Giggle Magazine October/November 2018

ALACHUA

COUNTY’S

PREMIER

PARENTING

MAGAZINE OCT/NOV 2018 • Volume 10 • Issue 5 gigglemagazine.com

Seeing RED 38 AMAZING LOCAL REDHEADS

5 MONTHS INTO OUR NEW REALITY

19 FABULOUS

DELICIOUS SPINS ON TIRED SWEET POTATOES

FALL FESTIVALS GIGGLEMAGAZINE.COM

| OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2018

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GIGGLEMAGAZINE.COM | OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2018

• Medical Malpractice • Municipal and Local Government Law • Personal Injury • Probate and Guardianship

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• Real Estate Closings and Title Insurance

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PUBLISHER & EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Nicole Irving MANAGING EDITOR Natalie Richoux GRAPHIC DESIGNER Megan Sapelak VICE PRESIDENT OF SALES Shane Irving ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE Betsy Langan, April Tisher EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT Sayeh Farah EVENT PHOTOGRAPHER Kara Winslow CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS Jimmy Ho Photography, Tanya Consaul Photography CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Brooke Avedon, Sara Buechler, Jessica Franklin, Nicole Irving, Jennifer Jensen, Crystal Ladwig, Christy Piña, Natalie Richoux, Isabella Sorresso, Danielle Spano, April Tisher, Tracy Wright, Kara Winslow EDITORIAL INTERNS Leah Antovel, Brooke Avedon, Sara Buechler, Amanda Roland, Rebecca Santana,Isabella Sorresso

OUT OF THIS

World

MAILING ADDRESS

HEADQUARTERS ADDRESS

5745 SW 75th Street 101 SW 140th Terrace Unit 286 Suite C Gainesville, FL 32608 Jonesville, FL 32669 Gainesville Office: p. 352.505.5821 Fax: 877.857.5140

gigglemagazine.com giggle@irvingpublications.com Giggle Magazine is a registered trademark property of Irving Publications, LLC. All rights reserved.

Giggle Magazine is published by Irving Publications, LLC. © 2018

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AVAILABLE AT

Irving Publications, LLC reserves the right to edit and/or reject any advertising.

Irving Publications, LLC 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 Magazine 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.

ADVERTISING

For more information on advertising with Giggle Magazine, please visit Irvingpublications.com or call 352-505-5821.

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publisher's letter

the beauty of red MEET OUR

COVER CUTIE

As Shane has gotten older, the red has changed color to a slightly more muted tone, but still very evident that he is part of that two percent of the world that has red hair. I have always found myself in awe of flowy, crimson locks, so when I had the idea to feature local redheads, I was beyond excited to see that we had over 70 local and proud redheads submit for the feature… and I was determined to feature as many as possible!

With some strategic planning with my creative department and the great work of our amazing photographer, we were able to capture the beauty and features of 38 local redheads ranging in age from eight months old to 47 years old. True to their reputation, they brought energy and spunk to our three-day photoshoot making it one of the most fun photoshoots we have ever held! I want to thank Jimmy Ho for bringing his talent and magic to our photoshoot, the Best Western Gateway Grand for hosting us, and all the cuties and families who came out to our photoshoot!

How old are you?

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Our goal was to feature the beauty of our amazing local community of redheads, share a bit of their unique features, and share interesting facts about this small percent of our world. I hope you enjoy this special feature, “Seeing Red,” as much as we do!

What is your favorite book?

Three Times Lucky If you could be any animal for a day, what would you be?

Happy Fall!

A fox because they get to roam around and explore the woods all day. And they’re mischievous.

Nicole Irving, Publisher nicole@irvingpublications.com

Like us on Facebook /GIGGLEMAGAZINE

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Alayna

Follow us on Twitter @GIGGLEMAGAZINE

GIGGLEMAGAZINE.COM | OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2018

Visit us on Pinterest /GIGGLEMAGAZINE

Follow us on Instagram @GIGGLEMAGAZINE

COVER PHOTO BY JIMMY HO PHOTOGRAPHY | SHANE AND NICOLE PHOTO BY LIFE PRINTS PHOTOGRAPHY

I married Shane seventeen years ago, and although I was lucky enough to marry a wonderful man with beautiful red hair, none of our three sons were blessed to have these beautiful, rare copper locks. Shane’s grandmother had red hair, but it seemed to skip a generation leaving his mom with brunette hair and gracing Shane and his brother with fiery red hair and freckles to boot (maybe there’s hope for a redhead grandchild in the future).

October 20th

FL Lic#COAL0098, COAL0025

GIGGLEMAGAZINE.COM | OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2018

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GIGGLEMAGAZINE.COM | OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2018

OCT ● NOV 2018

happy family • happy community™

conception 2 college™ 88 EXPECTING

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A Guide to Birth Plans 90 INFANT

First Intros

92 TODDLER

Bid the Pacifier Farewell

94 EARLY YEARS

Spooky Halloween Crafts 96 KIDS

Learning About Learning

98 TWEENS

Tap into Apps

88 TEENS

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11 A DAY IN THE LIFE

Ginny Switt Build Their Future by Building a College Fund 16 OUR SPECIAL STORY

5 Months Into Our New Reality 18 THE PARENT LIFE

Spooky and Safe: Protecting Your Kids on Halloween 20THE PARENT LIFE

REDHEAD PHOTO BY JIMMY HO PHOTOGRAPHY

High Heels Hacked

forks & spoons 23 DELISH Delicious Spins on Tired Sweet Potatoes 26 DELISH Mojo Marinated Turkey

fe a tu res 49

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28 GET HEALTHY Mom's New Jogging Partner 30 GET HEALTHY Children and Febrile Seizures: A Parent's Guide to Understanding 32 GET HEALTHY Keep Your Precious Cargo Safe 34 GET HEALTHY Need a Health Boost? Wake Up And Smell the Eucalyptus!

36 GET PRETTY Smoking Hot!

happy home 40 MAKE IT

Fall in Love With These Centerpieces 44 CLEAN IT

Air Purifiers: Breathe Deep, Breathe Clean

46 FIX IT

Stick With It: Using the Right Glue

learn

ALACHUA

COUNTY’S

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PARENTING

MAGAZINE Issue 5 OCT/NOV 2018 • Volume 10 • gigglemagazine.com

SEEING RED | FALL FESTIVALS

14 2 CENTS

health

GIGGLE MAGAZINE

life

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Extra Extracurriculars

54 BACK TO SCHOOL 58 FAMILY LEARNING

I Think, Therefore I Am: Teaching Your Kids Critical Thinking Skills 60 HOMESCHOOL CORNER From Homeschool to College: How to Get There Sucessfully!

62 FEATURED TEACHER Marlina Romano 64 YOUR SCHOOLS

What's Going On in Our Schools?

happy community 106 CALENDAR October/November

Fall Into Fun: Your Guide to Fall Festivals in Alachua County Seeing Red

Seeing RED 38 AMAZING LOCAL REDHEADS

5 MONTHS INTO OUR NEW REALITY

19 FABULOUS

FALL FESTIVALS

DELICIOUS SPINS ON TIRED SWEET POTATOES

Find our cover stories!

5 Months Into Our New Reality PAGE 16 Delicious Spins on Tired Sweet Potatoes PAGE 66 Fall Into Fun PAGE 49 Seeing Red PAGE 66

GIGGLEMAGAZINE.COM | OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2018

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GIGGLEMAGAZINE.COM | OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2018

life | a day in the life

A D AY I N T H E L I F E O F :

PHOTO COURTESY OF GINNY SWITT

Ginny Switt Ginny Switt is a lower grades science teacher at Oak Hall School and has been happily married to Randy for almost 13 years and they have an 11 year old, Alex.

MORNING 6 a.m. I wake up and immediately jump in the shower for

a wake-up boost. I check my email and mentally go over the schedule for the day. I check that Alex has everything he needs for school, and check that my husband remembers everything he needs. I also pack my lunch and make sure that Alex has packed his lunch.

7 a.m. Drive to Oak Hall School (usually a stop to Publix or Walgreens on the way for needed supplies).

7:30 a.m. Get Alex to middle school. Straighten up my

classroom and make sure all supplies are out and ready for experiments. Make photocopies of handouts. Talk with parents who may have questions about field trips or what is going on in class.

8 a.m. Monitor the 4th and 5th grade locker area. Make

sure that students are not sitting on their iPads or spending an extraordinary amount of time brushing hair in their locker mirrors.

8:30 a.m. Often I have a preschool or junior kindergarten

class in my room for my first class. This is where I can get on the floor with the kids and we can do lots of experiments. Things can explode, bubble, change color and make noise. I love watching their eyes when they learn something new.

9:00 a.m. This is my time to plan fun lessons for the next

week as well as plan field trips for the lower grades' science classes. Each year I coordinate approximately 18 field trips. My lesson plans follow the National Science Standards, but involve a lot more hands on activities than you would normally find in a science classroom!

10:00 a.m. My first group of older students come in. We are

often working on a project that may involve baking soda, paint or clay. I start off the day covered in some substance, and just add to that as the day goes.

11:00 a.m. Another hands-on class exploring science and

conducting experiments. We may be using the steps of STEM in order to improve upon inventions in my room (ASK, IMAGINE, PLAN, CREATE, IMPROVE). Students love using these skills to build a stronger bridge, or create a better habitat for animals.

GIGGLEMAGAZINE.COM | OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2018

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AFTERNOON 12:00 p.m. Lunch time‌I usually have students trickle in and out to show me a rock that they found on the playground or a dead insect to add to my collection. I coordinate with our marketing director to have pictures taken for our webpage.

12:30 p.m. More science classes. I am setting up and cleaning up in between each class. Even when I teach the same lesson more than once, I want to ensure that I am coming to it with a fresh perspective and that students are swept up with my enthusiasm. Our school is full this year (many classes have a wait list), and I want to make sure that I meet the needs of each and every student that comes into my classroom.

3:00 p.m. This marks the end of my teaching day as this is dismissal time.

During this time, I help get students to the right place, sometimes running in a lot of circles. Also, my classroom becomes the place where students and

their parents can do quiet homework/ study time.

3:30 p.m. This is shuttling time

to get Alex to after school activities, including lacrosse, math club and robotics. Sometimes he has a class right after school, which is a lot easier. When lacrosse season starts, practice does not start until later. I have to make sure his homework is done and get him a high protein snack. On lacrosse days, we are at school until 7:30pm. Alex also gets weekly allergy shots to battle strong seasonal allergies.

5:30 p.m. On non-sports evenings,

this is the time where I prepare dinner, clean the house, and help Alex with anything that he needs (and on ambitious evenings, I try to run a load of laundry).

EVENING

do try to encourage no electronics at the table (though I often lose that argument).

We use this time to touch base about the day.

7:00 p.m. Once we have eaten, often

we will have family time and all play a game together. Sometimes my husband and son will work on a robotics project together. My son and I will cuddle and we will watch funny animal videos on YouTube, or we may examine his rock or insect collections.

9:00 p.m. After my son is in bed, I

can use that time to unwind, think about what I need for the next day, and check my email. Sometimes a last-minute trip to Publix or Walgreens before they close.

I go to bed early because I like my eight hours of sleep every night before I have to wake up and start all over!

10:30 p.m. I go to bed early because

6:30 p.m. Dinnertime. We try to sit down and have dinner together (and I

I like my eight hours of sleep every night before I have to wake up and start all over!

Want to submit a friend (or yourself!) to be featured in A Day in the Life? Send your information to Natalie@irvingpublications.com

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GIGGLEMAGAZINE.COM | OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2018

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Lubee Bat Conservancy is a nonprofit conservation organization, certified by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, that aims to not only save bats, but also conserve ecosystems and provide education for these winged superheroes. Founded in 1989, Lubee was a private conservation, breeding and research center for exotic animals but narrowed its focus to Old World fruit bats in 1992. Lubee currently cares for 200 bats representing 13 different species, as well as a tortoise and two skinks. In order to continue their vital conservation and education efforts, they need you to come out and have some superhero fun during their Annual Bat Festival.

Grab your best superhero gear (we’re partial to Batman) and celebrate these unsung superheroes with a chance to win a gift certificate for having a great superhero costume (open to all ages). On October 20th from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Lubee will be hosting the 14th Annual Florida Bat Festival on their conservation grounds! Bat Fest is a family friendly, handicap accessible event that helps raise funds to continue vital operation and research at Lubee. Service animals are also welcome on the property, but are not allowed in the bat viewing area for risk of startling the bats that could cause them harm.

Come as a whole super-family and enjoy the kids’ area that will have learning opportunities, activities, games, bounce houses and face painting! Or come as a super-couple and get your tickets to the beer garden ($25 online, $28 at the gate) where you will be able to sample a large variety of beers from local breweries such as Swamp Head Brewery, First Magnitude Brewing, Blackadder Brewing Company, and Infinite Ale Works. Not into face painting or drinking beer? Grab some food from one of the multiple food vendors such as Sonny’s BBQ, Mayflower Cellars or Sweet Dreams Ice Cream. Or enter to win a great raffle prize and checkout the live music playing! With a full belly, delicious beer tasting and your new mask, stroll around Lubee and learn why bats are truly the best superheroes we could ask for. Guests will have an opportunity to view the world’s largest bat species, with wingspans of 6 feet, playing, painting (they are quite the artists) and enjoying the beautiful FL weather.

For more information please visit https://www.facebook.com/LubeeBatConservancy

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GIGGLEMAGAZINE.COM | OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2018

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life | 2 cents

Build Their Future by Building a College Fund

BY NATALIE RICHOUX

BY DANIELLE SPANO

Recently, the total amount of outstanding student loan debt in the United States surpassed 1.5 trillion dollars and has claimed the spot of the second highest consumer debt behind mortgages, according to the Federal Reserve. Today, the average yearly cost of attending a public university in the state of Florida is $19,102 (which accounts for tuition, fees, books, supplies and room and board). Multiply that by four years, and yes parents, that is a grand total of $76,408 for one kiddo to attend a traditional, public, four-year college as an in-state resident of Florida.

Now that you have that in your mindset, where do you begin to create that college nest egg for them?

While many college funds, such as a savings account, only take a couple weeks to establish, there are some 529 College Savings Plans that can take a couple months to establish. Additionally, the longer the fund has to mature, the more funds your college bound child will have when they enter college.

The most well-known and established college fund is the 529 College Savings Plan. There are 11 states that participate in the 529 College Savings Plan, and Florida is one of the participating states.

There are two types of 529 College Savings Plans: prepaid tuition plan and educational savings plan. Within the state of Florida, there are 28 colleges and 12 universities (including the University of Florida) that participate in the prepaid tuition plans. A prepaid tuition plan allows the account holder to purchase tuition credits (in-state, public universities) for future tuition and

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mandatory fees (but not things like room and board, books or supplies).

Parents may be concerned about where their children can use the Florida 529 College Prepaid Tuition credits, but fear not! The credits can be used at many colleges and universities across the country that participate in the 529 College Savings Plan. Additionally, if your child gets a scholarship or decides against college, you can either transfer the account to another family member or get a full refund of what you paid into the program. The Florida Prepaid Tuition Plan is only open to current Florida residents, but if you move out of state, you can continue to pay into the system and your child can attend a college or university in the state of Florida as an in-state tuition student.

While Florida 529 College Prepaid Tuition Plan is a fixed amount paid monthly based on the plan you select,

GIGGLEMAGAZINE.COM | OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2018

the 529 College Educational Savings Plan is more flexible. The 529 College Educational Savings Plan allows you to make monthly contributions of any amount you desire. Furthermore, the savings plan allows you to use the money for any education costs, public or private, you might incur during the child’s entire life including K-12 and higher education.

Unlike the prepaid tuition plan, you do not need to be a resident of the state of Florida and the money saved can be used at any university. If your child graduates and there are still funds available, the plan can be used towards any qualifying family member’s educational expenses or refunded back to the account owner.

Preparing for the future can be difficult, and it is hard to think about them going away to college, but with a little financial planning, the future will be bright!

Be prepared for the unexpected.

Call us today for a free and confidential consultation.

We are here, every step of the way.

VISIT OUR WEBSITE FOR A FULL LIST OF OUR SERVICES

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GIGGLEMAGAZINE.COM | OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2018

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life | our special story November is Diabetes Awareness Month!

BY NICOLE IRVING

October 1 marks five months since our world changed. After 13 years, 11 months and 3 days, my son’s pancreas decided to call it quits. Today, he is the one in the 1 of 400 who live with an incurable disease: Type 1 Diabetes.

I have the great fortune of being the publisher of Giggle. In the last 10 years, I have read and edited thousands of stories and tales of parenting tips and tricks. Many of them I have written myself, as life with three growing boys has its many crazy tales and learning lessons I have wanted to share.

But, it was the story written by a dear friend a few years ago that I read countless times during our editing and design process that saved my sons life that day five months ago.

We are like any family with kids, work and school. Constantly on the go, the five of us are like passing ships in the night.

Sometimes a quick hug and kiss on the cheek after a practice pick up is all I see of my kiddos during a busy week of late

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night meetings and work. When we had the opportunity to spend four whole days together to travel to Chattanooga, TN for my little ones’ regional gymnastic meet, we took it. All five us together for four days of family fun was not an opportunity I could pass on!

On the way, my oldest continued to ask us to stop to use the restroom. Convinced this was caused by the massive amounts of Gatorade he had been consuming since we got in the car, I didn't think twice about it. It was on the second and third day of the trip that his bathroom breaks became more persistent and his thirst was out of control. Now I was certain it wasn’t just the out of control Gatorade consumption, as a mom, you just know something is not right. I just felt it! I couldn’t help but remember the words my friend wrote about her son. The similarities were there. The symptoms were there. My heart knew something wasn’t right.

