Summer Issue 2016 by GoodLiving® Magazines

Summer Issue 2016 VOLUME 7 • ISSUE 2

GoodLiving® Magazine is published byLight Shine Media Group, LLC Editor-in-Chief Pamela Se le To submit story pitches or events, news@goodlivingmag.com

Good Products PAGES 8 - 10 Good Events PAGES 12 - 13 Community Voices PAGES 15 - 23 My Story PAGE 32

To adver se or purchase bulk copies of the magazine, adver sing@goodlivingmag.com GoodLiving® Magazine P.O. Box 1795 Oldsmar, Florida 34677 (727) 776-3656 info@goodlivingmag.com

Letter from Editor Hello and Happy Summer 2016! I hope you are looking forward to a fun, memorable and active summer with your families. While we strongly advocate for kids to have free time during their summer break from school, we have included a list of activities in Pinellas County that are low cost and family friendly. As parents, it’s important to find a balance between being their full time event planner and letting them run totally free all summer. I’m already seeing the lists come out: 101 things to do with your kids this summer. Well, before you pull out the calendar, consider that kids are so highly supervised during the school year, that perhaps the best thing you can do for your children is to let them have some freedom from scheduling. We’re going to be very busy at GoodLiving® this summer. So be sure to “Like” us on our Facebook page to see what we’re up to. One thing is for sure, you won’t want to miss our Super Summer GoodLiving® Giveaway taking place there. Search GoodLiving Magazine and like us right now!

About the Cover Our cover model this issue is Evan Lambert, son of Kevin and Dawn Lambert of Trinity. They enjoyed some family me at Discovery Cove in Orlando and this photo was just too irresis ble. Thanks to the Lambert family for being fans of GoodLiving Magazine and sharing your special moment.

I can’t say “farewell” until I at least mention that summer requires extra diligence to protect our children. Drowning is at the top of the list when it comes to childhood deaths in Florida. We have so much water, everywhere. Please read the wise words from Sheriff Bob Gualtieri and Dr. Marcie Biddleman about water safety. Thanks for reading our 2016 Summer Issue and we’ll see you when school starts! Until next time,

Pamela Settle

GoodLiving速 is a registered trademark and a publication owned by Light Shine Media Group, LLC. It is a free publication distributed throughout Pinellas County or is available to read online at GoodLivingMagazine.com. Bulk copies are donated to local schools as a community service. To request copies, contact info@ goodlivingmag.com. All photographs, artwork, design and editorial are the sole property of GoodLiving速 magazine and Light Shine Media Group, LLC. No portion of this magazine may be reproduced in any form without written permission.

GoodLiving速 magazine, Light Shine Media Group, LLC and its owners are not responsible for any statements made by advertisers and writers for any consequences arising from omissions or errors. Readers should verify the advertising information of the advertisers and all specials are valid to the expiration date set by the advertiser. GoodLiving速 magazine and Light Shine Media Group, LLC reserve the right to refuse any advertising for any reason. The views expressed in the publication are not necessarily those of the publisher. All rights reserved.

Good Products

GOOD Summer Finds The RideSafer® Travel Vest For summer travels or to help a larger child be more comfortable every day, try The RideSafer® Travel Vest, a convenient and legal alternative to the booster seat and the car seat. The snug vest adjusts as the child grows. It’s lightweight to carry and makes it easier for three children to sit in a back seat.

Orbit Labels Whether getting ready for summer camp, a new preschool or trips to the pool with friends, keep your child’s items labeled neatly and efficiently with products from InchBug. The Original Orbit Label is a great solution for labeling bottles, sippy cups, snack containers and other various drink/toiletry containers. Of course a mom invented this innovative product that is non-adhesive, reusable and personalized. Just say no to markers. Check out their assortment of personalized labels for clothing, shoes and toys at Inchbug.com.

Not convinced yet? While a booster seat boosts the child up to fit the seat belt, the RideSafer® Travel Vest brings the seat belt to the child and properly positions the vehicle’s seat belt. This allows the child to remain in the comfortable vehicle seat and lowers their center of mass. In the event of a crash, the front panels in the RideSafer® spreads the crash force across the vest instead of just the width of the seat belt like in a booster, protecting internal organs. This revolutionary product has been crash tested as a harness and meets or EXCEEDS all Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS 213) crash test requirements. The RideSafer® currently retails for $139159 depending on version. Watch instructional videos at and purchase vest directly from ridesafertravelvest.com.

Bug Soother

Kid’s Hydration Vest Young runners can stay hydrated just like adults do with the Half Marathon youth hydration vest from Ultimate Direction. It’s says half marathon, but any distance running or hiking will do just fine! Also, kids love to run with their parents - even if for shorter distances - while their parents train. This model fits a chest size of 20-33 inches. It’s made with a comfortable and lightweight mesh harness that’s super breathable. Pockets allow you to carry a 10 oz bottle and/or fill the 1.5 liter reservoir in the back. Purchase at ultimatedirection.com for $59.95.

Keep the chemicals off everyone’s skin this summer by using Bug Soother, an effective, all-natural bug repellent that smells really nice. It is DEET free, and safe for both children and pets. Repel gnats, no seeums, mosquitoes, sand fleas and black flies. Some reports say it even works for fleas. It’s bug season in Florida. Try this non-toxic repellent for a healthier, safer alternative. Bug Soother is proudly made in America by Simply Soothing, a family owned business based in Iowa. Purchase this and other Simply Soothing products at Ace Hardware locations in Pinellas County.

Summer GOOD Reading

Good Products

Brave Like Me by Barbara Kerley captures children’s worries, fears, trials and triumphs while waiting for their parents to return from service. Although the narrative tells one universal tale, the photographs depict multiple perspectives so that every reader has someone they can relate to. In the end, each child finds the strength and patience to endure the wait by staying in touch with mom or dad and keeping busy with family, friends and activities. An afterword looks further at the meaning of bravery, features quotes and advice from military children and offers resources for helping kids deal with transition, deployment and separation. Picture book, ages 4-8, $17.99.

With Malice by Eileen Cook Jill wakes up in a hospital room with no memory of the last six weeks and news of her best friend Simone’s death. This young adult thriller carefully assembles and disassembles everything we think we know about Jill and Simone until the final shocking twist. Ages 14 and older. Black River Falls by Jeff Hirsch In an entire town robbed of its memories, there is one teenage boy who can’t forget in this YA blockbuster about survival, identity and family by bestselling author Jeff Hirsch. Ages 12 and older.

Courage: True Tales of Heroic Dogs That Protect and Serve will have readers cheering for the hero dogs featured in this collection, profiled with stunning photos and inspiring tales of bravery, friendship, heroism and devotion. From Sergeant Stubby, the first dog to be given a rank for his work during WWI, to Spike, who served on more than 100 combat missions in Afghanistan to dogs who serve closer to home at places like Ground Zero, the Seattle Police Department and in airports across the nation, canine heroes are spotlighted in five different sections that detail the various roles dogs have played throughout the years. Ages 10+, $12.99

It Ain’t So Awful, Falafel by Firoozeh Dumas From a bestselling memoirist comes a funny, insightful middle-grade novel about growing up Iranian in Southern California during the 1970s. Ages 10 - 12. Grayling’s Song by Karen Cushman From Newbery medalist Karen Cushman comes the enchanting middle-grade tale of a young woman on a quest to reverse an evil spell. Ages 10 - 12. The Great White Shark Scientist by Sy Montgomery Celebrate shark week with the latest installment in the awardwinning Scientists in the Field non-fiction series, and get to know these majestic animals as never before. Ages 10 - 12. Penny & Jelly: Slumber Under The Stars by Maria Gianferrari Readers of Pinkalicious and Ladybug Girl will swoon over Penny and her dog, Jelly, in this fun picture book for family camping trips and outdoor story times. Ages 4 - 7.

