Auburn Opelika Parents February 2016 by KeepSharing

February2016

Volume 6 Number 12

24 Columns

Publisher’s Note Kendra Sumner

Living With Children John Rosemond

Living with Children John Rosemond discusses the “shy” child and why there’s no cause for worry.

More Than Baby Blues

Supporting a friend with postpartum mood disorder (PMD).

Kids Health Watch

sponsored by Pediatric Associates of Auburn

A Page in a Book

Gerry Paige Smith

Dave Says Dave Ramsey

Get This!

Gerry Paige Smith

New & Expectant Parents Guide

Where to go in Lee County for “all things baby!”

Be Well Postpartum

Tips for a healthy recovery that will help the post-childbirth months go much smoother.

Growing Up Online Carolyn Jabs

Centsibly Southern Chic Laura Handey

On The Cover Riley (9 months) is the daughter of Ryan and Jessica King of Auburn. Riley spends her day at University Daycare, where her three-year-old big sister also attends. Riley has an infectious smile and loves to make people laugh! She already enjoys sneaking her sister’s toys and watching Mickey Mouse Clubhouse. The King family has been blessed by their new addition and look forward to many years of laughter, hair bows and playing dress up.

Departments 6

Bits and Pieces 9

School Bits 36

Family Calendar 44

Movie Reviews www.facebook.com/auburnopelika.parents

Publisher’sNote Even though I am a few years removed from that ‘new baby in the house’ phase, I can still remember those baby moments like they were yesterday. Planning for the birth, preparing the house for a new family member, learning simple tasks like diaper changes and burping techniques, and experiencing the little milestones are some of my memories of being a first time parent. All the wonderful and rewarding moments are at the forefront, as I walk down memory lane. However, with many great rewards also come challenges. After the initial joy of finding out a baby was on its way, my mind quickly shifted to all the unknowns that would come with parenthood. It quickly turned into an overwhelming list of questions that I had no answers for. During those short nine months, my research turned many concerns into answers that I was positive I could handle. Then…the baby came and research quickly flew out the window! Are you planning for a new addition to your family? Do you find yourself in the 4th trimester (the first months after baby is home)? Have you adjusted to your new normal? If I recall correctly, I expected to deliver a healthy, bouncing baby girl and bring her home to a ready-to-go schedule of sleeping, feeding, awake time and repeat. Then, of course, reality hit and I felt stuck in a place where reality and time felt clouded. In looking back, I wish I had read an article similar to one of this month’s features, Be Well Postpartum: 7 Tips for a Healthy Recovery. The author’s tips are simple, yet they will offer a smoother transition from hospital to home. I bet you have heard a hundred times to ‘sleep when the baby sleeps’. But this simple, no brainer advice, I tended to overlook. I thought I could be superwoman and get things done around the house while the baby slept. I quickly determined those chores were not as important as my own health and well-being. The advice to rest when baby did always haunted me at 2 a.m. and 4 a.m., when feeding times turned into foggy feedings. Another tip is to ‘expect hormonal changes’. Again, I thought that would be manageable. However, each pregnancy is different, and looking back, my postpartum experiences varied among my own four deliveries. My first was easier than my third, and underestimating how hormone fluctuations differ, I was blind sided when experiencing the lowest of the lows. Being a parent to a newborn can bring anxiety, fear, depression and many more negative feelings. However, these feelings are a very normal response to having a new baby. In the article, More Than the Baby Blues: When a Friend Has PMD, the author describes some of the symptoms many moms experience during those first months after having a baby. You’ll find great ideas on how you can help make a difference for a new mom. One easy idea is to help her get some much needed rest. Offer to care for the baby for a few hours while insisting she take a much needed nap. Or, be an ear and offer empathy if she just needs to talk about her feelings and anxieties. Most of the time, that is all it takes to help her feel normal, heard and able to reach out during the many stages of motherhood. Pregnancy and a new baby is an exciting time for expectant parents and their families. As with all changes and transitions, fear of the unknown and feelings ranging from happiness to depression come with the territory. Plan for the good and for the lows and you will find that growing into parenthood will be a more manageable and rewarding endeavor!

Kendra

kendra@auburnopelikaparents.com

Auburn Opelika Parents I February 2016

Auburn Opelika Lee County’s Foremost Parenting Source

Auburn Opelika Parents Magazine is founded on the principle that parenting is an exciting, diverse, challenging, and significant role in our community. Auburn Opelika Parents Magazine is a community advocate for families and the parenting process.

Publisher Kendra Sumner Kendra@auburnopelikaparents.com Editor DeAnne Watson Associate Editor Kelly Watson Contributing Writers Laura Handey Ruth Hanley Christa Hines Carolyn Jabs Dave Ramsey John Rosemond Ellen Royal, M.D. Gerry Paige Smith Cover Photography Candy Avera www.pictureperfectbycandy.com

President Jason Watson Director of Sales Justin Sumner (334) 209-0552 Ad Design Tim Welch

Visit us online at www.auburnopelikaparents.com Auburn-Opelika Parents magazine is published monthly by KeepSharing, LLC. Mailing address: 1204 Owens Road Auburn, Alabama, 36830. The phone number is (334) 209-0552 and fax is (334) 826-7303. Auburn-Opelika Parents is copyrighted 2016 by KeepSharing LLC. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or part without written permission is prohibited. Opinions expressed in Auburn-Opelika Parents magazine are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the view of the owners, nor do they constitute an endorsement of products and services herein.

www.auburnopelikaparents.com

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LivingWithChildren by John Rosemond

Shy Child No Cause for Worry Q: Our 7-year-old is very shy. He doesn’t enjoy the sort of social activities, including sports, that other kids his age are generally involved in and would rather play alone. He has one friend who is also quite shy. His mother and I have conspired to arrange weekly play dates, but whereas the boys get along fine, both kids sometimes balk at cooperating with them. My son occasionally tells me he’d rather read or play alone than play with this other boy. When I ask why, he tells me he “just would.” His school counselor has recommended that the other mother and I put the boys together on a regular basis no matter what. My son does well in school, does his homework on his own, is very creative, and is a happy camper when it’s just us and his older brother. Your thoughts, please. A: As your great-grandmother might have said, “It takes all kinds to make the world go ‘round.”

Auburn Opelika Parents I February 2016

Like any other trait, sociability is distributed among a general population of children according to the bell-shaped curve. Theoretically at least, for every child who is very outgoing there’s a child who is very shy. According to several studies, most shy children have fully “recovered” by age 30. That finding, in fact, applies to yours truly. While reluctance to engage socially with other children can result from trauma, most shy kids are simply “born that way.” I put the term in quotes because no one really knows what causes some otherwise high-functioning kids— as appears to be the case with your son—to be socially reticent from an early age. Like your son, many if not most shy children are independent, intelligent, imaginative and creative and therefore very adept at entertaining themselves. They are inclined toward hobbies, art, musical instruments and other activities that don’t require the participation of other children. Whereas they’d rather play alone than in a group, shy children are more socially empathetic than highly outgoing kids.

They feel very secure in their families and may, therefore, bond more effectively to their families’ values than outgoing kids. In other words, shyness has a positive side. Forcing a shy child to engage in group activities is likely to increase social anxiety, so I don’t recommend it. Arranging one-onone activities or play dates with another shy child will probably be mutually beneficial, however, so I agree with the school counselor: you and the other mother should continue conspiring. If your son complains that he doesn’t feel like playing with the other child, simply say, “You don’t have to. I’ve invited them over because I enjoy (the other mother’s) company.” I will bet they’ll end up playing with one another. As much as possible, do outdoor things. Go to a park and fly kites, enroll both boys in golf lessons (a great sport for shy kids), go on hikes, take field trips to museums. Enroll them in chess lessons. These sorts of activities will provide good opportunities for them to form a stronger relationship. Whereas you can’t fool Mother Nature, you can push her along a bit.

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Family psychologist John Rosemond answers parents’ questions on his website at www.rosemond.com.

• www.auburnopelikaparents.com

Science Matters is a summer enrichment program sponsored by the College of Sciences and Mathematics at Auburn University for students in rising grades 1 - 8. The program offers youngsters a supercharged science experience. Kids will explore the world of science through real experiments, technology and art projects, and hands-on activities. Kids that show a high interest or aptitude in science, math, or technology-related subjects will be right at home as they design and build, dabble in the art of chemistry, and more!

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For more information, visit our website or contact: www.auburn.edu/cosam/sciencematters Kristen Bond: kristen.bond@auburn.edu 334-844-5769

FLAG TWIRLING • CHEERLEADING • RIFLERY • ARCHERY • TRIP DAY • GOLF

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Valentine's Day Sound, Water, Laser, & Light Show

Experience the beauty of a majestic sound, water, laser, & light show in the depths of the earth at DeSoto Caverns Family Fun Park! During this show you will hear the message of how love has affected all of us! This show will take place during your tour of DeSoto Caverns! February 5 - 15. DeSoto Caverns Family Fun Park, 5181 Desoto Caverns Parkway, Childersburg. www.desotocavernspark.com.

Home Depot Kids Workshop Valentine Mailbox

Join our hands-on workshop and build a wooden Valentine mailbox, February 6, 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m., to hold all your child’s valentine cards from their favorite friends. After the mailbox is built, your child can personalize their project with paint. All kids get to keep their craft, receive a FREE certificate of achievement, a Workshop Apron, and a commemorative pin while supplies last. Children must be present at the store to participate in the workshop and receive the kit, apron and pin. www.homedepot.com.

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Exhibition: #NOFRAME Goes Live February 1

Jule Collins Smith Museum is hosting our first online-juried exhibition for local teens! #NOFRAME will include digitally created works of art made by local 6 through 12 graders, and will be “installed” on the website beginning February 1. At this time, winners from each category (6th– 7th grade, 8th–9th grade, 10th–12th grade, and Best in Show) will be selected and will receive prizes. Visit www.jcsm.auburn.edu/noframe and on social media #jcsmNOFRAME to find out the winners and to view all of the works of art submitted by the teens!

S’mores and More

Cozy up by the fire pit on the Ariccia patio for s’mores, coffee and hot chocolate! February 12 - 14, The Hotel at Auburn University and Dixon Conference Center. $10 per couple. www.auhcc.com.

Beaker Bash 2016: Galactic Road Trip

Mark your calendars, February 6, 5:00 8:00 p.m., for McWane Science Center’s annual family-friendly event, Beaker Bash! This year’s event will take you out of this world on a Galactic Road Trip through the stars. Visit new planets, meet strange lifeforms and even take a detour into a black hole. Funds raised through Beaker Bash directly support statewide science education programs throughout the year. www.mcwane.org.

“The Sleeping Beauty” at RiverCenter for the Performing Arts

Auburn Opelika Parents I February 2016

On February 25, the world-famous Moscow Festival Ballet will present “The Sleeping Beauty”. Often considered the finest achievement of the classical ballet, this piece offers a grandiose and refined blending of the traditional mime, expressive pas d’action and spectacular divertissements in a lavish theatrical setting. The Moscow Festival Ballet was founded in 1989 by Sergei Radchenko, legendary principal dancer of the Bolshoi Ballet. Radchenko brought together the elements of the great Bolshoi and Kirov Ballet companies in an independent company. Since its inception, the group has toured internationally to great acclaim. www.rivercenter.org. www.auburnopelikaparents.com

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Black History Month Kickoff, Speaker: Jay Smooth

Join The Office of Diversity and Multicultural Affairs, for the Black History Month kickoff, February 3, 6:00 8:00 p.m., in Auburn University’s Student Center. Jay Smooth is founder and host of New York City's longest running hip-hop radio program, WBAI's "The Underground Railroad," which he launched in 1991 when he was only a teenager. He is also the mastermind behind the hip-hop and politically oriented video blog "The Ill Doctrine," (illdoctrine.com), where he serves up contemporary observation on topics of race, politics, music, and pop culture. As the son of an African American father and a white mother, Smooth credits his mixed race heritage for his "unique position to travel between different worlds." On campus he'll break the taboo, talk about these different worlds, and promote healthy discussion on race in America today. Smooth entertains, challenges, and enlightens audiences with his funny, incisive perspective on music, politics, and culture, encouraging audiences to do their own critical thinking about the world, engage in conversations about cultural issues that matter, and find some common ground. www.auburn.edu.

Atlanta Symphony Orchestra Valentine’s Romance

Jazz guitarist and bandleader John Pizzarelli joins the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra in an evening of love songs and duets, February 12 - 14. Special guest (and John’s wife!) Jessica Molasky joins him to put you in the mood this Valentine’s weekend! This will be a romantic evening you won’t want to miss. Atlanta Symphony Hall, 1280 Peachtree Street NE, Atlanta. www.ticketmaster.com.

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Helen Keller Student Art Show of Alabama

The Helen Keller Student Art Show of Alabama art exhibit opens February 2 - 29, 2016 at the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute. The exhibit features works by students of Alabama who are visually impaired, blind or deaf-blind, which gives them the opportunity to showcase their special talents and abilities. Birmingham Civil Rights Institute, 520 16th Street North, Birmingham. www.bcri.org.

TAKE YOUR SWING

TO THE NEXT LEVEL Grand National is offering golf clinics this summer for junior golfers, ages 7-17, taught by PGA Certified pros. The clinics will be held in three, Monday – Thursday sessions from 8:30-11:30 a.m. SESSION 1: June 6-9 · SESSION 2: June 20-23 SESSION 3: July 25-28 · $100 PER SESSION Lunch and a free Par 3 round are included each day. » FOR MORE INFORMATION OR TO REGISTER, CALL 334.749.9042. «

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KidsHealthWatch

Sponsored by Pediatric Associates of Auburn

Healthy Eating Our federal government just released new dietary guidelines for 2015-2020 (Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2015-2020 on the web at health.gov). This is the eight edition of these guidelines which are published every five years. Along with the American Academy of Pediatrics, I am in favor of these new guidelines which among other things recommend limiting the consumption of sugar. You may remember the “food pyramid” from the last recommendations and how breads and grains were supposed to be consumed the most. Well not anymore! It is now recommended that individuals develop a healthy eating pattern which includes more fruits and veggies, less sugar, less saturated fat and limiting sodium intake. The guidelines include five basic principals of healthy eating. Each one will be explained and practical examples will be given to help you and your family develop your own healthy eating strategy for 2016 and beyond. The first guideline is to follow a healthy eating pattern across the lifespan. It is noted that all food and beverage choices matter. We as parents should choose the ones with the best nutrition as well as appropriate calories for ourselves and for our children.

Auburn Opelika Parents I February 2016

The second guideline is to focus on variety, nutrient density, and amount when choosing foods. The food groups that we should choose from are vegetables, fruits, grains, fat free or low fat dairy, proteins and oils. The emphasis is on balance among the food groups while noting that most of us do not eat enough fruits and vegetables on a daily basis. The scientists have spoken; we need to eat our veggies! We also need to pay attention to the nutrient density of the foods we eat. The closer to nature and less processed the food is the better nutrient density it will have. The third guideline is perhaps the most important. It states limit calories from added sugars and saturated fats and reduce sodium intake. The guidelines go on to say that we should eat less than 10% of calories per day from added sugar; less than 10% of calories per day in saturated fat; and lastly, less than 2300 mg of sodium per day. Most doctors would agree that this is a good start when it comes to healthy eating, but that you would need to cut these amounts even further if you want to lose weight. With more than half of our adult population afflicted

with diseases directly related to diet such as cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes and obesity, we as parents can’t afford to miss this one. We want the future generation to be more healthy than their predecessors! The final two guidelines state shift to healthier food and beverage choices and support healthy eating patterns for all. This just reiterates the need for all of us to change the way we eat. We know it won’t be easy. We need to be good role models for our children by eating healthy foods ourselves and buying healthy foods for them to eat at home. We need to support healthy choices at school and work. Finally, this healthy eating doesn’t have to be boring! We can explore new ways to cook and substitute healthier foods in our old favorite dishes. Gradually, if we keep working at it, healthy eating patterns will become more the norm for all of us. Happy Valentine’s Day to all of you, and go ahead and eat some chocolate. It’s okay to have a little treat every now and then! Dr. Ellen Royal attended the University of South Alabama College of Medicine for her medical degree and graduated in 1994. She returned to Alabama the summer of 1998 to join the pediatric practice of Dr. Richard M. Freeman. Dr. Royal is a member of the Lee County Medical Society, Medical Association of the State of Alabama, American Medical Association and the American Academy of Pediatrics. She is board certified in Pediatrics. Dr. Royal is married to Dr. Kevin Royal who practices Internal Medicine in Opelika and they have three children.

www.auburnopelikaparents.com

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Autauga County Schools

Auburn Jr. High Student Receives Kindness Award

The Kindness Revolution has given the "Spirit of Kindness Award" to Auburn Junior High School student, Joseph Abram. Joseph's Teddy Bear Campaign collected and donated more than 250 teddy bears to several local organizations over the holidays. What an awesome way to share kindness!

