nola family Parent Fearlessly
December 2021
Cooking Up Success–Family Style Kaj Friis-Hecht and Liz Thorpe In the Spotlight YouthForce NOLA
It’s the Holiday Season
+ Gift Guide, Camps, & Dining with Santa
december 2021 | www.nolafamily.com
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nola family CONTENTS DECEMBER 2021
ON THE COVER Aunt and nephew duo from Peacock’s Top Chef Family Style, Kaj Friis-Hecht and Liz Thorpe Photo by Twirl Photography
A FEW WORDS
EDUCATION & GUIDANCE
IN EACH ISSUE
6 From the Publisher
10 Financial Lessons Santa Has a Budget
8 From The Bookshelf
FEATURES
12 Parenting Corner Holiday and Family Rituals
24 Gear to Get Winter Wonderland
13 Holiday Tea Time & Dining with Santa 14 Holiday Gift Guide 16 Top 10 Holiday Destinations 20 Christmas and New Year’s Camps 22 Cooking Up Success–Family Style www.nolafamily.com | december 2021
26 Ditch the Reward System
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Winter Reads
25 Dad About Town Hank Allen 27 Spotlight YouthForce NOLA 28 Out & About What, When, Where: Virtual, On-Going, and Special Happenings
30 In the Know Classes and Family Support Resources
Founder ANN BOWER HERREN
Contributors
Publisher BRANDON FOREMAN Associate Publisher AMY L. FOREMAN Editorial AMANDA MILLER Managing Editor EMILY DREZ Assistant Editor
SARAH BATROUS ANTHONY BUI LYNZI WHALEN
ROBERT BAER is a Vice President at Fidelity Bank. He coordinates Fidelity’s Financial Literacy initiative.
KACY HELWICK is the youth collection development librarian at
the New Orleans Public Library, working in the Acquisitions/Collection Services department.
Editorial Interns
Art/Production JENNY ZIGLIN Production Manager
MARIE SIMONEAUX is the marketing associate responsible for the Library’s social media content and impact stories.
MELODY TAUZIN Senior Graphic Designer
ALEX HERRING Graphic Designer
MADELENE SOILEAU Multimedia Specialist
CHANEY RAY
LISA PHILLIPS , a licensed social worker and parent educator at The
Parenting Center at Children’s Hospital, is a contributor to the award-winning “Parenting Corner” column. She can be reached at (504) 896-9591; chnola.org/ parentingcenter.
Multimedia Assistant
TWIRL PHOTOGRAPHY Cover Photography
Advertising/Marketing LAURIE ACOSTA Director of Sales
KRISTEN RENFROW Account Executive
EMILY MANCUSO Marketing Specialist
MAGGIE SHARP Marketing Assistant
VICTORIA COTEJAR Social Media Coordinator
Business Operations TERI HODGES Director of Community Partnerships
ROXANE VOORHIES Community Outreach
SARAH MILLER Administrative Coordinator For reprint information, contact
jenny@nolafamily.com
(504) 866- 0555 A publication of
December 2021 volume 15, issue 10
NOLA FAMILY is published monthly by FAMILY RESOURCE GROUP INC. and distributed free of charge. Subscriptions accepted. Only authorized distributors may deliver and pick up the magazine. We reserve the right to edit, reject, or comment editorially on all materials contributed. We cannot be responsible for the return of any unsolicited material. NOLA FAMILY Copyright © 2021. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or part without written permission prohibited.
december 2021 | www.nolafamily.com
Business Office:
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FROM THE PUBLISHER
Oh, Christmas Tree Finally, we have made it to the last month of the year. I’ve always said that April is my favorite month because of everything we celebrate in my family, but during Christmastime, I shine. I love pulling down all the decorations and planning out what will go where. I like to randomly buy new things throughout the year, so my collection has really grown. I enjoy hosting all of the Christmas parties for dance teams, the office, friends, and family. I was born to host parties. Well, I feel that way In December! We put up five Christmas trees every year. Yes, that sounds crazy, but I do have my reasons behind each one. The one in my dining room is in honor of Munner. This tree is decorated by my daughter each year. It has all of the old wooden ornaments, gold bulbs, and colorful lights, and is topped with a very old angel. It is how I try to keep her memory alive during the season. The second, third, and fourth are for my kids. These trees are only three feet tall each, and they can decorate them however they want with all of the handmade ornaments they have made over the years at school. They each have their own tub so we can keep all of their ornaments separate and continue to add to each December. Finally, there is my tree. I am so overprotective of my tree. Why? I have no clue! I like to specially place the ornaments and plan where each ribbon or poinsettia goes. I want pure perfection on my tree. This tree is nine feet tall and is the centerpiece of my living room. It’s my pride and joy each year. I guess thinking about it, I can’t really control much during December. Everything goes so fast, and we forget the reason for the season. Tension and stress are at such high levels, and the one thing I can control is my Christmas tree. Am I the only crazy momma out there who does this? Email me; I would love to hear your Christmas tree traditions: amy@nolafamily.com. Merry Christmas from my family to yours!
www.nolafamily.com | december 2021
P.S. I do this every year and my kids love it, so if you are looking to change things up, try this. Each of my children get their one and only color wrapping paper. I wrap their gifts in this paper and they have no clue which paper is theirs until Christmas morning. The anticipation is so much fun!
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december 2021 | www.nolafamily.com
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FROM THE BOOKSHELF
WINTER READS Looking to get in the holiday spirit? Grab a cup of cocoa and a warm blanket, and snuggle up with these festive reads.
Children In Carla and the Christmas Cornbread, celebrity chef Carla Hall and illustrator Cherise Harris take you back to the 1970s, when a young Carla revels in her favorite time of year at her grandparents’ house. She eats her grandma’s special Christmas cornbread, listens to her grandpa’s stories, and shares quality time with her family. But, when Carla accidentally eats Santa’s sugar cookie, she worries she ruined the holiday and sets out to make things right. The People Remember by Ibi Zoboi & Loveis Wise is a story of survival, joy, celebration, and the innovation of Black people in America. The debut picture book by award-winning author Ibi Zoboi follows the journey of African descendants in America by connecting their history to the seven principles of Kwanzaa.
Middle Grade If you haven’t already read Matt Haig’s A Boy Called Christmas, this is your year. In this cheeky telling of the origin story of Father Christmas, readers follow 11-year-old Nikolas as he travels to the North Pole to save his missing father. Along the way, he befriends a surly reindeer, bests a troublesome troll, and discovers a hidden world of enchantment in the frozen village of Elfhelm. Netflix just released a movie adaptation of the beloved story, so it’s the perfect time to revisit or meet the book that became an instant classic when it was released in 2016. The Sea in Winter by Christine Day isn’t exactly a holiday story, but it’s sure to bring some warmth into your home this winter. Right now, many of us can probably relate to Maisie Cannon, an aspiring ballerina with a knee injury, struggling to stay positive in the face of difficult times. Despite her anxieties and dark moods, Maisie learns to find joy again, during her Native American family’s midwinter road trip near Makah community where her mother grew up.
www.nolafamily.com | december 2021
Teens/Young Adult
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When 17-year-old Sophie suffers a Christmastime heartbreak, her family bands together to make her feel better by setting her up on 10 blind dates, organized by 10 different family members, over the course of 10 days. On the surface, Ashley Elston’s 10 Blind Dates is a teen rom-com. But, dive just a little deeper, and what you’ll really find is a sweet story about the power of a supportive family. And, since it’s set in Shreveport, your Louisiana teen can read a holiday book that’s true to their experience–which is sometimes more shrimp boots and mosquitos than mittens and snow days.
Outdoor Storytimes at the Library Bundle up to read, sing, talk, write, and play together during the library’s outdoor, in-person storytimes every Wednesday. The weekly, 30-minute storytimes start at 10:30 a.m. at Algiers Regional Library, Milton H. Latter Memorial Library, and East New Orleans Regional Library, and are designed for children from birth to age five and their caregivers.
Kacy Helwick is the youth collection development librarian at the New Orleans Public Library, working in the Acquisitions/Collection Services department.
Marie Simoneaux is the marketing associate responsible for the Library’s social media content and impact stories.
december 2021 | www.nolafamily.com
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FINANCIAL LESSONS
SANTA HAS A BUDGET They started showing up the week before Halloween. The catalogs, big and small, from stores and online vendors. The next thing you know, the kids have gone through every page, circled what they want from Santa and then they remind you every day what they want to see under the tree on Christmas morning. It is impossible to fit everything circled under the tree, and it is definitely cost prohibitive to buy it all. The next thing you have to do is have a conversation about pairing down the list to make it both reasonable and cost effective. You can use these discussions to discuss tried and true financial concepts to your children. These concepts may be the best gift of all, since they can use them when making financial decisions during their lifetime.