Good Products

It All Starts With Smart Nutrition

IDLife has made it easy to incorporate healthy choices into your kids’ day with their full line of children’s products. Your kids will be able to fill their nutritional gaps and you will have the peace of mind knowing you have provided them with the highest quality of nutritional products available. All products are made with organic, whole food nutrition. Whey protein is cold filtered and from grass-fed cows. Products made for especially for children: Kids Nutrition - Kids need high quality vitamins, too, especially as their bodies are growing and they are still developing their good eating habits. These daily chewable tablets have 24 vitamins and minerals to fill the nutritional gaps of childhood. No artificial dyes or sugar. 60 tablets per bottle. Ages 2 to full grown. Kids Shake - Kids need a solid foundation of protein everyday, especially in the morning to help them be more alert in school. Each shake has 12 grams of cold-filtered whey protein from hormonefree grass fed cows. Sweetened only with all natural Stevia. Added nutrition with micro-milled chia seeds. And a great tasting Vanilla flavor that kids love.Sold in canisters with 30 single scoop servings. Kids Bar - Perfect for kids, and parents, on the go, these bars are filled with 100% Certified Organic Super Foods. Use as a quick breakfast, a snack between games or a healthy nibble after school. 10 snack bars per box.

Editor’s Pick for Healthy Summer Hydration

Hydrate - This is a delicious alternative to commercial sports drinks that kids chug all summer. Have peace of mind that if they drink Hydrate to cool off from the hot Florida sun, they won’t be consuming any chemicals and dyes you wouldn’t want in their bodies. Hydrate delivers a carefully researched blend of vital electrolytes, antioxidants, MCT’s, vitamins and minerals to protect the body from the harmful effects of dehydration. One jar makes 60 single scoop servings. Fruit Punch or Mango Passion flavors.

Sleep Strip - The unique IDLife Sleep Strips are an all-natural way to soothe your body into balance so you can enjoy restful, restorative and deep sleep. The fresh-tasting mintflavored strips melt in your mouth, and deliver a complex of nutrients, including melatonin, L-Theanine and 5HTP, in a tri-phasic approach that supports all three phases of the sleep cycle. You’ll wake up refreshed without the lingering aftereffect caused by other sleep aids.

Purchase IDLife products at LightShineHealth.info Auto shipping is available for convenient delivery. Also learn about addi onal high quality IDLife products for weight loss, physical training and skin care. *These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administra on. IDLife products are not intended to diagnose, cure or prevent any disease.

Good Events

4th of July

Madeira Beach Celebrates a Day Early Largo Fourth of July Celebration at This year, the City of Madeira Beach chose to hold its Largo Central Park Fireworks Show on Sunday, July 3, 2016 to take advantage of the Monday holiday. Party goers can celebrate into the night on Sunday and not have to worry about heading work the morning after the fireworks. Practical thinking Madeira Beach! Not to mention, a longer time to celebrate!

Baseball and Fireworks on July 3rd Both the Clearwater Threshers and the Dunedin Bluejays will have fireworks following their games on Sunday, July 3rd.

35th Kiwanis Virginia Street Dermatology Midnight Run

Central Park will light up with fun and fireworks. Fun starts at 6 p.m. Fireworks show starts approximately 9:15 a.m. Enjoy great food, entertainment and activities for all ages including a pie eating contest, watermelon seed spitting contest, t-shirt decorating for $5 and inflatable activities with a $10 wristband. On-site parking will be available for $10. Free park and walk will also be available from Largo Middle School and Everest University.

FIREWORKS! across the Bay in St. Petersburg The city of St. Petersburg celebrates Independence Day with its annual fireworks display on Saturday, July 4, scheduled to begin at 9 p.m., weather permitting. The fireworks display is visible all along the St. Petersburg waterfront with prime viewing from Vinoy, Albert Whitted, North Straub, Spa Beach and South Straub Parks, which are all on Bayshore Drive.

Ring in the holiday with races that happen around midnight on July 3rd and into the morning of the 4th! 10K race course on Causeway Boulevard to Honeymoon Island State Park starts at 12:15 a.m. Enjoy a flat course lit by more than 700 luminaries. A 5K starts at 11:25 p.m. and the 1-mile run starts at 11 p.m. Event raises money for Kiwanis programs. Gulfport’s Fourth of July Celebration KiwanisMidnightRun.com Celebrate Independence Day all day long with fun kids activities, food, and arts and crafts vendors along with live Clearwater Celebrates America: entertainment! Visit Gulfport’s Downtown Waterfront District beginning at 2 p.m. for a great family-friendly 4th of July block Fourth of July at Coachman Park The city’s annual Independence Day celebration will feature party. The fireworks spectacular will kick off at 9:15 p.m. on the Gulfport beach near the Gulfport Casino. a patriotic concert, fireworks, children’s activities, games, vendors and food and drink concessions. Gates open at 4 p.m. Patriotic concert at 7:30 p.m. Fireworks at 9:30 p.m. St. Pete Beach 4th of July Free General Admission. Coachman Park, 301 Drew St. Fireworks Celebration The City of St. Pete Beach will host their annual fireworks display on Saturday, July 4, 2016 beginning at dark. The fireworks will be staged on Upham Beach. All normal beach and parking ordinances will be in effect. The Upham beach The American Legion Auxiliary hosts this annual patriotic parade down Main Street on the morning of July 4th from 10 entrances will be closed to the public starting at 6 p.m. and a a.m. to noon. To enter a float in the parade call (727)726-9601. beach launch area will be established. For more information, contact the City of St. Pete Beach at (727) 367.2735.

Safety Harbor Fourth of July Parade on Main Street

Safety Harbor Fourth of July at Safety Channelside Bay Plaza in Tampa Harbor City Marina Family friendly event features live entertainment, food trucks Head to Safety Harbor for an evening of family fun with children’s activities, live entertainment and food vendors. Fireworks start at 9 p.m. and can be viewed from the marina or waterfront park.

and fireworks at 9 p.m. right on the water. Live Music and Food Trucks will begin at 5 p.m. There will be parking available at the garage across from the complex and in open lots between the St. Pete Times Forum and Channelside.

Summer Fun

Good Events

These are some of our favorite low-cost activities for the summer break and there are many others that aren’t listed here. The most important thing is to spend some quality time together and make family memories that will last a lifetime.

Make it a GOOD summer! Follow us on Facebook for local family events. Facebook.com/GoodLivingMag Stay Cool in a Theater

Feed the Noggins

The Fun Starts in Parks

FREE movies all summer long at Cobb Theatres in Countryside Mall.

Don’t Forget the Libraries! Each library will have events, reading competitions and classes throughout the summer. Activities vary by library so research them all.

Explore all the Pinellas County Parks this summer. Teach the kids how to Geocache using GPS. Bring bikes for the paths or enjoy a variety of playgrounds. Make a passport to track your visits.

$1 movies at Regal Cinemas in Tampa, Largo and Pinellas Park. Movie, popcorn, and a drink for only $4 at Muvico in Palm Harbor and St. Petersburg. Sensory Friendly movies at AMC Theatres for families with Autism. Watch a free movie and festival at Sunsets at Pier 60. Enjoy the Sunset and the large boardwalk with artisans, crafters, street performers and live musical entertainment. The historical Tampa Theater offers a Summer Classic Movie Series.

Be Active Indoors or Out Every summer kids bowl free at AMF lanes. On Tuesdays, Gator Fred’s offers unlimited play for only $6 per child. Two for the price of one admission at Vertical Ventures on Saturdays. Take a trip to HorsePower for Kids or Old McMickey’s Farm.

READ READ READ READ and READ some more! Earn a free ticket to a Tampa Bay Rays game by taking part of the Reading with the Rays program. Apple offers a free summer day camp for kids ages 8-12 at their participating Apple retail stores.

Free outdoor rock concerts at Curtis Hixon Park in Tampa on the first Thursdays of the month. Rock the Park Tampa is free and all ages are welcome.

Take in a Little Culture

Rent a kayak at Weedon Island and later explore the nature center and trails.

