Family & Kids of the Chattahoochee Valley Sept. 2014

SEPTMEBER 2014

Wise Choices for Moms & Families

CHATTAHOOCHEE VALLEY

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Wise Choices for You & Your Family 2ND–12TH GRADES • HOMEWORK HELP • TEST PREP • CUSTOMIZED PROGRAMS At Mathnasium Learning Centers, our proven Mathnasium Method helps children clearly understand math by teaching it in a way that makes sense to them. When a child understands math, their confidence soars. With soaring confidence, your child is able to do progressively more — more advanced work than they would have ever believed possible. Before you know it, your child could become crazy about math!

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ZOe Pediatrics 3

Excellent Medical Care for Your Children

Dr. Stephanie Kong, MD Charlaya Campbell, MD Bande Virgil, MD Theresa Schornack, C-PNP Mercedes Rice, C-PNP Ramona Mulliens C-FNP Your children do not have to be sick to get better!

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CALL TODAY FOR YOUR APPOINTMENT

706-992-6940 zoepeds.com

959 17th Street, Columbus, GA Hours: M-F from 9am-6pm

Wise Choices for You & Your Family

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Tammy Usie Publisher

TheValley.com

Tammy@HooKnows

253-212-7270 Cell

Dear Parents of the Chattahoochee Valley, Welcome to our handy, parenting resource guide. I hope you will find lots of helpful choices on products and services for you and your family, along with some informative articles, handy resources and fun features.

If you like our magazine, then you’ll love our website, www.HooKnowsTheValley.com. There you can read our magazine online, find other resources and use our new SHOPPING DIRECTORY. This virtual buying guide provides our readers with a comprehensive list of local, family-friendly businesses. Plus with the ability for consumers to leave reviews on these businesses, it will help other parents make buying decisions. I invite you to go leave a few reviews to help us build this resource and share them with other parents like yourself.

Tammy Usie

AD DEADLINES

Oct. Issue: Sept. 5 and Nov. Issue: Oct. 3

HOO KNOWS SPECIAL SECTIONS Hoo’s Fit.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . page 8 & 9

Hoo’s Parenting.. . . . . . . . pages 15 & 20

HOO’s Fun.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . page 7

Hoo’s reading.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . page 26

HOO’S Hungry.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .page 25

Hoo’s shopping.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . page 23

HOO’S Learning.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . page 30

Hoo’s watching.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . page 11

HOO KNOWS® Community Digest does not assume responsibility for products and services listed in this magazine. Ads may not be reproduced, in any way, without written consent. HOO KNOWS® is a trademark of Cinah Media Group LLC. For information on operating your own digest, contact us at 1-888-HOO-5609.

Where to Find HOO? Publix: Columbus & Phenix City Chick fil-A: Columbus & Phenix City Starbucks: Columbus Family & Kids of the Chattahoochee Valley

PLUS: Check your local kid-friendly doctors & dentists, attractions, restaurants & retail shops.

Children attending FT Benning daycares, preschools & elementary schools each receive a copy, as well as elementary students at most all private schools in Columbus & Phenix City...plus all kids attending major daycares and preschools.

www.HooKnowsTheValley.com

www.HooKnowsTheValley.com

BUY, SELL & GIVE

we have a great selection of gently used kids’ clothing, shoes and equipment.

Visit Us Today!

Located in The Landings at exit 8 off of I-185

2521 Airport Thruway • Columbus, GA 31904 706-507-3737 • www.OnceUponAChildColumbusGA.com

HOO’s FUN AUTUMN WORD SEARCH Autumn Rake Leaves Kites Windy Brown Fun Trees Yellow Orange

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Wise Choices for You & Your Family

SHOPPING guide ATTRACTIONS

Healthcare

Chattahoochee Valley Libraries....22 Columbus Cottonmouths................. 14 Columbus MMA..................................32 East West Karate & MMA................... 2 IFM Arts Academy............................. 12 Jack-O-Lantern Lane.........................11 My Gym.................................................24 Paint Columbus Pink........................20 Paradise Pumpkin Patch..................11 Performance Dance Centre.............27 Schwab School of Music.................... 9 Steeplechase......................................... 7 The Columbus Museum................... 14 Treadsone Climbing............................ 8

Columbus Spine & Performance... 19 Great Start GA......................................11 James Lopez, DDS................................ 8 Pediatric Acute Care.........................24 Pediatric After Hours........................ 21 Pediatric Dentistry of Columbus... 21 Pediatrics at Brookstone Center... 14 Rivertown Pediatrics........................22

TELL THEM

childcare/ education SENT YOU!

