Giggle Magazine December/January 2011

alachua

county’s

happy family • happy community TM

PREMIER

F A M I LY

MAGAZINE

DEC/JAN 2011 • Volume 2 • Issue 6

Gingerbread

a Christmas tradition

plus!

new year’s resolutions family style

10 ways1 to

give

back

www.gigglemag.com

Nicole Irving Publisher Shane Irving Vice President Alison Walker Managing Editor Julie Rezendes Art Director Amy Keene Visual Designer and Coordinator Contributing Writers Wendy Joysen, Chris Wilson, Helen Kornblum, Dana Kamp, Janet Groene, Sondra Randon, Kelsey McNiel, Tamara Herchel, Leigh Menninger, Christina Vila, Christy Siddiqui, Lindsey Karlin Mirabal, Sarah Loftus, Michelle Borba ED.D., Daniel Griffin Contributing Photographers Laurel Housden Photography, Kelsey Lynn Photography, Verve Studio, Lifeprints Photography Sales Tracey Hardin, Shane Irving Mission Statement giggle magazine is a modern and refreshing magazine for the families and communities of Alachua County, Florida. With our sole purpose of keeping families and communities connected, giggle magazine will keep readers intrigued, informed and inspired, with up to date information and heartwarming stories.

Irving Publications, LLC reserves the right to edit and/or reject any advertising. Irving Publications is not responsible for the validity of any claims made by its advertisers. Nothing that appears in giggle magazine may be reproduced in any way, without written permission. Opinions expressed by giggle writers are their own and do not necessarily reflect the publisher’s opinion. giggle magazine will consider all never before published outside editorial submissions. Irving Publications, LLC reserves the right to edit and/or reject all outside editorial submissions and makes no guarantees regarding publication dates.

irvingpublications Mailing address 5745 SW 75th Street Unit 286 Gainesville, FL 32608

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p. 352.505.5821 f. 352.240.6499 gigglemag.com advertise@irvingpublications.com giggle magazine is registered trademark property of Irving Publications, LLC. All rights reserved. giggle magazine is published by Irving Publications, LLC. © 2010 al ac hua

coun t y’s

PREM I ER

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happy family • happy community

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delic ayd holid kies! ious

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TM

DEC/JAN 2010 • Volume 1 • Issue 6

the peace akeeping with the family during the holidays it’s potty training time! creative gift

wrapping ideas!

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48

28

18

every month

features

columns

28 In The Kitchen

11 Simple and easy holiday crafts

15 All Kidding Aside

32 Giggle Stamp

13 Raising a non-materialistic child

36 Legal Side

Hanukkah Latkes Last minute gifts

37 Health & Wellness Flu update

38 Lifesavers

Car travel lifesavers

46 Family Spotlight Mr. & Mrs. Santa Claus

53 Ladies’ Night Out Corks & Colors Studio

57 For Dads. By Dads.

18 Gingerbread

Houses

How to minimize family gift giving this year Know the laws when it comes to pet owning

71 Organized Solutions

Professional organizer Helen Kornblum helps us find easy ways to keep our busy family lives organized.

30 giggles fun filled days of December 48 Movie theatre ratings 54 Kwanzaa 66 New year resolutions, family style

411 on gift assembly

58 Why I Love Raising My Family in Gainesville The Steele Family

49 Giggle Dollars

Teach them today about finances or live with them tomorrow

56 giggle trips

giggle trips takes you to Jacksonville for the holidays

on the cover Gingerbread a Christmas 18 tradition New Year’s resolutions 66 family style 101 ways to give back 34

alachua

county’s

happy family • happy community TM

PREMIER

F A M I LY

MAGAZINE

DEC/JAN 2011 • Volume 2 • Issue 6

Gingerbread

a Christmas tradition

plus!

new year’s resolutions family style

10 ways1 to

give

back

www.gigglemag.com

E

REC

YC L E T H

IS ISS

UE • PLEA

S

Cover, gingerbread house by Ms. Debbie’s Sugar Art Photo courtesy Verve Studio

ISS

UE • PLEA S

If you live in Alachua County and are interested in receiving giggle magazine for free, visit our web site at gigglemag.com to subscribe now! giggle

magazine • dec/jan 2011

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aby it’s cold outside! Even though I have lived in Florida all of my life, the famous line from my favorite Christmas song gets me right into the holiday spirit. Hello giggle readers!

My name is Alison Walker and I am thrilled to be the new Managing Editor of giggle magazine! I was born and raised in Alachua County and I believe that it is THE best place to raise my kids. I am married to Scott and we have four children, Evan (3 ½), Erik (2) and twins, Brooke and Bryce (6 months). Yep, you read that right – we have four children under that age of 4! Sometimes the only thing that keeps me from losing my mind is just taking a moment to just forget about the laundry, the dishes and the various other items on my “to do list” and find something to giggle about with my kids and enjoy these precious moments. It doesn’t help with cleaning up the constant messes, but it sure makes the challenging times seem more bearable.

Even though our lives are in a state of constant chaos, I am excited to be taking on the challenge of providing giggle readers with the best the Alachua County has to offer. There’s no better time than the holidays to just dive right in and get started.

I am sure that I am not alone in that the holiday season takes on a whole new meaning after having kids. Before kids, I seemed to only be consumed with finding the perfect dress for a holiday party and buying the perfect gifts for my friends and family (I must admit that these things are still important).

But for the last three holiday seasons, it has been more about filling our calendars with fun family activities and events so that we can soak in as many expressions of complete awe and excitement in the faces of our children.

Letter from the Editor DECEMBER is full of excitement for both adults and children and giggle is celebrating with festive parties, delicious food, fun crafts and last minute shopping. I hope you enjoy trying out the latkes recipe or making some homemade ornaments with the kids. Be sure to check out our shopping guide for last minute gift ideas. The best part about the gifts is that you can get most of those items at some locally owned businesses right here in Alachua County.

JANUARY is full of reflection on the years gone by, celebrating our accomplishments and new beginnings. giggle is very fortunate to have been a part of so many wonderful community events raising awareness and fundraising for worthwhile causes. As I stated earlier, Alachua County is THE best area to raise a family and the people who live here are the reason why. We offer some great tips for keeping your resolutions this year.

With that said, our holiday issue has up to date information on the dreaded flu, fun holiday crafts ideas to inspire you to spend time with kids getting messy, introductions to our Big Weight Loss Challenge competitors, and a family spotlight on one of the most famous couples of all time! We had a great time putting this issue together and we hope you will enjoy reading it throughout the holiday season.

Feel free to contact me if you have any ideas about anything that you want to see in the magazine! We would love to hear from you. I hope you’ll find this issue especially informative about how others will be celebrating this holiday season and inspire you to keep giggling! From my family to yours, happy holidays!

aAlison Managing Editor

our cover!

Gingerbread House Ms. Debbie from Ms. Debbie’s Sugar Art shares the behind the scenes secrets of our cover house.

Q: How long did it take to complete the house?

A: Approx 9 hours Q How many pieces of candy were used for the house decorations?

A: Approx 150 Q: How long will it last?

A: My recommendations “Eat & enjoy your house within the first 4 weeks of creating it.

Q: How much ginger is actually in gingerbread?

A: Typically there is apx 4 teaspoons of ginger

Photos by Verve Studio

Our gingerbread house was created by Ms. Debbie of Ms. Debbie’s Sugar Art located in Newberry, Florida

in other giggle

Meet SawyerNolan Kamp

Our newest addition to the giggle family.

Born at 4:12 a.m. on October 20, 2010 Congratulations to Dana and Jeff.

Photo by Laurel Housden Photography

6

giggle

news

joy

bund le of

Celebrate the Season!

A Perfect Date Night.

A Christmas Carol

by Charles Dickens adapted by Mary Hausch directed by Sara Morsey

& This

Wonderful Life written by Steve Murray conceived by Mark Setlock directed by Lauren Caldwell

HIPPODROME THEATRE

Find us on Facebook!

Tickets at thehipp.org | 352/375.HIPP | 25 SE 2nd Place | Downtown Gainesville Photo by Michael Eaddy: Rusty Salling as Scrooge with Whitney Humphrey as Tiny Tim.

It’s Chestnut Roasting Time!

by Alison Walker AND NICOLE IRVING

W

hat can you ground into flour, throw into a big pot of soup, and (perhaps, most famously) roast? That’s right, it’s the chestnut. Nat King Cole sang about the wonderful holiday tradition of roasting chestnuts in the classic holiday tune The Christmas Song. Chestnuts were part of the first Thanksgiving and have been used in many holiday dishes since.

The chestnut tree is a cousin of the oak tree and bears a delicious and useful nut that contains less than two percent of fat and is high in protein. In terms of nutritional values, chestnuts have been referred to as a “grain that grows on a tree” and similar to wheat and brown rice. A single mature chestnut tree can produce anywhere from 100-500 pounds of chestnuts ( www.chestnutsusa.com).

Unless you have your own chestnut farm in your backyard, you probably will be scoping out the supermarket isles for the perfect batch of chestnuts.

According to chestnutsusa.com here is what you should look for when picking up you next batch of chestnuts for your holiday meal: • Look for chestnuts with a rich brown outer shell; the meat inside should be a cream color.

• To test freshness, shake them - if they’re getting old, the nut inside will be hard and will rattle and the color will be very dark.

• Discard nuts that are coated with black mold or pitted with black spots when you peel them.

• Don’t purchase nuts that are cracked and obviously dried out.

• Store fresh chestnuts in the refrigerator, preferably just above 32°F. They’ll keep well for up to eight weeks this way. Since chestnuts are about 50% water, their meat will quickly dry up if left at room temperature. They also have a tendency to mold easily, so it’s best to store them in a mesh bag, which will allow air to circulate. Both raw and cooked chestnuts can be frozen.

So, wether you are going to roast them, grind them or peel and eat raw, chestnuts are a nutritious and delicious addition to your holiday menu!

TO HOW ST ROA WN O YOUR

ts

u Chestn

With a sharp knife, cut an “X” at the end of the nut. Make sure to cut through the outer skin down to the meat of the nut otherwise they can explode. Arrange X-cut chestnuts in a single layer in a roasting pan / baking sheet. Place in oven at 350 degrees for 15 - 25 minutes or until the nut can be easily pierced with fork or knife tip. Peel and enjoy!!!

Compliments of Chestnut Hill Tree Farm

Chestnut Hill Tree Farm located in Alachua, Florida has Dunstan Chestnut trees that have been growing and bearing chestnuts every year for almost 50 years! If you are interested in starting an orchard of your own, you can contact the farm and make an appointment to select your very own chestnut trees to get started.

Save Time.

Go Green.

Get eBill.

Get and pay bills online.

It’s fast, paperless, easy and convenient.

You have better things to do, so why waste extra time on bills? With eBill, getting and paying your monthly bill is a snap. Get an e-mail reminder to see your amount due, bill details and due date every month. You can also schedule an electronic payment with just a few clicks of the mouse on our secure website.

Plus, eBill is good for the environment and will provide cost savings that GRU can pass along to customers.

• Minimize clutter • Reduce paperwork • Save money on stamps • Keep personal information out of unsecured mailboxes

For details and easy sign up, visit www.gru.com or for assistance call 352-334-3434.

Easy holiday crafts

Photo courtesy of Istockphoto.com and Kelsey Lynn Photography

Who doesn’t enjoy crafting during the holidays? These simple and inspired crafts are fun and easy for the whole family to make.

monogrammed ornaments

marshmallow Santa Claus

reindeer food

Supplies Clear craft glass or plastic ornaments Craft paint Paper towels Wire srainer or empty egg carton Glass paint pen Letter stickers Ribbon Sticker embellishments

Supplies Two marshmallows Red craft paint Red pipe cleaners Black paint pen Craft glue Paint brush Miniature santa hat Sticker embellishments

Supplies Sugar Plain Oatmeal Sprinkles Mason jar

Directions Pour a few drops of desired paint into glass ball.

Directions Paint one of your marshmallows red. Set aside to dry.

Cover top with paper towel and hold with finger. Shake gently and swirl around to get desired look. Can add up to three colors to get marbled look.

Draw a face on the other marshmallow and glue the santa hat on top.

Wipe off any excess paint on outside of ball.

To drain excess paint from the ball, turn ornament upside down on egg carton or wire strainer. (Place paper towel under neath.)

May need to balance balls carefully to let excess paint drip out. Allow time to dry.

Once dry, wipe outside with damp cloth and dry completely.

Cut your pipe cleaner in two 1/2-inch and two 1-inch sections. Twist the smaller pieces around the larger ones to form a hand.

Once your red marshmallow is dry, draw santas belt with the black craft pen. Glue the two marshmallows together

Directions Layer sugar, oatmeal and sprinkles as desired. Put aside for Christmas Eve. On Christmas Eve, sprinkle on your lawn and this will guide the reindeer to your house!

Safety Tip!: Please do not use glitter as it will harm any other animals that will nibble on the reindeer’s food!

“Sprinkle on the lawn at night The moon will make it sparkle bright As Santa’s reindeer fly and roam, This will guide them to your home!”

giggl e

Add sticker embellishments to finish.

t ip! alw

superays craftinvise g!!

Add Monogramming letters by painting or using sticker letters.

Add sticker embellishments to finish.

giggle

magazine • dec/jan 2011

11

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$$ Materialism How to Discourage

By Michele Borba, Ed.D.

Photos by Laurel Housden Photography

What to expect in the early grade-school years

During the early grade-school years, children grow more interested in the material world than they were back in kindergarten. Of course, at any age, kids vary widely in their acquisitiveness depending on how strongly materialism is emphasized at home, whether through exposure to TV or by older siblings or parents themselves. But, in general, many 6- to 8-year-olds are motivated by a combination of a young child’s basic greed for fun toys, an increasing awareness of what other kids have, and the desire to fit in by having the same things themselves. After birthdays and holidays, the question shifts from “What did you do?” to “What did you get?” And a more sensitive child may start struggling with feelings of shame if his friends tease him because he’s the only one in class wearing anonymous discount-store sneakers.

