Birmingham Parent Magazine - November-December 2021

TH E PR E M I E R PA R E NTI N G M AGA Z I N E FO R C E NTR A L A L A BA M A

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birmingham Parent'S

Favorite Kids' Docs 2021 our HOLIDAY

Gift Guide

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2021

THE WACKY TACKY

LIGHT TOUR

PRIVATE, SPECIALTY & CHARTER SCHOOL DIRECTORY

AN ALL-NEW GAYLORD HOTELS® ORIGINAL EXPERIENCE

s in g e b n io s is m The th 9 1 r Novembe

Follow Buddy the Elf on his journey to muster enough Christmas cheer to power Santa’s sleigh and save the holiday by completing challenges inspired by the iconic film in this all-new, multisensory experience.

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ed note

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Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays & Happy New Year from the staff of Birmingham Parent:

Clanton, AL 35045 205-624-2405 205-624-2515 FAX www.birminghamparent.com

editorial PUBLISHERS David & Carol Evans EDITOR Carol Muse Evans ASSOCIATE EDITOR Lori Chandler Pruitt

CONTRIBUTORS Cheryl Maguire

Tanni Haas, Ph.D. Paige Townley Rachael Moshman

Carol Muse Evans Publisher/Editor

David Evans Publisher

Lori Pruitt Associate Editor

Children’s of Alabama Dr. Justin Aldred Jan Pierce

sales BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT Tom Gonzales SR. MARKETING CONSULTANT Kayla Fricks MARKETING CONSULTANT Stacey Spence

print & web production Digtial Doo-Wop

Kayla Fricks Senior Marketing Consultant

Stacey Spence Marketing Consultant

Tom Gonzales Business Development Consultant

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 (EIN200694149) is published monthly by Evans Publishing LLC. www.birminghamparent.com or editor@birminghamparent.com. Birmingham Parent is © 2020 by Evans Publishing LLC. Family Connections Media ©2020-2021

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.

Carol Muse Evans Publisher/Editor

carol@birminghamparent.com

COMING IN JANUARY

Don't miss the new FAMILY GUIDEBOOK in January 2022, your one-stop resource for everything in central Alabama!

4 | Birmingham Parent | NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2021

BiminghamParent.com | 5

contents

Beautiful in Any Season

THE BILTMORE ESTATE

36 our focus 5 Things to Avoid Saying to Adoptive Parents ............................................................ 24 Birmingham Parent’s Favorite Kids’ Docs 2021 ............................................................ 28

our features BIRMINGHAM PARENT'S

Gift Guide

Birmingham Parent’s Holiday Gift Guide 2021 .. ............................................................. 10

our regulars Editor’s Note: Happy Holidays from the Staff of Birmingham Parent ............................. 4 Short Stuff .............................................. 8 Ask the Specialist: Pelvic Pain in Women .... 32 Family Travel: Biltmore Estate ................... 36 November/December 2021 & January 2022 Calendar of Events .................................. 41

Education Children’s of Alabama Providing Telephonebased Mental Health Education and More ... 30 How to Save a Life .................................. 34 It Takes a Village: Single Mother Support Group ........................................................... 38 5 Expert Tips to Help Teens with ADHD ....... 40

Wacky, Tacky Light Tour ............................ 12 Choosing the Right Kind of School for Your Kids ............................................................ 14 The Private, Specialty and Charter School Directory ............................................... 16 The Future Takes Flight: Civil Air Patrol ........ 18 5 Tips to Help Your Child Gain Confidence in the Classroom ............................................. 20

ON THE COVER: Oliva Grace, age 8, of Tuscaloosa, is getting in on the holiday shopping early in style at the Outlet Shops of Grand River. (See ad for Outlet Shops of Grand River on back cover. See the article about Olivia Grace and her book on page 8.) Photo by Christy Pierce Photography, 205-902-0385; www. christypiercephotographyllc.com. (See her ad on page 26.) Styling by April Clark. April Clark is a children’s clothing and toy designer based in Talladega, AL. www.missaprilfashiongirl.com. (See her ad on page 13.) Limo by Accent Luxury Limo, www.accentluxurylimo.com. (See their ad on page 26.)

6 | Birmingham Parent | NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2021

Caring for generations to help women live their best life.

Family traditions happen all year at Brookwood Women’s Medical Center. We make birth days special with luxury suites and postpartum care, including advanced neonatal services. And as the seasons of life move forward, we provide comprehensive care for women’s health. It’s our pleasure to help you live your best life.

Learn more at www.BrookwoodWomens.com BiminghamParent.com | 7

S H ORT ST U FF

Young

Tuscaloosa Girl Pens her Own

Book

Photo by Christy Pierce Photography

Olivia Grace Bowman, age 8, of Tuscaloosa, recently published her first book in the series, “The Adventures of Olivia Grace,” Blessings.

Olivia lives with her mom, dad and brother and enjoys reading, tumbling, crafts, the outdoors, swimming and baking. “I love to read,” Olivia says, “and I was inspired by the many books I read. I thought….

I can write a book, too.”

Olivia says she wanted to write about blessings during the pandemic.

Since everything was so scary, her family especially focused on God during this time, and her parents reminded her how blessed they are and that we need to think God and embrace the blessing each day.

The first author in the family, Olivia said it was a lot of work, and she hopes to have a “ColorTivity” book releasing in November, an activity book to go with Blessings.

Olivia is the daughter of Dr. Victoria Bowman and Atokie Bowman.

Victoria Bowman says Olivia has always loved books and reading, and Olivia outlined three goals about writing her book. Olivia said, “Mama, I want to travel and read my books to children, I want my book in the library, and I want my book in bookstores. I want to inspire children to read and write.”

SEEING CLEARLY STARTS HERE Day Eye Care Call and schedule an appointment today.

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205-987-2308 | www.dayeyecenter.com 2122 Old Montgomery Hwy. | Pelham, AL 35124 8 | Birmingham Parent | NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2021

The book is self-published, and it can be purchased at www.OliviaGraceBoman.com, Amazon and Walmart. Many libraries also have the book.

Send an email to contests@birminghamparent.com to be entered into a contest to win a copy of Olivia’s book! Deadline is November 15, 2021.

You can see Olivia Grace’s interviews months ago with Fox 6 here: https://youtu.be/gpepUNNbYVU. Photo courtesy of Olivia Grace Boman

Birthdays in Birmingham Your local birthday party resource Loved by Parents since 1997

birthdaysinbirmingham.com Places to Go  Entertainment Party Supplies & Rentals  Facilities  Coupons

SH ORT ST U FF

The Adventures of Susie Spinach is Now Available Author Anna Marie Giuffre overheard some eight-year-old children share that they didn’t know if they had a true purpose.

It started her on a quest.

Within weeks, she had written 56 quick-adventure books, but it took five years to build out the first book, which led to a company and a charity.

The series launched the first book, “The Adventures of Susie Spinach and the Little Gees: What is Good Character?” in March 2021.

Giuffre’s series is meant to build children up. Giuffre says she wants them to have purpose, and adventure, hope and the greatness life has in store for them.

The series will choose five charities a year to contribute to, and the criteria is located at www.purposefuladventures.org.

The books are available at www susiespinach.com, Amazon, Apple Books and local bookstores.

Did you know you can sponsor a baby's diaper need for as low as $10/month?

Visit bundlesdiaperbank.org and signup for a recurring monthly donation to BLESS A LOCAL FAMILY Businesses, local organizations & individuals all welcome!

205-607-2112 www.bundlesdiaperbank.org info@bundlesdiaperbank.org BiminghamParent.com | 9

BIRMINGHAM PARENT'S

Gift Guide

Birmingham Parent’s Holiday Gift Guide 2021 We bet you know just what you’re getting your child this holiday, and we bet Santa already has her/his list, too.

But what about the OTHER folks on your list? Here are a few suggestions from Birmingham Parent staff.

Compiled by Carol Muse Evans

Pure & Simple Lip Balm USDA Certified Organic and 100% edible formula made from food grade ingredients. Great for kids too. This backto-basics Pure & Simple lip balm line is packaged in a new Plant Pod® Innovation – the first 100% plastic-free plant tube. Offered in a variety of flavors including coconut, raspberry and vanilla. A great small gift or stocking stuffer!

Price: $2.49 each Where to buy: ecolips.com

Old World Christmas Alabama Football Ornament or Old World Christmas Auburn Pennant Ornament Whichever team you root for in the state, this ornament is sure to be a hit and a treasured item from Christmas to Christmas.

Price: $2.49 Where to buy: amazon.com

10 | Birmingham Parent | NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2021

The Beeswax Candle Who doesn’t love a candle? The Beeswax Company is the premium supplier of beeswax candles in the U.S. Add them to your home for a clean, gorgeous look with a pure healthful flame. The brand uses the finest domestic beeswax on the market and 100 percent cotton wicks, and the candles never drip! You can get everything from tealight, pillars, votives, tapers, candlesticks and seasonal and specialty creations. Everything is proudly handmade and sourced from beekeepers in Texas, and each beeswax candle is poured and burnished by hand.

Price: $1.95-up Where to buy: beeswaxco.com

Hidden Cows Puzzles are fun for individuals, families and even groups.

This 1,000-piece puzzle is the ultimate game of hide-andseek. At first glance, it looks like an ordinary evening at home, in the simple and tasteful living room of an ordinary pig family – mother, father, daughter, toddler and twin chickens. But look closely. As you carefully assemble the 1,000 pieces, you may begin to notice some surprising visitors: hidden cows! There are at least three of them.

Also check out Puzzle Complaints and Hippo Birdie Two Ewe (a birthday puzzle of only 300 pieces).

Price: $19.95 Where to buy: amazon.com

Heirloom Video Books Sharing special moments has never been easier, and this may be the unique gift for the hard-to-buy for! Heirloom allows you to create custom video books to send cute videos, messages and much more to loved ones. To get started you select videos in the Heirloom app or directly on sendheirloom.com! Once completed, Heirloom will ship your video book directly to the recipient. Each book comes fully charged and videos play automatically when the cover is opened.

Price: $49 Where to buy: Sendheirloom.com or Uncommon Goods

Donut Dish Towel The cute Donut Worry Be Happy Towel is sure to brighten your day. The towels are light, super absorbent, soft and are machine washable.

• Comes folded in a belly band package ready for gifting • Measures approx. 24"x26" (size tolerance 2-3") • All natural, unbleached 100% cotton • Machine washable • Hand screen-printed with eco-friendly, water-based inks Price: $18 Where to buy: theneighborgoods.com

Steeped Coffee For thoughtful gift ideas that check all the boxes, look no further than Steeped Coffee. What sets Steeped Coffee apart is a proprietary brewing method that does not require machines or brewing equipment, made much like tea. The coffee comes in single-serve bags that are nitro-sealed to ensure absolute freshness. It’s a uniquely “unplugged” coffee experience, from the award-winning packaging made using compostable and renewable materials to the non-GMO filters. All it takes to brew a perfect cup is hot water and a few minutes, and at the end of the day, there are no wasteful plastic pods accumulating in waterways or landfills.

Price: $15 and up Where to buy: amazon.com and steepedcoffee.com

Runamok Maple Syrup Gift Box This beautiful gift box includes four different 60mL bottles of Runamok's infused, barrel-aged, and smoked maple syrups.