Even Santa Has a Budget At Christmas, we spend the same amount on both of our grandchildren (a gift she picked up from her mother). They are aware of it, and it allows us to have really good conversations about the limit and how purchasing a more expensive gift could result in one of them not having as many gifts as the other. We also let them know that we have a budget as well.
www.nolafamily.com | december 2021
Not all Wishes Come True
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wishing family members a heartfelt Merry Christmas. Instilling the concept of giving in your children at a young age will play a big part in who they become as young adults.
Make One of Your Gifts a Piggy Bank For older kids, maybe open a Savings Account instead. The concept you’re teaching here is the importance of saving. Just about every child will be receiving cash or gift cards of some sort over the holidays. Work with them on developing a plan for saving a percentage of these gifts and add a match from you to make it more appealing (say 25 percent). Then, set short- and long-term goals for saving additional money over time.
Volunteer As a Family Most schools or church organizations perform some sort of Community Outreach during the holidays. Whether it’s providing meals to the needy or gathering warm clothing for those less fortunate, being involved in these efforts will help your child grow into a compassionate adult, a skill all of us should have. Setting an example by serving the food together, or coordinating the gathering and distribution of the clothing, will help make volunteerism just part of what your child will do as they become an adult.
Now, more than ever, kids have the ability to create a wish list, whether they use the tried and true method of using paper and pencil or creating one online. Then, we get the job of letting them know that just because it’s on the list, does not mean Santa is going to deliver it. Most kids will ask for something that is not age appropriate (this differs from family to family). Younger kids always want what the older kids are getting, regardless of age. Use this opportunity to let them know which gifts will be removed from the list and discuss at what age that gift would be appropriate.
The high school my son went to has a long history of providing Thanksgiving meals to the needy. In the weeks leading up to Thanksgiving, each homeroom is responsible for gathering money through donations, in-classroom activities, and gifts from different alumni classes (one alumni class pays for all of the turkeys). On the Wednesday before Thanksgiving, each homeroom purchases the rest of the items needed to complete the meal and then delivers the entire meal to the home of a deserving family. My son, and his classmates, still participate, and now, they are getting their children involved as well.
What Gifts Will They Be Giving
While most of us think of presents when reflecting on the holidays. Focusing on the opportunity to teach important lessons to your kids or providing a helping hand to those in need are equally important and will have a larger impact on the adults your children will become.
What a great way to teach your kids about the true spirit of giving than to ask them what they plan on giving to those closest to them? Maybe it’s helping with the chores on Christmas Day, or maybe it’s creating cards with colors and construction paper, or even just
Sponsored by Robert Baer is a Vice President at Fidelity Bank. He coordinates Fidelity’s Financial Literacy initiative.
december 2021 | www.nolafamily.com
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PARENTING CORNER
Holiday and Family Rituals As holidays approach, the demands on families increase dramatically. However, what children need from parents is time and attention, which may be in short supply this time of year. One way to enhance family relationships this season is to establish meaningful family rituals and traditions that help give children a sense of connection, identity, and values.
Keep it simple. Try not to overextend yourself (easier said
than done!). People may be excited and feel more comfortable to attend get togethers this holiday season since many adults and older children are vaccinated, but you don’t have to say “yes” to every invitation that comes your (or your child’s) way. Having some downtime is important for kids, even if you need to block out that time on the calendar. Remember, especially for younger children, be mindful of their limitations in order to avoid meltdowns, tantrums, etc.
www.nolafamily.com | december 2021
Think about how you want your family to experience the holidays. Holidays do not have to be
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perfect or elaborate in order to be meaningful. The best holiday traditions for children may involve them helping with a manageable task or activity. Even a young child can help decorate, set the table, make a centerpiece or place cards, or decorate packages with stickers.
Focus on traditions that emphasize connections. Research on happiness has found that the
biggest predictor of happiness is the social-emotional connections
a person has, and the holidays are opportunities for reinforcing those. Religious families often enjoy attending a service together, which strengthens ties to a particular faith. Working together as a family unit to do something for others also helps combat some of the commercialism of the season by emphasizing giving rather than receiving. Such an activity might involve taking children to pick out presents for others in the family, choosing a toy/clothing item for a child as part of a gift giving drive, or making a holiday card for the neighbors. Remembering to check in on friends who may have experienced the loss of a loved one in the past year is another way we extend our circle of concern beyond our immediate family.
Sometimes we need to create new traditions.
Even more so, if there have been major family changes, such as a divorce or remarriage. The best way to identify what might be meaningful to children is to ask them what they look forward to and build on that. What children remember most fondly from last year might surprise you: it might be the time you played football outside after the family dinner or had hot chocolate with marshmallows on New Year’s Eve. If you had just thought of those as one-time only events, consider making them part of your annual traditions.
And it’s okay to drop some traditions, too! If an
activity or ritual causes too much stress for a family member who’s in charge, it might need to change, be delegated, or eliminated altogether. Remember, the emphasis should be on family, and if parents are feeling stressed, kids will, too. Doing less can create a more meaningful and enjoyable holiday season.
Lisa Phillips, MSW, LMSW, has been a parent educator at The Parenting Center at Children’s Hospital since 2001 and is a regular contributor to the award-winning “Parenting Corner” column. She can be reached at (504) 896-9591; chnola.org/parentingcenter.
december 2021 | www.nolafamily.com
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Holiday Gift Guide
Axe Throwing
Audubon Institute Membership
Play indoors or outdoors while fostering motor-skills and hand-eye coordination development. Each foam blade is covered with an easy-stick strip made to stick and stay on the target. Ages six and up. $27.99, magicboxnola.com
Bitty Boomers Star Wars Bluetooth Speaker
Give the gift that keeps on giving and support Audubon Institute’s mission to protect wildlife and nature. Your gift recipient will enjoy a year of free admission, discounts, and more while supporting their favorite Audubon animals. Perfect for all ages. $77-550, audubonmembership.com
B-Kind Eco-Friendly Doll Line
Promote kindness and positive messages with B-Kind Eco-Friendly Doll Line. Ages six and up. $29.97, walmart.com
Impossibly tiny, unbearably cute, with out-of-this-galaxy sound. Bitty Boomers are ultra-portable wireless Bluetooth speakers. Ages 8+. $19.99+, amazon.com
Lulu Bebe Nutcracker Pajamas
Carousel Gardens Amusement Park Membership
These nutcracker pajamas are so sweet for your little one to wear all December. Sizes 12M-10. $44. Banbury Cross
Crayola Light Up Tracing Pad
SoFAB Kids Holiday Set
A perfect holiday set is fun for our younger chefs. This set includes: Mr. Okra Sells Fresh Fruits and Vegetables, an alligator oven mitt, Putumayo CD New Orleans Playground, (3) SoFAB interactive kids activities, and a wooden spoon. $50. Southern Food & Beverage Museum
www.nolafamily.com | december 2021
Give the confidence to create with the included coloring board and art supplies. The art kit lets kids choose from over 100 traceable images, which helps guide their creativity without requiring them to draw an individual scene from scratch. Ages six and up. $24.79, amazon.com
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Passholders will enjoy unlimited access and rides to the Carousel Gardens Amusement Park and Storyland for the duration of one calendar year. $265/family of four, neworleanscitypark.com
Hobby Rock Tumbler Kit
This kit from National Geographic includes all the accessories you’ll need to start polishing dazzling gems. Ages eight and up. $59.99, amazon.com
Holiday Structures Made With Magna-Tiles
Holiday traditions are less messy and a whole lot more fun with Magna-Tiles Structures. Sets are compatible with other Magna-Tiles® Structures and original Magna-Tiles® Sets. Ages three and up. Gingerbread Advent Calendar, $44.95; Hanukkah Menorah, $49.95, createon.com
Kullerbu Farmyard Play Track Starter Set with Sound
Bows Arts Wide Nylon Headband w/Organdy
This ultra-soft, wide and stretchy headband with a large(8 in.) Organdy Bow is a showstopper! The bow is on an alligator clip that attaches to the headband, so this style can be worn 3 ways; as a bow, a headband, or a bow headband! Beautiful sheer ribbon creates this lightweight and voluminous look. $22, Little Miss Muffin. *Photo credit: Kyla Madden Photography*
Selma the sheep and Simon the pig have escaped! Will the animals escape the agile crane grabber? Builders ages two to eight years old will enjoy this interactive set, including farmyard noises. $189.99, habausa.com
Mega Barbie Malibu House Building Set
Pamela Sack Pottery: Love Bowl
Your child’s imagination will take the lead as they build their dream home by decorating each room with furniture and other roleplay accessories. Ages five and up. $26.99, amazon.com
This sculptured bowl is wonderful to help with contemplation and prayer. Handmade gold gilded stoneware. Available in cream and gray blue. $70, Little Miss Muffin
Safari Truck Climber From Step2
Delta Child First Steps Learn2Walk Balancer
Embark on a wild journey with this stationary climber. Featuring a realistic offroad design, oversized wheels, and a play binocular attachment to spot wildlife on the prowl. Ages three and up. $374.99. Le Jouet
Tamagotchi Star Wars R2-D2
Teach your child to balance, stand, and walk with the featuring innovative bungee technology to help your little one naturally find their center of gravity without ever falling. Children up to 25 pounds; less than 33 inches tall. $119.99, deltachildren.com
Urban Expressions Diane Clear Evening Bag
Become best friends with R2D2 in the palm of your hand. Ages eight and up. $19.99, bandai.com
Wooden Chalkboard Art Table, Stools, and Paint Cups Create a fun art center for your child with this art table and stool set. Includes a roll of art paper. Ages three to eight. $131.99, amazon.com
Pixicade Mobile Game Maker
Draw your own unique video game with markers on plain white paper, and use the mobile app to bring it to life. Create over 1,000 games and share with friends. Built in parental controls. Ages six and up. $24.99, learningexpress. com/metairie, Learning Express Toys of Metairie, 3300 Severn Ave., Ste., Metairie, (504) 883-8697
december 2021 | www.nolafamily.com
If you’re looking for a mix of classy and trendy, this crossbody bag fits the bill! The perfect clear bag, finished with gold trim and a chunky studded chain strap, perfect for gameday and the holidays. $72, Little Miss Muffin.