What you can do Set a good example. At this age, kids still look up to

their parents more than to their peers, so you’re the best role model for helping your child cope with our complicated material world. If you want to discourage him from developing an insatiable appetite for possessions, let him see you behaving with restraint and wisdom. Take him along to the shoe-repair shop, and explain why it’s worth re-heeling your favorite shoes instead of buying new ones (you save money, and besides, your old shoes are so comfy). Don’t let mailorder catalogues take up all your reading time, and comment that while you like his aunt’s new SUV, your 6-year-old station wagon still runs just fine. Enjoy window-shopping together without buying anything to show that while it’s fun to look at store displays and gather ideas for gifts and other purchases, you don’t need to buy something every time you go to a store. But save the lecture: A few off-hand comments explaining your views will get the message across.

Turn off the TV. From cereal boxes to Saturday morning cartoons to clothing emblazoned with store names and Disney characters, advertising is everywhere in our culture. But television probably wields the greatest influence on children, who watch commercials as avidly as they watch programs.

Kids also make up a huge portion of consumer spending, as buyers themselves and as forces affecting their parents’ buying decisions. In fact, according to James McNeal at Texas A&M University, last year alone America’s 27 million kids, ages 8 to 14, spent more than $14 billion. Toy company executives know this, and they advertise relentlessly during children’s programs. Limit your child’s exposure to TV commercials, and he’ll be less likely to develop a lengthy wish list. Children’s public television, while it’s not strictly commercial-free, offers quality programs with much less advertising.

Don’t fulfill every request. Children who get everything they ask for don’t learn to handle disappointment, and they don’t learn to work — or even just wait — for things they desire. Do yourself and your child a favor by saying no to unending requests, even if that provokes tantrums in the toy store at first. Enlist the aid of friends and grandparents — who often delight in “spoiling” your child — by suggesting they buy only one gift at birthdays or holidays, instead of half a dozen.

Teach your child about money. Grade-schoolers can learn about the value of possessions by paying for them themselves. Giving your child an allowance provides him with cash and you with the opportunity to teach him how to use it. His cries of “Oh, I want that!” at the store can be met with, “That costs five dollars. Do you have enough of your own money to pay for it?” If you want to institute spending rules, set them up right away so he knows from the start that, for example, half of his money should go into savings and half is his to spend as he chooses.

“Children who get everything they ask for don’t learn to handle disappointment” At this age, children should also understand that some expenditures — like groceries and rent or

mortgage payments — are necessities, while others — like yet another Game Boy cassette — are optional. When he whines, “But I want a new scooter!” you can respond sympathetically , “I understand that you want it,” but then

giggle

magazine • dec/jan 2011

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explain why he doesn’t truly need it: “You already have a good scooter, and they’re too expensive to collect.” This teaches him that there are logical reasons behind purchasing decisions. It’s wise to avoid bringing adult feelings of failure or resentment into the conversation. As Paul Coleman, a family therapist and author of How to Say It to Your Kids puts it, “This is not a time to say, ‘Well, I’m sorry, but we give you the best we can, and you should be satisfied with that!’”

Teach him to prioritize. If holidays or birthdays are coming up and your child is expecting lots of presents, give him some paper and ask him to make a list (or draw pictures) of the three things he most wants and then number them in order of importance. You can also tell your child, “Before your birthday arrives, let’s clean out your closet so you’ve got room. We’ll give away some of your old toys.” If he helps you deliver a box of his toys to a charity, he’ll be learning about empathy and generosity. But he may also get to thinking about how much he really wants lots of new toys if it means getting rid of old favorites.

Delay gratification. Teach your grade-schooler to think

seriously about whether he really wants that new video game by making him wait for it. Have him write down or draw a picture of the item he wants and post it on the fridge along with a time line of days — one or two weeks, say — until the date that he can go out and buy it with you. He can check off the days every morning. Finally getting it will be a muchanticipated treat, but if he loses interest before the time is up, even he will probably agree that he didn’t really want yet another game after all.

Show an appreciation for the deeper value of things. Your child can learn that you prize objects not for

how costly or trendy they are but for their inherent quality or sentimental value. “This is a good skateboard because it’s so sturdy,” you can point out. Or “This chair means a lot to me because it was Grandma’s when she was little.” Your child may not begin to adopt your reasoning right away, but over time he’ll see that popularity and high price tags aren’t the only factors that make objects beloved, and that quality is better than quantity.

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Find out what’s fueling his desire. Sometimes kids (and adults) crave possessions to fulfill an emotional need. If you notice that your son, who never used to care about games as much as his friends did, suddenly wants a PlayStation 2, talk with him about why that toy is appealing. If the answer is just that his two best friends both have one, you can have a simple conversation about the fact that it’s okay to like different toys than the rest of the crowd. Or help him figure out whether he’s afraid his friends won’t like him if he doesn’t have the same games they do.

“a secure sense of family more than a roomful of possessions” Show how to give to others. Coleman advises exposing

children to altruistic activities. “The real opposite of materialism is spirituality,” he says. “Try to do something with your child that’s focused on giving to others in a way that he can see.” Take him with you to bring dinner to a sick neighbor or to volunteer in a soup kitchen. That kind of activity can foster an attitude that will help counter materialism more powerfully than almost anything else.

Spend time rather than money on your kids. It’s not easy in our hectic lives to give children the time and attention they crave, but that’s the best way to ward off the “gimmes.”

“If Mom and Dad are always busy, then the kids will retreat to their toys and TV and Nintendo, which is all materialism,” says Coleman. “Kids have to have something, namely a family life, to replace that.” So try not to give your child things as a substitute for spending time with him. And make an effort to spend time together doing things that don’t cost anything — go to the soccer field and the library, take nature walks and bike rides, play a game of charades. No matter what your child says, he wants — and needs — a secure sense of family more than a roomful of possessions.

Excerpt from “The Big Book of Parenting Solutions” and “Building Moral Intelligence” reprinted with permission. Dr. Michele Borba – a Today show contributor and recipient of the National Educator Award— is recognized for her practical solution-based strategies to strengthen a child’s behavior, selfesteem and character. Dr. Borba has presented workshops to over a million parents and teachers and is the author of 22 books. She appears regularly on talk shows and news segments including Dr. Phil, The View, and CNN Headline News and is an advisory board member for Parents magazine. Information on her publications and seminars can be accessed through her Web site www. micheleborba.com.

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• A passbook to keep track of your savings • Free use of in-branch coin counting machines

Ask mom or dAd to stop bY tHE GAINEsVILLE brANcH ANd sIGN You up todAY!*

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*Important Note: To open an account, you will need a child's birth certificate or certified copy AND social security card or state identification card.

Retired elementary school counselor, Wendy Joysen, answers tough questions about kids, schools, parenting, & everything in between.

all kidding aside p

I

have a very large family and Christmas is always a very big deal for all of us. However, with the economy being what it is, it is very difficult to continue overdoing it on Christmas day.

How can I explain to my family that we need to scale back a bit? Should we be required to buy gifts for every relative that we will see this holiday season?

Photo courtesy of Istockphoto.com

I think this is a much more common problem than many people think and you should not be apprehensive about talking to your family about it. In fact, you may be surprised to learn that your family members will be relieved to hear your suggestion. There are several ways you can divide gift giving this holiday season. Keep in mind that a limit (or amount you spend per gift) should be agreed upon before you buy the gifts.

• An easy way to determine who you will purchase a gift for is writing all of your family members’ names down on pieces of paper and pulling a name from a hat. This will allow everyone in the family to purchase a gift for one person. You can all agree to write down a list of needed or wanted items or allow one another to shop on their own. You can also choose a theme to your gift and everyone would have to buy something that has to do with ideas such as cooking, reading, athletics, clothing, etc.

• You can decide that you will only give gifts to the children in the family. It is such a joy to watch children receive gifts during the holidays. This will allow you to limit the number of gifts you give and still enjoy the art of giving. You can then choose a night where all of the adults in the family get together for dinner to give yourself time to talk and catch up without the children around.

• A fun gift giving activity is called a White Elephant Gift Exchange or a Yankee Swap. For this game, each person buys one gift at an agreed amount.

Each gift is set on a table and one by one, the first family member gets to pick a gift off of the table and opens it. If any of the following family members would like someone else’s gift, they can trade that person for the gift that they have yet to open. This continues until all family members have opened gifts and can be quite fun when rivalries occur after sought after gifts!

• A tradition of making gifts for one another can be a wonderful idea. Homemade gifts can be the most thoughtful and treasured gifts ever received.

You can also decide to bake goods for everyone in the family. Traditions and family recipes can be used and memories shared while eating your goodies!

• In society’s drive to be “green” you can re-gift.

Giving gifts that have been recycled can be very thoughtful if you all agree to do it together. You can also choose to make this a lot of fun by agreeing to give the tackiest items you can find to re-gift! You can finally get rid of that ornamental red and glittered vase from your boss that you have wanted to get rid of for years!

• As a family, you can make the decision to forgo giving gifts to each other and to give a donation to a specific charity or volunteer your time and work together for a charitable cause. Not only will this ease the stress of having to find a gift for everyone in the family but will also give you the rewarding feeling of helping others for a good cause.

You may find that unlike monetary expenses or materialistic items that you could be giving to each other for the holidays, everyone will enjoy the quality time you have given one another much more than anything tangible. You can also make this holiday season a lot of fun by bringing in humor with some of these ideas and laughing with everyone!



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magazine • dec/jan 2011

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Gingerbread

A Tradition of Christmas Past,

Present and Future

by Christina Vila Gingerbread house photo: Verve Studio

W

hen you add a splash of cinnamon to a pinch of ginger, when you mix the ingredients with a little bit of love, you’ve got yourself an age-old holiday tradition: gingerbread.

18 giggle

Whether you and your children are baking a house to decorate for the holiday season or giving one away as a memorable gift, gingerbread is a sure way to get in the holiday spirit.

shapes became popular in Europe as well as far back as the 16th Century.

Historians believe Swiss Catholic monks brought the tradition of baking gingerbread to America in the 1800s.

The Beginnings of Gingerbread

Gingerbread Men

Ginger first arrived in Europe in the 11th Century and quickly became popular for its preservative and medicinal uses. The actual term “gingerbread” evolved from the French word “gingebras,” which referred to preserved ginger. The treats first became widespread in European cities like Nuremburg, Germany, the “Gingerbread Capital of the World.” Cutting the dough into

Most historians can agree on when the first gingerbread men came to life.

When hosting a party for her court, Queen Elizabeth I of England had a gingerbread man made for each of the attendees. The decorations on each of the cookies looked like each of her guests. And just like that, one of the greatest holiday traditions was born.

World Record Holders

Since then, the gingerbread man and his house have come a long way. According to the Guinness Book of World Records, the largest gingerbread man in the world weighed in at 1,435 pounds. The giant cookie was unveiled in Oslo, Norway in 2009. Roger Pelcher holds the record for building the largest gingerbread house in the world. The unveiling of his 67-foot creation took place in 2006 in Bloomington, Minnesota.

Gingerbread Today

Many people first hear about gingerbread through fairy tales. In Hansel and Gretel, a story popularized by the Grimm Brothers, the two children wander through the forest until they come about a house made of gingerbread. More recently, the Shrek films introduced children to Gingy, a character based on the fairy tale The Gingerbread Man.

Decorating Tips

There are no rules when decorating gingerbread creations, so this is easily the most fun part of the tradition. When decorating gingerbread men, the most popular choice is buttons made from gumdrops or icing. Use icing to give your figures eyes and a smile. Add a little color to the delicious cookies by sprinkling them with colored sugar. Throw some powdered sugar over your gingerbread house to give it the feeling of a winter wonderland. There will be enough goodness to keep kids happy and entertained, and to make you feel like a kid again. ae

giggle

tip!

Photo courtesy of Istockphoto.com

top ole at the Punch a hokies and tie of the co make them a ribbon to ecorations. into tree d

Eighth Annual Rotary Gingerbread House Extravaganza For a fun way to spread holiday cheer to those in need, join the Rotary Club of South Jacksonville in their Eighth Annual Rotary Gingerbread House Extravaganza.

Held at the Old St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church, the event began in order to help local charities. In the past seven years, the event has raised more than $600,000 to donate to local organizations in the Jacksonville area.

This year’s benefactors include the Ronald McDonald House of Jacksonville, HabiJax, the Historical Society, and more than 25 other charities.

Visitors can vote for their favorite creation to win the People’s Choice Award. Children can also participate in the scavenger hunt to find items located in the houses themselves.

Odette Struys, the public relations officer for the event and a selfproclaimed athlete in the sport of gingerbread, said the best part of the event is seeing kids faces light up when they recognize roofs made of gum or books made of candy. Adults who visit also come out with shining faces.

This year’s competition will include over 35 houses. The event will run from Dec. 8 to Dec. 23. Entrance fees are a $5 donation for adults and a $3 donation for children over the age of 2. Visit http://www.rotarycharity.org for more information about the event.

If helping those in need doesn’t warm your insides for the holidays, visit the event for the smell alone.

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by Daniel griffin Photos by Laurel Housden Photography

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To become the person they were intended to be. We will challenge them physically and mentally. But, in the end, they will emerge victorious! They will have a new body, a new attitude and best yet, a new healthy lifestyle.

Through a series of proper fitness, behavioral and nutritional assessments, we will identify the strengths and weakness of our finalists. Then we will start building the foundation. They will learn proper nutrition FOLLO W and exercise technique. They will learn proper PROGR THEIR planning and time management. They learn how ESS at swea to overcome their weakness. They will become tlifefi tness strong.