The Sugarmaker's Collection features Bourbon Barrel-Aged, Pecan, Hibisus-infused and Elderberry Infused and more.

Price: $30.95 Where to buy: runamokmaple.com

BiminghamParent.com | 11

The Wacky Tacky Light Tour Big Lights, Big Impact

T

Photos by Mark Peavy

housands of lights! Gravity defying displays! Blow-ups with more hot air than a room full of politicians! It’s the 10th anniversary of Fresh Air Family’s Wacky Tacky Light Tour.

“If you get on your roof and hang 10,000 lights from it, shyness is not your issue. People spend a lot of time and money and enjoy sharing what they create,” Gates says.

This event seeks out the best, the worst, and wackiest light displays in town. In this anti-Norman Rockwell event, people dress up for a festive, funny evening on a party bus. The event runs December 14, 15, 16 and 21.

The two-hour guided bus tour doubles as a fundraiser for the non-profit Fresh Air Family, a non-profit dedicated to outdoor education for children in summer and holiday camps, school field trips and family weekend adventures.

While the event is far from serious, the results are. With the proceeds from the Wacky Tacky Light Tour and private donors, Fresh Air Family awarded $54,200 in financial aid to children who could not otherwise come to their award-winning science camp, Gross Out Camp.

Along the way, wacky tackiers visit the Hanukkah House with its “Oy to the World,” with a fiddler on the roof; Santa’s Trailer Park, where the reindeer really does run over Grandma; Dueling Neighbors with a singing fish; and Star Wars Christmas because nothing says Merry Christmas like Darth Vader. They will see sights such as the biggest blow-up Santa and a Christmas snail. One of the favorites is a hand-crafted, quirky display designed and implemented by a 91-year-old retired downtown department store window dresser.

The route is personally designed by the original wacky woman, Verna Gates, founder and executive director of Fresh Air Family. She had a long tradition of seeking out gaudy lights with friends when one suggested turning it into a fundraiser. She shrugged it off as something others would not enjoy, until the event began attracting 1,200 on average over the multi-night event.

“People love it as much as I do! It’s silly and funny at a time of year that can be stressful for some people. We’re driving, all you need to do is laugh,” Gates says. As for how she chooses the homes on display she quips, “My standards are low and hard to meet.”

The houses are in on the fun. Some lobby Gates to get on the tour.

One group tried for a couple of years, but when they added a singing crocodile Santa band, Gates couldn’t resist. One homeowner bragged on Facebook that he had finally reached a bucket list goal – he made it on the Wacky Tacky Tour.

12 | Birmingham Parent | NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2021

The tour starts and ends at Tropicaleo at 4426 Fourth Avenue South in Avondale. Tickets are at www.FreshAirFamily.org. Riders can choose to put together a private bus of friends, family, colleagues, club members or church groups, or they can buy individual tickets. Buses range from 13 to 37 passenger and run every fifteen minutes from 6-7:30 p.m. Buses are provided by Rare Transportation, which partners with Fresh Air Family to make the event fun for all.

“People come to enjoy each other as much as they enjoy the lights,” Gates says. The event is sponsored by Rare Transportation, Home Light, Aquatic Gardens and Birmingham Parent.

BIRMINGHAM

TO OUR FASHION FUN DAY!

Grab your best fashion friend for a fun-filled afternoon and design a clutch purse!

Register for the event at www.missaprilfashiongirl.com No experience needed. Recommended for ages 8-13

BiminghamParent.com | 13

Education

Choosing the Right Kind of School for

Your Kids

By Tanni Haas, Ph.D.

P

arents who’re looking for a school for their kids for the first time can be forgiven if they’re confused. There are many different kinds of schools, and it can be difficult to tell the difference between them. Here’s an overview of the 10 most common school choices, so that parents can make informed decisions.

Montessori schools.

Montessori schools are private schools that follow the educational philosophy of the Italian physician Maria Montessori who promoted a child-centered approach that includes lots of hands-on exploration.

Instead of a one-size-fits-all curriculum, Montessori schools appeal to each individual student’s interests and abilities. Another feature that distinguishes Montessori schools from traditional schools is that teachers stay with the same group of students for several years.

Parochial/Christian schools.

Parochial schools are private Christian schools that operate under the auspices of local parish churches (hence the name). Parochial schools teach regular academic subjects like language arts, math, science, and social studies in addition to offering religious instruction and prayer services. Parents often choose a parochial school because they want their kids’ education to be grounded in particular religious values.

Special Education schools.

Special education schools are private and public schools that serve students with special needs. Some focus on multiple needs, others on specific learning differences. These can include communicative, physical, and social learning differences like ADHD, autism, and hearing

14 | Birmingham Parent | NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2021

impairment. Teachers are educated to meet the specialized learning needs of students. They often have an extensive support staff of guidance counselors, psychologists, and social workers.

Waldorf Schools Waldorf schools, also known as Steiner schools, are private schools that follow the educational philosophy of Rudolf Steiner, an Austrian philosopher and social reformer who promoted a specific kind of holistic learning that emphasizes practical skills, imagination, and intellectual development. Like Montessori schools, teachers stay with the same group of students for several years to foster a close and intimate mentor - mentee relationship.

Boarding schools.

Boarding schools are private schools where students live and learn together on a campus. You can send your kids to a boarding school from kindergarten right up through high school, or for a single school year.

They attract kids from across the globe, have high academic standards, offer lots of extracurricular activities, foster close relationships between teachers and students, and are great if you want your kid to develop their independence and become more mature.

Charter schools.

Charter schools are a specific kind of public school. Like regular public schools, they receive public funding. However, they’re independently operated and have more autonomy than most public schools when it comes to curriculum and instruction. They tend to have a specific educational focus like performing arts or math and science. Students

are often selected through a lottery rather than on their academic merit or other factors like demographics.

Distinctively

CLASSICAL.

Distance-Learning schools.

Distance-learning schools, also known as online or virtual schools, are schools where students receive instruction from home, similar to what’s happening during the pandemic but on a permanent basis. They can be public or private, and they often abide by the same educational regulations and standards as brick-and-mortar schools. Parents often choose distancelearning schools because they like their convenience and flexibility.

District-Zoned schools.

District-zoned schools, or neighborhood schools as they’re also known, are the formal name of the regular public schools in your area. These are publicly funded, follow state guidelines for curriculum and instruction, and are open to all kids living within their catchment area (or zone).

Most parents send their kids to district-zoned schools because they’re conveniently located and their kids are virtually guaranteed to have their neighborhood friends as classmates.

Language Immersion schools.

Language immersion schools are private and public schools in which all or most of the instruction is delivered in a language other than English.

The teachers are often fluent in two or more languages. The educational programs are typically designed for students whose native language is English, and they’re great if you want your kids to become fluent in another language. Common languages of instruction include Chinese, French, Japanese, and Spanish.

Unapologetically

CHRISTIAN. Grades K5-12 To schedule a tour, call

205-216-0149,

423 Thompson Rd., Alabaster, AL

or email Traci Allen at tallen@evangelclassical.org

evangelclassical.com

Winter Camps Our camps are half-day and full-day programs sure to delight the budding young star in your life. Develop their confidence, encourage collaboration, inspire creativity and an interest in the arts.

Learn more and Two Sessions! register today at Dec. 20-24, Dec. 27-31 RedMountainTheatre.org

Magnet schools.

Magnet schools are public schools that are open to kids from multiple districts. Like charter schools, they operate alongside regular public schools, have a particular educational focus, and their instruction often emphasizes hands-on learning. Unlike charter schools, however, magnet schools don’t admit students via a lottery but instead try to promote a diverse student body.

Tanni Haas, Ph.D. is a Professor in the Department of Communication Arts, Sciences & Disorders at the City University of New York – Brooklyn College.

BiminghamParent.com | 15

2021 PRIVATE, SPECIALTY AND CHARTER SCHOOL DIRECTORY

SCHOOLS Alabama School of Mathematics and Science

1255 Dauphin St. Mobile, AL 36604 251-441-2100 www.asms.net ASMS is a public, residential high school accepting applications from highly motivated 9th and 10th graders seeking advanced studies in math, science, computer science and the humanities.

Creative Montessori School

2800 Montessori Way Homewood, AL 35209 205-879-3278 cmskids.org CMS cultivates a life-long love of learning and fosters self-control and self-direction from 18 months through eighth grade. Students learn at their own pace, under the thoughtful guidance of a professionally-trained Montessori teacher.

Evangel Classical Christian School

423 Thompson Rd. Alabaster, AL 35007 205-216-0149 www.evangelclassical.com ECCS aims to teach children to think clearly, listen carefully reason persuasively, articulate precisely, evaluate every experience through the lens of scripture and do so with eagerness and joyful submission to God.

16 | Birmingham Parent | NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2021

Integrity Christian Academy

216 Roebuck Dr. Birmingham, AL 35215 205-833-4416 www.integritychristianacademy.org Preschool, kindergarten, and elementary classes. ABEKA academic, Bible curriculum and training. Character development and discipline. In-Person and Virtual classes are being offered for this 2020-2021 school year.

Odyssey Early Sch​ools

*INVERNESS CAMPUS 104 Heatherbrooke Park Dr. Birmingham, AL 35242 205-991-0039 *TRACE CROSSINGS CAMPUS 401 Emery Dr. Hoover, AL 35244 205-988-8829 www.odysseyearlyschool.com Created by educators featuring ​state-of-the-art facilities​, nurturing teachers ​with Education degrees, and comprehensive curriculum ​that provides your child with age-appropriate exploration into the world of learning.

Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic School 1720 Oxmoor Rd. Homewood, AL 35209 205-879-3237 www.olsschool.com

Fostering a Christ-centered environment with strong academics, technology, and enrichment opportunities. Educating young minds in K3-8th grades. AdvancED accredited.

The Altamont School

Experience up-close animal encounters, science activities and nature play at the Zoo, where we offer enriching educational opportunities for people of all ages! Our “hands-on” and “minds-on” activities encourage and promote lifelong learning.

4801 Altamont Rd. S. Birmingham, AL 35222 205-445-1232 www.altamontschool.org The Mission of the Altamont School is to improve the fabric of society by graduating compassionate, well-educated students capable of independent thinking and innovative ideas.

Dauphin Island Sea Lab

The Learning Tree

McWane Science Center

251-533-6044 www.learning-tree.org The Learning Tree Inc. provides early intervention, residential, educational, behavioral analysis and consultation services for more than 700 children with intellectual disabilities and autism annually.

FIELD TRIPS AND EDUCATIONAL ACTIVITIES

251-861-2414 www.disl.edu The Dauphin Island Sea Lab is the state of Alabama's marine science education and research center. We offer programs throughout the year for K-12 students, professional development, undergraduate and graduate studies and a public aquarium. Learn more at www.disl.edu.

200 19th St. N. Birmingham, AL 35203 205-714-8414 www.mcwane.org Fun and learning never end at McWane, a nonprofit, hands-on museum with aquarium and IMAX® Dome Theater. Four floors of interactive exhibits celebrate science and wonder.

Birmingham Zoo

2630 Cahaba Road Birmingham, AL 35223 205-879-0409 www.birminghamzoo.com

The Altamont School

Odyssey Early Schools

The mission of The Altamont School is to improve the fabric of society by

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 child-to-teacher ratios.