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Top 10 Holiday
Destinations Red Stick Rising Zoolights at BREC’s Baton Rouge Zoo
Join BREC’s Baton Rouge Zoo for Zoolights through Thursday, December 30. This nightly event is presented by Children’s Hospital of New Orleans and features more than 50 illuminated sculptures of animals and traditional holiday displays for the whole family to enjoy. Again this year, every guest presenting a non-perishable food item during Zoolights, will receive half off of regular admission price. All donations benefit the Greater Baton Rouge Food Bank. Now, that’s a dazzling way to make a difference this holiday season. brzoo.org
There’s nothing like ringing in the new year in Louisiana’s Capital City. And this year before the countdown to 2022 begins at Baton Rouge’s annual New Year’s Eve celebration–Red Stick Revelry, presented by BankPlus– the kids can start their own New Year’s tradition. Red Stick Rising is the ultimate event for the whole family, complete with storytelling, arts and crafts activities, a special performance from Clay Achee and his puppets, and an “Auld Lang Syne” sing-along while Baton Rouge prepares for the red stick drop. From 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., there’s no shortage of fun for children as we toast to the new year and rock around the clock in Baton Rouge. visitbatonrouge.com
Ice Skating on the River
The Raising Cane’s River Center will once again magically transform into a “Winter Wonderland” just in time for you to create your holiday memories. Ice Skating on the River is an annual holiday tradition that will kick off on Friday, December 17, 2021. A fun-filled holiday event for all ages, Ice Skating on the River will have 75-minute sessions nearly every day from December 17, 2021 until January 3, 2022. Ice Skating on the River has group pricing, birthday packages and skating lessons available. For more information, visit them online. raisingcanesrivercenter.com
www.nolafamily.com | december 2021
Perkins Rowe
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Perkins Rowe is the ultimate place to be during the holidays. From clothing to sports memorabilia, visitors can cross off their entire holiday shopping list at the Rowe. While shopping, they can enjoy the twinkling Christmas tree in Town Square and have their photo taken with Santa in the Cajun Night Village. Visitors can also stop by on Saturday, December 11 from 5-8 p.m. for the annual Santa Rocks the Rowe event to enjoy live music, children’s activities, and surprises. perkinsrowe.com
Now Hear This!
Looking for a day trip for the entire family? USS Alabama Battleship Memorial Park is your destination. Step back in time as you board the WWII battleship the Mighty A. See how the crew lived, worked, fought and played. Explore 10 decks on your self-guided tour. From battle stations to the ice cream parlor, this floating city is full of stories. Tour the WWII submarine USS Drum and learn about her dog, Stateside. The Aircraft Pavilion has a collection of historic aircraft, including a spy plane, military trucks and jeeps, and a Flight Simulator. The park is open every day except Christmas Day. Free kennels, picnic area, and fishing pier. ussalabama.com
Christmas on the River
The lights will be bright this holiday season at Monroe-West Monroe’s Christmas on the River. Through December 31, visitors will enjoy the sights and sounds of Christmas. The season begins with the Freedom Trees at the Chennault Aviation and Military Museum, followed by Santa’s Christmas Village at the Northeast Louisiana Children’s Museum, open wagon rides through the lights, holiday outdoor movies, and Candy Cane Lane, a drive-through light park in Calhoun. Festival Weekend is packed full of holiday cheer with two parades, the Kiwanis Club of Greater Ouachita Christmas Parade and the Bawcomville Redneck Parade. Additional events this weekend include a Downtown Gallery Crawl, a 5K, live entertainment, and fireworks. christmasontheriver.org
French Market District
Immerse yourself in the holiday season at the French Market District. We’ve decked our halls from Jackson Square to the Flea Market to celebrate the season, including our Christmas tree adjacent to Café du Monde in Oscar Dunn Park (formerly Washington Artillery Park). Don’t forget to mark your calendar to join us for our annual family-friendly St. Nick Celebration in Dutch Alley on Saturday, December 11 from 11 a.m.-4 p.m., featuring live music, kid’s activities, a petting zoo, and the St. Nick Second Line. More information about St. Nick Celebration and more holiday offerings can be found online. frenchmarket.org
Celebrate the Holidays with Audubon Nature Institute
New Orleans City Park’s Celebration in the Oaks
Celebration in the Oaks presented by Oscar J. Tolmas Charitable Trust in New Orleans City Park, the Park’s largest fundraiser, has fascinated guests for years as one of the most spectacular holiday lights festivals in the country. This year, the highly successful Driving Tour–featuring City Park’s famous giant live oak trees swathed in more than a million twinkling lights throughout the 2.25-mile ride–will return, in addition to an expanded experience in the Carousel Gardens Amusement Park and the Botanical Garden, including rides, marshmallow roasting, and hot chocolate. celebrationintheoaks.com
Help make a positive impact on the natural world this holiday season with a visit to Audubon Zoo and Audubon Aquarium. From lions and sharks to otters and orangutans, have a memorable time with your whole family. Reach into the ocean at the Shark Discovery, the new shark and ray touchpool at the Aquarium, and swing to the Zoo to experience unique natural habitats such as the award-winning Louisiana Swamp and Jaguar Jungle. While you’re there, discover how you can do a world of good to protect these animals. Reserve your tickets online. audubonnatureinsitute.org/tickets
For the animal lover in you, come take a walk on the wild side at Barn Hill Preserve. Barn Hill Preserve is a zoological facility located in Ethel, Louisiana. Barn Hill promotes animal education through unique hands-on experiences. The most popular and unique experience at Barn Hill is the otter swim. Guests have the opportunity to have a two-hour guided tour and meet and hold a two-toed sloth on a pillow on their lap, and then they will get in a climate- controlled pool with asian small-clawed otters. Barn Hill also allows guests to bottle feed a six-month old giraffe, T’challa. Guests can learn about reticulated giraffes while having a once in a lifetime experience feeding one up close. To learn about every experience Barn Hill Preserve offers, visit their website barnhillpreserve.com, or email office@barnhillpreserve. com. Be sure to follow them on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok.
december 2021 | www.nolafamily.com
Barn Hill Preserve
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www.nolafamily.com | november december 2021
Holiday Tea Time & Dining with Santa Wonderful, socially-distanced opportunities to visit with Santa await you and your family this holiday season.
