Birmingham Parent Magazine - October 2014 by Birmingham Parent

Parent THE PREMIER PARENTING MAGAZINE FOR CENTRAL ALABAMA

Birmingham

FREE

OCTOBER 2014

TRICKS FOR GETTING RID OF THOSE TREATS THE TOP 11 MOST HAUNTING COLLEGE APP ERRORS

BRACES

top area FALL FESTIVALS &

PUMPKIN PATCHES

Inside!

ARE ALL IN THE FAMILY!

SEE PAGE 27

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INTERACTIVE METRONOME

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HANDWRITING HELP

VALID AT PARTICIPATING BIRMINGHAM AREA LOCATIONS ONLY. VOID IF COPIED, SCANNED, TRANSFERRED, PURCHASED, SOLD OR PROHIBITED BY LAW. LIMIT ONE PER COUPON. NOT VALID WITH OTHER OFFERS. PRICES MAY VARY BASED ON CHOICE OF SIDES. VALID FOR KIDS 12 YEARS OR UNDER EXPIRES 12/31/2014

Mike Hale. Your Sheriff. When I was elected Sheriff of Jefferson County, I made one basic promise: to keep your neighborhoods and schools safe. I am doing that. You can be proud of the job your Jefferson County Sheriff ’s Office is doing for you.

General Election Nov. 4th

OCCUPATIONAL /PHYSICAL THERAPY

FEEDING THERAPY

INTEGRATED LISTENING SPEECH THERAPY

www.ChildsPlayTherapyCenter.com

Conveniently located on Lorna Road in Hoover “Like” us on facebook! Paid for by Mike Hale for Sheriff • Post Office Box 269 • Trussville, Alabama 35173

EDITOR'S NOTE

Fall is in the Air

t’s that time of year – leaves are turning lovely shades of yellow, orange, red and brown, they are dropping to the ground, and the air is a little crisper each time we go outside. Soon the time will change and dark will arrive about dinnertime. Our attention is now away from beaches, swimming and summer activities for a bit, and more focused on fall festivals, pumpkin patches, and even Halloween, for those who celebrate. We’re even changing the way we eat – turning more to soups, comfort foods and fall baking in anticipation of Thanksgiving. All these things make me remember this time of year when my children were young – and the fun we had going to the fall festivals, trick-or-treating, visiting the pumpkin patch, and so much more. We were making memories. Some of my favorites surround times like these, when my children were all about the holidays, the adventure and the fun. Like our little cover models this month, I hope your child has fun dressing up, no matter what you celebrate this season. And I hope what we’ve shared this month in Birmingham Parent will help, encourage and touch your heart. Whether it’s figuring out what to do with all the leftover Halloween candy, or learning about the King’s Home, or figuring out which pumpkin patch/fall event to visit, we hope Birmingham Parent has a little place in your family to help you figure out how to make memories of your own. I’m reminded it’s another season when you are reading our magazine – and we are grateful! Happy Fall and Happy Halloween from the staff at Birmingham Parent.

Thanks for picking up this issue! Carol Muse Evans, Publisher/Editor carol@birminghamparent.com

4 | birminghamparent | october 2014

3590-B Hwy. 31 S. #289 Pelham, AL 35124 205-987-7700 205-987-7600 FAX www.birminghamparent.com

editorial Publishers David & Carol Evans Editor Carol Muse Evans Associate Editor Lori Chandler Pruitt Calendar & Business David Evans Contributors, Dr. Vivian Friedman, Christopher “Bull” Garlington, Mandee Heller Adler, Gerry Paige Smith, Lara Krupicka, Paige Townley, Jamie Routman, MD

sales Special Events Coordinator Sharon Menachemi Account Executives Kayla Fricks Webmaster Digital Doo-Wop

art & production Art Director Hilary Moreno Distribution T&P Deliveries Legal Counsel Balch & Bingham LLP

BIRMINGHAM PARENT IS A PUBLICATION OF EVANS PUBLISHING, LLC. Publishers: Carol Muse Evans, David K. Evans Sr. Birmingham Parent (EIN20-0694149) is published monthly by Evans Publishing LLC. www.birminghamparent.com or editor@ birminghamparent.com. Birmingham Parent is © 2013 by Evans Publishing LLC. Family Connections Media ©2011 by Evans Publishing LLC. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or part without written permission is prohibited. Editorial submissions are welcome. For back issues, please send a self-addressed 10” x 13” envelope with $4 for postage and handling.

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OCTOBER2014

Parent THE PREMIER PARENTING MAGAZINE FOR CENTRAL ALABAMA

Birmingham

FREE

OCTOBER 2014

14 16 18

TRICKS FOR GETTING RID OF THOSE TREATS THE TOP 11 MOST HAUNTING COLLEGE APP ERRORS

BRACES

ARE ALL IN THE FAMILY!

top area

FALL FESTIVALS & PUMPKIN PATCHES

Inside!

10 27

SEE PAGE 27

features

30 PEDIATRIC BRAIN

TUMORS: One Family's Journey

IN A BOOK: 32 AThePAGE Journey

35 38

14 Tricks for

Getting Rid of Those Treats

departments Note 04 Editor’s Fall is in the Air

KNOWLEDGE: The Top 11 Most Haunting College Admissions Errors

PATCH & FALL EVENT GUIDE

DEATH BY CHILDREN: Captain Hook

16 COLLEGE

18 PUMPKIN

ASK THE SPECIALIST: October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month

BRACES: IT'S ALL IN THE FAMILY

GIVING HOPE A HOME — THE KING'S HOME

ON THE COVER: Emma Kate and Macie, of Helena, have fun modeling their Halloween costumes from Buy Costumes at www.BuyCostumes.com, 800-459-2969. Photo by Kim Brantley Photography, KimBrantleyPhotography.com, 615-812-6427.

6 | birminghamparent | october 2014

Parenting with Dr. Friedman

08 Short Stuff 09 School News 20 October Pull Out Calendar

October Expanded Calendar of Events

parenting

Parenting with Dr. Friedman

Back when I was raising my children, who are now grown, parents were not as involved with their children as parents are today. We just let the children ride their bikes and run around the yard. We just felt that boys were boys and that being active was a part of that. We didn’t drive them to soccer practice or tell them to hold still, except maybe in church on Sunday. Nowadays, it seems that children get no exercise and then we put them on pills to keep them from moving. Do parents over-control their children to the point where we see too many of them as sick?

I was in a large warehouse store the other day. There I saw a boy, who looked to be about four-yearsold, running up and down a small section of a wide aisle. He was running back and forth, rather than in one direction, so as not to get too far from his father and sister. His dad was busy shopping and was not paying much attention to the child who really didn’t need his attention at that moment. He was entertaining himself while his dad was busy with other things. He was not disturbing anyone as no one was nearby and the aisle was wide enough for others to pass him. When his movement caught his father’s attention, the father said, “Stop running and stand still.” The child was obedient and stopped for about as long as he could control himself. Then he started swinging his arms in fantasy combat eventually, hitting his sister- not hard enough to hurt her but forcefully enough to engage her. The father then had to stop his shopping and deal with the aggression.

The impression I had was that sometimes parents intervene when they don’t really need to. Th is child’s behavior was probably habitually active- maybe some would even call it hyperactive. He needed to move and there was plenty of room to do so. He was not disturbing anyone else. I know this because I was the person closest to him. Had the dad just let him vent his need to move, no harm would have been done. When he intervened and stopped his moving, the boy then venting tension in another way that was less benign. At this point the dad had to intervene, as he could not allow him to harm his sister. Some of the increased parental attention of this generation has been helpful to children. Those with developmental delays are identified early and often helped to catch up. Others are able to understand that their problem is specific and so they don’t generalize one deficit to a general self-image as “dumb.” For example, the child with dyslexia can be helped to understand that he

F ASA

has more trouble reading than some other children do but that he is quite capable at math, sports or music. Yet some parents go too far. They take over the child’s life, doing too much for him and leaving him ill prepared for adulthood. They demand special education adaptations so that the child not only can optimize his potential, but so he can get good grades whether he has earned them or not. When parents have a child of average ability, who makes average grades, they seeks a diagnosis of attention deficit disorder or depression, hoping that a pill will make raise grades and make their child competitive with the neighbor’s children. A pendulum tends to swing to both extremes. Wouldn’t it be nice if we could stop it in the middle? Vivian K. Friedman Ph. D. is a child and family psychologist at UAB, Department of Psychiatry. Send questions for response in this column to Viviankf@gmail.com. No personal replies are sent.

ASFA Open House is Saturday, November 8

• Attend a session at 9 am, 10 am or 11 am • Current 6 -10 graders can apply for grades 7-11 • Admission by audition only for the 2015-2016 school year • Tuition-free public education in Creative Writing, Dance, Math/Science, Music, Theatre Arts and Visual Arts

ALABAMA SCHOOL OF FINE ARTS 1800 Rev. Abraham Woods, Jr. Blvd. Birmingham, AL 35203 205-252-9241 www.asfa.k12.al.us birminghamparent.com | 7

short stuff

Camp Moves Me (www.acacamps.org/ campmovesme), a movement offering children an invaluable camp experience, kicks off October 1 with three goals: raise money to send children to camp, encourage physical activity, and create awareness about the value of camp. All money raised will fund scholarships given by the association’s Send a Child to Camp Fund. The cost to send a child to camp for one day is $35; $500 will provide for a weeklong camp adventure. The campaign offers opportunities to actively participate or be a sponsor. Learn more at www. athlete.com/aca. “Camp gets kids out in nature. Unplugged from the computer, the video games, the cell phone, they gain an appreciation for the natural environment and discover the wisdom and fun it has to offer,” says Peg Smith, CEO American Camp Association.

