Birmingham Fun and Family - May 2019

MAY 2019 | BHAMFUNANDFAMILY.COM | LITTLE BOOK, BIG RESOURCES!

Summer

corner IS AROUND THE

Summer camps, page 14

UNPLUG 8 ways to limit screen time Page 13

Children’s Consignment Store 5479 Hwy 280, Ste 124 | 205.874.6655

Maternity Furniture Accessories Specializing in new and gently used clothing for newborns to pre-teens Mon-Sat, 10-6 Sun, 11-3 2 Reach your market with us — (205) 617-9609 or info@bhamfunfamily.com

Specializing in Children’s Wear Gifts & Accessories

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PUBLISHER’S

NOTE

As a child, May 1 was an awesome day. It signaled the last few weeks of school before summer break — swimming pools, vacation, sleeping in late, and spending all day exploring in the woods were just around the corner.

As a parent, I still get excited about summers. But, it can be anxiety-inducing as well, as we scramble to find summer camps for our kids to attend, somebody to keep them while we work, and making sure the pantry has more food than normal!

In this issue, you’ll find our summer camp guide in case you’re still looking for ideas; new product recalls for items you might not have heard about; news from businesses that cater to you and your children; and our newest contributing columnist, Ward Williams of Vineyard Family Services. I hope you’ll also take a few minutes to read our take on screen time for your children.

It’s a hot topic as our world continues to trend toward mobile technology.

I’m always open to ideas or suggestions from our readers. Drop me a line at matthew@bhamfunandfamily.com. Thanks for reading, and please support our advertisers, as they make it possible for us to bring Birmingham Fun and Family to you!

Looking to summer,

Matthew Allen Publisher and Dad

4 Reach your market with us — (205) 617-9609 or info@bhamfunfamily.com

ABOUT US

Birmingham Fun and Family is published monthly

by JBMC Media, LLC, P.O. Box 26432, Birmingham AL 35260. 14,000 copies are printed and distributed at more than 350 locations throughout Jefferson and Shelby Counties.

DISTRIBUTION

If your business would like to make copies available to customers, please email info@bhamfunfamily.com with your business name, address, point of contact, and number of copies you would like.

ADVERTISING

O U R A DV E RT I S I N G PA RT N E R S Some great local businesses partner with us each month to keep Birmingham Fun and Family FREE for you! All we ask is that you take every chance to support them, and keep your money local! As always, let them know you saw them in BFFM! Alabaster CityFest

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Aldridge Gardens

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Birmingham Children’s Theatre

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Children’s of Alabama

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GradePower Learning, Pelham Heritage Christian Academy

To reach the largest audience of parents in Birmingham each month, partner with us. Email info @bhamfunfamily.com to get started with a partnership that will be a key part of your marketing plan.

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Master Scarsella’s World Class Tae Kwon Do

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McWane Science Center

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Neighborhood Bridges Hoover

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Nothing Bundt Cakes

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One Man & a Toolbox

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Painted Personalities

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Sike’s Children’s Shoes / Jack n Jill

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The Grove School

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The Red Barn

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The Tutoring Center

Heart of Dixie Railroad Museum

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Then Again Children’s Consignment

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Hoover City Schools Foundation

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Vineyard Family Services

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Jackie O’Neal School of Dance

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Virginia Samford Theatre

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Kasey Davis Dentistry

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Vulcan Termite & Pest Control

King’s Home

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Birmingham Fun and Family Magazine

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Just for Dads

G

rowing up in the 1980s, there were lots of different images depicted of the American father. From the smart and compassionate father from Family Ties and Growing Pains, to the benevolent father of Different Strokes, and of course the buffoonery of Al WARD Bundy and Homer Simpson.

WILLIAMS And we can’t forget the house full of single men raising daughters in Full House.

Everyone has a picture of what an ideal dad is supposed to be. Over the next couple of months in this space, I hope to share with you why fathers still matter today. National Fatherhood Initiative research has concluded that involved fathers help kids have better grades, have better verbal skills, better physical health and more confidence. Statistically speaking, children growing up in father absent homes are more likely to die in infancy, live in poverty, end up in prison, use drugs, be abused, be overweight, and not finish high school.

