Gulf Coast Family - November 2017

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November 2017

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Vol. 10 Issue 11

Th a nkful He arts

p. 2 6

How To Maximize a Team’s Performance p. 8

Thanksgiving Fun p. 17

Q&A With Jim Daly p. 36

n a i t s i r h C o d y Wh ? k c i w s e K moms Love They love Keswick for its proven record for Christ-centered, high-quality education.

It’s a learning environment where virtue and vision matter. Where the timeless truths of scripture and timely instructional resources combine to help children grow, flourish and prosper.

Kids grow in their love for the Lord and knowledge of the world around them at Keswick. Christian moms love the sound of that.

Partnering with the local church since 1953

Financial Aid Available

Learn more: www.KeswickChristian.org 10101 54th Avenue North | St. Petersburg, Florida 33708 Infants – 12th grade | Call for a personal tour: 727.393.9100

2 • November 2017

Say you saw it in the Gulf Coast Family Newspaper

A Home for Christian families www.gulfcoastfamily.org

Publisher: Editor: Contributing Editor: Designer: Web Developer:

Rodney Beck Jennifer Beck Linda Crumley Michael Crumley Matthew Crumley

For advertising opportunities: sales@gulfcoastfamily.org © Gulf Coast Family Publications 2017

Gulf Coast Family Publications P.O. Box 3803, Seminole, FL 33775 Phone: (727) 612-0783 Fax: (727) 865-5135 Gulf Coast Family Newspaper is printed monthly, and is distributed throughout Pinellas and Hillsborough Counties. Gulf Coast Family is available in distribution racks in many local Chick-fil-a restaurants, McDonald’s, CVS Stores, R-Clubs, Walgreens, Joto’s Pizzerias, Carmelita’s, After Hours Pediatrics, Cornerstone Banks, LA Fitness, Shapes, and Regions Banks in these counties, along with many other restaurants, shopping centers, churches, libraries, government offices, and over 200 day care centers and schools. For questions or comments, call (727) 612-0783 or email rbeck@gulfcoastfamily.org.

Gulf Coast Family Publications encourages your input. To comment on one of our articles or to submit photos and articles for possible publication, simply email articles@gulfcoastfamily.org. Submission of your photos and letters constitutes permission to Gulf Coast Family Publications, publisher of the Gulf Coast Family Newspaper, to use them in all media. All submissions become the property of Gulf Coast Family Publications and will not be returned. We reserve the right to edit as necessary, and all submissions will be used at our discretion.

No portion of the Gulf Coast Family Newspaper may be reproduced without the express written consent of the publishers. The opinions of contributing writers are not necessarily those of the publishers. Gulf Coast Family Publications assumes no liability for products, services, or statements made by advertisers. Neither Gulf Coast Family Publications nor the advertisers can be held liable for typographical errors, misprints, or misinformation contained herein. The publishers reserve the right to edit and refuse editorial and/or advertising which does not meet the publication’s standards. All rights are reserved.

Phothteo of Month

It is not happy people who are thankful; It is thankful people who are happy.

Gabby and Maliyah

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November 2017 • 3

November 2017

35

Business 12 Local Spotlight

Top Team: Grace Lutheran

5 Movie Night November We 6 This Recommend That You…

Great to Create: 9 It’s Thanksgiving Crafts

Pro Dad: Say Thank You To 24 Family Night Out Coupons 16 All Your Kids Hearts, Helpful

by AllProDad.com 26 Thankful Hands Fun

by Glazer Children’s Museum 17 Thanksgiving by iMom.com for Another Checkup?

27 Ready Species Spotlight by Judy Adorno 18 by Tampa’s Lowry Park Zoo 29 Spotlight on Education The Tropical Garden 19 by Jené VanButsel Reasons Why Your Family 30 13 Should Choose Jiu-Jitsu for is National Protection 20 November

by Ana Frias Adoption Month

Soon to the 10 Coming MFA: Star Wars and the

to Get Out of Your 20 How Workout Slump

Health Talk: Flu 32 Young Season

Business Spotlight: 12 Local Brace Yourself – There’s a

21 Give Thanks 22 Kids in the Kitchen

Management: It’s a 33 Family Big Job!

7 Parent to Parent

by Jennifer Beck

Diaries: How 8 Dungy to Maximize a Team’s Performance

by Tony Dungy, AllProDad.com

Power of Costume

New Orthodontist In Town

by Nicole Dennison

School Boys’ Soccer Team

on the Family 36 Focus

by Jim Daly Your Marriage 39 Improve Through Thankfulness

by Janine Petry

Subvert Self-Image 40 Selfies

by PluggedIn.com

41 November Fun Facts 42 November 2017 Events 45 Weekender 46 Reader Photos of the Month

St. Early Jerome Childhood Center

5 Secrets To 14 Top Selling Your House

by Sonny Glover and Melody Gallion

15

by John D. Young, MD

34 Family Library Team 35 Top Grace Lutheran Church &

Heart Gallery

Space Available for Fall

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Reader Photos of the Month

4 • November 2017

Sadie Grace

stjeromeearlychildhoodcenter.org 10895 Hamlin Blvd, Largo Say you saw it in the Gulf Coast Family Newspaper

www.gulfcoastfamily.org

Plugged In’s award-winning website and reviews are designed to shine a light on the world of popular entertainment while giving families the essential tools they need to understand, navigate and impact the culture in which they live.

See full reviews at www.pluggedin.com

Thor: Ragnarok – November 3

Call Today to Schedule Your Private Tour

Imprisoned on the other side of the universe, the mighty Thor finds himself in a deadly gladiatorial contest that pits him against the Hulk, his former ally and fellow Avenger.

Wonder – November 17

Based on the New York Times bestseller, Wonder tells the incredibly inspiring and heartwarming story of August Pullman, a boy with facial differences who enters fifth grade, attending a mainstream elementary school for the first time.

Northside Christian School 7777 62nd Avenue N St. Petersburg, FL 33709

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Now Accepting Applications for 2018-2019

Despite his family’s generations-old ban on music, young Miguel dreams of becoming an accomplished musician like his idol Ernesto de la Cruz. Desperate to prove his talent, Miguel finds himself in the stunning and colorful Land of the Dead. After meeting a charming trickster named Hector, the two new friends embark on an extraordinary journey to unlock the real story behind Miguel’s family history.

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Coco – November 22

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Blu-Ray/DVDs

November 7 November 14 November 21

November 2017 • 5

This November we recommend that you…

READ IT

Uncommon Type: Some Stories by Tom Hanks Good acting is about good storytelling, so it shouldn’t be a surprise that Hanks can dream up a multitude of characters and worlds for them to inhabit. Uncommon Type contains seventeen stories, each in some way involving a different typewriter (Hanks is an avid collector of vintage typewriters and owns over one hundred of them). These stories are surprising, intelligent, heartwarming, and, for the millions and millions of Tom Hanks fans, an absolute must-have!

EXPERIENCE IT

HEAR IT

ICE!® featuring Christmas Around the World

Have a Merry Christmas with The Piano Guys and their new album, Christmas Together, featuring new and classic Christmas songs to be enjoyed with the whole family.

Christmas Together features The Piano Guys’ signature arrangements of timeless holiday songs, plus “The Sweetest Gift”, a touching new song that is dedicated Jon Schmidt’s daughter. Special guests on Christmas Together include The King’s Singers, Placido Domingo, David Archuleta, Peter Hollens and the Mormon Tabernacle Choir.

SEE IT

Gaylord Palms Resort

ICE! is back at Gaylord Palms Resort featuring Christmas Around the World. Journey through more than TWO MILLION pounds of hand-carved icesculptures and slide down two-story ice slides — all kept at a chilly 9 degrees! Delight in a celebration of cultures featuring holiday scenes, and travel to the North Pole to see Santa and his elves. For reservations and more information visit www.marriott.com/GaylordPalms.

Lindsey Stirling Warmer in the Winter Tour November 24, Straz Center With her cinematic approach to electronic dance music, multi-talented virtuoso Lindsey Stirling’s popularity as one of the most innovative music-makers catapulted her to the highest-ranked female on YouTube. Her 2012 debut album Shatter Me ranked No. 1 on Billboard’s year-end Classical chart and No. 2 on its Dance/Electronic Music chart. Stirling returns this holiday season to perform songs from her new Christmas album for the Warmer in the Winter tour.

It’s time for All Day Breakfast

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©2016 McDonald’s

6 • November 2017

Say you saw it in the Gulf Coast Family Newspaper

www.gulfcoastfamily.org

Now they didn’t know how badly we needed a bunny until my 13-year-old, Hanna, went to a friend’s birthday party a few weeks ago. The birthday girl’s family raises bunnies, and had more than could fit in their hutch at the time, so they decided a good party game would be to release a few bunnies into their backyard and let any of the guests who could catch one keep it.

Parent to Parent So what does a family with four kids, two dogs, a cat, and a couple dozen fish need the most?

Well Hanna caught a bunny, but she left that party with another friend whose mom wouldn’t let her bring it in her car. She told Hanna to leave the bunny at the birthday girl’s house, she could ask us if it was okay for her to have the bunny, and then the birthday girl could bring it to her on Monday if it was.

Well, yes, Hanna did ask if she could keep the bunny.

We told her “no,” but not surprisingly, that information never made it back to the birthday girl. So on Monday after school, when only my 16-yearold, Daniel, was at home, the bunny arrived at our house.

• Is it stock in a pet food company? Well, that wouldn’t hurt, would it? But no, the dogs are small, fish don’t eat much, and there are certainly families out there with more and bigger pets than ours anyway.

• Is it a housekeeper or a maid? I would definitely say so, but unfortunately, I have been almost unanimously outvoted.

It turns out that, according to my four kids, what that family needs more than anything else is:

OFF

Your next KidsCut

It’s been several weeks now, and so far, Hanna has done a good job taking care of the bunny herself. But if anyone who raises any kind of reptile or rodent tries to invite one of my kids to a birthday party, they’re not coming!

Until next time,

Jennifer

It’s a pretty well-known fact that if you don’t want

A bunny, of course!

$5

an animal to live with you, you should not let it into your house. And that was definitely true of this bunny.

Once its box entered into our house, it immediately joined our family. Any suggestion of letting it go, giving it away, etc. was met with crying and accusations of abandoning a family member. Like I said, they hadn’t known it before, but the thing we needed most was that bunny!

Safe, fun, family friendly feel Experienced staff members working with children Indoor slide and media area Wide range of fantasy cars T.V’s at each cutting station Bubbles • Lollipops • Balloons One discount per customer per service. Not valid with any other offer. No cash Value. Exp. 12/21/17

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November 2017 • 7

individuals. But I have seen numerous organizations accomplish much greater outcomes when each piece is functioning well within the whole. To improve team building and maximize performance, the leaders must do the following.

How to

MAXIMIZE

AllProDad.com

a Team’s Performance

1. Put first things first

Create a culture that values people inside and outside the organization. A culture that puts the interests of others first will set a standard by which everyone in the organization will measure his or her own performance.

2. Get the culture right DUNGY DIARIES

by Tony Dungy You can achieve more with a team than without. I’ve seen it time and time again: A team that is functioning well is more than just the sum of its parts. In fact, the Colts team that won the Super Bowl in 2007 was not the most talented team I had during my years in Indianapolis.

But it was the team that came together best and played at a higher level than you might have expected from the sum of its individual pieces. Each member of the organization had bought into our

clear vision and the way we planned to accomplish it, both on and off the field.

Team members accepted their roles and saw the roles of others as valuable. Together they encouraged and assisted each other in bringing their best to the cause.

The same is true in other areas of endeavor. We have all seen organizations that have floundered and not lived up to their expectations, despite talented

The culture of an organization is the first thing other people see. It determines the direction of your organization and the way decisions are made. Get the culture right, and the rest won’t necessarily be easy, but it will be easier. What can you do to start changing the culture of your organization?

