Free Times Family: Fall 2014

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FALL/WINTER 2014 freetimesfamily.com

Midlands’ Magazine for Smart Families

Keeping It Normal with Ben Hoover The Obesity Disconnect Grand Parenting

From STEM to STEAM Making a Place for Humanity at the Altar of Technology

Passport to Art

Come get your Passport to Art! This year-round program for families features a new hands-on art project each month. After spending time in our open studios, explore our galleries at your own leisure or join us for the Family Tour at 1:00 p.m. Held the second Sunday of the month from 12:00 p.m. until 3:00 p.m.

Gladys’ Gang

Join us for this popular series! Gladys’ Gang is a free, early childhood arts and literacy program for ages 2-5 that focuses on preparing children for kindergarten. Using art as a guide, children and their adult caregivers enjoy story time in the galleries followed by a hands-on art project in the CMA studios. The program is held the first Wednesday of each month from 10:00 until 11:00 a.m.

WE PRACTICE AFTER HOURS TOO! Midlands Orthopaedics knows that sports-related injuries can happen almost any time. That’s why our OrthoPM and Saturday morning clinics are open when young athletes often need us most.

No appointment is necessary, and our highly trained specialists are standing by to get you back in the game.

Ortho PM & Saturday Hours* Monday – Friday, 5:00pm – 7:00pm Saturday, 8:30am–10:30am Blanding Street location only, Gregg Street entrance *Some insurance restrictions may apply.

Fall/Winter 2014

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Midlands’ Magazine for Smart Families

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FALL/WINTER 2014

Midlands’ Magazine for Smart Families

Published by Resorts Media 1534 Main St., Columbia, SC 29201 (803) 765.0707

learning

life

6 From Stem to Steam

18 Grand Parenting

8 Listings

20 Listings

activities

family finance

10 Keeping It Normal with Ben Hoover

EDITORIAL EDITOR: Dan Cook, editor@free-times.com | ext. 133 MANAGING EDITOR: Laura Haight LISTINGS EDITOR: Jordan Lawrence DIGITAL MEDIA ASSISTANT: Xavier Edwards CONTRIBUTORS: Jason Crosby, Elizabeth Catanese, Anna Gelbman Edmunds, Heather Green, Amanda Ladymon, Thomas Maluck, Heather McCue, Kara Meador, Jenny Munro, Kevin Oliver, Anne Postic

21 My First Smartphone

PRODUCTION PRODUCTION MANAGER: Lisa Willis GRAPHIC DESIGNER: Joey Ayer GRAPHIC DESIGNER: Matt Bradley

media

11 Listings

health 14 The Obesity Disconnect 15 Listings

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22 Music and DVD Reviews 24 Books 25 Apps

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ADVERTISING ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER: Kerry Powers kpowers@free-times.com | ext. 128 ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES: Hyatt Drake, Ginny Kuhn, Brian Wingard, Jerry Viles ADVERTISING ASSISTANT: Kayla Cahill SALES MANAGER: Cale Johnson

27 Events and Programming

DISTRIBUTION CIRCULATION MANAGER: Davey Mathias DOCK MANAGER: Brandon Daniels

BUSINESS OPERATIONS MANAGER: Jen Coody

RESORTS MEDIA Charlie Nutt, Publisher

Did you know 95% of car seats are not installed or used safely?

Buckle Buddies provides education and community outreach on Child Passenger Safety. Learn how you can: • Get your car seat checked by a nationally certified technician • Attend a general education class on child passenger safety • Access new and safe car seats at a discounted price Visit www.bucklebuddiessc.org to view our calendar of events and learn more about our programs!

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bucklebuddiessc.org bucklebuddiessc@gmail.com for Smart Families freetimesfamily.com family Midlands’ Magazine

803.434.2955 ftfamilysc Fall/Winter 2014

BE GREAT Academy Before and After School Care available at 44 locations in 5 counties and 8 school districts School Dismissal – 6:30 PM

Lots of STEM and STEAM in Columbia Columbia Museum of Art Camps, exhibits, and school programs columbiamuseum.org IT-oLogy Programs for K-12 it-ology.org/K-12.aspx Richland Library STEAM events for teens and children 1431 Assembly St. richlandlibrary.com S2TEAM Centers SC sccoalition.org/ stem-and-the-artssteam.html

The Science Academy 6-9th grade STEM school scscienceacademy.org

Columbia Museum of Art’s solar exploration station.

From STEM to STEAM Making a Place for Humanity at the Altar of Technology

By Heather Green

S

ince the early 2000s, STEM-focused curriculum (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) has been an educational priority as a way of helping the U.S. regain leadership in innovation and technology development. But arts educators’ concerns that the focus left little room for the humanities has given rise to the STEAM movement (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math), in which science, technology, engineering and math merge with the arts to create a holistic approach to learning.

Proponents argue that without art and design, technology cannot thrive. STEAM programs are gaining ground and attracting advocates throughout South Carolina and, particularly, in Columbia where several Columbia organizations offer programs.

“Arts education is the foundation of engineering and technology development,”

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says Kerry Kuhlkin-Hornsby, the director of education at The Columbia Museum of Art. She adds that “creativity and design are essential to the growth of sciences and the disciplines are interrelated.”

Like other STEAM advocates, Kuhlkin-Hornsby believes that the loss of arts education would be disastrous.

The museum has partnered with organizations like SCANA and IT-oLogy to provide an integrated approach to educational programs. Using a solar exploration station in its lobby, for example, the museum teaches children about the importance of sustainable and clean energy.

The museum’s Alchemy of Art program emphasizes the

Midlands’ Magazine for Smart Families

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SC STEPS to STEM University of South Carolina artsandsciences.sc.edu/ stem/ South Carolina Coalition for Science and Mathematics sccoalition.org/ stem-and-the-artssteam.html South Carolina Governor’s School for the Arts and the Humanities (Greenville, SC) scgsah.org/

development of science and technology over 400 years, allowing attendees to integrate STEAM components into their broader understanding of the world.

Recently, the museum’s education department hosted the virtual STEAM Connectivity Conference for South Carolina educators.

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“Teachers came from across the state for hands-on strategies, STEAM talks, and technology tool sharing to learn high impact STEAM resources that they can apply in their schools and classrooms,” the museum reported in a statement.

IT-oLogy — a nonprofit that promotes IT education and professional preparedness — also promotes the interrelatedness of technology and the arts. According to IT-oLogy President Lonnie Emard, using 3-D printers shows teens how art and science complement each other. Emard uses the iPhone as another example where design and technology come together.

Columbia residents Phillip and Renee Washington say that STEAM education and activities important for their children, Josiah, 14, and Micah, 11. Their activities include the USC Science Camp and Technology Enrichment Program, math competitions, art classes, Coding Camp and IT-oLogy classes.

Since so many jobs are geared toward STEAM, the Washingtons believe that education that includes both the arts and the sciences are essential.

“Music and math go handin-hand; reading music notes is like fractions — we will always encourage the arts as a part of their education.”

Because both children like to draw and build, their parents see them as “natural learners” who like to experiment.

Renee identifies both Micah and Josiah as “just the kind of learners we need for successful STEAM work.”

STEAM in South Carolina When asked the ramifications of a STEM-based educational curriculum, Bruce Halverson, president of the South Carolina Governor’s School of the Arts and Humanities, says that ultimately “arts education has been closely tied to improved academic achievement and social and civic

engagement.” He also believes that the arts and humanities drive “curiosity, creativity, and imagination.” If we are to succeed in a global market, Halverson believes that arts are essential, coupled with the sciences, to create a comprehensive approach to education and industry.

The South Carolina Office of Legislative and Public Affairs also states that arts programs are important in producing individuals who are both confident and competitive. “Having a holistic education which emphasizes integration of all disciplines leads students to recognize inherent talents and build upon skills that afford them the opportunity to lead successful lives.”

Becoming Mainstream: Even Elmo Believes in STEAM

its then-president John Maeda first articulated the need to keep the arts top of mind. If art imitates life, then STEAM is definitely going mainstream.

Recently during its 43rd Season, Sesame Street added a STEAM-focused segment to Elmo the Musical.

Using singing, dancing and imagination to teach math skills and providing supplemental STEAM materials via its web site, Sesame Street is on board with moving past STEM to incorporate a STEAM-based focus.

“In order for children to explore STEAM, it is important to highlight the underlying scientific process skills; observing and questioning, investigating, analyzing and reporting and reflecting on the ‘big idea’ and help children to find creative solutions to problems,” reads Sesame Street’s description of its STEAM focus.

STEAM’s roots can be traced back to the Rhode Island School of Design, where

November 8, 2014 ~ 6:30-9:00pm Enter a world of kings and queens, pirates, princesses and fabled creatures as EdVenture transforms into a magical kingdom of storybook dreams.

Step inside and explore Arabian Nights, Jungle Book, Peter Pan, Little Mermaid, and Alice in Wonderland!