First Presbyterian Day.....................28 Grace Christian School....................28 Growing Room....................................30 Kumon..................................................... 7 Lakewood Child Development ......29 Mathnasium.......................................... 2 STEAM Fair..........................................29 Sylvan Learning Center...................29 Westminster Christian.....................28

Food & Beverage Chick-fil-A............................................ 12 Chill Yogurt Cafe................................27 Moe’s Southwest Grill....................... 31 PhoVy Vietnamese............................ 12 Stevi B’s Pizza Buffet........................ 12 Willy T’s Chicken Fingers............... 12 Zaxby’s................................................... 18

ZÖe Pediatrics....................................... 3

home/handy Lawn Doctor......................................... 19 Lawnscapes......................................... 19 Sparkles Cleaning Service.............. 19

religious First Baptist Church............................9

shopping/retail Giggles and Grins Photography.... 19 Matilda Jane Clothing........................ 7 Mickayla’s Place - Resale................27 Once Upon A Time - Resale.............. 5

Spa & Beauty Massage by Michele.......................... 19

www.HooKnowsTheValley.com

Math. Reading.

7

Confidence.

Confidence is the ultimate school supply.

Schedule a FREE Placement Test today!

1290 Double Churches Rd., Ste. K Columbus, GA 31904

706.257.6963 kumon.com/columbus-north

Š2014 Kumon North America

Kumon Math & Reading Center of Columbus - North

Wise Choices for You & Your Family

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Activities that ROCK! Birthday Parties Discovery Classes After School Programs Youth and Adult Climbing Teams

706.507.7625

4209 Milgen Rd

HOO’s FIT

Take action against There is no mystery to maintaining optimal weight and staying in shape. We all know that if we eat more than we burn up, the rest will be converted to fat. If we burn up more than we eat, we lose weight. If you don’t eat for a week, you will lose weight even if you don’t exercise. Human beings can live without food for over two weeks.

So, why are most of us (from childhood to old age) overweight and even obese? Why would we run the risk of a shorter life expectancy, diabetes, high blood pressure, arthritis and heart disease when we all know how to prevent these health problems? Why is it so hard to lose weight? We all have our reasons.

I cannot afford to belong to a gym; everything I like is fattening; I just cannot find the time; I cannot find the motivation. How do I make myself get up from watching shows that I enjoy to go do things I don’t enjoy? Before we know it, time has slipped away and we add 10 more pounds. If you gain just one pound per month, in ten years, you will have gained over 100 pounds.

Columbus GA

By Bande Virgil, MD Pediatrician, ZÖe Pediatrics

obesity If you’ve ever seen the movie, “What’s Eating Gilbert Grape” (1993), there’s a scene where the son’s friend asks, “Wasn’t your mother a beauty queen in high school? How did she gain 400 pounds 20 years later?”

Gilbert’s response: “She just ate”.

Fortunately our kids still have time. In fact, we can all get healthier together! Kids love to play and frolic with exuberance. They love to run and jump, ride bicycles, dance, kick balls, and chase each other. These are wonderful ways to keep them active. They will also eat whatever adults provide. So think about what’s in your refrigerator and cabinets.

If its motivation you need, try this. Does making money appeal to you? Well, health and wealth go together when you are wasting money and time at the doctor’s office, in and out of a hospital, and not being able to do what earns you money.

At ZÖe, we are trying to develop models that work for a lifetime, long before diabetes, high blood pressure and heart disease set in. Good doctors treat disease; really great doctors also prevent disease.

www.HooKnowsTheValley.com

HOO’s FIT Much attention in recent years has been given to the large number of children over the age of two who are considered overweight. If you are concerned about your child’s weight, should he be on a low-fat diet?

Children over the age of two should watch their intake of fat, without being put on a very strict low-fat diet. Severely restricting fats can be harmful, since an amount of healthy unsaturated fats, like the ones found in nuts, seeds, and certain type of fish, are needed to help absorb vitamins properly and support brain development.

What about the saturated fats, such as those in milk and dairy products? The current nutritional guidelines state that kids over 2 should drink skim or 1% milk and eat low-fat dairy products. However, this guideline is receiving challenges from researchers whose studies showed that children who drank skim or 1% milk were more likely to be overweight than those who drank 2% or whole milk. It may be because the saturated fat in milk helps kids feel full, so they are less likely to consume other calories. The debate

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LOW FAT Diets Ok for Kids? over this topic is ongoing, so serving 2% milk may be a good compromise for now.

How about other foods besides dairy that are labeled as low-fat? Are these healthy for kids to eat? It turns out that many of the low-fat diet foods are full of sugar and other simple carbohydrates. These foods may have lower calorie content per serving, but they will just leave your child feeling hungry again a short time later. Instead, create a menu with a healthy balance of veggies, fruits, whole grains, and lean meats. Include foods such as avocados and salmon, which have healthy unsaturated fats, and avoid foods with processed hydrogenated oils, such as fried foods.

