North Texas Kids November 2009 by North Texas Kids

North Texas Your Family Guide to Raising Happy, Healthy Kids

November 2009

FREE

In this issue:

www.northtexaskids.com

Jessica McNeme, 7th grade

Empowering Smiles Through Volunteering / Hockey Grows Deep Roots in Texas / Are There Homeless Families in North Texas? / November Calendar of Events

North Texas Kids • November 2009 • www.NorthTexasKids.com

Contents November

Volume 7 No. 11

Family Finds Renewed Hope for their Son

Stretchin’ Dollars & Spendin’ Sense

Empowering Smiles & Learning Through Volunteering

Holiday Shopping Guide

Are There Homeless Families in North Texas?

Back to School Enrichment Guide

Lions and Tigers and Cougars… Oh My!

Tutoring & Educational Services

H1N1 (Swine Flu): Current Information

Family Resource Guide

Mother & Daughter Team Up to Volunteer

Alexandria’s Book Review

November Calendar of Events

Index Of Advertisers

8 9

New Product offers Comfort and Pride to New Dads

North Texas Kids • November 2009 • www.NorthTexasKids.com

Thanksgiving Anagram

Kids in the Kitchen: Pumpkin Chip Muffins

Fun Important Dates

Leaves Are Falling Song

Craft: Pine Cone Princess

Thanksgiving Word Search

Ticket Giveaway

Hockey Grows Deep Roots in Texas

Note from the Publisher

Minette Riordan, Ph.D.

Giving Back to Our Community I firmly believe in two core values: gratitude and generosity. I have been so blessed in my life with a wonderful family, a great career, an awesome staff who works as hard as I do and I get to do work that I love. I try to model gratitude for my children by making sure I say my own pleases and thank yous. As we all know, our children learn best from observing how the adults around them act and behave, not by listening to us lecture them. I remind them to be grateful for what they have, not as a point of comparison to what others have but from the perspective of mindfulness. Gratitude can be about gifts we receive but it can also be about the many kindnesses we receive on a regular basis: a hug from a friend, a card in the mail, an unexpected award from your teacher. I was recently named the 2009 Small Business Owner of the Year by the Plano Chamber of Commerce. The award meant so much to me because I was nominated and chosen by my peers and it was completely and totally unexpected. So often we do our work, move through our days, feel overwhelmed by everything we are trying to do and feel like no one is noticing. I am so incredibly grateful to my friend Judy Cordell, who nominated me for this award and for the committee who picked me. People do notice what we do and I tell my kids that all the time. You have to do the right thing, even when no one is watching. I am also deeply grateful to

each and every one of you who has reached out recently to tell me how much you appreciate the work that North Texas Kids does. We strive to be a valuable and meaningful resource for families and one kind word from a mom can make our entire month. So thank you to each and every one of you who reads our magazine once a month or once a year. We would not be here without you. I also know that giving back to my community is as important as receiving. One of the reasons that I started this magazine 7 years ago was to be able to give back to our community in a bigger way. My kids were small and it was difficult to actively volunteer on a regular basis. As the magazine has grown, my kids have seen how committed my husband and I are to giving back. We have donated hundreds of ads, articles and dollars over the years to various non-profit organizations around the metroplex. We don't do it to market our business, (although it is a benefit that we appreciate) we do it because we want to make a difference. In 2009 we have worked with the following organizations, just to name a few: Heroes for Children, March for Respect, Communities In Schools of North Texas, Dallas Help the Homeless Walkathon, Race for the Cure, Children's Medical Center, CITY House, and many others. When we actively participate in an event by either walking a 5k or hosting a booth, we tell our kids why we are there and why it is important

to us. When we host our expos, we always choose a non-profit partner who gets a percentage of the proceeds. North Texas Kids is not about me or my success, it's about the ways that we can give back and support families in our community. As hoakey as that sounds, I mean it. It takes a village, not just to raise a child but to make sure the entire community gets what it needs. At this time of year, as we begin the Holiday Season, many people look for ways to express gratitude and to give back. We have some great articles on different ways that people we know give back. I can't wait until the Salvation Army Angel Trees arrive at our local mall. My kids and I have so much fun shopping. My son will be playing piano at a local nursing home soon, such a seemingly small hour to give that has a huge impact in someone's life. We all do it in our own way. We would love to hear from you: how do you and your family give back to your community? There are so many ways big and small and they all make a difference! Please email your stories on how you teach your children about gratitude and generosity and we will post them on our blog. Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family!

Publisher/Editor

Minette Riordan minette@northtexaskids.com

Web/Media Designer

Brad Dobson bdobson@northtexaskids.com

CMO

Cindy Watts cindyw@northtexaskids.com

Editor of Sports Scoop Mike Kravik

mike@northtexaskids.com

Office/Sales Manager Heidi Schlabs heidi@northtexaskids.com

Account Executives

Cindy Johnson Nancy Luttinger Jana McClinton Kristene Richardson Cindy Watts

Creative Dir. /Designer Brittany Allen

2nd Story Design brittany@2ndstorydesign.com

Printed by

Midway Press, Dallas Tx

Mailing Address

Scissortail Publishing

700 E. Park Blvd. #110 Plano, Texas 75074

Phone

972-516-9070

Fax

972-516-9048

North Texas Kids is a Division of Scissortail Publishing LLC. North Texas Kids is published 12 times a year. Copyright 2009 by North Texas Kids©. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission prohibited. North Texas Kids encourages your submission of articles, children’s artwork, photographs and ideas. We reserve the right to edit all submitted material. All submissions will be considered for publication. Recommended article length is 500 to 800 words. Viewpoints of the articles are not necessarily the viewpoints of North Texas Kids. Materials will not be returned. Advertising is accepted at the discretion of the Publisher. Advertisers assume all liability for the content of their printed advertisements and agree to indemnify North Texas Kids and its publisher for any and all claims and expenses arising therefrom.

Cover Artist...

Your child will receive $50 when we use his/her artwork

Jessica

on the cover of NTK. North Texas Kids loves kids’ art. Feel free to send us your child’s Masterpiece. We are looking for covers that are unique, bright and colorful. Each child

Jessica is Homeschooled and in the seventh grade. She enjoys drawing, reading, drama, piano, volleyball, and track. She is a Cadette Girl Scout and loves to spend time with her five pets.

that appears on our cover receives $50.00 along with his/her picture and story in the paper. Submissions may be digital or print. Email pictures to info@northtexaskids.com or mail them to Scissortail Publishing, LLC. 700 E. Park Blvd., Suite 110, Plano, Texas 75074.

North Texas Kids • November 2009 • www.NorthTexasKids.com

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214-467-9787 or 877-626-7003 • www.T2000.com

Welcome to our Family 6

North Texas Kids • November 2009 • www.NorthTexasKids.com

Call Mary Kaufman “brave” and would even consider evaluating she responds with a weary laugh. Adam for months. Government“Desperate was more like it,” sponsored early childhood says this 34-year-old New Jerseyan. intervention, meanwhile, did “He’s our son and he has autism. I not begin until age 3. Even then, am just doing what I have to do.” there were no guarantees of a start Adds her husband, Dan: “Yes, date: Waiting lists for the muchit is painful, but we are making the needed therapies and services were best of it. We frankly don’t see any overflowing. alternative.” “Here I did this for a living, and The Kaufmans are referring to I couldn’t get help for my own son the life-changing decision to split up when I knew without a shadow of the family so that their 2-1/2-yeara doubt that early intervention was old son, Adam, could receive our best hope,” Mary recalls. treatment for his autism. Dan stayed They enrolled Adam in behind, working in the tri-state area traditional speech therapy, but “he in finance. Mary, meanwhile, packed was making no headway,” according up Adam and their 4-year-old to his mother. So she and Dan set daughter to travel west for help. about visiting every major facility “We see this as a necessity,” says in New Jersey offering more than Dan, 33. “Keeping the big picture of We are counting down to Adam’s future in mind makes it when we’re together again,” easier.” From the outset, says Dan. “In the meantime, the Kaufmans were in a unique position we know that our son is exactly to appreciate the challenges facing where he needs to be. their young son. Mary Kaufman holds 30 hours per week of Applied Master’s degrees in psychiatric Behavioral Analysis therapy. ABA, social work and developmental which dates to the 1960s, provides psychology; for years she worked in for systematic intervention in a a clinic where pediatricians diagnose structured learning environment. kids like her own. She monitored The goal of most ABA programs Adam’s development his first is to build and reinforce a range of year of life with guarded concern, academic and life skills, the very noting several areas in which he sort of skills Adam Kaufman so was lagging. Everything changed desperately needed. when Adam was 14 months old. He “We knew we needed to act emerged from an illness, one that quickly to find help for Adam, but saw him run a perilously high fever, at the same time we had to fight to a very different child. get good information about what “In the span of 48 hours, Adam our options were,” Mary says. “We was gone,” Mary recalls. “He felt alone and overwhelmed as wouldn’t make eye contact and we struggled to locate resources. stopped speaking. At the same time, So much of what’s out there is he started flapping his hands and misleading or flat-out wrong.” eating crayons like they were pretzel The couple’s research ultimately sticks.” led them to Behavioral Innovations Adding to their terror was the in the Dallas/Fort Worth area. fact that no clinics in New Jersey

The groundbreaking group has earned a national reputation for its multidisciplinary approach to working with children on the autism spectrum. The successes are nothing short of jaw-dropping. Years earlier, the family of one 13-year-old girl was told by doctors that their daughter would never use a fork or be potty trained. That same teenager, a Behavioral Innovations client since 2001, now does those things—and far more. “Every significant developmental gain my granddaughter has made since she was five years old is a direct result of our ongoing relationship with BI,” says Gloria High, the girl’s grandmother. The breadth of BI’s individualized treatment plans paved the way for that teen’s range of gains, from self-help skills to academics. “We view everything as a building block, either a prerequisite for or a next step to a more comprehensive skill," says Clinical Director Lori Russo. "That guides not only our specific programs but also

our overall approach at the Treatment Center. We treat the whole child.” Which was precisely what the Kaufmans hoped to achieve for Adam. With full-time therapy at the Treatment Center, the boy began making progress almost immediately. The communication with Adam’s team of therapists, as well as the ongoing parent education, continues to impress the family. “Parent training is so important,” Mary says. “If we aren’t able to implement the programs at home, how can Adam sustain his gains, let alone build on them?” Based on the boy’s rapid rate of progress, both Kaufmans anticipate that Mary and the children will return home within a year. It’s a reunion everyone awaits eagerly. “We are counting down to when we’re together again,” says Dan. “In the meantime, we know that our son is exactly where he needs to be.” Resource Box: For more information, visit www.behavioral-innovations.com or call 469.374.0700.

