AUGUST 2015 freetimesfamily.com
Midlands’ Magazine for Smart Families
Time for School — But Did It Ever Really End? p. 6 The Importance of Sports p. 10 Not Your Mother’s Music Lessons p. 12
FAMILY FUN AT THE CMA Passport to Art This free drop-in studio program for families features a new hands-on art project each month. After spending time in our open studios, explore the galleries at your leisure or join us for the family tour at 1:00 p.m. Free. Sunday, August 9 Noon - 3 p.m. Sunday, September 13 Noon - 3:00 p.m.
Everyday Fun for the Whole Family Andy Warhol’s Famous Faces includes interactive art and a selfie station, giving the whole family places to play. The CMA’s interactive education gallery is a place for children to learn about fine art while they play in a fun, hands-on environment.
Gladys’ Gang Gladys’ Gang is an 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. Wednesday, September 2 10 - 11 a.m.
Plus, turn the entire museum into an adventure with Art Explorer Backpacks. Designed to encourage families to have fun in the galleries, each backpack includes activities that relate to a theme.
See you there!
1515 Main Street in downtown Columbia, SC | 803-799-2810 | columbiamuseum.org
IT’S BACK TO SCHOOL MUSIC LESSON TIME! • Guitar • Piano • Voice • Drums • Bass
2014
• Banjo • Ukulele • Mandolin • Rock Band Classes VOTED BEST PLACE FOR MUSIC LESSONS BY READERS OF FREE TIMES
South Carolina’s Largest Music School
THE COLUMBIA ARTS ACADEMY LESSONS FOR CHILDREN & ADULTS Over 1,000 students will take our lessons this semester. Visit our websites or call today before all of the prime lesson spots are gone!
803.996.0623
803.667.4447
LexingtonSchoolofMusic.com
ColumbiaArtsAcademy.com
226 Barr Rd.
3630 Rosewood Dr.
(next to Lexington Presbyterian Church)
(near Rosewood Elementary)
Sign up for lessons and receive a $25 registration for
FREE! $25.00 August 2015
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AUGUST 2015
Midlands’ Magazine for Smart Families
Published by Resorts Media 1534 Main St., Columbia, SC 29201 (803) 765.0707
learning
life
6 Time for School — But Did It Ever Really End?
19 Listings
8 Listings
20 Books + CDs
activities 10 The Importance of Sports 12 Not Your Mother’s Music Lessons
media
freetimesfamily.com EDITORIAL EDITOR: Dan Cook, editor@free-times.com | ext. 133 LISTINGS EDITOR: Jordan Lawrence DIGITAL MEDIA ASSISTANT: Xavier Edwards CONTRIBUTORS: Heather Green, Malia Jacobson, Kara Meador, Kevin Oliver, Anne Wolfe Postic
calendar 22 Events and Programming
13 Listings
health
PRODUCTION PRODUCTION MANAGER: Lisa Willis GRAPHIC DESIGNER: Joey Ayer GRAPHIC DESIGNER: Dre Lopez
ADVERTISING ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER: Kerry Powers kpowers@free-times.com | ext. 128 ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES: Angie Bledsoe, Hyatt Drake, Ginny Kuhn, Sue Miller, Jerry Viles ADVERTISING ASSISTANTS: Kayla Cahill, Anton Dela Cruz
DISTRIBUTION CIRCULATION MANAGER: Anton Dela Cruz DOCK MANAGER: Brandon Daniels
16 Back to School, Back to Sleep
BUSINESS OPERATIONS MANAGER: Jen Coody
17 Listings
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 August 2015
Music for your life!
The USC School of Music offers an abundance of music classes and lessons for the community.
Carolina Music Studios
Center for Piano Studies
Suzuki Strings at USC
USC String Project
Private lessons in brass, strings, woodwinds, guitar, percussion and voice and group lessons in flute and guitar • all ages
Private and group lessons in the Suzuki method for guitar, cello, violin and viola • age 3 and above
Beginner to advanced level students learn in a combination of group classes and private lessons • age 5 through adult
Violin, viola, cello, and bass instruction in group classes, orchestras and private lessons • 3rd grade and up, and adults
Music Play
An innovative program to develop young children’s music potential • newborn to age 5
More info at sc.edu/music/ community-lessons
learning
It’s Time for School — But Did it Ever Really End? Experts Are Split on Over-the-Summer Homework By Heather Green
R
emember when summers were true respites from school and homework? When there were no required reading lists or summer projects during the long, humid summer days? Days were wide open to enjoy sleeping until noon, watching endless hours of MTV, hanging out with friends or going to the beach. Those days are long gone with the rise of “vacation work” being assigned to students with the hope of stemming the traditional summer slide, which can cause students to lose up to two months of progress gained during the traditional school year. As kids return to school, some are probably feeling like they didn’t have that much of a break. Should schools be piling up the homework during summer vacation — or do young minds need a break and a chance to play and refresh? The answer depends upon whom you ask.
Just Say No? Sara Bennett, co-author of The Case Against Homework and founder of StopHomework.com, believes that kids need more downtime to relax during summer months. “Even if there is a summer slide, I don’t think that homework is the solution,” Bennett told GreatSchools.org in the article “Should Kids Get Summer Homework?” Bennett suggests that parents just say no — tell teachers that there wasn’t time to do homework during the summer. Nancy Kalish, Bennett’s co-author for The Case Against Homework, agrees. Summer homework makes kids miserable and has significantly grown over the years, she says. “There are a few things summer homework does accomplish effectively: It steals time away from other important aspects of learning such as play, which helps kids master social skills and teamwork,” Kalish writes in an online piece for The New York Times, “The Crush of Summer Homework.” She also believes that homework keeps kids physically inactive and could lead to health issues down the road.
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“Perhaps worst of all” Kalish writes, “summer homework affects how kids feel about learning and school. Do we want our children to start the school year refreshed and ready to learn? Or burned out and resentful?”
Bridging the Summer Slide Gap “What is often called the ‘summer slide’ is real: children who don’t read over the summer not only fail to improve upon the reading skills they displayed at the end of the school year, but actually regress during the summer months,” says Sara Schwebel, associate professor of English Language and Literature at the University of South Carolina. Unlike Bennett and Kalish, Schwebel suggests that required summer homework can reduce the effects of this slide by increasing reading skills and comprehension and should be assigned so that students are not losing valuable educational strides. Children learn best when educational instruction is continuous; otherwise, educators must review old material upon students’ return in the fall. Students lose grasp of skills when they have not used them for a two- to threemonth period.
Summer Play and Family Time Having time to play and exercise is also important during summer vacation. Incorporating play into summer homework makes it a fun activity rather than a chore. “Play is the work of childhood, and it is critically important,” Schwebel says. “But reading and play can support each other. Read a book about flying kites, building sand castles or organizing a lemonade stand — then go out and do each. In preparation for a vacation, check out travel guides as well as a variety of pleasure reading books — including audible ones to read together, as a family, in the car.” She also recommends choosing books that inspire imagination and creativity.
Midlands’ Magazine for Smart Families
“When children read novels in which the protagonist creates a fantasy world or survives in the wilderness — Anne of Green Gables, The Secret Garden and My Side of the Mountain are some classic titles — they are often inspired to incorporate the building of forts or secret hideaways into their own outdoor play. Parents and librarians can help children integrate reading and play by selecting high-interest books at an appropriate reading level.” Required or elective reading lists? Who gets to decide? Should kids get to decide what they’ll read during the summer? Schwebel suggests mixing mandatory reading with elective lists to challenge kids over the summer. “Children benefit from reading a range of texts,” she says. “They might opt for pleasure reading at or slightly below their reading level, which is appropriate and provides a good way for children to practice reading — just like they might practice the piano or practice jump shots. But children also need to be encouraged to tackle books that challenge them as readers.” She also points out that required reading pushes children to challenge their reading levels and exposes them to a variety of genres such as poetry and nonfiction.