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The expert personal training will be provided by Sweat Life Fitness and blogs and videos will be available on the Sweat Life Fitness and Giggle Magazine facebook pages. Go become a fan today! Giggle magazine will be following the contestants through their journey, so look for exclusives in upcoming issues.

Meet our finalists...

DanielleColeman 27 years old Stay at home Mom of 3 Goal “To become comfortable in front of a camera!”

April Shroeder 32 years old Working Mom of 2 children Goal “To lose weight and get fit.

I would like to reach my goal of running a 5K in the Spring.”

Laura Williams 27 years old Instructor Goal “I would like to run a 10K race. I hope to learn how to balance work, my daughter, and myself.”

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30 years old Instructor Goal “To be more comfortable with myself, become healthy and a better role model to my daughter. I would also like to get back to my high school weight.”

Elaine Almond 34 years old Stay at home Mom of 3 Goal “To feel comforatble taking photos with my children and get my core healthy.”

DaphneKiernan 26 years old Stay at home Mom of 3 children Goal “Most importantly I would like to get myself healthy and become a role model to my children.”

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teens p

Conquering Childhood and Adolescent Obesity with physical therapy

By Lindsey Karlin Mirabal

O

ne in five children age 6 to 19 years old are obese, making them the first generation in U.S. history who may not live as long as their parents did. Generation Z, or the “Internet Generation,” has been engulfed in the perfect storm of fastfood addiction and video-game obsession, leading to the dual epidemics of obesity and inactivity.

Recent data from the Journal of the American Medical Association reveals that the prevalence of childhood obesity has more than tripled since 1980; leading to projections that

1 in 3 children born in the year 2000 will develop a serious obesity-related medical condition such as type II diabetes.

These alarming trends have commanded the attention of both the medical and public health arenas. Notably, the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) recently dedicated October’s National Physical Therapy Month to the growing obesity epidemic, with a particular focus on physical activity in overweight and obese children.

Making the commitment to be physically active is one of the best ways children can have improved cardiovascular fitness, greater bone mass and strength, and prevent or combat obesity and its consequences, said physical therapists from the APTA in an Oct. 1 press release.

Obesity not only puts children at increased risk for developing high blood pressure, diabetes and asthma, but the excess weight on their growing bones also increases their risk for injuries and bone deformities.

Photo courtesy of Istockphoto.com

“Most children or teens who are obese also have orthopedic problems such d knee pain, back pain or foot oo s aspain, h d that is exacerbated by being l chi sity ha said Dr. Melissa Cere, a overweight,” n e

ob re tha ce mo d sin e tripl 1980

doctor of physical therapy and co-owner of Kinetix Physical Therapy in Haile Plantation. “This further discourages them from remaining active because of the constant joint pain they associate with physical activity.”

Dr. Matt Norton, a doctor of physical therapy at Kinetix Physical Therapy, recently treated an 11-year-old girl who was overweight and diagnosed with scoliosis and associated back pain.

“When she first came to the clinic, she had difficulty sitting through a whole class period without back pain,” Dr. Norton said. “She also had trouble finding motivation to remain active because any prolonged activity, such as playing sports, made her back hurt worse.”

After addressing her back pain, she was able to move with less pain, which in turn motivated her to become active, said Dr. Norton.

“Her new-found motivation allowed her to set personal goals for weight loss, and she decided to try out for the softball team,” Dr. Norton said. “Physical therapy addressed her strength impairments and postural dysfunction, which improved her back pain, but also gave her the tools to begin a healthy lifestyle change.”

Now that obesity is recognized as a primary medical condition by physicians and insurance companies, it is treated similar to the way physical disabilities and injuries are treated.

“Insurance payers will cover physical therapy services for pain or orthopedic concerns related to obesity,” Dr. Cere said.

“Many physical therapy clinics also offer affordable self-pay rates for fitness and wellness programs that target weight loss, even if insurance plans do not cover these types of programs.”

For expertise in exercise prescription and prevention of obesity-related cardiovascular and orthopedic complications, many families are turning to physical therapists, most of who now graduate with a doctoral degree and have an extensive background in exercise physiology and musculoskeletal development.

See Teens, page 25

giggle

magazine • dec/jan 2011

23

See Teens, page 23

“Physical therapists are trained in working with patient populations whom are medically compromised, and understand how disease processes can affect exercise,” Dr. Norton said.

“This unique knowledge base of both exercise and physiology puts physical therapists in a unique position to treat obese adolescents.”

First, physical therapists perform a thorough musculoskeletal evaluation to identify impairments and risk factors for injury and other chronic conditions. Some of the observations and measurements performed during this initial evaluation include: blood pressure, heart rate, body weight, girth, aerobic capacity, strength, range of motion, flexibility, balance, joint biomechanics and origins of pain.

“We use this information to prescribe the correct dosage, and progression, of physical activity as part of a weight management and injury prevention program,” Dr. Cere said. “We balance the progression of exercise with the need for joint protection and safety during exercise.”

Educating the patient and family on lifestyle and behavior modifications is also a key component to successful, long-term management of childhood obesity.

“Parents are the most influential role model for their children when it comes to healthy behaviors such as eating right and participating in physical activity and exercise,” Dr. Cere said. “These healthy habits start in the home, but can be carried with a child for the rest of their lives.”

Dr. Cere recommends beginning healthy lifestyle changes by taking small steps.

“Go for a bike ride. Walk your child to school. Eat a healthy snack at home after school instead of stopping by the fast-food drive-thru,” Dr. Cere said.

“With the holidays just around the corner, it’s a great time to plan active family outings and cook healthy meals together.”

Lindsey Karlin Mirabal is a 3rd year Doctor of Physical Therapy student at the University of Florida.

for e mor

! o f n i

To learn more about p physical therapy, or to

find a physical therapist in

the Gainesville area, visit American Physical Therapy Association

teens p Physical therapists support the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services 2008 Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans, which describe the types and amounts of physical activity that offer substantial health benefits to children and adolescents.

• Children and adolescents (aged 6-17) should get 1 hour or more of physical activity every day.

• Most of the 1 hour or more a day should be either moderate- or vigorous-intensity aerobic physical activity.

• As part of their daily physical activity, children and adolescents should do vigorous-intensity activity on at least 3 days per week.

• They also should do muscle-strengthening and bonestrengthening activity on at least 3 days per week.

The following Smart Moves for Families are from the American Physical Therapy Association’s consumer website: http://www.moveforwardpt. com.

• Plan weekend family activities involving physical activity, such as hiking, swimming, bicycling, mini-golf, tennis, or bowling.

• Help your child plan physical activities with friends and neighbors, such as skating or softball.

• Have your kids brainstorm a “rainy day” game plan of indoor activities such as fitness games such as Wii Fit or Dance Dance Revolution.

• Remember that your family does not need to join a health club or buy fancy equipment to be active. Walking is inexpensive and easy. So is designing a backyard obstacle course. Weights can be made from soda or detergent bottles filled with sand or water!

• Provide positive rewards for your child when he or she engages in physical activities, such as workout clothes, a new basketball, or an evening of roller-skating.

• Provide positive feedback about your child’s lifestyle changes. Remember not to focus on the scale (for you or your child).

• Be your child’s “exercise buddy.” Plan daily walks or bike rides and set goals together for increasing physical activity rather than for losing weight. It’s also great “bonding” time!

• As you schedule your child’s extracurricular activities, remember to plan time for exercise and activity as a priority for the entire family. Don’t just “squeeze it in.”

http://www.apta.org

• Encourage children to try individualized sports such as tennis and swimming. Studies show such activities are the basis of lifelong fitness habits.

For more information and resources on childhood obesity prevention, visit

• Parents and children can do exercises while watching television (or at least during commercials), such as situps, push-ups or running in place. Discourage snacking or eating meals while watching T.V.

http://www.surgeongeneral.gov/ obesityprevention/resources.

giggle

magazine • dec/jan 2011

25

y a d i books and movies! l o h

Favorite

3 1 4 2

8

6 5 7

1. “The Christmas Vault” By Wendy Mallory and Gina Webb 2. “Chanukah Bugs: A Pop-up Celebration” By David A. Carter 3. “Elf on the Shelf” By Carol V. Aebersold , Chanda A. Bell 4. “If You Take a Mouse to the Movies” By Laura Numeroff 5. elf (2004) 6. “Chanuka & Passover at Bubbe’s” (2003) 7. “Shrek the Halls” (2008) 8. “Frosty’s Winter Wonderland” (2004)

d

f

Potato Latkes!

A Hanukkah Tradition

d

d

j

A traditional Jewish dish, latkes are served during the days of Hanukkah in honor of the oil that burned and provided light for eight days. Served with applesauce and sour cream, these latkes are a treat to be shared with others.

SUBMITTED BY Laurel Housden

Ingredients: 1 pound potatoes 1/2 cup finely chopped onion 1 large egg, lightly beaten 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/2 to 3/4 cup vegetable oil Accompaniments: sour cream and applesauce Directions: Peel potatoes and coarsely grate by hand, transferring to a large bowl of cold water as grated. Soak potatoes 1 to 2 minutes after last batch is added to water, then drain well in a colander.

Spread grated potatoes and onion on a kitchen towel and roll up jellyroll style. Twist towel tightly to wring out as much liquid as possible.

Transfer potato mixture to a bowl and stir in egg and salt.

Heat 1/4 cup oil in a 12-inch nonstick skillet over moderately high heat until hot but not smoking. Working in batches of 4 latkes, spoon 2 tablespoons potato mixture per latke into skillet, spreading into 3-inch rounds with a fork. Reduce heat to moderate and cook until undersides are browned, about 5 minutes. Turn latkes over and cook until undersides are browned, about 5 minutes more. Transfer to paper towels to drain and season with salt. Add more oil to skillet as needed. Keep latkes warm on a wire rack set in a shallow baking pan in oven.

28 giggle

Apple Sauce

giggle Magazine exclusive!

Ingredients: 4 granny smith apples 1/4 cup granulated sugar 1/2 tsp salt 1/4 cup water Juice of 1/2 a lemon Cinnamon to taste Directions: Peel and quarter apples.

Place apples in saucepan, cover apples with water.

Cover and cook on low heat for 30 minutes or until apples are soft.

Add sugar, cinnamon and lemon juice. Gently mash with a fork. Serve warm or chilled.

Photos by Laurel Housden Photography

Preheat oven to 250º°F.

Simple and sweet

The

Jones eastside

S C AT E R Y T U I D AY E V E O U R E NT! L L HO

in our next issue!

Birthday Party issue Summer Camps

Love stories IN THE NEXT ISSUE

CHOCOLATE The history of Scouting!

Be sure to get your hands on our

Feb a March Issue!

3 5 2 . 3 7 3 . 6 7 7 7 thEjoNEsEAstsidE.com thEjoNEsGvillE@GmAil.com 401 NE 23rd AvE, GAiNEsvillE, FlA

gle’s Fun Filled D g i g ays of...

December

Sunday

Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday

1

Happy Hanukkah 5

6

Finalize Christmas Card List -- make sure those new friends and neighbors don’t get left out.

12 Jump in the car and look at Christmas lights with the family.

19

Make sure you have all holiday events on your calendar -- from school performances to office parties.

Line up those sitters! Make sure you confirm and reconfirm babysitters for all of your holiday events -- you know the good ones get booked fast!

13

14

Charge batteries so you don’t miss the kiddos expressions when they open all of their gifts.

20

Make wrapping paper with the kids for their gifts to others.

Rent classic holiday movies! Spend some time in front of the tv with your family and popcorn to get everyone in the holiday spirit!!

27

26

7

Enjoy leftovers.

Make sure that the wrapping paper makes it to the recycling bin.

30 giggle

As a family choose a charity and make a donation of time and/or money.

21

8

2

3

Make or buy a holiday countdown calendar with your kids.

Dust off your holiday decorations.

9

Go shopping for your holiday wardrobe.

15 Visit Santa Claus and give him your wish list.

22

Burn a pine scent candle if you have a artificial Christmas tree.

23 First Day of Winter -- have a snow cone for dessert.

17 Host a family game night and invite friends over.

24 Make reindeer food and sprinkle on lawn to lead the reindeers way.

See our recipe on page 11!

Decorate your tree.

Collect receipts and gift cards and go on a “return” shopping spree.

10 Send out holiday cards.

16

29 Mommas, treat yourself to a pedicure. You’ve worked hard this holiday season.

30 Use that leftover fruitcake to hold the door open to your New Year’s Eve party.

Saturday 4

Bake a fruitcake

Go grocery shopping for your holiday dinner.

28

Friday

Thursday

31 Relax and ring in the new year!

Visit a local Christmas tree farm to pick the perfect tree for your home!

11 Make homemade wreath with Christmas tree trimmings.

18 Find someone to watch the pets while traveling to see Grandma Sue in North Carolina.

25

Merry Christmas

Children deserve the best. can grow.

A place where

hope

That’s why the University of Florida, Shands and the Sebastian Ferrero Foundation are excited about our shared commitment to the finest care for kids.

We’re pleased that your support of Noche de Gala will directly benefit the Shands Hospital for Children and Women’s dedicated pediatric emergency department, slated to open in the summer of 2011.

The 175-bed hospital, to be built in phases by reconfiguring space at Shands at the University of Florida, will be the state’s foremost provider of pediatric health and wellness services and a national leader in pediatric research, innovation and education.

SebastianFerrero.org

E

giggle’s guide to

last minute

giftideas

LO

IT

WE

•

•

WE

IT

LO

IT. WE U S

VE

VE

IT. WE U S

E

Piggy PAINT

Miracles Maternity & Children’s Boutique 352-338-2040

{Perfect } children

for

fd

LEATHER BELT Dahlia’s 352-381-0061

Le Creuset Tea Pot and French Oven Kitchen & Spice and other things nice 352-379-8811

E

IT.