At our schools, you can watch your child’s entire day in live, streaming, HD video over the Internet, through an individual, secure connection linked directly to your child’s classroom. We want our parents to know what happens during their child’s day, and Odyssey is the only Over-the-Mountain daycare to offer this service.

Our team works tirelessly to earn its reputation as the 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!

graduating compassionate, well-educated individuals capable of independent thinking and innovative ideas. To this end, the school attracts, nurtures, and challenges students whose commitment to truth, knowledge, and honor will prepare them not only for the most rigorous college programs, but also for productive lives.

Altamont is a small family of approximately 360 students in grades 5-12 with socio-economic, ethnic, and religious diversity. Altamont is a good choice for students excelling in their present schools who want greater breadth and challenge in all areas of school life. We combine an intensive, college preparatory academic program with a personalized college search program.

There are many opportunities for students to develop multiple talents by participating in arts, world languages, community service, clubs, class projects, and athletics. Students also benefit from a 1-to-1 laptop program, an advanced computer science curriculum, and unparalleled service leadership opportunities through Altamont’s C. Kyser Miree Ethical Leadership Center.

Altamont is located five minutes from downtown Birmingham on the crest of Red Mountain. Our campus features Cabaniss-Kaul Center for the Arts, Pharo Art Studio, Lacey-Day Photography Studio, newly renovated athletics spaces, two science wings, a study garden, a 14,000-volume library, and much more. Experience all that Altamont offers by attending an Open House or scheduling a campus tour.

4801 Altamont Road South Birmingham, AL 35222

205-879-2006

Visit www.odysseyearlyschool.com for more info.

Visit www.altamontschool.org.

BiminghamParent.com | 17

Education

Future Takes Flight Civil Air Patrol program encourages today’s youth to become tomorrow’s aerospace leaders

By Paige Townley

Students can partake in a wide range of activities with the program, including the weekly meetings and a week-long encampment.

W

hether during the school year or the summer break, parents and students alike frequently look for activities and opportunities for students to find their place and what interests them most. The Civil Air Patrol is helping students do just that while furthering their education and gaining leadership skills with its cadet program.

The Civil Air Patrol (CAP) is a public service organization that employs emergency services and disaster relief missions all across the country. The organization dates all the way back to the 1930s, when during World War II, CAP established coastal patrol flights to prevent enemy operations along the East Coast. As an auxiliary of the U.S. Air Force, CAP includes citizen volunteers that devote their time to disaster relief, emergency services, and keeping their communities safe.

CAP boasts approximately 60,000 members nationwide and in addition to emergency services, the organization focuses on aerospace education and a cadet program. In Birmingham, CAP is based out of the 117th Air National Guard Unit at the Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport and is a composite squadron that includes both adult senior members and a cadet program for youth ages 12 to 18.

“So often young people get told they are too young to do so many things, but in CAP, it’s all focused on what they can do,” says CAP senior member Second Lieutenant April Nail. “With the right The curriculum for CAP’s cadet program focuses on four areas: leadership, aerospace, fitness, and 18 | Birmingham Parent | NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2021

character. Each week, meetings are held at the airport focusing on each topic, with the goal of helping young people develop into responsible citizens and become tomorrow’s aerospace leaders. “I believe our main goal is to prepare cadets to become successful adults in society,” says Captain Stephen G. Olukoya, Birmingham U.S. Air Force Auxiliary Commander, 117th Air National Guard Composite Squadron. “It’s a great program for youth with no military commitment.”

Students can partake in a wide range of activities with the program, including the weekly meetings and a week-long encampment. Going through the program, cadets wear a uniform and learn all about the rank structure. They can rank-up by completing various tasks in the four focus areas. “You can do as much or as little as you want,” adds Nail. “Basically, cadets can set their own goal and work toward it.”

Youth cadets are given many opportunities to find their passions through the CAP program. For some, it may mean deciding whether or not the military will be the next move after high school. But for others, it may mean a passion for aviation – cadets are given the opportunity to take flight lessons – or it may mean finding a passion for the medical field. That’s what happened for Nail’s daughter, Alaina, who joined the program years ago.

“Alaina wasn’t really interested in making a military career for herself, but she was interested in pursuing something in the medical field,” Nail says. training, there are so many things young people can do.”

Alaina focused heavily on the emergency services aspect of the program.

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Growing our children in knowledge and faith...

Experience the Difference She did flight training and received her wilderness advanced first aid certification, and she specialized in several of those components and does search and rescue. “Through the program, she was able to receive training for things she would never have received anywhere else, and it has helped her tremendously,” Nail adds.

Now 18 years old, in addition to serving as Cadet Commander and First Lieutenant for CAP, she’s a full-time college student and working as a medical technician at a local hospital. “Her participation with CAP not only provided hands-on training to help her do well in school and her job, but it also helped her get a full college scholarship,” Nail says. “Her participation with CAP also helped Alaina solidify in her mind that the medical field was for her.”

Other students just like Alaina are finding their future career paths through the opportunities and hands-on learning experiences in the CAP program.

The Birmingham CAP cadet program is preparing to start a new aspect of its program, a STEM kit in rocketry, which will allow students to learn how rockets are designed while building them and even launching them.

Paige Townley is a Birmingham-based freelance writer.

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BiminghamParent.com | 19

Education

Five Tips

to Help Your Child Gain CONFIDENCE in the Classroom

By Jan Pierce

O

ur children have had a rough couple of years of learning due to the pandemic, and now it’s time to re-focus on classroom interactions. Some younger children haven’t had time to experience the way a classroom normally works. How do they behave in a large group? What if they need help? What if they make a mistake? How responsive will the teacher be to individual needs?

Parents can help children take optimal advantage of their learning environment by teaching some basic learning skills. Your child doesn’t have to be top of the class to enjoy learning and be a thriving, healthy part of his or her classroom.

Here are some tips to help your child be a proactive, happy learner: Be Prepared to Learn Teachers notice when children come to school prepared to learn. They have the right supplies; they’ve eaten breakfast and have had enough sleep. They brought back the permission slip for the field trip, and they have their lunch money.

Yes, it’s a lot of work for parents to keep up with all the activities at school. And at some point, children need to take responsibility for those things themselves, but not yet. Not when they’re in grade school and are just learning how to manage responsibilities. Be the parent who takes care of business and put your child in the best position to receive approval from the folks at school.

Knowing When to Listen Carefully The best student in the world can’t be on high listening alert all day long.

But successful students know when to listen carefully and that is one of the most important skills a student can learn. You can explain to your child that it’s vital to listen carefully when a teacher is giving exit directions before independent work times. These times usually come when the 20 | Birmingham Parent | NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2021

entire class is gathered and a new subject is introduced. Just before the children move to work independently the explicit directions are given.

Good teachers usually leave written directions where students can refer to them as they work.

Practice listening skills with your children. When are the times you need them to listen and remember? Help them see the difference between casual listening and focused listening when they need to act on the directions given.

Knowing How to Follow Directions It may seem easy to adults, but children often don’t know how to follow directions. Most directions are sequential: “Get your paper, write your name at the top, then do problems one through ten.” For some children all the words get jumbled up and they fail to do the first thing correctly. You can practice following directions at home and teach coping skills if the child forgets. Listening and following directions are key skills in learning and the earlier children can perform in these areas, the better they’ll do on classroom assignments.

Play a game in which you give two directions: “Go to the door and tap on it three times, then stand by the coffee table.” When the child can do two directions correctly try for three. Keep adding until a mistake is made.

Children can become quite adept at following directions using this method.

Knowing How to Ask Questions Here is a typical conversation in a first grade classroom: Teacher: Does anyone have any questions before we start our work? Student: “My hamster had babies last night.” This little interchange may bring smiles to adult’s faces, but it highlights the fact that many children don’t know the difference between statements and questions. And, they don’t understand the difference between appropriate questions and those that are off-task.

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Education

Success in the classroom is more than achieving high marks on assignments.

Asking questions at the appropriate time and about the topic at hand is absolutely one of the most important skills a learner can master. It’s good to ask questions when we need information or clarification. It’s smart to ask good questions. But a child who hasn’t really mastered the art of asking will be lost, and without the information they need to do a good job.

Practice asking clear, concise questions. “I understand how to write complete sentences using these words, but I don’t understand how you want me to change the action words.” Vague questions like “How do I do this?” or statements like “I don’t get it.” leave the teacher wondering where to begin. Say to your child, “What exactly do you need?” And then prompt until the question is clear.

Success in the classroom is more than achieving high marks on assignments. Just as in all of life, being a responsible, kind and caring person is just as important as being the best at what we do. Give your kids a boost by teaching them to master good classroom skills and watch them soar.

Jan Pierce, M.Ed., is a retired teacher and the author of Homegrown Readers and Homegrown Family Fun. Find Jan at www.janpierce.net

Social Skills: Kindness and Being Aware of Others’ Needs Not every child will earn straight A’s. Yes, there are average students in every classroom. And that’s okay if the child is working to his or her potential. But some children seem more adept at building relationships and maintaining friendships than others. This is the child who notices when a friend is sad or needs to borrow a pencil. This is the child who shares with others and takes turns. He plays fair. She notices when a friend needs encouragement.

Don’t underestimate the value of social skills when it comes to success in the classroom. Your child may not solve every math problem correctly, but if he is a good friend and a kind, caring person, you’ve got a lot to be proud of and the classroom is enriched. Help your child notice when others seem sad. Guide them to ways to help or share or show they care.

Practice: “Did you notice that Katie seemed sad today? I wonder if we could do something to cheer her up?” Or “I like the way you shared your Legos with your friends. Being a good friend is really important in our family.”

22 | Birmingham Parent | NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2021

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By Rachael Moshman

D

eciding to adopt is a very personal decision. Many couples and individuals research and ponder the possibility for years before committing to the process. My husband and I chose adoption because we wanted to parent a child who needed someone. Once we started talking about our plans, I was amazed at many of the questions and comments we received.

Here are some comments to avoid making to someone adopting.

Are you infertile?

I was shocked the first time someone asked about my fertility! It was my hairdresser. My father-in-law's girlfriend asked soon after. They weren't the only ones to ask this very personal question.

You're such a saint!

Strangers often heap praise on my husband and I for adopting. My husband eats it up. It gets on my nerves. I wanted to be a mother to a child who needed one. That doesn't make me a saint.

What if....?

Questions we have been asked, include:

Are you sure you want to raise someone else's child?

What if they are mentally ill?

What if their real parents want them back?

What if you don't love them like you would your own child?

Yes, there are lots of unknowns in adoption, but the same is true of having biological children. We're committed to our daughter no matter what, just like any other parent.

24 | Birmingham Parent | NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2021

5 THINGS TO AVOID SAYING TO ADOPTIVE PARENTS Where are her "real parents"?

Where are her "real parents"? Do you have children of your "own"?

These phrases drive me nuts. My daughter is my own child. I am her real parent. She's my real child. We're both very real! Yes, she had other parents before us. They are real, too.

Did you hear about the adopted child who murdered his whole family?

We've heard tons of adoption horror stories. I've heard this often happens to women who are pregnant, too. I once had a casual acquaintance tell me a long, drawn-out story of a friend of her cousin's neighbor who adopted three children "out of the goodness of her heart" who then brutally murdered her in her sleep when they grew up.

I got really upset by these comments at first. Our adoption has been finalized for over two years now and the bizarre comments still happen.

