories safe and sound if you don’t want to keep them stored online, is to make several copies of your most important pictures, paperwork and other
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friend or relative. If you need larger storage options, you can easily get multi-terabyte external hard drives for less than it A cloud compromise. For those who like the convenience of cloud services, but who don’t want their information hitchhiking out on the information superhighway, there’s another option, a bit of a compromise: your own personal, in-house cloud storage. This option takes a bit more doing than the other options, but it’s not too bad. Sometimes called a NAS device (Network Attached Storage), personal cloud storage to your home network, allowing your devices, computers—and other external hard drives, if you like—to be connected in a seamless, ongoing way. Snap a picture, and presto: it’s both on your phone and immediately uploaded to your personal cloud. It lives in your house and not in the ether.
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www.synergydancestudio.com Drill Team Acro Dance Gymnastics Music Theatre 30 | July 2014 | austinfamily.com
One of my favorite Christmas movies is National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation. It’s a silly movie of course, but the scene where Clark has accidentally locked himself in the attic and powerful reminder of our need to preserve the past as we march headlong into the future. Seize the day. Find a way to free up space on your phone, to most precious to all of us—our memories of growing children, blessed intersections of life and joyful celebrations of our unique place in the world. Richard Singleton, MACE, MAMFC, LPC, is the executive director at STARRY in Round Rock.
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!"#$%&%' ()*+,#- ./%0 '1#2-#,3#- 0*# .)" & 3&(&'/)% by Denise Yearian
regnancy is a pivotal time in a couple’s life. The birth of a child brings a whole new set of demands on time and energy that can create stress in the marriage relationship. Along with traditional childbirth preparations, some parents-to-be plan a “baby-moon”— one last getaway to rest, rejuvenate and reconnect before their baby is born. “I like the idea of couples getting away during the gestation period,” says Walt Ciecko, Ph.D., psychologist and relationship consultant. “It’s a season of change for both men and women. Couples are anticipating and contemplating the issues surrounding starting a family. But oftentimes there isn’t much energy put into nurturing the marriage relationship and preparing it for this change.” Sabitha Pillai-Friedman, Ph.D., relationship and sex therapist, agrees. “All relationships work like a bank balance,” she says. “You have to have enough positive experiences in the love bank in order to make it through challenging times. The birth of a child is a challenging period in couples’ lives, so it’s lot of fun, romantic experiences before the baby arrives.” This is what Shelley Dawson and her husband did. “We had talked about taking a trip was pregnant,” she says. “When I met with my ob-gyn, I told him I was thinking about going to Europe because I knew it would be a long time before I could go again. The before week 32.” Dawson proceeded with plans to travel to Italy and Scandinavia, but she was careful where she went. “We had been to Europe before, so we had an idea of what to expect. We crossed off small towns and stayed
>>
32 | July 2014 | austinfamily.com
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with larger cities where we knew we could ed one,” she says.
to do things you both enjoy and remind yourselves of what brought you together
As sensational as a European vacation sounds, pre-baby getaways don’t have to be that elaborate. A weekend in the mountains or a quick trip to the beach can still be a fun, romantic vacation.
“Our vacation was one of the last times we had together for nearly a year,” says Jen. “We had nights out after our son was born, but it wasn’t the same. It was just nice to get away one last time as husband and wife before becoming mommy and daddy.”
ready to move into that next stage of life,” Ciecko concludes. “This will help build a the couple, but their children as well.”
For Jen and Scott Johnson, four days in St. before their son arrived. “It was April and we wanted to go somewhere warm so we could lie on the beach and swim at the pool,” says Jen, then six months pregnant. “We didn’t want a lot of touristy stuff. We just wanted to relax and be together because we knew our lives were about to change.”
“Couples who take time to invest in their relationship before the baby arrives will be
Visit our website for 10 great tips on planning a pre-baby getaway.
Denise Yearian is the former editor of two parenting magazines and the mother of three children.
But having a child wasn’t the only change on the horizon for the Johnsons. “We were building a house at the time, and it was supposed to be done the day I was due, so there was a lot of added stress,” she continues. “It’s easy for couples to get tunnel vision when they are under pressure and in their normal environment,” Ciecko suggests. “Getting away puts the pause button on usual activities and creates an atmosphere where parents-to-be can relax and reconnect.” “I think that was one of the nicest things about our vacation,” says Shelley. “We were out of our routine and had two weeks to spend alone together—no work, no other people to deal with, just us.” While couples are relaxing, there are productive things they can do to prepare for this life change. “I recommend they go through a ritual where they look at the gains they had from this period in their lives—‘What were the good things in our relationship when we were a twosome? What dreams did we realize?’” says Ciecko. “Then to recognize that they are transitioning into a new stage in life and plan a strategy for keeping their relationship strong and staying together while they raise a family.” This is also a good time to refocus and set long-term goals. Each spouse should listen to the other’s thoughts and then formulate concrete ways to move their family into the future. Both experts agree, however, this is not a time to deal with the day-to-day responsibilities of child care. “As important as it is to cement issues about child care assignments—who is going to do what for the baby—this isn’t the time to take it up,” says Pillai-Friedman. “Save those conversations for before and after the vacation. Use this time to focus on yourselves and where you are headed. Plan
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austinfamily.com | July 2014 | 33
test drive games ESRB Entertainment Software Rating Board
PlayStation Pets ..................
Platform: PS Vita Rating Category: Everyone Content Descriptors: Crude humor, mild fantasy violence Rating Summary: This is a pet-care simulation game in which players care for puppies and explore various
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depicts a castle burning with the sounds of shouting and weapons clashing. Puppies are occasionally depicted urinating or defecating around environments; dialogue sometimes draws humorous attention to these acts (for example, “Don’t forget to scoop it up! We wouldn’t want people stepping in it.” and “Hey, would you mind turning away?! I like a little privacy.”).
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THIS IS THE MOMENT TO TELL YOUR STORY
Platform: Nintendo 3DS Rating Category: Everyone 10+ Content Descriptors: Fantasy violence, mild language Rating Summary: This is an action platformer, based on the animated series Tenkai Knights, in which players assume the roles of young characters who control robotic knights and try to save a planet. After choosing from a variety of fantastical weapons (for example, swords and laser blasters), players engage in combat missions to defeat enemies and boss characters. During missions, robots traverse platforms while slashing enemies with swords or shooting at them with blaster-like weapons. Enemies burst into small explosions when defeated.
Watch Dogs
Platform: Windows PC, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, Wii U, Xbox One, Xbox 360 Rating Category: Mature Content Descriptors: Blood, intense violence, nudity, strong language, strong sexual content, use of drugs and alcohol Other: Includes online features that may expose players to unrated, user-generated content (Windows PC, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, Wii U, Xbox One, Xbox 360) Rating Summary: This is a third-person shooter/action game in which explosives to kill various human enemies (for example, criminals and
SUMMER CLASSES & CAMPS Thru August 22
Creative Drama Classes Theatre Skills Camps Pre-Professional Training Fully-Produced Plays H-E-B TOURNAMENT OF CHAMPIONS
Summer Camp Presenting Sponsor
ZACH Theatre’s Campus 1510 Toomey Rd.
zachtheatre.org/education
This project is funded and supported in part by a grant from the Texas Commission on the Arts and by the City of Austin through the Economic Development Department/Cultural Arts Division believing an investment in the Arts is an investment in Austin’s future. Visit Austin at NowPlayingAustin.com.