Breakfast with Santa
Castine Center, 63350 Pelican Blvd., Mandeville. Each child (ages 2–10) will be served breakfast, meet Santa, create holiday crafts, and play reindeer games. Parents are invited to take pictures. Registration is required. Free for children. Parents may purchase additional breakfast for $5. December 11, 9-11 a.m. pelicanpark.com
Build Your Own Gingerbread House
Kingdom of Sweets Nutcracker Tea
La Petite Palace, 5928 W. Metairie Ave. Suite 3, Metairie. Enter the Kingdom of Sweets at the La Petite Palace for a Nutcracker Tea. Filled with sweet tea time treats and traditional Nutcracker dance lessons, this Holiday Tea will have your tiny ballerina dreaming of Sugar Plum Fairies. $35/person. December 5, 10-11a.m. and 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. lapetitepalacenola.com
Papa Noel Tea
The Ritz-Carlton, 921 Canal St., New Orleans. Children of all ages are invited to build a festive gingerbread house. Price includes one gingerbread house with all the decorating essentials and holiday refreshments. $165/table. Every Saturday & Sunday through December 12. Daily, from December 18-23, noon & 3 p.m. (504) 262-5048
The Ritz-Carlton, 921 Canal St., New Orleans. A special holiday celebration with an appearance by Papa Noel. Children will enjoy cookie decorating, viewing The Ritz-Carlton’s one-of-a-kind gingerbread display, and other holiday surprises. $55-75. Every Saturday & Sunday through December 12. Daily, from December 18-23, 11a.m. and 2:30 p.m. (504) 262-5048
Christmas WHO-LIDAY Tea
Santa’s Pajama Party
La Petite Palace, 5928 W. Metairie Ave. Suite 3, Metairie. It’s time to celebrate the WHO-LIDAYS. Join the NOLA Pixie Dust Mr. Mean for a Christmas WHO-LIDAY Tea filled with tons of WHO-LIDAY spirit. $30/person. December 5, 11-noon and 12:30-1:30 p.m. lapetitepalacenola.com
Restaurant R’evolution within Royal Snownesta, 777 Bienville St., New Orleans. Children can wear their favorite pajamas, give their wish lists to Santa Claus, visit the Sugarplum Fairy Princess, drink hot chocolate, and decorate cookies. $55-85. December 4-5, 11-12, and 18-19, 9:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m., and December 20-23, 12:30 p.m. (504) 586-0300
Frozen Teddy Bear Tea
Storytime with Santa
Holiday Tea at Windsor Court Hotel
The Windsor Court Hotel, 300 Gravier St., New Orleans. Holiday Tea in Le Salon is an elegant holiday tradition complete with delicate tea sandwiches, holiday-themed scones, and desserts. $45-69. Through December 31. windsorcourthotel.com/holiday-tea
Jazz Brunch with Santa
The Court of Two Sisters, 613 Royal St., New Orleans. Enjoy live jazz entertainment and a festive brunch (buffet, if restrictions lift), visit with Santa, and a gift for every child. $15-50. Reservations required. (504) 522-7261 ext. 24. December 20-23, 10 a.m.-noon and 1-3 p.m. facebook.com/thecourtoftwosisters
Presented by NAJA, Pard Events Building, 19030 Ponchatoula Parks Dr., Ponchatoula. Enjoy donuts, a hot chocolate bar, sweet treats, and holiday crafts. Also, take your own photos with Santa. December 11, 9 a.m.-noon. $10. jaofhammond.com
Teddy Bear Tea
BB’s Stage Door Canteen, 945 Magazine St., New Orleans. Teddy Bear Tea is the perfect holiday experience to share with children and grandchildren. Includes delicious food and sweet treats, lively music from the Victory Belles, and a special visit with Santa. $65 or free for children under 2 years. December 4, 11, and 18. stagedoorcanteen.org
Teddy Bear Tea
The Roosevelt New Orleans, 123 Baronne St., New Orleans. Enjoy delicious food, specialty teas, and tasty pastries, as well as sparkling wine and mimosas for the grown-ups. Children will receive a Roosevelt Teddy Bear after a visit with Santa and Mrs. Claus. December 4-5, 11-12, 18-19, and 22-24. therooseveltneworleans.com
Your Santa Breakfast
Lakeview Regional Medical Center, 95 Judge Tanner Blvd., Covington. Hosted by the Youth Service Bureau. December 4, 9 a.m-noon. ysbworks.com/santa
december 2021 | www.nolafamily.com
Swamplight Theatre, 950 SW Railroad Ave., Ponchatoula. Entertainment and fun with Elsa, Anna, Olof, and Kristoph from Frozen. There will be socially-distanced table seating while you are served tea, ciders, hot cocoa, a variety of traditional high tea finger sandwiches, quiche, scones, and Christmas cookies. Each child will receive a teddy bear and a 5x7 holiday picture with their favorite Frozen characters. $45/ seat. December 4, 11 a.m.-1 p.m.; 3-4:30 p.m., December 5, 3-4:30 p.m., December 11, 11 a.m.-1 p.m., and December 12, 3-4:30 p.m. swamplight.org
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Christmas & New Year’s Camps Plan some fun for your children this holiday season with these holiday camps. Art Camp 504 3113 Royal St., New Orleans Ages: 7 -12 Cost: $245 Dates: D ecember 20-23 artcamp504.org Camps include Creative Writing & Illustration, Culinary Arts, Theater, Film, Parade, Mixed Media, and Dungeons & Dragons.
Arts & Crafts Camp at Posh Paint Pub, the Pottery Painting Studio 3218 Taft Park, Metairie
Ages: 5 -8 and 9-12 Cost: V aries Dates: December 20-24, December 27-31, January 3-7 poshpaintpub.com They paint pottery and canvases, and build with clay from 9 a.m.-noon. They also make wacky crafts and their own jewelry from 1-3 p.m. All day is an option, too.
Art Time Mandeville Holiday Workshop
705 Asbury Dr., Mandeville Ages: Kindergarten-8th Grade Cost: $35-50/day Dates: D ecember 20-23 arttime.biz Each student will draw or paint along with friends and bring home paintings, stuffed animals and decorated pillows.
Audubon Zoo Winter Camp 6500 Magazine St., New Orleans
Ages: 4-6 and 6-older Cost: $280-310 Dates: December 27-31 audubonnatureinstitute.org Includes animal encounters, hands-on science explorations, animal-themed movement activities, and nature art.
CAMPS at NOLA Jesters, presented by Raising Cane’s
127-139 East Dr., New Orleans Ages: 8-14 Cost: $175 Dates: December 20-24 nolajesters.com Camps are designed to provide a fun learning experience that gives youth players a taste of a dedicated soccer experience with high-level soccer coaching from the New Orleans Jesters players and technical staff. Each camp includes foot skills, technical drills, small-sided games, and coached scrimmages.
www.nolafamily.com | december 2021
Cascade Stables at Audubon Park Winter Riding Camp 3526 Upperline St., New Orleans
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Ages: 5 & older Cost: $80/day Dates: December 26-28, January 2-4 cascadestables.net Includes riding or driving twice daily, grooming horses, tacking horses, horse and equipment care, mounted and unmounted games, crafts, horsemanship skills and safety, and equine trivia.
Culinary Kids Holiday Camp 915 Marigny Ave. Mandeville
Ages: 5-12 Cost: $75/day Dates: December 20-23 & 27-30 culinarykidsns.com Kids cook their own breakfast, lunch, snacks, and desserts; make drinks; enjoy gardening; meet guest visitors with treats; conduct science experiments, play indoor/outdoor games; and have great fun with friends.
Franco’s Mandeville Christmas & Winter Break Camp 100 Bon Temps Roule, Mandeville, LA
Ages: 5-13 Cost: $50/day Dates: December 20-24 & December 27-31 rancosmandeville.com Children enjoy fun activities in a safe environment.
Junction Place Sportsplex Winter Break All Sports Camp
5620 Crawford St., Elmwood Ages: 5-12 Cost: Various Dates: December 20-24 & December 27-31 junctionplacesportsplex.com This is the perfect camp for boys and girls who enjoy movement, or who need a little motivation to get moving. Housed indoors at Junction Place Sportsplex, who wouldn’t have fun playing and learning new games in a safe and controlled environment?
KidCam Camp: Aurora United Methodist Holiday Camp
3300 Eton St., New Orleans Ages: PreK4-13 Cost: $40/day Dates: December 20-23 & December 27-31 kidcamcamp.org Activities will include indoor and outdoor games, gym play in the full-size air-conditioned gym, holiday-themed arts and crafts, science, and culinary crafts. Meals can be brought or purchased at camp; snacks will be provided.
Upturn Arts Winter Wonderland Camp
6500 Magazine St., New Orleans Ages: 5-12 Cost: $15-60/day Dates: December 17 & 20-23 upturnarts.org Collection of fantasy-themed dances, art lessons, acting, and singing opportunities. This camp will feature shared spaces to create and artistically interact with one another.
¡Vamonos NOLA! Oasis Espanol Holiday Camp
600 Eleonore St., New Orleans Ages: 5-10 Cost: Varies Dates: December 20-24 & December 27-31 vamonosnola.com ¡Vamonos NOLA! is your Spanish language vacation camp destination. Your camper will make friends and build memories while laying a foundation of multilingualism.
Vue Crew Holiday Camp
7 Bamboo Rd., New Orleans Ages: 5-10 Cost: $85 Dates: December 21-23 longuevue.com School’s out! Kids can spend holiday-week mornings at Longue Vue, developing gardening skills and learning how plants and gardens are connected to holiday celebrations around the world. Enrollment is strictly limited to 12 students per session, and all CDC-recommended safety protocols will be observed.