Mercy Animal Hospital Joins Cause for Affordable Spays/ Neuters Gardendale veterinarians and Mercy Animal Hospital co-owners Miranda Trammell, D.V.M., and Brandon McKim, D.V.M., will join statewide efforts to make spaying and neutering more affordable by launching a new outpatient pricing structure for both procedures this fall. In addition, Trammell and McKim will partner with Stevan Parsons, D.V.M., co-owner of McAdory Veterinary Associates and former owner of Pleasant Grove Veterinary Clinic, to open Mercy West, a separate outpatient spay/neuter only facility serving the Birmingham metropolitan area. The clinic opens Monday, October 6, at 131 Park Road in Pleasant Grove. “We truly want to lead by example,” Trammell says. “It’s time to make a difference in the veterinary field and in our community. We hope others will follow suit.” All three veterinarians will spend the next few weeks reaching out to local non-profit animal rescue organizations, shelters and humane societies to offer discounted spaying and neutering. “These organizations, more than anyone, need our help,” Parsons says. “We’ve carefully crafted our mission and we’re committed to seeing it through for our community.” Mercy West’s mission is to provide a non-lethal solution to the problem of homeless, abandoned and feral animal populations in Alabama, reducing the need and cost of euthanasia as a means of population control. Animal shelters throughout the Birmingham area are overwhelmed with unwanted animals, and consequently have high euthanasia rates. The purpose of the clinic is to attack the issue of pet overpopulation by focusing on the root of the problem - too many animals having unwanted litters. Prices for spaying and neutering at both locations range from $50-$95 for outpatient procedures. Annual rabies vaccinations are $16. Feral cat surgeries, including rabies vaccinations and ear tips, are $35. All surgery prices include 24-hour flea treatment and post-operative pain medication to take home. According to McKim, non-profit organizations will receive additional discounts. Both inpatient and outpatient procedures will be available at Mercy Animal Hospital in Gardendale. For more information visit www.mercyvets.com.

WOMEN’S HEALTH SPECIALISTS of BIRMINGHAM

OB/GYN SERVICES at ST. VINCENTS

DR. ALISON HEATON & DR. BILL HUDSON

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e Welcom

DR. BETHANY CAMPBELL & DR. KATIE PETRO McKINNEY

CALL TODAY 205-536-7676

photo courtesy Hilary Evans

American Camp Association® Announces National Fundraising Campaign to Send Children to Camp

school news

OMHS Receives National Athletic Trainers’ Association Safe Sports School Award Oak Mountain High School is the recipient of the National Athletic Trainers’ Association Safe Sports School award for its Athletic Training and Athletics Programs. The award champions safety and recognizes secondary schools that provide safe environments for student athletes; and reinforces the importance of providing the best level of care, injury prevention and treatment.

In order to achieve Safe Sport School status, the school must:

✱ Develop injury and illness prevention strategies, including protocols for environmental conditions.

✱ Create a positive athletic health care administrative system.

✱ Provide or facilitate injury intervention.

✱ Provide or coordinate pre-participation physical examinations.

✱ Create and rehearse a venue-specific Emergency Action Plan.

✱ Promote safe and appropriate practice and competition facilities.

✱ Provide or facilitate psychosocial consultation and nutritional counseling/education.

✱ Plan for selection, fit, function and proper maintenance of athletic equipment. For more information please visit: www. athletictrainers.org.

✱ Be sure athletes and parents are educated of the potential benefits and risks in sports as well as their responsibilities.

✱ Provide a permanent, appropriately equipped area to evaluate and treat injured athletes.

When you imagine their future - Imagine a beautiful smile!

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Deborah A Sema D.M.D., M.S. specialist in orthodontics

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Great smiles for children... and Mom & Dad Too! Odyssey Early Schools Odyssey was created by educators who dreamed of opening an early learning center where children could be nurtured and taught by a highly trained and loving staff. That dream was realized when our Inverness school opened in 1995, and then again in 2001, with the opening of our second school in Trace Crossings. Odyssey’s goal is to create a life-long love of learning.

We have developed our own age-appropriate curriculum, specifically designed to introduce each age grouping to language, reading, math, science and more, so that your child will possess a strong foundation for Kindergarten and beyond. Additionally, we guarantee teachers with four-year education degrees in all preschool classrooms and offer exceptional childto-teacher ratios.

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best childcare option for Birmingham parents, and we invite you to visit today to witness for yourself what so many other families have known since 1995! INVERNESS CAMPUS 104 Heatherbrooke Park Dr. Birmingham, AL 35242 (205) 991-0039 TRACE CROSSINGS CAMPUS 401 Emery Dr. Hoover, AL 35244 (205) 988-8829

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birminghamparent.com | 9

braces:

IT’S ALL IN THE FAMILY!

By Lori Chandler Pruitt

Many people associate the orthodontist with children who need braces. But increasingly, adults are the patients too

Tamara Hicks and daughter Savannah

October is National Orthodontic Health Month

10 | birminghamparent | october 2014

– either with their kids are on their own – to get the smile they’ve always wanted. In fact, according to the American Association of Orthodontists, one in five orthodontic patients is an adult. “More than 30 percent of our patients are adults,” says Dr. John Phillips of PT Orthodontics, which has several locations in the metro area. “Honestly, when you get older, there are a lot of things you cannot change about your body, but you can defi nitely change your smile.” Many parents opt for braces now because they weren’t able to get them as a kid, still remember when braces wearers were called “metal mouth” (and maybe they were one of those braces wearers); or they had had braces as a child and their teeth have since shifted or other dental health issues have come up. Plus, many orthodontists offer a discount for family members. “They bring in their kids, and they see the results their children’s braces have, and they want that too,” says Dr. Deborah Sema of Oxmoor Valley Orthodontics. “And it doesn’t hurt that a lot of celebrities have braces, too.” Dr. Olga Sanchez-Hernandez of McCalla Orthodontics and Pediatric Dentistry says braces can give adults a more confident smile, something they may not have thought they could have without wearing lots of hardware. “Braces have become more streamlined – they are smaller and less noticeable,” she says. “There are more options available, too.” Sema’s patient Becky Orr of Hoover had braces at the same time her daughter, Abby, 13, did. “My jaw popped and my bottom teeth had shifted. Then, I got my top teeth fi xed. Everything looks great. I have other friends

who just got them, too.” Some adults may have had braces as a child, when it once was believed that corrected teeth would stay that way, or they didn’t wear their retainer to keep the teeth aligned. They also remember how much they disliked it. But today’s braces are much more aesthetically pleasing, with many barely visible. “Usually when an adult comes in, they are concerned about braces showing a lot,” says Erica Lantrip, clinical assistant to Dr. David Sarver of Sarver Orthodontics in Vestavia Hills. “In selected cases we can offer clear aligners like Invisalign or we can put brackets on the back side of teeth. We now have fi xed retainers so that the teeth can stay put.” Orthodontists say the biggest reason many adults seek braces is crooked or turned teeth, especially on the bottom, which is noticeable when they speak. “Some of the reasons adults get braces is as simple as changing their smile, straightening crooked teeth or that their bite is not functional,” Lantrip says. Sema, along with other orthodontists, says many practices have whole families in braces. “It’s the thing to do for many families when parents realize they can afford to get the same results as their children. “ For some parents, braces mean better health, too. Tamara Hicks of Oak Grove, a PT Orthodontics patient, is in braces, as is her 13-year-old daughter Savannah. “My lower teeth were turning, I have bad TMJ (a painful condition in which the jaw is out of alignment) and an overbite,” she says. “I have been in braces two years, and it is the fi rst time I have been able to actually close my mouth and completely bite down.” Health – and being a good example for her children – motivated Mica Jackson of Wenonah to get braces. The mother of four children, her two teens needed them but they were a little afraid of what it would be like. So Jackson took the lead, deciding to get the smile she had always wanted – and to show her kids that it would be OK and totally worth it. Jackson and her family are Sema’s patients.

Chris and Terra Mears and their family

Making Braces Easy & Aﬀordable for Everyone! Becky Orr and her daughters Abby and Kendall

“I had my braces put on last year, and they should come off next year,” says Jackson, of Wenonah, whose husband also is thinking about it. “I’m 45 years old. I had a bad overbite and some teeth that had turned and it was noticeable. It has already made a difference.” Her 16-year-old son Jacobe wears braces now, and her 14-year-old daughter will next year. Phillips says many adults get braces for periodontal health reasons, too. “It’s easier to keep the bones and gums straight and neat and avoid problems,” he says. “It’s often a domino effect – if one family member gets braces, another will – and well, usually dad is last.” Sanchez-Hernandez says it is easier to take care of straight teeth, as well as being able to chew and avoid teeth wearing down unevenly. “They are less likely to become damaged over time,” she says.

No Down Payment Options FREE Initial Exam Family Favorite

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Dr. Olga SanchezHernandez is dual trained as a pediatric dentist and a board certified orthodontist

SERVICES INCLUDE:

“Honestly, when you get older, there are a lot

Dentistry for children and adolescents

of things you cannot change about your body,

Dentistry for patients with disabilities

but you can definitely change your smile.” — Dr. John Phillips, PT Orthodontics Braces can have a positive effect that isn’t even thought of at fi rst, Phillips says. “One of our moms just got her braces off she told me her oldest son had gotten engaged. She was so happy she would have her new smile for the wedding,” he says. “We have so many treatments available to give people of all ages a healthy smile.” And if anyone wants proof of that, “I just removed braces on an 80-year-old patient of ours – it’s never too late!” Sema says. Many orthodontists offer a discount for family members, too. Lori Chandler Pruitt is associate editor of Birmingham Parent.