WE U S

E

WE

•

LO

IT

V

www.studentmaid.com

•

WE

If you have something you think deserves the giggle stamp, send us an email at giggle@irvingpublications.com

V

E

IT

LO IT.

WE U S

E

32 giggle

Photos by Laurel Housden Photography

Student Maid Gift Certificates

Jonathan Adler’s Lantern Gourd Vase www.jonathanadler.com

{ perfect}

The hostess gift

Eco Tough Bird Feeder Wild Birds Unlimited 352- 381-1997

HOBO clutch

etc...boutique 352-378-8222

Lilly Pulitzer Small Original Tote The Colorful Gator 352-225-3595 Gator Girl Necklace Lang Jewelers 352-672-6299

{Gator } For the

fan

giggle

magazine • dec/jan 2011

33

giggle’s

Ways to d 101 back

give

d

to yourself •to the world• to others

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

Walk a neighbor’s dog Take out grandma’s trash Wash a friend’s car Give up remote to hubby for the night Drop off takeout meal to a busy mom Give up seat on bus Allow kids to play with playdough for unlimited time

8. Buy someone a cup of coffee

9. Pay toll for vehicle behind you on highway 10. Let kids pick out the entire movie marathon on car trip 11. Plant a tree 12. Change all diapers for an entire day 13. Get up for bottle feedings and let new mommy sleep 14. Do all dishes for a week 15. Treat someone to a manicure 16. Fill up gas tank for someone 17. Eat healthy 18. Give someone a hug 19. Purchase at least two items from student fundraisers 20. Celebrate life with an “ice cream” dinner 21. Surprise your child’s class with a special treat 22. Bring new parents a pack of diapers and a frozen meal

23. Babysit for free

24. Pick up your friend’s children from school and bring home for playdate 25. Send note to old friend letting them know you were thinking of them 26. Give a stranger a lottery ticket 27. Fill up an expired parking meter 28. Cut your neighbor’s lawn 29. Give your waitress an extra 10% tip 30. Hold train door 31. Pick up trash 32. Give up parking spot to other driver 33. Give up taxi to next waiting person 34. Give up that favorite dress (that doesn’t fit) to a friend who really admired it

35. Send flowers to a dear friend

36. Take cookies to the fire department 37. Make CDs of favorite “happy” tunes and share with friends 38. Make photo CD for far away relatives 39. Volunteer at local charity 40. Bring breakfast for everyone at office 41. Use recyclable bags 42. Set up recycle box at office 43. Sit through sappy movie with wife 44. Help someone unload their grocery cart 45. Return grocery carts to front of store 46. If you can reach, help someone who is smaller with high shelves 47. Compliment someone 48. Smile at someone 49. Just listen…

50. Read to children 51. Visit a retirement home

52. Say 10 good things to someone 53. Tell someone that they are special

34 giggle

54. Tell someone you love them 55. Share Halloween candy 56. Encourage someone to go on a walk with you every day for a week 57. Leave “thank you” notes around house that you were visiting 58. Buy groceries for a week for a friend in need 59. Send a care package overseas 60. Help someone organize their garage

61. Spread holiday cheer by caroling

62. House sit for a vacationing friend 63. Buy in bulk and share with friend 64. Give a friend who is relocating an updated phone book so you can stay in touch 65. Let someone go ahead of you in checkout line 66. Remind friends to backup computer weekly 67. Never post ugly photos on facebook 68. Send someone a bouquet of flowers “just because” 69. Loan your favorite purse to a friend 70. Plant flowers in your neighborhood common area for a spice of color 71. Bring a new collection of books to a children’s hospital 72. Send a “thank you” letter to an old teacher

73. Be a shoulder to cry on

74. Host a pizza party for your neighbors 75. Share your favorite magazine subscription with someone 76. Volunteer to tutor a child 77. Let children stay in bath an extra 10 minutes for splash time 78. Attend sporting event with husband, just to make him smile 79. Organize a “cheering section” for a friend who is completing their first marathon 80. Give blood 81. Donate long locks to “Locks of Love” after a hair cut

82. Become passionate about something

83. Surprise someone 84. Light a candle in memory of a lost love one 85. Go for a nature walk 86. Give a piece of jewelry you never wear away 87. Spend your birthday money on someone else 88. Treat a co-worker to lunch 89. Bake a cake and sing “happy birthday” in honor of being alive 90. Treat someone to a spa day 91. Write a thank you letter to Mom and Dad 92. Volunteer your professional services for free for the day 93. Practice patience 94. Complete your family tree and share with your whole family

95. Become an organ donor when renewing your drivers licence 96. Make holiday cookies and deliver them to your neighbors 97. Give back to yourself by getting healthy and fit 98. Donate old computers and electronics 99. Give to local food bank 100. Treat friends to a movie night

101. Have a wonderful holiday season and do not stop giggling

d

Take Care of You. • Board-Certified Healthcare Providers • A Commitment to Personal Attention • The Newest in Healthcare Technology

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In Gainesville (NFRMC) and Lake City AllAboutWomenMD.com

All About Women OBSTETRICS AND GYNECOLOGY

health & wellness p

Ask the Pharmacist:

Influenza Vaccine Q&A

By Christy Siddiqui, Pharm.D.

As we look forward to one of the most exciting times of the year filled with all things holiday, it’s time to protect our families for the one thing that we don’t want to share – the flu! In general, flu season is at its peak in early January; however, it’s never too early to go ahead and get the protection that your family needs by getting the proper vaccine that will last through the entire season.

Q: Who should receive the Influenza (Flu) Vaccine?

A: The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recommends that everyone 6 months and older should be vaccinated.

Is it possible for me to get the flu from the flu vaccine?

The viruses in the flu shot are killed, so you cannot get the flu from the flu shot. The nasal spray vaccine (Flumist) is an alternative for those who do not want to receive a shot. Flumist is only an option for ages 2-49 who do not have any chronic health conditions. This is because those who have compromised immune systems have an increased chance of experiencing flu-like symptoms such as runny nose, headache or cough.

Photo courtesy of Istockphoto.com

Q: Is it true that my infant needs two flu vaccines?

A: All children between 6 months and 8 years should receive 2 doses of the influenza vaccine if it is their first time being vaccinated. The second dose should be given at least 4 weeks after the first one.

Q: Do I need a separate H1N1 (Swine Flu) Vaccine again this year?

A: No. The 2010-2011 flu vaccine also protects against the H1N1 flu. However, this year, children under 9 years old may also need two doses of the flu shot if they did not receive at least one dose of the H1N1 vaccine in 2009.

Q: What is thimerosal? Do the 2010-2011 flu vaccines contain thimerosal?

A: Thimerosal is a preservative that has been used in vaccines for over 70 years to maintain vaccine sterility.

Scientific studies do not show any harm in using low doses of this preservative. However, the FluMist, and several other flu vaccines are thimerosal-free.

Q: What is difference between the FluMist and the flu shot?

A: The FluMist is an alternative to the flu shot for healthy children, teenagers and adults from age 2 to 49 years old. The FluMist is a vaccine to help protect against the flu that is sprayed into the nose instead of in the form of shot.

Q: Why do I need a flu shot if I am a healthy adult?

A: You are not only protecting yourself when you receive the flu vaccine. Young children, the elderly, and those with chronic conditions are especially high risk for flu complications because of immature and declining immune systems. By protecting yourself from the flu you also protect these vulnerable groups.

Christy lives in Gainesville, FL and is a Pharmacist at Shands at the University of Florida. She is married and has one daughter.

Always consult with your family doctor before receiving any medical procedures or immunizations.

For more information about the Influenza vaccine, including advice for parents to protect your children from getting the flu, visit the Center for Disease Control’s website at www.cdc.gov/flu.

For fun and educational ways share information about staying happy and healthy during flu season with your kids, go to www.flu.gov to view videos featuring the characters Elmo and Sid the Science Kid from Sesame Street. giggle

magazine • dec/jan 2011

37

Bundle your family up for their very own frosty, fun playground.

a part of

Introducing SNOW!™A North Pole Carnival at Gaylord Palms Resort November 20 - January 2

A COOL COMBO

The SNOW!™ experience includes: C 40 tons of snow

C Snowball target range

C Snow play area

C Fun Carnival Food

C Snowman building area

C Kiddie Snow Tube Run

C Carnival-style snow-themed

C And more!

games and prizes

For Tickets call 407-586-6789

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PRESENTED BY:

November 20, 2010 – January 2, 2011 ICE!™ is Florida’s favorite and coolest Christmas tradition, with more than 20,000-square-feet of frosty 9-degree bliss played out in a winter wonderland of exciting hand-carved sculptures. And this year it features duel 30-foot slides and an all-new, awe-inspiring tribute to the unforgettable classic ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas. This beloved story of childhood imagination, whimsy, and hope comes to life right before your family’s eyes! You may feel a chill in the air, but you’ll feel warmth in your heart as you create wonderful Christmas memories that last a lifetime.

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p the

legal side Are you considering giving a pet for the holidays?

Know the basics to keep it legal

By attorney sondra randon, esq and her dog Lucas from Folds & Walker, LLC

T

he holiday season presents the perfect opportunity to welcome a new pet into the family. Like many children, I received my first pet, Jingles, an orange tabby cat, under the Christmas tree when I was six years old. Experts agree that having a family pet can expose children to new responsibilities, affection, and unwavering companionship at an early age.

However, pet ownership requires money, time and effort.

Families should consider the costs and benefits of having a pet and fully research the species and breed prior to adoption or purchase of a new pet. Because of the need to prevent animal cruelty and the need to protect the public from dangerous animals, many city and county ordinances enact “Animal Control” ordinances to provide for the protection of animals and the public.

Below are a few important local laws every pet owner should be aware of:

Humane Treatment of Pets

• Pet owners must provide adequate food, water, shelter, space, and veterinary care to maintain health and to prevent or cure diseases.

• Owners can lose their pet and receive fines if they receive more than two citations in a 12 month period for having a “public nuisance” animal.

• A public nuisance is defined as:

* An animal found to be at large.

* An animal damaging or relieving itself on the

property of others.

* An animal bothering or biting any person, unless

that person is trespassing on the property of the

animal owner or that person provokes the animal. * An animal creating odors that are detectable and offensive to a reasonable person on nearby property, or attracting flies detected on nearby

properties.

* An animal attacking another domestic animal.

* An animal making sounds that are a violation of

the noise ordinance.

40 giggle

• An owner shall have physical control of a dog at all times when off the owner’s property, unless the property owner consents to the removal of the physical control.

* Physical control means immediate and continuous control of a dog by a competent person, through the use of a leash or an enclo

sure, which prevents the dog from escaping.

* Unless a leash-free zone is specifically posted,

you must have physical control of your dog

at all times while on property owned or

controlled by a government entity.

• This law excludes police dogs or fire dogs (when acting in their official capacity), trained and certified disability assistance dogs (when performing those services), show dogs (when involved in organized training and exhibiting), and hunting dogs (when on a legal hunt in an authorized area and the dog owner has a hunting license).

Picking it Up

• When not walking their dog on their own property, a dog owner must carry an adequate waste removal device (plastic bag, scooper, etc.) and must pick up their dog’s poop.

Vaccination

• All dogs, cats, and ferrets must have a rabies vaccine.

Licensing

• Dogs, cats, and ferrets need to be licensed and registered in the Alachua County before they reach the age of 3 months.

• Licensing renewal coincides with the rabies vaccination.

Animals in cars

• You cannot leave your pet unattended in your motor vehicle for an unreasonable amount of time and under conditions that will endanger the animal’s life, such as lack of ventilation, lack of water, or excessive heat.

• When transporting your pet in your motor vehicle, the pet must be in the back seat or securely contained in a crate or cage or other appropriate tethering device that will prevent the animal from falling from, being thrown from, or jumping from the vehicle.

• If an enforcement officer (code enforcement or police officer) determines that your unattended pet is in distress in your vehicle, he or she has the right to enter your vehicle, remove your pet, and deliver your pet to a shelter or veterinarian. The officer must notify animal services of the location of the pet. You must reclaim your pet within three business days and pay all reasonable maintenance costs, which may include veterinary fees, reclaim and boarding fees, licensing, and vaccination fees.

This information should not be used as a substitute for seeking needed advice from an attorney or other qualified advisor regarding your individual needs.

Photo by Kelsey Lynn Photography

Public Nuisance Laws

Leash and Restraint Laws

Road Trip Games that are FUN for the

Whole Family

BY DANA KAMP

This time of year brings families closer together in so many ways.

Decorating the house for the holidays, shopping for gifts for loved ones, carrying on or starting new holiday traditions, and for many, traveling to see family and friends, all remind us of the winter season. Traveling as a family can be a wonderful experience, if you are prepared. Jumping in the car with the kids, some animal crackers, and a magazine is not being prepared. Let us share with you some great road trip games for little ones of all ages. Then you can feel assured that you are ready to conquer the family holiday road trip!

What is it? Choose a few items from your purse, glove compartment or console and place them in a bag. Let each child reach into the bag and try to identify one item-no peeking!

Find 100. Everyone can work together or as individuals to find 100 of a certain item or things of a specific color. For example, you can look for 100 red things (cars, signs, birds) or 100 American flags or fast food restaurants.

Shoebox fun! Each child gets to create a toy from a shoebox. Bring along crayons or washable markers so they can decorate the box however they wish. Draw a racetrack in one box, add some matchbox cars and you have a laptop racing scene. A few small dolls can make the box their new dream house. Small animal figurines can help transform the box into a zoo or jungle!

42 giggle

Puppet Show. Bring puppets from home or let them decorate white socks as they ride. Each child can take a turn being the puppeteer or the puppets can all “talk” to each other from around the car. Bring one for the non-driver in the front seat as well-adults can join in the fun too!

