November 2019

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In this issue: Holiday Guide

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November 2019

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Contents

LETTER FROM THE EDITOR Dear Readers,

LIVING WELL

J

ax4Kids is making your holiday event planning easy! Turn to pages 14 through 20 to find the season’s favorite family-friendly holiday events. If you’re looking for gift ideas for the kids in your life, check out the Toy Award Winners for 2019 on page 20. If you’d like to help a family in need this holiday season, Toys for Tots will be collecting toys through December 11th. If your family needs gifts, you can register at jacksonville-fl.toysfortots.org. Turn to page 19 for more details about registering to receive or collect toys, volunteer, or host a Toys For Tots event.

The Jacksonville Fair opens on November 7th.

You can SAVE 50% on admission by buying your tickets in advance. Discounted tickets are available until midnight on November 6th by visiting jacksonvillefair.com. Mega passes are also discounted when purchased in advance.

If you have a student entering VPK in the 20202021 school year, you should know the registration process has changed. The Parent Academy of Duval County Schools, which is available to all members of the community, is offering a course to walk you through the required steps to enter the VPK lottery. See page 23 for details.

Theatre Jacksonville’s Theatre for Babies is expanding to include two new locations – WJCT and The Florida Ballet. Currently, Theatre for Babies is performed at the DuBow Preschool on Crown Point Road. November’s dates at DuBow are the 10th and 12th at 10:30am. The theatrical performance – for babies age

NOVEMBER 2019

Community Profile: Tony Meduri Fund........................................................................ 4 Veteran’s Day Events................................................................................................ 4 Mom’s Night Out Events............................................................................................ 5 It’s Fair Time!............................................................................................................ 6

EATING WELL

Bring Them to the Table This Holiday Season!........................................................... 7 Things to Do: Eating Well......................................................................................... 7

HEALTH & SAFETY

3 to 12 months – is designed to help engage, stimulate and connect with babies while in their earliest stages of development. For more information about this and other events for Infants and Toddlers, visit Jax4Kids.com’s Infant and Toddler events page.

Each November, Jax4Kids shows our appreciation to you, our readers and followers, by giving away a prize every day during the month. Visit us each day at Facebook.com/Jax4Kids to find out what you could win!

For an always updated list of events, including holiday happenings, visit us online at Jax4Kids. com!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Until next month, Alison Peters-Carlson Editor

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Alison Peters-Carlson Editor....................... editor@jax4kids.com Linda Bigbee Graphic Designer...................... linda@jax4kids.com Tim Chavez Graphic Designer........................... tim@jax4kids.com Judi Fields Circulation Manager........................judi@jax4kids.com Beth Canonica Advertising Sales.................... beth@jax4kids.com Mary Gustafson Business Manager............... mary@jax4kids.com Published by Child Enrichment, LLC, 12620-3 Beach Blvd., Jacksonville, FL 32246. Copyright 2019.

Reproduction of any artwork or copy prepared by Jax4Kids.com To Go is strictly prohibited without written consent of the publisher. We will not be responsible for any errors and/or omissions. The Publisher’s liability for error will not exceed the cost of space occupied by the error. Articles for publication are welcome and may be sent to editor@jax4kids.com. For more information concerning advertising, call 904-710-2020 or e-mail advertise@jax4kids.com.

Flu Myths Debunked, Get the Shot........................................................................... 8

INFANT & TODDLER

Supporting a Child Who is Slow to Warm Up............................................................. 9 Things to Do: Infant & Toddler................................................................................ 11 Kids Say the Funniest Things.................................................................................. 11

SPECIAL NEEDS

Tips for Enjoying the Holidays with Your Special Needs Child.................................... 12 Things to Do: Special Needs Events........................................................................ 12

HOLIDAY GUIDE

Holiday Events...................................................................................................13-20 'Tis Time for Toy Collection...................................................................................... 19 Books for Thanksgiving........................................................................................... 19 2019 Toy of the Year Awards................................................................................... 20 New Releases at the Movies................................................................................... 20

TRAVEL

Holiday Travel Tips................................................................................................. 21 American Girl Hospitals Open in NYC & Chicago to Treat Your Kid's Dolls................. 21

EDUCATION

Cummer Museum Extends Free Fridays................................................................... 22 5 Ways to Get the Internet When You Can't Afford It................................................. 23 Educational Opportunities at This Year’s Jacksonville Fair......................................... 23 Things to Do: Education Events............................................................................... 23 Duval County School District News.......................................................................... 24 Clay County School District News............................................................................ 25 St. Johns County School District News..................................................................... 26

TEENS

Benefits of Stimulants Questioned.......................................................................... 27 Things to Do: Teens Events.................................................................................... 27

PETS

Many Holiday Foods Not On Fido’s Plate................................................................. 28 Things to Do: Pet Events........................................................................................ 28

NATURE

Bird Songs All Business......................................................................................... 29 Things to Do: Nature Events................................................................................... 29

THINGS TO DO

November Events.............................................................................................30-31

NOVEMBER 2019 • Jax4Kids.com • Page 3

LIVING WELL

Community Profile: Tony Meduri Fund

T

he Tony Meduri TBI Fund was founded in 2015 in honor of Tony Meduri, a retired police officer of 32 years, who was hit by an uninsured, drugged driver while sitting at a red light. Tony’s seven year struggle with his life-altering brain injury and death inspired their mission to generate awareness about traumatic brain injury (TBI).

In 2015, it held its first fundraising event, Tony’s Turkey Trot 5k Run on Thanksgiving morning in Atlantic Beach. Since then, they have more than tripled in size and this year, it was voted Best of the Beaches 5k. Funds raised from this fun community event has allowed the fund to help local TBI survivors attend Brooks Rehabilitation’s Clubhouse, a full-time day long-term recovery program for brain injury survivors as well as help sponsor the first Camp TBI in Jacksonville in May of this year, providing fun and relaxing activities for TBI survivors and their caregivers. This year, the 5K run/walk will be at 8am and a 1 mile fun run will begin around 9am. All fun run finishers will receive a medal. After the race, there will be a pumpkin pie eating contest for ages 6 to 17. Sign up in advance to participate, as space is limited. There will also be food vendors, and a Thanksgiving themed costume contest. Registration for the fun run starts at $15 and registration for the 5k starts at $30 and you can register online at www.tbifundinc.com.

Now some lucky Duval County middle or high schools could receive new football helmets thanks to a new Tony Meduri Fund campaign called Play It, Protect It, that focuses on concussions in youth sports.

There are about 3.8 million concussions that occur in competitive sports each year in the U.S., and more than half of these concussions occur in children. Concussions are a mild traumatic brain injury or “TBI” and can happen in almost any sport, at any moment. It happens when there is a physical blow or jolt to the head.

“As the mother of two active boys who love to play sports, my youngest son for years has been begging me to play football, the one sport with the highest rate of concussions.

This simple fact inspired me to address the need to teach our children how important their brains are and that if you were going to ‘play it, to protect it’. I knew that was the name of

Veter

the program and knowing my experience of caring for a father with a TBI for seven years, that the risks were too high not to address it“, said Anne-Marie Tucker President and Founder Veterans Appreciation Offer at Legoland November 1 – 25 The Tony Meduri TBI Fund, Inc. Boys’ sports account for 75 percent of all concussions, with football more than half of all concussions. Soccer had the most concussions among girls’ sports. Girls may be at greater risk of concussion while playing soccer due to “heading” the ball, a lack of protective gear, and an emphasis on contact during the game, researchers have suggested.

Concussions in youth sports are particularly concerning as recent evidence suggests that the earlier in life a concussion is experienced, the higher likelihood of having prolonged complications. This is potentially due to injuring a brain that is still developing. There are 30 million kids in organized sports programs throughout the country. Concussions results in more than 100,000 emergency department visits for school-aged children each year in the United States.

“I believe the risk of concussion is too great not to act and that is why The Tony Meduri TBI Fund, Inc. has launched ‘Play It, Protect It’ to promote helmets and safety in youth sports in Duval County,” said Ms. Tucker.

The organization plans to raise funds to purchase high-quality helmets which can cost upwards of $1,000 per helmet, and generate awareness of concussions by working with local area Athletic Directors to give presentations and engaging students as youth ambassadors to spread the word via social media.

“While there is no concussion-proof helmet, a high-quality helmet can mitigate the risk of a TBI,” said Ms. Tucker. “To raise the funds for helmets, we of course need financial donations from the public and organizations, and we are selling ‘Play It, Protect It’ apparel as well.”

The organization would like to select at least two schools to be the recipients of football helmets based on its fundraising, while the campaign lasts through 2020. Its goal is to raise $25,000. j TBIFundInc.com.

NOVEMBER 2019 • Jax4Kids.com • Page 4

vents E y a D an’s

In gratitude for their service, all veterans of the U.S. armed forces can receive free admission to Legoland Florida Resort November 1-25, 2019.

Veterans can also purchase theme park tickets for up to six (6) guests at a 50% discount on the same dates. To receive free admission and purchase discounted tickets, veterans must present valid military identification or proof of veteran status at a Legoland Florida Resort ticket window on the day of their visit. This offer is not available online.

On Monday, November 11, in honor of Veterans Day, each U.S. service member can receive a free American flag wristband and flyer (describing the discounts and events of the day) at the Legoland Florida Resort ticket windows. A wristband entitles the wearer to the following discounts on November 11th only: 10% discount on food, beverage and retail purchases at all locations including carts; receive a second 6x8 photo free with purchase of the first photo; and receive two plays of carnival-style games for the price of one, excluding prize-every-time games.

Legoland Florida / 877-350-5346 / One Legoland Way, Winter Haven, FL 33884 / www.legoland.com Salute to Veterans Run 2019 November 10, 8am to 11am The Salute to Veterans Run/Walk returns for the 8th year. This year’s run features $2000 in prizes, food & drinks, and a family/kid zone. The run benefits the Jacksonville Naval Museum and K9s For Warriors. This race salutes all veterans with a unique start, by displaying the flags of all branches of the military services and singing a verse to each of branch service song. There are additional separate prizes awarded to Veterans and active military personnel making this truly a “Salute to Veterans” event. Registration ranges from $20 to $45. Downtown Jacksonville / 904399-8880 / 929 E Bay Street, Jacksonville, FL 32202 / www.1stplacesports.com Great Clips: Free Haircuts For Veterans November 11 While not all of us have served in the military ourselves, most of us know at least one veteran who we would like to thank. With this annual promotion, Great Clips gives everyone a way to thank a veteran on Veterans Day. And they give veterans more than a one-day event to redeem their free haircut card. Veterans and current U.S. military members can visit a U.S. Great Clips salon on November 11 and receive either a free haircut that day or the free haircut card to use at a later date. Non-military members: Purchase

a service at a U.S. Great Clips salon on Veterans Day (Nov. 11) and get a free haircut card to give to a veteran you know. Haircut Cards are redeemable until December 31, 2019.

Great Clips / www.greatclips.com Thank You, Veterans at St. Augustine Lighthouse • November 11, 9am to 6pm The St. Augustine Lighthouse & Maritime Museum will offer free admission for U.S. Military veterans on Veterans Day on Monday, November 11. Immediate family members of veterans will receive 10% off admission as well. Free admission is also available for active military and their immediate family. St. Augustine Lighthouse & Maritime Museum / 904-829-0745 / 81 Lighthouse Avenue, St. Augustine, FL 32080 / www.staugustinelighthouse.org City of Jacksonville Veterans Day Parade November 11, 11am Join the City of Jacksonville to honor true American heroes - the veterans and active-duty military. This patriotic parade features more than 4,000 participants including grand marshals, senior military officials, active-duty and retired military, veterans groups, local high school marching bands, decorative floats, giant balloons, JROTC units, and more. The parade will begin on Gator Bowl Blvd near TIAA Bank Field and end at the Prime F. Osborn III Convention Center. Downtown Jacksonville / 904-255-5422 / E Bay St, Jacksonville, FL 32202 / specialevents.coj.net Palm Coast Veterans Day Ceremony November 11, 11am The City of Palm Coast would like to honor veterans for their service. Veterans are invited for a free BBQ lunch and live music. This is a ticketed event and you must pre-register with your veteran group. If you are not affiliated with a veteran group, please call Parks & Rec at 386-986-2323.

Central Park in Town Center / 386-986-2323 / 975 Central Avenue, Palm Coast, FL 32137 / www.palmcoastgov.com Veterans Eat Free at Mission BBQ November 11 In honor of Veterans Day, Mission BBQ offers veterans a free meal. Meal includes a free sandwich and cake.

Mission BBQ / mission-bbq.com Orange Park Location / 904-712-0252 / 8440 Blanding Boulevard, Jacksonville, FL 32244 St. Johns Town Center Location / 904-712-6506 / 4852 Town Center Parkway, Jacksonville, FL 32246

Adult Coloring Club November 5, 1pm to 4pm Many adults are finding that coloring clubs for adults are a great way to reduce stress and meet new people. Create new art you can feel proud of while you de-stress and relax. Supplies will be provided, you just need to pick out your design and start coloring.

Free. St. Johns County Public Library, Ponte Vedra Beach Branch / 904-827-6950 / 101 Library Blvd, Ponte Vedra Beach, FL 32082 / www.sjcpls.org The Pink Challah Bake November 6, 7pm Women of Jacksonville are invited for the Pink Challah Bake. If you are of Ashkenazi Jewish decent you have a 1 in 40 risk of carrying a BRCA gene mutation. However, most insurance companies recognize BRCA testing as a screening test. If you have a personal or family history of breast, ovarian or pancreatic cancer you may qualify for BRCA testing. In honor of breast cancer awareness, Myriad Genetics will be offering educational resources and BRCA screening and testing by a local provider will be available before the event. Please bring your insurance card. The cost is $10/person.

Attendees are asked to wear a splash of pink. Congregation Ahavath Chesed- The Temple / 904-262-3565 / 8727 San Jose Blvd, Jacksonville, FL 32217 / thetemplejacksonville.org Women Empowering Women Winter 2019 November 7, 6pm to 8pm Come get to know other women in the community who want to make a difference.

The evening will include a group networking activity, wine, food, and shopping -- all with a focus on creating opportunities for good in Jacksonville. Every dollar spent in store and online, during the event, will be matched up to $7,000. Tickets are $12 and include two drinks and hors-d’oeuvres. Tickets will increase to $15 at the door. Rethreaded / 904-438-8109 / 820 Barnett St, Jacksonville, FL 32209 / www.rethreaded.com

Deck the Palms: 2019 Dashing Through the Store November 8, 4pm to 8pm and November 9, 10am to 8pm – St. Augustine November 16, 10am to 8pm – Jacksonville Declaration & Co. hosts their 6th Annual Dashing Through the Store event. Attendees will have first dibs on the newest and best product offerings of the holiday season, as well as a cocktail party, hors d’oeuvres, and a swag bag. A portion of all proceeds will be donated to V for Victory, a local nonprofit organization that provides support to local families affected by cancer. Tickets are $35 each. This is a great event for a mom’s night out. This year, the event will be held at both their St. Augustine and Jacksonville locations. Declaration & Co / www.declarationco.com • Declaration & Co St. Augustine / 904-295-2476 / 63 San Marco Avenue, St. Augustine, FL 32084 • Declaration & Co Jacksonville / 904-295-2475 / 3635 St. Johns Avenue, Jacksonville, FL 32205 Publix Aprons Creative Cookies November 21, 6pm Adults are invited for a class to learn how to bake some ‘out of the box’ holiday cookie recipes. The menu features Maple-Glazed Apple Crisp Cookies, Key Lime Pie Sandwich Cookies, Caramel, Pretzel and Chocolate Chip Cookies, Baklava cookies, and Chocolate-Peppermint Waffle Cookies. Cost is $45/person. This would make a good mom’s night out.

Publix Aprons Cooking School / 904-2624187 / 10500 San Jose Blvd Ste 36, Jacksonville, FL 32257 / www.publix.com

MOSH After Dark: Find Relief Through Printmaking • November 21, 6pm to 9pm Join local teaching artists from the Jacksonville Cultural Development Corporation and explore the creative processes behind the dynamic art form of printmaking. Get your hands dirty and create your own original prints using both traditional and contemporary techniques. You’ll also get a chance to explore the Museum after-hours. The doors will open at 6pm. Guests are invited Ladies’ Night at Champion Beaches to mingle and grab light refreshments. The November 7, 7:30pm to 10:30pm program will begin at 6:30pm. Cost is $20 Champion Cycling and Fitness invites women for Members and $25 for non-members. Adfor a Ladies Night Out. They will discuss mission includes two complimentary drinks. bicycle safety, as well as hold a bicycle This is an adult only event for ages 21+. maintenance seminar. Light refreshments MOSH / 904-396-6674 / 1025 Museum will be served. Champion Cycling and Circle, Jacksonville, FL 32207 / themosh.org Fitness / 904-241-0900 / 1303 3rd St. North, Jacksonville Beach, FL 32250 / www.championcycling.net

2 Convenient Locations 8411 Baymeadows Way, Jacksonville, FL 32256 880 US Highway A1A North, Suite 6, Ponte Vedra Beach, FL 32082

NOVEMBER 2019 • Jax4Kids.com • Page 5

LIVING WELL

It’s Fair Time!

G

et ready for the fair. The 62nd Greater Jacksonville Agricultural Fair opens Thursday, Nov. 7, and runs through Sunday, Nov. 17 at The Jacksonville Fairgrounds, 510 Fairgrounds Place.

Regular admission ticket prices run from $10 for adults (13-64), to $6 for seniors (65 and up) and children (6 to 12). Children 5 and under attend free. Prices are for fair admission only. Rides must be purchased separately.

Discounted tickets available before opening day. See jacksonvillefair.com.

Saturdays are Student Days – students 17 and under get in FREE and Military Day is November 11. Active duty military or veterans get in free along with up to 3 family members. For a complete list of dates and special events, see below or visit jacksonvillefair.com.

Flame Blacksmiths.

• Stingray Encounter: The world’s only traveling, self-contained stingray exhibit!

Safely view and touch these wonderful creatures.

Schedule

Opening Day, Thursday, Nov. 7, 5 p.m. to 11 p.m. • Gator Country 99.9 Country Jam. Free admission with purchase of $15 Unlimited Mechanical Rides Wristband Friday, Nov. 8, 3p.m. to 11 p.m. • Senior Free Day. 65 and older admitted free. Uncle Kracker concert, 8 p.m. $25 Unlimited Mechanical Rides Wristband (does not include admission).

Saturday, Nov. 9, 10 a.m. to 11 p.m.

Student Day: From 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. students ages 17 and under admitted free.

The fair is currently ranked 47th largest in the $25 Unlimited Mechanical Rides Wristband United States and its stated economic impact (does not include admission).

From 3 p.m. to 11 p.m. $25 Unlimited on Duval County is in excess of $10 million.