YMCA West St. Tammany Christmas Break Camp
71256 Francis Rd., Covington Ages: 5-14 Cost: $35-45/day Dates: December 20-23 & December 27-30 (985) 893-9622 Activities include festive stories, songs, crafts, active play, sports, and seasonal-themed educational play. Bring lunch, two snacks, and a water bottle.
YMCA East Jefferson Fall Holiday Camp
6691 Riverside Dr., Metairie Ages: 5-12 Cost: $35-45/day Dates: December 20-24 & December 27-31 (504) 888-9622 Activities include festive stories, songs, crafts, active play, sports, and seasonal-themed educational play.
december 2021 | www.nolafamily.com
21
Cooking Up Success–Family Style By Amanda Miller Fresh off their appearance on Peacock’s newest series, Top Chef Family Style, New Orleans aunt and nephew duo and our cover models, Kaj Friis-Hecht and Liz Thorpe, sat down with us to discuss their journeys to culinary success, competing on the show, and what’s next for them.
www.nolafamily.com | december 2021
Tell me about yourselves and how you both ended up in the culinary world. Kaj: I started cooking about six years ago, like really cooking. My dad used to own a
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restaurant in San Francisco, and the bar manager, who is also a chef, coincidentally moved down to New Orleans and they started their own restaurant. I started cooking with them on the weekends, and I would watch the Food Network, including Top Chef, Master Chef, and all these different shows. The media really got me into cooking. Liz: I got into cooking because Kaj was like, “Hey, want to come cook with me on a TV show?” I really didn’t think I was going to be doing that much cooking. I thought I was going to be like his sous chef. Then we got there, and it was like, “Oh, we’re doing it.” My work does happen to be in the world of food. That’s totally coincidental. I got into a career in food, and cheese is my area of expertise. I fell in love with cooking as a recreational activity and as a hobby, and when I was in my early 20s, I was sort of like, well, I could do a job that I hate, or I could try to figure out a job that allows me to do something that I’m genuinely passionate about. And I became very passionate about cheese, specifically.
What goes through your head when you’re thinking about what to make? Kaj: If it’s something new that I haven’t made before, I’ll go on Google and look up
a recipe just to see the basics of how to make it. For example, in the fourth episode, when we won an elimination challenge, we made this boeuf bourguignon dish. I don’t have a pressure cooker and I don’t have the patience to wait hours for food, so we looked up the basics online. You can really just put your own spin on everything as
long as you have the essentials down.
Prior to the show, had you ever partnered up to create dishes? Kaj: We met one time before the show. Liz: Yeah, like a week before when we found out we were going, we were like, “Well,
shoot, we better get together and cook something!” But no, not in the regular course of events. We don’t cook together at all. That’s been a big part of our journey on the show. All these people who were there really knew one another very intimately, and I think in every case, except for maybe one or two, live in the same house. There’s so many layers to it, because you have whatever the challenge is, but it’s also, in our case, really getting to figure one another out and how we’re going to work together. I love to cook, but I’m a recipe follower. I want someone to give me my marching orders and then I’ll march, and Kaj’s like, “Oh yeah, we’ll just make it up,” and I was very uncomfortable with that, because I was like, “No, no, I don’t want to make it up and forget something.” That whole journey of challenging yourself to do it differently from how you would do it alone, that was all a big part of what was actually going on.
What are your favorite dishes to make? Kaj: That’s the hardest question ever asked. I really enjoy cooking proteins,
specifically red meats a lot. I think that’s what I’m really the best at. It’s another one of those things where, as long as you know how to perfectly cook a steak, there are so many things you can do with it. There are different sauces, sides, and garnishes that can go with the steak. Liz: What I’m best at cooking is the food that I know my family is going to be most excited about. I’m in a place in my life right now where it’s super frustrating to spend a lot of time and energy cooking, and then have two out of the three people I’m cooking for be like, “I don’t like it.” I have a six year old and an eight year old, so it’s kind of boring to cook the same stuff over and over, but it’s also gratifying, because
it’s like, I know I’ve got a win. There’s a vegetable soup that my kids really love. It’s an Italian classic minestrone with no pasta in it, just vegetables and beans, and that’s one of their favorite dishes. I made that this week, and sure enough, everybody was like, “You’re the best mom.” For right now, I think that’s my favorite thing to cook.
Do you have any ingredients that you love to work with? Kaj: I think onions because you can do a lot with onions. They bring a pickled, sour
acidic element to a dish that kind of brings everything together. Or, it could be like a crispy garnish on a hot dog or burger, or something to give texture, or you can have it as like a really sweet, jammy consistency. It’s a very versatile ingredient and delivers a lot of different flavors depending on how you prepare it. Liz: I think my favorite ingredient is the rind of Parmesan cheese. Parmesan cheese has this hard, waxy rind on it. It’s not edible, you can’t eat it, but you can cook with it, and a lot of people don’t know that. I put it in any kind of soup or stew that I am making, and it cooks down and flavors the broth. It doesn’t taste like cheese; it just makes it more salty, more savory, it adds a little bit of fat. It just makes it richer and you wouldn’t ever taste it and know that that was in there.
Tell me what your experience was like being on Top Chef Family Style. Kaj: Very long, long days. You’re out there for six weeks. It’s a lot of hurry up, then
stop. When the cameras are rolling, you have to be constantly going, and then you’re going to wait three hours because something broke, you know? I found the experience super fun though because there’s a lot of cool kids there, and we got to cook, and be on TV, and all those things are fun to me. Liz: You spend a lot of time when you’re making a show like this in interviews, and the cooking part was really neat. The kitchen was amazing. It’s tricked out with everything. But for me, the incredibleness of it was all the non-cooking stuff. It was being there with Kaj, it was being in an experience that was totally new to me, and it kind of forced me out of my comfort zone in a lot of different ways. It was also having to think on the fly, and it was really fascinating to spend all this time with these other
people that I never would ever have crossed paths with in my normal day-to-day life. It was just like camp, where you’re with someone for three days in camp and they’re your best friend. You’re so tight because you’re together all the time doing this really intense thing together. So for me, more than anything, it was the human experience of me going on that journey with Kaj and these other people who were strangers, but then not strangers very quickly. I learned a lot about myself.
What lessons did you learn from the experience? Kaj: I think the importance of teamwork is strong throughout the whole
competition, because in order to have any successful dish, or to produce something good in a competition where you need to be on a team with someone, it’s important to work together. I think I just got better at being a team player. Liz: I think Kaj and I are both pretty competitive people, and both really like to do well and succeed. The biggest thing I learned was, you can’t control everything. And if you try, you’re going to make yourself really miserable. Having the courage to give up some control puts you in a place where you can roll better. You can have more fun, and when you’re having more fun, you can actually be more competitive, because you’re not focused on trying to control the situation. I couldn’t do that all the time, but I had my moments where I could let go a little bit. It was really interesting to see how that changed everything for me.
What advice do you want to leave with Nola Family readers? Kaj: To take every opportunity that you get because you don’t know what is going to come out of it. Liz: What I learned on this show and really from Kaj was to step out of my comfort zone with cooking with food, to be willing to not do the same thing I always do, and that lesson actually had application well beyond the food that we were cooking. I learned to embrace my discomfort about being uncomfortable and get over it a little bit, and have a lot more fun as a result. So for all the Type A readers of Nola Family Magazine, that is my advice.
december 2021 | www.nolafamily.com
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GEAR TO GET
Winter Wonderland Lambskin Hooded Sweater
Stay warm, cozy and stylish this holiday season with this oversized sweater. walmart.com, $21.37
Ember Temperature Control Smart Mug
From the first sip to the last drop, your drink will stay warm the entire time. bestbuy.com, $129.99
The Comfy Dream Jr.
Keep your little one warm with this blanket sweatshirt, whether hanging around the house or on a trip. thecomfy.com, $34.99
Travel Tray for Kids
www.nolafamily.com | december 2021
Keep the kiddos entertained and the car organized with this travel tray organizer. amazon.com, $25.59
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XDEMODA Seat Belt Pillow
Bring along this comfortable pillow on your next trip. It attaches to the seatbelt to keep your little ones safe and comfortable while they snooze. amazon.com, $19.87
5
DAD ABOUT TOWN
THINGS
I’M LOVING RIGHT NOW
HANK ALLEN
Hank Allen is the Chief Meteorologist at WGNO in New Orleans. He and his wife, Casey, live in Mandeville and have three kids, five-year-old Virginia and two-year-old identical twins James and William. He is originally from Marietta, GA and is an alumni of Mississippi State University. Hank likes delivering important weather information because he says it’s one of the few things that impacts just about every person every day.