Orthodontics for children and adults We offer traditional metal brackets, as well as clear. We also do Invisalign.

exit 1

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Multiple Winner of Family Favorite Dentist

“A smile is just a curve that sets everything straight.”

michael s. anglin, d.d.s pediatric & adolescent dentistry

— Phyllis Diller

erin nelson, d.d.s family dentistry 3825 Lorna Road, Suite 206, Hoover, Alabama 35244 205-988-9800 . www.BirminghamKidsdentist.com

WHY are we here? We believe that orthodontics is more than “braces”, that our role in you or your child’s life is an important one… to enhance their health and appearance enriching their lives and sense of well-being. Orthodontic treatment can have a meaningful impact on quality of life, and the relationship we strive to develop is that of the long-term view, not just the braces experience.

HOW do we do this? We believe that we should work with you to define your vision… and we have multiple technologies designed to help us diagnose health issues and esthetic issues. We help you see and understand what the possibilities are, and what you choose for treatment is up to you. With your help, along with Dr. Sarver’s experience in orthodontics and research, we can help guide you to achieve your goals.

WHAT do we do? We as a team, believe in this vision and it is our mission…every day! Smiles are important, but taking into account the overall appearance in terms of both the smile and facial appearance we believe is an integral part of what we do!

EXCEPTIONAL EAR, NOSE, AND THROAT CARE FOR YOUR CHILD. Our new child-friendly office incorporates the latest in medical software, diagnostic equipment, and imaging technologies for a pleasant, informative & efficient office visit for infants to adolescents up to age 21. W. PEYTON SHIRLEY MD FACS

pediatric otolaryngologist, board certiﬁed and fellowship trained. Over 11 years of experience in exclusively caring for pediatric ENT patients

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Pediatric Ear Disease • Sinus Disorders • Airway Problems Hearing Assessments • Auditory Processing Testing

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(205) 874-9436 . www.entforkidsalabama.com 2807 GREYSTONE COMMERCIAL BLVD, SUITE 42, BIRMINGHAM 35242

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REGISTRATION FEE:

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2 hrs bowling, shoes, one pizza per team, one pitcher of soda per team

For more info contact Victoria Winborn (205) 603-5300 SPONSORS:

Now Accepting New Patients! Our dentist and staff are committed to providing your child with the best possible visit every time. Whether it’s preventative or restorative dental care, we go the extra mile to ensure that infants, children, and adolescents have a friendly, upbeat dental visit in an environment that’s fun. Regardless of how complex your child’s dental needs may be, we can help. This is a place where kids come first and smiles are always the most important part of every day!

DR. ANDREW RICHARDSON Please call us to make an appointment

205-490-6850

4213 Dolly Ridge Rd. Vestavia Hills, AL 35243 www.facebook.com/CahabaPedo www.chpedo.com birminghamparent.com | 13

tricks for Getting Rid of Those treats By Lara Krupicka

If you're like me, Halloween goes like this: Wrangle kids into costumes. Take pictures. Tag along while kids run from house to house, collecting candy. Occasionally ﬁx costumes and hold heavy candy bags. Watch kids sort candy, count candy, eat candy. Wait for kids to fall asleep late, postsugar rush. Sneak candy from kids' bags. It’s fun and exhausting, like any good celebration. And like many good celebrations, it leaves behind cleanup work – only in this case, the cleanup issue in question is how to dispose of all that candy. If you've scratched your head over this dilemma before, I have a few solutions for you:

LET THEM EAT Do you ever wonder why we let our children collect so many sweets if we have no intention of having them eat it all? After all, they do work hard (run around the neighborhood in clumsy getups) to get it. They "deserve" to enjoy some of it. But how much and when can vary widely depending on your view of sugary diets. Our house follows a closed cabinet policy. Our children know to ask before grabbing a snack. So when it comes to Halloween candy we typically say, "one piece." The Halloween haul takes a long time to disappear, but we know they're not ruining their teeth or their health. You may dole out your candy piecemeal this way or attach a healthy-eating rule such as requiring your children to eat a piece of fruit before having any candy. Lunchtime provides another opportunity to whittle down your stockpile of treats. Let your child select a candy to pack in their lunch bag in place of a cookie or dessert. Or you can create a candy countdown for an upcoming event, like a holiday, a special visitor or vacation. Make paper links of construction paper cut into ½-inch wide by 3-inch long strips – one for each day of the countdown. Glue each strip into a loop, linking each successive loop into the one ahead before gluing. Tape or glue a piece 14 | birminghamparent | october 2014

of candy to each strip. Hang from the wall or ceiling. For the countdown, simply have your child tear off one loop with candy each day until the awaited day arrives.

GIVE IT AWAY There's no reason to pitch good candy, particularly when there are those who'd love to receive a special treat. After you've sorted through your children's stash to remove any broken or unwrapped pieces (and left a few for your kids), you can package them up to give away. To donate close to home, ask if your local food pantry takes candy. The families who patronize pantries welcome sweets as much as our own kids do. Or if you'd like to support our military, they also welcome donations of candy for care packages. Operation Gratitude and Operation Shoebox are two of the larger non-profit organizations accepting donations of candy. Donations to Operation Gratitude can be sent to: Operation Gratitude/California Army National Guard 17330 Victory Boulevard, Van Nuys, CA 91406 Attn: Rich Hernandez Donations to Operation Shoebox can be sent to: Operation Shoebox, PO Box 1465, Belleview, FL 34420

HALLOWEEN

TRADE OR SELL Some dental offices have gotten creative in recent years. They realize the need to discourage excess consumption of sugary treats. But they also recognize the economics of collecting Halloween candy. So they bargain sweets out of kids' homes by offering to "buy" Halloween candy. Some offer cash per pound, while others trade toys for quantities of candy. Ask if your dentist has a program like this or search Operation Gratitude's database of participating dentists at:http://www.halloweencandybuyback.com/. If your dentist doesn't do this but you feel a need to compensate your children for their (free) candy, consider your own buyback program. Offer to swap so many pounds of candy for a new toy, or better yet, book they've been eyeing at the store. Just be sure once you've "bought" the candy you promptly remove it from your house before your children want it back – unless you are buying it for yourself.

N D Y BUYBACK Children consume thousands of pounds of candy each year at Halloween. Sugar is the number one cause of tooth decay. So, what did we decide to do about it? We are paying CA$H for your candy!

GET COOKING You can also use up leftover Halloween candy the same way you use up leftover turkey at Thanksgiving: hide it in a recipe. Th is is easiest using chocolate candies. Simply break them into smaller pieces, if necessary and mix into chocolate chip cookie dough. Then bake. Or melt down chocolates for brownies or fondue. To make use of a wider variety of candies, set up an ice cream sundae bar. Crush larger candies and place into bowls to use as ice cream toppings. If you want to add more "nutrition" to your leftover candy, try the Snickers® salad recipe in the sidebar. The caramel and nuts in the candy, combined with apples, gives this salad the flavor of an old-fashioned taff y apple.

THER E’S NO GR EATER PLEASUR E THAN SEEING MY CHILDR EN SMILE... “As a Board Certified Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon, I understand

Recipe: SNICKERS® SALAD

that surgery can be stressful for

4 full-size Snickers® bars (or 9 miniatures) 4 apples, cut up 4 bananas, cut up 4-serving size vanilla instant pudding 1/3 c. milk 8 oz. non-dairy whipped topping Combine milk and pudding. Stir in whipped topping, then add rest of ingredients. Top with crumbled Snickers® to garnish. Chill before serving.

you and your child. As a Mom, I

With a strategy or two in hand for where the excess treats will go, you can relax this Halloween and let your children ring doorbell after doorbell. Because the only cleanup challenge you'll face this year is where to hide the empty candy wrappers.

Lara Krupicka is a freelance writer and mom to three trick-ortreaters. She appreciates that they put aside a few of her favorite treats when they sort their candy.

also know how scary it can be and my goal is to create an atmosphere of trust and comfort to help bring a lifetime of smiles to your family.” — DR. LISA MILLER To schedule an appt with Dr Miller, contact our Inverness location at 933-2710.

CLARK HOLMES oral facial surgery

MARK CLARK DMD, MD . JON D. HOLMES DMD, MD, FACS LISA L. MILLER DMD, MD . GEORGE W. MAT THEWS, JR. DMD I N V ER N ES S

SOU THSIDE

TRUSSVILLE

205-933-2710

205-933-2773

205-655-9002

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birminghamparent.com | 15

college knowledge

JUST IN TIME FOR HALLOWEEN:

The Top 11 Most Haunting College Admissions Errors By Mandee Heller Adler

These are the application mistakes nightmares are made of. “Boo-ti-fully,” they are all avoidable.

Waiting until the deadline: Unseen spirits wreak havoc, computers and websites go down. Many students who wait for the last minute to submit their applications find that all their hard work is not received on time. Colleges and universities expect students to confirm that their complete application has been received. Students who wait until the last minute to get everything in have no time to follow up. Those who apply online should receive confirmation that the school received the application. Make sure that the application has been received or be afraid.

Saying the same thing again and again: There is only so much space on an application. Use that real estate wisely. With so little space, students need to make sure that every part of the application adds to the story, and doesn’t repeat it.

Mandee Heller Adler is founder and CEO of International College Counselors, one of the world’s largest college admission counseling companies, and author of From Public School to the Ivy League: How to get into a top school without top dollar resources.

Asking bad questions: Yes, there are questions that will spook the admissions team. Do not ask for information that is easily found on the Internet. When visiting colleges or going on a college interview, good questions are the ones with answers not found anywhere else. For example, ask the counselor what his or her favorite things are about the school. Do the research and ask thoughtful questions.