Since its inception, the fair has made contribu- Mechanical Rides Wristband (includes admission) *visitors over 18 years of age w/ tions totaling approximately $3.1 million to charitable and civic organizations. valid ID may purchase a ride wristband or regular gate admission (limit one per ID).

The Jacksonville Fair offers educational Kazual concerts, show times vary. programs for students (see page 23 for details). There is also a cattle show each day Sunday, Nov. 10, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. of the fair and musical concerts. Uncle Kazual concerts, show times vary.

Kracker, Blanco Brown, Eli Young Band, Blue $25 Unlimited Mechanical Rides Armband.

Oyster Cult, Kazual, Dennis Lee Band and Kari (does not include admission). and Billy are scheduled to perform.

Monday, Nov. 11, Noon to 11 p.m.

Military Day: Active duty military or veterans And family shows abound: • The 3 Ring Super Circus leads the list with admitted free with up to 3 family members. $10 Unlimited Mechanical Rides Wristband some extraordinary acts.

• The Agri-Puppets is a fun family show that (for military and veterans) (does not include admission). teaches the importance of farming, animals and agriculture with sing-a-longs Blanco Brown concert, 7 p.m.

Kazual concerts, show times vary. $20 and more.

Unlimited Mechanical Rides Wristband (does • The Amazing Bubble Factory features an not include admission). industrial size bubble machine that produces an iridescent shower of magical bubbles that swirl and pop all around you. Tuesday, Nov. 12, 5 p.m. to 11 p.m.

• JUMP! The Ultimate Dog Show thrills with $2 Tuesday: $2 Admission and $2 Mechanical a variety of dogs performing incredible Rides. $20 Unlimited Mechanical Rides Wristband (does not include admission). stunts.

• At Play with Giants you can challenge your Kazual concerts, show times vary. friends to giant chess or to build the Wednesday, Nov. 13, 5p.m. to 11 p.m. biggest tumble tower ever.

Family Day: One child, 12 and under, admitted • Robinson’s Racing Pigs do just that and free with the purchase of a full-price adult have entertained millions.

• Learn what blacksmithing is all about and ticket. get a one-of-a-kind souvenir at Rust & Dennis Lee concerts, show times vary

NOVEMBER 2019 • Jax4Kids.com • Page 6

Kari & Billy concerts, show times vary $10 Unlimited Mechanical Rides Wristband (does not include admission).

Thursday, Nov. 14, 5 p.m. to 11 p.m.

Collegiate Night: College students with valid college student ID admitted free. $10 Unlimited Mechanical Rides Wristband (with valid student ID).

Eli Young Band concert, 8 p.m.

Dennis Lee concerts, show times vary.

Kari & Billy concerts, show times vary. $20 Unlimited Mechanical Rides Wristband (does not include admission).

Friday, Nov. 15, 3 p.m. to 11 p.m.

Senior Free Day: 65 and older admitted free Blue Oyster Cult concert, 8 p.m.

Dennis Lee concerts, show times vary.

Kari & Billy concerts, show times vary. $25 Unlimited Mechanical Rides Wristband (does not include admission).

Saturday, Nov. 16, 10 a.m. to 11 p.m.

Student Day: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Students ages 17 and under admitted free. $25 Unlimited Mechanical Rides Wristband (does not include admission).

3 p.m. to 11p.m. $25 Unlimited Mechanical Rides Wristband (includes admission) *visitors over 18 years of age w/ valid ID may purchase a ride wristband or regular gate admission (limit one per ID).

Dennis Lee concerts, show times vary.

Kari & Billy concerts, show times vary.

Sunday, Nov. 17, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Dennis Lee concerts, show times vary Kari & Billy concerts, show times vary $25 Unlimited Mechanical Rides Armband (does not include admission). j jacksonvillefair.com

DAYLIGHT SAVINGS TIME

EATING WELL

Bring Them to the Table This Holiday Season!

T

he holiday season always brings back good family memories for me – sitting around a table with many, many cousins, aunts, uncles, parents and grandparents. Not every moment can be a Norman Rockwell painting by any means, but there is something wonderful in sharing a special meal with the ones you love. What has become less of the norm for most households has now become something so important to holding a family together – and important to raising healthy kids.

And for those of us who are doing the cooking this season, check out these recipe substitutions so that if you find yourself in a pinch, you can substitute without missing a beat.

We know now that the family that eats together regularly is more likely to be healthier for several reasons. Family meals and their rituals might be an underappreciated battleground to fight obesity. There is better communication between parent and child during family meals, and an overall lower risk of childhood overweight/obesity. One study which looked at childhood obesity found that the dinner table indeed may be one place where social support and family communication meet—both of which relate to the BMI of children as well as parents. It’s very easy for the family mealtime to become replaced with food on the run and family members scattered in different directions at dinner time. The art of meal preparation can be so easily lost on a generation of children that live “in the fast lane”, meaning that dinner is always from a restaurant or fast food. When families eat together, healthier food choices are made, and family recipes and food preparation are discussed. Fried foods and sodas tend to be replaced with more fruits and vegetables when eating at home, not to mention, the atmosphere and conversation at mealtime makes everyone eat at a slower pace and therefore not overconsume calories.

Butter: Amount: ½ cup. Substitute: ½ cup margarine (choose olive oil blend, no transfat); ½ cup plain applesauce (for baking); or an equal amount of oil can be substituted for a similar portion of MELTED butter if the recipe specifies using MELTED butter. Oil cannot be substituted in an equal amount for solid fat since the volume is different when melted.

Egg: Amount: 1 whole egg. Substitute: 1/4 cup egg substitute (examples include: Egg Beaters, Second Nature, Scramblers); 1/4 cup plain yogurt (or plain vanilla in a pinch) ; 2 tablespoons mayonnaise (if used in cake batter); 1/2 teaspoon baking powder plus 1 tablespoon vinegar plus 1 tablespoon liquid (for baking use only).

I think that’s why people cherish the holiday time with the family so much – it’s not only a time to visit with loved ones we haven’t seen in a while, but I think we all secretly desire to slow down and share a meal. This is a perfect time to teach kids how to set a table properly, and get them involved in meal preparation so no one feels left out. Kids who are involved in the process of mealtime tend to enjoy the meal more because they had a hand in it.

Instead of rushing into the holidays, why don’t we take a step back and remember what this time of the year is for – reconnecting with the ones you love.

Allspice: Amount: 1 teaspoon. Substitute: 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon plus 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves.

Apple Pie Spice: Amount: 1 teaspoon.

Substitute: 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon plus 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg plus 1/8 teaspoon cardamom.

Chili Sauce: Amount: 1 cup. Substitute: 1 cup tomato sauce, 1/4 cup brown sugar, 2 tablespoons vinegar, 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon, dash of ground cloves and dash of allspice.

Mayonnaise (salads and salad dressings): Amount: 1 cup. Substitute: 1 cup low-fat sour cream; 1 cup yogurt; 1 cup low-fat cottage cheese pureed.

Pumpkin Pie Spice: Amount: 1 teaspoon.

Substitute: 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon plus 1/4 ground teaspoon ginger plus 1/8 teaspoon ground allspice plus 1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg.

Confectioners’ or Powdered Sugar: Amount: 1 cup. Substitute: 1 cup granulated sugar plus 1 tablespoon cornstarch well blended and powdered in processor. j Aurea Thompson RDN, CSP, LDN Pediatric Nutrition Specialist Wolfson Children’s Hospital

Big & Little Chef: Thanksgiving November 9, 10am; November 18, 6pm Big Chef, Little Chef series classes are designed specifically for a guardian/parent, older sibling (18 or older), etc. paired with a young chef. Each pair will work together (along with the rest of the students) to create recipes that are appropriate Sushi for Adults and Kids for adults and kids alike. Big Chef must be 18 November 2, 1:30pm to 4pm or older, and the Little Chef age range should be Participants will learn how to make their own sushi. 5–12 years old. This class focuses on ThanksThe menu includes Maki Rolls, Inside-Out Rolls, giving. The menu features Oven Roasted Turkey, Spicy Tuna Rolls, Shrimp Tempura, and Seaweed Stuffing and Gravy, Mashed Potatoes, Cranberry Noodle Soup. Cost is $60. Register a child with an Sauce, Green Bean Casserole, and Pumpkin Pie. adult registration for $35. Register for two tickets Cost is $75 for each parent/child combo. Publix and enter the code “SushiwithKids” in the Promo Aprons Cooking School / 904-262-4187 / 10500 Code box on the checkout page. Jax Cooking San Jose Blvd Ste 36, Jacksonville, FL 32257 / Studio / 904-742–5906 / 14035 Beach Boulevard, www.publix.com Jacksonville, FL 32224 / jaxcookingstudio.com Big Chef, Little Chef: Turkey Day Desserts Farm Fall Festival November 27, 2pm November 3, 12:30pm to 4:30pm Big Chef, Little Chef series classes are designed Families are invited to Jacksonville’s oldest organic specifically for a guardian/parent, older sibling market farm. Enjoy a plate of food, including slow (18 or older), etc. paired with a young chef. Each cooked pulled pork from their very own farm raised pair will work together (along with the rest of animals and veggie side dishes from what is in the students) to create delicious recipes that are season. A vegan option is available as well. The day appropriate for adults and kids alike. Big Chef will include live music with blue grass group Cain’t must be 18 or older, and the Little Chef age range Never Could, farm tours and demonstrations, games should be 5–12 years old. The menu features such as Giant Scrabble, guided nature walks led by Pumpkin Pie Crunch, Cranberry-Walnut Tart, a certified Master Naturalist, a mini farmers market Chocolate Cream Pie, and Home Made Pie Dough. with a chance to purchase artisanal food and crafts Cost is $75 for each parent/child combo. Publix from local vendors, and more. Admission is $15 Aprons Cooking School / 904-262-4187 / 10500 for kids and $25 for adults. Includes activities and San Jose Blvd Ste 36, Jacksonville, FL 32257 / meal. Down to Earth Farm / 9355 Old Plank Rd, www.publix.com Jacksonville, FL 32220 / Visit Jax4Kids.com for a complete list of www.downtoearthjax.com

Things to Do Eating Well

Eating Well Events.

NOVEMBER 2019 • Jax4Kids.com • Page 7

HEALTH & SAFETY

Flu Myths Debunked, Get the Shot F

Second, depending on the strain of the flu virus that you are exposed to, you could still lu vaccination prevents millions of estimates that during a “good” flu season, virus as a foreign invader. This is not danger- get the flu even if you received the vaccine. ous; it causes your immune system to develop Every year, the flu vaccine is created to best flu-related illnesses and deaths annually, approximately eight percent of the U.S. match the strain of the flu virus circulating. population could get the flu. That is roughly 26 antibodies to attack the flu virus when but vaccination rates are low for many Therefore, the effectiveness of the flu vaccine million people. exposed in the future. This natural immune reasons. response may cause some people to develop a depends on the similarity between the virus circulating in the community and the killed low-grade fever, headache or overall muscle During the 2018-2019 flu season, the Centers The cornerstone of flu prevention is vaccination. The CDC recommends that everyone 6 aches. These side effects can be mistaken for viruses used to make the vaccine. for Disease Control and Prevention reported months of age and older who does not have the flu but in reality are likely the body’s that about 45 percent of U.S. adults received If there is a close match between the two, then contraindications to the vaccine, receive the normal response to vaccination. the flu vaccine. While this is an increase of the effectiveness of the vaccine will be high. flu shot.

8% from 2017-2018, it falls way below the And the good news is these natural symptoms However, if there is not a close match, vaccine national goal of 70 percent receiving a flu effectiveness could be reduced. Still, it is And just as the polio vaccine won’t give a child are short-term side effects compared to the shot. imperative to note that even when there is not polio, the flu vaccine will not cause the flu. flu, which can last much longer and is more severe. Some people do get the flu after they a close match between the circulating virus One of the common myths that leads people to That’s because the vaccine is made with and the virus used to make the vaccine, the inactive strains of the virus, which are not have received a flu shot, but that is not from avoid the flu shot is that they think the shot vaccine will still lessen the severity of flu capable of causing the flu. the shot.

It can happen for a couple of will give them the flu. But that is simply not symptoms and also help prevent flu-related reasons. true. The virus in the vaccine is not active, complications.

That said, some people may feel sick after and an inactive virus cannot transmit disease.

First, they could have been exposed to the flu What is true is that you may feel the effects of they receive the flu shot which can lead to before they had the shot. It can take up to two Bottom line: You cannot get influenza from your body mounting an immune response, but thinking they got sick from the shot. getting the flu vaccine. j weeks after receiving the flu shot to develop that does not mean you have the flu.

However, feeling under the weather after a flu full immunity. Therefore, if you do get the flu Libby Richards, associate professor of nursing, shot is actually a positive. It can be a sign that within this period, it is likely that you were Influenza, or the flu, is a common but serious Purdue University your body’s immune response is working. exposed to the flu either prior to being infectious respiratory disease that can result in theconversation.com.

What happens is this: When you receive the flu vaccinated or before your full immunity hospitalization or even death. The CDC shot, your body recognizes the inactive flu developed.

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INFANT & TODDLER

Supporting a Child Who is Slow to Warm Up

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Jordan takes his 18-month-old, Ruben, to another child’s birthday party. Ruben resists going into the party room (but peeks in every once in a while). Jordan coaxes Ruben to enter, but Ruben refuses to play with the other children.

He just wants to sit on dad’s lap and watch.

f this story sounds familiar, you’re not alone. There are many, many children who are shy or “slow to warm up,” meaning they are uneasy or cautious in new situations or with unfamiliar people. As babies, they didn’t like being held by just anyone; they wanted to be cuddled by only a few special, trusted people. As toddlers, they stay on the “sidelines” for a while, watching what others are doing until they feel comfortable enough to join in. They may have a difficult time with changes like a new child care provider, and protest when a relative they don’t see often offers a big hug.

To Think About: No two children or families are alike. Thinking about the following questions can help you apply the information below to your own child and family.

• How would you describe your tempera-

ment? What’s it like for you to meet new people or deal with a new situation?

• How are you similar to or different from your child in this way? How do these similarities or differences impact your relationship?

Temperament and the Slow-to-Warm-Up Child: Every child has his own way of approaching the world, which we call “temperament.” Temperament is not something your child chooses, nor is it something that you created. There is not a “right” or “wrong” or “better” or “worse” temperament.

Each temperamental characteristic has its own delights and challenges.

A child’s approach to new situations and unfamiliar people is one very important temperament characteristic. The fact is that some children are naturally more comfortable in new situations and jump right in, whereas others are more cautious. They need time and support from caring adults to feel comfortable in unfamiliar situations. At the same time, these children are often very careful observers who learn a lot from what they see, and who may be more inclined to think through

room at child care next week. Letting your child know what to expect gives her a sense situations before they act—an important skill. of control, which can reduce her anxiety.

• Put what you think your child is feeling into words: What You Can Do to Support Your Child: “You are watching Marco build the castle with • Let your child know that you love and blocks. Want to see if we can join in?” accept her.

• Host friends and family at your home.

Respect her needs, when you can. For example, keep her birthdays small with only a Getting together with family and friends gives few close friends instead of that big bash with children an opportunity to practice social skills in a familiar, safe setting.

15 kids and a clown.

• Read books about friendships.

• Avoid labels.

Saying “don’t be so shy” is like saying, “Don’t Some good books to share with babies and toddlers include: Little Blue and Little Yellow be yourself.”

(Leo Lionni), Gossie and Gertie (Olivier Dunrea), • Look for opportunities to build your My Friends (Taro Gomi), or How Do Dinosaurs child’s self-confidence.

Notice your child’s interests, successes, skills, Play With Their Friends? (Jane Yolen).

• Be a role model. and milestones. Play together doing things When you greet friends during a walk in the your child enjoys. neighborhood, or chat with the nurse at the • Make time for your child to warm up to doctor’s office, you are helping your child learn new caregivers.

Your child may never be the kid who runs right how to feel comfortable and engage with new into the babysitter’s arms as you are going out people. Trust your instincts. If you are concerned about your child’s ability to engage the door. So plan ahead to help your child get acquainted and comfortable with the caregiver. in and enjoy social interaction, seek guidance from her health care provider or a child • Give notice about new people, events, development specialist. j and places.

Let your child know that her Uncle Bob is coming to visit, her friend’s birthday is later zerotothree.org that afternoon, or that she is moving to a new

A lifetime of confidence starts here At KinderCare, we’ll make sure your child has everything they need. Teachers who care.

Classrooms where safety is priority number one. A nurturing place to try new things and explore the world. Whoever you are and wherever you’re from, you’re welcome in our circle.

Give us a call to schedule a tour.

833-90-LEARN enrollnow@kindercare.com

We’re right in your neighborhood!

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NOVEMBER 2019 • Jax4Kids.com • Page 9

INFANT & TODDLER

Things to Do Infant & Toddler

Baby 101 - Let’s Talk Baby November 2, 4pm to 6pm Orange Park Medical Center hosts a parent preparedness class that will enhance your knowledge and understanding of the newest member of your family. The event is free, but please register so they know how many to expect. Held in classroom 2.

Orange Park Medical Center / 904-639-8500 / 2001 Kingsley Ave, Orange Park, FL 32073 / orangeparkmedical.com Toddler Time at Bravoz Entertainment Center • Tuesdays, November 5, 12, 19, 26, 9:30am to 11:30am Bravoz Entertainment Center hosts Toddler Time, every Tuesday morning from 9:30am - 11:30am. During this time, the facility is reserved for the exclusive use of kids ages 5 & under. One adult is admitted for free with each child’s $8 paid admission. A valid waiver & grip socks are required for all participants. Bravoz Entertainment Center / 904-300-0070 / 14985 Old St Augustine Rd, Jacksonville, FL 32258 / bravoz.com Baby/Toddler Little Ones Classes Wednesdays, November 6, 13, 20, 27, 10:15am to 10:45am Baby & Toddler Times are for children up to 18 months of age. There will be songs, stories, and more. St. Johns County Public Library System - Anastasia Island Branch / 904-209-3730 / 124 Seagrove Main Street, St. Augustine, FL 32080 / www.sjcpls.org Disney Junior Holiday Party On Tour November 23, 1pm and 4pm Disney Junior Holiday Party! is a musical event where children and their families can sing and dance along to their favorite Disney Junior songs plus holiday classics with their favorite Disney friends, including Mickey & Minnie Mouse, the Puppy Dog Pals, Vampirina and more, plus a special visit from Santa Claus. Tickets range from $35 to $75 and are available online. VIP Pre Party and after party tickets with character meet and greets are also available. Florida Theatre / 904-355-5661 / 128 East Forsyth Street, Jacksonville , FL 32202 / floridatheatre.com Belly Bean Maternity Breastfeeding Class November 30, 1pm to 4pm

International Board Certified Lactation Consultant Amy Johnston delivers an evidence-based breastfeeding class curriculum.

