Auburn Opelika Parents May 2014 by KeepSharing

May2014

Volume 5 Number 3

30 29

Columns 2

Publisher’s Note Kendra Sumner

Living With Children John Rosemond

The Buzz on Teens and Alcohol

Warning signs and conversation starters for your family.

Summer Sanity Savers

A toolbox of ideas to help your kids beat summer boredom.

Kids Health Watch sponsored by Pediatric Associates of Auburn

Dave Says Dave Ramsey

Get This! Gerry Paige Smith

The FlyLady Marla Cilley

Summer Fun Guide

Discover all that Lee County offers to keep your child busy during the school break!

Social Media Tips Find advice for monitoring your child’s social media with proper “parent” etiquette.

A Page in a Book Gerry Paige Smith

Parenting on the Plains Polly Dunn, Ph.D.

On The Cover Hannah Hoch is the seven-year-old daughter of Matthew and Theresa Hoch and is a big sister to Sofie (5) and Zachary (3). She is a first grader in Mrs. Traylor’s class at Richland Elementary School. She takes gymnastics, ballet, tap, jazz and tumbling, as well as piano and choir. Hannah loves all things Auburn, especially going to watch the AU Gymnastics meets. A special thanks to D Square Donuts for the perfect ‘summer spot’ backdrop!

Departments 6

Bits and Pieces 12

School Bits 45

Family Calendar 52

Movie Reviews www.facebook.com/auburnopelika.parents

Publisher’sNote How many days until the kids get out of school? Oh, come on….you know! Not only do your kids remind you, but you’re counting them down, too! While counting down those days, do you feel a looming sense of dread, followed by the daunting reminder that there are long, summer days needing to be filled? Or, are you like me, and you have made a ‘countdown to summer’ loop thingy, where each morning I get a little giddy as I cut the day’s loop off, then stand back and examine how there are exactly three more Mondays, 15 more lunch making days, and only one major science project to complete! Yep, I’m that mom who jumps out of bed on that last day of school and declares those backpacks and lunch boxes are going straight to the junk door at precisely 2:30 p.m. I feel just like one of the kids when that summer bell rings! Bring on summer and the relaxed schedule! Once summer finally arrives, and after some much needed mornings of sleeping in and afternoons of playing in the backyard until the fireflies light up the night, the fun starts to wear off. Around the second week into summer, I get that deer-in-the-headlights look as my four kids approach me (in unison), “What are we going to do today? We are bored!” Now what? It’s time to break out this trusty May edition, which features our 2014 Summer Fun Guide, and create a game plan! According to the feature article, Mom’s Toolbox of Summer Sanity Savers, summer fun and it’s planning should be deliberate and encompass more than just filling one’s day. Activities can include learning new things, enrichment, and skill building. Along with the usual family fun outings such as zoo trips, fishing at the lake and a tour of the local museum, schedule some activities that not only help with boredom, but can also give kids more responsibility around the house, as well as some teachable moments. Some suggested ideas are a ‘job jar’ and ‘life skills training’. Placing chores in a jar for family members to pull a few times a week will not only help with the ‘I’m bored’ problem, but will also foster a sense of family, home responsibility and team work. Also, take time to teach your kids how to do the laundry, mow the lawn or fix a flat...it can go a long way for your tweens and teens. Learning life skills while on summer break will go far beyond just those long summer days. To help with your planning, you will find in our guide, a broad range of summer fun. Encourage your kids (and yourself) to try something new this year! How about a family yoga class, bully-buster martial arts program or cooking class? Pack your day trip bag and held over to Butts Mill Farm or The Rock Ranch in Georgia for some fresh air in the country. Sign them up to explore their inner diva at a dance or music camp. Need some energy burned? Then, a sports camp may be perfect for your little ball of energy. The hard part is having to choose which one. Also, don’t miss our calendar of events. Schedule in a few festivals, arts and crafts shows and charity events, too. After a long, hot day of playing, learning and exploring, grab a picnic blanket, swing by your favorite ice cream spot and head over to some of the local concerts in the park. Along with all the fun and enrichment, take time to relax and enjoy your family this summer. Happy Summer 2014!

Kendra

kendra@auburnopelikaparents.com

Auburn Opelika Parents I May 2014

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 deanne@auburnopelikaparents.com Associate Editor Kelly Watson Contributing Writers Marla Cilley Polly Dunn, Ph.D. Richard Freeman, M.D. Sandra Gordon Lara Krupicka Dave Ramsey John Rosemond Gerry Paige Smith Cover Photography Candy Avera www.pictureperfectbycandy.com

President Jason Watson Director of Sales Justin Sumner justin@auburnopelikaparents.com (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 2014 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.

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LivingWithChildren by John Rosemond

“Don’t Laugh!” Q: Our 4-year-old daughter has a huge problem with being laughed at. She loves to be goofy and do funny things, but as soon as someone, including one of us, laughs at her she becomes upset. She will say “Don’t laugh!” or “I don’t want you to laugh at me!” We explain that we aren’t laughing at her, but at the funny things she does. We’ve also told her that we laugh because we are happy and having a good time with her. Is there a different way to explain this to her so that she will understand that we aren’t trying to be mean or tease her in any way?

A: Maybe. First, however, some background: A child’s social personality is forming at this age. As such, it’s not unusual for a 3- or 4-year-old to be somewhat “conflicted” when it comes to personality traits like introversion versus extroversion. Some 4-year-olds, for example, are very self-conscious and therefore easily embarrassed when people pay attention to things they’re doing. Others are hams and love to perform

Auburn Opelika Parents I May 2014

and make people laugh. It sounds to me like your daughter is caught betwixt and between these two opposing traits, as if she can’t make up her mind whether she wants to be a comedian or not. If you only continue to muddle through these upsets as you’re doing-and you’re actually doing fine-this little bump in the road will smooth itself out within a year or two. There may be, however, some things you can do to hurry the process along. Obviously, trying to explain your laughter after she’s become upset is not working; therefore, I recommend that you be more proactive. I call the approach I’m going to describe “Striking While the Iron is Cold”-in other words, deal with the problem or issue when it’s not taking place and hasn’t for a while. Sit down with her at a time when the home has been calm for a while and this particular issue hasn’t happened for a day or more. Tell her that you want to talk about her reaction to people who laugh when she does funny things. To help her understand that the laughter is not personal, point out times when

she has laughed when someone else, even a character on one of her favorite television shows, has done something funny. Then, ask her what she wants you (and other people) to do when she does something funny, as in, “Do you want us to laugh or clap or do you just want us to sit there and not even look at you, like this?” (Make a ludicrously serious face to help make the point.) Try to get across to her that the alternative to laughing is not natural. Point out, for example, that it would be strange if her favorite television character did something funny and no one laughed. By discussing several alternatives to laughing, you will draw her into the problem-solving process. She may begin to see that laughter is what she actually is looking for. My experience is that a conversation of this sort will begin to bring about resolution, although you might have to have several more like it before it finally sets in. Family psychologist John Rosemond answers parents’ questions on his website at www.rosemond.com.

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Mother’s Day at the Montgomery Zoo

The Montgomery Zoo and Mann Museum, invites all Moms to celebrate their day with free admission for moms! Mark your calendars for Sunday, May 11, 9:00 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.! Children (3 - 12 years old): $8, Seniors (65 years old and older): $10, Toddlers (2 years old and younger) and Montgomery Zoo members: FREE. Combo admission (includes Zoo and Mann Wildlife Learning Museum entry): Adults: $16, Seniors (65 years old and older): $14, Children (3-12 years old): $11, Toddlers (2 years old and younger) are FREE. AAA, military and group discounts are available. www.montgomeryzoo.com.

Thoroughly Modern Millie!

Opelika High Theatre Society presents ‘Thoroughly Modern Millie’, April 25-27 and May 2-4, at the Opelika Center for the Performing Arts. Admission: $10 for adults/$7 for students.

Keep Opelika Beautiful will host Garden in the Park on Saturday, May 3, 8:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. at the Opelika Municipal Park. Garden in the Park is an arts and craft style event hosted each year by Keep Opelika Beautiful. A variety of handmade and natural products are sold. The Rocky Brook Rocket runs during the event. Delicious food is for sale and the stage is alive with entertainment. All the fun happens at the Opelika Municipal Park! For more information about sponsoring the event, participating in entertainment or being a vendor, contact Tipi Miller at (334) 749-4970 or kob@opelika.com.

The Children's Harbor Art on the Lake is an event held May 24-25 to benefit the Children's Harbor, Alexander City. Many artists and craftsmen will set up and sell their wares to benefit Children's Harbor, which offers support, education and recreation for children with disabilities and serious illnesses. This nonprofit organization began in 1990 and continues its mission through the generosity of sponsors. The two-day event brings in people by boat and car. There are a variety of items for sale including food as well as a children's corner and live entertainment. All proceeds benefit Children's Harbor. www.childrensharbor.com. Auburn Opelika Parents I May 2014

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Garden In the Park: Sponsored by Keep Opelika Beautiful

Children's Harbor Art on the Lake

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Seussical: The Musical!