I love spending time with my kids and watching them grow. They all have so much personality. They keep us busy, and it can be challenging at times, but we are so fortunate to have three happy and healthy kids.
WEATHER Fall is my favorite time of year. I love being outside by a fire, drinking at an outdoor bar like the Barley Oak in Mandeville, or just enjoying that beautiful sunset glow in the evening.
The Barley Oak, thebarleyoak.com
I’m a huge sports fan. One of my happy places is my Alma Mater, Mississippi State. I love going back to campus. I’m a huge Braves fan too, so with MSU winning the championship in baseball and the Braves winning the World Series, I’ve had a good year!
Mississippi State University, msstate.edu
I try to share as much as possible with my kids. Whether it’s taking a trip, growing a garden, making dinner, walking through a park, or going to a playground, I love their enjoyment for life. I wish everybody kept that innocence and enjoyment in all the little things.
TRAVEL
Casey and I have always liked traveling and seeing new places. Now that the kids are getting older, we are starting to take them places as well. I think that’s very important. Virginia loves a hotel. St. Martin’s Episcopal Church, facebook.com/STMChurch
december 2021 | www.nolafamily.com
SPORTS
NEW EXPERIENCES
FAMILY
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Ditch the Reward System Try This Science-Backed Approach with Your Kids By Pam Moore
www.nolafamily.com | december 2021
“Mom, can I have the vacuum?” asked my five-year-old daughter. I was confused and more than a bit reluctant to turn over my beloved cordless Dyson. “Why, sweetheart?”
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Normally, you cannot see my daughter’s floor through the forest of books, dolls, and clothes. She grinned while imploring me, “Come see.” She marched down the hall and into her room, leading me by the hand. When we got to her doorway, I laughed in surprise. The floor was completely clear. I ceded control of the Dyson until my daughter got bored (about 47 seconds later). After I vacuumed neat rows back and forth over her chevron rug, I texted the preschool teacher photos of the immaculate room. Earlier that day, I’d begged the teacher to help me find a way to quell the power struggles that had been erupting between me and my daughter. No sticker chart or time out could tame her refusal to do what I asked. Her teacher suggested a marble jar. Here’s how it works: I put a marble in a jar every time I “catch” my daughter being good. When the jar is full, she earns a treat. The teacher said to never remove marbles as a consequence for bad behavior. My daughter’s response to the marble jar was a classic example of positive reinforcement at work. According to Dr. Ira Chasnoff, the author of The Mystery of Risk, positive reinforcement is the only type of discipline that actually works. In light of that, the steep improvement in my child’s behavior should not have been surprising. Still, I had questions. Why had the sticker charts not worked? And why, even as I grew less vigilant about rewarding “marble-worthy” behavior, did the power struggles continue to decrease both in frequency and intensity? There had to be more to the equation than simply positive reinforcement. Sarah MacLaughlin, parent educator and author of What Not to Say: Tools for Talking with Young Children, cautions parents to use positive reinforcement only “as training wheels,” and even then, only if they’ve already tried approaches emphasizing the relationship. In other words, while it may get kids into the habit of behaving in the desired manner, it’s not a long-term solution. MacLaughlin cites education and parenting expert Alfie Kohn, who calls rewards and punishments “two sides of the same coin” in his book, Punished by Rewards. As MacLaughlin explains, whether you’re
rewarding good behavior or punishing bad behavior, “the goal is to influence/control/coerce a child and their behavior, [a strategy that has] a rapidly approaching expiration date.” While MacLaughlin feels positive reinforcement may be effective, it should be used sparingly. She says children tend to respond well to positive reinforcement for the same reasons adults do. However MacLaughlin points out, “I’m not likely to care much about positive reinforcement or rewards from someone I don’t respect or feel connected to.” When it comes to motivating our children, no system or method can take the place of a loving relationship. The main issue with positive reinforcement is that it ignores the greatest source of influence on your child–your relationship. Says MacLaughlin, “Behavior is always driven by either development (i.e., it’s normal and to be expected), an unmet physiological need, or emotion/ stress (children don’t have a fully wired brain and their off-track behavior is often a result of a dysregulated brain state).” As parents, it’s crucial to understand that it’s our connection with our kids–not any “sticker, star, gummy bear, [or] punishment” according to Dr. Becky Bailey–that can help get them back on track. If offering a marble isn’t the way to go when your kid is not cooperating, what is? MacLaughlin advises parents to listen. If your child is having a fit, she says it is futile to attempt to give consequences or feedback when a child is in an elevated emotional state (e.g. crying, screaming). That does not mean you should ignore bad behavior, however. If, for example, your child becomes physically aggressive, MacLaughlin recommends you first help her calm down. Only when kids are calm do they have the capacity to listen and learn. If your child is refusing to do what you’re requesting, MacLaughlin urges parents to remember that kids are doing the best they can and to assume that they aren’t cooperating because they need help. Whenever my daughter’s marble jar was full, she chose a treat. We would either hit the bagel shop or the used bookstore, but no matter what, her little sister was staying home. I’ve learned that her love language is carbs, books, and quality time. More importantly, I learned that positive reinforcement was just the “training wheels” she needed to start rolling in the right direction. I’m convinced that it was the “reward” of spending rare quality time together that helped the most.
YouthForce NOLA
SPOTLIGHT
By Lynzi Whalen YouthForce NOLA is a New Orleans-based education, business, and civic collaborative eager to inspire young adults to branch out into new career pathways. In 2015, 10 years after Hurricane Katrina, Leslie Jacobs and 12 co-founding organizations shared a vision to help public school graduates in the New Orleans area. After realizing that the school systems were seeing very high ACT scores and academic improvement, it was perplexing why there was still a significant portion of black New Orleanians without work. So, YouthFoce NOLA set out to improve the racial divide. Melissa Ehlinger, the organization’s chief of external affairs, explains that, “Employers were having trouble finding local talent, and kids 12-24 didn’t have much awareness of further education and job opportunities available. A considerable percentage were neither working nor in school. Kids didn’t know how to connect to opportunities in the area, and so YouthForce NOLA was born to be the intermediary, connecting different organizations to New Orleans public school graduates.” Currently, YouthForce NOLA is focused on opening more doors to public high school students by partnering with different organizations across the city to provide internship programs and teach core skills to prepare them to enter the workforce. Ehlinger states, “Technical skills are excellent, but we would equally like students to have soft skills such as showing up on time, being critical thinkers, and being problem solvers. We believe in establishing good teamwork and ensuring that these students are fully prepared for their first job. These internships were born to train them at entry-level to learn the skills they need to excel in their career choice.” YouthForce NOLA offers summer internships in various career choices such as healthcare, digital media, IT, business services, and skilled crafts such as engineering, architecture, and water management. Career awareness and exploration is another main focus for YouthForce NOLA. Ehlinger states, “Individuals will never apply for a job if they don’t know the job exists.” The organization will continue to bring recognition to further career education available around the city. Their summer training program builds great brand ambassadors to spread the word of all the excellent instruction they provide. They now directly partner with schools, so students get awareness about technical training opportunities. This organization’s goal for the future is to expand the quality and quantity of technical skills for young adults in New Orleans. YouthForce NOLA will continue building firm bridges into sustainable career fields and opportunities in the community. Ehlinger states, “Ultimately, we want to make sure the youth in this city are connecting to academic opportunities and career pathways. We want them to have the ability to branch out to different employers. We also want to make sure the employers we partner with create welcoming environments for their entry-level employees. All of our partners are very excited about diversity equity inclusion. They are very eager to diversify their workforce.” To learn more information about YouthForce NOLA or to donate, visit youthforcenola.org.