Be a Great Role Model Expert tips to survive summer homework By Sara Schwebel • Plan regular, weekly trips to your public library. Pick up some books from required reading lists and mix with personal picks. • Be a reading role model. “First and foremost, adults can be good role models by curling up with a book, reading the newspaper over their morning coffee, and packing pleasure reading, along with clothes, during trips to the beach or other vacation spots.” • Incorporate learning moments by playing family board games and trivia. Cooking also provides great reading opportunities. Ask your child to read through recipes and use math to plan meals. • Use simple trips to the grocery store or a restaurant to promote reading and learning. Ask your child to read ingredients or menu options. • Plan ahead and don’t wait until the last week of summer vacation to begin required summer reading and homework.
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August 2015
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 O Or rtth ho P PM M&S Saturday atur at urda ur ay H Ho Hours* ou urrs* s M Mo Monday nd day – F Friday, rid ri id da ay, y, 5 5:0 5:00pm :00p :0 0 m – 7: 0p 7 7:00pm :0 00 0pm pm Saturday, Satu urrd day ay, 8:30am–10:30am 8:30 8: 30 3 0am m–1 10 0::3 30 0am am Blanding Street location only, B Bl la an nd diin ng gS trree et lo loca cati ca tio on no nlly n y,, Gregg Street G Gr reg gg S St tre reet ett entrance ent ntranc rra an ncce Some insurance restrictions may apply. *SSom Some So om o m e iinsurance me nssu nsu u rra ran a ce e rres re restrictions e tri tricti c t on cti ons ns m ns ma may ay a apply. ppl pp p pll y. p
August 2015
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Midlands’ Magazine for Smart Families
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EDUCATIONAL THERAPY SPEECH • NUTRITIONlearning DIFFICULTIES LEARNING S STRUGGLING LEARNERS EDUCATIONAL THERAPY UTORING • ACADEMICS
ometimes your kids hit it off with their teachers; sometimes they don’t. Every child learns differently and has different interests, whether it’s art, math, science, architecture or history. 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.
EDUCATIONAL THERAPY
goes beyond tutoring by addressing the underlying issues that cause a student to struggle; services include
Educational | Occupational | Speech | Nutritional
Bring this ad in for $40 off your registration fee!
803.419.0126 • www.dtiusa.org 8807 Two Notch Road, Suite I • Columbia, SC 29223
100 Girls of Code
Challenger Learning Center
100girlsofcode.com/ columbia-sc.html Fun and interactive programs for girls covering website construction, games and more.
2600A Barhamville Rd., 803-929-3951 thechallengercenter.net Aeronautics- and space-themed learning program operated by Richland District One. Designed to provide interactive learning experiences, integrating science, technology, engineering and math curricula with 21st-century life skills.
Aim High Education 4561 Hardscrabble Rd., 803-788-6894 aimhigheducationsc.com Customized after-school education programs and tutoring.
The Afterschool Zone Irmo: 7520 Woodrow St., 803-732-0230 theafterschoolzoneacademy.com Community-based program offering afterschool pickup from Lexington/ Richland 5 and Richland 1 schools. Students engage in physical and educational activities.
Aspire Early Learning Academy 1103 B Ave. (West Columbia), 803-834-4976 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, 803-231-3300 bgadev.com After-school program operated by Boys and Girls Club of the Midlands. Uses nationally proven programs for addressing today’s most pressing youth issues.
Bright Start 720 Gracern Rd., 803-929-1112 brightstartsc.com Provides quality comprehensive services to all individuals with special needs and developmental delays.
Cardinal Newman cnhs.org Private school serving grades 7 through 12 with emphasis on strong academics, a dedication to service and traditional Catholic, Christian values.
Discovery Program of South Carolina 8807 Two Notch Rd., 419-0126 dtiusa.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 West Columbia: 1041 Harbor Dr., 803-796-7622 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, 776-0295 hammondschool.org In addition to being a top college-prep school promoting a lifelong love of learning, Hammond offers a wide array of after-school classes for children and adults.
Heathwood Hall 3000 S. Beltline Boulevard, 803-765-2309 heathwood.org Episcopal school serves age 3 through 12th grade with an emphasis on developing sophisticated thinkers who are also empathetic and generous adults. Offers a wide range of summer programs, from outdoors to athletics and academics.
The Language Buzz 1921 Henderson St., 803-252-7002 thelanguagebuzz.com 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.
Lexington County First Steps 101 West Columbia Ave., 803-532-6861 scfirststeps.com/lexington Public-private partnership to increase school readiness outcomes for children.
Mathnasium mathnasium.com Offers math help for students from grades 2 through 12.
My Amigos West Columbia: 132 St. Davids Church Rd., 356-2232 myamigosbec.org Language immersion programs for ages 30 months to 5th grade.
Provost Academy South Carolina 200 Arbor Lake Dr., 803-735-9110 sc.provostacademy.com A tuition-free, online-only public charter high school. Live online classrooms give students the ability to participate in discussions and ask questions.
REACH reachgroup.org A support group for Columbia-area homeschoolers; provides information and activities, offers information about academic résumés and transcripts.
Richland County First Steps 2008 Marion St., 803-256-7237 rcfirststeps.org Works with kids, parents, schools and childcare providers to promote health, literacy and school readiness in young children.
Summer Leadership Institute at Columbia College columbiacollegesc.edu Leadership programs for rising 9th through 12th-grade girls.
Pearson Professional Center
Sylvan Learning
107 Westpark Blvd., 617-374-9600 200 Center Pointe Cir., 803-750-2126 home.pearsonvue.com Offers GED and many other tests.
sylvanlearning.com Tutoring programs, STEM education. college prop. Several locations throughout the in Midlands.
Ben Lippen is more than a Scottish phrase meaning “Mountain of Trust.” Ben Lippen is a Pre-K through 12th grade day and boarding school with a 75 year history of educating students from a biblical worldview. It’s a group of like-minded friends and families who develop lifelong relationships in a close-knit community. It means receiving personalized attention from faculty who are committed to seeing students thrive both inside and outside the classroom. With students representing 10 nationalities, Ben Lippen is a celebration of diversity and an opportunity to work alongside people from different backgrounds. For these reasons and more, Ben Lippen School is Columbia’s leader in Christian education.
Visit www.WhoIsBenLippen.com and get to know Ben Lippen School today! w w w. B e n L i p p e n . c o m | 8 0 3 . 8 0 7 . 4 0 0 0
activities
The Importance of Sports Hint — It’s Not About Going Pro By Anne Wolfe Postic
K
ids’ sports are serious business.