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S C H O O L
them in the head or knock them out with a black jack. Players have the ability to kill captives after (mostly) off-screen interrogations. Cutscenes depict further instances of violence (for example, a man stabbed in the neck and shot multiple times). Combat is highlighted includes several depictions of topless female characters. One prolonged scene depicts a topless women standing in a bedroom; another sequence depicts close-ups of topless women sitting down. The game also includes a few instances of sexual activity. During the course of the game, the central character sometimes consumes large amounts of alcohol (the screen turns blurry); one sequence depicts characters using needles to inject themselves with drugs. The words “f**k,” “sh*t,” and “a*shole” can be heard in the dialogue.
The rating information, including rating summary, is provided by ESRB Entertainment Software Rating Board (www.esrb.org). These games and other rating summaries can be found at ESRB.org. For the app, visit http://www.esrb.org/mobile.
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Inks Lake State Park Astronomy Star Parties
View the Incredible RINGS of SATURN See enormous JUPITER & it’s 4 GALLILEAN MOONS Zoom in on the sea of Tranquility on our moon to see where ARMSTRONG’s FIRST MOONWALK HAPPENED t &WFSZ OJHIU FYDFQU 4VOEBZT BU TVOTFU GPS IPVST
t 4JU CBDL XJUI ZPVS GSJFOET GBNJMZ XBUDI PVS BTUSPOPNFST QPJOU PVU BMM NBKPS CONSTELLATIONS, SHOOTING STARS, PLANETS NPSF XJUI B QPXFSGVM HSFFO MBTFS 8FBUIFS 1FSNJUUJOH
WE ARE ALSO AVAILABLE FOR PRIVATE STAR PARTIES AT YOUR HOME OR CAMP SITE
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Join your kids on the ENORMOUS PLAYGROUND 8 Party rooms available for private parties Free WiFi
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mtplaymore
austinfamily.com | July 2014 | 35
Ten things...
for national anti-boredom month!
1Try a new workout. How about zumba, parkour or disc golf?
6 Volunteer your time. Need ideas? Visit volunteermatch.org.
2 Get on the computer. If you’re in
the mood for laughs, visit icanhascheezburger.com; if you’re looking for DIY projects, visit boredpanda.com; if you’re feeling introspective, visit marcandangel.com.
7 Pick a country and plan a virtual vacation there. Find recipes for food from that country and make a special dinner tonight.
3
8 Reorganize something: the plastic container
drawer, your sock drawer or the art supply stash.
4 Write a play and then perform it.
9 Play an outdoor game. Try one of these classics: hide and seek, four square or freeze tag.
5 Take a walk around the block or on one of
10 Pick a well-known song and rewrite the lyrics.
the Awesome Austin hiking trails. (See page 12)
THINKERY WORKSHOPS Explore creative processes with inspiring tools and materials in a small group setting. Topics vary each month. Registration required. Learn more at thinkeryaustin.org
austinfamily readers’ poll FAVORITE 1830 Simond Ave., Austin, TX 78723 36 | July 2014 | austinfamily.com
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2014
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Dance Discovery Summer Camps Tinkerbell Frozen Teen Beach Party Tangled Little Mermaid
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austinfamily.com | July 2014 | 37
austinfamily readers’ poll FAVORITE 2014 Now enrolling with new & exciting theme based units for full & part-time programs
Child Approved Daily Events Exciting Field Trips Kids’ Choice Special Interest Clubs
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38 | July 2014 | austinfamily.com
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What will your kids be doing this summer?
FILL IT UP: Whether yo u want to liv or help your en up a back ga yard bash will make qu ng cool off on a hot da y, this fast-a ite a splash . Divide kids ction game teammates in stand six fe to teams of et from on two. Have e another, one holding a small closer than six feet, they must dump and start ov out the wat er. er in the cu p
BOB & WEAVE: Build an obs tacle course! Do you have a bunch of old boxes and other weird things clogging up your gara ge? Most of us do. Put all of those ran dom items to good use by staging an obstacle course for the whole family. Place everyth ing in the backyard—make it messy and fun, then grab a stopwatch and see who can make it through the fastest.
you s and shells tting the rock among paper le an th er a drawer A JAR: Rath on get lost in in jars and turn them VACATION IN ct on vacati s lle ct co je ob lly d fu only re so ca t the foun jar, requires umbtacks, pu little mason a e lik , clips and th el ss es. A small ve e into art piec colorful tim a simple and ve ha ll u’ yo on a shelf; line them up st. y of trips pa la sp di e ul caps A SUMMER TO EXPLORE: YMCA of Austin Summer Camps are the perfect antidote to summer inactivity. The YMCA of Austin helps kids stay healthy, make friends, Austin offers 20 camp locations throughout Travis and Hays counties for kids ages 4-16: Sports Camp, Adventure Camp, Theme Camp and Kinder Camp. Visit AustinYMCA.org for details
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1975 IH-35 North 10620 N. FM 620 15524 IH-35 North New Braunfels, TX Austin, TX Austin, TX (830) 626-1971 (512) 218-9275 (512) 251-9292 1-800-RAINBOW (1-800-724-6269) www.rpsoftexas.com © 2012 Rainbow Play Systems Inc.
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For more information and to register www.EduCenter4me.com Use discount code fun4me to receive 10% off summer camp
austinfamily.com | July 2014 | 39
calendar 7/14
COMPILED BY BETTY KEMPER
family events Tuesday 1
July 4 37th Annual Fireworks Auditorium Shores
Toddler Storytime Special Performer: Elizabeth Kahura 10:30 and 11:15 a.m. Library Community Room, Cedar Park Library, 550 Discovery Blvd. FREE. cedarparktexas.gov or 512-401-5634 or 512-401-5638. Rhythm on Stage 7 p.m. The Long Center, 701 W. Riverside Dr. FREE. thelongcenter.org or 512-457-5115.
Wednesday 2
July 9 The Who’s TOMMY Zach Theater
July 11 Oklahoma! Zilker Hillside Theatre
July 30 Texas A&M’s Chemistry Road Show Round Rock Public Library
family events page 40 fourth of july events page 41 parenting events page 46 storytimes page 46 exhibits: visit www.austinfamily.com 40 | July 2014 | austinfamily.com
Art Lab 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Blanton Museum, MLK and Congress, Dell Classroom, Smith Building. Admis sion: under 12 years FREE; students and youth $5; adults $9. blantonmuseum.org or 512-471-7324. Story Time Tours 10:30 a.m. Ages 3-7 and their adult companions. Blanton Museum, MLK and Congress, Rapoport Atrium, Michener Building. Admission: under 12 years FREE; students and youth $5; adults $9. blantonmuseum.org or 512-471-7324. Deeper Dives 1 to 2:30 p.m. Recommended ages 8-13, Blanton Museum, MLK and Congress, Rapoport Atrium, Michener Building. Admission: under 12 years FREE; students and youth $5; adults $9. blantonmuseum.org or 512-471-7324. Gusto the Great 2 p.m. Ages 5 and up. Little Walnut Branch, 835 W. Rundberg Ln. FREE. library.austintexas.gov or 512-974-9860. Rhythm Path Drums 2 p.m. for ages 5 to 7 years; 3:30 p.m. ages 8 and older. Round Rock Library, 216 E. Main St., Round Rock. FREE. roundrocktexas.gov/library or 512-218-7034. Family Movie: Frozen 2:30 p.m. Library Community Room, Cedar Park Library, 550 Discovery Blvd. FREE. cedarparktexas.gov or 512-401-5634 or 512-401-5638. Music and More at Laura’s 4 p.m. Ages 5 and up and listeners welcome. Laura’s Library, 9411 Bee Cave Rd. FREE. westbanklibrary.com or 512-327-3045. Community Nights 5 to 8 p.m. Thinkery, 1830 Simond Ave. Admission is by donation, suggested $1. thinkeryaustin.org or 512-469-6200. Wednesday Night Contra Dancing 7:30 to 9:45 p.m. Everyone welcome. Hancock Recreation Center, 811 E. 41st St. FREE. austinbarndancers.org or 512-453-4225.