Children and their grown-ups will enjoy this merry evening filled with themed entertainment by magicians, performers and artisans from across the land. Take the next coach and don’t be late! $35 per person. Costumes are encouraged.

Purchase tickets today at edventure.org.

211 Gervais Street |

learning

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ometimes your kids hit it off with their teachers; sometimes they don’t. Every child learns differently and has different interests, whether those are music and art or math, science, architecture or astronomy.

And then there are special situations — struggling learners or exemplary learners — where some additional help might be needed outside the classroom. Here are some resources to get you started.

Aim High Education 4561 Hardscrabble Rd., 788-6894 aimhigheducationsc.com Customized after-school education programs and tutoring.

The Afterschool Zone theafterschoozoneacademy.com Offers afterschool pickup from Lexington/Richland 5 and Richland 1 schools.

Students engage in physical and educational activities.

• • • • •

Experiential Hands-On Learning Peaceful, non-competitive multi-age classrooms Unique blend of Montessori, Inquiry-based and Waldorf-inspired learning Provides a local and global awareness and an appreciation of the environment Nurturing environment that fosters creativity and a desire to learn

Call (803) 787-1899 for more information www.harmonyschoolsc.com

Aspire Early Learning Academy 1103 B Ave. (West Columbia), 834-4976 aspireearlylearningacademy.com Pre-K program using the Creative Curriculum, a nationally approved curriculum based on the ideas of the National Association for the Education of Young Children.

Be Great Academy 500 Gracern Road, 231-3100 portal.begreatacademy.com After-school program operated by Boys and Girls Club of the Midlands.

Bright Start 720 Gracern Rd., 929-1112 brightstartsc.com Provides quality comprehensive services to all individuals with special needs and developmental delays.

Challenger Learning Center 2600A Barhamville Rd. 929-3951, thechallengercenter.net The Challenger Learning Center of Richland County School District One is an aeronautics- and space-themed learning program designed to provide interactive learning experiences, integrating science, technology, engineering and math curricula with 21st century life skills.

Covenant Christian Academy 3120 Covenant Rd., 787-0225 Infuses a Biblical worldview into academics, athletics and arts.

Discovery Program of South Carolina 8807 Two Notch Rd., 419-0126 discoveryprogramsc.org Noted as a program of excellence with the National Institute for Learning Development (NILD), the Discovery Program helps those struggling to learn — whether via learning disabilities or other learning disorders — to become independent students.

Glenforest School glenforest.org Works with K-12 students who have not thrived in traditional learning environments, including students with dyslexia, attention-deficit disorder or other developmental challenges.

Hammond Plus Programs 854 Galway Lane, 695-8624 hammondschool.org In addition to being a top college-prep school, Hammond offers a wide array of after-school classes for children and adults.

Head Start 1400 St. Andrews Rd., 898-2550 A comprehensive school readiness program serving kids 0-5 that has a strong focus on ensuring that they start school ready to learn.

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Heathwood Hall 3000 S. Beltline Boulevard, 231-7710 heathwood.org Offers a wide range of summer programs, from outdoors to athletics and academics.

Lango South Carolina facebook.com/langokidssc At Lango, your child will learn another language, make developmental strides, explore other cultures. At various Midlands locations.

The Language Buzz

Pearson Professional Centers 107 Westpark Blvd., 798-3001 Offers GMAT testing.

Provost Academy South Carolina 400 Arbor Lake Dr., 735-9110 sc.provostacademy A tuition-free, online-only public high school. Live online classrooms give students the ability to includes the ability to participate in discussions and ask questions.

1921 Henderson St., 252-7002 thelanguagebuzz.com

REACH

A unique foreign language learning center that promotes the early command of languages through language immersion, contextualized learning, and the learning and acceptance of different cultures.

A support group for Columbia-area home schoolers; provides information and activities, offers information about academic résumés and transcripts.

Mathnasium mathnasium.com Offers math help for students from grades 2 through 12.

My Amigos

reachgroup.org

Richland County First Steps 2008 Marion St., 256-7237 rcfirststeps.org Works with kids, parents, schools and childcare providers to promote health, literacy and school readiness in young children.

myamigosbec.org Language immersion programs for ages 30 months to 5th grade.

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activities Ben Hoover: It’s been a huge summer of change. To be honest with you, I wish we’d get a do-over on this one for our children’s sake.

Are there some good side effects that come from being out of work for a while as it relates to your family?

As anyone who has experienced a job change knows, it’s hard to see the blessings at first but with time comes clarity and faith.

And recently I’ve enjoyed moments where I’ve been able to teach our children how to ride their bikes without training wheels. At the end of the day, I know you have to consciously make the choice each day to live in and enjoy the moment.

Do you find, with the pressures of job transition, that it’s harder to be that good parent you want to be?

I don’t want to sugarcoat it. I’ve talked about some blessings and they are definitely blessings but it has been a process. I think it’s OK to have those difficult days and have them in front of your children. I believe it doesn’t need to be Pleasantville all of the time. They are watching when times are good. They are really watching when times are tougher. My hope is this will in some way give them better coping skills as adults.

Rachel and Ben Hoover with children Anderson, 10 and Hollis, 5.

Keeping it Normal with Ben Hoover A Look at Family Life with a Columbia Icon

By Kara Gormley Meador

H

ave you ever looked at celebrity families and thought, “They have it made”?

When you look at a celebrity mom or dad’s lives on television or in magazines, their kids look perfectly coiffed. Their children aren’t throwing Cheerios at their parents, or screaming “I don’t like you!” in public.

The truth is, celebrity families deal with the many of same challenges as we do — only they often experience them under the eye of a microscope.

This month, Free Times Family pulls back the curtain on a local-ebrity and his family to see how they cope with everything from getting their kids out the door on time for school to how they police their children’s computers or cell phones.

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Many of you watched Ben Hoover on the evening news. The popular news anchor recently lost his job. Like many South Carolinians who’ve found themselves out of work, Hoover’s family is learning how to live differently. Ben and his wife Rachel are working to handle all of the big changes that come with being out of work, while trying to maintain some normalcy for their two children 10-year-old Anderson and 5-yearold Hollis.

Kara Gormley Meador: Is it fair to say that you and your family have experienced a little bit of change recently?

Midlands’ Magazine for Smart Families

How do you and your wife maintain a sense of normalcy for the kids during this time of transition?

I don’t think a whole lot of normalcy applied to their summer experience. They always knew momma and daddy loved them and were working hard to try and figure things out. If I had to choose a “sense of normalcy,” it would be what the circumstances forced them to do: play together. We tend to over schedule their summers with camps, sports, family trips, etc. but this summer, due to our financial situation, we didn’t do that. The end result, I did notice our 10-yearold boy and 5-year-old girl were playing together and — better yet — actually getting along.

What do you lean on in times of trial like this? What gets you through these times?

When my older sister had her first baby, I was in college and produced a video project where I documented what it was like to be a first-time mom. She said to me,“You’ve got to roll with the punches.” I believe especially with young children, you have to provide.

You have to keep moving. You have no other choice. More than anything, I’ve noticed this is the first time in my life when I’ve spoken out loud to God. I’ve always talked to Him in my heart and mind but never really out loud. That has calmed my spirit.

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Confederate Relic Room and Military Museum 301 Gervais St., 737-8095 www.crr.sc.gov For more than a century, the Confederate Relic Room and Military Museum has collected and preserved the military history of this state.

Congaree National Park 776-4396, nps.gov/cong This 22,000-acre park boasts the largest old-growth, floodplain forest on the continent. It’s also an International Biosphere Reserve, a Globally Important Bird Area and a National Natural Landmark. Activities include hiking, boating, camping, canoeing, fishing, kayaking, nature walks and more. Located in Hopkins, 20 miles southeast of Columbia.

Cottle Strawberry Farm 2533 Trotter Rd., 695-1714 cottlestrawberryfarm.com This 30-plus-year-old strawberry farm tucked in southeast Columbia is open to the public every spring — usually from April through May, and sometimes into June. Mmm … freshly picked strawberries.

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ith the myriad options for children’s programming on television these days, it’s tempting to plop your kid down in front of the flat-screen to keep him or her occupied. But kids like to be active, and we know you dig that whole quality-time shebang.

So we have put together a select list of places where you and junior can play … and play together.

All4Fun Party Rental

Chuck E. Cheese’s

all4funbouncehouses.com Rents bounce houses and slides.

1775 Burning Tree Dr., 772-0435 chuckecheese.com The motto of the nationwide family entertainment center chain: Where a kid can be a kid. Often home to birthdays, play groups and school fundraising events, Chuck E. Cheese’s features games, rides, prizes, food and entertainment for all ages.

Art Smart Academy 732o Broad River Rd., 667-9912 artsmartacademy.com Walk-in pottery and painting, birthday parties and more.

Asheland Art Camp Tapp’s Arts Center: 1644 Main St., 738-2770 Offers camps in drawing, painting, printmaking and more.

Bouncerific 921 Longtown Rd., 865-7939 bouncerific.com No, Bouncerific isn’t a place to send your kid to learn to be a doorman; it’s an indoor party and play center for kids and families. Inflatable bouncers, slides, dress-up, games, more.