I am able to blow it off now - except when they speak up in front of my daughter. I still need to work on shrugging off those comments. Adoption is complicated and requires thick skin.

Rachael Moshman is a mom, freelance writer, and blogger. Find her on Instagram @rambling.rach.

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Birmingham Parent Announces Your Favorite Kids’ Docs for 2021

Compiled by Lori Chandler Pruitt, Associate Editor

T

here’s nothing better than a personal referral for a great doctor for you or your child. And that’s the idea behind Birmingham Parent’s Favorite Kids’ Docs. It’s a great resource for parents, and a way to honor and credit the faithful, caring and professional doctors and medical professionals who serve our children every day in our community.

It’s totally reader-driven. We call for nominations, and moms, dads, and grandparents and other caregivers go online and nominate a favorite kids’ doctor and tell us why. There’s no prize for nominating, just the opportunity to tell folks why you love your child’s doctor and afford them an honor in our magazine.

Now when you see our logo in your doctor’s office, you’ll know that he or she is a Birmingham Parent Favorite Kids’ Doc! Dr. Paul Amamoo, Magnolia Pediatrics “Dr. Amamoo was my pediatrician. He is understanding, honest and he cares about his babies. I wouldn’t trade him for anything!”

Dr. Abby Allen, Pediatrics West McAdory “She is super sweet!”

Dr. Toren Anderson, Greenvale Pediatrics, Hoover “He is attentive and thorough. He is wonderful with children. He is kind to our whole family. My kids love him.”

Dr. Michael Anglin, Anglin Pediatric & Family Dentistry “He is a wonderful dentist.”

Dr. Bassam Babi, 459 Pediatrics “We love Dr. Babi and his staff!”

Dr. Steven Barron, Tots N Teens “Dr. Barron is so easy to talk to and will explain even the most complex things in a very easy to understand way. He doesn’t mind answering whatever questions you have.”

Dr. Courtney Baxley, Over the Mountain Pediatrics “She’s a fantastic pediatrician. She listens and will do anything to help!”

Dr. Richard Baxter, Shelby Pediatric Dentistry “His treatment and respect of patients and parents goes above and beyond. He has personally returned calls, and each time we see him out in public he always greets first…My children actually ask to go to the dentist!”

Dr. Ashley Beasley, Midtown Pediatrics “Dr. Beasley is exceptional. My appointments are always personalized and detailed. She is an excellent listener and always open to listen to my personal concerns as a new mom.”

Dr. Jeffery Blount, Division of Neurosurgery at Children’s “My son has had numerous brain surgeries for his hydrocephalus. Dr. Blount always listens and takes the time to explain what will be going on and what to expect.” \ Dr. Tracy Brookings, Pediatrics West McAdory “Dr. Brookings has seen all my kids and now my grandkids. She listens to concerns. She cares about the well-being of all her patients. We just love her.”

Dr. Anne Byars, Liberty Mountain Pediatrics “Dr. Byars has been our pediatrician since about six weeks of my daughter’s life. She always picked my child up and loved on her like she was her own. She has helped us overcome many medical obstacles throughout the 18 years of my daughter’s life.”

Dr. Betsy Crum, Vestavia Pediatrics “Good, knowledgeable doctor.”

me and my weird concerns so she definitely deserves an award!”

Dr. Parisa Dudley, UAB Callahan Eye Hospital “She is very patient and kind. My kids hands down love her.”

Dr. Kenneth Elmer, Simon Williamson Clinic “He has been serving our family since he first began his practice. Now on the second generation, he returns calls himself and takes time with everyone. His staff is great too!”

Dr. Stacey Gilbert, Mayfair Medical Group “She has been our pediatrician for almost 17 years. I have five kids including one with special needs. She always goes above and beyond to give my children the best care possible! We are so thankful for her!”

Dr. Max Hale, Birmingham Pediatrics “Kind, patient, knowledgeable and always a phone call away. We have trusted him with our boys since the day they were born, and we are forever grateful for him!”

Dr. Phillip Harmon, Pediatrics East Deerfoot “Dr. Harmon is wonderful with our kids! They all think he’s the coolest! He’s very compassionate and listens to any concerns!”

Dr. Janet Harris, Pediatrics West Bessemer “Dr. Harris is phenomenal. She was my pediatrician so many years ago and now she takes great care of my kids. She is patient, kind and so soft spoken. She always makes us feel like part of the family.”

Dr. Julie Dennis, Over the Mountain Pediatrics "Dr. Dennis and all the doctors at Over the Mountain Pediatrics have been nothing short of amazing!”

Dr. Liz Hodges, Over the Mountain Pediatrics “Dr. Hodges has taken care of both my children. She has come to visit and follow up when one of them was in the hospital. My children love her. She takes time to answer my questions.”

Dr. Diane Dietlein, Pediatrics East Deerfoot “She spends time listening to your concerns and is very thorough. She is very compassionate. She’s dealt with

Dr. Elizabeth Irons, Greenvale Pediatrics Brook Highland “The most thorough, kind-hearted, patient pediatrician

28 | Birmingham Parent | NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2021

UAB CALLAHAN EYE HOSPITAL & CLINICS CONGRATULATES PARISA DUDLEY, OD, WHO HAS BEEN NAMED ONE OF BIRMINGHAM PARENT MAGAZINE’S FAVORITE KIDS’ DOCS FOR 2021.

Dr.

Dudley, who has been an integral part of the optometry team at Callahan since 2018, has been named to this distinguished list three years in a row, adding to her ever-growing list of career accomplishments.

Dr. Parisa Dudley

“I am honored and humbled to receive this award,” Dr. Dudley says. “This is not an individual award, and I am so grateful to be surrounded by such a fantastic team here at Callahan. Being able to see the kids we treat grow up in our local community is incredibly rewarding. This award tells me we are doing something right.”

At Callahan, our expert pediatric ophthalmologists and optometrists specialize in eye care for your youngest family members, starting from birth.

who truly cares about the littles. She deserves all of the recognition!”

Dr. Steven King, Solid Oak Adult and Pediatrics “Dr. King is an exceptional doctor who goes above and beyond to correctly diagnose his patients and provide excellent care for his patients. He takes time and listens to everyone.”

Dr. Jeff Laubenthal, West Alabama Family Practice & Sports Medicine “I can’t begin to tell you how good he is with children.

He puts them at ease…he communicates well by explaining things to them. My kids love every doctor’s appointment.”

Dr. Elizabeth Law, Tots N Teens “Dr. Law is amazing and super sweet. She makes sure that your kiddo is well taken care of and is always willing to go the extra mile.”

Dr. Elizabeth Luke, Over the Mountain Pediatrics “Dr. Luke has been my little boy’s doctor since birth. We are so grateful to have found a pediatrician that actually takes time to listen to our concerns and completely hear us out. We have never felt rushed or pushed.”

Dr. Mark Lytle, Pediatrics East Deerfoot “Dr. Lytle has taken care of our boys for 30 years (14 years separate them). Both preemies, loved and cared for by dear Dr. Lytle and staff. One child has special needs and Dr. Lytle has always encouraged and promoted independence and been so supportive.”

With convenient clinic locations throughout central Alabama, Callahan is your home for eye care, regardless of where you live. We are committed to providing your family with vision services including eye exams, eyeglasses, contact lenses, and cataract and strabismus evaluations. Many of our locations feature full-service optical stores, where patients receive 15% off their purchase (not available with insurance).

Trust your vision to Callahan, the only freestanding Level 1 Ocular Trauma Center in the nation with a 24/7 eye emergency department and Alabama’s only hospital specializing in diagnosing and treating eye conditions.

To schedule an appointment, please call or text 844-UAB-EYES.

Dr. Anna Magliolo, Redmont Pediatrics “Dr. Magliolo is phenomenal, has a fantastic relationship with our son and has gone above to give our family information regarding options for his autism and insomnia.

She has such a great bedside manner and is so caring.”

Dr. Ramiz Malek, Midway Pediatrics “He’s very good and listens to you, and he explains the details.”

Dr. Allison McAfee, Acton Road Pediatrics “She is calm, kind and loving! She answers all my questions and does it in a matter that I can understand.”

Dr. Andrew McCown, Southlake Pediatrics “Always cares. He values our time. Treats the kids with respect and listens to stories. Makes everything seem OK. If I am stressed, he eases my fears as well.

Wonderful doctor!”

Dr. Kelly McMillian, Greendale Pediatrics Brook Highland “Dr. McMillian and Nurse Kris are an awesome team!

They’re always available to talk and to listen to our concerns and questions. I can’t say enough about how they’ve helped our kiddos and our family!”

Dr. Angela Redmond, Pediatrics East Trussville “Dr. Redmond is the true definition of doctor. She always makes sure her patients are first. She makes sure she listens to her patients and parents. We always feel welcomed and loved.”

Dr. Katherine Rochelle, Pediatrics East/Trussville Deerfoot “She is kind and helpful and loves our kids! Truly the best and we wouldn’t go anywhere else.”

Dr. Joseph Rogers, Ascension St. Vincent’s Birmingham “Dr. Rogers was my pediatrician and now I take all three of my kids to him. He is caring, knowledgeable, fun and just a great doctor.”

Dr. Robert Sellers, Birmingham Pediatrics “Dr. Sellers is a wonderful doctor. He is patient with all of our questions and is always kind to our kids.”

Dr. Molly Shelton, Springville Pediatrics “She is so caring. My kids get upset when she isn’t there because she makes them feel safe and loved.

I and the kids feel like she is a great comforting doctor.”

Dr. John Simpson, Vestavia Pediatrics “A wonderful doctor and listener.”

Dr. Claire Yother, Rainbow Pediatrics “She is just amazing all the way around! Will go above and beyond whatever you need for her patients.”

Dr. Gigi Youngblood, Pediatrics East “Dr. Youngblood has always been attentive to the small details that deal with my son's disability. She listens to my concerns and always follows up with us. She is a great doctor!”

BiminghamParent.com | 29

Children's of Alabama

Providing Telephone-Based Mental Health Education, Treatment Options for Children, Teens

N

avigating the mental health care system can be challenging As the pandemic wore on, caregivers and children alike struggled for patients, families and providers. Add to that, a COVID-19 to adapt to the ‘new normal.’ The strain of uncertainty, fear, isolation, pandemic that upended nearly all aspects of “normal” life almost depression, anxiety and frustration associated with the pandemic took its overnight. However, the team of clinicians who make up the Psychiatric toll and has not let up. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Intake Response Center (PIRC) at Children’s of Alabama continued to noted for 2020 that “emergency rooms have seen a 24 percent increase in connect adult callers to mental health resources when they needed it mental health-related visits from children ages 5 to 11 compared to last the most. year (2019). The increase among older kids is even higher – 31 percent.”

“The pandemic forced everyone to recognize children were in Rates of suicidal thinking and behavior were up by 25 percent or more crisis before and even more so now,” says PIRC Director Cindy Jones. from similar periods in 2019, according to researchers with the American

Academy of Pediatrics.

PIRC is a collaboration between Children’s of Alabama and the Anne

B. LaRussa Foundation for Hope. It opened in At Children’s in 2020, the PIRC team was 2018 to connect adult callers to mental health Parents should watch for these signs of mental called in for more than 2,900 psychiatric resources for children and teens. Calls are distress occurring more than two weeks in their consults in the emergency department, answered by licensed mental health clinicians and 51 percent of those required inpatient children: trained to assess a child or teen’s emotional stabilization. and behavioral needs.