3. Get everyone on the same page

How can you make your leadership more inclusive? How can you help your team to embrace the corporate mission?

4. Strengthen your organization by embracing diversity

What can you do to build on the differences within your team?

5. Break down barriers

Confident, secure leaders cross boundaries that otherwise separate society. What can you do to break down barriers inside and outside your organization?

6. Bring the best people on board

Accept candid feedback and differing opinions with the idea that someone may have a better way.

7. Accept and promote this truth for the good of the team:

We are all important, but we are not indispensible.

8. Be firm in the essentials but flexible in the nonessentials

Focus on the things that really matter.

9. Treat the members of your team as you would volunteers

Mentor leaders realize the power of persuading others to follow, rather than requiring them to follow.

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• Theater games • Creative movement • Performances

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FREE TRIAL CLASS 8 • November 2017

ENROLLING NOW! Classes across Pinellas County

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Say you saw it in the Gulf Coast Family Newspaper

www.gulfcoastfamily.org

t a e r G It’s ! e t a e rsgiving Crafts to C nk Tha

Turkey T-shirt

Items Needed: Brown T-shirt • Large package of assorted felt / fabric sheets • Scissors • Fabric Glue – Spray can works best 1. Cut out the tail feathers from the felt sheets. Use a variety of colors, but make feathers all the same size.

2. Cut out the eyes, the beak, and the snoods.

3. Spray each feather with fabric glue. Arrange the feathers on the back of the T-shirt, working from the outside in – on both sides.

4. Glue the eyes, beak and snoods onto the front of the T-shirt.

5. Let the glue dry and you are all set for your Thanksgiving fun!

S TA R T P L AY I N G T O DAY

The hospital can be a scary place for anyone, especially children.

Big machines and doctors in masks can seem like monsters.

At St. Joseph’s Children’s Hospital, we help kids and their parents get to know the monsters. Because once you understand them, the things that scare us aren’t so bad after all.

UnMonsters.org

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Pumpkin Turkey Table Topper

Items Needed: Little pumpkin • Brown foam sheet • Yellow foam sheet • Red foam sheet • Artificial fall leaves • Googly eyes • Hot glue gun • Scissors 1. Cut out the body parts of the turkey: head and feet from brown foam, the beak from the yellow foam, and the “snoods” from the red foam.

2. Using your hot glue gun, glue the back of the head to the stem of the pumpkin.

3. Glue the feet to the base of the pumpkin and the beak and snoods to the head.

4. Glue the googly eyes above the beak.

5. Arrange the leaves in a fan pattern and then glue together.

Then glue the leaves to the back of the pumpkin to make the tail feathers.

6. Place on the table and you are all set!

November 2017 • 9

Coming Soon to the MFA: Take a unique journey into the Star Wars™ universe as characters are brought to life through a dramatic presentation of more than 60 original costumes. Star Wars™ and the Power of Costume will closely examine the captivating process of costume design for iconic outfits featured in the first seven films of the Star Wars saga—from Queen Amidala’s lavish gowns to Darth Vader’s imposing black armor.

Explore the artistry of the world’s most recognized cinematic costumes, including Queen Amidala, Chewbacca, X-Wing Pilots, and Droids, including C-3PO and R2-D2.

This exhibition goes beyond the chronological, literary, or filmic order often used to chronicle Star Wars™. It focuses instead on the creative process, encompassing the essence of George Lucas’ vision and the exciting challenge of translating his iconic characters into a dynamic reality.

Entries to the exhibition are timed every 20 minutes on the hour. The MFA anticipate a high demand to see the exhibition, and as such, we recommend purchasing your tickets in advance.

(Top) Darth Vader, Star Wars™: Return of the Jedi.

(Left to right) Boba Fett, Star Wars™: The Empire Strikes Back.

Concept Art, Bail Organa Senate Robes. Star Wars™: Revenge of the Sith.

Concept Art, Chewbacca, Star Wars™: A New Hope.

Queen Amidala, Throne Room Gown, Star Wars™: The Phantom Menace.

All images © & ™ 2017 Lucasfilm Ltd. All rights reserved. Used under authorization.

MORNING STAR SCHOOL Serving Students with Special Learning Needs Since 1969 Morning Star School offers a comprehensive curriculum tailored to the individuals needs of each student in a small, caring environment for grades 1-12.

• The maximum student-to-teacher ratio is 12:1.

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727-544-6036 10 • November 2017

morningstarschool.org

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Say you saw it in the Gulf Coast Family Newspaper

Morning Star School - Pinellas Park www.gulfcoastfamily.org

(Left) Concept Art, C-3PO and R2-D2. Star Wars™: A New Hope.

(Right) R2-D2, Star Wars™: A New Hope and C-3PO, Star Wars™: The Empire Strikes Back.

Both images © & ™ 2017 Lucasfilm Ltd. All rights reserved. Used under authorization.

Helpful Tips For Your Visit To Star Wars™ and the Power of Costume Here are some tips and guidelines to help you prepare for and enjoy your visit to the Museum of Fine Arts, St. Petersburg’s exhibition Star Wars™ and the Power of Costume.

Tickets

Your exhibition ticket is good for one-time entry into the exhibition on the date and time printed on your ticket.

Exhibition entry times do sell out, so advance ticket purchase is recommended to guarantee access to the exhibition.

Members with member-discounted tickets should be prepared to present their Membership Card and Photo ID when checking in with Visitor and Member Services.

Parking

The Museum of Fine Arts offers valet parking off Beach Drive through our portico. Metered parking can be found along both Beach Drive and Bayshore Blvd. Additional parking is available in the Beach Drive Parking Lot.

Bags/Backpacks

For the safety and comfort of visitors and the protection of the objects, please store the following with our security team before entering the galleries: All backpacks · Bags and purses larger than 13"x17"x8" · Oversized/bulky coats · Umbrellas

NOVEMBER 11, 2017 — APRIL 1, 2018

Costumes & Accessories

Want to dress like your favorite character? We love it!

However, please keep in mind that lightsabers and similar items are not allowed. Please leave all masks at home as they are not allowed on the museum grounds. A little bit of face paint is fine (e.g, a design around the eye or on a cheek), but full face paint is not allowed.

Photography

We are a photography friendly museum, and photography without a flash for personal use is permitted. Please do not use tripods, monopods, selfie-stick, or similar equipment in the galleries. Please tag and share your photos with #StarWarsatMFA Star Wars™ and the Power of Costume was developed by the Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibition Service in partnership with the Lucas Museum of Narrative Art and in consultation with Lucas lm Ltd. © & ™ 2017 Lucasfilm Ltd. All rights reserved. Used under authorization. The Denver Art Museum provided additional scholarship and creative modifications to the presentation.

www.gulfcoastfamily.org

MFASTPETE.ORG Star Wars™ and the Power of Costume was developed by the Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibition Service in partnership with the Lucas Museum of Narrative Art and in consultation with Lucasfilm Ltd. © & ™ 2017 Lucasfilm Ltd. All rights reserved. Used under authorization.

The Denver Art Museum provided additional scholarship and creative modifications to the presentation.

MFA leadership support provided by Mark and Marianne Mahaffey, The Bill Edwards Group, and Jeff and Penny Vinik.

Sponsored in part by the State of Florida, Department of State, Division of Cultural Affairs and the Florida Council on Arts and Culture; The Margaret Acheson Stuart Society; and the City of St. Petersburg Office of Cultural Affairs.

Media support provided by Tampa Bay Times.

Smithsonian Institution To advertise, call 727-612-0783

November 2017 • 11

Local Business Spotlight:

Brace Yourself —

There’s a New Orthodontist In Town

A new orthodontist is serving the families of Pinellas County and what an impact he is already having in our community. Dr. Nick Reynolds took over the practice of Northeast Orthodontics (located at 4305 4th Street N., in St. Petersburg) earlier this year.

A native of the Tampa area since his childhood, Dr. Reynolds graduated in 2007 from Rollins College.

From there he went north to Boston where he studied and received his doctorate degree in 2011 from Tufts University School of Dental Medicine. Dr. Reynolds then completed his residency training in both Advanced General Dentistry and Orthodontics in Miami and Jacksonville.

After completing his residency, Nick and his wife and their wonderful dog, “Frisco”, decided to move back to the Tampa Bay area.

12 • November 2017

“We couldn’t imagine a better place to live and work,” Dr. Reynolds told us. “The Tampa Bay area has so much to offer. From the beaches and estuaries, to the cosmopolitan feel of the twin cities, the Bay Area has the best of both worlds. Laura Lynn, Frisco and I love it, and we are beyond excited to start our family here.”

Since taking over the operations at Northeast Orthodontics, Dr. Reynolds has updated the look of the practice and also remodeled the office. The new stateof-the-art facility has a professional, welcoming, and most of all, fun office environment, ensuring that the patient’s experience will exceed their expectations.

“For as long as I can remember, it’s been my goal to pursue a career in which I can work with my hands, help someone every day, be artistic, strive for perfection, and provide for my community. Orthodontics is the perfect marriage of all those things. I couldn’t see myself doing anything else!”

Along with a sterile lab, digital X-ray technology, main office and communications center for staff members, the new waiting room at Northeast Orthodontics is specifically unique. Outfitted with a refreshment area, televisions, and side game room with X-Box and Wii consoles, Northeast Orthodontics makes the “waiting” experience fun by offering plenty to do for both adults and kids alike.

Dr. Reynolds also mentioned that he choose orthodontics among other dental disciplines because he enjoys working with young people.

“I love the age group of orthodontics and the transformation both on the inside and the outside of the patient,” Nick told us. “It affects not only their smile, but also their confidence.”

Say you saw it in the Gulf Coast Family Newspaper

www.gulfcoastfamily.org

“The purpose of our office is to enhance the quality of life of the people who come to us for their orthodontic health care,” said Penny Corrigan, Northeast’s Front Office Coordinator. “We are committed to excellence and equally as important, we are committed to the creation of an environment that is open, friendly, and fun for our patients.”

As Terry Weidner, New Patient and Treatment Coordinator for Northeast Orthodontics also told us, “Our new office is a place where cheery personalities prevail over any new patient’s apprehensions over whether they need braces on their teeth or some other dental circumstance corrected. There is no reason the patient’s experience shouldn’t be positive and enjoyable, and we strive to give patients the best quality and experience possible.”

It is very evident that the doctors, along with the friendly staff at Northeast Orthodontics go the extra mile to provide a comfortable, positive and rewarding experience for each of their patients.

“Our greatest accomplishment,” said Dr. Reynolds, “is to help each patient achieve a smile that makes him or her feel comfortable, confident, and happy!”

The first step toward achieving a beautiful, healthy smile is to schedule an appointment. For more information or to schedule a complimentary consultation, contact Northeast Orthodontic’s front office at (727) 954-3440.

Northeast Orthodontics proudly serves families in St. Petersburg, Pinellas Park, Gulfport, and the surrounding neighborhoods and communities in Pinellas County.

www.gulfcoastfamily.org

To advertise, call 727-612-0783

November 2017 • 13

Top 5 Secrets To Selling Your House

by Sonny Glover and Melody Gallion

Selling Secret #1

The first impression is the only impression! Buyers already judge your home before they walk through the door.

You never have a second chance to make a first impression. You can typically get up to 100% return on the money you put into your home’s curb appeal.

Selling Secret #2

Always be ready to show! Your house needs to be ready to show at all times.

You have to be available whenever someone wants to come see the place and it has to be in top shape. Don’t leave dishes in the sink and make sure bathrooms are squeaky clean. It’s a little inconvenient, but it could be the difference of your house selling sooner than later.

Selling Secret #3

Don’t over upgrade! Quick fixes before selling always pays off. Huge makeovers, not so much. You probably

won’t get your money back if you do a huge improvement project before you put your house on the market. Instead, do updates that will pay off and get you top dollar for your home.

Selling Secret #4

Conceal the critters! You might think a cuddly dog would warm the hearts of potential buyers, but you’d be wrong.