Take an art class at the museum or the clay studio at the Morean in St Petersburg It’s always free to visit Heritage Village and the Florida Botanical Gardens off Ulmerton Rd. Free admission at the Glazer Children’s Museum on the first Tuesday of the month. Take a day trip to Sarasota for the Ringling Museum, Mary Selby Gardens and Big Cat Habitat. It’s worth the drive.

Get Your Splash On

Take a class at Moccasin Lake, a 51-acre nature preserve in the heart of Clearwater. Walk or bike the paved scenic trail, historic fort and free museum at Ft. Desoto Park. Every first weekend of the month, the Largo Central Railroad is operating at Largo Central Park. This favorite scaled train travels along the 1.2 mile track for sight seeing.

Some Miscellaneous Fun

Ask about discounted days at Astro Skate.

It’s always cool at the Kiwanis SprayPark in Dunedin. Shaded picnic shelters are under the trees in the park. Makes for a beautiful day!

Kids are offered a free DIY project at Home Depot or Lowes on select Saturdays.

On Tuesdays, $12 scores all day pass to Go Karts, Bumper Boats, and Playland Rides at Celebration Station in Clearwater.

The updated Water Works Park in downtown Tampa next to Ulele is an impressive splash park that the older kids will like too.

Free Art projects for kids every Saturday from 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. at the Tampa Museum of Art.

Twisted Tuesday is 1/2 off Games at PK’s Play Zone in Tampa.

St. Pete Beach Family Aquatic Center has a six-lane Junior Olympic swimming pool with an attached children’s play area for the little ones.

Participate in a story and paint time deal at Practically Pikasso in St. Petersburg.

Cool off for a day at Kidz World of Play, an indoor recreation center for preschoolers in Tarpon Springs.

America’s Favorite Pasttime Enjoy Family Fun Days with the Tampa Bay Rays. $1 Tuesdays at the Clearwater Threshers Minor League Baseball. Enjoy the family-friendly game promotions by the Dunedin Blue Jays.

Go down the 214-foot corkscrew water slide and 3-story speed slide at the Highland Family Aquatic Center in Largo. The North Shore Aquatic Complex in St. Pete is another local favorite that includes a 50-meter pool with a diving board. St. Pete Beach Recreation Center and Highland Recreation Center in Largo offer poolside movies all summer long.

Take a cooking class at the Savory Spice Shop in St Petersburg. Check out the classes at NoiseMakers, Southern Pinellas County’s School of Rock for kids. Climb a tree at Tree Hoppers Aerial Adventure Park in St. Petersburg.

a note from

The Pinellas County Sheriﬀ

Water Safety Tips for Parents It’s summertime, and if you think your children are ready to test the waters and learn to swim, make sure you are ready, too! From the Bay to the Gulf to your neighbor’s backyard, when it comes to water, Pinellas County is just about overflowing! So, it is important that if your children aren’t as proficient on sea as they are on land, you take the proper precautions to keep them out of troubled waters. May is National Water Safety Month, so before you register your children for swimming lessons, learn a lesson about what you can do to ensure their safety with these top 10 Water Safety Tips for Parents:

6. Bring a Buddy NEVER let your children swim alone. No matter how confident you/they are in their skills, there is no telling what unforeseen circumstances could impair their swimming capabilities. Whether they are with you, a babysitter, or another responsible adult, always designate a “watcher” responsible for monitoring the waters.

7. On Guard!

No matter how closely you’re watching, an extra set of (professionally trained) eyes on your swimming children never hurts. At beaches and public pools, instruct your children to stay 1. Sound the Sirens Equip with alarms any house exits that lead to a pool, spa, lake or within the swim zone that is monitored by a lifeguard. other body of water. If your children try to sneak a swim on their 8. Mouth-to-Mouth own, you’ll hear the alarm and stop them before they can dip a Take the time to learn cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), toe in the water. and require babysitters do the same if you have a pool at home. Several organizations, like the American Red Cross, offer 2. Tidy Up certification courses throughout the year. Although you hope to When toys aren’t in use, keep them away from the pool and out never need it, CPR is a lesson worth learning. of sight. Albeit accidental, your children might go for a swim after a slip on the pool deck while reaching the extra inch for 9. Stride out of the Tide that rubber ducky. When caught in a riptide, it is easy to panic, which only makes the situation worse. If you teach your children how to escape the 3. Fence them in – or Rather, out current ahead of time, they’ll be more likely to keep calm if/when Install and use barriers around home pools or hot tubs. NationalWaterSafetyMonth.org recommends setting up a fence at the time comes. Remember: Swim parallel to the shore instead of against the current. When you’re out, swim at an angle toward the shore. least 4 feet tall with self-latching gates.

4. Block Escape Routes Once they get a feel for the fun to be had in the water, they’ll want to find a way back for more. Keep lawn chairs and other furniture items away from pool gates so that children can’t climb on them to reach the latch or lift themselves over the barrier.

5. Buoyant is the New Black From inner tubes to life vests to arm floaties, there are many wardrobe options to keep your kids afloat. If they are still mastering the art of swimming, dress them up in floatable fashion until they are ready. Note: While boating, children under age 6 are required by law to wear a personal flotation device, and the State of Florida urges ALL passengers to wear life vests.

10. Checkpoint #1 - Water Water is dangerous territory for the unprepared or ill-equipped, and a child can lose consciousness in only two minutes. If your child ever goes missing - whether you’re at your own home, a friend’s house, or another location with a pool or body of water nearby - check the water first!

Stay Safe This Summer! Sheriff Bob Gualtieri

a note from

Juvenile Welfare Board of Pinellas County Investing in Children. Strengthening our Community.

It’s Summertime

It’s summertime once again in the Tampa Bay region. A time for outdoor activities and fun in the sun. Many of these activities will take place around water – trips to the beach, a water park or picnics at one of the many beautiful public parks here in Pinellas County. This is a time to be especially vigilant when it comes to your children and water safety awareness. For children ages one to four, drowning is the second-leading cause of preventable death. In fact, Florida loses more children under age five to accidental drowning than any other state in the nation. In less than 20 seconds, a child can drown in as little as one inch of water…without making a sound. For children under age one, bathtubs, buckets, toilets and even your pet’s water dish pose a threat. Once children learn to walk, all bodies of water – ponds, lakes, canals, spas and swimming pools – present dangers. In fact, about eight out of every 10 child drowning death occurs in home swimming pools – yours, your neighbor’s or your relative’s – and the majority of small children who drown in a pool were last seen in the house. The message is a simple one: any child can drown, any time, any place. So, every one of us needs to know these important facts and share them.

Water Safety Tips 1. #1 preven on method: adult supervision at all mes! 2. Eliminate distrac ons. Put down the cell phone and don’t leave children alone in the bathtub to answer the door bell.

One of the most important things you can do as a parent or caregiver is to enroll your child in a swim safety program. Formal swimming lessons for children under age four cuts the risk of drowning by 88%! That’s why the Juvenile Welfare Board has teamed up with the Tampa Bay Rays, United Way Suncoast and YMCAs throughout Pinellas County to proudly support Be Water Smart from the Start. This program offers water safety courses and swim lessons free of charge for Pinellas County children.

3. When together in a large group, designate a “Water Watcher” and take turns to ensure at least one adult is watching the children around water.

As leaders in drowning prevention, the YMCA of the Suncoast and YMCA of Greater St. Petersburg urge parents and caregivers to take advantage of this program, and to make the YMCA your home base for swim safety this summer!

4. Formal swimming lessons for children under 4 cut the risk of drowning by 88%.

For more informa on about the Be Water Smart from the Start program, please visit ymcatampabay.org.

