parent CAROLINA
DECEMBER 2014
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Toys and Games HOLIDAY GIFT-MAKING CLASSES for Kids TRIANGLE PHILHARMONIC MAESTROS 500 Strong
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Woodplay
Southpoint Pediatric Dentistry
American Tobacco
Mathnasium
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Duke School
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Tutor Time
inside D E C E M B E R
features 26 12 Retro Toys and Games Classics Kids Still Love
28 Create Homespun Holiday Gifts Seasonal Classes for Crafty Kids
30 Orchestrating Talent Triangle Philharmonic Maestros
33 A Nativity Set, Disco Ball and Christmas Tree Named Sally Daddy-Daughter Holiday Decorating
in every issue 7 December Online
8 Editor’s Note 11 Family FYI
Community 11 Craft 12 Education 13 Tips and Picks 15
Daily 36 On Stage 38
17 Your Style 20 Tech Talk 22 Understanding Kids 25 Healthy Families 34 Calendar Our Picks 34
42 Faces & Places
parent CAROLINA
DECEMBER 2014
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the Triangle’s family resource • carolinaparent.com
Toys and Games
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HOLIDAY GIFT-MAKING CLASSES for Kids
p. 28
TRIANGLE PHILHARMONIC MAESTROS 500 Strong
p. 30
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Camelot
International Preschool of Raleigh
St. Davids
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online carolinaparent.com DECEMBER
Triangle
Kids
Find parades, tree-lighting ceremonies, carriage rides and Santa visits in our town-by-town listings. Search “Triangle Holiday Events”
Discover easy crafts to make at home and register your children to make holiday gifts at local classes. … Things to Do ➜
Win
Dec. 1-12, you can win assorted daily prizes by entering our “12 Days of Giving” contest. Dec. 15-19, win tickets to an underwater Mermaid Convention show. … Community ➜ Contests
Seasonal ➜ Winter Holiday Guide
Movies for Kids Browse our list of classic and current holiday flicks. … Community ➜ Blogs
Ideas Check out holiday must-haves showcased at the 2014 ABC Kids Expo in Las Vegas for parents-to-be, babies and kids. Search “ABC Kids Expo”
Wake Gifted Academy
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Pediatric Therapy
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parent CAROLINA
editor’s note
Member of the
Morris Media Network
morrismedianetwork.com GROUP PUBLISHER
Retro Holiday Wishes
T
his holiday season, Carolina Parent is going retro. Not just ’70s retro, like the disco ball-adorned nativity set stay-at-home-dad Patrick Hempfing describes on page 33, but old-fashioned-Christmas retro, like the “12 Retro Toys and Games” featured on pages 26-27. We’re remembering a time when handcrafted gifts were exchanged, like the Victorian cornucopias in the giftmaking Editor Beth Shugg dressed for a retro 1981 classes Christmas dinner in Lincolnton, Georgia. featured on pages 28-29, and the Cinnamon Christmas Tree ornaments you can create at home on page 12. We’re listening to classical Christmas music, like the “Holiday Pops” symphony performance highlighted on page 38, and the compositions performed annually by young musical maestros of the Triangle Youth Symphony, which we’ve profiled on page 30. We even offer timeless hostess gift suggestions for you — like the cocktail napkins and recipe binder on page 17.
Sharon Havranek
PUBLISHER
Sure, you’ll find a few modern products and high-tech ideas, such as the advantages of helping kids learn to read in print and pixels on page 20, and the ability to “Facetime” Santa using the “Video Calls With Santa” app on page 15. But we’ve made a concerted effort to take holiday celebrations and traditions back to basics, to help children learn to exercise self-discipline when they make their holiday wish list (page 22), and to be grateful for all of the blessings we have. Many of us do this by cherishing beloved holiday memories and traditions. What are yours? I remember waking up to fragrant stockings stuffed with oranges and candy, the crisp sound of my grandmother’s record player needle blending into Andy Williams’ 1963 Christmas album, popcorn garlands that stretched across our living room and shopping at Macy’s with my mother and sister. It truly was — and is — “the most wonderful time of the year.” All of us here at Carolina Parent hope this will be the most wonderful time of the year for you and your families, too.
Brenda Larson • blarson@carolinaparent.com
EDITOR
Beth Shugg • bshugg@carolinaparent.com
ASSOCIATE EDITOR • CALENDAR/DIRECTORIES Janice Lewine • jlewine@carolinaparent.com
ART DIRECTOR
Cheri Vigna • cvigna@carolinaparent.com
WEB EDITOR
Odile Fredericks • ofredericks@carolinaparent.com
DIGITAL MEDIA SPECIALIST
Lauren Isaacs • lisaacs@carolinaparent.com
SALES TEAM LEADER • MEDIA CONSULTANT Candi Griffin • cgriffin@carolinaparent.com
MEDIA CONSULTANTS
Regina Alston • ralston@carolinaparent.com Sue Chen • schen@carolinaparent.com Katina Faulkner • kfaulkner@carolinaparent.com
ADVERTISING SALES COORDINATOR Kia Moore • ads@carolinaparent.com
MORRIS VISITOR PUBLICATIONS REGIONAL VICE PRESIDENT Karen Rodriguez
PRESIDENT
Donna Kessler
DIRECTOR OF MANUFACTURING Donald Horton
PUBLICATION MANAGER Kris Miller
PRODUCTION COORDINATOR Cher Wheeler
CONTACT US
5716 Fayetteville Rd., Suite 201, Durham, NC 27713 phone: 919-956-2430 • fax: 919-956-2427 email: info@carolinaparent.com advertising@carolinaparent.com • editorial@carolinaparent.com
Circulation 40,000. Distribution of this magazine does not constitute an endorsement of information, products or services. Carolina Parent reserves the right to reject any advertisement or listing that is not in keeping with the publication’s standards. Copyright 2014. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is prohibited.
Beth Shugg Editor
A publication of the Visitor Publications Division of Morris Communications Company, L.L.C. 725 Broad St., Augusta, GA 30901
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Chairman and CEO William S. Morris III
President Will S. Morris IV
PARENTING MEDIA ASSOCIATION
PARENTING MEDIA ASSOCIATION
2014 Bronze Award Winner
2014 Bronze Award Winner
General Excellence Awards Competition
Design Awards Competition
Trinity Academy
NC Symphony
Marbles
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Cary Parks & Rec
Children’s Orchard
Launching Pad Trampoline Park
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family fyi
community | craft | education | tips & picks Wake County SmartStart Receives Grant for Food Project The John Rex Endowment recently awarded Wake County SmartStart more than
What holiday TV special does your family look forward to watching each year?
$675,000 for a Farm to Child Care project to help more than 160 child care facilities
I make a point of watching Elf and A Christmas Story every year — with or without the rest of the family.
make changes in order to prepare fresh, local produce for snacks and meals throughout growing seasons. WCSS will focus on child care facilities in Wake County that serve low-income families and children who need improved access to nutritious food.
— Chrissy Lessey
Facility directors and other staff will learn how to access local food and prepare sea-
sonal produce. Age-appropriate curriculum resources and training will also be provided
A Christmas Story.
to help educate children and families about fruits and vegetables.
— Kara Smith Wyckoff
Advocates for Health in Action and Wake County Cooperative Extension will partner
Vacation. Absolute classic.
with WCSS to educate and
— DermatechIMD
train child care providers, facilitate connec-
Our family loves “A Christmas Story.” We even have a leg lamp we put out at Christmas.
tions with growers and provide support to help
— Mia Wireman
improve healthy eating for children. Learn more at
Arthur’s Perfect Christmas with the Arthur gang from PBS.
rexendowment.org.
— Ashley-Ruth Moolenaar Bernier Kids trim green beans they grew during the pilot phase of the Farm to Child Care project. Photo courtesy of ABC Land
Connect with us on Facebook to share your ideas each month.
Boys & Girls Clubs Dedicate Teen Center, Host Breakfast of Champions Boys & Girls Clubs of Wake County dedicated their newest facility Oct. 23, which is named after its president and CEO of 42 years, Ralph Capps. Designed to provide a safe and constructive place for teens to go after school, the new center incorporates technical training and programing of interest to teens, and includes a recording and photography studio and commercial kitchen. The Ralph E. Capps Teen Center is at 721 N. Raleigh Blvd., Raleigh. The Boys & Girls Clubs also hosted their 12th Annual Breakfast Boys & Girls Clubs President and CEO Ralph Capps (pictured center) dedicates the teen center to the citizens of Champions Nov. 10 at the Raleigh Convention Center. Bubba of Wake County. Photo courtesy of Shaun King Cunningham, athletic director at UNC-Chapel Hill, gave the keynote speech and was joined by the UNC band and cheerleading team. The Breakfast of Champions also serves as the induction forum for the Boys & Girls Clubs Hall of Fame, which honors individuals, civic groups and corporations that have strongly impacted the clubs. The 2014 Hall of Fame Inductees are Billy Dunlap and Gary Bush, both long-standing volunteers who have greatly impacted the club’s ability to accomplish its mission. Learn more at wakebgc.org.