Story Time! Whether it’s a chapter book or a joke book, let each child choose a book for him/her to read aloud.

This is entertaining and time-consuming! You’ll be surprised how far you’ve gone by the time they’re finished reading.

Map it Out. Give each child his own travel map so they can follow along as the trip progresses. They can color on their maps or put stickers on landmarks you’ve passed. Decide where to stop for a meal or a break and let them circle it on the map. Actually seeing how far you’ve gone and how much farther is left can be extremely helpful to excited, restless travelers.

Card games. What a great time to teach the little ones your old favorites like Crazy 8s and Go Fish, or go online and create a list of new card games to learn as you go. A pack of cards is an easy item to bring along and can literally be hours of quiet entertainment.

Surprise Time! I personally love this tip! Every 60 miles or so (depending on how far your road trip is) bring out a new surprise for each child. It can be a simple snack or treat from the dollar store, a new book, paper dolls, or something they’ve wanted and have earned through good behavior between Surprise Times! Don’t forget to save some for the return trip!

Of course, there are always the tried-and-true travel games like “I Spy”, “20 Questions” and “Billboard Alphabet Game”, along with the portable DVD player and the hand held video game device, to help the family travel happily. Between the new ideas we’ve given you and the ones that have worked since we were 7, you are set and are ready for that long, wonderful trip to Aunt Linda’s house.

a gle tip

gig

akinigme T Try m Nap evena game

Photo courtesy of Istockphoto.com

our community’s life-saving answers for every age!

Travel accessory must haves A Mommy’s car travel

survival check list…

by NICOLE IRVING

Almost every summer and holiday break since my children were born (6 years), we travel north to Connecticut to visit my family, BY CAR. Yes, I pack 3 children and sometimes a cat into my Expedition for a 20 + hour car ride to see my parents. Some say I am crazy, I say with proper planning and packing, it is a welcomed 20 hours of complete family time.

Here are some of my travel tips that might make any car trip, or plane trip for that matter, more comfy, efficient, and less stressful when surprises arise.

dog poo at the FIRST rest stop you visit)

• Books • Jackets readily available if traveling during winter for rest stop breaks • Camera for snap shots at crossing state boarders. Makes great scrapbook shots • Lots of magazines (don’t forget your giggle magazines) • Hand sanitizer • WIPES • Extra socks • Plenty of water/juice/snacks • Garbage bags *always recycle/drop garbage off at rest stops to keep car tidy* • Bandaids/ first aid kits (Try the medibag family first aid kit) • Small prizes/gifts for rewards for good behavior • Change jar for tolls • Pad of paper for “I spy license tag” game • Car cell phone charger • Bottle brush and small dish soap for washing baby bottles at rest stop.

• Sunglasses for the whole family • Stuffed animals for travel buddy

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Family First Aid Kit

Every family encounters boo boo’s along the way. The medibag Family First Aid Kit comes complete with all you need to clean their little wounds and make them happy! Stickers are included! www.me4kidz.com

a must ke

ep in your ca r

The YakPack

Sometimes car-sickness happens, especially with children! The YakPack is a compact kit that comes complete with sick baggies, rubber gloves and even a little “scooper”.

Don’t forget to pack on car trips, plane trips and boat rides. www.theyakpack.com

Photos Laurel Housden Photography

• Always pack good travel tunes and movies • GPS/Maps • Insurance cards • When car traveling, try starting your trip around NAP time. This way, they can nap then wake for a snack and some running time at a rest stop before back in car.

• Travel size pillow • Travel size blanket • Change of clothes handy (especially for little ones) • Extra pair of shoes (you never know when a child will step in

medibag

Photo of go crib courtsety of guava family and Photo of travel trays by Star Kids

GoCrib The GoCrib, which comes snug in an easy to carry backpack,

a must

is a standard size crib that assembles in minutes! Perfect for trips to the beach or a weekend trip to grandma’s, the GoCrib is safe, secure and perfect for today’s active families! Comes complete with pad and air pump! www.guavafamily.com

for Grandm a’s

Star Kids What parent would not love these

child friendly and convient travel gear for their children.

Air Play Tray Table Cover keeps your child entertained and their snacks clean while traveling on an airplane.

The Travel Tray converts any car seat into a full functioning table top ready for play or eating. www.starkidsproducts.com

giggle

magazine • dec/jan 2011

45

d

p family spotlight

Mrs. Claus is a morning person, so she likes to exercise as soon as she gets up. Santa doesn’t rise quite so early, being a night owl, but they agree that different schedules work well for them.

“It’s good that one of us is able to stay up late to get last minute things done,” Mrs. Claus said.

Santa has a team of helpers to get him ready for the big day.

The elves, of course, do everything from make the toys to help him pack the sleigh just right.

“He’s never had to come home during a run to repack,” Mrs. Claus says proudly. The reindeer are a huge help, as well.

They don’t just fly the sleigh - Rudolph is his navigator.

“I’ll never need a GPS. Rudolph is better than any gadget.”

When asked if he had a favorite reindeer, he chuckles.

“Everyone loves Rudolph, but I love them all. I could never choose just one.”

Spreading holiday cheer d

Mr. & Mrs. Santa Claus

By LEIGH MENNINGER Photo by Laurel Housden Photography

With Christmas approaching, boys and girls everywhere are on their best behavior. While everyone asks themselves if they are on the Naughty or Nice list, the Head Elf himself took some time to share some insight into what goes into the ‘big night.’ Preparations last all year, and decorations begin much earlier for Santa and Mrs. Claus than for most. They set a date of October 31 to have all of their decorating done.

“We start out pretty early,” Mrs. Claus says, “but if we don’t have it done by then, we get too busy and we’ll never find all of our twinkle lights.”

The only time Santa and Mrs. Claus take time off to rest is right after Christmas.

Then it’s back to work, and that includes exercising!

“It’s very important to stay fit, especially with all the cookies!” Santa says.

46 giggle

While Santa is working with the elves to prepare the toys and map out his trip, Mrs. Claus is hard at work making sure everyone is well fed and healthy. She cooks for all of the elves as well as Santa.

As for Santa, he doesn’t have any real meal preferences except for one thing: cookies. “Santa has cookies at every meal,” Mrs. Claus says with a smile.

Cookies are undoubtedly one of the first things that come to mind when thinking of Santa, and for good reason. Kids have been leaving cookies and milk as a way to say thank you for as long as he can remember. He doesn’t have a favorite cookie, and has never been left a ‘bad’ snack.

“Anything prepared with love is my favorite,” he says. “Even if it’s been bought at the store, if it was done with love, I can tell.” Mrs. Claus agrees. She looks forward to the cookies that Santa brings home for her after his long night, although she confesses that she does have a preference for oatmeal raisin cookies. “They have lots of healthy bits in them.”

Figuring out the Naughty and Nice list takes all year, as well.

Santa and Mrs. Claus go on trips during the year to check up on children and see which kids are behaving. Sometimes they will even stop in at summer camps, even though Christmas is half of a year away. They also get info from elves, friends, and even from the ‘elf on the shelf’ that some families use.

Don’t think that you’re in the clear to misbehave if you don’t see Santa, though. You never know if you’re talking to an elf doing work for Santa.

“Elves come in many shapes and sizes,” Santa says.

Santa confided that he has never met a child who wasn’t able to get themselves back on track before Christmas as long as they tried.

“Sometimes it’s just a matter of trying a little harder,” Mrs. Claus agreed. Santa also revealed that you shouldn’t worry about getting coal in your stockings anymore. “It’s too expensive!”

The elves do a lot more than keep track of the Naughty and Nice lists. Santa has a special ‘Name Elf’, who is always on call if Santa needs help remembering a child’s name.

“Sometimes even Santa can forget,” he says. He isn’t afraid to ask for help and will often call his Name Elf in a pinch, which is why you might see Santa on a cell phone. Elves still make some of the toys, but with changing times and technology they’ve taken on another role: product tester. With all the electronics that children ask for today, Santa takes his job very seriously making sure that they’ve tested them before he makes any deliveries. Are the elves upset that they don’t make as many toys by hand?

Toys aren’t the only things that Santa sees on wish lists from girls and boys. Often a child will request a pet, which is something Santa can’t always give.

“Pets aren’t just a gift, but are a member of the family,” he explains. “I always say that I’ll try, but that a pet is something that Mom and Dad need to agree to as well.”

“Santa has cookies at every meal”

d

“Not at all. They love testing the toys,” Santa says. “Sometimes it’s hard to get them to stop!” Mrs. Claus adds.

Mrs. Claus adds a practical point about pets, as well. “It’s hard to transport them. Young pets just get too chilled in the sleigh.”

Santa agrees, saying “that’s why I never promise a specific present, but I always promise that I’ll do the best I can.”

The Claus’ love everything about Christmas, especially concerts and caroling, but are often too busy to catch many of them.

Their favorite tradition, however, is a private one: “Christmas morning breakfast and then lying down and taking a nap,” Santa says. After all of the work from the night before, he definitely deserves it.

For those of us here in the Gainesville area, there are several opportunities to see Santa this Christmas season. He will be on the north field of Santa Fe College for the LifeSouth Operation Santa Drop on December 18. He will also be available for pictures and to hear your wish list at The Learning Path Store, located at 2020 NW 6 Street, on December 11 and December 24.

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magazine • dec/jan 2011

47

e i v mo gs

n i t ra

a parents guide to what’s on the big screen

By Kelsey McNiel

Photos by Verve Studio

I

t isn’t the 1920s, Greta Garbo isn’t gracing the silver screen and a woman’s thigh won’t put a production studio out of business. But movie ratings are still an important part of the cinematic experience, particularly when your kids are front and center.

The idea of self-governing movie studios, and the modern ratings system, was put into action in 1968 by Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA) chairman, Jack Valenti. Today’s system is governed by a board of people with the most stake in what flies across the screen - parents.

“Their job is to reflect what they believe would be the majority view of their fellow American parents in assigning a rating to a film,” writes The Classification and Rating Administration (CARA), the group now responsible for conducting the surveys and reporting the results.

The board consists of eight to 13 parents with young children, and none of the members have previous film industry experience. Each person watches between 800 and 900 films per year individually, and the board congregates to vote on a rating after each viewing. Ratings are determined based on the level of sexual, drug-related, violent and vulgar content.

So what’s the difference between G, PG and PG-13? And is an R-rated movie really too adult for your 13-year-old? Follow our guide for a happy holiday movie-going experience.

G (general audience)

As you may have guessed, a G rating means it’s all good: there is no nudity, sex or drug use, the violence is minimal and the language is nothing beyond everyday conversation. However, this rating, like the others, should not be considered a stamp of approval but rather a suggestion of the audience that this film is best suited for. CARA recommends G-rated movies for everyone.

PG (parental guidance suggested)

With some profanity, brief nudity, violence and/or profanity (but no drug use), parents should check PG-rated films out before letting younger children view them.

PG-13 (parental guidance suggested)

Of all the movie ratings, PG-13 is the most age specific. It advises parents to consider the appropriateness of certain movies for children younger than 13. The level of profanity, nudity, violence or strong language in a PG-13-rated movie is more than one rated PG, but less than an R-rated film. PG-13 is also where drug use comes into play. “A motion picture’s single use of one of the harsher sexuallyderived words, though only as an expletive, initially requires at least a PG-13 rating,” CARA writes on its site.

R (restricted)

Most parents know that R means off limits for young children, but what about for teens? Unless they’re with a parent, kids under 17 aren’t getting in, due to harsher violence, sex scenes or drug abuse. Parents should definitely preview or research any R-rated movie before letting a child younger than 17 years old view it, as Rrated films can run the gamut from the sex-laden “America Pie” to the violent but more historical “Gladiator.”

NC-17 (no one 17 and under admitted)

As the rating suggests, NC-17 movies are not for kids - or even teens. Whether a parent is present or not, people under 17 years old are not permitted into movie theaters to see NC-17-rated movies. However, an NC-17 rating doesn’t mean a film is bad or pornographic. It simply refers to the adult nature of the film - one that the kids should wait a while to see.

For further research into the best film for your family, visit sites like kids-in-mind.com, which reviews each movie for kid-friendliness, from those with cartoon characters to the romantic comedy they might overhear from the living room.

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magazine • dec/jan 2010

49

OU R S E RV IC E S

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is ad n th eive c & re

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Recently Named 2010 Gainesville Area Chamber of Commerce Leading Women’s Enterprise!

R e s i d e n ti a l & C o m m e rcia l C l e a n in g La u n d ry Er ra n d s D o g Wa l ki n g Pe t Sitt i n g Ba b y s it t in g H o u s e Sit t in g O r g a n izin g Pa r t y Pre p & Cleanup H o l i d a y Se t U p & Ta ke Do w n

Licensed & Insured * Excellent References * Drug Screened * Employees must meet minimum 3.5 GPA

holiday

baby names

T

he most precious gift of all comes with ten tiny fingers and ten tiny toes. Babies born around the holiday are a special blessing and what better way to celebrate the special time of year and their arrival, with a holiday inspired name‌.

Girl:

Noel

- {NOH-el} born on Christmas day

Snowden snowy peak

Angel

- {an-gel} messenger

- {s-now-den}

Joy Nichole Holly Mary Belle Natalie Carol Starr Glory Santina

Boy:

Joseph Nicholas Christopher Gabriel Christian Jesus Rudolph Harold

Winter inspired names: Crystal Frost Blaze Storm Forest Crispin January Ivy Hail

ladies’

night out gainesville moms take a break.

Photos by Lifeprints Photography

Let’s get creative...

Where in Gainesville can you create your own canvas masterpiece while spending time with friends over a nice glass of wine and a cheese spread? Corks & Colors Studio of course.