Asking the wrong teachers to write recommendation letters, or

16 | birminghamparent | october 2014

asking too late. Teachers need to know a student in order to write the kind of recommendation letter schools want to see. Translation: students should only ask for recommendations from teachers who like them and know them well enough to write about their particular strengths and specific abilities. Students should not wait until the deadline to approach these teachers either. If they do, they will not get the thorough and thoughtful letters colleges want to see. Students should choose their teachers early, talk with them, and provide them with information on each program they are applying to.

They are never really optional. When colleges have supplemental applications, take the time to provide a thoughtful answer.

Using more than one name: Rebecca, Becky, Becca…Only a student’s legal name should be used when completing a college application, and counselors and teachers should be asked to use the same name. Using variations of a legal name may result in materials being filed in different places.

Missing the curriculum requirements: Interested in a school? Learn what that school’s specific curriculum requirements are before senior year. Students who look into the course requirements too late risk not having the time to take them. Start researching colleges as early as freshman or sophomore year.

Prioritizing quantity over quality with extracurriculars: Schools want to see that a student uses time out of school to pursue passions. Show them consistency and commitment by choosing a few activities and sticking with them. Do more than the minimum required and take on leadership roles. Students with an idea of their career path (i.e. health care) should take part in at least one activity that demonstrates interest in the area (i.e. volunteering at a hospital).

Making Messy Errors: Make sure the name of the college is correct on the application and in the essay. Do not leave any part of the application blank. Read everything carefully and respond appropriately. Do not make grammatical errors or misspell words. Reread each application carefully, and have someone else proofread it, too.

Missing Deadlines: The college admissions process is filled with deadlines, and missing a deadline can mean rejection or lost financial aid. A typical college applicant has dozens of dates to remember from application deadlines to financial aid and scholarship deadlines. It’s a student’s job to keep track of them all.

Writing a generic essay: Poorly written essays will not trick schools into handing out acceptance letters. Schools want to know that a student really wants to attend and is ready to attend; the essay factors into this decision. Essays provide applicants an opportunity to share more information about themselves with a school. Also, don’t get tricked into thinking optional essays are optional.

Catching Senioritis. Do not slack off during senior year. After 11 years of hard work, this is the last one and colleges are watching. Keep up the grades and don’t start taking easy classes. Most college acceptances are provisional, meaning the admissions team will review final transcripts after graduation. Do poorly and schools have a right to withdraw acceptance. Senioritis can be fatal.

#1 PICK for Family

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FAYE WHITTEMORE FARMS PUMPKIN PATCH IN JASPER, AL

ready for college, prepared for the world.

OPENING DAY SATURDAY, OCT. 4TH Open to the Public all 4 weekends in October Saturdays 10a.m.–5 p.m. & Sundays 1 p.m.–5 p.m. $10.00 per person

HOPE TO SEE YOU THIS YEAR AT THE PUMPKIN PATCH!

First Inaugural Miss Pumpkin Patch Pageant SATURDAY, OCT. 4TH - 10 AM Newborn -19 years old

Categories include Prettiest eyes, Best Dressed, Prettiest Smile, Best Hair and Most Beautiful

Email Rickywhittemore@yahoo.com for entry forms

petting zoo • hay maze • hay ride moonwalk • inflatable slide obstacle course • fishing • playground face painting and concession stand

For school reservations, contact Ricky at 205.522.4137 or email rickywhittemore@yahoo.com. Trail Rides available now through Nov 5th.

Indian Springs School Grades 8-12 • Open House Nov. 11 • ExperienceSprings.org

PICK A PERFECT PUMPKIN!

FUN FAMILY

farm trip!

30 cents per lb.

FORRESTER ROAD . JASPER, ALABAMA 35504

www.fayewhittemorefarms.com

birminghamparent.com | 17

PUMPKIN PATCH & FALL EVENT GUIDE

ADVERTISE HERE IN 2015 205-987-7700

4 FAYE WHITTEMORE FARMS, PUMPKIN PATCH AND TRAIL RIDES

4 6

3 5

Open the Month of October! (All 4 weekends) beginning Saturday, Oct. 4 Saturday 10a.m. – 5p.m. Sunday 1 – 5p.m Forrester Road Jasper, Alabama 35504 Mobile: Ricky 205-522-4137 Email: rickywhittemore@yahoo.com www.fayewhittemorefarms.com Our Pumpkin Patch is the best fun family farm trip in Jasper! Activities include petting zoo, hay maze, moonwalk, inflatable slide, obstacle course, fishing, playground & face painting. Trail Rides available.

5 PUMPKIN PATCH EXPRESS AT HEART OF DIXIE RAILROAD MUSEUM

1 4D FARM CORN MAZE & PUMPKIN PATCH Open Sept. 27-Nov. 1 Thursdays & Fridays- 2 — 6pm Saturdays – 10am — 6pm 7066 County Road 703, Cullman, AL 256-775-2924 www.4dfamilyfarm.com Ride on our cow train, zoom down our 80ft slide, pick a pumpkin from the vine, get lost in our corn maze, squeal at the pig races, jump on Johnny Jumper and MUCH MORE! $10 + tax admission includes most activities. Under 2 free.

2 36TH ANNUAL ALABAMA TALE TELLIN’ FESTIVAL October 10-11 Beginning at 4:30pm daily Oﬃcial Tale Tellin’ Capital of Alabama 3 Church St., Selma, AL 36702 334-878-ARTS (2787) www.artsrevive.com

18 | birminghamparent | october 2014

Opens early at 4:30pm with swappin’ ground & food court. Tale Tellin’ at 6:30pm.Expect plenty of homespun humor with Lyn Ford & Suzi Whaples and toe-tapping music as Michael Reno Harrell shares the spotlight with The Dill Pickers.

3 FALL KIDS’ FESTIVAL (for 5th grade and under) Sunday, October 12, 1- 3pm Mount Chapel United Methodist Church 2541 Rocky Ridge Road, Vestavia, AL 205-822-0020 Rain or shine, with special guests Mickey and Minnie, featuring a children’s carnival. Enjoy the trackless train, carriage and pony rides, 18’ super slide, lots of games, moon walk and face painting. $5 per person festival pass includes all games and rides (unlimited). Please bring cash for food and drinks.

Saturdays (Oct) 10am, 1pm and 3pm Sundays (Oct) 1pm and 3pm 1919 Ninth St., Calera, AL 35040 www.hodrm.org 205-668-3435 Enjoy an autumn ride aboard the Pumpkin Patch Express. Hayride, jump station, and cornstalk maze. Pick your favorite pumpkin from the patch and enjoy good ol’ fashioned boiled peanuts for an additional charge.

6 BOO AT THE ZOO 5-9pm: October 3-5, 10-12, 19, 26, 29-30 & November 1 5-10pm: October 17-18, 24-25, & 31 One Wild Place, Birmingham, AL 35223 www.birminghamzoo.com 16 nights of spooky attractions featuring our new attraction, the Monster Slide -an exhilarating inner tube ride of over 100 feet! Come dressed in your favorite family-friendly costume to search for Bigfoot on the Sasquatch Hay Ride, take a spin on the Scarousel, animalthemed games at the Creepy Carnival, trick-or-treat your way through the Zoo and more! (The Zoo will close at 4pm on each day of Boo at the Zoo.*Animals will not be on exhibit for Boo at the Zoo. Daily attraction fees still apply.)

Farm Fresh OPENING SEPT 27 & Fu of Fun! FOR OUR FALL SEASON THURS, FRI & SUN: 2-6 SAT: 10-6

S Ya’ on the Farm!

Make memories worth repeating... visit 4D Farm!

CORN MAZE & PUMPKIN PATCH 80ft Black Mamba Slide • corn bin two story play barn • tire mountain hayrides • cow train • friendly farm animals • 2,000 sq ft jumping pillow Barnyard Ball Zone • rubber duck races live pig races and much more!

LOCATED IN CULLMAN… JUST A SHORT COUNTRY DRIVE!

Visit www.4dfamilyfarm.com for hours & more info • 256-775-2924 • 256-708-5353 2014

October 3-5, 10-12, 19, 26, 29-30 & November 1 • 5–9pm October 17-18, 24-25 & 31 • 5–10pm Members $6* • Non-Members $8* • Ride Tickets $3.50* Unlimited Attraction Wristband $12* – Best Value! *Plus tax

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Eerie Express* Gruesome Golf* Ghoul School Sasquatch Hay Ride* Wildlife Show

G Ghost Rollers* G Monster Mash Dance Party G Scarousel* G Booterflies & Wonderland

G Cajun Sadie’s Fortune Telling Adventure* G Creepy Carnival* G And much more! *requires ride tickets

The Zoo will close at 4pm each night of Boo at the Zoo. Animals will not be on exhibit during Boo at the Zoo. FEATURED PARTNER

NEW THIS YEAR!

Monster Slide

birminghamzoo.com birminghamparent.com | 19

TUESDAY

COLUMBUS DAY

BE BALD AND FREE DAY

The Bell Center Charity Golf Classic, 11am, Robert Trent Jones-Oxmoor Valley Course.

Week 3 Pastoral Care Week

Week 2 Fire Prevention Week Pet Peeve Week

Week 1 Get Organized Week Customer Service Week

MONDAY

WHITE CANE SAFETY DAY

EMERGENCY NURSES’ DAY

WORLD VEGETARIAN DAY

WEDNESDAY

16 Taste of Hoover, 5-8pm, Aldridge Botanical Gardens. Principles of Fall Planting, 6pm, Birmingham Botanical Gardens.

FIRE PREVENTION DAY

Alabama Family Rights Association, 6pm, Hoover Public Library.