Capital Karate capitalkaratesc.com Develops character, discipline and focus as well as physical conditioning and skills.

Carolina CrossFit 1804 Blanding St., carolinacrossfit.com Offers kids’ Crossfit classes.

Fall/Winter 2014

City of Columbia Parks & Recreation columbiasc.net/parksandrec Family-friendly Columbia boasts 52 public parks where your wee ones can run and jump and skip and play, plus a host of community gardens, three swimming pools, one splash pad water park, and a public skate park. The city also offers a host of youth sports and outdoor environmental programs.

drums and year-round rock band classes. Has a Lexington location, too.

Columbia Children’s Theatre 3400 Forest Dr, 691-4548 columbiachildrenstheatre.com Professional theater company for young audiences and families.

Columbia Marionette Theatre 401 Laurel St., 252-7366 cmtpuppet.org Founded in 1988 by famed puppeteer Allie Scollon and her son John, the Columbia Marionette Theatre has established itself as a premiere children’s theater in South Carolina. Its mission is to entertain and educate children and adults through the long-standing tradition and artistry of puppetry.

Columbia Museum of Art

Colonial Life Arena 801 Lincoln St. coloniallifearena.com When Disney princesses and the Sesame Street gang come to Columbia, this is where they play.

1515 Main St., 799-2810 columbiamuseum.org Offers plenty of fun programming for kids, from Family Fun Days, Passport to Art and Gladys’ Gang to its summer camps and school programs.

Columbia Arts Academy

Columbia Tai Chi Center

787-0931, columbiaartsacademy.com The largest music school in the state of South Carolina, the Columbia Arts Academy boasts a large and qualified staff to train your kids in electric and acoustic guitar, voice, piano, bass,

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CrossFit Vista 1125 Lady St., 600-5134 warriorfitnesssc.com CrossFit Kids is a strength and conditioning program used by many athletic teams, martial arts schools and P.E. programs. A great way to address childhood inactivity and obesity. Also has a location in Blythewood.

Dreher Island State Recreation Park 3677 State Park Rd., 364-4152, southcarolinaparks.com Located 30 miles northwest of Columbia in Prosperity, the Dreher Island recreation area consists of three islands encompassing 12 miles of shoreline on Lake Murray. Especially popular for fishing and boating, Dreher Island also offers lakefront camping, cabin and villa rentals, water skiing and picnicking.

Drew Park Splash Pad 2101 Walker Solomon Way drewwellnesscenter.com Sure, there’s a playground, a jogging track and a gazebo, but you’re coming here to get wet in the gigantic spray pad and lighted fountain. (Many of the city’s public parks offer smaller spray pools, too.)

EdVenture Children’s Museum 211 Gervais St., 779-3100 edventure.org The South’s largest children’s museum, with more than 70,000 square feet of cool stuff to keep the kids occupied.

2910 Rosewood Dr., 873-2100 columbiataichicenter.com Help reduce stress and anxiety and boost energy.

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activities Frankie’s Fun Park 140 Parkridge Dr., 781-2342 frankiesfunpark.com This Harbison-area entertainment center packs three go-kart tracks, three 18-hole mini-golf courses, batting cages, bumper boats, an arcade, a 5,000-square foot multi-tiered laser tag arena and a super-tall drop zone that says “In your face, gravity!” into 14 acres filled with fun for all ages. What, do you hate fun or something?

Flying High Academy flyinghighacademysc.com Dance, tumbling, gymnastics and cheerleading programs.

Harbison State Forest 896-8890 state.sc.us/forest/refharb.htm If you didn’t know it was there, you’d never expect to find 2,177 acres of forest along the sprawling mess that is Broad River Road. But there it is — one of the largest public green spaces inside the city limits of a metropolitan area in the eastern United States. Features more than 16 miles of roads and trails (popular for biking) and a canoe landing.

Irmo-Chapin Recreation Commission icrc.net The Irmo-Chapin Recreation Commission offers kids sports, programs and activities at Crooked Creek Park, Saluda Shoals Park and Seven Oaks Park.

Kids Art EXPERIENCE Every Saturday & Sunday 1:30pm: 2hr class Family Friendly Paint Class For $22

Kids welcome anytime to freestyle daily at the Paint Bar with art packages from $10 - $25.

Bring out your childs inner Picasso!

Laugh N Leap 647-960, laughnleap.com Need to buy or rent an inflatable bounce house, water slide, dunk tank or obstacle course? Laugh N Leap has you covered.

Lexington County Recreation Commission lcrac.com Offers youth sports, programs and activities at parks, playgrounds and activity centers in Lexington County.

Lexington County Soccer Club lexingtoncountysoccerclub.org Live in Lexington County? Think your kid’s the next Ronaldo? Sign him or her up with this club team, which offers playing options from recreational to elite traveling squads.

Lexington School of Music

For party or group inquires, please call 803-446-4468!

711 E. Main St., 929-7867 lexingtonschoolofmusic.com Offers flexible schedules for lessons on guitar, voice, bass, piano and more.

Little Gym 912 Lady St. Columbia, SC www.studio-cellar.com | (803) 929 - 0709 | info@studio-cellar.com Mon - Thurs: 5pm - 10pm | Fri : 5pm - 11pm | Sat: 12pm- 11pm | Sun: 12pm - 9pm

2005 N. Beltline Blvd., 738-1115 thelittlegym.com The Little Gym is an experiential learning and physical development center offering children’s physical activities

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centered on movement, music and learning.

Little Loggerheads Swim School littleloggerheads.net Offers morning, afternoon and evening swim lessons for children between the ages of 6 months and 6 years.

The Mad Platter 3101 Millwood Ave., 771-8080 mymadplatter.com Art, studies have shown, makes kids smarter. So take your tykes here, a paint-your-own pottery studio, where they can throw clay, paint plates and explore their creative sides.

Mad Science midlands.madscience.org Offers a wide variety of fun science programs at birthday parties, summer camps, pre-schools and more.

Monkey Joe’s 171 Newland Rd., 788-1102 monkeyjoes.com/columbia For kids, Monkey Joe’s offers a place to monkey around, with wall-to-wall inflatable slides, jumps, climbing walls and obstacle courses. And for parents, there’s comfortable seating, free Wi-Fi, concessions and sports on large, flatscreen TVs.

My Gym 110 Forum Dr., 788-1230 my-gym.com A non-competitive gymnastics and play center keeping children healthy by making fitness fun.

Owens Field Skate Park Jim Hamilton Blvd.

The 14,500-square-foot custom concrete park, when it opened in 2010, replaced a small skate park many local skaters considered bogus. Ramps, bowls, rails, more.

Palmetto Children’s Music palmettochildrensmusic.com Offers Music Together classes, an internationally recognized early childhood music and movement program for infants through 5-year-olds and the grownups who love them.

Palmetto Falls Waterpark 3381 Marion Ave., 751-3475 fortjacksonmwr.com/waterpark/ Tucked just inside of Fort Jackson’s Gate 2 entrance, Palmetto Falls Water Park offers a 10,000-square foot family pool, two water slides, a 600-square foot splashdown pool, a 2,500-square foot kiddie pool, a lazy river stretching 800 feet, and a snack bar. Open to the public Tuesdays through Fridays during the summer.

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activities The Patch 3807 Augusta Hwy., 359-3276 This Gilbert strawberry patch is open for picking during strawberry season, typically April through May.

Patchwork Playhouse 1508 Columbia College Dr., 333-0372, patchworkplayers-sc.com A long-running children’s theater featuring child-sized puppets and actors.

Plex Indoor Sports plexindoorsports.com There are two locations of this local indoor sports complex franchise: The Sandhills location, by the Village at Sandhill, offers indoor soccer, basketball courts and a skate park; the Irmo location, off the Peak exit on I-26, features an ice rink, an indoor soccer field and a remote-controlled car track.

Both locations offer summer camps, birthday party packages, after-school programs and youth sports.

Richland County Recreation Commission richlandcountyrecreation.com Offers youth sports, programs and activities at parks, playgrounds and activity centers in Richland County.

Riverbanks Zoo & Gardens 500 Wildlife Parkway 779-8717, riverbanks.org It’s a natural fact that kids love animals. And Riverbanks Zoo — one of the nation’s finest, according to TripAdvisor — offers plenty of ‘em, from elephants to gorillas to ibexes to an aquarium and reptile complex stocked with fish, frogs, lizards and more. Riverbanks also offers myriad educational programs, day camps, overnight adventures and other fun kids’ events.

Saluda Shoals Park 5605 Bush River Rd., 731-5208 icrc.net Situated on 270 acres downstream from the Lake Murray Dam, Saluda Shoals features a popular water park, an environmental education center, canoe trips, nature hikes, biking trails, fishing spots, picnic shelters, art exhibits, summer camps, health and wellness programs, meeting facilities and more. Good trout fishing, too, if your wee ones are into that.