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Opelika High Theatre Society Puts on a Great Show

The Opelika High Theatre Society cast of “Harvey” had a great run during their January performance dates. Make plans to see “Chicago” in April.

Auburn HS Students Win Beef Cook Off The top 5 winners in the Lee County Cattleman's & Cattlewoman's Beef Cook Off were all Auburn High School students! Our first place winner, Megan Lange, will go to the State Cattleman's/ Cattlewoman's Association Contest in Montgomery in April to represent Auburn and Lee County. Lange won the competition by roasting a standing rib-roast with rosemary mushrooms. 1st Place- Megan Lange- $100; 2nd Place- Davis Tullier $50; 3rd Place- Mac Brannan $30; Honorable Mentions- Sarah Ward and Jayden James $25 each.

Cary Woods Students Harvest their School Garden

Cary Woods Elementary's After School Director Cindy Czerkawski and her students harvested their community garden on campus. The kids picked lettuce, strawberries and carrots they cultivated this semester. This activity fosters the development of a school identity and spirit among the students while teaching them the skill of gardening.

Auburn HS Football Players Spend Time with Dean Road ES Students Auburn High School football players spent time with Dean Road Elementary students reading and just talking to/ hanging out with them.

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Autauga County Schools

Trinity Christian School Congratulates All-State Chorus Members

On Tuesday, December 1, five members of the Trinity Singers were notified by the AVA (Alabama Vocal Association) that their auditions qualified them to be a part of the All-State Chorus. Congratulations to Margaret Ann, Evelyn, Mara, Sarah and Rebekah!

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Opelika HS Engineering Students Tour New Southern Union Technical Facility

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Mrs. Brenda Howell's OHS engineering class recently visited SUSCC's new technical facility. Steve Manos, engineering design and graphics instructor and Nicole Herzog coordinated the tour.

ASMS Senior Works with USA Launch Society at Mechanical Engineering Internship

ASMS senior Kayla Bell participated in an internship under the direction of Dr. David Nelson, professor and chair of the University of South Alabama (USA) Department of Mechanical Engineering. “I work with the mechanical engineering department, but more specifically with USA Launch Society,” says Bell, who serves at the ASMS Robotics Team captain. “It is a design project for seniors at USA. We compete in the University Student Launch Initiative, a competition sponsored by NASA. The team’s goal is to design a rocket that will travel exactly one mile into the air.” NASA selected 54 student teams from across the nation to participate in the 2015-2016 NASA Student Launch challenge, to be held April 13-17 near NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Ala. “Student Launch is a research-based, experiential exploration activity, requiring an eight-month commitment to design, construct, test, launch and successfully recover a reusable rocket and its scientific or engineering payload,” NASA says. “Teams were chosen based on a comprehensive review of their proposal, which outlines their vehicle, its recovery system, payload, safety and educational engagement plans.” Bell has assisted the USA team in the Preliminary Design Review Reports for the competition. She also works with the team to build small-scale rockets biweekly. “I go to my internship usually two days a week and stay for at least two hours,” says Bell, who grew up in small-town Emelle, Ala. “Currently, I am researching rocket motors. If I am able to gain enough background information and the department head allow me to, I will build my own Class-H rocket motor.” Bell says she wanted to do an internship to broaden her knowledge and gain hands-on experience in her prospective field. “I feel that the internship will help me to decide what I really want to do in college. Also, it has allowed me to make great connections with other engineers.” Bell plans to major in mechanical engineering at the University of Alabama (UA). She recently received a $6,000 scholarship from the UA Engineering Department and $3,500 a year toward tuition. “My biggest goal would be to design an efficient car that is powered off of a renewable energy source, hopefully water,” Bell says. “The internship really shows me that this is the field that I would like to go into. Although my internship is not focused around cars, it has showed me how much I really love problem solving and figuring out how things work.” When Bell starts her first year at UA, she will be considered a sophomore because of her college credit earned through ASMS classes and UA’s Early College program. During the summer, Bell took three classes through the UA Early College including Intro to Criminal Justice, Intro to Women’s Studies, and Engineering for the Future. “I had to learn 16 weeks worth of information in four weeks,” Bell says. “Although it was advised that I only take two courses, I wanted to challenge myself a little more by taking three. I received a 99 and two 100s as final grades for my classes. It was a bit difficult to balance the workload with the social aspect, but being at ASMS helped me to prepare for such challenges.” Auburn Opelika Parents I February 2016

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Opelika Middle School Students Perform "Grammar Surgery" Students in Tricia Skelton's class at Opelika Middle School performed "Grammar Surgery" to save their patients from incorrect grammar.

Please send school news and photos to: Kendra@auburnopelikaparents.com.

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ExxonMobil Donates $15,000 to ASMS

ExxonMobil’s Chris Golden recently visited ASMS to present the school with a $15,000 donation. Golden serves as ExxonMobil’s Mobile Bay Asset Manager. “We are thrilled that ExxonMobil continues to support our educational programs,” ASMS President Dr. Monica Motley says. “Thank you ExxonMobil for recognizing the best high school in Alabama!” ASMS Ambassadors Messiah Williams and Ja’Nea James gave Golden a tour of campus during his time at ASMS. Donations enable ASMS to provide a safe community, a challenging academic program and opportunities in the classroom. They also ensure that the school has a talented, dedicated faculty and the best facilities and resources available. To make a donation, email Cyndy Baggett atcbaggett@asms.net or call 251-441-2120.

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Autauga County Schools

Carver Primary Holiday Program

Students at Carver Primary School presented a fun and festive Holiday program for family members just before Christmas break.

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Trinity Christian Schoolâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Christmas Band Concert On Tuesday, December 8, the Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced and Jazz Bands performed in the annual Christmas Band Concert. It was an evening of beautiful music showcasing the many talents of our Trinity students.

Local Science Olympiad Teams Compete in Tennessee

The Drake and Auburn Junior High Science Olympiad Teams competed in an invitational competition at Friendship Christian School in Lebanon, TN. The team came back with a myriad of top 6 finishes and multiple first place finishes. The Regional competition is February 27 at Auburn University.

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D i s T i n c T i v e s

TradiTion For over thirty-five years, Trinity has been committed to a biblical Christian world-view, and its classical educational philosophy has been proven through thousands of years of learning experience.

A Classical and Christian Academy 745-2464

Auburn Opelika Parents I February 2016

www.tcsopelika.org

www.auburnopelikaparents.com

Jeter Singers Perform at Victorian Front Porch Tour A few of the Jeter Singers were having a ball following their performance at the Victorian Front Porch Tour in Opelika.

H&G Horse Quarters 2016 Camp

HGHorseQuarters@gmail.com

Child Nutrition Program Ready for a Healthy New Year

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334-887-0026

The ACS Child Nutrition Program staffers trained with Rational Chef Rick Campbell for cooking updates and tidbits when using kitchen equipment as well as demonstrating proper cooking, maintenance and cleaning. CNP is looking forward to cooking up a good and healthy 2016!

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Autauga County Schools

Trinityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Junior and Senior Classes Visit Alabama Supreme Court

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On Wednesday, December 3, both the Junior and Senior classes at Trinity visited the Alabama Supreme Court as a part of their Government studies.

Please send school news and photos to: Kendra@auburnopelikaparents.com.

Opelika HS Track Team Visits Jeter Primary

Members of the Opelika High School track team visited the students at Jeter Primary School just before Christmas to read stories to the students and talk to them about making good grades and making good choices. Pictured: Senior Devin Guice and other members of the track team reading at Jeter.

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Auburn Opelika Parents I February 2016

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Drake Middle School Geography Bee Winner

Conner Bailey, who is a Leopard, won the school-wide Geography Bee at Drake Middle School!

Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t Hate, Debate

Donna Yeager's Debate One and Advanced students debated legislation that they wrote and researched in regards to controversial topics in society. This was part of the studentsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; final exam and this is education at its best while providing the students with an authentic opportunity to shine.

Former AHS Students Selected as AU Drum Majors

Congratulations to AHSMB Alumni Hannah Rose Duraski (AHS Class of 2013) and Emily-Anne Rouse (AHS Class of 2014) for being selected to serve as two of the four Drum Majors for the 2016 Auburn University Marching Band!

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Autauga County Schools

Auburn HS Teachers Learn to Use iPad Pro

Math teachers at Auburn High School learned to use iPad Pros in an effort to enhance the 21st century classroom setting while streamlining Auburn students’ learning experience.

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Trinity Christian School’s Fifth Grade Medieval Feast

On Thursday, December 10, Mrs. Carpenter's fifth grade class at Trinity Christian School experienced a medieval feast as a part of their Bible/History studies of the Renaissance. A meal was shared, games were played, and the boys were knighted.

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Hoequist Named Alabama World Language Association Teacher of the Year

ASMS French and German instructor Muriel Hoequist will receive the Alabama World Language Association (AWLA) Teacher of the Year Award at the annual AWLA conference during a luncheon in January. She will also be the Southern Conference on Language Teaching (SCOLT) Outstanding K-12 Teacher nominee for the state of Alabama. “My peers in Alabama recently elected me as the American Association of Teachers of German (AATG) Teacher of the Year,” Hoequist says. “As the newly elected German Teacher of the Year for the AATG, I agreed to apply for the AWLA Teacher of the Year. Every language association in Alabama submits their top candidate, and the Alabama professionals from all languages elect one outstanding teacher.” Hoequist also won the AATG Teacher of the Year award in 2011. She is well known around the state and has attended the Alabama annual conferences, regional conferences, and national conferences throughout her 12 years at ASMS. “Other instructors also see how I teach through the national exam results within the states, where my students place 1st or 2nd in Alabama every year and where we have several students above the 90th percentile,” Hoequist says. “Also, having taught at ASMS for 12 years, many alumni go on to the colleges where German is taught and the professors around the state have been very pleased.” For the AWLA Teacher of the Year Award, Hoequist submitted five samples of student work. She also sent documentation about how her teaching and the student work demonstrate national standards for language teaching. “I chose to illustrate the National Standards of the ‘five C’s’: Communication, Cultures, Connections, Comparisons, Communities, all of which I strive to include as much as possible in all that I do,” Hoequist says. “One of the samples of student work that I submitted was the video my current German IV class worked on,” Hoequist says. “The literature we were reading is called ‘Das Nibelungenlied.’ This is a little like the old English epic poem ‘Beowulf’ only for German literature. My students read this piece of literature in an abbreviated modern version and also listened to it on tape. Students picked a key scene in the story and enacted it themselves. They chose the location of the filming according to the text and came up with creative props. They wrote the dialog for their scenes as well as the text for the narrations that accompanies the acting, and they cut the scenes together into a little video.” “I am happy to say that it was well done and very witty. There is never any harm in having fun while doing work, and I am sure these students will remember ‘Die Nibelungen’ for a long time.”

THIS IS COMMUNITY. THIS IS YOUR MUSEUM. THIS IS AUBURN. JCSM.AUBURN.EDU 17

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Autauga County Schools Auburn Jr. High Students Interview Prominent Local Figures

Dayna Browning's students at Auburn Junior High interviewed prominent local figures and had the chance to meet with ACS Superintendent Dr. Karen DeLano and City of Auburn Mayor Bill Ham (pictured). The students interviewed the two in rotation asking questions regarding topics that are being discussed in the race for U.S. President such as gun control, cyber bullying, national debt, domestic violence, ISIS and even their stance on the mascot of the Washington Redskins.

Opelika HS Rock Band Entertains

Members of the OHS Rock Band and Guitar Classes entertained students with a variety of tunes during lunch waves just before the Christmas break.

Please send school news and photos to: Kendra@auburnopelikaparents.com.

Auburn Elementary Students Studying Libertyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Legacy

ACS 3rd graders came together at the Performing Arts Center at Auburn High School to participate in the kick-off of the spring social studies curriculum "Liberty's Legacy." Auburn is just one of the stops on a state tour of Lady Liberty. Liberty's Legacy creates classroom experiences that inspire and educate young citizens and reaches beyond school walls to impact entire communities with an emphasis on America, being a good citizen and heroes of our nation. This program makes learning history, civics, character, financial literacy and career readiness exciting. During this nineweek program 3rd graders will learn the qualities of what it means to be an American as well as the opportunity to nominate someone in their school/community as a Super Citizen. This someone could be a teacher, a custodian, a principal etc.

LSA JV Girls Win the AISA State Championship

Lee-Scott Academy's JV Girls Basketball team defeated Glenwood to claim the AISA AAA Junior High State Championship. With a 28-17 win over Hooper, and a 39-28 win over Ft. Dale, the girls advanced to the championship game against top rival Glenwood. LSA secured the title for the 3rd year in a row, defeating Glenwood 23-19. Kenedi Cleveland and Haley Harper were named to the AllTournament Team and Mary Mykal Prewett was named Tournament MVP. The team is coached by Corye Ivatt. Pictured: Front Row (L-R): Kenedi Cleveland, Haley Harper, Carla Ingram, Alli Scott, Mary Mykal Prewett, Mary Kathryn Lamb, Abbie Starr. Back Row (L-R): Sidney Lee, Margaret Aldridge, Maggie Wood, Reid Hollingsworth, Olivia Davis, Kendal Hull, Mary Baxley Smith, Grace Horn, Lauren DiBenedetto, Lauren Smith, Coach Corye Ivatt and Emma Crutchfield. Auburn Opelika Parents I February 2016

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Former AHS Student Graduates from West Point Academy Julian Holloway, AHS Class of 2010, recently graduated from West Point Academy! Congratulations, Julian!

Auburn City Schools Holds Teacher Training Workshop

ACS held a special workshop for a packed house of Fifth and Sixth Grade Teachers at the Auburn Chamber of Commerce. Mr. Wes Gordon, Director, Curriculum and Professional Development, led a Vertical Team meeting focused on instruction and assessment.

Please send school news to: Kendra@ auburnopelika parents.com!

Trinity Christian Schoolâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Christmas Choral Concert

On, Thursday, December 3, the Trinity Singers, Trebles, and grammar school music students performed in the annual Christmas Choral Concert. It was a beautiful evening of songs to kick-off the Christmas Season.