Schwob Music Prep Music lessons ages 5-adult, beginners to professionals

Call, call, to register for fall, you're not too tall, music's for all, put a note on the wall, you'll be late if you stall, more fun than a ball, sing a song in the hall, for once and for all, it's time to call for fall: 706-641-5124

columbusstate.edu/musicprep

setodd111@ gmail.com

Wise Choices for You & Your Family

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Calling All Cooks!

While it’s tempting to send kids out of the kitchen during food prep time, why not slap an apron on ‘em and let them in on every secret recipe. Fostering children’s interest in food preparation is an ideal way to incorporate learning about nutrition, measurement, chemistry and more. While kids are maturing toward their chef apprenticeship in the kitchen, the following items are recommended to boost their early interest in the culinary arts!

Curious Chef Set

The Wooden Cooktop

For the child who turns up his nose at ‘pretend’ kitchen tools, preferring your own bona-fide cookware instead, the Curious Chef cooking set is the answer. This 27-piece set include smeasuring spoons and cups, a rolling pin, a whisk, spatula, 3 quart mixing bowl, and more kitchen implements – as well as thumb mitts and proper chef garb!

Designed for actual food preparation (lead and BPA-free), Curious Chef takes young foodies seriously by giving them the real deal to work with in the kitchen.

Mimicking a real stove top, and crafted from durable wood, the portable Wooden Cooktop features real dials that turn and a clock with moveable hands (because the timing on a poached egg is critical).

And just to stir the pot further, the handle folds out with pegs for hanging utensils.

While they’re too young to use your stove, the Wooden Cooktop from Alex is a smart alternative to support kids’ cooking interests on their own or on the counter, by your side.

Balancing Burger

My Chocolate Workshop

Building the biggest burger is part of a balanced diet with this game that encourages kids to add ingredients without letting the masterpiece collapse. With a wobbly plate to start, players roll a die to determine how many ingredients to add in their turn. Choosing from the customary toppings (tomatoes, lettuce, pickles, cheese and bacon) players meet the challenge as they try not to let the towering tasty feast fall. How do you want your burger? With everything, please.

For budding chefs with an entrepreneurial spirit, the Chocolate Boutique Workshop is an excellent introduction to crafting sweets with extra flair for sampling, giving and sharing with family.

A battery-powered pot melts chocolate that can be spooned into the workshop’s fancy molds to start young confectioners on the path to culinary cocoa success.

Decorative stickers, wrappers and boxes (included) transform sweet creations into gifts in an instant.

(Curious Chef)

(International Playthings)

(Alex)

(Fashion Angels)

www.HooKnowsTheValley.com

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Wise Choices for You & Your Family

5300 Sidney Simons Blvd #27 Columbus 706-507-2477

Like usSeeonFacebook Facebook page for hours

FREE KIDS MEAL! with purchase of entree when you mention“Family & Kids”

Can’t be combined with other discounts.

Valid for dine-in only, and only one per table.

IFM Arts Academy Piano - Violin - Cello - Art - Dance For children and adults to help them develop their talents and skills for the glory of God.

3400 University Ave. Columbus, GA www.ifmga.org (706) 653-0097

TELL THEM

SENT YOU!

www.HooKnowsTheValley.com

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Dining Deals

With deals this good, save the mess and dine out!

MONDAY

saturday

Chick-fil-A, Phenix City

Steak & Shake

5-8pm: Free kid’s meal with regular priced combo

Chick-fil-A, Wynnton Rd

5-8pm: Free kid’s meal with regular priced combo

Free kids meal with every $8 purchase

Chill Yogurt & Yocakes

sunday

Sweet Frog Yogurt

Free kids meal with every $8 purchase

Zaxby’s

Kids eat for .99 after 4pm

All mini cupcakes $1

6-8pm. Buy one yogurt mix, get one 50% off

Steak & Shake Stevi B’s Pizza

5-8pm: Free kid’s meal with per adult entree

Texas Roadhouse

Tuesday

Willy T’s

Atlanta Bread Company

5pm-close: Get a free kid’s meal with the purchase of an adult meal

Sundays: Kids 12 & under get Jr. Kids Meal for $1.99 with adult entree (certain holidays are excluded) 11-5pm: 1 free kids meal per regular meal purchase

Chick-fil-A, Bradley Park

everyday

Denny’s

Kids 3 & under eat free with adult meal purchase

TGIF Friday’s

Children 3 & under eat free with purchase of an adult entree. Kids ages 5-7 get discounted prices