Samurai Karate Studio samuraikaratestudio.net Offers classes for children and adults, as well as stranger-danger and antibully workshops.

mountain bike trail, a 1.9-mile nature trail, and a 3.5-mile walking and jogging trail.

South Carolina State Museum 301 Gervais St., 898-4921 scmuseum.org.

The South Carolina State Museum, named one of the top three museums in the Southeast by readers of Southern Living, offers a wide variety of kids programming, such as camp-ins, birthday parties, summer camps and living history re-enactments.

Talbot Swim School 792-7298, talbotswimschool.com.

Before you can run, you gotta walk, right? Well, before you go to the pool, you gotta learn to swim, and Talbot Swim School offers private lessons year-round. .

Topspin Racquet and Swim Club topspinsc.com Clay tennis courts in Lexington offering family clinics.

Trenholm Little League eteamz.com/trenholmbaseball Fun, intensive baseball league. Parents can choose clinics only or clinics and team play. Fall and spring seasons.

Trustus Theatre 520 Lady St., 254-9732, trustus.org Offers customized acting classes with individualized instruction.

U.S. National Whitewater Center 5000 Whitewater Center Pkwy., Charlotte, N.C., 704-391-3900, usnwc.org OK, so the U.S. National Whitewater Center isn’t in Columbia; it’s a little more than an hour north in Charlotte. But it’s worth the trip up I-77. Offers whitewater rafting and kayaking, flatwater kayaking, mountain biking, rock climbing, zip lines and more.

YMCA columbiaymca.org The YMCA in downtown Columbia was one of the first 50 Ys in the United States. It now has five branches — including locations in Northeast Columbia, Lexington, Irmo and Orangeburg — with which to provide childcare, camps and after-school programs.

9564 Two Notch Rd., 788-2706, www.southcarolinaparks.com This 1,419-acre park features a 30-acre lake surrounded by trails, picnic areas and campsites. Also offers boating, fishing, swimming, meeting facilities and trails. Trails include a 6.1-mile

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CAPELLA PUERI St. Peter’s Catholic School MARK HUSEY, Director INTERNATIONAL GUEST ARTIST ANNA PORTER JOURNEY WILKES-DAVIS JOHN WHITEHEAD – Executive Artistic Director

Sesquicentennial State Park

Fall/Winter 2014

COLUMBIA FESTIVAL ORCHESTRA NEIL CASEY, Conductor

MIMI WORRELL –Artistic Director

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THANKSGIVING WEEK ONLY

THE TOWNSHIP AUDITORIUM

November 25 – 10AM (Sold Out) November 26 – 10AM November 28 – 7:30PM Dedicated to the City of Columbia And Richland County First Responders Tickets and Reservations 803-576-2350 Online: TicketMaster.com Or 800-745-3000

health

Resources and Tips South Carolina has launched a statewide action plan with a website that serves as a hub for groups and agencies related to lower obesity rates. scaledown.org

The Obesity Disconnect

Project FIT (Families Improving Together) is a research trial being conducted at the University of South Carolina. The NIH-funded study focuses on an holistic approach working with African-American families to improve diet and activity levels. fitusc.org/landing/

Are You Ignoring a Major Health Risk?

By Laura Haight

W

e all know the story about school lunches. Gone are the cheeseburgers, french fries and macaroni and cheese of our youth. They’ve been replaced with baked chicken, broccoli, salads and fruit. Soda machines? No way, grab a juice carton or a bottle of water.

But are these healthy initiatives making a difference? Report after report has blamed school lunches for obesity by citing the higher rates of obesity among students who eat lunch at school compared to those who bring lunch from home. But more recent studies and on-the-ground experience seems to support a different conclusion: a major disconnect between public health policy and what happens when a child goes home.

Dawn MacAdams, lead nurse for the Richland Two School District, quickly ticks off a litany of steps schools are making: healthy lunch and snack choices, physical activity 150 minutes a week and school health grades that go home to parents. Still, she admits to some frustration.

Studies find obese kids don’t grow out of it — they become obese adults.

“Unfortunately, we are just continuing to be more obese,” MacAdams says. “Until we can get buy in and lifestyle changes, I don’t see major changes in those trends.”

And that seems to be the problem. There’s a lack of buy-in at home. A recent study published in Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics found that — even after a doctor’s diagnosis — parents of obese children failed to see their children’s weight as unhealthy. Although more than 93 percent of parents recognized that their kids were overweight or obese, a full 30 percent didn’t see that as a health problem. And nearly the same

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percentage described their children’s health as “good” or “excellent.”

According to the study, conducted by researchers from Brown University and the University of Southern California San Diego, the inability to identify obesity as a health problem was accompanied, not surprisingly, by a lack of response. Although subjects were interviewed in a pediatric obesity clinic, 40 percent had made no plans to adapt their child’s diets and 60 percent had no plans to increase their kids’ physical activity.

That lack of concern or urgency about kids’ health is particularly frustrating for the health professionals working in the public school system. With mountains of regulations and requirements, nutritionists, school nurses and dieticians can only watch from the sidelines as kids get heavier and heavier.

Much of the focus in schools involves providing information to parents — and hoping they will act on it.

“We’ve always strived to get information to parents in PTA meetings, newsletters and other methods as we can,” MacAdams says.

Despite educators’ best efforts, the 2012 National Survey of Children’s Health conducted by the Centers for Disease Control reported that 39.2 percent of South Carolina’s children between the ages of 10 and 17 are overweight or obese. The national average is 30.3 percent.

MacAdams says there many factors at work: a culture that views a few extra pounds as evidence of prosperity and health; the number of people living at near- or belowpoverty levels who find it’s cheaper to buy a few Happy Meals or Hot Pockets than to shop for healthier alternatives and make meals from scratch; and an educational dissonance that seems supported by the same national survey finding that households where parents had higher education levels also had a higher percentage of kids with a healthy weight.

Midlands’ Magazine for Smart Families

Body Mass Index (BMI) is used to screen for obesity and other weight problems. However, the Centers for Disease Control cautions that BMI is not a diagnostic tool — to fully determine whether excess fat is a concern, more assessment is needed. You can learn more at the CDC website: goo.gl/J8RQJi. Get away from the screens. One study found that kids who watched TV or played video games more than two hours a day increased their risk of obesity by 19 percent.

Exercise can be easy. It doesn’t have to involve teams or equipment or taking your kid somewhere.

Since overweight kids often have overweight parents, this is something families can do together.

Some low-maintenance ideas for getting 60 minutes of some kind of activity each day can be found here: goo.gl/ciRYFr. This may be the most important — and easiest — lifestyle change to make.

“We underestimate our children’s weight and we underestimate the impact,” MacAdams says. Studies find obese kids don’t grow out of it — they become obese adults. And the money we saved on Hot Pockets will quickly be spent on the plethora of medical issues facing our kids throughout life.

So much has been publicized about these issues that it is hard to believe we haven’t made more progress.

“Part of our push is to get information out to parents and to give them other choices and alternatives — trying to get both children and adults to make some healthier choices,” MacAdams says. “It is very slow going. It is hard to change habits like that. You have to take each baby step as a success.”

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or check-ups, vaccines, boosters and general wellness, you need a trusted family practitioner or pediatrician in your life. And there’s a lot more to staying healthy than just having a regular doctor. Here are some resources to get you started.

Ballentine Pediatrics

Child Care Services

City of Columbia Community Gardens

11134 Broad River Rd., 732-0920 ballentinepediatrics.com

scchildcare.org

columbiasc.net/communitygardens

An arm of the Department of Social Services, this childcare.sc.gov is an online hub with information on everything from child-care center licensing to Head Start programs. Also see related site scchildcare.org.

Five-by-12-foot publicly owned plots available for lease to residents and organizations. Cost is $20 per year.

Children’s Dental Group of South Carolina

cpcp.sph.sc.edu/cooking, 576-5636

Christian-oriented practice.

Ballentine Family Dentistry 3533 Dreher Shoals Rd., 732-3001

Camden Family Care

7210 K Broad River Rd., Irmo, 781-5141 childrensdentalgroupsc@gmail.com

1017 Fair St.,424-1260 camdenfamilycare.com

Carolina Children’s Dentistry 7701 Trenholm Rd., 736-6000 carolinachildrensdentistry.com Serving children from toddlers to age 18.

Carolina Pediatrics Downtown: 2113 Adams Grove Rd., 256-0531 Irmo: 7033 St. Andrews Rd., 376-2838 carolinapediatrics.co

Carolina Teen Health carolinateenhealth.org Questions about sex and STDs answered in a teen-oriented format.

Children’s Dental Group of South Carolina is the fastest growing children’s dental office in Columbia, offering oral conscious sedation for a more pleasant dental experience. We gladly accept insurance and Medicaid for ages 1-21.

Columbia’s Cooking!

Healthy cooking classes for kids 9 and older and adults.

Colonial Family Practice 3930 Devine St., 256-1511 colonialfamilypractice.com Part of a Sumter-based practice group.