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North Texas Kids • November 2009 • www.NorthTexasKids.com

Empowering

smiles & learning through volunteering by Nick Carroccio

December 11, 2009 - 8:00 pm December 12, 2009 2:00 pm & 8:00 pm December 13, 2009 - 2:00 pm

Hill Performance Hall The Eisemann Center For tickets call 972.744.4650 2351 Performance Drive Richardson, Texas 75082 This program is funded in part by a grant from the Richardson Arts Commission through the City of Richardson. The Academy of Dance Arts is the official school of the Dallas Repertoire Ballet.

Order Tickets On-Line at www.eisemanncenter.com

Our daily lives are filled to the breaking point with work, chores, and school. All these activities sometimes fall short of the fulfillment we crave. May I suggest you can find that complete satisfaction by volunteering for our children? There are few things in this world as fulfilling as seeing the excitement, pride, and a great big ear to ear smile on a child’s face. As a young boy, I was blessed with very involved parents. They made time in their schedule for things we could do together. There is no doubt in my mind that my dad had as much fun in Boy Scouts as I did, and that the time together brought us closer. Thanks to my parents I derive that same joy with my children and with being a volunteer. Today as a parent I get to pay it forward with my daughters. My oldest took an interest in my tournament Bass fishing. When she asked to go fun fishing with me the first time at the age of 3, of course I was happy but thought it would be one time and out. I was happily surprised when she not only had fun but asked to go again. Just when I didn’t think it could get any better, my 4 year old has started fishing as well. Of course “catching” is more fun than fishing but the time we spend together is priceless. A natural extension of spending time with our own children is volunteering for the benefit of children in our community. In case you need some, here are 5 great reasons to volunteer:

1) Do more of what you already love.

Being part of the fishing world I knew the Texas BASS Federation Nation had a youth program. With a little research and a little help we got our region up and running, providing a resource for our kids to learn and have fun. Four years later I am now the State Youth Director.

2) Show your children how to give back.

Allowing your children to see how they can affect other people’s lives is a great gift to pass on to them. Fostering this philosophy when they are young means they are more likely to stay involved in the community throughout those pesky teenage years.

3) Get outside the box.

So you’re not very good at soccer or basketball--why not volunteer as a coach or assistant coach? You can use it as an opportunity to learn a new skill with your child or even make it part of your own “workout time”.

4) Money only goes so far.

Time is our most valuable asset. You can’t earn more and you can’t get it back. Spending more time and less money is a great investment in your child and our community. Being a volunteer can also help us appreciate what we have more, when we see how fortunate we are.

5) Build a trusted bond with your child.

Volunteering creates an opportunity to work side by side with your children and other family members. Sometimes the best communication with our children comes as a side product from just being together, and this is a way to spend time working on a common goal. I asked my 7 year old what she liked about fishing and she replied “Two things. I think it is fun and I get to spend time with you.” That’s good enough for me. Nick Carroccio is a SpecialCareTM Planner with the Nexus SpecialCare Planning Team. Working with families with special need situations planning for future life events. He is also the Texas BASS Federation Nation State Youth Director and very involved with several other local organizations. You may contact Nick at 972-839-6723 or at ncarroccio@finsvcs.com

North Texas Kids • November 2009 • www.NorthTexasKids.com

Are There

Homeless Families

in North Texas? When you think of a typical homeless person, what is the first image that comes to your mind? If you’re like most North Texans, the image is probably of a man living on the streets. Annual homeless counts which are conducted in January of each year, however, have shown a trend indicating that women and children are the largest number of the homeless in Dallas and Collin Counties. Kit Lowrance, Director of Supportive Housing and Community Services for Metro Dallas Homeless Alliance (MDHA), says that family homelessness has been a concern for the past several years. “2009 was the fourth year in which we have seen that women and children made up a larger percentage of the homeless population than men do, which surprises a lot of people. Most of us don’t like to think about homeless families or children, because they’re less visible, but there are many, and the issue is not going away.” The trend first became evident in 2006, when women and children were 53% of the homeless population, the first time they ever made up more than 50%. Since that time, the percentage has stayed higher than 50%. There are many explanations for why families may become homeless. Loss of a job, natural disasters, or domestic violence and other family problems are just a few of the reasons families may find themselves without a home. “It’s easy to say: ‘Just get them a job!’ and think that will solve the problem”, said Mr. Lowrance, “but each family’s story is different. The reality is that families rarely become homeless due to just one factor.” Janet is an example of how several different factors can come together which cause someone to be without a home. She moved to Dallas from Mississippi to find work. Janet came to live with relatives, but was told shortly after she came that she needed to find another place to live. After staying with different friends for a few days at a time, she found an apartment with a friend. The apartment burned shortly thereafter, with all of her possessions inside. Janet soon learned that she was pregnant. When she told her boyfriend, he broke up with her, and she went back to staying with different friends each night. Thanks to a teacher at her school, Janet learned about Promise House, a non-profit organization that helps youth and young adults. She moved into their Pregnant and Parenting Teen program. She now lives in Promise House’s transitional housing program with her newborn daughter, and is continuing with school. The recent economic downturn has also had a significant impact on homeless families. A survey of homeless service providers in May found a significant increase in the number of two-parent families who are becoming homeless or requesting assistance. “When one or both wage-earners in a family are laid off or experience a reduction in hours, they may be able to live on savings for a brief period of time, but that family may need to budget their money differently and decide whether to eat or pay rent. In some cases, it may eventually lead to homelessness.” said Mr. Lowrance. Action is being taken, however, to help stem the tide. Federal money from the economic stimulus package has been provided to several agencies throughout North Texas to help keep families housed, and provide temporary housing assistance to families who are already homeless. MDHA is also leading a steering committee on homeless families, teens and young adults which is focused on making recommendations for a solution to the growing issue. The steering committee is focused on four areas, including outreach and prevention, emergency shelter, transitional housing and affordable housing. There are many ways you can get involved to help agencies throughout

North Texas serve homeless families. Examples include: • Registering for the 3rd Annual Help the Homeless WalkAThon & 5K on Saturday, November 14, 9 a.m. in Downtown Dallas -- Whether you walk or run as an individual, a corporate team, or a group, you CAN make a difference! Proceeds from this year's WalkAThon & 5K will be used to support MDHA. For more information, visit www.helpthehomelessdallas.org. • Volunteering your time – Serve a meal, teach a class or lead a field trip • Sharing your resources – Donate gently used items or furniture, or write a check to help a local charity. • Raising awareness – Share with your business associates, congregations, and other groups about homeless families, and organize some advocacy around the issue. If you are in need of resources for a homeless family, or know someone who does, call 2-1-1 to learn about the options available to you.

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North Texas Kids • November 2009 • www.NorthTexasKids.com

Lions and Tigers and Cougars… Oh My! by Lisa Williams Have you ever heard lions sing or seen a tiger swim? If not, consider scheduling a visit to In-Sync Exotics Wildlife Rescue and Education Center in nearby Wylie. In-Sync is a non-profit organization dedicated to the rescue of exotic cats. At present there are 17 tigers, 12 cougars, 6 lions, 3 leopards, 2 lynxes, 2 bobcats, 1 serval, and 1 coatimundi (more of an honorary cat than an actual one) that call the sanctuary home. The mission of In-Sync is “To provide a caring, safe haven to some of God’s most beautiful creatures. We put their needs above all else; the old, the maimed, the unwanted can find sanctuary here.” Almost without exception, the cats were rescued from abuse and neglect. Of course, some came from more dire situations than others but all came from breeders, entertainment facilities, and would-be pet owners that were unable or unwilling to care for the animals. Because the primary goal of In-Sync is to rescue mistreated exotic cats and provide them with a healthy, safe home in which to live out the rest of their lives, it is important that each cat has plenty of room to roam, exercise, play, or relax as it pleases. With this in mind, construction is slated to begin later this month on the new lion enclosure and, once that is underway, on a new tiger enclosure. These new enclosures will be home for the six cats that were rescued in 2009. Of course, we can’t promise you’ll hear lions sing or see tigers swim when you visit but the odds are in your favor. It’s a spectacular thing to be nearby when the lions sing. If you’re lucky enough to be standing there when all six lions vocalize at the same time, you’ll never forget it. Your insides will vibrate slightly and you can barely hear yourself think. Just keep in mind that it is not a sign of aggression. They are simply identifying themselves and each other. If you think it’s too cold to visit the sanctuary this fall, keep in mind that tigers enjoy cold weather and become more active this time of year. They love to swim and play in their pools even on the most frigid days. Watching them try to submerge their huge plastic balls in the pools is quite a treat – they never give up!

Get to know a few of In-Sync’s residents…

Midas Midas is an extremely rare ‘golden tabby’ tiger. Instead of the traditional orange and black, Midas is gold with orange-colored stripes. This color is a result of a genetic mutation. Midas’ parents (whom we rescued at the same time) both carry the white tiger gene and their previous owner was trying to get a white tiger. Instead, it resulted in a golden tabby and we’re so glad it did! By the way, In-Sync does have a white tiger too (Kiro).

severely impaired their mobility, coordination, and overall health. After a few months of medical care and a proper diet, the brothers and sister are well on their way to long, happy lives.

Mercedes

Mercedes, a 22 year old cougar, is the oldest cat at In-Sync. She was rescued along with three of her offspring (Keenan, Cerella, and Charlie), another cougar (Crimson), and a tiger (Nikolas) when they were abandoned after a fire. She was already set in her ways when she arrived at In-Sync and is clearly the matriarch of her enclosure, keeping the ‘young ones’ in line when necessary. Come by and see these amazing animals for yourself. In-Sync is open to the public Saturdays and Sundays 11 – 6. There is a requested donation of $10 per adult and $7 per child/senior (group rates available). All proceeds go directly to the care of the cats. If you are unable to visit the cats in person, feel free to visit them virtually by visiting the website: www.insyncexotics.com. You can read about all of the cats and learn more about the organization’s history.

Other ways to help… Visit our website at www.insyncexotics.com for information on:

• The upcoming Tiger Trot fundraiser, a one-mile walk around Bob Woodruff Park in Plano. Families and pets welcome!

• Items on the wish list. Many of the things you consider recycling, the cats consider awesome toys! • Membership and Adoption opportunities.

• Volunteering. Like most non-profit agencies, In-Sync is always looking for dedicated, responsible volunteers. • Making a direct donation through Paypal®.