POLL: What outdoor holiday decorations are a must at your house? twinkle lights
door wreath
nativity scene
festive bows
garlands
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Casa Club Spanish Immersion
F CR A
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Building Blocks Cinnamon Christmas Tree Ornaments
E. Laree Johnson
Materials and Supplies: n 3-inch cinnamon sticks n ¾-inch pine garland n Assorted buttons, sequins, beads or pompoms n Glue gun (use with parental guidance) n Wire cutters (use with parental guidance) n Twine or ribbon n Ruler n
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Start by prepping your materials. Plug in the glue gun so it will heat up. For each ornament, cut a 7-inch piece of twine or ribbon and 1-inch, 2-inch and 2½-inch pieces of pine garland using your wire cutters. If you find your garland is a bit too bushy, give it a slight trim. Once you have your pieces cut, you’re ready to start assembling. Using the cinnamon stick as a tree trunk, glue the pine pieces horizontally to it, placing the 1-inch piece at the top, then the 2-inch piece, followed by the 2½-inch piece. Next, loop and tie a knot in the end of your twine or ribbon and glue it to the back of the cinnamon stick. Now you’re ready to decorate your tree ornaments. Arrange and glue on your choice of buttons, sequins, beads or pompoms.
These ornaments also make nice package tie-ons and holiday favors. — Renee Canada
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family fyi EDUCATION
Oral & Maxiofacial Surgery Associates
Photo courtesy of Walter Vozzo
Enloe Charity Ball to Benefit Inter-Faith Food Shuttle The Enloe High School Student Council will host its 10th annual charity ball Dec. 6, 7-11 p.m., at Marbles Kids Museum in Raleigh. Proceeds raised from this event benefit a local charity. This year, the council seeks to raise $75,000 to aid Inter-Faith Food Shuttle’s food recovery and distribution program to combat child hunger in the greater Raleigh area. The semiformal gala includes a dessert bar, nonalcoholic drink bar, photo booth and the cover band Shine. Purchase tickets, $30-$50, at enloestuco.com/charity-ball-ticket-sales.
Lucy’s Book Club Receives Grant to Expand Services Lucy Daniels Center’s Lucy’s Book Club program received a $24,000 grant in October from the Golden Corral Charitable Fund of Triangle Community Foundation. Support from the grant will allow Lucy’s Book Club, which has created a partnership with 15 early education centers serving low-to-moderate income children in Wake, Durham and Johnston counties, to double the centers served in Wake County to 12. LBC partners receive early learning education offerings including parent education; up to three LBC book selections per month, resulting in a complete reading library by the end of the program year; supplemental early childhood education learning materials; and volunteer engagement through guest readers. Learn more at lucydanielscenter.org.
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College Foundation of NC
Saving for my college education yet? The earlier you start, the better. Not only because early and regular saving makes even small amounts add up, but because it shows me you see college in my future. Open an NC 529 Plan college savings account today to get started! • No enrollment fees or sales charges to open an account • Earnings free from federal and North Carolina income taxes when used for qualified higher education expenses* • Use to pay for virtually any college, anywhere in the country • Investment options from the State Treasurer of North Carolina, State Employees’ Credit Union, and Vanguard* • Low asset and administrative fees
To invest in your child’s future today, visit NC529.org or call 800.600.3453
NC529.org © 2014 College Foundation, Inc.
expenses is subject to federal income tax and a 10% federal penalty tax, as well as state and local income taxes. The availability of tax benefits may be contingent on meeting other requirements.(NCUA) or any governmental or private person, except that contributions and interest allocated to the Federally-Insured Deposit Account Investment Option are guaranteed by SECU and insured by NCUA.
Before opening an NC 529 account, or contributing funds to an existing account, you should carefully read the Program Description, which includes information on investment objectives, risks, and expenses, as well as important tax information. The Program Description can be downloaded from NC529.org. * The features of a qualified tuition program are complex and involve significant tax issues. The earnings portion of2014 a withdrawal not used for qualified higher education DECEMBER carolinaparent.com
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**
Vanguard is a registered trademark of The Vanguard Group, Inc.
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TIPS PICKS
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Facetime Santa
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Take communication with Santa to the next
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year using the Video Calls With Santa app,
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level by letting your kids “facetime” him this available for $1.99 on the iPhone, iPad and
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iPod touch (operating system 4.3 or later). Choose from three prerecorded
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PBS KIDS and Whole Foods Market have teamed up to offer a line of educational and earth-friendly toys made with safe, nontoxic materials and inks. All PBS KIDS’ net proceeds will benefit the media brand’s mission of empowering children through knowledge, critical thinking and imagination. Whole Foods Market will donate 1 percent of total sales, up to $25,000, to the Whole Kids Foundation, an organization dedicated to improving children’s nutrition and wellness. Learn more at pbs.org and wholefoodsmarket.com.
Top 5 Holiday Dangers to Pets
1 | Holiday tinsel and ornaments. Tinsel, while not toxic, is very attractive to pets, particularly cats.
2 | Holiday lighting and candles. Twinkling, shining and dangling holiday lights may be another source of danger to your curious pet. 3 | Gift wrap ribbon. Fashioning your pet with a decorative ribbon “collar” could become a choking hazard. 4 | Food hazards. Some of the most popular holiday goodies, such as chocolate, bones and nuts, can be extremely toxic or fatal to pets. 5 | Toxic holiday plants. Some holiday plants are poisonous — even deadly. As little as a single leaf from any lily variety is lethal to cats. — petinsurance.com
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Parenting for the Digital Age by Bill Ratner (Familius, $16.95), opens candidly: “Our children have too many screens to watch … And they’re spending too much time watching.” As a parent, Hollywood insider and voice of movie trailers and commercials, Ratner would know. He explores why and how advertisers are targeting children “with wanton abandon,” and what problems are associated with excessive screen time. Gain insight and enjoy a few laughs as you read Ratner’s tips on how to unplug and focus on what matters most: human relationships.
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Candy Aisle Crafts: Create Fun Projects With Supermarket Sweets by Jodi Levine (Crown Publishing Group, $16.99), makes crafting fun and tasty. Serve marshmallowmonogrammed hot chocolate by pressing letter-shaped cookie cutters into Kraft Jet-Puffed StackerMallows, or craft a Cookie Castle Cake with wafer cookies, golden Oreos, graham crackers and wafer cones. Choose from crafts made with hard candy, gummy candy, marshmallows, cookies or cereal.
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interactive calls. itunes.apple.com.
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Carr Mill Mall
REX
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Durham Ped Dent and Ortho
BY LAUREN BELL ISAACS
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your style
Holiday party-bound? Wine and flowers are nice but not noteworthy. Show your appreciation with these delightful gifts for the gracious host that will make an impact without breaking the bank.
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1. Sugar Paper Raspberry Recipe Binder, shopwaitingonmartha.com, $48 2. Metallic Zebra Dish, furbishstudio.com, $32 3. Fancy Another? Cocktail Tray, furbishstudio.com, $40 4. Soap Rocks, tspink.com, $15 each 5. Mr. & Mrs. Holiday Cocktail Glass Set, furbishstudio.com, $26 6. Bella Cucina Pizza Kit, shopwaitingonmartha.com, $22 7. Make Mine A Double Cocktail Napkins, hattanhome.com, $32 Lauren Bell Isaacs is the digital media specialist for Carolina Parent. carolinaparent.com
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Arts for Life
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tech talk
Orange Charter School
CAROLINA PARENT'S ANNUAL
Camp & Education Fair SAVE THE DATE! Saturday, Feb. 21, 2015 Noon to 4 p.m. GRACE Christian School • 801 Buck Jones Rd., Raleigh
Spanish for Fun
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BY CAROLYN JABS
RE AD
in Print and Pixels
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earning to read well is so important that the American Academy of Pediatrics suggests pediatricians “prescribe” that parents read aloud to young children. For many parents, the question is how kids should be reading. Is reading on a screen better or worse than reading a physical book? It’s beginning to look as though kids have an advantage if they are comfortable with both print and pixels. Here are suggestions about how to encourage both skills at every age.
Before Age 5 Very young children are drawn to color and sound, so it’s no surprise that they reach for tablets and cellphones. Seek out responsive instead of passive apps, so kids become accustomed to the idea that they can control what happens on the screen. Research also suggests that there are measurable benefits from sharing traditional picture books with little ones. In one recent study, children ages 3-5 understood more about a story when parents read from a paper book rather than an e-book. Researchers speculate that the kids — and their parents — got distracted by the options presented by the e-book, so they were less able to focus on its content. Also, when parents read paper books, they were more likely to engage in what experts call “dialogic reading,” adding questions and asides that connect the story to the child’s experience.
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Elementary School Before they are competent readers, children enjoy playing interactive games. Research suggests that the selective attention required by games may actually teach kids to screen out distraction, making it easier for them to focus on other online tasks, like reading. Even after they can read independently, children still benefit from reading aloud with parents, so don’t give up prematurely on bedtime stories. Reading together gives parents opportunities to ask questions that deepen a child’s connection to the text. It’s also a good age to encourage reading as a habit. Whenever possible, set aside 30 minutes a day for dedicated reading.
Middle School Online reading requires much greater self-control than a physical book, according to Julie Coiro, a researcher who has studied digital reading comprehension in middle school students. Since preteens are so easily distracted, they may need help in structuring online homework so they don’t bounce endlessly between websites, games, social media and text messages. Talk to your tween or teen about tuning out e-noise when they read, if only because schoolwork will be finished more quickly. Ask them to put the phone in airplane mode and avoid clicking on extraneous links.