Creative Cooking Chapin Family Practice

creativecookingsc.com

1612 Chapin Rd., 345-3414 chapinfamilypractice.com

Classes and camps for children ages 3 to 12.

Children’s Choice Pediatrics 6108 Garners Ferry Rd., 647-1265 childrenschoicepeds.com

Chrysostom Family Dentistry 3308 Platt Springs Rd., 350-9124 drdeno.com

Eat Smart Move More South Carolina eatsmartmovemoresc.org Offers events, live training and web training to assist local organizers in creating, managing and maintaining obesity prevention programs.

Ellis, Green & Jenkins Pediatric Dentistry 8905 Two Notch Rd., 788-9353 wecaredentalsc.com

Fall/Winter 2014

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Medcare Urgent Care Center

Providence Northeast Family

110 Medical Cir., 509-7316 medcareurgentcare.com

114 Gateway Corporate Blvd., 788-6508 providence-nefc.com

Family Medicine Centers of South Carolina

Midlands Orthopedics

Rice Creek Family Dentistry

1910 Blanding St., 256-4107 midlandsortho.com

101 Rice Bent Way, 788-2676 ricecreekdmd.com

Open Saturday mornings, when young athletes often need help.

Safe Kids Midlands

Moore Orthopaedic Clinic

7 Richland Medical Park Dr., Suite 7186 safekidsmidlands.org

Downtown: 1910 Gregg St., 931-0100 Hardscrabble: 300 Rice Meadow Way, 227-7777 Irmo: 7611 St. Andrews Rd., 724-1100 Lexington: 3630 Sunset Blvd., 239-1600 Northeast: 1721 Horseshoe Dr., 788-7884 Southeast: 813 Leesburg Rd., 783-4433 fmcofsc.com Private family practice group.

Five Points Pediatric & Walk-in Care

Columbia: 14 Medical Park, 227-8000 Columbia: 114 Gateway Corp., 227-8000 Lexington: 104 Saluda Pointe Dr., 227-8000 moorecenter.net

1228 Harden St., 748-7002, ecchc.org

Northeast Children’s Dentistry

Part of the Eau Claire Cooperative Health Centers.

147 Summit Cir., 865-1421 northeastchildrensdentistry.com

Gee Family & Cosmetic Dentistry 1701 St. Julian Place, 254-6763 advanceddentistrycolumbia.com

Dedicated to decreasing the number of injuries to children. Offers information on safe car-seat practices, product recalls, safety with household products and more.

Smile Columbia 690A Columbiana Dr., 781-9090 smilecolumbia.com

Palmetto Health

South Carolina Campaign to Prevent Teen Pregnancy

palmettohealth.org

teenpregnancysc.org

Super-friendly, family owned practice led by Dr. Nicholas Gee.

A frequent contender for Best Hospital in Free Times’ Best of Columbia poll.

Provides information and resources for teens, parents, educators and community organizations.

Girls on the Run

Palmetto Health Children’s Hospital

South Carolina Dental Center

gotrcolumbia.org

7 Richland Medical Park Dr. ch.palmettohealth.org

2020 Laurel St., 254-4543 southcarolinadentalcenter.com

A state-of-the-art children’s hospital with comfortable family-centered spaces, age-appropriate play areas and therapeutic diversions to help reduce stress and encourage healing.

South Lake Family Dental

Palmetto Health Family Medicine Practices

Sterling Sharpe Pediatric Center

Inspires pre-teen girls to be joyful, healthy and confident through a fun curriculum that creatively integrates running.

Hutchinson Family Dentistry 209 W. Main St., 359-0566 hutchinsonfamilydentistry.com

Kids First Dental

Harbison: 190 Parkridge Dr., 407-3857 Irmo: 190 Parkridge Dr., 749-0693 Lakeview: 1316 N. Lake Dr., 358-1191 Northeast: 115 Blarney Dr., 736-6262 South Hampton: 5900 Garners Ferry Rd., 695-5450 Twelve Mile Creek: 4711 Sunset Blvd., 356-3609 University: 4311 Hardscrabble Rd., 419-6334 palmettohealth.org

2700 Broad River Rd., 772-4949 kidsfirstdentalsc.com

The Kids Group 206 Medical Cir., 796-9200 thekidsgroup.com

Family practice wing of Palmetto Health.

Kool Smiles 5422 Forest Dr., 753-8064 mykoolsmiles.com

Palmetto Pediatric & Adolescent Clinic

Lake Murray Pediatric Dentistry 740 Old Lexington Hwy., 345-2483 lakemurraypediatricdentistry.com

Lakeside Pediatrics

Downtown: 140 Park Central, 779-4001 Harbison: 16 Woodcross Dr., 732-0140 Lexington: 1970 Augusta Hwy., 358-2370 Northeast: 74 Polo Rd., 788-4886 Rice Creek: 300 Rice Meadow Way, 788-6360 palmettopediatric.com Affiliated with Richland, Baptist, Palmetto Richland Children’s and Lexington Hospitals.

811 W. Main St., Suite 205 (Lexington) lakesidepediatric.com Led by Dr. Douglas Luberoff; part of the Lexington Medical Center network.

Lexington Family Practice

1223 S. Lake Dr., 520-5580 southlakedmd.com

4605 Monticello Rd., 252-7001 ecchc.org Part of the Eau Claire Cooperative Health Centers.

Teen Talk palmettohealth.org/teentalk, 296-2273 Offers numerous resources for teens, including Teen Talk newsletter, peer-to-peer discussions and an askan-expert program.

USC Family Medicine Center 3209 Colonial Blvd., 434-6113 familymedicine.med.sc.edu Offers complete care for children and adults with a focus on prevention.

USC Sports Medicine Center Two Medical Park, Suite 104, 434-6812 uscsportsmedicine.com Open to athletes at all levels — recreational to high school, college and professional.

Palmetto Smiles 139 Whiteford Way, 951-9100, palmetto-smiles.com

Vista Smiles 515 Richland St., 779-9666 vistasmilesofcolumbia.com

lexmednetwork.org

Pediatric After Hours Care

The Lexington Family Practice network is an umbrella group of the Lexington Medical Center.

114 Gateway Corporate Blvd., 865-4900 Open 6-10 p.m., Mon-Fri; 2-8 p.m., Sat-Sun.

Offers full range of family dental services with advancing technology in a welcoming environment.

Lexington Medical Center

Providence Hospitals

Wellspring Family Medicine

lexmed.com

Downtown: 2435 Forest Dr. Northeast: 120 Gateway Corporate Blvd. providencehospitals.com

114 Gateway Corporate Blvd., 865-9655 wellspringfmed.com

Another of Columbia’s top-flight hospital systems.

Wild Smiles

A frequent winner of Best Hospital in Free Times’ Best of Columbia poll.

Dr. Samuel J. Marsh Pediatric Dentistry

203 N. Lake Dr., 356-1606, wildsmiles.net

2302 Bush River Rd., 798-8675 wemakekidssmile.com

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Midlands’ Magazine for Smart Families

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Fall/Winter 2014

A Bite Out of Time HURRY! COME SEE US BEFORE WE'RE EXTINCT. • 15 Life-size robotic prehistoric creatures • Triceratops souvenir photo opportunity • Remote-controllable dinosaur • Hands-on activities

PLANETARIUM • OBSERVATORY • 4D THEATER

Is Back-to-School Car Pool Planning Stressing You Out? 803-960-2062 • www.KidzKab.net

SCMUSEUM.ORG 301 GERVAIS ST., COLUMBIA

RICHLAND COUNTY South Carolina

life

Resources for Grandparents A word of advice from Maureen DeverBumba, associate director for geriatric education at the University of South Carolina School of Medicine:

Grand Parenting

“If you’re taking on grandchildren due to crisis, one of the best things you can do is spend time identifying exactly what you need, and all the resources available. No community or state is the same. Federal, state, local; there are all kinds of levels of support. Find out what’s available in your community.”

Raising Kids … Again

By Allison Caldwell

Here are some places to turn:

S

ituations vary, but grandparents raising grandchildren is a growing social phenomenon.

USC Center for Child and Family Studies (CCFS.sc.edu) Improving the well-being of children, adults and families in South Carolina and the nation.

Charlie Whitehead and Wyatt

The American Association for the Advancement of Retired Persons (AARP) reports that almost 7.8 million children in the U.S. live in homes where grandparents or other relatives are the householders; more than 2.5 million grandparents are taking on the responsibility for these children.

In South Carolina alone, the 2010 Census found more than 140,000 children under age 18 live with grandparents or other relatives.

“Roughly 12 percent of families nationwide are grandparents raising grandkids,” says Maureen Dever-Bumba, associate director for geriatric education at the University of South Carolina School of Medicine.

Sometimes the reasons for grandparents getting involved are related to poverty and other social issues.

“This concept really started coming out in the ‘90s,” Dever-Bumba says. “The driving forces tended to be issues related to HIV, drugs and other issues tied to poverty.