Not everybody is a dog or cat lover.

Buyers don’t want to walk in your home and see a bowl full of dog food or smell the kitty litter box. It gives buyers the impression that your house is not clean.

Selling Secret #5

Sonny Glover

As a Florida native, who was born and raised in the area, I can offer you local expertise that will streamline your home shopping or selling experience. My 7 years of previous luxury sales experience helps you get the best price for your home and delivers value to buyers, as well.

Light it up! Maximize the light in your home. After location, good light is the one thing that every buyer cites that they want in their home. Increase the wattage of your light bulbs and cut the bushes outside to let in sunshine. Do what you have to do to make your house bright. It will make it more sellable.

Melody Gallion

Melody Gallion’s number one priority is her clients. She cares about every person she works with. Her main objective is listening to what her customers want and need in a home and finding a match!

Her previous education and employment have lead her through natural progression to the best place she could ever be—A Career in Real Estate.

Let her knowledge in buying and selling homes, decorating, remodeling properties, and general expertise in the real estate market go to work for you.

She can make your experience in buying or selling a home the best you will ever have, because…she is dedicated to just that!

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Say you saw it in the Gulf Coast Family Newspaper

Call today to schedule your personal tour! www.gulfcoastfamily.org

Free Comparative Market Analysis On Your Home!

Do you have room in your heart and home for a waiting child?

Tyshawn Age 12

Friendly and outgoing, Tyshawn is known to light up a room with a calm, yet dynamic presence.

He loves spending time with friends, but nothing surpasses his love for sports, especially football!

Tyshawn also likes to tell jokes and his favorite food is pizza. Tyshawn has no preconceived ideas about what his forever family will look like, he just wants a loving family.

Photo courtesy of Remember This Studio

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Even if you are not planning on buying or selling right away you still need to know the value of the largest asset in your financial portfolio… your home!

Call Melody & Sonny to schedule your appointment today.

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Pinellas Preparatory Academy, Inc Award Winning Art Departments Music / Spanish / Athletics Challenging Curriculum Afterschool Clubs Technology Integration

2300 S. Belcher Road, Largo, FL 33771

Call 727-536-3600 to schedule a school tour.

www.gulfcoastfamily.org

Photo courtesy of Brandi Image Photography

Alex, Brendan, And Dekota Ages 11, 12, & 16

Friendly and funny, Alex enjoys being active. Alex is proudest of his skills on the football field. He likes playing video games and playing with his friends. His favorites include Math, pizza, the cartoon series Steven Universe, and the color Navy Blue. Someday, he’d like to be a fisherman.

PPA is a high performing, tuition free, public charter school for highly motivated students in grades K-8.

Funny, athletic and smart, Brendan is always on the go! Dessert and Minecraft make Brendan happiest, but he’ll settle for macaroni and cheese and Call of Duty 3. No pizza for Brendan, please. Someday, Brendan would like to play baseball for the MLB before becoming a Marine Biologist.

Our highly trained, award winning teachers offer a private school education in a family atmosphere.

A video game designer in the making, Dekota particularly enjoys the style used in martial arts fighting games. To hone his skills, Dekota likes to draw, learn Chinese, and is learning martial arts.

His favorite animal is a panda and he’s still holding out hope that someday he can have one as a pet. With quite a sense of humor, watch out if he ever gets his dream super power – telekinesis!

Now accepting applications for 2016-2017

Application deadline for lottery is April 1, 2017 at 4:00 pm.

To advertise, call 727-612-0783

Alex, Brendan, and Dekota are looking for an active family that can keep them together while keeping them on track. Liking video games would be a big bonus!

For more information about the Heart Gallery visit www.heartgallerykids.org or call 727-258-4806.

November 2017 • 15

“Thank you” Those two words are some of the most powerful words you can say to your kids. My guess is we can all say that a little more. And I’m not talking about only when they do something you’ve asked them to do. I’m talking about thanking them just for being them.

I try to say it to my kids as much as possible, and when I do, the smile on their face can light up a city block. When I say it to our 8-year-old, he seems to be part surprised, part flattered, but most of all, loved. It’s important to let your kids know you are thankful for them in your lives and that you appreciate your family.

My life wouldn’t be the same without my kids. They need to know that. Sometimes our reactions to the things our kids do, or even the sacrifices we make for them, can make it look like they are a distraction. They aren’t and we need to communicate that consistently. For this month’s basic training, here are 5 ways to say thank you to your kids for being your kids.

thing physical, he feels loved and appreciated. Try it with your kids.

1 Just say it.

Our daughter loves to just hangout with either one of us. Thanking her can be as simple as just spending some quality alone time, where she gets all of us.

As dads, sometimes, it’s tough to find the right words.

“Thank you” are two powerful words you can say to your kids.

2 Give a card or gift.

Some dads are better putting words on paper, or even in gift form. Do a random act of thanks and give your kids something that says I appreciate you.

3 Get physical.

My love language is physical touch and at least one of our three kids share the same love language. When I hug him, high five him, give him a fist bump, or any-

4 Do something.

Sometimes saying thanks is helping them complete a task they are struggling with. Or even relieving them of the task. This small act can let them know you are thankful for them and their effort and you want to show it by helping complete it.

5 Hang out with them.

No matter how you say thank you to your kids, just say it. Saying thank you can come in many different forms. It doesn’t matter how you say—the important thing is you do say it.

Sound Off: How does it make your kids feel when you say thank you to your kids?

Huddle up with your kids and say “One reason I am thankful for you is _____________________.” ©2015 All Pro Dad. All Rights Reserved. Family First, All Pro Dad, iMOM, and Family Minute with Mark Merrill are registered trademarks.

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For more details visit www.lsfnet.org to download the application, or call 727-547-5979 www.twitter.com/LSFHeadStart

16 • November 2017

www.facebook.com/lsfheadstartservices Say you saw it in the Gulf Coast Family Newspaper

www.gulfcoastfamily.org

IMOM.COM

Thanksgiving Day is for fun, food, and football. So when the food is enjoyed and the football is over (or the score is out of reach), it is time for fun! We have some creative activities for kids and adults alike…rain, shine, or snow.

• Pin the tail on the turkey. Have your kids draw a turkey with a missing feather and feathered “tails” to take its place. Put a piece of tape on each tail and see who can get closest to the spot of the missing feather.

• If it’s warm enough, head outside.

Have three-legged races, play a “Pass the sweet potato” relay, or have a turkey trot race where everyone has to strut like a turkey.

To make it even more fun, give out a trophy every year to the big winner.

Inscribe the year and winner’s name and have them bring back the trophy next Thanksgiving to hand off to the next winner.

• If you’re stuck inside, play board games. Have a chess tournament, a monopoly marathon, or play Pictionary.

• Get a spiral notebook or journal.

Write the date and have everyone write down what they’re most thankful for from the past year. Make it a tradition. Bring out the book every year and add new memories.

• Give each person a clothes pin to wear. Each time someone says “Christmas,” “holiday,” or “Thanksgiving,” they have to give up their pin. The person with the most pins wins.

• Decorating cookies isn’t just for Christmas. Prebake some sugar or gingerbread cookies. Have a decorating station where the kids and adults can decorate Thanksgivingthemed cookies.

• Have everyone bring a toiletry item (comb, brush, razor), snack food, or other small gift to pack up to send to a soldier overseas.

• Write down the names of everyone at your Thanksgiving dinner on slips of paper. Draw a name and tell what you’re most thankful for in that person.

• Read the story of the Mayflower or the first Thanksgiving. Better yet, act it out!

• Have a blank card or have the children make a card. Have everyone sign it and mail it to a family member or a friend who couldn’t join you.

Find more Thanksgiving ideas at: www.imom.com

Your Children are in Good

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Send Christmas flower arrangements or gifts to St. Petersburg, FL or nationwide with Hamiltons Florist. We have a wide selection of wreaths, centerpieces and bouquets for Christmas decoration and Christmas gifts!

First Baptist Preschool Center

For more information (727) 544-9465 5495 Park Blvd.

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To advertise, call 727-612-0783

November 2017 • 17

November: Sweater Weather And Manatee Awareness Month November is Manatee Awareness Month! Every year we get the chance to show our appreciation for the gentle sea cows that call the Florida coast line home.

Tampa’s Lowry Park Zoo takes part in rescue and rehabilitation efforts to help keep our marine friends numbers afloat. There are natural threats, however manatees will more often be injured by boat collisions, loose fishing gear, or ingesting trash in the waters. Since 1991, the David A. Straz

Jr, Manatee Critical Care Center has provided critical care to over 400 Florida manatees.

The critical care center is the first of its kind and is currently undergoing renovations to better serve the sea giants that need our aid! The water filtration system is being upgraded to provide a better life support system to help provide advanced, specialized care to these mammals. While this renovation takes place, The Zoo’s veterinary team is providing critical

Did You Know? care at the Ellie Schiller Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park and will be continuing our efforts to care for manatees.

• Tampa’s Lowry Park Zoo has cared for more than 400 manatees.

• 82 manatees are injured by boat strike each year.

• Rescued manatees stay an average of 173 days at the Critical Care Center.

• A manatee can eat a tenth of its own weight in just 24 hours!

• It takes $30,000 per month to feed the manatees, making them the most expensive species to feed at the zoo.

Manatee Rescue In Safety Harbor This past October, Senior Veterinarian Dr. Ray Ball was called onsite from Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) to assess the health of a manatee in Safety Harbor.

The manatee was found with a crab trap caught around her flipper.

A health assessment was performed and photos were taken for documentation. The FWC keeps a record of all manatees rescued, rehabbed and released for research and to track these manatees if they require critical care again.

Dr. Ball needed to evaluate if the manatee needed to be transported to the David A. Straz, Jr. Manatee Critical Care Center at the Zoo. Thanks to additional resources provided by the McCune Family Foundation, The McCann Foundation, and the Gulf Environmental Benefit Fund (GEBF), it was possible to evaluate a blood sample in the field and check for

18 • November 2017

anemia. Thankfully, the blood sample revealed she was perfectly healthy and simply needed that crab trap off her flipper. A complete blood analysis performed later at the Catherine Straz Veterinary Hospital at TLPZ also confirmed this manatee to indeed be very fit.

After assessing her flipper, it was determined that amputation was the best solution for the welfare of this manatee. We know what you’re thinking, how can a manatee survive

without a flipper? Manatees are extremely resilient and can actually survive with one flipper. There is even documentation of manatees in the wild without flippers.

in our efforts to rescue, rehabilitate and release manatees at the David A. Straz, Jr. Manatee Critical Care Center with over 400 manatees cared for to date.

Thanks to the great efforts from FWC, TLPZ and volunteers, this manatee was released back to Florida waters. TLPZ is always working to help wildlife in need — especially Florida’s rare native animals.

Intervention in the field is yet another way we fulfill our mission to protect Florida wildlife. We pride ourselves

If you see distressed or injured manatees, please call the FWC hotline at 888-404-FWCC (3922).

Say you saw it in the Gulf Coast Family Newspaper

www.gulfcoastfamily.org

www.gulfcoastfamily.org

To advertise, call 727-612-0783

November 2017 • 19

How to Get Out of Your Workout Slump What Is Motivation?

Merriam-Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary defines motivation as “that which gives purpose and direction to behavior.”

Whether you’re motivation is to win, lose weight, build muscle or look amazing for your high school reunion – you need something to get you moving to make that happen.

Get your motivation back and your Fit on with these seven tips:

1. Plan to get past obstacles before they happen. If you’re skipping exercise because of family responsibilities, plan a family walk or outing and get everyone involved.

2. Try working out in the morning. You’ll have more energy throughout the day and won’t make the excuse to skip it because you’re tired or have to work late.

3. Workout with a friend. When a friend is waiting for you, you’re less likely to back out!

4. Make a list of goals and put them on the refrigerator. When you think about skipping your workout, go back and read your list. Remember why you’re doing this!