Corks & Colors Studio is the creative masterpiece of Rebecca Barborak Located in the CIED building off University Avenue, Corks & Colors Studio is a one stop night out for friends and couples. The concept is simple. Come bearing your favorite friends and refreshments and Corks & Colors Studio will provide the canvas, paint, aprons, brushes and talented instructor to guide you in creating a one of a kind masterpiece.

Can’t paint? Do not worry; the instructors at Corks & Colors Studio are amazing at guiding you into creating your own personalized artwork. When the 2 hour class is over, you will have a beautiful work of art, that you created, ready to take home that night and lots of great memories to share.

Corks & Colors Studio Santa Fe CIED building (corner of 6th St and University Ave) 530 W University Ave Gainesville, FL 32601 ph: (352) 575-4069 corks-colors.com

Highlights of the night: Corks & Colors studio is a great place to relax with friends and learn something new. We had such a great time during our giggle LNO this month. We painted, we laughed, we ate and drank. The best part about it, was that we all completed our own painting and each one looked unique and special. It was a blast. Sarah, our instructor for the night, was patient and really made the night fun. Rebecca was the “hostess with the most-ess” making sure we were all comfortable and happy with a smile on her face.

I have no doubt that we will all be back soon to create another wonderful masterpiece with our friends.

Rebecca Barborak Owner & Sarah Peterson art instructor

Kwanzaa d Celebrating family, community and culture

By Sarah Loftus and Alison Walker

Christmas trees beautifully ordained with ornaments, holiday cookies, lights on the house, gifts piled beneath the tree, menorahs, dreidels and latkes are all things that make children giddy for the month of December. They excitedly anticipate the gifts they will get, the special food and the all around general fun of the holiday season. For families celebrating Kwanzaa, they also look forward to the celebration of African heritage, the feast of traditional dishes and lighting candles, as a part of the a seven-day long celebration from December 26 through January 1 each year.

Kwanzaa is derived from a Swahili phrase meaning “first fruits of the harvest.” Its roots can be traced back to the first celebration on December 26, 1966, when Dr. Maulana Karenga, a professor of African studies at California State University, Long Beach, created it as a way for African American people to reconnect with their rich African culture and heritage. Unlike other holidays celebrated during this time year, such as Christmas and Hanukkah, Kwanzaa focuses on celebrating African history, values and culture, as opposed to having religious roots.

Like any holiday, every family puts its own unique twists on how one celebrates it. However, they all follow some basic traditions for the celebration. Usually there is African-based music, a candle-lighting ritual, artistic decorations in the home and a culminating feast (known as a Karamu) near the end of the holiday on December 31. Traditional African foods are usually served at the Karamu, which may include some of the following: fried okra, chicken and sausage gumbo with rice, jerk chicken, black eyed peas, collard greens, coconut biscuits, cornbread and sweet potato pie.

Some families incorporate poetry and interpretive dance into their festivities. Decorations, such as African baskets, table clothes, pieces of art and harvest symbols are typically found using the colors of Kwanzaa – black, red and green.

During each of the seven nights of Kwanzaa, the family comes together and one of the children lights a candle on the Kinara (candle holder). This is a special time for the family

to come together and discuss the meaning of Kwanzaa and discuss the principle for the day.

According to The Official Kwanzaa Website, the Seven Principles (also known as Nguzo Saba in Swahili) of Kwanzaa are the following: • Unity: (Umoja) To strive for an maintain unity in the family, community, nation and race; • Self-determination: (Kujichagulia) To define ourselves, name ourselves, create for ourselves, and speak for ourselves.

• Collective Work and Responsibility: (Ujima) To build and maintain our community together and make our brother’s and sister’s problems our problems and to solve them together.

• Cooperative Economics: (Ujamaa) To build and maintain our own stores, shops, and other businesses and to profit from them together.

• Purpose: (Nia) To make our collective vocation the building and developing of our community in order to restore our people to their traditional greatness.

• Creativity: (Kuumba) To do always as much as we can, in the way we can, in order to leave our community more beautiful and beneficial than we inherited it.

• Faith: (Imani) To believe with all our heart in our people, our parents, our teachers, our leaders, and the righteousness and victory of our struggle.

Gifts are exchanged; however, they are mostly given to the children. Also, all gifts must include a book (emphasizing the importance of learning) and a heritage symbol (reinforcing the African commitment to tradition and history).

Although Kwanzaa was started in the United States, it is also celebrated all over the world. Also, many families who celebrate Kwanzaa also celebrate other holidays of the season.

Avoid {Red} Thumbs During Holiday Season

for dads. by dads. p

Tips for Dads Assembling Toys By chris wilson

Dads don’t always realize that some toys - say the Barbie Dream House or an elaborate toy train set - have so many pieces. The night before a holiday is exciting for the whole family. By the time the children are in bed and that eggnog has mellowed, the thought of putting together a large toy or toys can bring visions of sore thumbs and a late night.

Here are some tips for avoiding an allnighter when the whole family is coming for a holiday feast the next day (or even if they’re not): Figure out what can be done before the holiday. Can the toy be put together in large pieces before a final in-house assembly? Is there storage available?

If you have a garage, an area at home where children normally do not explore or even access to a neighbor’s garage, take advantage of it. But, be aware that a gift meant to be used inside the house - a doll house or an electric race car track - will need to be carried through a doorway into the home.

Photo courtesy of Istockphoto.com

If the gift is for a holiday, avoiding toys that require a lot of tools is advisable. Children will wonder why dad is using power tools and hammers in the room they’re not supposed to enter. Many toys can be assembled with nothing more than a screwdriver or a small wrench. Read information about bigger toys before purchasing and assembling them.

Learn from mistakes that others have made by reading comments on a consumer blog.

Be sure to read and follow the directions that come with the product. It may look easy to put together. But, skipping a crucial step can yield an assembled kitchen set that needs to be taken apart to install the plastic faucet that was listed in step two of 42.

Take an inventory of parts before beginning the assembly. This is just a repeat of information that will

likely be explained on the directions, but it is really something that most Dads have to learn from experience.

Have extra batteries on hand. Then, buy a few more batteries. Need any extension cords or power strips?

Wiring a video game system, a computer or home audio or video systems requires all of the necessary cables. Plan out the wiring scheme and double check that you have all necessary cables ahead of time, so that it can be installed with minimal brain power and effort. Dad will be a hero when the kids are able to power it on right away.

Don’t be afraid to rest when it’s all said and done. The holidays are a great time for family, friends, food and fun. But, nobody will mind if you take a nap when you’re belly is full.

You’ve earned it.

Havehappyholidaysand apeacefulnewyear!

why I love raising my family in

gainesville

a

a

The Steele Family

Matt, Keri, Tyler (14), Bella (5), and Sam (4) Photos by Laurel Housden Photography

Matt and I met in Lafayette, Louisiana (my home town), right in the middle of Cajun Country. We met while he was doing his ENT/head & neck surgery residency and I was working as a nurse. After getting to know each other, I learned that he completed his undergraduate and medical school at UF and wanted to return to Gainesville to do a plastic surgery fellowship.

Matt did match in plastic surgery at UF so we moved here 7 ½ years ago with my son, Tyler. We got married shortly after and had our daughter, Bella, and 13 months later we were blessed with our son, Sam. Once Matt completed his fellowship we decided Gainesville was where we wanted to raise our family, so he stayed on faculty in the University of Florida College of Medicine. With three children, it’s also reassuring to live in a town with such great public and private schools.

One of the greatest aspects of Gainesville is that it’s centrally located to larger cities and a lot of Matt’s family. If I ever want to take a shopping trip with friends, Orlando, Tampa, or Jacksonville are only 2 hours away. My in-laws own a beach house in New Smyrna which is convenient when we want a quick relaxing weekend. It’s also nice to have them close by when we need a babysitter.

58 giggle

We love that Gainesville has that “small town” feeling, but still offers plenty of activities for children and adults. We live on 3 acres and still are very close to town. That would be hard to find in many cities. There is always something to do in Gainesville whether it’s tubing down the Ichetucknee, going to museums or festivals, attending a musical or play, having dinner at one of our favorite restaurants, or attending one of the many Gator sporting events.

I think our favorite part about living in Gainesville is football season and being able to hang out with all of our friends.

When we are not at the home games we love to entertain and have friends and family over for games and entertain with a big pot of gumbo or jambalaya. We think people really do not appreciate what Gainesville has to offer when you’re a college student, but many of our friends and people we meet that attended school here are frequently drawn back “home”. That says a lot about a town.

“We love that Gainesville has that “small town” feeling, but still offers plenty of activities for children and adults.”

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Teach them

today or live withthemtomorrow A

$

giggle dollars$ p

By Elisabeth Donati

re you concerned about your kids moving back home after college because they’re in debt up to their eyeballs? You should be! There’s talk that more kids leave college these days for financial reasons than academic reasons. Even the ones that do graduate often large amounts of credit card debt and school loans following them into their new careers. Luckily, this situation is completely preventable.

If you’re like most parents, you want your kids to grow up happy, health, wealthy and wise. Part of this equation requires them to learn how to be financially savvy. You try to teach them the value of a buck but all you get is rolled eyes and “yeah, whatever”? You may have tried given your child an allowance, made them save 10% or told them to earn their own money but nothing seems to instill the financial habits or behavior you’re looking for. These methods rarely impart thee financial smarts to kids needed to create adults who make wise spending, saving and investment decisions.

If you’re tired of feeling like your teenager’s ATM machine and the constant nagging when it comes to teaching your kids about money, read on.

Photos courtesy of Istockphoto.com

Albert Einstein once said, “Setting an example is not the main means of influencing another, it is the only means.” If the statistics are even partly accurate, parents in America are setting a terrible example for their kids. For the first time in history, American’s are spending more than they are saving.

We all know that consumer debt is at an all time high, but it wasn’t always this way. Back before credit cards became the accepted way to buy things, most people bought things with cold, hard cash. This is the example that was set for kids that were born prior to 1950.

So what happened? Well, along came the credit card and things began to change. In 1950 Diners Club and American Express introduced the first ‘plastic money’ because having a credit card created a type of elitism by rich folks. Over time, what the rich had became highly desirable by those who wanted to be rich, or at the very least, look rich. Yet Mr. Thomas Stanley, in his popular book, The Millionaire Next Door, shows that the truly rich do not necessarily do the things and have the things that the majority of society thinks they do and have.

So, how is this translating into kids under 24 being the fastest growing segment of our population filing for bankruptcy?

It’s partly because kids aren’t exposed to money and family finances until they are on their own. The main reason for this, parents tell us, is that they say it’s easy to talk to their kids about sex and drugs than about money. They also either don’t have the knowledge themselves or simply lack the tools and resources to teach their kids how money works. This means that kids often move out after high school and are faced with a world full of money but no idea how to use it. After all, dollar bills rarely come with instructions!

So, what can you do about all this? Here are some ideas that might help: Cut up your credit cards and live within your means.

Start saying “NO” to your kids and mean it when they con-

stantly ask you for that and that. Remember, we’re not raising kids, we’re raising self-reliant adults.

Bring your children into your financial life immediately.

Show them the family bills, let them help you write checks, pay bills online, help you make investment decisions. Make financial goal setting and budgeting a family affair. If everyone in the family agrees on a goal, it’s easier for the whole family to do what it takes to meet that goal.

Give your child an allowance but do so based on the money

you’re already spending on them, not for chores or grades.

Let them learn through their own successes and mistakes while they are young and you can guide them. (The great little book called Allowance Magic by David McCurrach explains the whole thing in simple, easy to follow terms. It’s available on our website).

Give your kids books about money, send them to Money Camp, encourage kids to start little businesses, look up stock, etc.

Teach your kids about Money Jars. Money has differ-

ent ‘jobs’ in our lives so teach kids to split their financial resources into these different jars every time they get money: Living, Saving, Investing, Education, Play and Donation.

The jars need to be see through so that the child can see the visual accumulation of their money. If you have older teens, have their bank set up multiple savings accounts. Remember, human beings are creature of habit so let’s get great money habits started early!

Use a financial literacy program to teach your kids at home. The Money Camp has a unique and fun Money Camp

at Home program (kid’s workbook and parent/teacher guide) that is a great resource for kids over the age of 8.

Finally, get your own financial priorities in order and the whole family will benefit. And if you don’t know how to do that, just ask. We’ll help.

Elisabeth Donati is the founder of The Money Camp, a nonprofit organization in Santa Barbara offering unique financial education camps, products and programs for kids, teens and adults. Please call 805-957-1024 or visit www.themoneycamp.com for more information.

If you uttered one, “but...” then you’re not ready to make financial freedom a priority. Tip: if you want to change, you often have to get your ‘but’ out of the way first! giggle

magazine • dec/jan 2011

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giggletakesyouto...

Jacksonville!

BY JANET GROENE Photos by Janet Groene

F

loridians know they can’t have a snow globe season, but many locals agree that icicles and snowdrifts can’t hold a candle to a Florida boat parade.

In Jacksonville the holidays begin on Thanksgiving weekend with the Parade of Lights on the St. Johns, the state’s widest and most mighty river. Aglow from stem to stern, boats purr past a dazzled downtown audience.

d

Unlike land-based light displays, this is double exposure because beams from the vessels, plus the city’s famous “waterfall” fireworks, reflect back from the water. It’s a thrill to watch the parade from the river’s edge. Even better, visitors can take a weekend package deal at the Crowne Plaza hotel and watch the parade from a river-view room.

Get tickets early for the Jacksonville Symphony’s sellout Nutcracker performances December 17, 18 and 19, and bigname concerts such as the Peter White Christmas on December 15 at the Florida Theatre and the Gaither Homecoming Celebration December 18 at the Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Arena.

In addition to special events, life in the big city offers interesting things for families to do any day. Jacksonville’s stroller-friendly MOCA, the Museum of Contemporary Art, has free admission on Sundays if you ask for the Bank of America freebie. On any Tuesday, arrive well before the 5 p.m. program begins and sign up children ages 4 to 10 for an

hour-long, drop-in art class. No reregistration is needed; cost is $5. Children tour the museum, then try an art project of their own.