I grew up in a single-parent home, and I know there are plenty of children who grow up happy,

I know there are plenty of children who grow up happy, healthy, and become successful without a father in the picture. I also knew ... that I wanted my kids to have a different experience from my own and to know a home with a stable, happy and involved father.

healthy, and become successful without a father in the picture. I also knew from a young age that I wanted my kids to have a different experience from my own and to know a home with a stable, happy and involved father. l have been married for for more than 20 years and have three children —two boys (17 and 15) and a girl (12). I love getting to be a dad to some nutty kids and hope to share some fun stories with you over the next several months.

Ward Williams is the founder and executive director of Vineyard Family Services.

Contact him at ward@vfsdads.com.

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Local business news Pretty Please Parties Deanna Gardner has launched Pretty Please Parties, a business dedicated to helping you create memorable birthday parties for your child(ren). “If you’re nostalgic like I am, those are some of your most cherished memories,” she says. “And as a mom, I’ve tried to create those special birthday moments for my kids — moments they will one day look back on and remember fondly. It’s this nostalgic love that inspired me to launch Pretty Please Parties.” The service helps parents plan parties with dedicated party themes and party planning services. prettypleaseparties.com | prettypleaseparties prettypleasebhm | (205) 690-1259

CakEffect In Hoover’s new Village at Brock’s Gap, one of the first stores to open is CakEffect, “the little cake shop with a grand effect.” Husband and wife team Cardell and Komeh Davis moved their shop from Homewood to Hoover and held a ribbon cutting on March 7. cakeffect.com | CakEffect cakeffect | 1021 Brock’s Gap Parkway, Ste 109, Hoover | (205) 803-5669

Tangles & Toes Kids Salon Tangles & Toes Kids Salon opened in February in the Arbor Place shopping center on Highway 280. Owned by husband and wife Jeff and Kimberly Wilson, the salon caters to young children, complete with décor that kids find fun and exciting. In addition to hair cuts, they have a space for birthday parties, and they offer a yearly package that parents can buy that gives their child a certain number of cuts over a 12-month period. tanglesandtoeskids.com | tanglesandtoeskids | 5479 Highway 280, Suite 112, Birmingham | (205) 739-2199

Cookie Cutters H ­ air Cuts for Kids Todd and Glenn Hengst have announced that they will open Alabama’s first Cookie Cutters ­_ Hair Cuts for Kids location. The salon will open in Hoover’s new Stadium Trace Village, at the corner of Highway 150 and I-459. Cookie Cutters offers custom haircuts for children of all ages, and they specialize in serving children with special needs. The Hengsts plan on opening more locations in Birmingham after opening the Hoover location in July. haircutsarefun.com | CookieCuttersHoover 1028 Marble Terrace, Suite 108, Hoover

Eyes on Chelsea Vision Care Narrows Family Eye Care has moved to Chelsea and is now operating as Eyes on Chelsea Vision Care. Dr. Jessica Palmer and her staff offer vision care for families, including children. Pediatric eye exams are offered to children from

birth through 18 years. The new location in Chelsea allows them to see more patients and bring their patients the latest in technology. eyesonchelsea.com | Narrows Family Eye Care, 10699 Old Highway 280, Bldg 2, Chelsea (205) 980-4530

The Whole Scoop Ice Cream Shop The Whole Scoop Ice Cream Shop in Hoover announced it will move from its current location on South Shades Crest Road to the Village at Brock’s Gap on May 14. The ice cream store, owned by David and Sue Cohen, has been in Hoover for 8 years and draws visitors from all parts of Birmingham.

They serve more than two dozen flavors of ice cream, along with custom made milkshakes, ice cream cakes, and more. thewholescoopicecream.com | The Whole Scoop Ice Cream Shop,1021 Brock’s Gap Parkway, Hoover | (205) 444-8000

Altitude Trampoline Park Altitude Trampoline Park will open this summer in Pelham.