• Isolating themselves

Clinicians emphasize the PIRC is not a • Changes in eating habits PIRC is open seven days a week, 8 a.m.-11 suicide or crisis hotline, but instead a valuable • Unexplained weight changes p.m. Any adult with a mental health question resource for parents, physicians, school nurses, • Changes in sleeping habits or concern regarding their child is encouraged teachers, counselors, grandparents, foster • Mood swings to call 205-638-7472. parents or anyone who is seeking mental • Increased irritability and frustration

health services on a child’s behalf. PIRC does • Frequent crying spells The PIRC is only one of three of its kind not provide over the phone diagnoses.

• Violent, aggressive outbursts in the country. The team at Children’s of

Alabama has established itself as a strong Once these signs are identified, call the PIRC to Anyone experiencing a crisis should call 911 group of expert clinicians. Each member find the appropriate mental health treatment for or go to the nearest emergency room. Anyone of the team brings his or her own skill set, your child. experiencing suicidal thoughts should call the with specialties including ADHD, autism, 24-hour, seven-day-a-week National Suicide developmental delays, sexually reactive Prevention Lifeline number at 1-800-273behaviors, mood and psychotic disorders and TALK (8255). behavioral concerns such as conduct disorders.

For more information, visit ChildrensAL.org/PIRC. In its first 12 months of service, PIRC took more than 1,100 calls and

had a database of more than 1,000 mental health providers representing Since 1911, Children’s of Alabama has provided specialized medical every county in Alabama. In 2020, PIRC received more than 1,900 calls, care for ill and injured children, offering inpatient, outpatient and and its database has grown to more than 1,600 providers. primary care throughout central Alabama. Ranked among the best

children’s hospitals in the nation by U.S. News & World Report, “When someone calls the PIRC, we are able to briefly assess the Children’s serves patients from every county in Alabama and nearly every situation and point them in the right direction,” Jones says. “We’ve done state. Children’s is a private, not-for-profit medical center that serves a lot research and know the mental health providers in your community. as the teaching hospital for the University of Alabama at Birmingham Calling us helps you save time and energy so that you may focus on (UAB) pediatric medicine, surgery, psychiatry, research and residency providing the support your child needs.” programs. The medical staff consists of UAB faculty and Children’s

full-time physicians as well as private practicing community physicians.

30 | Birmingham Parent | NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2021

Dr. Anna Magliolo

Dr. Ryan Walley

Dr. Christina Cordell

At Redmont Pediatrics we believe in excellent pediatric care in a warm and friendly environment.

We focus on knowing our patients well and believe that the best quality pediatric care is achieved through a family centered approach that emphasizes the importance of a child as an individual and as and integral member of his or her respective family.

We also believe that it is a joy and a privilege to be able to care for patients from birth through adolescence and every step of the way in between. Watching a child grow and realize their full potential is an amazing honor. We value the relationships with our families and strive for our patients to be as healthy and happy as possible.

805 St. Vincent’s Drive, Suite 430, Birmingham, AL 35205

BiminghamParent.com | 31

ASK T H E S PE CI ALI ST

sponsored by

Pelvic Pain in Women: Causes and How to Get Relief

By Dr. Justin Aldred

•

•

•

W

hat’s that pain in your pelvic area?

From time to time, most likely during their period, women may experience pelvic pain. This may vary from a sharp, stabbing pain in a specific area in the lower abdomen or a dull pain spread throughout the entire pelvis. However, pelvic pain may also be a sign of a more serious condition, especially if the pain is severe to the point of limiting your capacity to perform normal day-to-day activities.

What Are the Causes of Pelvic Pain in Women?

Pelvic pain in women may be caused by different things such as, but not limited to, the following: • Monthly period. More than half of women experience pelvic pain during their monthly period. The pain may last for one to two days.

• Ovarian cysts. Cysts usually form when the ovaries do not release an egg. This may cause pelvic pain and bloating on the side of the ovary with a wcyst. If you have symptoms of ovarian cysts, your doctor may recommend an ultrasound.

• Ovulation. During ovulation, the ovary releases an egg that comes with some

•

•

•

•

fluid. The fluid can sometimes spread within the pelvis and cause irritation and pain. The temporary pain may last for a few minutes to hours, but treatment is usually not necessary.

Bladder inf lammation. Bladder inflammation, technically known as interstitial cystitis, may also cause pelvic pain and other symptoms such as pain during intercourse and frequent and/or painful urination.

Pelvic inflammatory disease. As an infection in the womb, pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) may also lead to pelvic pain, bleeding and abnormal vaginal discharge.

PID may cause infertility and can damage the womb’s surrounding tissue. If you experience signs of PID, please see your OB/GYN as soon as possible.

Sexually transmitted infection. Pelvic pain may also be an indication of a sexually transmitted infection (STI) such as chlamydia or gonorrhea. Some other symptoms may include bleeding between periods, painful urination, and changes in vaginal discharge. Please see a doctor if you experience signs of an STI for treatment. It is also critical to inform sexual partners, if any, about the infection to prevent dissemination.

Tumor. Sometimes a malignant growth in the urinary tract, reproductive system or the gastrointestinal system may also cause pelvic pain. Tumors are usually diagnosed through physical tests, blood tests and imaging tests.

Urinary tract infection. A urinary tract infection (UTI) may also cause pelvic pain in women. UTIs sometimes clear up on their own, but your doctor may also prescribe antibiotics for treatment.

Uterine fibroids. These noncancerous lumps of fibrous tissue and muscles within the uterus may also cause pelvic pain, lower back pain, pain during sex, and/or excessive bleeding during your period. Fibroids may have mild to severe symptoms so treatment options may also vary. Some people require no treatment, while others require surgery.

Endometriosis. This happens when the endometrium grows outside the womb which may cause long-lasting mild to

32 | Birmingham Parent | NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2021

severe pelvic pain in women. Doctors may recommend several treatment options for endometriosis, depending on the severity of each patient’s symptoms.

• Irritable bowel syndrome. This gut disorder may cause pelvic pain and other symptoms such as bloating, constipation and diarrhea. The symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) tend to go away on its own, normally after a bowel movement.

There is still no cure for IBS, so doctors usually focus on managing symptoms by encouraging healthy living and by prescribing medications.

• Pelvic adhesions. Pelvic adhesions or scar tissue may be caused by endometriosis, previous infection, or other pelvic problems. The scar tissue may lead to chronic pelvic pain and other symptoms.

To minimize or relieve symptoms, doctors may recommend a minimally invasive surgery.

How to Get Pelvic Pain Relief The best way to know how to manage or totally get rid of pelvic pain is to find out what’s causing it. Therefore, we recommend that you schedule an appointment with your physician for proper diagnosis and treatment if you regularly experience pain or if it affects your productivity and well-being.

While waiting for your appointment, here are some things that can help with pain relief: • Use warm compress or a heating pad on your pelvic area • Take over-the-counter (OTC) pain relievers • Stretch or engage in light exercise • Rest with legs elevated to promote blood flow to the pelvic area (Sources: MedlinePlus. Medical News Today, Healthline) Justin Aldred is an OBGYN with OBGYN South, affiliated with Brookwood Baptist Medical Center. To find a physician, please visit www. brookwoodbaptisthealth.com/find-a-doctor.

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How to

Save a Life

By Paige Townley

“We call it the 4-Minute City Program because we want to provide anyone that has a sudden cardiac arrest with help with our AED within the first four minutes of their attack,” explains Bre Wiggins, the program coordinator.

The program has launched already in Forsyth County, GA and Jackson, TN. Now, Avive Solutions has turned to Birmingham to bring the Magic City on board as the third pilot city.

Specifically, the company is looking to establish spots for AEDs to be located within the city’s 99 neighborhoods. “That’s our sole focus in Birmingham, these neighborhoods that are more disadvantaged than many of the cities surrounding Birmingham,” Wiggins adds. “Residents of these neighborhoods have less chance of a survival than someone in surrounding cities because there are fewer AEDs available.”

Avive Solutions has been meeting with neighborhood associations around Birmingham, the city, the University of Alabama at Birmingham and even store and restaurant owners in order to determine the best possible locations to house AEDs once they are FDA approved. “We’re hoping to have at least two and upwards of five AEDs within each neighborhood,” Wiggins says. “It’s a process to determine the best locations to have them stored. They need to be in locations where anyone could easily access them whenever needed. So it’s a very strategic process.”

Avive Solutions is Working to Turn the Magic City into a Four-Minute City

S

udden cardiac arrest can strike at any time. In fact, it’s incredibly hard to predict, usually occurring without any warning. It’s often mistaken for a heart attack, but cardiac arrest is when there is a malfunction in the heart’s electrical system that causes it to stop beating, and it’s a leading cause of death in the United States.

According to the Sudden Cardiac Arrest Association, approximately 350,000 adults in the United States experience sudden cardiac arrest each year, and when it occurs outside of the hospital, it’s nearly 90 percent fatal.

But according to Avive Solutions, it doesn’t have to be that way. Avive Solutions is a company founded in 2017 by a team of engineers, doctors, innovators, first responders, and others who have all seen the devastating effects of sudden cardiac arrest. Their goal is to find a way to significantly improve survival rates from sudden cardiac arrest, and the way proven to do that is by shortening the time people receive a shock from an Automated External Defibrillator (AED).

Studies have shown that if victims can receive a shock from an AED within four minutes of collapse from sudden cardiac arrest, their chances of survival increase. In fact, for every minute that a victim does not receive an AED shock, survival chances decrease by seven to 10 percent. So, the company outlined a comprehensive response solution that takes a systematic approach to the problem: they created their own AED and began putting a plan in place to get those AEDs into the hands of as many people as possible.

The company is also working with businesses to provide CPR training, Stop the Bleed training, and even walking them through how to use an AED. “And that’s the great thing about our AED is that they are simple to use,” adds Wiggins. “Even my seven-year-old could use it without training.

Anyone who can read should be able to use it without training.”

A benefit of the company’s AED is that it is equipped with GPS and data signals. If someone calls 911, for example, because their neighbor is unconscious after sudden cardiac arrest, the AED in the neighborhood is signaled and anyone with access to it will be able to take it directly to the location to provide help. “The AED will also provide data to the 911 operator and the hospital so doctors know how many shocks have been delivered, if the patient is unconscious, and other details they will need when the patient arrives,” Wiggins adds.

Once the company’s AED is approved in the spring, they are hopeful that they will have Birmingham’s 4-Minute City Program ready to go so that AEDs can be installed at designated locations and more lives can soon be saved. “We’re really excited to get Birmingham on board,” Wiggins says.

“We’ll continue making the needed connections and doing the needed planning so that we can increase Birmingham’s survival rates and decrease the deaths from sudden cardiac arrest.”

Avive Solutions’ AED is currently undergoing FDA review and not expected to be available until spring 2022, but in the meantime, the company has launched its plan to get the AEDs out into communities with the 4-Minute City Program.

Paige Townley is a Birmingham freelance writer.

34 | Birmingham Parent | NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2021

DO YOU KNOW WHAT YOUR KIDS WANT

TO DO NEXT

SUMMER?

Find out what your kids want to do this summer 2022!