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Autauga County Schools

Board of Education Honors Swim Team and Football Player

At the January 2016 ACS BOE meeting the board honored Sage Ledbetter for his state-record 61 yard field goal and the 2015-2016 7A State Champion Girls Swim Team. Sage Ledbetter kicked at 61-yard field goal on a free kick (a rule that only exists in high school and the NFL) after the Tigers fielded a punt at the 50-yard line against Smiths Station (at Smiths Station on Oct. 23), setting a new state record for longest Field Goal. The Tigers won that game 31-7. Pelham’s Michael Proctor set the AHSAA record in 1991 when he made a 60-yarder. Ledbetter, who plans to walk on at Auburn University, has plenty of leg. He made a 53-yarder earlier in the season against Enterprise and rarely misses for extra points. The Auburn High School Girls Swimming and Diving team won the Alabama High School Athletic Association (AHSAA) 6A7A State Championship on Saturday Dec. 5, 2015 at Auburn University’s James E. Martin Aquatics Center. Coached by Jeff Dellinger, the team consists of team members: Maggie Casey, Gracie Chase, Annie Francis Dallas, Hadley Dowdle, Peyton Dowdle, Savannah Hardin, Sydney Hardin, Taylor Harwell, Erin King, Anna Kate McGinty, Elley Parker, McAuley Parker, Mackenzie Phillpott, Susanna Pudner and Lauren Smith. - Maggie Casey, Annie Francis Dallas, Peyton Dowdle and Anna Kate McGinty won the 200 meter freestyle relay and set a new state record. - Hadley Dowdle, Anna Kate McGinty, Peyton Dowdle and McAuley Parker won the 400 meter freestyle and set a new state record. - Hadley Dowdle won the 100 meter freestyle. - This is the third State Championship for the AHS Girls Swimming and Diving Team.

Teachers Prep for a Great Second Semester

ACS teachers gathered at Drake Middle School to prepare for students to return to school after Christmas by engaging in rigorous discussions about great teaching and awesome students. These seventh and eighth grade teachers are ready for a spectacular second semester of the 20152016 school year.

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Kendrick Myers Named 2016 Assistant Principal of the Year

Kendrick Myers, assistant principal at Opelika High School, has been named the Alabama Assistant Principal of the Year by the Alabama Association of Secondary School Principals (AASSP). As the Alabama state winner, Myers is eligible to be selected as the 2016 National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP) National Assistant Principal of the Year. Myers has positively affected the students and faculty during his tenure at Opelika High School. He has united community efforts and school resources to provide incentives for perfect attendance. He is also credited with the implementation of an incentive program that rewards students who have no disciplinary action. Myers considers his biggest achievement to be his work with the BICS program offered through an AT&T grant. The program helps at-risk students by providing confidencebuilding activities, new experiences, college visits, leadership conferences, business tours, and other relevant visits. Because of this program, many of those at-risk students are now enrolled in or seeking post-secondary educational opportunities. “Mr. Myers has been an integral part of our school’s success in academic opportunities, attendance, and with at-risk students. He has a perfect tapestry of professional and personal qualities,” states Opelika High School Principal Dr. Farrell Seymore. “His ability to develop relationships with students, families, staff, and teachers has helped Opelika High School move this community forward.” A panel of judges selected Myers from numerous applicants across the state of Alabama. He will represent the state as the nominee for the National Assistant Principal of the Year Award. The Alabama Assistant Principal of the Year program is sponsored by the Alabama Association of Secondary School Principals. Myers will also serve a one-year term on the AASSP board of directors.

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A Page in a Book Alternative Alphabets Alphabet books are common fixtures in the literary landscape of children. The ‘A is for apple, B is for ball’ formats are popular and usually feature recognizable objects from kids’ environments to introduce the alphabet sounds. But the building blocks of our language offer much broader opportunities for artistic treatments that go beyond the customary ‘ABC’ fare. The following titles explore and celebrate the alphabet through captivating alternative avenues!

ALPHA

by Isabelle Arsenault (Candlewick Press) Based on the NATO phonetic alphabet, this title features the words that military branches, first responders and relief organizations use to clarify letters as they are spoken. For example, the word ‘five’ would be spelled ‘Foxtrot - India – Victor – Echo’ for clarification. Each letter in this book is part of a two-page spread that features an image with connections to its NATO code. Sometimes the letter/word connection to the artwork is obvious and other times it’s obscure. But always the pictures inspire thoughtful exploration and conversation between readers. Part ABC primer, part art book, ALPHA is a Tango – Oscar – Papa choice for the alphabet book shelf.

by William Joyce & Christina Ellis (Atheneum / Simon & Schuster) In a monochromatic world of no nonsense numbers, everything adds up and numerals are the name of the game. But in a place without words, there can be no books, or colors, or even pizza. So five friends in this numberly city join forces to create something...more. They begin to manipulate the numbers around them to build new shapes that will enrich their bland and orderly world. With Art Deco sensibilities, the rich sepia-tone edge-to-edge illustrations demand study as color is slowly introduced and the evolution of the alphabet breathes life into the world formerly dictated by numbers. With endless secrets to discover in the art, The Numberlys can be counted on for repeat reading.

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8: An Animal Alphabet

by Elisha Cooper (Orchard / Scholastic Press) While alphabet books that feature animals are not new to the ABC theme, this title from Elisha Cooper offers a refreshing challenge to readers. Introducing an unparalleled menagerie of creatures, each page dedicated to a letter of the alphabet features a menagerie of creatures whose name begins with the letter – including eight representations of one animal in particular. In addition to learning about more uncommon animals, readers are also encouraged to explore counting on each page to find the ‘eight’ among the many. With a fine glossary at the end of the book, this animal alphabet is a choice title to both reinforce alphabet sounds as well as introduce cool trivia about more obscure creatures around the world.

Find more A Page in a Book recommendations at www.PageBookReviews.com.

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Q. Our son just turned 8 years old. Is it

time to start giving him an allowance?

A. There’s never a time for an allowance, no matter the child’s age. In my mind, that kind of thinking is the best way to plant the seeds of entitlement. You want your son growing up with the idea that he’s owed money simply because he’s alive. Instead, work out a plan to pay him commissions. Assign him weekly chores that are age-appropriate. Then, when the work gets done, he gets paid. And guess what? If the work doesn’t get done, he doesn’t get paid! Not only do we want to teach a healthy work ethic, but we also want him to learn that work creates money. Of course, there are some things a child should be expected to do without financial reward. Everyone needs to pitch in and do certain things to help out when they’re part of a family. But once you’ve taught him about work, make sure to also teach him about the three uses for money—saving, spending, and giving. Lessons on the basic handling of money are some of the best teachable moments you can have with your child. Not

only does it make them more knowledgeable about finances, it helps them learn about life!

Q. I don’t understand why you don’t like it when people properly manage their credit cards and pay them off every month. By doing this, you pay no interest and in my case I even got a free trip to Europe from using my credit card. Please explain. A. I truly doubt that I can

explain it to your satisfaction, but here goes. First, the credit card company did not give you a free trip to Europe. They’re not going to lose money on transaction after transaction, year after year. The fallacy is that you feel like you’ve outsmarted a multi-billion dollar company that studies human behavior at incredible levels. You maybe, possibly came out ahead against them during that particular calendar year, but even that’s debatable.

Over the course of your life, you’ll spend more when using credit cards as opposed to cash. There’s plenty of research proving this to be fact. If you use a credit card repeatedly with the idea that you’re getting a free trip to Europe because you’re building up your miles, you spend more. An example would be McDonald’s. When they started taking credit cards years ago, they found that the people using them spent 47 percent more. In a good way, you are very unusual. You’re not playing over in the stupid zone like most people who use credit cards. But both I and the credit card companies have found that, on average, your behavior would put you in a class of less than one-half of one percent of their customers. Can 0.5 percent of people handling snakes manage not to get bitten? Sure. But that doesn’t mean I’m going to start recommending snakes!

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Post-partum mood disorder (PMD) is the number one complication with childbirth. It affects fifteen to twenty percent of new mothers and is often undiagnosed in women, leaving new moms worrying and wondering why they don’t feel “normal”. PMD can affect women who have had a baby, stillborn child or miscarriage, women who are pregnant, or after weaning their child from breastfeeding. PMD can include any number of symptoms: obsessive-compulsive behavior, depression, anxiety, or anger. Lindsay Bagley, a licensed mental health counselor and masterslevel therapist in Washington suggests that talking with a trusted friend is the first step in reaching out for help. Though you can’t diagnose PMD unless you are a professional, if you have a friend who you think is struggling after having a baby, there are ways that you can help them.

The Gift of a Nap

Offer to babysit so that she can take a nap. Sleep not only helps ease symptoms of PMD, it will help any mom who is feeling the toll of sleep deprivation. If she is willing, take her baby out on a walk with your own little one or let her drop her baby off at your house. You can babysit while your child is busy playing or walking and she can take a nap back at her house or at yours.

Dinner’s on You

Schedule a day and time when you can bring dinner to her house. Bringing dinner to a friend after she’s had a baby not only helps because it’s one less thing to try to do in the day, it can also help alleviate the surge in expenses that happens after a baby is born. These pressures can add to symptoms of PMD. If you are short on time, you can always pick up a premade chicken, bagged salad, slice up some apples and a frozen side dish or a homemade one. And don’t forget to throw in some chocolate!

Bring Coffee and Leave Judgments at the Door

Bring her a cup of coffee or her favorite decaffeinated drink and listen to what she is feeling and experiencing right now. Don’t dismiss or try to solve her problems, but listen and let her feel heard. It might be hard to listen without trying to fix all her problems, but a listening ear is what she really needs right now. If she says something that truly concerns you, encourage her to reach out to a professional who can help her. Auburn Opelika Parents I February 2016

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Perhaps you’ve been through PMD yourself. If you feel you can, share your experience with her and let her know that she is not alone. Sharing your experience, Bagley says, can help others feel less isolated and alone. PMD can be a very misunderstood condition and undiagnosed for so many moms. Let your friend know that she deserves health and happiness.

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Hook Her Up With a Community

Did you have a baby group that helped you feel a part of a community? Perhaps you found one through the hospital, or perhaps there is a walking group or a mommy and me class that helped you meet other moms. Let your friend know which organizations and groups were helpful to you or that you have heard about. It is empowering to have the support of new moms with babies the same age as hers, who provide a community. There is a normalizing power to realize that other moms are going through the same challenges as well.

Help Her to Reach Out Further

If your friend would like more support, she can start by contacting Post-partum Support International. PSI has a national “warm line” at 1-800-944-4773. This number is staffed by trained volunteers, some of whom have had PMD themselves. They quickly return the messages left on their confidential voicemail and can help with support, information, and resources. PSI also has information on local area coordinators who can give resource suggestions in the local area. Bagley says that if a friend thinks she may have PMD, it’s important to get help as soon as she can. Not because she needs to feel guilty, but because she is worth it. It can be hard to just listen to a friend without trying to “fix” her. You may even feel like you’re not doing enough to make a difference. However, sharing your own story and being open about your experiences lets them know they’re not alone. It also creates a better climate for others to share their thoughts and feelings. Sometimes helping a friend means being present with them through their storm and reminding them that they are not alone, it’s not their fault, and there is help. AOP

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YOUR KIDS ARE SMART WE JUST MAKE THEM SMARTER

Give your child an academic advantage in school and beyond! Kumon Math & Reading Center of Auburn - Opelika 1550 Opelika Road #9, Auburn, AL 36830 334.501.8586 • kumon.com/auburn-opelika-al

Ruth Hanley had PMD after each of her two children were born and has a special interest in helping moms advocate for themselves and know that they are not alone.

* Offer valid at participating Kumon Centers only when you enroll between 02/01 - 02/29. Most Kumon Centers are independently owned and operated. Additional fees may apply.

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Share Your Experience

334-521-0201. Kid’s and babies clothing & shoes, gifts, infants to pre-teen. Monday-Friday 10:00am-6:00pm; Saturday 10am-5pm.

Fun & Fancy 3051 Frederick Road, Suite 3, Opelika. 334-745-2237. Monday-Friday 10:00am5:30pm, Saturday 10:00am2:00pm. We can help you with gift, clothing & shoe needs from expectant mother to baby to child and beyond.

Kids Clothes Connection www.kidsclothesconnection. com; 334-524-0606. Twice a year consignment sale (Spring and Fall) for the Auburn/Opelika area. Offering gently used clothing, shoes, baby gear, baby furniture, toys, books, household items, and more.

Kidz World

Boutiques Fringe Kids (ad on page 27)

116 S. 8th Street, Opelika. 334-745-4497. Upscale children’s consignment boutique in downtown Opelika. Fringe Kids carries infant through children’s size 14/16. We accept consignment items between 10:00am-5:30pm, Monday through Saturday. Find us on Facebook!

Belliboos www.belliboos.com; 334-707-4086. Your one stop shop for personalized gifts, monogramming, and embroidery services. Whether you need Personalized Baby Gifts, personal items monogrammed, Corporate Promotional Items, or mass production services, you have come to the right place! We offer free pick-up and delivery on monogrammed orders placed in the Auburn / Opelika Area.

Dottie Ollie Hamilton Place Shopping Center, 2415 Moores Mill Road, Suite 210, Auburn. Auburn Opelika Parents I February 2016

1220 Fox Run Avenue, Opelika. USA Town Center. 334-7058098; www.usatowncenter.com Huge selection of name brand children’s clothing and accessories, featuring Little Me, Bailey Boys, Rosalina, Duck Head and more.

One Eighty Wellness Spa 1100 S. College Street Suite 204, Auburn. 824 Avenue A, Opelika. 887-1180; www.oneeightywellnessspa.com Prenatal Services include prenatal facials, massages and skincare products. We are proud to be the first in the area to carry Pretty Mommies™ Skincare Products, which are safe for both pregnant and nursing women and we use them during our Prenatal Facial Treatments and Massages. We are committed to promoting wellness during pregnancy through massage therapy. Our massage therapists are licensed with the Alabama Board of Massage Therapy and have received special Certifications in Prenatal Massage.

The Breastfeeding Boutique East Alabama Medical Center, Opelika. www.emac.org Offering the convenience of being able to purchase breastfeeding items such as pumps and replacement parts/accessories, bra pads, storage bags, and more. 26

The Mother’s Nook

3rd Floor, East Alabama Medical Center, Opelika. 334-528-3600. Breast pumps and supplies, nursing pillows, gowns for mom, bras and nursing camisoles, infant and preemie clothes, gift registry and so much more! It also features a special private room for nursing moms.

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Prenatal Physicians Baptist Medical Center East (ad on page 3)

400 Taylor Road, Montgomery. 334-273-4444; www.baptistdelivers.com Our brand new maternity rooms, are as big as they are beautiful- with more space to accommodate family and friends. You’ll find high-end finishes and modern amenities including comfortable furnishings, soothing color schemes, a special area for the bassinet, flat screen TV’s with ports to accommodate all your digital devices. And when you add the best team at the region’s #1 choice for maternity care, every new mother should feel even more comfortable.

Auburn University Medical Clinic & Women’s Health 400 Lem Morrison Drive, Auburn. 334-844-5204. Professional services include routine gynecologic care, counseling and prescribing of birth control methods, morning after contraception, referral for pregnancy alternatives and diagnosis and treatment of STDs.

East Alabama Medical Center Prenatal Clinic 2000 Pepperell Parkway, Opelika. 334-749-3411. www.eamc.org/programs Services include routine prenatal care, post-partum exams, contraceptive services, referrals, breastfeeding classes, baby walk, childbirth classes and more. Small Wonders Program-To participate in the Small Wonders Maternity Care Program you must: Apply for Medicaid or be eligible to receive Medicaid, have been denied Medicaid and have no insurance, and live in one of the following counties: Barbour, Chambers, Lee, Macon, or Russell.

East Alabama Women’s Clinic 502 East Thomason Circle, Opelika. 334-7490390. www.eawomensclinic.com If you are in need of an annual exam, are having a baby, or are experiencing menopause, our experienced doctors are ready to assist you. In addition to quality care, you’ll find information on prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of conditions that affect women of all ages. www.auburnopelikaparents.com

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Gynecology & Wellness Center 2290 Moores Mill Road #200, Auburn. 334-502-9888.