This 3 hour class covers everything families need to know to get breastfeeding off to the best start. Topics will include why breastfeeding is about much more than just feeding choice, how your body is preparing right now to feed your infant, how birth practices affect breastfeeding, what to expect in the first hours after birth, newborn and family sleep, and more. Please bring a stuffed animal to class for practice. Seats must be reserved in advance. The $50 class tuition covers a seat for the breastfeeding parent and a partner, caregiver or doula, 3 instructional hours, a folder with class handouts, and a helpful e-document containing links to the evidence-based best practice information, instructional videos and research articles presented in class.

Belly Bean Maternity / 904-849-1667 / 463646 SR-200 Unit #1, Yulee, FL 32097 / www.communitylactation.com Visit Jax4Kids.com for a complete list Infant & Toddler Events.

Episcopal Children’s Services Free Child Care Resource & Referral (904) 726-1500 • (800) 238-3463 www.ecs4kids.org Child Care Resource and Referral Services can help your family by providing: • A customized list of local child care options from our trained specialists.

• Information about quality child care and early learning programs • Financial assistance strategies and opportunities • Referrals to other community resources and programs.

Early Learning Coalition North Florida

Helping Children. Helping Families.

Theatre Jacksonville’s Theatre for Babies is excited to announce the expansion of our program to two new locations!

In addition to DuBow Preschool, we will also be offering performances at the Florida Ballet and WJCT. Visit www.theatrejax.com for more information and to purchase tickets for upcoming shows!

www.theatrejax.com

Kids really do say the funniest things! Please share your favorites with us by e-mailing your story directly to editor@jax4kids.com. One entry each month will be turned into a cartoon to be published in the next issue of Jax4Kids. We’ll send you the original cartoon as a keepsake.

NOVEMBER 2019 • Jax4Kids.com • Page 11

SPECIAL NEEDS Tips for Enjoying the Holidays with Your Special Needs Child

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he holidays are a wonderful time for some and adults who are easily overwhelmed by kids. Bright lights, Christmas music, sensory overload. parades, parties, and visits with Santa can all • Stay home and bake cookies, make paper be the stuff of happy childhood memories. For garlands, cut snowflakes, or otherwise children with special needs and their parents, have crafty fun with your child. If you need though, events that feature loud noise, big to do most of the work, that's ok. crowds, and bright lights can be overwhelming.

Make Swaps and Adjustments It can be tempting to disappear into your own home with your special needs child and shut the world out. Sometimes, depending on your child and your situation, that's not a bad choice. But there really are some great ways for families with special needs children to enjoy the holidays without pain.

Many families are accustomed to attending full-scale performances of the Nutcracker or Messiah. And when they go holiday shopping, it's a multi-hour affair. Christmas at Grandma's starts at dawn and doesn't end till long after dark.

Here are some top suggestions for making the season bright.

But there are many ways to enjoy holiday experiences on a smaller scale, and most children with special needs can handle a little holiday fun. For example:

Avoid the Crowds While Enjoying the Fun Crowds are tough for many people, and for kids with special needs, they can be overwhelming. Children who are overwhelmed are much more likely to melt down, misbehave, or simply freeze up.

To avoid the problem, avoid the crowds. Here's how: • Instead of parades and big town-wide Christmas light events, consider taking a car drive to see some of the best local light displays. Some areas even offer largescale drive-through light displays. You can enjoy the wonders of the beautiful lights without the cold, noise, or crowds.

• Visit special holiday displays at off hours.

Look at holiday windows when shops are closed, or stop in at decorated museums or shops first thing in the morning when no one else is up yet.

• Instead of going to the mall to visit Santa, invite "Santa" to visit your home for a personal chat.

• Rather than visiting the crowded Christmas Market in a city, stop in at your local nursery where pretty holiday greens and lights create a miniature wonderland.

• Check the paper and Google "sensory friendly Santas," shops, movies, and more.

Many communities create experiences specifically geared to the needs of kids

• Instead of attending a professional musical or dance event with your child, consider smaller, local performances or concerts that are less formal, less expensive, and shorter. Even if your child starts to melt down in the middle and you need to leave, you'll know your child had at least a taste of a classic holiday experience.

• Plan on short, simple shopping trips that make sense to your child. Rather than trying to do it all at once, take your child shopping for just one or two special gifts for friends or family members. Encourage your child to select a particular gift for a loved one so she can have the experience of watching them open it.

• When planning your actual Christmas Day, think about your child's needs before making any commitments. If your child can handle a couple of hours (but not a whole day) of family togetherness, decide ahead of time which hours are really important.

Let your extended family know your plan, and stick to it.

• If you generally attend religious services on Christmas, consider sitting near the back of the sanctuary so you have an easy "escape route." If the length of the service becomes too much for your child, you can beat an easy retreat. j verywellfamily.com

NOVEMBER 2019 • Jax4Kids.com • Page 12

Things to Do Special Needs Events Jumpstreet Special Needs Event November 2, 9am Jumpstreet hosts a special event for children with special needs and their siblings.

The semi-private event will be held the first Saturday of the month. From 9am to 10am, the event is private; from 10am to 11am, the event is open to the public. Cost is $8 for children 5 and up; $4 for children 4 and under. Parents/guardians are free.

Jumpstreet / 904-853-5721 / 1214 Beach Blvd, Jacksonville Beach, FL 32250 / www.gotjump.com

financial education. These 2-hour workshops will include a presentation from First Florida Credit Union, Q&A, and clinical problem solving and brainstorming breakout sessions with UF Health CARD and FDLRS team members.

Attendees must be registered with either the CARD or FDLRS program. Please contact Marlena at marlena.jenkins@jax.ufl.edu if you have question or need assistance with registering. Free.

UF Health Neurodevelopmental Pediatric Center / 904-633-0750 / 6271 Saint Augustine Road, Jacksonville, FL 32217 / hscj.ufl.edu

UF Jax CARD First Work-Then Play November 7, 5pm to 6pm The UF Health Jacksonville Center for Autism and Related Disabilities (CARD) and Florida Diagnostic Learning & Resources System Multidisciplinary Center (FDLRS-MDC) hosts Sensory Friendly Night this collaborative skill development program.

November 4, 3pm to 5pm First Work-Then Play will introduce particiBravoz, in partnership with Reaching Milestones, offers Sensory Friendly Nights. During pants to a variety of pre-academic, vocational, and leisure based skills through the use of Sensory Friendly Nights, the music is turned shoebox activities. Each group is facilitated off and the distractions are dialed down

by CARD and FDLRS-MDC clinicians who are to make the facility more sensory-friendly. trained to work with students diagnosed with Available on the 1st Monday of each month from 3pm to 5pm from September – May. Ac- autism, intellectual disabilities, developmental cess is for 2 hours of time on the trampolines disabilities, speech and/or language impairment. and/or ninja course. One parent/caretaker/ therapist is admitted for free with each senso- UF Health Neurodevelopmental Pediatric Center / 904-633-0917 / 6271 Saint Augusry friendly participant $10 paid admission. tine Road Suite 1, Jacksonville, FL 32217 / Bravoz Jump socks are required for anyone firstworkthenplay.eventbrite.com going out on the trampolines. Jump socks are available for $2 per pair and are reusable Buddy Breaks at New Life Christian Felon future visits. Bravoz / 904-373-6386 / 14985 Old Saint Augustine Road, Jacksonville, lowship • November 15, 6:30pm Buddy Break is a free respite program where FL 32258 / bravoz.com kids with special needs (VIPs) make new friends, play games, enjoy crafts, music & All Abilities Night at iFLY Jacksonville more! Meanwhile, their caregivers get a break November 4, 5pm All Abilities Night at iFLY is a unique event that from their ongoing responsibilities for three hours. Pre-registration is required for all makes the dream of flight a reality for those in the special needs community. This program VIPs. New family caregivers need to attend an orientation at your first visit. Please contact has been custom designed for those with physical and cognitive challenges to create an Daniel Willis at 904-223-6000 or via email at dwillis@nlcf.org to register your VIP or environment of support and inclusion, while schedule an orientation. New Life Christian focusing on making what seems impossible, possible. For more details and to reserve your Fellowship / 904-223-6000 / 2701 Hodges Blvd., Jacksonville, FL 32224 / www.nlcf.org spot, contact iFLY at 904-712-3388 or sales@iflyjacksonville.com. Everyone in the special needs community is welcome to par- Kidding Around Social Skills Group November 20, 4:30pm to 5:30pm ticipate. Event package includes a pre-flight A program consisting of small group instructraining session, and all the necessary flight gear (suit, helmet, goggles). Each flyer will be tion which focuses on opportunities for social assisted by specially trained Flight Instructors interaction with peers via board games and card games. Skill areas include: sharing the during the event with extra attention and accommodations based on participant needs. conversation, waiting, turn taking, giving compliments, accepting feedback, playing Each flyer receives 2 flights (1 minute each) games fairly, oversharing of information, and for $39.95 and a free video. iFLY / 904-712-3388 / 10579 Brightman Blvd, making friends. Children must be between the ages of 8 and 12 and registered with Jacksonville, FL 32246 / www.iflyworld.com CARD to participate. Sessions are offered once monthly. Free.

Financial Literacy Workshop Series UF Health Neurodevelopmental Pediatrics November 6, 5:30pm to 7:30pm Center / 6271 St. Augustine Rd, Suite 1, JackTeens ages 15 and up are invited to join UF sonville, FL 32217 / card.ufl.edu Health’s CARD and FDLRS programs, and First Florida Credit Union for a collaborative Visit Jax4Kids.com for a complete list workshop series focused on the area of of Special Needs events.

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HOLIDAY GUIDE Lighting of The Avenues November 9 On Saturday, November 9th, families are invited to the Avenues for their new signature event, Light Up The Avenues. Santa will be flying in to help light up an indoor 24’ tree, luxury Santa set, and mall-wide decor.

Avenues Mall / 904-363-3054 / 10300 Southside Blvd, Jacksonville, FL 32256 / www.simon.com St. Johns Town Center Holiday Spectacular and Santa Arrival November 9, 2pm to 8pm The 14th annual Holiday Spectacular at St. Johns Town Center will kick off the Holiday season on Saturday, November 9 from 2pm to 8pm with a full day of festivities, culminating with the lighting of the tree by Santa Claus and a fireworks display at 8pm. Throughout the day, guests will enjoy festivities including oversized games, snow, an interactive hot chocolate station, jugglers, caricature artists, letters to Santa, ornament decorating, a festive photo booth and a silent DJ experience. There will also be giveaways, costume characters, holiday entertainment and more. Main stage entertainment begins at 2pm, with the headliner act at 7pm.

For Holiday Spectacular’s grand finale, Santa will lead the crowd in an official countdown to light the 32-foot tree and kick off the fireworks finale at 8pm. Santa will then be available at the Santa House near Nordstrom hear holiday wish lists.

St. Johns Town Center / 904-998-7156 / 4663 River City Drive, Jacksonville, FL 32246 / www.simon.com Jax Illumination’s Annual Drive Thru Holiday Light Show November 20 - January 4, 6pm to 9:30pm Jax Illuminations features over a mile of Christmas lights, perfectly synchronized to holiday music. The one mile drive thru features two mega trees, a 300 ft tunnel of lights, custom Christmas scenes and much more. Cost is $20 per car (up to 7 people) Sun - Thur, $25 Fri & Sat, $35 for passenger vans. Morocco Shrine Center / 904-316-5673 / 3800 Saint Johns Bluff Rd S, Jacksonville, FL 32224 / jaxilluminations.com Jacksonville Beach Deck the Chairs November 23 thru January 1 5pm to 1am nightly Deck The Chairs (DTC) is an annual lighted sculptural exhibit using the iconic red chairs of The American Red Cross Life Saving Corps. Free and open to the public. The lights will be on every night. All net proceeds from DTC will benefit the Volunteer Life Saving Corps of Jacksonville Beach to help supplement funding provided by the American Red Cross and the City of Jacksonville Beach. Funds are needed for training and outreach programs, and maintenance of its oceanfront facility. Seawalk Pavilion / 904-7163853 / 11 1st Street North, Jacksonville Beach, FL 32250 / deckthechairs.org Light-Up! Night Ceremony 2019 November 23, 4pm The Nights of Lights Lighting Ceremony, also known as Light Up! Night, takes place on

Saturday, November 23. Locals and vacationers from all over join together to watch the City of St. Augustine flip the switch on three million white lights decorating the Plaza and buildings all over historic downtown. Leading up to the occasion is a free concert and a countdown, and the ceremony is followed by more live music. The large Christmas tree in the Plaza will also be turned on so visitors can get photos for their holiday Christmas cards. Performances start at 4pm, and the lights will be turned on at 6:30pm.

Plaza de la Constitución / King Street, St. Augustine, FL 32084 / www.oldcity.com St. Augustine Nights of Lights November 23 - January 31 The Annual Nights of Lights lights up St. Augustine with over three million lights. Nights of Lights is the winter holiday celebration in St. Augustine where each historic downtown business and many residents participate by lighting up their buildings. Nights of Lights holds the distinct honor as one of the 10 Best Holiday Displays in The World by National Geographic. The main plaza, called the Plaza de la Constitución, features lights draped around every tree. There’s also a Christmas tree in the center where photos can be taken. The view of the Bayfront from the Bridge of Lions during Nights of Lights is also a favorite photo opportunity. There are many tours and special events happening during Nights of Lights. Continues through January 31.

Downtown St. Augustine / 904-829-1711 / 1 Cathedral Street, St. Augustine, FL 32084 / www.floridashistoriccoast.com The Elf on the Shelf: A Christmas Musical November 24, 6pm The Elf on the Shelf: A Christmas Musical, features an original story, festive music, and dazzling sets and costumes. Tickets range from $39 to $69. Family 4-Packs are available. There is also a pre-show photo opportunity with a Scout Elf. Photos will take place in front of a magical North Pole backdrop, featuring a Christmas tree decorated by Santa’s Scout Elves, where children can leave a personalized message for Santa (printable ornaments will be available for download in advance). Thrasher-Horne Center / 904-276-6815 / 283 College Drive, Orange Park, FL 32065 / www.thcenter.org Christmas at Gaylord Palms November 25 - January 5 During Christmas at Gaylord Palms, families can enjoy holiday displays that include more than 2 million twinkling Christmas lights and acres of larger-than-life decorations. Enjoy visits with Santa, Cirque Dreams UnWrapped Live Stage Show, ICE! featuring The Polar Express, Alpine Rush Snow Tubing, Naughty or Nice Escape Room, gingerbread decorating, and more. Runs November 25 thru January 5. Tickets for ICE! start at $14.99 for children and $28.99 for adults when purchased online in advance. Season passes, Florida resident discounts, and combo tickets are available. Gaylord Palms Resort & Convention Center / 407-586-4423 / 6000 West Osceola Parkway, Kissimmee, FL 34746 / www.

ChristmasAtGaylordPalms.com

NOVEMBER 2019 • Jax4Kids.com • Page 14

DECEMBER 6 • TIMES-UNION CENTER

(904) 632-5000 • fscjartistseries.org MagicalCirqueChristmas.com

HOLIDAY GUIDE World’s Largest Gingerbread Pirate Ship November 27 - December 27 The Gingerbread Ship returns to the Ritz-Carlton Amelia Lobby with pirate characters sculpted from chocolate. Join the launch on November 27 or visit the Lobby through December 27 to take a picture and see the edible crew on their extraordinary gingerbread ship.

Ritz-Carlton Amelia / 904-277-1100 / 4750 Amelia Island Parkway, Amelia Island, FL 32034 / www.ritzcarlton.com Amelia Island Community Tree Lighting November 27, 5:30pm to 6:30pm Enjoy the kickoff to the holiday season with thousands of sparkling lights, music and refreshments at the annual Amelia Island Christmas Tree Lighting. The evening includes a benefit raffle for the McArthur Family YMCA and concludes with Santa’s arrival and a fireworks show. Parking is available at Peter’s Point with continuous complimentary shuttle service to and from The Ritz-Carlton. The Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island / 904-277-1100 / 4750 Amelia Island Parkway, Amelia Island, FL 32034 / www.ritzcarlton.com Publix Aprons Gingerbread Houses November 29 & 30, 10am, 2pm, 6pm; December 1, 11am, 2:30pm; December 7, 10am; December 8, 11am, 2:30pm; December 14, 10am; December 15, 11am, 2:30pm;

December 21, 10am; December 22 & 23, 11am, 2:30pm; This class allows you and your children (up to three kids) to decorate your own gingerbread house. One adult is required for each family group; children should be at least 4 years old.

Registrations are made on first-come, first-served basis. Cost is $60; Price is for family up to 4 participants, add one seat per family to the cart.

Publix Apron’s Cooking School / 904-262-4187 / 10500 San Jose Blvd, Jacksonville, FL 32257 / www.publix.com 31st Annual Christmas Made in the South November 29, 9am to 6pm; November 30, 10am to 6pm; December 1, 11am to 5pm The 31st Annual Christmas Made in the South will return to the Prime Osborn Convention Center. Vendors will be making and selling art, craft items, jewelry, food, pottery, and more. One admission is good for all three days, with a hand stamp. Adults - $8; Children 12 & Under - free.

Prime Osborn Convention Center / 1000 Water Street, Jacksonville, FL 32204 / madeinthesouthshows.com Build a Gingerbread with Pastry Chefs November 29-30, 9:30am to 11:30am Create new holiday memories as you craft a gingerbread house alongside Ritz-Carlton Pastry chefs. A portion of proceeds benefits the Boys & Girls Club of Nassau County. $175 per group of four. Ritz-Carlton Amelia Island / 904-277-1087

/ 4750 Amelia Island Parkway, Amelia Island, FL 32034 / www.ritzcarlton.com St. Marys Railroad Santa Express November 30, December 7, 14, 21, 10am to 4pm The magic of Christmas comes alive at Santa Land where Jolly Old St. Nick himself boards the train for the return ride with gifts for all the good little boys and girls. Entertainment all along the way. Tickets are Adults $20, Children (3-12) $14, and Children 2 and under free. There is also an At the Throttle Experience available for $150. Must be 16 years or older. Rides depart at 10am, 12noon, 2pm, and 4pm.

St. Marys Railroad / 912-200-5235 / 1000 Osborne Street, St. Marys, GA 31558 / www. stmarysrailroad.com Santa’s Storybook Tea November 30, 12noon to 1:30pm Celebrate the season with a storybook reading

by Santa and afternoon tea in a space adorned with holiday decor and gingerbread. There will be a buffet of pastries, candies, cakes, finger sandwiches and a keepsake photo Santa and Mrs. Claus. $55 per guest, $25 ages 5 and under.