Antiques at the Gardens, 1-5pm, Birmingham Botanical Gardens.

30th Annual Southern Women’s Show, 10am7pm, BJCC.

Marvel Universe Live! 7pm, BJCC Arena.

THURSDAY

Mothers Of PreSchoolers (MOPS)Pelham First Baptist 9:30-11:30am, Pelham First Baptist Church.

MOLDY CHEESE DAY

Alabaster Library Fall Book Sale – Members Only Day, 5-7pm, Albert L. Scott Library, Alabaster.

Mothers Of PreSchoolers (MOPS), 9:30-11:30am, Pelham First Baptist Church. 30th Annual Southern Women’s Show, 10am8pm, BJCC.

Marvel Universe Live!, 7pm, BJCC Arena.

FRIDAY

October 2014 HIGHLIGHTS

w k by w k

18 Fall Plant Sale, 6:30am-7pm, Birmingham Botanical Gardens. Pepper Place Market, 7am-12pm, Pepper Place. Hikes for Tykes with Fresh Air Family, 10am, Birmingham Botanical Gardens. Bart’s Art Cart, 11am-1pm, Birmingham Museum of Art. See Oct. 4.

11 Pepper Place Market, 7am-12pm, Pepper Place. Hikes for Tykes with Fresh Air Family, 10am Birmingham Botanical Gardens. Bart’s Art Cart, 11am-1pm, Birmingham Museum of Art.

Bart’s Art Cart, 11am-1pm, Birmingham Museum of Art. Pepper Place Market, 7am-12pm, Pepper Place. Alabaster Library Fall Book Sale, 9am-3pm, Albert L. Scott Library. See Oct. 3. 30th Annual Southern Women’s Show, 10am7pm, BJCC. Marvel Universe Live! 11am, 3pm & 7pm, BJCC Arena.

SATURDAY

Birmingham Botanical Gardens Fall Plant Sale, 6:30am-7pm, Birmingham Botanical Gardens. DSA 15th Annual Buddy Walk, 2-4pm, Hoover Met.

12 Vulcan AfterTunes Concert, 3pm, Vulcan Park.

4th Annual Magic City Mile, 1:30pm registration, 2-4pm, downtown Homewood. 30th Annual Southern Women’s Show, 11am-6pm, BJCC. See Oct. 2. Marvel Universe Live! 1pm, 5pm, BJCC Arena. See Oct. 2. Whispers from the Past – A Native American Experience, 11:30am-7:30pm, Aldridge Botanical Gardens.

SUNDAY

See the daily calendar of events in detail beginning on page 30.

BRANDIED FRUIT DAY

The Hidden World of Bats, 6-7:30pm, Aldridge Botanical Gardens.

COUNT YOUR BUTTONS DAY

21 NATIONAL NUT DAY

22 NATIONAL MOLE DAY

Haow n

Anne of Green Gables, 7:30pm, Alabama School of Fine Arts.

Anne of Green Gables, 7:30pm, Alabama School of Fine Arts. Maple Leaf Run, 8am 5K, 9am, kids fun run, The Mall in downtown Trussville. Pepper Place Market, 7am-12pm, Pepper Place. 2nd Annual Sole to Soul 5K and Fun Run, 7am, Shades Mountain Christian School. Bart’s Art Cart, Birmingham Museum of Art. Storytelling and Booksigning, 2pm, Pelham Library. Anne of Green Gables, 2:30pm, Alabama School of Fine Arts.

daily calendar of events

october

Calendar sponsored by

Antiques at the Gardens 1-5pm, Birmingham Botanical Gardens. Birmingham’s premier antiques show, featuring dozens of dealers across the United States specializing in art, jewelry, Oriental rugs, rare books and home décor. This is a ticketed event, with separate tickets required for the exclusive Gala at The Gardens and Lecture Series. 205-414-3960, www.bbgardens.org. fee. Alabama Family Rights Association 6pm, Hoover Public Library. Dealing with post-custody child rearing Issues during the school year and limiting negative impact on the child and school administration. How to deal with these challenges is very important to both you and your children’s lives. www.alfra.org. FREE.

3 Friday

Marvel Universe Live! 7pm, BJCC Arena. See Oct. 2.

OCTOBER 2-5 — MARVEL UNIVERSE LIVE!

7pm, BJCC Arena. Marvel Universe is an original, live-action arena experience featuring more than 25 Marvel characters together on one epic quest. Tickets, www.marveluniverselive.com. fee.

2 Thursday

Marvel Universe Live! 7pm, BJCC Arena. Marvel Universe is an original, live-action arena experience featuring more than 25 Marvel characters together on one epic quest. Tickets, www.marveluniverselive.com. fee.

30th Annual Southern Women’s Show 10am-7pm, BJCC. Shopping, food, fun and more! The 30 th year celebration will feature prizes and fun. Admission: adults $10 at the door; advance tickets available at Walgreens for $7. Youth ages 6-12 $5; children under 6 free with paying adult. Special pricing available. Information, www. southernshows.com/wbi. fee.

Mothers Of PreSchoolers (MOPS) 9:30-11:30am, Pelham First Baptist Church. Mothers Of PreSchoolers (MOPS) helps moms through relationships established in the context of local groups that provide a caring atmosphere for today’s mothers of young children. Join us as we meet the 1st & 3rd Friday of each month at Pelham First Baptist Church. Child care is provided. fbcpelhammops@ gmail.com. FREE. 30th Annual Southern Women’s Show 10am-8pm, BJCC. See Oct. 2. Alabaster Library Fall Book Sale – Members Only Day 5-7pm, Albert L. Scott Library, Alabaster. Thousands of books; something for all interests and ages. Buy all you want. Friday is preview for friends of the library members only. 205-664-

6822, http://cityofalabaster. com/departments/library. FREE admission. Antiques at the Gardens 10am-5pm, Birmingham Botanical Gardens. See Oct. 2.

4 Saturday

Pepper Place Market 7am-12pm, Pepper Place. The best Alabama growers, food producers and artisans. Rain or Shine! www.pepperplacemarket.com. FREE. Alabaster Library Fall Book Sale 9am-3pm, Albert L. Scott Library. See Oct. 3. 30th Annual Southern Women’s Show 10am-7pm, BJCC. See Oct. 2. Hikes for Tykes with Fresh Air Family 10am, Birmingham Botanical Gardens. Pre-school children and their families will go on a shape hunt with Anwen! 205540-6642, www.freshairfamily. org. FREE. Bart’s Art Cart 11am-1pm, Birmingham Museum of Art. Drop into Bart’s Art cart for a fun hands-on activity! 2000 Rev. Abraham Woods Jr. Blvd., Birmingham. 205-254-2565, www.artsbma.org. Marvel Universe Live! 11am, 3pm & 7pm, BJCC Arena. See Oct. 2. Antiques at the Gardens 10am-5pm, Birmingham Botanical Gardens, see Oct. 2

5 Sunday

4th Annual Magic City Mile 1:30pm registration, 2-4pm, downtown Homewood. Onemile fun run through downtown Homewood. All levels welcome. The post-race party, The Bell Center Festival, will feature live music by Festival Expressions,

Events may change after publication, deadline; please phone ahead to confirm important information. The deadline for submitting calendar items for the Nov. 2014 issue is Oct. 3. Mail calendar items to: Calendar, Birmingham Parent, 3590B Hwy 31 S #289, Pelham, AL 35124; fax to 987-7600; e-mail to calendar@BirminghamParent.com; or enter directly to the online calendar at www.birminghamparent.com. Entries added online after the print deadline will not appear in the print version. Information cannot be accepted over the phone. Birmingham Parent publishes a calendar 11 times a year. January events are included in the December issue. Guidelines: Birmingham Parent’s calendar is designed to be a resource and service to the community and our readers. Events which are open to the public, fund-raisers, free classes, etc., are events that may be included in our monthly calendar. We reserve the right to reject any event or listing due to rules or space restrictions. For questions regarding calendar entries, call 987-7700. 22 | birminghamparent | october 2014

Calendar sponsored by

13th ANNUAL

FALL KIDS’ FESTIVAL (FOR 5TH GRADE AND UNDER)

SUNDAY, OCT. 12th, 1-3PM

MOUNTAIN CHAPEL UNITED METHODIST CHURCH 2541 Rocky Ridge Rd., Vestavia, 205-822-0020 4 SATURDAY — PEPPER PLACE MARKET

7am-12pm, Pepper Place. The best Alabama growers, food producers and artisans. Rain or Shine! www.pepperplacemarket.com. FREE.

a climbing wall for kids, face painting and pumpkin decorating. $10 for individuals, family rates available. 205879-3417., http://imathlete. com/events/mcm2014. Fee.

2 THURSDAY — 5 SUNDAY 30TH ANNUAL SOUTHERN WOMEN’S SHOW

10am-7pm at the BJCC 30th Annual Southern Women’s Show 11am-6pm, BJCC. See Oct. 2. Marvel Universe Live! 1pm, 5pm, BJCC Arena. See Oct. 2. Whispers from the Past – A Native American Experience 11:30am-7:30pm, Aldridge Botanical Gardens. Bringing in more than 1,500 people annually, this communitybased project partners

Aldridge Gardens with scholars in anthropology, archaeology, history, horticulture and ethnobotany, as well as leaders and representatives of the local Native American community. The purpose is to provide an accurate portrayal of the past and present of Alabama’s various tribes through engaging introductions to the traditions, art, cultural practices and folkways of Southeastern Native Americans. www.aldridgegardens.com, 205-682-8019. Alabaster Library Fall Book Sale 1-3pm, Alabaster City Library, see Oct. 3. Antiques at the Gardens 11am-3pm, Birmingham Botanical Gardens, see Oct. 2.