Not only are there more and more opportunities to play sports, there are also more “opportunities” to pay for the privilege. There’s a sports club — an expensive club — for every single one, whether it’s soccer, tennis, baseball, swimming or anything else. With families putting so much time and money into sports, some parents seem to think their children will go pro. After shelling out thousands of dollars through the years for equipment, participation and travel, who can blame them? All that money must be going toward something, right? But have you heard these people on the sidelines? They’re talking about their kids getting scouted — in middle school. And it happens: According to the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), a whopping 1.4 percent of college soccer players are drafted by Major League Soccer. Of course, only 5.4 percent of high school soccer players make it onto a college field in the first place. Football and basketball statistics are similar. Ice hockey and baseball players have a much better shot — if you consider 6.8 and 8.6 percent to be “much better.” You know what these stats mean? They mean that the obnoxious braggart on the sidelines is probably full of it. Even if his kid did score 12 baskets to your daughter’s 0, she probably still won’t make it to the WNBA. A
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discouraging .9 percent of lady college ballers do. That’s less than 1 percent, y’all. Even if you spent more time in the gym than in high school math class, you have to know that’s next to nil. I love my kids, and I love every moment of watching them on the field, the court, or the whatever you call it in baseball. I’ve watched them improve, and they’re better than I ever could have been at athletic pursuits. But they aren’t going pro. (Sorry, guys.) So why do we keep playing — and paying? Because I want them to go bro in sports. No, that’s not a typo. “Going bro” means enjoying sports for what they are to most adults: a fun, healthy way to hang out with friends and meet people. What else will they learn by going bro? They’ll learn how to lose, and win, with grace. Losing doesn’t have to mean hating the winners, and winning doesn’t have to mean thinking less of the player who came in second. They’ll learn to compete with friends, without forfeiting friendships. I’m a writer, and I have a lot of friends in my field. I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t a little jealous every time one of them had something great published and I didn’t. But overall? I’m happy for them, and their success makes me want to be a better writer. Competition is inspiring, and I love having friends who can talk shop with me. They’ll learn to socialize in a healthy way, instead of in front of the television, or with
Midlands’ Magazine for Smart Families
multiple pitchers of beer. To be fair, all those recreational sports for adults — kickball, softball, tennis — include plenty of beer drinking. But at least they’re metabolizing it. Fact: Sitting and drinking is worse for you than doing a sport with a few chasers. Going bro means enjoying the after party. They’ll be more organized. Kids who play sports and participate in after school activities learn to budget their time, and they have less time to get into trouble. Not that your precious angel will ever get in trouble … but they will. They’ll learn to be part of a team, and work with other people to achieve a result. Some people on the team will be a lot of fun, and some won’t. Some will play better than others. Just like in real life. Team sports really do prepare kids for the real world. Showing up on time and doing your best is a great way to get people to like you. They’ll learn to shake off embarrassing moments, and laugh at themselves. This is a tough, important lesson. Participating in sports will teach your kid that (almost) everyone fails and (almost) everyone has an embarrassing moment here and there. Having a team to laugh with helps. Girls can go bro, too, you know. There just isn’t a cute phrase for it. Title IX, the federal law that prohibits sex discrimination in schools, means that girls have just as much of a chance to go bro as boys. Besides, 23.4 percent of girls who play ice hockey in high school go on to play in college. And the National Women’s Hockey League was founded this year! Now there’s a sport where you could have a pro on your hands. More likely, you’ll have a girl who knows how to have a good time in a healthy way, can laugh at herself, and gets along well with others. Isn’t that all any parent wants?
The Best Sports for Going Bro • Tennis: It’s really popular, and there are public courts all over. • Mountain Biking: More schools are offering this as an option, and your kid will also gain an efficient mode of transportation. • Bowling: High school bowling is really fun. The matching shirts are a total bonus. • Cross Country: You can run anywhere. And there’s always a fun race going on somewhere, with an after party. • Basketball: Later in life, pickup games are fun. And if your kid isn’t varsity, or even JV material? Interfaith leagues are a blast. • Anything That Might Qualify as a Sport: If your kid is into fencing, or rock climbing, or anything physical, and there’s no team at his or her school? Encourage him to approach the school about founding one. Bonus: Starting a sport will look great on a college application, maybe better than a varsity letter.
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Lessons to excel in dance and life. Enroll now! Call 803 771.6303
|
• Early Childhood • Youth
• Pre-Professional • Dancing for Theatre
• Young Adult • Adult
CDEstudios.org Official school of Ann Brodie’s Carolina Ballet
4721 Forest Drive Columbia, SC 803-790-6300 www.strobler.com
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activities
Lexington School of Music photo by Sean Rayford
Rooted in the Past, Looking Toward the Future
Not Your Mother’s Music Lessons By Kara Meador
T
he next time you crank up Lenny Kravitz on the way to get groceries, listen to Johnny Cash on the ride to school or dial that Neil Diamond song up to the front car speakers and think the kids aren’t listening, think again. You are influencing your child’s musical programming. Just ask Lexington School of Music owner Marty Fort. He says the musical tastes of the children taking lessons at his school run the gamut.
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
Lexington School of Music • Located at 226 Barr Road, Lexington. • Offers guitar, piano, voice, singing, bass, drum, banjo, ukulele and mandolin lessons. • Classes are offered for kids age 4 to adult. Special needs students welcome. • $28 per weekly 30-minute private lesson. • For more information, email info@lexingtonschoolofmusic.com or call 803-667-4436. • Open 7 days a week: Mon-Thu 9 a.m.8:30 p.m.; Fri 11 a.m.-7 p.m.; Sat 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; Sun 1-6 p.m.
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“Some of the kids want to jam to ‘70s rock, others are into the old-school hair bands,” Fort says. And yes, Taylor Swift is popular too. Some of those musical tastes are coming from parents, while others are coming from friends. While some of the students’ tastes might be old school, music lessons at the Lexington School of Music are light years ahead of what many of us remember. LED screens mounted in every rehearsal room, music apps and electronic drums sets — these are definitely not your momma’s music lessons. Plus, the students learn the music they want to learn — a big plus for getting kids engaged. “During a voice lesson students can pull up lyrics on YouTube instead of sharing a sheet of paper,” Fort says. The monitors have cables that attach to iPods, iPads or laptops. Want to keep track of your child’s progress on days when you can’t attend a lesson? Lexington School of Music has that covered, too. Fort says they’ve integrated the devices to allow students to tap into music teaching apps, music software — and even Skype. The school also uses a musical ladder system to chart students’ progress. Teachers use a series of color-coded bracelets; as kids collect a number of bracelets, they get a trophy. As students advance up the ladder the trophies get bigger. Kids love the swag — and so do some adults.
Midlands’ Magazine for Smart Families
“We have some attorneys and doctors who haven’t gotten a trophy in years,” Fort says. “They love the ladder system.” Fort says he’s in the process of patenting his musical ladder system and is working with a company in the Vista to produce software that he hopes to market globally. Once the software is developed, Fort hopes to takes his system to a new level. He’s always looking ahead. What do you expect from a guy who had a life-changing moment while watching the classic Michael J. Fox flick Back to the Future. “I hated lessons,” Fort says. At one point during his youth, when a teacher turned his back to help another kid during a group music lesson, Fort says he broke the strings on his guitar as an excuse to leave. But then Marty Fort met Marty McFly — Fox’s character in the 1985 science fiction comedy. “The cheesy but true story is I saw the scene of Michael J. Fox in Back to the Future. There’s a scene where he is playing the prom. So I got an electric guitar and never looked back.”