20 • November 2017

5. Keep track of your progress. When you reach a goal, this will motivate you to keep going. LFF members can easily do this on LifeCenter™.

6. Plan your workouts the night before and be prepared with a workout bag ready to go so there are no excuses!

7. Reward yourself! It’s important to pat yourself on the back for reaching your goals. Get a massage, a new pair of workout shoes or plan a night on the town every so often.

Active workouts to switch up your routine: • Roller Blading • Ice Skating • Group fitness classes such as Yoga, CXWORX™ or Zumba® • Group training such as a Boot Camp or personal training to strengthen weak areas of the body or improve flexibility • 5Ks, 10Ks or trail runs Feel motivated? Take these ideas and make your fitness success a reality!

voice | piano | guitar | Drums | Uke | Rock Band | Hip Hop | Lyrical | Tap | Combo | improv | Sketch Comedy | Writing | Directing | Audition | Music Theatre

Did you know

that there are over 114,000 children and youth throughout the United States in foster care who are currently waiting for adoptive families. November is National Adoption Month, a month set aside each year to raise awareness about the adoption of children and youth from foster care. In his proclamation recognizing National Adoption Month, President Obama reminds us that “All children deserve a safe, loving family to protect and care for them.”

If you are interested in learning more about the waiting children here in our area, we encourage you to contact the Heart Gallery at (866) 233-0790.

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Say you saw it in the Gulf Coast Family Newspaper

www.gulfcoastfamily.org

Give Thanks

S

ince the Pilgrims observed the initial Thanksgiving holiday in 1621, this occasion has served as a singular expression of the transcending spiritual values that played an instrumental part in the founding of our country.

One hundred and twenty years ago, in the midst of a great and terrible civil conflict, President Lincoln formally proclaimed a national day of Thanksgiving to remind those “insensible to the ever watchful providence of almighty God” of this Nation’s bounty and greatness. Several days after the dedication of the Gettysburg battlefield, the United States celebrated its first national Thanksgiving. Every year since then, our Nation has faithfully continued this tradition. The time has come once again to proclaim a day of thanksgiving, an occasion for Americans to express gratitude to their God and their country.

In his remarks at Gettysburg, President Lincoln referred to ours as a Nation “under God.” We rejoice in the fact that, while we have maintained separate institutions of church and state over our 200 years of freedom, we have at the same time preserved reverence for spiritual beliefs. Although we are a pluralistic society, the giving of thanks can be a true bond of unity among our people. We can unite in gratitude for our individual freedoms and individual faiths. We can be united in gratitude for our Nation’s peace and prosperity when so many in this world have neither.

As was written in the first Thanksgiving Proclamation 120 years ago, “No human counsel hath devised nor hath any mortal hand worked out these great things. They are the gracious gifts of the Most High God.” God has blessed America and her people, and it is appropriate we recognize this bounty.

Celebrating 25 years!

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– Ronald Reagan, Sept. 15, 1983 www.gulfcoastfamily.org

To advertise, call 727-612-0783

www.piesflorida.com

November 2017 • 21

in the kitchen

Playing host for the big game? Here is a great bean dip recipe to cover you from kick-off to the end zone. Served hot from the oven and made with a scrumptious amount of cheese and salsa, Mexican spices and refried beans, this lively dish is super easy to make and super delicious to eat!

Cheesy Bean Dip

• 8 ounces shredded Mexican blend or cheddar-jack cheese • 16-ounce can refried beans • ½ cup salsa

• ½ cup sour cream • 4 ounces cream cheese • 1 tablespoon chili powder • ¼ teaspoon ground cumin

1. Set aside ½ cup of cheese; combine remaining ingredients thoroughly.

2. Transfer to a 1 ½ or 2 quart baking dish; bake at 350 degrees for 20 to 25 minutes until heated through.

3. S prinkle reserved cheese over dip and bake for an additional 4 to 5 minutes until cheese is melted.

4. Garnish as desired and serve with tortilla chips.

Cool Kids Cook

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½ off second entreé of equal or lesser value. Limit 1 coupon per person.Cannot be combined with any other offer. Expires 11/30/17.

4871 Park Street N. St. Petersburg FL

CHEER HARD.

22 • November 2017

EAT WELL.

727-545-3057 Catering and Take Out available Say you saw it in the Gulf Coast Family Newspaper

Offering homestyle meals made from quality ingredients for more than 27 years.

Breakfast served all day Located on Starkey and Bryan Dairy in the Bardmoor shopping center next to Publix.

10801 Starkey Rd. (727) 397-9251

www.gulfcoastfamily.org

Pizza for dessert? Why not! Your family will love the combination of rich chocolate and creamy peanut butter in this dessert pizza.

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Peanut Butter Pizza • 18-ounce package refrigerated peanut butter cookie dough • 12-ounce package miniature chocolate chips • 8-ounce package cream cheese

• 1/3 cup creamy peanut butter • ¼ cup packed brown sugar • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1. Press cookie dough into a greased 12- or 14-inch pizza pan; bake at 350 degrees for 12 to 15 minutes.

2. Set aside ½ cup chocolate chips and pour remainder over hot crust; let stand for a few minutes until melted, then spread over crust; freeze for 10 minutes until chocolate is set.

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3. Beat remaining ingredients in a mixing bowl until smooth; spread over chocolate layer.

4. Sprinkle reserved chocolate chips over cream cheese layer.

Cool Kids Cook

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www.gulfcoastfamily.org

To advertise, call 727-612-0783

November 2017 • 23

Your Neighborhood Favorite Since 1974…

VALID FOR DINE-IN, TAKE-OUT & DELIVERY

We all know that eating out often can add up! So, it’s important to know where the best deals are for the family. Here are some great places in the Tampa Bay area that are family friendly and are offering some great specials.

NO OTHER COUPONS, DISCOUNTS, OR OFFERS APPLY

13050 Park Blvd.

(727)

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(727)

544-5611

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{ SMOKIN’ OFFER}

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with any other special, Please present coupon when ordering. Not valid 12-31-17. Limited to one Discount, promotion or coupon. Enjoy through locations in Pinellas y’s Coupon per household. Good at participating Sonn GCF and Hillsborough Counties Only.

24 • November 2017

Say you saw it in the Gulf Coast Family Newspaper

www.gulfcoastfamily.org

FRESH FOOD FAST Dine-In or Drive-Thru Catering

eatPDQ.com US

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Park Blvd.

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Pinellas Park, FL 33781 Catering: 727-362-1007

Catering Available for Tenders, Sandwiches, Salads Spend over $100 in catering With this ad. Valid at Pinellas Park and St. Petersburg PDQ only. Expires 12/31/2017.

BUY ONE TENDERS, SALAD OR SANDWICH COMBO MEAL

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www.gulfcoastfamily.org

To advertise, call 727-612-0783

Valid at Pinellas Park and St. Petersburg PDQ only. Expires 12/31/2017.

November 2017 • 25

Thankful Hearts, Helpful Hands Many parents want to raise thankful children. They prompt their little ones to say “thank you” when possible and feel embarrassed when a child tosses aside a gift or grumbles that the gift isn’t exactly right. But in wishing our children to be thankful, it’s important to keep in mind their developmental level before asking too much of them.

by Glazer Children’s Museum

All children start out being self-centered. This isn’t because they are bad, but just a natural part of their development. Understanding the emotions and perspectives of another person generally is not part of a child’s world until they start school (around 6-7 years old). You are unlikely to get genuine gratitude from a toddler. Most young children will say “thank you” because it makes adults happy. But there are ways to help develop gratitude in your children that are developmentally appropriate and realistic.

If your child doesn’t offer thanks on his or her own, tell him, “I like it when you say thank you.” Positive reinforcement is a great way to encourage behavior. Gentle reminders are fine – “What do we say?” – but even better is to share the opportunity to be thankful together. “Let’s both thank Aunt Ginny for the toy.” If your toddler won’t join in, be courteous for him. “He’s a bit shy right now, but I’m sure he is very thankful for your gift.” Later, explain that it makes people feel good to hear thank you’s.

Start by showing your children that you are thankful for them. Loving attention to your children and other people in your life helps kids model empathy. Also, show your appreciation to others. Be clear about what you are grateful for – “Thank you so much for helping me load the groceries into the car.”

As children grow, encourage them to help others. Don’t shy away from hard truths about poverty or hunger, and let your child assist with your voluntarism and charity. Let them do things for others, and receive thanks for it.

This will have the dual effect of reinforcing how nice it is to be thanked, and also helping them

see how good their life might be.

And finally, don’t save all your thanks for Thanksgiving! Whatever your traditions, take time as a family to talk about what you are thankful for, and do it often. This encourages everyone in the family (parents too!) to be grateful for all the wonderful things and people in our lives. By modeling your own gratitude for others, you will raise children who are gracious and thankful.

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26 • November 2017

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Say you saw it in the Gulf Coast Family Newspaper

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Ready for Another Checkup?

1. How do you best prefer to communicate with me? (Email? Phone? Text? Notes?)

by Judy Adorno,

2. What do you see as my child’s strengths?

Director St. Petersburg Sylvan Learning Center Ready for another checkup? Only this checkup isn’t at the doctor’s office, it’s at your child’s school.

3. What do you think are the academic challenges for my child?

4. What would you do if my child were struggling academically with something?

5. How is my child doing socially?

It’s parent teacher conference time.

Did you know that parental involvement is a strong predictor of academic success? Teachers want you to attend conferences and be involved in your children’s school lives. This is an exciting opportunity for both you and the teacher.

To make the most of this opportunity, here are ten important questions to ask during a parent teacher conference. The goal is that by asking these questions, you will get a better understanding of how your child is doing in school and the values and beliefs of your child’s teacher, which will both be extremely valuable as the school year continues.

www.gulfcoastfamily.org

QUESTIONS TO ASK DURING PARENT TEACHER CONFERENCES

6. How do you support kids in their social development? For example, how do you address challenges that happen at recess?

7. Is my child on grade level for reading?

What about math, science and writing?

8. How does the school handle standardized testing and prep for those tests?

9. Can we talk more about your homework policy and how my child is doing with homework?

If you are concerned about something, start with a positive comment first such as “thank you for taking the time to meet with me today.” Then use an “I message” such as “I’m concerned” to bring up the topic. Also, be sure to tell the teacher what you’re doing at home to solve the problem. That will show your intent to work with the teacher to find the best solution for your child.

Above all, remember to keep your conference friendly and positive. Just like the old adage says, you’ll catch more flies with honey than vinegar. Be positive and solution-oriented.

You and your child’s teacher can be a strong team of support for your child. Make this checkup a helpful stepping-stone in a successful parent-school partnership.

For more educational resources for children in grades pre-K through 12, please visit www.SylvanLearning.com or call 1-800-31-SUCCESS.

10. What can I do at home to support what you’re doing in the classroom?

To advertise, call 727-612-0783

November 2017 • 27

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Say you saw it in the Gulf Coast Family Newspaper

www.gulfcoastfamily.org

40,000 free books available to Pinellas students and educators Pinellas County Schools is asking students to fall in love with reading. To assist in that request, students and educators will have the ability to receive free books from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 11.

The book giveaway will be held at John Hopkins Middle School, 701 16th St. S. St. Petersburg. There will be 40,000 brand new books that cater to all grade and reading levels.

Families will have an opportunity to build their home libraries. Parents can receive five free books for each child that attends.

All educators, school staff and nonprofit and community programs that work or volunteer with Title I schools or with English Language Learner (ELL), Exceptional Student Education (ESE) programs or with military families are also eligible to receive free books.

Educators and community organizations must register with First Book to participate. Registration is free: Go to www.firstbook.org/AFT. On the Welcome Screen, click “Sign up with First Book” which is on the left side of the page. Then click “Sign up now” at the bottom of the next page to get started.