1st Annual Tiger Trot November 14, 2009 @ 4pm

Sheila

Sheila came to In-Sync with her older brothers Jazz and Shazam and has the distinction of being the youngest cat (about 21 months) and the only lioness at the sanctuary. The siblings are rare white lions and were in terrible condition when they were rescued by the USDA in July of this year. They had severe vitamin deficiencies and toxoplasmosis, a parasitic infection, that 10

North Texas Kids • November 2009 • www.NorthTexasKids.com

Bob Woodruff Park, North Pavilion • 2601 Sab Gabriel Dr. Plano, Tx

Very Important November Dates.... Mark your calendars!

Achieving Your Child’s Goal,

One Step at a Time

11/2 - National Deviled Egg Day 11/3 - Sandwich Day

(birthday of John Montague, the creator of the sandwich.)

11/4 - National Candy Day 11/5 - National Donut Day 11/8 - X-Ray Day - discovered in 1895. 11/14 - National Clean Out Your Refrigerator Day

11/15 - America Recycles Day 11/15 - Pack Your Mom Lunch Day 11/17 - National Young Reader's Day 11/18 - Mickey Mouse's Birthday

(created in 1928)

11/21 - World Hello Day

Pediatric Services we provide: PT, ST, OT and Case Management We see kids in the Dallas and surrounding areas. Call today to have your child evaluated! Treat for the following but not limited to:

Speech Delay • Autism Developmental Delay Cerebral Palsy • Down Syndrome Learning Disability • Dysphagia

11/23 - National Cashew Day 11/25 - Woody Woodpecker's Birthday

(debuted in 1940)

11/26 - National Cake Day

9330 LBJ Freeway, Suite 790 Dallas, TX 75243

214-575-2999

www.KidsCareTherapy.com

ath

Kids in the kitchen

Pumpkin Chip Muffins Ingredients...

Watch for our

ht P Finding the Rig

Holiday

Yields: 24 Muffins

2 cups brown sugar

1 teaspoon ground nutmeg

1 cup light tasting olive oil

1/4 teaspoon allspice

4 large eggs

2 teaspoons baking soda

1 tablespoon ground cinnamon

1-1/2 cups semisweet chocolate chips

1 (15 ounce) can pure pumpkin puree

1 teaspoon ginger

2/3 cup water

1/8 teaspoon cloves

3 1/3 cups all-purpose flour

1-1/2 teaspoons salt

great gifts Guide in the

December Issue!!

Directions...

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line muffin tins with papers. In a large bowl, blend the

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pumpkin, oil, water, and eggs until smooth. Mix all the dry ingredients together and then gradually blend that into the pumpkin mixture. Fold in chocolate chips (do not use mixer for this part). Fill muffin tins 3/4 full. Bake for 15-19 minutes, or until an inserted toothpick comes out clean. Cool on wire racks before removing. Bonus: They are especially good topped with cream cheese icing. www.seasonalrecipes.com thanks for the yummy recipe!

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www.PumpkinLittles.com North Texas Kids • November 2009 • www.NorthTexasKids.com

H1N1 (Swine Flu): Current Information

by Dr. Donna S. Barsky, D.Ph., R.Ph.

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Many people are concerned about the novel H1N1 flu virus. CDC has determined that this new H1N1 virus is contagious and is spreading from person-to-person, probably like seasonal flu. The symptoms of this new H1N1 flu virus in people are similar to the symptoms of seasonal flu and include fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headache, chills, and fatigue. A significant number of people also have reported diarrhea and vomiting. Most people who have been sick with this virus in the U.S. have recovered at home without treatment. If your child has flu-like symptoms, please keep him or her at home for seven days or 24 hours after symptoms resolve, unless given other instructions by your pediatrician or their staff. Like seasonal flu, complications can occur with novel H1N1 flu. Seek emergency medical care if your child becomes ill and experiences any of the following warning signs:

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’ s Vo i c e ! A w

• Fast breathing

• Bluish or gray skin color

• Not drinking enough fluids

• Not urinating as much as usual

• Severe or persistent vomiting

• Not waking up or interacting as usual

• Being so irritable that your child does not even want to be held

• Fever returns after being absent for a day, or a significant change in fever pattern occurs. For example, it was 101 degrees Fahrenheit for several days and now it’s 103 degrees.

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Mom

a rd s

• Trouble breathing

Again, seek emergency medical care if your child becomes ill and experiences any of those warning signs. It’s important that your child not be exposed to other children who are sick, and that if your child has a flu-like illness that he or she does not expose other people, in order to keep from spreading illness. There are some things you can do to keep you and your child healthy: • Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. If you don't have a tissue, cough or sneeze into your upper sleeve, not your hands. Put your used tissue in the waste basket. • Wash hands often with soap and water, especially after coughing or sneezing. If soap and water aren’t available, use an alcohol-based hand cleaner.

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North Texas Kids • November 2009 • www.NorthTexasKids.com

• Avoid close contact with sick people. • Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread this way. • If you or your child gets sick with a flu-like illness, stay home from work or school and limit contact with others to keep from infecting them. The good news is, if your child needs medication for the flu, they will respond very rapidly if treated within the 48 hour window after illness onset. Even though there is a shortage of Tamiflu suspension, TexasStar Pharmacy has plenty to go around. We are located at 3033 W. Parker Road, Suite #100, Plano, Texas, 75023, on the Northeast corner of Parker Road and Independence Parkway. Our phone number is 972-519-8475, fax 972-519-8477. If you’d like more information on novel H1N1 flu, please visit the CDC website at www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu.

Stretchin’ Dollars

& Spendin’ Sense

Best Ways to Have Your Fun and Money Too By Tina Ferguson, a.k.a. The Queen of Dreams

Several years ago we began the tradition of purchasing an Entertainment coupon book. Apparently we aren’t the only ones in Dallas-Ft. Worth who do since Dallas ranks #2 on Entertainment’s list of cities who love to clip coupons. The book has the ingenious advertising prowess of a big name agency with a consciousness for what consumers want – their cake and to eat it too. With entertainment coupons, you really can have both. Here are my top few ways to cut costs in various areas: 1. Upscale to mid-scale dining at a budget rate. You’ll still spend $20 bucks or so, but it won’t be $50 with a tip. Using coupons books such as Entertainment can help, but only if you frequent the type of restaurants listed in the book. If you have favorite restaurants, you are better off asking each one specifically if they have certain specials, kids eat free nights, and other ‘promos’ that may work for you. Find other coupons through sources like Restaurants.com where my husband bought $40 worth of gift certificates for $3.80. What a bargain! 2. Movies, movies, movies. At just $8 bucks a month, you will be hard pressed to find a better deal than Netflix, where rented movies are delivered right to your mailbox – unlimited number during the month. Next, you can rent movies from RedBox, which are rental movie vending machines found at grocery stores and various convenience stores for as little as a buck a day. Local dollar movies allow you to go to movies for $1.25 during the week and less than a dollar for the kids. If you want to cut the $9 ticket value for a regular theatre, use coupons found in coupon books, buy in bulk, or buy at your local supermarket. 3. Fun, fun, fun. Every place you can take your kids is going to offer a lower price at some point during the week. For instance, we go to the PuttPutt Golf and Games in North Richland Hills several times a month. They have locations around the Metroplex and have specials posted on their website. We purchase tokens when they are half price, and then use what we want and save the rest for later. You can always purchase ahead of time and then take them back when you go during normal hours. No one says you can’t be creative! The biggest tip to remember is to simply call ahead and ask so you can be informed and make a choice about what works best for you. Then, consider every step of your outing. What is the experience that you really want? You can use a coupon for a date night out at a favorite restaurant (which saves you $20 bucks at the movie concession stand), then use a movie ticket at the regular theatre for half price, and return home before your carriage turns into a pumpkin for less than the cost of just the dinner out. It’s all up to you! Tina Ferguson, a.k.a., The Queen of Dreams, is CEO of Rapid Success Partners. She is an awardwinning author and business strategist who has assisted individuals and business owners to accelerate wealth creation. She loves to ignite the fire inside of people to do what they dream of and to serve others in the process. For more information about Tina visit www.TinaFerguson.com.

Tina Ferguson, a.k.a. The Queen of Dreams

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A lifetime of healthy, bright smiles begins here. • dentistry for children & adolescents • fun, friendly environment • insurance accepted • accepting new patients

Mother & Daughter Team Up to Volunteer with NCL by Cindy Johnson

When my friend asked me to

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consider joining NCL, I thought, what in the world is NCL? NCL stands for National Charity

courtney keel, d.d.s board certified pediatric dentist

League. Their mission is “to foster mother-daughter relationships

in a philanthropic organization

committed to community service, leadership development and

cultural experiences!” That says it all! NCL is a big financial investment and a big time

investment but it has been the best

investment I have ever made in my daughter!

We are in our 4th year of NCL

and belong to the Plano Chapter. It is a national organization and there are

many chapters in the DFW area. The Mom’s meet monthly and the girls meet at a separate monthly meeting. Our sophomore class has 27 girls that have become very close friends. Our meetings have consisted of talking with a

Plano Police officer, learning to cook pasta, fitness and yoga, changing oil at Kwik Kar, and SAT Prep! We have a set plan for each year and set goals for

the year. We also host a cultural event, a Father-Daughter event, Junior Style Show and Senior Presentation.

The best part of NCL is the volunteer work which my daughter and I

do together! We are required to do 15 hours a year, but we do more. My

daughter and I always volunteer over the summer for a week with the special needs kids camp through Plano Parks and Recreation. We adore the kids and see some of the same smiling faces each year. The Collin County Advocacy Center is another favorite; we are looking forward to the Teddy Bear Drive

on November 1st. In addition we have volunteered with Meals on Wheels,

Children’s Medical Center, Edenbrook nursing homes, Welcome Home a Hero from Iraq, and Sci-Tech. We are looking forward to helping with Plano’s Very Special Art Festival on Jan. 24th.

With NCL we do many events together and as teenagers get busy and

social, it is nice to have a reason to be together as mother-daughter. NCL has

taught us leadership responsibilities, cultural awareness and most of all it has give us the opportunity to help others. Our volunteer work has brought tears to my eyes many times. I hope as my daughter gets older she will look back at all the good things we did for others and for each other and see the value.

While she doesn't always see that in the moment, I know she will appreciate this experience in the future. I personally have learned how to volunteer, I

wasn't that involved on a personal level before and this has been an amazing

experience. I really see that we are making a difference and that our volunteer effort has meaning and value.

If you are interested in joining the National Charity League, you need

someone to sponsor you. Applications are taken in the spring of your

daughter's 6th grade year. It is then a 6 year commitment. You can visit the

organization online at www.nationalcharityleague.org for more information. 14

North Texas Kids • November 2009 • www.NorthTexasKids.com

Holiday Shopping Guide What’s fresh for the Holidays this year?