As luck would have it, he had a pediatrician’s appointment scheduled for the morning

GIGGLEMAGAZINE.COM | OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2018

after we got home from the trip for a check up. It was there that I attempted to causally, and in the most non-panicked tone I could muster, mention what was going on the days prior and asked if she could check his sugars.

Our wonderful nurse came in, checked, and gave me a look no mom wants to get and numbers no mom wants to hear, "His sugars are 321."

My heart sank because I knew what that meant. 10 years of writing, editing and researching topics and stories to help parents raise their kids and recognize signs of distress and illness made me immediately realize what was happening and how our whole world was about to change. How his whole world was about to change. The continuous rest-stop breaks, the non-stop drinking and unquenchable thirst, I knew what it meant but hoped for something else.

As those numbers came out of her mouth, my heart broke into a million pieces as my son stared at my pale face.

PHOTOS BY TANYA CONSAUL PHOTOGRAHY

5 Months Into Our New Reality

life | our special story My son has Type 1 Diabetes.

Before she even entered the room, our amazing pediatrician placed the call to the endocrinologist. She needed a urine sample STAT and we would be going to another appointment within the hour. We sent him out of the room and all the fear and guilt that any mother would have poured out of me like champagne on New Year's Eve. I couldn’t help but think,

"Did I cause this?

Is this my fault?

Why him?"

Through my tears, our pediatrician explained I did not cause this.

She was able to help me understand that his pancreas just stopped producing the insulin his body needed. And, unfortunately, there was no answer as to why. Through the last five months, I have realized just how very lucky my son was that we caught it when and how we did. He did not go to the ER. He did not go unconscious. He was lucky. We were lucky.

We had time before our endocrinologist appointment and I looked at my son and explained what was happening and what this was. It was NOT a death sentence, it was a new way of living. Fighting back my own tears, I saw tears well in his eyes as reality set in and gave him the space he needed to process what was happening before we headed to our endocrinologist appointment.

After a marathon, five-hour endocrinologist appointment and diabetic counselor meeting, we returned home with a new set of rules, needles, injections, drugs, measuring tools, alcohol wipes, monitors and binder that held our new life together. To say that we were overwhelmed that first night would be an understatement.

Fast forward to today. We are five months into life with this incurable auto-immune disease and we are still standing. There have been good days and bad days. There have been sleepless nights when his new CGM (continuous glucose monitor) continues to sound an alarm when his sugars go to high and worried days when his sugars go to low during cross country practice. But, there are so many days that I look at him with pride for all that he is going through. Through it all, my kiddo has taken this like a champ. He has never asked "why me" or cried another tear after that car ride. From day one he has administered his own insulin, taken his own glucose and counted his own carbs. The resilience of my child inspires me; I am in awe of his strength and ability to cope and share what is going on with his body.

However, I have taken it harder, as any mother would. I cannot fix this. I want to take this from him. I want to know why and how. I want his life to be normal again and go back to the day before his pancreas quit and BEG for it to keep going a bit longer! But, I can't.

Insulin and glucose monitors. Counting carbs and alcohol wipes. This is our new reality.

What have I learned in the last five months? I have learned that at any point, anything can and will change. I have learned to never ignore my mom-gut. I have learned to always and unapologetically advocate for my children.

Tyler's Dexcon G6™ Continuous Glueclose Monitor I have also learned that Type 1 Diabetes is not the same as Type 2 Diabetes and no amount of hope and tears will jump-start his pancreas. His life will always require sugar monitoring, insulin injections and carb counting, as it cannot be cured with just diet and exercise. I have learned that this is our new normal.

As we continue to venture into this new and crazy territory of living with diabetes, I have to count the blessings that have happened: I have been embraced by the most wonderful support system, I have been open and honest with those around him so they know how to help him, and I have seen so much love strangers, friends and family that has warmed my heart in ways I will never be able to repay. I am raising a child who can self-advocate I have seen him grow and mature so quickly that I am humbled by his strength. I realize that every day is a gift and that we shouldn't sweat the small stuff. *Portions of this story were originally published on Nicole’s personal blog and has been expanded on and updated for this issue. Follow her at NicoleBIrving.com for more of her and her son’s journey of living with Type1 Diabetes, or send her an email to share your diabetes story at nicole@irvingpublications.com.

!

Warning Signs

Type 1 diabetes can occur at any time in one's life. Be aware of these warning signs and call your pediatrician if you have any concerns or questions!

• Extreme thirst • Frequent urination • Drowsiness or lethargy • Increased appetite • Sudden weight loss

• Sudden vision changes • Sugar in the urine • Fruity odor on the breath • Heavy or labored breathing • Stupor or unconsciousness

*For more information visit www.diabetes.org

GIGGLEMAGAZINE.COM | OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2018

17

life | the parent life

Spooky and Safe: Protecting Your Kids on Halloween

BY NICOLE IRVING AND NATALIE RICHOUX

Halloween is a season jam packed with different activities, festivals and, of course, trick-or-treating.

As much fun as the holiday brings, remember there are important safety precautions to keep in mind during Halloween to keep your little ones safe.

Candy

No surprise that children will be caughtup in the mounds of candy they will get during the trick-or-treating season, but it can put your child at risk. Make sure you review with your kids the candy they will and will not be able to eat and that they cannot eat any candy until you have had time to inspect it to make sure it hasn’t been tampered with.

According to the Alachua County Sheriff’s Office, any candy or treats that are homemade (unless from a family member or friend), unwrapped or appear to have been tampered with should be thrown away immediately.

Costume

Selecting the perfect costume for your kiddo can be challenging, but there is more to think about than whether their friends will love it or not. Avoid costumes that cannot be seen in the dark unless you have trick-or-treating safety flashlights your kids can use throughout the night.

Ensure the costume is the proper size or give it a quick hem to make sure your little one won’t be tripping on the bottom of their costume. If the costume is going to need some face paint, remember to purchase non-toxic paint and always test in a small area first. Finally, remember it’s Florida and it could very well be 80 degrees while trick-or-treating but could also be 65 degrees, so you’ll want a costume that can be versatile for hot or cold weather.

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Location

You should always trick-or-treat in well-lit and well-known areas to avoid any unnecessary risks, or be prepared by having glowsticks or flashlights with you. The Alachua County Sheriff’s Office suggests that trick-or-treating be done in neighborhoods that preferably the children and parents know well. To figure out the best location, the sheriff’s office also recommends checking the locations of sexual offenders or predators in a neighborhood or area. You can go to www.fdle.state.fl.us and search by zip code.

Home Safety

Make sure your home is ready for trickor-treaters too! Ensure you remove any obstacles in the pathway to your door that could cause trick-or-treaters to trip or fall. If you have pets, make sure you restrain them so they don’t run out the door towards trick-or-treaters. Keep your home well-lit by turning on porch lights, Halloween decoration lights and indoor lights.

GIGGLEMAGAZINE.COM | OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2018

Remember, if you’re passing out candy, make sure it is individually wrapped. And remember, never allow anyone to come inside your home, for any circumstances.

TRICK-OR-TREATING

Must Haves!

!

• • • •

Costume Candy Bag Flashlight Reflective tape, vest or clothing • Cellphone • Emergency Contact Information (incase child gets separated from adult)

• Small first aid kit • Responsible Adult • Check in spot in case of seperation

GIGGLEMAGAZINE.COM | OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2018

19

life | the parent life

DIY HACKS

High Heels Hacked

BY ISABELLA SORRESSO

High heels can be found in every woman’s wardrobe from coast to coast.

Whether you have an event coming up or you're just a shoe fanatic, chances are you have a love-hate relationship with your stilettos, but wear anyway because “beauty is pain.” Well, it doesn’t have to be. We have rounded up our favorite high heel life hacks to help you last longer in your heels whether they’re modest kitten heels or sky-high stilettos.

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Taping Toes Together This hack has been floating around quite a bit the last couple of years and it is because it has a bit of medical backing behind it. By using medical tape (or transparent tape in a pinch) to tape together your middle toe and your “ring toe” you can alleviate some of the pain that normally occurs at the ball of your foot. Basically, when you wear heels for a long time, the nerves in your toes become irritated and one particular nerve that becomes inflamed when your toes spread out while wearing your shoes is located between your third and fourth toes. So, by taping these two toes together you help to remove some of this pressure.

Wear a half-size larger If you know you will be wearing your heels for an extended period of time and you will be on your feet nonstop, it might be beneficial to wear either a half-size or a full size larger than your normal shoe size. This accounts for your feet swelling throughout the day and helps prevent pinching and blisters from the backs of your shoes.

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Still Standing Spray stillstandingspray.com $39.99

Foot Petals footpetals.com $7.95+

Blister Protection Target $8.00

Detachable Heels tanyaheath.com $105+

For this, you just spray it all over your feet and let it dry before pulling on your favorite pair of pumps. The spray is made of a blend of, “cooling menthol and certified organic eco-distilled Arnica, Aloe and Ilex,” according to their website. These ingredients are natural anti-inflammatories and pain relievers to keep your feet from hurting and swelling. You can even get the mini size of this spray to keep in your purse for touch-ups when the spray begins to wear off.

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This brand of shoe accessories might be your next favorite in-shoe cushion. They have many different shapes and sizes of shoe inserts to help cushion your feet while walking in heels. However, according to customers’ reviews of the product, their main uses for Foot Petals were to keep their feet from sliding and helping shoes that are slightly too big fit a little better.

GIGGLEMAGAZINE.COM | OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2018

If your main issue with wearing heels is the fear that you’ll end up with blisters, then fear no longer. There are multiple products to save your feet such as blister bandages and antiblister balm. For best results, both of these should be used as a preventative measure where you apply the balm or bandages all over your feet before putting on your heels. Though many of the bandages can also be used after you already have a blister to cover the wound long enough for it to heal properly on its own.

Yes, you read that right. With the help of the brand Tanya Heath, wearing flats once your heels are starting to hurt your feet is now an attainable goal. She makes shoes with detachable high heels that turn into flats whenever you’re ready to call it a night. Plus, there are several styles of the heels and they’re interchangeable with any of her other shoes so you can have an infinite number of options.

PHOTOS COURTSEY OF MANUFACTURERS

Maxi-Pads in Heels Though some ladies might have been doing this for ages, Hoda Kotb introduced everyone else to the practice on the Today Show by putting a maxi pad (ones without the wings) in her high heels. According to her, they add cushioning to the sole of your foot and relieve some of the pain you might be feeling after walking around all day. Plus, once applied they will stay in place due to the adhesive at the bottom of the maxi pad.

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GIGGLEMAGAZINE.COM | OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2018

forks and spoons | delish

Delicious Spins on Tired Sweet Potatoes

BY NATALIE RICHOUX

Sweet potatoes are a fall classic, almost as much as apple pie! This season, say good-bye to casseroles and pies and hello to these new spins on this sweet and healthy veggie!

Sweet Potato Salad Ingredients

1 ½ pounds of sweet potatoes ½ cup sweet yellow onion 5 green onion stalks 1 orange pepper, seeded and finely chopped 1 yellow pepper, seeded and finely chopped ½ cup of mayonnaise 1 tablespoon lemon juice 1 teaspoon paprika ½ teaspoon turmeric ½ teaspoon cumin ½ teaspoon red pepper

Directions

1. Wash, peel and dice the sweet potatoes and add to a large pot of water. Bring the water to a boil and cook potatoes for 20 minutes (or until tender). Strain the potatoes and leave in strainer to cool.

Roasted Sweet Potatoes with Cocoa Honey Glaze Ingredients

4 sweet potatoes ½ cup honey 2 tablespoons cocoa powder ½ teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions 1. Wash the potatoes thoroughly and peel the skins. Once you have peeled

the potatoes, slice into thin, even pieces (preferably with a mandoline as sweet potatoes tend to be dense and hard). Place the slices on a baking sheet with aluminum foil and sprinkle lightly with cocoa powder.

2. Place the baking sheet in the oven at 425 degrees Fahrenheit for 45 minutes.

3. While the potatoes cook, combine the honey, cocoa powder and vanilla extract and mix until fully incorporated (warming the honey can make it easier to mix).

2. While the potatoes cool, finely dice your sweet onion and measure out ½ cup; thinly slice the green onion stalks; slice open the orange and yellow peppers and remove the seeds completely. Once the seeds have been removed, finely chop the peppers.

3. Once the potatoes cool, transfer to a large dish and add the sweet onion, green onion and peppers. In a separate bowl, mix the rest of your ingredients together and whisk until all ingredients are fully incorporated.

Add mixture to the potatoes and mix thoroughly. Refrigerate and serve.

4. Once the potatoes have cooked fully and are tender, pour the honey cocoa glaze on top and serve immediately.

GIGGLEMAGAZINE.COM | OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2018

23

forks and spoons | delish

Sugar & Spice & Everything Sweet Potato Ingredients

3 sweet potatoes 3 tablespoons olive oil 1 tablespoon dark brown sugar ½ tablespoon red pepper flakes ¾ teaspoon kosher salt ½ teaspoon chili powder ½ teaspoon turmeric ½ teaspoon onion powder ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper ¼ teaspoon garlic powder

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 435 degrees Fahrenheit. Wash, peel and slice potatoes (preferably with a mandoline as sweet potatoes tend to be dense and hard). Place sweet potatoes on a cooking tray and brush with olive oil.

2. Mix dry ingredients together and sprinkle onto potatoes.

Mashed (Sweet) Potatoes Ingredients

4 large sweet potatoes ½ cup of honey 2 tablespoons of fresh ginger 2 tablespoons brown sugar 1 teaspoon cinnamon 1 teaspoon nutmeg

Directions

1. Wash, peel and cut potatoes. Place in a pot of water and bring to a boil.

Once the water is boiling, allow potatoes to boil for 20 minutes and strain the water from the potatoes.

2. Mash the potatoes by using a wafflehead masher until there are no lumps. Add in the honey, sugar, ginger, cinnamon and nutmeg. Mix until fully incorporated into the sweet potatoes.

3. Bake in the oven for 40 minutes (or until potatoes are tender).

Sweet Potato Ice Cream Ingredients

3 large sweet potatoes ¼ cup of honey ½ cup dark brown sugar 1 teaspoon cardamom 1 cup chopped pecans

1 cup of whole milk 4 egg yolks 1 teaspoon cinnamon 1 cup heavy cream ¼ teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions 1. Preheat the oven to 425 degree Farenheit. Peel and cut the potatoes and place on a baking sheet and cook in the oven for 60 minutes (or until tender). Once tender, allow potatoes to cool and then transfer them to a blender and blend on high.

2. Measure out 1½ cups of the sweet potato puree (you can discard the rest or use it for another cooking endeavor). In a sauce pan, heat the milk and honey until incorporated.

3. In a bowl, whisk the egg yolks and add the sugar, cinnamon and cardamom. Add the liquid to a double boiler (if you do not have a double boiler, fill a large pot ¼ full of water and place a smaller pot inside the larger pot and pour your mixture into the small pot). Once the water boils, continually stir for 5 minutes.

4. Remove the mixture from the heat and whisk in the potato puree. Once mixed in, add the heavy cream and vanilla

extract. Let the mixture chill and then add to an ice cream maker and follow the instructions of the ice cream maker to make a delicious and satisfying sweet potato ice cream!

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GIGGLEMAGAZINE.COM | OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2018

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forks and spoons | delish

Marinated MOJO

TURKEY

BY NATALIE RICHOUX

Tired of the same oven roasted turkey every Thanksgiving? So why not change up the game this year? We are bringing a bit of Cuban flare to traditional Thanksgiving Day turkey with this mojo marinated turkey recipe.

INGREDIENTS: • •

• • • • • • • • • •

1

12- to -14- pound turkey, washed with giblets and neck removed 2 heads of garlic, peeled and chopped 2 tablespoons ground cumin 2 tablespoons oregano 2 tablespoons kosher salt, plus more to taste 2 tablespoons black pepper, plus more to taste 2 cups sour orange juice (or 1 cup fresh orange juice and 1 cup fresh lime juice) 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil 1 cup of dry white wine 1 orange, cut into quarters 1 lime, cut into quarters 1 small yellow onion, peeled and cut into quarters

Combine the garlic, cumin, oregano, salt and pepper. Add in the orange juice, extra-virgin olive oil and white wine. Hand whisk until all the ingredients are well mixed.

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Using a knife, cut small, 1 inch holes in the turkey (preferably in the breasts, thighs and legs) so that the marinade can soak into the turkey.

Using a turkey baster, put your mojo marinade in the holes and pour leftover marinade over the top of the turkey.

Once basted, cover and place in the refrigerator to marinate for 24 hours, occasionally re-brushing the turkey with marinade that has dripped to the bottom of the pan.

GIGGLEMAGAZINE.COM | OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2018

Once your turkey has been marinated, place garlic cloves in each of the holes you cut in the turkey (optional for added flavor) and fill the cavity of the turkey with orange wedges, lime quarters and onion quarters.

Place the turkey in an oven-roasting bag and cook in an oven at 325 degrees Fahrenheit until the thickest part of the turkey thigh reaches an internal temperature of 180 degrees Fahrenheit.

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27

health | get healthy

Mom's New Jogging Partner

BY CHRISTY PIÑA

After having a baby, the first couple of months are spent caught up in all the new mommy duties that now exist in life. But as the mommy honeymoon phase dwindles slightly, many moms want to begin returning to pre-mommy habits, and that is perfectly normal. A new mom may miss her weekly workouts and that is when it is time to start blending the new routine with the old routine! While a new mom may not be able to jump right into five days a week at the gym just yet, she can absolutely start working out little by little.

At home workouts are a great solution, but for moms who miss their pre-mommy body and love to run, jogging with the baby is a wonderful solution to help transition into a new daily routine. It may not be the exact workout new moms were doing before, but it does get them up and moving and back into a workout routine.