Willy T’s

4-10pm: Kids 12 and under get a free kids meal with the purchase of adult combo

5-8pm: Free kid’s meal with regular priced combo 4-10pm: Up to two free kid’s entrees with adult entree. For kids 10 and under 3-10pm: Kids 12 and under eat free with adult entree 4-9pm: 1 free kids meal per regular meal purchase

wednesday Applebee’s Kids meals are half off with the purchase of an adult entree. Limit: 4 kids per adult

Golden Corral

Hartz Chicken Buffet IHOP

McAlisters Deli

99 cent kids meals all day

PhoVy

Free kids meal when you show their “Family & Kids” ad in this issue

Ryan’s

Kids 2-3 eat for .99, kids 4-7 eat for 3.99, all day

thursday Captain D’s

Get 2 free kid’s meals with purchase of an adult entree. Dine in only

MOE’s Southwest Grill

5-9pm: Free kids meal per $5 minimum adult entree Ryan’s Family Steakhouse Thursday Nights: Kids 11 and under eat for $.99

All locations are Columbus, GA unless noted.

Specials are subject to change without notice.

Please verify them directly before dining. If you know of a kids special not listed here, contact Tammy@HooKnowsTheValley.com.

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Wise Choices for You & Your Family

www.HooKnowsTheValley.com

HOO’s PARENTING

Helping Kids Deal With

Worrying Children of all ages experience worry or anxiety occasionally. However, what kids worry about changes as they grow and mature.

Here are some tips for helping your child deal with worry at different ages and stages of development.

Toddlers The toddler years are notorious for a type of worry called separation anxiety. Your toddler may become clingy and cry when you leave her with a babysitter or at day care. Don’t try to sneak away, as this will only intensity your toddler’s worry. Instead, give her time to become familiar with the person who will be caring for her before leaving her. Also, establishing a good-bye routine helps, as your toddler will feel reassured by the familiarity of the sequence of events.

Preschoolers Preschoolers have very active imaginations but lack the life experiences to discern if the situation they are concerned with is even realistic. They are also starting to venture out

and encounter many new and unfamiliar real world situations, like attending ballet for the first time. It is tempting to help your child by saying “You will be fine, that is nothing to worry about”. However, trying to simply dismiss her worry may just cause her to focus on it even more, in an effort to prove to you that it is valid.

Instead, acknowledge her worries and provide her with any information that may help ease them. For example, if she is worried after having a nightmare about a monster in her closet, explain that what is in dreams is not real and search the closet to show her there is no monster present. When it comes to more realistic worries, like attending the first day of preschool, providing her with information about what to expect is an essential step in helping her to cope with them.

School Age Children At this stage, your child’s responsibilities become more complex and so do her worries. Though it is tempting to intervene and ‘fix’ situations that are causing your child to worry, this is not the approach to take. Your child needs to begin to learn how to manage stress and fears in a healthy manner. To teach her the coping skills she needs, first listen to her describe her worries. Then help her discern the likelihood of these concerns actually becoming a reality.

If the fear is realistic, then ask your child what she would do if it, in fact, did occur. Also, let her know she has your support to help her make it through such a situation. Knowing she has a solution in place for the situation she is worried about will be a source of reassurance for your child. She will feel enabled to take on the situations that cause her worry instead of avoiding them.

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Septembe

pr o vi d e d in partne

1

American Girl Book Club. 6:30pm.

Barnes & Noble, 5555 Whittlesey Blvd, Columbus; 706-653-7880

1

Old Seale Russell Co Courthouse Labor Day Fair. 9-5pm. Free. Music, games, barbeque, arts, crafts, antiques and more. Seale, AL

6

Grandparents Day. 1-4pm. Oxbow Meadows; oxbow.columbusstate. edu/Programs_upcoming.php

6

Home Depot Kids Workshop. 9amNoon. Free. Ages 5-12. Columbus store; 706-322-9240. Phenix City store; 334-297-2045

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Water Wonders. 10-11am. Ages 4+. $5. Meet next to the fishing dock in the campground; FDR State Park. 706-663-4858 or gastateparks.org/FDRoosevelt American Girl Book Club. 6:30pm.

Barnes & Noble, 5555 Whittlesey Blvd, Columbus; 706-653-7880

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Where Moms Connect (kickoff meeting). Wynnbrook Baptist Church, 500 River Knoll Rd, Columbus; 706-323-4374

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La Leche League meeting. 10am.

Columbus Public Library, 3000 Macon Rd; 303-374-4912

12-13

Librar y activities Chattahoochee Valley www.CVLGA.org 706-243-2669

Phenix City-Russell County

1501 17th Avenue, Phenix City www.phenixcitylibrary.com 334-297-1139

Troup-Harris

706-628-4685 www.thclibrary.net

The Velveteen Rabbit. 7:30pm.