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Advertise your business here in our December issue! Call us at 972-516-9070 to reserve your space today!

Saturday, December 12, 2009 On Christmas Day, single mothers are all but forgotten, other than the holiday craft that is a gift from their children. While the rest of the world is celebrating with beautifully wrapped boxes and bags, single mothers are alone with nothing under the tree for them. Gifts For Moms is a nonprofit organization created to brighten the holidays and bring joy to women raising children alone. We are kicking off our holiday gift drive and are looking for volunteers to donate, collect, wrap

Marriott Legacy Town Center Plano

Join us again this year for breakfast, crafts and a private date with Santa. All proceeds benefit Hope's Door, the only shelter for battered women and their children in Collin County.

and deliver Christmas gifts. nnn If you are interested in helping us bring a smile to the faces of hardworking and dedicated moms all over North Texas, e-mail: Stephanie Ward at stephaniestips@aol.com or call 214 774-2194.

www.HopesDoorInc.org

North Texas Kids • November 2009 • www.NorthTexasKids.com

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North Texas Kids • November 2009 • www.NorthTexasKids.com

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North Texas Kids • November 2009 • www.NorthTexasKids.com

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North Texas Kids • November 2009 • www.NorthTexasKids.com

Sports Scoop

Hockey Grows Deep Roots in Texas by Mike Kravik When Norm Green moved his Minnesota North Stars NHL team to Dallas in 1993 it was akin to a huge boulder being dropped into a pond. Sixteen years later, North Texas continues to feel a positive ripple effect of what seemed to be a very questionable move. The Dallas Stars were tolerated by local sports fans at first but with time became a success. Fans quickly learned that hockey mixed the brutality of football with speed and grace but more importantly for the Stars, their fans also discovered that professional hockey was a phenomenal game to watch live. There's something primal that happens within a hockey fan when seeing a game live. Watching men carry sticks and bang into each other with complete abandon revs the engine and stirs the soul with passion. When the early 90's Dallas Mavericks continued to struggle, the time was right for something completely new and the Dallas Stars filled the sports void. There was mixed success on the ice early but the fuse had been lit and began to burn. Green sold the Stars to Tom Hicks in 1995 and the direction of the franchise was taken up another notch. The team soon traded for Joe Nieuwendyk and Ken Hitchcock was hired to coach. Mike Modano went from enigma to one of the best players in the NHL. Top shelf players like Pat Verbeek, Ed Belfour and Brett Hull were signed as free agents and took the team to yet a different level. What had been a middling spare NHL franchise suddenly became one of the crown gems of the entire league. In an area 20

overflowing with flavor of the month trendy places, Reunion Arena became the place to be seen in Dallas during the 1990's and the sight of 30-something year old males and females wearing hockey sweaters screaming out the name of Guy Carbonneau became common place in North Texas. On a late night in June 1999 the pinnacle was reached when Brett Hull's game-winning goal in triple overtime against the Buffalo Sabres

gave the Dallas Stars the Stanley Cup. The Stars marketing plan was successful because they not only sold the NHL game but they also encouraged everybody to get their own stick and pair of skates. People of all ages began to find out how much fun it was to skate, carry a stick or check somebody into the boards. The number of kids in the area that played hockey prior to the Stars coming to the area was in the hundreds but that number soon jumped to the thousands. Several high schools in North Texas now have teams and there are now six Dr Pepper StarCenters in the area to accommodate the boom. Further proof that North Texas

North Texas Kids • November 2009 • www.NorthTexasKids.com

has become an emerging force in USA hockey is the success of the Dallas Stars Midget 18U team, a team where kids go who have demonstrated the potential to play at the next level, whether it's college or professional. Began in the 2000-2001 with the financial backing of Doug Miller and coaching of Dwight Mullins, the goal was to become a nationally recognized hockey program. The philosophy was, "If we're going to do this, let's do it right." Within two years the Dallas Stars 18U team had made it to nationals. This past spring the Stars went to the Tier 1 USA Hockey Nationals held in Pittsburgh and lost to the famed Detroit Little Caesar's team in overtime. The Dallas Stars 18U team consists of players from all over the country but is primarily made up kids from Texas. Most of the kids are 16-17 years old but there will occasionally be a player as young as 15 on the team. Adam Robbins is the head coach of the Dallas Stars Midget team and says he is very aware of the best 12 and 13 year old kids currently playing hockey in North Texas. He also notes that during that window of time in almost every hockey player's life there is so much physical development and maturity left that it is difficult to project if a player will be ready to make the jump to their organization by the time they're 15 years old. The Stars practice at the Dr Pepper StarCenter in Farmers Branch and will log somewhere close to 70 games per year. On a typical weekend the team will jet to Detroit, Denver or Minneapolis and play five hockey games yet still make it back in time to go to school on Monday. Most of the kids are from the North Texas area and those that are not live with families in the area. If you play for the Stars, you are not allowed to play for your high school team. Robbins says winning is a priority only because the goal for the organization is to get kids drafted or scholarships. To get in the best tournaments that provide

the most exposure to scouts, teams need to win. "Scouts are human which means they are going to flock to the best teams for talent. We do a lot of things right and trust the scoreboard won't lie but we're ultimately measured by how many kids we send to the next level," said Robbins. A big part of "do a lot of things right" means stressing (and enforcing) the importance of academics. "When these kids play in front of scouts they need to know what they're looking for in a player. Right next to the players name is his number, height, weight and GPA," explains Robbins. Inside the Stars' dressing room is a wall of fame of former players who have since moved on to renowned college programs such as New Hampshire, Cornell and Denver University. It's a powerful testimony and a not so subtle reminder of what the Dallas Stars program can do for their players. Another pinnacle was reached this past spring when Anthony Hamburg became the first player drafted to an NHL team directly from the Stars program (7th round, 12th pick of the Minnesota Wild). Hamburg is currently committed to playing for Colgate University. Key to any sports program succeeding is the availability of talent. There is still more hockey talent found in traditional markets like Boston, Detroit and Minnesota but the North Texas area (along with California and Colorado) has become an emerging force in the country for talent as well. This season 14 of the 20 kids on the Dallas Stars 18U roster, one of the very 18U teams in the country, are from Texas. Six years ago that ratio would likely have been reversed. Recruiting talent is always a challenge but Robbins says the process has become easier "because of our success and the name we have, kids now come to us."

by Minette Riordan, Ph.D.

Sports Scoop

Pine Cone Princess

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Fall seems to come late in Texas and recently my children have begun to ask, "When are the leaves going to change colors, mom?" While we don't have the spectacular fall color of the aspens in Colorado or the maples in the Northeast, our neighborhood does have some fun, fall color and we are all enjoying the cooler temperatures. One of my daughter's and my favorite activities is to take a walk around the neighborhood or a local park and see what we can find that is bright and colorful. There are a couple of pine trees in the neighborhood and over the years, we have collected quite a few pine cones. One year, we decided to make "art" out of what we found. My daughter wanted to make a pine cone princess and what you see in the picture is our creation. This would make a beautiful and inexpensive fall decoration or part of a center piece for your Thanksgiving table. You could make one for each member of the family and use it as a place holder, too. Every year we also make a cornucopia of fresh gourds and fruit, and we love to include fall leaves, pine cones and acorns as part of our decoration.

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Materials needed: • Pine cone (you can buy a bag of these at Michael's or Hobby Lobby if you can't find a tree in your neighborhood)

• Fall leaves of different sizes, shapes and colors. Magnolia leaves and oak leaves are very sturdy and will last for a while. Leaves that are still slightly green or fresh will work better than leaves that are completely dried out. • We used a dandelion for the head as they are all over our neighborhood but you could use an acorn, leaf or rock, anything that sparks your child's imagination. • Seed pods. Many Texas trees produce seed pods of different kinds, see what you can find. • Hot glue gun. We just stuck the leaves and pieces down into the pine cone but if you want this to last longer, you can hot glue the different pieces into the pine cone. Let your child decide where to put the different parts.

Instructions: This is a craft that is basically free or cheap to make and just requires time and imagination. What a great way to carve out some quality time with your kids and enjoy the beautiful fall weather.

Happy Thanksgiving to you & your family! North Texas Kids • November 2009 • www.NorthTexasKids.com

NTK Family Resource Guide North Texas Kids is committed to bringing you the resources you need to simplify your life and raise happy, healthy kids!

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North Texas Kids • November 2009 • www.NorthTexasKids.com

Thank you to the NTK Expo sponsors! We could not have done it without you! At the Plano Centre October 31, 2009 from 10am to 4pm beneﬁting the programs of CITY House

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North Texas Kids • November 2009 • www.NorthTexasKids.com

A New Product Offers to New Dads Call it the birth of a notion. Comfort-loving pharmacist Robert Nickell was contemplating the upcoming arrival of his fifth child when he conceived the idea to launch DaddyScrubs.com, a company committed to helping new dads through their hours of need. Nickell knew all about fatherhood – the joys, the stresses, the long hours spent in uncomfortable clothing while waiting for baby to arrive. After all, he’d fathered his first four children 20 years earlier. DaddyScrubs was conceived when Nickell, who remarried in 2007, discovered he was about to be a new father again in the fall of 2009! Not wanting to endure the pains of wearing uncomfortable street clothes while comforting his

laboring wife, Nickell hatched the idea to create doctor-like scrubs for himself. Nickell says he and his wife did some research and quickly realized that there was nothing in the marketplace geared towards helping fathers to be comfortable during this hectic time of fatherhood. “Katy and I initially came up with the idea of marketing plain old medical scrubs to

expectant dads, but then we took it one big step further to eliminate the confusion between ‘who’s the doctor’ and ‘who’s the daddy!’”

Nickell says. There was barely a pregnant pause as Katy and Robert quickly came up with the exclusive clothing line that declares in large letters, “I’m the Daddy!” DaddyScrubs Comfort Wear is a line of medical scrubs, t-shirts, and accessories emblazoned with the trademarked “I’m the Daddy” logo. Nickell says his line of products is a perfect fit no matter what stage of fatherhood you’re experiencing – from first-time pop to cheaper-bythe-dozen dad. “We built our brand around the premise of making dads feel special and comfortable during one of life’s most exciting and stressful times,” Nickell says. “My wife Katy was in labor for almost 24 hours so being dressed in something comfortable made a huge difference for me. I was able to get some sleep while Katy

slept, and didn’t have to deal with uncomfortable street clothes. “The beauty of the medical scrubs is that they’re acceptable to

walk around the hospital and yet comfortable enough to sleep in! I love being able to say not only am I president of DaddyScrubs.com, but I am also a satisfied customer too!” The DaddyScrubs brand appeal reaches well beyond just dad. It’s also proving to be a nifty gift to be given by a mom, sister, sisters-in-law or wife who wants to honor the special father-to-be in an untraditional manner. “When I’m out and about with our new son wearing my ‘I’m the Daddy’ t-shirts I get plenty of good vibes, smiles and congratulations from those around me – even from people I don’t know!” Nickell says. All comfort wear from DaddyScrubs is available exclusively online at www.

daddyscrubs.com. But Nickell says you can expect to see the colorful garments soon popping up in finer baby stores and many online shopping sites.