Plus, they get to spend time with their baby and also get out of the house.

There are a few things to keep in mind when taking your baby jogging.

1. Make sure you have a jogging stroller.

While it may be easier to just take your regular baby stroller and run with it, it’s important to have a good jogging stroller. Jogging strollers have large tires and shocks that help decrease the amount of bouncing your baby feels when jogging. Some strollers even come with a hand brake and wrist strap that gives you the utmost control when jogging with your newborn.

2. Ask a pediatrician if your baby is ready.

The age at which your baby is physically able to go jogging with you varies. On average, most babies are able to comfortably and safely ride in a stroller at about 6-8 months, but your doctor should always give the OK before you go.

The crucial part of this is that your baby needs to have good neck control before being able to go on a jog with you, and by 6-8 months, your baby has that.

Tips for your run 28

• • • •

• •

3. Map out your path.

By planning out your path ahead of time, you ensure that even if your baby is physically ready for a jog, he or she won’t be facing any huge bumps or sharp turns. The things that seem normal for us can often scare a baby when it’s something he or she hasn’t faced before.

4. Take the weather into consideration.

When you’re jogging, it’s easy to not stress about the weather too much because even if it is a little chilly, once you start, you’ll warm up immediately. Your baby, on the other hand, may not. Because your baby isn’t the one exerting the energy it takes to jog, they could get chilly very quickly.

So, make sure you pack warm clothes. If it’s incredibly hot, however, pack a clip-on fan to keep him or her cool and make sure they have sunscreen on! While covering the stroller may seem like a good idea, it is recommended you do not do this as it traps the heat in the stroller with your baby and can quickly cause them to overheat.

5. Keep in mind, your baby might be fussy.

If it’s your first time taking your baby out jogging with you, don’t be surprised if they start crying. It may be scary for them and will likely take a couple of jogs before they begin to enjoy it and always bring your infant supplies of fresh diaper, wipes, extra clothes and snacks!

6. Check with YOUR doctor.

Always check with your physician or OB before you begin an exercise regiment after giving birth as healing and rest times vary from mother to mother and depend on the type of delivery you had (vaginal or c-section).

Plan your route, and avoid hills and stick to quiet streets Make sure baby is full, but let the belly settle a bit before heading out Always check buckles and ensure they are safely tucked in.

Don’t run too far! You can always loop that route, but if baby gets cranky four miles in to a run, it will be a long four miles back with a cranky baby.

Nix the headphones so you can hear your infant.

Avoid blankets, they can fall during the jog and get caught in the wheels.

GIGGLEMAGAZINE.COM | OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2018

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health | get healthy

Children and Febrile Seizures: A Parent's Guide to Understanding

BY TRACY WRIGHT

For parents, especially those of infants, a child contracting a fever can be scary enough. If you add a seizure to that fever, it can be downright terrifying. It’s important for parents to understand seizures that accompany fevers, known as febrile seizures. A seizure is caused by abnormal electrical activity in the brain. A febrile seizure can occur as a result of the fever that accompanies bacterial or viral infections, especially roseola.

While febrile seizures are rare (fewer than 200,000 cases per year according to the Mayo Clinic), parents should still be aware of this type of pediatric seizure.

Although a scary experience, febrile seizures are one of the most common types of seizures in pediatric patients and develop as a result of a fever above 100.4 degrees that accompany infections.

Typically, febrile seizures affect children between the ages of 6 months through 5 years with the majority of those occurring between 12-18 months of age.

“Children who are at a higher risk for having febrile seizures include those with a family history and those who have a higher temperature than typical with an illness,” said Jacqueline Michel, D.O., a pediatrician with UF Health Pediatrics – Tower Square. “Once a child has a febrile seizure, they are at a higher risk of having them again in the future.” Once a child is at risk, they could have different types of febrile seizures.

There are two types of febrile seizures: simple seizures and complex seizures.

According to the Mayo Clinic, a simple febrile seizure lasts anywhere between a few seconds to 15 minutes and does not occur more than once in a 24-hour period. Generally with simple seizures, a child loses consciousness and experiences twitching that is not isolated to a specific

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region of the body. Alternatively, a child can experience a complex seizure.

Information from the Mayo Clinic classifies a complex febrile seizure as a seizure that will last more than 15 minutes and can occur multiple times in a 24-hour period. Additionally, a complex febrile seizure is limited to one side of the body.

Although febrile seizures are a frightening experience for parents, there is no significant post-seizure damage. The child will experience some grogginess and have low energy for the next day or so, but should return to their normal, healthy state within a day. Additionally, studies have shown that febrile seizures do not cause brain damage or affect intelligence.

However, it is still important that parents or caretakers act immediately, Michel said.

“If a child is having a febrile seizure, it is important to seek immediate medical attention, which often means calling 911

!

Children who have already had febrile seizures have a 60 percent risk of it happening again. There is also a slight increased risk for children who have febrile seizures to develop epilepsy though there is not a high incidence. “As there are many different types of febrile seizures, parents of children who have frequent or more complicated febrile seizures should discuss with their physicians if referral to a specialist is warranted,” Michel said.

If your child is experiencing a febrile seizure, remember to stay calm through the situation and know that, while a frightening experience, you and your child will be okay and they will be back to being a fun-loving child again soon.

The Recovery Position

Steps to take while waiting for medical attention.

1 Move the arm closest to you in a 90 degree angle with the palm facing up adjacent to the head.

3 Support the head as you pull the knee furthest from you across the body to turn on the person's side.

GIGGLEMAGAZINE.COM | OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2018

for parents who are not used to caring for children with seizures. It is important to place them onto their side, but do not try to stop the convulsions. Do not place anything in their mouth. Be sure that someone stays with the child at all times,” Michel said.

2 Take the opposite arm and move it across the chest, placing the palm of the hand against the cheek.

4

Lift the chin to clear the airway.

Continue to monitor breathing until medical help arrives.

Call us to schedule your appointment today!

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since 1982 It’s what we do best.

Whether you are 2 or a 102, we look forward to creating and maintaining a beautiful and healthy smile.

352.562.7009

Open 6 days a week | 30+ Years in business | 4 dentists on staff Evening appointments | Ask about our referral program

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Mon-Thur 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM Fri-Sat 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM

GIGGLEMAGAZINE.COM | OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2018

31

health | get healthy

Keep Your Precious Cargo Safe

BY JENNIFER JENSEN

An important decision parents must make is choosing the right car seat for their children. While all U.S. car seats are required to meet and pass crash tests under U.S. Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards, it can be difficult determining which car seat will be the best for you and your family. The age, height and weight of your child will determine the type of car seat that is most suitable for them. Parents should follow guidelines put forth by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHSTA) for which car seats their children need to be in based on certain factors.

Birth to 12 Months Always in a rear-facing car seat, and preferably one that is a convertible or all-in-one so they can stay rear-facing for longer. Rear-facing is designed for newborns and small babies with the added parental convenience of it being portable.

1 to 3 Years While rear-facing is the safest way to protect your child, you will eventually move them into a forward-facing seat when their height or weight limit has been reached in a rear-facing car seat. A forward-facing car seat still provides high levels of safety but allow them room for their legs and arms to be free.

Car Seat Options Rear-Facing Car Seat: Chicco Key Fit 30, $199.99

Rear-Facing to Forward-Facing Car Seat: Graco Extend to Fit Convertible Car Seat, $151.99

Rear-Facing to Forward-Facing to Booster Seat: Safety 1st Grow and Go 3-in-1 Convertible Car Seat, $144.99

Booster Seats: - Chicco KidFit 2-in-1 Belt Positioning Booster Car Seat, $99.99 - Cosco Topside Booster Car Seat, $15.99

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4 to 7 Years Again, to maximize their safety, your child should remain in a forward-facing car seat until they reach the height and weight limits of their car seat. Once they outgrow a forward-facing car seat, move them into a high back booster seat. High back booster seats offer more support while they continue to learn how the movements of the car impact their own movements.

8 to 12 Years When your child reaches an age where they can safely hold themselves up and respond to the movements of the car, you can move them into a low back booster seat. A child should remain in a booster seat until they can safely ride in the car with a seat belt that rests snuggly across their upper thighs and not the stomach and come across the chest and not the neck.

Once you determine the right car seat for your child, be sure to read the manual to install the car seat properly. Every car seat will be installed using either the lower anchors or the seat belt to secure it in place. Once your car seat is installed properly, you will want to make sure your child is strapped in properly as well.

Harness straps should be snug, lie flat, not be twisted and the chest clip should be at armpit level. While it can be perfectly safe to buy a used car seat, there are some considerations you want to make before purchasing the seat. Car seats do have an expiration date (continued exposure to extreme heat and cold causes weakening of the plastics used in car seats). You will want to locate the label on the car seat that tells you the make, model, date of manufacture and manufacturer information. Additionally, you will want to ensure the car seat has never been involved in an accident. Accidents can often cause micro-fractures in the seat, therefore compromising its overall safety. Finally, be sure to check and see if there are any active safety recalls on the particular model.

GIGGLEMAGAZINE.COM | OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2018

Local Guide If you are uncertain as to how to install your car seat or if it is installed correctly, the Florida Highway Patrol offers free car seat inspections and safety checks at locations throughout the state. Parents can also visit a Gainesville Fire rescue station or the Alachua County Health Department to have a certified technician check to make sure the car seat is installed properly.

Alachua County Health Department Every third Tuesday of the month, the Alachua County Health Department hosts a class on carseat safety and installation from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.

It is by appointment only, so be sure to call ahead and determine if the class is full or if they are still holding it that month!

Phone Number: (352) 225-4354

Alachua County Inspection Stations

Alachua County partnered with the Florida Highway Patrol and their Florida Child Passenger Safety program to provide places where parents can go and have a certified technician inspect their car seats and installation to ensure everything is properly working. •

Gainesville Fire Rescue An appointment is needed and the days and times vary by participating stations, so you need to call beforehand to check times and make an appointment.

Phone: (352) 393-8461

•

Healthy Start An appointment is needed as they conduct inspections M-F from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., so you should call ahead to schedule something and ensure you can be seen.

Phone: (352) 337-1200

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GIGGLEMAGAZINE.COM | OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2018

33

health | get healthy

Need a Health Boost?

Wake up and Smell the Eucalyptus!

BY TRACY WRIGHT

BY DANIELLE SPANO

Eucalyptus may be one of the most widely used herbal remedies, both commercially and by private consumers. The health benefits of the eucalyptus species are countless due to strong aromatic oils within the leaves. The various uses of eucalyptus include its antibacterial properties to help fight some infections, pain relief, dental health and stimulating the immune system.

“Simply using a diffuser to breathe in eucalyptus oil can provide anti-microbial, anti-fungal and anti-inflammatory benefits,” said Cristina Eury of Salina Harmonizing Bodywork, an herbal healing house that focuses on, “allowing the strength of nature to increase your natural inner strength” according to Eury’s website. “In vapor therapy, the oil may be used for respiratory problems, to improve concentration, or as an insect repellant. It can also be diluted in your bath which can provide benefits against arthritis, asthma, mucous congestion, colds, headaches, sinusitis, fatigue and muscle aches and pains.”

As with most essential oils, experts caution against using eucalyptus in an undiluted form. Eucalyptus is best used in a diffuser or sparingly mixed with a carrier oil such as olive or coconut oil.

Additionally you should never apply essential oils directly to skin, especially children under the age of 6, Eury said.

Instead, you can mix the eucalyptus with a non-fragranced lotion (which provides more moisture benefits).

Furthermore, eucalyptus acts as a strong decongestant for the lungs and sinuses.

Consumers can make their own home cold remedy to fight congestion and soothe common cold symptoms. “Often used as a steam inhalation therapy, the leaves of eucalyptus can be added to a large covered pot of simmered water,” said Jenny Perez, education coordinator at the American Botanical Council. “After gently covering the head with a thin towel to make a tent over the pot, remove the lid, keep eyes closed and inhale the antibacterial, antiviral scent of eucalyptus

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for a minute or two, being careful not to burn yourself or overheat.”

Eucalyptus is also commonly used for invigorating mental activity and increasing blood flow to the brain.

As a stimulant, it has been shown to help remove exhaustion and mental sluggishness. Eucalyptus can also be effective in treating stress and mental disorders as inhaling its vapor helps to increase blood circulation to the brain. A study published in the American Journal of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation showed that eucalyptus increases the blood flow by relaxing the blood vessels and allowing more blood to circulate.

While eucalyptus is a natural health remedy, individuals can still suffer poisoning or overdoses. Therefore, as with any form of herbal therapy, consumers should always consult with their health care provider, a licensed medical herbalist or aromatherapist if they have concerns about use, especially with children.

Perez also recommends that those who are highly interested in herbal therapy read “21st Century Herbal: A Practical Guide for Healthy Living Using Nature’s Most Powerful Plants,” a book written by Michael Balick, Ph.D., a member of the American Botanical Council’s Board of Trustees members.

With the innumerable uses for eucalyptus, in raw leaf form and essential oil form, you should consider adding it to your health regiment, even if only to provide the stress relieving qualities of its aroma. *Always consult your physician when beginning an essential oil regiment.

GIGGLEMAGAZINE.COM | OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2018

4

WAYS TO USE

Eucalyptus 1. Muddle the leaves and mix with coconut oil for a deep conditioning mask for your hair. Apply and let sit for one hours before taking a shower.

2. Put the leaves in a jar with

olive, almond or jojoba oil and place in direct sunlight for two weeks. Strain the leaves and now you have a eucalyptus massage oil.

3. Hang your leaves in a

dark , dr y place for several weeks. Once dried, crumble and place in a dish for eucalyptus potpourri.

4. Crush up leaves and put in

a jar filled half with water and half with witch's hazel.

Allow to sit for one week , then put in a spray bottle for a natural bug spray.

GAINESVILLE’S APP FOR EATING OUT GCM gives you reusable gift certificates to the restaurants you love.

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Nausheen Khuddus, M.D.

Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus

Karl Bodendorfer, M.D. Comprehensive Ophthalmology

Stephanie Rowe, O.D.

Comprehensive Eye Care, Glasses, Contact Lens

Aria Murphy, O.D.

Comprehensive Eye Care, Glasses, Contact Lens

Tammy Toskes

Certified Orthoptist

352-261-0089 7120 NW 11th Place, Gainesville, FL 32605 GIGGLEMAGAZINE.COM | OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2018

35

health | get pretty

Smoking Hot!

BY KARA WINSLOW

Get the look!

BY DANIELLE SPANO

Smokey eyes: the beauty world’s eye trend that is here to stay but hard to master.

Creating the perfect smokey eye requires a balancing act of sorts! When creating a smokey eye, it’s important to understand the structure of your entire eyelid and find balance between light and dark eye shadow. Without knowing your eyelid and understanding that a smokey eye requires a balancing act of light and dark colors, you can easily end up looking like a panda bear. We are here to help you master your perfect smokey eye and avoid becoming an unwanted panda.

Step One

Begin by neutralizing your entire eyelid and under eye with a concealer (one shade lighter than your natural skin tone). You will want to blend this with your other concealer into the rest of your face so you do not have an obvious line of makeup. Set this neutralizer with a powder.

Step Two

Step Three

Using the same brush, apply your second lightest color on your lower lid from your lash line (bottom of the eyelid) up to the bottom of the socket bone using the same dabbing technique.

Step Four

Now you can jump to a grey or dark brown color. You will still be using the same brush but using the tip of the bristles to apply the eye shadow (and trick: hold the brush low and use your pinky finger rested on your cheek bone to keep your hand steady). For this part of your smokey eye, you are going to create a comma shape in the crease with the thickest part of the comma on the outside going slightly above the bone and thinnest on the inside making sure to keep the angle curved.

After applying the grey or brown, you 36

Step Five

Now using a firm pencil brush (like Mac #219 or Sephora #32) use black or dark grey to create a v shape in the outside corner of the eye and drag some of that color under the eye half way and blend moderately to get rid of any harsh lines from the v shape.

jane iredale Daytime Eye Shadow Kit ($59.99, janeiredale.com)

Step Six

Use a black liner of your choice on your top lash set with the outside of your eye being medium in thickness, the middle of your eye being the thickest, and the inside of your eye being the thinnest. On your bottom lash set, only apply liner a third of the way across the eye beginning from the outside and working your way in.

jane iredale Purple Rain Eyeshadow Kit ($59.99, janeiredale.com)

Step Seven

When applying mascara, put a business card under your bottom lashes and paint on your lashes.

With your top lashes, starting at the base of your eyelashes, pull your mascara wand towards the top of your lashes using a zigzag motion to keep them from sticking together.

Step Eight

Fill in the brow to complete the look.

GIGGLEMAGAZINE.COM | OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2018

Mehron E.Y.E Powder Matte ($49.00, Mehron.com and Amazon.com)

PHOTOS COURTSEY OF MANUFACTURERS

Using an eye shader brush (like a MAC #239 or Sephora #226), use the lightest of the four shades you have picked out and apply directly under your eyebrow using a dabbing motion.

will using a blending brush (like Mac #217 or Sephora #216) to blend it in.

GIGGLEMAGAZINE.COM | OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2018

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GIGGLEMAGAZINE.COM | OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2018

GIGGLEMAGAZINE.COM | OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2018

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happy home | make it

Gi ve Thanks!

FALL IN LOVE WITH THESE

Centerpieces

BY NATALIE RICHOUX | PHOTOS BY TANYA CONSAUL PHOTOGRAPHY

Fall is here and you know what that means… family crafting time!

As the cooler temperatures set in and the air begins to smell of pumpkin spice everything, it is time to begin decorating for all those holiday festivities! So, grab the kiddos, glue gun and your latte and start crafting!