The national chain of trampoline and bounce parks will open its third Alabama location, with existing locations in Huntsville and Mobile. Altitude will offer birthday parties, group events, toddler time, and multiple areas featuring different attractions. altitudebirmingham.com | AltitudePelhamAL 8581 Helena Road, Pelham

Women’s Care Specialists Women’s Care Specialists, currently located at Brookwood Baptist Medical Center, has announced that it will move its office to Grandview Medical Center this fall. The practice offers a full range of women’s health services, including OB/GYN, preventive health, preliminary infertility services, in-office diagnostic services, and more. After their move to Grandview, they will continue to deliver and perform surgeries at Brookwood Baptist. wcspc.com | WomensCareSpecialistsPC, 2006 Brookwood Medical Center Drive, Suite 600, Homewood | (205) 877-2971

The Rainbow Balloon Company Two companies, BOBaloons and Lou Lou’s, have merged to form The Rainbow Balloon Company, located inside Lou Lou’s retail storefront in the Patton Creek Shopping Center in Hoover. The owners, Mary Lou Kunka and Jessica Zillman, bring more than 30 combined years of experience in creating beautiful and memorable balloon arrangements for parties, showers, and other events. rainbowballooncompany.com | FB and IG: TheRainbowBalloonCompany, 160 Main Street, Suite 132, Hoover | (205) 542-5881 Have some business news you want to share?

Submit it to matthew@bhamfunandfamily.com.

10 Reach your market with us — (205) 617-9609 or info@bhamfunfamily.com

3659 Lorna Road #121 Hoover, AL 35216 (205) 987-3640

T H E N A G A I N C O N S I G N M E N T. C O M

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Jackie O’Neal School of Dance proudly presents

The Lion King - May 18, 2019 - Alabama Theatre FREE admission - Jr. Showcase, 1pm - Sr. Showcase, 6pm

(205) 822-6212 | jackieonealschoolofdance.com 3336 Rocky Ridge Plaza, Vestavia Hills

Learn more about our summer programs on page 18

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FREE TO THE PUBLIC

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M a y 3 0 - J u n e 2 @ S l o s s F u r n a c e s ; J u n e 1 3 - 1 6 @ R i v e rc h a s e G a l l e r i a

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12 Reach your market with us — (205) 617-9609 or info@bhamfunfamily.com

8 ways to unplug Parents today must deal with something that our parents didn’t have to: managing screen time.

With the advances in technology over the past decade, kids are starting on screens before they are even a year old.

Whether it’s a tablet, computer or gaming console, how much should you be limiting their time in front of electronics?

While some screen time has benefits, such as education, teaching language and literacy and learning how to use technology (and keeping our kids occupied on longer road trips), there are a lot of downsides to allowing kids too much screen time, like sleep and vision problems, focus issues, disconnection from others and even depression.

School is about to be out for summer, so how can we limit screen time when our kids have much more free time on their hands? Enjoying the peace and quiet of kids being occupied by phones, tablets, or game consoles can be more appealing than playing referee when they’re fighting, but there needs to be a balance.

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends that children between the ages of 2 and 5 have at most one hour of screen time per day.

They also recommend that babies under 18 months should not use any digital media, including tablets, phones and television. It can cause overstimulation, sleep problems and lack of bonding between them and their parents. For children over 5, the AAP recommends no more than 2 hours per day of sedentary screen time.

Creating healthy routines when your child is under 5 will make it easier as they get older. Here are 8 ways to help.

1. Set time limits.

If your child spends more than two hours a day on their device, start by reducing it a little each day until it gets to a reasonable amount.

2. Set an example.

As adults, we are on our phones a lot, so our kids need to see behavior modeled that we want them to follow. Try to limit how much time you spend on your phone around your kids. Try leaving your phone in another room during dinner or other times that family interaction is important to you.

3. Make a checklist.

Set out everything your child has to do before they can even have screen time. It can include basic daily chores like making the bed, eating breakfast and getting dressed. Then, add things they really need to do like reading, playing outside or cleaning their

room. Make screen time something that they earn.