Thursday 3
First Thursdays—South Congress All day to 10 p.m. South Congress Ave. from Barton Springs Rd. to Elizabeth St. firstthursday.info. Thursday Noon Concerts 12 p.m. concert; 12:30 p.m. lunch. Central Presbyterian Church, 200 E. Eighth St. Concert FREE. Lunch suggested donation: children 3 and younger $3; adults $5. cpcaustin.org or 512-472-2445. School-Age Storytime Special Performer: Mad Science 1:30 and 2:30 p.m. Kids in grades K-5. Library Community Room, Cedar Park Library, 550 Discovery Blvd. FREE. cedarparktexas.gov. or 512-401-5634 or 512-401-5638. Hats 4 Dell Children 2 to 4 p.m. Round Rock Public Library, 216 E. Main St., Round Rock. FREE. We supply yarn, bring your loom. roundrocktexas.gov/library or 512-218-7012. Explorer’s Club 3:30 to 4:15 p.m. Kids in grades K-5. Cedar Park Library, 550 Discovery Blvd., Cedar Park. FREE. cedarparktexas.gov. First Thursdays—Downtown Buda 5 to 9 p.m. Downtown Buda. FREE. budachamber.com. Chalk It Up-Children’s Sidewalk Art Contest 6 to 7:30 p.m. Chalk provided. Awards for winners. Veterans’ Memorial Park, Elgin. elgintx.com or 512-285-6190. 21st Annual Unplugged at the Grove 8 p.m. Shady Grove, 1624 Barton Springs Rd. FREE. kgsr.com/unplugged or 512-474-9991.
Friday 4
Independence Day Flying Theatre Machine 10:30 a.m. Laura’s Library, 9411 Bee Cave Rd. FREE. westbanklibrary.com or 512-327-3045. First Fridays on the Square 5 to 10 p.m. Historic Downtown square. thegeorgetownsquare.com. 10th Annual Music Under The Star 6 to 9 p.m. Bullock Museum, 1800 N. Congress Ave. FREE. No coolers. Exhibits will be FREE and open to public between sets. thestoryoftexas.com or 512-936-8746. Take Me Out to the Ball Game: Round Rock Express Home Games 7:05 p.m. roundrockexpress.com or 512-255-2255. CONTINUING: Art Lab see Wednesday 2.
Austin Family is now making it easier for you to submit your calendar event. Go to www.austinfamily.com, click on “Submit your event” and send in your entry. The deadline is the 10th of each month preceding the month of the event. Events less than $15 usually are listed. For events more than $15, send details to kaye2003@austinfamily.com.
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Giant Chess 12:30 to 3 p.m. Wooldridge Square Park, 900 Guadalupe St. FREE. giantchess.org. Teen Murder Mystery 2 and 4 p.m. Ages 12-17. Library Community Room, Cedar Park Library, 550 Discovery Blvd. FREE. cedarparktexas.gov or 512-401-5634 or 512-401-5638. Bastrop Patriotic Festival 8 p.m. Fisherman’s Park, Bastrop. Marches and fireworks close the Festival. austinsymphonicband.org. CONTINUING: Take Me Out to the Ball Game see Friday 4.
fourth of july events Austin Independence Day 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Pioneer Farms, 10621 Pioneer Farms Dr. Kids 2 and older $6; adults $8. pioneerfarms.org or 512-837-1215. 37th Annual Fireworks and Symphony 8:30 p.m. Music; 9:30 p.m. Fireworks. Music and ever-popular 1812 Overture. Fireworks over Lady Bird Lake. Auditorium Shores. FREE. austinsymphony.org or 512-476-6064. Buda: Red, White and Buda 9 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Buda City Park, 204 San Antonio Rd. budachamber.com. Cedar Park 4 to 10:40 p.m. Milburn Park, 1901 Sun Chase Blvd. cedarparktexas.gov. Elgin 9:30 a.m. Push-Pedal-Pull. City Hall, 320 N. Main St. programs, Veterans’ Park, Downtown Elgin. elgintx.com or 512-285-6190. Georgetown 11 a.m. All Day. San Gabriel Park, 445 E. Morrow. FREE. georgetownsertoma.org. Kyle 6 p.m. Plum Creek Golf Course and Hays CISD PAC. FREE. cityofkyle.com/recreation. Leander 5 to 10 p.m. Family event. Liberty Fest. FREE. leandertx.gov. New Braunfels 6:30 p.m. All ages. Fireworks over Landa Lake. FREE. innewbraunfels.com. Pflugerville Pfirecracker Pfestival 3 p.m. to 11 p.m. Lake Pflugerville. FREE. pflugervilletx.gov. Round Rock Frontier Days Celebration and Sertoma Parade 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. Old Settlers Park. FREE. roundrocktexas.gov or austinsymphonicband.org. San Marcos Summerfest 6 to 10 p.m. San Marcos Plaza Park. FREE. sanmarcostx.gov. Taylor Annual 4th of July Festival 7 to 10 p.m. Third annual Rubber Duck Races. Murphy Park. FREE. ci.taylor.tx.us.
Saturday 5
Bastrop Annual Pet and Pal Parade 9 a.m. Downtown Bastrop. bastropdba.org/pets or 512-718-1504. Imagination Playground 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Republic Square Farmer’s Market. FREE. austinparks.org/childrens-programs.