Fort and a partner started The Columbia Arts Academy on Rosewood Drive more than a decade ago in a building that used to be a dog-grooming parlor; back then, he had 30 students. He started the Lexington School of Music two-and-a-half years ago as a solo project. Between the two schools, Fort says they have 60 teachers and roughly 1,100 students. It’s been a wild year for Fort. In March, he moved the Lexington School of Music from its former location in Lexington’s Old Mill to the school’s new building on Barr Road. “We closed on this property March 4th, started renovations March 5th,“ and then Fort says he and his wife welcomed their first child, Katie, on March 10th. “She was a good baby — she waited for all of that.” Fort may be a new dad, but he’s always been keen on what parents are looking for. He’s hired full-time office staff so you don’t get stuck talking to an answering machine. “You can know when you call or come by — you know someone is going to be here and take care of you.” Security cameras are installed in every room and each of the teaching rooms have huge windows on the doors. The front of the school is lined with rocking chairs and picnic tables, and there’s a huge parking lot. “You know with multiple kids — they’re hungry, whiney. You really want to get right in to lessons and right out. That’s why this lot is great.” If you go to visit the Lexington School of Music, check out the pictures of Fort’s students that line the walls. From the kid whose long dark locks are flinging in the air as he jams a riff on his electric guitar to the girl banging on the drums, the kids are having some old-fashioned fun at the new-fangled music school.
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activities
W
hen kids are bored, they’ll gladly spend endless hours on an iPad or Kindle playing Minecraft or watching videos on YouTube. But that’s not what you want your kids doing all day — and there are plenty of places you can go that will stimulate their minds and exercise their bodies.
Art Smart Academy
Carolina CrossFit
artsmartacademy.com, 803-667-9912 Walk-in pottery and painting, birthday parties and more.
1804 Blanding St. carolinacrossfit.com Offers kids’ Crossfit classes.
Asheland Studios ashelandart.yolasite.com, 803-738-2770 Offers workshops, camps and afterschool programs in drawing, painting, printmaking and more.
Center for Dance Education 914 Pulaski St., 803-771-6303 cdestudios.org Led by Mimi Worrell, the Center for Dance Education is the official school of Ann Brodie’s Carolina Ballet.
Chuck E. Cheese’s
Capital Karate capitalkaratesc.com, 803-212-7111 Develops character, discipline and focus as well as physical conditioning and skills.
chuckecheese.com, 803-772-0435 It gets pretty loud here, but kids love it. The motto: Where a kid can be a kid. Features games, rides, prizes, food and entertainment for all ages. Popular spot for birthdays.
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 skatepark.
Colonial Life Arena 801 Lincoln St. coloniallifearena.com When Disney princesses, monster trucks and the Sesame Street gang come to Columbia, this is where they play.
Columbia Arts Academy 3630 Rosewood Dr., 803-787-0931 columbiaartsacademy.com The largest music school in the state, the Columbia Arts Academy teaches kids electric and acoustic guitar, voice, piano, bass and drums. Year-round rock band classes — and there’s a Lexington location, too.
Columbia Ballet School 132 Gills Creek Pkwy, 803-783-5258 columbiaballetschool.com Committed to helping students develop technical skills, artistry, discipline, self-confidence, and respect for themselves and others.
Columbia Children’s Theatre 3400 Forest Dr., (Richland Mall), 803-691-4548 columbiachildrenstheatre.com Professional theater company for young audiences and families.
Columbia Marionette Theatre 401 Laurel St., 803-252-7366 cmtpuppet.org Entertains and educates children and adults through the long-standing tradition and artistry of puppetry. Produces 450 shows per year and occasionally hosts touring artists.
Columbia Museum of Art 1515 Main St., 803-799-2810 columbiamuseum.org Offers fun programs and activities for kids, including Art Explorer backpacks, Family Fun Days, Passport to Art, the free monthly Gladys’ Gang program and a wide array of summer camps.
Columbia Tai Chi Center 2671 Rosewood Dr., 803-873-2100 columbiataichicenter.com Help reduce stress and anxiety and boost energy.
Confederate Relic Room and Military Museum 301 Gervais St., 803-737-8095 www.crr.sc.gov Collects and preserves the military history of South Carolina from Revolutionary War to present-day military operations. If your child has a budding
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208 Candi Lane Suite G • 799.0999 • www.getyourgearon.com
activities interest in history, he or she will learn something here.
Congaree National Park 100 National Park Rd., (Hopkins, S.C.), 803-776-4396 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 20 miles southeast of Columbia.
Cottle Strawberry Farm 2533 Trotter Road, 803-695-1714 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.
CrossFit Vista 1105 Lady St., 803-600-5134 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 obesity. Additional locations in Blythewood and Camden.
Dreher Island State Recreation Park southcarolinaparks.com, 803-364-4152 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 Wellness Center 2101 Walker Solomon Way, 803-545-3200 columbiasc.gov/drew-wellness Year-round swim lessons. Can also be reserved for pool parties, birthday parties and more.
EdVenture Children’s Museum 211 Gervais St., 803-779-3100 edventure.org, The South’s largest children’s museum, with more than 70,000 square feet of cool stuff to keep the kids occupied.
Frankie’s Fun Park 140 Park Ridge Dr., 803-781-2342 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. What, do you hate fun or something?
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Harbison State Forest 803-896-8890 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 sprawl of 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.
HiWire Ultimate Trampoline Park 741 Fashion Dr. (Village at Sandhill), 803-563-6230 1019 Broad Stone Rd. (Irmo), 803-732-1900 hiwire.info Do kids like to jump and bounce? Yes. Do they like to dive into vast foam pits? Yes. So will they go nuts over a vast trampoline field with more than 60 trampolines? Yes, they will. Locations in Irmo and Sandhills.
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.
Ladybug Art Studios facebook.com/ladybugartstudios.com, 803-603-7312 Art classes held in 120-year old historic Victorian house located five minutes from downtown Columbia.
Laugh N Leap 3125 Bluff Road, 803-647-9601 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, 803-359-4048 Offers youth sports, programs and activities at parks, playgrounds and activity centers in Lexington County.
Lexington School of Music 226 Barr Road, 803-996-0623 lexingtonschoolofmusic.com Offers quality music instruction in piano, guitar, bass, drum banjo and ukulele lessons for ages 4 and up.
Little Gym 4420 Rosewood Dr., 803-738-1115 thelittlegym.com/columbiasc The Little Gym is an experiential learning and physical development center offering children’s physical activities centered on movement, music and learning.
Little Loggerheads Swim School facebook.com/ littleloggerheadsswimschool, 770-710-7424 Offers swim lessons for children between the ages of 6 months and 6 years.
Palmetto Falls Waterpark at Fort Jackson | photo by Jonathan Sharpe
Liverpool FC America
Palmetto Falls Waterpark
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.
6511 Marion Ave., 803-751-3475 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 2,500-square foot kiddie pool and more. Public access limited; call ahead for details.
The Mad Platter 3101 Millwood Ave., 803-771-8080 www.mymadplatter.com Paint-your-own pottery studio where kids can throw clay, paint plates and explore their creative sides. Popular for parties; also offers summer camps.
Mad Science midlands.madscience.org, 803-728-0859 Offers a wide variety of fun science programs at birthday parties, summer camps, pre-schools and more.
My Gym 110 Forum Dr., 1, 803-788-1230 my-gym.com/necolumbia A non-competitive gymnastics and play center keeping children healthy by making fitness fun. Located in the Village at Sandhill.
Owens Field Skate Park 1351 Jim Hamilton Blvd., 803-545-3100 columbiaparksandrec.net Opened in 2010, this 14,500-squarefoot park in Rosewood has ramps, bowls, rails, more. Popular with skaters of all ages and skill levels.
Palmetto Children’s Music 2740 Devine St., 803-603-9615 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. Also has Lexington location.
Midlands’ Magazine for Smart Families
freetimesfamily.com
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, afterschool 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, 803-779-8717 riverbanks.org It’s a natural fact that kids love animals. And Riverbanks Zoo offers plenty of ‘em, from elephants to gorillas to ibexes to an aquarium and reptile complex. Riverbanks also offers a zip line, climbing wall, ropes course, day camps, overnight adventures and other fun kids’ events.