Largo Middle School earns “School of Distinction” award Largo Middle School recently celebrated being named a College For Every Student (CFES) “School of Distinction.” The CFES “School of Distinction” award recognizes schools that have exemplary programs incorporating the three CFES core practices: mentoring, leadership through service, and pathways to college & career. These schools provide intensive exposure to the three practices for targeted students, known as CFES Scholars, and also create a culture that promotes college and career readiness for all students.

Largo Middle School is one of 33 schools in eight states and Ireland to earn the

“Schools of Distinction” designation.

“These 33 schools are not only helping their Scholars become college ready, but they’re also sharing their best practices and lifting up other schools across the country and beyond,” said CFES President & CEO Rick Dalton.

College For Every Student engages students in its three high-impact core practices in an effort to raise aspirations and develop grit, resilience, commitment and other essential skills that advance social and educational uplift.

Great Day Tampa Bay host and former NFLer Michael Clayton addresses 5000 Role Model participants More than 200 Pinellas County Schools elementary, middle and high school boys have taken the 5000 Role Model of Excellence Program pledge for the 2017-18 school year. During an induction ceremony held last month at Gibbs High School, the boys were given their traditional red necktie that signifies membership in the program.

Michael Clayton, a former Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver and a member of the 2012 New York Giants Super Bowl winning team, was the keynote speaker.

Clayton is now the host of Great Day Tampa Bay on 10 News WTSP. He told the students to be mindful of life’s seven positive Ps which are: purpose, power, passion, person, principals, path and prosperity.

The 5000 Role Model of Excellence program is designed to boost the self-

Choice Program events begin in November www.gulfcoastfamily.org

The application period for District Application Programs for next school year is Jan. 10-19, 2018. Parents can learn how to apply for magnet, fundamental and career programs at Parent Information Sessions. All presentations will be held 6:30-7:30 p.m. in school auditoriums:

• Monday, Nov. 6 at Pinellas Park High 6305 118th Ave. N

• Wednesday, Nov. 1 at Countryside High 3000 SR 580, Clearwater

• Thursday, Nov. 9, 6 to 8 p.m.

Boca Ciega High School 924 58th St. S, Gulfport

• Thursday, Nov. 2 at Boca Ciega High School 924 58th St. S, Gulfport

Families can see a showcase of all application programs and meet program representatives at Choice Information Fairs:

To advertise, call 727-612-0783

image, increase social skills, and academic performance of targeted males.

Students in the program interact with respected and successful men whose real-life accomplishments help to inspire the young males to succeed. Students are paired with mentors and they meet bi-weekly to discuss academics, current teen issues, and worldwide issues. The students wear the red neckties to school on meeting days.

• Saturday, Nov. 11, 9 a.m. to noon Pinellas Park High School 6305 118th Ave N, Largo.

All programs will hold their own open-house style events called Discovery Nights from Nov. 13 to Dec. 22. Choice events and Discovery Nights are listed on the Choice Event flier. For more information, visit www.pcsb.org/choice or call 727-588-6210.

November 2017 • 29

American Top Team St. Petersburg Explains

“ 13 Reasons Why” Your Family Should Choose Jiu-Jitsu and a Martial Arts Center for Protection I do not know if some of you have already read this book which is a success among teenagers.

Going back to school, the character Clay Jensen receives a package with cassette tapes recorded by a colleague, in which Hannah Baker tells in 13 recorded tapes explaining why she chose them in order to find out how they contributed to her tragic incident. This is the synopsis of the best-seller book “Thirteen Reasons Why”, written in 2007 by Jay Asher that became very popular after Netflix created the show.

The audience gets startled and taken aback as they watch Baker’s character face serious issues such as sexual harassment, bullying, and prejudice without showing any depression signals to her parents, principal or friends, until the breaking point of making a huge mistake. Who watched the 1st season and trains Jiu-Jitsu, was able to notice how Martial Arts could have minimized the situations that Baker had to face.

We used this example to explain the importance of Jiu-Jitsu (Especially Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu) to kids and adolescents.

American Top Team St. Pete will list below 13 benefits of the Martial Art to adolescents: 1. Healthy Friendships – You make friends on the tatami which is the opposite of the difficulties faced by the characters when going to a new school. At Jiu-Jitsu gyms, training colleagues become brothers for the rest of their lives with the same interests and habits. ATT St. Pete opened its doors 2 months ago and we are waiting for you to become a part of this beautiful family.

By Ana Frias

2. Communication – Shyness and difficulty expressing feelings are very common among teenagers. Jiu-Jitsu helps to gain confidence and lose fears and also the communication with family Jiu-Jitu as a contact sport will help a lot in communication.

3. Joy for Life – The constant learning and accomplished challenges during each training stimulate and make it linger the next day. Jiu-Jitsu teaches that there is nothing as a day after the other and life is a sequence of good and bad days. One training day you lose and the other you win and training, focus and discipline are part of the daily routine.

4. Good Habits – Training Jiu-Jitsu regularly will make the trainer to eat healthy, sleep well and keep a good shape. An athlete like this will naturally reject bad habits as sleeping late, making bad choices or eating too much. We know that nowadays teenagers with easy internet access and with empty minds are always learning new things that are not good for them.

At American Top Team, we are concerned with your child’s future and make him a champion one day.

Changing Lives Reaching the World

Starkey Road Baptist Church 8800 Starkey Road * Seminole, FL 33777 (727)397-1654 www.SRBC.org 30 • November 2017

Say you saw it in the Gulf Coast Family Newspaper

www.gulfcoastfamily.org

5. Respect – The one who trains, learns to treat his colleagues well and respect the teachers and starts realizing that the most experienced ones have always something to teach. On the tatami Master Junior Fernandes and his black belt and St. Pete’s head coach, Master Jayson teach Jiu-Jitsu and boxing daily, are teaching how to respect others.

6. Counseling – Thanks to the relationship with coaches and older colleagues at the gym, the teen will make more mature and experienced friends that are always ready for a good piece of advice or share their experiences.

7. Interaction with Parents – The difficulty of the dialogue with parents exhibited on the show, is minimized with Jiu-Jitsu. Especially when teenagers and parents train together, which is something very usual these days. As American Top Team’s concept of Martial Arts for the whole family, you will have more time to talk and have fun with your kid at the same time.

American Top Team St. Petersburg

Martial Arts for the

Whole Family

8. More Fun – School life can be tough and tedious.

Jiu-Jitsu offers some hours of adrenaline and emotion, with a bonus of some wins against heavier opponents, as a way out. Fighting at school is not accepted on a Jiu-Jitsu gym.

9. Self-Confidence – The one who trains, loses weight fast, feels better with himself and stops paying attention to bullying friends. We also offer Fitness classes that we recommend as it prepares athletes to training and strengthening for Jiu-Jitsu.

11. Protection against Rape – During the first classes, any girl or boy will learn the guard benefits and footwork to get rid of potential abusers.

12. Less Alcohol – During the school career it is very usual to have a break with parties full of tempting liquor and even heavy drugs. Jiu-Jitsu will teach that there is no need of getting high to make friends – as it was mentioned, we make solid friendships in the tatami for the rest of our lives.

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954-638-0860

www.attstpete.com

Park St.

10. Facing Problems – Jiu-Jitsu teaches us not to accumulate problems. Is there something wrong? Is the hand holding the collar bothering you? It must be taken care of at the time or you will be finalized. In life, there is no way of letting anything behind as in Jiu-Jitsu.

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3951 Tyrone Blvd.

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13. End of Bullying – There is no need of fighting with the tough guys at school to impose yourself. Just one talk or a firm eye contact or a t-shirt written “JiuJitsu” to frighten the cowards.

We hope this information will clarify some of the doubts parents, who are thinking of sports for their kids, may have.

Ana Frias, American Top Team 954-638-0860 www.gulfcoastfamily.org

To advertise, call 727-612-0783

November 2017 • 31

Young Health Talk: Flu Season

As the flu season fast approaches, many of my patients are seeking my advice as to whether or not to get the flu shot.

Firstly, I stress it’s their decision, but as for myself, I won’t be getting one. Your first response to this may be that firstly, a doctor, as a first responder, should arm himself against the flu in order to be available himself to treat the sick, and secondly he should do so as an example to others. Be assured, I have come by my decision after much study and deliberation, so let me list my reasons.

It’s in February, at the end of the flu season, when the WHO (World Health Organization) gathers data from scientists from around the world, giving their best educated guess as to what flu strain will be the most prevalent come November/ December. Sometimes their prediction is accurate, sometimes it’s not. If their prediction is off, it means the flu shot prepared for that year’s flu is of little help. And even if they get it right, the

flu shot is not comprehensive enough to tackle all the types of flu strains circulating during flu season.

Another reason I choose not to get the flu shot is that many patients, after getting the shot, come down with flu anyway, as this is a side effect of taking the vaccination.

So what do I recommend instead? I have several tricks up my sleeve. Firstly, I make sure I’m getting enough protein each day. (Take your weight and divide by 2 – that is the protein in grams you should be consuming each day to maintain a healthy immune system). Secondly, I need to maintain my iodine levels. Thirdly, I need to take appropriate amounts of Vitamin C. Each person has a different tolerance level for Vitamin C. Take Vitamin C in small increments.

Your goal is loose but formed stools. Diarrhea would be an indication that your body has hit its saturation point and you

by John D. Young, MD need to back down to the previous dosage. You’ll find that your daily dose may change. If you start fighting the flu, your body’s tolerance for vitamin C goes way up as it uses all the available C to fight the virus.

and trace minerals delivered intravenously. Because it bypasses the gut, the body is able to handle the higher doses of Vitamin C, B and magnesium. Speaking from personal experience, it works quickly and very effectively.

And finally, at the first sign of flu symptoms, I get a shot of Vitamin D3 (or I’ll take it orally if the shot is unavailable). If flu symptoms persist after I’ve taken these measures, I have one last bow in my quiver: the Myers IV cocktail. Developed

by Dr. John Meyers, former Chief of Medicine at John Hopkins University of Medicine, it’s a combination of vitamins

Getting the flu shot does not guarantee you will not get the flu.

But be assured, should you start feeling symptoms, there are some natural alternatives you can take to fight it. Please remember to consult with your physician before embarking on any vitamin regimen.

To Your Health, John Young, MD

Dr. Young has been an Emergency Room Physician and Family Practitioner for over 16 years. He is an Assistant Professor of Medicine at Marshall School of Medicine, WV. Dr. Young’s ongoing research in alternative therapies has led to many innovative products being used around the world.

Treat the Cell, Heal the Body A Step Beyond Alternative Medicine Our goal is to treat each patient with specific remedies custom designed to attain optimal health on a cellular level.

We endeavor to treat the root of a health issue, rather than just treat the symptoms. We believe that optimizing cellular nutrition and function is the best path to a healthier you.

John Young, MD

Young Foundational Health Center

7241 Bryan Dairy Road, Largo, Florida 33777 Office: 727-545-4600 Fax: 727-545-4611 foundationalhealth@tampabay.rr.com www.foundationalhealthcenter.org 32 • November 2017

Say you saw it in the Gulf Coast Family Newspaper

www.gulfcoastfamily.org

avigating Your Health

Now Enrolling – Please Call or eMail to Schedule a Tour!

Holy Family Catholic School Faith – Values – Academic Excellence

Family Management:

It’s A Big Job! Do you remember when you were a kid? Summers seemed to float by until you succumbed to the rhythm of the new school year. You had not a clue your parents were trying to manage it all. I bet you have a different perspective now.

Trying to give your children a decent childhood these days is laced with signof-the-times challenges. Overwhelm, short-tempers, and burn-out days exist. Your natural desire to be a supercharged parent can push you slightly beyond your limit, however here are some ideas to alleviate the pressure.

Change of Routine: Family management requires flexibility, but also an adherence to structure. Stress, comfort and boredom can all be experienced in “normalcy.” The best way to appreciate what routines provide is to break them. Deliberately designate non-routine times. The break will serve to re-energize you.

by Nicole Dennison, Certified Life and Health Coach it. Make it fun. Get everyone involved.