4. Give them other options for fun.

Go outside, build with legos, jump on the trampoline or go to the pool, just to name a few.

5. Download a parent control app.

These will let you set limits on how long they can be on their device and set it to turn off after a certain amount of time.

6. Use devices as rewards instead of giving free access.

Don’t just take away time as punishment.

7. Parents should be on the same page.

If mom has stricter limits than dad, come to a happy medium and both parents enforce the same rules.

8. Keep phones, tablets, and gaming consoles in a different part of the house at night, away from your child’s room. Most research links late night screen time with a reduced quality in sleep, among other things.

For older kids with social media, make sure to go over the basics with them. Once something is posted, it’s out there and can’t always be taken back.

Set proper privacy settings, have control of their logins, be cautious of friend requests and don’t be a cyber bully.

While screen time isn’t necessarily a bad thing, it needs to have a balance and knowing when to do something about it. Consistency is important, so make sure the established rules are applied all the time.

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It’s the age-old question for parents — what are the kids going to do this summer? When the last school bell rings and summer begins, so too begins your masterful juggling act of making sure your child’s summer is the best it can be. Happy Camping!

Aldridge Gardens Summer Camp

(205) 682-8019

3530 Lorna Road, Hoover AL 35216, dmcdonald@aldridgegardens.com, aldridgegardens.com: Your child will love spending time with us at our creative camps in, around, and with nature. We specialize in American Girl Doll Camps and LOTS of science & art! All of our instructors are Alabama educators, and the Hoover Belles assist us with each camp.

BCT Players Summer Camp

(205) 458-8187

2130 Richard Arrington Jr. Blvd. North, Birmingham AL 35203, education@bct123.org, bct123.org/summer-camp: BCT Players Summer Camps have opportunities for youth of all ages.

Using techniques of dance, movement, voice, acting, and improvisation, students are encouraged to focus their voices, build their confidence, and hone their talents. Adventure awaits at the Imaginarium as campers aged 4 to 7 years explore the world of their imaginations. The Players Studio offers older campers (8-15 years) classes in dramatic tools to strengthen theatrical skills. This summer, BCT Players presents a fully-staged youth production of “Fame, Jr.” (performers aged 8+ are invited to audition on March 23rd). Camps will take place at Brookwood Village. 780 Brookwood Village, Birmingham, AL 35209.

Camp VST at Virginia Samford Theatre

(205) 251-1228

1116 26th Street South, Birmingham AL 35205, stars@virginiasamfordtheatre.org, virginiasamfordtheatre.org/vststars/camp-vst: This summer theatre intensive is designed to give children, ages 7-17, the opportunity to explore all aspects of working in live theatre! Students will participate in a series of classes and workshops taught by some of Birmingham’s best instructors and performers, focusing on acting, dance, music, Shakespeare, stage combat, improvisation, and more!

Voted “Best Theatre Classes” by readers of Birmingham Magazine in 2018!

Dawson Music Academy Summer Music Camp

(205) 871-7324

1114 Oxmoor Road, Homewood AL 35209, dawsonmusicacademy@dawsonchurch.org, dawsonmusicacademy.org: Join us July 15-19 for Summer Music Camp! Our camp experience focuses on helping preschool and elementary-age children discover their inner talents. Campers explore the instrument of their choice (guitar, piano, percussion, ukulele, violin, or voice) in small group instrument sessions with 6-10 campers who possess similar musical skills. Campers also enjoy rec games, art electives, and fun team building activities. Whether campers are new to music or have played an instrument for years, they will enjoy a camp experience that allows their inner talent to shine! continued on page 18 14 Reach your market with us — (205) 617-9609 or info@bhamfunfamily.com

$100 Off with Code: BHAMFUN

ARE YOU READY FOR

SUMMER CAMPS? The Grove School, located in Leeds, AL, is excited to offer the following morning or afternoon camps for children:

Movie Making with a Hollywood film maker, Slime and Squishies, Coding for Beginners and Intermediate, Robotics, Cookie and Cake Decorating, Yarn Art, Stop Motion Animation, Crafty Camp, Imagination Camp, Super Science, Rocketry, Math-a-Palooza, Games Camp, and much more!