5. Learn CPR! 6. Install barriers around bodies of water – locked gates/fences and use door alarms.

Because all kids matter! Dr. Marcie A. Biddleman

Executive Director Juvenile Welfare Board

What’s a Parent to Do: how to keep your kids

drug free by NANCY HAMILTON

After a decade of declining use of alcohol and other substances by adolescents, it appears we are once again facing increasing use by our youth. New “drugs” pop up constantly that appeal to youth who are normally in the experimental risk taking years. Even while we keep our homes safe for our children, they go places where they interact with others who may bombard our children with “do drugs messages.” Look at the list below. These are characteristics of “normal” adolescence, and unfortunately, also signs and symptoms of troubled youth who may be or involved with other dangerous behaviors, including experimenting or becoming dependent on drugs – it’s a matter of degree. Kids who use alcohol and other drugs become more severe in the following signs. For example, teens: • Become more egocentric and self-involved. What kid do you know who isn’t? • Are always looking for “fairness” – this usually means that if parents are “fair” they will let their teen do anything they want. • Are preoccupied with his or her own thoughts. “No one understands me.” • Are sometimes withdrawn and isolates in their room. This sometimes results in moodiness and intensified feelings. “I want to be left alone.” • Debate and argue for the sake of arguments and questions adult decisions and authority. It seems parents are endlessly involved in the same argument over and over, “why can’t I do what I want – if you were fair to me – if you trust me – I should be able to stay out later, etc.” • Change previously held values and/or question values and family rituals. They do not want to go to church anymore or will not participate in family traditions, etc.

Risk Factors and Signs & Symptoms These include: • Any use of substances before age 15 (including tobacco) • Any use of cocaine, heroin, IV use, or designer or synthetic drugs (Spice, Flakka, etc.) • Use at school (this is very significant) • Loss of interest in non-using peers and develops substance using peer group • Wearing drug/alcohol symbols or extreme clothing • Aggressive and/or delinquent behaviors - stealing, lying, etc. • Running away (especially with girls) • Frequent use of drug slang is a very definite sign. Words like “robo-tripping” or “skittling” (over the counter drugs). “Loud” refers to a very potent form of marijuana and “cheese” is about money. The list gets bigger every day.

Parents want to know “what do I need to know so that I can recognize the signs and symptoms; and if I see these signs where do I go for help?” These are not only valid questions that parents have but information can mean a difference in a child’s future. There are ways to keep our kids drug free.

What To Do • Be the wall between you child and danger. Do not become your child’s friend. Your teen may get mad at you but eventually they will realize it is because you love them that you give them clear messages about tobacco, drug and alcohol use. • Do not look the other way if you suspect something is not right with your child. Take action. • Read everything you can. Check out websites like drugfree.org or drugabuse.gov. Learn everything you can. • Join others concerned about teen drug use. If you have a Substance Abuse Coalition (like Pinellas County’s LiveFree!) in your area – join it – they will have tons of information for you. • Talk to your teen’s doctor and call a properly licensed provider like Operation PAR to do an assessment of your teen’s behavior. Many places have an access number that a parent can call to get services. • Do anything you can to get between your child and drugs. Throughout Operation PAR’s 46 years, we have served tens of thousands of youth and families. PAR’s (Parental Awareness and Responsibility) prevention effort is our very foundation– and we never forget that if we can prevent a child from even starting down a path of substance abuse, we will have achieved our mission. Remember that one of the best barriers for reducing teen drug abuse is an informed parent.

Nancy Hamilton is the President and CEO of Opera on Par in Pinellas County. For more informa on, visit Opera onPar.org.

Making Healthy Food Choices by MEGAN CA CARMICHAEL Florida Department of Health in Pinellas County

It’s a sobering fact: Today’s children are likely to become the first generation to have a shorter lifespan than their parents. While we’ve eradicated diseases such as diphtheria and polio, we’ve seen the rates of childhood obesity more than triple in the past 30 years. About a third of high school students are obese and two-thirds of adults in Pinellas are either overweight or obese.

PICH’s staff will offer technical assistance to youth sports leagues that want to add healthy items. They will help to select and display snacks and then will offer signage and other materials to get the word out to parents. Items on concession menu boards that are nutritious are then marked with the orange Fun Bites logo to help families quickly select the healthiest items on the menu.

Clearly, there’s a serious problem with what we’re eating and how little we’re moving. We’ve heard that baby fat is something kids outgrow, but we don’t hear that obese children are at risk for chronic diseases such as high-blood pressure and Type 2 diabetes that doctors used to see only in adults.

The City of Largo was an early adopter of Fun Bites at its Highland Aquatic Center. The concession operators were concerned about possibly losing revenue if patrons saw healthy items on the menu, but the opposite occurred. Fun Bites was so well received at the Largo concession stand that revenues increased by 40 percent in a year as patrons discovered that they didn’t have to settle for snacks high in calories, fat, sugar and sodium when they were hungry. Fun Bites is about adding choices, not taking them away.

Too many calories and too much screen time contribute to children’s obesity, of course. Recognizing the root causes of the problem allows us to begin working on initiatives to help residents of all ages be more fit and healthy. At the Florida Department of Health in Pinellas County (DOH-Pinellas), an anti-obesity grant funded by the Centers for Disease Control is helping to provide Pinellas residents of all ages with more opportunities to move more and eat more healthfully. The Partnerships to Increase Community Health (PICH) grant funds initiatives that do just that. From Fitness Zones in several area parks that allow anyone to use peoplepowered exercise equipment free to Fix-It stations in Clearwater that provide air and repair tools to keep bikes rolling, PICH is already making a difference in terms of greater access to physical activity. Nutritional initiatives that include encouraging mobile produce vehicles to take fresh fruits and vegetables to underserved communities and working with cities on creating healthier corner stores are underway. One of the most exciting PICH initiatives is aimed at kids who take part in youth sports and on the families that sit in the stands cheering them on. The Fun Bites initiative works with youth sports leagues to add healthy foods and snacks to their concession stands. Instead of just hot dogs, fries and ice cream on the menu, PICH’s staff helps booster organizations and concession operators add snacks that meet nutritional guidelines for calories, fat, sodium and sugar. Taking part in Fun Bites doesn’t mean taking away all the foods that concessions sell; it means adding healthier choices to what’s already being sold.

One of the newest Fun Bites locations is the Countryside Little League in Clearwater. The concession stand has been featured in television and print reports because it decided to offer better nutritional choices to youth athletes, their families and visitors. Instead of just fried entrees, for example, the menu now features grilled chicken, baked chips and other healthy choices. Water and beverages with less sugar are also competitively priced with traditional drinks. Creating adults who make healthier choices about what they eat and how much they move begins in childhood. We can reverse obesity rates if we all work together to take small steps now that lead to big gains later. Tell your child’s youth concession stand about the Fun Bites initiative so they can add healthier items to their menu. Email me at Megan.Carmichael@FLHealth.gov for more information. Oh, and did I mention that it won’t cost anything to become a Fun Bites site and that sales may increase as a result? Together, let’s make the next generation the healthiest generation! Megan Carmichael is the Community Partnerships Coordinator for the Partnerships for Community Health grant under the Florida Department of Health in Pinellas County.

Each year the Pinellas Education Foundation recognizes professionals in our community for achievements in and for local education.

Congratulations to all those honored in 2016!

2016 Evening of Excellence Winners & finalists On behalf of The Pinellas Education Foundation, I would like to thank ALL teachers for another fabulous year! Your continuous hard work and dedication to our students is always above and beyond, and the community owes you a debt of gratitude. Terry Boehm, President Pinellas Education Foundation

Teacher of the Year Sarah Dobes 8th grade Language Arts and English 1 Honors East Lake Middle School in the Academy of Engineering I wake up in the mornings thinking, “I can’t believe I get to have the most wonderful job in the world!” I am privileged and honored to be in a profession in which I get to share my passion with young minds every day—and to accept nothing less than their excellence in exchange for my excellence given to them. I’m constantly looking for ways to enhance my students’ learning through unique activities; and because the world of education is constantly evolving, each hour is a new adventure. When I walk into my classroom, I set the bar high and expect my scholars to rise to the challenge—and they do—and my heart grows bigger. There’s no job in the universe like the job of a teacher!