Family Theatre; familytheatre.org

12-13

Annual PRCA Rodeo. 6pm Gates open. 8pm Rodeo begins. Mike Tracey Arena, Hwy116, Hamilton; hccaonline.com

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Second Saturday: Family Fun Day. 10am. Free. Columbus Museum; edu@columbusmuseum.org

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Lowes Build & Grow Clinic. 1011am. Free. 1-5th grades. 6750 Veterans, Columbus; 320-9292

Water Wonders. 10-11am. Ages 4+. $5. Meet next to the fishing dock in the campground; FDR State Park. 706-663-4858 or gastateparks.org/FDRoosevelt Astronomy Night at the Coca-Cola Space Science Center. 8pm Planetarium Time, 9pm Observation Time. Free. 706-649-1477 or dutch@ccssc.org

18-20

Shrek the Musical. 7:30pm. $20$45. Springer Theatre; springeroperahouse.com

19-20

The Velveteen Rabbit. 7:30pm.

Family Theatre; familytheatre.org

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Columbus Children’s Book Festival. 10am-4pm. Columbus Public Library, 3000 Macon Rd; cvlga. org/kids

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Water Wonders. 10-11am. Ages 4+. $5. Meet next to fishing dock in campground; FDR State Park.

706-663-4858 or gastateparks. org/FDRoosevelt

20-21

Annual Shrine Circus. $7-$20. Two days, five shows. Columbus Civic Center; columbusciviccenter.org

er Events

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e r ship with: 23

Where Moms Connect meeting.

Wynnbrook Baptist Church, 500 River Knoll Way, Columbus; 706323-4374

25-26

Shrek the Musical. 7:30pm.

Springer Theatre; springeroperahouse.com

Weekly Events Monday

Family Night at Chick-fil-A Wynnton Road/Midtown. 5-7:30pm.

Crafts and fun. Buy a combo at regular price and get a kid’s 4-pc meal free. 2421 Wynnton Road, Columbus

Michael’s Kids Club Meeting.

10am-Noon. Ages 3+. See store for details.

Market Days on Broadway. 9amNoon. Different activities each week. 1000 Block of Broadway, Columbus; 706.596.0111 or Uptown Columbus on Facebook

The Velveteen Rabbit. 7:30pm.

Family Theatre; familytheatre. org/

Family Night at Chick-fil-A Phenix City. 5-7:30pm. Crafts and fun.

Buy a combo at regular price and get a kid’s 4-pc meal free. 3711 U.S Hwy 280, Phenix City

Summer Sunset Music Series.

7pm. Robin Lake Beach at Callaway Gardens, $2.50-$5 after 5pm; www.callawaygardens.com

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Tuesday

Starlight, Star Bright Astronomy Event at FDR State Park; gastateparks.org/FDRoosevelt

Teen Bible Study at the Skate Shed. 6pm. 4343 Armour Rd, Columbus; www.theskateshed.com

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Thursday

Art in the Park. 10-11am. $3, plus $5 parking. Meet at park office on Hwy 190. FDR State Park; 706663-4858 or gastateparks.org/ FDRoosevelt

26-27

Fall Family Fun Days (Grand Opening), 10am-8pm. $15. 5020 Barnesville Hwy, The Rock, GA; therockranch.com

Toddler Tales at Barnes & Noble.

10am. 5555 Whittlesey Blvd. 706653-7880

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Fabulous Fridays and Farmers Market. Callaway Gardens; www. callawaygardens.com

Water Wonders. 10-11am. Ages 4+. $5. Meet next to fishing dock in campground; FDR State Park.

706-663-4858 or gastateparks. org/FDRoosevelt

27

Young Eagles Day at Flightways Columbus. 8:30-11:30am. Free.

Ages 8-17. Columbus Airport; youngeagles.org/flightplan/ flight.asp

Friday

Saturday

Storytime at Barnes & Noble.

11am. 5555 Whittlesey Blvd. 706653-7880

Sundays

Please call ahead to confirm event dates, times and age appropriateness, in case changes were made after the info was obtained. For more, visit MuscogeeMoms.com.

There’s no better way to make it through the day than with some tunes, a couple laughs, and someone to listen and listen to. We hear you, we thank you for listening and voting us your READER’S CHOICE favorite radio personalities.

N O’BRIA BEAR WATER S BRIAN

REAL PEOPLE. REAL RADIO.