High School
Not Just Paper
XLSoccer
Wake Cty Government
Researchers are beginning to detect subtle differences in what people comprehend when they read on devices versus paper. For example, one study found that people who read online were able to recall facts but had a harder time writing an analysis of the material. Encourage your high school student to make more deliberate choices about how he or she wants to read by asking question about what works best. Be sure your teen has access to physical books he or she can annotate. Introduce the idea of keeping a reading journal and sharing thoughts on social media sites devoted to books, such as Riffle, Goodreads and Shelfari. At every age, children are more likely to become proficient readers if they are surrounded by ample opportunities to read. Go to the library. Pick up paperbacks at garage sales and download free books from websites like Project Gutenberg at gutenberg.org. Most of all, don’t belittle one kind of reading at the expense of another. Carolyn Jabs raised three computer savvy kids, including one with special needs. She is working on a book about constructive responses to conflict. carolinaparent.com
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understanding kids
Durham Bulls Baseball Club
Duke Pediatric Dentistry
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BY LUCY DANIELS CENTER STAFF
When Enough is Not Enough
S
ome parents find themselves faced with the dilemma of how much they should gratify their child’s wishes and where they should draw the line. Their child may create long wish lists and their parents, in an effort to avoid disappointing their child, may shower him or her with an abundance of gifts, only to find that these efforts simply weren’t enough to quell their child’s wishes for more.
Understanding Behavior Seeking — or not seeking — external gratification is a behavior. The key to understanding why a child behaves or acts a certain way is to think of his behavior as a response to, or expression of, an emotional state. Behaviors are external clues about a child’s internal state of mind. A child who is generally content and settled emotionally (i.e., not overly anxious, distressed or depressed) will likely also be content and satisfied with external elements of her world (comfortably entertains herself, feels flexible enough to go with the flow, accepts what is served at mealtimes, or feels okay about receiving some, but not all, of the items she wished for). As with all behaviors, parents should first distinguish whether a particular behavior is unusual or ongoing. Seeking
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external gratification comes in many forms: needing more attention, resisting being alone, resisting family routines or activities, being “picky” about food or not feeling satisfied with possessions. A child who seeks external gratification may be reacting to a significant change, such as the arrival of a new sibling or start of a new school year.
Raleigh Vein & Laser Center
Discovering Their Inner World Seeking external gratification or remedies may be indicative of an uncomfortable feeling a child is experiencing and trying to get rid of or distract himself from. If this behavior is common, parents may be able to pinpoint the trigger and gently bring this behavior to their child’s attention. For example, a parent could say, “Nothing seems to feel right or good enough lately. Things have been feeling a little different since [the change]. I’ll keep this in mind and give you some extra help.” When the trigger is unknown, a parent can say, “You’ve been needing more [such and such] lately and I’m not sure why that is. I can get this for you, and it may help for a little while, but it won’t fix the problem on the inside.” Comments like these can open doors to further communication and lead to discussions that help a child recognize that he is using external gratification to alleviate internal discomfort.
Outside Vs. Inside Fixes An “outside fix” is an attempt to alleviate discomfort with something external (such as a reward or toy). An “inside fix” addresses the problem internally and brings a child’s attention to her inner world, helping her recognize how her state of mind drives her needs and wishes. Ideally, a healthy blend of both outside and inside fixes can help by providing additional nurturing and support while exploring the reasons why such help is needed.
City of Raleigh
Signs That a Child Needs Help Some children persistently seek external gratification in various forms. If this behavior is persistent (not triggered by some stressor or event in an apparent way) and seems to consistently interfere with his ability to comfortably move through a typical day, consider seeking more specialized help and support in exploring and working through his internal difficulties. Find more information about how and when to seek help at lucydanielscenter.org. The Lucy Daniels Center is a nonprofit agency in Cary that promotes the emotional health and well-being of children and families. Visit lucydanielscenter.org to learn more. carolinaparent.com
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CH Pediatrics and Adolescents
NC Eye, Ear Nose and Throat
Weehabilitate
NextCare
Game Truck Party NC
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NIH Funds $28 million for National Study on Adolescent Health UNC-Chapel Hill’s Carolina Population Center has received a five-year, $28 million grant for the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health — the largest, most comprehensive longitudinal study of adolescent health ever undertaken in the U.S. Researchers began extensive interviews with a nationally representative sample of 20,000 students in grades 7-12 in 1994. The study, known as Add Health, has provided data for more than 2,000 scientific papers by more than 10,000 researchers around the world. These papers have mapped the obesity epidemic, brought the silent epidemic of high blood pressure in young adults into public awareness, and pioneered work on how adolescents’ social and behavioral lives interact with their genetic makeup. Starting in 2015, the five-year project will collect new social and biological data from the original participants, who will be in their 30s at that time, capturing information on their birth and early childhood experiences. This will create an invaluable 40-year longitudinal record of them, from birth through their fourth decade of life. The new funding, from the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, will allow researchers to better understand how teens’ health, social experiences, genetic profile and living environment might influence their health and behavior later in adulthood. Learn more at ncnn.com/editnews/9192-unc-ch-gets-largegrant-to-study-adolescents.
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COMPILED BY KATHERINE KOPP
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healthy families
The reduction in bacteria spread from using a fist bump instead of a handshake as a greeting. The “high five” resulted in about a 50 percent reduction. Source: American Journal of Infection Control
New Time-Lapse IVF Technology Improves Chances for Prospective Parents
A recent study suggests that a new time-lapse monitoring technique can improve success rates for in vitro fertilization patients. Led by Dr. John Zhang, M.D., director of New York City’s New Hope Fertility Center, the study found that time-lapse monitoring — continuous observation of embryos in undisturbed culture with strict environmental control — can be used at the preimplantation phase of genetic screening to help improve the chances of an IVF patient conceiving. When used alongside more conventional techniques, the study further showed a significant impact on IVF success rates. The blind study enrolled patients with a mean age of 36 and compared sets of eggs (each from the same woman) cultured by time-lapse monitoring with those cultured in a normal incubator. When implanted, the pregnancy rate was 71 percent for the time-lapse eggs and 45 percent for eggs incubated normally. This translated to a sustained and ongoing pregnancy rate of 69 percent for those using the time-lapse system, versus 41 percent for those using the conventional method. Learn more at ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed (search for “time-lapse IVF”).
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The number of colds the average child has each year. Source: WebMD
Katherine Kopp is a freelance writer and editor in Chapel Hill. carolinaparent.com
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Retro Toys and Games By Mikala Young When it comes to holidays gifts, there are a few toys you can always count on. Retro toys are tried and true, and come with a timeless price tag. Here are some classics children favored ages ago and will adore for years to come.
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Slide Whistle. $5.99. schylling.com. Classic Pinball Game. $6.99. schylling.com. Mr. Potato Head. $7.99. hasbro.com. Etch-a-Sketch. $17.99. ohioart.com. View Master. $15. view-master.com. Slinky Dog. $20.99. poof-slinky.com. Fisher-Price See ’n Say Farmer Says. $14.99. amazon.com.
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Lincoln Logs Collector’s Edition Homestead. $99.99. knex.com.
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Rock ’Em Sock ’Em Robots. $19.99. shop.mattel.com.
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Chinese Finger Traps. $2.99 and up. worldmarket.com and amazon.com.
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Fisher-Price Chatter Telephone. $19.99. amazon.com.
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Melissa and Doug Stacking Train. $16.99. melissaanddoug.com.
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Children Create Homespun Holiday Gifts By Odile Fredericks
C R E AT E By Odile Fredericks
All photos courtesy of Kari Bacon of the Artful Mind
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whimsical, cinnamon-scented elf ornament. A hand-bound book of The Night Before Christmas, where Santa steps happily down the chimney of a lit fireplace.
A wreath of green and red macaroni that is missing a noodle or two. Potato-stamped Christmas tree coasters. A manger made of Popsicle people.
Each holiday, parents lovingly display treasures made over the years by their little ones. These gifts are special because of their imperfections. They bring back memories and come from the heart. Each year, venues across the Triangle host a variety of classes to help children make gifts the old-fashioned way — by hand — creating new memories for generations to come. As the winter holidays approach each year, Jewel Kichak is among those who excitedly pull out decoration boxes. An arts programs specialist with the Cary Arts Center, she decorates with ornaments made by “her children” — kids she has taught at art classes over the past two decades. “A majority of our decorations were created by my children 20-some years ago,” Kichak says. “There are Rudolphs, Santas, stars, snowflakes, snowpersons, gingerbread persons, miniature trees, sleighs, candy canes and more. The eyes may be ‘misplaced,’ the
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proportions ‘irregular,’ and the colors ‘nontraditional,’ (but they’re) perfect — just the way they were made by all those little hands. Each item represents a memory, a precious gift to be unpacked over and over each year.”
Free Rein to Create Kari Bacon, an artist who owns The Artful Mind in Wake Forest, teaches fine-art-based holiday classes for children to make gifts. She gives her students free rein in creating but encourages them to think about the person who will receive their gift, and tailor it to suit him or her. Bacon’s gift-making classes have yielded snow globes to be hung on trees, handsewn ornaments and finger puppets, candy dishes, picture frames, nativity sets, greeting cards and paintings of snowmen. This December, her classes will make gingerbread houses, candy cane garlands, clay bud vases and handsewn elf stuffies, among other creations. Her students choose what
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they will make right from the start. “I let the child lead the way,” Bacon says. “[Their gift] will be one of a kind, and it will come straight from the heart because I make them really think about who they are giving it to. I say, ‘Does Grandma like the color red, and if not, let’s not put it in there.’” At West Point on the Eno, Susan Dwiggins, a certified clinical aromatherapist who owns Nature’s Pure Essentials, helps children ages 12 and older use nature to make gifts with scents favored by the person the gift is for. She teaches a “Blending Essential Oils for a Holiday Gift” class for Durham’s Parks and Recreation Department. Her students choose from a variety of essential oils to make scented bath salts, all-natural lotions and body spritzers. Along the way, they learn a dab of chemistry and the precise proportion of oil needed for each gift. “It’s so easy, and that’s what I like the children to do — and adults — learn how to make these no chemical-, no pesticide-filled aromatic gifts, Dwiggins says. “They learn how many drops to put in a bath. They can either make a blend or they can use a single drop if they like the aroma of [say] lavender, rose.”