Teacher Finalists Wendy Bruce Ponce de Leon Elementary School

Marissa McCarthy

Christine Rose Fairmount Park Elementary School

Denise Steele

Thurgood Marshall Fundamental Middle School

Frontier Elementary School

Randy McGonegal

Jennifer Velez

Palm Harbor University High School

John M. Sexton Elementary School

Jennifer Raffaele

Deanna Barthel

Bardmoor Elementary

Countryside High School

Business Partners of the Year

Fan Favorite Alicia Isaac 9th grade AP Human Geography and 12th grade AP Government and Politics Boca Ciega High School Teaching opens a world of discovery for me and my students. It allows me to help my students create a mosaic symbolizing what will be their future. Each day, we add a tile to the mosaic- one day it may be a big tile, another day, it may be a small tile. The tiles may also be of different colors and textures. One of the most satisfying aspects of this mosaic is knowing that during our time together, we will not finish the picture- it is not designed that way. And … the picture will change. What I hope to do as a teacher is to set a course 22 of hope, knowledge, success, dignity, and beauty.

Small Business: Double Tree Beach Resort Large Business: Franklin Templeton District: Achieva Credit Union

This congratulatory content has been generously supported by Crown Automotive Group in support of local education and those who strive for excellence in education.

FOR SCHOOL BOARD CANDIDATES

ON AUGUST 30TH

EDITORIAL by PAMELA SETTLE If I could light this headline up for even more attention and automatically add a reminder to vote on your smart phone, I would!

There are a great many issues on the table when it comes to public education. The amount of testing and how it’s affecting the learning experience, standardized curriculum and the FSA, the school grading system, data mining and the privacy of our students, competency based education, graduation rates, our failing schools, special needs students, teacher retention, violence in schools, lack of physical activity for students and much, much more.

For this issue’s Vote column, I have one and only one message: Learn about all So speaking of questions to candidates, here’s what’s on my mind in this open letter to all them: the candidates for school board, ask them the hard questions and be sure to vote on August 30th. See in Pinellas County, the school board election is a non-partisan race that appears on the primary ballot with other elections. If one school board candidate receives more than 50 percent of the vote, then that candidate wins. Done. Finished. Over. There is no election in November unless there is a run off. A run off occurs if no candidate receives majority. We have three school board seats up for consideration. One is an at-large seat and two are district seats - that is a significant segment of our seven-member board. As of this writing these are the candidates. If I was able to obtain a website or Facebook page for the campaign, it is listed.

District 1 - At Large William “Bill” Dudley Joanne Lentino Matthew Stewart

dudley4schools.com Joanne2016.com Matt4Pinellas.com

District 4 - North County Eileen Long ElectEileenLong.com Ken Peluso (incumbent) VoteKenPeluso.com

District 5 - Central County Carol Cook (incumbent) Mike Petruccelli wix.com/mpetruccellicampaign Eliseo Santana, Jr. Facebook.com/electsantana

Dear Candidates, Since I can’t go through each of these highly complex issues with you here, I will address your overall point of view, your loyalty to those who elect you and your fight factor. You are elected to represent the community and that includes business owners and tax payers who rely upon a quality education system to have a sustainable economy. This is in addition to the parents, students, teachers and staﬀ who rely upon your leadership to make the best decisions with them as your priority. Will you be a public servant to your community? Will you lead and not dictate. Will you listen? Will you stand for teachers? Will you ask yourself honestly if the board is doing enough to give them a decent living wage based on the cost of living in Pinellas County? Will you agree to stop the rising premiums and out-of-pocket costs for the health insurance? Will you proactively look for ways to advocate for our district’s teachers? Will you talk to them and value their opinions? Will you dedicate yourself to the best educational experience for all children in our district? Will you work tirelessly to find solutions around the barriers? Because it’s about the children, their well being and their futures. Because seriously. Unless you are willing to put on the armor and fight sincerely, genuinely and tirelessly for teachers, kids and parents in our district, then you will not get my support.

FIGHTING FOR

State

Sometimes an issue seems so complex, so contentious and so challenging, that it’s easy to ignore it and leave it for someone else to deal with. There are probably many parents reading this who feel this way about education. Yet you read the articles, you have your own experiences and you have opinions about what could be better. The good news is that parents and teachers are organizing around various issues and they desperately need other parents and teachers to join them.

The Opt Out Florida Network A page on Facebook linking to articles and blog posts

FLORIDA’S CHILDREN

UnitED for Florida Children Parents, teachers and students across the state are unhappy with what is happening in our public school classrooms. Education reform efforts led by politicians have changed the learning environment, removing autonomy, flexibility and creativity and replaced it with poorly implemented and untested standards and high stakes tests.

Recess for all Florida Students! The goal of this group is to restore a daily 20 minute unstructured recess period for all elementary school students in The use of groups on Facebook has given many causes their start. the State of Florida. Here, like minded parents and teachers are teaming up to share FLParentsRISE to Stop CBE information locally, state wide and nationally. Definitely start The cause here is to Stop Competency Based Education which local and get into all or some of these groups. Simply type the is relatively new to Florida. The concern is third party websites name shown into the search bar on Facebook. Click the “join” used in classrooms that gather data on students without box and wait to be added to the group. permission from parents.

Private Groups on Facebook-Look them up and JOIN!

Local Pinellas Parents for Healthy Schools Parents working together in the fight for mandatory recess, healthier food choices at school and school nurse availability. Pinellas Parents Advocating for School Improvements This is a group of parents coming together to offer support and solutions to the problems our children face at school. Pinellas County School Forum A discussion group regarding the 2016 School Board Election in Pinellas County. (Vote August 30th!) Opt Out Pinellas Support and information for parents who object to the standardized testing

FLParentsRISE Group dedicated to reclaiming and preserving parental sovereignty over their children’s education by saying no to the Federal Mandates in Race To The Top and the imposition of a one-size fits all education under Common Core. Florida Children need Music, Art, and PE! This group believes that education in music and art, access to media and libraries, and daily physical activity are being compromised due to standardized testing. The Family Cafe & CAN Network A sponsored discussion group that includes parents of children with disabilities. CAN wants to bring the many voices of persons with disabilities together to advocate effectively for their needs and have a place at the policy table. ABOUT THE COMIC STRIP: They say there is always truth in humor. That is certainly the case for a middle school teacher from DeLand who uses a comic strip as a vehicle to share his opinions and feelings about education. The strips are based on his life and teaching experiences, including an admitted bout with depression over the changes occurring that impact the teaching profession. His strips can be seen regularly on his Facebook page, Mr. Fitz Comic Strips. Share them in social media and encourage teachers you to know follow the page for a little added camaraderie.

A Father’s Influence by PETE O’SHEA You have heard the old expression, “the apple doesn’t fall to far from the tree.” It basically means that an offspring can actually take on some of the amazing qualities of their parent. By genetics and significant osmosis, you become very much like your life long role model. I witnessed two prime examples of this recently on my radio show. It was really cool to see. Want to know more? Of course I’ll tell you, I was just playing. Not everybody wants to go into the family business. Some in fact will repel from it and arduously forge a bumpy path in the opposite direction. Others go kicking and screaming into it against their will. These two marvelous examples I am about to inspire you with went into the family business organically with grace, pride and dignity.

TUNE

Aron Petrocelli

your radio station to the Pete O’Shea Show and

TURN your car, your office, your home or your headphones into places of positivity during your day! Pete’s friendly and upbeat style will bless your time as he discusses important current events and interviews inspiring people from the Tampa Bay. area.

Both physically and metaphorically, Aron Petrocelli has some really big shoes to fill. His father, Bobby Petrocelli cast a huge shadow and makes a big footprint with those size 12 flip flops of his. Bobby has authored 14 books and has been speaking to captivated crowds all over the world for over two decades. His mantra is “You Matter, It Doesn’t” which is also the title of his latest book. His first book, “The Ten Seconds that Will Change Your Life” documents the horrible night when a drunk driver crashed into his house, killing his wife and nearly dismembering him. He has been on a mission every since to bring a positive message to the world about how every second is precious and that there are times in life when you feel like you may be done but you are never out. Aron is a freshman at Liberty University. He has admired his father’s work for the entire length of his life. He didn’t see it as his life, but he slowly began to gravitate towards it. He started his own outreach movement called “YAWI, which stand for, You Are Worth It. Countless students are wearing his wrist bands and he properly leverages social media to get out his message. He spoke at one of his dad’s event in Hawaii and he is doing the talk radio circuit. He has helped other young people who had been contemplating suicide to turn their lives around. He gets a great deal of satisfaction and fulfillment from being just like his dad.