Sunday 6
Free First Sunday 12 to 6 p.m. Bullock State History Museum, 1800 Congress Ave. FREE. thestoryoftexas.com or 512-936-8746. Kids Chess Open Play 1:30-3 p.m. All ages and abilities. Library Community Room, Cedar Park Library, 550 Discovery Blvd. FREE. cedarparktexas.gov or 512-401-5634 or 512-401-5638. Gusto the Great 2 p.m. Ages 5 and up. Faulk Central, 800 Guadalupe St. FREE. library.austintexas.gov or 512-974-7400. Annual Splash Movies Dusk. Deep Eddy Pool. Under 12 months FREE; children 1 to 11, $1; juniors 12 to 17, $2; adults 18 to 61, $3; seniors 62+, $1. deepeddy.org. CONTINUING: Take Me Out to the Ball Game see Friday 4. continued on page 42
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Monday 7
The Tap Experience with Terrence “Taps” Bennett 2 p.m. Ages 5 and up. 7/7 at Park Branch, 7/9 at Oak Hill Branch, 7/12 at Howson Branch, 7/15 at Southeast Branch, 7/17 at University Hills Branch. FREE. library.austintexas.gov or 512-974-9840. Open Chess 5 p.m. Kids and adults. Kids under 8 require an adult in the library. Laura’s Library, 9411 Bee Cave Rd. FREE. westbanklibrary.com or 512-327-3045. Schave and Reilly 6:30 to 7:15 p.m. Round Rock Public Library, Room C, 216 E. Main St., Round Rock. FREE. roundrocktexas.gov/library or 512-218-7021. CONTINUED: Take Me Out to the Ball Game see Friday 4.
Tuesday 8
Toddler Storytime Special Performer: The Tap Dance Man 10:30 and 11 a.m. Library Community Room, Cedar Park Library, 550 Discovery Blvd. FREE. cedarparktexas.gov or 512-401-5634 or 512-401-5638. Just for Tweens: Scavenger Hunt 4 to 6 p.m. Only kids in grades 4-6. Must pre-register. Library Community Room, Cedar Park Library, 550 Discovery Blvd. FREE. cedarparktexas.gov or 512-401-5634 or 512-401-5638. Family Summer Game Nights 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. All ages welcome. Recreation Center Community Room, Cedar Park. $15 per
family (up to 5 members), $3 each additional member. cedarparktexas.gov or 512-401-5634 or 512-401-5638. Family Game Night 6:30 p.m. Laura’s Library, 9411 Bee Cave Rd. FREE. westbanklibrary.com or 512-327-3045. CONTINUING: Rhythm on Stage see Tuesday 1; Take Me Out to the Ball Game see Friday 4.
Wednesday 9
Children’s Day Art Park 9 a.m. Symphony Square, 1101 Red River St. 50 cents a child (adults free when accompanied by a child). No pets. austinsymphony.org. Cartooning with Mike Artell 2:30 p.m. Teens and Tweens (ages 7+) Round Rock Public Library, 216 E. Main St., Round Rock. FREE. roundrocktexas.gov/library or 512-218-7034. Family Movie: Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs 2 2:30 p.m. Library Community Room, Cedar Park Library, 550 Discovery Blvd. FREE. cedarparktexas.gov or 512-401-5634 or 512-401-5638. The Who’s TOMMY 7:30 p.m. Wednesday to Saturday; 2:30 p.m. Sunday. Zach Theatre, 1510 Toomey Rd. zachtheatre.org or 512-476-0541. CONTINUING: Community Nights see Wednesday 2; Wednesday Night Contra Dancing see Wednesday 2; Children’s Day Art Park see Wednesday 9; Art Lab see Wednesday 2; Deeper Dives see Wednesday 2; Story Time Tours see Wednesday 2; Music and More at Laura’s see Wednesday 2; Take Me Out to the Ball Game see Friday 4; The Tap Experience with Terrence “Taps” Bennett see Monday 7.
Thursday 10
School-Age Storytime Special Performer: John O’Bryant, Magician 1:30 and 2:30 p.m. Kids in grades K-5. Library Community Room, Cedar Park Library, 550 Discovery Blvd. FREE. cedarparktexas.gov or 512-401-5634 or 512-401-5638. Super Smash Bros Brawl Tournament 2 p.m. All ages. 7/10 at Cepeda Branch, 7/12 at Howson Branch, 7/18 at Windsor Park Branch, 7/19 at Milwood Branch, 7/21 at Ruiz Branch, 7/25 at Terrazas Branch, 7/26 at Carver Branch, 7/30 at Old Quarry Branch, 7/31 at Pleasant Hill Branch. FREE. library.austintexas.gov or 512-974-7372. Crafternoon 2 p.m. Faulk Central Library, 800 Guadalupe St. FREE. library.austintexas.gov or 512-974-7379. Do or DIY: Sequential Art 3:30 p.m. Ages tween and teen. Laura’s Library, 9411 Bee Cave Rd. FREE. westbanklibrary.com or 512-327-3045. Nature Nights 5 to 8 p.m. Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, 4801 La Crosse Ave. FREE. wildflower.org or 512-232-0100. CONTINUING: Story Time Tours see Wednesday 2; Explorer’s Club see Thursday 3; Thursday Noon Concerts see Thursday 3; 21st Annual Unplugged at the Grove see Thursday 3; Hats 4 Dell Children see Thursday 3; Take Me Out to the Ball Game see Friday 4; The Who’s TOMMY see Wednesday 9.
42 | July 2014 | austinfamily.com
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Friday 11
Movies in the Morning presents “Dear John” (PG-13) 10 a.m. Library Community Room, Cedar Park Library, 550 Discovery Blvd. FREE. cedarparktexas.gov or 512-401-5634 or 512-401-5638. Hey Lolly Puppet Show 10:30 a.m. Laura’s Library, 9411 Bee Cave Rd. FREE. westbanklibrary.com or 512-327-3045. Art and Craft Group 2 to 4 p.m. Lago Vista Library, 5803 Thunderbird, Ste. 40, Lago Vista FREE. lagovista.lib.tx.us or 512-267-3868. Music in the Park 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. Kristyn Harris. Pfluger Park, 515 City Park Rd., Pflugerville. FREE. tx-pflugerville3. civicplus.com. Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Oklahoma 8:30 p.m. Zilker Hillside Theatre, 2100 Barton Springs Rd. FREE. zilker.org or 512-477-8672. Movies in the Park: Little Mermaid 8:30 p.m. Taylor Regional Park and Sports Complex, Carlos G. Parker Blvd. Loop, Taylor. FREE. taylortx.gov or 512-365-7669, ext.10. CONTINUING: Art Lab see Wednesday 2; Deeper Dives see Wednesday 2; Story Time Tours see Wednesday 2; 10th Annual Music Under The Star see Friday 4; The Who’s TOMMY see Wednesday 9; Flying Theatre Machine see Friday 4.
Saturday 12
Bright Leaf Hikes 9 to 11:30 a.m. Bright Leaf Preserve, Creek Mountain Rd. brightleaf.org or 512-459-7269. Gault Archaeological Site Tours 9 a.m. Williamson Museum, 716 S. Austin Ave. Children 10 and under FREE; tour price $10. williamsonmuseum.org or 512-943-1670. Pine Street Market Days 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Downtown Historic Bastrop at Main and Pine Streets. bastroptexas.net or 512-303-6233. Hands on History 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. All ages. Williamson Museum, 716 South Austin Ave. FREE for children. williamsonmuseum.org or 512-943-1670. Teen Free-Play Gaming 1 to 4 p.m. Ages 10 to 17. Library Community Room, Cedar Park Library, 550 Discovery Blvd. FREE and snacks provided. cedarparktexas.gov or 512-401-5634 or 512-401-5638. Peter and the Piper 2 and 4 p.m. Saturday 12 and 19; 2 p.m. Sunday 13 and 20. The Long Center, 701 W. Riverside Dr. $11. thelongcenter.org or 512-457-5115. Splash! Living Springs Full Moon Film Series 8:30 p.m. Front porch of the Bathhouse at Barton Springs. FREE. austintexas.gov or 512-471-1466. CONTINUING: Giant Chess see Saturday 5; The Tap Experience with Terrence “Taps” Bennett see Monday 7; Super Smash Bros Brawl Tournament see Thursday 10; The Who’s TOMMY see Wednesday 9; Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Oklahoma see Friday 11.