For more information or to register go to

Entering 5K-3rd Grade

www.learningatthegrove.com/summer-camps

American Girl Dolls, Cool Art in the Garden, Mythbusters and Engineering & Construction

Entering 4th-5th Grade

American Girl Dolls, Engineering & Construction, Paper Circuitry and S.T.E.A.M LAB Science, Tech, Engineering, Art, & Math

Weekly sessions start June 3rd and each lasts 1 week 9 a.m.-NOON. Mid-morning snacks and drinks provided.

All teachers are Alabama Educators.

Pre�registration required. Register early. Camp enrollment is limited!

ALDRIDGE GARDENS | 3530 LORNA ROAD, HOOVER, AL 35216 | WWW.ALDRIDGEGARDENS.COM

Presented by

For the full schedule of events, visit us online at mcwane.org Shop local and support our advertisers! 15

Product Recalls Few things are more frustrating than researching and shopping for items that we need for our children -- cribs, strollers, clothes, shoes, baby monitors...the list goes on and on -- and finally making the purchase, only to find out later that the item is being recalled. Product recalls can be mildly inconvenient, but they serve a good purpose by informing us of potential issues with the products that we have purchased.

BFFM wants to keep you in the loop about products that have been recalled that you might have purchased for your family. The list below is up to date as of April 20. For more recent recalls, visit recalls.gov.

FIsher Price Rock ‘n Play Sleepers POTENTIAL HAZARD: Infant fatalities have occurred in Rock ‘n Play sleepers, after the infants rolled from their back to their stomach or side while unrestrained, or under other circumstances.

REMEDY: full refund CONSUMER CONTACT: Visit Fisher-Price online at www.service. mattel.com and click on “Recalls & Safety Alerts,” or call at (866) 812-6518 from 8am to 5pm CT Monday through Friday.

Specialized Roubaix, Ruby, Diverge, and Sirrus Bicycles with steerer tube collars POTENTIAL HAZARD: The bicycle’s steerer tube collar can crack if exposed to corrosion resulting in sudden loss of steering control, posing fall and injury hazards to the rider.

REMEDY: Repair CONSUMER CONTACT: Call Specialized Bicycle Components at (877) 808-8154 from 10am to 8pm CT Monday through Friday, email ridercare@specialized.com, or visit online at www.specialized.com and click on “Safety Notices.”

You can also contact an Authorized Specialized Retailer.

Little Experimenter children’s globes POTENTIAL HAZARD: The globe’s internal wires can short out and overheat, posing fire and burn hazards.

REMEDY: Replace CONSUMER CONTACT: Call (877) 206-1171 from 7am to 6pm CT Monday through Friday, or visit online at www.littleexperimenter.com and click on “Product Recall” at the bottom of the page.

16 Reach your market with us — (205) 617-9609 or info@bhamfunfamily.com

Product Recalls

Baby Rattle Socks by Midwest-CBK POTENTIAL HAZARD: Small ornaments can detach from the socks, posing a choking hazard to young children.

REMEDY: Refund CONSUMER CONTACT: Call Midwest-CBK at (800) 394-4225 from 8am to 4pm CT Monday through Friday, or email productrecovery@ mwcbk.com.

GO travel sleep sound machines by Marpac POTENTIAL HAZARD: The sound machine’s internal battery can leak and cause an electrical short, posing a burn hazard.

REMEDY: Refund CONSUMER CONTACT: Call Marpac at (800) 999-6962 from 7:30am to 4pm CT Monday through Thursday and 7:30am to 11am CT Friday, email at customerservice@marpac.com, or visit online at www.marpac.com and click on “recall notice.”

Universal rechargeable power banks by Luv Betsey POTENTIAL HAZARD: The power banks can overheat, posing a fire hazard REMEDY: Refund CONSUMER CONTACT: Call Daniel M. Friedman & Associates at (855) 706-6500 from 8am to 4pm CT Monday through Friday, e-mail at info@betseyjohnson.com, or visit online at www. betseyjohnson.com and click on the “Voluntary Recall” button.