Alexandria’s Book Review

Dear Mrs. LaRue A Review by Alexandria Battle By Mark Teague 32 pages • Ages 4-8 Scholastic, Inc. (Sept., 2002) This month's author, Mark Teague, wrote stories as a child and drew his own pictures for them (he taught himself to draw, which I admire). He worked in a bookstore following college, setting up books for display, and following that was inspired to write books for children and illustrate them as well. Today he is an author and an illustrator for both his books and other authors'. Mr. Teague's book is one that I had forgotten about--it was my mother who reminded me of it, as she had read it and enjoyed it too. She suggested that I make it my next book review, and I readily agreed. Dear Mrs. LaRue (Letters from Obedience School) is a great book, full of laughs and gorgeous pictures and 24

imagination--for it focuses not on a person, but a dog. At the start of the story, an article from the small town of Snort City introduces you to the characters and their dilemma. Mrs. Gertrude LaRue, a prominent member of the community, is just about fed up with her dog, Ike LaRue. Why, you might ask? Well, you see, Ike has not been on his best behavior lately. His bad behavior includes stealing food, chasing the neighbors' cat and even knocking Mrs. LaRue herself down when she crosses the street. Ike is just out of control these days; Mrs. LaRue sees no other option but to send her troublesome dog to obedience school (specifically Igor Brotweiler Canine Academy, the best

North Texas Kids • November 2009 • www.NorthTexasKids.com

around), and hope that all problems are sorted out there. Little does Mrs. LaRue know that her precious Ike is not like the other dogs. Ike, being the intelligent dog he is, has a typewritten letter in the mail headed home the next day, with the salutation and closing included. "How could you do this to me?" he asks his owner. She may have thought it was a school she was sending him to, he goes on, but nothing could be further from the truth. The place she has sent him to is a prison. Yes, ma'am. The journey was horrible, the place itself is horrible, and he expects to be returned home immediately. Ike's letters to Mrs. LaRue continue, and include apologies for what she considers his frequent acts of misbehavior. He sees his repenting as a way back to his comfortable home, full of good food and...well, cats to chase. Her letters back, trying to convince him to stick out the term, do not make him feel any better. He insists that his "wardens" are torturing

him with their use of commands like "sit" and "roll over", and that the other dogs are mean bullies that he must watch out for at all times. Ike's typewriter is even taken away because it "disturbs the other dogs", and he is forced to send desperate pleas to Mrs. LaRue by hand! I will leave you to see for yourself the horrors Ike must go through while at obedience school, and if he ever makes it back home. Dear Mrs. LaRue is the only one of Mark Teague's books that I have read, but I am sure that they are all as wonderful as this one.

NTK Calendar of Events

Looking for Something to Do in Your Own Backyard or Around the Metroplex? You Will Find it Here! Find these events and more online at www.northtexaskids.com.

November 1 Sunday Dallas Science of Spying Exhibit: The interactive exhibit is part James Bond, part Jack Bauer and part ‘Lie to Me.’ Through Jan. 4, 2010. Museum of Nature & Science Building 1318 S. 2nd Ave. (in Fair Park) www.natureandscience.org

McKinney Dinosaurs Alive! Life-sized Animatronic Dinosaurs: Due to popular demand, dinosaurs are coming back from extinction just for your family to experience and enjoy! Encounters with eight life-sized animatronic dinosaurs will be fun for you and your kids. www.heardmuseum.org

Dallas JUNIE B. JONES & A LITTLE MONKEY BUSINESS: The smash hit musical returns by popular demand to Dallas Children’s Theater. Kindergartner Junie B. Jones is feistier, sassier and more irresistible than ever! Recommended for ages 5 years and older. Ticket prices range from $14-$25. Visit www.dct.org for performance times and to purchase tickets, or call 214-740-0051.

Dallas Fall Family Fun Weekend: At The Dallas Arboretum. Trick or treating, a magician and face painting, oh my! Halloween is the perfect holiday to enjoy family activities at the Dallas Arboretum. On October 31st and November 1st the Dallas Arboretum, 8525 Garland Road, will be a hosting Fall Family Fun weekend for all guests to celebrate. www.dallasarboretum.org

Lewisville Modeling and Etiquette Workshop for Girls: Ages 10 to 18. Dillard’s and Vista Ridge Mall are host to a modeling workshop. 8 hours of instruction, free beauty samples. 1-888-5598418. www.vistaridgemall.com

McKinney Teddy Bear Ride - 9:00 AM: Admission: $10 or a New Teddy Bear. 17th Annual Teddy Bear Ride Kick off will be from McKinney High School on Wilson Creek. All proceeds benefit the Collin County Children’s Advocacy Center. McKinney High School, 1400 Wilson Creek Parkway

Carrollton Model Train Display - 12:00 PM: Free. Rosemeade Recreation Center, 1330 E. Rosemeade Parkway. Bring the whole family to view over 300-feet of HO scale model train layouts featured at the Spring Creek Model Train Display. Visit www.springcreekrailroad.com or call 972-466-9809.

2 Monday Carrollton Preschool Playdate - 10:00 AM: M & F 10 to 12 $7 first child/$6 any additional snack included (Mondays bring in a dated church bulletin and get in for $5, Friday’s Wear your BounceU t-shirt and save $1) Bounce U, 3050 N Josey Ln, #110 972-9395000 www.bounceu.com/cities/carrollton.tx

3 Tuesday Dallas St. Alcuin Adult/Infant Education Series: The

class is offered to assist families in understanding the development of infants and how best respond to their needs. Adults learn how to use observation to meet the needs of the child. Tuesdays & Thursdays, 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.; OR 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. St. Alcuin Montessori School, 6144 Churchill Way. For more information call: 972.239.1745 or visit www.saintalcuin.org

Dallas Providence Christian School of Texas Book Fair: 5002 West Lovers Lane in Dallas. For more information, please contact Eileen Morse at 214-302-2800. www.pcstx.org

Frisco Story Time at Pottery Barn Kids - 11:00 AM: Stonebriar Centre. Little ones [and parents/ caregivers] are invited to Story Time at Pottery Barn Kids at Stonebriar Centre. The free sessions usually begin around 11:00 a.m., but interested parents or caregivers are asked to call 972.731.8912 to confirm the time. Every Tuesday in November. www.shopstonebriar.com

Dallas Dallas Public Library Children’s Activity Series - 10:30 AM: This fun, hands-on activity program for pre-schoolers takes place in NorthCourt between Nordstrom and Macy’s at 10:30 am. www.northparkcenter.com

5 Thursday Dallas Dine Out for March of Dimes: November is Prematurity Awareness Month. Show your support by visiting the Purple Cow Restaurant in Preston Royal Shopping Center. At 110 Preston Royal Shopping Center all throughout the day. www.marchofdimes.com

Lewisville Barnes & Noble story-time - 10:00 AM: Thursdays at 10 am. Please join us for story-time each week with a new featured story. Call 972-3157966 or visit the 2325 South Stemmons Frwy Lewisville 75067 location for weekly titles. Bring your family and friends each week.

Southlake First Friday Women’s Event - 11:00 AM: First Friday of Every Month. Harkins Theatre, Southlake Town Center. Admission is free. Arrive early to ensure seating. Childcare is provided through Harkins Theatre for a fee by reservation only. Contact the Play Center at 817-3100245 two days prior to the event to reserve your child’s place. firstfridaywomen.com

Frisco Texas Business Women Monthly Meeting 6:30 PM: Humorist Jerrie Schubert brings her alter ego ‘Miss Diz’ to speak about her own personal style, shopping tips for the holidays, and of course her many opinions about people and life. Frisco Embassy Suites, 7600 John Q. Hammons at Cypress Grill Garden Room. Reservations are required. Please email Nicole Arnold at nbarnold@interiorxp.com or call 214-616-3340 to make a reservation or for more information. www.tbwfrisco.com

Dallas Providence Christian School Annual Open House - 6:30 PM: Presentation of the philosophy and curriculum of Providence Christian School. 5002 W. Lovers Lane in Dallas. For more information, call (469) 341-4031. www.pcstx.org

6 Friday

Plano

Plano Dallas/Fort Worth Breast Cancer 3-Day Opening Ceremony: Thousands of women and men will unite at Plano Centre for the beginning of the Breast Cancer 3-Day to raise funds and awareness for breast cancer. For more information call 1.800.996.3DAY (3329) or visit www.The3Day.org. Plano Centre 2000 E. Spring Creek Parkway

Allen St. Jude Craft Fair: FREE ADMISSION! 90+ Vendors! Nov.6-7, St. Jude Catholic Church, 1515 N. Greenville, Allen. Hours: Fri.9-5, Sat.9-4. Lunch/snacks served. Raffle Saturday. 972-727-1177; www.stjudeparish.com

Frisco Centennial Medical hosts First Saturday Q&A - 12:00 PM: The first Saturday of every month, professionals from Centennial Medical Center will present a free question and answer session at Stonebriar Centre. All Q&As are at no charge and will be held on the lower level in the Dillard’s wing, near the Healthy Hometown Play Area. www.centennialmedicalcenter.com

Dallas SPCA Pet Grief Counseling Group - 1:00PM: Our recovery program is designed to help those who are grieving the loss of a beloved companion animal. Free and open to the public. SPCA of Texas, 2400 Lone Star Drive, Dallas, conference room. www.spca.org (214) 742-SPCA

7 Saturday McKinney Battle for Myers Landing: The two day event will portray North Texas circa 1860-1865 by bringing together hundreds of living history reenactors. www.cw.northtexashistorycenter.org Frisco Star Winter Ball “One Night Only... The Star Room”: Star Children’s Charity kicks-off its second annual Star Winter Ball with a glamorous evening celebrating the children of Collin County. www.starchildrens.com

The Colony American Heroes: A Salute to Veterans: Festival admission is one canned good or non-perishable food item/person, or $1/person. Proceeds go to benefit local food banks as part of Food 4 Families: The Colony Community Food Drive. Help us make a difference this holiday season! For more info call Parks & Recreation at (972)625-1106, or email events@tcpard.com

McKinney Holiday Bazaar: McKinney ISD Partners in Education is hosting a Huge Holiday Bazaar with over 100 vendors featuring arts & crafts, unique gifts, decor & collectibles for all seasons. Evans Middle School, 6998 W. Eldorado Pkwy.