At the J.C. Raulston Arboretum of N.C. State University in Raleigh, a “Holiday Creations” class designed for children of all ages and their parents helps them experience the season in the garden. Children make holiday crafts using natural materials such as pinecones, acorn cups or sticks. Their final products range from cards to wrapping paper to hanging decorations, says Elizabeth Overcash, a children’s program coordinator with the arboretum. “It’s definitely a way for kids to connect with the garden and to have a piece of it that they can give — to create with the garden and to share the garden with other people.” At the North Carolina Museum of History in Raleigh, children in Nancy Pennington’s “Make It, Take It: Holiday Ornament” free drop-in program learn surprising facts about Victorian holiday decorating. “A lot of folks made their own ornaments,” Pennington says. “Sometimes they could be elaborate; sometimes they could be very simple. We are going to focus on some of the simpler ones — made out of paper, maybe out of peanuts.” Children may make a Victorian cornucopia filled with nuts or hard candy, or Victorian medallions to hang on a tree — using images such as an angel head or Santa cut from magazines. Pennington, the museum’s associate curator of programming, welcomes children of all ages — and their caregivers — to the program. Becca Hulett, a pottery instructor who teaches a trinket box-making class for the Durham Arts Council, says children often love the gifts they make so much, they want to keep them. “I have found that the children prefer to keep their masterpieces for themselves,” Hulett says. “Many parents
have hinted that these would make great gifts — to no avail. There is something very satisfying about storing your treasures in a special box that you made yourself.” Hulett, who made her first pot at age 4, says her students have been as young as 6 weeks and as old as 16. “Children make their trinket boxes out of clay, and they can be any shape or design. Whatever the child wants to make, we will figure out a way to be successful,” she says, noting that the 6-week-old child made a footprint in clay that was “very cute.”
Recycled Gifts From the Heart For those who appreciate recycled creations, The Scrap Exchange, a
nonprofit creative reuse center in Durham, invites children and adults to seek inspiration for their creations in the Make-N-Take Room, a studio filled with barrels of reclaimed fabric, tubes, sticker paper, elastic, wire, rubber bands and other clean industrial discards. The studio inspires glue-free creativity, says Lindsey Miller, The Scrap Exchange’s outreach and events manager. “Though we do supply scissors, tape and staplers, we encourage makers to think outside of the box as they use other techniques to connect their materials. Without glue, these materials can be taken apart and used in new and different ways again and again, further promoting our environmental and creative mission,” she says. Self-led use of the studio is $5 per participant for 11/2 hours, and visitors can take home their creations. Holiday gift-making classes are also popular with many parents because they offer a safe place to drop off their kids while they take care of their holiday shopping. Mark Johns, a program specialist with Cary’s Hemlock Bluffs Nature Preserve, says, “A Natural Holiday” and “Winter Wildlife Wonderland” classes are popular because they enable parents to get their shopping done while the kids create. As the pace of the holiday season picks up, these classes also provide children a place to contemplate the true meaning of giving. And for those parents who take the time to attend a class with their child, that feeling might rub off on them, too. For details on class locations and schedules, search “holiday gift-making classes” on carolinaparent.com. Odile Fredericks is the web editor of Carolina Parent magazine.
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Orchestrating Talent TRIANGLE PHILHARMONIC ASSOCIATION: 500 MEMBERS STRONG by Kurt Dusterberg
S
ome music finds its way to the public quite easily, through digital downloads, radio and live performances. But that’s not the case for the Triangle Philharmonic Association, also known as the “P.A.” Members are young and highly skilled. “I think if we could get people through the door to hear them, they would come back,” says Executive Director Margaret Partridge. “They give excellent concerts. They’re really outstanding players.”
Photo courtesy of the Triangle Philharmonic Association
An Ensemble of Ensembles The “P.A.” is made up of Triangle-area classical and jazz musicians in middle and high school. The more than 500 musicians participating each year fill out two string orchestras, three full orchestras and three jazz ensembles. Since its inception in 1988 with 35 performers, the P.A. has continued to provide young musicians the opportunity to learn and grow their skills. Members must audition each year and are placed in orchestras and ensembles accordingly. Each group has its own conductor, and the musicians receive artistic support from the North Carolina Symphony. “I can’t imagine where I’d be without (the P.A.). It’s been a part of me for so long,” says Katherine Gora Combs, a senior at Cardinal Gibbons High School and flutist in the Triangle Youth Philharmonic. “I’m working with the guest conductors and composers and getting to play true orchestra music. It’s not something you can find in the school setting.” Local corporations and individuals help with financial contributions, and the musicians pay a participation fee. Partridge says financial aid is available for those who need it.
Mobilizing Efforts The groups practice in various high school band rooms and other suitable spaces. But even then, there are challenges. Taking over a band room requires reconfiguring the rehearsal space for a 100-piece orchestra, then putting the room back
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together for the high school band that will use it the next day. “We have dreamed of having our own space, a rehearsal facility,” Partridge says. “But we just keep plugging along the way we do.” And that’s worthwhile when you consider the performers. Combs has been playing with the Philharmonic Association for seven years. While she plans to study public health and epidemiology in college, she intends to maintain a musical
career as well. “The opportunities they have given me are things I couldn’t have gotten anywhere else.” Combs says. “I’ve gotten to work with conductors from the North Carolina Opera and work with composers locally who have written pieces specifically for us.” The various orchestras and ensembles play a limited number of performances, but the most advanced groups play a holiday concert at Meymandi Concert Hall in Raleigh in November. The Cary Arts Center Theater hosts additional performances. “People are surprised how difficult it is,” Partridge says. “Our top orchestra — these are kids who have spent hours and hours in the practice room on their own.” Classical and jazz might fall outside the mainstream of accessible music, but the Philharmonic Association can claim something meaningful: Its musicians are among the most accomplished young people performing in the area. “It would surprise you, the number of people who have made the journey from the youth orchestra all the way to the Philharmonic,” Combs says. “You really get the students who are very dedicated to their craft. They have that desire and passion.” For more information on the Philharmonic Association, visit philharmonic-association.org. Kurt Dusterberg of Apex is the Carolina Hurricanes Correspondent for nhl.com and the author of Journeymen: 24 Bittersweet Tales of Short Major League Sports Careers.
Falls Family Dental
Jerry’s Artopia
Tammy Lynn
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Wynn Family Psychology
Triangle Montessori Academy
Cary Ballet
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Bizzy Brooms
A Nativity Set, Disco Ball and By Patrick Hempfing ife is hectic enough with the day-to-day stuff. Each day, I add more items to my To Do list than I check off. And then it happens — Christmas rolls around. Shopping, decorating, traveling, collapsing. I sarcastically sing, “It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year.”
Conversely, my daughter, Jessie, plays Christmas music in July. Around September, she asks, “How many days until Christmas?” So I take off my “Bah Humbug” hat and put on my joyous one. Right after Thanksgiving last year, Jessie asked, “When can we decorate for Christmas?” A few minutes later, she inquired, “When are we going to get a tree?” I decided to get into the Christmas spirit. This sounds better than “I gave in.” Jessie and I set up the nativity set first, one that took my wife more than 10 years to select, as she wanted to find the perfect one. It’s fragile, but Jessie wanted to arrange all the pieces. I think I said, “Be careful,” with each piece I handed to her. She did a fantastic job organizing it. At the end, she tucked her batteryoperated disco ball behind the angel, as she wanted the scene to be spectacular. I think it’s safe to say that not too many households’ nativity scenes contain Joseph, Mary, Baby Jesus and a rotating disco ball. The next day, Jessie and I went tree shopping. We walked down one aisle and up the next. I pulled out four or five 5- to 6-foot trees and stood them up for Jessie to inspect. “We need a bigger tree, Dad,” she responded. Jessie and I moved to the row with 6- to 7-foot trees. Just when I thought, “This is going to take forever,” Jessie said, “It’s perfect!” to a Douglas fir just under 7-feet tall. She immediately named our tree “Sally.” I left home with Jessie and returned with Jessie and Sally. The following day, I retrieved all the boxes marked “Christmas” from the garage. Jessie
immediately went to work decorating. Once, I came in from the garage to find five red velvet bows hanging from the light fixture above my desk. The bows’ tails were almost touching my computer and were within two feet of my nose when I typed. Still, I had to admit my new work environment brought a smile to my face. Next, Jessie and I wrapped Sally in lights, another memorable experience. Jessie did not quite grasp the concept (or maybe she chose not to apply it) that lights need to gradually descend from top to bottom. It had to be a Christmas miracle because, somehow, Sally ended up with lights covering her. Then Jessie enthusiastically unwrapped the ornaments. One fragile ornament recorded Jessie’s tiny footprint in plaster. It had taken great effort for Mattie and me to hold her foot still enough to make it for her first Christmas. The imprint was only 3 inches long and 1½ inches wide. I know it wasn’t a grenade, but I handled it like one. We finished decorating and then sat in the dark admiring our work. The bright parts with an abundance of lights and the dark spaces without lights all looked good behind the scores of handmade ornaments and souvenirs of our travels and past Christmases together. As we packed away our holiday decorations in January, I smiled, happy that I had invested the time, energy and expense. Something tells me we’ll do it all over again this year. Whether we bring home a Peggy, Jane, Susan or another Sally, I’ll remember Christmas really is “the most wonderful time of the year.” Patrick Hempfing had a 20-year professional career in banking, accounting and auditing before he became a father at age 44. He is now a full-time husband, stay-at-home dad and writer. Follow him at facebook.com/patrick/ hempfing and twitter.com/patrickhempfing. carolinaparent.com
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december our picks
Experience the warmth of sister love when Disney’s Frozen comes to the PNC Arena Dec. 10-15. Photo courtesy of Feld Entertainment
Disney’s Frozen Skates into Raleigh
Hearts will melt when Disney brings its animated hit, Frozen, to life on ice Dec. 10-15
Step Back in Time at West Point on the Eno’s
at PNC Arena in Raleigh. Anna, a girl with an extraordinary heart, embarks on an epic
OPEN HOUSE
journey to find her royal sister, Elsa, who is determined to remain secluded as she tests
See an old-time tool demonstration, wool
the limits of her magical powers. Rugged mountain man Kristoff, his loyal reindeer,
spinning, a display of heritage breed animals
Sven, lovable snowman, Olaf, and mystical trolls help Anna along the way in this story
from Bull City Farm and grinding demon-
about love conquering fear. Audiences can sing along with “Let it Go,” “Do You Want
strations at the Grist Mill during West Point
to Build a Snowman?” and “Fixer Upper.” Performances are at 7 p.m. Dec. 10-12;
on the Eno’s annual open house Dec. 14,
10:30 a.m., 2:30 and 6:30 p.m. Dec. 13-14; and 7 p.m. Dec. 15. Purchase tickets,
1-5 p.m. The 400-acre natural and historic
$42 and up, at ticketmaster.com.