7 Tuesday

The Bell Center Charity Golf Classic 11am, Robert Trent JonesOxmoor Valley Course. Lunch and registration will begin with lunch provided by Taziki’s Mediterranean Café. A shotgun start at 1pm will kick off the round of golf. Come out and play with our sponsors, members of WJOX radio. 205-879-3417, www. thebellcenter.org. fee.

11 Saturday

Pepper Place Market 7am-12pm, Pepper Place. See Oct. 4.

SPECIAL GUESTS: MICKEY & MINNIE RAIN OR SHINE

CHILDR EN’S C A R NI VA L

Trackless Train • Carriage Rides • 18’ Super Slide Pony Rides • Football Toss • Fire Trucks • Police Cars Carousel Moon Walk • Kiddie Bell Striker • Ring Toss Duck Pond Game • Face Painting • Shaved Ice Go Fish Pond • Fire Department “Smoke House” Race Car Ride • Puppet Show • “Little” Cake Walk

$5 PER-PERSON FESTIVAL PASS

COVERS ALL RIDES & GAMES (UNLIMITED) • CASH FOR FOOD & DRINK

Every Saturday and Sunday in October, the entire family will enjoy an autumn train ride to the pumpkin patch for a hayride, jumpstation, temporary tattoos, and good ol’ fashioned boiled peanuts! Pick out your favorite pumpkin from the patch.

For Tickets and Information

www.HODRRM.org

205.757.8383 1919 9th St. • Calera, Al 35040

Pumpkins & Peanuts extra charge

birminghamparent.com | 23

daily calendar of events

october

Calendar sponsored by

styles found throughout the city. Enjoy an autumn evening strolling through the Gardens, listening to live entertainment, and of course sampling delicious dishes from some of Hoover’s best restaurants. 205-682-8019, www.aldridgegardens.com. fee. Principles of Fall Planting 6pm, Birmingham Botanical Gardens. Fall can be the most satisfying planting season of the gardening year. The days are cooler, pests are fewer and watering demands are lower. Join Plant Adventures Program Specialist Brooke McMinn for this free program and learn the best gardening practices for fall planting. 205-414-3960, www. bbgardens.org. FREE.

Hikes for Tykes with Fresh Air Family 10am Birmingham Botanical Gardens. A member of the Birmingham Botanical Gardens educational staff will take preschool children and their families on a hands-on educational adventure through the gardens. 205-540-6642, www.freshairfamily.org. FREE. Bart’s Art Cart 11am-1pm, Birmingham Museum of Art. See Oct. 4.

12 Sunday

Vulcan AfterTunes Concert 3pm, Vulcan Park. Food and beverage available for sale. No outside alcohol allowed. No pets allowed. Bring your lawn chairs and blankets. Today’s act: Dumpstaphunk. Admission $15 for adults, $8 for children 5-12 years old. www.visitvulcan. com/vulcanaftertunes. fee.

16 Thursday

Taste of Hoover 5-8pm, Aldridge Botanical Gardens. Taste of Hoover celebrates the variety of culinary

24 | birminghamparent | october 2014

19 Sunday

Birmingham Botanical Gardens Fall Plant Sale 6:30am-7pm, Birmingham Botanical Gardens. See Oct. 18.

Mothers Of PreSchoolers (MOPS)-Pelham First Baptist 9:30-11:30am, Pelham First Baptist Church. See Oct. 3.

18 Saturday

24 Friday

Fall Plant Sale 6:30am-7pm, Birmingham Botanical Gardens. Get expert advice from volunteers. Sales benefit The Gardens’ mission to promote public knowledge and appreciation of plants, gardens and the environment. 205-4143960, www.bbgardens.org.

2-4pm, Hoover Met. Kids activities, arts and crafts, inflatables, dancing, photo booth. Tickets $10 per person (includes wristband for admission). Individuals with Down syndrome and children 3 & under admitted free. 205-9880810, www.downsyndromealabama.org. Register via the website or 12:30-1:55pm the day of the event.

Bart’s Art Cart 11am-1pm, Birmingham Museum of Art. See Oct. 4.

DSA 15th Annual Buddy Walk 2-4pm, Hoover Met. Kids activities, arts and crafts, inflatables, dancing, photo booth. Tickets $10 per person (includes wristband for admission). Individuals with Down syndrome and children 3 & under admitted free. 205-988-0810, www.downsyndromealabama.org. Register via the website or 12:30-1:55pm the day of the event.

17 Friday

19 SUNDAY — DSA 15TH ANNUAL BUDDY WALK

Air Family’s Verna Gates. Are there fairies and dragons in the Gardens? Fairy house building to follow. 205-540-6642, www. freshairfamily.org. FREE.

Pepper Place Market 7am-12pm, Pepper Place. See Oct. 4. Jefferson Christian Academy Heritage Festival 10am-3pm, Jefferson Christian Academy, Irondale. This popular event draws families from throughout the Birmingham area. Enjoy carnival rides, huge inflatables, live music, arts and crafts vendors, informational booths, several food choices, great values in the silent auction, pony rides, games and more! For information on how to be a vendor or sponsor, contact Wendy Burrows at wburrows@ jcaweb.net or 205-956-9111. www.facebook.com/JeffersonChristianAcademy. Hikes for Tykes with Fresh Air Family 10am, Birmingham Botanical Gardens. Go on a magical storytelling hike with Fresh

Anne of Green Gables 7:30pm, Alabama School of Fine Arts. The bestselling 1908 novel by Canadian author Lucy Maud Montgomery takes the stage at the Dorothy Jemison Day Theater. 205-458-0360, www.djdtheater.org. fee.

25 Saturday

Anne of Green Gables 7:30pm, Alabama School of Fine Arts. See Oct. 24. Maple Leaf Run 8am 5K, 9am, kids fun run, The Mall in downtown Trussville. Presented by the Trak Shak. 5K registration, $25, $30 day of race; fun run, $10. www.trussvillechamber.com. fee. Pepper Place Market 7am-12pm, Pepper Place. See Oct. 4. 2nd Annual Sole to Soul 5K and Fun Run 7am, Shades Mountain Christian School. Proceeds benefit the Prescott House Child Advocacy Center. Enjoy food, door prizes, age group awards and more. Early registration accepted through Oct. 24. To register online visit www.raceit.com; keyword: Sole to Soul. www.soletosoul5k.org/. fee.

Hikes for Tykes with Fresh Air Family 10am, Birmingham Botanical Gardens. A member of the Birmingham Botanical Gardens educational staff will take preschool children and their families on a hands-on educational adventure through the gardens. 205-540-6642, www.freshairfamily.org. FREE. Bart’s Art Cart 11am-1pm, Birmingham Museum of Art. See Oct. 4. Storytelling and Booksigning 2pm, Pelham Library. Author, paranormal investigator and Chelsea resident Kim Johnston will come for a storytelling and book signing. Johnston is the author of Haunted Shelby County, Alabama, which recounts stories

and legends about various haunted locations across Shelby County. Seating for humans (but not ghosts) is limited-call to reserve yours! 205-620-6418, http://facebook.com/HauntedShelbyCountyAl. FREE.

26 Sunday

Anne of Green Gables 2:30pm, Alabama School of Fine Arts. See Oct. 24. Vulcan AfterTunes Concert 3pm, Vulcan Park. Food and beverage available for sale. No outside alcohol allowed. No pets allowed. Bring your lawn chairs and blankets. Featuring Milo Greene. Admission $15 for adults, $8 for children 5-12 years old. www.visitvulcan.com/ vulcanaftertunes. fee.

28 TUESDAY — THE HIDDEN WORLD OF BATS

6-7:30pm, Aldridge Botanical Gardens.

31 FRIDAY — HALLOWEEN!! 28 Tuesday

EVERY SATURDAY — BART’S ART CART

11am-1pm, Birmingham Museum of Art. Drop into Bart’s Art cart for a fun hands-on activity! 2000 Rev. Abraham Woods Jr. Blvd., Birmingham. 205-254-2565, www.artsbma.org.

Coming to Birmingham Parent’s FACEBOOK & TWITTER in October

The Hidden World of Bats 6-7:30pm, Aldridge Botanical Gardens. Found in virtually every part of the world except the polar regions, bats are the only mammals capable of true flight. Families can learn about the many qualities and adaptations of these fascinating animals. Be prepared to see some of our

regional bats up close! 205-682-8019, http://aldridgegardens.com. fee.

31 Friday

HALLOWEEN

Call toll-free: 1-800-265-0768

BIRMINGHAM PARENT’S

Ask the Expert Watch for information about who the expert will be and the topic each week.

Each Thurs. afternoon/evening, an expert will take over Birmingham Parent’s Facebook page and answer your questions for an hour! Questions about healthcare, nutrition, education, tutoring, special needs and more will be answered by our experts. Want to participate as one of our experts? Contact your account executive or call 205-987-7700, or email info@birminghamparent.com.