Great camps and summer programs for kids - adults, fun games, giveaways and more. Swag Bags full of goodies to the first 200 at the Birmingham Parent booth.

SAVE THE DATE! Join us for Birmingham Parent’s Camp

Expo 2022, Saturday, Feb 19, 2022 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the McWane Science Center lobby. FREE Admission to Camp Expo. (Does not include admission to Adventure Halls. Discount

tickets will be available for entry to the museum.)

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SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2022 10AM-3PM • MCWANE SCIENCE CENTER!

Booths and Sponsorships available! Space is limited.

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BirminghamParent.com/directory/camp-expo or contact your marketing consultant, or email us at campexpo@birminghamparent.com or call 205-624-2405.

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BiminghamParent.com | 35

FAMILY TRAVEL

Biltmore Estate:

Beautiful in Any Season

By Lori Chandler Pruitt

T

here’s just something about the first moment you see Biltmore Estate in Asheville, NC, no matter how many times you may have visited. It’s not just a destination – it’s an experience that allows you to immerse yourself into another time and place.

There are so many facets of a visit to this 150-room French Renaissance historic home, opened to friends and family in 1895. It took six years to build, has more than four acres of floor space, and has 35 bedrooms, 43 bathrooms and 65 fireplaces. The family home of George and Edith Vanderbilt is still family owned and the mission remains the same – to preserve the home and grounds as a privately-owned, profitable, working estate.

My husband and I recently visited Biltmore Estate and enjoyed the beautiful gardens, the stunning views, the enhanced home tour, the rooftop tour and much more. There are several tours to fit every interest.

Every season at the 8,000-acre Biltmore Estate is special – the estate’s beautiful gardens reflect each season. Right now, autumn showcases the gorgeous colors of the Blue Ridge Mountains. And beginning November 5, the much-anticipated Christmas at Biltmore begins – with the home beautifully decorated with Christmas trees, ribbons, garlands, lights and more. Adjacent to the house is the stable shops and restaurants, where you can find the perfect Christmas gift.

Parking is not a problem, as there are several parking lots where you can park and ride a shuttle to the home.

While there are several wonderful places to stay in Asheville, you can immerse yourself in the entire Biltmore experience and stay on the estate.

There are two cottages on site – the luxurious market gardener’s cottage, built by the son of the architect of Biltmore House and the dairy foreman’s cottage, designed in 1935 in a peaceful woodland setting. Or, you can stay at The Inn on Biltmore Estate, a four-star luxury hotel which is a destination itself or the newest hotel, Village Hotel on Biltmore Estate, which is a warm and welcoming modern farmhouse style hotel adjacent to the shops, restaurants and first-class winery in Antler Hill Village. Even the hotels go all out for the holidays!

The beautifully designed gardens are adjacent to the home. Do not miss touring the conservatory with its amazing model train that travels throughout.

We stayed on the property the entire time – and it was more than enough for us to enjoy. We enjoyed gorgeous sunsets, and live music on the patio at Village Hotel after dinner. Antler Hill Village’s bandstand also features live music. There also are outdoor and indoor art exhibitions.

36 | Birmingham Parent | NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2021

Holidays a special time on the estate

We ate at most of the restaurants at Village Hotel and Antler Hill Village, including Village Social, Cedric’s Tavern and Bistro – and all offer kids menus.

While tours of the home are the star of the show, there’s so many things to do. And families can have fun too! If you have a daytime ticket, an annual pass or staying at one of the estate’s properties, you have access to several family-friendly activities, such as a playground, wildlife discovery, a kids’ audio guide on a home tour, Biltmore House, farmyard visits, all kinds of craft demonstrations that depicted life on the estate, and more.

Biltmore, always a conservator of nature, also offers carriage and bicycle rides, horseback riding – where you can enjoy seeing the house in all its beauty as well as the mountains – and 20 miles of nature trails. There is something for all ages in this timeless, beautiful place.

Biltmore also offers special events each month. In November, part one of Legends of Art & Innovation features Van Gogh Alive, an immersive exhibit that features 40 high-definition projectors with surround-sound.

For more information on Biltmore Estate and its history and to plan a visit, go to https://www.biltmore.com. As with any travel destination, always check ahead for any COVID-19 guidelines and precautions.

Lori Pruitt is associate editor of Birmingham Parent.

Photos Courtesy Biltmore Estate BiminghamParent.com | 37

Birmingham mother starts successful single mother support group on Facebook

By Paige Townley

Photo Courtesy of D.P. Johnson

It Takes a Village

P

arenting is obviously a big responsibility, and it’s never an easy one.

That responsibility is doubly hard for those mothers doing it alone.

According to data from the 2020 U.S. Census Bureau, approximately 80 percent of single parent families with children under the age of 18 are headed by single mothers.

Walking the parenting road alone is easily and frequently overwhelming, which is something Birmingham resident D.P. Johnson knows all too well.

“I’m a single mother myself to my sixteen-year-old daughter, Shania, and I independently take care of her with no help,” Johnson says. “My parents are deceased, and her dad and his family are non-existent.”

That difficult journey is what led Johnson to start a Facebook group specifically for single mothers a few years ago. “Believe it or not, us single mothers don’t really discuss our trials and tribulations aloud,” she explains.

“Depending on our religion, there’s a lot of prayer and suffering in silence.

We hold a lot in to be strong for our children and the outside world. I wanted a safe haven for women who could relate in an open forum.”

S.M.S. (Single Mothers Support) by D.P. Johnson was officially launched on Facebook in 2019, and the timing was in part due to specific stress she was dealing with at the time. “Around the holidays is a stressful time, and December 2019 was no different,” she says. “My daughter’s birthday is December 22. Ever since she was born and I left UAB hospital on Christmas Eve in 2004, I promised her that I would always provide separate celebrations and separate gifts. That is sometimes a high bar to reach, but doable since I plan in advance. So that December was the last month I wanted to deal with this practically alone. I thought if I create a private group where I am the only administrator and control the memberships and content, this could be a really good and helpful idea. Turns out, it was.”

Once launched, the Facebook group’s mission was rather simple to Johnson: support single mothers – all single mothers – around the world.

“Another purpose is to have a no-judgement zone,” she says. “So many of us are judged and blamed because of who we decided to have children with. S.M.S. shows support to all women regardless of how many children a mother has and how many ‘baby daddies.’ Each situation is different and unique, and to be quite honest, can happen to any woman. I want to bridge the understanding of a single mother’s perspective.”

Though the group is private – which Johnson feels is incredibly important in order to keep it authentic and legitimate – it didn’t take long for membership to start growing. “I wake up to a lot of requests a day and receive a ton throughout the day,” she says. “For some reason, it did not take long to attract attention. I think it’s the topic.”

38 | Birmingham Parent | NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2021

Currently, the group has approximately 28,000 members, and members post and discuss a variety of topics that affect single mothers. “We discuss everything from child support, pregnancy, and newborn tips to co-parenting and more. I’ve also seen separated/divorced women join the group as well who never expected to be on their own, and we’re very welcoming to them as well.”

These members also come from not only across the country, but around the world. “It never ceases to amaze me,” Johnson says. “The highest membership count is the U.S., of course, but the next highest membership is almost 3,000 in Nigeria and a little over a 1,000 in South Africa.

The list goes on to the Philippines, Canada, United Kingdom, Kenya, Australia, India, and Botswana. All members in each country range from the hundreds to the thousands.”

No matter where the member lives, the difficulties and issues are similar, and it’s that camaraderie that she hopes to continue to build. “Seeing S.M.S grow has given me great joy and comfort that I can help women in the situation that I’m currently in,” she says. “I read posts and it’s almost like I wrote them sometimes. These women encourage me just as they encourage the other members.

“I don’t have all the answers to being a single mother, so they help me as well. In a world that can be so divisive, it warms my heart that I have a platform that promotes unity regardless of nationality and cultural differences. Being a single mother is universal.”

Paige Townley is a Birmingham freelance writer.

BIRMINGHAM PARENT’S

2022

BIRMINGHAM PARENT’S SPECIAL NEEDS EXPO COMING “IN-PERSON” IN MARCH, 2022!

Presented by Children’s of Alabama

Fun activities, booths for parents to visit with programs and services for all types of special needs, cradle to college ages. Swag bags full of goodies to the first 200 people at Birmingham Parent booth. Great giveaways!

Sponsorships and vendor booths available!

Contact your marketing consultant, send an email to info@birminghamparent.com, visit www.birminghamparent.com or call...

205-624-2405.

Don’t miss being a part of this event!

BiminghamParent.com | 39

BIRMINGHAM TEEN

5 Expert Tips to Help Teens with ADHD

By Cheryl Maguire

“I got detention for forgetting my book three times in a row,” read Michael’s text. His mother wasn’t surprised. Michael was diagnosed with ADHD when he was eight years old, and she’s received other messages saying he misplaced or even forgotten to do his homework. His mother hoped that he’d be more organized by 13, and she wonders if this is typical teenage behavior or if it’s due to his ADHD.

“Everyone has ADHD behavior at times,” says Dr. Sarah Cheyette, a pediatric neurologist and author of the book, ADHD & The Focused Mind. Cheyette says the difference between a person with ADHD and other people is that the person with ADHD is unfocused too much of the time.

“There are differences between a child and a teen with ADHD,” Cheyette says. When a younger child has ADHD, parents tend to be more forgiving and helpful with their unfocused behaviors. A teen with ADHD may want their independence but lack the skills to focus and control their impulses. This can lead to more severe consequences than when they were younger. But parents can help their teens with ADHD improve their focus.

5 WAYS TO IMPROVE FOCUS FOR TEENS WITH ADHD: Positive thinking. When a teen is interested in doing a particular task, it will be easier to accomplish. “Most people become more focused when they decide they want to do something,” says Cheyette. “If you say to yourself, ‘I don’t feel like doing this,’ then you probably won’t.” For example, if your teen doesn’t like doing homework, encouraging them to change their mindset can help improve their focus. Reframing the negative thought (“I don’t want to do my homework”) in a more positive light (“Finishing my homework will make me feel good about this class”) can help a teen become more focused and complete the task.

The right surroundings. Emily, a parent of a 14-year-old son diagnosed with ADHD, has found that choosing the right environment helps her son’s mindset. “I encourage him to stay after school to do his homework,” she says. “This way he doesn’t become distracted by things at home, like his phone, and he can receive help from his teachers.”

Healthy lifestyle choices. Cheyette also stresses the importance of a healthy lifestyle for improving and maintaining focus. Eating healthy, getting enough sleep and making time to exercise can all contribute to improved focus for teens with ADHD. Sleep problems can lead to issues with memory and impulse control for any child, but especially kids with ADHD. Jen, a parent to a 12-year-old daughter diagnosed with ADHD, agrees with Cheyette about the importance of eating healthy and getting enough sleep. Her daughter experiences intense mood swings and an inability to deal with stress when she doesn’t eat or sleep well.

40 | Birmingham Parent | NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2021

Setting goals. Cheyette says that setting goals can help teens with ADHD improve their focus and achieving their goals will help them feel successful. As a parent, you may be tempted to provide directions or nag your child to make sure they are working towards their goals, but it’s important for teens to actively set and own their goals. But you can still help them. “Make observations and ask questions,” Cheyette recommends.