Ritz-Carlton Amelia / 904-277-1100 / 4750 Amelia Island Parkway, Amelia Island, FL 32034 / www.ritzcarlton.com Jekyll Island Holiday Movie on the Green November 30, 5:30pm

The Jekyll Island Movie on the Green event features a free showing of the movie The Grinch.

Families are encouraged to bring lawn chairs and blankets to spread out on the Green. This event is free and open to the public.

Jekyll Island Beach Village Green / 912-635-3636 / Ocean View Trail, Jekyll Island, GA 31527 / www.jekyllisland.com City of Palm Coast Tree Lighting Ceremony November 30, 6pm to 9pm Kick off the holiday season at the City of Palm Coast’s annual Tree Lighting Ceremony – which is also the first night of Fantasy Lights around the lake. Join Santa Claus, the Palm Coast City Council and the Rotary Club of Flagler County in the countdown to the lighting of the tree. Santa will arrive on a Palm Coast Fire Engine. Children can visit with Santa and parents should bring their own cameras for photos. Children can also do crafts and write letters to Santa at the Parks & Rec booth. This will also be opening night of the Rotary Club’s 14th Annual Fantasy Lights Festival. The 50 animated light displays around the Central Park lake will continue 6:30pm to 9pm daily through December 30. Admission to Fantasy Lights is free, but donations to support Rotary’s service work are accepted. The event is free.

Central Park in Town Center / 386-986-2360 / 975 Central Avenue, Palm Coast, FL 32137 / www.palmcoastgov.com

FAMILY FUN with the

Jacksonville Symphony

DEC 13/14/15

NOV 30 DEC 1

Holiday Pops!

© DISNEY AND PIXAR

JaxSymphony.org

DEC 5/6/7/8 NOVEMBER 2019 • Jax4Kids.com • Page 15

HOLIDAY GUIDE Fantasy Lights November 30-December 30, 6:30pm to 9pm The Rotary Club of Flagler County hosts the 14th Annual Fantasy Lights Festival. The 50 animated light displays around the Central Park lake will begin November 30, and continue 6:30pm to 9pm daily through December 30. Admission to Fantasy Lights is free, but donations to support Rotary’s service work are accepted. Fantasy Lights is a self-guided walking tour that also includes festive live and broadcast music, Santa’s Village, and holiday refreshments available for purchase. Central Park in Town Center / 386-986-2360 / 975 Central Avenue, Palm Coast, FL 32137 / www.flaglerrotary.org Jacksonville Light Boat Parade November 30, 6:30pm The Jacksonville Light Boat Parade has been a holiday tradition for more than 30 years and is making its return to Thanksgiving weekend.

Vessels of all shapes and sizes adorn their hulls with festive decorations as they float along the north and south banks of the St. John River. Residents and visitors alike gather along the north and south riverbanks in downtown Jacksonville to witness this annual event. The evening then culminates with one of the best fireworks show on the First Coast featuring “waterfalls” off of the Main Street and Acosta Bridges. The boat parade will begin at 6:30pm.

Boats will start at the Hyatt Regency Riverfront Hotel and follow along the Northbank Riverwalk to the Fuller Warren Bridge. The parade will then cross to the south bank and follow along the Riverwalk to the Duval County School Board building. Captains and crews of registered vessels are invited to participate in the Jacksonville Light Boat Parade. Registration is open and participation is free. The fireworks begin at approximately 9pm. Downtown Jacksonville / 904-255-5422 / 1001 Museum Circle, Jacksonville, FL 32207 / specialevents.coj.net Annual Gingerbread House Extravaganza December 4 thru December 28 The Jacksonville Historical Society presents this beloved holiday tradition each December.

Visitors enjoy gigantic, creative gingerbread houses built by chefs, bakers, architects, engineers, culinary school students, families, young people and other individuals. The creations are placed on display at the Jacksonville Historical Society headquarters, historic Old St. Andrews, immediately across the street from the Veteran’s Memorial Arena. This is an important fundraiser for the Jacksonville Historical Society. Admission starts at $10 for adults and $3 for kids 3 and up. Hours: Wednesdays-Fridays, 11am to 5pm; Saturdays, 10am to 5pm; Special Sunday Times: December 15 and 22, 11am to 4pm. Jacksonville Historical Society / 904-665-0064 / 317 A. Philip Randolph Blvd, Jacksonville, FL 32202 / www.jaxhistory.org

St. Augustine Lighthouse Luminary Night December 4, 6pm to 9pm The Lighthouse grounds will open for a family-friendly, evening celebration. Holiday music, Santa visit, seasonal treats, and other activities are planned. Admission is free.

St. Augustine Lighthouse / 904-829-0745 / 81 Lighthouse Avenue, St. Augustine, FL 32080 / www.staugustinelighthouse.org Jacksonville Symphony: Holiday Pops December 5, 7:30pm; December 6, 8pm; December 7, 3pm and 8pm; December 8, 3pm Jacksonville’s favorite holiday tradition is back with numerous holiday favorites. Jacksonville’s annual holiday tradition features traditional carols and sing-along medleys to a special Santa Claus dance featuring dancers from Douglas Anderson. Tickets start at $19.

Times Union Center for the Performing Arts, Jacoby Symphony Hall / 904-354-5547 / 300 Water St., Jacksonville, FL 32202 / www.jaxsymphony.org A Magical Cirque Christmas December 6, 8pm From the producers of Broadway’s “The Illusionists”, comes A Magical Cirque Christmas. The show features cirque artists from all corners of the world, accompanied by holiday music performed live. Tickets start at $39.

Times-Union Center for the Performing Arts / 904-632-5000 / 300 Water Street, Jacksonville, FL 32202 / www.fscjartistseries.org Breakfast with Santa at Sheraton Jacksonville Hotel • December 7, 8am and 10am The Sheraton Jacksonville Hotel hosts Breakfast with Santa. Enjoy a hot breakfast buffet and a free photo with Santa. There will be 2 seatings, one at 8am and one at 10am. Once you reserve your tickets contact Brittani.Rey@ SheratonJacksonville.com to specify how many guests are in your party for reservations. Tickets are $20 for adults and $10 for kids 3 to 12.

Sheraton Jacksonville Hotel / 904-380-4124 / 10605 Deerwood Park Boulevard, Jacksonville, FL 32256 / santaatthesheraton.eventbrite.com 65th Annual St. Augustine Christmas Parade December 7, 9am to 11am St. Augustine’s 65th Annual Christmas Parade ushers in the holiday season with floats, festive decorations and more. The parade begins at the Mission of Nombre de Dios at 27 Ocean Ave and continues through the downtown streets of historic St. Augustine along the Bayfront, and ending behind the Visitors Center on Castillo Drive.

Downtown St. Augustine/ 904-824-4997 / 10 W. Castillo Drive, St. Augustine, FL 32084 / www.oldcity.com/events

NOVEMBER 2019 • Jax4Kids.com • Page 16

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HOLIDAY GUIDE Holly Jolly Jekyll Parade and the Lighting of the Great Tree • December 7, 5:30pm Families are invited to come watch or participate in the festive Holly Jolly Jekyll Parade, where golf carts don their Christmas best and jingle all the way through the Historic District to the Main Lawn. Island guests and residents are encouraged to watch the parade along the route and afterward meet on the Main Lawn to view all of the participants. While you’re there, enjoy holiday music, compete in holiday trivia and an ugly sweater contest, and work on your Christmas shopping lists at the Pier Road shops. Everyone is encouraged to bring new, unwrapped toys for the Georgia State Patrol’s Toys for Tots drive. The parade departs from the parking lot at 5:30pm heading west on Captain Wylly Road, south on Old Plantation Road to Stable Road, then along Pier Road, and will wind behind Sans Souci to end on the Main Lawn around the Great Tree. *Address is for reference. Jekyll Island Main Lawn / 912635-3636 / 365 Riverview Drive, Jekyll Island, GA 31527 / www.jekyllisland.com The Hip Hop Nutcracker • December 7, 8pm The Hip Hop Nutcracker returns to the TimesUnion Center December 7, 2019 for one performance only. The event is a contemporary dance spectacle set to Tchaikovsky’s timeless music.

Tickets start at $30, plus applicable fees.

Times Union Center, Moran Theatre / 904-632-

5000 / 300 Water Street, Jacksonville, FL 32202 / Theatre. More than 200 children from Northeast www.fscjartistseries.org Florida audition for and perform in the production.

In addition to the regular performances, there Jacksonville Symphony: are also two school performances: December 6 JSYO Holiday Concert • December 9, 7pm at 10:30am and December 7 at 10:30am. The The Jacksonville Symphony Youth Orchestras school performances are open to public, private perform their holiday concert, conducted by and homeschool students. Prices for public/priPrincipal JSYO Conductor Deanna Tham. General vate school students: Student tickets are $5 each. admission tickets start at $3 for kids and $8 for Adult chaperone tickets (not including teachers) adults. Times Union Center / 904-354-5547 / are $10 each. One (1) adult chaperone ticket at 300 Water St., Jacksonville, FL 32202 / $10 is permitted for every ten (10) students with www.jaxsymphony.org paid tickets. One teacher accompanying a group of up to 25 students with paid tickets may attend Holiday Traditions Around The World for free. If additional adult chaperones wish to December 10, 10am and 12noon attend the same performance over and above the Holiday Traditions Around the World is a fast number of chaperones permitted, the ticket price paced musical that takes a joyous ‘round the shall be $25 per person. Prices for Homeschool world tour of the dances, songs and stories students is $5 each for students, one (1) adult from Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa and many chaperone (which includes a home school teachmore. Students will learn new and old traditions, er/instructor) ticket at $10 is permitted for every customs and folklore that instill the magic of the three (3) home school students with paid tickets. season. Everyone, including infants and toddlers, If additional adult chaperones wish to attend the must have a ticket for admission. Tickets are same performance over and above the number $8.50 each and can be purchased online. of chaperones permitted, the ticket price shall be Nathan H. Wilson Center for the Arts / 904-632- $25 per person. Florida Theatre / 904-355-5661 5050 / 11901 Beach Blvd, Jacksonville, FL 32246 / 128 East Forsyth Street, Jacksonville, FL 32202 / www.fscjartistseries.org / jaxnutcracker.org Community Nutcracker: School Time Performances • December 12-13, 10:30am The Community Nutcracker returns to the Florida

Travel back in time December 13-15 during the 5th annual Dickens on Centre festival in Historic Downtown Fernandina Beach. Free to the public, this Victorian inspired holiday festival features costumed characters, themed entertainment and performances, Tiny Tim’s Kid’s Zone, visits from Saint Nick, and a variety of vendors selling seasonal gifts and wares. Inspired by Charles Dickens’ novella “A Christmas Carol,” Dickens on Centre transforms downtown Fernandina into a classic English village. This year, visitors are encouraged to wear their best Victorian costumes for the inaugural Dickens Costume Contest.

Downtown Fernandina / Centre Street, Fernandina Beach, FL 32034 / www.ameliaisland.com

Community Nutcracker December 13, 7:30pm; December 14, 1pm and 7:30pm The Community Nutcracker returns to the Florida Theatre. More than 200 children from Northeast Florida audition for and perform in the production.

Additionally, The Community Nutcracker issues 2,000 free tickets to various Jacksonville agencies and organizations to attend a Community Service Night performance. Residents and clients from area nursing homes and nonprofit agencies are also able to attend the ballet. Tickets start at Dickens on Centre $30. Florida Theatre / 904-355-2787 / 128 East December 13, 5pm - 9pm; December 14, 10am Forsyth Street, Jacksonville, FL 32202 / - 9pm; December 15, 10am - 7pm jaxnutcracker.org

NOVEMBER 2019 • Jax4Kids.com • Page 17

HOLIDAY GUIDE Jacksonville Symphony: First Coast Nutcracker • December 13, 8pm; December 14, 2pm and 8pm; December 15, 2pm The First Coast Nutcracker returns to the Times Union Center. Experience Tchaikovsky’s timeless ballet with Jacksonville’s only full symphony orchestra. Tickets start at $21 and are available online.

Times Union Center for the Performing Arts Moran Theater / 904-354-5547 / 300 Water St., Jacksonville, FL 32202 / www.jaxsymphony.org

boats and many other vessels all-a-glitter with brilliant lighted displays ranging from patriotic to whimsical. Awards are presented for best theme, most colorful, best in class and best overall.

Beginning at 6pm, the boats will light up St. Augustine’s Matanzas Bay between the Bridge of Lions and Castillo de San Marcos. Parade can be viewed from along the Bayfront. Free.

St. Augustine Bayfront / 904-824-9725 / Avenida Menendez, St. Augustine, FL 32084 / www.staugustineyachtclub.com

Jacksonville Symphony: Handel’s Messiah December 14, 7:30pm; December 15, 3pm The Jacksonville Symphony, guest soloists and more than 100 voices from the Symphony Chorus present music’s most powerful message of faith in the Messiah of the season. Tickets start at $19 and are available online. Times Union Center for the Performing Arts, Jacoby Symphony Hall / 904-354-5547 / 300 Water St., Jacksonville, FL 32202 / www.jaxsymphony.org

Christmas at Ravine Gardens December 14, 6pm to 9pm Ravine Gardens State Park hosts their annual Christmas celebration. The garden and court of states will be glowing with holiday lights. The Court of States Musical Light Show will return, featuring hundreds of twinkling lights all jumping to holiday classics. Rangers will host a variety of “reindeer games” and costumed characters will mingle with park guests. Food vendors will be onsite. The event entry is $2 per person, cash Ravine Gardens Ugly Sweater Walk only. All proceeds benefit the Friends of Ravine December 14, 9am to 11am Gardens, a non-profit group that helps to provide Ravine Gardens State Park hosts an Ugly Sweat- events, programs, and projects in the park. Saner Walk. Families are invited to usher in the holi- ta will stop by from 6pm to 7:45pm and again day season with a 1.8 mile walk around the park from 8:15pm to 9pm. An additional donation of in your tackiest holiday apparel. All pre-reg$1 per child will be requested for entry into the istered participants will receive a free goodie Santa Room. Children will receive a goodie bag bag. Registration is free and not required but and each family will receive 1 printed photorecommended. Awards will be given for the top graph with Santa. The Santa Room will be locatthree “Worst” Holiday Sweaters*. (*Because this ed in the Civic Center. Parking within the park is is Florida – sweaters will be defined as sweaters, limited. Additional parking will be available in the long sleeve t-shirts or short sleeve t-shirts, since lot next to the park off of Twigg Street. temperatures can be unpredictable. Sweaters Ravine Gardens State Park / 386-329-3721 / should be holiday themed). This is not a timed 1600 Twigg Street, Palatka, FL 32177 / event. Participants can register online or by www.floridastateparks.org calling 386-329-3721. Entry fees for this event will be provided by the Friends of Ravine Gardens Theatreworks: A Christmas Carol as a part of their monthly community health December 16, 10am and 12noon series. Fitness and health care providers will be A Christmas Carol will be performed in two live onsite providing information on healthy living and shows at the Florida Theatre. Admission is $8.50 fitness. Ravine Gardens State Park / 386-329per person, and the show is best suited for chil3721 / 1600 Twigg Street, Palatka, FL 32177 / dren in grades K-5. School groups, homeschool www.floridastateparks.org families, and individuals are welcome to attend.

Florida Theatre / 904-353-3500 / 128 East Cool Side of Yuletide Forsyth Street, Jacksonville, FL 32202 / December 14, 4pm and 7pm www.theatreworksjax.com The Jacksonville Children’s Chorus presents the annual “Cool Side of Yuletide,” concert, Jekyll Singers Concert with show times at 4pm and 7pm. This holiday December 17, 7pm concert will feature Christmas and Hanukkah Sing along to your favorite holiday tunes at this favorites. Tickets are available online or by phone choir event sponsored by the Jekyll Island Arts in advance. Tickets are $25 each and seating is Association. This event is free and open to the general admission. Doors open 30 minutes prior public. to concert. This concert is not recommended for Jekyll Island Convention Center / 912-635-6400 children under 5 years old. Regardless of age, all / 75 Beachview Dr N, Jekyll Island, GA 31527 / children must have a ticket. www.jekyllisland.com Hendricks Avenue Baptist Church / 904-3531636 / 4001 Hendricks Ave., Jacksonville, FL Fourth Annual Christmas Concert 32207 / www.jaxchildrenschorus.org December 20, 7pm to 9pm Fourth Annual Christmas Concert at the Jekyll Regatta of Lights • December 14, 6pm Island Convention Center. Enjoy sounds of the This is an annual holiday parade hosted by the season with this free piano concert from brilliant St. Augustine Yacht Club. The parade features pianist David Masterson. No tickets are required, motorized vessels – sailboats, trawlers, shrimp and everyone is welcome.

NOVEMBER 2019 • Jax4Kids.com • Page 18

Jekyll Island Convention Center / 912-635-6400 / 75 Beachview Dr N, Jekyll Island, GA 31527 / www.jekyllisland.com Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer The Musical December 20, 7pm All of your favorite characters from the original TV special including, Santa and Mrs. Claus, Hermey the Elf, the Misfit Toys and Rudolph, come to life in Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer: The Musical. Tickets range from $29.50 – $49.50 and are available online. Florida Theatre / 904-3555661 / 128 East Forsyth Street, Jacksonville, FL 32202 / floridatheatre.com

Street, St. Augustine, FL 32084 / www.saintaugustineballet.com Moscow Ballet’s Great Russian Nutcracker December 22, 1pm; December 22, 5pm Moscow Ballet’s Great Russian Nutcracker will be in Jacksonville for two performances. The show features hand-painted sets, Russian Snow Maidens, nesting dolls, and hand crafted costumes. Tickets range from $32.50 - $178.50.

Florida Theatre / 904-355-5661 / 128 East Forsyth Street, Jacksonville, FL 32202 / floridatheatre.com

Big & Little Chef: Christmas Day Desserts December 24, 12noon Big Chef, Little Chef series classes are designed specifically for a guardian/parent, older sibling (18 or older), etc. paired with a young chef. Each pair will work together (along with the rest of the students) to create recipes that are appropriate for adults and kids alike. Big Chef must be 18 or older, and the Little Chef age range should be 5–12 years old. This class will focus on Christmas Day Desserts. The menu features Children’s Christmas Party of Jacksonville Raspberry Thumbprint Cookies, Chocolate Yule December 21, 9am to 12noon Log, Cranberry-Ginger Bread. Cost is $75 for The Annual Children’s Christmas Party of each parent/child combo.

Jacksonville will take place at the Prime Osborn Publix Aprons Cooking School / 904-262-4187 Convention Center. As many as 6,000 children / 10500 San Jose Blvd Ste 36, Jacksonville, FL along with their parents stand in line (first- come, 32257 / www.publix.com first served) to receive toys and a chance to win a bike. Once the doors open, the line moves quickly as children enter a beautifully decorated Party and are greeted by Santa and Mrs. Claus.