Premier OB/GYN 2412 Village Professional Drive. Opelika. 334-705-2900. www.thepremierobgyn.com Our mission is to provide exceptional, compassionate, comprehensive, cost effective quality of care to women of all ages.

Lee Obstetrics & Gynecology 2 locations: 121 North 20th Street, Opelika 334-737-0000 and 986 Drew Lane, Central Park Office Complex, Auburn. 334-821-3355; www.leeobgyn.com. Services offered- Obstetrics, gynecology, infertility, ultrasound, bone density, and childbirth classes.

Womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Hope Medical Clinic 820 Stage Road, Auburn; 334-502-7000; www.womenshope.org Walk-ins are welcome. 24 Hour Hotline800-395-HELP. All services are free and confidential including- Pregnancy testing, STI testing & referral for men and women, limited ultrasound and prenatal care, education on all pregnancy options, education on sexual integrity & building healthy relationships, parenting education to earn FREE baby supplies, adoption education and referral, abortion recovery and support, emotional support, resource and referral network for medical care, housing, and other social services.

Pediatric Care

care, laceration treatment, hospital care, in house laboratory and more.

Auburn Pediatric Dentistry

Auburn Pediatric and Adult Medicine, L.L.C.

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841 North Dean Road, Auburn. 334-826-6651; www.auburnpediatricdentistry.com We do preventative services including sealants and mouthguards. Restorative work including space maintainers.

East Alabama Pediatric Dentistry (ad on page 7)

742 North Dean Road, Auburn. 334-321-0780; www.gatorgrins.com Dentistry for children and teenagers.

Liles Pediatric Dentistry (ad on page 28)

2320 Moores Mill Road, Suite 250, Auburn. 334-887-0099; www.lilessmiles.com Offering dental services for children and adolescents.

Pediatric Associates of Auburn (ad on page 8)

411 B. Opelika Road, Auburn. 334-821-4766; www.auburnpediatricassociates.com After hours on call emergency service: 334-821-4766 or 334-737-2364. Services offered- prenatal consults, newborn care, routine physicals, immunizations, acute

2353 Bent Creek Rd # 110, Auburn. 334-887-8707. www.auburndoc.com Services offered- sick visits, newborn care, well child visits, immunizations, sports physicals and more.

Pediatric Clinic, L.L.C. 2401 Village Professional Drive, Opelika and 260 East Glenn Avenue, Auburn. 334-749-8121. www.thepedsclinic.com After hour clinics available. Provide primary care health services for infants, children and adolescents.

Parenting Programs Alabama Department of Public Health (ad on back cover)

All Kids Childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Health Insurance Program; www.adph.org; 1-888-373-5437 A low-cost, comprehensive healthcare coverage program for children under age 19. Benefits include regular check-ups and immunizations, sick child doctor visits, prescriptions, vision and dental care, hospitalization, mental health and substance abuse services, and much more. Women, Infants and Children (WIC), 1-888-942-4673, a supplemental nutrition program for pregnant women, breastfeeding

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women, women who had a baby within the last six months, infants, and children under the age of five. One must meet income requirements and have a nutritional risk that proper nutrition could help to improve. Plan First Family Planning for Women- 1-888-737-2083, Alabama’s Plan First Program is a family planning program for women ages 19 to 55. Family planning can help you and your family have a better life.

Baptist Medical Center East (ad on page 3)

400 Taylor Road, Montgomery. 334-273-4444; www.baptistdelivers.com Small Wonders- Having a baby is an exciting time for parents and families. However, it can also be a time filled with many questions about labor and delivery, parenting and safety. To help prepare expecting parents, new parents and their families, Baptist Health provides a comprehensive parent/family education program. Childbirth Preparation Class-This comprehensive four-week series covers all aspects of the labor and delivery experience, admission process, medication and anesthesia options including epidurals, Cesarean sections, coping and comfort measures including breathing and

relaxation techniques. Postpartum care and newborn characteristics are included. A maternity area tour is also included as a part of this class. All of our classes are taught by registered nurses certified in childbirth education. This class is $60 per couple. Space is limited. Registration is required. Childbirth Preparation Boot Camp- A fast paced one day class that includes the same information offered in our weekly series. Maternity Area Tour is also included as a part of this class. $60 per couple, includes 2 box lunches Prenatal Breastfeeding Class-This class provides expectant mothers with information about breastfeeding including various factors influencing lactation and advantages of breastfeeding. Class. $20 per couple. Infant Safety/CPR Class -Teaches parents and grandparents the American Heart Association’s Family and Friends CPR for infants and children including care of the choking infant, infant rescue and breathing with hands on practice using ACTAR CPR dolls for class participants. $10 per person. Caring For Your Newborn- Helps new families become familiar with the basics of caring for your infant in the first six weeks after birth. This

interactive class covers routine hospital newborn procedures along with bathing, diapering, swaddling and soothing, normal infant behavior, appearance and sleep patterns. Partners are encouraged to attend. $20 per couple.

East Alabama Birth Village www.birthvillage.org We re-create the community village for our local families. By connecting you with local businesses and birth professionals, and helping supporters network with each other, the circle in which families have to travel for birth support is minimized and personalized. We are all working together to create healthy families and a healthier community. As you navigate the childbearing years, the EABV will be a source of knowledge and resources. Pre-conception, the EABV helps you connect to fertility assistance and support. In pregnancy and birth there is an extensive list of community resources for every aspect of the childbearing year. As parents, EABV can assist you in navigating East Alabama’s family resources. If you are struggling with miscarriage, stillbirth, or infant loss, you especially need to know what support is available to you. By holding Village Gatherings, we are connect-

2320 MOORES MILL ROAD, SUITE. 250 AUBURN, AL 36830 • (334) 887-0099

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Congratulations to the Liles Smiles no cavity winners! MERRITT HAYES LORENZO VALENTINE EPHRIAM VALENTINE CURTIS YORDY KATE ARMSTRONG TIM PATTON GARNER YOUNG FRITS MICHEL MARGARET MCGILL KEVIN GIGGS VINCENT SWANN MAGGIE BEAMS NOLAN HANSAN DANIKA SUTTON FITZ HEWITT IKE HEWITT STEPHEN SUTLEY NOAH LACKEY KIPTYN MUMMA ELIANA KIM LATRELL WILLIAMS JR. DARRAH MALLORY KINLEE FOSTER MASON KINARD GRAHAM BEARDEN EMMA KATE BEARDON SHAWN STALLINGS ROSALINA GARCIA MICHAEL GARCIA MACKINZY TAYLOR NAJAVEAN DUNN

IMARI STARKS GABRIAL ESPINOZA ELIZABETH GARZEE MORGAN COLLINS JOHN HOLT THOMAS LANDON RILEY JEREMY WHITING CLINTON WHITING AYDIN HANSON LEAH GWALTNEY GAVIN LEE CHASE MORGAN EMMA JACOWAY JAALIYAH THOMAS BROOKLYN THOMAS MICHAEL KAYSER LACEY KAYSER TRENT LANCASER KALEB SMITH KOBY SMITH JADALYNN HARMON ARIEL WEST JAYLAN HAMPTON AUBREY BRADLEY MALEKAI CALLOWAY TAMRAH TUCKER JESSE JONSON JORDAN JOHNSON JILLIAN JOHNSON JUSTICE JOHNSON JAIDEN JOHNSON

SKYLAH MURPHY DELRECO MURPHY JAYDA DAVID DESTINY DAVID LAYAL COTTON MYOURI GOODMAN NOAH MERRELS EMORY MERRELS GABRIELLA IBANEZ MACHAIAH CLARK JORDEN PACKER DAVID VEASEY I’ANGEL PARHAM MAGGIE GRACE GULSBY MADISON GULSBY CHARLIE WELSH BEN WELSH KYLEIGH WHITE IDEN WHITE GRAHAM MATZ REID MATZ JOHN-HENRY BROWN JUSTIN ROGERS ALISSA WARE A’MAYA WARE ANTQUAVIOUS WOODY ALVIN WOODS III MELVIN BILLINGSLEY NYKERIA STOKES AYDEN ROBINSON BRANDON DENSON

Auburn Opelika Parents I February 2016

MAKIYA DENSON JONAH DENSON BRENT PARK JR. ALYSSA PARK KAYLEE PARK TYSON PRINCE OLIVIA NEWTON GRACIE WILLETT GRAHAM WILLETT AUTUMN LEWIS DAKOTA MILLS KIRSTEN WALDEN QUARTEZ SPARKS KARMEL TORBERT MIRANDA BUTLER VINSON BUTLER ANGEL MARTINEZ SKYLAR COLEMAN MASON SPRATLIN AVERY SPRATLIN EMMA CLAIR EARLES CAMILLA EARLES EVELYN SIMS LOUISE SIMS DYLAN FUTRAL EMMA BLERSCH HUDSON SPEIGNER KATIE MCCLAIN BENNETT HENRY JOHN TAYLOR HENRY HUDSON AYERS

SAMI DAG LADERRIOUS RAY III JORDAN JENKINS JADA WARE JAIDEN EZELL RACHEL MORALES TATI’ANNA KING NICOLE ALLEN JAQUAVION AVERY JUAN TRUJILLO MELAKHYE SIMMONS MADISON HARRISON COLIN SIMS GABRIEL COHRAN HARRISON HEATH HALLE KIRKLAND PORTER KIRKLAND ANGEL CRIM ISAIAH CRIM BRYSON MCGLYNN OMARION AYALA CAMERON JACOBS KENNEDI PROTHRO GABRIELLE JOHNSON TOCCARA JONES GRACE TRAWICK PRICE TRAWICK CALEB PARKER SHANICE POUGH ANSLEIGH BRYANT MARCUS TYSON JR. ANNE KATHERINE CORLEY MARY CHARLES CORLEY EASTON SALTER BRAYLEN CROWE LYDIA JORDAN RALEIGH ANNA HARRIS CONNIE FRANK JASEN MOORE HANNAH COFIELD VANESSA CHEN

JAQUAVIAN WOODSON RICHARD YOUNG LEE JADEN DOWDELL KELLIA MENEFEE KELLY HARMAN KYLE HARMAN MASON HARMAN MICHAEL THOMAS KIM HARMAN KAMERON NEWSON WILLIAM JONES KAMAURY SAPP KOYLEIGH NICHOLS KOLBRI CROWELL AMAR’E SWAIN JAMES TYSON NA’KAIYAH HOUSTON MIKAYLIA PAYNE BRANDON BELL WILLIAM WILDER DARIN HORN TREVOR HORN LULU WANG-HE GREGORY CALDWELL JUSTIN BENTLEY AIYDEN WHATLEY ELEANOR KIM ELLIOT KIM ANDREW LI BROOKE SCHMEAR COURTNEY BOLT DANNA MENDOZA DAYANA MENDOZA MILYANIK MENDOZA JOSEPH ALEXANDER III ASIA ALEXANDER DESTINY JAMES AVERY BEARD MADDOX BEARD WHIT YOUNG ALYSSA BRACKETT

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JAKE PINTO SETH CARPENTER ZACHARY CARPENTER WALKER MELTON JAKE WELDON CAMERON SANDERS BRODY SANDERS LILY GROVER ASHLAN DRAKE DURELL ZEIGLER CANIYA JAMES LUTHER MENEFIELD EVERLEE PEACE KATIE SALINAS DENTREVIOUS TATUM BRANDY BERRY BROOKLYN BROOK BRAYLEN TURNER JAVERIOUS ASKEW EDWARD CORBITT EMILY KATE CORBITT JUSTIN LUCAS RICHARD LUCAS JOSHUA JARRELL JOHN VIVANCO CONNER SPAIN GENESIS BEVEL TRUITT WYNNE GRAYSON PICKARD ASHER HALLMARK MILES STEWART HENRY STEWART COOPER HAYNES EMME HAYES KAYLEI TUCKER KENDRIC MCINTIRE KEMARION GOLDEN KENAIJA GOLDEN ANDRA FRANCO LYLY BALLESTEROS TRUJILLO NORA LEAF

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OPEN FEBRUARY! ing local families with each other, meeting and greeting community businesses geared towards pregnancy and motherhood, and offering educational events to help empower ourselves as citizens. Through our Birth Stories gatherings we are helping mothers share their stories in efforts to grow, heal, and celebrate together through loving compassion.

East Alabama Medical Ctr (EAMC) 2000 Pepperell Parkway, Opelika. www.eamc.org Prepared Childbirth Class- 6 week program that helps parents-to-be prepare for the birth of their baby, both physically and emotionally. Discussions in pregnancy, labor and delivery, post-partum, initial newborn care, and breastfeeding. Registration for this class should take place during the 6th month of pregnancy. To register, contact the Health Resource Center at (334) 528-1260. Breastfeeding Preparation- 2nd Saturday of each month; 10:00am-12:00noon; 3rd floor dayroom EAMC. FREE class for new mothers or pregnant women and their partners. The class includes information about breastfeeding, including techniques, storing milk, weaning, and helpful hints for working mothers. 528-1260 Breastfeeding Support Group- Each Thursday, 12:00-2:00pm. 3rd floor dayroom EAMC; FREE group provides a comfortable place for breastfeeding mothers to share ideas as well as seek emotional support. Infant weight scale available. 749-3411. Small Wonders Program- designed to ensure that every Medicaid-eligible pregnant woman has access to medical care, with the goal of lowering Alabama’s infant mortality rate and improving maternal and infant health. 1-877-503-2259.

The Parenting Assistance Line (PAL) 1-800-962-3030. www.pal.ua.edu/index2.php A collaborative service of the University of Alabama Child Development Resources and the Alabama Children’s Trust Fund. When callers call the toll-free number, a parenting resource specialist will answer the phone, listen to you, then offer helpful information and support .Parenting is tough! Call for FREE confidential help. Parent Resource Specialists are available from 8:00am-8:00pm Monday- Friday.

Women’s Hope-Parenting Education 820 Stage Road, Auburn. 334- 502-7000. www.womenshope.org; All classes are free, plus you can earn free baby items! Earn While You Learn- offers individualized video lessons for expecting parents as well as families with children of all ages. Topics include baby’s development during pregnancy, SIDS, single parenting, discipline and emergency first aid.

• • • • • •

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Cradle Club- meets on the second Thursday of each month at 6:00-7:00 p.m. Parent Talk- lunch-time program for adults only. Free lunch is provided with each session, giving parents a chance to connect with other parents for fellowship and encouragement. 24/7 Dad- focuses on characteristics every father needs and covers the universal aspects of fatherhood. Dinner and gifts are provided for the participants. Doctor Dad- teaches dads how to care for their child’s basic health and safety needs. Dinner and gifts will be provided.

Infant Classes and Play Groups Auburn Parks and Recreation (ad on page 31)

Jan Dempsey Community Arts Center, Auburn. 334-209-0171 Mommy and Me Music Class- Come dance and sing with your child! This is a fun and interactive

class for parents or caregivers and children. Class includes dancing, singing, playing instruments, and more. Based on research showing the benefits of music for brain development, this is part of The Music Class curriculum. For more information or class samples go to www. themusicclass.com.

Premier Spirit Academy (ad on page 19)

923 B Stage Road, Auburn. 334-821-7300. www.premierspiritacademy.com Parent & Tot Class- ages 18 to 35 months. Each student is accompanied by a parent or guardian who participates in the learning of basic tumbling skills. Parents help their child on the equipment as well as their interaction with other children. This class also emphasizes development of the child’s overall muscle tone, balance, flexibility and perceptual skills as well as listening, self-discipline and social interaction.

Auburn Public Library 749 East Thatch Avenue, Auburn. 334-501-3190. Baby Time- Meets each Tuesday, 10:00am and

1:00pm, for ages birth-24 months and their caregivers. Toddler Time- Meets each Wednesday, 10:00am and 1:00pm, for ages 18 months-36 months and their caregivers. Preschool Time- Meets each Thursday, 10:00am and 1:00pm, for ages 3-5 years and their caregivers.