“If you notice your son’s backpack is a mess, instead of saying, ‘You need to organize your backpack,’ try saying, ‘How are you able to find your homework?’” Once you’ve framed the problem, she says, “Ask questions such as, ‘How can you help yourself?’ or ‘How can you act differently next time?’ to allow your child to think about and own their behaviors.

Medication. Like younger kids, teens can benefit from medication. Amy, a parent of a 15-year-old son diagnosed with ADHD, bought her son a trampoline to use after school to help him release his energy. And the exercise was helpful. But she saw the most improvement when her son began taking medication. “Once he was medicated, he could use self-regulating strategies,” she says. “Before that, he wasn’t able to learn these strategies since he couldn’t pay attention.”

Cheyette reminds parents that you are your child’s best advocate and the parents interviewed here agree. “The best advice I can give other parents is to tell them that there may be really bad times, but your child needs to know that you are in their court,” Jen says. “When your child feels like a failure or has no friends, or school is horrible, they need to be able to come home to you and release their frustrations and emotions.”

Cheryl Maguire holds a Master of Counseling Psychology degree. She is married and is the mother of twins and a daughter. Her writing has been published in The New York Times, Parents Magazine, AARP, Healthline, Grown and Flown, Your Teen Magazine, and many other publications.

She is a professional member of ASJA. You can find her at Twitter @CherylMaguire05.

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2021 & JANUARY 2022

CALENDAR OF EVENTS HIGHLIGHTS November 11

74th Annual Veterans Day Parade 1:30pm, downtown Birmingham https://nationalveteransday.org

Month of December

Christmas Movies at the Alabama Theatre Don’t miss all the Christmas movies running at the Alabama Theatre in December, from It’s a Wonderful Life to National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation and more. https://alabamatheatre.com/

January 28

Do You Speak Mexican?

7:30pm, Alabama School of Fine Arts Dorothy Jemison day Theatre. A funny and inspirational exploration of a first-generation Cuban-American family’s story (performed in English).

W

elcome to the holiday issue of Birmingham Parent! This issue we share the calendar for November and December 2021 and January 2022, as our Family Guidebook, published in January, does not contain a calendar. While people are still being cautious due to the pandemic, you will see a few more in-person events on our calendar, but check ahead to be sure about times and dates.

Don’t miss out on all the holiday events, tree-lighting ceremonies, parades and more, and be sure to check out the longest running Veterans Day Parade in the U.S. on November 11.

BiminghamParent.com | 41 LLC Photography

by Christy Pierce Photography

nov/dec/jan calendar November 1 Monday

SkillsUSA Golf Tournament 8am-4pm, Riverchase Country Club. Alabama SkillsUSA holds its inaugural charity golf tournament. Proceeds will provide professional development, classroom funding, competitive events and leadership experiences students and instructors in Alabama high school career and technical programs.

Sponsorships, registration, information, 334694-4923. tessa.brown@alsde.edu

National Building Museum’s Evicted

10am-6pm, Birmingham Public Library.

Inspired by Matthew Desmond's Pulitzer Prize winning book Evicted: Poverty and Profit in the American City. Through December 30.

205-226-3600. www.birmingham365.org FREE

Alcoholics Anonymous Meeting

5:30-6:30pm, online. Open to anyone seeking recovery for alcoholism. https://calendar.uab.edu

3 Wednesday Dance Alabama!

7:30pm, The Alabama Theatre. A collection of dance performances in different genres choreographed and designed by students.

205-252-2262. www.birmingham365.org

4 Thursday

Casino for a Cause

6-9:30pm, Haven. The Alabama/NW Florida Chapter of the Crohn's & Colitis Foundation presents this event. Emcee: Tony Giles, the voice of the Crimson Tide. Admission includes valet parking, dinner and drinks. Silent and live auctions, wine and/or jewelry pulls, music, great prizes and more. www.birmingham365.org

Modest Masterpieces: An Evening of Mozart 7-8pm, Cathedral Church of the Advent. www.birmingham365.org FREE

Paula Cole in Concert

7:30pm, The Hoover Library Theatre. Cole has taken the Grammy for Best New Artist once with six nominations. Her second album hit double-platinum. Tickets. www.birmingham365.org

5 Friday

2D Baseball Tournament Noon. www.hooveral.org

Samford University Volleyball vs ETSU 7pm, Samford University. The Bulldogs host East Tennessee State University. www.birmingham365.org $10

6 Saturday

The Market at Pepper Place

7am-noon, Pepper Place. Outdoor market with three areas of tents with farmers, makers and food vendors, live music and chef demos at 9am. Admission www.birmingham365.org

Trussville Fresh Farmers Market

8am-noon, Church of the Holy Cross. Fresh locally grown produce. www.birmingham365.org

Moss Rock Festival

10am-4pm, The Preserve. This one-of-a-kind outdoor fall festival welcomes 10,000 visitors annually to explore nature, art+design and SmartLIVING themes. www.hooveral.org

Football: Birmingham-Southern College vs Trinity Noon, Krulak Stadium, Birmingham-Southern College. The Panthers host Trinity University from San Antonio. www.birmingham365.org

Miles College Football vs Tuskegee

1pm, Sloan-Alumni Stadium, Miles College. www.birmingham365.org $25-$30

Samford University Football vs The Citadel

2pm, Samford University, The Bulldogs host The Citadel. www.birmingham365.org $25-$50

Samford University Volleyball vs Chattanooga

7pm, Samford University. The Bulldogs host the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. www.birmingham365.org $10.

support each other in memory of those lost to suicide. Proceeds benefit AFSP research, education, advocacy and support. www.birmingham365.org

Birmingham Walking Tour: Woodlawn

2-4pm, Vulcan Park and Museum. Woodlawn is one of Birmingham's fastest-growing neighborhoods. Registration $25 for Vulcan Park and Museum members; $40 for non-members. Space is limited; advance registration required. www.birmingham365.org

10 Wednesday

Samford University Volleyball vs Mercer 7pm, Samford University. www.birmingham365.org $10

11 Thursday – Veterans Day

UAB Men's Soccer vs Charlotte

7pm, BBVA Compass Field. The Blazers host the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. www.birmingham365.org $65.

7 Sunday

(Daylight Savings Time Ends)

ALOB's Birmingham's Next “Hot” Dog Contest

Noon-3pm, Avondale Brewing Company, Strut your dog across the stage and compete for prizes. Family fun too! Proceeds benefit The Animal League of Birmingham. Follow the group’s Instagram and Facebook for updates. www.birmingham365.org

AFSP Out of the Darkness Walk – Birmingham

74th Annual Veterans Day Parade

1:30pm, downtown Birmingham. Celebrating the national holiday signed into legislation by President Eisenhower in 1954, Birmingham’s parade is the longest-running in the U.S. https://nationalveteransday.org

1-4pm, Veterans Park. Friends, family members, neighbors and coworkers walk and

PLEASE NOTE: Calendar information should be uploaded to our website at https://portal.cityspark.com/EventEntry/EventEntry/BirminghamParent and may appear in print if uploaded by deadline. You may also go to www.birminghamparent.com and simply click on the calendar icon. 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 6 times a year. January events are included in the November/December issue. DEADLINE for the February 2021 issue is January 7, 2022. Guidelines: Birmingham Parent’s calendar is intended to be a resource and service to the community and our readers. Events which are open to the public, fundraisers, 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 205-624-2405 or e-mail calendar@birminghamparent.com.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, be sure to check ahead with the actual venue.

42 | Birmingham Parent | NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2021

12 Friday

30 Tuesday

8 Wednesday

6-7pm, Bartow Arena. https://calendar.uab.edu

Noon. http://www.hooveral.org/calendar. aspx?EID=7640 www.hooveral.org

5pm, Hoover City Hall. www.hooveral.org

7pm, The Alabama Theatre. Tickets, 205252-2262. https://alabamatheatre.com $10

Trans-Siberian Orchestra-Christmas Eve & Other Stories

Bolts 5-Star Softball Tournament

Monkey Up Lacrosse Tournament

Noon. http://www.hooveral.org/calendar. aspx?EID=7638 www.hooveral.org

Game Nite

7-10pm, Hoover Public Library. Enjoy a night of board game fun! 205-444-7800 www.facebook.com

14 Sunday

Pickleball Clinic

Annual Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony

December 3 Friday

The Magic City Nutcracker presented by Magic City Performing Arts 7pm, Lyric Theatre. $25-$45

White Christmas: Sing-along

7pm, The Alabama Theatre. Tickets, 205-252-2262. https://alabamatheatre.com $10

National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation

Jim Brickman: The Gift of Christmas 7:30pm, Lyric Theatre. www.facebook.com

9 Thursday Elf

7pm, The Alabama Theatre. Tickets, 205252-2262. https://alabamatheatre.com $10

10 Friday

A Christmas Story

7:30pm, Legacy Arena at the BJCC. $45.50$85.50

16 Thursday

Christmas Crafts for Little Ones 2-3pm, Pelham Recreation Center. www.pelhamalabama.gov

A Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols 5:30-6:30pm, Cathedral Church of the Advent. www.birmingham365.org. Free

Home Alone 2: Lost in New York

1:30-5:45pm, Pelham Recreation Center. www.pelhamalabama.gov

4 Saturday

7pm, The Alabama Theatre. Tickets, 205-2522262. https://alabamatheatre.com $10

7pm, The Alabama Theatre. Tickets, 205252-2262. https://alabamatheatre.com $10

15 Monday

Noon. https://calendar.uab.edu

11 Saturday

17 Friday

Co-Ed Soccer Clinic

5:30-7:30pm, Fun Go Holler Park, Pelham. www.pelhamalabama.gov

18 Thursday

Choral Evensong 5:30-6:30pm, Cathedral Church of the Advent. www.birmingham365.org FREE

21 Sunday

Handel's Messiah

3pm, Riverchase United Methodist Church.

The 100-voice chorus of the Alabama Civic Chorale, soloists, and members of Alabama Symphony will present this timeless work.

Early arrival is suggested; child care provided. www.birmingham365.org FREE

25 Thursday – Thanksgiving Day

Conference USA Football Championship Greenery Sale & Gifts of Art Christmas Bazaar Noon, Aldridge Gardens www.hooveral.org

The Elf on the Shelf: A Christmas Musical

6pm, BJCC Concert Hall. $29.95-$84.95

National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation 7pm, The Alabama Theatre. Tickets, 205252-2262. https://alabamatheatre.com. $10

The Polar Express 10am, 2pm, The Alabama Theatre. Proceeds benefit KidOne Transport. Tickets, 205-2522262. https://alabamatheatre.com $12

5 Sunday

Miracle On 34th Street

2pm, The Alabama Theatre. Tickets, 205-2522262. https://alabamatheatre.com. $10

4:30-6pm, West Mall, Trussville. Gather on the mall for Christmas carols, hot chocolate, cookies and other activities. Santa will also be there! Melissa Walker, 205-655-7535. trussvillechamber.com FREE

Trussville Christmas Parade

3-4pm, Downtown Trussville. Parade begins on Parkway Drive and ends at the Mall.

Information, Melissa Walker, 205-655-7535. trussvillechamber.com FREE

Moody Christmas Parade

5-7pm, City of Moody. Stand along the route or enter your business/church/group in the parade. Information, 205-640-0307, 205640-0304.