Hundreds of volunteers await the opportunity to hand out toys and provide entertainment. Each child chooses several toys among electronics, balls, games, musical instruments, preschool learning toys and infant toys. In addition, they receive novelty toys, books and rulers. Intended for Jacksonville’s children, 12 years of age and younger, who otherwise might not receive toys for Christmas. The event will run until 12noon, or earlier if all toys are distributed.

Prime F. Osborn III Convention Center / 904350-1616 / 1000 Water Street, Jacksonville, FL A family favorite 32202 / www.ccpoj.org for over 20 y ears.

Jekyll Island Winter Carnival December 21, 1pm www.kidspar k.com Jekyll Island hosts a Winter Carnival from 1pm to 5pm. Enjoy free rides, games, and music on the Village Green followed by fireworks starting at Fantastic Fall Deal 6:30pm. Village Green at Beach Village / 912635-3636 / Beach Village Trail, Jekyll Island, GA 31527 / www.jekyllisland.com A Christmas Carol December 20, 8pm The FSCJ Artist Series presents an adaptation of Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol. The show features a cast of 23 performers, live musicians, and Broadway-style scenery. Tickets range from $16 to $58. Times Union Moran Theater / 904632-5000 / 300 Water Street, Jacksonville, FL 32202 / www.fscjartistseries.org

Saint Augustine Ballet presents The Nutcracker • December 21-22, 1:30pm and 7pm Saint Augustine Ballet presents their annual production of the holiday favorite, The Nutcracker will be performed at Lewis Auditorium in St. Augustine. The multi-generational cast is comprised of student and professional dancers.

Tickets are available online.

Lewis Auditorium / 855-222-2849 / 14 Granada

50% off

Family Registration ($20.00 value) No cash value - Offer Expires 12/1/19

Come for a tour!

In Jacksonville For Ages 2 - 12 Tinseltown 9726 Touchton Rd. #111 (904) 683-4554 License # C04DU0978

HOLIDAY GUIDE

‘Tis Time for Toy Collection

T

he U.S. Marines and 35,000+ volunteers have kicked off the Toys for Tots 2019 holiday campaign running through Christmas.

In all, they will be conducting 812 local toy collection and distribution campaigns in all 50 states, District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Guam and U.S. Virgin Islands.

The coordinator for the local campaign is SSgt Justin Cabrera. In 2018, 39,191 toys were distributed to 12,131 children in Jacksonville.

See jacksonville-fl.toysfortots.org for information about registration for individual families.

Non-profit organizations may request toys for their organization’s children. Non-profit organizations must have their 501(c)3 and be based in Florida. All procedures for non-profits should contain the required information. Any request that contain false, improper or bogus information will result in a denial and may not be resubmitted. These organizations must

submit their list of children with their age, parents or guardian name, address, phone number, email to the Jacksonville Toys for Tots program in order to qualify. Children who register via an organization will not be eligible to receive toys through Family Registration. The cut-off for organization registration is December 1.

The Marine Corps’ Toys for Tots program collects new, and unwrapped, toys from the local community through events and toy box donations. If your organization would like to sponsor a Toy Drop Box, see jacksonville-fl. toysfortots.org to apply. The box collection process ends on December 11 to allow time to collect and sort the toys in time for distribution.

Toys for Tots Events are some of the best events of the Christmas season. Businesses and organizations may put together a Toys for Tots collection event and the Marines can come out to support them. Please note there is a limit on the number of events they can perform due to limited personnel and vehicle support. The last day they will be able to come out will be December 13. See the local website to register for an event. j

Days 30f Thanks Jax4Kids is thanking our readers by giving away a prize a day, every day during the month of November. Visit us at Facebook.com/jax4kids each day in November to find out what you could win!

.com

Books for Thanksgiving I Know an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Pie

By Alison Jackson Children will love this hilarious take-off on the popular cumulative poem “I Know an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly.” With its theme of feasting-gone-wild, it’s the perfect Thanksgiving treat that will remain fresh all year long.

Thanksgiving is for Giving Thanks

By Margaret Sutherland Thanksgiving is a special time of year. It’s a holiday about pilgrims and turkey and family-but it’s also about giving thanks for everything from parents and pets to sunshine and lollipops. What are you thankful for?

The Pumpkin Patch Parable

By Liz Curtis Higgs This charming story for children illustrates how a loving farmer can turn a simple pumpkin into a simply glorious sight. Liz Curtis Higgs created this parable as a way to share the Good News with her own precious children each harvest season . . . and now with children everywhere.

The Great Thanksgiving Escape

By Mark Fearing It’s another Thanksgiving at Grandma’s.

Gavin expects a long day of boredom and being pestered by distantly related toddlers, but his cousin Rhonda has a different idea: make a break for it to the swing set in the backyard! Will they manage to avoid the many obstacles and find some fun time?

Hello Kitty: A Day of Thanks

By Sanrio Company Hello Kitty’s teacher has asked her students to write an essay on what they are most thankful for. Hello Kitty is thankful for her bicycle, her camera, and many other things, but she cannot decide what to write! Finally she realizes that these things are only special because of the love of her friends and family—and now she knows the perfect subject for her essay!

NOVEMBER 2019 • Jax4Kids.com • Page 19

HOLIDAY GUIDE

2019 Toy of the Year Awards

L

ooking for ideas for gifts for the kids in your life this year? Check out the Toy of the Year Award winners for 2019.

Innovative Toy of the Year Botley™ the Coding Robot Activity Set Ages 5 and up

Toy of the Year L.O.L. Surprise!

The L.O.L. stands for Little Outrageous Little.

They’re collectible dolls with mix and match accessories. Recommended for ages 5 – 13.

Outdoor Toy of the Year Glove-A-Bubbles Ages 3 and up

People's Choice Awards Unstable Unicorns For 2-8 players, ages 14 and up Action Figure of the Year Mattel Jurassic World™ Dinosaur Action Figures Collectible of the Year LEGO® Harry Potter™ and Fantastic Beasts™ Minifigure Series Ages 6 and up

Playset of the Year L.O.L. Surprise! House Ages 5 – 13 LEGO® Creator Expert Roller Coaster Ages 16 and up Plush Toy of the Year Scruff-A-Luvs 24 months to 15 years Star Wars Ultimate Co-Pilot Chewie Ages 4 and up Preschool Toy of the Year Fisher-Price® Think & Learn Rocktopus™ Ages 36 months – 6 years

Construction Toy of the Year LEGO® Harry Potter™ Great Hall™ Ages 9 – 14

Rookie of the Year Ollyball - The Ultimate Indoor Play Ball!

Ages 4 months to 5 years

Creative Toy of the Year Cool Maker KumiKreator A jewelry making kit for ages 8 and up

Specialty Toy of the Year LEGO® Harry Potter™ Hogwarts™ Castle Ages 16 and up

Doll of the Year L.O.L. Surprise! Eye Spy Under Wraps

Tech Toy of the Year Arcade1Up Ages 14 and up

Game of the Year Disney Villainous™ Game by Wonder Forge Strategy board game for ages 10 and up Infant/Toddler Toy of the Year Fisher-Price® Laugh & Learn® Smart Learning Home™ Ages 6 to 36 months

Vehicle of the Year PAW Patrol Ultimate Rescue Fire Truck Ages 3 and up toyawards.org

“As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them.”

– John Fitzgerald Kennedy NOVEMBER 2019 • Jax4Kids.com • Page 20

Harriet Rated PG-13 • Opens November 1 The extraordinary tale of Harriet Tubman's escape from slavery and transformation into one of America's greatest heroes, whose courage, ingenuity, and tenacity freed hundreds of slaves and changed the course of history.

Arctic Dogs Rated PG • Opens November 1 Swifty the Arctic Fox (Jeremy Renner) works in the mailroom of the Arctic Blast Delivery Service, but he yearns to become a Top Dog. To prove he can do it, he commandeers one of the sleds and delivers a mysterious package to a secret location. Once there, he stumbles on a hidden fortress overseen by the nefarious Otto Von Walrus (John Cleese) and discovers his villainous plan to drill beneath the snowpacked surface to unleash masses of ancient gas to melt the Arctic and become the world's supreme ruler. To stop this sinister scheme, Swifty enlists the help of his friends: a neurotic polar bear, a scatterbrained albatross, a brainy engineer, two conspiracy theorist otters and, his curmudgeonly boss.

Last Christmas Rated PG-13 • Opens November 8 Kate is a young woman subscribed to bad decisions.

Her last date with disaster? That of having accepted to work as Santa's elf for a department store. However, she meets Tom there. Her life takes a new turn.

For Kate, it seems too good to be true.

Based on the true story of a real-life friendship between Fred Rogers and journalist Tom Junod.

Dark Waters Rated PG-13 • Opens November 22 A corporate defense attorney takes on an environmental lawsuit against a chemical company that exposes a lengthy history of pollution.

Knives Out Rated PG-13 • Opens November 29 A detective investigates the death of a patriarch of an eccentric, combative family.

Brahms: The Boy II Rated PG-13• Opens December 6 After a family moves into the Heelshire Mansion, their young son soon makes friends with a life-like doll called Brahms.

The Aeronauts Rated PG-13 • Opens December 6 Pilot Amelia Wren (Felicity Jones) and scientist James Glaisher (Eddie Redmayne) find themselves in an epic fight for survival while attempting to make discoveries in a hot air balloon.

Jumanji: The Next Level Not Yet Rated • Opens December 13 A team of friends return to Jumanji to rescue one of their own but discover that nothing is as they expect. The players need to brave parts unknown, from arid deserts to snowy mountains, in order to escape the world's most dangerous game.

Midway Rated PG-13 • Opens November 8 The story of the Battle of Midway, told by the leaders Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker Not Yet Rated • Opens December 20 and the sailors who fought it.

The surviving Resistance faces the First Order once more in the final chapter of the Skywalker saga.

Playing With Fire Rated PG • Opens November 8 A crew of rugged firefighters meet their match when Little Women Rated PG • Opens December 27 attempting to rescue three rambunctious kids.

Four sisters come of age in America in the aftermath of the Civil War. Charlie’s Angels Rated PG-13 • Opens November 15 When a young systems engineer blows the whistle Spies in Disguise Not Yet Rated • Opens December 27 on a dangerous technology, Charlie's Angels are When the world's best spy is turned into a pigeon, called into action, putting their lives on the line to he must rely on his nerdy tech officer to save the protect us all. world.

Ford v. Ferrari Just Mercy Rated PG-13 • Opens November 15 Rated PG-13 • Opens December 27 American car designer Carroll Shelby and driver Ken Miles battle corporate interference, the laws of Just Mercy shadows world-renowned civil rights defense attorney Bryan Stevenson as he recounts his physics and their own personal demons to build a revolutionary race car for Ford and challenge Ferrari experiences and details the case of a condemned death row prisoner whom he fought to free. at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1966.

Frozen II Rated PG • Opens November 22 Anna, Elsa, Kristoff, Olaf and Sven leave Arendelle to travel to an ancient, autumn-bound forest of an enchanted land. They set out to find the origin of Elsa's powers in order to save their kingdom.

A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood Not Yet Rated • Opens November 22

The Song of Names Rated PG-13• Opens December 27 Tim Roth and Clive Owen star in an emotional detective story spread over two continents and a half century. Beneath the film's stunning and pulsing musical revelations burn the horror of a war and the lost souls extinguished from history.

TRAVEL

Holiday Travel Tips Travel During Off-Peak Days + Times Avoid (some of) the crowds and score better deals by either traveling on the holiday, or the day before and after everyone else. Kendal Perez, a savings expert, says, “Peak travel days for Thanksgiving are the Wednesday before and the Sunday after, with cheaper fares offered on Thanksgiving Day and the day after. In 2017, peak travel days for Christmas were the Friday before and the Monday after.”

In terms of times, Perez says, “The first and last flights of the day are typically the cheapest since the average traveler would rather not wake up at 3 a.m. to catch a flight, or land at their destination after a red eye.

Enduring early or late hours can save you money and time, plus the airport is often less busy during these off hours.”

holiday gifts so you don’t risk the airlines losing your luggage.”

Stay Safe

P

lenty of people have become more conscious about health and wellness in It’s impossible to predict natural disasters, recent years, and now it looks like some iconic illness or terrorist attacks, but you can plan for dolls are all about living that healthy life, too. the worst-case scenario. Buy trip insurance At the new American Girl Doll Hospitals, dolls beforehand, such as World Nomads, which can get health and wellness checkups right covers everything from trip cancellation to inside the store. By taking part in this emergency evacuation. Many credit cards also interactive play experience, kids can learn provide varying levels of trip insurance. about the importance of healthcare in real life Register overseas trips with the Smart Traveler as well.

Enrollment Program (step.state.gov/step/), a free U.S. Department of State program that Available at both the New York City and informs the nearest U.S. Embassy of your Chicago store locations, the American Girl Doll whereabouts in case of an emergency. Also, Hospital experience brings some next-level check the State Department’s site for any care to your kid's favorite doll. First, the travel warnings. hospital offers a free doll wellness exam,

Monitor Flight Deals

Minimize Airport Stress

There’s no clear consensus among experts on the best time to book flights, with opinions ranging from summer months to a few weeks before the start of the holiday period. That said, booking early will likely net you the greatest options. An orbitz.com travel expert also suggests monitoring flash sales. “Not only will that airline be offering special deals on that sale day, but it is likely that other airlines will be matching (or at least lowering) fares at the same time. These flash sales often happen at roughly the same time of the year, so search when your airline last had a flash sale, and keep your eyes open for a repeat.”

Register for TSA Precheck (TSA.gov/precheck) in order to access expedited domestic screening, as it greatly reduces the amount of time waiting in security lines, and eliminates the bother of removing your shoes, liquids, laptops and more. Apps are another useful way to minimize stress. Isar Meitis, president of Last Minute Travel, says, “Download your airline’s app to avoid having to keep track of multiple paper boarding passes, while also getting updated gate information.

Minimize Driving Stress

In between mapping out routes, performing car maintenance and prepping for weather conditions, it’s easy to forget about incorporat“Before you book a roundtrip airfare for ing fun activities. “If you’re driving to grandholiday travel, compare one-way ticket prices ma’s house this year, research fun stop-off between airlines,” says Perez. “In some cases, points along your route,” says Amanda flying with one airline on the way to your Norcross, features editor of TripAdvisor’s destination and another airline on the way FamilyVacationCritic.com. “This will make the back can offer money savings and more trip feel shorter and give the kids (and you) a convenient flight times.” Comparing prices at chance to blow off some steam.” On the more alternate airports can be another money saver. practical side, “If you’re hitting the road, gasbuddy.com provides you with the locations Pack Gifts Wisely of the cheapest gasoline prices and the cleanest bathrooms,” says Meitis of Last “Don’t wrap your gifts ahead of time because Minute Travel. j TSA has the right to unwrap and inspect all travelchannel.com packages,” advises thetravelsiblings.com.

“Assuming your gifts clear security regulations, devote your carry-on bag to hold all Buy One-Way Tickets

American Girl Hospitals Open in NYC & Chicago to Treat Your Kid's Dolls The Doll Hospital also offers "major surgery" services for dolls who need more serious repairs. This could include the reattachment (or replacement) of the doll's head or limbs.

Dolls in need of these services can be dropped off in a store or shipped to the Doll Hospital at the American Girl headquarters in Middleton, Wisconsin with a prepaid shipping label from the store's website. Prices vary depending on the severity of repair work needed, but most dolls are returned home in two to four weeks, although December tends to be a busier time for the Doll Hospital, as explained on the American Girl FAQ page. Although these dolls are definitely marketed as a premium product, they're still designed to be playthings for during which a specially trained "Doll Doctor" real-life kids. So even if the doll ends up with will check the pulse, temperature, and reflexes a missing eyeball, or the dog uses it as a chew of every patient. Plus, the Doll Hospital offers toy, there's plenty of ways the Doll Hospital an can help interactive make them play area good as where the new. girls themselves If your can help travel their dolls plans perform include eye exams, New York take or Chicago, X-rays, and consider even get a bringing dental your kid checkup. and doll by At the end of each visit, the dolls can get a the new in-store American Girl Doll Hospital Certificate of Good Health. All of these services Experience. It's a cool (and not to mention are free to American Girl Doll owners, and they free) way to play for your child to play with can teach kids about the importance of routine their doll in a new way, and it may also help medical checkups by providing these services normalize the experience of healthcare for to these 18-inch keepsakes. Oh, and the dolls your kid, too. Hey, if their beloved Rebecca doll can even get placed in a hospital gown and is able to get through a dental checkup with wheeled in for a visit. no issues, maybe your own kid's next trip to the dentist will be a little easier. In addition to What if your doll needs some actual repair offering repair services, the Doll Hospital can work? The Doll Hospital can help with that, also teach your kid about basic health and too. During a "wellness visit," the doll can wellness practices for dolls that apply to real receive skin cleaning and hair brushing life as well. j services. If you've ever tried to remove romper.com stubborn crayon marks from just about anything, then you can definitely see the value of this particular service.

NOVEMBER 2019 • Jax4Kids.com • Page 21

EDUCATION

Cummer Museum Extends Free Fridays B uilding on the success of its extended-summer-hours program, The Cummer Museum has expanded “Free Fridays” year-round thanks to support from PNC Bank.

The museum, located at 829 Riverside Ave., now offers free admission to its permanent collection and gardens during new extended evening hours from 4 to 9 p.m. every Friday.

The café is open and admission to signature exhibitions is available for purchase.

“The Cummer Museum of Art is one of the great cultural resources of this city,” said PNC Regional President for Port Cities Brian Bucher.

“Free Fridays not only complements the Museum’s permanent, stunning collection, but provides access to quality, visual art experiences, while supporting the cultural vitality of this region.”

Cummer Gardens, live music, and a Docent-led tour at 2 p.m.

The museum’s 2.5 acres of historic gardens are unique examples of early 20th century garden design, featuring reflecting pools, fountains, arbors, antique ornaments, and sculptures. The majestic Cummer Oak has a canopy of more than 150 feet and is one of the oldest trees in Jacksonville.

For more than 50 years, the Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens has been committed to engaging and inspiring through the arts, gardens, and education. A permanent collection of more than 5,000 objects and historic gardens on the riverfront campus offers nearly 150,000 annual visitors a truly unique experience and nationally recognized education programs serve adults and children of all abilities. For more information visit its website: cummermuseum.org. j

Tuesday evenings are also free from 4 to 9 p.m. thanks to the support of Florida Blue. The café is open for “Tapas Tuesday.”