MOSH, the Museum of Science and History, has hands-on exhibits for all ages plus KidSpace for carefree play. On warm days Cummer Museum of Art and Gardens is a pleasant place to bring children.

Indoors are drop-in art classes for children and stroller-friendly galleries where little ones can snooze through grown-ups visits to world-class collections.

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it is a thrill to watch the parade from the river’s edge

The Jacksonville Maritime Museum merits a couple of hours with older children, especially if your family has a Navy heritage. Kids love the extensive displays of model boats, ships and naval ships and aircraft. giggle

magazine • dec/jan 2011

63

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trips

Jacksonville Zoo and Botanical Gardens, famed for its jaguars and home to a large and exotic menagerie, is a wonderland at any time but especially during its Winter Wonderland season. Of special interest is the zoo’s Early Childhood program for ages 9 months to 5 years. (Call ahead or see their website for dates.)

It’s one zoo during the day, another at night when you might sign up for a Safari Sleepover or Pack Prowl (groups of 15 or more, ages 6 and over.)

Moonlight Strollers are for ages 3 to 5, who arrive in their pajamas to see nocturnal animals.

The outdoor Play Park and Splash Ground are closed at this time of year, and the gardens are lovely but quiet. Still there’s more than enough here to fill an entire day with discoveries. See the antics of the apes.. Watch giraffes gambol and fall in love with pudu, the world’s tiniest deer. The zoo has two full-size restaurants plus snack bars. Wheelchairs and strollers can be rented if you don’t bring your own.

The five-star Ritz-Carlton Amelia Island, just north of the city, does a five-star holiday season. It begins with the annual Christmas Tree Lighting on November 24 and the fun continues through New Year’s Day. On certain dates in November and December, Santa makes a bed-time visit and leaves a little gift. Tuck-ins are free but reservations are required. Storybook Tea Parties on selected dates in the Lobby Lounge bring in Santa and Mrs. Claus to pose for photos with each child. Sandwiches and sweets are served while children listen to a story.

A number of family holiday packages are available. Best of all at the Ritz and other beach-side hotels are Nature’s fireworks every morning. Take an ocean-view room and wake the kids early enough to watch in awe as a golden globe lifts out of a sun-spangled sea. Sunrises are always awesome; sunrises at sea are a spectacular they’ll always remember.

If holiday shopping is on your itinerary, zero in on St. Johns Town Center, a 1.1 million square-foot outdoor shopping center that has a Toys R Us, Dick’s Sporting

64 giggle

Goods, a Gap Kids and much more. More than 10 million visitors a year target this destination shopping center, and the city also offers several large malls.

Spanish explorers claimed the area known as Florida’s First Coast for Spain almost 500 years ago. The English named the settlement Cowford for the low place in the St. Johns River where cattle could be driven across. Later the growing city was renamed for Andrew Jackson. Then most of it burned down in the early 1900s. Rebuilt, Jacksonville briefly became the nation’s movie capital before films went west to Hollywood.

There’s much to be learned about our big-city neighbor in Florida’s northeast notch. Start with the holidays, when its lights shine brightest of all.

u if yo For more info...

! o g d

Visitjacksonville.com Look for Escape to Jacksonville family packages. All features have different expiration dates so see the website for the current specials.

getting there:

Jacksonville is approximately 1 1/2 hours (72 miles) by car from Gainesville.

About the Author

Janet Groene is a Florida-based travel writer and author. An avid camper, she creates healthful, homemade snack recipes for CreateAGorp.blogspot.com.

CELEBRATING 50 YEARS BY LOOKING FORWARD. Since its opening in 1961, the Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens has stood as a beacon of man-made art and natural beauty to the Jacksonville community. Fifty years after its dedication, The Cummer embarks on a renewed mission to “engage and inspire through the arts, gardens and education.”

Save these dates for the following events in 2011.

– 50th Anniversary Kick Off Community Celebration - January 25, 2011 – Garden Week - March 14 through 19, 2011 – The Wark Collection of Early Meissen Porcelain and On the Silk Road and the High Seas: Chinese Ceramics, Culture, and Commerce - May 13, 2011 – 50th Anniversary Community Celebration - November 11, 2011

829 Riverside Avenue Jacksonville, FL 32204

www.cummer.org

New Year’s

Resolutions

Family Style

By Tamara Herchel

We’ve all done it - rang in the new year bright-eyed with motivation, looking forward to kicking our one bad habit, to losing weight, to getting more involved in our community… only to have our efforts diminish sometime mid-February when life inevitably gets in the way. One factor that always helps when working toward a goal is a great support system- so this year, how about making resolutions for the whole family to get involved? Spend more time together, support one another- and you’re set up for resolution success! Here are a few ideas to get you started.

The Family that Plays Together: Sure, it sounds

cliché, but if you were considering the traditional resolution of getting in shape, why not make fitness a family goal? Resolve to get the gang out of the house for evening walks, or register tweens and teens for specialty classes at your fitness center. Set the example for little ones who are too young for the gym by taking them along for playtime in the center’s kiddie club, so they get the message early on that fitness is important. Better yet, take time to enjoy one of the many City and County parks in the area. Kids of all ages (adults too!) can hop on that swing set to get the heart pumping!

Giving Back as a Family: Kick off 2011 by adopting a family charity! Pick a cause that has personal meaning for your family to initiate interest, and get everyone involved.

Participate in fundraising efforts, brainstorm on inventive ways to raise awareness, and encourage a kids to reach out to others and show their support. Go a step farther by setting a fundraising goal for the family with a reward attached-ice cream outings or family movie nights can be great motivation!

ADOPT family

charity

Unplug and Re-Connect: Resolve to have a quiet hour with no screen-time in the evenings- that is, no TV, computer, video games, or phones (parents, this means you too! Shut off the “crack” berry!) Spend the hour curled up as a family reading together. Anything can count- there are lots of selections that are appropriate and enjoyable for all ages! From the classics like Tom Sawyer to quick-read comic books, the goal is to spend quality time together. Fostering a love of recreational reading is a bonus!

e

See Your City: The “staycation� trend is still going

strong, and a great way to add more family time to your weekends is getting out and seeing some sights! Practically all the attractions in Gainesville/Alachua County are family friendly, and many are free or minimal admission. Vow to pick one new attraction or activity a month- visit the Mill Creek Farm Retirement Home for Horses, the Florida Museum of Natural History, Dudley Farm Historic State Park, or take the family canoeing down the Santa Fe River- develop a newfound appreciation for the community while trying out some exciting new activities as a family.

The great thing about all of these family-friendly resolutions? Their fun factor will make setting and reaching these goals a breeze.

Happy2011giggle Families!

Ringing in the new year with a

smile...

ith the holiday season upon us, it can be easy to overlook W the importance of dental care. As both a dentist and a mother, Dr. Michelle Orris at Tioga Dental Associates has a few reasons why busy families should make time for their dental care.

“We see a lot of patients come in at the end of the year,” she said. Many students have extended breaks over the holidays and the open days are an excellent time to come in. “We’ll see many college students returning home and high school students who have more free time in their day since school is closed for the winter break.” Her husband, Steve, is a Strength and Conditioning Coach at the University of Florida. She has the opportunity to work with student athletes and knows how contact injuries can occur with the upcoming seasonal sports of basketball, softball/baseball, volleyball, etc. “Young adults and children that engage in these contact sports should visit the dentist and have an athletic mouth guard made. It is important to protect your mouth and teeth,” she says of sports guards, “it can prevent injuries and protect your winning smile.”

Year-end checkups aren’t just for the older kids. Younger kids need to see the dentist as well. “It’s important to get them in at the end of the year, because of the candy they consume from Halloween and the sweet deserts that surround Thanksgiving and the winter holidays. My toddler, Meilani, and I (which I am in my third trimester of pregnancy) both have a sweet tooth.” Sugar produces acids which attack the teeth’s enamel and leads to cavities. “Children with permanent teeth should receive sealants to help prevent the attack of such ‘sugar bugs’,” she says. “It’s an opportunity to educate them not only about oral hygiene, but about diet and its effect on your teeth.”

Dental care can start very early. “Their first visit can actually be when they get their first tooth,” Dr. Orris says. “However, children are more attentive at the age of about 2 or 3 years old.”

Despite the preventative care, cavities do happen. As the mother of a 3-year-old, Dr. Orris knows how hard it can be to tell when there is an actual problem. “It’s important to ask the right questions,” she explains. “Where does it hurt? Point to it.

Does it hurt when you eat or drink? Does it hurt when you’re brushing your teeth? Does it feel puffy?”

It’s not just kids who would benefit from a checkup, however.

Adults are often busy preparing for holiday events, and that can be reason enough to call. “You should inquire about a custom night guard if you are clenching or grinding at night, due to stress that can often accompany holiday preparations.”

Also, “around the holidays, more patients are interested in Zoom Whitening,” she says. “Many patients want a clean and healthy mouth, but also a bright and white smile for the family portrait, work party, or holiday gathering. They want to feel great and look great for the holidays and have a gorgeous smile for their pictures.”

The biggest reason why you should make time for a trip to the dentist, however, is you.

“End the year healthy,” she says. “Do the things that your doctor recommends for you to do so that you’re at your best for 2010 and you’re ready for 2011.”

S P E C I A L

A D V E R T I S I N G

Dedicated to Bringing Smiles To Our Community

352-333-1946 www.TiogaDental.com 13005 SW 1st Road, Ste 233 • Jonesville, FL 32669

Evening Hours Available

F E A T U R E

Nutcracker It wouldn’t be the holiday season without e Nutcracker! !e all-time favorite family ballet - entrancing, enchanting and exciting.

�e Nutcracker

On stage!

Friday, December 17 at 7:30pm Saturday, December 18 at 2pm Sunday, December 19 at 2pm Sponsored by Shands HealthCare

Festival Mommy and Me Onstage!

!ursday, Dec 16 at 5pm Join the dancers onstage during their nal dress rehearsal of the Nutcracker.

Sugar Plum Tea

Sat. Dec 18 & Sun. Dec 19 at 4pm Meet the Sugar Plum Fairy!

Sponsored by Saliwanchick, Lloyd and Saliwanchick

Chocolate & Champagne Holiday Gala Saturday, Dec 18 at 8pm Catering by Blue Water Bay, dancing to the sounds of Gosia and Ali, and a silent auction.

Sponsored by M & S Bank.

All performances and events at the Phillips Center for Performing Arts

Tickets at the Phillips Center Box Office (352) 392-2787 , Ticketmaster outlets & ticketmaster.com Dance Alive (352) 371-2986 / dalive@bellsouth.net / dancealive.org Photo of Carla Amancio by Johnston Photography. Dance Alive National Ballet is funded in part by the National Endowment for the Arts, the State of Florida, Florida Department of State, Division of Cultural Affairs and the Florida Council on Arts and Culture as well as by the City of Gainesville, Department of Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Affairs along with a Tourist Development Tax Grant from the Alachua County Board of County Commissioners in conjunction with the Alachua County Tourist Development Council.

Season Sponsors: Collier Companies, Dharma Endowment Foundation, AMJ Inc., Gainesville Health & Fitness Center, Pofahl Studios, Gainesville CSI, Inc., Lightspeed Solutions, Jenny Cakes, Johnston Photography, S&S Cleaners, West Farms, Xerographic Copy Center Media Sponsors: Asterist Communications, The Gainesville Sun, Giggle Magazine, Independent Florida Alligator, INsite Magazine, The Local Edge, TV20 WCJB, Welcome Magazine, WUFT-TV/DT.

organized

solutions

Professional organizer Helen Kornblum helps us find easy ways to keep our busy family lives organized.

holidays

Wrappingupthe

From Halloween through the New Year, we exuberantly display our family heirlooms, welcome the children’s new craft creations, and buy (too many!) decorative items that catch our fancy. We pride ourselves on creating a distinctive atmosphere that reflects our personal style and interests. The big question is: What happens to these sentimental objects when the holidays end? Here are some tips for putting a wrap on the holidays while keeping decorations ready for next year.

• Once you have a holiday tableau or room set up just the way you like it, take photos. Store the components together, along with the photos and you’ll not only substantially cut down on your decorating time next year, you’ll have a head start if you decide to write about the history of these decorations in a family album.

• Replace any burned out bulbs before you pack up those rope lights. Coil the lights on your forearm the way you would wind a long extension cord. Pass the two ends around the coil, and then plug them into each other to hold the coil in place. Cushion the coils with sheets of thin bubble wrap.

Note the number of coils on the outside of the storage box.

• Original ornament boxes afford extra protection, even more so when stored together inside a larger container. Many stores sell specialty containers to hold glass balls, wreaths, and other standard size decorations.

• Not every decoration withstands the test of time in an active family. Toss the broken trinkets or move them to an arts and crafts basket for a new project. Donate “tired” items to a thriftstore. Dust or wash the ornaments that need a little TLC to look their best next year.

• If you’re storing wrapping paper, identify one pattern exclusively for Santa’s use. Santa deserves his own “brand” in an age when skeptics might question his very existence!

Estimate your paper, ribbon, and tag supplies so you don’t overbuy in the face of tempting sales. No sense having to store more than you could possibly use up. Package the paper supplies well, especially if they are headed to a nontemperature controlled area like the garage.

Helen Kornblum is a professional organizer in Gainesville, FL. She owns NaturalOrderOrganizing.com.

University of Florida Performing Arts Twenty seven centuries of art, skill and acrobatics.

Life times dedicated to one act.

Golden Dragon Acrobats Saturday, January 15, 2011, 2 p.m.