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GIGGLEMAGAZINE.COM | OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2018

Custom Lighting, Inc. A LIGHTING SHOWROOM

14545 Main Street, Alachua, FL 32615

(386) 462-2456

customlightingstore.com

GIGGLEMAGAZINE.COM | OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2018

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Hedgy Crafting Supplies • Paper Plate • Craft Paint • Googly Eyes • Paper Plate • Craft Paint • Construction Paper • Pom - pom • Paintbrush • Black Marker • Scissors • Glue

Directions 1. Paint your paper plate with your paintbrush.

Colorful Cup & Turkey Traditions

2. Cut out leaves with your scissors and construction paper.

3. Once the paint has dried, cut the plate in half and then glue the halves together.

4. Where you want the head to be, cut a ‘C’ shape leaving what will be a nose.

5. Glue the googly eyes on the face and glue the pom-pom on the tip of the nose.

6. Glue the leaves all over the plate (except the head area).

Supplies

2. While the paint is drying, use your cardboard paper and scissors • Small styrofoam cup to cut a 1-inch orange triangle for • Brown craft paint the beak, red shaped heart (for • Brown, orange, yellow and the gobbler) and orange stripes for accordion folded feet. red construction paper • Googly eyes • Paintbrush • Scissors • Adhesive Dots Directions 1. Paint your cup brown with your paintbrush and let it dry completely.

3. Glue the googly eyes, beak and gobbler to the turkey where you want his face to be.

4. Using fall colored construction paper, cut out feather shapes 5. Use adhesive dots to glue feathers on one half of the cup at the top opposite of where you placed the face of the turkey.

Thankful Turkey Supplies

Directions

•

Styrofoam Ball

1. Parents- cut the styrofoam ball in half with a sharp knife.

•

Brown Paint

•

Feathers

2. Paint the styrofoam any shade of brown.

•

Googly Eyes

3. Using beige construction paper, cut a shape like a turkey face

•

Glue

•

Beige, yellow and red construction paper

4. Using yellow construction paper, cut a triangle for the nose.

•

Knife

•

Paint Brush

•

Scissors

•

Pens or Pencils

5. Using red construction paper, cut a circle for the gobbler.

6. Cut out small pieces of construction paper into the shape of a feather and have children write down things they are thankful for (or parents can write for young children).

7. Once Styrofoam cylinder is dry, stick craft feathers into turkey. *All crafts should be supervised by a parent.

...where you find that special gift that becomes

forever loved

Bunnies by the Bay Tethers and Lovies

1510 NW13th Street Gainesville, Fl 32601 www.paddiwhack.com

352-336-3175

happy home | clean it

1.

Air Purifiers:

Breathe Deep, Breathe Clean

BY JESSICA FRANKLIN

Do you have pets? Do you live with a smoker? Do you suffer from allergies or asthma? If you said yes to any of those questions, you might want to consider investing in an air purifier for your home.

There are numerous factors that affect indoor air quality. According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), examples of some of these factors include poor ventilation (and lack of outside air), problems controlling temperatures (which can lead to breeding grounds for bacteria and mold), remodeling (which releases dust particles into the air), and the every day use of cleaning chemicals and pesticides. Fortunately, advances in technology can help reduce your indoor pollutants and raise your quality of air.

Air purifiers are a great addition to any home or office as they are meant to reduce pollen, dust, pet dander and mold spores. Many newer models even have the ability to destroy airborne bacteria.

When selecting an air purifier, consider what type of space you will be using your air purifier in, as air purifiers will work for a variety of spaces but many have size limitations in how much air they can actually purify. Determining the specific pollutant you are trying to eliminate is important because some air purifiers are great at clearing germs while others are better suited to removing allergens. Since they are all different, choose one that has any extra “bells and whistles” you would like on your air filter such as auto-shutoff capabilities, filtering speeds and LED light indicators.

Most importantly, the air purifier you select should always be run with a HEPA filter because these filters can catch 99.97 percent of those tiny particles (as small as 0.3 microns) that are so detrimental to your health when you inhale them.

2.

PHOTOS COURTESY OF MANUFACTUERS

The World Health Organization (WHO) released a report in 2014 (the latest available) which revealed a significant link between air pollution (both indoors and outdoors) and cardiovascular diseases, such as heart attacks and strokes, and cancer. Shockingly, almost 7 million deaths globally were the result of air pollution related deaths and approximately 3.8 million of those deaths are attributed to indoor air pollution.

3.

4.

Air purifiers can be a great addition to every household and worthwhile investments for your respiratory health. Figure out your specific needs, select your air purifier, turn it on and take a deep breath and enjoy your fresh air!

Our Picks:

1. HomeLabs

3-in-1 Air Purifier homelabs.com $24.99

For the office individual or someone on the go, this is the perfect desktop, miniature sized air purifier (up to 50 square feet). Mighty but mini, this purifier had four stage filtering and rids your space of dust, pollen, smoke, mold and pet dander.

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2. Levoit

Air Purifier amazon.com $89.99

Perfect for small rooms (up to 86 square feet), this air purifier eliminates many odor and allergens such as smoke, dust, mold and dander with 3 speed settings and an ultra violet (UV) light to help destroy bacteria.

GIGGLEMAGAZINE.COM | OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2018

3. GermGuardian Elite 4-in1 Air Purifier walmart.com $139.99

Great for larger rooms (up to 193 square feet), this purifier has a UV sanitizer capability to kill airborne bacteria’s, captures odors, and eliminates allergens such as mold, dust, germs and pet dander.

4. Conway Mighty Air Purifier amazon.com $202.95

This purifier is works in spaces up to 528 square feet and comes with an air quality indicator and a filter change indicator. The purifier has a four stage filtration system that eliminates odors and allergens such as dust, mold, smoke and pet dander.

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The QUIET Lawn Care Service!

(352) 507-5296

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Info@sunpowerlawncare.com www.sunpowerlawncare.com

GIGGLEMAGAZINE.COM | OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2018

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happy home | fix it

Stick With It:

In the world of all things glue, there are many more types of glue than you would expect. Knowing when to use what glue is the confusing part. Some glues are used on wood, some on paper, and some on objects made with metal and plastic. Before you bust out an “all-in-one” glue, you need to know everything about the different glues, when to use which glue, and in what form?

Using the Right Glue

BY BROOKE AVEDON PHOTO BY TANYA CONSAUL PHOTOGRAPHY

2

1

3 4

5 7

6

1. Wood Glue Gorilla Glue, $3.59 Amazon Wood glue is used as an adhesive for woodworkers, carpenters or hobbyist who are working with wood.

You will you need to use a wood glue that is thicker and will dry clear so there’s no residue visible once you are finished.

5. Hot Glue Gun AdTech Glue Guns, $4.43+ Home Depot You can use a hot glue gun on just about all crafts and repair jobs, with the exception of plastic! Use it to fix ripped pants, make an ornament or making a wreath.

2. Fabric Glue Beacon Adhesives Fabri-Tec, $5.99 JoAnn Fabric & Craft Store Use fabric glue when you need to adhere one fabric to another piece or glue something onto fabric such as a button or rhinestone.

6. All-In-One Glue, Sealer and Finish Modge Podge, $2.00 Michael’s All-in-one glue products are great for sealing and finishing any craft.

With all-in-one glues, you have the option for matte, glossy or even glow-in-the-dark finished to put that final touch on your craft.

3. Super Glue Krazy, $1.49 Loctite, $1.49 Target Super glue is durable enough to withstand binding with metal, ceramic and rubber and can be applied to clean or dirty surfaces. Superglue can also be used to block up small holes, stop a run in your panty hose, or fix that broken mug handle.

2. Epoxy Ace, $3.99 Ace Hardware Epoxy is most commonly used for large household projects like carpentry and woodworking or working on mechanical components of certain things (such as a car).

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GIGGLEMAGAZINE.COM | OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2018

7. Craft Glue Elmer’s Glue, $1.99 Target This type of glue is versitle because it can adhere to a variety of surfaces such as foam board, paper, cardboard, photos and fabrics without causing harm to surfaces or your skin.

Giggle Tip: Always supervize kids when using any type of glue!

Live Life at Legacy at Fort Clarke in Gainesville, FL

Experience vintage Florida living nestled in the northwestern sector of thriving Gainesville, Florida. Legacy at Fort Clarke Apartments is an enclave unto itself, which is convenient to lakes, creeks, springs, and rolling greenery. Here you can appreciate the atmosphere of academia and take advantage of the finest medical facilities, while also enjoying the wilderness and outdoor recreation.

Apartment Ratings’ Top-Rated Community in 2016!

(352) 331-9322 1505 Fort Clarke Blvd Gainesville, FL 32606

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EGACY at fort clarke

GIGGLEMAGAZINE.COM | OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2018

47

tconsaul@gmail.com tconsaul.com

YEAR ROUND SWIM LESSONS!

Locations:

SunCountry Sports Center (Jonesville Location) University of Florida

Websites:

SunCountySports.com GatorSwimClub.com (click on the lessons tab)

Contact:

Jill Wilby (352)335-0518 Jwilby@cox.net OUR 25 YARD POOL IS SALINE, HEATED AND COVERED TO PROVIDE OPTIMUM SWIMMING CONDITIONS YEAR-ROUND!

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GIGGLEMAGAZINE.COM | OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2018

Fall Into Fun

Your Guide to Fall Festivals in Alachua County

BY BROOKE AVEDON AND NATALIE RICHOUX PHOTOS BY ASHLEY DANIELL PHOTOGRAPHY

Newberry’s Cornfield Maze

Get ready for a frightful night at the Newberry Cornfield Maze! Open on weekends, you can take a daytime hayride to feed the cow. At night you can prepare for a haunted hayride or self-guided tour of the maze that may just have a few ghoulish surprises.

Parents can test their nerves at a haunted house and kids have an exciting, ghoul-free, kid friendly play area!

WHEN: September 21 – October 27 (Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays) WHERE: 20015 West Newberry Road Newberry, Florida 32669 COST: Adults $15 (price includes corn maze and haunted house) Kids (4-10) $10 Kids (3 years & under) FREE Hayride- $5 Mechanical Bull- $5

Coon Hollo Farm Fall Festival

Head to Coon Hollo for a great time with tons of activities for adults and kids such as hayrides, farm train, hay jumping, burlap sack slide, pony rides, archery, pasture putt-putt, duck races and corn cribs.

WHEN: Weekends from October 5 to November 2 WHERE: 22480 N Hwy 441 Micanopy, FL COST: $10 FREE: Kids 3 & Under

Micanopy Fall Festival

Enjoy the historic town of Micanopy by stopping by to see the local artists and crafters, live music, local food vendors and an antique items auction (proceeds go to charity).

WHEN: Saturday, October 27, 2018 from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Sunday, October 28, 2018 from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.

WHERE: Micanopy FL COST: FREE

Rogers Farm Fall Festival

Head out to Rogers Farm for their annual fall festival that features tons of activities that are sure to delight you (and freight, if you’re interested). The festival will include a corn maze (which turns haunted at 8:00 p.m.), hayrides, pony rides, jumping pillow, corn canon, spooky trail, train rides, dunk tank and food trucks! So pack up the family and head out for a day of fun!

WHEN: Weekends in October WHERE: 3831 NW 156th Ave, Gainesville, FL COST: $10 Admission $10 Corn Maze

Peanut Patch and Corn Maze

Families can enjoy this event and explore the corn maze and be spooked in their haunted house.

Enjoy a fun hayride through the field or roast a s’more by the fire.

Pack up the kids and enjoy a fun, wholesome evening or a frightful night with ghosts and ghouls.

WHEN: Weekends from

September 29 to

October 29 (times vary) WHERE: 8214 SW 89th Ave COST: Adults $15 Kids (4-10) $10 Kids (0-3) FREE

GIGGLEMAGAZINE.COM | OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2018

49

Haile Village Center Oktoberfest

Join Haile Village for their Oktoberfest celebration where the town welcomes friends and family of all ages to join for fall festivities.

You can enjoy a great night full of food, drink and entertainment.

WHEN: Friday, October 5 from 5 – 10 p.m.

WHERE: Haile Village Center SW 91st Terrace Gainesville, FL COST: FREE

5K Pumpkin Run

Dust off your running shoes and join other runners for a great cause! The Buy a Pumpkin Feed a Child pumpkin patch is holding their inaugural 5K Pumpkin Run and all proceeds from this event are given to feed hungry children in Alachua County and Central America. When you register, you will receive a race shirt, homemade pumpkin bread and a pumpkin from the pumpkin patch. All family members, including pets, are welcome to participate!

WHEN: Saturday, October 6 at 8:00 a.m.

WHERE: Depot Park

200 SE Depot Ave

Gainesville, FL COST: $30 per runner

Florida Bat Festival

What’s more Halloween-y than bats? Not much, so head out to the 14th Annual Florida Bat Festival at the Lubee Bat Conservancy. You will be able to see fruit bats first hand and even go on a scavenger hunt to learn about the most popular bat myths. The event will also include locally crafted beer, food, games and music.

WHEN: Sunday, October 21, 2017 from 10:00 am – 5:00 pm WHERE: Lubee Bat Conservancy 1309 NW 192nd Ave. Gainesville, FL 32609 COST: Adults $8 Kids (5-12) $5 Kids (0-4) FREE

Cedar Key Seafood Festival

The seafood festival will have over 200 arts and crafts vendors and a plethora of delicious seafood! There will be a parade Saturday morning to kick-off the festival and live music around the town throughout the weekend!

WHEN: October 20-21 from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.

WHERE: City Park in Cedar Key COST: FREE

Boo at the Barn 30th Annual Central Florida Peanut Festival Howl-A-Palooza

An afternoon of Halloween fun that includes food and prizes, exclusive access to the facility, a variety of themed activities, silent auction, raffle and more.

Kid-friendly costumes are welcomed and encouraged as they have a costume contest for every age group. All proceeds will benefit the March of Dimes and Phoebe Louise Dooley Foundation.

WHEN: October 21 from 3 – 6 p.m.

WHERE: 333 S.W. 140th Terrace Jonesville, Fl COST: $15 advance tickets

Go nuts during this fun fall festival that celebrates a successful peanut harvest! A great event for kids and adults, it will be a day full of fun with music, arts & crafts, children’s games, food and lots of peanuts!

WHEN: Saturday, October 6 from 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.

WHERE: Heritage Park in Williston COST: FREE

WHEN: October 28 from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.

WHERE: 23100 W. Newberry Road Newberry, FL COST: FREE (donations appreciated)

Alachua County Fair

Celebrating 50 years of fun and agriculture, the Alachua County fair is a blend of harvest festivals that celebrate a successful farm harvest and fall festivals with shows and rides. Every day holds something new so enjoy the fair where you can see magic shows, get hypnotized, see a livestock show, horse show, ride a fun ride or enjoy greasy fair food like funnel cakes and turkey legs!

WHEN: October 19-27 (times vary by day) WHERE: 3100 NE 39th Ave COST: $8

50

Head out for a fun filled family event with pony rides, face painting, a petting zoo, hayrides, horses in costumes, photobooth, games, raffles and so much more! This event is free and open to the public, but donations are greatly appreciated and go towards helping rescued race horses and certifying their miniature horse into a service animal!

GIGGLEMAGAZINE.COM | OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2018

McIntosh 1890s Art Festival

Beautiful old live oaks and charming Victorian homes provide shade and the backdrop for the all-day free main stage entertainment. This year's entertainment will feature an array of music from country to Cajun, bluegrass, folk and gospel. Enjoy one of the many activities such as ring toss, sand art, a bounce house and face painting around the Depot for children.

WHEN: October 27 from 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.

WHERE: McIntosh, FL COST: FREE

Trinity UMC Fall Harvest and Trunk & Treat

An annual family fall festival, featuring trunk & treat, games, hayrides, a petting zoo, food, music, a photo booth, maze, and more! There is a suggested donation of either $1 or a canned food item for Thanksgiving baskets per child.

WHEN: Sunday, October 28, 3:30 - 6:30 pm.

WHERE: Trinity United Methodist Church:

4000 NW 53rd Ave, Gainesville, FL COST: $1 per child or food donation

Halloween Bass Pro Style

Head to Celebration Pointe’s Bass Pro Shop to celebrate Halloween. It will be a fun, spooktastic family event with plenty to do for the family such as crafting and photos with the Peanut gang!

WHEN: October 20 & 21, October 26-31 (times vary) WHERE: 2650 Bass Pro Shop Blvd.

Gainesville, FL COST: FREE

Boo at the Zoo

The zoo is transformed into a spooky but safe trickor-treating event for the whole family. Additionally, enjoy some entertainment provided by Danscompany of Gainesville, which will perform "Thriller" and an interactive kids zone. There will be refreshments and pizza for a small fee.

WHEN: October 31 from 3 – 7:30 p.m WHERE: 3000 Northwest 83rd Street Gainesville, FL COST: One canned good per person

Swallowtail Farm Fall Festival

Come out to Swallowtail Farms for their celebration of a successful fall harvest of their farm crops. The festival will include local eats, drinks, music, homesteading and gardening skills, art activities and even farming!

WHEN: Saturday, November 10 from 11 a.m. – 9 p.m.

WHERE: Swallowtail Farm

17603 NW 276th Lane

Alachua, FL 32615 COST: Adults $18 Kids (0-12) FREE

Newberry Fall Festival

A full day of fall activities that include a bounce house, face painting, music, dancer, food trucks, arts & crafts, and a petting-zoo!

WHEN: Saturday, November 17 from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.

WHERE: Seaboard/Keen Drive Downtown Newberry COST: FREE

SUNDAY

DECEMBER 9TH THE HERITAGE OF NEWBERRY 20727 SW 46TH AVE NEWBERRY, FL 32669

Bring a new toy for admission and listen to great music for a great cause!