And the first Saturday of each month is also free for all, thanks to the support of Delores Barr Weaver and J. Wayne Weaver. Guests can enjoy art-making activities for all ages in the

NOVEMBER 2019 • Jax4Kids.com • Page 22

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EDUCATION

Things to Do

5 Ways to Get the Internet When You Can't Afford It

F

or many families, access to broadband Internet can be a challenge. The Federal Communications Commission has added broadband Internet service to the 30-year-old Lifeline program which subsidizes voice service for low-income households.

But until the service is widely available, there are some alternatives. Many do not know, for example, that there are plans accessible to families with low incomes. Look for providers in your area using everyoneon. org and Connect2Compete.

Here are five ideas that you can explore and use to connect to broadband Internet: 1. Public libraries: You can access broadband Internet in many public libraries, usually for a limited time, depending on where you live.

2. Places with Wi-Fi: Most food chains and stores offer free access for those who use or consume their services. In some places there are time constraints.

3. Friends, family and neighbors: Find people who are close to you and have broadband Internet in their home.

4. Share the cost: Try coordinating with one or two families who live near you and explore the possibility of splitting the cost for access between all. Look at the amount of gigabytes offered by the provider to be a service that can be used without difficulty.

5. Computer labs in schools: Most schools have computer centers. Ask what times are available after school for your children to do their homework. j commonsensemedia.org

Educational Opportunities at This Year’s Jacksonville Fair

T

he fair is more than wild rides, yummy food, and live music, the Ag Venture Tours and Barn Tours programs offer students the opportunity to learn about farm animals, agriculture, and the importance of agriculture for everyone.

animal classifications, plants, and the investigation of the natural world. A demonstration about the history of agriculture is presented and then students move through stations to learn about topics such as: cattle, bees and honey, horticulture, chickens, and agricultural literature. A brief visit to Old Mac Barn Tours are for Pre-K and Kindergarten Donald’s Farm will allow them to observe the students. They take approximately 45 minutes hatching of chicks. See jacksonvillefair.com for and introduce children to their first up close tour booking information. glimpse of farm animals (cattle, goats, sheep, chickens, rabbits, horses, and pigs) and a little Saturdays are Student Days – students 17 and about the history of agriculture. under get in FREE. j Ag Venture Tours are designed for third grade students who have studied or will study

jacksonvillefair.com

Education Events

Exploring Elementary Math Models November 7, 9am to 10am Normandy Village Elementary School / 904390-2960 / 8257 Herlong Rd, Jacksonville, FL 32210 / dcps.duvalschools.org November 12, 5pm to 6pm Saint Clair Evans Academy / 904-390-2960 / 5443 Moncrief Rd, Jacksonville, FL 32209 / dcps.duvalschools.org November 19, 6pm to 7pm November 21, 6pm to 7pm Bartram Springs Elementary School / 904-390-2960 / 14799 Bartram Springs Pkwy, Jacksonville, FL 32258 / dcps.duvalschools.org This course is designed for parents and caregivers to explore K-5 mathematics through hands-on activities enhancing their understanding of how math is taught in the classroom. The Parent Academy of Duval County Public Schools is a family resource designed for parents, caregivers, and community members. All Parent Academy courses are free of charge.

Achieving Success in Reading: Grades 6-12 • November 7, 6pm to 7pm This session will provide families with information about the online reading program, Achieve 3000, and will give an explanation of their child(ren)’s reading Lexile level.

They will answer the questions: What is the purpose of Achieve 3000? Why does my child have to complete weekly tests? What is a Lexile level? How can I help my child improve their reading level? The Parent Academy of Duval County Public Schools is a family resource designed for parents, caregivers, and community members. All Parent Academy courses are free of charge.

Highlands Middle School / 904-390-2960 / 10913 Pine Estates Rd. E, Jacksonville, FL 32218 / dcps.duvalschools.org How to Register for the 2020-2021 VPK Lottery • November 13, 11am to 12noon Do you have a student who will be entering

VPK in the 2020-2021 school year? If so, you will want to attend this training because the VPK registration process has changed.

During this course, we will walk through all the required steps to enter the VPK lottery.

Registration begins in January 2020. A limited number of spots will be offered to students next year. The Parent Academy of Duval County Public Schools is a free family resource designed for parents, caregivers, and community members.

Duval County Public Schools District Building, Room 307 / 904-390-2960 / 1701 Prudential Drive, Jacksonville, FL 32207 / dcps.duvalschools.org School Food Expo - Bartram Springs Elementary School November 13, 5pm to 7pm Parents are invited to learn more about their student’s school dining program, sample menu items, meet the culinary team, enter to win prizes, and more. Duval County Public Schools will be hosting several events in various regions throughout the district, so keep an eye out for a School Food Expo near you. Bartram Springs Elementary School / 904-260-5860 / 14799 Bartram Springs Pkwy, Jacksonville, FL 32258 / dcps.duvalschools.org Preschool STEAM Integration November 21, 5:30pm to 6:30pm Are you looking for a fun way to boost your preschooler’s curiosity and confidence?

During this interactive session, participants will examine the subjects of science, technology, engineering, the arts, and mathematics. Come join the fun and learn engaging strategies that can all be used at home. The Parent Academy of Duval County Public Schools is a free family resource that promotes parental involvement, enhances student achievement, and supports a caregiver’s need for personal and individual growth.

John Love Early Learning Center / 904-3902960 / 1531 Winthrop St, Jacksonville, FL 32206 / dcps.duvalschools.org Visit Jax4Kids.com for a complete list of Education events.

“Let us remember that, as much has been given us, much will be expected from us, and that true homage comes from the heart as well as from the lips, and shows itself in deeds.”

– Teddy Roosevelt NOVEMBER 2019 • Jax4Kids.com • Page 23

Hispanic Heritage State Essay Contest Winner Jackson Recognized as Microsoft Showcase School Tracolya Clinch’s philosophy is simple – embrace technology and improve student engagement.

“I’m not afraid of technology,” said the Andrew Jackson principal.

“Anytime you embrace technology in the classroom, you will improve engagement, and engagement is the key to learning.”

It’s that kind of forward thinking that’s putting Andrew Jackson High School of Advanced Technology on the map.

ronments with HoloLens or virtual reality technology.

It also means showcasing how 100 percent of the staff is certified Microsoft Office 360, an accomplishment the school reached last year.

The designation also recognized the school’s Video Gaming, Cybersecurity and AP computer science courses.

“Getting our students to be prepared for the ever-evolving world of technology is crucial, said Clinch, It is one of who became only five Andrew Jackson student experiences virtual reality. principal of public high the school schools in in 2017-18 and helped it transition into a the nation, and the only high school in the dedicated magnet for programs such as state, to be designated as a “Microsoft Applied Cybersecurity and Game, SimulaShowcase School.” tion & Animation programming.

Being named a showcase school isn’t about the amount of technology the school Since becoming a School of Advanced Technology, Jackson’s enrollment has douuses, but rather, how it uses it. bled. Clinch attributes that to the school’s Andrew Jackson had to prove that leaders, focus on technology. teachers and students are using innova“Students are already immersed in this tive and diverse strategies with the help technological world. They are ready for it,” of Microsoft programs. For some, that Clinch said. “It’s the educators that need to means simulating open heart surgery with a Microsoft App. Or using Skype to explore catch up, and that’s what we’re doing.” the Grand Canyon. Or creating new envi-

National Merit Scholar Semifinalists Announced Thirty-two Duval County Public Schools students – representing Douglas Anderson, Mandarin, Paxon, and Stanton high schools – are among 16,000 Semifinalists selected for the 65th annual National Merit Scholarship Program.

These academically gifted high school seniors will now have an opportunity to compete for about 7,600 National

Merit Scholarships worth more than $31 million dollars.

The students were selected from approximately 1.5 million high school juniors who entered the 2020 scholarship program by taking the 2018 Preliminary SAT/ National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test. This test serves as an initial screen of program entrants.

NOVEMBER 2019 • Jax4Kids.com • Page 24

The next round in the competition is the Finalist stage.

To become a Finalist, the students must submit an application detailing information about their academic record, participation in school and community activities, demonstrated leadership abilities, employment, and honors and awards.

Finalists will be notified in February 2020, with the

A Pine Forest Elementary School fourth grader was among the winners announced this week of Florida’s 2019 Hispanic Heritage Month Essay contest.

Julietta Ramirez said she was both shocked and proud to be selected as the elementary school winner for the entire state.

“It didn’t feel real,” Ramirez said. “I was proud of myself. I felt like I could do anything I put my mind to.”

In her essay entitled “Justice with Compassion,” Ramirez wrote about Judge Tatiana Radi Salvador, a member of the 4th Judicial Circuit Court of Florida.

She highlighted how the judge exemplified the theme of this year’s contest: Celebrating Public Service.

Salvador – who like Ramirez, has extensive family in Colombia that she visits often – values giving back to the community and serves in several organizations including City Year, Leadership Jax and One Jax.

an essay and setting up appointments to interview judges,” said Michelle Lovelace, fourth-grade teacher at the school. “But Julietta is very passionate about public service and Hispanic representation in her community. She is proud of her roots and wants to share that with the world around her.”

In addition to being recognized by First Lady Casey DeSantis, Ramirez and the other essay contest winners were awarded a four-year Florida College Plan scholarship provided by the Florida Prepaid College Foundation.

Three other district winners have been recognized: • Jaabir Syed - Mandarin High School, 11th grade Essay: “An exceptional role model: LeAnna Gutierrez Cumber” • Tiffany Black - Mandarin High School, 11th grade Essay: “Tomas A. Jimenez” • Rico Simmons - Alfred I. duPont Middle School, 8th grade Essay: “Ms. Duff”

Ramirez notes how the judge embraces her Hispanic heritage and believes her appreciation of diversity enables her to be more compassionate to all.

“I feel inspired by her story and all the differences she has made in my community,” wrote Ramirez. “This makes me want to be a better person as I look up to her for her service.”

Her love of community service was noted by her teachers at Pine Forest, who encouraged her to enter the contest.

“Not many fourth graders would choose to spend their free time researching for winners of the scholarships to be announced beginning in April 2020.

Congratulations to all of the students. The list of semifinalists is below: Douglas Anderson School of the Arts: Agonoy, Adam X. Pabon, Samuel A. Sievert, Mallorie C. Mandarin High School: Ellis, Lauren E. Joseph, Princeton B.

Ramirez poses with Governor and Mrs. DeSantis.

Paxon School for Advanced Studies: Connor, Aaron Kathiravan, Nandhini Stanton College Preparatory School: Boyd, Stephen W. Chiang, Brian J. Conrad, Kaylee Gupta, Aryan Gupta, Monica Imam, Arhum S. Kopparthi, Sri M. Kummeta, Shirsika R. Leimer, Caleb

Lopez, Andrew P. McCoy, Richard W. McFarland, Craig W. Nocom, Kylo J. Nguyen, Kevin T. Patel, Rajan H. Peck, Caroline M Penland, Sarah G. Riazati, Raha Sarab, Makenna N. Sheldon, Jenna D. Simmons, Kate E. Stevens, Katherine E. Valan, Joshua Venkata, Ronak N. Wang, Jeannie K.

Clay County School News

McLaughlin Named Top Principal National Association of Elementary School Principals has named Discovery Oaks Elementary Principal Tracey McLaughlin as the 2019 National Distinguished Elementary Principal for the state of Florida.

McLaughlin is a firm believer in distributed leadership guided by clear expectations and a common vision for excellence. As a principal for the last eight years, she has lived this belief by building authentic relationships that allow stakeholders to come together to advance change. As principal of Ridgeview Elementary, she rallied the community to shift culture toward inclusion and high expectations for all students, leading the school to earn an “A” rating and the highest performance gains in the district. She calls this victory—which was possible with 70 percent of students living at or below the poverty line and without Title I funds— “a story of people and the power of trust, commitment to learning, leadership, and caring.”

Building on this turnaround success, McLaughlin built a coalition around a shared vision of educational equity to campaign and achieve Title I status for the school. This experience prepared her to take the lead in opening Discovery Oaks Elementary, a brand new STEAM school where she is responsible for guiding the development and implementation of technology-driven curricula, while managing a 78-person staff team and a $3.5 million operating budget. Ridgeview Elementary received the 2018 School of Excellence Award, and McLaughlin was named 2017-2018 Principal of the Year for Clay County.

She holds an M.Ed. in Leadership and a B.S. in Secondary Education from the University of Maine.

Athletes of the Month September athletes of the month for the county are Bryanna Parrett, a senior volleyball star at Oakleaf High and Jose Paola Garcia, a senior cross country track star at Ridgeview High.

• Clay High – Mackenzie Eubank, Sam Bement • Ridgeview High – Devinn Nickson • Oakleaf High – Rylee Kriener

Clay County All-Star Athletes of the Month are exemplary students and athletes who represent their schools and the district in a positive light.

Each month, coaches will nominate one male and one female from each school. Out of these nominations, the district will select one male and one female each month. The selections are recognized throughout their schools and the district.

These nominations represent the following criteria: • Outstanding athletic accomplishment(s) • Great sportsmanship (during games and practices) • Strong work ethic and leadership • Perform at a high level in the classroom (3.0 GPA or higher) Other school selections for September Athlete-ofthe-Month include: • Orange Park High – Spencer Kirkham, Lauren Ellis • Middleburg High – Abby Wallace, Chase Carroll • Keystone Heights Jr.-Sr. High – Ashton Ludwig, Tyler Shaw

Chloe Norman Wins State Contest Chloe Mason Norman of Oakleaf Junior High has won the 2019 Florida Hispanic Heritage Month student essay contest for middle schoolers. She earned a fouryear Florida College Plan scholarship provided by the Florida Prepaid College Foundation.

Chloe wrote about her great grandmother, Rosa Pallas, a Cuban immigrant who earned two master’s degrees and a doctoral degree and went on to become one of the nation’s most outstanding educators at Slippery Rock College in Pennsylvania and an author.

Hispanic Heritage Month student contests and Excellence in Education Award recipients,” said First Lady DeSantis.

Julieta Ramirez of Pine Forest School of the Arts in Duval County also won a scholarship. Julieta wrote about Judge Tatiana Radi Salvador, a member of the Fourth Judicial Circuit Court of Florida that covers Clay, Duval and Nassau counties.

Florida First Lady Casey DeSantis announced the Hispanic Heritage Month student contest winners during the Hispanic Heritage Month awards ceremony at the Florida Governor’s Mansion.

Hispanic Heritage Month is celebrated every year in Florida from Sept. 15 through Oct. 15.

“Ron and I were honored to celebrate the work of some of our state’s most talented students, teachers and artists as we announced the winners of Florida’s

Chloe Norman with Governor and Mrs. Desantis

November & December Calendar Monday, Nov. 11............................................ Veterans’ Day Holiday Monday, Nov. 25 thru Friday, Nov. 29.............. Thanksgiving Holidays Wednesday, Dec. 18...................................... End Second Grading Period Thursday, Dec. 19 thru Friday, Jan. 3............. Christmas/New Year’s Break Holidays

Battery Business

Jose Paola Garcia

Connect with us!

Bryanna Parrett

www.oneclay.net OP/Middleburg (904) 272-8100 Green Cove Springs (904) 284-6500 Keystone Heights (888) 663-2529 TDD (904) 284-6584

In honor of national Manufacturing month students from Orange Park High Career Tech visited Saft Batteries’ Jacksonville Plant, which builds advanced lithium-ion cells and batteries for military hybrid vehicles, aviation, smart grid support, broadband backup power, and energy storage for renewable energy.

NOVEMBER 2019 • Jax4Kids.com • Page 25

St. Johns County

School District News

Setting a Fire for STEM STEM SPARK was held last month at R. J. Murray Middle. The event served to make young women in grades 7 and 8 aware of possible careers in the fields of science, technology, engineering and math.

Creekside’s Champ

rier to girls’ progress in STEM. Early education plays a critical role for girls’ development, setting the stage for their level of interest, confidence, and achievements, particularly in STEM. The messages they receive during their K–12 education play a large role in the decisions and choices students make later in life.

But gaps in women’s pursuit of STEM fields continue into secondary studies. In 2016, the College Board found that only 23 percent of the 58,000 total students who took the AP computer science exam were female.

Creekside senior golfer Andrew Riley won the individual honors at the district tournament with a four under par 67. The team came in third place. Riley also won the Wildcat Invitational at Golden Ocala in September.

There are many ways to increase women’s and girls’ engagement in STEM: The American Association of University Women (AAUW) sponsored the event and this is the third year that it was hosted by the school district.

AAUW supports promoting and strengthening science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) education, especially for girls and underrepresented populations. Reducing barriers in STEM is a step toward increasing America’s global competitiveness.

• Emphasize STEM skills in early education, K–12, and higher education.

• Cultivate girls’ achievement by exposing them to female role models in STEM and encouraging high school girls to take calculus, physics, chemistry, computer science, and engineering classes.

• Teacher training must include recognition and avoidance of implicit gender bias, awareness of stereotype threat, techniques to improve spatial skills, and ways to promote a growth mind-set.

• Measure student achievement in STEM disaggregated and cross-tabulated by gender.

• Actively recruit women into STEM majors.

Follow us on Twitter @StJohnsCountySD

Connect on Facebook @St Johns County School District

November and December Calendar Monday, Nov. 11

Veterans Day – Student/Teacher Holiday

Wednesday, Nov. 27, Friday, Nov. 29

Thanksgiving Break – Student/Teacher Holiday

Friday, Dec 20

Second Quarter/First Semester Ends

Monday, Dec. 23 to Friday, Jan.2

Winter Break – Student/Teacher Holiday

2020 Graduation Schedule

Workforce projections for 2024 confirm that the top 10 fastest-growing occupations requiring at least a bachelor’s degree will need significant science or math training. STEM jobs are expected to grow by 18.7 percent from 2010 to 2020. The supply of new workers in these fields is struggling to match demand, and women remain severely underrepresented.

Unconscious gender bias is a significant bar-

First Coast Technical College (FCTC), 5 p.m. Friday, Jan.17.............FCTC, Bldg. C St. Johns Virtual School, 4:30 p.m. Tuesday, May 12........................FCTC, Bldg. C St. Johns Technical High School, 7 p.m. Wednesday, May13...........St. Augustine High Auditorium 7 p.m. Creekside High, 7 p.m. Tuesday, May 19................................University of North Florida 5 p.m. Ponte Vedra High, 5 p.m. Wednesday, May 20.......................University of North Florida Pedro Menendez High, 7 p.m. Wednesday, May 20..........................St. Augustine Amphitheatre St. Augustine High, 7 p.m. Thursday, May 21....................................St. Augustine Amphitheatre Allen D. Nease High, 7 p.m. Friday, May 22.......................................University of North Florida 2 p.m. Bartram Trail High,2 p.m. Saturday, May 23...........................University of North Florida First Coast Technical College,5 p.m., Wednesday, May 27...............FCTC, Bldg. C

Visit St. Johns County Schools online at http://www.stjohns.k12.fl.us/schools/ for more information.