Rolling Video Games rollingvideogamescolumbia.com Rolling Video Games delivers what it promises: a mobile video game theater stocked with the latest titles available for birthday parties, bar mitzvahs, whatever.
ftfamilysc
August 2015
Saluda Shoals Park 5605 Bush River Road, 803-731-5208 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, summer camps, health and wellness programs and more.
Samurai Karate Studio 2000 Clemson Rd. 9, 803-462-9425 samuraikarate.net Offers classes for children and adults, as well as stranger-danger and antibully workshops.
Sesquicentennial State Park 9564 Two Notch Rd., 803-788-2706 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 mountain bike trail, a 1.9-mile nature trail, and a 3.5-mile walking and jogging trail.
South Carolina State Museum scmuseum.org, 803-898-4921 Features a planetarium, observatory, 4-D theater and hands-on science activities. Offers a wide variety of kids programming, such as camp-ins, movies, birthday parties, summer camps and living history re-enactments.
Topspin Racquet and Swim Club 5347-B Sunset Blvd., 803-951-8851 topspinsc.com Clay tennis courts in Lexington offering family clinics.
Trenholm Little League trenholmbaseball.com Fun, intensive baseball and softball league. Offers T-ball for the youngest kids, coaches pitch and kids pitch for older ages. Fall and spring seasons.
Trustus Theatre trustus.org, 803-254-9732 Offers customized acting classes with individualized instruction.
U.S. National Whitewater Center usnwc.org, 704-391-3900 (Charlotte) 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 afterschool programs.
You can see the wonderful impact The Little Gym can have on your child when you join us for a Free Introductory Experience!
Columbia
Lexington
(803) 738-1115 (803) 951-7235 www.TheLittleGym.com
Friday, August 7 ~ 5:30-8pm A Celebration for Rising Kindergartners and Their Families at EdVenture Children’s Museum Learn How to Safely Board a School Bus Resources for Parents on Keeping Kids Safe and Healthy Free Dental Screenings | Games | Museum Exploration
Free Admission! Free Fun!
Countdown to Kindergarten provides parents with an opportunity to connect with representatives from school districts, state agencies and community organizations to learn about available educational, health and community resources. Let the countdown begin! Sponsored by
211 Gervais Street www.edventure.org
health Back to School, Back to Sleep Restoring Your School-Year Sleep Routine
and leave kids in a daze during the critical first weeks of school. Instead, give them time to adjust to the new schedule. Beginning a week before the first day, wake kids 15 minutes earlier in the morning, and move bedtime earlier by the same amount of time. Continue adjusting both wake-up and bedtime by 15 to 20 minutes per day until both are appropriate for their school-day schedule.
By Malia Jacobson
Early to Bed, Early to Rise
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Collins emphasizes how important it is to adjust both bedtime and wake-up time. Hitting the sack earlier isn’t enough, says Collins; kids won’t be tired enough to fall asleep an earlier hour unless they’re also waking up earlier in the morning. Once they’re up, let the sun shine in — fling open curtains to expose them to morning light, and serve breakfast in the brightest spot in the house. They’ll be awake in no time, and the light will reset their internal clock to help them fall asleep earlier at night. An hour before bedtime, it’s time to help kids slow down to prepare for sleep, Lehwald says. Draw the curtains to block out latesummer rays and limit stimulating television and video games. Spend time winding down as a family with books and other quiet activities.
ith a new school year on the horizon, supply lists are being checked off, overgrown locks trimmed and backpacks filled to the brim. But if kids haven’t transitioned back to school-year sleep habits, they’re not ready for the first day. Trading summer’s relaxed sleep schedule for a school-year routine is an important part of back-to-school prep, says Roslinde Collins, medical director of the Sleep Center at Rutland Regional Medical Center in Vermont. Reestablishing an earlier time for lights-out helps ensure that kids get the rest they need to shine at school. Kids who get their required 9-12 hours of nightly slumber are primed for school-year success, says Lenora Lehwald, assistant professor of clinical pediatrics at Ohio State College of Medicine. Proper rest helps children learn and retain information, because memories are incorporated during REM sleep. If a late summer bedtime lingers into the school year, kids will be subject to grouchi-
ness, inattentiveness — and more. “Chronically sleep-deprived children have more trouble maintaining a healthy weight,” Collins says. “They can also exhibit symptoms of hyperactivity and may even be diagnosed with ADHD.” Don’t expect kids to fall back into their school-year sleep habits without some help. While you can’t make them celebrate summer’s end, you can plan for brighter mornings and happier days with some advance preparation.
Slow and Steady Kids depend on a regular sleep schedule, so don’t wait until the last day of summer to dig out the alarm clock. Rising early after months of sleeping in can shock little bodies
Stay in the Groove Kids’ bodies and brains depend on consistency, so aim to keep bedtimes in check even on weekends and school breaks. Collins recommends keeping school-vacation bedtimes no more than an hour later than normal. Sleeping in on weekends is a reality of our sleep-starved culture, but it’s no substitute for good everyday habits. A general rule of thumb: “If kids have to sleep in more than two hours later than normal on weekends, they’re probably not getting enough sleep during the week,” Collins says. When it comes to sleep, kids are not little adults. “Parents often wonder why it’s hard to get their child up and ready for school after eight hours of sleep — it’s because they’re not done sleeping yet!” Collins says. Good school-year snooze habits will make this year their best yet.
How much sleep does your school-age child need? 3 to 6 Years Old — 10-12 hours per day 7 to 12 Years Old — 10-11 hours per day 13 to 18 Years Old — 8-9 hours per day
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Midlands’ Magazine for Smart Families
freetimesfamily.com
ftfamilysc
Malia Jacobson is a nationally published health journalist and mom of two. She blogs about sleep and family health at thewellrestedfamily.com.
August 2015
health
dental experience. We gladly accept insurance and Medicaid for ages 1-21.
Chapin Family Practice
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eems like kids are always getting ear infections or the flu. Then there’s the occasional knee scrape or sports injury — not to mention regular check-ups, vaccines, boosters and general wellness. Bottom line: When you’re a parent, you need to be prepared. Here are some resources to get you started. Ballentine Pediatrics
Carolina Children’s Dentistry
11134 Broad River Rd., 803-732-0920 ballentinepediatrics.com
7701 Trenholm Rd., 736-6000 carolinachildrensdentistry.com Serving children from toddlers to age 18.
Christian-oriented practice.
Ballentine Family Dentistry 3533 Dreher Shoals Rd., 803-732-3001
BlueCross BlueShield SC 7909 Park Lane Road, 803-728-6639 southcarolinablues.com Everybody needs health insurance. BlueCross has a wide range of options.
Camden Family Care
Carolina Pediatrics Downtown: 2113 Adams Grove Rd., 803-256-0531 Irmo: 7033 St. Andrews Rd., 803-376-2838 carolinapediatrics.com
Children’s Dental Group of South Carolina 7210 K Broad River Rd., Irmo, 803-781-5141 scchildrensdentalgroup.com
1612 Chapin Rd., 345-3414 chapinfamilypractice.com
Children’s Chance 13 Surrey Ct., 254-5996 childrenschancesc.org
City of Columbia Community Gardens columbiasc.net/parks-recreation programs/community-gardens Want to eat healthy? The city offers five-by-12-foot publicly owned plots for lease to residents and organizations. Cost is $20 per year.