Afterward, vote on a fun reward to enjoy for the effort. The real stress relief will come in the days following when material peace returns to the area.

Embrace Moments of Love: The craziness of life doesn’t always make sense, but expressing love has a way of melting concerns. Family management is made easier when joy is intentionally added into each day. Whatever difficulties occur, children remember how good humor makes it better.

Keeping everyone healthy is also a way to reduce stress, especially during the holidays. Next month’s article will be on Family Health: Ways to Stay Healthy This Winter. I’ll have some great natural healing tips to share with you.

At Holy Family, we provide your child with a strong academic foundation in a safe, faith-filled environment.

• IA (Iowa Assessment) and ACRE test scores higher than the national average • Advanced curriculum that includes technology, foreign language, music and art • Enrichment program for qualified students • Student leadership, sports and extracurricular activities • Small class sizes!

• PreK2 through 8th grade • Financial aid available through “Step Up for Students”

Please call (727) 526-8194 for more information or to schedule a tour!

Or eMail us at: jdesrosiers@holyfamilycatholicschool.com 250 78th Ave. NE • St. Petersburg, FL 33702 727-526-8194 • Cmeyer@holyfamilycatholicschool.com www.HolyFamilyCatholicSchool.com

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Clear the Clutter: Homes and cars have stuff in them. It is easy to overlook what is always present. But if you want an amazing lift, choose a day and focus on one area to unclutter

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Nicole Dennison is a Certified Life and Holistic Health Coach and the founder of Change the Course Coaching. She invites readers of Gulf Coast Family Magazine to accept her offer of a free 30-minute phone consultation to learn tips on how to balance the demands of the family including managing health and emotions. Her website is www.ChangeTheCourseCoaching.com or she can be reached at 727-644-4102. www.gulfcoastfamily.org

through Grade 8 School” “There’s PreK2 No Place Like Holy Family

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For Movie Times Call: 727-230-1010 November 2017 • 33

Family

Jackie Minniti

L i b r a ry

Jacqueline

Jacqueline

“Jacqueline’s timeless story of hope, faith,

Jackie Minniti

and the enduring bond of friendship will

Shortly after D-Day, Jackie Minniti’s father lost his heart to a little French girl. The tale of their friendship was the only war story he was willing to share. It became the basis for Jacqueline, a heartwarming novel with the drama of fiction and the authenticity of personal history.

linger with you long after you reach the end.”

– Diane Capri New York Times and USA Today Bestselling Author When ten-year-old Jacqueline Falna hears her mother’s scream, she is unaware that the axis of her world is about to tilt. Her father’s plane has been shot down by German fighters. In the midst of poverty, food shortages, air raids, and the grinding hardship of daily life under Nazi rule, she forms an unlikely alliance with David Bergier, a twelve-year-old Jewish neighbor.

Jackie, a former middle school reading teacher, has crafted a novel that will capture the interest of even reluctant readers and give students a window into history. “WWII veterans are rapidly disappearing, and with them, their stories,” she said. “It’s important to preserve as many as possible.” This was the inspiration for Jacqueline.

The story centers around 10-year-old Jacqueline Falna who lives with her mother in Rennes, France. When her father’s plane is shot down by German fighters, Jacqueline refuses to believe he’s dead. In spite of the hardships of life under Nazi occupation, she remains steadfast in her faith that God will return her father to her. When she meets an American soldier who bears an uncanny resemblance to him, she learns that prayers are sometimes answered in unexpected ways.

Jackie believes there is a large audience of young people hungering for inspirational stories that offer a positive world view. She has drawn on her classroom experience to create a study guide for Jacqueline that can be used by teachers and home schoolers. All the materials are crossreferenced with Common Core curriculum, giving parents and teachers a faith-based alternative to comply with the Grade 4-8 standards in Language Arts/Literacy and Social Studies. The study guide is available as a free download at www.jackieminniti.com.

The publication of Jacqueline has fulfilled a lifetime dream for Jackie. “My dad turned 99 this year,” she said, “and putting that book in his hands was one of the proudest moments of my life.”

“Jacqueline” is a tale of family, faith, unusual friendships, and the resiliency of the human spirit set against the backdrop of occupied France in 1944.

Award winning Florida author Jackie Minniti

www.jackieminniti.com

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Grace Lutheran Church & School’s Boys’ Soccer Team Clinches State Championship Title

After an undefeated season, Grace Lutheran Church & School’s boys’ soccer team clinched the state championship title in a penalty kick shootout on Saturday, October 28. Grace’s boys’ team won 0-0,1-0 in penalty kicks in the 7th round against St. Paul Lutheran from Boca Raton. The Florida Lutheran Athletic Association (FLAA) tournament was held at Youth Park in Pinellas Park and included the six highest-seeded teams from across the state.

The tournament championship game was hard-fought but remained tied at the end of the second half and went to a shootout. Seven players from Grace took shots in the shootout including eighth graders August Bouffard, Brock Stephens, Thai Tran, London Hall, Julian Castillo, Peter Smith and seventh grader, Jacob Schillinger. Every one made their shot. The game was

ultimately won when goalie Peter Smith stopped a shot by an opposing player.

“I was standing there teary-eyed. It was awesome!” said Renee McLay, a teacher and parent at Grace Lutheran.

Grace’s boys’ finished their undefeated season 18-0, coached by Eric Macke, a history teacher and soccer coach at Grace Lutheran Church & School.

Macke has coached both the boys’ and girls’ soccer teams for 18 years, but has never led either to a State Championship Title before.

“This was a two-year project where the boys learned how to focus on a goal, how to come together for the benefit of the team and how to play soccer the right way, “ Macke said. “Winning the state tournament was a well-deserved reward that we will remember for a long

time.” Macke’s philosophy is that he teachers the boys how to play the game of soccer, but he also teaches them more important lessons about character and sportsmanship.

Grace’s boys’ team includes students from fifth to eighth grade. Varsity (seventh and eighth grade) practices four days a week. JV -- fifth and sixth graders whom Macke affectionately refers to as “the pups” -- joins them two days a week.

The team has become like a family with several siblings even playing side-byside. Eighth graders and twins Julian and Santiago Castillo are driving forces – one playing forward and the other defender.

Other powerhouse eighth graders on the team include Thai Tran, London Hall, Brock Stephens, August Bouffard and goalie, Peter Smith.

“Eric (Macke) told me before the season began he thought he had ‘the perfect storm,’ said Athletic Director Sharon Nesman.

Turns out, he was right.

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To advertise, call 727-612-0783

Grace’s boys beat St. Michael Lutheran from Ft. Myers 6-0 earlier in the day. The State Tournament was the culmination of an undefeated season against other local Christian schools and first place trophies at two other regional tournaments – CFLAA in Orlando and an invitational in Ft. Myers. Saturday’s FLAA tournament included teams from Delray Beach, Ft. Myers, Oviedo, Eustis, and Boca Raton. The tournament was hosted this year by Grace Lutheran and also included a girls’ volleyball tournament which was played in Grace’s newly-constructed gymnasium.

“It was “Amazing!” said Abbie Hundt of St. Petersburg, a parent of two boys on the team. “Mr. Macke led a great group of boys to an undefeated season!

We are all so grateful and proud!”

Grace Lutheran Church & School is a Christian school in St. Petersburg, Florida which enrolls students in PreK2–8th grade. It is part of the largest system of Protestant parochial schools in the United States: 1,400 early childhood centers; 1,000 elementary schools; and, 100 high schools which serve a total of almost 300,000 students.

You can contact Grace Lutheran Church & School at (727) 527-6213 or online at www.glsfl.org.

Seminole/Beaches 13050 Park Blvd.

397-6661

Family Owned and Operated Since 1974 November 2017 • 35

with Jim Daly Q: I enjoy the holidays, but I want our kids to learn that it’s more than just food, football, shopping, presents and days off from school. Do you have any suggestions?

Jim: One of the secrets to a happy life is gratitude—not just brief moments here and there where we acknowledge the good things in life. I’m talking about living a life of gratitude.

Gratefulness isn’t just an emotion we feel; it’s a choice we make. This is especially important considering the problems we all face in life. We may have to search for reasons to be grateful. Perhaps we’re having trouble at work. We can still be thankful we have a job. Or maybe our child is making poor decisions. Although we’re disappointed, we can be grateful they’re healthy and safe at that moment.

Gratitude is not merely thankfulness when everything is going right. After all, life is rarely like that. Instead, gratitude is understanding we live in a broken world, yet choosing to be thankful anyway.

TEACH KIDS TO BE GRATEFUL ALL THROUGHOUT THE YEAR

To do that, we have to intentionally see the goodness in our lives. That can be tough, because the smallest blessings can be the hardest to notice. But they’re also what help give our life its richness and meaning.

The Thanksgiving holiday is a great occasion to begin that practice. In our household, we go around the table and share what we’re grateful for. But once the holidays end, we carry that tradition on throughout the rest of the year because we believe it’s important to do.

Life will always confront us with challenges, and those hardships can sap us of our gratitude. But making it a daily habit to pause and reflect will help us remember just how much we have to be thankful for. For more encouragement to make every day count, visit FocusOnTheFamily.com.

DURING STRESSFUL HOLIDAY TIME, OFFER KINDNESS TO RELATIVES Q: Do you have any advice for dealing with extended family members who don’t get along? My in-laws like to host big get-togethers with all the relatives, but they’re always marked by tension and dissension. I don’t want to offend my spouse or his parents, but I’m tired of all the conflict. Can you suggest a solution?

Jim: This a common situation—in home after home, family gatherings that are supposed to be filled with love and warmth end up turning into tense, uncomfortable confrontations. But “common” isn’t the same thing as “unavoidable.”

One option is to be honest. When you get an invitation, tell your in-laws that you appreciate their thoughtfulness, but aren’t going to be able to join the party. You don’t need to defend yourself or offer a long explanation. Just state your position and leave it at that. Naturally, you and your spouse will have to be in agreement on this.

A second choice would be to attend the gathering, but minimize your contact (if travel is involved, make plans to stay at a hotel rather than in your in-laws’ home). Tell them that you’re looking forward to spending time with them, but don’t want to get involved in a feud with other members of the family. If the party disintegrates into a shouting match, politely excuse yourselves and head for home.

There’s also a third option. You could approach the next family gathering with an entirely different attitude. Try to see it as a time for reaching out in kindness and grace, even when it’s hard. Look for opportunities to extend love to some unlovely people. In the process, you may end up having a bigger impact in all their lives than you might suspect.

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HELPING PEOPLE BUY AND SELL HOMES SINCE 1996 FREE CONSULTATION • REFERENCES AVAILABLE 36 • November 2017

Say you saw it in the Gulf Coast Family Newspaper

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If you have questions about 1199 Highland Ave. N.E. Largo, Florida 33770 our school, please call stpaulumc.org sonkissedstpaul@aol.com

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FATHER-DAUGHTER “DATES” CAN HELP TEEN SEE SHE IS VALUED

have a positive influence on her perception of herself.

Q: I’m the father of a slightly “boy crazy” 14-year-old daughter. I’m really dreading the whole dating thing as she gets a little older. What can I do to prepare both of us?

Jim: Most fathers with daughters go through the same struggle watching their little girls grow up. I’d suggest you teach your daughter the proper role of dating by taking her out yourself, frequently.

Going on a “date” with Dad has many benefits for a daughter, regardless of her age. For example, as girls develop their identity, they measure themselves against the impossible standard of beauty portrayed

by Hollywood. This is where fathers become very important. By spending time with your daughter, you can

Also, taking your daughter out on a “date” allows you to model how a man should treat her. By making one-on-one time a priority, you’re showing your daughter she is valuable. And your acceptance for who she is will build her self-esteem. You can also help her develop a sense of individuality by listening to her and respecting the opinions she shares. Most importantly, spending time with your daughter regularly keeps her heart open to you.