park is located along a 2-mile stretch of the
scenic Eno River at 5101 N. Roxboro Road in Durham. Admission is free. 919-471-1623. durhamnc.gov.
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Sugar Plum Tea Sparkles on Christmas Eve After the house is decorated and the gifts are wrapped, take the family to enjoy afternoon tea Dec. 24, noon3:30 p.m., at Vista Restaurant at the Washington Duke Inn and Golf Club in Durham. Sweet delights include a dessert bar, hot cider and hot chocolate, and take-home gingerbread cookies for kids. Pianist Paul Holmes entertains with holiday tunes. Call 919-490-0999 for reservations. $30 for adults and $18 for ages 6-12. washingtondukeinn.com/ holiday/default.asp. Photos courtesy of Washington Duke Inn and Golf Club Photo courtesy of Gregg Forwerck/Carolina Hurricanes
Cirque Dreams Holidaze Lights Up the Season Celebrate the most wonderful time of the year watching imaginative, heartPhoto courtesy Gobblersrun.com feats pounding andofgravity-defying
in Cirque Dreams Holidaze, a stage spectacular Dec. 3-7 at Duke Energy Center for the Performing Arts in Raleigh. Watch gingerbread men flip in midair, toy soldiers march on thin wires, and 30-foot towering trees and colossal candy canes create a wonderland of amazement. Performances are at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 3; 2 and 7:30 p.m. Dec. 4; 7:30 p.m. Dec. 5; and 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Dec. 6-7. Purchase tickets for $28-$71 at ticketmaster.com. Photo courtesy of Cirque Productions
“Starring North Carolina!” Exhibit Opens in Raleigh See costumes and props from Bull Durham, Last of the Mohicans, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Dawson’s Creek, Sleepy Hollow, Matlock and dozens of other movies and TV shows filmed in North Carolina in a new interactive exhibit at the N.C. Museum of History in Raleigh. “Star-
Andy Griffith. Photo courtesy of the N.C. Museum of History
ring North Carolina” showcases hundreds of film-related items from the 1900s to the present and explores how North Carolina became one of the nation’s top film and television production locations and home to the largest film studio outside of California: EUE/Screen Gems Studios in Wilmington. Admission is $10 for adults, $6 for ages 7-17, and free for ages 6 and younger. The exhibit is part of a yearlong celebration that includes a monthly film series through Aug. 14 and the Longleaf Film Festival on May 2. ncmuseumofhistory.org. carolinaparent.com
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calendar
1 MONDAY
Parent and Child Clay Workshop: Trinket Boxes. Use slabs and coils to make a ceramic box. Registration required. $15/child. 10-11:30 a.m. Durham Arts Council, Northgate Mall, 1058 W. Club Blvd., Durham. 919-560-2726. durhamarts.org.
2 TUESDAY
Little Historians: Totally Toys. Read a story, explore the kinds of toys children play with around the world and make a few historic toys to take home. Take a favorite toy to share with the group. Ages 5-7. Registration required. $4/child. 11 a.m.-noon. Historic Yates Mill County Park, 4620 Lake Wheeler Rd., Raleigh. 919-856-6675. wakegov.com/parks/ yatesmill. Nature Families: Getting Ready for Winter. Discover nature’s secrets for staying warm. Play a game about preparing for winter, learn about hibernating animals, enjoy hot cocoa and take home a fun craft. All ages. Registration required. $5/family. 11 a.m.-noon. Crowder District Park, 4709 Ten-Ten Rd., Apex. 919-662-2850. wakegov.com/ parks/crowder. Parent and Child Clay Workshop: Trinket Boxes. See Dec. 1. 4-5:30 p.m. Time for Tots: First in Flight. Learn about the Wright brothers’ plane and other famous flying machines. Make a paper plane or helicopter. Ages 3-5 with adult. Registration required. $1 member, $3 nonmember. 10-11 a.m. N.C. Museum of History, 5 E. Edenton St., Raleigh. 919-807-7992. ncmuseumofhistory.org.
3 WEDNESDAY
Ninth Annual Memories for Marcus Fundraiser. Make a $20 donation to Memories for Marcus or take a new unwrapped toy and receive a buffet meal courtesy of The Daily Planet Cafe. All proceeds will benefit the WakeMed Children’s Hospital. Toys will be given to children hospitalized during the holiday season. Please make checks payable to WakeMed Foundation and specify “Memories for Marcus” in the memo line of your check. 6-9 p.m. Daily Planet Cafe, 121 W. Jones St., Raleigh. bit.ly/MemForMarcus.
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History Corner: “Starring North Carolina!” Visit the museum’s newest exhibit and learn about the state’s role in filmmaking. Ages 6-9 with adult. Registration required. $3. 10-11 a.m. N.C. Museum of History, 5 E. Edenton St., Raleigh. 919-807-7992. ncmuseum ofhistory.org. History Hunters: Behind the Scenes at the Movies. Learn about North Carolina filmmaking and the people who help create the magic. Ages 10-13. Registration required. $1 member, $3 nonmember. 11:15 a.m.-12:15 p.m. N.C. Museum of History, 5 E. Edenton St., Raleigh. 919-807-7992. ncmuseumof history.org. Nature Friends: Waiting for Winter. Learn how animals prepare for winter through hands-on activities and games. Take a nature walk to search for winter birds and make an insect hotel to keep the park’s bugs warm. Ages 6-9. Registration required. $4/child. 11 a.m.-noon. Crowder District Park, 4709 Ten-Ten Rd., Apex. 919-662-2850. wakegov.com/ parks/crowder. Nature Watchers: Time to Sleep. Read a story and make a winter-themed craft. Learn which animals in the wild hibernate and how fat keeps these critters warm. Ages 3-5. Registration required. $4/child. 1-2 p.m. Crowder District Park, 4709 Ten-Ten Rd., Apex. 919-662-2850. wakegov.com/parks/crowder.
4 THURSDAY
On the Edge Hike. Take a short walk through two ecotones within the park and view wildlife. Meet at the Crabtree Creek Large Parking Lot. Registration required. Free. 10 a.m. William B. Umstead State Park, 8801 Glenwood Ave., Raleigh. 919-571-4170. ncparks.gov.
5 FRIDAY
Author Visits. Lynne Fischer reads her short story/poem, The Red Sack, in costume. The story will be available for sale along with a red sack that can be monogrammed for an extra fee. Free. Drop-in program. 5-8 p.m. Southern Home Crafts, 111 N. Salem St., Apex. etsy.com/shop/lynnesueart. Holiday Creations. Make holiday crafts using inspiration and materials from the garden. All ages. Register by emailing
carolinaparent.com
elizabeth_overcash@ncsu.edu. $5 member, $7 nonmember. 10 a.m.noon. J.C. Raulston Arboretum, 4415 Beryl Rd., Raleigh. 919-513-7011. ncsu. edu/jcraulstonarboretum. Night Out in Nature. Kids spend a night out in nature making memories and new friends in an old-fashioned, campstyle program. Ages 8-12. Registration required. $18 resident, $23 nonresident. 6-9 p.m. Stevens Nature Center/ Hemlock Bluffs, 2616 Kildaire Farm Rd., Cary. 919-387-5980. townofcary.org.