The Performing Arts Departments of Auburn High School will present “Seussical: The Musical”, April 24-27 at the Auburn Performing Arts Center/The Julie and Hal Moore Center for Excellence. To reserve tickets, $10, or for more information, please call 887-4913.

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Miracle League 2014

Miracle Leagueâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 2014 Season is open! Join the fun every Saturday in May! The Miracle Field of East Alabama project is not only a baseball field, but it includes an entire environment suited for special needs youth and ball players. The field itself has a rubberized synthetic turf allowing wheelchairs and walkers to glide unrestricted in addition to the accessible dugouts and bleachers. The environment encompasses a control center with wheelchair and walker accessible restrooms & water fountains, an all accessible press box, a special needs accessible playground, and a pavilion for family and community fellowship. For more information on the Miracle League of East Alabama, please contact committee chairman, Rob Cox at 334-749-3277 or Rusty Melnick at 334-749-1721.

Summer Swing Concerts 2014

Every Tuesday evening beginning in May the Opelika Parks and Recreation Department hosts a free outdoor concert at 7:00 p.m. at Municipal Park in Opelika. This 15-week concert series offers a wide variety of musical entertainment including Gospel, Jazz, R & B, Praise and Worship, Oldies, Country, Big Band Swing, Folk, and Community Band music. The May schedule is May 6: Lee-Scott Academy Jazz Band, May 13: Opelika High School Symphonic, Concert and Jazz Bands, May 20: Conner Lorre, Neil Diamond Tribute Artist, and May 27: Bill J. Brooks, Elvis Lives Concert. The Opelika Band Boosters will prepare hamburgers and hotdogs in the park for a nominal fee from 6:15-7:30 p.m. These are ideal for a family picnic. Charter Bank of Opelika will provide complimentary lemonade during the concerts. Kona Ice will have shaved ice for sale at each concert as well. The Rocky Brook Rocket, a vintage train with a long, rich history, has been restored and is back on the tracks for complimentary train rides. Come out early! Bring the whole family, a quilt or lawn chair and relax on the bank of Rocky Brook Creek for an evening of musical fun, fellowship and relaxation. For more information call the Opelika Parks and Recreation Department at 334-705-5560 or e-mail lchesser@ ci.opelika.al.us.

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Memorial Day Weekend “Salute The Troops” at Stone Mountain Park

Stone Mountain Park honors our troops and their families at Atlanta’s largest three-day Memorial Weekend event featuring the Lasershow Spectacular in Mountainvision®, special fireworks finale, and other patriotic activities. Arrive early for a full day of adventure and enjoy all of Stone Mountain Park’s exciting attractions including the NEW Journey 2: The Mysterious Island – The 4-D Experience, an immersive 3-D/4-D adventure starring Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson and Vanessa Hudgens. Challenge yourself on SkyHike, the nation’s largest adventure course, cool off and play in the spray at Geyser Towers or soar to the top of the mountain on the Summit Skyride…the adventures are endless! Stay into the evening for the Lasershow Spectacular in Mountainvision® featuring a special salute to the troops and extended fireworks finale all three nights. Marvel as the skies above light up in a specially choreographed musical tribute honoring the brave men and women who protect our country. A Special Thank You For Military Personnel: All active and retired military personnel will receive one FREE Adventure Pass with valid ID and will save up to $10 off per person for immediate family members, and will receive 20% off food and merchandise.* *Offer valid Memorial Weekend only (May 24 - 26, 2014). Parking admission is not included. Food discount not valid at Campfire Grill. The following forms of ID are acceptable: Common Access Card, DD Form 1173, DD form 2A, DD214, GA Veteran's Driver's License.

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Lee County Master Gardeners 2014

Ag Heritage Park Red Barn at Auburn University - A commemorative celebration of the 100-year anniversary of the Cooperative Extension System, of which the Alabama Cooperative Extension System is a part, with demonstrations, historic displays and entertainment for the entire family (Free Admission). Jule Collins Smith Museum of Art, Auburn University - Also celebrating the 100-year anniversary with an exhibit of mural paintings by John Augustus Walker known as the Historic Panorama of Alabama Agriculture (Free Admission). Bauhaus & Garden – An international style home and garden intentionally designed so that architecture and nature embrace each other. Black Bamboo Serene Cottage – A plant enthusiasts' garden with lush exotic plants, a semiprivate courtyard entry, and a two-level pond with waterfall. Corks in the Courtyard – An elegantly appointed small jewel box of a garden bursting with entertainment flavor. Sunset Farm – A family farm with fruits, vegetables and beekeeping. Special bonuses: an authentic log cabin hidden in the woods for guests and a family-owned collection of political cartoons by their Pulitzer Prize winning grandfather. Classic Green – A stately Italianate house set in a calm restrained garden of sculpted evergreens accented by potted color. Heaven Sent– A work of love created by an avid gardener and crafty woodworker that lures the grandkids outside for fun and adventure. Southern Reprieve – A large dreamy garden that encourages rambling from one enchanting space to another. Bonus: learn how to build your own garden fountain. Saturday, May 17, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. & Sunday, May 18, 1 p.m. - 6 p.m. Tour Tickets at Opelika Chamber. www.leemg.org.

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Bluegrass On the Plains 2014

The Bluegrass Festival line-up includes Rhonda Vincent & The Rage, The Isaacs, Larry Sparks, Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver, Lizzy Long & Little Roy, The Cumberland Gap Connection, The Gary Waldrep Band, Volume Five, The Lonesome River Band, Special Consensus, and many more. The Sunday show is all gospel and free to the public. Arts and crafts, music, vendors, presentations and workshops. May 28-June 1 at University Station RV Resort in Auburn. For tickets, call 334-821-8968. www.bluegrassontheplains.com.

ACADEMIC CAMPS Art Studio Intensive Architecture Building Construc�on Engineering Fisheries + Aquaculture Fashion + Interior Design Food Science Forestry Science Industrial Design Musical Theatre REAL Cents, REAL Change Strings and Chamber Music Veterinary Science World Aﬀairs (Model UN)

LEARN. GROW. HAVE FUN. EARN COLLEGE CREDIT. SUMMER COLLEGE COURSES programs for high school students Environmental Geology auburn.edu/summercamps Crea�ve Wri�ng auburn.edu/summercollege Cyber Security Engineering or call 334-844-5100 Art of Architecture, Place, & Culture

Auburn University is an equal opportunity educa�onal ins�tu�on/employer.

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KidsHealthWatch

Sponsored by Pediatric Associates of Auburn

Summer Safety Tips Summertime is always a “feel good” time for most everyone. School is out, and the weather is warm, and the great outdoors welcome us. In order to have a safe and enjoyable summer break, some guidelines are in order. Many families plan their vacation during the summer months. Most often an automobile is the travel means to a destination. First and foremost, every occupant in the car, truck or SUV should be safely and securely fastened with a seatbelt or approved car seat for infants and children. The American Academy of Pediatrics has recently changed the recommendation for infant car seats. Now they should remain facing to the rear until age two years instead of one year. The usual check-list for a vehicle includes: A. A clear windshield and windows with no obstructions hanging from the rear-view mirror.

Auburn Opelika Parents I May 2014

B. Proper tire pressure and adequate tire tread, needed on wet roads with the sudden appearance of summer thunderstorms. C. Proper engine oil and coolant levels. D. New, (if needed), windshield wiper blades. E. Up-to-date road maps or GPS. F. Flashlight with new batteries, a jug of water and a roll of paper towels. G. Trash bag for inside of car. H. Spare tire is properly pressurized. I. First aid kit. Summertime means being around water, the beach, a lake or swimming pools. Safety always means: A. Life jackets on everyone in any water craft. B. Supervision of all children at all times when they are in the water or near water. C. Proper application of sunscreen and, if necessary, re-application after water exposure. D. Avoid sun exposure during the middle

of the day – usually 10:00 am to 2:00 pm. E. Ear drops for ear canal after swimming. A mixture of half rubbing alcohol and half white vinegar can be used. Place a few drops in each ear canal after swimming. This will help decrease the chance of a painful ear canal infection. If an ear canal (swimmer’s ear) infection occurs, it is advisable to seek medical care. F. Eye protection – Ultraviolet light is a major factor in the formation of cataracts. Children’s eyes are very sensitive to light and should be protected. Sunglasses which filter out UV light should be worn by all who are able to wear them. Infants and very small children should avoid sun exposure between the hours of 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Sunburn can occur from reflected sunlight from sand and water even when one is under an umbrella or tent. One final point about driving: Be certain that the driver is not sleep-deprived and that cell phones are not used by the driver when the vehicle is in motion. Dr. Richard Freeman completed medical school in 1973 and started in private practice in 1975 in Opelika, before practicing in Auburn. Dr. Freeman has served as Vice President and Secretary-Treasurer for the Medical Association for the State of Alabama, was a member of the Medicaid DUR Board, member of the Medicaid Pharmacy and Therapeutic Board and is on the Board of Medical Examiners for the State of Alabama. He is married to Sherry Spann Freeman and they have two children and six grandchildren.