Listen to his show 28 3 - 6 p.m. on AM 1110

More People You Should Know Whenever things get bad in life, the first feeling is that woe is me thing, right? We all do it. We think, well, there is no way I can recover from this one, and life as I know it is over. Raise your hand if this ever applied to you. Ok, put your hand down, that was silly of me. You may be down, but you are never out. I see examples of this every day on my radio show. Lots of people find themselves at that crossroads moment. It is a part of life. A measure of any person is not how they fall down, but rather how they get back up again. Fall down 7 times, get up 7 times. Whatever it takes, you never, ever give up. It takes support and empathy to do that. That is where your friends and family come into play. Another lesson I learned is this; never try to go it alone.

Alivia McDaniel Pastor Anthony McDaniel has been involved in local ministry here in the Tampa Bay area for 30 years, including the last 20 years as the Senior Pastor at Abundant Life Ministries in Largo. He is a powerful preacher and a brilliant force of nature. He has built up a strong congregation and he is a multi-media darling. He and his wife Kendra have raised three daughters right in front of a thousand loyal followers.

There is a great organization called Cons Helping Cons that walks alongside recently released prisoners and helps them get reintegrated back into society. It is run by people who have also been to prison but who are now making the most of the second chance they were given. They feel that they must reach out and uplift others. They help people get identification, a good place to live and a job that can pay the bills so that they do not have to go back to a life of crime. They have a 100 percent success rate. This makes our entire community better.

Pastor Dexter Sanders of back2God.com did all of the wrong things at one point in his life. Even after a successful career as Alivia McDaniel has seen her fair share of misery for a 25 a teacher and school administrator, he fell hard into a life of year-old woman. She channeled all of it into a ministry called alcohol and drugs. He lost everything. His response was perfect. She, that helps woman become their best in mind, body and soul. He decided that he would take what he had gone through and It is part exercise class and part prayer service. It is fellowship use it to inspire others. He turned his life around and now mixed in with counseling with a dose of good old fashioned love. he helps countless others turn their lives around too. His is a She helps women of all ages get over hurts and hang-ups and majestic life filled with purpose. shows them how to rededicate themselves to self improvement Carlos “ESO” Eddins grew up with a scary life riddled with in many areas. The group meets twice a week for fitness and physical, emotional and spiritual abuse. He spent most of his fellowship, and has grown to over 75 women. They share, care childhood cowering in a corner or literally running for his life. and sweat together. Alivia leads this group with sheer grace and a maturity beyond her years that truly reflects her parent’s steady He could have turned out to be a nasty, bitter person. Instead, he broke the cycle of abuse that had been rampant in his family and exceptional influence. for generations and he became a successful spoken word artist/ I was so inspired as I listened to these two young people explain to rapper. He shares his testimony in his music and it is cathartic not me how much they just wanted to help people. They said they didn’t just to him but to anyone going through the pain of abuse. His want to become their famous parents, but they did like the idea of raw transparency saves lives and allows him to fulfill his Divine emulating their best qualities. At a tender age, they have found their Destiny. Learn more about him at denotedpoetryministries.com niche and they are extending themselves selflessly without fear or All of these people could have rolled over and played dead. regret. I learned a thing or two from them and you can too. So it is Giving up is easy. Staying tough in the midst of barrage of true, the apple really doesn’t fall too far from the tree. disasters shows true courage and fortitude. I interviewed them all on my radio show and they totally inspired and empowered me. They proved to me and others, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that you can not only survive, but you can thrive. I love you and I love Jesus! Pete O’Shea

Rock a Bye My Baby by DIANA JULIAN My name is Diana Julian and I am a certified sleep consultant and the founder of Big Sky Lullaby. I am also mom to an amazing little boy with Autism. Just as it is critical to customize the approach to teaching special needs children in school, it is important to customize how we teach them to sleep. One of the most important things I tell all of the families I work with is the importance of keeping a routine and a sleep schedule. The bedtime routine is specific to each family, but there are some standard components to a successful routine when it comes to special needs children.

Some of my suggestions are: Cuddle Corner: Create a special space within the child’s bedroom, so they have a consistent place where they go before bed for 2-3 minutes of just cuddling with mom or dad.

PRODUCT RECOMMENDATION Mosaic Weighted Blankets® Weighted blankets are a simple but effective way to calm people to sleep, from children over the age of three to adults. Constructed with a variety of different fabrics, the blankets are filled with beads that add gentle weight that conforms to the body. The comforting response goes back to our primitive selves and the coziness of a mother’s womb. Company founder Laura LeMond has made it her business to raise awareness for the effectiveness of weighted blankets to help people with anxiety, stress, insomnia, Autism Spectrum Disorders, ADD, ADHA, Bi-Polar Disorders, Fibromyalgia, PTSD and Restless Leg Syndrome and more. Blankets are available in different colors, weights and sizes. Prices vary. Shop for them at mosaicweightedblankets.com

Comfort Item: Find an item that provides the child a sense of security that can be part of the nighttime routine. A familiar item such as a stuffed animal, blanket or a lovey can help them soothe themselves to sleep. Rocking: When it comes to a bedtime routine, typically it is not recommended to rock children to sleep. However, children on the Autism spectrum benefit from heavy rocking in order to settle down. I don’t encourage parents to let the child fall asleep in the rocking chair, but it can be beneficial as the last step of the bedtime routine. Many times rocking rapidly and then slowing it down and then starting again can prove to be very soothing and helpful for the child to find sleep. Velcro Board: I encourage the use of a Velcro board with pictures of the nighttime routine (brush teeth, use potty, read stories, cuddle with mom/dad, go into bed and go to sleep). This will help the child visualize what needs to happen each night. Tot Clock: A tot clock helps with the routine and let’s the child know when nighttime is over. All children are different, whether they are special needs or not, and they have varying degrees of temperament. What works for one may not work for another. It important to be aware of your child’s needs so you can find the appropriate solution. Overall, the best advice I can give to parents is to be realistic in their sleep expectations and don’t compare them to their siblings or peers. Even if there is a small accomplishment, celebrate it and let them know they did well. Don’t focus on the fact that they should be doing more compared to a typically functioning child.

Diana Julian is a child sleep consultant, cer ﬁed with the Family Sleep Ins tute, and the founder of Big Sky Lullaby. Diana specializes in high need and special needs children creates customized sleep plans so they have the tools they need to get the sleep they deserve. Diana provides ps and sugges ons on sleep for parents on her website, Bigskylullaby.com.

Recommended Books for Special Needs The Disconnected Kids Nutritional Plan: Proven Strategies to Enhance Learning and Focus for Children with Autism, ADHD, Dyslexia and other Neurological Disorders Dr. Robert Melillo is an internationally known expert in childhood neurological disorders and creator of the Brain Balance Program™ that helps children with conditions such as Autism Spectrum Disorder, ADD, dyslexia and other processing disorders. These fall under a larger umbrella - Functional Disconnection Syndrome (FDS) - an imbalance in a way a child’s brain is developing. Children with FDS often have an obstinate relationship with food. At least 85 percent of them are plagued by an immature digestive system that results in nutritional deficiencies that hinder brain growth. Add in food allergies, food sensitivities, inflammatory symptoms and sensory reactions to food and you have a recipe for challenges in the kitchen. Order the book for $17 at DrRobertMelillo.com. Proceeds benefit Zac Brown’s Camp Southern Ground in Georgia.