NOVEMBER 2019 • Jax4Kids.com • Page 26

Things to Do

TEENS

Benefits of Stimulants Questioned

A

long with a steeper financial burden and an increasingly competitive academic environment, students are likely be confronted with the pressure to take a little pill that some popular culture references say will make you “awesome at everything.”

whether stimulants actually produce cognitive enhancement in healthy, well-rested people.

Surprisingly, the answer is: sometimes, and only a little.

During the two to four hours that the drug is active, some studies in healthy, well-rested adults have shown short-term increases in Welcome to #GenerationAdderall, the kids who attention and working memory. Some, grew up in the years of the diagnosis boom of however, have shown no benefit. attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder. As such, their formative years during this period In fact, some studies suggest that stimulants normalized the habit and granted easy access may simply serve to make boring tasks more to stimulants traditionally used to treat interesting by acting on the dopamine system. children with the diagnosis.

This extra-ordinary excitement allows students to stick with a particularly arduous assignment Nonprescription use of stimulants is a growing for longer periods of time than they normally problem for young people, bringing not only a would, which may promote the feeling of being risk of overdose and addiction but also smarter, as well as increasing the potential for damage to sleep. The last two decades have addiction. seen a 10-fold increase in nonmedical use of stimulants. While college-age students show The question then becomes: Does the the greatest prevalence, up to 20 percent of cognitive enhancement of stimulants exceed those 12 and older report experience with the significant long-term toll on sleep and the nonmedical use of prescription drugs, cognitive and health processes that rely on indicating that the diversion of these medica- sleep? tions for nonmedical use begins in middle and high school.

Research has shown that there are significant trade-offs of long-term sleeplessness for this Misusing prescription stimulants does not small uptick in attention. We show that even a occur in a bubble. Compared with medical morning dose – or at 9 a.m. – harms nighttime users and nonusers, adolescents who report sleep. This is particularly true for deep sleep, nonmedical use of prescription drugs also which is important for complex thinking, engage in binge drinking more often. They also long-term memory, immune function and have lower academic attainment and a higher physical restoration. Additionally, stimulants likelihood to screen positive for other subreduce performance improvements on stance abuse. cognitive tasks that overnight sleep confers, such as improvement in working memory and Emergency room visits due to nonmedical use long-term memory. This reduction is directly of stimulants tripled from 5,212 visits in 2005 related to the decrease of deep sleep. to 15,585 visits in 2017, due to negative side Therefore, even when stimulants are taken effects including nervousness, insomnia, earlier in the day, they disrupt nighttime sleep dizziness, and cardiovascular or psychiatric and subsequent cognitive performance. problems.

So, is the fleeting benefit from stimulants Unlike opioids, the motivation to misuse stimu- worth the damage to sleep and long-term lants is not to check out, but rather to check in cognitive and health processes? Is the risk of at superhero scale. Nonmedical stimulant use increased substance abuse that comes with is primarily to increase wakefulness, having misuse of stimulants tolerable? Is it easier to been used for decades by individuals whose be a superhero by taking a pill to stay awake job description includes sleep disruption. For and a pill to go to sleep than to simply get emergency workers, military and shift enough sleep? workers, long periods without sleep can cause life-threatening lapses in attention. But these As a sleep expert and cognitive neuroscientist, extreme scenarios bear little resemblance to I think the answer to all these questions is: No. the desired benefits by college students, who j report popping pills to “improve intellectual performance” or “to party longer and drink Sara C. Mednick, Associate Professor, Cognimore”. tive Science, University of California, Irvine theconversation.com Given these differences, a critical question is

Teens Events

Youth Quake Live November 1, 8pm to 10pm The doors open at 7:30pm and the show begins at 8pm. Admission is free, but a donation is collected during the show to cover production fees. YouthQuake Live offers reserved seating for all events. For $3 per seat, youth groups & families have the opportunity to sit together & enjoy the event without worrying about the crowds. Reserved seating does not necessarily mean front row.

Location of your seats is dependent on the event and the church layout. The deadline to reserve seats is Tuesday at 1pm of event week. Southpoint Community Church / 7556 Salisbury Rd, Jacksonville, FL 32256 / youthquakelive.com Teen Cooking: Flavors of Fall November 5, 6pm to 7:30pm Teens ages 12 and up will learn the basics of cleanliness, food prep, and food safety at this monthly program sponsored by the Friends of the Library. Registration is required for this free program. Register online or call 904-827-6900 to reserve your spot. A parent or guardian must be present at the time of the program to sign a waiver. All supplies provided. Free.

St. Johns County Public Library - Southeast Branch / 904-827-6900 / 6670 US 1 South, St. Augustine, FL 32086 / www.sjcpls.org Groot in the Fall November 6, 3pm to 5pm It’s Fall and the San Marco Library’s Baby Groots are looking gray. Come by the library from 3:30pm to 4:30pm to paint your own little Baby Groot from the Guardians of the Galaxy. Express your creativity and discuss color, patterns, what defines the Fall season, and even the Guardians themselves as you and others paint your own 3D printed Groots.

Free for teens of all ages.

Jacksonville Public Library, San Marco Branch / 904-858-2907 / 1513 Lasalle Street, Jacksonville, FL 32207 / jpl.coj.net Southeast Library Teen Advisory Group November 15, 4:30pm to 5:15pm Teens ages 12 to 18 will learn leadership and teamwork skills when they join the brandnew Teen Advisory Group. Brainstorm program and fundraising ideas, then bring them to life. Snacks provided at every meeting.

Register online or by phone.

St. Johns County Public Library, Southeast Branch / 904-827-6900 / 6670 US 1 South, St. Augustine, FL 32086 / www.sjcpls.org Test Prep at UNF November 16, 8am to 12noon In order to encourage academically talented Duval County Public School students to be successful with their college applications, the University of North Florida is offering free standardized test (SAT /ACT) preparation.

High school juniors and seniors are welcome to sign up for one of these events to ensure they score the highest possible score on the standardized tests that are often a college or university requirement for admission. Sign up in advance. When the class is full, they will close the section for registration. Please note, this Test Prep event is for Duval County Public School students only, and registration is required. Held in the John E. Mathews Computer Science Building (Building 15).

University of North Florida / 904-620-2420 / 1 UNF Drive, Jacksonville, FL 32224 / www.unf.edu Six Top Industries for Career Opportunities in Northeast Florida November 18, 6pm to 7:30pm It’s time to talk careers for your talented teen and even adults, too. This course will include career paths with entry points at a variety of educational levels in the following industries: Aviation, Manufacturing, Logistics, Healthcare, Finance, and Information Technology.

The Parent Academy of Duval County Public Schools is a family resource designed for parents, caregivers, and community members. All Parent Academy courses are free of charge.

Edward H. White High School / 904-3902960 / 1700 Old Middleburg Rd. N, Jacksonville, FL 32210 / dcps.duvalschools.org Teen Nights at Bravo November 29, 8pm to 12midnight On the last Friday of every month, teens will gain all access to all attractions, as well as dance into the night with the Jeff Bell Experience DJ. This is a lock-in experience, and only kids ages 13-17 are permitted after 10pm. The doors will be locked so no one will be allowed in or out. Cost is $24, which includes 2 slices of pizza and a drink, glow gear, prizes, lasers, neon, and black lights.

Bravoz Entertainment Center / 904-300-0070 / 14985 Old St Augustine Rd, Jacksonville, FL 32258 / bravoz.com Visit Jax4Kids.com for a complete list of Teen events.

“Be thankful for what you have; you'll end up having more.

If you concentrate on what you don't have, you will never, ever have enough.”

– Oprah Winfrey NOVEMBER 2019 • Jax4Kids.com • Page 27

Things to Do

PETS

Many Holiday Foods Not On Fido’s Plate

I

t’s only natural to want to include our furry family members in our holiday dinners and give them a taste of our favorite dishes. But there are many ingredients commonly used in holiday dinners that won’t do dogs any favors.

Since holiday recipes can vary widely, it’s best not to feed dogs any prepared dishes, and take extra care to steer clear of these particular ingredients and holiday foods that are bad for dogs: 1. Alcohol This has the same effect on dogs’ livers and brains as on humans’, but it doesn’t take as much to cause serious damage and can even lead to respiratory distress, tremors, coma, and death. Sorry—no rum cake for Fido!

2. Caffeine Desserts and other holiday dishes may call for coffee, tea, or chocolate as an ingredient, but they all contain caffeine, which can actually be fatal to canines.

3. Candy While the sugar in candy isn’t great for dogs, the sweetener xylitol, which is often used nowadays, can actually lead to liver failure, so keep sweets of all kinds away from your pup.

4. Chocolate In addition to caffeine, chocolate contains theobromine, which can be extremely poisonous when ingested by dogs and may even result in seizures and death, so be sure not leave any chocolates within Fido’s reach.

5. Dairy “Products” Milk, cream, cheese, and butter are bad both for humans and for dogs. They can cause diarrhea and other digestive disturbances as well as allergic reactions in dogs, so leave the dairy-laden foods off their plate this holiday season.

6. Garlic, Onions, and Chives This group of ingredients can be found in just about anything from mashed potatoes to stuffing. But in fresh, cooked, powdered, or any other form, it can lead to damaged blood cells and anemia—don’t risk it.

7. Ham and Bacon If anybody in your household tries to sneak a scrap of ham or bacon to your dog, stop them in their tracks. Dishes that contain pork can cause pancreatitis, a potentially life-threatening disease, in dogs.

8. Nutmeg In significant amounts, this spice can be toxic, causing hallucinations, stomach pain, and possibly even seizures. Other spices can be dangerous, too, so it’s best not to feed dogs treats from your holiday dinner.

9. Nuts These have a very high fat content and may contain other toxins that can result in stomach upset or other serious health complications.

Macadamia nuts, in particular, when fed to your furry family member even in small amounts, can be especially toxic and result in vomiting, tremors, paralysis, rapid heartbeat, and other complications 10. Raisins and Grapes Consuming these fruits, even in small quantities, may cause rapid kidney failure in some dogs, and fruitcakes are one holiday offering likely to contain them. If you were thinking that you could unload an unwanted fruitcake on your pup, think again. Maybe “regift” it to an unwitting human friend or relative instead.

11. Salt and Sugar Salt abounds in many holiday dishes, and when consumed by dogs can cause excessive thirst, urination, or worse. It’s especially detrimental to dogs with underlying kidney or cardiovascular conditions. Meanwhile, the sugar found in most holiday desserts can fuel cavities, obesity, and even diabetes. It’s also bad for dogs with arthritis.

12. Turkey Bones If you’re visiting meat-eating family or friends this holiday season, be vigilant that no one sneaks any bones from turkeys to Fido, as cooked bones can perforate the intestines, sometimes even requiring surgery.

So what holiday foods ARE good for dogs?

Cooked sweet potatoes (minus any additional ingredients), baked potatoes, pumpkin purée, cucumbers, carrots (steamed or raw), steamed green beans or greens, unsweetened cranberries, bananas, and apples are all good choices—and not just during the holidays.

They are highly nutritious and will allow your dog to participate in the feast while remaining happy and healthy! j peta.org

NOVEMBER 2019 • Jax4Kids.com • Page 28

Pet Events

ing of the Pets at 1pm. Free to attend.

Fletcher Park / 1652 Atlantic Blvd, Jacksonville, FL 32207 / nerichurch.org

Best Dressed Pooch Contest November 16, 10:30am to 12noon Dogs are invited to put on their best outfits and participate in the friendly competition.

The top three best dressed pooches will be awarded a prize. The festivities will begin at 11am. Contestants will need to be registered either online or onsite by 10:45am. Following the contest, entertainment will include a demonstration by the Putnam County Sherriff’s Office. There will also be an obstacle course that you and your furry friend can try out, and attendees can take a glam picture with their pet at the DYI Photo Booth. The Ravine Gardens 4-H Club will be accepting pet food donations for local animal rescue organizations during this event. Entry fees for this event will be provided by the Friends of Ravine Gardens as a part of the monthly Rescue Junkie Monthly Adoption Event community health series. After the event, November 2, 10am to 2pm participants are welcome to walk their pooch EarthWise Pet Jax Beach hosts a special around the 1.8-mile paved loop. All pups monthly adoption event with Rescue Junkie. should be on a 6ft leash and well behaved.

Find the new love of your life while getting an Ravine Gardens State Park / 386-329-3721 / exclusive deal on food and pet supplies at this 1600 Twigg St, Palatka, FL 32177 / fur-friendly event. Pictures of adoptees will www.floridastateparks.org be posted the week prior to the event each month.

First Annual Holiday Soiree EarthWise Pet Jax Beach / 904-372-7822 / November 23, 6pm to 9pm 3846 3rd Street South, Jacksonville Beach, FL Feline Canopy of Care hosts a Holiday Soiree 32250 / www.earthwisepet.com fundraiser. The evening features food from the KingFish Grill, music by musician Rob 2nd Sunday Barks & Brews Peck, and more. All proceeds benefit the November 10, 2pm to 5pm cats of Feline Canopy of Care. Tickets are Barked Goods hosts the 2nd Sunday Barks $75. KingFish Grill / 904-717-3231 / 252 & Brews at Engine 15. There will be drink Yacht Club Drive, St. Augustine, FL 32084 / specials and food trucks for humans, and www.felinecanopyofcareinc.org socialization for canines.

Engine 15 Brewing Downtown Tap Room & Cats & Yoga Mats Fundraiser Biergarten / 904-551-9429 / 633 N Myrtle Av- November 30, 2pm to 4pm enue, Jacksonville, FL 32204 / engine15.com Del Mar Vet Hospital hosts an animal fundraiser. Participants are invited for a beginner Family Pet Fair and Blessing of the Pets yoga class with instructor Jen Holloway.

November 16, 10am to 2pm During class, there will be adoptable kitties St. Philip Neri Church hosts the annual Family roaming the room. Please bring your yoga Pet Fair and Blessing of the Pets. Bring your mat and water bottle. There is a $20 regispet and enter the “Best in Show” contest tration fee to participate in the event. 100% hosted by Katy Jefferies of First Coast News, of the money raised will go to a different no have them bathed at the Laundromutt, have kill animal rescue each month. Spaces are your pups nails trimmed for free by Green Dog limited. Email contact@delmarvethospital.

Spa, and more. There will also be discounted com to register. St. Johns County Public micro-chipping by St. Francis Animal Hospital. Library, Anastasia Island Branch / 904-209Kids activities by Epic Outreach will include 3730 / 124 Seagrove Main St, St. Augustine, Honeybee Observation Hive by Bee Friends FL 32080 / www.sjcpls.org Farm, Eats by Berry Good Farms, and activities. In addition, there will be lots of vendors, Like Jax4Pets.com’s Facebook page a Charity Shop, adoptable pets and the Blessat facebook.com/jax4pets to find Tails at Twilight 2019 November 1, 5:30pm to 7:30pm The Therapy Animal Coalition hosts a celebration for Tails at Twilight. The event is for those who currently volunteer in pet therapy, plan to in the future or just want to learn more about it. Come learn more about Therapy Animal Coalition (TAC), the continued affiliation with UNF’s Brooks College of Health, the many new therapy animal programs in Northeast Florida, plans for the next Therapy Animal Expo & Symposium, and more. Tickets are $18.

Please leave your pets at home for this event.

South Beach Park Community Recreational Center / 904-567-6863 / 2508 South Beach Parkway, Jacksonville Beach, FL 32250 / therapyanimalcoalition.org

out about other events for pets.

NATURE

Bird Songs All Business

B

irds are some of the most attractive creatures on earth. Who doesn’t like to watch a Blue Jay, Cardinal or Oriole going about its business?

But the beauty of birds isn’t just their looks – it’s also their noises. Bird songs are among nature’s most distinctive and musically satisfying sounds. Why do birds spend so much time and energy singing?

There are two main purposes, and they are connected. First, male birds sing to mark territories. A singing bird is saying, “This place is mine, and I’m willing to defend it, especially from others of my species.” He may patrol his chosen space and sing often, either from the middle or the edges of what he considers his turf.

finding mates if their songs don’t measure up.

Each bird species typically has its own unique song. That allows an individual bird to hear a

song and recognize whether the singer is from its own species.

Birds are most vocal during nesting season.

For example, in Florida where I live, Cardinals live year-round. They usually start singing in January, just a few weeks after the days begin to get longer. After the nesting period is over, birds sing much less and their territories break down.

In many species only male birds sing, but in others, both males and females sing. And some birds don’t sing at all. For example, vultures and storks can barely produce any sound – let alone something musical enough that we would call it a song. j

The second purpose of singing is to attract a mate for nesting. Female birds often choose their mates based on some blend of visual and David Steadman/Curator of Ornithology, Florida Museum of Natural History, University vocal cues. Even male birds with beautiful of Florida breeding-season plumage can have trouble

“The thankful receiver bears a plentiful harvest.”

– William Blake

Things to Do Nature Events

Parent’s Night Out at the St. Augustine Alligator Farm November 1, 5:30pm to 8pm The St. Augustine Alligator Farm Zoological Park hosts Parent’s Night Out. Cost includes pizza, drinks, hands-on animal presentation, twilight zoo tours, a zoo themed craft, nocturnal games, and more. Price is $30 for members, and $35 for non-members. For ages 5 to 12. Register in advance to secure your spot.

St. Augustine Alligator Farm Zoological Park / 904-824-3337 / 999 Anastasia Blvd, St. Augustine, FL 32080 / www.alligatorfarm.com

Ambassadors, activities, and a stroll through the featured section of the Zoo. The November class will be Getting To Know You -- during this class, kids will learn all about animal communication. Find out which animals communicate in unique ways, and take a stroll through the Zoo to see them in person. Price: Members: $15, Non-members $20. This will be a drop off class.

Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens / 904-757-4463 ext 101 / 370 Zoo Parkway, Jacksonville, FL 32218 / www.jacksonvillezoo.org

Guided Bird Walk November 10, 7am to 9pm Come meet the birds at Anastasia State Park on this monthly bird walk. This fun and informative walk is open to participants of all birding levels. Participants will observe a diverse variety of shore birds, marsh birds, and ham2019 Right Whale Festival mock birds by walking the beach, boardwalks, November 2, 10am to 6pm; November 3, nature trails, and other areas. Please dress 10am to 3pm for the weather and bring binoculars, water, The Right Whale Festival celebrates the comfortable walking shoes, and a field guide if annual return of endangered North Atlantic you have one. Meet at the Island Beach Shop right whales to the warm coastal water of & Grill pavilion located at the end of the main Northeast Florida and Georgia, where they park drive. This event is weather permitting give birth to and nurse their young. With and subject to cancellation. Program is free fewer than 465 remaining, this family-fun event raises awareness of the threats to right with regular park admission fee. ($8.00 per vehicle. Limit 2-8 people per vehicle. $4.00 whales and how to help in their recovery.