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Wacoochee Elementary DaddyDaughter Dance

Wacoochee Elementary School held its DaddyDaughter Dance on February 7, 2014. Dads and their daughters celebrated the evening by eating, dancing, and socializing. Sixth grader Kate Senn and her dad, Tim, stopped dancing just long enough to pose for a very sweet picture! There were among twohundred participants this year and each girl enjoyed this special night with Daddy.

Autauga County Schools

March 3-7, Cary Woods Elementary School participated in Read Across America.

Nature and Science Author Visits South Smiths Station

4th, 5th, and 6th grade students at South Smiths Station Elementary School kicked off their library research unit with a handson presentation by nature and science author, Heather Montgomery.

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Autauga CountyHigh Schools Opelika School Students Place 3rd in Business Tournament

FBLA (Future Business Leaders of America) students from Opelika High School participated in the annual Southern Union Business Tournament on March 5. Of the twelve schools competing, OHS placed third overall and had winners in the following categories: Adrianna Royster: 1st place Business Communications; Jeremiah Ingram: 3rd place Business Calculations; Jesse Ford: 3rd place Business Communications; and Marcus Marshall: 3rd place General Business. Pictured (l-r): Jeremiah Ingram, Jesse Ford, Adrianna Royster and Marcus Marshall.

Beulah’s First Tennis Team in Action this Spring

Beulah’s first tennis team competed against the Valley High School Rams on Thursday, March 20th. The team has played multiple matches to date with Dustin Howard winning his #2 singles match vs Valley HS on Monday, March 10th with the Bobcats falling to the Rams 8-1. Beulah was back in action again on Tuesday, March 18th with Davis Owen winning his #6 singles match and the Bobcats falling to class 6A Smiths Station by a score of 8-1. After Beulah completed a year with a tennis club in the spring of 2013, the Bobcats were able to add tennis as a spring sport for the first time this year. Beulah will compete again in its next match at Smiths Station on Thursday, April 3rd. Pictured from left to right is: Matthew Reaves, Shawn Redden, Jarrett Browning, Ben Snider, Tyler Cobb, and Davis Owen. Missing from the boys’ team photo is Dustin Howard. The team is coached by Beulah High School’s Assistant Principal David Owen.

Wrights Mill Road Holds Tiger Walk for Special Olympic Participants

Wrights Mill Road students held a “Tiger Walk” for our Special Olympic participants. Pictured, Luke D. third grader from Wrights Mill Road, is making his way through the “Tiger Walk” for Special Olympics.

Taziki’s Café Makes Donation to Lee County Special Olympics

Taziki’s Mediterranean Café celebrated the grand opening of its new Auburn location on Monday, March 17 with a donation to Lee County Special Olympics. Company partner Jason Parkman, a long-time volunteer with Special Olympics, presented the Lee County delegation with a check for $1,247.50 for proceeds from the restaurant’s charity days benefitting Special Olympics. Each Taziki’s location partners with a local nonprofit in support of the community. In June, Lee County Special Olympics (LCSO) athletes will travel to Princeton, NJ to represent the State of Alabama at the National Special Olympics Games. Lee County’s gold medal basketball team will compete against teams from across the US for the title. Pictured during the check presentation are (front row, L – R), Maggie Guin, LCSO athlete; Brooke Owens, LCSO athlete; Ame Hill, LCSO athlete; Dana Stewart, Lee County Special Olympics Co-Director; Auburn Mayor Bill Ham, Jr.; and Jason Parkman, Partner with Taziki’s Mediterranean Café. (Back row, L – R), Brittani Owens, LCSO athlete; Jeffrey Barnes, LCSO athlete; and Alison Hall, Lee County Special Olympics Co-Director. Auburn Opelika Parents I May 2014

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Boys and Girls Clubs Thank Volunteer for His Service

The Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Lee County would like to thank Mr. Jonathan Wallace for his time volunteering with the Auburn Unit. Wallace is an upcoming junior on the Auburn University football team and is majoring in Physical Education. Jonathan started his volunteer service at the Auburn Unit early in the 2013 fall semester as a service learning student. His main duties were monitoring and helping kids with their homework, but he also took part in helping and sometimes even participating in physical fitness activities. In addition, he helped form the Auburn Units flag football team and worked with the kids on valuable quarterback skills. Although he had school and football practice to attend to, Wallace was still able to come twice a week on multiple occasions. Wallace still attends the club on a weekly basis to visit and help tutor the kids.

Opelika Middle School Science Fair Winners

Opelika Middle School students completed a long-term research science project that began with a question they wanted to learn about. Students created a hypothesis, assembled materials, and developed procedures before carrying out their own experiment. During the process, students learned how to write research papers to increase their knowledge over their topics. They then created a project board that they presented to their peers in class. Students finished the process by entering their project in the OMS science fair competition. The winners competed at Auburn University on March 20, at the Greater East Alabama Regional Science and Engineering Fair. Pictured: The Opelika Middle School 2014 Science Fair winners: (l-r) Davis Samuels, Gear Perry, Logan Gauntt, Celeste Frazier, Amber Carpenter, Sierra McCullough, Lia Hansen, and Ceci Strickland.

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Autauga County Boy Scouts to Honor Cooper, SmithSchools as ‘Distinguished Citizens’

The Chattahoochee Council of the Boy Scouts of America will honor two in the Lee County area as “distinguished citizens” through its annual Distinguished Citizens Award Dinner: Laura Cooper, executive director of the Lee County Youth Development Center and past president of the Auburn City Schools Board of Education; and Eddie Smith, senior vice president of AuburnBank and president of the Opelika City Council. The pair will be honored at an April 24 awards dinner hosted by the Boy Scouts at the Marriott at Grand National in Opelika. Typically, Chattahoochee Council presents the award annually to a resident of the Lee County area whose personal, professional and civic service typifies the principles found in the Boy Scout Oath and Law. This year’s event will mark the first time two individuals have been honored at once. The dinner is an annual fundraising effort to support locally based Scouting programs in the Saugahatchee District, which includes most of Lee County. Support through last year’s event enabled local Scouts in 2013 to provide more than 3,200 hours of community service in the county, earn nearly 430 Cub Scout and Boy Scout ranks and 830 merit badges, and achieve Scouting’s highest rank of Eagle Scout by a recordbreaking 16 Scouts. Bob Dumas, AuburnBank president and CEO, is serving as chair of this year’s Distinguished Citizen Award Dinner. Dumas lauds both Cooper and Smith’s commitment to the community through their professional, civic and personal endeavors. “Laura and Eddie’s many contributions to our community continue to enhance our quality of life in East Alabama,” Dumas said. “Their volunteer spirit is contagious and they both epitomize service above self. They are very deserving of this prestigious recognition.” Laura Cooper has been serving the Auburn-Opelika community for nearly three decades through her service as a licensed social worker at the Lee County Youth Development Center. A native of Prestwick, Ala., she earned a master’s in community agency counseling from Auburn University after graduating from The University of Alabama. Her civic service includes involvement with the United Way of Lee County, the National Advisory Council of Auburn University’s College of Education, and the City of Auburn Industrial Development Board. She previously served as member and president of the Auburn City Schools Board of

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Education, and is a recipient of honors that include the Community Champion Award from the Boys & Girls Club of Lee County and the Chairman’s Award by the Auburn Chamber of Commerce. She and her husband Arthur are members of Bethesda Baptist Church of Opelika, and together they have one son, Kyle, who is a senior at Fort Valley State University in Georgia. Eddie Smith, a life-long Opelika resident, graduated from both Opelika High School and Auburn University. A Lee County banker since 1979, the last 15 years of his career have been with AuburnBank. In addition to his third term of service on the Opelika City Council, and second as president, his civic involvement is extensive and has included service to the Achievement Center Foundation, Community Foundation of East Alabama, Opelika Chamber of Commerce, United Way of Lee County. He and his wife Dawn Thomas Smith are members of First Baptist Church of Opelika, and together they have two adult children — Ashley Smith Durham and Edward Smith — and two grandchildren. A pre-dinner reception begins at 6 p.m., and dinner at 7 p.m. While there is no cost to attend the dinner, reservations are required and guests will be encouraged to make a fully tax-deductible charitable donation to the Scouting program during dinner. Individual and corporate sponsorships are also available: fourperson half-table seating sponsorships for $500; eight-person full-table seating sponsorships for $1,000; or event-level sponsorships at $5,000. Saugahatchee District has honored community leaders for nearly two decades. Recent Distinguished Citizen Award Dinner honorees include Certified Financial Planner and City of Auburn Councilman Dick Phelan (2013); former City of Opelika Economic Development Director Al Cook (2012); Auburn University Athletic Director emeritus David Housel (2011); current Lee County Sheriff Jay Jones (2010); former Opelika mayor and current Opelika Chamber of Commerce President Barbara Patton (2009), and former Auburn Head Football Coach Pat Dye (2008). To obtain more information about the event, make a reservation, commit to a sponsorship, or to pledge a charitable donation to the Scouting program, please contact event chair Bob Dumas at (334) 887-2732, or Saugahatchee District Executive Alan Spencer at (706) 593-7056 or alan.spencer@bsamail.org. For more information about Saugahatchee District programs and events, visit www.saugahatchee.org. 15