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Sunday 13
Petanque 1 to 5 p.m. French Legation Museum, 802 San Marcos St. frenchlegationmuseum.org. continued on page 44
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continued from page 43
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12th Annual Concerts in the Park 7:30 p.m. The Hartman Concert Park in front of the Long Center Terrace. FREE. Free parking at One Texas Center on Barton Springs Rd. austinsymphony.org. CONTINUING: Annual Splash Movies see Sunday 6; Peter and the Piper see Saturday 12; Bright Leaf Hikes see Saturday 12; The Who’s TOMMY see Wednesday 9; Annual Splash Movies see Sunday 6; Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Oklahoma see Friday 11.
Monday 14
Bastille Day CONTINUING: Open Chess see Monday 7.
Tuesday 15 Educational Enrichment Summer Camps & After School Programs
CONTINUING: Rhythm on Stage see Tuesday 1; The Tap Experience with Terrence “Taps” Bennett see Monday 7.
Wednesday 16
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Family Movie: Big Miracle 2:30 p.m. Library Community Room, Cedar Park Library, 550 Discovery Blvd. FREE. cedarparktexas.gov or 512-401-5634 or 512-401-5638. Austin Sound and Cinema 6 p.m. Long Center Lawn, 701 W. Riverside Dr. FREE. thelongcenter.org or 512-457-5115. CONTINUING: Community Nights see Wednesday 2; Wednesday Night Contra Dancing see Wednesday 2; Art Lab see Wednesday 2; Deeper Dives see Wednesday 2; Story Time Tours see
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Wednesday 2; Children’s Day Art Park see Wednesday 9; The Who’s TOMMY see Wednesday 9.
Thursday 17
Third Thursday at the Blanton 12 to 8 p.m. Blanton Museum, Congress Ave. and Martin King Blvd. Admission and programs are FREE. blantonmuseum.org or 512-471-5482. School-Age Storytime Special Performer: Austin Zoo 1:30 and 2:30 p.m. Kids in grades K-5. Library Community Room, Cedar Park Library, 550 Discovery Blvd. FREE. cedarparktexas.gov or 512-401-5634 or 512-401-5638. The Magic Dork John O’Bryant 2 p.m. ages 4 to 8; 3 p.m. ages 8 to 12; 4 p.m. ages 12 and older. Round Rock Public Library, 216 E. Main St., Round Rock. FREE. roundrocktexas.gov/library or 512-218-7011. CONTINUING: Music and More at Laura’s see Wednesday 2; Story Time Tours see Wednesday 2; Explorer’s Club see Thursday 3; Thursday Noon Concerts see Thursday 3; 21st Annual Unplugged at the Grove see Thursday 3; Hats 4 Dell Children see Thursday 3; Take Me Out to the Ball Game see Saturday 4; Nature Nights see Thursday 10; Do or DIY: Sequential Art see Thursday 10; The Tap Experience with Terrence “Taps” Bennett see Monday 7; The Who’s TOMMY see Wednesday 9; Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Oklahoma see Friday 11.
Friday 18
Laura Freeman and The Hey Lollies 9:30 a.m. for toddlers and parents; 10:30 a.m. for preschoolers and parents. Round Rock Public Library, 216 E. Main St., Round Rock. FREE. roundrocktexas.gov/library or 512-218-7011. 64th Annual Taylor Rodeo and BBQ Cook Off 6 p.m. to midnight. 210 Carlos Parker Rd., Taylor. Adults $12 advance, $15 at the gate; children 6 to 12 $10 advance, $12 at the gate; children 5 and under FREE. taylorrodeo.com CONTINUING: Art Lab see Wednesday 2; Deeper Dives see Wednesday 2; Story Time Tours see Wednesday 2; 10th Annual Music Under The Star see Friday 4; Take Me Out to the Ball Game see Friday 4; The Who’s TOMMY see Wednesday 9; Flying Theatre Machine see Friday 4; Super Smash Bros Brawl Tournament see Thursday 10; Hey Lolly Puppet Show see Friday 11; Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Oklahoma see Friday 11.
Saturday 19
Beach Party 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. All ages. Elgin Memorial Park, Elgin. elgintx.com or 512-281-5724. Family Storytime 11 a.m. Round Rock Public Library, Room A. 216 E. Main St., Round Rock. FREE. roundrocktexas.gov/library or 512-218-7011. Bluegrass in the Park 1 to 10 p.m. Family fun for all ages. Haley Nelson Park Amphitheater, 301 Garden Trails, Burnet. FREE. cityofburnet.com or 512-756-2402. Anime Club 1 p.m. Ages 10-17. Library Community Room, Cedar Park Library, 550 Discovery Blvd. FREE. cedarparktexas.gov or 512-401-5634 or 512-401-5638.
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Magic At The Capitol-International Brotherhood of Magicians 2 p.m. Children; 7 p.m. Family. Scottish Rite Theater, 207 W. 18th St. Child $5 for matinee, $15 for evening; adult $10 for matinee, $20 for evening. scottishritetheater.org or 512-472-5436. Laura’s Library 5th Birthday Party 2 p.m. Laura’s Library, 9411 Bee Cave Rd. FREE. westbanklibrary.com or 512-327-3045. Pokemon All Ages Game Day 2:30 to 8:30 p.m. Leander Public Library, 1011 S. Bagdad Rd., Conference Room C. FREE. leander.lib.tx.us or 512-259-5259. Friday Family Films: Frozen 4 p.m. Laura’s Library, 9411 Bee Cave Rd. FREE. westbanklibrary.com or 512-327-3045. CONTINUING: Take Me Out to the Ball Game see Friday 4; The Who’s TOMMY see Wednesday 9; Super Smash Bros Brawl Tournament see Thursday 10th; Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Oklahoma see Friday 11; Peter and the Piper see Saturday 12; 64th Annual Taylor Rodeo and BBQ Cook Off see Friday 18.
Sunday 20
CONTINUING: Take Me Out to the Ball Game see Friday 4; Annual Splash Movies see Sunday 6; The Who’s TOMMY see Wednesday 9; Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Oklahoma see Friday 11; Peter and the Piper see Saturday 12; 12th Annual Concerts in the Park see Sunday 13.
Monday 21
CONTINUED: Super Smash Bros Brawl Tournament see Thursday 10.
Tuesday 22
Toddler Storytime Special Performer: Puppet Show 10:30 and 11:15 a.m. Library Community Room, Cedar Park Library, 550 Discovery Blvd. FREE. cedarparktexas.gov or 512-401-5634 or 512-401-5638. Just for Tweens: Circuit Building with PEC 3 p.m. You must pre-register. Library Community Room, Cedar Park Library, 550 Discovery Blvd. FREE. cedarparktexas.gov or 512-401-5634 or 512-401-5638. CONTINUING: Rhythm on Stage see Tuesday 1; Family Summer Game Nights see Tuesday 8.