Phillips Center for the Performing Arts

Tickets are available at the Phillips Center Box Office in person, or by calling (352) 392-2787. Tickets also available at all Ticketmaster outlets, or online at www.ticketmaster.com.

www.performingarts.ufl.edu

giggl e ®

Calendar of Events Holiday Happenings November 26 - December 19

A Christmas Carol at the Hippodrome The play will provide a pleasing holiday treat for the whole family as Jacob Marley unfolds the story of his lost partner Ebeneezer Scrooge with the eye-opening lesson which alters the course of Scrooge’s life. Audiences of all ages will be held captive by the play’s sparkling special effects, gentle humor and an inspiring message from Dickens’ classic Victorian story.

A treat for the whole family!

Located in downtown Gainesville: 25 SE 2nd Place Box Office (352) 375-4477 www.thehipp.org

November 29 - December 12

A Cedar Key Christmas Events are taking place all month, including a tree lighting, caroling, movie in the park, horse and buggy rides every weekend and more.

Please check the website for details. www.cedarkey.org/events

December 1

Happy Hanukkah December 2

Reindeer Run 5:00 p.m. fun starts 6:30 p.m. Race Starts Gainesville’s first annual Reindeer Run. On site registration and packet pick up for the Reindeer Run/ Walk will begin at 5 p.m and the race starts at 6:30 p.m. Lace up your shoes, pin on your bells, strap on your antlers and come have fun!

Proceeds go to the Sebastian Ferrero Foundation. For more info: www.sweatlifefitness.com

December 2

Light up the Village Night 5:00 p.m. - 8:00p.m.

Children and adults are invited to enjoy the spirit of the holiday season with horse and buggy rides, train rides, live music, carolers, children’s activities and an appearance by Santa at Plantation Hall.

Haile Village Center, Gainesville, FL www.haileguide.com

December 3

City of Alachua Tree Lighting 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.

The City of Alachua will be holding a Tree Lighting Ceremony followed by the arrival of Santa and Mrs. Claus at City Hall. Santa and Mrs. Claus will then ride down to the Alan Hitchock Theatre Park on Main Street were area youth can have their picture taken and receive a treat bag.

Main Street, Alachua, FL For more information: (386) 462-1231 www.alachua.com December 3 - 31 Christmas Festival of Light Stephen Foster Cultural Center Sunset - 9:00 p.m. $2/ person and includes complimentary hot chocolate & popcorn with admission December 3rd only - 1 unwrapped child’s gift per vehicle to be donated to families in need.

Experience the ultimate high voltage holiday as the park is filled with over 4 million lights on display every evening until 9pm. Visitors can enjoy the holiday sights and sounds as they drive through the park to see unique holiday light displays, including the majestic oak trees adorned with thousands of lights, an antebellum museum dressed in full holiday splendor, gingerbread village located at the gift shop and craft square, candy cane forest, Santa’s runway and much more!

Stephen Foster Folk Culture Center State Park From I-75 to S.R. 136 (Milepost Exit 439 - Old Exit 84), travel east on S.R. 136 for 3 miles. Turn left on U.S. 41. Park entrance is on the left.

December 3 NFRMC Holiday Pond Lighting 5:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.

FREE The annual Holiday Pond Lighting heralds in the holiday season with the annual lighting of millions of lights around the NFRMC duckpond. The Bucholtz High School band

and the Eastside Chamber choir will provide live music. Hot cocoa will be served, and families can visit with their favorite holiday characters including Rudolph, Frosty, the Grinch and Cindy Lou Who, and Santa and Mrs. Claus.

The Duck Pond North Florida Regional Medical Center 6500 Newberry Road, Gainesville, FL For more info, call (352) 333-4970 December 3, 4, 10, 11, 17-24, 26-31

Silver Springs Festival of Light Dusk - 8:00 p.m.

Included with park admission Silver Springs biggest Special Event of the year. More than a MILLION twinkling lights and neon displays throughout the park. It’s a dazzling display that will amaze children of all ages. Nightly activities will include Miss Molly’s Storytelling in the Silver River Theatre, strolling carolers, the famous lighted boat parade, shopping in the Silver Springs specialty stores, and of course don’t forget to visit with Santa Claus (through December 24.)

5656 E. Silver Springs Blvd.

Silver Springs, FL (352) 236-2121 www.silversprings.com/events.html

December January

Over 1,000 listings for kids’

Activities Around Alachua County

December 4

Gainesville Youth Chorus’ Holiday Concert 11:00 a.m.

FREE The Gainesville Youth Chorus, Inc. is a children’s international touring choir enriching our children, our community...one concert at a time!

Holy Trinity Episcopal Church 100NE 1st Street, Gainesville, FL www.gainesvilleyouthchorus.com

December 7

Pearl Harbor Day December 7

Fiddler on the Roof 7:30 p.m.

Fiddler on the Roof is a musical with music by Jerry Bock, with lyrics by Sheldon Harnick, and based on a book by Joseph Stein. The story centers on Tevye, his daughters and his attempts to maintain his family and religious traditions in the face outside influences. The original Broadway production of the show, which opened in 1964, was the first run of a musical in history to surpass the 3,000 performance mark. Fiddler held the record for the longest-running Broadway musical for nearly 10 years.

Phillips Center / University of Florida Cultural Plaza SW 34th Street and Hull Road Gainesville, FL Box Office: 352- 392-2787 www.performingarts.ufl.edu

December 10 - 12

Boar’s Head Festival 4:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.

FREE - (but must call for tickets in advance) The colorful ceremony of the Boar’s Head became a part of the Christmas celebration in the great manor houses of the Middle Ages and has become a telling of the coming of the Christ Child. Festival music, multiple choirs, period costumes, and grandeur mark this as a special highlight of the year!

First Lutheran Church: 1801 NW 5th Avenue Gainesville, FL (352) 376-2062 www.flcgainesville.org

School marching band, the fire department, local floats and more than a dozen seated riders from the horse club, the parade is truly a hometown celebration. The annual reading of a favorite Christmas fable provides entertainment for the children. Decorated with lights, the circular building provides the perfect venue for performances and then everyone is able to watch as the festival’s namesake comes to pass: the illumination event. The mayor, Miss Williston and Little Miss Williston throw the switch to “Light Up Williston.”

Williston, FL Info: (352) 528-5552 www.willistonfl.com/lightup_williston_city. html

December 11

Alachua Christmas Parade 2:00 p.m.

The theme for the parade this year is “Hometown Traditions.”

Main Street, Alachua, FL 386- 462-1231 www.alachua.com

December 11

Hawthorne Christmas Festival 11:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.

Free Live entertainment, arts, crafts and food booths Parade: 3:00 p.m.

Santa visits from 4:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. at the Hawthorne Library Special Tree Lighting Ceremony at 6:00 p.m.

Downtown Hawthorne on Johnson Street S.E.221stStreet) Hawthorne, FL For More Information Call (352) 481-3534 www.hawthorneflorida.org/christmas_2010.htm

December 11

9:00 a.m. -7:00 p.m.

Lake City Christmas Parade and Festival FREE Parade begins at 6 p.m.

Arts and crafts begin at 9 a.m. with live entertainment and childrens activities throughout the day.

Olustee Park, Lake City Info: (877) 746-4778 www.LakeCityDowntown.com

December 11

December 10

Light Up Williston Christmas Parade 6:00 p.m.

FREE Community pride and holiday cheer make the annual “Light Up Williston” celebration memorable for all who attend. Children scramble for the candy tossed out along the street.

Adults watch expectantly for an anticipated favorite float to pass by. With the Williston High

ht g u o br

tou yoby

Reindeer Run 8:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m.

A Fun Run just for kids.

Reindeer Run: 1 mile run K-8th graders Tot Trot: 100 yard dash 3-4 years old Diaper Dash: 50 yard dash 1-2 years old Parents are welcome to run with their children in all events.

Medal for all Reindeer Run finishers. Ribbon for all Diaper Dash & Tot Trot finishers Diamond Sports Park: www.taylorfitforkids.com/reindeer.html

December 11

4:00 p.m. - 5:30 p.m.

Twilight Christmas Parade This year’s theme is “Railroad Heritage” Downtown High Springs www.highsprings.com

December 12

Holiday Traditions, A Musical Celebration 4:00 p.m.

Musical talents of area youth are showcased in the Annual STOP! Children’s Cancer “Holiday Traditions: A Musical Celebration” This family-friendly event is a “kids helping kids” approach to pediatric cancer research and features Alachua County Youth Orchestra, Gainesville Youth Chorus, Eastside High School Chamber Singers, Columbia High School Chorus and P.K. Yonge Vocal Ensemble singing the best of the season under the musical direction of Dr. Russell Robinson, professor of music at the University of Florida.

The Phillips Center at the University of Florida / University of Florida Cultural Plaza SW 34th Street and Hull Road Gainesville, FL (352) 392-2787 www.stopchildrenscancer.org

December 16

Mommy and Me On Stage at the Nutcracker 5:00 p.m.

Truly magical! Dance Alive National Ballet Mommy and child join the dancers onstage during their final dress rehearsal of the Nutcracker. Sitting up close and personal gives your child a special experience never to be forgotten.

Phillips Center / University of Florida Cultural Plaza SW 34th Street and Hull Road Gainesville, FL Box Office: (352) 392-2787 www.dancealive.org

December 17 - 19

The Nutcracker Dance Alive National Ballet presents the all time family favorite – The Nutcracker!

Become entranced by the beauty of the Sugar Plum Fairy and her dazzling Court, enchanted by the swirling snowflakes and breathtaking snow, and cheer for the tiny toy soldiers and their leader, the handsome Nutcracker Prince.

It wouldn’t be the Holiday Season without the Nutcracker.

Phillips Center / University of Florida Cultural Plaza

SW 34th Street and Hull Road Gainesville, FL Box Office: (352) 392-2787 www.performingarts.ufl.edu

January 3

Fruit Cake Toss Day

December 18

LifeSouth’s Operation Santa Delivery 10 a.m. - 1 p.m.

FREE LifeSouth Community Blood Center hosts its 8th Annual Operation Santa Delivery at the North fields of Santa Fe College. Come out to see Santa Claus arrive, not by sled and reindeer, but by helicopter. Santa Claus will arrive by ShandsCair helicopter and then take pictures with the children. Enjoy FREE food and other activities such as a petting zoo, hay ride, face painting, bounce houses and many other activities.

Santa Fe College overflow parking lot off NW 39th Ave and 91st St. Parking available in the north parking lot. For more information, call (352) 334-1000 x41026

December 23

First Day of Winter December 25

Merry Christmas December 26 - January 1

Happy Kwanzaa

January January 1

Happy New Year

January 29-30 & February 5-6

Golden Dragon Acrobats 2:00 p.m.

On November 2005, the Golden Dragon Acrobats made their Broadway debut to a sold out audience at the New Victory Theater, New York’s ultimate theater for kids and families. Come see it today.

Phillips Center / University of Florida Cultural Plaza: SW 34th Street and Hull Road, Gainesville, FL Box Office: (352) 392-2787 www.performingarts.ufl.edu

Hoggetowne Medieval Faire 10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.

February 5th and 6th: 10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.

February 5 from 9:30 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.

The entertainment never ceases as jugglers, magicians and a colorful cast of characters fill visitors with laughter and amazement.

Watch as royal knights joust on horseback and human chess pieces battle for a win on the Living Chessboard. Indulge your appetite with delicacies fit for a King at the Food Court and enjoy your day wandering through the marketplace filled with the wares of 150 skilled artisans selling and demonstrating their timehonored arts and crafts of the Middle Ages.

Alachua County Fairgrounds 2900 NE 39th Ave, Gainesville, FL For more information: (352) 393-8536 www.gvlculturalaffairs.org

January 17

January 30

December 18-19

Sugar Plum Tea 4:00 p.m.

The Perfect Ending to the Perfect Day! Meet the Sugar Plum Fairy and her court. Touch a snowflake, tease a mouse, and enjoy a tea that only a Sugar Plum Fairy could present. Have your picture taken with your favorite character. Another wonderful memory to build with one of your favorite children!

Phillips Center / University of Florida Cultural Plaza: SW 34th Street and Hull Road, Gainesville, FL / Box Office: (352) 392-2787 www.performingarts.ufl.edu

3540 E. University Ave, Gainesville, FL (352) 334-2170 www.natureoperations.org

January 15

Martin Luther King Jr. Birthday

Souper Fun Sunday 1:00 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.

St. Francis Catholic High School Soup tasting Competition www.souperfunsunday.com

January 24-26

Disney’s Beauty and the Beast Mon/Wed night: 7 p.m.

Tuesday night: 6 p.m.

Disney’s Beauty and the Beast has become an international sensation that has played to more than 35 million people in 13 countries.

Disney’s Beauty and the Beast features the animated film’s Academy Award®-winning score with music by Alan Menken and lyrics by the late Howard Ashman, with additional songs with music by Alan Menken and lyrics by Tim Rice. The book is written by Linda Woolverton.

Phillips Center / University of Florida Cultural Plaza SW 34th Street and Hull Road Gainesville, FL Box Office: (352) 392-2787 www.performingarts.ufl.edu

January 29

Great Air Potato Roundup 9:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.

FREE Imagine no air potatoes! It’s easy if you try!

And, with the help of hundreds of volunteers during the Annual Great Air Potato Roundup Gainesville’s natural areas will be closer to being air potato free! During the Roundup, which is modeled after a litter clean up, volunteers will be dispersed throughout Gainesville to pick up air potatoes and other invasive, exotic plants that threaten biodiversity. This event fills up quickly. Make sure to register early!

Morningside Nature Center-

Happy Holidays!

Over 1,000 listings for kids’

Activities Around Alachua County

Happy Holidays From all of us at giggle magazine would like to wish you a holiday season filled with family, friends and giggles! {Special thank you to Unicorn Tree Farm, Gainesville, FL}