Healthplus Fitness Center

1171 Gatewood Drive #101, Auburn. 334-887-5666; www.healthplusfitness.com Infant Swimming Resource™ - a nationally recognized survival swimming program which teaches infants and toddlers ages 6 months to 6 years using the ISR Self-Rescue™ method. ISR also provides parents with drowning prevention resources. Water Babies - Baby’s first swim lesson. American Red Cross Parent and Child Aquatics builds swimming readiness by emphasizing fun in the water. Parents and children class; eight 30-minute sessions that help children learn elementary skills, including water entry, bubble blowing, front kicking, back floating, underwater exploration, and more. Children must be at least 6 months old to participate.

Celebrating 25 years! Li v i ng. Lovin g. Lear n in g.

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

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334-501-2044 | 644 North Dean Road, Auburn, AL M-F 6:30am - 6:30pm | Ages 6 weeks – 12 years

Become a Leader For a complete listing of camps and programs, go to auburn.edu/summercamps, call 334-844-5100, or email auyouth@auburn.edu.

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Kindermusik at AUMC Auburn United Methodist Church, 137 South Gay Street, Auburn. 334-826-8800. www.aumc.net; Kindermusik is the world’s leading music and movement program for children from birth to 7 years old. Offering all types of music, storytelling, movement, sign language and more. Ages newborn -7 years.

MOPS www.facebook.com/AuburnOpelikaMops A faith-based organization geared towards mothers of preschoolers! It was created and continues to be encouraged to help mothers come together to allow them fellowship time with one another and time for their children to have fellowship, meet new friends, socialize and give mom a break.

My Gym Auburn 300 N Dean Rd Ste 6, Auburn. 334- 246-0987, www.mygym/auburn.com This program and facility devised to help children 6 weeks thru 10 years of age develop physically, cognitively and emotionally. We offer structured, age-appropriate, weekly classes that incorporate music, dance, relays, games, special rides, gymnastics, sports and more. Children have loads of fun as they gain strength, balance, coordination, agility and flexibility while developing social skills, confidence and self-esteem. Our stateof-the-art facility, extensively trained staff, award-winning class programs, and excellent student/teacher ratio have earned My Gym the reputation as the best early learning program of its kind.

Opelika Parks and Recreation- Opelika SportsPlex 1001 Andrews Road, Opelika. 334-705-5560 Parent & Me Swim- Designed for parents interested in acquainting their young children to the water in a fun and safe environment. Teaches infants, toddlers, and preschoolers’ water adjustment, blowing bubbles, underwater exploration and many other skills. Ages 6 months-3 years.

Photography Picture Perfect by Candy (ad on page 31)

Candy Avera, 334-663-6643 and 334-501-1613; www.pictureperfectbycandy.com Professional photographer specializing in contemporary professional portraiture for all your life’s milestones! Make your photo sessions and memories Picture Perfect! AOP 31

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Getting the Wheels Rolling

Recommending the Best Toys and Products for Kids

Most adults can still remember the heady feeling of independence that accompanied acquiring their license to drive. It’s a feeling that isn’t limited to teens. The mastery of forward motion on wheels drives a satisfying sense of freedom at every age. When kids get their first set of wheels, it puts them on the road to independence as well as enhancing gross motor skills, cultivating balance and developing coordination. The following rides are great starts toward getting little ones rolling on the road to independence.

by Gerry Paige Smith

Fly Bike

Radio Flyer Ziggle

Ideal for riders on the go, the Fly Bike is ready to roll at a moment’s notice. Designed for indoor and outdoor use, the Fly Bike offers a threewheeled base for beginning gliders. Pedal-free, the bike is propelled by feet and sized for the littlest riders who feel too big to be pushed (and are young yet for balance bikes). The added appeal of the Fly Bike is its portability. It folds down into a small bundle that kids can easily carry and it stores in the back seat of a car. The Fly Bike goes everywhere so little riders can roll anywhere they go.

Powered by kid energy alone, the Radio Flyer Ziggle is all action for young riders. Kids generate forward motion on the Ziggle by twisting the handlebars while wiggling the back. The caster-style wheels also create the opportunity for 360 degree travel and turns. As riders develop their “Ziggle wiggle”, they can explore the spin-out capabilities of the widebased, low-sling Ziggle. The Ziggle doesn’t have brakes, so it’s ideal for riding and spinning on flat surfaces. For the kid with energy to burn, or the child who needs more physical activity, exercise is definitely a benefit that comes with the Ziggle!

(Chrome Inc)

(Radio Flyer)

Batman Baby Walker

PlasmaBike (PlaSmart)

With a cool design that mimics the fast track racers, the PlasmaBike has all the visual cues of a speed bike. But it’s actually a much simpler ride. The PlasmaBike is crafted with lightweight, safe materials and has no gears, chains or pedals. It’s extra wide wheels and limited turn range help little riders keep this balance bike upright in its stationary position. Bolstering their confidence as they develop their coordination, the PlasmaBike combines bike fun with balance training as kids cultivate their skills on wheels.

(Kids Embrace)

Babies know that they’ve leveled up once they age into the walker that allows them to move about, to have some autonomy. It’s a small but important step when toddlers learn that they can control the motion of their conveyance. And, if we’re honest, there really is no cooler conveyance than a baby Batmobile. The Baby Batman walker features all the awesome hallmarks of the DC detective’s ride, as well as an activity tray with a key that starts a rumbling engine sound, a gear shift, lights and more. Adjustable heights and a high backrest ensure comfort for the babe behind the wheel. It’s true that there are other rolling walkers available, but if there’s a Batman wheeled walker...always be Batman.

Paige Smith is a freelance writer and syndicated columnist living in Alabama. More on GET THIS! at www.PageBookMedia.com.

Auburn Opelika Parents I February 2016

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Contracts for Connected Families In general, families run better with good rules, so it’s not surprising that parents want to make rules about how kids use technology. Lots of organizations have offered well-intended versions of online do’s and don’ts. And plenty of parents have written about their efforts to create guidelines governing what kids can and can’t do with computers, video games and cellphones. Although rules have their place, they don’t last long online. A rule that seemed perfectly reasonable yesterday may be outdated (and easy to ignore) tomorrow. In such a rapidly evolving environment, many parents are turning to something more flexible—contracts that they write—and rewrite—with their children. One particularly engaging example of this kind of contract was written by Dr. Lynn Schofield Clark, author of The Parenting App: Understanding Families in the Digital Age. Clark says her goal was to “put learning first,” by encouraging her kids to think for themselves about what kinds of online experiences were good for their family. She was also open to the possibility that her kids would want to make rules about her use of technology. Although her approach might not work in every family, it does lay the groundwork for open conversations, making it more likely that children will turn to parents if they encounter online situations that are confusing or risky. The kind of Technology Contract likely to work in your household will, of course,

depend upon the ages and inclinations of your kids. Regardless of age, here are some questions that need to be considered: What interactive devices are being used in our family? You’ll want different rules for cellphones, tablets, computers and gaming systems. If family members share equipment, you may need to establish priorities—for example, homework takes precedence over games and social media. Your contract can also specify how you will share interactive experiences. Will you play games together? Share videos? Create a shared album of favorite digital photos? What kind of supervision makes sense? The right kind of supervision makes kids feel safer and reinforces a sense of conscience. Will you check phone bills for calls to numbers you don’t recognize? Will you use monitoring software that alerts you if your child strays onto an adult website or sends too much personal information? Be open about what you plan to do and why. How much time should we spend online? Think about when it’s okay or even necessary to be connected. When is it important to be offline? As individuals? As a family? Some parents set up a docking station for cellphones in the kitchen or family room. At agreed upon times, all devices go to sleep. What information are we willing to share online? What one person posts on a social media site often has implications for other family members, so it’s important to discuss what can be shared online. Is it ever appropriate to post an address or phone number? How much are you willing to divulge about where you live, what you are doing and family activities including vacations? When is it okay for parents to post pictures of kids and vice versa? How will we keep our family Internet system secure? You have rules about lock33

ing the door when you leave the house. Establish similar policies about online security. Is it ever okay to share passwords with anyone except parents? What are house rules about downloads including games, music and videos? Kids need to know that these often carry malware which can compromise family security. Who is allowed to purchase things online? Think about physical items—clothing, posters—as well as virtual goods— games, music, books. Younger children should get permission for any purchase. For teens, an online allowance may be appropriate. Like any allowance, agree in advance on terms—is the money contingent on behavior, chores, grades? What kinds of online activity should kids report to parents? Being online involves trust because parents can’t supervise the way they can in other settings. Establish the expectation that your child will come to you immediately if he or she encounters bullying, sexting or any kind of invitation from online strangers. What are the penalities for breaking the contract? Losing access to a device is an obvious consequence (for adults as well as kids). Your contract might also include the possibility of additional monitoring for family members who don’t follow the rules. When will we renegotiate the contract? As kids demonstrate online responsibility, they should be able to earn new technology privileges. To be honest, in many families, your kids (or your spouse) will roll their eyes if you suggest drawing up an actual contract. Remember that the point of this exercise isn’t necessarily to get something in writing. Instead, you want to have ongoing conversations that help you understand how your children are using technology. Only then can you make rules that will help your kids become as safe and responsible online as they are in the real world. Carolyn Jabs, M.A., raised three computer savvy kids including one with special needs. She has been writing Growing Up Online for ten years and is working on a book about constructive responses to conflict. Visit www.growing-up-online.com to read other columns. @ Copyright, 2016, Carolyn Jabs. All rights reserved.

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Throughout your pregnancy, you eat the right foods, drink plenty of fluids, rest and try to keep stress to a minimum. You might think once your baby arrives that you can relax your self-care regimen, but caring for yourself should remain a top priority to ensure the health of both of you.

Also, stock up on protein-packed snacks to keep your energy up especially if you plan to breastfeed. Choose simple, healthy snacks like cheese sticks, almonds, rotisserie chicken, yogurt and energy bars. Consult with your physician to determine how many extra calories you should be consuming each day according to your activity level, weight and if you choose to nurse.

Drink plenty of water. “The key to optimal recovery after

Sleep when the baby sleeps. “Those first days home

delivery is fluid hydration with water,” says Dr. Gina Petelin, OB/ GYN. “This is important for replenishing your body after significant fluid losses.”

from the hospital, rest, rest, rest and spend as much time skinto-skin with your baby as you can,” says Teresa Marshall, a birth and postpartum doula. “This will truly make for a smoother transition for baby from womb to room and for mama, as well.”

Nourish yourself. Before the baby arrives, assemble

healthy meals ahead of time to stash in your freezer. In the midst of caring for a newborn, you’ll be less likely to eat poorly when you can quickly pop a nutritious, ready-made meal into the oven or crockpot. Auburn Opelika Parents I February 2016

Tricia Walania, a postpartum emotional support program coordinator, says that rest is one of the best ways you can care for yourself. “Being rested helps you cope more effectively with 34

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both physical and emotional changes,” she says. Unable to catnap? Relax with your eyes closed.

Integrate gentle exercise. Many

moms are surprised that they still look pregnant after delivery. “Don’t panic; that’s normal,” Petelin says. Although the uterus decreases in size right away, you will still appear to be about five months pregnant when leaving the hospital. By following a healthy diet and exercising according to your doctor’s instructions, you’ll get back to your pre-pregnancy body. Many moms enjoy group exercise activities like “mommy and me” yoga and Fit4Mom (formerly Stroller Strides) where you’ll also experience companionship with other moms. Walking is also beneficial. Not only will you get exercise, a stroll around the block on a sunny day will do wonders for your emotional well-being and give you a boost of vitamin D.

Got Dust? It's virtually impossible to avoid—and it can trigger an asthma attack. Asthma is characterized by excessive sensitivity of the lungs to various stimuli. Certain triggers—ranging from viral infections to allergies to irritating gases and particles in the air—can make asthma worse. Each child reacts differently to the factors that may trigger asthma.

We can help you recognize what makes your child's asthma worse and find simple solutions to reduce and avoid asthma attacks.

Take extra care if you’ve had a cesarean delivery and only gradually increase your activity level according to your doctor’s instructions. Current recommendations include no driving the first two weeks postpartum and no heavy lifting (anything over 15 pounds) for the first six weeks.

Expect hormonal changes. Many

new moms feel overwhelmed, tired, anxious, tearful or mildly depressed. “Exhaustion, hormonal changes and isolation after the birth of a baby may lead to what is referred to as ‘baby blues,’” Walania says. “To some degree this happens to everyone. It’s natural and not permanent.”

ChildrensAL.org/asthma

Asthma Clinic Specialized asthma care for: l

Children with severe asthma Children with repeat hospital and/or urgent care visits Children and families with unique asthma education needs l Children with other conditions that make asthma hard to control l l

Appointments made by physician referral only. For appointments, call: 205.638.9583

Talk to your doctor if symptoms persist for more than two weeks. Anxiety and depression can also be linked to thyroid issues, low levels of iron and vitamin D.

Tap your village. “I would recommend reaching out. Don’t be afraid to ask for help or just a visit,” Marshall says. Often friends and family members are eager to assist by holding the baby or watching siblings to give you a chance to nap, shower, go for a walk or run an errand. “You have to take care of yourself in order to be able to take care of your baby,” Walania says. While social media can help you feel connected to the outside world, nothing can quite replace a deeply satisfying conversation with a friend or a warm hug.

ChildrensAL.org/asthma For Children’s Financial Assistance information contact 1.844.750.8950 or visit www.childrensal.org/financial-assistance

Get together for coffee, lunch or a walk. If your network feels inadequate, join a mothers’ group or look for parent-child gatherings in your neighborhood through Meetup.com. (Also, refer to the New & Expectant Parents’ Guide and the Support Group section of this issue.) The sooner you seek support, the faster you can start feeling like yourself again.

Nurture your spirit. You may be a mom now, but you aren’t only a mom. Take time to do the things that have always brought you personal fulfillment and joy, whether that’s crafting, relaxing in a warm bath, browsing at a boutique or lunching with a friend. When you are happier and healthier, your baby will be too. AOP

“We don’t want anyone to miss out on the first months of their baby’s life because they don’t feel like themselves and aren’t able to enjoy it like they had hoped,” Walania says.

Freelance journalist Christa Melnyk Hines and her husband are the parents of two boys. Christa is the author of Confidently Connected: A Mom’s Guide to a Satisfying Social Life, a resource that helps moms build a strong support network.