Dallas Reptile Fest 2009: A weekend of reptile and amphibian fun! Activities and hands-on crafts. Museum of Nature and Science. www. natureandscience.org

Rockwall Speak Up for Kids CASA 5K - 8:30 AM: 5K/1K Wilkerson-Sanders Stadium, 1201 Townsend Dr, Rockwall, TX 972-772-5858 www.casa5k.org/rockwall/index.htm

Arbor Day Run - 8:30 AM: 5K/10K Oak Point Park & Nature Preserve, 2801 E. Spring Creek. 214-520-4885. www.arbordayrun.com

Fairview Friendship’s Craft and Gift Show - 10:00 AM: A variety of craft and at-home businesses -Approximately 50 booths, door prizes and great shopping opportunities. Friendship Baptist Church, 270 Country Club Road, Fairview. Free. friendshipscraftandgiftshow.blogspot.com

Rockwall Turkey Shoot - 10:00 AM: This event is a fun adult/child basketball shooting contest. A parent/guardian is paired up with their child and each will shoot fowl shots. Pre registration is required. RISD Education Center Gym, 1050 Williams Street. Age: 4 & up. $5Res/$8Non Res (per couple)

Lewisville Barnes & Noble story-time - 11:00 AM: Saturdays at 11am. Please join us for story-time each week with a new featured story. Call 972-3157966 or visit the 2325 South Stemmons Frwy Lewisville 75067 location for weekly titles. Bring your family and friends each week.

North Richland Hills Pictures & Popcorn - 1:30 PM: Want something the whole family can do that’s FREE? Come to the North Richland Hills Library each Saturday, from September until May, and watch a movie on the big screen while you enjoy free popcorn. 9015 Grand Ave. Call 817-427-6814 for more info. Dallas Dallas Public Library Children’s Activity Series - 2:00 PM: This fun, hands-on activity program for elementary school age children takes place in NorthCourt between Nordstrom and Macy’s at 2:00 pm. www.northparkcenter.com

8 Sunday Dallas A Parent’s Guide to Hollywood Seminars: Getting Started Locally Seminar 1-2:30 p.m. A Parent’s Guide to Hollywood Seminar 2:45-4 p.m.at R.E.A.C.T. Studio. 4411 Belmont Ave, Dallas www.actormom.com/seminars2.html

Flower Mound Veterans Day Ceremony - Flower Mound High School Football Stadium, 3411 Peters Colony. A family picnic with free hotdogs and lemonade will be held from 1 to 2 p.m. The ceremony will begin at 2 p.m. and will include a Veterans Review where local scout and ROTC units will parade before the veterans in uniform. For more info or to enter your scout or ROTC group in the review, please call 972.874.6276.

Richardson North Texas Youth Orchestra presents “A Dazzling Debut” - 2:30 PM: Bank of America Theatre. Tickets: $10 in advance; $11 day of show; on sale October 6 Eisemann Center Ticket Office 972-7444650. www.northtexasyouthorchestra.org

Plano Self-Care for Stay @ Home Moms - 4:00 PM: Meet other stay-at-home Moms and Discuss the ups & downs of your fabulous life choice, as well as the importance of developing a supportive network of Moms who understand. $32. Signup through LEISURE ONLINE at www.planoparks.org. Tom Muehlenbeck enter 5801 W. Parker Road.

North Texas Kids • November 2009 • www.NorthTexasKids.com

9 Monday Plano Newcomer Friends of Greater Plano - 9:30 AM: Join us at one of our regular program meetings on the second Tuesday of each month. Please join us at SMU-in-Legacy, 5228 Tennyson Parkway, Plano. Look for our signs! (West of Preston Road on the SE Corner of Tennyson & Democracy) www.newcomerfriends.org

11 Wednesday Dallas Dine Out for March of Dimes: November is Prematurity Awareness Month. Show your support by visiting the Preston Center Tin Star location. www.marchofdimes.com

12 Thursday Plano Junior League of Plano’s 14th Annual ‘Neath the Wreath Holiday Gift Market: A North Texas holiday tradition, find unique and unforgettable items at over 120+ merchant booths. Child care provided by Adventure Kids at the Plano Centre or any other Adventure Kids location for a special ‘Neath the Wreath discounted rate. One Day Ticket advanced ticket $8. One Day Ticket at door $10, ages 12 & up. Visit www. neaththewreath.org for more information. Plano Centre 2000 E. Spring Creek Parkway

Frisco Car Seat Fitting Station - 12:30 PM: Centennial Medical Center Frisco, 1-877-228-3628. 2nd Friday of the month. Parents will be assisted with installation of the car seat and educated on proper securing of child.

13 Friday Carrollton Bounce U Wee Boogie event: Bounce U is hosting the Wee Boogie event which is supporting Loving Expressions. Call 972-939-5000 to register asap. www.bounceu.com/cities/ carrollton.tx Located at the Southeast corner of Josey & Frankford.

Dallas Salvation Army Angel Tree: Visit the Angel Tree at Valley View Center located on the 3rd Level, AMC Lobby. Adopt an angel this holiday season. www.shopvalleyviewcenter.com

Carrollton Carrollton Early Childhood PTA Silent Auction - 9:30 AM: At Holy Covenant Church, 1901 E. Peters Colony Rd, Carrollton. Vacations, spa treatments, hotel getaways, sports tickets, restaurant gift cards are among the items up for auction. All proceeds benefit the PTA’s educational programs. See www.cecpta.org for details.

14 Saturday Plano 1st Annual Tiger Trot: In-Sync Exotics is hosting our first annual walk-a-thon at Bob Woodruff Park in Plano. Families and pets are welcome at the one-mile event! Activities include facepainting, bounce houses and a dog agility course. Food and drinks will be available for purchase and all proceeds benefit the rescued exotic cats that call In-Sync home! www.insyncexotics.com

Dallas Dine Out for March of Dimes: November is Prematurity Awareness Month. Show your support by visiting any of the Dallas or Burleson Peter Piper Pizza locations. www.marchofdimes.com

Carrollton Craft Fair & Holiday Bazaar: Freedom Life Church 2435 E. Hebron Pkwy. www.cityofcarrollton.com

Flower Mound 6th annual Dorothy’s Dash - 8:00 AM: 5K/ kidsK Flower Mound High School, 3411 Peters Colony, flower Mound, TX 972-874-6282 www.flower-mound.com/dorothysdash/

Dallas Dallas Help the Homeless Walkathon & 5K 8:30 AM: 5K/2M Dallas City Hall, Dallas, TX 214-520-4885 www.helpthehomelessdallas.org

Southlake Turkey Treats and Eats - 10:00 AM: Kids ages 3-5 are invited to join the City of Southlake Parks and Recreation staff for a morning of holiday fun! There will be games, arts and crafts and lots of surprises in a well supervised environment. Durham Elementary/Intermediate School. www.cityofsouthlake.com

Frisco Frisco Community Parade - 11:00 AM: Main Street (from Pizza Hut Park to N. County Road) www.friscoparade.com

Carrollton Family Fun: Toys and Games - 1:00 PM: Join us at A.W. Perry Homestead Museum (1509 N Perry Road) as we learn about and play games from 100 years ago. We’ll also make our own toys to take home! $10-$15 per family, up to 5 people. REGISTER BY NOVEMBER 7 by calling 972-4666380. paige.stringer@cityofcarrollton.com

Southlake Southlake Saturday Nite - 7:00 PM: Calling all 4th, 5th & 6th graders for a night of fun dancing to a live D.J., various inflatables & contests & 4 on 4 basketball. Concessions available for purchase for under $2. A uniformed DPS officer is on site to ensure a safe environment. Preregistration is required. Durham Elementary/Intermediate School. www.cityofsouthlake.com

15 Sunday Richardson “Strega Nona: The Musical” - 2:30 PM: Family Theatre Series sponsored by Friends of the Richardson Library. The musical tale of a friendly magical witch with a funny name based on the children’s books by Tomie dePaola.Hill Performance Hall. Tickets: $10-$20. Eisemann Center Ticket Office 972-744-4650

17 Tuesday Dallas Dine Out for March of Dimes: November is Prematurity Awareness Month. Show your support by visiting any of 3 Dallas Picasso’s restaurants from 4p.m. until close. www.marchofdimes.com

19 Thursday Grand Prairie Curious George Live!: All Ages. Tickets: $12-$34. Nokia Theatre. www.curiousgeorgelive.com

Flower Mound Jewelry Show and Paint Night - 5:30 PM: Color-Me-Mine is a Paint-it-Yourself pottery studio. Join us for painting and a jewelry show hosted by Premier Jewelry from 5:30-9 p.m. Reservations required. Call 972-899-9911. www.dfw.colormemine.com

20 Friday Dallas The Best Christmas Pageant Ever: Dallas Children’s Theater presents. It just isn’t Christmas without the Herdmans! They’re the worst kids in the history of the world, and they’re determined to be in the annual Christmas pageant. At Rosewood Center for Family Arts! Fri/Sat/ Sun performance times. Tickets from $14-$25. Call 214-740-0051 or visit www.dct.org.

Dallas Santa’s Holiday for Strings: A Puppetry Extravaganza. Dallas Children’s Theater presents a Kathy Burks Theater for Puppetry Arts holiday production. There’s Santa, Frosty, dancing penguins, a singing armadillo, and more in this rollicking musical revue. Weekend performances. Tickets from $14-$25. Call 214-740-0051 or visit www.dct.org for reservations.

North Texas Kids • November 2009 • www.NorthTexasKids.com

21 Saturday Plano Plano YMCA Heartsaver CPR and First Aid Classes: LOCATION: Plano Family YMCA in Legacy, 5101 Tennyson Pkwy. COST: $45 Full Facility Member, $60 - Activity Member . CONTACT: Cassie McKee, cmckee@ymcadallas.org, 972-378-9622. www.planoymca.org

Plano Plano Parks & Recreation 31st Annual Christmas Crafts Fair: The place to purchase holiday decorations for your home including handmade tree skirts, ornament, wreaths and jewelry along with hand-painted decorations and personalized holiday items. FREE. For information, contact the City of Plano Parks and Rec. Department at 972-941-7250 or visit www.planoparks.org Plano Centre 2000 E. Spring Creek Parkway

Dallas The Trains at NorthPark: The most elaborate toy train exhibit in Texas, with vintage locomotives whizzing by on a journey across America. More than 40 Lionel-type O-Gauge and larger G-Gauge locomotives chug on 2,500 feet of track. Open during regular shopping hours. Ticket: $6.00 for adults, $3.00 for children. NorthPark Center. www.northparkcenter.com

Richardson Gobble Hobble 5K & Family Fun Run - 8:00 AM: 5K/1M Galatyn Park, 2351 Performance Dr, Richardson, TX 972-671-5263 www.centralhealthandwellness.com/gobblehobble.cfm

Southlake Home for the Holidays Tree Lighting - 5:30 PM: Join the City of Southlake and Southlake Town Square for a night of holiday magic as we light up Town Square and welcome in the season with lots of family fun! Southlake Town Square. www.cityofsouthlake.com

23 Monday Carrollton Holiday Mini Camp at Bounce U: From 9-2. Bring your kids to have some fun before they experience the family hustle and bustle of Thanksgiving. Lunch is included each day, but remember to RSVP quickly. Call 972-939-5000 to register. www.bounceu.com/cities/carrollton.tx Located at the SE corner of Josey & Frankford.