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events & attractions

october

Calendar sponsored by

daily calendar of events

october

Calendar sponsored by

ALDRIDGE BOTANICAL GARDENS 3530 Lorna Road, Hoover. 205-682-8019, www.aldridgegardens.com

OCTOBER 19-25 NATIONAL CHEMISTRY WEEK at McWane Science Center

ALABAMA JAZZ HALL OF FAME 1631 Fourth Ave. N., Birmingham. 205-254-2731, www.jazzhall.com ALABAMA SCHOOL OF FINE ARTS John Heine Visual Arts Exhibition. Revel in the talent of John Heine’s colorful and quirky paintings exhibited in the Vulcan Materials Gallery at ASFA. Through Oct. 3. 8:30am- 4pm. 1800 Rev. Abraham Woods, Jr. Blvd. Birmingham, AL. 252-9241 ALABAMA SPORTS HALL OF FAME 2150 Richard Arrington Blvd. N., Birmingham. 323-6665, www.ashof.org ALABAMA WILDLIFE CENTER 100 Terrace Drive, Pelham. 205-663-7930. www.awrc.org ALBERT L SCOTT ALABASTER PUBLIC LIBRARY • Tunes & Tales: Wednesdays at 3:30pm in Library Meeting Room • Toddler Tales: Fridays at 10:30am in the Library Meeting Room • Lego League: Tuesdays 4-4:45pm 100 9th Street NW, Alabaster, AL, 35007. 205-664-6822, www.cityofalabaster.com/departments/library BIRMINGHAM BOTANICAL GARDENS Be sure to download the treasure map to take with you! www.bbgardens.org/documents/treasuremapforweb.pdf 2612 Lane Park Road, Birmingham. 205-414-3900, www. bbgardens.org BIRMINGHAM CHILDREN’S THEATRE 1001 19th St. North, Birmingham, AL, 35203, 205-458-8181, www.bct123.org BIRMINGHAM CIVIL RIGHTS INSTITUTE Brushstrokes Between Cuts. BCRI presents the first major visual art exhibition by local barber and artist Carter “Pooley” Moorer, Jr., featuring 31 paint-

ings that Moorer created during his 60+ years as a barber at Carter’s Barbershop, an Ensley landmark. Hundreds of his artwork and painted furniture have found a resting place in homes all over America, through October 12 in the Milestones gallery. 16th St. N., Birmingham. 205328-9696, www.bcri.org

Predator Zone, Saturday & Sunday 11:30am & 3:30pm 2630 Cahaba Road, Birmingham. 205-879-0409, www. birminghamzoo.com

BIRMINGHAM MUSEUM OF ART 2000 Rev. Abraham Woods Jr. Blvd., Birmingham. 205-2542565, www.artsbma.org.

SHOP SAVE & SHARE JUNIOR LEAGUE OF BIRMINGHAM. Shop Save & Share will be held October 22-November 2. The league is partnering with Birmingham’s finest retailers to offer you the opportunity to both give and receive this fall. Purchase your Shop Save & Share card for a $40 donation and receive a 20 percent discount at our exciting list of retail partners. Your entire donation will support the over 30 community projects of the Junior League of Birmingham. See www.jlbonline.com/?nd=shopshare for more details. 205-879-9861.

BIRMINGHAM ZOO • Wells Fargo Boo at the Zoo. The Zoo transforms into a destination of spooky attractions for 16 nights. New this year, experience the thrill of the Monster Slide as you glide past your friends and family on this exhilarating inner tube ride of over 100 feet! Dates: October 3-5, 10-12, 19, 26, 29-30 and Nov. 1 from 5-9 pm; and October 17-18, 24-25 and 31 from 5-10pm. Admission charged. IN-PARK SPECIAL ATTRACTIONS Giraffe Feeding & Keeper Chat, Saturday & Sunday 11am-12pm & 2-3pm, $3.00. See Griffin, the first giraffe born in a North American accredited Zoo in 2014! Sea Lion Training, Daily 10am & 2pm

26 | birminghamparent | october 2014

HEART OF DIXIE RAILROAD MUSEUM 1919 Ninth St., Calera. 205-6683435, www.hodrrm.org

MCWANE SCIENCE CENTER • Earth Science Week. McWane will offer hands-on activities and programs designed to promote earth sciences. Learn how geoscientists gather and interpret data about the Earth and other planets, impacting society through their research. October 12-18, 2-14.

• National Chemistry Week. McWane joins the American Chemical Society in celebrating National Chemistry Week by offering hands-on activities and programs designed to communicate an understanding of the importance of chemistry to our everyday life. October 19-25. IMAX MOVIES • To the Arctic. An extraordinary journey to the top of the world, the documentary adventure “To the Arctic” tells the ultimate tale of survival. Through April 30, 2015. • Jerusalem. Explore for the first time in IMAX this crossroads of civilization and faith. The film conveys the story of Jerusalem in all its beauty and diversity, illuminating global public opinion and understanding about Jerusalem on a vast scale, presenting an exceptional vision of Jerusalem – as a city of universal historical, spiritual, cultural and archaeological importance. Through November 26. • Island of Lemurs: Madagascar. Academy Award® winner Morgan Freeman narrates the incredible true story of nature’s greatest explorer, lemurs. Madagascar takes audiences on a spectacular journey to the remote and wondrous world of Madagascar. Through January 8, 2015. 200 19th St. N., Birmingham. 205-714-8300, www.mcwane.org. MOSS ROCK PRESERVE Preserve Parkway, Hoover. 205-739-7141, www.hooveral.org. OAK MOUNTAIN STATE PARK 200 Terrace Drive, Pelham. 205620-2520, www.alapark.com. RUFFNER MOUNTAIN NATURE CENTER 1214 81st St. S., Birmingham. 205-833-8264, www.ruffnermountain.org. SOUTHERN MUSEUM OF FLIGHT 4343 73rd St. N., Birmingham. 205-833-8226, www.southernmuseumofflight.org TANNEHILL IRONWORKS HISTORICAL STATE PARK 12632 Confederate Parkway, McCalla. 205-477-5711, www.tannehill.org VULCAN PARK 1701 Valley View Drive, Birmingham. 205-933-1409, www.vulcanpark.org

c verkids SEARCH 2015

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Visit www.birminghamparent.com/coverkids Submit one personal photo no more than 3 months old (no professional photos please, and no make up.) First child’s fee is $25, and each additional child in the immediate family is $10 each. (Only $25 per entry in multiples category.) Finalists will be chosen, then voted on online. Winners chosen will be on a cover in 2015. All entries must be received by Dec. 31, 2014. Finalists may be featured on main covers or specialty publication covers at the Publisher’s discretion. Former cover kids winners cannot be considered. A portion of the proceeds from Cover Kids Search will be donated to the American Red Cross.

If you would like your kid to be a Birthday Kids contestant, complete and send this form, along with a recent photograph of your child (photos will not be returned) to Birthday Kids, Birmingham Parent, 3590-B Hwy. 31 S., #289, Pelham, AL 35124. Child must be 13 and under to win. By entering, contestants and their parents or legal guardians release the photo to Birmingham Parent with no further obligation to Birmingham Parent, and give consent to Birmingham Parent to reproduce and publish any photographs submitted whether or not the entry is chosen as the winner. All entries must be signed by parent/guardian. Employees of Evans Publishing and contest sponsors are not eligible. Nov. entries much be received by Oct. 11, 2014. Entries can be sent ahead for later months.

Child’s Name _______________________________________________ Child’s Age __________ Birthday ______________________________ Address ___________________________________________________ City _______________________________ Zip ____________________ Phone _____________________________________________________ Email _____________________________________________________ Parent/Guardian Signature __________________________________

birminghamparent.com | 27

ALL PHOTOS COURTESY OF THE KING’S HOME

GIVING

HOPE

A HOME The King’s Home provides help today and hope for tomorrow By Paige Townley

or more than 40 years, the King’s Home has provided help, hope and hospitality to others in the community when they need it most. The nonprofit organization operates a variety of services that are dedicated to youth, women and mothers and children experiencing difficult or extreme circumstances, such as abuse, abandonment and homelessness. “We’re all about hope and opportunity,” says Lew Burdette, president of King’s Home. “We want to be that hope and opportunity that moms and teenagers maybe have never had before.” With six campuses located in Jefferson, Shelby, Tuscaloosa and Blount counties, the King’s Home operates 22 total residential group homes. Twelve of these homes are dedicated to at-risk youth. Approximately 98 percent of the youth at King’s Home, which includes boys and girls ages 10 to 21, have suffered some sort of abuse, neglect or abandonment. “We are trying to instill in them that even though life hasn’t treated them fairly, they have the rest of their lives in front of them and it’s really what they make out of it from this point forward,” Burdette says. “We try to point them towards hope and goals and give them time and space to heal from the abuse and the deep wounds that come with it.” To help each child, the King’s Home provides spiritual development, educational assistance and counseling. The children are also placed in loving homes that include parents and their own biological children. “We are trying to teach them safe, loving

28 | birminghamparent | october 2014

boundaries, which is a healthy structure for life,” Burdette explains. “Our model is to have loving homes with loving house parents we call family teaching parents. That shows the youth what a family looks like – a loving mom and dad interacting with each other, loving each other. These youth have never had that modeled for them. In many cases, if you were abused as a kid you will be an abuser as an adult because you’ve never learned healthy living or appropriate relationships. We want to see that cycle broken.” We want to be Living in a home with a family also teaches that hope and youth many life skills that opportunity so many take for granted. “We are teaching every that moms and single day, many times teenagers just basic things like maybe have good table manners, how never had before. to greet someone and personal hygiene,” says Burdette. “We also teach other life skills, like how to be successful fi nancially and budget wisely. We want them to be successful in every area.” To help youth develop and one day be independent, maybe even attend college, workers at King’s Home meet every week to discuss each child’s goals and how they are developing. “We want every kid to be successful, so we are intentional about that as a team,” Burdette says. “No child is going to be left

behind here. We know it’s no one’s dream to live at King’s Home. We want them to one day live independently, so we challenge them to set goals and achieve them and really work for success.” King’s Home also hosts nine homes that are dedicated to women and mothers and children who are fleeing abuse and domestic violence. In addition to offering a safe place to live, King’s Home provides food, medical expenses, counseling, childcare and educational support. “We sit down with the women and look at what they have been through and encourage them to figure out what they want to do and what they want their future to look like,” says Liz Sherrell, the King’s Home’s operations director. “We help them decide on some goals, both short term and long term, and then we help them achieve them.” For many women, those goals are all about getting a job. To make that process as stress free as possible, King’s Home helps the women create resumes, prepare for interviews and even transport them to and from interviews. “We had one mom who was actually locked in a closet

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with her three children for days at a time,” Burdette says. “The physical abuse was horrible and when she came to us she shared that her dream was to go to college. She ended up getting her masters degree in accounting and then a high-paying job as an accountant. She has been out of our program for more than five years now and is doing great and providing a great life for her children. All she needed was a chance.” With so many lives impacted every year – King’s Home served 328 residents last year alone – motivation to continue providing life-changing compassion, love and hope is never hard to find. “It’s amazing to see God at work transforming lives,” Burdette says. “That’s the most rewarding part for us—to see the residents that come to us with hurt and suffering and disappointment and find hope and opportunity.” Paige Townley is a Birmingham freelance writer.