So get out your calendar and schedule a “date” with your daughter. Let her suggest some activities she would like to do. It doesn’t have to take all day, but make sure the time is special by limiting interruptions. The best way to ensure success in your daughter’s future dating experiences is to make sure it starts with Dad.

dependability; 2) ability to maintain close family ties; and 3) self-sufficiency. Aging folks often don’t want to reach out for help, rely on government assistance or have hired help in their homes. They want to do things independently, proving themselves dependable and responsible.

The key to honoring aging loved ones is to understand how to encourage them in these areas. Here are some suggestions: • Recognize skills and successes. Honoring your father entails recognizing him not only for who he is, but also for past achievements, abilities and talents.

AGING PARENTS CAN BE RELUCTANT TO ASK FOR HELP AROUND HOME Q: My wife and I are more than willing to take care of my aging father, but he’s always been a proud man, and we don’t want to crush his spirit. How do we protect him against the feeling that he’s becoming useless?

Jim: According to researchers, most older people measure their personal worth by how well they meet three goals: 1)

Learn how to live before you learn how to make a living

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We build circles of women who love each other like family, because raising humans is beautiful and hard, and having each other to lean on is life-giving.

Those two years are still the best years of my life, and I would never trade them for the world.

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with Jim Daly • Reminisce. It’s important to help an aging loved one capture his personal history and pass it along to children and grandchildren. Preserve his memories and current interactions with kids and grandkids on digital media, in still photos or in memory gift books.

SOUL MATES AREN’T FOUND — THEY’RE FORMED OVER TIME

• Reinvent memories. Celebrate everything! Affirma- Q: I’ve been dating a great guy for a while. I think he tions of life and love remind elderly people that they would be a good husband, but I’m not sure if he’s my are appreciated. “soul mate.” Should I move on and keep looking?

• Remember old friends—and make new ones. Friendships help people stay engaged, and are also beneficial in processing loss, depression and feelings of worthlessness. Do everything you can to ensure that your father has access to friends by phone, email, “snail” mail and regular visits.

• Renew energy with regular exercise. Swimming, walking or other light exercise improves circulation and keeps the endorphins—those “feel-good hormones”—flowing through the blood system.

Greg Smalley, Vice President, Family Ministries: Before you decide one way or another, I’d encourage you to consider this: soul mates aren’t found, they’re formed over time.

Doug Block, a wedding videographer, produced a documentary about couples whose nuptials he’d filmed. He wanted to see how their marriages had fared after a few years. His conclusion was that the Hollywood-fueled notion of the “soul mate”—the idea that there’s one person out there just for you—is a myth. As he told Time magazine, “A lot of marriage is coming to terms with who is this imperfect person you’re living with, and acknowledging that you’re not exactly a perfect person either.”

• Seek opportunities for senior volunteers. Many nonprofit organizations not only provide a place for seniors to volunteer, they also need this assistance to No one “clicks” with another effortlessly. We’re all flawed carry out their mission. people prone to selfish impulses. That’s why relation• Encourage latent talents. If appropriate, nudge your ships—and especially marriage—can be so challenging at dad in the direction of developing a hobby such as times. It takes hard work to love our spouses through the painting, drawing, writing, woodworking or learning good and the ugly. So when you encounter differences in how to use different computer programs. Probe his in- your relationship, don’t assume your significant other isn’t terests until you see his eyes light up, then find a way your soul mate. Disagreements should be addressed, but understand we’re all prone to selfishness. to get him involved.

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It’s only by going through that tough process that a couple can create the true intimacy of marriage. So, remember: Soul mates aren’t found; they’re formed over time through sacrifice and enduring love. When you identify someone with whom you can mutually commit to that dynamic, it just might be “the match.”

Jim Daly is president of Focus on the Family, host of the Focus on the Family radio program, and a husband and father of two.

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Improve Your Marriage Through Thankfulness

by Janine Petry My husband and I recently moved. While the house was new to us, the task of blending our separate tastes and treasures was a familiar practice. As we’ve done before, we carefully added each item, transforming the emptiness into the fullness we know to be home.

himself. He created marriage, and He is the source of its goodness.

Choosing to grow in a spirit of thankfulness leads to the most beautiful part of all: As my life and heart are But the secret to keeping two lives beautifully blended transformed, my marriage glorifies doesn’t rest on our ability to merge personal items or person- God. And the joy of seeing God shine alities. Rather, it comes from a heart of thankfulness—even through my marriage is worth the effort for our differences. of it all.

True thankfulness is more than polite words and good man- This article first appeared on Focus on ners. And it’s more than an attempt to muster positive feel- the Family’s Thriving Family website. ings. A genuine spirit of thankfulness flows deep from the Used by permission. heart and provides a steady stream with which I can continuously refresh my marriage.

Recognizing gifts

In order to grow in thankfulness, I need to first see it as a response to receiving a gift. Thankfulness doesn’t precede; it follows. Every day that I spend with my husband is an opportunity to be thankful and to recognize the ways he blesses me. I make it a point to be specific in naming these gifts: One day, I appreciate his love for God’s creation and his love for people. Another, I admire his strength, honesty and level-headedness. After a dinner, I’m thankful for his grocery store savvy and his aptitude for cooking. And sometimes, I’m even grateful for our struggles and for the way he’s challenged me to grow. The more specifics that I recognize, the more I’m able to be truly grateful for the gift of my spouse.

Family Matters

Responding with thankfulness

After learning to fully recognize the gift of my spouse, I can start responding to it. This heartfelt response strengthens our connection.

Getting to the heart of what matters most.

I do this by verbalizing my observations to my husband: I mention the gifts I’ve been given that day and what they mean to me. I dwell on the joy he has given me through his actions, words and personality. I make this intentional response a daily practice because I want no gift to go unmentioned. It might be a casual reference to how a late-night errand he ran on my behalf helped me feel secure and comfortable. Or it might be telling him that I love how he cares about me.

Small groups

When I respond with thankfulness, I get to pour out the gratitude that’s shaping my heart, and I’m able to see the bonds between us grow stronger.

When it comes to my marriage, my gratitude is ultimately directed to God. Marriage is His gift, His reminder of how He is drawing my husband and me into a relationship with www.gulfcoastfamily.org

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Social media might be great for keeping up with family and friends, but maybe not so great for your self-image.

Researchers from U.S. and British universities who surveyed nearly 900 female students in the American Midwest discovered that the more young women were exposed to self-portraits (“selfies”) and other photos via social media, the more insecure they felt about their own appearance. More time spent on Facebook, for example, was associated with more negative feelings and more comparisons to the bodies of friends.

“The attention to physical attributes may be even more dangerous on social media than on traditional media because participants in social media are people we know,” said British researcher Petya Eckler. “These comparisons are much more relevant and hit closer to home.”

Is social media doing more good or bad for our culture?

Not hurting Not helping at all Helping more than at all (2%) (7%) hurting (11%)

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N ove m b e r FU N FACTS

272 Words

“Four score and seven years ago…” So begins the Gettysburg Address. With a few appropriate remarks, President Lincoln was able to summarize the Civil War in just ten sentences. Only two minutes long, the speech captures the essence of America and its principles as put forth in the Declaration of Independence and in our Constitution. Delivered on November 19, 1863, as a part of a dedication ceremony, the speech transformed the U.S. Civil War from a conflict about slavery to a conflict about being true to the principles upon which the United States was founded.

Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address is the most quoted speech in American history.

11/11

234 years ago on the 21st of November, 1783, the first recorded manned flight in a hot air balloon took place in Paris. Built from paper and silk, this balloon was piloted on a 22 minute flight by Jean Francois Pilatre de Rozier and the Marquis François-Laurent d’Arlandes. From the center of Paris they ascended 500 feet above the roof tops before eventually landing about 6 miles away in the vineyards. Local farmers were very suspicious of this fiery dragon descending from the sky. The pilots offered champagne to placate them and to celebrate the flight. This tradition is carried on by balloonists to this day.

November 23, 2017

The American Thanksgiving holiday began as a feast of thanksgiving in the early days of the American colonies. In autumn of 1621 over ninety Wampanoag Indians joined the Plymouth Pilgrims in celebrating the year’s bountiful harvest with three days of feasting, games, and prayers of thanksgiving for all the blessings they had received. This November 23rd, even though things have been difficult for many this past year, don’t forget to set aside time to give thanks.

Thirty Million children and adults in the U.S. currently live with diabetes according to the American Diabetes Association.

November is American Diabetes Month, a time to shine a spotlight on a serious disease that leads to potentially life-threatening complications. To find out how you can help stop diabetes, visit www.diabetes.org.

Veterans Day is always observed officially on November 11. Veterans Day is the day set aside to thank and honor all those who have served honorably in the United States military.

This November we join the rest of the nation in remembering the sacrifices of America’s over 20 million veterans and expressing our appreciation for their great service.

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November 2017 • 41

November 2017 Events

November 2 - 4 OLD SALT 24TH ANNUAL FALL KING OF THE BEACH KINGFISH TOURNAMENT AND FESTIVAL

November 1 - 13 EPCOT INTERNATIONAL FOOD & WINE FESTIVAL The 2017 Epcot International Food & Wine Festival will be held through November 13, 2017. Your Epcot admission is all that’s needed to participate in this popular event! www.disneyworld.disney.go.com November 1 - 5 DAY OF THE DEAD CELEBRATIONS AT THE GLAZER CHILDREN’S MUSEUM All month long at the Glazer Children’s Museum guests are learning how other cultures celebrate holidays through food, folk art, and more! Celebrate Mexican culture with a Dia De Los Muertos festival at GCM November 1-5!

Included daily with admission. www.glazermuseum.org November 2 SCOTT KELLY: A YEAR IN SPACE, A NIGHT IN TAMPA The veteran of four space flights and the American record holder for consecutive days spent in space, astronaut Scott Kelly has experienced things very few have: How does it feel to be launched in a rocket? What happens to your body in zero gravity? What do you do when you get a toothache 250 miles above the Earth? Kelly discusses this and more in his new book, Endurance: A Year in Space, A Lifetime of Discovery, which recounts his year aboard the ISS as well as his rough-and-tumble New Jersey childhood and what sparked his astounding career, changing his trajectory from an unfocused, below-average student to a record-setting astronaut. www.tampatheatre.org

The King of the Beach Tournament has offered a competitive angling experience and helped raise hundreds of thousands of dollars for charity and programs the past 24 years. The increased prize packages will draw even more competitive anglers from across the southeast U.S. More anglers means more money for our charities and programs. It’s a win all the way around. www.oldsaltfishing.org.

November 2 - 5 4TH ANNUAL GREATER PINELLAS COUNTRY FAIR We are the best of Pinellas County; an all-Pinellas County fair organized solely by volunteers to benefit and promote our county’s youth, agriculture, horticulture and community resources in one amazing annual event! We are governed by a Board of Directors who live and/or work in Pinellas County. The Annual Greater Pinellas Country Fair is all about good, wholesome family fun, great entertainment, friendly competitions, community pride, and educational experiences for the whole family! www.pinellasfair.org November 2, 4, 16, 18, 22 & 28 TAMPA BAY LIGHTNING HOME GAMES Catch the Tampa Bay Lightning as the Lightning’s 25th season gets into full swing. Bring the Thunder and come cheer on your hometown Bolts as they take on the Rangers, Blue Jackets, Stars, Islanders and the Blackhawks! www.amaliearena.com

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42 • November 2017

Say you saw it in the Gulf Coast Family Newspaper

November 3 FIRST FRIDAY AT HENRY B. PLANT MUSEUM The Museum will be open with free admission from 5 – 7 PM. Visitors are encouraged to explore the nation’s only Victorian railroad resort hotel museum, enjoy live music on the veranda, and share a treat with friends at our tastings table. A docent-led tour of the Museum will begin at 5:15 PM. www.plantmuseum.com November 3 5TH ANNUAL WINE WOMEN & SHOES Created for women who enjoy fine wine, great style, and supporting a noble cause, Wine Women & Shoes is one of the fastest-growing charity events in the country. The Children’s Cancer Center is once again thrilled to bring this exclusive event to the Tampa Bay area and to be working alongside Wine Women & Shoes’ expert team.