24 Tuesday Dallas Dollar Day at the Dallas Zoo: Get everyone out of the house before Turkey Day and enjoy the Zoo for just a buck. The Dallas Zoo shows its appreciation to the community for its support with $1 admission all day and dollar deals throughout the park. Take the DART Red Line straight to the Zoo entrance and avoid the traffic and save the $7 per car parking fee. www.DallasZoo.com

Garland Preteen Tuesday at the North Garland Branch Library-4:00 PM. Enjoy some after-school downtime, play games, talk to friends, have a snack, and hear about some great books available for check-out at the library. This program is for kids 9 to 14 years old - no registration required. Snacks will be provided or bring one! For more information, visit the Children’s Programs page or call 972-205-2804.

26 Thursday Sachse 6th Annual Sachse High School Turkey Trot 8:00 AM: 3M/1M Sachse High School, Sachse, TX 972-414-9712 www.garlandisdschools.net

27 Friday McKinney 29th Annual Dickens of a Christmas...Home for the Holidays: An old fashioned Christmas festival with horse drawn carriages, strolling carol-

ers, pictures with Santa Claus, the Christmas tree lighting and activities for all ages. Seasonal music, food and children’s activities provided by local organizations will take center stage during the event. FREE. For more information visit McKinney Main Street at www.downtownmckinney.com or call 972.547.2660.

Carrollton Bounce U is hosting a Drop & Shop: “Black Friday” is a day for shopping without the children. Bounce U is hosting a Drop & Shop from 7 am - 3 p.m. for those who want to shop quickly and not worry about their children. Call 972-939-5000 to register asap. www.bounceu.com/cities/carrollton.tx Located at the Southeast corner of Josey & Frankford.

Mesquite Mesquite Championship Rodeo - Holiday Rodeo Season: Two hours of non-stop action and rock’n roll with all the events that fans have come to expect at a championship rodeo: Bull Riding, Saddle Bronc Riding, Bareback Riding, Cowgirl Barrel Racing, Tie-Down Roping, Steer Wrestling and Team Roping. Tickets $6 for children (12 and under) and $11 for adults with parking for $3. Gates open at 6:30 p.m. and rodeo events begin at 7:30 p.m. www.mesquiterodeo.com

All Chamberlain Performing Arts presents “The Nutcracker”: Hill Performance Hall. Tickets: $5-$50. Eisemann Center Ticket Office 972-7444650 www.chamberlainperformingarts.org

Grapevine North Pole Express: Steam down the tracks aboard the North Pole Express, complete with carols, stories and an enchanting encounter with Santa Claus himself. So, grab your pj’s and ride the Grapevine Vintage Railroad to your Christmas dreams! Tickets are necessary for all ages 2 and up. www.grapevinetexasusa.com

Grapevine Christmas on Main Street: Free fun activities for the entire family like horse drawn carriages, exciting reindeer games and much more family fun to get your in the holiday spirit. www.grapevinetexasusa.com

Ongoing Fun Classes and Activities Arlington Everyday. Stay at Home Moms in the South Arlington area!! Looking to get out with your kid or kids? Come hang out with us. We offer friendship, activities, and support! Our families would love to meet yours! arlingtonsmomsclub@yahoo.com www.momsclub.org

Arlington Friday Night Open Skate-on going event, Every Friday - Come have fun hangin with your friends. Games, music, friends, concessions and much more! Elzie Odom Recreation Center, 1601 NE Green Oaks Blvd. 76006. 7 pm - 10 pm $10 entree fee. For ages 13 and under, parents must sign child in at the door and verify their age. For more information call 817-459-6434. www.naturallyfun.org

Carrollton AW Perry Homestead Museum 1509 N. Perry Rd 972-466-6380. Free Admission and Tours, Mon Sat 10 - 12 & 1 - 5 www.cityofcarrollton.com

Carrollton At BounceU, kids birthday parties are only the beginning. From field trips and fundraisers, to club outings and team parties, any BounceU event is all about U. And if you just can’t wait until your next BounceU party, reserve a spot at one of our famously fun Open Bounce sessions! 2nd Friday of each month 6-10 pm - Kids Nite Out is hosted by Bounce U Carrollton. Take some time to reconnect with your spouse & drop off your kids for Kids Nite

Out which includes dinner. Carrollton location 3050 N. Josey Ln, Ste 110, 75007. 972-939-5000 www.bounceu.com/cities/carrollton.tx

Dallas Bring the family to Weekends at the Dallas Museum of Art. Kids 12 and under are FREE! We offer a variety of kids’ activities beginning at 1pm including: Studio Creations, Sketching in the Galleries for Kids, Collection Connections and Family Films. For all the details, visit www.dallasmuseumofart.org

Dallas Lakeshore has FREE crafts for kids on Saturdays. Located just north of the Galleria on Dallas Pkwy (13846 Dallas Pkwy ) 972-9348866 for more information.

Dallas Dallas Arboretum. Mommy & Me Mondays 10am - 2pm. 10am - 2pm: Tiny Tots Tuesdays presented by Children’s Medical Center. www.dallasarboretum.org

Dallas Outstanding family entertainment is abundant at Slappy’s Puppet Playhouse. Marionette Show Times: Fridays - 10:30 AM, Saturdays - 10:30 AM and 1:00 PM, Sundays 2:00 PM. Variety Show Times: Saturdays - 4:00 PM www.slappysplayhouse.com

Dallas/Casa Linda Glaze Days! Saturday and Sundays. Pottery Painting for all ages. Drop in Saturdays 10:00 am to 2:00 pm and Sundays 1:00 pm to 4 pm. Cost is price of items chosen plus tax! www. artisticgatherings.com

DFW Playin’ Around Town hosts events throughout the Dallas metroplex during the mid-day hours Monday through Friday. The events take place at venues such as: water parks, in-door bounce houses, arcades, gymnastic centers, music and craft centers, etc. All events are open for parents and their immediate family to attend, at NO CHARGE. www.playinaroundtown.com

Flower Mound Preschool Story-times at the Library 3 - 6 years, Mon & Tues, 10:00 am & 2:00 p.m. Bring your children and friends to enjoy our weekly theme for Story-time. 3030 Broadmoor Ln, Flower Mound 75022. Visit the Town of Flower Mound Web Site for more info. Registration not required.

Flower Mound Color Me Mine is a paint it yourself ceramic studio. Kids Pizza Night is held every Friday night from 6:30-9 for kids ages 6 . Drop off your kids for a night of pizza, painting, movies, and more! www.dfw.colormemine.com

Flower Mound/Highland Village Friday: Flower Mound 6-10 pm. Saturday: Highland Village 6-10 pm Excite! holds parents night out so that your children can enjoy their evening with friends and activities. Open Gym, foam pit, games, music and Pizza dinner. Visit www.excitegymandcheer.com or call 972-874-9663 Flower Mound 972-874-8500 Highland Village for more information and reservations (Ages 3 - 11).

Frisco Tuesdays are Half Price Games - enjoy all midway games at half price! Wednesdays are Kids Eat Free (one free kid’s buffet* with the purchase of one adult buffet at regular price. *Kids 10 yrs. & under) www.gattitownfrisco.com

Frisco Wiggly Play Center weekdays - Daily Activities @ 11:30 Tuesday: Puppet show Wednesday: Storytime Thursday: Dance with DorothyFriday: Wiggle with Wags. No activity Monday. 4944 Preston Rd, Suite 100 Frisco (469) 633-0676 www.wigglyplaycenter.com

Frisco Frisco Public Library Youth Services Programming. For more information on all programs call 972-292-KNOW or visit www.friscolibrary.com

Frisco Fridays at 1pm - Preschool storytime is hosted by Adventure Kids Playcare. Each week we will read stories from your childhood. Friday Nights - Parents’ Night Out & Kids Fun Night Out! Every Friday night has a theme to keep the kids excited about coming to Adventure Kids Playcare. Enjoy snacks & movies based on the theme each week. Call 972.668.5990 to reserve your child’s spot or call with questions. Frisco location: 2831 Eldorado Parkway, Suite 110 (corner of FM 423 and Eldorado Parkway) www.adventurekidsplaycare.com

Grapevine 1st Wednesday of each month 4:30 p.m. Rainforest Cafe is hosting the Grapevine Mills Mall Kids Club storytime. Bring your family and friends to enjoy some great stories and eat dinner at Rainforest Cafe for Family Night. Contact 972-539-5001 for more information. No reservation required. www.rainforestcafe.com

Highland Village Acting Classes for Kids. Studio B is offering a wide range of acting classes for ages 3 and up. 1 Nelson Parkway at 2400 FM 407 in Highland Village. 972-966-2787 www.studiobtheater.info

Highland Village Join us for Storytime for Children every Wednesday & Saturday at 10:00 AM, Spanish Storytime for children, every Wednesday at 10:30 AM. Barnes & Noble - 4100 Deer Creek, Highland Village 972-966-0099 crm2271@bn.com

Irving JumpSTART Stories and Art. The Irving Arts Center and Irving Public Library now offer FREE family storytimes at the Arts Center on the first Thursday of every month (through December) at 10 a.m. Stories are followed by a fun craft. Call (972) 252-7558 x221 for more info.