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Family Calendar Ongoing:

A2Z Local Homeschooler’s Association For homeschooling families in the Auburn/Opelika Lee County area of Alabama. A2Z Loop is an all-inclusive support group open to all homeschool families in the Auburn/Opelika area regardless of differences in beliefs, cultures, nationality, race, religion, or method of home schooling. For more information call 334-7281162 or email: momofpnk@gmail.com. Alabama Dance Festival Jan. 9 - 31. Birmingham. www.alabamadancefestival.org. Alabama Mentor’s Foster Parent Training Classes Offered in the Opelika Auburn area. Call 334-705-8877 x 18 to register or email: Deanna.Hand@thementornetwork.com. Alabama Shakespeare Festival • “Ain’t Misbehavin’”. Jan. 28 - Feb. 13. Alabama Shakespeare Festival. www.asf.net. Auburn Parks Now Hiring for 2016 Pool Season 334-501-2930. Jan. 4 - Feb. 28. Birmingham Children’s Theatre • “Tuxedo Junction”. Feb. 2 - 19. • “Jack and the Beanstalk”. Feb. 1 - April 22. Birmingham Children’s Theatre. www.bbc123.org. Birmingham Civil Rights Institute • Helen Keller Student Art Show of Alabama. Feb. 2 - 29. www.bcri.org. Bosom Buddies (a breast cancer support group) Meets at The Health Resource Center the first Thursday of the month at 6 p.m. (334) 528-1260. www.eamc.org. Center for Puppetry Arts www.atlanta.net. Chick-fil-A Family Night at Tigertown Every Thursday night. DeSoto Caverns Park • Creation: Sound, Water, Lazer and Light Show. Jan. 4 - 31. • Valentine’s Day Water, Sound, Light and Laser Show. Feb. 1 - 14. www.DeSotoCavernsPark.com. Discovery Hikes Explore the preserve and learn something new each month about plants, wildlife and nature with a trained naturalist who will offer your family fun opportunities for hands-on learning, exploration, and exercise! Discovery Hikes are offered the second Tuesday of each month from 3:30 – 4:30 p.m. For families with children ages 5 to 12. Free admission. Donations welcomed. Cancelled in the event of rain. Forest Ecology Preserve & Nature Center is located at 2222 N. College Street, Auburn, and is just north of the AU Fisheries complex. East Alabama Birth Village 3rd Monday of each month. Monarch Estates, Auburn. 6 p.m. www.birthvillageclass.com Expressions of a BraveHeart Program A fine arts program for teens and young adults with special needs (ages 11–21), sponsored by Opelika Parks and Recreation, utilizing Auburn University faculty and students, as well as community volunteers. Two 30-minute sessions of art, dance/creative movement and music will be offered and participants will select 2 of the 3 classes. Expressions meets every 2nd and 4th Monday twice a month for 1.5 hours. Opelika Sportsplex, 334.705.5560. www.opelikasportsplex.com. Family Theatre • “Stone Soup.” Feb. 19 - Mar. 5. Family Theatre, Columbus. www.familytheatre.org. The Fox Theatre “The Book of Mormon”. Jan. 12 - 24. “Beauty and the Beast”. Feb. 2 - 7. www.foxtheatre.org. Jan Dempsey Community Arts Center • Art Gallery 2016: Photo Invitational. Jan. 1 - 29. • Art Gallery 2016: Winter Invitational Paint. Jan. 11 Feb. 26. Jan Dempsey Community Arts Center. Auburn. www.auburnalabama.org/parks.

Auburn Opelika Parents I February 2016

January/February2016

Jewish Film Festival Jan. 26 - Feb. 18. Atlanta. www.atlanta.net. Jule Collins Smith Museum • 1072 Society Exhibition. Through January 24. • Auburn University Department of Art and Art History Studio Faculty Exhibition. Jan. 23 - Mar. 20. • Winter Denizens, The Sweet Birds Sing Selected Works from the Louise Hauss and David Brent Miller Au. Jan. 30 - May 15. Jule Collins Smith Museum, Auburn. www.jcsm.auburn.edu. Lee County Department of Human Resources Now recruiting foster/adoptive families. To learn more about fostering and adoption please call our office at 334-737-1100. Please join us in this endeavor to help our foster children. Lee County Parents of Chinese Children helps children understand, see and grow up with other families that look like their family (white parents/Asian child). The group is 100% free! We try to eat out at Asian establishments monthly and have playdates. Families that are waiting to adopt are welcome! We accept any families with adopted children from all Asian countries. Contact Melody at mmhilyer@bellsouth.net for more information. McWane Science Center • Body Worlds Rx. Jan. 27 - May 1. McWane Science Center, B’ham. www.mcwane.org. Meditation Garden and Labyrinth Come and Find the Quiet Center... in the Meditation Garden and Labyrinth, provided as a community service by Village Christian Church, 700 East University Drive, (across from Auburn Early Ed.). 334-887-5111. Try the practice of walking meditation or simply sit and enjoy the sights and sounds. The garden and labyrinth are always open and guests are always welcome. Miracle League Now recruiting for volunteer/buddies to help in this year’s season. To volunteer or for more information, www.miraclefield.org or eamiracleleague@gmail.com. Montgomery Zoo www.montgomeryzoo.com. Opelika-Auburn Newcomers Club A club for new women in town which offers fun social activities, meets for lunch on the 3rd Thursday of every month. Call Joan at 501-4974. Pioneer Museum Pioneer Museum, Troy. www.pioneer-museum.org. Riverside Theatre Riverside Theatre, Columbus State. www.theatre.columbusstate.edu/productions Samford University Amos Paul Kennedy, Jr. Printmaker Visual Visiting Artist Series. Feb. 1 - 25. Samford University, Bham. www.tickets.samford.edu. Springer Opera House “To Kill a Mockingbird”. Jan. 20 - 31. Telfair Peet Theatre • “Assassins” presented by AU Theatre Dept. Feb. 25 - Mar. 6. Telfair Peet Theatre. www.cla.auburn.edu/theatre. UniverSoul Circus Feb. 17 - 28. The Green Lot at Turner Field. Atl. Virginia Samford Theatre Virginia Samford Theatre, Birmingham. www.virginiasamfordtheatre.org.

Parents Support & Moms Groups

Auburn Mommies, a fun group of moms in the Auburn/Opelika area that meet weekly for playgroups and Mommy and Me walking twice a week. We also have a Mommies Night Out once a month. Http:// groups.yahoo.com/group/auburnmommiesinalabama/. Auburn Mommy and Me

Big Dog Running Co, Auburn. 10–11 a.m. Social time, story time, music/movement, arts & crafts. Ages 9 months–3 years. Free! 334-209-2580. Auburn MOPS 1st Wednesday of each month, September-May. 9–11:30 a.m. Trinity United Methodist Church, Opelika. Meetings open to moms with preschool children ages 5 years and under. $5 per meeting; childcare $5 per child. $25 yearly membership dues. Weekly playdates, monthly moms night out, resources, and more. www.facebook.com/ AuburnOpelikaMOPS; AUMOPS@yahoo.com. Breast Feeding class meets the second Saturday of each month from 10 a.m. to noon on EAMC’s third floor. Call 528-1260 to register. La Leche League, a support group for nursing moms, meets the 2nd Thursday of each month at 6:30 p.m. @ Cornerstone Family Chiropractic, Airport Plaza, 323 Airport Road Suite E, Auburn. For more information call LLL of Auburn/Opelika, Leader, Josie Ettinger (h)334257-3950 or (c)334-740-8780. Main Street Farmer’s Market June 14-October 25. Broad Street, Alexander City. 256-329-9227. MOMS Club of Auburn, a group of stay-at-home moms that meets about twice a week to provide support for each other and fun interaction for kids. New website is www.auburnmoms.com. Parent Educational Workshop - Autism 2nd Tuesday of each month, 6:00-7:30 p.m. at Trinity United Methodist Church, 800 2nd Avenue, Opelika. Parent Support Group - Autism 1st Monday (unless national holiday), 9:00-11:00 a.m. Location varies so check www.leecountyautism.com for complete information. Single Moms Outreach of East Alabama Single Moms Outreach of East Alabama offers 2nd Saturdays, group classes, and more. Contact Penny Messer at 334-444-6827. Email smoea@bellsouth. net. Website www.smoea.vpweb.com or find us on facebook. Teen Moms (for moms under 20) is a ministry that connects trained adults with pregnant girls and teenage moms. Support meetings, classes, job preparation, devotions and games. Call Laura Fuller at laura@insideyfc.com or 334-501-5637. www.insideyfc.com.

Mom’s Morning Out

Auburn United Methodist Church, Children’s Day Out Program, every Monday-Thursday from 9 a.m.–12 noon. $10 per child for the entire morning, $2 each additional child. Attendance will be on a first come-first served basis. Contact Barbara Dawsey at 826-8800 for more information. Trinity United Methodist Church (Opelika) Wednesdays and Fridays from 8:45–12. $15 per child, $5 each additional.

Support Groups

Caregiver Support Group Caring for a family member or friends can be rewarding, but it’s not easy. Whether you are the caregiver for your parents, spouse or a dependent child, this group is for you! Learn ways to cope with every day stresses of caring for someone you love. Gain tools and resources to help you on your journey. This program is supported by the Opelika Sportsplex, Lee-Russell Agency on Aging and HomeInstead Senior Care. This group is open to the public. Meets the last Monday of each month at 12:30 p.m. at Opelika Sportsplex AAC. Instructors are: Valeri White (Sportsplex), Bridgette Sager (Home Instead Senior Care), Lisa Askew (Lee-Russell Council of Gov). Food Allergy Support of East Alabama

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Family Calendar The Food Allergy Support of East Alabama group offers support through the sharing of information and resources. We are also working to increase awareness of food allergies in the state of Alabama. For more information, visit our website at www. foodallergysupporteastal.org or call Barbara at 334826-3082; bkg2007@bellsouth.net. GRACE - Post-Abortive Support Group Are you struggling with feelings of regret or sadness from having a pregnancy termination in your past? Do you feel like you can’t share these struggles with anyone? Would you like to find healing and forgiveness? You are not alone. Women’s Hope Medical Clinic wants to help you! You are invited to take part in our GRACE abortion recovery group. This confidential group gives you the opportunity to process the grief of your termination in a safe and non-judgmental setting. If you would like more information about the times, dates and location for this group, call or e-mail Sherry at Women’s Hope: 334.502.7000 or sherry@ womenshope.org Don’t let the regret of the past rob you of the joy in the future. Call us today. We are here to help.

Sports

Auburn Baseball Feb. 19, 20, 21, 23, 24, 26, 27, 28. Auburn Softball Feb. 11-14. Auburn Tennis Jan. 15, 30. Feb. 6, 7, 13, 19, 20. Auburn Equestrian Jan. 30. Feb. 27. Auburn Gymnastics Jan. 15, 22. Feb. 12, 26. Auburn Basketball Jan. 16, 19, 30. Feb. 2, 13, 20, 24. Auburn Women’s Basketball Jan. 21, 24. Feb. 4, 14, 21, 25. Auburn Swimming & Diving Jan. 15, 29. Feb. 19-21. Columbus Cottonmouths Hockey Jan. 15, 22, 23. Feb. 5, 7, 12, 14.

Monday, January 18 Free Fee Day at Tuskegee National Forest www.fs.usda.gov. Military Monday at Georgia Aquarium www.georgiaaquarium.org. Half Price Day at Birmingham Zoo www.birminghamzoo.com.

Tuesday, January 19

Meet Me at the Museum 12:20 p.m. Columbus Museum. www.columbusmuseum.com. Baby Time Auburn Public Library. 10 a.m. & 1 p.m. www.auburnalabama.org/library. “Annie” RiverCenter for the Performing Arts. www.rivercenter. org.

Wednesday, January 20 Toddler Time Auburn Public Library. 10 a.m. & 1 p.m. www.auburnalabama.org/library. Madonna Rebel Heart Tour Phillips Arena, Atlanta. www.ticketmaster.com.

Thursday, January 21 Jazz! Food! Art! Jule Collins Smith Museum of Fine Art. 5 p.m. www.jcsm.auburn.edu.

January/February2016

Big Read Lecture: Troublemakers and Trailblazers 6 p.m. Columbus Museum. www.columbusmuseum. com. Preschool Time Auburn Public Library. 10 a.m. & 1 p.m. www.auburnalabama.org/library. Gamer’s Society Auburn Public Library. 4 p.m. Ages 10-18. www. auburnalabama.org/library. Third Thursday Poetry Series Jule Collins Smith Museum of Fine Art. 6:30 p.m. www.jcsm.auburn.edu. K-12 Art Club Jule Collins Smith Museum of Fine Art. 1:30 p.m. www.jcsm.auburn.edu. Third Friday in Forest Park B’ham. Forest-Park-Village Facebook.

Saturday, January 23

Family Resource Center presents James Dean, ‘Pete the Cat’ EventCenter Downtown, Opelika. 8 a.m. Prattville Mardi Gras Parade & Celebration www.prattvilleal.gov. Spare the Rod, Spoil the Child RiverCenter for the Performing Arts. www.rivercenter. org. Legomania Auburn Public Library. 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. www.auburnalabama.org/library. Boyz II Men Wind Creek Casino & Hotel, Wetumpka. www. ticketmaster.com. Exhibition Opens: AU Faculty Exhibition Jule Collins Smith Museum of Fine Art. www.jcsm. auburn.edu. “Cinderella” Alabama Shakespeare Festival. www.asf.net. Eye Spy Scavenger Hunt FDR State Park, Ga. 706-663-4858.

Sunday, January 24 Family Story Time Auburn Public Library. 4 p.m. www.auburnalabama.org/library. “Cinderella” Alabama Shakespeare Festival. www.asf.net.

Monday, January 25 Military Monday at Georgia Aquarium www.georgiaaquarium.org.

Tuesday, January 26

An Evening with Art Garfunkel Samford University, B’ham. www.tickets.samford.edu. Intergalatic Nemesis: Target Earth: A Live Action Graphic Novel RiverCenter for the Performing Arts. www.rivercenter. org. Baby Time Auburn Public Library. 10 a.m. & 1 p.m. www.auburnalabama.org/library. LitWits Auburn Public Library. 4:30 p.m. Ages 13-18 years. www.auburnalabama.org/library.

Wednesday, January 27 Toddler Time Auburn Public Library. 10 a.m. & 1 p.m. www.auburnalabama.org/library. A Little Art Talk Jule Collins Smith Museum of Fine Art. 12 p.m. www.jcsm.auburn.edu. Body Worlds Rx McWane Science Center, Birmingham. www.mcwane. org.

Ringling Bros and Barnum & Bailey Circus BJCC. www.ticketmaster.com.

Thursday, January 28

Jazz! Food! Art! Jule Collins Smith Museum of Fine Art. 5 p.m. www.jcsm.auburn.edu. Keynote Address of the 2016 Georgia History Festival 6 p.m. Columbus Museum. www.columbusmuseum. com. Preschool Time Auburn Public Library. 10 a.m. & 1 p.m. www.auburnalabama.org/library. Gamer’s Society Auburn Public Library. 4 p.m. Ages 10-18. www.auburnalabama.org/library. “Peppa the Pig” Alabama Theatre, Birmingham. www.ticketmaster.com. Ringling Bros and Barnum & Bailey Circus BJCC. www.ticketmaster.com.

Friday, January 29

Chuck Brodsky in Concert at Sundilla AUUF on Thach Ave. 7:30 p.m. www.sundillamusic. com. Opening Lecture: Sue Coe Jule Collins Smith Museum of Fine Art. 6 p.m. www.jcsm.auburn.edu. Macklemore and Ryan Lewis The Fox Theatre, Atlanta. www.foxtheatre.org. Ringling Bros and Barnum & Bailey Circus BJCC. www.ticketmaster.com.

Saturday, January 30

Knights of Ecor Rouge Mardi Gras Parade Fairhope. www.cofairhope.com. Mystic Mutts of Revelry Parade Fairhope. www.cofairhope.com. Senior Bowl Ladd-Peebles Stadium, Mobile. www.seniorbowl.com. Birmingham Feline Fanciers CFA AllBreed Cat Show Irondale. www.birminghamfelinefanciers.com. Millbrook Revelers Mardi Gras Festival and Parade www.millbrookrevelers.org. Hangzhou Philharmonic Orchestra with Midori Opelika Center for the Performing Arts. 7:30 p.m. www.eastalabamaarts.org. Exhibition Opening: Winter Denizens Jule Collins Smith Museum of Fine Art. www.jcsm. auburn.edu. Young Eagles Day–FREE Airplane Rides for Kids! Columbus Airport. Ages 8-17. 8:30-11:30 a.m. (weather permitting). 706-324-2453. “The Very Hungry Caterpillar” RiverCenter for the Performing Arts. www.rivercenter. org. Legomania Auburn Public Library. 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. www.auburnalabama.org/library. Ringling Bros and Barnum & Bailey Circus BJCC. www.ticketmaster.com. Mardi Gras Madness 5K Columbus. www.bigdogrunning.com. Eye Spy Scavenger Hunt FDR State Park, Ga. 706-663-4858.