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Autauga County Schools Anti-Bullying Seminar

at Auburn Mixed Martial Arts

Auburn Mixed Martial Arts, in association with Lee County Autism Resource & Advocacy, conducted a free Anti Bullying seminar April 5th at Auburn Mixed Martial Arts. Students in attendance learned how to recognize, acknowledge, and defeat bullying from a physical, emotional and verbal standpoint. LCARA and their members supported the seminar by inviting children with Autism who need special training in learning how to stop bullying. Auburn MMA plans on conducting another free seminar in the fall, so please check and like their facebook page.

OMS National Junior Honor Society Conducts Book Drive

In an effort to spread the gift of literacy, the Opelika Middle School (OMS) National Junior Honor Society (NJHS) conducted a book drive from March 17-April 17. Members of NJHS are encouraged fellow students, teachers and community members to donate books to the drive. NJHS will donate the books to local daycares and elementary school students through Opelika Reads. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We want to transform students into joyful and engaged lifelong learners. Providing students with books and encouraging them to read is a great way to begin that process,â&#x20AC;? stated Melanie Montel, NJHS Sponsor. Pictured: OMS National Junior Honor Society members (l-r): Tiffany Boutdy, Sydnie Woodley, Savannah Karl, Jamie Lowe (NJHS President), Ghania Warren (NJHS Treasurer), Grayson Crowley, and Ryan Smith.

Planting the

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Autauga County Schools OHS Students Earn Career Tech Credentials in HeartSaver First Aid/CPR/AED

Twenty-eight Opelika High School students recently earned the HeartSaver First Aid/CPR/AED certification. Pictured in the group photo are: Ryan Austin, Katie Caroline Bennett, Janie Bigham, Hannah Brown, Breanna Burton, Teria Ellison, Shambria Fowler, Jamia Freeman, Natanai Garcia, Lakendall Goosby, Micayla Heard, Tre Holstick, Megan Howe, Kailin Jones, Tyrica Lampley, Amber Lane, Kelsey Lee, Kaleigh McDonald, Laurel Morgan, Jessica Penn, Kay Randolph, Rajjah Richardson, Abbey Rowe, Dylan Summerford, Ashley Thomas, Takeyah Tolbert, and Skyler Watts. Taelor Wilson completed HeartSaver First Aid.

OHS Students Earn Career Tech Credentials

Fifteen Opelika High School students recently earned the Basic Life Support and Community Emergency Response Team certification. Pictured in the group photo: India Dow, Darnisha Goodwin, Skye Guice, Quaneisha Jones, Bekah McCormick, Madison Murphy, Jasmine Parker, Alyssa Patel, Nidhi Patel, Penny Rajsimuang, Symone Robinson, Chelsee Sherwood, Cerigan Simpson, Spencer Sumner, and Niya Watts.

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Zeta Phi Beta Sorority Psi Gamma Zeta Youth Auxiliary Supports RMHCA

The youth of Psi Gamma Zeta collected 5 gallons of pop tabs for two months to support RMHCA. Pop tabs are invaluable in the amount of community awareness they raise for the Ronald McDonald House® program. Pop tabs are clean and compact. Plus, they are easy for anyone to save. Ronald McDonald House Charities® of Alabama, Inc. (RMHCA) is committed to enhancing the lives of children and their families, with a primary emphasis on facilitating access to pediatric health care for residents of Alabama and adjacent states. RMHCA provides a safe, affordable, supportive “home-away-from-home” for sick or injured children and their families when they travel to Birmingham for medical treatment and a place to rest and re-group.

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Lee-Scott Academy Student Signs with Troy University

Brackin Stewart signed with Troy University to run track and cross country. Congratulations, Brackin! Pictured: Front (L-R): Marty Stewart, Brackin Stewart and Lane Stewart; Back (L-R): Headmaster Dr. Don Roberts, Maggie Monroe, Coach Greg Mann, Cross Country Coach Michele Dean, Luke Stewart, Track Coach Franklin Smith and Track Coach Chad Prewett.

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AutaugaAcademy County Schools Lee-Scott 5th and 6th Grade Sock Hop

Each year, in February, Lee-Scott Academy elementary school sponsors a Sock Hop for the 5th and 6th grade students. The admission to the “hop” is a large bag of dry dog food. This year the students donated over 1800 pounds to Rescue K911—a record high! The donations filled up the van! The event is always great fun for the students; teachers are the chaperones and there are refreshments, music, line dancing, prizes for different categories of socks, laughter, and hoppin’ fun.

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OHS Career Tech Students Visit OMS During Career Technical Education Month

Opelika High School celebrated Career and Technical Education Month with many activities throughout the month of February. Members from the various Career and Technical Student Organizations (CTSO) visited Opelika Middle School on February 10-11 to promote their programs and organizations to current 8thgrade students. The eighth graders rotated through stations in order to gain hands-on experiences about the courses offered at Opelika High School. Presentations were made by the following groups: Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA), Family Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA), Agriculture (FFA), Health Occupations Students of America (HOSA), and SkillsUSA (Information Technology and Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM). Pictured (l-r): Hannah Pierce, Emily Hansen and Ian CoueyLivings talk with OMS students about agriculture classes available at OHS.

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100 Days at Wacoochee Elementary

Wacoochee Elementary School celebrated the 100th Day of School differently this year. The students and teachers dressed up as if they were 100 years old. Mr. Todd Seeley, second-grade teacher, and his student, Wyatt Henderson, were among those who participated.

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City Church Easter Egg Drop

Approximately 200 people came to the City Church Easter Egg Drop according to Lead Pastor Randy Cowart. Families enjoyed a day in the sun and lots of Easter Egg hunting. Other activities included bounce houses, snow cones, face painting and photos with Aubie!

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Autauga County Schools

OHS Students Earn Career Tech Credentials in Business Education

Sixty-five Opelika High School students enrolled in business courses recently earned a total of 81 industry recognized credentials in Microsoft Access, PowerPoint, and/or Word 2010. Pictured in the group photo with teachers Tiffany Yelder, Mandi Edwards and Stephanie David are: Microsoft Access: Dawn Baskin, Microsoft PowerPoint: Austin Blaschke, Deasia Brooks, Debreana Burney, Emily Bylsma, Kambria Calloway, Jakyra Chambers, Cameron Chamblee, Givon Clarke, Ariana Curtis, RaSheed Dardy, Raven Davis, Ivori Davis, Kurteisha Dooley, Rodnique Dorsey, McKenzie Dukes, Seth Eason, Tykerial Edwards, David Escalante, Brandon Gaffney, Hope Harris, Allison Heath, Samantha Herring, Brantley Hill, Braden Holloway, Kenyatta Hutchinson, Benjamin Isaacson, Mikayla Jackson, Ja'Nea James, Shareika Jenkins, Akebia Jones, Jessica Jones, Jadarrel Kelley, Sarah Kent Kyser, Kolby Lee, Emme Levins, Jessica Lollar, Jordan Lovelace, Ryan Lux, Skyelar Martin, Kimberly May, Dontavious McGhee, Da'Mari Mennefield, Paul Money, Olivia Morgan, Dasia Moss, Dylan Munnerlyn, Claudia Myers, Domenic Norton, Taylor Pouncey, Toni Ruble-Bates, Kenny Sanchez, Lei Sanders, Billy Sanders, Alexis Shepard, Kristen Speigner, Jasmine Stinson, John David Strickland, Seymone Swanson, Jeremy Thomas, John Walker, Georgia White, Nichelle Williams, Frank Wright. Microsoft Word: Emily Bylsma, Kurteisha Dooley, Hope Harris, Braden Holloway, Kenyatta Hutchinson, Jadarrel Kelley, Sarah Kent Kyser, Emme Levins, Kimberly May, Mikayla McCollum, Dontavious McGhee, Dylan Munnerlyn, Domenic Norton, Kristen Speigner, Georgia White, Nichelle Williams, and Frank Wright. In addition, Christopher Nguyen (not pictured) and Silvester Walker (not pictured) earned PC Pro certification in Information Technology.