Columbia’s Cooking!
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.
cpcp.sph.sc.edu/cooking, 803-576-5636 Healthy cooking classes for kids 9 and older and adults.
Children’s Choice Pediatrics
Colonial Family Practice
6108 Garners Ferry Rd., 803-647-1265 childrenschoicepeds.com
4700 Forest Dr., 256-1511 colonialfamilypractice.com Part of a Sumter-based practice group.
Children’s Trust of South Carolina
Creative Cooking
1634 Main St. 100, 803-733-5430 scchildren.org Statewide organization focused on the prevention of child abuse, neglect and injury.
Chrysostom Family Dentistry 3308 Platt Springs Rd., 803-350-9124 drdeno.com Offers general and cosmetic dentistry.
creativecookingsc.com Classes and camps for children ages 3 to 12.
Eat Smart Move More South Carolina 111 Stonemark Ln., 667-9810 eatsmartmovemoresc.org Offers events, live training and web training to assist local organizers in creating, managing and maintaining obesity prevention programs.
1017 Fair St., 803-424-1260 camdenfamilycare.com
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
At Palmetto Smiles, our goal is “Healthy smiles for a lifetime” Our three pediatric dentists delight in providing child-friendly care from birth through adolescence, and our general dentist enjoys seeing the children as they grow up through their teens, into adulthood, and beyond. We specialize in making each dental experience comfortable, pleasant, and as much fun as possible. Preventive care is at the heart of our practice. We monitor growth and development at each visit in order to provide information and treatment options on age-appropriate dental services and orthodontic care (braces). We joyfully serve infants, children, teens and adults of the Greater Midlands area.
Our friendly, knowledgeable staff can take care of all your family’s dentistry needs.
PALMETTO SMILES
-smiles.com
www.palmetto
Pediatric and Family Dentistry 139 Whiteford Way • Lexington, SC 29072
803.951.9100
health
Palmetto Health Family Medicine Practices
South Carolina Campaign to Prevent Teen Pregnancy
The Lexington Family Practice network is an umbrella group of the Lexington Medical Center.
palmettohealth.org
teenpregnancysc.org
Family practice wing of Palmetto Health. Numerous affiliated practices.
Provides information and resources for teens, parents, educators and community organizations.
Lexington Medical Center
Palmetto Pediatric & Adolescent Clinic
Lexington Family Practice lexmednetwork.org
Ellis, Green & Jenkins Pediatric Dentistry 8905 Two Notch Rd., 788-9353 wecaredentalsc.com
Family Connection of South Carolina 2712 Middleburg Dr., 803-252-0914 familyconnectionsc.org Statewide organization of parents helping parents of children with disabilities, developmental delays, and chronic illnesses.
2720 Sunset Boulevard., 803-791-2000 lexmed.com A 414-bed modern medical complex anchors a network of more than 60 medical practices, hundreds of physicians, six community-based medical and urgent care centers, and more.
Dr. Samuel J. Marsh Pediatric Dentistry 2302 Bush River Rd., 803-798-8675
fmcofsc.com
Medcare Urgent Care Center
Five Points Pediatric & Walk-in Care 1228 Harden St., 803-748-7002 ecchc.org Part of the Eau Claire Cooperative Health Centers.
Gee Family & Cosmetic Dentistry 1701 St. Julian Place, 803-254-6763 geefamilyandcosmeticdentistry.com Super-friendly family owned practice led by Dr. Nicholas Gee.
Girls on the Run gotrcolumbia.org Inspires pre-teen girls to be joyful, healthy and confident through a fun curriculum that creatively integrates running.
Emphasizes comprehensive care of children and adolescents. Numerous Midlands-area locations; see website for details.
Palmetto Smiles
Family Medicine Centers of South Carolina Private family practice group with six locations throughout the Columbia area.
palmettopediatric.com
139 Whiteford Way, 951-9100 palmetto-smiles.com Child-friendly practice in Lexington.
Pediatric After Hours Care
Open 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., seven days a week. Several Midlands-area locations.
114 Gateway Corporate Blvd., 803-865-4900 facebook.com/ PediatricAfterHoursCare
Midlands Orthopaedics
Sometimes things happen outside of regular business hours. Open 6-9:30 p.m., Mon-Fri; 2-7:30 p.m., Sat-Sun.
medcareurgentcare.com
1910 Blanding St., 256-4107 midlandsortho.com Open Saturday mornings, when young athletes often need help. Additional locations in Irmo and West Columbia.
Moore Center for Orthopedics moorecenter.net Offers surgery and physical therapy at locations in Columbia and Lexington.
Northeast Children’s Dentistry 147 Summit Cir., 803-865-1421 northeastchildrensdentistry.com
Not Right Now
Downtown: 2435 Forest Dr. Northeast: 120 Gateway Corporate Blvd. providencehospitals.com Another of Columbia’s top-flight hospital systems. Part of the Sisters of Charity Health System.
Providence Northeast Family 114 Gateway Corporate Blvd., 803-788-6508 providence-nefc.com
Rice Creek Family Dentistry
Safe Kids Midlands
Palmetto Health
Dedicated to decreasing the number of injuries to children. Offers information on safe car-seat practices, product recalls, safety with household products and more.
Kool Smiles 5422 Forest Dr., 753-8064 mykoolsmiles.com General dentistry for kids — and their parents.
Lake Murray Pediatric Dentistry 740 Old Lexington Hwy., 345-2483 lakemurraypediatricdentistry.com
Lakeside Pediatrics 109 Vista Oak Dr., 803-808-0523 (Lexington) lakesidepediatric.com Led by Dr. Douglas Luberoff; part of the Lexington Medical Center network.
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Palmetto Health Children’s Hospital 7 Richland Medical Park Dr. ch.palmettohealth.org 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.
Paperless practice using digital x-rays, charting and intraoral photography, which patients can view instantly on a screen mounted to the dental chair.
Sterling Sharpe Pediatric Center 4605 Monticello Rd., 803-252-7001 ecchc.org Part of the Eau Claire Cooperative Health Centers.
palmettohealth.org/teentalk, 803-296-3769 Offers numerous resources for teens, including Teen Talk newsletter, peer-topeer discussions and an ask-an-expert program.
USC Family Medicine Center Two Medical Park, 545-6200 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
Open to athletes at all levels — recreational to high school, college and professional.
Questions about sex and STDs answered in a teen-oriented format. Resources for teens and parents.
The largest health care resource in the region. Operates Palmetto Health Baptist (Taylor Street), Palmetto Health Richland (5 Richland Medical Park Drive), Palmetto Health Heart Hospital (6 Richland Medical Park) Palmetto Health Children’s Hospital (7 Richland Medical Park) and Palmetto Health Baptist Parkridge (400 Palmetto Health Parkway).
1223 S. Lake Dr., 803-520-5580 southlakedmd.com
Two Medical Park, Suite 104, 803-434-6812 uscsportsmedicine.com
notrightnowsc.org
palmettohealth.org
South Lake Family Dental
101 Rice Bent Way, 803-788-2676 ricecreekdmd.com
4902 Trenholm Rd., 803-782-3100 hutchinsonfamilydentistry.com
2700 Broad River Rd., 803-772-4949 kidsfirstdentalsc.com
2020 Laurel St., 803-254-4543 southcarolinadentalcenter.com
Teen Talk Providence Hospitals
Hutchinson Family Dentistry
Kids First Dental
South Carolina Dental Center
7 Richland Medical Park Dr., Suite 7186, 803-434-2955 safekidsmidlands.org
SC Child Care scchildcare.org, 803-898-2570
Vista Smiles 515 Richland St., 803-779-9666 vistasmilesofcolumbia.com Offers full range of family dental services with advancing technology in a welcoming environment.