D WOO E AR DAV

VOT E D FAVO R I T E R A D I O P E R S O N A L I T I E S

WiseDJChoices You &5:28 Your PMB-Who Knows The Valley AD:Layoutfor 1 8/4/14 PMFamily Page 1 18

PMB

MONDAY NIGHT IS

FREE Zax Kidz Meal with the purchase of an adult meal from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.

(Kids 12 and under only. Limit one Zax Kidz Meal per adult meal purchase. Dine-in only. Kids must be present when ordering.)

VALID AT THESE LOCATIONS ONLY: 4497 Hwy. 280 • Alexander City • 256.234.2181 1915 Auburn Ave. • Columbus • 706.507.9297 6190 Bradley Park Dr. • Columbus • 706.320.0046 7626 Schomburg Rd. • Columbus • 706.507.3235 Limited-time offer. Offer valid at this location only, on Mondays, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Adult meals include any Most Popular Menu Item, Meal Deal, Zalad or Sandwich Basket.

Each restaurant independently owned and operated. © 2014 Zaxby’s Franchising, Inc. “Zaxby’s” and “Zax Kidz” are registered trademarks of Zaxby’s Franchising, Inc.

www.HooKnowsTheValley.com

Moms Marketplace

LOVE ON YOUR LAWN

Turfscapes

LAWN MAINTENANCE & LANDSCAPING COMPANY

COMMERCIAL . RESIDENTIAL . LICENSED . INSURED

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706-587-4666

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1ST MONTH WITH NEW ANNUAL CONTRACT

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CALL 253-212-7270

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Wise Choices for You & Your Family

HOO’s Parenting

f your baby is learning to walk, don’t expec t his walking style, also called gait, to look anything like that of an adult at first. He will probably waddle, with his arms in the air to help him balance. As your baby’s walking skills improve, he should fall a lot less and his gait should become more like that of a toddler who can walk with confidence.

However, it is not unusual for some children to have a gait that still does not look quite right until about the age of three. Three gait abnormalities common in the toddler stage are in-toeing, out-toeing, and toe-walking.

In-toeing is often caused by the bones in the hip, leg, or feet being tilted inward. Out-toeing can occur if the bones in the leg are tilted outward.

Some experts believe that this rotation of the bones is caused by the baby being crowded in the womb during pregnancy. Researchers have also noted that the tendency to develop a gait abnormity can run in families. As your toddler grows, his bones should rotate into the proper position. As his legs become better aligned and he further develops control over his muscles,

your toddler should develop a more normal gait without medical intervention. Special shoes or braces will not help the gait improve faster and are unnecessary in most cases of in-toeing or out-toeing.

Experts are not sure what causes some toddlers to toe-walk. It could be caused by tight muscles in the feet, so stretching exercises are sometimes recommended. Toe-walking usually resolves on its own, with no special braces or shoes needed.

In some rare instances a gait abnormality can be a symptom of an underlying neurological condition. Seek the advice of your toddler’s doctor if your notice this following: • Your toddler’s gait abnormality worsens • Walking is painful • One foot seems to be more turned in or out than the other • The gait abnormality has not disappeared by 3 • Your toddler misses other developmental milestones

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A Page In A Book Recommending the Best Books

for Children and Teens By Paige Gardner Smith

Curling Up With Cat Books

There’s a reason our beloved feline companions are favorite leading characters in children’s picture books. Cats’ penchant for curiosity, their knack for making messes, and their playfulness distinctly mirror many of the same instincts and behaviors that children exhibit. Cats, children, kittens and kids – they are all are ideal candidates for perfect partners in life and in literature. For anyone who has ever been owned by a cat, the attitudes and antics in the following titles will be distinctly familiar and entertaining!

Bits & Pieces

By Judy Schachner (Penguin / Dial) Tink enjoys all the best things in inside the house with his family. He reads with Dad (from squarely in the middle of the newspaper). He plays with the girls (helpfully scattering chess pieces around the board). It’s paradise for an indoor cat. But when Tink gets a brief taste of the outdoors through his carrier, he starts to bide his time until he can slip outside. But years later when he finally makes his foray out into the wider world, he finds that the whole world may have to help him get back home! From the author of ‘Skippy Jon Jones’, this adorable title will become a favorite read as you and your kids read it to “Bits & Pieces”!

Princess Penelope & the Runaway Kitten

By Alison Murray (Candlewick / Nosy Crow)

Princess Penelope wants to befriend a mischievous kitten she finds entangled in bright pink yarn in her Mommy’s knitting basket. But when Penelope’s overture to play sends the kitten dashing off leaving a twisting pink trail in his wake – the chase is on! The kitten’s trail through the royal abode is an embossed, pink glittery line that wends its way across the pages, over and under, inside and out of all the places a playful kitten can scamper. Little fingers can trace the raised path of this precocious pet from beginning to end as the princess pursues her royal runaway playmate!