Bands, prizes and merchandise to benefit hospitalized children during the holidays.

www.santajaminc.com

DANSCOMPANY OF GAINESVILLE Resident Company of Cameron Dancenter

DEC. 8th

presents

2018

1:30 & 7:00 pm Phillips Center

a l l e r e d Cin

A Magical Tradition since 1993

Meet Cinderella, the Prince, and all of the dancers after each show in the Fackler Foyer!

TICKET INFORMATION

352.371.0761 352.392.ARTS danscompanyofgainesville.org performingarts.ufl.edu General Admission $15

Children under 10 free with new, unwrapped toy or book (while supplies last) Show will interpreted in American Sign Language

GIGGLEMAGAZINE.COM | OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2018

51

352.333.3223

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GIGGLEMAGAZINE.COM | OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2018

BEFORE

AFTER

GIGGLEMAGAZINE.COM | OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2018

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learn | back to school

54

Alachua County goes

BACK TO SCHOOL Thank you to our Giggle readers who shared their first-day-of-school photos with us! We hope you all have a great school year!

ALEX, 6TH GRADE

ALEX, 9TH GRADE

ANDREW, 9TH GRADE NICHOLAS, 6TH GRADE

AUBREY, 2ND GRADE JAYCE, PRESCHOOL

DELANEY, 1ST GRADE

ELLA, 2ND GRADE

ELLISON, PRE-K; GRACELYN, KINDERGARTEN; CAMDEN, 4TH GRADE; CARTER, 6TH GRADE

ETHAN, 8TH GRADE

GAVIN, 7TH GRADE EVAN, 8TH GRADE

GRAHAM, PRESCHOOL TRISTAN, PRE-K

HAYLEIGH, 1ST GRADE ALEXIA, KINDERGARTEN

ISAIAH, PRESCHOOL

JAMES, 3RD GRADE

JAMEY, 5TH GRADE

JASMINE, KINDERGARTEN

KATE, 2ND GRADE

DINAH, 4TH GRADE; ESTER, 2ND GRADE; MIRIAM, KINDERGARTEN; JONAH, PRESCHOOL

GIGGLEMAGAZINE.COM | OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2018

KATIE, KINDERGARTEN

KENAN, 6TH GRADE

KIELE, 1ST GRADE

KIRRA, 4TH GRADE

KYLA, 8TH GRADE

LOLA, 3RD GRADE

LUCIA AND EVIE

LUKE, 1ST GRADE

MASON, 1ST GRADE; MICAH, 4TH GRADE; CHLOE, 6TH GRADE; CHÉ, 7TH GRADE

MIRS, 6TH GRADE SOPHIA, 4TH GRADE

OCEAN, 1ST GRADE CAMILA, 2ND GRADE

REAGAN, 2ND GRADE STERLING, 5TH GRADE

SAMANTHA, 2ND GRADE

TAMISEN, 4TH GRADE TINSLEY, 2ND GRADE

TAYLOR, PRESCHOOL ELIJAH, 5TH GRADE

BENNETT KINDERGARTEN

TJ, 2ND GRADE

WILLIAM, KINDERGARTEN

JOSH, 5TH GRADE TYLER, 8TH GRADE NICK, 7TH GRADE

OLIVIA, 3RD GRADE SAYLAH, KINDERGARTEN

GIGGLEMAGAZINE.COM | OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2018

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ADVERTISEMENT

morning exercise program available to their children.

The students’ day starts with a 20-minute yoga lesson, a favorite among some of the students. The students roll out their yoga mats, teachers dim the lights and set out flameless candles to set the mood for their lesson. And while teachers may lead the younger students through their yoga lessons, the fourth and fifth grade session is student-led, with interested students taking the initiative to write up their own lesson plans.

Finding the Pieces

TO THE PUZZLE H E ALTHY LE AR N I N G ACAD E MY Education is like a jigsaw puzzle. There are so many pieces necessary to achieving a complete picture — history and health, fitness and fractions, mindfulness and music — that it can be difficult to see how they could ever fit all together in one cohesive way. But at Healthy Learning Academy, they are putting all the pieces together in a way that truly sets them apart from other schools and helps encourage their children to not only love learning, but to become good stewards of the earth as well.

With small classroom sizes due to a maximum 18 students per grade level, HLA can actively practice their mission to, “provide excellence in education with a focus on lifelong health, nutrition and fitness for the creative mind and healthy body.” To achieve this mission, in addition to keeping class sizes small and intimate, teachers are encouraged to differentiate their classrooms to better meet the needs of all levels of learners in a variety of subjects from hands-on, project based

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learning for STEM fields to literacy stations to math stations.

HLA is adding many new, exciting programs this year with their new principal at the helm to further their mission. The new principal, Mrs. Borganelli, has some large shoes to fill as she takes the reigns.

Mrs. Borganelli has been an educator for over 28 years and worked as a teacher at HLA for two years before being appointed the position of principal. You can expect an exciting year with numerous opportunities for academic and personal growth and exploration.

An active and engaged start

Getting the wiggles out takes on a fun and healthy start at Healthy Learning Academy, located in Newberry, Florida.

Before classes even begin, the students start their day with Morning Mile, a running/ walking program that gives those students who choose to participate a fun way to get active. Parents are welcome to join in the fun and reap the benefits of the early

GIGGLEMAGAZINE.COM | OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2018

All of this activity is in addition to the regularly scheduled P.E. classes and recess time that all students enjoy every day, which may leave some wondering how the teachers at HLA have time to get to the curriculum. But the increased activity means that students are often more focused when it comes time to sit down and learn.

Merging healthy habits and traditional studies

The public charter school, which opened 13 years ago and currently teaches students in kindergarten through fifth grade, is also home to a lush and vibrant herb and vegetable garden, which the children tend to with support from the staff, parent volunteers, and under the guidance of Master Gardener, Mary Ann Harris.

Along with herbs like chocolate mint and rosemary, the students are also growing broccoli, pineapples, pumpkins and carrots, most of which they will harvest themselves and eat! As they are guided through harvesting and preparing their homegrown produce, the students also receive valuable lessons in science and math, measuring their plants as they grow and learn about centrifugal force as they use salad spinners.

It’s all about parent involvement Research has proven that parent involvement is the key to student success and Mrs. Borganelli recognizes how important it is for parents, grandparents and teachers to come together in the school to promote unity and a sense of community. Therefore, HLA ensures their students are marked for success with numerous parent involvement opportunities. Every parent is required to volunteer a minimum of twenty hours every school year, and five of those hours must be spent in the classroom. There are also numerous activities throughout the school year for parents.

There are Parent Involvement Nights that occur once a month and the teachers meet with the parents and review classroom expectations, standards and curriculum and help the parents understand what their children are about to learn. Additionally, there are family and community nights where the families at the school come together and enjoy different theme nights such as a movie night, family fitness night and a parent potluck dinner (with one family winning the taste contest). All of this is done because, “it takes a village and we are only one part of the village,” Borganelli says and through Healthy Learning Academy’s parent involvement, that part of the village becomes stronger which promotes happy and healthy homes and learning.

Curriculum and Beyond!

In addition to a heavy focus on fitness and health, Health Learning Academy sets itself apart by focusing on a differentiated instruction program, an innovative teaching style, which has proved beneficial for their students. Before starting a new lesson, teachers will give their students a pre-test to determine who needs a more intensive review of the lesson and who understands the subject and may benefit from a more project-based approach to learning. Students may be assigned a project requiring them to plan for a playground or build a rollercoaster.

Providing a diversified environment that assesses and teaches according to student needs and filled with real life teaching moments is key in the success of the Healthy Learning Academy student body.

While testing is important, it is not the emphasis of the curriculum. Rather, they teach their students the strategies they need to learn, such as showing their work and justifying their answers. They can then take what they are learning and practice them in their new “Power Hour Clubs” that have begun.

Students will have the opportunity to signup for a variety of clubs, both of personal interest and academic applications, which will meet on select Friday afternoons for the last hour of the day. Just a sampling of clubs that students can sign-up for are chess, drama, book, running, woodshop, robotics, cooking, art, singing and guitar!

This isn’t just an opportunity for students to combine their personal interests and academic achievements, teachers and parents get involved in these clubs with many of the clubs being led by teacherparent teams who want to show kids how to explore their passions and interests in a fun, exciting academic setting.

"Healthy Learning Academy has been a blessing to our entire family. We moved our son to HL A in third grade when we felt that the large public school wasn't meeting his needs for ongoing struggles with reading. HL A provided interventions, ongoing support and ideas, as well as a ‘soft spot’ to land when we felt defeated. It's a small school with staff that truly cares about the children. Moving our son, and then our daughter, to HL A, has been nothing but a positive impact on our entire family."

— T H E R E E D FA M I LY

352.372.2279

www.healthylearningacademy.com

13505 W Newberry Rd. • Jonesville, FL 32669 GIGGLEMAGAZINE.COM | OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2018 57 Located Inside The Jockey Club

learn | family learning

I Think, Therefore I Am: Teaching Your Kids Critical Thinking Skills

BY CRYSTAL LADWIG

Thinking is how we move from one action to the next, form coherent sentences that we use to communicate and determine what to wear. However, our thinking is shaped by our lives and the ideologies we live within (such as our political, religious or fiscal associations) and our thoughts and processes of thinking are often distorted, biased, partial or uninformed. Due to our inability to have unbiased, informed thoughts naturally, we must learn how to become critical thinkers, and this starts at young age as children. That’s why it is important to teach your children about the power and necessity of critical thinking.

Critical thinking is a form of thinking that is self-directed, selfdisciplined and self-monitored. Critical thinking is the process of analyzing, synthesizing or evaluating information with the intent of forming more evaluative and holistic beliefs or actions. When we think critically, we are able to approach the world with more clarity, relevance, reason and depth.

As adults we use these skills to make decisions and deal with everyday problems and research from The Foundation for Critical Thinking suggests that children who can analyze analogies, classify items, identify relevant information, and recognize fact versus opinion are much better problem solvers than those who don’t have those skills. However, these vital skills are not something that children just pick up on their own. How do we teach our children to use their critical thinking skills?

According to Robert Fisher, author of “Teaching Children to Think,” teaching children to be critical thinkers is best accomplished through intellectual engagement, purpose, energy and interactive tension with others. We can demonstrate intellectual engagement from a young age as children are naturally inquisitive. The cliché about toddlers asking “why” has its origins in truth. When children ask us questions, we have a choice in responding in a way that simply conveys an answer or engaging with children to help them discover answers on their own. But what about when kids are past being naturally inquisitive?

Through being purposeful with what you say and do with your children, you can teach critical thinking. Ask open-ended

Critical thinking is a form of thinking that is self-directed, self-disciplined, and self-monitored.

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questions. These include questions beginning with words such as why and how. These questions require children to answer with longer, more thoughtful responses and creates interactive tension that both adults and children are engaging in. As you continue to ask open-ended questions and prompt higher order thought processes, you can help your children to see the relationship between ideas, concepts and events. From this point, you can have your children begin thinking about alternative solutions or outcomes to common problems or situations by leading them with “what if ” questions.

Teaching your children to learn to see things from different perspectives is also a great way to help critical thinking. For example, you might pose an opinion question and have your children take a stance on one side of the opinion and provide logic and reason via evidence to support their particular stance. To continue intellectual engagement and promote interactive tension, have them pretend to take the opposite stance on the opinion.

Again, ask your child to provide logic and reason via evidence to support their particular stance.

In addition, teach your children to examine the evidence that is before them. Encourage children to ask questions and seek answers to those questions. Teach children to use their energy as naturally inquisitive individuals to seek out truth and answers. As they do, show them how to evaluate the information they find. What is the source? Is it trustworthy? Is it presented as fact? If so, does it have evidence to support it?

By teaching children to be critical thinkers, you are teaching them the qualities of logic and reason to have more power of their thoughts and the decisions that are impacted by our thoughts. Next time your child insists they “need” the latest trendy item, help your child think critically and have them create an argument based on logic and reason to persuade you to buy this item for them.

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please call Admissions at 352-448-4552 GIGGLEMAGAZINE.COM | OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2018

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learn | homeschool corner

From Homeschool to College: How to Get There Successfully!

BY CRYSTAL LADWIG

University of Florida’s homeschool admission website page lists specific requirements they want to see in a transcript including what they call “16 Academic Units” which are courses in five subject areas: English (four courses), math (four courses), science (three courses), social studies (three courses) and a foreign language (two courses, same language). The university stresses that they take a holistic approach and will also consider non-academic pursuits and accomplishments when determining acceptance, but that standardized testing such as ACT or SAT is also heavily considered in the admissions process.

One of the greatest concerns many parents have when considering homeschooling their children through high school is their child’s eligibility to attend college. Parents find themselves asking how will their children get into college if they do not go to a traditional school?

In the early days of the modern homeschooling movement, college admission was difficult as most colleges refused to admit students without a traditional high school transcript, but in the 21st Century, things are significantly different and there are multiple avenues for a homeschool high student to pursue to be eligible to attend college. The greatest exception is a transcript for the student applying.

Some homeschool programs include transcripts as part of their curricula and service, but often it falls on parents to create a transcript. Parents of homeschoolers should include necessary identifying information, courses taken, final course grades and grade point average (GPA). While a transcript is the most commonly accepted way to demonstrate a student’s academic accomplishments, some colleges and universities accept alternatives such as portfolios that highlight the student’s skills and accomplishments. If you are not sure what a college may be looking for on a transcript, ask to meet with an admissions officer who can walk you through what they look for on a transcript and even give you examples of what needs to be on the transcript. The

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Public high school students have to take the general ACT or SAT exams and submit them to the university to be considered for admission. While homeschool high school students must take the general ACT or SAT exam as well, they may also be required to take the subject specific exams. If a homeschool student did not take the “16 Academic Units” at a regionally accredited entity (such as Florida Virtual School or through dual enrollment), they will be required to take SAT subject matter exams in order to demonstrate proficiency in these areas. A student can only take two SAT subject tests at a time and it can take several weeks for UF to receive the official scores, so it is critical to have a plan for taking these tests if needed.

One final concern that some people have about attending college is financial aid, a critical component for most families. Some people believe that a GED or high school diploma is required to qualify for federal student aid. This is not the case. In fact, homeschoolers are specifically exempt from that requirement. Homeschool students are not required to submit a diploma of any type in order to qualify for financial aid.

If your son or daughter is approaching the college years, there are a few important tips to keep in mind. First, keep good records.

You want to be able to access information quickly and accurately if it is requested. Next, be sure to seek out the dates for the SAT or ACT and important application deadlines. Third, encourage your child to write an application essay that makes him or her stand out.

Focus on academics as well as the additional unique experiences, volunteer hours, and opportunities that will make your son or daughter one of the most sought after students. Finally, obtain letters of recommendation from coaches, clergy, mentors, or other community members who are in a position to speak to your son’s or daughter’s academic skills or community involvement.

The college application and admission process is stressful for everyone, but with some forethought and planning, you can ensure you are prepared for your homeschooler to apply to college.

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learn | featured teacher

Marlina Romano What was your favorite subject in school?

What do you like to do outside of school?

Writing (it still is).

I love going anywhere to listen to live music, spending time with my family, eating ice cream, taking trips to Disney (shout out to you, Ballentine!), painting, playing Scrabble, and cuddling with my dog.

What inspired you to work in education?

WHAT GRADE/AGE DO YOU TEACH? I am a 3rd grade teacher.

HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN A TEACHER? This is my 5th year teaching!

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE BOOK? Walk Two Moons by Sharon Creech. When I was in school, my fourth grade teacher, Mrs. Rice, read it to our class and I’ve loved it ever since! I read it aloud to my classes every year now, too.

Do you know a teacher who goes above and beyond for his students? An administrator who is truly devoted to making her school a better place? Giggle Magazine wants to know!

Visit Gigglemagazine.com to submit your favorite educator for a chance for him or her to be featured in one of our upcoming issues.

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What advice would you give to parents of children starting at your school?

Always stay involved! Parents are the key to any child’s academic success. While it does take a village, parents are the most important role models to their children.

Get excited about checking your children’s backpacks when they get home. Look over the items together and talk about them. Try to focus less on what color or scores they received that day and ask them questions like “What was the best part of your day?” or “Did you make a new friend today?” Really listen to them. Show enthusiasm for education in general; they will follow your lead.

How do you wind down from a long day at school?

Sweet silence on the car ride home. I like to take that time to just breathe and selfreflect on the day. I ask myself what I can do to improve as an educator and better meet the needs of my students. Once I’m home, calling my mom or talking to my boyfriend about my day helps me to unwind. Cooking also really helps me decompress.

GIGGLEMAGAZINE.COM | OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2018

What has been your funniest interaction with a student?

At the end of my first year teaching, we had a grade-wide field day competition. It included a tug-of-war, relay competition, and class performance component. I rewrote all of the lyrics to “Uptown Funk,” changing it to “5th Grade Movin’ Up.” Teaching my class the words and dance moves was a blast! We got to laugh, move around to the music, and be silly together. They also won field day and were such gracious, humble champions.

It was such a fun experience that I’ll always cherish!

PHOTO COURTESY OF MARLINA ROMANO

AT WHAT SCHOOL DO YOU CURRENTLY WORK? C. W. Norton Elementary (Go Knights!).

The “ah-ha” moments inspired me to become an educator from a very young age.

That desire was solidified in high school when I was drum major of the marching band for three years and I was able to teach incoming freshman drills, steps and commands. Seeing them start from minimal knowledge base to mastering a new skill and knowing I had a hand in that was an incredible feeling. It also gave me a huge sense of accomplishment and pride to motivate and lead a large group of my peers during practices, competitions and performances. I realized that I wanted to experience those feelings while having a positive impact on as many children as possible for years to come.