NOTE: only two of several models show here. Visit online to see all models being recalled.

WIC nutrition plates by Brush Art POTENTIAL HAZARD: The plates are incorrectly labeled as microwave-safe. They contain aluminum, which poses a fire hazard if microwaved.

REMEDY: Replace CONSUMER CONTACT: Call Brush Art at (800) 778-9005 from 8:30am to 5pm CT Monday through Friday or visit online at www. brushart.com and click on “WIC Plate Recall.”

For more product recalls, visit recalls.gov.

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Camps & Activities

continued from page 14

GradePower Learning - Pelham

(205) 620-2373

349 Huntley Parkway, Pelham AL 35124, pelhamal@gradepowerlearning.com, gradepowerlearning.com/locations/pelham-tutoring: Sharpen academic skills for the next school year while preventing summer learning loss! Whether your child needs help with math, reading, or writing, or needs help catching up or getting ahead, we have customized options for any child from preschool through high school. We also offer ACT/SAT prep and basic study skills. Summer doesn’t have to be boring, because we make learning fun!

Highlands School Summer Camp

(205) 956-9731

4901 Old Leeds Road, Birmingham AL 35213, gmccool@highlandsschool.org, highlandsschool.org/page/student-life/summer-camp: ENRICHMENT CAMPS (Costs vary) Our Enrichment Camps include active, artistic, academic and just plain fun choices and are subject specific like karate, chess, coding or American Girl. Be sure to note that we offer morning sessions, some afternoon sessions and some full day camps! This year most full day camps include lunch. As always we have some new camps as well. Please look through the catalog or see below for camp descriptions, ages, costs and dates. Please also note the times each camp begins and ends.

TRADITIONAL DAY CAMP ($160, 12pm-4pm) If you’re in need of regular full day care this summer, each week we offer Traditional Day Camp for Kindergarten through 6th grade that includes a lunch, weekly themes, trips to the pool (1st-6th grade), outdoor play time, activities and exciting, creative projects. This year we are offering afternoon sessions ($160). They will be divided according to age (some groups may combine if numbers are low). Traditional Day Camp is offered every week. It can be paired with a morning Enrichment camp to make a full day of camp.

Jackie O’ Neal School of Dance

(205) 822-6212

3336 Rocky Ridge Plaza, Vestavia Hills AL 35243, jackieonealdance@aol.com, jackieonealschoolofdance.com SUMMER INTENSIVES Our Summer Intensives are best suited for dancers who have some dance experience. If you are looking to further your child’s dance training in an inviting and exciting atmosphere, this is a great option. For the more serious and committed dancers interested in competitive dance, evaluations to be considered for Company will be during Summer Intensive I, June 3-6, and available for dancers in K-12.

PRINCESS CAMP Join us this summer for a royal experience! Young ones come dressed as their favorite character and spend time with the “Fairy Godmother” learning ballet, reading stories, and doing arts and crafts. Classes fill up quickly so call and register today. Classes are designed especially for 3-6 year olds. Cost is $70. Session 1 is for 3 & 4 year olds, from 9:30-10:30am. Session 2 is for 5 & 6 year olds, from 10:30-11:30am. continued on page 22 18 Reach your market with us — (205) 617-9609 or info@bhamfunfamily.com

Vineyard Family Services Feeding Kids in Need, Promoting Responsible Fatherhood, and Helping Families in Crisis Donations help us: Feed children in need and provide other essential items Deliver family emergency food boxes Aid fathers and mothers with parenting programs Support incarcerated families and children Provide at-risk teens important life skills

www.vfsdads.com

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Heritage Christian Academy Spring Open House for our K3-12th grades

May 6th, 2019 | 6:30 PM

RSVP to bethbuyck@hcachristian.org or call

205-978-6001

to make your reservation

Spiritual Growth

Family

Learn what we believe, our purpose, mission, and vision.