Wednesday 23
Family Movie: Lego Movie 2:30 p.m. Library Community Room, Cedar Park Library, 550 Discovery Blvd. FREE. cedarparktexas.gov or 512-401-5634 or 512-401-5638. CONTINUING: Community Nights see Wednesday 2; Wednesday Night Contra Dancing see Wednesday 2; Art Lab see Wednesday 2; Deeper Dives see Wednesday 2; Story Time Tours see Wednesday 2; Children’s Day Art Park see Wednesday 9; The Who’s TOMMY see Wednesday 9.
Thursday 24
CONTINUING: Explorer’s Club see Thursday 3; Thursday Noon Concerts see Thursday 3; Story Time Tours see Wednesday 2; Music and More at Laura’s see Wednesday 2; 21st Annual Unplugged at the Grove see Thursday 3; Hats 4 Dell Children see Thursday 3; Do or DIY: Sequential Art
see Thursday 10; Nature Nights see Thursday 10; The Who’s TOMMY see Wednesday 9; Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Oklahoma see Friday 11; Crafternoon see Thursday 10.
Friday 25
“Too Many Stories” A Children’s Musical by Scottish Rite Theatre 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. Pfluger Park, 515 City Park, Pflugerville. FREE. tx-pflugerville3.civicplus.com. CONTINUING: Art Lab see Wednesday 2; Deeper Dives see Wednesday 2; Story Time Tours see Wednesday 2; 10th Annual Music Under The Star see Friday 4; Super Smash Bros Brawl Tournament see Thursday 10th; Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Oklahoma see Friday 11; Art and Craft Group see Friday 11; Hey Lolly Puppet Show see Friday 11; The Who’s TOMMY see Wednesday 9; Flying Theatre Machine see Friday 4.
Saturday 26
Super Smash Bros Brawl Tournament 2 p.m. All ages. Carver Branch, 1161 Angelina St. FREE. library.austintexas.gov or 512-974-1010. TEEN Superheroes Assemble! Party 2 p.m. Ages 12-17. Library Community Room, Cedar Park Library, 550 Discovery Blvd. FREE. cedarparktexas.gov or 512-401-5634 or 512-401-5638. CONTINUING: The Who’s TOMMY see Wednesday 9; Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Oklahoma see Friday 11.
Sunday 27
Parent’s Day Annual Tribute Day Lady Bird Johnson 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wildflower Center, 4801 La Crosse Ave. FREE. wildflower.org or 512-232-0100. CONTINUING: Annual Splash Movies see Sunday 6; The Who’s TOMMY see Wednesday 9; Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Oklahoma see Friday 11; 12th Annual Concerts in the Park see Sunday 13; Petanque see Sunday 13.
Monday 28
Bricks 4 Kidsz 10 a.m. Ages 3 and up. Round Rock Public Library, 216 E. Main St., Round Rock. FREE. roundrocktexas.gov/library or 512-218-7011.
Tuesday 29
Toddler Storytime Special Performer: Stacy Gray 10:30 and 11 a.m. Library Community Room, Cedar Park Library, 550 Discovery Blvd. FREE. cedarparktexas.gov or 512-401-5634 or 512-401-5638. Just for Tweens: Cupcake Decorating Class 3 p.m. Grades 4-6. Must pre-register. Library Community Room, Cedar Park Library, 550 Discovery Blvd. FREE. cedarparktexas.gov or 512-401-5634 or 512-401-5638. Trailer Food Tuesdays 5 to 9 p.m. The Long Center, 701 W. Riverside Dr. thelongcenter.org. Curious About Home Schooling 6:30 p.m. Laura’s Library, 9411 Bee Cave Rd. FREE. westbanklibrary.com or 512-327-3045. CONTINUING: Take Me Out to the Ball Game see Friday 4. continued on page 46
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continued from page 45
Wednesday 30
Texas A&M’s Chemistry Road Show 1 p.m. ages 5 to 8; 3:30 p.m. ages 8 and up including teens. Round Rock Public Library, 216 E. Main St., Round Rock. FREE but must have ticket. Register for advance tickets beginning July 16. roundrocktexas.gov/library or 512-218-3279. Family Movie: Meet the Robinsons 2:30 p.m. Library Community Room, Cedar Park Library, 550 Discovery Blvd. FREE. cedarparktexas.gov or 512-401-5634 or 512-401-5638. CONTINUING: Community Nights see Wednesday 2; Wednesday Night Contra Dancing see Wednesday 2; Art Lab see Wednesday 2; Deeper Dives see Wednesday 2; Story Time Tours see Wednesday 2; Austin Sound and Cinema see Wednesday 2; Children’s Day Art Park see Wednesday 9; The Who’s TOMMY see Wednesday 9; Super Smash Bros Brawl Tournament see Thursday 10; Austin Sound and Cinema see Wednesday 16.
Thursday 31
Float Your Boat 2 p.m. Tweens age 8 to 12. Round Rock Public Library, Room C, 216 E. Main St., Round Rock. FREE. roundrocktexas.gov/library or 512-218-7034. School-Age Storytime Special Perfomer: Bonzo Crunch 2:30 p.m. Library Community Room, Cedar Park Library, 550 Discovery Blvd. FREE. cedarparktexas.gov or 512-401-5634 or 512-401-5638.
CONTINUING: Story Time Tours see Wednesday 2; Deeper Dives see Wednesday 2; Music and More at Laura’s see Wednesday 2; Explorer’s Club see Thursday 3; Thursday Noon Concerts see Thursday 3; 21st Annual Unplugged at the Grove see Thursday 3; Take Me Out to the Ball Game see Friday 4; The Who’s TOMMY see Wednesday 9; Do or DIY: Sequential Art see Thursday 10; Super Smash Bros Brawl Tournament see Thursday 10; Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Oklahoma see Friday 11.
parenting events Tuesday 1
La Leche League Held at multiple locations in Austin, Round Rock, Georgetown, Kyle, San Marcos and Cedar Park. For locations and times visit texaslll.org or 512-272-8042.
Thursday 3
Postpartum Support Group 10 to 11:30 a.m. Every Thursday. Any Baby Can, 1121 East Seventh St. anybabycan.org or 512-454-3743.
storytimes Public library story time events listed here are free unless otherwise noted. Programs subject to change. Please contact before attending.
Tuesday 1
Children’s Story Time 10 to 10:30 a.m. French Legation Museum, 802 San Marcos St. FREE. frenchlegationmuseum.org or 512-472-8180. Chinese Bilingual Storytime 10:30 to 11 a.m. Round Rock Public Library, 216 E. Main, Round Rock. roundrocktexas.gov/library or 512-218-3279.
Sundays
Storytimes Go to website for various events, locations, age groups, dates and times. Austin Public Library. FREE. library.austintexas.gov or 512-974-7400.