Little Elm Various programs for Toddlers and up at the Little Elm Library. Located in the Town Hall building at 100 W. Eldorado Pkwy 75068. Contact 214-975-0430 or visit www.littleelm. com to verify changes. www.littleelm.com

Mansfield Mansfield Public Library has weekly storytimes for babies, toddlers, and pre-schoolers. www.mansfield-tx.gov/departments/library

McKinney “Second Saturdays” Downtown McKinney: A celebration of the arts and the community with live entertainment, spirits, and food. From Hwy 75, exit 40A, head east on Louisiana Street for 1.5 miles. Galleria d’Arte is on the corner of Kentucky and Louisiana at 100 E Louisiana St. Art Institute of McKinney is at 113 S Kentucky Street. 972-548-7830 7 PM - 10 PM www.artinstituteofmckinney.com

punching and kicking. It’s fun, safe and it allows students to develop more than physical skills. The benefits of training include positive attitude and improved behavior, focus, self discipline and confidence. With classes available for all levels and ages with a specific curriculum for family training. 6500 Preston Meadow, Plano 75024. www.psaplano.org

Plano EVERY Wed night at Jump Town is Wacky Wednesday! Just follow the Wacky Theme of the night and the kids will get to jump for only $4! Each week is different, check our website for our calendar of events. We want everyone to have LOTS of fun and be wacky and crazy at the same time - save money, have fun and JUMP!!! To get discount, child must participate in the Wacky Theme of the night. Offer not valid with other discounts or offers. Jump Town, 3045 W 15th Street 972-867-JUMP (5867) www.thejumptown.com

Plano, Flower Mound, Hurst Boomerangs, First & Third Thursday of each month. We open one hour early to special needs families so parents can jump with their children. The cost will be half price for the children (parents are free). Parent’s night out every Friday 7-11pm ages 6-11, dropoff begins at 6:30, $25 for 1st child, $15 for each sibling. Please check website calendar or call for specific store hours. Plano: 214-473-9995, Flower Mound: 469-549-4400, Hurst 817-503-8100 www.boomerangspartyandplay.com

Princeton Groove Kids, Every Sun & Wed. FREE to kids newborn thru 6th grade - Groove Kids is the place to be to have fun, hang out with Christian friends, enjoy Bible stories, cool music, & more! Sunday 10:45-12:00 and Wednesday 7-8 at Family Worship Center in Princeton, TX on Highway 380 @ Tickety Drive. (Call for directions 469.450.7437) www.groovekids.com

Richardson Peppermint Baby Boutique holds regular classes. Peppermint Baby Boutique 1778 N. Plano Rd., Suite 100 in Richardson. Class and Registration information can be found at www.peppermint.com or by calling 214-6235080. www.peppermint.com

Southlake Kids Night at Chick-fil-A Southlake. Every Tuesday evening, we offer free kids activities & loads of fun! 5:30-7:30pm at Chick-fil-A Southlake, 2301 E. Southlake Blvd., 817-481-7152 www.cfarestaurant.com/southlake/home

Southlake Third Friday of each month, 6pm - 10pm Kids Night Out - 280 BLOCK PARTY! Jump Zone is hosting a Kids Night Out for ages 3-14. Join Jump!Zone, Dollamur Martial Arts and South-

lake Gymnastics Academy for a Kid’s Night Out! Children will be put in appropriate age groups (if needed) and spend time in Jump!Zone, Dollamur and Southlake Gymnastics Academy. Pizza and Drinks! Space is limited- call today to reserve your spot. Call to pre-register! 817-7788870 #4. Check in begins at 5:45 at 280 Sports front doors. Must be potty trained in order to participate. www.jumpzoneparty.com

Various REGISTER TODAY for Kids First Ice Hockey Program. A totally FREE, get-acquainted program that offers boys and girls, ages 4-8, the opportunity to ‘try’ the game of hockey at NO CHARGE. The first week each player is given a full set of hockey equipment to use during the program. Kids will skate (4) 45 minute on ice sessions designed to introduce kids to the excitement of the sport. (214) GO SKATE www.drpepperstarcenter.com

Various Meetup Group for the Entire FAMILY. A fun and exciting meetup group for couples and families to fulfill all of their social needs! If your looking for the perfect meetup group to make new friends for yourself or for your family this is the place to be! groups.yahoo.com/group/familiesonthego

Various Baylor Medical Centers provide ongoing classes in Irving, Frisco, Dallas, and Fort Worth. Classes include Baby Care Basics/ Infant Safety and CPR, Prepared Childbirth Class, Infant/Child CPR, Car Seat Safety and SIDS Class, Breastfeeding Class, Sibling Class, Baby Care Basics, Cesarean Birth Class. 1-800-4-BAYLOR www.baylorhealth.edu/

Various Dallas / Fort Worth Cocker Spaniel Rescue Hosts special Meet & Greets scheduled in the area. Saturday events at PETSMARTS ARE from 11 to 4 www.dfwcares.org

Wylie Visit Rescued Exotic Cats. In-Sync Exotics is home to 43 exotic cats, including 3 rare white lions! We invite you to visit our sanctuary on Saturdays and Sundays from 11am-6pm. There is a requested donation of $10/adult and $7/ child or senior (group rates available). Donations are tax deductible and all proceeds benefit the cats of In-Sync. www.insyncexotics.com.

Wow! Our support group listings overflowed! Please find all of our Support Group listings online this month at northtexaskids.com at the ‘Ongoing/ Support Groups’ link. Submitting Events: Please submit all events to us online at www.northtexaskids.com.

McKinney Arani Bellydance is a mom duo teaching beginner classes to ladies of all ages and sizes in downtown McKinney. Have fun, rediscover your curves, and shimmy like you mean it! Weekly classes are held Mondays at 1pm, Tuesdays & Thursdays at 8pm. Call Raena at 214-6843966 for more info! www.aranibellydance.net

McKinney Terrific Tuesdays, Every Tuesday. 2-for-1 Supply Fee. Two painters pay for the price of one.... an $8 savings! www.wallofclaymckinney.org

Plano Story Times Plano Public Library System Schedules are available at any PPLS library or on our website www.planolibrary.org.

Plano Friday nights 7-10 pm. Plano Sports Authority brings Martial Arts Parents Night Out to Plano! Open to all PSA Families and you must rsvp in advance at 972-208-3817 or martialarts@ psaplano.org. The Martial Arts are more than

Be thankful that you don’t already have everything you desire. If you did, what would there be to look forward to? Be thankful when you don’t know something, for it gives you the opportunity to learn. Be thankful for the difficult times. During those times you grow. Be thankful for your limitations, because they give you opportunities for improvement. Be thankful for each new challenge, because it will build your strength and character. Be thankful for your mistakes. They will teach you valuable lessons. Be thankful when you’re tired and weary, because it means you’ve made a difference. Gratitude can turn a negative into a positive. Find ways to be thankful for your troubles, and they can become your blessings.

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North Texas Kids • November 2009 • www.NorthTexasKids.com

Birthday Party Fun! We do it all for you, so relax & enjoy

$69.99

+ tax

for up to 10 children $6.10 for each additional child

• • • •

Allen McKinney Plano Richardson

Party includes: Happy Meal , Cake, Ice Cream, Decorations, ®

Party Favors, a Host or Hostess and a Gift for the Birthday Child.

To make reservations: Visit www.OreillyMCD.com or call our birthday party hotline at 972.985.9285.

Now Available 7 days a week! No deposit required. Locally owned and operated by Chuck and Julie O’Reilly

Looking for a Speaker for Your Next Meeting?

Here are a just a few of the topics our speakers cover... Parenting l Motivaton l Stress Management l Relationships l Self-Defense

The Speaker Coop is your online resource for experienced, entertaining, and informative speakers for your next event. Search our website by topic or speaker.

Visit www.speakercoop.com today!

North Texas Kids • November 2009 • www.NorthTexasKids.com

Index of Advertisers A Clown Named Zoe

Gotta Dance

Rich Educational Consulting

Academy of Dance Arts

Grin Pediatric Dentistry

Rockwall Indoor Sports Expo

Action Martial Arts

Indoor Safari Park

Scentsy Wickless

Adventure Kids

It’s A Sensory World

Scraptions by Christy

All Creatures Vet

Jamba Juice

15, 19

Smashing Times

Angels of Care Pediatric

Kids Care Therapy

SoccerTots

Baylor, Our Children’s House

Lakehill Prepatory School

Speaker Coop

Boomerangs

Learn & Grow

Sweet & Sassy

Bounce U - Carrollton

Learning RX

9, 18

Texas Star Pharmacy

Brain Balance Achievment Centers 19

Mathnasium Plano

16, 18

The Artist Within

Club Z: Plano & Flower Mound

McDonald’s – O’Reilly’s

The Eisemann Center

CSM Printing

McKinney Main Street

The Purple Cow

Dallas Children’s Theater

‘Neath The Wreath

The Shops at Willowbend

Dallas Museum of Art

Noah’s Ark

The Wiggly Play Center

Dallas Summer Musicals

North Texas Kids

Therapy 2000

Dr Pepper StarCenter

Odyssey Theatrical

Tutoring Club: Plano & Allen

Dynamic Therapy

Paige’s Swim School

Tuzer Baller

Eagle Gymnastics

Paint Yer Pottery

U Bee Dazzled

Elite Champion Gymnastics

Plano Sports Authority

US Toy Co.

ER Centers

Planting Seeds Christian

White Dove Montessori

Evelyn’s Janitorial

Pump It Up Junior

Yogun Fruz

Excite Gym & Cheer

Pumpkin Littles

Family e-Guide

Rainforest Cafe

17, 18

Please tell our advertisers you saw them in North Texas Kids! Find links to all of these businesses on our website at www.northtexaskids.com North Texas Kids • November 2009 • www.NorthTexasKids.com

Bring the family to

Every Saturday & Sunday Kids under 12 receive FREE admission Most activities take place in the Center for Creative Connections on Level 1.

studio creations

collection connections

Saturday & Sunday 1:00–3:30 p.m.

Sunday 1:30–3:30 p.m.

sketching in the galleries for kids

family films

Every third Saturday 1:00–2:00 p.m.

Saturday & Sunday 2:00 p.m.

This month don’t miss family activities inspired by the exhibition All the World’s a Stage. Family initiatives are funded by Catherine and Will Rose and the Pollock Foundation Education Endowment Fund. New family learning experiences are supported by a grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services. The Museum’s Gateway Gallery Endowment Fund, the Mr. and Mrs. H. Lee Hobson Endowment Fund, the Betty Moroney Norsworthy Education Endowment Fund, and the Karen and Richard Pollock Education Endowment Fund provide a permanent source of support for family and community programs. Annual support for family and community programs is provided by The M. R. & Evelyn Hudson Foundation, the Junior League of Dallas, and the Donor Circle membership program through leadership gifts by an anonymous donor and the Dedman Foundation. Promotional support provided by

DallasMuseumofArt.org

The Dallas Museum of Art is supported in part by the generosity of Museum members and donors and by the citizens of Dallas through the City of Dallas/ Office of Cultural Affairs and the Texas Commission on the Arts.

Ticket Giveaway

North Texas Kids • November 2009 • www.NorthTexasKids.com