6 SATURDAY
American Girl Doll Christmas Tea Party. Take a doll and make Christmas crafts and goodies, enjoy punch and cookies and have a creative time together. Ages 5-11. Register by emailing polkhouse2@ bellsouth.net. $20/child, $18/siblings. 9-11 a.m., 1-3 p.m. Historic Polk House, 537 N. Blount St., Raleigh. 919-285-1537. facebook.com/polkhouse. Explore a Rock Outcrop. Learn about rocks and how they are changed by rain, plants and people. Ages 6-9. Register online. $5. 10:30 a.m.-noon. Wilkerson Nature Preserve, 11408 Raven Ridge Rd., Raleigh. 919-996-6764. raleighnc.gov. Face Painting and Twisted Balloons. Kids enjoy face painting and balloon creations by Lynne Fischer. Free. 3-5 p.m. Southern Home Crafts, 111 N. Salem St., Apex. 919-233-1598. Family Workshop: Natural Ornaments. Decorate for the holidays naturally with acorns, pinecones, milkweed pods and more. Enjoy a mug of hot chocolate. All materials included. Ages 4 and older with adult. Registration required. $7/child member; $8/child nonmember. 2:30-4 p.m. N.C. Botanical Garden, 100 Old Mason Farm Rd., Chapel Hill. 919-962-0522. ncbg.unc.edu. The Grinch Stink Stank Stunk Toy Run. Dress in a favorite Whoville character and run in either a 5k or 1-mile jog. Strollers welcome. Take a new, unwrapped toy as your registration fee to benefit Harbor and the Johnston County DSS Angel Tree Project. Register online. 10 a.m. Smithfield Community Park, Rotary Shelter, 600 E. Booker Dairy Rd., Smithfield. 919-934-2148. sraconline.com. Jingle Bell Run/Walk for Arthritis. Participants wear reindeer antlers and
tie jingle bells to their shoelaces for a 5k run, 1-mile fun run or Reindeer Dash for ages 10 and younger. Register online. $30-$35. 9 a.m. Registration begins at 8:30 a.m. Saint Mary’s School, 900 Hillsborough St., Raleigh. jinglebellrunraleigh.kintera.org. Natural Explorations Hike: Winter Wildlife Survival Skills. Learn about seasonal changes in nature and explore how various kinds of wildlife prepare for the cold and how to enhance your own winter survival skills. Ages 6 and older. Registration required. $4/child. 11 a.m.-noon. Historic Yates Mill County Park, 4620 Lake Wheeler Rd., Raleigh. 919-856-6675. wakegov.com/parks/ yatesmill. A Natural Holiday. Create holiday cards inspired by nature. Ages 5-8. Registration required. $17 resident, $22 nonresident. 10 a.m.-noon. Stevens Nature Center/Hemlock Bluffs, 2616 Kildaire Farm Rd., Cary. 919-387-5980. townofcary.org. Santa’s Workshop. Kids visit craft stations to create a gift for someone special and enjoy a visit from Santa. Ages 10 and younger must be accompanied by an adult. Support the Cary Teen Council’s food drive by donating two nonperishable food items or by making a cash donation. Free. 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Herbert C. Young Community Center, 101 Wilkinson Dr., Cary. 919-460-4965. townofcary.org.
7 SUNDAY
American Girl Doll Christmas Tea Party. See Dec. 6. 1-3 p.m. Durham Preschool Fair. Representatives from Durham area preschools share educational philosophies, discuss their school’s program and answer parents’ preschool questions. Organized by the Durham Mothers Club. Free. 2:30-4:30 p.m. Southwest Library, 3605 Shannon Rd., Durham. bigtent.com/groups/ durhammoms. Eco-Explorers: Salamanders. Children explore nature and ecology. Ages 7-10. Registration required. $12 resident, $16 nonresident. 2-4 p.m. Stevens Nature Center/Hemlock Bluffs, 2616 Kildaire Farm Rd., Cary. 919-387-5980. townofcary.org. Family Feature: Microscope Mania. Observe natural objects with a
Morehead Planetarium
Piedmont Wildlife Ctr.
Raleigh Little Theatre
Kids Exchange
SALE DATES
Receiving Hours: See website Work Exchangers Only: Wed., Jan. 21, 5-8pm Sellers Only: Thurs., Jan. 22, 9am-8pm Public Days: Friday-Sunday, see hours above
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ON STAGE A Midsummer Night’s Dream
Annie
Dec. 2-7 – Shakespeare’s lyrical comedy weaves together a trio of stories set in a magical wood. Purchase tickets online. $15 and older. 7:30 p.m. Dec. 2-3; 7:30 p.m. Dec. 6; 2 and 7:30 p.m. Dec. 7. Paul Green Theatre, 150 Country Club Rd., Chapel Hill. 919-962-7529. playmakersrep.org.
Dec. 9-14 – Leapin’ lizards! See an incarnation of the iconic original featuring the unforgettable songs “It’s the Hard Knock Life,” “Easy Street,” “I Don’t Need Anything But You,” and the eternal anthem of optimism, “Tomorrow.” $40-$161. See website for showtimes. Durham Performing Arts Center, 123 Vivian St., Durham. 800-745-3000. ticketmaster.com.
St. David’s School Band Christmas Concert Dec. 3 – St. David’s School’s concert band performs holiday music. All ages. Free. 7 p.m. St. David’s School Performing Arts Center, 3400 White Oak Rd., Raleigh. 919-782-3331. sdsw.org.
Into the Woods by Stephen Sondheim Dec. 4-6 – A childless couple. A witch. A curse. Sondheim reveals the shadow side of classic fairytales in a funny and poignant exploration of the wishes we make, and what happens when they really do come true. Ages 10 and older. Purchase tickets online. $15 and older. 7:30 p.m. Dec. 4-5; 2 p.m. Dec. 6. Paul Green Theatre, 150 Country Club Rd., Chapel Hill. 919-962-7529. playmakersrep.org.
It’s a Wonderful Life: Live Radio Play Dec. 4-8 – Enjoy the classic movie on stage when 1940s radio players perform the story as a Christmas Eve broadcast. Purchase tickets online at etix.com. $17-$20. See website for showtimes. Cary Arts Center, 101 Dry Ave., Cary. caryplayers.org.
Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer: The Musical
A Christmas Carol Dec. 10-14 – Theatre In The Park’s original musical comedy adaptation of A Christmas Carol, based on the novella by Charles Dickens and adapted for the stage by Ira David Wood III, first premiered in 1974. $30-$80. See website for showtimes at Raleigh Memorial Auditorium, 2 E. South St., Raleigh; and at Durham Performing Arts Center, 123 Vivian St., Durham. 800-745-3000. ticketmaster.com.
Winter Chorus Concert Dec. 11 – Hear music from Green Hope High School’s chorus, Voices of Hope. $5 general public, $1 Green Hope High School students. 7 p.m. Green Hope High School, 2500 Carpenter Upchurch Rd., Cary. greenhopefinearts.org.
The Nutcracker Dec. 12-13 – City Ballet’s annual production features a full-length, richly costumed version of the holiday ballet. Purchase tickets online. $10 and older. 7 p.m. Dec. 12; 1 and 5 p.m. Dec. 13. Rolesville High School, 1099 E. Young St., Rolesville. city-ballet.com.
Dec. 4-24 – Celebrate Rudolph’s 50 years on television and see favorite characters live on stage. $20-$50. See website for showtimes. Fletcher Opera Theater, Duke Energy Center for the Performing Arts, 2 E. South St., Raleigh. 800-745-3000. dukeenergycenterraleigh.com/event/rudolph-broadway-4775.
Ho Ho Ho! The Santa Claus Chronicles and North Pole Star
Cinderella
Nutcracker
Dec. 5-20 – This musical comedy features elegant costumes and scenery with song, dance, conniving step-relatives and resourceful fairy-folk. All ages. Purchase tickets online. $33. 7:30 p.m. See website for showtimes. Raleigh Little Theatre, 301 Pogue St., Raleigh. 919-821-4579. raleighlittletheatre.org/shows/14-15/cinderella.html.
Dec. 12-14 – Heather’s Dance, Inc. performs its annual production of the classic holiday ballet. All proceeds will be donated to The Raleigh Rescue Mission. All ages. $10 advance tickets, $12 at the door. 7 p.m. Dec. 12-13; 3 p.m. Dec. 14. East Wake High School, 5101 Rolesville Rd., Wendell. 919-266-9900. heathersdanceinc.com.
Holiday Pops
Discovery Nook: Gingerbread Boy
Dec. 5 – The Durham Symphony Orchestra performs familiar holiday classics and hosts a singalong. $5-$30. 7 p.m. Durham Armory, 220 Foster St., Durham. etix.com.
Dec. 13 – Gerry the Gingerbread Boy is in search of his fortune in this performance by Rags to Riches Theater. Enjoy free books courtesy of Reading is Fundamental. Hosted by Durham Public Library. All ages. Free. 12:30 p.m. Northgate Mall, children’s alleyway near Entrance 2, 1058 West Club Blvd., Durham. 919-286-4400. northgatemall.com.
Handel’s Messiah Dec. 5-6 – The North Carolina Symphony performs the holiday oratorio. 8 p.m. Meymandi Concert Hall, Duke Energy Center for the Performing Arts, 2 E. South St., Raleigh. 919733-2750. ncsymphony.org.
Dances From The Nutcracker Suite Dec. 6-7 – Infinity Ballet presents excerpts from The Nutcracker ballet. $6. 3 p.m. Dec. 6; 2 and 4 p.m. Dec. 7. Halle Cultural Arts Center, 237 N. Salem St., Apex. thehalle.org.
The Nutcracker Dec. 6-28 – Carolina Ballet’s production features lavish scenery, jaw-dropping illusions, a live orchestra and more than 100 performers. $34-$110. See website for showtimes at UNC Memorial Hall, 114 E. Cameron Ave., Chapel Hill; and at Raleigh Memorial Auditorium, Duke Energy Center for the Performing Arts, 2 E. South St., Raleigh. 919-719-0900. carolinaballet.com.