Mondays
Baby Bloomers 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Ages 0 to 3 and their caregivers. Thinkery, 1830 Simond Ave. Included with museum admission. thinkeryaustin.org or 512-469-6200. Pre-K Storytime 9:30 a.m. Leander Public Library, 1011 S. Bagdad Rd. leander.lib.tx.us or 512-259-5259. Baby Time 10 a.m. Ages 3 to 18 months. Pflugerville Public Library, 1008 W. Pfluger St. pflugervilletx.gov or 512-990-6375. Infant Storytime 10:30 a.m. Birth to 1 year. Laura’s Library, 9411 Bee Cave Rd. westbanklibrary.com or 512-327-3045. Bookaneers 10:30 a.m. Ages 4 to 6 years. Lake Travis Community Library, 2300 Lohman’s Spur, Suite 100. laketravislibrary.org or 512-263-2885.
46 | July 2014 | austinfamily.com
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Bookworms 10:30 a.m. Ages 0 to 18 months. 11:15 a.m. 12 to 24 months. Wells Branch Library, 15001 Wells Port Dr. wblibrary.org or 512-989-3188. Bilingual Storytime Kites/Barriletes 11:00 a.m. Pflugerville Public Library, 1008 W. Pfluger St. pflugervilletx.gov or 512-990-6375. Preschool Storytime 12:30 p.m. Ages 3 to 5 years. Laura’s Library, 9411 Bee Cave Rd. westbanklibrary.com or 512-327-3045. Preschool Storytime 7 p.m. Ages 3 to 6. Library closed Monday 26. Round Rock Public Library, 216 Main St. roundrocktexas.gov/library or 512-218-7011.
Tuesdays
Toddler/Preschool Storytimes Go to website for various events, locations, age groups, dates and times. Austin Public Library. library.austintexas.gov or 512-974-7400. Baby and Me 9:30 a.m. Ages 24 months and under with parent. Leander Public Library, 1011 S. Bagdad Rd. leander.lib.tx.us or 512-259-5259. Baby and Me 9:30 a.m. Ages 0 to 12 months. Georgetown Public Library, 420 W. 8th St. library.georgetown.org or 512-930-3623. Storytime 10 a.m. and 11 a.m. Pflugerville Public Library, 1008 W. Pfluger St. pflugervilletx.gov or 512-990-6375. Dual Language Storytime—Hora de cuentos en dos idiomas 10:15 a.m. St. John Branch, 7500 Blessing Ave. library.austintexas.gov or 512-974-8840. Tales for Tots 10:30 a.m. Toddlers ages 2 and 3 years. Lake Travis Community Library. 2300 Lohman’s Spur, Suite 100. laketravislibrary.org or 512-263-2885. Preschool Storytime 10:30 a.m. Ages 3 to 5 years. Westbank Library, 1309 Westbank Dr. westbanklibrary.com or 512-327-3045. Little Texas Homeschoolers 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Wells Branch Community Library, 15001 Wells Port Dr. wblibrary.org or 512-989-3188. Afternoon Storytime 3:30 p.m. All ages, bring the family. Westbank Library, 1309 Westbank Dr. westbanklibrary.com or 512-327-3045. Afternoon Storytime 4 p.m. All ages, bring the family. Laura’s library, 9411 Bee Cave Rd. westbanklibrary.com or 512-327-3045. Storytime and Craft 6 and 7 p.m. Families with kids of all ages. Tickets required. Limit of 24 kids per class. Wells Branch Community Library, 15001 Wells Port Dr. wblibrary.org or 512-989-3188.
Wednesdays
Toddler Storytime Go to website for various events, locations, age groups, dates and times. Austin Public Library. library.austintexas.gov or 512-974-7400. Babytime 9:30 to 10 a.m. 12 to 18 months. Round Rock
Public Library, 216 Main St. roundrocktexas.gov/library or 512-218-7011. Preschool Storytime 9:30 and 10:30 a.m. 3 years and older. Round Rock Public Library, 216 Main St. roundrocktexas.gov/library or 512-218-7011. Toddlertime 9:30 and 10:30 a.m. 18 to 36 months. Round Rock Public Library, 216 Main St. roundrocktexas.gov/library or 512-218-7011. Wobbles Storytime 9:30 a.m. Ages 1 to 2 years. Georgetown Public Library, 420 W. 8th St. library.georgetown.org or 512-930-3623. Pre-K Storytime 10 to 10:30 a.m. Leander Public Library, 1011 S. Bagdad Rd. leander.lib.tx.us or 512-259-5259. Dual Language Storytime—Hora de cuentos en dos idiomas 10:15 a.m. Southeast Branch, 5803 Nuckols Crossing Rd. library.austintexas.gov or 512-974-8840. Dual Language Storytime—Hora de cuentos en dos idiomas 10:15 a.m. Ruiz Branch, 1600 Grove Blvd. library.austintexas.gov or 512-974-87500. Story Pals Storytime 10:30 a.m. Ages 3 years and older. Georgetown Public Library, 420 W. 8th St. library.georgetown.org or 512-930-3623. Tot Time Storytime 10:30 a.m. Ages 1 to 3 years. Westbank Library, 1309 Westbank Dr. westbanklibrary.com or 512-327-3045. Tot Time Storytime 10:30 a.m. Ages 1 to 3 years. Laura’s Library, 9411 Bee Cave Rd. westbanklibrary.com or 512-327-3045. Book Babies 10:30 a.m. 3 to 24 months. Lake Travis Com munity Library, 2300 Lohman’s Spur, Suite 100. laketravislibrary.org or 512-263-2885. Storytime with Mr. George 11 a.m. Barnes & Noble, 14010 US Hwy 183. barnesandnoble.com or 512-249-5644. Chess Club 2 to 3 p.m. Faulk Central Library, 800 Guadalupe St. library.austintexas.gov or 512-974-7400. Afternoon Storytime 4:00 p.m. Laura’s Library, 9411 Bee Caves Rd. westbanklibrary.com or 512-327-3045. Arts and Crafts 6 p.m. 8 and older with adult. Wells Branch Community Library, 15001 Wells Port Dr. wblibrary.org or 512-989-3188.
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Thursdays
Spanish Storytime Go to website for various events, locations, age groups, dates and times. Austin Public Library. library.austintexas.gov or 512-974-7400. Babytime 9:30 a.m. Newborn to 1 year. Round Rock Public Library, 216 E. Main St. roundrocktexas.gov/library or 512-218-3279. Wobbles Storytime 9:30 a.m. Ages 1 to 2 years. Georgetown Public Library, 420 W. 8th St. library.georgetown.org or 512-930-3623.
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continued on page 48
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continued from page 47
Dual Language Storytime—Hora de cuentos en dos idiomas 10:15 Pleasant Hill Branch, 211 E. William Cannon Dr. library.austintexas.gov or 512-974-3940. Infant Storytime 10:30 a.m. Birth to 1 year. Laura’s Library, 9411 Bee Cave Rd. westbanklibrary.com or 512-327-3045. Story Pals Storytime 10:30 a.m. Ages 3 years and older. Georgetown Public Library, 420 W. 8th St. library.georgetown.org or 512-930-3623. Spanish Storytime 10:30 a.m. All ages. Laura’s Library, 9411 Bee Cave Rd. westbanklibrary.com or 512-327-3045. Preschool Storytime 10:30 a.m. 3 years and older. Round Rock Public Library, 216 E. Main St., Round Rock. roundrocktexas.gov/library or 512-218-7012. Toddlertime 10:30 a.m. 18 months to 3 years. Round Rock Public Library, 216 E. Main St. roundrocktexas.gov/library or 512-218-7011. Story Crafternoon 3:30 to 4:15 p.m. Ages grades K to 5. Pflugerville Public Library, 1008 W. Pfluger St. pflugervilletx.gov or 512-990-6375.