Beulah Offers Hope 4 the Homeless

Beulah High School’s Student Council leaders recently concluded a school-wide initiative entitled Hope 4 the Hungry. This student council service project was initiated by Beulah’s Media Specialist and Student Council Sponsor, Mrs. Suzanne Fender. The project was introduced to student council members on January 13th and concluded on January 24th. Students were encouraged to collect food items and monetary donations up until the project ended on January 24th. Beulah’s student council focused their community service efforts on providing Hope 4 the Homeless. The student council members worked in collaboration with a local community organization called Divine Intervention Ministries to assist with preparing and delivering meals. With the food items and money collected, the Divine Intervention Ministries will be able to provide meals of sante fe soup and spaghetti for homeless persons in the Columbus and Lee County area. Beulah students brought in 286 food items and donated $260.50. Pictured are Student Council Members Trevon Brown (Treasurer), Caleb Boone, Tiffany Messer, Cody Johnson (President) and Brad Hurst (Secretary). These Student Council members showed great leadership in helping organized and carry out this project.

Lee-Scott Academy Teachers of the Year

Lee-Scott Academy is pleased to announce the 2013-2014 Elementary and Secondary Teachers of the Year. Mrs. Emily Meador was named Elementary Teacher of the Year, and Mr. Leon Fletcher was named Secondary Teacher of the Year. Auburn Opelika Parents I May 2014

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District Science Fair Results for Lee-Scott

Congratulations to Lee-Scott Academyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Britton Whatley (Eye Black), who placed first in the Elementary Biological Science Category at the district science fair. Congratulations also to Claudia Peeples (Hardwood vs Engineered Wood), who placed first in the Elementary Physical Science Category.

Wrights Mill Road Art

Wrights Mill Road third graders Kaitlyn F., and Fabiola S. are holding their ceramic sea turtles

Ambassadors Represent Cary Woods at Soccer for a Cure On April 4, Cary Woods Elementary School Ambassadors represented CWES at the Soccer for a Cure Game.

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Boy Scout Banquet Honors Record Number of Eagle Scouts, Top Volunteers

As part of its annual District Banquet on March 13, the Saugahatchee District — one of four districts comprising the Columbus, Ga.-based Chattahoochee Council — celebrated a record number of Eagle Scouts and service provided by its volunteers. Saugahatchee District, which encompasses most of Lee County, Ala., includes nearly 850 youth members and 200 volunteer leaders in 22 Cub Scout packs, Boy Scout troops and Venture crews. In 2013, the Saugahatchee District saw 16 Boy Scouts achieve Scouting’s highest rank of Eagle Scout. Nationally, nearly 57,000 Scouts earned the rank of Eagle Scout in 2013 —and more than 2 million have earned the rank since it was first presented in 1912. To become an Eagle Scout, Boy Scouts must progress through ranks from Scout to Life by living the Scout Oat and Law in their daily lives, providing leadership in their troops, participate in substantive service projects, and mentor younger Scouts by teaching them new skills. Boy Scouts must also earn at least 21 merit badges — 12 of these selected from a required list. Finally, Boy Scouts must conceptualize, plan, and execute a significant Eagle Scout leadership service project, and present the results of that project and review their overall progress as part of an Eagle Scout Board of Review. These Eagle Scout service projects are a significant portion of the more than 3,200 hours of service provided by Lee County Scouts in 2013. In addition to the 16 Scouts from 2013 who were honored during the banquet, the district’s four newest Eagle Scouts from 2014 were also included in the banquet’s recognition. The banquet also provides the district an opportunity to thank leaders who provide district-level service for their contributions the previous year. Members of the district committee and other volunteers who oversee specific programs support the Scouting program through coordinating activities that include membership and recruiting, camping, communications, advancement, finance, and fundraising. The final volunteer recognition of the evening was the presentation of the District Award of Merit — a council award presented by districts to volunteers who render outstanding service at the district level. This year’s recipients were Joel Moore, who recently completed two terms as district chair of the Saugahatchee District, is currently the Chattahoochee Council’s vice president for programs, and is troop committee chair for Boy Scout Troop 371, chartered by Lakeview Baptist Church; and Michael Tullier, who currently serves as the district’s public relations chair and is the chartered organization representative for Auburn United Methodist Church, which charters both Cub Scout Pack 29 and Boy Scout Troop 29, and for the Auburn Rotary Club, which charters Boy Scout Troop 50. For more information about Saugahatchee District, visit www. saugahatchee.org. Pictured, as part of its annual District Banquet, Saugahatchee District honored volunteers Michael Tullier (left) and Joel Moore (right) with its District Award of Merit, a council-level award presented by districts to volunteers performing outstanding service. Both are active with local Scouting units in addition to their district responsibilities. The event also honored the district’s 16 Eagle Scouts from 2013 – a record number of local Eagles – and its four newest Eagles from 2014.

Congratulations to the Liles Smiles no cavity winners! (Wii Drawing for May 1st)

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Armiah Childs Aston Keith Austin Gouker Autumn Harris Ava Caldwell Bailey Clayton Banks Smith Barbara Wilson Ben Eskridge Benaiah Kanyi Bennett Henry Blair Garrett Blakelee Isbill Blu Berry Bonnie Short Braelin Harris Brandon Bell Brandon Cruz Brandy Berry Brewer Smith Brianna Beavers Brianna Key Brittani Thrift Brody Bice Brooks McFadden Cade Pridgen Callie Ray Camille Champion Carter Vann Celina Aleman Charlie Davis

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Edgar Martinez Eli Taylor Ella Autrey Emma Jacoway Emma Stewart Emma Voss Ephriam Thornton Essense Key Ethan Jacksland Ethan Robinson Eva Caponetto Garner Young Gavin Gibbs Gavin Raines Gavin White Genesis Williams Gracie ( Tonya) Mathis Greer Long Gustavious Davidson Haley Sumner Hannah Cooper Hannah Cottrell Hannah McCoy Harmony Ware Harrison Short Henley Bice Hollis Jones Horacio Gonzalez Hudson Olive Hudson Smith Hunter Clayton

Kaidan Griffin-Beatty Kaleigha Watson Kamariah Finley Kamarius Griffin-Beatty Kambell Fetner Kannon Fetner Karleigh Whalen Kayla Boutwell Kaylee Eblin Keairra Morgan Kelly Harman Kendarius Bailey Kendrick Manley Kennady Fetner Kenneth Jones Kensley Carter Key’Air Davidson Khloe Drake Kim Harman Kimberly Lopez Kiptyn Mumma Kody Atkinson Kody Shelnutt Kourtney Dowdell Kyara Jane Copeland Kyle Harman Kynlea Peterson La’Daisha Nunley Landon McGregor Landon Nelms Lane McDaniel Laney Futral Lee McCall Leighton Moss Leo Andrzejewski Leslie Paschal Libby Cottrell Libby Williamson Lila McCoy Lilina Aleman Lillian Welcher

Lily Otwell Linnea Redenius Logan Baker Lori Thomas Luke Rudd Macy Parker Maddie Grace Currie Maddison Berry Madison Melton Madison Morgan Maggie Casey Makayla Warren Makenzie Currie Makenzie Denney Makya Boyd Malachi Benford Malik Benford Mallie Cate Jarvis Mariah Ross Markel Straghn Marley Golden Marquavious Hutchinson Marterrious Hutchinson Mary Brantley Moore Mary Kate Melton Mason Hughes Mason Lehmkuhl Matthew Mottern Matthew Roberts Matthew Wright Mattie Johnson Max Autrey McKenzie Maddox Megan Harman Meleah Tigner Melissa Ixmay Melony McCall Memphis Butler Mia Tatum Michaela Knowles Morgan Paschal

Moses Pendleton Nathan Bean Nathaniel Whitlow Noah Chamblee Noah Houston Noah Warren Olivia Johnson Olivia Schwendeler Paeden Rivers Paige Lang Paisley Nicolaisen Parker Bergesen Peyton Harris Pileepae Holloway Preston Harrison Preston Hunt Quentavion Meadows Quinten Copeland Raleigh Anna Harris Ramsey Chandler Rasheeda Abdullah Reagan Butler Reece Brown Reeve Caldwell Reid Brown Richard Lucas Roberto Martinez Roger Perez Ryanne McDonald Sadiah Shamery Samantha Alford Samantha Belcher Samuel Omilian Sashia Martinez Savanna Bridges Savannah Britt Serenity N. Ligon ShaKeira Smart Shelby Chandler Skylar Storm Sloane Petersen

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Q. I want to roll over a 401(k), and my

bank is encouraging me to roll it over to fixed annuities. Is this a good investment?