The Out-of-Sync Child Grows Up: Coping with Sensory Processing Disorder in the Adolescent and Young Adult Years Carol Stock Kranowitz authored the best-selling The Out-of-Sync Child, a guide for parents who have children with Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD). As many as 16 percent of children experience the disorder significantly enough to seem our of sync with the world. In her follow up book, Kranowitz addresses what it feels like to grow up with SPD, offering strategies and inside for those living with, or living as, an adolescent or teen with this condition. This includes daily activities like getting dressed or social interactions; coping with family, friends and dating relationships; and preparing for the future as an adult. Purchase at Amazon or Barnes and Noble. Available for Kindle.

The Meal Planning System When you subscribe, you will receive these benefits immediately: • New recipes daily for every meal: breakfast, lunch, snack and dinner. • Fresh new meal plan every week created by our dietitians to make sure your family gets optimal balanced nutrition. • Tips for using seasonal fruits and vegetables in meals that kids will love. • Exclusive access to our members only library of 3,000 healthy recipes created with kids in mind. Every recipe is printable. • Your own personal recipe box to store your favorites. • Customized shopping list for every meal plan. • Recipes and the meal plan are accessible any time from any phone, tablet or computer.

Optimal Nutrition

GoodLiving®’s Guide to Happy Healthy Kids is excited to partner with Super Healthy Kids, a provider of healthy meal plans, recipes and instructional videos. Their most popular plan is only $99 a year for weekly meal plans, mobile-friendly shopping lists, nutritional information, printables and much more. We know that busy moms can use a hand and this is a convenient service with healthy, delicious recipes. Get a membership for yourself and then remember it whenever you need a holiday or shower gift for a friend, your sister-in-law or your favorite neighbor down the street who really could use a hand.

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It’s possible that gluten may be interfering with their health or contributing to behavior issues. It’s possible that a child has If you need a boost when it comes to creating healthier habits for an intolerance or sensitivity without having Celiac Disease or a gluten allergy. If you suspect gluten may be a problem, try your family, Super Healthy Kids’ pros will teach you techniques that will help you get motivated and maintain that energy. Their eliminating gluten from his or her diet for 30 days with their 30 day meal plan and see if symptoms improve. The plan is available recipes and meal plans are created by a dietitian to provide the online and is a one-time purchase. best balanced nutrition for your entire family including even the pickiest of eaters. Every recipe is analyzed for nutrient Features composition including calories, fat, carbohydrates, protein and • Real Foods sugar. Providing balanced nutrition for your family starts at home • No special flours and is part of teaching them healthy habits for life. • No “gluten free” packaged goods • Foods picky eaters will enjoy! • High nutrient dense, healthy foods. To sign up for the meal planning • Pictures of all the meals. and recipe service go to: • Shopping List separated by week • All Recipes-120 of them! superhealthykids.com/goodliving • Nutrition data calculated for each recipe • Printable feature- Add meal plans to your fridge door for the whole family to see 34 • Written by a registered dietitian • List of safe grains with pictures • Tips for feeding gluten free kids

As Florida heats up for the summer, the kids will be craving cool treats. These recipes from Super Healthy Kids make healthy, tasty treats for pool parties, summer birthday parties or a fun makeat-home snack for any day!

Frozen Yogurt Fun Bites Use silicone molds to make these edible mini-figures! What kid would love to devour these with his friends? Make them using plain or flavored yogurt, whole fat or non fat. Works with soy, almond or coconut yogurt as well. Be creative and blend unflavored, unsweetened Greek yogurt with fruit purees. Add some chia or flax seeds Healthy Frosted Lemonade for added nutrition. Instead of lemonade and ice cream, this healthier version is made Take a quick trip to Amazon.com with fresh lemon juice and frozen yogurt. Choose the frozen yogurt that has the sugar content you want. If you are using a sugar-free fro and search their silicone molds. There are these adorable Lego yo, then add 1-2 tbsp of honey to the mixture when blending. molds, in addition to Star Wars molds, flowers, stars, shells and more. Because silicone is flexible and can take the extreme cold, Ingredients: it works best for this purpose. The molds are not very expensive • 3 lemons and you may find some you like a local craft store. Use them for • 1 cup ice cubes Jell-O, chocolate and juice, too. • 1/4 cup water Instructions: Clean the silicone mold. Use a spoon to fill molds with yogurt mixture and then run a knife across the surface of the mold to remove any excess yogurt. Tap the mold sharply on the counter several times to remove air bubbles. Freeze on a flat surface in the freezer until solid. Push from the underside of the mold to easily pop out the frozen yogurt. Serve immediately or wrap in plastic and put back in the freezer.

• 2 cups vanilla frozen yogurt Instructions: Juice the lemons and add the juice to a blender with the ice. Blitz until the ice is completely crushed, adding a little of the water at a time. Discard large chunks of ice that don’t blend. Add the frozen yogurt and blitz again. If the mixture is still too thick then add another splash of water. Pour into glasses and serve immediately.

Frozen Peanut Butter Berry Pops Small, flexible disposable cups or silicone frozen treat molds will work to make these frozen PB&J’s on a stick. The peanut butter and yogurt make this a frozen snack with protein! Ingredients: • 1/2 cup – peanut butter, all-natural • 1 cup – yogurt, plain • 1 cup – almond milk, unsweetened • 2 tablespoon – honey • 1 cup – raspberries • 2 cup – orange juice • 1 ounce – hemp seeds Instructions: Blend nut butter, yogurt, milk and honey until smooth. Pour the mixture into molds until they are filled about half way filled. Cover and freeze for approximately one hour. Next, stir together the raspberries and juice, divide among your molds and then insert the sticks. Top off the pops with some hemp seed if desired, or sprinkle hemp seeds between the layers. Cover and place back in the freezer until completely frozen. This can take up to 6-8 hours depending on how large your mold is.

by PAMELA SETTLE GoodLiving® editor Fortunately for us, the Imagineers at Disney know kids want more Star Wars and more Frozen, and so that’s what they’re getting, just in time for summer vacations. They recently invited my family to check out what’s new, and as is typical, they impressed me as an adult fan, as well as my son who has practically grown up at Disneyworld. You know, we were laughing that to Florida kids like ours, Disneyworld is as much a part of childhood as neighborhood playgrounds are to everyone else. He doesn’t know what it’s like to grow up without a regular dose of fantasy and magic, and it still thrills me to tears to see him full of joy and happiness. And just when I thought we’d seen and done it all, I saw that look again as he watched the new Star Wars shows at Hollywood Studios. His eyes were big as he watched the pyrotechnics and marching Stormtroopers that are part of the new stage show and throughout the new fireworks show. “That was really cool!” is high praise from a ten year-old boy. And mom and dad both agreed.

Star Wars at Hollywood Studios The Force is much stronger now at Hollywood Studios. While we enjoyed everything, the two highlights of the Star Wars experience for us were the new stage show and the fireworks. Looking around, I could see all ages enjoying these productions. The new live stage show Star Wars: A Galaxy Far, Far Away celebrates iconic moments from the Star Wars saga with live vignettes on a large video screen and features live appearances from popular characters such as BB-8, Kylo Ren, Chewbacca, C3PO, R2D2, Darth Vader and Darth Maul as part of the show. During certain show times,The March of the First Order Stormtrooper Procession led by Captain Phasma adds menace to the entertainment and gets face to mask with the audience’s front row. Cap off your day with the fantastic new nightly fireworks show called Star Wars: A Galactic Spectacular. The show combines fireworks, pyrotechnics, special effects and video projections that turn the nearby Chinese Theater and other buildings into the twin suns of Tatooine, a field of battle droids, the trench of the Death Star, Starkiller Base and other Star Wars destinations. The show has a surprise: a tower of fire and spotlight beams that create massive lightsabers in the sky.