It's a Wonderful Life

7pm, The Alabama Theatre. Tickets, 205-2522262. https://alabamatheatre.com $10

12 Sunday

White Christmas: Sing-along

Die Hard

7pm, The Alabama Theatre. Tickets, 205252-2262. https://alabamatheatre.com $10

Holiday Youth Game Night

7-9:30pm, Pelham Recreation Center. www.pelhamalabama.gov

18 Saturday

Holiday Story Walk

9-10am, Birmingham Botanical Gardens. Take a walk in the conservatory, see the poinsettia tree and hear Tomie dePaola’s “The Legend of the Poinsettia.” www.bbgardens.org $15 per adult and one child, $5 each additional child.

Chelsea Christmas Parade

10-11am. Begins at Chelsea Middle Schools and ends at Winn Dixie. www.cityofchelsea.com

UAB Men's Basketball vs West Virginia

7pm, The Alabama Theatre. Tickets, 205252-2262. https://alabamatheatre.com $10

Home Alone

A Christmas Story

6 Monday

13 Monday

7pm, The Alabama Theatre. Tickets, 205252-2262. https://alabamatheatre.com $10.

7pm, The Alabama Theatre. Tickets, 205-2522262. https://alabamatheatre.com $10

7 Tuesday – Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day

Elf

It's a Wonderful Life

Community Caroling and Tree Lighting Ceremony

2pm, The Alabama Theatre. Tickets, 205252-2262. https://alabamatheatre.com $10

2pm, The Alabama Theatre. Tickets, 205-2522262. https://alabamatheatre.com $10

Elf

28 Sunday

A Cartoon Matinee

Home Alone

7pm, The Alabama Theatre. Tickets, 205252-2262. https://alabamatheatre.com $10

7pm, The Alabama Theatre. Tickets, 205-2522262. https://alabamatheatre.com $10

National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation

14 Tuesday 7pm, The Alabama Theatre. Tickets, 205-2522262. https://alabamatheatre.com $10

15 Wednesday

Noon. https://calendar.uab.edu

7pm, The Alabama Theatre. Tickets, 205252-2262. https://alabamatheatre.com $10 Miracle On 34th Street 7pm, The Alabama Theatre. Tickets, 205252-2262. https://alabamatheatre.com $10

19 Sunday

Christmas In Connecticut

2pm, The Alabama Theatre. Tickets, 205252-2262. https://alabamatheatre.com $10

UAB Women's Basketball vs Arkansas Pine Bluff BiminghamParent.com | 43

21 Tuesday

A Cartoon Matinee

2pm, The Alabama Theatre. Tickets, 205252-2262. https://alabamatheatre.com $10

Christmas Vacation

7pm, Alabama Theatre. Tickets, 205-2522262. https://alabamatheatre.com $10

22 Wednesday

UAB Men's Basketball vs Mississippi Valley State Noon, Bartow Arena. https://calendar.uab.edu

The Ballet Theatre of Ukraine Presents Cinderella 7pm, Lyric Theatre. Experience the most famous love story of all time! www.lyricbham.com $35-$55

25 Saturday – Christmas Day

story of finding a place in the U.S. (performed in English). Join the cast after the show for desserts and coffee. Information. www.birmingham365.org

31 Monday

The Colored Museum

7:30pm, The Alabama Theatre. Take a journey through the 11 exhibits and explore what it means to be Black in contemporary America.

Come face to face with old and new stereotypes and challenge your understanding of Black culture. 205-252-2262. www.birmingham365.org

31 Friday – New Year’s Eve

January

1 January – New Year’s Day 4 Tuesday

French Conversation Club

7-8pm, Hoover Public Library or Zoom.

Expand your ability with the help of a trained facilitator. Some prior experience with the language recommended. Ages 17+ only. Information, 205-444-7840 or email hvrefdesk@ hooverlibrary.org for the Zoom link.

20 Thursday

Birmingham Boat Show

Noon, BJCC Exhibition Hall. $10

28 Friday

Do You Speak Mexican?

7:30-9pm, ASFA Dorothy Jemison Day Theater. Stars Elena Maria Garcia and Christian Perez make their Alabama debut with a hilarious and inspirational exploration of a first-generation Cuban-American family’s 44 | Birmingham Parent | NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2021

Wishing you a a very happy Thanksgiving

EVENTS & ATTRACTIONS

NOV./DEC. 2021 AND JAN. 2021

Aldridge Botanical Gardens

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

Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame

1631 Fourth Ave. N., Birmingham. 205-254-2731. www. jazzhall.com

seven featured artists-Kay WalkingStick, Wendy Red Star, Norman Akers, Eugene Tapahe, Zoe Marieh Urness, Shan Goshorn, and Larry McNeil-are affiliated with many different tribal nations, including Cherokee, Navajo, Osage, Crow, Tlingit, and others. (205) 254-2565. www.birmingham365. org

Bart’s Art Cart!

1800 Rev. Abraham Woods, Jr. Blvd. www.asfa.k12.al.us

Free drop-in art program for kids and families features a different theme from galleries and art activity each month.

Saturdays from 11am-1pm.

Alabama Sports Hall of Fame

Bart’s Books. A storytelling program for children ages

Alabama School of Fine Arts

2150 Richard Arrington Blvd. N., Birmingham. 323-6665. www.ashof.org

Alabama Wildlife Center

100 Terrace Dr., Pelham. 205-663-7930. www.awrc.org

American Village

Highway 119, Montevallo. 205-665-3535. www.americanvillage.org

Barber Motorsports Park

6040 Barber Motorsports Pkwy., Leeds. 205-298-9040. www.barbermotorsports.com

Birmingham Botanical Gardens

www.bbgardens.org/documents/treasuremapforweb.pdf 2612 Lane Park Rd., Birmingham. 205-414-3900. www. bbgardens.org

Birmingham Children’s Theatre

1001 19th St. N., Birmingham, AL, 35203, 205-458-8181. www.bct123.org Birmingham Civil Rights Institute 16th St. N., Birmingham. 205-328-9696. www.bcri.org

Birmingham Museum of Art

Lost Realms of the Moundbuilders. Birmingham Museum of Art. More than 1,000 years ago, Alabama was home to the Mississippian civilization, one of the largest and most important Native American cultures ever to exist. Organized by the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum in Oklahoma, the exhibition features 175 historic objects from four major Mississippian Moundbuilder sites: The Spiro Mounds in Oklahoma, Moundville in Alabama, Etowah Mounds in Georgia, and Cahokia Mounds in East Saint Louis, Illinois. The exhibition also showcases contemporary Indigenous works of art that connect the art and artistry of the Mississippian Moundbuilder peoples to their modern descendants. 205254-2565. www.birmingham365.org Through February 6, 2022.

Voices So True - New Native American Art from the Clyde Oyster Bequest

4-7. 2000 Rev. Abraham Woods Jr. Blvd., Birmingham.

205-254-2565. www.artsbma.org

Shelby County Public Libraries

Find a library near you for all kinds of fun events and enrichment. www.shelbycounty-al.org

Southern Museum of Flight

4343 73rd St. N., Birmingham. 205-833-8226. www. southernmuseumofflight.org

Tannehill Ironworks Historical State Park

12632 Confederate Pkwy., McCalla. 205-477-5711. www. tannehill.org

Vulcan Park

1701 Valley View Dr., Birmingham. 205-933-1409. www. vulcanpark.org

Birmingham Public Libraries

Find a library near you for fun events and enrichment! www.bplonline.org

Birmingham Zoo

2630 Cahaba Rd., Birmingham. 205-879-0409. www. birminghamzoo.com

Due to the pandemic, many attractions may not be open or may have abbreviated times.

Be sure to check ahead.

Heart of Dixie Railroad Museum

1919 Ninth St., Calera. 205-668-3435. www.hodrrm.org

Jefferson County Library Cooperative

Find a library close to you for all kinds of fun events and enrichment. www.jclc.org

McWane Science Center/IMAX Theater

IMAX Film: Ancient Cave McWane Science Center, Ancient Caves brings science and adventure together as it follows paleoclimatologist Dr. Gina Moseley on a mission to unlock the secrets of the Earth's climate in the most unlikely of places: caves. Together, they go where very few humans will ever go, revealing the incredible lengths scientists will go to study the unknown.

(205) 714-8300. www.birmingham365.org $9 200 19th St. N., Birmingham. 205-714-8300. www.mcwane.org

Moss Rock Preserve

Preserve Pkwy., Hoover. 205-739-7141. www.hooveral.org

Oak Mountain State Park

200 Terrace Dr., Pelham. 205-620-2520. www.alapark.com

Ruffner Mountain Nature Center

1214 81st St. S., Birmingham. 205-833-8264. www.ruffnermountain.org

Birmingham Museum of Art. This features the work of seven contemporary Native American artists, whose vision gives voice to Native American perspectives, past and present. The BiminghamParent.com | 45

Parents

stop

hpv

Keep Your Kids Cancer Free!

More than 26,000 new cases of HPV cancers could be prevented with HPV vaccination

HPV Vaccine is Cancer Prevention!

90

%

Prevents 90% of HPV cancers Protects boys and girls against half a dozen cancers including cervical and other HPV cancers.

Don’t Delay.

contact your childs doctor today!

Vaccine costs are covered by most insurance programs, Medicaid, and the Vaccine for Children Program (VFC).

Don’t Wait to Vaccinate AGE AT FIRST DOSE

DOSE #2

DOSE #3

9 years until 15th birthday

6-12 months after dose #1

Not Needed

15 years or older

1-2 months after dose #2

Approximately 4 months after dose #2

Visit alabamapublichealth.gov/imm for more information and other available resources.

46 | Birmingham Parent | NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2021

BiminghamParent.com | 47

Names you know.

Local brands you love.

Whether you’re shopping for outlet savings on big-name brands or searching for local finds and favorites, The Outlet Shops of Grand River has something for everyone. Save on popular brands like Michael Kors, Tommy Hilfiger and Coach. Or shop local at The Local Collection at Grand River, a curated assortment of boutiques and restaurants representing the best of Birmingham. From homegrown favorites like University Pickers, White Flowers, and Campus Spirit to neighborhood flavors like SAW’s BBQ, Neighbors Brew and Pies, and Frozen Rooster, The Outlet Shops of Grand River is your destination for Birmingham shopping, dining, and entertainment.

6200 Grand River Blvd., Leeds, AL 35094 (Interstate 20, Exit 140) 205-699-3700 • shopsofgrandriver.com

HOW IT WORKS: • • •

Parents sign up your children here!

The club is FREE for kids turning 16 years old and younger.

On their birthday, Members of the Birthday Club will receive special gift offers from our sponsors, and also receive an e-mail 2 months PRIOR to their birthday to help with planning the celebration.

LAUNCHING FEBRUARY 1, 2022 BENEFITS FOR CLUB MEMBERS: •

•

The parent of Birthday Club members will receive an email from Birmingham Parent 2 months prior to the child’s birthday that will include special offers from birthday club sponsors including discounts or offers to plan their upcoming child’s birthday party celebration - for example: a percentage off on birthday parties, BOGO, etc.

On the day of child’s birthday – Birmingham Parent will send an email wishing them a “happy birthday” from us and all our sponsors along with a link to view special “gift” offers from our sponsors (for example: free item or BOGO).

CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP!

Interested in becoming a Birmingham Parent Birthday Club Sponsor?

Contact your local sales representative or call us at 205-624-2405.

BiminghamParent.com | 49