Research showed that grandparents were frequently single, lower income, and had health issues of their own when taking on their grandchildren. Things are a little different now because of the Affordable Care Act. A big focus now is determining the circumstances around how a grandparent came to receive the child.”

“Often it’s a situation with a single mother and no supportive male figure,” says DeverBumba. “Teen pregnancy is also a problem.

The issues are really pretty common.”

Lexington resident Kim Pendleton can relate. She has temporary custody of her 9-year-old grandson due to a difficult situation at the boy’s home.

“It’s a struggle financially — we currently live on my part-time salary,” Pendleton says.

“We get food stamps, which is something I never thought I’d have to do. Another drawback is that I’m 62, and he’s 9.

“There will be some challenges in the future, I know,” Pendleton continues. “The good news is that I have two daughters

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Midlands Partnership for Community Health’s Parish Nurse Program (803) 296-5305

here to help. Their kids are the same age, so he’s able to spend a lot of time with his American Grandparents Association cousins. Discipline has changed our re(Grandparents.com) lationship a little, but he really seems to Resources, information, member disappreciate the structure, consistency and counts, incentives and more. knowing what to expect. He doesn’t get USA.gov that at home. I just want him to do well and (USA.gov/Topics/Grandparents) be happy. He’s very bright, artistic and an Grandparent programs per state and amazing little boy.” information about benefits, assistance Sometimes grandparents get involved and more. more out of interest and convenience.

That’s closer to the situation with Vicki Whitehead and her 5-year-old grandson.

Dad is a musician and mom bartends One school district isn’t on the weekends; exactly what she thought. their late, long hours She has her hands full aren’t ideal for a trawith two granddaughters, ditional babysitter. ages 1 and 3. The girls are As grandparents, cousins, and spend five Vicki and her husdays a week at “Luvie’s band have kept their Preschool.” grandson one night “My daughters are also a week and every teachers, so I only keep weekend since he the girls during the school was 6 weeks old. year,” Halfacre says. “I sit “The schedin the floor and play with uling can be a them. We learn about hassle sometimes sharing, and saying I’m for adults, but it sorry. We color, sing, read amazes me how lots of books, do hands-on flexible children activities. Our den looks are,” Whitehead like a day care. I enjoy it says. “He’s adnot only because they’re justed well to our my grandchildren, but weekly schedule. because I enjoy teaching.

Gabriella, Angela Halfacre’s His parents are very The role of disciplinarian granddaughter appreciative. We’re might change our open with each other relationship a little, but about his health, discipline issues, whatever I’m not sure I would be any different as a comes up. It’s a joy for my husband and me grandparent if we weren’t in this situation. because we get to spend so much quality It can be challenging, but my husband and time with him … I’m enjoying every minute I absolutely love getting to see them every of it.” day, and watching them learn and grow. Not Angela “Luvie” Halfacre’s retirement from all grandparents are that lucky.” a 37-year career as a teacher in Lexington

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Fall/Winter 2014

Serving up ! n u f y l i m Fa

Keeping families moving for 10 years

• Birthday Parties • Jumpin Jacks Infllatable Park • Roller Skating • Ice Skating • And Much More

www.PlexIndoorSports.com

Sandhills 803.360.7300

Irmo

803.732.1900

life

Lake Murray Counseling Center 7511 St. Andrews Rd., 781-1003 lakemurraycounseling.com Offering counseling for children’s and adolescent issues.

Leadership Institute at Columbia College columbiacollegesc.edu/ leadership_inst/ Girls Empowered and LEAD residential programs.

Lexington-Richland Anti-Drug Abuse Council Lexington County: 1068 S. Lake Dr., 726-9400 Richland County: 2711 Colonial Dr., 726-9300 lradac.org Alcohol and drug abuse authority offering a wide array of prevention, intervention and treatment programs, including child and adolescent programs.

Mental Health America of South Carolina 1823 Gadsden St., 779-5363 mha-sc.org Assists those with mental illnesses and their families through education and advocacy.

NAMI Mid Carolina 1823 Gadsden St., 20-2916 namimidcarolina.org Local chapter of the National Alliance on Mental Illness.

Palmetto Counseling Associates 1911 Gadsden St., 254-9767 palmettocounseling.com

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ife is full of tough questions. Is your 4-year-old ready for a sleepover?

Should your 12-year-old be on Snapchat? How do you talk to your 16-year-old about sexting? Teach your children well, or so the song says — and here’s how you can help them learn how to live.

ASY Counseling Services

Children’s Chance

1825 St. Julian Pl., 254-1210 asycounseling.com

609 Sims Ave., 254-5996 childrenschance.org

Providing quality mental health services to children and families in the Columbia area.

Children’s Chance’s mission is to improve the quality of life of children and families who are dealing with the trauma of pediatric cancer.

Behavior Consulting Services 3227 Sunset Blvd. behaviorconsultingservices.com Serves children with a variety of special needs, including autism spectrum disorders, behavioral difficulties and academic difficulties.

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Columbia bbbs.org Oldest and largest youth mentoring organization in the United States. Serves children ages 6 through 18.

Boys & Girls Club of the Midlands bgcmidland.org Formed in 1959, operates 31 clubs, eight summer camps and a teen center serving youth and families from Fairfield, Lexington and Richland Counties.

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Children’s Trust of SC 1634 Main St., 733-5430 scchildren.org Aims to promote healthy, nurturing relationships between children and adults — because strengthening families is the best way to prevent abuse, neglect and unintentional injuries.

Christian Counseling Center 1500 Lady St., 779-1995 christiancounseling.ws Offers counseling on a variety of topics; also offers spiritual and religious counseling. Offered by First Presbyterian Church.

Columbia Counseling Center

Crossroads Counseling Center 130 Whiteford Way, 808-1800 solutionsforlife.org Counseling for adults, adolescents, children and marriages.

Family Connection of South Carolina 2712 Middleburg Dr., 252-0914 familyconnectionsc.org Statewide organization of parents helping parents of children with disabilities, developmental delays, and chronic illnesses.

Family Service Center of South Carolina 2712 Middleburg Dr., 733-5450 fsconline.wordpress.com A multi-service non-profit agency offering adoption services, consumer credit counseling, child dental clinics, an eye care clinic and more.

900 St. Andrews Rd., 731-4708 columbiacounseling.accountsupport.com

SC Childcare scchildcare.org, childcare.sc.gov Clearinghouse of information on childcare licensing and childhood development programs.

South Carolina Youth Advocate Program 140 Stoneridge Dr., Ste. 350, 779-5500, scyap.com Nonprofit child-placing agency offering training, support and compensation to qualified families who provide a home to a foster child.

Three Rivers Behavioral Health West Columbia: 200 Ermine Rd., 791-9918 West Columbia: 2900 Sunset Blvd., 796-9911 threeriversbehavioral.org Provides comprehensive residential treatment for children and adolescents providing treatment for psychiatric and chemical dependency related illnesses.

University of South Carolina Speech and Hearing Research Center 1601 St. Julian Pl., 77-2614, sph.sc.edu/shc/

A Christian perspective on counseling.

Midlands’ Magazine for Smart Families

Holistic approach emphasizes not only psychology, but also social, physical and spiritual well-being.

Provides a variety of evaluation and treatment programs for individuals of all ages.

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family finance

Is Your Kid Smart Enough for a Smartphone?

My First Smartphone

This list of questions from Common Sense Media (commonsensemedia.org) is a good place to start to determine if your child whether they are 8 or 18, is ready for their own phone.

How Young is Too Young?

• Are your kids pretty independent?

By Kevin Oliver

• Do your children need to be in touch for safety reasons?

W

ith the kids back in school and out of the house — and not just for classes, but also for after-school activities, youth groups at church, even part-time jobs in the case of older children — the question arises of whether they need a cell phone of their own, and whether that cell phone needs to be a smartphone.

For the kids, the answer is almost always “Yes.” But for mom and dad it’s not that simple.

Contemplating this question of the right age for a smartphone in my own family with our middle-school age daughters, I took an informal poll of my Facebook friends with kids of their own. The results — from a pool of 40 different respondents — were all over the place, from a low of 4 to a high of 18. The younger extreme was due to a divorced set of parents and the peace of mind for the child to be able to call dad any time; the older examples were typically kids headed off to college and away from home for the first extended period.

The unscientific poll yielded a reasonablesounding average age of 12.

The best way to answer the question, according to Liz Perle of Common Sense Media via PBS.org, is to ask other questions.

• How independent are your kids?

• Do they need to be in touch for safety reasons, or social ones?

• How responsible are they?

• Can they be trusted to use the various functions including text and data appropriately?

Last but maybe most important, are you willing to add the expense of a different data plan?

Let’s look at several of the more easily answered questions, starting with how active and independent your kids are.

What concrete reasons are there for your child to need a phone? The reason most often cited in my personal polling was afterschool activities. Band, sports, and clubs that keep students on campus long after buses and many teachers are gone make having a secure way to contact mom and dad for a ride home a must. For older kids, a job might come into play.