Enroll them in Kumon today!

Enrolling your kids at a Kumon Center allows them to gain the full benefits of the Kumon Math and Reading Program, including having an instructor there to guide, motivate, and encourage them.

Kumon also sets your kids up for success by helping them build: An academic advantage in math, reading, writing, and grammar The habits they’ll need for a successful school life, including how to be a good student Valuable skills they’ll use throughout their lives, including perseverance, work ethic, focus, pride in getting things right, and more

Start giving your kids all the advantages of Kumon.

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To learn more, we invite you to schedule a Parent Orientation and Free Placement Test today.

Kumon Math & Reading Center of Gainesville - West 1014 NW 76th Blvd., Gainesville, FL 32606 352.222.4464 • kumon.com/gainesville-west

Where Smart Kids Get Smarter. ©2018 Kumon North America, Inc. All rights reserved.

GIGGLEMAGAZINE.COM | OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2018

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learn | your schools

Alachua County Public School Updates: What’s going on in our schools?

BY NICOLE IRVING

Afterschool Meals

The Alachua County School Board Food & Nutrition Department announced on September 5th that due to the sponsorship expansion of the Afterschool Meals Program, that they will be adding six additional sites for the 2018-19 school year in the month of September, which gives a total of 32 schools in the program. According to their press release “this program is designed primarily to provide nutritious snacks and meals to children in afterschool programs. Snacks and meals are available at no separate charge to the children enrolled in the afterschool programs, regardless of race, color, national origin, sex, age or disability” New Site Added: Meadowbrook Elementary Archer Community School Lawtion Chiles Elementary School High Sprints Community School J.J. Finley Elementary School Camp Crystal Lake

Clear Bag Policy

On August 29th, the school district announced that for the safety of the players, fans and all that would be attending Alachua County high school football games, Alachua County Public Schools (ACPS) has now set a new rule that only clear bags will be allowed at the events. This policy will take effect immediately.

According to a press release from the ACPS, “under the new policy, fans will only be permitted to bring clear bags to any football game played at an Alachua County Public Schools facility, including Citizens Field and district schools.

Prohibited items will include but are not limited to purses, backpacks, coolers, fanny packs, camera bags, computer cases, diaper bags and binocular cases.”

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A.L.I.C.E.

According to their press release, all ACPS students received training in dealing with an active threat at schools, including how to deal with an armed assailant, during the first week of school. “The district has been working closely with local law enforcement to prepare age-appropriate materials based on the ALICE protocol (Alert, Lockdown, Inform, Counter, Evacuate)” said their release. This program is nationally-recognized and used in schools around the nation and it’s training has been mandated by a new Florida law, known as SB 7026, passed by the Legislature following the February shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in South Florida.

2019 National Merit Scholarship Program

Congratulations to the twenty-four ACPS students who have been named semifinalists in the 2019 National Merit Scholarship Program. This scholarship program is based on their scores that they earned on a college entrance exam and they are now eligible to compete for more than $30 million in scholarships through the program.

This year’s semifinalists are: Abhimanyu Banerjee, Emma Kyes, Nathan Parks, Shreya Pathak, Julie Peeling, Isabella Quintana, Alexander Robertson, Grace Tovkach, Kathleen Yang and Ying Yu from Eastside High School; David Buffkin, Bryan Cao, Benjamin Gao, Theodore Jiang, Justin Kim, Konwoo Kim, Jeanna Storey, Bahar Tehranipoor and Andy Wu from Buchholz High School; Jackson Avery, Grace Engel, Zachary Goff, Benjamin Rodriguez and Baleigh Sweeney from Gainesville High School.

*For more information visit www.sbac.edu

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Seeing

RED

BY NATALIE RICHOUX & NICOLE IRVING PHOTOS BY JIMMY HO PHOTOGRAPHY ON LOCATION AT BEST WESTERN GATEWAY GRAND

No matter if it is strawberry blonde, crimson, auburn or copper, there is no denying that red locks are as stunning as they are rare. Only two percent of our population have been adorned with these fiery locks, which make their beauty unique and hypnotizing.

As National Love Your Red Hair Day approaches on November 5th, we wanted to celebrate our own commuity of redheads this fall!

ALAYNA | 10

ANDY | 9

EASTON | 8 months

RADLEY | 9

LINLEY | 3

fact 1: The highest concentration of redheads in the world is in the United Kingdom, specifically in Scotland (The Tech Museum of Innovation, Dr. Barry Starr) (Britians DNA Project) 70

GIGGLEMAGAZINE.COM | OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2018

ANSLEY | 13

fact 2:

ANDY | 30 CILLIAN | 1

KATELYNN | 17

Red hair is actually a gene mutation! The beautiful red hair we see on people is actually caused by the mutation of the melanocortin 1 receptor (MC1R) gene (Britians DNA Project)

fact 3: The MC1R gene is also linked to pain receptors and due to the mutation of the pain receptors, redheads require more anesthesia for medical procedures for it to be effective (Liem et al.)

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ELLA | 2

fact 8: Today, although limited, scientific research suggests that with recessive traits commonly being present in pairs, it is common for redheads to be left handed. (MedicalDaily.com )

SHANE | 42

Being a redhead

empowers me.

Growing up with such a unique hair color has given me

strength and confidence.

- L AUREN, AGE 19

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JAYDEN | 11 BETSY | 38

RUTH | 11

fact 4:

Blue eyes and red hair are both recessive genes,

NOAH | 5

CORRIN | 14 KRISTEN | 37

meaning that the chances of having a redhead with blue eyes is

extremely rare.

(Laeng et al.)

JEREMY | 39 KELLY | 37 MAKENNA | 11 MADISON | 9

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JOHN | 35 JAKE | 2

fact 5: While only two percent of the entire world's population are natural redheads, it is a common misconception that redheads will go extinct (The Tech Museum of Innovation, Dr. Barry Starr)

fact 6: Redheads gray much slower (if at all) than the majority of people without red hair.

(Public Library of Open Science)

CHRISTINA | 35 JANE | 5

I love that it makes me unique. Red hair is not very common, so I believe all gingers are practically unicorns!

- CORRIN, AGE 14

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SOPHIA | 13

ELLA | 4

KATHY | 34 ISA | 11 TALLULAH | 2

SAMUEL | 18 months MAXWELL | 18 months

LAUREN | 19

KENZIE | 6

She has such a huge personality and the hair fits her so well. She is

fiery, sassy, but also a

super sweet

redhead.

- CHELSEA , ELL A'S MOM

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WILL | 7 EMMA | 9

fact 7: The MC1R gene mutation causes a decrease in eumelanin, which impacts skin tone. With the decrease in eumelanin, the skin of an individual with red hair is often light skinned and sprinkled with freckles (Genetics Home Reference)

JAMI | 47

MACKENZIE | 6

GRACE | 14

I love my red hair because it is fun and unique like me!

- JAYDEN, AGE 11

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Tips tricks AND

FOR REDHEADS

Be sure to use a sunblock instead of a sunscreen as the MC1R gene mutation makes redheads highly susceptible to sunburns and are already at an increased risk for skin cancer (even without sun exposure).

Redhead's best make-up look is a natural palette of peachy blushes, nude eye shadows (gold, champagne, dusty pink), brown mascara and a nude or dark lip. When wanting to be bold, redheads should gravitate towards deep, rich colors such as plums.

Redheads look the best in vibrant colors such as purple, green and blue and should avoid colors that clash with their hair such as orange and yellow.

Check your weather and dress redhead appropriate!

Redheads are more sensitive to temperature extremes because their temperature-detecting responses are highly reactive.

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conception2collegeâ„¢

EXPECTING A Guide to Birth Plans

INFANT | 0-1 First Intros

TODDLER | 2-3 Bid the Pacifier Farewell

EARLY YEARS | 4-5 Spooky Halloween Crafts

KIDS | 6-9 Learn About Learning

TWEENS | 10-13 Tap into Apps

TEENS | 14-18 Extra Extracurriculars

GIGGLEMAGAZINE.COM | OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2018

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c2c | expecting {PREGNANCY}

A Guide to Birth Plans

BY JESSICA FRANKLIN

Being pregnant and going into labor can be daunting, but crafting a carefully laid out birth plan can help alleviate some of these fears and help you concentrate on what is the most important thing during labor: bringing your child into the world safely.

Birth plans are a useful tool to help stimulate conversations with your doctor or midwife to ensure that what you assume is a given is the way they usually operate and is a starting point to managing expectations during labor and delivery, according to Marguerite Chambers, RN. Oftentimes, a mother’s wishes for her birth experience do not align with her doctor’s typical practices, and this is better found out early in the pregnancy rather than during labor.

With careful thought and time, you can create the perfect birth plan for you and your spouse.

Start with the basics. Who do you want present during your labor?

While this is entirely up to you who is with you, many labor and delivery rooms have policies of how many individuals can be in the room while a woman is laboring, so it is a good idea to check with your delivery hospital first. People could include the father of the baby, your mother or mother-in-law, a doula or a sister.

Next, determine whether you will be having a vaginal birth or if you will need a caesarean. If you have previously had a caesarean and want to try for a vaginal this time around, that is something to discuss with your doctor, as some doctors are not comfortable with certain risk factors involved in a vaginal birth once a woman has had a C-section. If you and your doctor do not agree on this birthing method, you should look into other providers who can accommodate your goal of having a vaginal birth.

Have an idea of what you want, but remain flexible to unforseen circumstances.

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Once it has been determined if you will progress as planned with a vaginal birth or must have a C-section, you will want to think about medications, movements and pain relief. If you are having a vaginal birth, determine whether you will want an epidural or forego labor medication. Hydration is key during labor, but do you prefer an IV hydration, ice chips or water? Figure out how you will want to stay relaxed during labor. You may determine that taking a short walk around the floor, doing simple stretches or even meditation is your perfect solution. You may also find that resting and being less mobile is actually more comfortable, but you should have inclusions for both in your birth plan. Finally, is there any specific music you would like playing while your child is born? If so, ensure you have a music player and speaker ready for your delivery day.

Once you determine your preferences for during labor and delivery, determine your preferences for post-labor and delivery. You will be exhausted and largely unaware of your surroundings at this point, so it is important to make clear ahead of time what you want for your new baby. Do you want to delay cord clamping? Do you want immediate skin-to-skin contact? Do you want to immediately breastfeed? Do you want baby to receive their first Hepatitis vaccination, a Vitamin K shot, and/or an antibiotic eye cream?

While creating a birth plan can be extremely helpful, it is equally as important to remember that childbirth can often be unpredictable.

Have an idea of what you want, but remain flexible to unforeseen circumstances and the advice of your labor and delivery team.

Advocate for yourself and know your rights as a patient, but make every effort to establish a trusting relationship with your medical team during your pregnancy so that you can trust their knowledge and experience during your labor and delivery. According to Gloria Franklin, RN, the most common issue with birth plans is that moms are unwilling to deviate from their plan, often at the risk of her own or her baby’s health and safety. Remember, you may have a birth plan together but sometimes there are medical reasons that make it necessary to deviate from the plan said Chambers and, “it doesn’t mean a patient shouldn’t question their medical team if something doesn’t seem right. But patients and family need to be focused on more medically critical events.” Try not to get discouraged if things do not go according to plan because, at the end of the day, you get to bring home a sweet bundle of joy to love.

Lesson #1 Where do babies come from?

Answer:

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c2c | infant { 0 -1 Y E A R }

First Intros Introducing Baby to Your Fur Baby

BY JENNIFER JENSEN

will come across that cannot be dealt with,” Higgins says. She suggests playing a game called, “What’s that?” This is a classic conditioning game where you associate various baby objects or stimuli with something the pet loves, such as food. “We do this so that when the dog comes across these baby stimuli when real baby is here, the dog is already acclimated and optimistic about them.” This introduces your pet to various baby visuals, noises and smells prior to baby’s arrival and will help them control any impulses they may have to take the baby’s toys or curb their jealously at the items being given to the baby.

In addition, determine what is off-limits for your pet, such as the baby’s room, and begin acclimating them to understand they are not allowed in those. To keep pets out of the room entirely, you can keep the door shut but that does not necessarily train them to stay out. Installing a gate is an excellent way to teach the pet they are not allowed in that area as they will be able to see it but unable to access it. Additionally, if you want to acclimate a cat to areas that they will not be allowed, such as in the crib, you can put sticky tape or aluminum foil in the crib to discourage them from jumping in, as this will startle the cat.

Our pets are typically in tune with us and are aware when our lives begin to change, including the impending arrival of a new baby. If you are expecting the arrival of a new bundle of joy, you will want to get your pet ready and ensure you have a plan in place for their first meeting to make sure everything goes well.

Often, your pet is the center of attention in your household, but once the baby arrives, that will no longer be the case. Your fur baby will likely be fighting for your attention from your new baby and going through this adjustment period may take a few weeks. Jenny Higgins, owner and behavior consultant at PUPS Gainesville, says parents can help prepare their pet ahead of time by implementing less time and attention throughout the day before baby arrives.

“You can also help to create a more flexible personality by changing [the] routine up before baby arrives,” Higgins says. An example can be changing walking routes or putting them on a leash and stay inside to play a game. “Ditch routine and watch how your dog learns to cope,” said Higgins. However, ditching your pet’s routine is only the start of preparing them for the arrival of your new baby.

Other ways to prepare your pet is by focusing on optimism and impulse control. “If a dog can be optimistic about all things baby and have great impulse control, there aren't many issues we

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Right before it is time to bring home the baby from the hospital and introduce them to your pet, you may want to bring home one of your baby’s blankets, onesies or burp cloths and let your pet smell it while giving them lots of verbal praise, Higgins says.

When you arrive home, Higgins suggests having mom and baby begin by sitting quietly on a chair or sofa and have a helper hold your pet on leash for the first introduction. This is for baby’s safety and the animals comfort level. “When your dog looks toward baby, feed some treats on the floor and talk in a calm, happy voice. Interactions should be short and positive.” Just remember, slow is the way to go, Higgins says. “Keep dog and baby at a comfortable distance from each other to prevent any mishaps and always, always supervise,” she adds.

With the right training, supervision and simple adjustments, your growing family should be able to co-exist happily and peacefully.

Determine what is off-limits to acclimate your pet for the impending arrival.

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c2c | toddler {2-3 YEARS}

Bid the Pacifier Farewell

BY JENNIFER JENSEN

In an ideal scenario, once their bellies are full, diapers are clean and snuggles are given, babies would be able to soothe themselves if they are fussy or wake up in the middle of the night. But for many, they need help from a pacifier. Often seen as their saving grace for a fussy child, pacifiers help infants clam down when nothing else will suffice. Besides offering a moment of calm, a pacifier also has other benefits, including lowering the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) while an infant sleeps; satisfying the suck reflex infants have; and teaching children to self-soothe.

Even with all the wonderful uses for a pacifier, your child will eventually have to learn to be without one. According to Dr. Melissa Fitzgerald, clinical assistant professor at UF Health Pediatrics-Tioga, there is nothing wrong with offering your baby a pacifier, however, parents should try to wean their baby off the pacifier by their first birthday. “The younger they are when they are weaned off the pacifier, the faster the weaning process can be,” she adds.

Weaning is critical because pacifier use has been associated with more frequent ear infections, dental issues and speech difficulties, Dr. Fitzgerald says. Unfortunately, getting your toddler to let go of something that has brought them so much comfort can be difficult. “Pacifiers can fulfill a need for what is called ‘nonnutritive’ sucking, which infants find very comforting,” Fitzgerald says. “As infants become toddlers, that method of soothing is reinforced with the use of a pacifier, so they may quickly become attached.”

Depending on the age of your child, there are different approaches to getting rid of the pacifier. But first things first, pick the right time for you and your child. Make sure it isn’t a stressful time or when there has been a big change in the home, such as the arrival of a new baby. You also want to make sure everyone who cares for the child is on the same page and knows the plan.

If a parent wants to wean by their first birthday, Fitzgerald suggests starting the process several months before, between 6 and 9 months old, by offering the pacifier only when the baby is sleeping and then transition to not offering it at all. Due to their comfort being taken away, babies may cry at first, but will soon find other ways to soothe themselves, Fitzgerald adds. You can also offer a transitional object for soothing, such as a small, infant safe soft toy.

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For toddlers, Fitzgerald recommends limiting when the pacifier is used to only at bedtime. When you would like to get rid of it all together, there are a few different methods to try that are different from one used with an infant since a toddler is more developed and can understand more.

One method of weaning a toddler from the pacifier is by introducing them to the “Binky Fairy.” Using this method, there is a fairy (similar to a tooth fairy) that comes in the middle of the night and replaces the pacifiers with something else for the child to enjoy. To offer additional support, there are books about the Binky Fairy parents can read to their child or have the fairy leave a letter for the child, Fitzgerald says. An additional approach to weaning a toddler from their pacifier is to do a trade-in approach where children can trade their pacifiers for a big kid toy, Fitzgerald says. Vivian Gonalves, a Gainesville mom, says she used the “Paci Fairy” with her three-year-old daughter. She collected all the pacifiers, put them in a bag, and hung it from a tree in the backyard for the fairy. “The ‘bobo fairy’ as we say at home, came and got them overnight to give to all the other babies,” she said. “The bobo fairy left a beautiful present for our daughter Gaby in return,” Gonalves added. And that was that, her daughter never asked for a pacifier again.

Parents can also choose a milestone, such as a birthday, as the day when their child will no longer need the pacifier. You will want to talk to your child often about the plan to remove the pacifier leading up to the big day. Following that day, “if the child asks for it, the parents say that he or she is too big for the pacifier and leave it at that,” Fitzgerald says.