Walt Disney World/Todd Anderson

Fans of the movie series, young and old, can be immersed in all things Star Wars at the Star Wars Launch Bay, located in Animation Courtyard. We enjoyed the short video that had exclusive interviews with directors, writers and producers at Launch Bay Theater. At the Star Wars Game Center, guests can play current and upcoming video games, including new Disney Infinity 3.0 content created exclusively for this location. Meander through the themed galleries and get up close and person with iconic ships from throughout the Star Wars saga, large-scale replicas of Star Wars props amid scenic murals, exclusive looks at replicas of props, artifacts and memorabilia from Star Wars: The Force Awakens including costumes, ship models, droids and artwork. Make sure to visit Star Tours – The Adventures Continue to see new journeys with new characters from Star Wars: The Force Awakens. If you’ve never experienced the Dolby 3-D digital trip into space, then you’re in for a big adventure. Jedi Training: Trials of the Temple has been reimagined with new characters and a new villain to battle from Star Wars Rebels. Younglings will be guided to the site of a secret and ancient Jedi temple where they will face villains such as Darth Vader and the Seventh Sister Inquisitor from the popular Disney XD series Star Wars Rebels, and discover if they have the makings of a true Jedi.

Walt Disney World/David Roark

“Rivers of Light” at Animal Kingdom The majestic jewel in the new nighttime crown at Animal Kingdom is the spectacular Rivers of Light. This illuminating musical experience will celebrate the magic of animals, humans and the natural world with a blend of performers, floating lanterns and theatrical animal imagery. On Discovery River, the ceremony begins with the arrival of a pair of mystical hosts who come to the river bearing gifts of light. They set out from the shore on elaborate lantern vessels, engaging in a dramatic dance of water and light to summon the animal spirits. With these storytellers as guides, the wonders of Rivers of Light unfold, building to a magnificent finale with bursts of light as animal images soar to the heavens– signifying the ancient belief that when animals passed from one world to another they danced in the sky and became beautiful rivers of light. (The summer 2016 opening date has not yet been announced.)

Animal Kingdom Dazzles at Night Nightfall is bringing more mystery and majesty to Disney’s Animal Kingdom. Starting Memorial Day Weekend, the theme park that used to close at 5 p.m. will have regular night hours, offering guests a variety of rich new experiences under the stars. Most attractions will remain open at nightfall, creating new experiences like never before. The iconic Tree of Life comes alive with lights and sounds as Disney Magic transforms it into The Tree of Life Awakens. High-tech projections of nature scenes take on a magical quality as they appear to dramatically emanate from within the Tree of Life. Experience Kilimanjaro Safaris after Dark where each evening, the popular ride is bathed with special lighting to explore and examine the nighttime behavior of the wildlife. Celebrate at the Discovery Island Carnivale, with its lively music, dance and costumes.

When the sun sets, the new Harambe Wildlife Party gets going with dancing to the rhythms of African music, entertainers, street musicians, exotic foods, and marketplace.

Frozen Around the Parks Opening in summer 2016 is Frozen Ever After, a journey to explore the kingdom of Arendelle. Located in the Norway Pavilion at Epcot, this family-friendly adventure picks up after the events of the film and celebrates a “Summer Snow Day.” Guests on the magical boat ride will travel through the frozen willow forest to Elsa’s ice palace. After disembarking, pay a visit to the regal sisters in the Royal Sommerhus, an authenticlooking Norwegian cabin that serves as their summer home and the permanent meet-and-greet location for Anna and Elsa. Olaf is spending part of his summer at Hollywood Studios, ready to give warm hugs to all his new friends at his character greeting spot. He is spending the other part of his summer with his pal Kristoff at Blizzard Beach. Seems their Winter Games Committee has invited Kristoff and Olaf to lead teams of guests in a fun day of “Frozen” activities. Through August 21, 2016, guests of all ages visiting Blizzard Beach may choose to join Team Kristoff or Team Olaf to participate in a variety of winter-themed activities throughout each day, including Ice Pail Relays, Snowball Toss, Ski Pole Limbo and Slide Races. Olaf and Kristoff will take part in the daily opening and closing ceremonies and will be appearing on the Observation Deck near Summit Plummet. The Frozen Games are an all-day event at Blizzard Beach, beginning shortly after the park opens. Guests can sign up at the park entrance, and all activities are included with regular park admission.

My Story by JASON RHODES

I remember when my son, Jacob came to my wife Cristine and I and told us he needed some ideas on how he could make some money. I didn’t know at the time, but he wanted to save up enough money to buy tickets to a Rays game. We talked about doing chores around the house, but he had bigger plans. He asked if he could go around the neighborhood and wash cars. He was 13 at the time, and has autism. Cristine and I invested in his new venture and bought him the soap, towels, buckets and accessories to get him started. Jacob’s determination was so high that we didn’t want to tell him that most people wash their own cars or go to the big, automatic car washes. He printed flyers and business cards and down the street he went. Less than two weeks later, after miles and miles of pulling his car wash business around in his Red Flyer wagon, he had enough money for two Rays tickets, gas money to get there, and food and parking. Going to that game was very special for me and I’ll never forget the lesson my son taught me about opportunities and hard work. My wife and I grew up in and around the music field. We met while both working for a company that provided music lessons and wellness for senior citizens. We chose to homeschool our children and used music and art in everyday education and play. We know how big of an impact playing music had on our lives growing up and wanted to give our children those same opportunities. Jacob was two years old when he stopped talking. His doctors told us he was fine and would catch up with everybody else eventually. My wife and I knew there was more to it, though. We used music and art to eventually give him his voice back. We sang songs, did rhythm and movement, acted out our favorite shows, and did lots of art projects. Through a lot of hard work, and hard play, he got his voice back and communication became easier and easier every day. We had a first hand look into how differently each of our children learned, played, were motivated and overcame obstacles. We saw the positive impact that music had on them and wanted to share that with other children and their parents. And we wanted to make sure that music and art was available for any child that waned it.

In early 2013, Cristine and I started Inspire School of Music and the Arts. Cristine wrote and taught a preschool musical curriculum and I worked with the older kids one-on-one and in groups. We wanted to do more, though. We started creating an organization that would fund music and art programs for children with special needs. In May of 2013, The Inspire Foundation was born. We put together an amazing board of directors that consisted of doctors, lawyers, artists, journalists, web designers and other community leaders that all shared our vision. In less than a year, we had our 501 c3 non profit status and were on our way. In a short period of time, we made some amazing strides and helped hundreds of children. We have worked with many businesses and organizations to raise awareness and fundraise for our cause. For years, we took our musical programs into schools, churches, homeschool co-ops and private homes. Then, in early 2015, we found a place to host all of our programs. We were happy to finally be able to settle down and help more people. We had just finished the build out and started teaching and kids were signing up for our summer camps. Unfortunately, torrential rains fell and the building we were in flooded. Most of our equipment and instruments were off of the floor and out of the water, but the building was uninhabitable. Our beginning and ending were in the same paragraph in this new chapter. Although that set us back almost a year, we continued our programs and kept moving forward. And in April, Cristine and I opened Inspire Studios in central Pasco County. This is a music school, a venue, a recording studio and home to many programs hosted by The Inspire Foundation. We are inclusive, so every child has the opportunity to explore their natural interest in music. We have created a safe environment for education and play to intertwine and smiles can’t be helped. We are also planning and hosting the 5th annual Autism Fest that will take place in Hernando County on June 25th. We are happy to have secured American Idol’s James Durbin to headline this free event and have added some other amazing performers including Hope Darling, Nikki Dermott and Mr Tommy. All of the proceeds will go toward summer programs at the YMCA and our own music and art programs. We are excited to head up this amazing event. Jacob came to us about a year ago and said he wanted to start a computer repair business and wanted to custom build computers for gamers. Who were we to tell him he needed years of school and experience before he could do that. He has built a dozen computers from scratch and has a small list of customers that have hired him for basic repairs. All of this happened to him because nobody told him he couldn’t do it. And that’s why we started what we did, so all children could experience that ‘I did it’ moment. Jason Rhodes, and his wife, Cris ne are founders of The Inspire Founda on, which relies on community partners and businesses to con nue their mission. If you would like to donate or sponsor an event, or want to learn more about The Inspire Founda on, visit us online at theinspirefounda onﬂ.org or call (352)410-3332.