A. More times than not, when you go to a bank for investment advice, what you’ll get in the bargain is bad advice. And that’s the case here. I’d move toward a traditional IRA, in a series of good growth stock mutual funds. Put it across four types of accounts: growth, growth and income, aggressive growth and international. What you’re looking for is a great track record for your investments. You want a track record so ridiculously good that it gives you a great sense of comfort, even though there’s no guarantee of what’s to come. And there are mutual funds out there that can do just that for you. I own one that’s over 70 years old, and it has averaged nearly 12 percent over that time. Lots of people talk in “what ifs” when it comes to investing. Well, you can play that little game all day. But if the economy goes completely down the tubes, and the government destroys things like mutual funds and real estate completely, your little bank-

recommended annuity isn’t going to make it, either. The banking system as a whole will fail if all the mutual funds close because they’re all based in publicly traded companies. And that means virtually every business you drive by on your way to work would be out of business. A bank’s not going to survive that kind of thing. If you’re looking for things to help you survive the apocalypse, you’re talking about food and water. But if you want rational, well-reasoned investments, you need to look at growth stock mutual funds and paid-for real estate. That’s what I do!

Q. Why do you think debt consolidation is such a bad thing? A. Debt consolidation is a bad thing because it makes you feel like you really did something to get out of debt and change

your financial world when you didn’t. People come to me all the time saying stuff like, “Dave, I got a second mortgage. I paid off all my debt!” Well, no you didn’t pay off all your debt. You just moved it around. That’s part of the catch when it comes to debt consolidation. If you get a lower payment and move things around a little bit, you feel like you actually accomplished something. The problem with that is you don’t do anything to address the real problem, which is you. Interest rates aren’t your problem, and the number of payments isn’t your problem. Your problem is the person you look at in the mirror every morning. Until you fix that person and get mad enough at your financial situation and the real cause of it, you’ll never make any progress toward getting control of your finances. Trying to borrow your way out of debt is not a good plan!

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When Kerri Zane gave her then 16-year-old daughter, Rachelle, the goahead for a New Year’s Eve party at their house, Zane made it clear--no alcohol. Still, one underage teen found a loophole. Unbeknownst to anyone, he stopped at a liquor store and gave a passerby money to buy beer for him. After guzzling it in Zane’s neighborhood gazebo, the teen arrived at the party so intoxicated he had to be rushed to the hospital before he even went to the party. Zane learned about the incident from the boy’s father, who called her in a rage, accusing her of supplying his son with the alcohol that nearly killed him. “It scared all of us,” says the single mom of two. The boy never even made it to her house. Still, she was implicated nonetheless and shaken. “I felt terrible that Auburn Opelika Parents I May 2014

this kid almost died from alcohol poisoning,” she says. Zane hasn’t had a party at her house since. It’s just too risky.

The Sober Reality You can’t blame her. Twenty-one may be the legal drinking age, but the law hardly deters teens. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, alcohol is the most commonly used and abused drug among young people in the U.S., more than tobacco and illicit drugs. In fact, 12 to 20 year olds drink 11 percent of all alcohol consumed. And, they tend to imbibe through bingeing multiple drinks in a short period of time. Teens who drink are more likely to have problems in school, be involved in alcohol-related car crashes, participate in unwanted, unplanned and unprotected 26

sex and abuse other drugs. And, there are other long-term effects. The teenage brain is still developing, and teens who drink are five times likelier to abuse later. “Consuming alcohol at such a vulnerable time can permanently alter the brain’s circuitry,” says Joseph Shrand, M.D., a psychiatry instructor at Harvard Medical School and the Medical Director of CASTLE (Clean and Sober Teens Living Empowered) at High Point Treatment Center in Brockton, Massachusetts. Moreover, teens are temporarily hard-wired for risk. “In adolescents, the amygdala--the part of the brain that’s responsible for impulses, feelings, memories, pleasure and addiction--is more in control than the prefrontal cortex, the part that’s responsible for thinking, problem solving and anticipating the consequencwww.auburnopelikaparents.com

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es of decisions,” Dr. Shrand says. “With a brain like that, it makes perfect sense that a teen would say, ‘Wow, I think I’ll just drink because feeling drunk feels great.” Still, because alcohol is easily accessible and drinking is legal after age 21, it doesn’t seem so bad. Some parents may even feel that way. “My kids have gone to parties at friend’s homes in which the parents are drinking along with everyone,” says Carol Barash, Ph.D., a mom of two who counsels high schoolers on the college application process. But experts say this sends the wrong message. A better idea? Discourage your teen from drinking period. Here’s how to get that message across, even if you drink yourself, without sounding like a hypocrite. Tailor your alcohol talk. Developmentally, teens need to break away from their parents. But, they don’t cut all ties. They’re still listening even though they don’t seem to be. So, start talking about alcohol if you haven’t been already. What you should say will depend on your DNA. If you have a personal or family history of alcohol problems, Joseph Lee, M.D., medical director of the Hazelden Youth Continuum in Plymouth, Minnesota and author of Recovering My Kid, recommends that you take a hardline: “We have alcohol addiction in our family so we have to be careful. That’s why I don’t drink and you shouldn’t either.” If that’s not the case and you enjoy an occasional glass of wine with dinner, Dr. Shrand recommends that you explain how the adult brain isn’t as susceptible to the hazards of alcohol use as the teen brain. And, underscore that you’re just having one drink, not smashed every night. Listen up. To help your teen cope with the peer pressure to drink, you should listen and ask thoughtful questions without judgment. For example, if your teen says, “I saw this kid at school get so drunk at a party that he threw up on someone,” you might say, “What was that like for you?” instead of “Why did you go to that party?” “Be nonreactive and expect the worst of news,” says Rick Meeves, Ph.D., Director of Clinical Services for Adolescents at CRC Health Group in Orem, Utah. Letting your teen use you as a sounding board with a little guidance thrown in, such as “Yes, that’s what happens when you drink way too much,” can help your teen come to his own conclusion about how to con27

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Alcohol Alert

While some teens may experiment with alcohol and stop, others can become dependent. A change in friends, physical complaints such as fatigue, a decreased interest in school, a drop in grades or withdrawing from the family are all signs that your child may have an alcohol problem. Consult your child’s pediatrician to rule out underlying medical issues and get a referral to a child or adolescent psychiatrist specializing in alcohol dependency. duct himself and curtail the urge to rebel, Meeves says. An additional bonus is that your teen may feel comfortable coming to you with future problems. Have a no-questions-asked policy. If your child drinks anyway, have an unwritten contract that she will call you and you’ll go get her, no questions asked, instead of drinking and driving or getting in a car with someone who has been drinking. “It has to be crystal clear that you’re not going to pick up your kid angry or punish her for doing the right thing, like calling you,” Dr. Shrand says. “You can have the conversation about the drinking part later. But first, keep your kid safe.” Meddle in your child’s social life. You never want to host a teenage drinking bash at your house because it sends the message that underage drinking is okay. You’ll also be held legally liable for anything bad that happens. But, why not host sober soirees? “Just because our kids are teens doesn’t mean we can’t be involved in their play dates, just like we did when they were little,” Dr. Shrand says. Collaborate with the parents of your teen’s friends and make it clear to everyone that drinking will not be tolerated. “We have a rule that if you’re drinking, we’ll call your parents and you’re going home,” Dr. Shrand says. AOP

As a journalist specializing in health and nutrition, Sandra is a frequent contributor to many national magazines and websites, including Ladies’ Home Journal, Prevention, Parents, American Baby and Fitness.

Auburn Opelika Parents I May 2014

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Kids Get the Inside Story

Recommending the Best Toys and Products for Kids

Give any child a closed box and the first thing they will ask is “What’s inside?” And as parents we know it’s much cooler to keep the secret and enjoy the surprise, the discovery. And it’s not just cool, it’s smart. Instead of just telling children what’s beneath the surface, why not give them the tools to find the answers for themselves. There are many kits, games and toys that inspire kids to peer inside, and what they find only leads deeper, to seek what else may be hidden. Curiosities being the hallmark of youthful exploration, the following items give kids the resource to go beneath the surface and to seek amazing inside stories.

by Gerry Paige Smith

Break Open Real Geodes

4D Visions: Dog (Tedco)

Part of a series of anatomy kits for kids, the 4D Visions: Dog offers an inside view of the man’s best friend, and all the interior marvels that make him tick. Standing about sixand-a-half inches high, the realistic canine frame contains 28 removable components that feature a dog’s anatomy. An ideal intro into vertebrate mammal structure, young hands can use the included assembly guide to build and disassemble the model while learning their way around the interior biology of a dog. With great hand-painted details, this exploration of everything inside a dog makes a great discovery tool and a cool display when it’s not teaching!