Fall/Winter 2014

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“When my daughter started babysitting her younger brother and sister for us, we felt better with her having a cell phone of her own, especially since we don’t have a house phone,” says Red Bank mom Heidi Sease. “She has never been paid for babysitting, but she has definitely earned her phone.”

Glenda Snelgrove of Lexington says she reached the point of getting phones for her children when they became busy after school.

“Our children all received a phone once they started with after-school stuff — for the girls, that was high school, for my son in football it was seventh grade,” Snelgrove says.

It wasn’t a perfect solution at first, however.

“My girls both messed up with too much of the texting until I made them pay for the overages,” Snelgrove adds, noting that they quickly fell into less expensive habits.

Of course, it’s possible to buy a cell phone that’s not a smartphone and won’t run up charges for texting and data usage.

For some families, that’s the answer: Your fifth-grader might need a phone to touch base, but not a smartphone on which they can text friends and watch YouTube incessantly.

It’s that responsibility factor that causes the majority of the disparity in what age a child receives their first phone — or their first smartphone — however. Only you can determine when the right time has come, because you know your child best.

“Age matters less than maturity,” says Lydia Porter of Columbia. “When we went on a trip to Washington, D.C., both of my girls received a TracFone and were instructed, ‘If you get separated from the group, call us.’ My 8-year-old could not

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• Would having easy access to friends benefit them for social reasons?

• Do you think they’ll use a cell phone responsibly – for example, not texting during class or disturbing others with their phone conversations?

• Can they adhere to limits you set for minutes talked and apps downloaded?

• Will they use the text, photo, and video functions responsibly and not to embarrass or harass others? keep it charged or remember where she put it once they got back from the trip, so I let the account lapse until she was mature enough to handle it. My older daughter was 11 at the time and maintained the phone, the minutes, and used it to check in with me periodically which was useful for our schedules.” Two years later the girls both have phones and are well versed in using them appropriately, she adds.

“I do monitor their use, but in general I forbid less and explain the real danger of certain choices more,” Porter says. “Kids who know make fewer stupid choices.”

Even within the same family, sometimes the choice can be different for each child.

“Our son got his at age 8 due to health issues and fear of him needing help when he was not near us,” says Becky Champoux of West Columbia. “Our daughter is 10, with no phone in her near future because she’s still with us all the time and doesn’t really need it.”

So what’s the magic number? There isn’t one. Knowing your child, their maturity level, and their specific needs, however, will determine the best decision for your family.

Midlands’ Magazine for Smart Families

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media Music & DVD Reviews

By Kevin Oliver mother who knows all the old songs and loves to play them for her kids and their kids. At this point in her career, we’re all Jenkins’ kids anyway.

Thomas Hellman and Emilie Clepper I Know an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly The Secret Mountain

Ella Jenkins More Multicultural Songs for Children from Ella Jenkins Smithsonian Folkways Since 1957, Ella Jenkins has been one of the world’s most beloved children’s musicians, earning the unofficial title “The First Lady of Children’s Music.” With 40 albums since 1957, she’s also among the most prolific — and even at 90, Jenkins is still releasing new music.

Her latest collection is a batch of 20 tunes that travel around the globe in song. Jenkins is aided, as usual, by an endearingly chirpy bunch of children. Some of the tracks are taken from live appearances featuring simply Jenkins and her acoustic guitar with at most a piano for accompaniment.

There are some basic skills songs such as “Count from One to Ten,” which injects several different verses of language number training into its call-and-response singalong style.

Elsewhere Jenkins takes the listener to Russia, China, Egypt, Germany and Australia, among other locales, with songs that explore cultural differences and traditions.

Listening to Jenkins sing is like having a really nice, multilingual grand-

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The latest in The Secret Mountain’s excellent series of picture books with accompanying CDs, this collection is centered on the songs of Canadian folk singer Alan Mills, who wrote the familiar title tune in 1952 with Rose Bonne.

It has been recorded over the years by everyone from Burl Ives to Cyndi Lauper in versions both serious and silly.

Canadian musicians Thomas Hellman and Emilie Clepper take the more playful tack, trading lines atop a jug-band style musical setting complete with jaw harp, banjo and more as the lyrics build inexorably to the finale.

The appeal of this book/CD series is immediately apparent with this opening set of panels, juxtaposing the lyrics with colorful painted images that will delight little eyes as much as little ears will enjoy the music.

Teachers may find some new material for circle time, class time and especially story-

Midlands’ Magazine for Smart Families

time here with “Months of the Year,” “Animal Alphabet Song,” and “123 ABCD,” the latter in a gentle, almost lullaby presentation that makes it perfect for that pre-nap ritual.

Parents will enjoy having both a new book of beautiful images and stories and a set of songs to go along with them.

Multiple artists The Boxcar Children Phase 4 Films Gertrude Chandler Warner’s famous Boxcar Children series of children’s books has never received an on-screen treatment, until now. This computer-animated version hews faithfully to the story of the first novel in the series, in which four orphaned children happen upon an abandoned boxcar and live in it while participating in the nearby town’s life. When one of the siblings takes ill they must finally ask for adult help, risking discovery to save one of their own.

The voice cast is first-rate, including Martin Sheen, J.K. Simmons ( Spiderman ), Zach Gordon ( Diary of a Wimpy Kid ), Joey King ( Fargo ), Mackenzie Foy ( Twilight ) and Jadon Sand ( LEGO: The Movie ). The animation, while computer-generated, leans more toward a traditional two-dimensional style than the almost realistic method employed by most recent major children’s movies, giving the proceedings a retro feel befitting the source material.

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Fall/Winter 2014

Getting my family anywhere all together is a challenge, and Sunday mornings are no exception.

At Shandon Baptist Church, a fun, safe environment for our kids, a community of friends to share life with, and powerful, biblical teaching make the effort

So worth it.

Andrea & Jamie Grantham (age 5), Eli (age 3), Daniel (age 1)

Worship Services: 10:00 & 11:30AM Sunday School: 8:45, 10:00 & 11:15AM

Tamara Stockton, DDS

Ruges F. Stockton, DDS

MOST INSURANCE PLANS ACCEPTED Hours: M-Th 9a – 6p Fri 9a – 5p www.StocktonFamilySmiles.com

media Books

Finally, all three are ready to experience life on their own, but it’s clear that their mother’s love is never far away. If you’re tired of clichéd or syrupy-sweet books on this topic, this thoughtful title provides a sophisticated alternative.

— Heather McCue, Richland Library

Don’t Tell the Girls: A Family Memoir

Mr. Tiger Goes Wild Peter Brown

Patricia Reilly Giff

Boston Globe-Horn Book Awards, 48 pages, $18

Holiday House, 131 pages, $16.95

Ages: 3-6

In this charming memoir Patricia Riley Giff shares memories of her maternal grandmother and the secrets they shared when she was a child. Nana’s stories about her relatives emigrating from Ireland led Giff to search records at the New York Public Library for more information. Her interest in family stories led her through a genealogical search carried into her adulthood and lead to a trip to her paternal grandfather’s hometown in Ireland. With family photos and copies of documents Giff illustrates the genealogical research process. Her realistic historical novels for children reflect her deep understanding of this time period in American history. This is a vibrant look into family relationships and a basic introduction into genealogy. This is a user-friendly introduction to family history projects.

— Becky Dickey, Richland Library Southeast

Ages: 9 and up

From top hats to stiff suits, Mr. Tiger is fed up with the constraints of society. Yearning to let loose, he begins a beautifully crafted metamorphosis back to, of all places, the wild. Peter Brown’s thoughtful and relatable storyline — accompanied by engaging illustrations with — captivates readers of all ages, making this the perfect read-aloud book for families. Tigers everywhere will delight in Mr. Tiger’s journey, triumph and ability to effect real change in the world.

— Laura Bliss Morris, Richland Library

i carry your heart with me e.e. cummings (author) and Mati McDonough (illustrator) Boston Globe-Horn Book Awards, 48 pages, $18 Ages: all ages

i carry your heart with me, adapted from e.e. cummings’ 1920 poem of the same name, is a beautiful tribute to the love between a parent and child. With collage art by Mati McDonough, readers are treated to simple, yet detailed illustrations that give new context to cumming’s words. In the first double-page spread, we see a pregnant mother looking blissful, her eyes closed and her hand embracing her unborn child. This image is reflected by a mother bird sitting in a nest with her egg. The illustrations reveal the story of a child, chick and even a baby elephant growing up under the loving gaze of their mothers.

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Rebel Belle Rachel Hawkins Putnam Juvenile, 345 pages, $17.99 Ages: 12 and up

When a series of strange events gift homecoming queen Harper Jane Price with amazing new powers, the world as she knows it is turned upside down. At first, she doesn’t quite know what to make of it, then she learns that

Midlands’ Magazine for Smart Families

she’s a Paladin, a sworn protector, whose creation dates back to Charlemagne. As if that’s not complicated enough, she discovers that she is sworn to protect David Stark, her number one childhood nemesis! How will this Southern Belle manage her new super-fighting abilities? With fantastic action sequences, great humor, and familiar references to life in the South both teens and tweens will enjoy this coming of age story with a twist.