december 2021 | www.nolafamily.com
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OUT & ABOUT
1 Wednesday
December
BEGINNER COOKING CLASS: AGES 7-10 Culinary Kids today and December 8. Join the Teaching Chef and her team to practice cooking and baking skills, plating and decorating techniques, measurements and conversions, ServSafe food handling practices, equipment and ingredient identification, and proper kitchen management skills, and you can eat your creations in this professional but fun practice setting. culinarykidsns.com CELEBRATION IN THE OAKS New Orleans City Park through January 2. Light festival featuring a 2.25-mile driving tour. celebrationintheoaks.com CHRISTMAS ON THE FRONT HOLIDAY LIGHTS DISPLAY Front Street, Olde Towne Slidell through January 1. Free. louisiananorthshore.com
PELICANS VS. DALLAS MAVERICKS Smoothie King Center at 7 p.m. Cheer on the Pelicans as they take on the Mavericks. Ticket prices vary. smoothiekingcenter.com
2 Thursday
www.nolafamily.com | december 2021
SAINTS VS. DALLAS COWBOYS Caesars Superdome at 7:20 p.m. Cheer on the New Orleans Saints as they take on the Dallas Cowboys in the Superdome. caesarssuperdome.com
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SPECIAL NEEDS COOKING CLASS Culinary Kids today and December 9. Practice independent living skills, social skills, kitchen safety and confidence in the kitchen. Ages 10-adult. culinarykidsns.com
3 Friday
A SWINGING CHRISTMAS National World War II Museum performance at BB’s Stage Door Canteen from 11:45 a.m.-1:45 p.m. The Victory Belles celebrate the season with a sleigh full of swinging holiday hits. Ticket prices vary. Discounts available for members. nationalww2museum.org
CHRISTMAS AT TERRABELLA TerraBella Village from 6-9 p.m. Enjoy Christmas trees and pictures with Santa. Free admission. $10 for pictures with Santa. terrabellavillage.com
CHRISTMAS UNDER THE STARS Griffith Park from 6-9 p.m. today, December 4, and December 10-11. The City of Slidell celebrates the holiday season with Christmas Under the Stars, an annual celebration of twinkling lights, festive decorations, visits from Santa and Mrs. Claus, the Parade of Trees, life-size Christmas Cottages, Slidell’s Nativity, and Christmas songs. louisiananorthshore.com LPO HOLIDAY SPECTACULAR Orpheum Theatre at 7:30 p.m. The Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra features a program of popular Christmas tunes, performed by local NOLA artists, as they celebrate the most joyous time of the year. lpomusic.com MARIGNY OPERA BALLET’S JAZZ NUTCRACKER Marigny Opera House through December 5 and December 10-12. Set in Jackson Square on Christmas Eve, a young girl is transported through the Kingdom of Rain to the Kingdom of Sweets, and then back again to her bench on the Square. eventbrite.com MID-CITY JEWELRY & ART MARKET Studio 414 from 6-9 p.m. Support local artists. Includes an amazing vintage jewelry selection, good eats, drinks, and music. Visitors get to experience their exclusive free Augmented Reality Interactive Art Trail, where art comes to life. neworleans.com THE COLUMBIA THEATRE’S HOLIDAY EXTRAVAGANZA Columbia Theatre today and December 10 at 6 p.m. and December 4 and December 11 at 2 p.m. Put on your most festive pajamas and join them for a holiday celebration. Explore the decorated lobby, meet Santa Claus, take selfies, listen to live holiday music, and enjoy a special screening of The Polar Express. Free popcorn, hot cocoa, and holiday “swag
bag” included with your purchase, while supplies last. columbiatheatre.org
4 Saturday
COOKIE DECORATING WORKSHOP - ADULTS Culinary Kids today and December 5. Learn techniques like cookie painting, lacing, flooding, and shading, and make royal icings, flavored sugar cookies, and drop cookies. culinarykidsns.com FRERET MARKET 4421 Freret Street from noon-4 p.m. and on December 11. Listen to music, check out local food and art vendors, and spend time outside with friends. freretmarket.org HOLIDAY WREATH MAKING WORKSHOP Longue Vue House and Gardens from 10-11:30 a.m. Grab some friends and join Amy Graham, Longue Vue Director of Gardens, in their decorated Playhouse to make your own stunning gold magnolia wreath, using leaves they harvested on site. All materials are provided and light snacks are served. longuevue.com KIDS’ NIGHT OUT Goldring-Woldenberg JCC from 5:30-9:30 p.m. Spend Saturday night at the Metairie JCC while your parents have a night on the town. Have fun playing games, making crafts, eating pizza, and watching a movie. nojcc.org MERRY MARKET Longue Vue House and Gardens from 1-4 p.m. Longue Vue’s outdoor holiday marketplace. This festive event includes shopping with local vendors, crafts, and snacks from Edith and Edgar’s Museum Cafe. Photos with Santa will take place from 2-3 p.m. for an additional price. longuevue.com SATURDAY OUTDOOR STORYTIME East Bank Regional Library from 10:30-11:30 a.m. This event includes stories and songs for children and families. Sessions will be held in the library courtyard, weather permitting. Bring a picnic blanket and read with the library. A grab and go craft will be provided to take home. jplibrary.net
5 Sunday
KIDS CHRISTMAS PARTY Art Box Slidell hosts at Green Oaks Apothecary in the Courtyard from noon-5 p.m. Includes cookie decorating, hot chocolate, selfie station, ornament crafts, and Christmas bingo. theartboxslidell.com MERRY MADISONVILLE 2021 CHRISTMAS PARADE Madisonville at 2 p.m. Kick off the holiday celebration in Madisonville. facebook.com/merrymadisonvillecelebration SANTA CARES DAY AT OAKWOOD CENTER Oakwood Center JC Penny Wing at 9:30 a.m. and on December 12. Children within all spectrums of special needs and their families are welcome to join Oakwood Center before the mall opens for their sensory-friendly event to experience the time-honored tradition of a visit and photos with Santa. eventbrite.com
6 Monday
HOLIDAY WREATH MAKING WORKSHOP Longue Vue House and Gardens from 10-11:30 a.m. Grab some friends and join Amy Graham, Longue Vue Director of Gardens, in their decorated Playhouse to make your own stunning gold magnolia wreath, using leaves they harvested on site. All materials are provided and light snacks are served. longuevue.com
7 Tuesday
SECTION 504 VS IDEA Northshore Families Helping Families webinar at 10 a.m. A look at the difference between the rights of students with disabilities under section 504 of the rehabilitation act and the individuals with disabilities education act. fhfnorthshore.org THE ELF ON THE SHELF: A CHRISTMAS MUSICAL Mahalia Jackson Theater for the Performing Arts at 6 p.m. Scout Elves return to center stage for the musical inspired by the beloved box set, a spectacle of music and dance that transports audiences to the North Pole to glimpse the lives of the elves. Tickets start at $29.50. ticketmaster.com
8 Wednesday
PELICANS VS DENVER NUGGETS Smoothie King Center at 7 p.m. Cheer on the Pelicans as they take on the Denver Nuggets. Ticket prices vary. smoothiekingcenter.com
10 Friday
FESTIVAL OF THE BONFIRES Lutcher Recreational Park Lutcher Avenue from 2 p.m.-midnight. Join for a fun afternoon of live music, and enjoy the gumbo cook off. The fires will be lit at 7 p.m. festivalofthebonfires.org PELICANS VS. DETROIT PISTONS Smoothie King Center at 7 p.m. Cheer on the Pelicans as they take on the Detroit Pistons. Ticket prices vary. smoothiekingcenter.com SOUTHERN YOUTH BALLET’S THE NUTCRACKER Aldersgate United Methodist through December 11. Times vary. An old-fashioned Christmas with caroling, a reading of The Night Before Christmas, and Southern Youth Ballet’s adaptation of The Nutcracker. eventbrite.com
11 Saturday
A CANDY CANE CELEBRATION Destrehan Plantation from 1-3 p.m. through December 12. Includes holiday crafts, reindeer games, prizes, a visit from Santa, storytelling, a coloring contest, and a candy cane hunt. destrehanplantation.org ADULT DINNER NIGHT! Culinary Kids from 6-8 p.m. Evening out for adults. Enjoy dinner and walk through a detailed course of culinary skills and techniques that are sure to empower you in the kitchen. culinarykidsns.com CHRISTMAS IN LAFRENIERE PARK RUN/WALK Lafreniere Park at 3 p.m. Presented by the Crescent City Classic. Two-mile course. runsignup.com FESTIVAL OF THE BONFIRES Lutcher Recreational Park Lutcher Avenue from 8 a.m.-midnight. Cookie contest, art contest, and childrens and teens pageants. The lighting of the bonfire on festival grounds will commence at 6:30 p.m. The firework show will commence at 6:45 p.m. festivalofthebonfires.org GRAB & GO CRAFT: ORNAMENTS East Bank Regional Library from noon-4:30 p.m. Craft projects for children ages three and up. Kits come with everything you need to complete the craft at home. Available while supplies last. jplibrary.net MUSICAL STORYTIME: HOW THE GRINCH STOLE CHRISTMAS Popp Bandstand in City Park at 10:30 a.m. Interactive story and musical adventure with Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra. lpomusic.com NOBT PRESENTS THE NUTCRACKER Orpheum Theatre at 2 p.m. Doors open at 1 p.m.