Naughty Kitten!

By Adam Stower (Scholastic / Orchard) When young Lily’s mother brings her a tiny kitten instead of a puppy (which her mom insists are “smelly”, “messy” and “far too much trouble), Lily beings her journey of discovery about life with a kitty. But every time she leaves her kitty alone, she returns to find the room in shambles.

NOTE: by this time observant readers may note the book’s endpapers, which indicate that wild animals have escaped the zoo that same day – in particular, an enormous tiger. Glimpses of tiger stripes can also be seen lurking in the backgrounds of these kittenish crime scenes. Lily is about to decide that kittens are more trouble that they’re worth, until her tiny kitten ‘appears’ to frighten away a threatening dog. Readers will enjoy discovering that a “Naughty Kitty” is sometimes the best kitty!

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Wise Choices for You & Your Family

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Cardio Kids 7 to 13 Years

• Fun Cardio & Strength Training Stations • Includes Stretching, Calisthenics, Nutritional Tips, and more • Start your child’s “fitness” life off right with Fitness Made Fun for Kids!

My Gym Columbus (706) 507-2966 www.mygym.com

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Visit our website to get plugged in, join our HOOsLetter list, read our online issue, and enter contests.

Call Now to Schedule a FREE TRIAL CLASS!

Open to members and nonmembers

HOO’s CUTE

CONTEST Visit our website to enter: w w w. h o o k n o w s t h e v a l l e y. c o m

Leah, 20 months Midland

Kylee, 2 years Columbus

Brooks, 4 years Columbus

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HOO’s HUNGRY

blueberry

Donuts by bearandlionmama.com

DIRECTIONS Preheat oven to 400F. Grease your donut pans.

Mix oats and milk in a medium-sized bowl. in a large bowl, mix together the dry ingredients, making a well in the center. Stir in the liquid ingredients and the oatmeal mixture until just combined. Be careful not to over mix!

Fill donut molds to the top, and bake for 16-18 minutes until golden brown. Do not over bake!

Let cool and enjoy!

Ingredients • 2 cups rolled oats • 1 1/2 cups whole milk • 1 1/2 cups flour • 1 tblsp baking powder • 1/2 tsp salt 1/4 tsp cinnamon • 1/2 cup light brown sugar • 1/2 cup unsalted butter • 1 tsp vanilla • 3/4 cup frozen blueberries

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Wise Choices for You & Your Family

HOO’S at the Movies 26

The Identical PG | Ok for kids 10+ Identical twin brothers (both played by Blake Rayne) are separated at birth during the Great Depression.

Their parents (Brian Geraghty, Amanda Crew) can’t afford to raise both, so one is adopted by a loving family.

Despite their different upbringings, the boys’ shared passion for music causes their lives to unknowingly intersect as they experience a powerful and mysterious connection often felt by twins. One of the boys becomes famous rock legend Drexel Hemsley, while Ryan Wade struggles to find balance between his love for music and trying to please his evangelist father (Ray Liotta) and devoted mother (Ashley Judd), who have very different plans for his life in the ministry.

Dolphin tale 2 PG | Ok for kids 8+ This sequel to 2011’s “Dolphin Tale” continues the story of the brave dolphin Winter, whose miraculous rescue and recovery, thanks to a groundbreaking prosthetic tail, made her a symbol of hope and perseverance to people around the world. The story picks up several years after young Sawyer Nelson (Nathan Gamble) and the Clearwater Marine Hospital team, headed by Dr. Clay Haskett (Harry Connick, Jr.), rescued Winter. Now her surrogate mother has passed away, but USDA regulations require that the social mammals be paired with other dolphins. Will the team find Winter a new pal before they lose her to another aquarium? This is a sweet story about faith, hope and dolphins.

the maze runner PG-13 | Ok for kids 13+ (some violence and disturbing images) Thomas (Dylan O’Brien) wakes up trapped in a massive maze with a group of other boys, he has no memory of the outside world other than strange dreams about a mysterious organization known as W.C.K.D. Only by piecing together fragments of his past with clues he discovers in the maze can Thomas hope to uncover his true purpose and a way to escape. Based on the best-selling novel by James Dashner, this movie is directed

by Wes Ball and also stars Kaya Scodelario, Will Poulter, Thomas Brodie-Sangster and Aml Ameen. With the hush-hush approach to making the film, Twentieth Century Fox is following the blueprint that turned 2012’s “Chronicle” into a breakout hit.

the boxtrolls PG | Ok for kids 6+ (some peril and mild rude humor) From the creators of “Coraline” and “ParaNorman” comes this cute animated movie about a community of quirky, mischievous creatures who’ve lovingly raised an orphaned boy named Eggs (voiced by Isaac Hempstead-Wright) in the amazing cavernous home they’ve built beneath the streets of Cheesebridge.