(Dr. Cool Science)

Geodes are natural rock formations that form when hollow chambers occur in rock and over time minerals accrete inside, forming crystals of different shapes and colors. But no one knows what is inside these small roundish stones until they are cracked open. With the Break Open Real Geodes kit, kids can use the enclosed safety goggles and a borrowed hammer to crack open the kit’s six geodes which are millions of years old. Once the hammer strikes and the mysterious crystals inside the stones are revealed, the kit includes an Adventurer’s Guide with more facts about the science of geodes. At once satisfying curiosity while encouraging a smashing good time, kids will love to take a whack at geodes to see what’s inside!

Nancy B’s ScienceClub Aquascope

Perplexus

(PlaSmart Inc.) This challenging sphere keeps the game play just under the surface, while players on the outside twist, turn and tumble the ball to win. Perplexus is a clear plastic globe that contains a complex maze and a single silver ball. Navigating the maze inside the sphere – yet unable to touch the silver ball – players must look inside and use only outside manipulation to move the ball through its paces and to its destination. Twists, flips, spins and other moves keep the ball in play on the inside. Reasoning and reflexes combine to move the ball that you can’t touch through challenges, mazes, tracks and tunnels just in sight, but out of reach. Fun for individual play or multi-player timed challenges, Perplexus takes you inside a game you can’t put down!

(Educational Insights)

While our eyes are always drawn to pools of water, the reflective and shifting surface makes it hard to see what lies just below. The ScienceClub Aquascope is an engaging tool that allows the user to break the surface and get a clear, magnified view of what’s happening beneath the water line. Perfect for spying creatures and formations just under the water’s surface of tide pools, shallow ponds, slow creeks and more, the Aquascope is also equipped with a temperature strip and a LED flashlight for extra underwater illumination. The included Marine Biologist’s Journal offers activities that encourage note-taking, drawings and more. Best enjoyed by the middle-school set, the Aquascope is a drylander’s dream for a journey of discovery just below the surface of ponds and pools.

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

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Here are a few proven summer-ready tools any mom can use:

The Job Jar You know those tasks that always fall to the bottom of the list? Summer can be a great time to have the kids help you complete them. Breaking them into short, 15-minute jobs and setting up a lottery system for assigning them (where everyone has a chance of drawing a “day off”) can make chores less like work. Create your own job jar by designating an empty container to fill with slips of paper containing the chores to be done (along with some free day slips). Include tasks such as: wiping down kitchen cabinet fronts, dusting slats on wood blinds, or cleaning out the silverware drawer. Make the jobs simpler for younger children or plan on assisting, should they draw a more difficult job. Also, keep jobs brief enough to be easily completed in 15 minutes You can put an entire summer’s worth of jobs in the jar and have children draw slips daily until the jar is empty. Or you can fill it weekly with enough chores for children to draw one apiece each day. Then make note of small jobs around the house as you notice them, to be added to the job jar later.

The Reading Ratchet

“I’m bored.” “There’s nothing to do!” Moms dread to hear these two refrains, especially in the weeks after the school year ends. Between keeping the house running smoothly, and ensuring a good balance of entertainment, education and relaxation, it can be an overwhelming time. But with preparation and the right tools, you can save your sanity and make it a summer to remember. Auburn Opelika Parents I May 2014

What will your kids be reading this summer or what will you read to them? Whether you live with kids who have an unending appetite for books, or have to bribe your child just to crack one open, it helps to have a list to work from. Add this tool to your belt now and you’ll be able to reach for it all summer long - whether in response to the occasional “I’m bored” or to fill the stretches of time during a long car ride or plane trip. Don’t feel like you have to create a list all own your own (although if you’ve been meaning to have your kids read some of your favorites, now’s your chance). There are plenty of reading lists available for kids of all ages. If your school gives out a summer reading list, start with that. Some kids enjoy the challenge of reading all the recent award-winners. And occasionally schools offer rewards for those who complete a list. Book awards include the Caldecott Medal (for picture books), Geisel medal (beginning reader), Newbery, and Coretta Scott King (African American authors and illustrators). Many states also have their own young readers’ book awards, in which students can www.auburnopelikaparents.com

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Job Jar Ideas

-wipe down fronts of kitchen cabinets -wash out insides of all household wastebaskets -wipe down baseboards (in one or two given rooms) -clean fingerprints from door jams (in one room) -vacuum off couches and chairs and under cushions -wipe down chair rungs in dining room -pull weeds in one flower bed -dust off fan blades of all ceiling fans participate by reading a minimum number of books from the list of nominees before voting for their favorites. As a parent, you can also create your own reading list to target specific goals you have for your children. Kara Haas requires her two sons to read three different types of books each summer: one Christian biography, one historical fiction and one fiction. Then she asks them to answer questions she and her husband have created.

The Fun Friday Blueprint Every mom should have a master plan for fun. Decide when you’ll make local excursions and where you’ll go. Some moms, like Emily Neal, make the outings a weekly event and invite friends to join them. This makes planning ahead important. Involve your children in brainstorming destinations. You could include nearby water parks, new-to-you playgrounds, ice cream shops, museums, zoos, and gardens. Don’t forget to have both indoor and outdoor options so you can flex with the weather. Even a trip to the party store to buy zany masks for at-home fun can make a difference, Neal points out. “Sometimes the simplest things are the coolest,” she says. Having a plan for fun ensures that you won’t be stuck at home wondering what to do. And you won’t finish the summer regretting not visiting places you’d hoped to. “It’s important to be deliberate about it,” says Neal. “It’s fun to look back and have all those memories.” 31

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The Life Skills Drill School is for learning the three R’s. Home is where our children should be mastering life skills that enable them to navigate the everyday world. Starting with the basics such as cleaning a bathroom and then progressing in their tween and teen years to such skills as balancing a checkbook and changing the oil on a car. Haas has made skill development a priority for her boys’ summers. “Every summer since they were ten they have learned a new skill that will help them when they own their own home or manage their homes. Some years it has been painting, placing sidewalk pavers, basic construction, and even sewing,” she explains. “I’d watch their life and think, what

Life Skills Options

-Making an emergency phone call -Cleaning pet cages and food bowls -Cooking a simple meal -Laundry, including folding and ironing -Basic bicycle repair and maintenance -Lawn mowing -Replacing a fuse on circuit breaker -Balancing a checkbook -Painting walls and trim -Basic vegetable and fruit canning

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Ev are they old enough to do? Or what am I tired of doing for them?” Choose one or two new skills you’d like to see your child master. Then create a plan. How often will they practice the new skill - once a week, once a month, or repetitively for a short time during the course of a single longer project? Who will teach them the skill and how will the child demonstrate he has mastered it? Using these tools you’ll be keeping your children active mentally and socially. And they’ll be helping you out and developing abilities that will last long after the summer is over. AOP Lara Krupicka is a freelance writer and mom to three girls. She loves using a Job Jar and is always amazed at how her daughters can read their way through entire lists of award-winning books over the course of a summer.

Auburn Opelika Parents I May 2014

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TheFlyLady

A Flight Plan For You and Your Home. by Marla Cilley

Parents Should Do Their Best, Lessons ainSpider But Not ExpectFrom Too Much Return This morning while I was taking my bath I noticed a little feathery spider crawling across my ceiling. I have been watching this spider since last fall. It is a happy living thing and I have become protective of it! For many months it lived in the corner over my tub. When I first noticed the spider, I thought it was dead. When I started to clear the cobweb it moved! I was shocked. I had no idea that it was alive. What was it eating? One evening I started my bath water and notice it was in the bottom of the tub; I rescued it and put it behind a basket. That brings me to this morning. I had been gone for a week and had forgotten about the spider. Then I look up and see her. I like to think of the spider as a she! I watched her crawl across the ceiling toward the light over the sink, I saw her fall every few steps. I was standing ready to catch her if she fell into my bath water, but she did not fall very far. She had built herself a safety net. Every few steps she would anchor her

web. Then if she slipped she would only fall a few inches. This was how she could defy gravity. Her web gave her sure footing and security if she did fall. I pondered this while I was meditating in the tub. What lessons could I learn from watching her? Build yourself a safety net was the first one I thought of. I do this in lots of ways. 1. I have a $20 bill on my key ring in a capsule. 2. I have a hand bar to help me get out of the tub. 3. I have an emergency kit in my truck. 4. I have friends I can call. 5. I have backup chargers and wifi. 6. I have my keys on a lanyard so they donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t get lost. 7. I put my purse in the same place when I get home. 8. I have my routines. The second lesson that came to mind was her patience. She did not get in a hurry! Each step was slow and

steady! So many times we miss out on the fun because we are too rushed to stop and be in the moment. I have enjoyed living in peace for many years. I was in no rush to get out of the tub. The time I spent watching her journey sparked this essay. The third lesson I saw was to follow your instincts! She already knew how to spin her web. She was true to who she was! She was a spider, doing what spiders do best! Many times we get caught trying to be who everyone else thinks we should be and we donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t follow our own path. Our routines become our safety nets, they allow us to take baby steps to get our homes in order and then they free us to be who we were meant to be. Are your ready to FLY?