The festival highlights local efforts to protect per single-occupant vehicle.

Anastasia State Park / 904-461-2000 / 300 these whales from extinction, as well as Anastasia Park Road, St. Augustine, FL 32080 ocean-themed activities and exhibits that / www.floridastateparks.org emphasize education and environmentally responsible adventures and products. Free.

Main Beach Park / 32 North Fletcher Avenue, Leaf Art November 16, 2:30pm to 3:30pm Fernandina Beach, FL 32034 / Come learn about different types of leaves www.rightwhalefestival.com found in this area and how to dry and preserve leaves while you make a leaf etching to take Reptiles of Florida home. Admission is $2, and there is a parking November 6, 3pm to 4pm fee of $5. Crooked River State Park / 912Join Park Naturalist Kelly Ussia for a fam882-5256 / 6222 Charlie Smith Senior Highily-friendly conversation night about the unique reptiles that call Florida home. This is way, St. Marys, GA 31558 / gastateparks.org an educational program that will feature live animals. This program is free. For more infor- Rising Tides: McCoys Creek Cleanup mation, contact Kelly Ussia at 904-209-0335 November 17, 10am to 12noon or kussia@sjcfl.us. Seating is first come, first The community is invited for the monthly cleanup on McCoys Creek led by Rising Tides. served. St. Johns County Public Library, Ponte Vedra Beach Branch / 904-209-0335 Be sure to bring a reuseable water bottle, hat & sunglasses, wear closed toe shoes (rain / 101 Library Blvd, Ponte Vedra Beach, FL boots, work boots, or waders are extreme32082 / www.sjcpls.org ly helpful), and bring heavy duty gloves (if desired). Extra supplies that would be helpful Safari Squad at the Jacksonville Zoo & include grabbers, shovels, rakes, rope, and Gardens • November 9, 10am to 12noon saws. Gloves and bags will be provided by Families are invited to bring their 5-7 year old to the Zoo for a Saturday Safari with the City of Jacksonville and Keep Jacksonville Beautiful. Powers Park / 904-563-5160 / Safari Squad. Each month, they will have a different theme that will send your young ex- 3153 Green Street, Jacksonville, FL 32205 / plorer on an adventure that revolves around www.stjohnsriverkeeper.org one of the animal exhibits at the Zoo. These special themed programs will include upVisit Jax4Kids.com for a complete list close encounters with the Education Animal of Nature events.

NOVEMBER 2019 • Jax4Kids.com • Page 29

THINGS TO DO Astronaut at MOSH • Thru January 4 Jax4Kids.com proudly sponsors Astronaut at MOSH. Astronaut is a traveling exhibition that explores the physical and mental challenges involved in space exploration and gives visitors a taste of what life is like outside of Earth and its atmosphere. Through interactive exhibits, visitors can experience g-force, conduct maintenance on a space station, grow space food and learn the realities of showering, sleeping and using the toilet in space. The exhibition also focuses on team work to solve problems, accurately perform tasks and overcome challenges that an astronaut would face on a real mission to the cosmos. MOSH / 904396-6674 / 1025 Museum Circle, Jacksonville, FL 32207 / themosh.org Villa Villekulla Toy Store Halloween Candy Buy Back • Thru November 3 Villa Villekulla Toy Store hosts a Halloween Candy Buy Back from October 27- November 3. Bring your new, unopened candy to Villa Villekulla and receive a 20% discount off of one item.* Candy will be sent to deployed troops through Operation Gratitude - kids are strongly encouraged to bring cards and letters to send, too. Only one “buy back” per child- but the child doesn’t need to be present. Discount must be redeemed at the time of candy drop-off- no rainchecks or coupons for future use. Instead of purchasing candy for this event, please consider making a monetary donation directly to Operation Gratitude. Villa Villekulla Toy Store / 904-432-8291 / 5 S. 2nd Street, Fernandina Beach, FL 32034 / www.villavillekullatoys.com Dogman The Musical November 1, 10am and 12noon Dog Man: The Musical is a new production based on the worldwide bestselling series from Dav Pilkey, the creator of Captain Underpants. This show is best suited for grades 1-5. The running time of the show is 55 minutes. Admission is $8.50 per person, and the show is open to school groups, individuals, and homeschool groups. The Florida Theatre / 904-353-3500 / 128 E Forsyth Street, Jacksonville, FL 32202 / www.theatreworksjax.com Kid’s Night Out at My Gym November 1, 15, 6:30pm to 10pm My Gym hosts a Kid’s Night Out for ages 2 to 13.

The events feature rides, swings, themed games, pizza, and activities. Member Pricing- $33.99 for the first child, $27.99 for each additional child.

My Gym / 904-223-4966 / 13770 Beach Blvd, Jacksonville, FL 32224 / www.mygym.com MissionWay Church Fall Festival November 3, 5pm to 7pm MissionWay Church hosts a Fall Festival with new, bigger bounce houses, carnival games, food trucks, costumes, candy, face painting, a photo booth, toddler play area, and more. The event is designed for kids through 5th grade and their families. Free and open to the community. Food trucks will have food for purchase. MissionWay Church / 904-647-5604 / 14985 Old St Augustine

Rd, Unit 101, Jacksonville, FL 32258 / www.missionwaychurch.org Fauré Requiem Concert November 3, 6pm The Jacksonville Children's Chorus presents Fauré Requiem Concert, a memorial concert in honor of loved ones lost. The performance will feature the orchestra with a choir comprised of Southside United Methodist Choir, Voices of Jacksonville and members of the JCC Touring Choir. Admission is free. Southside United Methodist Church / 904353-1636 / 3120 Hendricks Avenue, Jacksonville, FL 32207 / jaxchildrenschorus.org Alhambra Children’s Show: Hansel & Gretel November 5, 15, 20, 10:30am to 11:30am The Alhambra Theatre hosts a children’s matinee show. This year’s show is Hansel & Gretel.

Students can bring their own brown bag lunch to enjoy after the show. There is no food or drink service for these performances. Prices for all ages are just $12* per person and $9* per student for groups of 10 or more, including home school groups. *Taxes not included. Doors open at 10am, and the show begins at 10:30am. Alhambra Theatre & Dining / 904-641-1212 / 12000 Beach Blvd, Jacksonville, FL 32246 / www.alhambrajax.com Greater Jacksonville Agricultural Fair November 7 – 17 The annual Greater Jacksonville Agricultural Fair returns to the fairgrounds. There will be food, live music, agricultural shows and contests, live presentations, carnival rides, games, and more.

Unless otherwise stated, admission pricing is as follows: Adults (13 - 64) - $10; Children (6-12 years old) - $6; Seniors (65 +) - $6; Children (5 and under) – free. Daily admission specials include opening day, senior day, military day, and family day. Jacksonville Fairgrounds / 904-3530535 / 510 Fairgrounds Place, Jacksonville, FL 32202 / www.jacksonvillefair.com St. Luke Annual Festival November 8, 4pm to 11pm; November 9, 2pm to 10pm; November 10, 12noon to 4pm St. Luke Catholic Church hosts their annual festival. Activities include music by the Paul Lundgren Band, silent auction, live auction, bingo, raffle, a fireworks display, and rides provided by Modern Midways. They will also have a food court and a Beer and Wine Garden with live TV for the Saturday college games. Ride tickets/wristbands can be purchased online in advance for a discount.

St. Luke Catholic Church / 904-282-0439 / 1606 Blanding Blvd, Middleburg, FL 32068 / www.stlukesfestival.org 7th Annual Ryan’s Run • November 9, 8am Ortega United Methodist Church is hosting the 7th Annual Ryan’s Run, a 5K Run/Walk in memory of Ryan Perry. The event will benefit the church and its children’s ministries. A one-mile fun run will take place at 8am. The 5k will start at 8:30am on Iroquois Ave behind the church offices, run though the tree-lined Ortega neighborhood streets, and then finish in the church’s courtyard with a post-

NOVEMBER 2019 • Jax4Kids.com • Page 30

race celebration, including food, refreshments, and games for the entire family. All proceeds from the event will directly benefit the Ryan D. Perry Endowment at OUMC, and the church’s goal of growing children’s ministries in the community.

Registration for the fun run is $10, and ranges from $20 to $30 for the 5K. Ortega United Methodist / 904-389-5556 / 4807 Roosevelt Blvd., Jacksonville, FL 32210 / www.1stplacesports.com Daddy Daughter Date Night November 8, 5pm to 8pm Chick-fil-A Oakleaf and Chick-fil-A Middleburg host a Daddy Daughter Date Night. The evening will feature DJ Jim, digital photo booth, food, door prizes, and more. Tickets are on sale now at Chick-fil-A Middleburg and Chick-fil-A Oakleaf.

Dad with 1 daughter is $35, a dad with 2 or more daughters is $40. Thrasher Horne Center / 904276-6815 / 283 College Drive, Orange Park, FL 32065 / www.thcenter.org

Peter Pan • November 12, 10am and 12noon Theatreworks presents an adaptation of Peter Pan. This show is best suited for grades PreK-3. The running time of the show is 53 minutes. Admission is $8.50 per person, and the show is open to school groups, individuals, and homeschool groups. Florida Theatre / 904-353-3500 / 128 East Forsyth Street, Jacksonville, FL 32202 / www.theatreworksjax.com

Jacksonville Icemen November 14, 10:30am vs. Atlanta Gladiators November 15, 7pm vs. Orlando Solar Bears November 16, 7pm vs. Orlando Solar Bears November 20, 7pm vs. Indy Fuel November 27, 7pm vs. Greenville Swamp Rabbits The Jacksonville Icemen, proud affiliate of the NHL’s Winnipeg Jets and AHL’s Manitoba Moose, were recently awarded an ECHL membership.

They return with the 2019-2020 season. Games will be played at the Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Arena. Single game tickets are available, or packages can also be purchased. The JacksonBeaches Art Fest ville Veterans Memorial Arena requires children November 9, 10am to 5pm and that have reached their 2nd birthday by the date of November 10, 10am to 4pm the game to have a ticket for entry. Click here for The Beaches Art Fest, is a juried art and fine craft information on theme nights. Veterans Memorial event presented by The Beaches Museum and Arena / 904-602-7825 / 300 A Philip Randolph Driftwood Jacksonville Beach. It will consist of artists and craftsmen from around the country. The Blvd, Jacksonville, FL 32202 / jury committee carefully selects only the best work www.jacksonvilleicemen.com in each category assuring a well-rounded quality The Big Bounce America art and fine craft festival. Stretching two city November 15-17 and November 22-24 blocks, Pablo Avenue will become an outdoor art gallery highlighting the artists. Each is available to The Big Bounce America makes a stop in Jacksondiscuss their work, share their stories and answer ville for two weekends. New for 2019, the ‘Access your questions. Free admission. Beaches Muse- All Areas’ ticket gives you 3 hours on 3 attractions: um / 904-241-5657 / 381 Beach Blvd, JacksonParty on the World’s Biggest Bounce House, take ville Beach, FL 32250 / www.holidayartshows.com on America’s Biggest Inflatable Obstacle Course, and explore the world of airSPACE. Individual sesNeighborhood Toy Store Day sions are available to suit all age groups. Toddler November 9, 12noon to 3pm sessions are for ages 3 and under, and start at Villa Villekulla celebrates Neighborhood Toy $16. Junior sessions are for ages 7 and under and Store Day with a special party. Activities include bigger kids sessions are for ages 15 and under. musicians from Amelia Music Studio providing live Both start at $25. There is also an adults only session, for ages 16 and up. Cost is $30. The toddler entertainment, Kona Ice of Amelia, face painting, session is available on Fridays only. At least one make and take crafts, games with prizes, and a paying parent/carer (16+) with their own ticket preview of the hot holiday toys. Free. must accompany toddlers onto the inflatables.

Villa Villekulla / 904-432-8291 / 5 S. 2nd Street, Attendees must wear socks at all times.

Fernandina Beach, FL 32034 / Morocco Shrine Auditorium / 3800 St Johns Bluff www.villavillekullatoys.com Rd S, Jacksonville, FL 32224 / thebigbounceamerica.com Jacksonville Symphony Youth Orchestras’ Fall Concert • November 10, 5pm Nocatee Farmers Market The Jacksonville Symphony Youth Orchestras November 16, 10am to 1pm perform their fall concert, conducted by Principal JSYO Conductor Deanna Tham. Tickets are $3 for The monthly Nocatee Farmers Market features kids and $8 for adults. Times Union Center / 904- over 70 local vendors offering organic produce, 354-5547 / 300 Water St., Jacksonville, FL 32202 herbs, spices, unique foods, crafts, jewelry and more. There will be crafts and a bounce house / www.jaxsymphony.org for kids. This month's theme is Shakespeare at the Market. There will be a unique ‘Shakespeare USWNT v. Costa Rica - International Friendly in the Park’ style production of “A Midsummer November 10, 8pm Night's Dream” performed by UNF students.

The US Women's National Soccer will wrap up 2019 with a match against Costa Rica. The teams Shakespeare show times are 10:30am-12:00pm and 12:30pm-2:00pm. Free admission and will play at TIAA Bank Field. Tickets start at $30. parking.

All fans age 2 and older require a ticket.

Nocatee Swim Club Green / 904-924-6850 / 245 TIAA Bank Field / 1 TIAA Bank Field Dr, Jacksonville, FL 32202 / http://www.ussoccer.com Nocatee Center Way, Ponte Vedra, FL 32081 / www.nocatee.com

THINGS TO DO Gainesville Downtown Festival and Art Show November 16-17, 10am to 5pm The 38th Annual Downtown Festival & Art Show returns to the streets of historic downtown Gainesville, Florida. City Hall to the Hippodrome State Theatre will be transformed into a celebration of art and creativity complete with live music, performing arts, and an array of food. The festival features 240 local and national artists displaying original oils and acrylics, vibrant watercolors, unique sculptures, dazzling jewelry, decorative ceramics and vivid photography. Children can create their own art at the Imagination Station, a free hands-on art activity area including sidewalk-chalk drawing, painting, mask design, puppet creation, clay sculpting and interactive entertainment. Music lovers can enjoy continuous live entertainment on four stages by local bands, solo musicians, and dance companies.

Downtown Gainesville / 352-393-8536 / 111 East University Ave, Gainesville, FL 32601 / gainesvilledowntownartfest.weebly.com

group exercise and fitness.

University of North Florida Fieldhouse / 1 UNF Drive, Jacksonville, FL 32224 / donovindarius.com Dolphin Fest at Atlantic Beach Elementary November 16, 11am to 3pm Atlantic Beach Elementary celebrates their 80th anniversary with Dolphin Fest. Families are invited for an afternoon that includes carnival style games, petting zoo, silent auction, food vendors and more.

Tickets will be available for purchase on site.

Atlantic Beach Elementary School / 904-247-5924 / 298 Sherry Drive, Atlantic Beach, FL 32233 / dcps.duvalschools.org

a psychologist for Baptist Health at Wolfson Children’s Center for Behavioral Health, who specializes in working with children and adolescents, with particular emphasis on anxiety disorders, depressive disorders, grief/bereavement, coping with medical illness, and school-related stresses. The event is free and open to the public.

St. Paul’s by-the-Sea Episcopal Church / 904-2494091 / 465 11th Ave North, Jacksonville Beach, FL 32250 / www.esj.org Wicked • November 20 - December 1 The Broadway sensation Wicked will be performed in Jacksonville at the Times-Union Center. Tickets start at $53.15. Wicked is recommended for children ages eight and older. It is not appropriate for children ages three and younger. Everyone must have a ticket. Times-Union Center for the Performing Arts / 904-632-5000 / 300 Water Street, Jacksonville, FL 32202 / www.fscjartistseries.org

Jonas Brothers “Happiness Begins Tour” November 17, 7:30pm The Jonas Brothers will make one stop in Jacksonville as part of their Happiness Begins Tour. Tickets start at $49.95 and are available online.

VyStar Veterans Arena / 300 A. Philip Randolph Blvd, Jacksonville, FL 32202 / www.livenation.com The Magic School Bus: Lost in the Solar System Boys D.A.R.E to Dream Life Camp November 22, 10am and 12noon November 16, 10am to 2pm Pediatric Health Panel Theatreworks presents a new musical adaptation Former Jaguars defensive back Donovin Darius is November 19, 8:15am to 9:30am based on the original Magic School Bus book series. teaming up with community partners such as Boys Episcopal, Beaches Episcopal School, and Baptist This show is best suited for grades K-5. The & Girls Club, Full Service Schools, JaxPal, Youth Health will host a panel of pediatric care medical running time of the show is 60 minutes. AdmisCrisis Center and more to hold a Boys D.A.R.E to professionals on November 19 at St. Paul’s By-the- sion is $8.50 per person, and the show is open to Dream Life Camp at the UNF Fieldhouse. This Life Sea Episcopal Church. Panelists include Dr. Bethany school groups, individuals, and homeschool groups.

Camp will dare boys, ages 9-18, to embrace dignity, Atkins, President of the NE Florida Pediatric Society; Florida Theatre / 904-353-3500 / 128 East Forsyth achievement, respect, and empowerment for their Robert Sefcik, Executive Director of the JacksonStreet, Jacksonville, FL 32202 / lives in a fun learning atmosphere. The camp ville Sports Medicine Program (JSMP), a non-profit www.theatreworksjax.com will feature 90 minutes of program curriculum, a community health care coalition focused on youth motivational keynote by Donovin, and 60 minutes of sports injury prevention; and Dr. Stephanie Kinnare, Hockey Takeover at Jacksonville Ice

November 24 Hockey is taking over Jacksonville Ice on select Sundays. Join Jacksonville Ice and Sportsplex on Sundays throughout the year for Hockey Takeover Days – no public sessions, just all-day hockey.

Jacksonville Ice and Sportsplex / 904-399-3223 / 3605 Philips Hwy, Jacksonville, FL 32207 / jacksonvilleice.com Disney and Pixar’s UP November 30-December 1, 3pm The Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra presents Disney’s UP, with its score played live by the Jacksonville Symphony. Tickets range from $29 to $89 and are available online. Robert E. Jacoby Symphony Hall / 904-354-5547 / 300 Water Street, Jacksonville, FL 32202 / www.jaxsymphony.org Kidz Bop World Tour 2019 November 30, 6pm The No. 1 music brand for kids performs at the Florida Theatre as part of their World Tour. Tickets start at $29.50. There are also VIP tickets and Meet and Greet packages available.

Florida Theatre / 904-355-2787 / 128 East Forsyth Street, Jacksonville, FL 32202 / floridatheatre.com EDITOR’S NOTE: Dates, times and locations are accurate at time of publication; events and activities listed in this guide are subject to change without notice. Visit Jax4Kids.com for updated information and more events!

NOVEMBER 2019 • Jax4Kids.com • Page 31