Join us on this exciting journey as an active supporter and be part of helping to make this another successful event for Children’s Cancer Center. www.childrenscancercenter.org November 3 -5 TAMPA BAY HOME SHOW Come on out and meet the home improvement experts at the Tampa Bay Home Show. Plan to spend the day discovering great exhibits, giveaways, door prizes, seminars, and so much more. See the latest trends in home remodeling: from kitchen and baths to flooring, to windows and home protection. www.tampabay.com November 4, 11, 18 & 25 DILLYDALLY WITH DALI Children can discover the creative world of Dali through games, puzzles and arts + crafts activities which educate and encourage family interaction. Dillydally with Dali takes place under the direction of the museum’s Family Programs Coordinator in the 1st floor Education Classroom. www.thedali.org November 4, 18 MFA MAKE & TAKE SATURDAYS Create your own masterpiece inspired by works in the collection and special exhibitions. Supplies are included.

FREE with Museum admission. No registration necessary.

Recommended for ages five and older, but entire families are encouraged to participate. www.mfastpete.org November 5 BACK TO THE FUTURE (1985) This is your last chance to see Tampa Theatre before the historic landmark closes for six weeks for its first major restoration in 40 years – a restoration that will take it “back in time” to the original 1926 look of its lobby, seats, carpet, curtains and more. And to celebrate what this restoration means for the future of Tampa’s non-profit movie palace, The Tampa Theatre is hosting a FREE community screening of the most appropriate film they could think of, Back to the Future. www.tampatheatre.org www.gulfcoastfamily.org

November 9 - 12 THE JUNIOR LEAGUE OF TAMPA HOLIDAY GIFT MARKET This shopping event held at the Florida State Fairgrounds features more than 150 specialty merchants from across the country offering unique gift items. The League commits 100 percent of the net proceeds to fund its mission. www.jltampa.org.

November 9 - 30 MICKEY’S VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS PARTY When Mickey celebrates the season, Magic Kingdom lights up with excitement for guests of all ages. Cinderella Castle shimmers. Joyful music fills the air. Disney characters don their most festive attire. Favorite attractions take on a holiday theme. And enchanting surprises lie around almost every turn! www.disneyworld.disney.go.com November 10 THE MOTHER OF ALL BABY SHOWERS AT THE GLAZER CHILDREN’S MUSEUM We’re bringing the brands to you so you can test them: see, touch, smell, hear and taste them before you make important buying decisions for your family. 50+ products and services will be featured at the event from strollers to baby food makers to photographers to furniture to clothing to babysitting service and so much more. Try them out, ask questions and leave with new products, ideas and contacts! www.glazermuseum.org November 10 THE FLORIDA ORCHESTRA - MARVIN HAMLISCH & MORE The orchestra honors one singular sensation with beloved songs by Marvin Hamlisch, along with the music that

inspired him from Gershwin and Bernstein. Lee Musiker conducts and plays piano; Doug LaBrecque on vocals. www.strazcenter.org November 11 TAMPA’S LOWRY PARK ZOO RUN RUN Join Tampa’s Lowry Park Zoo for the 15th annual Zoo RunRun, a 5K run that winds through the Zoo and along the scenic Hillsborough River. All finishing up in the Zoo’s event yard for a post and awards ceremony as well as the posting of the chip times. www.lowryparkzoo.org.

November 11 MFA STAR WARS COSTUME PARTY Take a journey through the Star Wars™ universe with your MFA Membership. Enjoy one the unique benefits of belonging to the Museum and see this once-in-a-lifetime show. Feast your eyes on the costumes of Han Solo, Princess Leia, Darth Vader, and more! Don’t miss your chance to see iconic figures from your favorite movies. www.mfastpete.org

November 11 TAMPA BAY HISTORY CENTER: WALK TAMPA - THE YBOR CITY STORY Join the History Center for a guided tour of historic Ybor City. This 90-minute outdoor walking tour is led by a History Center-trained docent and focuses on the founding and development of Ybor City in the late 19th century early 20th century. Tour the streets of Tampa’s only National Historic Landmark District and learn about the people, social life and work culture of early Ybor. www.tampabayhistorycenter.org November 12 TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS HOME GAMES Come pack the house and cheer on your hometown Buccaneers as they host the New York Jets. www.buccaneers.com.

November 12 THE TIME IS NOW TOUR - 2017 FOUR NATIONS CUP USA Hockey announced the full schedule for the “The Time is Now Tour”, presented by Toyota, featuring the U.S. Women’s National Ice Hockey Team. The Tour, which includes three games against Canada and the 2017 Four Nations Cup, will be a key component of Team USA’s preparation for the 2018 Winter Olympics in PyeongChang, South Korea while also showcasing the sport at its highest level in select communities across the country. www.amaliearena.com

Oakhurst Learning Center Serving our community since 1974

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STAVES PEDIATRIC DENTISTRY Elizabeth J Staves, DDS PA

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November 12 GREAT CONNECTIONS AT GREAT EXPLORATIONS Great Connections is a monthly program just for children with special needs and their families. The second Sunday of the month, Great Explorations will close to the general public from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m., will modify lights and sounds, and will provide a “cool down” room for families who need to take a break. www.greatex.org November 16 USF BULLS VS. TULSA Come cheer on your USF Bulls as they take on conference rival Tulsa at Raymond James Stadium. www.gousfbulls.com November 18 - 30 GLOBAL FOOD + CULTURE FESTIVAL AT THE GLAZER CHILDREN’S MUSEUM Let’s raise globally-minded kids by exploring food and family traditions from around the world at GCM’s Global Food + Culture Festival! Included daily with admission. www.glazermuseum.org

November 19 - 30 CHRISTMAS TOWN AT BUSCH GARDENS Busch Gardens beams with twinkling lights, Yuletide shows, holiday shopping and even a visit to Santa’s House during Christmas Town™. The park transforms into a holiday wonderland of entertainment and attractions where a beautiful family tradition awaits. Guests will also have the opportunity to ride some of Busch Gardens’ most popular thrill rides, including family spin coaster, Cobra’s Curse®. Christmas Town is included with daily admission. www.buschgardens.com November 23 TAMPA BAY TIMES TURKEY TROT The Tampa Bay Times Turkey Trot is a family-friendly race event that takes place in Clearwater annually on Thanksgiving morning. It began in 1979 as a 10K and has grown into one of the most popular holiday events in the county. All races begin at Keene Road just south of Gulf to Bay Blvd. (except the 5k Fun Run) and end in Jack White Stadium at Clearwater High School. www.tampabay.com November 24 DANIEL TIGER’S NEIGHBORHOOD LIVE Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood LIVE is an interactive musical experience guaranteed to light up the faces of children this Fall. The legacy of the beloved “Mister Rogers Neighborhood” lives on with the top-rated PBS KIDS television series, Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood, from the Fred Rogers Company and PBS KIDS. This live theatrical production is filled with singing, dancing and laughter. www.themahaffey.com

November 24 - 25 CHRISTMAS IN THE WILD AT TAMPA’S LOWRY PARK ZOO The Zoo is brimming with holiday cheer as Christmas in the Wild returns with even more twinkling lights and jolly surprises! Experience 18 wild and wonderful nights. Enjoy seasonal treats, enchanting entertainment and a 50-foot animated Christmas tree! Best of all, visit Santa in his Tree Top Lodge and marvel at the magic of wildlife at night. www.lowryparkzoo.org.

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Skycrest Christian School and Skycrest Christian Preschool The Future of Skycrest is looking BRIGHT!

Skycrest Christian Preschool was created to serve children and their families in Christian early education programs by providing age-appropriate opportunities so that young children will learn to love God and love learning.

-One e-to ch n O iPad nt Laun e Stud -17 6 201 ol year. .

Scho ls soon i a t De

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44 • November 2017

Complete renovation of elementary and middle school classrooms.

New innovative design with updated furniture, upgraded technology, and improved functionality from floor to ceiling.

We want children to approach education with a joyous attitude and truly believe that by first establishing a love for Christ in their lives, that the desire to flourish and grow in Him will lead to a life-long love for learning and Christian growth.

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1 year olds - VPK

129 N. Belcher Road Clearwater, FL 33765 727-799-8467 tel

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The Gulf Coast Family Weekender

FRIDAY

3

Greater Pinellas County Fair – Youth Day England Brothers Park www.pinellasfair.org

Urban Agriculture exhibits at the Fair will highlight Pinellas County’s agricultural heritage, and create new cultural traditions.

10

Ribfest (Nov. 10 – 12) Vinoy Park www.ribfest.org

Ribfest features the best BBQ ribbers in the world, national touring bands and plenty of fun for the whole family.

17

Tampa Bay International Auto Show Tampa Convention Center www.autoshowtampa.com

SATURDAY

4

Chris Tomlin: GOOD GOOD FATHER Tour USF Sun Dome www.sundomearena.com

11

Star Wars and the Power of the Costume Museum of Fine Arts www.mfastpete.org

Cheer on the USF Bulls as they take on the rival UCF Knights in Orlando.

Go Bulls!

12

www.buccaneers.com

Take a unique journey into the Star Wars universe as characters are brought to life through a dramatic presentation of more than 60 original costumes.

18

19

Lightning Hockey Amalie Arena lightning.nhl.com

25

Winter Village at Curtis Hixon Park Curtis Hixon Park www.wintervillagetampa.com

Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park is transformed with the sights, sounds and activities of the holidays for children and adults of all ages.

GO BOLTS!

24

5

Straz Live! in the Park Curtis Hixon Park www.operatampa.org

Enjoy a free concert of opera favorites. Blankets and picnic baskets are encouraged. Presented by Opera Tampa and the Straz Center.

The Tampa Bay Lightning host the New York Islanders at Amalie Arena.

WAR on I-4 — USF Bulls at UCF Spectrum Stadium, Orlando www.gousfbulls.com

SUNDAY

Christmas Town Busch Gardens Tampa buschgardens.com Christmas Town transforms Busch Gardens® Tampa into a holiday wonderland of wintery surprises and all things Christmas on select nights.

26

Christmas with Amy Grant and Michael W. Smith Amalie Arena www.amaliearena.com

Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party Walt Disney World Magic Kingdom disneyworld.disney.go.com

Join Mickey at this festive winter celebration for live entertainment, spectacular fireworks and an oh-so-jolly holiday parade.

Select nights November 9 – December 22. Separate admission is required.

www.gulfcoastfamily.org

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November 2017 • 45

Reader

PH TOs

Send us Your Best Photos

YOUR KIDS COULD BE IN GULF COAST FAMILY!

Send your funny parenting stories to articles@gulfcoastfamily.org.

Or email photos of your kiddos having fun at home, school, or anywhere in-between to myphotos@gulfcoastfamily.org. * Please send high resolution photos if possible.

{of the month}

Remi Give a boy a dog and you’ve furnished him a playmate!

a Corban, Elora, Joshua, Atali king memories We didn’t realize we were ma fun! we just knew we were having

46 • November 2017

Archie Reach for the Sky! - Woody

Say you saw it in the Gulf Coast Family Newspaper

Nora One day, we will have a world where a chicken can cross the road without being questioned about his motives…

Nifton Even the smallest person can change the course of history. - J.R.R. Tolkien

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November 2017 • 47

“A” Schools

TAMPA’S NEWEST CHARTER SCHOOL 4903 Ehrlich Rd, Tampa, FL 33624

K-2 Grade

Superior Technology

The Best … and Getting Better!

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Music & Arts

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Organized Sports

Caring Teachers

The school will add a grade a year in subsequent years