Sunday, January 31

Birmingham Feline Fanciers CFA AllBreed Cat Show Irondale. www.birminghamfelinefanciers.com. “Peter and the Wolf” Presented by Columbus Symphony Orchestra and The Columbus Ballet. RiverCenter for the Performing Arts. www.rivercenter.org.

www.facebook.com/auburnopelika.parents

Family Calendar Ringling Bros and Barnum & Bailey Circus BJCC. www.ticketmaster.com. Peppa Pig Live! Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre. Atlanta. www.ticketmaster.com.

Monday, February 1

Alabama Lifestyles Expo Orange Beach, Al. www.alabamaadvantage.com. Exhibition: #NoFrames Opens Jule Collins Smith Museum of Fine Art. www.jcsm. auburn.edu.

Tuesday, February 2 Home School Science & History Days Oxbow Meadows, Columbus. www.oxbow. columbusstate.edu.

Wednesday, February 3 A Little Art Talk Jule Collins Smith Museum of Fine Art. 12 p.m. www.jcsm.auburn.edu. Black History Month Kickoff, Speaker: Jay Smooth Auburn University. www.auburn.edu.

Thursday, February 4 Trivia Night RTJ Grand National. (334)737-2187. Southern Circuit Tour of Independent Films Jule Collins Smith Museum of Fine Art. 5 p.m. www.jcsm.auburn.edu. Jazz! Food! Art! Jule Collins Smith Museum of Fine Art. 5 p.m. www.jcsm.auburn.edu. Middle School Honor Band Goodwin Hall, Auburn Campus. www.auburn.edu.

Friday, February 5

Maids of Jubilee Mardi Gras Parade Fairhope. www.cofairhope.com. A Cappella Choir Choral Vespers Series Samford University. www.tickets.samford.edu. Diana Ross BJCC. www.ticketmaster.com. First Fridays Downtown Opelika. 5-8 p.m. First Fridays ‘Satin Soul’ Event Center Downtown, Opelika. 7 p.m. www.eventcenterdowntown.com.

Saturday, February 6

Beaker Bash 2016: The Galactic Road Trip McWane Science Center. Birmingham. www.mcwane. org. Dad’s League ‘Be a Hero’. 12:30-4pm. Opelika High School. www.dleagueconnects.org The Great Backyard Bird Count Chewacla State Park, Auburn. Hudson Family Foundation Cocktail Party & Concert at the Arena at Auburn www.hudsonfamilyfoundation.com. Mystic Revelers Mardi Gras Parade Bay Minette. www.discovernorthbaldwin.com. Alabama Wildlife Center’s Wild About Chocolate www.awrc.org. 4th Annual Order of Cimarrón Mardi Gras Celebration Wetumpka.

Auburn Opelika Parents I February 2016

January/February2016

4th Annual AnniCon Anniston. www.annicon.com. Mardi Gras Parade and Gala Talladega. www.talladegaritz.com. Home Depot Kids Workshop ‘Valentine Mailbox’ 9 a.m. Opelika. www.homedepot.com. Kathleen Madigan – The Mermaid Lady Tour Montgomery Performing Arts Centre. www.mpaconline. org.

Sunday, February 7

Hudson Family Foundation Super Bowl Bash at The Arena at Auburn University www.hudsonfamilyfoundation.com. Hank Williams Museum Open House Montgomery. Signature Sunday 3 p.m. Columbus Museum. www.columbusmuseum.com. American Girl: Girls Just Like Me - Baking from the Heart Birmingham Botanical Gardens. 205-414-3950.

Monday, February 8

Order of Mystic Magnolias Mardi Gras Parade Fairhope. www.cofairhope.com. Faculty Recital Goodwin Recital Hall, Auburn Campus. www.auburn.edu.

Tuesday, February 9 Chattahoochee Roll Session CSU Pool. 706-321-4720.

Wednesday, February 10 A Little Art Talk Jule Collins Smith Museum of Fine Art. 12 p.m. www.jcsm.auburn.edu. Kinky Friedman BJCC. www.bjcc.org. Ringling Bros and Barnum & Bailey Circus: Xtreme Philips Arena, Atl. www.ticketmaster.com.

Thursday, February 11

”Ain’t Misbehavin” Musical Benjamin Russell High School, Alexander City. OOTB: Artist Talks Jule Collins Smith Museum of Fine Art. 5 p.m. www.jcsm.auburn.edu. Jazz! Food! Art! Jule Collins Smith Museum of Fine Art. 5 p.m. www.jcsm.auburn.edu. 27th Annual Daddy Daughter Date Night Clarion Inn & Suites, Auburn. www.auburnalabama.org. Ringling Bros and Barnum & Bailey Circus: Xtreme Philips Arena, Atl. www.ticketmaster.com.

Friday, February 12

S’mores and More The Hotel at Auburn University. www.auhcc.com. Merecedes-Benz Marathon Weekend Bham. www.mercedesmarathon.com. 27th Annual Daddy Daughter Date Night Clarion Inn & Suites, Auburn. www.auburnalabama.org. O’Reilly’s Auto Parts World of Wheels BJCC. www.bjcc.org. Love on the Harriett II Riverboat Riverfront Montgomery. www.funinmontgomery.com.

Ringling Bros and Barnum & Bailey Circus: Xtreme Philips Arena, Atl. www.ticketmaster.com.

Saturday, February 13

Empty Bowls Benefiting East Alabama Food Bank Denson Rec Center and Dean Road Rec Center. Piano Men: Music of Elton John and Billy Joel RiverCenter for the Performing Arts. www.rivercenter. org. River Clean Up Uptown Columbus. Facebook ‘River Clean Up’. Ringling Bros and Barnum & Bailey Circus: Xtreme Philips Arena, Atl. www.ticketmaster.com. Audubon Tom Imhof Zoo Bird Walk Birmingham Zoo. www.birminghamzoo.com. Great Backyard Bird Count Birmingham Zoo. www.birminghamzoo.com. S’mores and More The Hotel at Auburn University. www.auhcc.com. 20th Annual “Battle of Mobile Bay 5K Race” Dauphin Island, Al. Merecedes-Benz Marathon Weekend Bham. www.mercedesmarathon.com. Second Saturday Space Safaris: Larry Cat in Space Jacksonville. www.jsu.edu/epic. The ASO Red Diamond Super POPS! BJCC. www.ticketmaster.com. Chris Brown Columbus Civic Center. www.columbusciviccenter.org. FDR State Park Cookie Contest 9:30 a.m. FDR State Park, Ga. 706-663-4858. Second Saturday Columbus, Ga. 10 a.m. - 12 noon. 706-748-2562. Second Saturday Lee County Historical Society Museum. Loachapoka. www.leecountyhistoricalsociety.org. 27th Annual Daddy Daughter Date Night Clarion Inn & Suites, Auburn. www.auburnalabama.org. Repticon Birmingham Reptile & Exotic Animal Show Bham. www.repticon.com/birmingham. Amsoil Arenacross BJCC. www.bjcc.org. The Four Tops BJCC. www.bjcc.org. Love on the Harriett II Riverboat Riverfront Montgomery. www.funinmontgomery.com. O’Reilly’s Auto Parts World of Wheels BJCC. www.bjcc.org.

Sunday, February 14

S’mores and More The Hotel at Auburn University. www.auhcc.com. Repticon Birmingham Reptile & Exotic Animal Show Bham. www.repticon.com/birmingham. Amsoil Arenacross BJCC. www.bjcc.org. Merecedes-Benz Marathon Weekend Bham. www.mercedesmarathon.com. Atlanta Symphony Orchestra Valentine’s Romance Atl. www.ticketmaster.com. Cupid Trail Ride 10 a.m. FDR State Park, Ga. 706-663-4858. O’Reilly’s Auto Parts World of Wheels BJCC. www.bjcc.org. Ringling Bros and Barnum & Bailey Circus: Xtreme Philips Arena, Atl. www.ticketmaster.com. An Evening of Love with Fantasia BJCC. www.bjcc.org.

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January/February2016

Free Fee Day Tuskegee National Forest. AU Outreach/Tuskegee Auburn Women’s Leadership Alliance Symposium Auburn University Hotel and Conference Center. www.auburn.edu. Ringling Bros and Barnum & Bailey Circus: Xtreme Philips Arena, Atl. www.ticketmaster.com.

Vince Gill & Lyle Lovett Alabama Theatre. www.ticketmaster.com. A Little Art Talk Jule Collins Smith Museum of Fine Art. 12 p.m. www.jcsm.auburn.edu. Columbus Kids Market Spring Consignment Sale (706) 565-5442. Wine and Wheels for Women Columbus. www.uptowncolumbusga.com. AU Outreach/Tuskegee Auburn Women’s Leadership Alliance Symposium Auburn University Hotel and Conference Center. www.auburn.edu.

Tuesday, February 16

Thursday, February 18

Monday, February 15

Blue Man Group Montgomery Performing Arts. www.ticketmaster.com. Face 2 Face Teen Support Group Columbus Counseling Services. 6 p.m. (706) 327-1222. AU Outreach/Tuskegee Auburn Women’s Leadership Alliance Symposium Auburn University Hotel and Conference Center. www.auburn.edu. Guest Artist Recital Goodwin Recital Hall. Auburn Campus. www.auburn. edu.

Wednesday, February 17 Patti Griffin with Sarah Watkins and Anais Mitchell Opelika Center for the Performing Arts. 7:30 p.m. www.eastalabamaarts.org.

Trivia Night Marriott at Grand National. 6:30 p.m. 334-737-2187. Vince Gill & Lyle Lovett Alabama Theatre. www.ticketmaster.com. Trivia Night Marriott at Grand National. 6:30 p.m. 334-737-2187. Jazz! Food! Art! Jule Collins Smith Museum of Fine Art. 5 p.m. www.jcsm.auburn.edu. Third Thursday Poetry Series 6:30 p.m. Jule Collins Smith Museum of Fine Art. www.jcsm.auburn.edu. Third Thursday: The Romantic Spirit 6 p.m. Columbus Museum. www.columbusmuseum. com. Columbus Kids Market Spring Consignment Sale (706) 565-5442. Birmingham Home & Garden Show BJCC. www.bjcc.org.

St. Paul and the Broken Bones Montgomery Performing Arts Centre. www.mpaconline.org. Disney On Ice presents “Treasure Trove” www.ticketmaster.com.

Friday, February 19

Mobile Boat Show www.gulfcoastshows.com. Bill Maher. Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre www.ticketmaster.com. TobyMac BJCC. www.ticketmaster.com. Birmingham Home & Garden Show BJCC. www.bjcc.org. Vince Gill & Lyle Lovett Alabama Theatre. www.ticketmaster.com. Chicago BJCC, Bham. www.ticketmaster.com. Spencer Environmental Lecture Series: Secrets of the Longleaf Pine 6 p.m. Columbus Museum. www.columbusmuseum. com. Columbus Kids Market Spring Consignment Sale (706) 565-5442. 12th Annual Atlanta Blues Festival The Fox Theatre, Atl. www.foxtheatre.org. Rising Stars of the Metropolitan Opera RiverCenter for the Performing Arts. www.rivercenter.org. TobyMac BJCC. www.bjcc.org. Chicago BJCC, Bham. www.ticketmaster.com.

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www.facebook.com/auburnopelika.parents

Family Calendar Friday Night Drop-In Sweetheart Dance Opelika Parks and Rec. “Don Quixote” presented by Alabama Ballet Samford University. www.tickets.samford.edu. Disney On Ice presents “Treasure Trove” www.ticketmaster.com.

Saturday, February 20 27th Annual Love Your Heart Run/9th Annual Crank Your Heart Ride Chewacla State Park. www.auburnalabama.org. Girls, Glitz and Glamour Covington Rec Center. 10 a.m. www.opelika-al.gov. Dandy Dads Dinner Dance Opelika SportsPlex. www.opelika-al.gov. Birmingham Home & Garden Show BJCC. www.bjcc.org. Fairy House Furniture Workshop FDR State Park, Ga. 706-663-4858. Mobile Boat Show www.gulfcoastshows.com. Black Belt Genealogy Conference and Family History Fair Selma. www.bbaaghs.org. Anniston Museum’s Black Heritage Festival www.annistonmuseum.org. Disney On Ice presents “Treasure Trove” www.ticketmaster.com. Vince Gill & Lyle Lovett Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre. www.ticketmaster.com. Chicago BJCC, Bham. www.ticketmaster.com.

January/February2016

Animal Enrichment Day 10 a.m. The Montgomery Zoo. www.montgomeryzoo. com. Columbus Kids Market Spring Consignment Sale (706) 565-5442. Yanni The Fox Theatre, Atl. www.foxtheatre.org. “Don Quixote” presented by Alabama Ballet Samford University. www.tickets.samford.edu.

Sunday, February 21

Mobile Boat Show www.gulfcoastshows.com. K-12 Art Club for Kids 1:30 p.m. Jule Collins Smith Museum of Fine Art www.jcsm.auburn.edu. Exhibit Opens: ‘We Tattooed Your Father: The Global Art of Tattoos’ 1 p.m. Columbus Museum. www.columbusmuseum.com. Teen Third Sunday 2 p.m. Columbus Museum. www.columbusmuseum.com. Chicago BJCC, Bham. www.ticketmaster.com. Birmingham Home & Garden Show BJCC. www.bjcc.org. “Don Quixote” presented by Alabama Ballet Samford University. www.tickets.samford.edu. Disney On Ice presents “Treasure Trove” www.ticketmaster.com.

Monday, February 22

Faculty Chamber Recital Goodwin Recital Hall, Auburn Campus. www.auburn.edu.

Tuesday, February 23

AACT Auditions for “The Red Velvet Cake War” Jan Dempsey Community Arts Center. www.auburnalabama.org. Meet Me @ the Museum 12:20 p.m. Columbus Museum. www. columbusmuseum.com. Chattahoochee Roll Session CSU Pool. 706-321-4720.

Wednesday, February 24 AACT Auditions for “The Red Velvet Cake War” Jan Dempsey Community Arts Center. www.auburnalabama.org. A Little Art Talk Jule Collins Smith Museum of Fine Art. 12 p.m. www.jcsm.auburn.edu. Film: Portraits of the Artist Jule Collins Smith Museum of Fine Art. 4 p.m. www.jcsm.auburn.edu. Lunch and Lecture: The History and Culture of Tattooing 12 p.m. Columbus Museum. www.columbusmuseum. com. Paleo to Present: Exhibit Closes Columbus Museum. www.columbusmuseum.com.

Thursday, February 25 “The Sleeping Beauty” RiverCenter for the Performing Arts. w ww.rivercenter.org.

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Auburn Opelika Parents I February 2016

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ACMS Recital: Bennewitz String Quartet Goodwin Recital Hall, Auburn Campus. www.auburn. edu. Davis Architects Guest Artist Series: Roberto Plano Samford University. www.tickets. samford.edu. Jazz! Food! Art! Jule Collins Smith Museum of Fine Art. 5 p.m. www.jcsm.auburn.edu. “Sweeney Todd” Springer Opera House, Columbus. www. springeroperahouse.org.

Friday, February 26

Royal Comedy Tour Columbus Civic Center. www.columbusciviccenter.org. “Sweeney Todd” Springer Opera House, Columbus. www. springeroperahouse.org. Birmingham RV Super Show BJCC. www.bjcc.org. Birmingham Ballet: “Sleeping Beauty” BJCC. www.bjcc.org. Monster X Tour Garrett Coliseum, Montgomery. www.ticketmaster.com.