— Christina Fuller-Gregory, Richland Library

Absolutely Almost Lisa Graff Penguin Young Readers Group, 288 pages, $16.99 Ages: 13 and up

Albie lives in a world of almost. He almost gets all his spelling words right. His dad almost remembers to put together that model plane with him. He almost gives correct change to the delivery guy. As if he didn’t have enough problems, he has to start a new school and his best friend’s family is starring in a reality TV show. And then there’s his new babysitter, Calista. Even though he’s old enough to stay by himself, Albie has to admit she’s pretty great. She allows him to stay up a little later, eat doughnuts and see the world in a whole new way. Just when things are looking up, the most popular kid in his class wants to be his friend. Will he give up almost to live in a world of absolutely? Albie’s voice rings true as the narrator and readers will root for him as he navigates disappointed parents, friendships and popularity to find his place in the world. A great read-aloud for families and classrooms. Lisa Graff weaves a true tale that leaves us with an absolutely almost happy ending.

— Heather McCue, Richland Library

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Fall/Winter 2014

media Apps for Kids

ABC Actions Peapod Labs, LLC ($2.99), iPhone and iPad Ages: Preschoolers A great addition to alphabet apps, ABC Actions features photographs and words in both English and Spanish. There are also extended features like videos and games.

Real photographs of children and adults of varying ages, races and cultures are especially appealing. One of the best aspects of this app is physical play. By using an action alphabet, children can hear the word, see an example of the action word and then perform the action themselves.

— Heather McCue, Richland Library

Loose Strands Darned Sock Productions ($4.99), Android and Apple iOS Ages: Tweens Part A Series of Unfortunate Events, part Choose Your Own Adventure, Loose Strands is one of the best interactive novel apps that

I’ve seen. Roland Bartholomew Dexter the Third is our unwitting hero. Every day for Roland seems the same, but something’s about to change. With your help, Roland’s going to discover the mystery surrounding his parent’s barbershop. This thoughtfully designed app engages readers in the story by making choices for Roland.

Available for Apple and Android devices, this app is a worthwhile purchase as it allows for multiple readings with different outcomes. If I still haven’t sold you, try the Unlockable Edition, which gives readers access to the first chapter for free.

— Heather McCue, Richland Library

Loose Strands stars Roland Bartholomew Dexter the Third

Busy Shapes Seven Academy ($1.99), iPhone and iPad Ages: 2-4 Young children gain spatial awareness and problem-solving skills with this supersmart app from Seven Academy. Inspired

by Jean Piaget’s cognitive development theory, Busy Shapes allows children to freely explore shapes, textures and relationships between objects. The concept is simple: Kids drag objects across the screen and drop them into the appropriate holes. Once the object has been dropped, a new scene with a new object appears, with each scene growing steadily more challenging as players progress through the app.

The designers at Seven Academy have created a clean and attractive app with a

Busy Shapes gets more challenging with each new scene wonderful array of textures, colors and sounds. The smart functions prevent toddlers from accidentally swiping out of the app and register play patterns to create new challenges based upon the way your child is exploring. With no time limits, no pressure to earn points, easy navigation, and 38 levels, Busy Shapes will engage 2- and 3-yearolds in building motor and problem-solving skills. — Sarah Cameron, Richland Library

DROP-IN NURSERY

Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday 9a.m.–12:30p.m.

Infants 6 weeks through 4 years of age There is a $45 fee due each September (pro-rated throughout the year) with a $10 fee for each additional child. Hourly rates are $6 per hour for the first child and $2 per hour for each additional child.

If you have any questions, please call Francine Barry, Drop-In Director, at 256-1654 ext.161.

Diana Hardy • (910)224-8307 LAIenterprises.llc@gmail.com Fall/Winter 2014

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Eastminister Presbyterian Church 3200 Trenholm Road | Columbia, SC 29204 Midlands’ Magazine for Smart Families

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November StoryBook Ball Edventure Children’s Museum edventure.org Nov. 8. Enter a world of kings and queens, pirates, princesses and fabled creatures as EdVenture transforms into a magical kingdom of storybook dreams.

Annie Jr. Spring Hill High School Theatre icrc.net Nov. 15-16. Little orphan Annie charms everyone’s hearts despite a next-tonothing start in this kid-targeted production of the perennial favorite.

Guys and Dolls Jr. Columbia Children’s Theatre columbiachildrenstheatre.com Nov. 15-16. YouTheatre production offers a junior version of the famous musical.

Lights Before Christmas

Calendar Ongoing Jack and the Giants Columbia Marionette Theatre cmtpuppet.org Through Nov. 15. Giants are supposed to be big, mean, and nasty. They eat anyone who crosses their path. But Flinch isn’t like other giants.

Dinosaurs: Land of Fire and Ice Edventure Children’s Museum edventure.org Through Oct. 19. Explore the Cretaceous Period (145 – 65 million years ago), when dinosaurs last lived on earth. Visitors encounter unfamiliar landscapes, touchable dinosaurs and opportunities to investigate clues about what these mysterious creatures left behind.

Dinosaurs: A Bite Out of Time South Carolina State Museum scmuseum.org Through Jan. 4. Ongoing exhibition strives to intrigue kiddies with robotic dinosaurs — as well as other creatures that lived during the same prehistoric time period. $15; $13 seniors: $11 children 3-12. Tickets include general museum admission. Discounts offered for members.

EdVenture Family Night EdVenture Children’s Museum edventure.org Second Tuesdays. $1 museum admission between 5 and 8 p.m.

Fall/Winter 2014

Gladys’ Gang

Boo at the Zoo

Columbia Museum of Art columbuamuseum.org Program held first Wednesday of every month. Using the museum’s art as a guide, children and their adult caregivers enjoy story time in the galleries followed by a hands-on art project.

Riverbanks Zoo riverbanks.org Oct. 17-30. The zoo’s annual Halloween spooktacular offers a trick-or-treat trail, moonlight magic, a spooky safari, a haunted carousel and more. (It’s not that scary. We promise.)

Toddler Tuesdays

Halloween at the Park

EdVenture Children’s Museum edventure.org Every Tuesday from 10-11 a.m. for children 12 months to 5 years old. Some activities include arts & crafts, easel painting and playing in the sandbox.

Free with paid museum admission or membership.

Crooked Creek Park icrc.net Oct. 24. Trick-or-treat on an outdoor trail, then enjoy carnival games and prizes, a costume contest and more activities.

Parents’ Survival Night The Little Gym Fridays. Parents call it a break from the kids. Kids call it a break from their parents. That sounds like a win-win situation.

Passport to Art Columbia Museum of Art columbiamuseum.org Second Sundays from noon to 3 p.m.

Free open-studio program for families with activities corresponding with one of the museum’s exhibitions.

October South Carolina State Fair South Carolina State Fairgrounds scstatefair.org Oct. 8-19. Find your happy — whether it’s looking at the exhibitions, riding the rides or earing the food. Offers discounted family packs.

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The Trial of the Big Bad Wolf Columbia Children’s Theatre columbiachildrenstheatre.com Oct. 24-26. YouTheatre production puts the infamous villain on trial for his crimes.

Riverbanks Zoo riverbanks.org Nov. 21-Dec.30. The Zoo will light up each evening with more than one million twinkling lights and countless animated images representing some of Riverbanks’ most lovable residents.

Sleigh Bell Stroll Saluda Shoals Park icrc.net Nov. 24. This unique, nighttime event is held amid the festive light displays of Holiday Lights on the River. 3-D glasses included with admission.

Holiday Lights on the River Saluda Shoals Park icrc.net Nov. 26-Dec. 31. The Midlands’ largest drive-through lights show.

December Jack Frost Columbia Children’s Theatre columbiachildrenstheatre.com Dec. 5-14. Frigid fairy-tale figure gets the theater treatment in this production.

Santa’s Market Craft Show

Columbia Museum of Art columbiamuseum.org Oct. 27. As darkness falls, the Museum transforms with ghosts, bats, pumpkins, art stations, sweet treats and more

Seven Oaks Park icrc.net Dec. 6. Annual holiday event featuring unique gifts, charming decorations and crafts, including art prints and paintings, hand-made jewelry, ornaments, painted glassware and holiday wreaths and decor.

Halloween Hustle

Candy Cane Hunt

Saluda Shoals Park icrc.net Oct. 30. Dress in your Halloween best for this run held on a fast, fun course that runs through Saluda Shoals Park.

The festivities continue after the hustle with a laser light show, DJ and other activities.

New Year’s Eve at Noon

Spooktacular Night

Midlands’ Magazine for Smart Families

Crooked Creek Park icrc.net Dec. 20. Santa and his elves will be hiding candy canes along the disc golf trail for children to find. Bring a basket or bag.

Edventure Children’s Museum edventure.org Dec. 31. Columbia’s only “ball drop” for kids. Doors open at 9 a.m. with activities celebrating New Year’s Eve around the world.

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