Wellspring Family Medicine
An arm of the Department of Social Services, scchildcare.org is an online hub with information on everything from child-care center licensing to Head Start programs.
110 Atrium Way, 803-865-9655 wellspringfmed.com
Smile Columbia
Wild Smiles
690A Columbiana Dr., 803-781-9090 smilecolumbia.com
203 N. Lake Dr., 803-356-1606 1767 S. Lake Drive, 803-875-0858 wildsmiles.net
Midlands’ Magazine for Smart Families
Primary care practice with an emphasis on the family and the health of the whole person.
Locations in Lexington and White Knoll.
freetimesfamily.com
ftfamilysc
August 2015
life
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ife is full of tough questions. Is your 4-year-old ready for a sleepover? Should your 12-yearold be on Snapchat? How do you talk to your 16-year-old about sexting? Here are some resources for handling the tough issues that life often throws our way.
Lake Murray Counseling Center 7511 St. Andrews Rd., 781-1003 lakemurraycounseling.com Offering counseling for children’s and adolescent issues.
Lexington-Richland Anti-Drug Abuse Council Lexington County: 1068 S. Lake Dr., 803-726-9300 Richland County: 2711 Colonial Dr., 803-726-9300 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., 803-779-5363 mha-sc.org Assists those with mental illnesses and their families through education, advocacy and service.
back to school! ASY Counseling Services
1825 St. Julian Pl., 803-254-1210 Providing quality mental health services to children and families in the Columbia area.
Behavior Consulting Services 3227 Sunset Blvd., 803-926-0967 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 4300 N. Main St., 803-691-5700 bbbsgc.org Oldest and largest youth mentoring organization in the United States. Serves children ages 6 through 18.
Boys & Girls Club of the Midlands 500 Gracern Rd., 803-231-3300 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.
Christian Counseling Center 1500 Lady St., 803-779-1995 www.christiancounseling.ws Offers counseling on a variety of topics; also offers spiritual and religious counseling. Offered by First Presbyterian Church.
Columbia Counseling Center 900 St. Andrews Rd., 803-731-4708 columbiacounseling.accountsupport.com A Christian perspective on counseling.
Crossroads Counseling Center 130 Whiteford Way, 803-808-1800 solutionsforlife.org Counseling for adults, adolescents, children and marriages.
Family Service Center of S.C. 2712 Middleburg Dr., 803-733-5450 ext. 300, fsconline.wordpress.com A multi-service nonprofit agency offering adoption services, consumer credit counseling, child dental clinics, an eye care clinic and more.
Southern Children
NAMI Mid Carolina
1823 Gadsden St., 803-206-2916 namimidcarolina.org Local chapter of the National Alliance on Mental Illness.
Palmetto Counseling Associates
COME VISIT OUR NEW LOCATION IN FOREST ACRES!
+,6 +286( 0,1,675,(6 HIS HOUSE 7+5,)7 6+236
1911 Gadsden St., 803-254-9767 palmettocounseling.com Holistic approach emphasizes not only psychology, but also social, physical and spiritual well-being.
SC Childcare
4711 Forest Drive #13 (In Bi-Lo Shopping Center) (803) 736-2753 OPEN MON- FRI 10AM-6PM • S AT 10AM - 5PM www.southernchildrenonline.com
scchildcare.org Clearinghouse of information on childcare licensing and childhood development programs.
MINISTRIES THRIFT SHOPS
Classic Vinyls & Books! Classic Vinyls & Books! One-of-a-kind furniture! One-of-a-kind furniture! t &Ministry to Alcoholic & Homeless Men Modern Clothes atat GREAT Prices! Prices VintageNon-Profi &Vintage Modern Clothes GREAT
South Carolina Youth Advocate Program
140 Stoneridge Dr., Ste. 350, 803-779-5500 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 of psychiatric and chemical dependency related illnesses for children and adolescents.
University of South Carolina Speech and Hearing Research Center 1601 St. Julian Pl., 803-777-2614 sph.sc.edu/shc/ Provides a variety of evaluation and treatment programs for individuals of all ages.
Open
764 St. WSTREET Columbia, 803-791-0557 764Meeting MEETING W.SC COLUMBIA, SC 803.791.0557 3708 River Drive Columbia, SC 803-256-0014
3708 RIVER DRIVE COLUMBIA, SC 4357 Augusta Rd803.256.0014 Lexington, SC 803-951-3093 4357 AUGUSTA ROAD LEXINGTON, SC 167 Hwy 378 Lexington, SC 803-957-1052 803.951.3093 167 HWY 378 LEXINGTON,8am SC Monday – 803.957.1052 Saturday – OPEN MONDAY-SATURDAY 8AM-5PM
5pm
media Books
CDs
Billy’s Booger: A Memoir (Sorta)
A bonus for kiddos is a reproduction of Billy’s entry in the contest, Billy’s Booger: The Memoir of a Little Green Nose Buddy. Pardon the pun, but this title is a great pick for young artists and aspiring oddballs alike. — submitted by Richland Library
William Joyce (author/illustrator)
Pool
Atheneum Books for Young Readers, 40 pages, $17.99 Ages: 6 to 9
Chronicle Books, 56 pages, $16.99
Yes, this book is called Billy’s Booger. Despite its title, this memoir is not just a trip down immature humor memory lane. Billy is different from the other kids. He isn’t successful at school. Even P.E. is a bit of a challenge. His life changes, however, when the school librarian announces that there will be a contest to see which student can create the best book. Billy is inspired. He tackles the contest with energy and enthusiasm. On the day the winners are announced, he’s in for a surprise. The book ends with a clear idea of how William Joyce became the author/illustrator he is today. It’s also a great story to remind kids that being different isn’t so bad — and that success comes in all shapes and sizes.
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JiHyeon Lee (author/illustrator)
family
Ages: 3 to 7 years old
This wordless picture book is about two children at the pool. The other kids elbow and splash, crowding the top of the water. When the young boy finally dives in, he meets a young girl who also wants to explore. Under the crush of children, fantasy awaits. Unusual and comical sea creatures greet the duo as they swim. Pastel colors and lines, masterfully rendered by South Korean artist JiHyeon Lee, tell the story without any need for words. Pool gives both children and parents room to breathe and room for their imagination to unfurl. It’s a great story to share, again and again, on a hot summer day. — submitted by Richland Library
Play Date We All Shine Fun Fun Records The stream of rock ‘n’ roll musicians making kids music has turned into a river in recent years; Play Date is a duo made up of Greg Attonito, lead vocalist and founding member of punk legends The Bouncing Souls, and his wife, singer-songwriter Shanti Wintergate. They are not new to this, as their 2012 debut was a critical favorite. Going from punk rock to kid rock isn’t as out-of-the-box as it might seem, as the two genres both rely on simple chord structures and a certain amount of attitude. The snarling aggression, however, is replaced here with the sweet, sincere voice of Wintergate on songs such as the family friendly, spell-it-out sugary pop of “L-O-V-E You” and the title track, a “we’re all one big family” sentiment set to a bouncy sing-along beat complete with “ooh-ooh” background vocals and Attonito’s clear, conversational singing. There’s a secondary theme here of vegetables, and how you should eat yours. Moms trying to get their little ones to like different green foods will appreciate the recurring “Fruits & Vegetables” tracks that pop up like a spring garden’s crop; the brief interludes address bananas, broccoli, apples, and carrots and how yummy they are. You might not ever be too old to rock ‘n’ roll, but with albums as fun as this one, groups such as Play Date are proving that you’re never too young, either. — Kevin Oliver
Midlands’ Magazine for Smart Families
freetimesfamily.com
Jay Sand All Around This World: Africa American music educator and guitarist Jay Sand has made it his mission to introduce children to the music of the world, and this is the second in an ongoing series of albums designed to do just that. With myriad guest musicians and singers alongside, Sands includes music from all the corners of Africa, arranged here by geographic region over two CDs. From Algeria to Zaire, Madagascar to Cape Verde and more, it is a dizzying, rhythmic array of sounds to enjoy. The various groups involved render the songs in a faithfully traditional manner, though the introductory “We Are Happy” tracks that kick off each separate region’s section are a bit of a departure in that Sands himself does the singing over African percussion. As infectiously engaging as the music is, it’s not the most interesting part of this project. The CD is part of a broader effort in which Sands is attempting to connect children and parents around the world with Explore Everywhere, an online global music-and-cultures learning program aimed at children and families. Sands and friends will be offering online access to music and multicultural lessons that will transport kids to other countries and introduce them to the varied musical and cultural aspects of each. They’re in the middle of a 1000 Classroom Campaign that will offer scholarships to the online subscription service so kids from any location or economic situation can receive access to the program. For more information on all of these initiatives, visit allaroundthisworld.com. — Kevin Oliver
ftfamilysc
August 2015
New 4D MOVIes be the FIrst tO share the experIeNCe!