Saturday, February 27

Boots & Bowties: Supporting The Learning Tree Lazenby Farms, Auburn. 6:30 p.m. sweldon@learningtree.org. Mobile Chocolate Festival www.mobilechocolatefestival.com. Nascar XFinity Series & Nascar Camping World Truck Series Atlanta Motor Speedway. www.ticketmaster.com. Brantley Gilbert www.ticketmaster.com. Fairy House Furniture Workshop FDR State Park, Ga. 706-663-4858. Young Eagles Day–FREE Airplane Rides for Kids! Columbus Airport Ages 8-17. 8:30-11:30 a.m. (weather permitting). 706-324-2453. Experience Hendrix The Fox Theatre, Atl. www.foxtheatre.org. Guitar Symposium Concert ‘16 RiverCenter for the Performing Arts. www.rivercenter.org. “Sweeney Todd” Springer Opera House, Columbus. www. springeroperahouse.org. Birmingham RV Super Show BJCC. www.bjcc.org. Birmingham Ballet: “Sleeping Beauty” BJCC. www.bjcc.org. Monster X Tour Garrett Coliseum, Montgomery. www.ticketmaster.com.

Sunday, February 28

Jewish Food Festival & Treasure Market Montgomery. www.templebethor.net. Open Reception: We Tattooed Your Father 2 p.m. Columbus Museum. www.columbusmuseum. com. Guitar Symposium Concert ‘16 RiverCenter for the Performing Arts. www.rivercenter. org. Birmingham RV Super Show BJCC. www.bjcc.org. Birmingham Ballet: “Sleeping Beauty” BJCC. www.bjcc.org. Melissa Etheridge: This Is M.E. Solo. Montgomery Performing Arts Centre. www.mpaconline. org.

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Coming in March

Creating healthy smiles for confident tomorrows Call us today to schedule your complimentary evaluation! 334-501-7000

thamesorthodontics.com w

March 3-5 “Sweeney Todd” Springer Opera House, Columbus. www. springeroperahouse.org. March 4-6 Cottontail’s Arts, Crafts & Gift Show BJCC. www.bjcc.org. March 5 Jerusalem Symphony Orchestra Opelika Center for the Performing Arts. www. eastalabamaarts.org. March 10-12 “Sweeney Todd” Springer Opera House, Columbus. www. springeroperahouse.org. March 11-13 “The Cat in the Hat” Springer Opera House, Columbus. www. springeroperahouse.org. March 12-13 Zoo Weekend The Montgomery Zoo. www.montgomeryzoo.com. March 15 Saturday Night Fever RiverCenter for the Performing Arts. www.rivercenter.org. March 16 Elton John Columbus Civic Center. www.columbusciviccenter.org. March 17 Fall Out Boy BJCC. www.bjcc.org. March 17-20 Alabama Gun Collector’s Association Spring Gun Show BJCC. www.bjcc.org. March 18-20 “The Cat in the Hat.” Springer Opera House, Columbus. www.springeroperahouse.org. March 19 Uptown’s Spring Food Truck Festival www.uptowncolumbusga.com. March 19 Finish on the Fifty Auburn. www.runauburn.com. March 24 The Great Flashlight Egg Hunt Moore Stadium, Opelika. www.opelika-al.gov. March 26 Easter On the Square Downtown Opelika. www.opelika-al.gov. March 26 35th Annual Easter Egg Hunt Kiesel Park, Auburn. (334) 501-2930. March 31 - April 3 “Dancing On the Edge” Telfair Peet Theatre, AU Campus. www.auburn.edu.

We make every effort to ensure the accuracy of this information. However, you should always call ahead to confirm dates, times, location, and other information.

Please send your calendar events to Kendra@ auburnopelikaparents.com! Auburn Opelika Parents I February 2016

www.auburnopelikaparents.com

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Making Your Insecurities Your Securities

I enjoy working with my clients probably just as much as they enjoy calling me. This allows me to guide them towards what I think, as women, most of us lack...confidence in ourselves. We all have our insecurities, and in order to gain that confidence needed, it takes making the most of our insecurities.

1- Remember, nobody or “body” is perfect. Make your inseWhen it comes to styling clients, I am the proudest when they first call me. They have finally realized they want to make a small change which can make a big difference in their self-esteem. We all have small changes to deal with in our lives. I remember when I was younger, I would never step out of the house without wearing makeup. I was so worried I might see the cute boy or the pretty friends and I wouldn’t dare want them to see me without makeup. When you are young your insecurities seem to sky rocket. If I had known then that being confident in myself was going to get me a lot further than the makeup I was wearing, I think I could have floated through those dreaded teenage years a lot easier. Fast forward to now, it’s so funny how life can change your perspective on yourself and others. Getting older, wiser, having a family, and some pretty awesome friends can really take any insecurity you have away. Especially those family members and friends who love you no matter what you do, what you look like or even where you come from.

curities a positive part of your styling experience. If you don’t like your legs, find pants, skirts, shoes, etc., that will allow you to love them and make them your best asset.

4- Understand that it doesn’t matter your shape, size, hair color or skin color, it’s all about being confident in yourself. The more confident you are with your own personal style the more confident you will appear in your clothing. That’s because you’ll intuitively choose pieces that complete you. I always tell my clients that their choice of clothes is more likely to be a reflection of who they are. Now days, I certainly don’t mind walking past a mirror in the mornings and allowing myself to say, I have changed and I enjoy my change. I embrace it! Being a mom and being in my 30’s has brought a new perspective in my life, one that I wish I would’ve had as a teenager. God had a plan throughout those dreaded teen years when I lacked so much confidence. Don’t get me wrong, I still have my ups and downs as a woman and that’s okay. I embrace each flaw and insecurity as gift; this allows me to relate to each of you on the same level. Remember, simply by allowing yourself to take that first step in whatever your insecurities may be, and embracing them, can be the most effective way of boosting that confidence you deserve.

2- Embrace your body from head to toe with your own style. Understanding your body shape, embracing all those areas that you may think are your worst assets, and knowing how to flatter them, will help you embrace your curves, or lack thereof, in some cases.

3- Define your personal style, and when you do, accept it! Feel

Laura Handey is an independent clothing consultant in Pike Road, Alabama. You may reach her by email at laura@ centsiblysouthern.com or visit her website and read her blogs at www. centsiblysouthern.com.

confident that you always look absolutely marvelous. 43

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Ride Along 2

Norm of the North

MPAA Rating: PG-13 Overall: CViolence: CSexual Content: C+ Language: C Alcohol / Drug Use: BThe MPAA has rated Ride Along 2 PG-13 for sequences of violence, sexual content, language and some drug material. Once again Ice Cube warms up his acting chops to play James Payton, a tough Atlanta cop. Behaving as his textbook foil is Kevin Hart, whose character Ben Barber has finished police academy and has his first, albeit probationary, job on the force. It was tough believing Ben was a cop-in-training during the first film, but accepting him as a real law enforcement officer here is even more of a stretch. In this sequel, Ben is still engaged to James’s sister Angela (Tika Sumpter), although the wedding is now just a week away. Despite the closeness of the big event, Ben begs to “ride along” with James on an assignment to hunt down a suspicious computer hacker in Miami. Promising to return in time for the nuptials, Angela is relieved to get Ben out of her hair while she finishes last minute preparations. I would be too. Soon after their arrival in the Florida city the pair locate their man, A.J. (Ken Jeong), and tear through the streets of Little Cuba trying to arrest him. The damage they leave behind doesn’t impress the local police force and, conveniently, the Miami chief (Carlos Gómez) assigns the lovely Maya (Olivia Munn) to keep an eye on them. The homicide detective is depicted as tough and intelligent, so it again requires the audience to “suspend disbelief” when she accepts Officer Barber as a professional -- even after he shoots one of her colleagues in the shoulder. Bumbling through a series of mishaps, they discover A.J. is into much deeper issues than they initially thought. Currently working for Antonio Pope (Benjamin Bratt), a man who is regarded as a pillar in the community, our trio of stooges learn the tycoon is actually a king pin in the drug and arms business. Observing A.J. cooperating with the police, Antonio sends his thugs to take care of the computer geek, forcing men and woman in blue to protect their informant. With a plot that could be told in under a half-hour, the other hour of this ninetyish-minute movie is dedicated to allowing Hart to be a comedian. And, sadly, women seem to hold a singular purpose in this film that is ornamented with countless lingerie-model bodies dressed in tiny bikinis.

MPAA Rating: PG Overall: C+ Violence: BSexual Content: B+ Language: AAlcohol / Drug Use: B+ The MPAA has rated Norm of the North PG for mild rude humor and action. Believe it or not, Norm of the North has a few things in common with The Emperor’s New Groove. Both animations feature big, softhearted protagonists and scrawny, conniving antagonists, as well as plots that involve destroying traditional homelands. The two also include a scene where an evil villainess answers an unwelcomed wake-up call with the line, “This had better be good.” But whereas the Emperor’s script was so good it surpassed expectations, the bad writing in Norm can be described as disappointing at best. In this Arctic tale, Norm (voice of Rob Schneider) is a polar bear with the unusual talent of being able to speak human. While he and the other bears, caribou, seals, whales and lemmings, are used to putting on big dance numbers (yup, really) to entertain casual tourists that visit their winter wonderland, Norm becomes alarmed when he realizes some of the two-legged visitors are planning to turn his arctic wilderness into a vacation home destination. Determined to use his voice to prevent the arrival of mobile, luxury condos, the white hero and a trio of cute critters, stow away on a freighter headed to New York City. Once in the Big Apple, Norm learns that Greene Homes, the company behind the urbanization push, is looking for a spokesperson to promote their product. So the bear pretends to be a human pretending to be a bear and auditions for the part. As anticipated, Norm and his “costume” are so convincing that Mr. Greene (voice of Ken Jeong) and his marketing manager Vera (Heather Graham) give him the part – and, he hopes, a chance to tell the public why they should leave the Arctic alone. Of course things don’t work out quite as planned. And nor do the intentions of this screenplay. Its biggest fault is that this children’s film is all about adult problems. Although some youngsters might grasp the idea that protecting the world’s natural spaces is a good thing to do, how many of them are going to understand -- let alone be entertained by -- greedy land developer schemes, global environmental issues, corruption in the government, life/work balances and the unhealthy state of public school? And then there is the utter cartoon stupidity of how these themes are presented, along with depictions of scary villains, the use of tranquillizer guns, and scenes where animals bound by ropes are dropped into the ocean to drown. Perhaps some kids will chuckle at the potty humor – but I certainly didn’t. So if you are looking for a heart-warming flick to share with your family, may I suggest you scrounge up a copy of The Emperor’s New Groove, because watching Norm of the North will likely leave you cold.

What Parents need to know about Ride Along 2...

Violence: Serious crimes, such as drug dealing and murder, are portrayed within a comical context. Much of the violence is non-graphic, but some blood is shown. Humor is derived from the actions of an inept police officer that blows an undercover operation, accidentally shoots someone, causes other physical injuries and property damage. Shoot outs and a hired hit man are also portrayed – some characters are shot on screen. A man is chased and bitten by a crocodile, but only loses a shoe. A character is taken hostage. Characters utter death threats – sometimes jokingly and other times with real intent. Sexual Content: Women are used as eye candy in this movie that is full of scantily clad and bikini-wearing females, many with large breasts and buttocks. Men often ogle them and make sexual comments. A character visits on-line sex sites and engages in sexual banter with women: one is shown removing her clothes to expose her underwear. A woman dresses provocatively for her fiancé and makes references to bondage sex. The script is full of sexual references, innuendo, crude slang and sexual slurs. A couple dances and touches sensually. A man’s head is squished between women’s breasts during an embrace. A male character mentions wearing s thong. Some embracing and kissing are shown. Language: Scatological slang is heard frequently, along with many uses of moderate and mild profanities, terms of deity, crude slang terms and slurs. Alcohol / Drug Use: Characters drink in social settings and in a club. References to illegal drug dealing and smuggling are made.

What Parents need to know about Norm of the North...

Violence: Slapstick fighting and antics pervade this animation. A polar bear hunts a seal for food, but is too soft to eat it – although he does swallow some live fish. Characters are crushed and chew on electrical cords with electrocution effects -- no lasting injuries occur. Other characters are in peril from natural disasters and drowning. A villain with murderous intentions locks up animals. Death threats are made. Characters are shot with darts from a tranquilizer gun, and become unconscious. A mob pushes a character down a manhole. Sexual Content: A character dances by shaking his body and “twerking” is mentioned. Characters are comically depicted urinating, passing gas, burping and vomiting. A character jokes about “coming out”. Language: Terms of deity are used as expletives. Potty language and namecalling are also heard. Alcohol/Drug Use: Tranquillizer guns are used to make characters fall asleep. Auburn Opelika Parents I February 2016

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THE ADVENTURES IN

Math & Science 2016 Summer Camp Sessions

Hosted by the Alabama School of Math and Science June 6-10, June 13-17, & June 20-24 Grades 6-10

Register Online Early to Save! Register by April 6: $360 Overnight Camp (all inclusive), $260 Day Camp (includes lunch) Register after April 6: $385 Overnight Camp (all inclusive), $285 Day Camp (includes lunch) The cost to stay the weekend between Sessions 1 and 2 is an additional $185 (includes trip to water park) Applications, more information, and course descriptions are online at www.asms.net. COURSE SAMPLING ACT Prep, Algebra Review, Exploring Inner Space, Marine Biology, CSI: Mobile, Phun Physics, Using Java, Robotics, Field Biology, Psychology, Math Puzzles, Labs of Doom, Rocketry, Origami, Speak Up, Light Metals and Enameling, Apps for Smart Devices, and many more.

1255 Dauphin St. • Mobile, AL 36604 • 251.441.2100 • www.asms.net • admissions@asms.net

Day & Overnight Camp! Kayak in Mobile Bay Build a Robot

Solve a Crime

Prepare for the ACT Launch a Rocket

Provides caring, quality services that affect all communities and every person in the state â&#x20AC;&#x201D; not just those who walk through health department doors.

Increases access to health care for eligible, uninsured children ages birth through 18 with the ALL Kids Childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Health Insurance Program. In 2013, ALL Kids served nearly 85,000 Alabama children.

Provides nutrition assessment, education, and nutritious foods at no cost to a monthly average of 139,000 limitedincome pregnant, breastfeeding, and postpartum women, infants, and children up to age 5 at nutritional risk through WIC.

Investigates disease outbreaks, maintains surveillance of notifiable diseases, and answers queries about disease control and other health-related events including communicable disease outbreaks and rabies case investigations.

Protects patients/ residents of health care facilities from abuse and neglect. Works to ensure facilities provide a level of care that complies with state and federal standards. Requires corrective action when surveys find facilities are noncompliant.

Protects the public from foodborne illnesses and the spread of disease by ensuring standards in environmental health, regulates onsite sewage disposal systems, and oversees treatment and disposal of septage and other permitted wastes.

Offers home care services that include skilled nursing, physical therapy, medical social work, and personal care services through Medicare-certified home health agencies.

Provides health education to modify behavior to prevent and manage chronic diseases such as arthritis, asthma, cancer, heart disease, and overweight/obesity.

Offers a tobacco Quitline.Thirty-nine percent of tobacco users who complete the telephone or online program stop using tobacco.

Issues certified copies of all Alabama birth, death, marriage, and divorce certificates in every county health department on a while-you-wait basis regardless of where in the state the event occurred.

Provides a wide range of confidential and professional family planning services, regardless of income, to prevent unintended pregnancies and abortion through education and contraceptive services.

Administers the Alabama Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program to provide screening to uninsured and underinsured women age 40-64, and ensures treatment is provided.

Screens newborns for genetic or metabolic conditions, thereby reducing morbidity, premature death, intellectual and other developmental disabilities through early detection and follow-up.

Provides clinical nursing services such as immunizations, and STD and TB screening and treatment. Administers the Alabama Drug Assistance Program for HIV medication assistance.

Assists rural and medically underserved areas by working with health care providers and organizations to prepare grants and provide workforce development.

Assures that emergency medical services meet or exceed established standards.