St. David’s School Choral Christmas Concert Dec. 8 – The middle and upper school concert choirs delight audiences with renditions of holiday and Christmas music. All ages. Free. 6:30 p.m. middle school performance; 7:45 p.m. upper school performance. St. David’s School Performing Arts Center, 3400 White Oak Rd., Raleigh. 919-782-3331. sdsw.org.
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Dec. 12-14 – Enjoy two holiday musicals. Purchase tickets online. All ages. $8 adults, $6 ages 16 and younger. 7:30 p.m. Dec. 12; 2 and 7:30 p.m. Dec. 13; 2 p.m. Dec. 14. Halle Cultural Arts Center, 237 N. Salem St., Apex. 919-249-1120. thehalle.org.
Raleigh Ringers’ Winter Concert Dec. 14-15 – The Raleigh Ringers present their winter handbell concert. Purchase tickets online. $19 adults, $17 students. 4 p.m. Dec. 14; 7:30 p.m. Dec. 15. Meymandi Concert Hall, Duke Energy Center for the Performing Arts, 2 E. South St., Raleigh. rr.org.
The Carols of Christmas Dec. 19 – The Raleigh Boychoir presents Christmas selections and treasured standards from its longstanding repertoire. Purchase tickets online. $15 adults, $10 students. Free for ages 4 and younger. 7:30 p.m. Edenton Street Methodist Church, 228 W. Edenton St., Raleigh. brownpapertickets.com/event/922696.
A Very Cary Christmas Dec. 19-21 – Enjoy The Nutcracker by the Cary Ballet Company and holiday jazz works by The 3D Project. Purchase tickets online. $15. 7 p.m. Dec. 19; 2 and 7 p.m. Dec. 20; 2 p.m. Dec. 21. Cary Arts Center, 101 Dry Ave., Cary. 800-514-3849. etix.com.
Please visit carolinaparent.com/thingstodo/index.php to find more December performances
calendar magnifying glass and under the microscope. Discover what ice and crystals look like up close, then sketch what everyday objects look like under the scope in a science journal. All ages. Registration required. $5/family. 2-3 p.m. Crowder District Park, 4709 TenTen Rd., Apex. 919-662-2850. wakegov. com/parks/crowder. Gingerbread Benefit. Decorate and take home a gingerbread house, enjoy hot chocolate and treats and sit with Santa as he reads holiday stories. Purchase tickets online. Proceeds benefit Triangle Family Services. $55/individual, $195/ family four-pack. 2-3:30 p.m. The Umstead Hotel and Spa, 100 Woodland Pond Dr., Cary. tfsnc.org/events/ gingerbread-benefit. Paws and Claus. Dress your cat or dog in holiday attire for a photo with Santa. Picture proceeds will be donated to Independent Animal Rescue. All ages. 1-5 p.m. Northgate Mall Center Court, 1058 West Club Blvd., Durham. 919-2864400. northgatemall.com. Winter Wonderland. Enjoy a holiday presentation, festive activities for children and brunch. Hosted by the Capital City Chapter of Jack and Jill of America, Inc. Purchase tickets online. All ages. $25 adults, $15 ages 4-10. Free for ages 3 and younger. 2-5 p.m. The Marriott City Center, 500 Fayetteville St., Raleigh. capitalcityjackandjill.org.
8 MONDAY
Breastfeeding Cafe. Discuss breastfeeding with an accredited La Leche League leader and meet other mothers. Infants welcome. Free. 1-2 p.m. The Red Hen, University Mall, 201 S. Estes Dr., Chapel Hill. 919-942-4420. theredhen. com.
9 TUESDAY
Family Holiday Traditions and Recipes, and the Stories and Photos That Go With Them. Families take food, photos, recipes and stories of traditions to share. Learn engaging ways of preserving and passing on these traditions to a family member. Ages 12 and older. Free. 7 p.m. Olivia Raney Local History Library, 4016 Carya Dr., Raleigh. rootsweb.ancestry. com/~ncwcgs/meetings.htm. Time for Tots: First in Flight. See Dec. 2.
10 WEDNESDAY
Canvas and Cupcakes: Holiday Edition. Paint a snowman or gingerbread man on canvas. Supplies provided. Registration suggested. $12. 4-6 p.m. Bull City Craft, 2501 University Dr., Durham. 919-419-0800. bullcitycraft.com.
11 THURSDAY
Apex Nativity Christmas Celebration. Enjoy various nativities and musical entertainment, culminating in a Messiah singalong on Dec. 13. Take a canned food donation for the Western Wake Crisis Ministry. Free. 6-9 p.m. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 590 Bryan Dr., Apex. lds.org. Booksale and Festival of Reading. Shop for books, CDs and more. Free. 5-9 p.m. Jim Graham Building, N.C. State Fairgrounds, 1025 Blue Ridge Rd., Raleigh. wakegov.com/libraries/events/pages/ booksale.aspx. Journey to Bethlehem. Seek the savior this Christmas with a shepherd guide. Begin at Herod’s census and continue through the Jerusalem marketplace, the palace, the inn and more. Concessions available. All ages. Free. 6-8:30 p.m. Salem Baptist Church, 1205 Salem Church Rd., Apex. 919-362-7327. salem-bc.org. Kid Creations: Yarn Sheep. Enjoy a craft. Ages 3-5 with parent. Registration required. $2 resident, $3 nonresident. 10-10:30 a.m. Holly Springs Cultural Center, 300 W. Ballentine St., Holly Springs. 919-567-4000. hollysprings bandnc.us. Wee Walkers: Heavy or Light. Children discover the shapes, textures, sounds and smells of nature. Ages 1 and older with parent. Registration required. $8 resident, $10 nonresident. 10-11 a.m. Stevens Nature Center/Hemlock Bluffs, 2616 Kildaire Farm Rd., Cary. 919-3875980. townofcary.org.
12 FRIDAY
Apex Nativity Christmas Celebration. See Dec. 11. Booksale and Festival of Reading. See Dec. 11. 9 a.m.-9 p.m. Durham Mocha Moms Support Group. Take part in a support group for mothers of color and mothers raising children of color. Children welcome. Free. 10 a.m.-noon. Grey Stone Church, 2601
Hillsborough Rd., Durham. mochamoms.org. Journey to Bethlehem. See Dec. 11. Nature Nuts: Flying Squirrels. Go nutty for nature as children explore the world around them with their parents. Ages 3-5 with parent. Registration required. $10 resident, $13 nonresident. 10-11 a.m. Stevens Nature Center/Hemlock Bluffs, 2616 Kildaire Farm Rd., Cary. 919-387-5980. townofcary.org. Winter Fun Event at Mosaic Church in Cary. Enjoy bounce houses, homemade desserts, sledding on real snow and more. All ages. Free. 6-9 p.m. Mosaic Church in Cary, 270 Towerview Ct., Cary. 919.535.8365. madebeautiful.com.
13 SATURDAY
Apex Nativity Christmas Celebration. See Dec. 11. Noon-9 p.m. Booksale and Festival of Reading. See Dec. 11. 9 a.m.-9 p.m. Family Gardening Series: Ready for Winter. Learn what happens to a garden in winter and what work needs to be done to get it ready for spring. Plant cold season veggies and sample garden treats. Ages 4 and older with adult. Registration required. $7 member, $8 nonmember. 10-11:15 a.m. N.C. Botanical Garden, 100 Old Mason Farm Rd., Chapel Hill. 919-962-0522. ncbg.unc.edu. Family Rhythm Jam. Drumming and stories for ages 3 and up with parent. Drums to loan. $10/family. 10-11 a.m. Music Explorium, 5314 Hwy. 55, Ste. 107, Durham. 919-219-2371. musicexplorium.com. Gingerbread House Decorating Workshops. Families decorate a gingerbread house. Purchase tickets online. $40/ family. Allergy-free workshops are 11 a.m.-noon, 1-2 p.m. Regular workshop is 3-4 p.m. Family Preschool, 4907 Garrett Rd., Durham. 919-402-1500. familypreschool.org/gingerbread. Gingerbread Jamboree. Create a keepsake gingerbread house. $10/person plus $15 for gingerbread house. 10 a.m.noon, 1:30-3:30 p.m. Register online. Marbles Kids Museum, 201 E. Hargett St., Raleigh. marbleskidsmuseum.org/ gingerbreadjamboree. Journey to Bethlehem. See Dec. 11. 5:30-8:30 p.m.