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PEDIATRIC BRAIN TUMORS:

One Family’s Journey By Paige Townley

The Burnette family with Courtney (in front of dad)

ntil April 2010, life was fairly normal for the Burnette family. LaNaye and her husband, Mike, had recently welcomed their fifth child, Ryan, into the family, joining siblings Andrea, Megan, Lauren and Courtney. But on April 19, everything suddenly changed when daughter Courtney was diagnosed with a brain tumor. Every year, approximately 2,000 children are diagnosed with brain tumors. A result of an abnormal growth of tissue in the brain, brain tumors are one of the most common solid tumors in children and are the leading cause of cancer-related deaths in pediatrics. Typically, brain tumors are diagnosed in children between the ages of three and eight, but they can occur at any age. Courtney had recently turned nine. “Before Courtney was diagnosed, we really didn’t have a lot of warning signs,” says LaNaye. “She had been healthy. She had complained of dizziness a couple of times about six months before diagnosis, but that was about it.” Although LaNaye took Courtney to the doctor when she originally complained about dizziness and nothing was found – the doctor thought the dizziness might be caused by dehydration – LaNave knew something was wrong and scheduled another doctor’s appointment. “I just had a nagging feeling that something wasn’t quite right,” says LaNaye. Before Courtney ever made it to her checkup, she began having eye problems. LaNaye quickly got her an appointment with an eye doctor. During the exam, the eye doctor informed LaNaye that he saw a lot of fluid when he looked into her eyes and that she might have a brain lesion. “He said that if it was his daughter he would take her straight to the emergency room because there was so much pressure in her head,” LaNaye says. Taking the doctor’s advice, LaNaye took Courtney to the hospital where a CT scan showed she had a brain tumor, but it didn’t show much 30 | birminghamparent | october 2014

else. “The scan could tell that something was there, but not much else,” says LaNaye. “A CT scan doesn’t show as in depth as an MRI, so they sent us home that day, a Friday, with a scheduled MRI for that following Monday.” The MRI revealed that Courtney had diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma, often referred to as DIPG. DIPG is a tumor located in the middle of the brain stem. Not only is it inoperable, but also it is difficult to treat because the tumor cells grow between and around normal cells. Typical survival time for those with DIPG is less than one year. “The doctor explained she had the worst kind of brain tumor a person could have in the worst place with the worst prognosis,” says LaNaye. “I felt like it wasn’t real because I was in such shock. The doctor said that there was a tremendous amount of pressure in her head and if we didn’t get her admitted into the hospital and started on steroids to relieve the pressure she wouldn’t live more than a few days.” Courtney was admitted to the hospital and chemotherapy and radiation soon began. “That was a hard decision because chemo and radiation were more to control her symptoms than to actually cure her,” LaNaye says. “We knew there was a very small chance it would cure her. But she wanted to try to fight it, so we did.” Despite at least 30 treatments of radiation and weeks of chemotherapy, Courtney survived just 186 days – a little more than six months. “In July, an MRI had revealed the tumor shrank significantly, but about two weeks later the symptoms came back and she went downhill from there and never really recovered after that,” says LaNaye. “Then in October we found out it had grown back and was growing in her spine. She lived just 22 days from that time.” Unfortunately, stories like Courtney’s are far too common. Children’s of Alabama, the state’s only hospital with a comprehensive center for pediatric cancer and other blood disorders, sees one to two children every week with a newly diagnosed brain tumor, says Dr. Alyssa T. Reddy, a pediatric neurologist at Children’s. “With that being said, there are many different types of brain tumors, and the

Courtney Burnette celebrates her 8th birthday prognosis and treatment vary depending on the type and its location,” Reddy says. “Specifically regarding the type of tumor Courtney had, it’s not very common. DIPG probably accounts for 10 percent of the brain tumors that we see which translates into only four to five children per year.” While research is ongoing, nothing has been shown to impact the long-term outcome for many pediatric brain tumors. Until a cure is found, organizations like the Brain Tumor Foundation for Children, now called the Georgia Chapter of the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation, exists to help families like the Burnettes cope with the reality of pediatric brain tumors. The foundation provides financial assistance, social support and information for families. It was during Courtney’s ordeal that LaNaye first became connected with the organization. After Courtney lost her battle with DIPG, the Burnettes started a fund, called Courtney’s Sunshine Fund, to help other families with children suffering from brain tumors. “After Courtney died, it was really hard and we

“Doing this has really been therapeutic for me. There’s something very healing about helping others.”

— LaNaye Burnette went through the first year in shock,” LaNaye says. “The second year it was more like a nightmare, and I told my husband that we had to do something to help people – something to give back and also create a legacy for Courtney because I never want her to be forgotten. This awful thing happened to our family and I knew we had to try to make something good out of it.” Established through the Brain Tumor Foundation for Children, Courtney’s Sunshine Fund assists local families in need of financial assistance, as well as funds research. The Burnettes host various fundraisers throughout the year to raise money, 100 percent of which goes to the fund. “I couldn’t do anything about the fact my daughter was gone, but I could help make life a little easier for someone else going through what we went through,” LaNaye says. “Doing this has really been therapeutic for me. There’s something very healing about helping others.”

KNOW

what to do in case of

SUSPECTED

CONCUSSION A concussion is an injury caused by a blow to the head in which the brain moves rapidly and may collide with the inside of the skull. Even a minor fall or collision may be of concern, so be alert to symptoms such as headaches, unsteadiness, confusion or other types of abnormal behavior. Any athlete with a suspected concussion: n Should be IMMEDIATELY REMOVED FROM PLAY/ACTIVITY n Should be urgently assessed medically n Should not be left alone n Should not drive a motor vehicle

www.ChildrensAL.org/concussion In case of medical emergency, call 911 or go directly to your local ER

Paige Townley is a Birmingham freelance writer. birminghamparent.com | 31

A Page in a Book

RECOMMENDING

THE BEST BOOKS FOR CHILDREN & TEENS

By Gerry P. Smith

THE JOURNEY:

There and Back Again Every day is a journey for children. The travel to and from school, questing around neighborhood, and journeys of the spirit and imagination are all opportunities for children to pursue adventure beyond the normal confines of home and hearth. And for most journeys, the final leg brings a traveler full circle; back to where they started. We return from our travels with a fuller appreciation for home, friends, family and all the things that we carry in our heart when we’re away. The following titles all embody the spirit of adventurous journeys, while carrying along the fondness for home that’s never

Journey

Following Papa’s Song

By Aaron Becker (Candlewick)

By Gianna Marino (Viking/Penguin)

Faced with a distracted family and a yearning for adventure, a young girl plucks up a red crayon and draws a door into another world. As she travels through the neutral and pastel colors of the alternate landscape, her vibrant red crayon creates the things she needs to venture forth. She draws a red boat that takes her to a kingdom of kind people who welcome her exploration of their world. She then draws a red balloon that wafts her among a not-so-kind army of the air. When she’s captured by the airmen, her red crayon is lost …along with her means to return home. But a flash of rich purple emerges and may solve her problems both at home and abroad. A brilliantly executed work of art and storytelling, Journey is a steampunkstyled flight of wordless fancy that children will revisit again and again.

In the seemingly endless ocean, Little Blue, a young blue whale, is preparing with his family for his first migration. But he’s worried about being separated from his father on the journey. Traveling thousands of miles through the deep sea, a blue whale’s home is vast and moveable. Home is where his family is. His father assures him that if he will listen, Little Blue can hear Papa’s whale song and find him should he become lost. When Little Blue is distracted on the journey and becomes lost in the deep, he will need all his listening skill to hear the song of home. Lush edge-to-edge illustrations submerge the reader in all the hues of the deep oceans as they plumb the depths with father and son. Following Papa’s Song is a moving and beautiful reminder of the call of home that resonates through every journey.

32 | birminghamparent | october 2014

Three Bears in a Boat By David Soman (Dial/Penguin) When three bears (playing where they shouldn’t) break their mother’s favorite blue seashell, they immediately run to the beach to hide. And as they huddle in the shadow of their boat, the brothers decide undertake a quest; to sail away to find a blue shell. They query other seafaring bears for clues as their journey carries them far afield, but their search yields no blue shell. As their odyssey lengthens, their tempers grow shorter and home seems farther away than ever. It takes the stirring of a great storm to reveal the welcome calms and turn their voyage homeward. Complete with a cheeky nod to ‘Moby Dick’, this title is a reassuring testament to treasures and safe welcome found at home.

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ask the specialist

By Jamie Routman, MD