Gainesville area mom Suzy Carlisle says they chose their daughter’s fourth birthday as the day she would have to give up all her pacifiers. Her husband was sure to remind their daughter often that this would be the last day. Carlisle said she was shocked when her daughter walked up to her on her fourth birthday without being prompted to handover all of her pacifiers telling her, “I’m four now. I don’t need these anymore.” Carlisle said that her jaw hit the floor at how shocked she was that her daughter was giving up her pacifiers.

In the end, just remember to be patient and keep things positive.

“Don’t use shame or punishments to discourage your toddler from the pacifier,” Fitzgerald says, “Instead, say things such as, ‘You’re so big now, you don’t need the pacifier anymore.’” Your child will wean off the pacifier in time, but it may take a bit longer than you expected, and that is perfectly fine.

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c2c | early years {4-5 YEARS}

Spooky Halloween Crafts

BY TRACY WRIGHT

Fall means it is time for family traditions, one of which can be creating fun crafts with your little ones. Included here are some fun and easy Halloween crafts that can be tailored to any age and level of parental involvement.

Crafting is your chance to have fun and be creative with your little ones, so grab your supplies and have a good time.

{ Halloween Ghoul Hands }

A delicious craft that doubles as a semi-healthy snack, you and your little ones will love making these and bonus, they can be given out at school to balance out all of the sweet treats kids get.

Supplies • Disposable food gloves (preferably latex free and without

powder for allergies) • Popped popcorn • Candy Corn and Chocolates • Halloween Spider rings • Ribbon or twist ties

{ Roll Up Mummies }

A craft that will require little extra supplies, just make sure you save those empty toilet paper rolls! You can make a spooky mummy or a fun mummy, it is all up to you and your kids!

Supplies: • Toilet Paper Rolls • Black Paint or Spray Paint • Googly Eyes • First Aid Gauze • Craft Glue Directions: 1. Paint toilet paper roll black.

2. After drying, affix splotches of glue around roll.

3. Paste pieces of gauze around the roll.

4. Place googly eyes on roll to make your own mummy!

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This craft will really light up your Halloween! Allow your children to be creative as there are many options that can be done with this craft like green ghoul, witch, cat or spider.

Supplies: • 3 Mason Jars • Different Color Paints or Spray Paint (White,

Black, Orange) • Different Colored Construction Paper (Optional) • Halloween Colored Ribbon • Tea lights • Craft Glue Directions: 1. Paint each mason jar a different color (white ghost, black bat

and orange pumpkin).

2. Paint on creepy or funny eyes and mouths on each jar.

3. If desired, use your construction paper to make and glue

different parts of the monsters to the jars (green stem for

the pumpkin or wings for a bat).

4. Tie ribbon around the opening of each jar.

5. Drop a tea light into the jar. *Crafts should always be done under the supervision of an adult.*

PHOTOS BY TANYA CONSAUL PHOTOGRAPHY

Directions 1. Place candy corn or chocolates on bottom of fingers to

make ghoul nails or fingers.

2. Cook popcorn or use already bagged popcorn to stuff gloves.

3. Tie up hands with ribbons.

4. Place spider rings on fingers.

{ Mason Jar Halloween Friends }

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c2c | kids {6-9 YEARS}

Learn About Learning: Know Your Child's Learning Style

BY SARA BUECHLER AND NICOLE IRVING

Everyone learns differently. Some memorize what they read, some learn by writing things endlessly, and some can hear it once and it sticks. It makes sense to try and talk to your child about which way they learn the best and chances are they’re going to tell you they learn from Xbox. As parents, we must dig deeper into understanding our child’s learning style because not only will this help with nightly homework, but also help their performance in school and the way they can absorb the material in the most efficient way.

Approximately 25 percent are auditory learners and these learners tend to do best when they hear the material being presented to them. For example, they learn best when an instructor is reading a book to them, they hear verbal instructions, and listening to podcasts or other audio clips. Some tips to help an auditory learner include reading stories, directions and assignments out loud; recording yourself spelling words and then listening to the audio clip; and using flashcards by reading them out loud.

The visual learner does best with reading on their own and seeing pictures and absorb information best when they are presented with maps, graphs, and visualizing the concept in their head. A few tips that can help a visual learner excel are using flashcards to learn new words, sitting at the front of the classroom, writing down key words, color coding and drawing pictures.

For the kinesthetic learners, understanding comes best when their activities are hands on and they are doing physical activities instead of listening or watching a lecture. Tips that can help kinsthetic learners are tracing words with their finger to learn

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spelling, participating in activities that involve building, touching, and moving, and taking periodic breaks in between reading. It’s also important to allow kinesthetic learners to tap a pencil or hold onto something while they are learning.

Understanding and discovering what type of learning style your child has is key to their academic success. On a simplistic level, there are numerous questionnaires and studies out there that you and your child can take to help identify which learning style is most prominent. Some surveys take approximately five minutes with roughly 20-30 simple questions such as “what kind of book do you enjoy reading,” or “what do you find most distracting when trying to read?” These questionnaires are a great starting point for understanding your child’s learning style. However, for a deeper understanding, there is the multiple intelligence (MI) theory that was discovered by Howard Gardner, a Harvard education professor, over 30 years ago which is comprised of nine different types of intelligences including bodily-kinesthetic, mathematicallogical, musical-rhythmic, naturalist, visual-spatial, interpersonal and intrapersonal.

Heather Melendez, a local parent, said things were very hectic before she knew what worked for both of her sons and discovered their learning style. Both boys are homeschooled and, according to Melendez, are opposites. Her one son is a visual learner and sometimes auditory, so if he reads it or sees it, he will most likely retain it. Her other son is strictly a visual learner, so she teaches him by using her hands or pointing something out to him to finish the problem. “Once you find what works for your child, they usually don’t have difficulty following through,” Melendez said.

Discovering your child’s learning style can be a powerful tool in their scholastic journey. Exploring with different techniques and styles of learning and studying may help define their learning style and set them on a path of success.

Tips to help your learner: Visual • • • •

Reading books aloud Verbal instructions Audio clips Self recording

Auditory • • • •

Seeing pictures Maps Graphic organizers Color coding

Kinesthetic • • • •

Finger tracing Building Moving Around Fidgets

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c2c | tweens { 1 0 -1 3 Y E A R S }

Tap Into Apps Knowing the Dangers of Tween Targeted Apps

BY NATALIE RICHOUX

Living during the height of the technology revolution is a marvelous part of history to witness, but it comes with pitfalls. As technology progresses at a lightning pace, parents are left playing catch-up to understand the new technology and ensure the safety of their children.

One demographic is at a higher risk for the dangers technology can play in daily lives: tweens. Instagram.

Facebook. Twitter. We all know about these social media apps, but what about the lesser-known apps that could be dangerous for your tween to be using that you do not know about? Make sure you know about these apps and how to keep your children safe from the potential harms of the Internet.

Friendship & Dating Apps

While a variety of dating and friendship apps exist, such as Tinder or Bumble, they require users to be over the age of 18 in order to use their platforms. However, there is a startling new trend for dating and friendship apps for individuals under the age of 18. These apps pose an inherent risk as individuals do not know who they are actually talking to or even meeting. Yubo (formerly Yellow), Kik and SpotAFriend are all apps that allow users under the age of 18 to signup. These apps allow children to interact with complete strangers, use geographic location to connect with users (SpotAFriend finds people close by to chat with through the GPS in the phone), and allow users to send pictures and videos back and forth.

Temporary Apps

Everyone knows about Snapchat, the app that began all the temporary elements of social media. You send a picture to someone and it “disappears” and cannot be recovered again (but we now know that Snapchat keeps an archive database). While intended for some great purposes such as erasing sensitive information, apps such as Dust (formerly Cyber Dust) or

How do I keep my tween safe?

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• •

• •

Love.ly offer tweens a chance to participate in risqué behaviors.

The main focus of Dust is that through this messaging platform individuals can share sensitive information, such as credit card or bank information and then it is erased 24 hours later, permanently. The complication is that it can also be used in a variety of negative ways such as sending illicit photos or making threats, and the receiving individual would have no proof if they wanted to take action. According to the Love.ly app page on the Google Play store, Love.ly is a platform where, “anyone can meet someone new, get followers as they live-stream.” Again, the issue with this is the live-streaming aspect where anything can be said or done in the moment and then it is gone permanently.

Anonymous Apps

Tweens have consistently been warned about the dangers of their online footprint and how what is posted now can affect their future. Due to these warnings, many tweens have opted to begin utilizing anonymous apps such as Whisper, After School or Tellonym. All three platforms offer anonymity between users and typically you only need a user name to participate in the community in the app. Whisper allows individuals to reveal their secrets and thoughts; After School’s description on the Google Play store is, “an anonymous and private message board for your school. Post confessions, funny experiences, compliments, feelings”; and Tellonym is the one platform where you make a profile that is not anonymous and ask questions that people respond to anonymously. The issue raised with these is that when individuals have anonymity, they often act and say things that they generally would not say if they could be identified.

Monitor all social media channels closely and often.

Talk with them about the dangers and consequences that can happen for improper use and keep an open line of communication at all times.

Research and learn what is out there for your child to be exposed to.

Talk with other parents to see what they may have experienced with their kids

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c2c | teens { 1 4 -1 8 Y E A R S }

Extra Extracurriculars: Are We Giving Teens Too Much?

BY APRIL TISHER

As I sat down to write this, my 14-year-old son is being picked up from high school football practice. Last week he juggled his football practice schedule with his volunteer shifts at the Natural History Museum (high schoolers are required to have volunteer hours to qualify for Bright Futures, however he has been a volunteer for years). I ask myself, is this too much? His friends and teammates seem to be just as busy. Are we overscheduling our teens?

Alvin Rosenfeld, MD, author of “The Over Scheduled Child” and a private child and adult psychiatrist says by the time they reach high school they are bored and burned out and activities once loved as young children are now loathed. They are bored because they have been shuttled and scheduled from one organized activity to the next, consistently being occupied and entertained by someone. Rosenfield feels that by constantly sacrificing time and money in scheduling one activity after another, we are sending a message to our kids that they are in constant need of self-improvement, which inevitably undermines their self-esteem.

This is not to say that organized activities are all bad, on the contrary. Rosenfeld advises to “ just do a better job of making use of free time.” Rosenfield has a three-activity rule: one sport, one social activity or club (such as scouts) and once artistic endeavor (such as music lessons). Rosenfeld emphasizes that you be the parent and set rules for their activities.

The American Academy of Pediatrics provides clear evidence that having fun and unstructured time is key for child development. However, over the last twenty years, the amount of unstructured time has seen a significant decrease. Today's kids under the age of eleven have far less free time; on average, compared to kids raised in the 1980s, today’s kids have 12 fewer hours a week of free time and 30 percent of school children spend their breaks indoors. But chances are your chil wants to do all these activities, so how do you as the parent determine when enough is enough and cut them back?

There are ways to determine if your teen is simply doing too much and it is time for you to step in and begin restricting their activities.

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| OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2018

You can tell by answering these questions: •

• • • •

Are they dragging their feet not wanting to get ready and leave for practice?

Are they tired all the time?

Do they say they want more free time?

Are their grades suffering?

Do they show signs of depression, stress or anxiety?

If this hits close to home and you found yourself answering yes, it is time to pull your kid back from their activities, whether they choose them or you choose them. First, you should teach them that they can say no to activities. There is no reason they need to do every activity they are asked to do, even if they are coming from you. Next, make sure priorities are clear and that sleep, health and happiness are number one to both your teen and you. Finally, setup a time together to go tech free. Being free of technology is important because it gives them a break from the pressure they may feel seeing their peers constantly doing and going.

Melissa Reccoppa, a local mother of four has been raising teenagers for over a decade now and still has several years to go.

She had advice concerning rest, “For my 4 teenagers, getting adequate sleep (about 7-8 hours per night) has always been crucial. If their activities, including school and athletics, do not allow for this amount of sleep, I know their schedules need to be modified." Several other families say they have a limit of 1-2 activities per child at a time. This has been the rule at our home, but as I’ve recently learned with multiple children in a family this can still mean being gone most weeknights and some weekends as well.

Most importantly, remember they are only this age once, let them enjoy it and play with them! And when you do, don’t try to coach or instruct them, just throw the ball around or go for a bike ride. It takes the pressure off and allows them to remember how to have fun.

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What Parents Are Saying "The people that work at Kiddie Academy in Gainesville are so welcoming and loving towards every child. I am always amazed how every teacher knows every child's name in the whole building! I feel very comfortable leaving my 5 month old there during the day and knowing that she is in good hands."

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Celebrating 60 years of breakthroughs in congenital heart disease.

Imagine what we’ll accomplish in another 60.

As the top-ranked pediatric cardiology and heart surgery program in Florida by U.S. News & World Report, our tiniest patients benefit from specially trained cardiologists, anesthesiologists, critical care physicians and surgeons. We offer the latest treatment breakthroughs, including mechanical circulatory support options like ventricular assist devices for patients awaiting transplantation. With our team of expert caregivers, innovative and leading-edge technology, and continuous research advancements, imagine where we will be 60 years from today.

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Visit UFHealth.org/CHC60 to learn more about one of the nation’s best congenital heart centers. | OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2018

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Right now, 83 local children in foster care are searching for their

These children are

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Some have

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All of them need a

foreverfamily SAVE THE DATE!

This November, we will celebrate NATIONAL ADOPTION MONTH with our Annual Superhero 5K race on November 3 at 8:00 a.m. in Westside Park. Funds raised from this event will go toward finding forever families for these children awaiting their permanent homes.

For more information on the race, contact Patricia Braitsch at Patricia.Braitsch or 352-244-1604.

GIGGLEMAGAZINE.COM | OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2018

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community | calendar

oct | nov OCTOBER 1-19

OCTOBER/NOVEMBER WEEKENDS

OCTOBER 1

Free Friday Concert Series

Harvest Festival

Terrarium Workshop

8-10 p.m.

Bo Diddley Plaza Enjoy live music under the stars at these free, family-friendly concerts.

Hours Vary Sugar Camp Ranch www.sugarcampranch.com

Newberry Cornfield Maze

Celebrate the harvest and enjoy a festival with a corn maze, hayrides, obstacle course, critter corral, pony ride, feed train ride, playground and more!

Hours Vary Newberry Cornfield

FRIDAYS BEFORE HOME GAMES

Head to the Newberry Cornfield Maze for family friendly fun of a large cornfield maze, hayrides, haunted houses and kids play zones!

6-8 p.m.

Celebration Pointe

OCTOBER WEEKENDS

OCTOBER WEEKENDS

Rogers Farm Fall Festival Hours Vary Rogers Farm www.rogersfarmfl.com

Chomp the Block Will include live music from Tom Petty tribute band Heavy Petty, food trucks, drinks, lawn games, and special guests like Gators’ play-byplay announcer Mick Hubert and former coach Steve Spurrier.

OCTOBER 1

OCTOBER WEEKENDS

Have your whole family learn and become certified in CPR so everyone is prepared for an emergency should one arise.

Hours Vary Gainesville, FL www.peanutpatchandcornmaze.com

KidSaver: CPR For The Family 5:30 – 7:30 p.m.

GatorCPR www.kidsaver.org

Head to the Peanut Patch and Corn Maze for a growing boo-tacular time!

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Learn about terrariums and build your very own terrarium.

OCTOBER 3

Enjoy a haunted corn maze, hayrides, pony rides, a spooky trail, corn cannon, bounce pillow, pumpkin patch, dunk tank and playground

Peanut Patch & Corn Maze

7-9 p.m.

Oggi Italian

| OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2018

A Symphonic Celebration of Prince 7 p.m. – 12 a.m.

Exactech Arena www.4uprince.com Hear everything from the biggest hits to some lesser-known gems.

OCTOBER 4

Florida Museum Educator Open House 3-5 p.m.

Florida Museum of Natural History www.floridamuseum.ufl.edu Looking for classroom ideas and teaching materials? The Florida Museum of Natural History and Harn Museum of Art are partnering with other educational organizations to provide information about field trips, workshops, lesson plans and free resources.

GIGGLEMAGAZINE.COM | OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2018

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OCTOBER 4

OCTOBER 7

OCTOBER 13

Luke Bryan Farm Tour

Birds and Brews

ButterflyFest

6 p.m.

Whitehurst Cattle Farm www.lukebryan.com

6:45 – 8 p.m.

First Magnitude www.alachuaaudubon.org

10 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Florida Museum www.floridamuseum.ufl.edu

Going back to his family roots, Luke Bryan is coming to Alachua County for his Farm Tour and will be palying a set under the stars at the Whitehurst Cattle Farm in Archer.

Meet at First Magnitude Brewery for a stroll to Depot Park to look for birds, and return to First Mag for a cold brew and good conversation.

Explore the lives of bats, bees, birds and butterflies at the Florida Museum of Natural History’s 13th annual ButterflyFest.

OCTOBER 11

Harn Museum Nights

OCTOBER 5

Oktoberfest

6-9 p.m. www.harn.ufl.edu

5-10 p.m.

Haile Village Center Family friendly fun with vendors, stores, offices & residents of the Haile Village Center at the 19th annual Oktoberfest!

Experience art from across Europe, original choreography from UF students and new perspectives on history, culture and war.

Jonny Lang in Concert 7:30 p.m.

Phillips Center Gainesville Enjoy the soulful blues music of singer, songwriter Jonny Lang during this concert.

Outdoor Movie Night:Coco 8-10 p.m.

Town of Tioga

9 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Kanapaha Botanical Gardens

OCTOBER 13

The Florida Museum of Natural History will host a large plant sale with more than 150 species of difficult-to-find and pollinator-friendly plants.