When the town’s villain, Archibald Snatcher (Ben Kingsley), dreams up a plot to get rid of the Boxtrolls, Eggs decides to venture above ground, “into the light,” where he teams up with fabulously feisty Winnifred (Elle Fanning). Together, they devise a daring plan to save Eggs’ family. Directed by Anthony Stacchi and Graham Annable, the voice cast also includes Toni Collette, Jared Harris, Tracy Morgan Simon Pegg, and Nick Frost.

The song PG-13 | Ok for kids 14+ (substance abuse and rude references) “The Song” follows aspiring singer-songwriter Jed King (Alan Powell) as he struggles to catch a break and escape the shadow of his father, a country music legend. After reluctantly accepting a gig at a local vineyard harvest festival, Jed is love-struck by the vineyard owner’s daughter, Rose (Ali Faulkner), and romance blooms. Soon after their wedding, Jed writes Rose “The Song,” which becomes a breakout hit. Thrust into a life of stardom and temptation in the form of fellow performer Shelby Bale (Caitlin Nicol-Thomas), Jed’s marriage begins to fall apart. Directed by Richard Ramsey, “The Song” blends a compelling biblical narrative (it’s based on the Song of Solomon) with a modern-day love story.

www.HooKnowsTheValley.com

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Wise Choices for You & Your Family

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POLKA DOTS

CHILD CARE CENTER 3 MEALS & 2 SNACKS DAILY LOW STUDENT/TEACHER RATIO AFFORDABLE QUALITY CARE

706-321-0096 HOURS: 5:30A-8P

Traditional

REGISTER TODAY • K3-6th grade • Small Class Sizes • Enrichment Classes • Before/After School Care • A Beka Phonics Curriculum

Tours Daily

Infants through 3 year olds

Montessori

1100 First Avenue, Columbus, GA 31901

Military Discounts

3 year olds through Kindergarten

2, 3, or 5 Day Class Options Art, Music, Spanish, Chapel, Field Trips Classes 9am to 1pm with options for early drop off and after school care

706-322-4523 2303 Double Churches, Columbus l 706-323-4441

www.columbusfpc.org/day-school

SUMMERwww.HooKnowsTheValley.com CAMPS & SUMMER FUN

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Let’s Grow STE(A)M Super Students!

Create original projects through STE(A)M for a chance to win awesome prizes!

Registration is now open to all GA/AL Students Pre-K - 12th Grade Projects will be on display Oct. 14-15, 2014 from 5-9pm at the Columbus Civic Center during the Greater Columbus Fair.

Register today at www.columbusciviccenter.org

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Wise Choices for You & Your Family

Celebrating 25 years!

L iv ing. L o v ing. Le a r n i n g.

Caring for your children and laying a foundation for their growth and success has been our calling for the past 25 years. Our unique, caring approach is rooted in an understanding that each child is a gift and a responsibility. These precious little ones deserve our attention, security and love. Just like home. Today, our commitment to your children continues with caring and experienced teachers, a stimulating and secure environment and an atmosphere of living, loving and learning you’ll only find at Growing Room.

Enroll now for the new school year! www.growingroomusa.com

Keep Reading Fun School is back in session and after a fun-filled summer, kids are adjusting to being back to the structure each school day offers them. With homework assignments and AR tests requiring a lot of their time and attention, reading can quickly begin to feel like a chore for children.

If students feel as though reading is something they have to do, rather than something they want to do, they’re less likely to continue reading into adulthood.

There are many ways to remind students that reading is more than just an assignment for school.

First, encourage your child to read what they like!

There’s a lot of pressure for children to read only books on their approved AR level, but every once in a while let your child pick a book that seems interesting to them, regardless of the AR level or

HOO’s learning

By Kaelyn Christian, Children’s Librarian Chattahoochee Valley Libraries

During the School Year

how many points it’s worth. Even better if it’s not an AR book at all! Try one “fun” book for every five AR books.

Second, make reading a family activity! Pick a book that the entire family can enjoy (chapter books like Harry Potter or the Ramona series are great for this!) and read aloud together. Take turns so that each child and parent gets a chance to read, and make it a regular activity. A few minutes before bed works well.

You can also create a reading nook! Make a space in your home just for reading that’s as inviting as possible with pillows and decorations. A space that’s inviting to kids will encourage them to spend time there just to read. Finally, model the habit yourselves! Children are much more likely to read for pleasure if they see their parents doing the same.

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