RIOŠ 2015 Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation. All Rights Reserved.
Debuts saturDay, aug. 8 VIsIt sCMuseuM.Org
Calendar 2015-16 Season Join us for a magical year of family fun at the Midlands’ only live theatre dedicated to programming just for kids (and kids at heart)! Discounted season flex passes are available at columbiachildrenstheatre.com MainStage Productions
YouTheatre Productions
Click Clack Moo, Cows That Type Sep. 18-27, 2015
Open auditions for actors in grades 1-12. Zombie Prom Oct. 23-25, 2015
Jingle Arrgh the Way Dec. 4-13, 2015
The Phantom Tollbooth Nov. 13-15, 2015
Elephant & Piggie: We Are In A Play! Feb. 19-28, 2016
Disney’s The Jungle Book Mar. 11-20, 2016
Seussical the Musical Apr. 15-24, 2016
A Big Splashy Summer Musical Jul 29-Aug. 7, 2016
The Commedia Hansel & Gretel Jun. 10-19, 2016
Columbia Museum of Art hosts Passport to Art on Aug. 9.
PLUS classes and workshops in acting, directing, Shakespeare and musical theatre!
For more family-oriented events, visit free-times.com/events and the websites of individual organizations.
Once Upon a Mattress
A Year with Frog and Toad
Columbia Children’s Theatre 3400 Forest Drive, 803-691-4548, columbiachildrenstheatre.com DATE: Through Aug. 9 COST: $10; $8 seniors and active-duty military; $5 all tickets on Saturday night Quirky twist on “The Princess and The Pea.”
A Year with Frog and Toad
Rio: The 4-D Experience South Carolina State Museum 301 Gervais St., 803-898-4921, scmuseum.org DATE: Aug. 15 - TBA COST: $13.95; $12.95 seniors (age 62+); $11.95 children (ages 3-12); $4 members. All tickets include museum admission. When the last blue macaws on Earth, blu and Jewel, are captured by bird smugglers, they must work together despite Blu’s inability to fly.
Planet Earth: Shallow Seas 4-D Experience South Carolina State Museum 301 Gervais St., 803-898-4921, scmuseum.org DATE: Aug. 15 - TBA COST: $13.95; $12.95 seniors (age 62+); $11.95 children (ages 3-12); $4 members. All tickets include museum admission. In this 15-minute epic 4d adventure, hear the power of the ocean’s waves as they crash along the shoreline, and feel the salty spray as you surf the coast with Atlantic bottlenose dolphins in search of food.
Gladys’ Gang: Gladys Meets Warhol Columbia Museum of Art 1515 Main St., 803-799-2810, columbiamuseum.org DATE: Aug. 5 COST: Free Using art as a guide, children 2-5 and their adult caregivers enjoy story time in the galleries followed by a hands-on art project in the CMA studios. This month, students get the opportunity to create a Warhol-inspired piece of art.
The Adventures of Mr. Potato Head is at EdVenture through Sept. 20.
Countdown to Kindergarten
Annual Fall Festival
EdVenture Children’s Museum 211 Gervais St., 803-779-3100, edventure.org DATE: Aug. 7 COST: Free 12th annual event will feature costumed characters, games, face painting, school supplies, information booths and resources for parents on keeping kids safe and healthy. Rising kindergartners can visit a mock classroom, practice boarding a school bus and carrying a lunch tray.
South Carolina State Museum 301 Gervais St., 803-898-4921, scmuseum.org DATE: Sept. 19 COST: Outdoor activities are free; food, drink and art available for purchase. Presents a mixture of opportunities for guests to eat a variety of South Carolina-made barbeque and other delicious food, listen to live bluegrass music, meet folk artists and craftsmen, watch demonstrations of their skills and even purchase works of art and crafts.
Money Matters: Get Down to Business EdVenture Children’s Museum 211 Gervais St., 803-779-3100, edventure.org DATE: Aug. 8 COST: $11.50; free for members Through exciting activities children of all ages will think carefully about money, and parents will learn ways to discuss financial matters with their families. Money matters, so come gain some sense.
Passport to Art: Back to School Columbia Museum of Art 1515 Main St., 803-799-2810, columbiamuseum.org DATE: Aug. 9 COST: Free Learn the technique of relief printmaking using inks, rollers, and foam blocks to create your own print. This free drop-in studio program for families features a new hands-on art project each month.
BUGS! Giant Robotic Creatures South Carolina State Museum 301 Gervais St., 803-898-4946, scmuseum.org DATE: Through Sept. 7 COST: $13.95; $12.95 seniors and military; $11.95 children; free for ages 2 and younger Explore some of the world’s most common insects like never before as they are shown 40 to 120 times their size. Using animatronics and interactive technology, brings to life the hidden world of insects.
The Adventures of Mr. Potato Head EdVenture Children’s Museum 211 Gervais St., 803-779-3100, edventure.org DATE: Through Sept. 20 COST: $11.50; free for members The popular exhibit features Mr. Potato Head, the much-loved silly character, who becomes an astronaut, explorer, scientist and undersea adventurer with a change of his “parts.”
Family on Safari: Fall Fest Event
Riverbanks Zoo 500 Wildlife Parkway, 803-779-8717, riverbanks.org DATE: Oct. 2 COST: $45 Overnight adventure at the zoo for ages 5 to adult. Dinner, snack and breakfast will be provided.
Boo at the Zoo Riverbanks Zoo 500 Wildlife Parkway, 803-779-8717, riverbanks.org DATE: Oct. 16-30 COST: $13.95 (adults); $11.50 (kids 2-12) Children 12 and under are invited to wear costumes for a spook-fest complete with Frankenstein’s Foam Zone, an eeky freaky DJ dance party and a trick-or-treat trail with candy and much more.
Brementown Musicians Columbia Marionette Theatre 401 Laurel St., 803-252-7366, cmtpuppet.org DATE: Through Oct. 31 COST: $5 The musical adventures of Donkey, Cat and Rooster as they travel to Bremen Town to earn their fame and fortune.