Family Fishing Day 8 a.m. – 12 p.m.

UF/IFAS Fishing Ponds sfrc.ufl.edu

OCTOBER 6

Pumpkin Run 5k 8:00 a.m.

Depot Park

13-14

Fall Plant and Orchid Sale

OCTOBER 12 OCTOBER 5

OCTOBER

OCTOBER 13-14

Thornebrook Art Festival

Come for a morning of fun, family-oriented, fresh-water fishing.

10 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Thornebrook Village www.artfestivalthornebrook.com

OCTOBER 13

NAMI Gainesville Walk

Head to the Thornebrook Village for their annual festival with vendors, artists and fun!

8-11 a.m.

Depot Park

OCTOBER 13- 17

DanceAlive Great Costume Sale

Join the National Alliance on Mental Illness and their walk towards recovery for individuals who struggle with mental illness.

Friends of the Library

9 a.m. – 3 p.m.

Pofahl Studios

OCTOBER 13

Every registrant receives a race shirt, homemade pumpkin bread and a coupon for a free pumpkin from the patch and your registration fee helps feed hungry children in Alachua County and Central America.

OCTOBER 6

Need costumes for play groups? Need a great Halloween costume? Head out to Dance Alive’s costume sell where everything from hip-hop to ballet to tap costumes will be available for a little as $5.

OCTOBER 6

Central Florida Peanut Festival 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.

Heritage Park “GO NUTS” at the Central Florida Peanut Festival in Williston. A day of family fun will include music, crafts, children’s games and, of course, lots of food.

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Kickin' It Martial Arts Tournament 8 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Gainesville Health and Fitness (Newberry Road) www.kickinitgainesville.com Calling all ninjas and karate warriors 16 years or younger! Demonstrate your martial arts skills in the 6th Annual Kickin’ Martial Arts Tournament where proceeds benefit the Stop Children’s Cancer foundation

Fall Book Sale Bring your own boxes and head to the fall book sale where you will be able to purchase books at low prices!

OCTOBER 16

Car Seat Safety Class 9-11 a.m.

Alachua County Health Department alachua.floridahealth.gov Great for new parents, 2nd time parents, grandparents and other caregivers, learn to install your car seat and get a safety check.

OCTOBER 13

OCTOBER 17

Jazz on the Green

Ninja Jam

7 p.m.

Celebration Pointe

2:15 – 3:30 p.m.

Sun Country Sports suncountrysports.com

Spread a blanket under the setting sun and catch smooth ballads and intense bebop while the kids play games on the lawn.

| OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2018

New and improved Ninja room is ready for action, so come out and test your ninja skills.

10TH ANNUAL S I G N AT U R E FUNDRAISER TO BENEFIT THE

CHILD ADVOCACY CENTER

T H U R S D AY October 25, 2018

6:00 - 10:00 PM

SANTA FE RIVER RANCH For information on Tickets, Sponsorships and Detailed Event Info, Please Visit GainesvilleGoneMemphis.org presented by

Thank you to our Elvis and BB King Sponsors!

Santa Fe River Ranch GIGGLEMAGAZINE.COM | OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2018

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OCTOBER 18

OCTOBER 20

OCTOBER 21

Gainesville Food Fest

McIntosh 1890s Art Festival

Howl-A-Palooza

5-9 p.m.

Celebration Pointe

8 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Van Ness Park

Enjoy great food from over 40 of Gainesville's best restaurants all in one location.

The 1890's arts, crafts and antiques festival in historic McIntosh with 280 vendors.

3- 6 p.m.

Sun Country Sports - West www.suncountrysports.com

OCTOBER 18-21

OCTOBER 20

Family Friendly Bike Ride

Just Between Friends Consignment Sale

9 a.m.

Depot Park

10 a.m. – 7 p.m.

Easton-Newberry Sports Complex www.gainesville.jbfsale.com Shop for Florida appropriate fall and winter clothing at 50 to 90 percent below retail cost on everything for your family from toys to bedding to clothing.

OCTOBER 19

Blocktoberfest 4-10 p.m.

Blackadder Brewing Company Live Bavarian music, Bratwurst (Bubba Luigi’s Roadtrip), Prezels (LEJ Pretzel Company) and of course BIER! OCTOBER 19-20

Tom Petty Birthday Bash 5-11 p.m.

Depot Park A free music festival celebrating the life and legacy of Tom Petty.

OCTOBER 19-27

Gainesville Cycling Club for our monthly Family Friendly Ride from Depot Park down the Gainesville Hawthorne Trail to the Lake Alachua Overlook for a 9 mile round trip.

Hours Vary www.alachuacountyfair.com

OCTOBER 25

Gainesville Gone Memphis 6:00 - 10:00 p.m.

Santa Fe River Ranch www.childadvocacycentergainesville.org

10 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Matheson History Museum

Gainesville Gone Memphis is the annual signature fundraising event benefiting the Child Advocacy Center, a local nonprofit dedicated to serving abused, neglected, or trafficked children throughout Alachua County.

OCTOBER 20

OCTOBER 26

OCTOBER 20

Antique, Vintage and Rare Book Sale

Florida Bat Festival 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Lubee Bat Conservancy www.lubee.org Visit with our Winged Crusaders, Superhero Bats! Find out how bats from around the world are your everyday superheroes!

OCTOBER 20

Drool and Ghoul Howl-o-Ween Dog Pool Party 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.

H. Spurgeon Cherry (Westside) Pool www.cityofgainesville.org

Alachua County Fair

Sun Country Sports Center hosts an afternoon of Halloween fun, tickets include food and prizes, exclusive access to the facility, a variety of themed activities, silent auction, chance drawing and more.

Enjoy the 50th Annual County Fair with rides, games and food!

This annual event is open to well-behaved dogs. The pool and splash pad will be available, and there will be a costume contest.

OCTOBER 20

OCTOBER 20

Fall Festival and Trunk-or-Treat 6 – 8 p.m.

Alachua Learning Academy Family friendly event for children ages five to fourteen with great music, food, family games, a trunk-or-treat and fun in the hay.

OCTOBER 26-27

Chamber of Horrors 7:30 – 10 p.m.

Hawthorne Chamber of Commerce Head to the Hawthorne Recreation Center for a spook-tastic time with their Chamber of Horrors event.

OCTOBER 27-28

Light the Lantern 7:00-11:00 p.m.

Shuttle from Queen of Peace Catholic Community www.lightthelanterngnv.org It will be an evening under the stars as we celebrate on five beautiful acres to benefit Life for the Innocent.

Haunted Hike 6:30 – 9 p.m.

Mike Roess Gold Head Branch State Park Hike along a one-mile haunted trail through the woods of Gold Head Branch.

OCTOBER 20-21

Cedar Key Seafood Festival

OCTOBER 20

9 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Cedar Key, FL www.cedarkey.org

Fall Day of Service 7:30 a.m. – 1 p.m.

J. Wayne Reitz Union North Lawn Join hundreds of UF student volunteers and our partnering community members for a day of reflection and service in the local Gainesville community.

Features more than 100 arts and crafts exhibits, live music at several locations, a parade Saturday morning and, lots of great local seafood.

Micanopy Fall Festival Hours Vary Downtown Micanopy, FL www.micanopyfallfestival.org Scenic location for a fall arts and crafts festival, this quiet little town bustles with activity as the vendors pour into town and fill Cholokka Boulevard.

OCTOBER 27

Pumpkin Spice and Everything Nice 12 – 2 p.m.

Rockwood Park www.alachuaconservationtrust.org Join ACT for some pumpkin treats at Rockwood Park.

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s a m t s i r h C g n i th Every inary d r o a r t x E n One

I

Place

November 16, 2018 – January 6, 2019 • NEW – ICE! featuring A CHRISTMAS STORY™ in 2 million pounds of colorful, hand-carved ice sculptures and slides • NEW – The Elf on the Shelf® Character Breakfast • NEW – Dreams of Christmas Lights Show • NEW – Scavenger Hunt

Tickets and Packages on Sale Now!

• Cirque Dreams Unwrapped • More than 2 million lights, acres of stunning décor and a 60ft dynamic Christmas tree • Mrs. Claus’ Christmas Traditions • Gingerbread Decorating Corner • Build-A-Bear Workshop® • Snow Tubing and more!

ChristmasAtGaylordPalms.com | (407) 586-4423

KISSIMMEE, FL

PEPSI, PEPSI-COLA and the Pepsi Globe are registered trademarks of PepsiCo, Inc. © Build-A-Bear Workshop, Inc. Used with permission.

All rights reserved. A CHRISTMAS STORY and all related characters and elements © & ™ Turner Entertainment Co. (s18). The Elf on the Shelf ® and © 2018 CCA and B, LLC. All Rights Reserved.

GIGGLEMAGAZINE.COM | OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2018

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OCTOBER 27

NOVEMBER 2-3

Gardens and Ghouls 5:30 – 7:30 p.m.

Cedar Lakes Woods and Gardens www.cedarlakeswoodsandgarden.com Walk through the trails of the botanical gardens... with a spooky twist. There will be food and goodies, info booths, face-painting, a scavenger hunt, and more!

OCTOBER 28

Trinity UMC Fall Harvest 3:30 - 6:30 p.m.

Trinity United Methodist Church

UF Homecoming Events NOVEMBER 2

Gator Gallop 11:15 a.m. - 1:15 p.m.

James G. Pressly Stadium at Percy Beard Track The University of Florida’s annual 2.6 mile Homecoming fun run.

NOVEMBER 2

An annual family fall festival, featuring trunk & treat, games, hayrides, a petting zoo, food, music, a photo booth, maze, and more! There is a suggested donation of either $1 or a canned food item for Thanksgiving baskets per child.

Homecoming Parade 12 - 2 p.m.

University Avenue

Gator Growl 5 p.m.

Flavet Field Consists of musical and comedic entertainers, Gator athletics and performances by UF’s Cheerleaders, Dazzlers and Pride of the Sunshine Marching Band.

7:30 p.m.

University Auditorium www.arts.ufl.edu UF School of Music is putting on a Halloween concert featuring UF Organ and Carillon Studios.

NOVEMBER 3

Florida VS Missouri Time: TBD Ben Hill Griffin Stadium

OCTOBER 31

Boo at the Zoo 3 – 7:30 p.m.

Santa Fe Teaching Zoo www.sfcollege.edu The zoo is transformed into a spooky but safe trick or treating event for the whole family.

Admission to the event is one canned good per person.

NOVEMBER 2

Coon Hollo Farm Fall Festival 4 – 9 p.m.

Coon Hollow Farms Enjoy hayrides, farm train, hay jumping, burlap sack slide, pony rides, archery, pasture putt-putt, duck races and corn cribs.

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KidSaver: CPR For The Family 5:30 – 7:30 p.m.

GatorCPR www.kidsaver.org Have your whole family learn and become certified in CPR so everyone is prepared for an emergency should one arise.

NOVEMBER 8

Harn Museum Nights 6-9 p.m. www.harn.ufl.edu Head to the Harn Museum for a enjoyable evening and learning.

NOVEMBER 8

Woofstock NOVEMBER 2

OCTOBER 31

Organ and Carillon Halloween Concert

NOVEMBER 5

6 - 10 p.m.

The Barn at Rembert Farms alachuahumane.org Get groovy with live music, delicious food and drinks, and a live and silent auction all to benefit the Alachua County Humane Society’s mission to end the needless euthanasia of companion animals in our community.

NOVEMBER 10

Family Fishing Day 8 a.m. – 12 p.m.

UF/IFAS Fishing Ponds sfrc.ufl.edu Come for a morning of fun, family-oriented, fresh-water fishing.

NOVEMBER 3

NOVEMBER 10

Family Bird Series

Sangria 5k Dash and Jazz in the Grove

9 – 11 a.m.

Paynes Prairie Preserve www.prairiefriends.org Join Paynes Peairie for birding fun and go bird watching, learn about different species and enjoy the park.

8 a.m. – 6 p.m.

Island Grove Wine Company www.islandgrovewinecompany.com The run will benefit the Heart of Florida Youth Ranch, a home for children who have nowhere to go and have suffered loss of parenting.

NOVEMBER 3

Story Time 2 – 4 p.m.

Books-A-Million Head to Books-A-Million for story time and cookies.

NOVEMBER 4

Harry Potter Tea Party 3 – 5 p.m.

Haile Village Bistro Calling all Muggles! Enjoy high tea Hogwarts style! All wizards and witches welcome.

| OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2018

NOVEMBER 10

Fall Festival 11 a.m. – 9 p.m.

Swallowtail Farms

Swallowtail Farm's annual celebration of the fall harvest and everything green and good on the farm, our brilliant local community, and beyond!

NOVEMBER 10

Jazz on the Green 6 – 8 p.m.

Celebration Pointe

Spread a blanket under the setting sun and catch smooth ballads and intense bebop while the kids play games on the lawn.

Fine, Farkash & Parlapiano presents THE THIRD ANNUAL BENEFIT EVENT FOR THE ALACHUA COUNTY HUMANE SOCIETY AND THEIR COMMUNITY PARTNERS

Thursday, november 8th, 2018 | 6 PM – 10 PM The Barn at Rembert Farms in Alachua, Florida

November 8, 2018 Get tickets today!

THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS:

For sponsorship information and further details, visit our website or call Margot DeConna at 352-415-2460.

woofstock2018.com

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NOVEMBER 11

Veteran's Day - Schools Closed NOVEMBER 11

National Parks: Free Admission All Day

All National Park Service sites that charge an entrance fee will offer free admission to everyone.

NOVEMBER 16

Starry Nights

NOVEMBER 18

NOVEMBER 24

Cupcake Race & Kids Run

Cane Boil and Fiddle Fest

9 a.m.

Depot Park

10 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Morningside Nature Center www.cityofgainesville.org

An event for all ages! Every registrant receives a race shirt, finishers medal and a gourmet cupcake.

NOVEMBER 19

The King and I Musical 7:30 p.m.

Phillips Center www.performingarts.ufl.edu Set in 1860s Bangkok, the musical tells the story of the unconventional and tempestuous relationship that develops between the King of Siam and Anna Leonowens.

6-10 p.m.

Florida Museum of Natural History www.floridamuseum.ufl.edu Observe the night sky and explore the world beyond! Gaze at the stars through highperformance telescopes and see a portable planetarium show.

NOVEMBER 19-23

Hansel and Gretel Opera 7:30 p.m.

Phillips Center

NOVEMBER 20

Come out for a spectacular and musical rendition of the story you already know: Hansel and Gretel.

NOVEMBER 17

Family Friendly Bike Ride 9 a.m.

Depot Park Gainesville Cycling Club for our monthly Family Friendly Ride from Depot Park down the Gainesville Hawthorne Trail to the Lake Alachua Overlook for a 9 mile round trip.

Car Seat Safety Class 9-11 a.m.

Alachua County Health Department alachua.floridahealth.gov Great for new parents, 2nd time parents, grandparents and other caregivers, learn to install your car seat and get a safety check.

NOVEMBER 21

Ninja Jam 2:15 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.

Sun Country Sports suncountrysports.com Our new and improved Ninja room is ready for action, so come out and test your ninja skills.

NOVEMBER 17

Newberry Fall Festival 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Downtown Newberry, FL Organized by Newberry Main Street Organization, the annual Newberry Fall Festival will have Arts, Crafts, Music, Dancers, FREE Bounce House for the Kids, Face Painting, Pony Rides / Petting Zoo. NOVEMBER 18

Whale of a Sale 8 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Main Street

NOVEMBER 22

Turkey Trot 8:30 a.m.

Tacachale This is a friendly, off-road course through the beautiful turkey-filled forest surrounding Tacachale as well as the running trail encircling the entire perimeter of the UF campus.

UF Craft Festival 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.

UF O’Connell Center www.oconnellcenter.ufl.edu An annual showcase of authentically made crafts by talented artisans and crafters.

Nutcracker Family Show 7 -8 p.m Phillips Center A special family version of The Nutcracker and a meet and greet with the dancers.

NOVEMBER 30-DECEMBER 2

Pirate Invasion Weekend All Day Cedar Key, FL www.cedarkeypiratefest.com Cedar Key, known for being "The Island City", is literally taken over by the Invasion for three days each year. There are pirates everywhere!

NOVEMBER 30

TrashFormations 6-8 p.m.

Florida Museum of Natural History See how Alachua County middle school, high school and college students transform “waste” into creative works of art!

NOVEMBER 30

Artwalk Gainesville 7–10 p.m.

Downtown Gainesville

NOVEMBER 22 Happy Thanksgiving!

Hosted by Junior League of Gainesville with tents full of women's, men's and children's clothing, priced to sell.

Housewares and shoes will also be available.

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NOVEMBER 24-25

NOVEMBER 27

Thanksgiving Break - Schools Closed

NOVEMBER 16

This event is held each year the Saturday after Thanksgiving, and combines traditions of giving thanks and fall harvest with live fiddle, banjo and string-band music.

| OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2018

Artwalk Gainesville is a free monthly self-guided tour that combines exciting visual art, live performance, and events in downtown Gainesville, Florida.

NOW

OPEN

The team at Comprehensive Women’s Health remains committed to building healthy relationships and providing the best possible women’s health care to the community.

We look forward to caring for you, and your family at We are excited to announce the addition of a freestanding birth center, right here in North Central Florida. The establishment of the CWH Birth Center they choose to give birth. The new facility will include spacious suites with tubs– allowing for traditional and water births outside the hospital setting, while still under the guidance of the CWH midwives.

For more information, call 352-332-7222 or visit www.chwfl.com/midwifery.

GIGGLEMAGAZINE.COM | OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2018 4454 NW 6th Place, Gainesville, FL 32607 • cwhfl.com

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