Fridays
Toddler/Preschool Storytimes Go to website for various events, locations, age groups, dates and times. Austin Public Library. cityofaustin.org/library or 512-974-7400. Community Storytime 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. Leander Public Library, 1011 S. Bagdad Rd. leander.lib.tx.us or 512-259-5259. Babytime 9:30 a.m. 12 to 18 months. Round Rock Public Library, 216 E. Main St. roundrocktexas.gov/library or 512-218-3279. Community Storytime 9:30 a.m. Leander Public Library, 1011 S. Bagdad Rd. leander.lib.tx.us or 512-259-5259. Briarcliff Storytime 10 a.m. All ages. Briarcliff Community Center, 22801 Briarcliff Dr. laketravislibrary.org or 512-263-2885.
Story Time 10 a.m. All ages. Lake Travis Library, 2300 Lohman’s Spur, Suite 100. laketravislibrary.org or 512-263-2885. Dual Language Storytime—Hora de cuentos en dos idiomas 10:15 a.m. Southeast Branch, 5803 Nuckols Crossing Rd. library.austintexas.gov or 512-974-8840. Toddlertime 10:30 a.m. 18 months to 3 years. Round Rock Public Library, 216 E. Main St. roundrocktexas.gov/library or 512-218-7011. Toddler Storytime 10:30 a.m. Ages 18 to 36 months. Wells Branch Community Library, 15001 Wells Port Dr. FREE. wblibrary.org or 512-989-3188. Preschool Storytime 11:15 a.m. Ages 3 to 5 years. Wells Branch Community Library, 15001 Wells Port Dr. wblibrary.org or 512-989-3188.
Saturdays
Baby Bloomers 9 to 10 a.m. Ages 0 to 3 and their caregivers. Thinkery, 1830 Simond Ave. Included with museum admission. thinkeryaustin.org or 512-469-6200. Saturday Storytime 11 a.m. Barnes & Noble, 14010 US Hwy 183. barnesandnoble.com or 512-249-5644. Family Storytime 11 a.m. Round Rock Public Library, 216 E. Main St. roundrocktexas.gov/library or 512-218-3279.
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book recommendations
For Older Readers
by Pam Heller
For Younger Readers Boom, Snot, Twitty by Doreen Cronin Three friends are going on a picnic: Boom the Bear, Snot the Snail and Twitty the Robin. They each have different ideas, opinions and personalities. Where should they go? What should they do as a storm approaches? How do they handle what’s happening around them as the day unfolds? And what about the pink yarn Twitty is crocheting? Oh, did I not mention that “character?” This is a wonderful, life-afsimple joys that can be found in any day. Ages 2 to 5. Happy by Mies van Hout Happy, sad, scared, delighted…a single word can elicit an immediate emotional response to an adult with a lifetime of experiences. But to a young child, experiencing emotion is new territory. This book illustrates each emotion by creating its own unique, colora childlike execution with the marvelous, artistic expression of the inspired author/illustrator. Get out the pastels and black construction paper for a follow up discussion and artistic exploration of emotions. Ages 3 and up—because middle school and high school are emotional times, too!
by Ashley Spires This is a story of creativity, enthusiasm, artistic pursuit and—perhaps the most important key to success—perseverance. A young, aspiring inventor pulls her wagon She envisions the possibility of an amazing creation. After drawing plans, building, tweaking and experiencing many failed entices her to take a walk. This results in a fresh start, which leads itself nicely to pulling together a discussion of math, science, technology, ecology and artistic design. Ages 5 to 9. The Grudge Keeper by Mara Rockliff In the town of Bonnyripple, only one person is given the task of holding onto grudges— not his own, everyone else’s. This is an original fairytale told through humorous vignettes, each resulting in the characters bles on pieces of paper. These complaints are handed over to Cornelius, the grudge keeper. One day a terrible wind hits the town, damaging Cornelius’s cottage and mixing and tossing the grudges in disarray. When the townspeople “storm” up to Corneunfolds. The townspeople help with the cleanup, putting grudges aside and mending hurt feelings. After all, holding grudges is a bad thing. Ages 6 to 10.
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films by Jack Kyser
Coming Soon to Theaters Earth to Echo (Rated PG, Opening July 4)—Just in time for the July 4th holiday is Earth to Echo, a new who receive signals on their cell phones, leading them to an extra-terrestrial. Earth to Echo is a “found footage” movie (the popularized by Chronicle, Paranormal Activspired summer alien movies (such as J.J. Abrams’s great Super 8 from three years ago), but I hope the action in Earth to Echo Jupiter Ascending (Not Yet Rated, Opening July 18)—Jupiter Ascending is this summer’s only other major being Edge of Tomorrow). Directed by Andy and Lana Wachowski (The Matrix), whose Cloud Atlas wasn’t nearly as popular as it Tatum and Mila Kunis. Here’s hoping that an chowskis’s willingness to take risks will help Jupiter Ascending succeed this summer.
PHOTOGRAPHY Call: 512-270-0750 tiffany@Studio213.net www.Studio213.net AMAZING FAMILY & PERSONAL PORTRAITS
Jack Kyser, a graduate of Austin High School, is currently attending and writing for New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts.
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humor by Susana Fletcher
Ah, the cheap thrills of childhood My child wants a Lego Mindstorms kit. He’s a teensy bit obsessed with getting one. He’s been watching YouTube videos on all the amazing things that Lego Mindstorms can do. Go ahead, Google it….Yeah, you read that right. $350. In his room right now are bins of Legos, Hexbugs and their habitats, K’nex, Beyblades, Erector sets, microscopes, science and chemistry kits in every shape and size, a Kindle Fire, board games, sports equipment, and way more books than I ever read in college. I’m pretty sure I can count the number of toys from my childhood on one hand. When I was his age, you want to know my favorite toy? A pile of bricks in the backyard. Best toy ever. My sister and I, along with my four brothers, would concoct some new plan for the bricks, draw up blue prints, and go to town, using the smaller siblings as worker ants. We made brick forts for war, leaving small gaps in construction to push our stick guns through, with peep holes a mini-golf course, with rocks and sticks for our balls and putters. So there you go. That’s three of a stuffed animal or two. And my aunt bought me
a Barbie for my 13th birthday, because I had never owned one. (We had some good times, California Dream Barbie, when no one was watching. Thanks, Auntie.) When I talk about my childhood—and consider it the best ever, because it was—it sometimes hits me that I didn’t have a “real” Cabbage Patch Doll (the fake ones don’t count), or a thousand My Little Ponies like my other 80s-kid friends. The sting lasts about four seconds, and then I remember my brothers dropping bricks on each others’ feet, and I laugh and laugh. Oh, bricksies. You were good toys. As for my kid with the aspirations for programmable software and Lego hardware to create robots for world domination? He’s taking out the trash and mowing the lawn to earn the money. And if he gets bored with his other toys in the meantime, there’s a scrap wood pile in the garage that’s calling his name. ForParenting.com, then it’s probably because she’s in her son’s room playing with his awesome toys.
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