Academics

FOOD, FUN, AND FELLOWSHIP

Athletics

Enroll today, play next week. No required move.

2290 Old Tyler Road | Hoover, AL www.hcachristian.org

20 Reach your market with us — (205) 617-9609 or info@bhamfunfamily.com

People are talking ...

I am an alumnus from HCA and it has shaped me into who I am today. The teachers truly invest their time into the students and care for their education, but also their spiritual lives. I still have teachers email me saying that I am on their minds. I have two younger siblings who attend HCA and I know that they might not realize what they are gaining from this school at this moment, but I know they will be impacted in greater ways than they can imagine. I am prepared both in my education and my spiritual life and I owe it all to the teachers and staff at this school.

— Corbin S

Heritage Christian School is a Christ centered high academic setting. God is at work in growing this great mission. Check out this school and spend time researching and you will see the difference. I have two kids here and could not be more impressed.

We move our kids from another good Christian school to Shades Mountain Christian (HCA) a few years ago and have been very thankful we did. The academic experience and Biblical foundation have been just as good but the kids have thrived socially in the smaller class environment and with the more diverse population of students.

— Posted by Parent - tlatk

Our daughter has attended HCA for two years and she LOVES it here. She has grown so much in these two years academically, emotionally and spiritually.

The teachers here truly love their students.

We love the small class sizes! They make the learning environment that much nicer. If you’re considering a private Christian school, check out HCA! — Gwynne M

— Joel S

I have been engaged and involved with Shades Mountain Christian School (Heritage Christian) in one way or another since 1975.

I’m a graduate and have two girls who currently attend. It’s been so amazing to see how God has used this school over the years to impact kids and families for His kingdom.

Small class sizes, godly teachers who really care, excellence in academics and the arts and athletics, and everything taught from a biblical worldview perspective are just a few of the things that makes HCA great.

— Bill V

The best decision I ever made was to send my children to Heritage Christian, the difference it’s made in their life, and in the way they treat / respect others. Being a small school, the class sizes are smaller and your children get more one on one time with the teachers.

This school not only impacts its students but its teachers as well. Going on my 5th year teaching, this school has become more than a workplace but my family. It is truly a familyoriented school with loving and caring staff members.

— Kristen B

High expectations of students and teachers who know their content and encourage students academically and spiritually are the qualities we have experienced since our children started there 2 years ago. Small class sizes are also a huge deal!

— Posted by Parent - Ashmc

— Jeff L

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Camps & Activities Kidz Fit Camp at Pure Fitness

continued from page 18 (205) 420-1054

1425 Montgomery Highway, Suite 115, Vestavia Hills AL 35216, purefitness01@gmail.com, purefitnessllc.com/ kidzfitcamp: This is the only summer camp experience that gives each child a chance to stay fit and active over the summer while working on sports skills, living a balanced healthy lifestyle, as well as working on their flexibility and mobility. Join the Certified Personal Trainers at Pure Fitness for a week long camp focused on improving skills, building confidence, and learning healthy kids meal options. Dates are June 24-28 and July 15-19. Ages 5-13. Price per child is $195 until March 1 and $215 March 2 or later. 10% discount for multiple children.

McWane Summer Camp

(205) 714-8414

200 19th Street North, Birmingham AL 35203, reservations@mcwane.org, mcwane.org/learn/kids-family/camps/2019-summer-camps: A week of fun and learning awaits your child at McWane Science Center Summer Camp. Weekly camps begin on June 3rd and end on August 2nd. There will be no camps the week of July 1st-5th. New This Year - Sci Girls, 4th-8th Grade, June 17-21. Women have made incredible contributions throughout science history – are you ready to join them? We’re looking for girls in 4th through 8th grade, who love STEM, to explore a wide range of scientific fields and experiments.

Samford University Academy of the Arts

(205) 726-2739

800 Lakeshore Drive, Homewood AL 35209, academyofthearts@samford.edu, samford.edu/go/aota: Give your child an experience this summer that will open their eyes to art, music, and writing. Art Studio for Teens (grades 6-8), Bulldog Art Camp (grades 1-5), Music and Art for Minis (ages 4-6), Adventures in Music (grades 1-12), and Writing Camps for Tweens and Teens (ages 11-15) offer your child hands on opportunities to grow and explore the fine arts. Follow us on Facebook for up-todate dates and classes.