LGBT Family Story Time. Enjoy songs, and activities. Socialize with other families, check out library books and make a holiday craft. Infant-6 years. Free. 10:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m. LGBT Center of Raleigh, 324 S. Harrington St., Raleigh. 919-8324484. lgbtcenterofraleigh.com. Make It, Take It: Holiday Ornament. Make a Victorian-style ornament to take home. Free. 1-3 p.m. Drop-in program. N.C. Museum of History, 5 E. Edenton St., Raleigh. 919-807-7992. ncmuseum ofhistory.org. Nature Nuts: Flying Squirrels. See Dec. 12. Open House at the Holly Springs Cultural Center. Discover winter and spring classes offered at the center through games, demonstrations, crafts, prizes and more. Free. 1-4 p.m. Holly Springs Cultural Center, 300 W. Ballentine St., Holly Springs. 919-567-4000. hollyspringsnc.us. Peak Performance for Throwing Athletes. Join Raleigh Orthopaedic’s Dr. Boes and the N.C. State coaching and athletic training staff to discuss common baseball and softball injuries and how to prevent them. Learn tips and techniques for reaching peak performance on the field. Ages 12-18. Registration required. $25. 9-11 a.m. EXOS API at Raleigh Orthopaedic, 2400 Sumner Blvd., Ste. 120, Raleigh. 919-876-1100. apcraleigh. com/peakperformance. Swim With Santa. Children play in the shallow water with Santa and make holiday-themed crafts on the pool deck. An adult must enter the water with children ages 9 and younger. Lifejackets provided. Register by Dec. 12. $6-$11/ child. 5:30-7 p.m. Edison Johnson Aquatic Center, 500 W. Murray Ave., Durham. 919-560-4265. dprplaymore.org. Take a Photo With Santa at the Old Mill. Have your picture taken with Santa on a first-come, first-served basis. Play reindeer games in the mill yard and try out a variety of old-time toys. Registration required. $15-$65. 10 a.m.-noon, 1-3 p.m. Historic Yates Mill County Park, 4620 Lake Wheeler Rd., Raleigh. 919-856-6675. wakegov.com/parks/ yatesmill. Tales and Trails: Stories Around the Campfire. Enjoy stories outdoors as the sun sets. All ages. Registration required. $20 resident, $28 nonresident.
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calendar 4:30-6 p.m. Stevens Nature Center/ Hemlock Bluffs, 2616 Kildaire Farm Rd., Cary. 919-387-5980. townofcary.org. Winter Tree ID. Learn how to identify winter trees. Hand lenses and field guides provided. Ages 7 and older. Registration required. Free. 1-3 p.m. Lake Crabtree County Park, 1400 Aviation Pkwy., Morrisville. 919-460-2723. wakegov.com/ parks/lakecrabtree. Winter Wildlife Wonderland. Kids enjoy a day out in nature while parents enjoy holiday shopping. Ages 6-10. Registration required. $26 resident, $34 nonresident. 1-5 p.m. Stevens Nature Center/ Hemlock Bluffs, 2616 Kildaire Farm Rd., Cary. 919-387-5980. townofcary.org.
14 SUNDAY
Booksale and Festival of Reading. See Dec. 11. 9 a.m.-7 p.m. Hemlock Nature Quest: Flying Squirrel and Owl Box Check. Ages 13-15. Registration required. $12 resident, $16 nonresident. 2-4 p.m. Stevens Nature Center/Hemlock Bluffs, 2616 Kildaire Farm Rd., Cary. 919-387-5980. townofcary.org. Journey to Bethlehem. See Dec. 11. 5:308:30 p.m.
15 MONDAY
Homeschool Day: The Spirit of Giving. Help cut out and assemble warm fleece blankets for children in need. Ages 7 and older. Free. 10:30 a.m.-noon. Historic Yates Mill County Park, 4620 Lake Wheeler Rd., Raleigh. 919-856-6675. wakegov.com/parks/yatesmill.
16 TUESDAY
Cookies With Santa. Enjoy cookies and milk, a holiday art project and a digital photo with Santa. Parents may take their own camera. Ages 2-6. Registration required. $1.50-$6.50. 5:30-7 p.m. I.R. Holmes Sr. Recreation Center, 2000 S. Alston Ave., Durham. 919-560-4444. dprplaymore.org.
17 WEDNESDAY
Cookies With Santa. See Dec. 16. 10-11:30 a.m. Wee Walkers: Heavy or Light. See Dec. 11.
18 THURSDAY
Pizza and a Movie. Enjoy a free movie and pizza dinner. Purchase tickets online. $5 for pizza. $2 ages 2 and younger. 6 p.m. Halle Cultural Arts Center of Apex, 237 N. Salem St., Apex. etix.com. Volunteer Workdays: Wildflower Watering Club. Help water native wildflower gardens. Ages 2-5 with parent. Free. 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Stevens Nature Center/Hemlock Bluffs, 2616 Kildaire Farm Rd., Cary. 919-387-5980. townofcary.org.
19 FRIDAY
Crowder by Night: Mysteries of the Moon. Listen to stories about the moon and find out if they are true. Look at the moon through a telescope and take a moonlit walk through the park. All ages. Registration required. $5/ family. 5-6 p.m. Crowder District Park, 4709 Ten-Ten Rd., Apex. 919-662-2850. wakegov.com/parks/crowder. Little Sprouts: Let’s Look for Evergreens. Learn about evergreens and make a pine needle craft, then find where they grow in the park. Ages 3-5 with adult. Registration required. $4/child. 10-11 a.m. Historic Yates Mill County Park, 4620 Lake Wheeler Rd., Raleigh. 919-856-6675. wakegov.com/ parks/yatesmill. Parents Night Out. Kids enjoy activities while parents enjoy a night out. Grades K-8. Registration required. $10. 6:30-9:30 p.m. Harper Park, 207 Main St., Knightdale. 919-217-2234. knightdalenc.gov.
20 SATURDAY
The World’s Largest Dinosaurs Exhibit. Explore the biology of a group of uniquely super-sized dinosaurs: the long-necked and long-tailed sauropods. Purchase tickets online for entry times throughout the day, 10:15 a.m.-4:15 p.m. $14 adults, $12 students, $8 ages 3-12. N.C. Museum of Natural Sciences, 11 W. Jones St., Raleigh. 919-707-9800. naturalsciences.org.
21 SUNDAY
The World’s Largest Dinosaurs Exhibit. See Dec. 20. 12:15-4:15 p.m.
22 MONDAY
Bull City Craft Ornament Party. Refreshments, treats and crafts. All ages. Create three ornaments for $6 or paint your own Nutcracker for $8. Registration required. $. 2-6 p.m. Bull City Craft, 2501 University Dr., Durham. 919-419-0800. bullcitycraft.com. Curious Creatures: Coyotes and Foxes. Discover wildlife through hikes, activities and crafts. Ages 5-8. Registration required. $12 resident, $16 nonresident. 10 a.m.-noon. Stevens Nature Center/ Hemlock Bluffs, 2616 Kildaire Farm Rd., Cary. 919-387-5980. townofcary.org. Kids Fun-Days: Amphibian Adventures. Children hike, make projects and engage in nature activities. Ages 5-8. Registration required. $12 resident, $16 nonresident. 1-3 p.m. Stevens Nature Center/Hemlock Bluffs, 2616 Kildaire Farm Rd., Cary. 919-387-5980. townofcary.org.
23 TUESDAY
Eco-Express: Salamander Commander. Experience hands-on studies of nature and ecology. Ages 8-12. Registration required. $12 resident, $16 nonresident. 10 a.m.-noon. Stevens Nature Center/ Hemlock Bluffs, 2616 Kildaire Farm Rd., Cary. 919-387-5980. townofcary.org.
24 WEDNESDAY
Open Bounce. Inflatable play. Wear socks. Registration required online. $8/child. Free for adults and ages 1 and younger. Noon-2 p.m., 2-4 p.m.or 4-6 p.m. BounceU, 3419 Apex Peakway, Apex. 919-303-3368. bounceu.com. Sugar Plum Tea. See page 35 for details.
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Merry Christmas! 26 FRIDAY
Open Bounce. See Dec. 24. Winter Wild For a Day! Enjoy a day of nature and games. Early and after care provided for an extra fee. 5-14. Registration required. $55. 9 a.m. 3 p.m. Piedmont Wildlife Center, 489 Leigh Farm Rd., Durham. 919-489-0900. piedmontwildlifecenter. org/winter-camps.
27 SATURDAY
The World’s Largest Dinosaurs Exhibit. See Dec. 20.
28 SUNDAY
The World’s Largest Dinosaurs Exhibit. See Dec. 20. 12:15-4:15 p.m.
29 MONDAY
Curious Creatures: Salamanders. See Dec. 22. 1-3 p.m. Open Bounce. See Dec. 24.
30 TUESDAY
Kids Fun-Days: Amphibian Adventures. See Dec. 22. 10 a.m.-noon. Open Bounce. See Dec. 24.
31 WEDNESDAY
First Night Raleigh. Ring in 2015 with live performances, a fireworks display, an acorn drop at midnight and more. A Children’s Celebration begins at 2 p.m. at the N.C. Museums of Natural Sciences and History on Bicentennial Plaza. First Night Raleigh button required for entry. See website for pricing and details. Evening events begin at 7 p.m. Downtown Raleigh, 919-832-8699. firstnightraleigh.com.
CALENDAR POLICY The Carolina Parent calendar lists local and regional activities for children and families. To submit an event for consideration, visit carolinaparent.com or email calendar@carolinaparent.com by the 8th of the month for the next month’s issue.Readers, please call ahead to confirm dates and times. This calendar may include some events not intended for young children.
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25 THURSDAY
business directory
West Cary Art Stu- The Scrap Exchange dio
Wynn Family Pychology
Reading Solutions Atlas International Let’s Bounce School
Box Car Jim’s
Little Dreamers
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Counter-clockwise from top right
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Joshua, 10, of Clayton, watches an indoor movie.
Submit high-resolution photos of your kids having fun. Go to carolinaparent.com/facesandplaces. You could even win a prize! Congratulations to our November winner, Daniel, 3, of Raleigh.
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the Triangle
Ivana, 4, enjoys the lake at Bond Park in Cary.
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Hallsey, 2, of Raleigh, dances in the rain on a warm summer day.
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Chase, 3, of Durham, dresses up like a fireman.
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Caroline, 3, enjoys a fall day at Woodcroft Club in Durham.
faces & places
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Lucas, 10 months, plays at Community Center Park in Chapel Hill.
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UNC Healthcare
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Watauga