orpheumnola.com SANTA EXPRESS 2021 St. Tammany Parish Coroner’s Office from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Three sessions. Giving thanks to the families of Northshore Families Helping Families. Meet Santa and Mrs. Claus, Santa’s helpers, and surprise guests. Each child receives a gift. fhfnorthshore.org
12 Sunday
ST. TAMMANY’S HOLIDAY FESTIVAL OF ARTS Lee Lane in Downtown Covington from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Two blocks and more than 40 booths featuring local artists and arts organizations with offerings in a variety of media, including paintings, etchings, pottery, sculpture, photography, jewelry, and handmade accessories. sttammany.art
13 Monday
HOLIDAY COOKIE WORKSHOP FOR KIDS! Culinary Kids from 6-8 p.m. culinarykidsns.com
14 Tuesday
CATS Saenger Theatre through December 19. CATS, the record-breaking musical spectacular by Andrew Lloyd Webber that has captivated audiences in over 30 countries and 15 languages, is now on tour across North America. saengernola.com
15 Wednesday
REBIRTH BRASS BAND PRESENTED BY THE JAZZ FOUNDATION OF AMERICA New Orleans Jazz Museum at 2 p.m. All-star jazz ensemble performance featuring Kevin and the Blues Groovers. nolajazzmuseum.org
16 Thursday
CLASSICAL CHRISTMAS WITH LPO The Orpheum Theatre at 7:30 p.m. Experience the glory of the Messiah alongside the holiday’s greatest classical music by Bach, Schubert and Vaughan Williams. lpomusic.com IEP: INSTRUCTIONAL PLANS WEBINAR Northshore Families Helping Families webinar at 2 p.m. Discussions about the instructional plans section of the IEP. fhfnorthshore.org
17 Friday
DINNER AND A MOVIE: A CHRISTMAS STORY NOCHI, 725 Howard Ave, from 6-9 p.m. Enjoy a full-service feast and specialty cocktail as you screen A Christmas Story on the rooftop of NOCHI. Children ages 12+ are welcome, accompanied by an adult. $15-$65. nochi.org/movies HOLIDAY ON THE BOULEVARD 1712 Oretha Castle Haley Boulevard through December 18. Event hosted by Ashé Cultural Arts Center. ashenola.org NOLA CHRISTMAS FEST 2021 New Orleans Convention Center through December 30 (closed December 23 & 24). NOLA ChristmasFest,
december 2021 | www.nolafamily.com
TUESDAY STORY TIME AT LAFRENIERE PARK Lafreniere Park every Tuesday from 10:30-11:30 a.m. Presented by East Bank Regional Library, this outdoor storytime is full of stories and songs. Storytime will take place at Shelter 6 (across the street from soccer field #1). All storytimes are weather permitting. Bring a picnic blanket and read with the library. A grab and go craft will be provided to take home. (504) 849-8813
9 Thursday
INTRO TO THE LEGISLATIVE PROCESS Northshore Families Helping Families Zoom meeting at 1 p.m. Learn about the legislative process. fhfnorthshore.org
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a family-friendly seasonal event, offers your group the perfect opportunity to get into the holiday spirit, make a little joy, and spread a little cheer. Experience a real indoor ice skating rink, ice slides, carnival rides, Santa and friends, gingerbread houses, and decorated trees. nolachristmasfest.com PELICANS VS. MILWAUKEE BUCKS Smoothie King Center at 9 p.m. Cheer on the Pelicans as they take on the Milwaukee Bucks. Ticket prices vary. smoothiekingcenter.com
18 Saturday
FQMA HOLIDAY MARKET Hermann-Grima House from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. French Quarter Museum Association’s holiday market. hgghh.org GRAB & GO CRAFT: PENGUIN ORNAMENTS East Bank Regional Library from noon-4:30 p.m. Craft projects for children ages three and up. Kits come with everything you need to complete the craft at home. Available while supplies last. jplibrary.net SENSORY FRIENDLY MORNINGS National World War II Museum. Sensory-friendly Mornings are for individuals of all ages with special needs and their families to enjoy early access to the museum with modifications to make the experience more sensory friendly. nationalww2museum.org
www.nolafamily.com | december 2021
THE NUTCRACKER
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Jefferson Performing Arts Center through December 19. Travel to the Land of Sweets with Clara as she befriends a nutcracker who comes to life on Christmas Eve to wage a battle against the evil Mouse King. jpas.org THE NUTCRACKER: PRESENTED BY DELTA FESTIVAL BALLET Mahalia Jackson Theatre at 2 p.m. Tchaikovsky’s full Nutcracker ballet. lpomusic.com
19 Sunday
CAROLING IN JACKSON SQUARE Jackson Square at 7 p.m. Community singalong for visitors and locals alike. The historic Square is illuminated by candlelight as thousands enjoy belting out holiday favorites. Complimentary songbooks and candles are provided. neworleans.com HOLIDAY HOME TOUR French Quarter New Orleans (Various Locations) from 1-4 p.m. Savor the holiday spirit by touring French Quarter residences dressed for the season. patioplanters.net
21 Tuesday
SARAH BRIGHTMAN: A CHRISTMAS SYMPHONY Saenger Theatre at 8 p.m. Performance by Sarah Brightman. saengernola.com
23 Thursday
MANNHEIM STEAMROLLER CHRISTMAS Saenger Theatre at 8 p.m. saengernola.com
24 Friday
CHRISTMAS EVE BONFIRE Lutcher Recreational Park Lutcher Avenue at 7 p.m. Join the Christmas Eve bonfires on the levee as they light the way for Papa Noel. festivalofthebonfires.org
27 Monday
SAINTS VS. MIAMI DOLPHINS Caesars Superdome at 7:20 p.m. Cheer on the New Orleans Saints as they take on the Miami Dolphins in the Superdome. caesarssuperdome.com
28 Tuesday
PELICANS VS. CLEVELAND CAVALIERS Smoothie King Center at 7 p.m. Cheer on the Pels as they take on the Cleveland Cavaliers. Ticket prices vary. smoothiekingcenter.com
31 Friday
NOON YEAR’S EVE Louisiana Children’s Museum. Countdown to noon on Friday, December 31. Culminates in an explosion of colorful confetti and bubbles. Guests can get into the holiday spirit by making their own noisemakers and designing a festive paper bag hat. There will be music, dancing, and lots of fun. $10-20. lcm.org
IN THE KNOW
EXPECTING, BABIES, & TODDLERS Child Safety Seat Inspection Station Louisiana State Police Troop B 2101 I-10 Service Rd., Kenner. Wednesdays, 1-4 p.m. Walk-in or call (504) 471-2780 for an appointment. Free. Ochsner Baptist To register: ochsnerstore.org/collections/ events-and-classes Breastfeeding Class New moms will learn the basics of breastfeeding. December 6, 6:30–8:30 p.m. Free. Parenting Center at Children’s Hospital To register: chnola.org/theparentingcenter Calming Your New Baby (Prenatal–4 months) (Virtual) Learn what to expect from the first few months, also known as “the fourth trimester.” December 11, 10-11 a.m. Free, pre-registration required. Car Seat Fitting Appointment Have your car seat installed or checked over by a nationally-certified technician. Drop-ins welcome, appointments preferred. December 21, 9-11 a.m. Free.
Happiest Baby on the Block Learn to turn on a baby’s “calming reflex” using five simple steps. December 11, 10 a.m -noon. Free. Infant/Child CPR Training Basics technique of CPR and relief of choking for a child and infant are covered. December 9, 6-7:30 p.m. Free. Prenatal Breastfeeding Class Designed to teach mothers the basics of breastfeeding. December 16, 6-8 p.m. Free. Tulane Lakeside Hospital To register: tulanelakeside.com/calendar Birth and Beyond Stages of pregnancy, stages of labor, and types of anesthesia, plus vaginal and cesarean births are discussed. December 9, 7-9 p.m. Free. What to Expect for Dads and Support Persons Includes hands-on demonstrations of burping, diaper changing, and swaddling the newborn. December 2, 7-9 p.m. Free. West Jefferson Medical Center Pre-registration is required: wjmc.org/ events-calendar
KIDS & TEENS Touro’s Family Birthing Center To register: touro.com/events. Tulane Lakeside Hospital To register: tulanelakeside.com/calendar.
PARENTS & GRANDPARENTS Ochsner Baptist To register: ochsnerstore.org/collections/ events-and-classes. Grandparents Class (Virtual) Learn about the new definition of active labor, skin-to-skin care, breastfeeding, and safe sleep. December 9, 6:30–8:30 p.m. Free.
ABCs of Breastfeeding Get help from experienced lactation consultants. December 7, 7-9:30 p.m. Free. Caring For Your Newborn Learn how to care for your newborn. December 18, 1-4:30 p.m. Free. Labor and Birth Learn the process of labor and birth. December 4, 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Free.
Want to see your class or event here? Send calendar submissions to calendar@nolafamily.com.
december 2021 | www.nolafamily.com
Infant & Child CPR (newborn-8 yrs) Children’s Hospital Conference Center. American Heart Association’s “Family and Friends” non-certification class in person. Class size is limited, no sharing of materials, and health screening upon entrance December 16, 6:30-9 p.m. $35/person.
Touro’s Family Birthing Center To register: touro.com/events
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