Summer at Altamont

(205) 879-2006

4801 Altamont Road South, Birmingham AL 35222, jbarnard@altamontschool.org, altamontschool.org/academics/summer-at-altamont: Summer is the perfect time to try something new, dive deeper into a current interest, fine tune math and English skills, or fulfill required courses in a more relaxed environment. Altamont offers a wide array of quality classes, taught by our outstanding faculty, that are both educational and fun. Ages: 1st -12th grades. Dates: May 28 - Aug. 2. Visit us online for more information and details. continued on page 26 22 Reach your market with us — (205) 617-9609 or info@bhamfunfamily.com

Alley Oop Sports

Commercial Playground Portable Buildings Equipment

3165 Cahaba Valley Rd, Indian Springs [2 mi. from I-65] (205) 408-4FUN | backyardalabama.com

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Way-FM & Bundles of Hope Invite You to Join Us for Our

DIAPER DRIVE

Donate diapers - any size, any brand, any amount - to help babies in need and struggling parents in our community.

Get a FREE SANDWICH from Chick-fil-A with your donation!

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Camps & Activities continued from page 22 The Grove Summer Camps

(205) 706-5816

7545 Parkway Drive, Leeds, AL 35094, learningatthegrove.com/summer-camps: The Grove School has all kinds of fun camps for kids of all ages that will excite children and help them love learning. We have movie making camp with a Hollywood filmmaker, cake and cookie decorating, slime and squishy making, super science, rocketry, yarn art (knitting and crocheting), math games and art, games and strategies camp, coding for all levels, stop motion animation, robotics, crafting, fairy garden making camps and much more! Come and join us for a morning or afternoon. You won’t want to miss it! $100 off if you register with Code: BHAMFUN! The Grove School is a private, Christian school opening in Leeds, AL for the 2019-20 school year. Enrollment is now open for students in grades K-8. For more information visit www.learningatthegrove.com.

The Tutoring Center

(205) 987-9577

2804 John Hawkins Parkway, Suite 100, Hoover AL 35244,hoover.tutoringcenter. com: Summer is the BEST time to learn! Don’t let the summer months pass without your child sharpening his or her learning skills. We offer one-on-one tutoring in regular math, advanced math, writing, reading, phonics, study skills, enrichment, and ACT prep, to name a few. Call us to set up your child’s customized summer program.

26 Reach your market with us — (205) 617-9609 or info@bhamfunfamily.com

Birmingham’s magazine for animals and their humans

COMING SUMMER 2019

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Birmingham, AL 310 Summit Blvd, Suite 100 Birmingham, AL 35243 (205) 972-9222

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Tickets, passes, and just Tickets,cool passes,stuff and just really GiveGiveus on us a aon Facebook, and lookand look Facebook, for #WINSDay for #WINSDay giveaways every week! giveaways every facebook.com/bhamfunfamily week! facebook.com/bhamfunfamily Shop local and support our advertisers! 29

June 1 @ The New Thompson High School present

2019

17th Annual

featuring EASTON CORBIN ATLANTA RHYTHM SECTION JESSICA MEUSE • NAKED GYPSY QUEENS THE BONFYRE • CAM SPINKS and more!

Food and Craft Vendors • Rides and More for the Kids

FREE ADMISSION! Full schedule and more at www.alabastercityfest.com

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SHE ONCE BUILT A FORT SO LARGE, THAT IT UTILIZED EVERY BLANKET, TOWEL, AND CHAIR IN THE WHOLE HOUSE.

CHILDREN A M A Z E U S E V E R Y D AY

and at Children’s of Alabama, we want to see every child grow up and live to their fullest potential.

That’s why we recruit, train and retain the most inquiring minds, the most skilled hands and the most compassionate C H medicine.

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hearts in pediatric medicine.

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