For more help getting rid of your CHAOS, see her website and join her free mentoring group at www.FlyLady.net. Also check out her books, Sink Reflections, published by Random House, and her New York Times Best Selling book, Body Clutter, published by Simon and Schuster. Copyright 2013 Marla Cilley. Used by permission in this publication.

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Arts/Crafts Auburn Parks and Recreation

Jan Dempsey Community Arts Center - 501-2963 Kids Can Draw Basics- May27-May 30, 3:30-5:00pm; Ages 8-12 years; Fee $45. Kids Can Draw: Amazing Animals- June 16-18, 2:004:00pm; Ages 8-12 years; Fee $55. Kids Can Paint: Basic Watercolors- May 27-30, 1:303:00pm; Ages 8-12yrs; Fee $55. Introductory Mosaic Tile Workshop- June 20-21, 12:002:00pm; All ages; Fee $40 plus materials. Lovely Landscapes- August 4-6, 2:00-4:00pm; Ages 8-12 years; Fee $55. Anime Comics Fan Club - June 13, June 27, July 25, and August 1, 6:30-8:30pm; Free. Anime Drawing: Chibi MangaJune 23-27, 4:00-5:30pm; Ages 10-15years; Fee $55. Anime Drawing: Chibi MonstersJune 30-July 3, 3:30-5:00pm; Ages 10-15years; Fee $45. Fantasy Drawing: Heros and Villans- June 2-6, 3:30-5:00pm; Ages 10-15years; Fee $55. Fantasy Drawing: Supernatural Creatures- June 2-6, 3:30-5:00pm; Ages 10-15years; Fee $45. Design Your Own Jewelry for KidsTuesdays, May 27-August 8, 3:305:0pm; Ages 10-15years; Fee $75 plus supplies. Midnight Madness- July 21-25, 4:005:30pm; Ages 12-17years; Fee $55. Wonderland Madness- July 28-August 1, 4:00-5:30pm; Ages 12-17years; Fee $55. Learn To Knit for Teens- Thursday, June 3-24, 6:007:30pm; Ages 12-17. Fee $70. Art for Young Children- July 22-24, 10:00am12:00noon; Ages 4-6years; Fee $50. Visual Art Workshops- 5 Sessions: July 7-11, July 1418, and August 4-8. Call for ages, times and fees. A Summer Series In the Visual Arts for Teenagers- June 23-27, July 21-25, and July 28-August1. 10:00am-2:20; Ages 13-18years. Fee $100/week/teen. Ceramics Studio- Dean Rd. Rec. Center, 501-2944 By the Book- Wednesdays, July 9, 16, 23, and July 29-31, 10:00-11:30am; Ages 4-6years. Fee $60 plus materials. Inspired By Artists:Creating Artworks From Clay- July 15-24, 9:00-11:30am; Ages 7-14years. Fee $65 plus materials. Bowling With a Twist- Thursdays, July 8-29, 2:003:30pm; Ages 7-14years. Fee $80 plus materials. Throwing Pots- Monday & Friday, July 7-August 1. 3:00-4:00pm; Ages 10-15years. $100 plus materials. Summer Safari Clay Camp- June 17-21; 9:00-10:30am; Ages: 7-14years; Fee $95.

Columbus Museum

1251 Wynnton Road, Columbus, Ga. 706-748-2562; www.columbusmuseum.com Second Saturday- May 10, 10am-12noon, Free. All Star Artists: Painterly Portraits- May 8, 4-6pm. Ages 5-9 years Mini Masters- May 24, 10-11am. Ages 3-4yrears. Art Sampler Camp- June 9-13, Ages 5-7 years; 9am4pm Sensational Sculpture- June 23-27, Ages 5-7 years; 9am-4pm Mixed Media Madness- June 16-20, Ages 8-10 years; 9am-4pm Auburn Opelika Parents I May 2014

Jule Collins Smith Museum Summer Art Clubs

901 East University Drive, Auburn. 844-1484 www.jcsm.auburn.edu State of Create, ARTy Pants, and StART Summer Programs (May 24-August 9) welcomes kindergarten through high school students. Activities are designed for younger students (K-2nd grade), middle students (3rd-6th grade) and older students (7th-12th grade). We invite parents to spend some time with our education specialist to learn techniques for making art part of your family fun. Materials, lesson plans, and ideas will be available at each event for parental consideration. Log onto website for club topics, descriptions and to register your child.

Sew-thern Belles Sewing Studio

923-J Stage Road, Auburn. sewthernbelles@gmail.com; 229-869-6775 “Kids Can Sew” program for children 3rd grade and up. We offer a structured, fun environment where children learn while having a blast! Summer Camps offered; Spaces are limited.

Spirited Art Auburn

3051 Fredrick Road, Suite 8, Opelika. 363-5257 www.myspiritedart.com/auburn Spirited Art offers three different levels of camp – Matisse, Van Gogh, and O’Keeffe. Decide where your young artist fits best and then choose your date. Matisse Camp: June 2-5 and July 14-17. 10:00am; Ages 5-8 years; 4 days Van Gogh Camp: June 9-11 and August 4-6. 10:00am; Ages 7-12 years; 3 days O’Keeffe Camp: June 23-25. 10:00am; Girls ages 7-12 years; 3 days Santa’s Workshop: July 21-25. 10:00am; Ages 5-12 years; 4 days.

Uptown Art Uncorked

2436 East University Drive, Auburn and 127 South 8th Street, Opelika. 209-1188, www.uptownart.com; Adult, family and kids classes offered. Classes include all supplies. Kid’s classes are for 5-12 year olds and classes up to 25 kids per session. Birthday, bridal, girls night out parties too. Calendar available on line for class and party registration.

Book Clubs Sprout Children’s Boutique Opelika Parks and Recreation

All classes, 705-5560 or for pottery classes, 705-5558 I Love Art- July 21-25. 9-10:30 a.m. Ages 3-5. Explore art through color studies and by using various types of paint, clay, drawing and mixed media. Art Gallery showing on the last day of class. Parents aren’t required to stay, but are welcome. Watercolor Workshop- July 14. 9am-12noon. Ages 10-13. Recycled Art Workshop- July 16. 9am-12noon. Ages 10-13. 3D Art Workshop- July 18. 9am-12noon. Ages 10-13. Cerami Kids I- Mondays, 3:30-4:30pm (8 weeks). Denson Art Center. Ages 6 & up. Cerami Kids II- Tuesdays, 3:30-4:30pm (8 weeks). Denson Art Center. Ages 6 & up. Cerami Kids III- Wednesdays, 3:30-4:30pm (8 weeks). Denson Art Center. Ages 6 & up Cerami Kids IV- Thursdays, 3:30-4:30pm. Denson Art Center. Ages 6 & up. Ceramin Kids (Homeschoolers)- Mondays, 1:002:00pm. Denson Art Center. Ages 6 & up. Father’s Day Ceramics Special- May 10, 1:00-2:00pm. $10 fee.

Rising Starz

2140 East University Drive, Auburn. 209-1464; www.risingstarzofauburn.com Special Project Camps- Each Tuesday, 12:30-3:30pm, ages 8 years and up. Cost is $40.00, may rent a sewing machine from studio for $10, or bring your own. Some classes require Sewing 101 prerequisite. June 3- Sewing 101; June 10- T-Shirt Rug; June 17- Ballet Shirt; June 24- Tote Bag; July 1-Christmas Ornaments; July 8- Christmas in July; July 22- Monogrammed Shirt; July 29- Bow Holder

2436 East University Drive, Suite 2201, Auburn. 329-7111, www.sproutauburn.com Join us for weekly story time groups!

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Auburn Public Library

749 East Thach Avenue, Auburn. 501-3190 www.auburnalabama.org/library American Girl Club- Grades K- 5th grade students. Girls, be sure to sign up at the Youth Services desk and come meet with everyone. Magic Tree House Club-K - 5th grade students. Be sure to sign up at the Youth Services Desk.

Lewis Cooper Junior Memorial Public Library 204 South Sixth Street, Opelika. 705-5380 www.opelika.org Kids programs and book clubs offered throughout the year.

Dance Auburn Parks and Recreation

Jan Dempsey Community Arts Center. 501-2963 Pirates & Princesses Dance Theatre Camp- June 2-6, Ages 5-6years and Ages 7-10years. Fee $125. Irish Camp Dance- June 16-18, June 30-July 2, July 21-23, 9:00-11:00am; Ages 6-12years. Fee $75. Beginning/Intermediate/Advanced Dance- All summer, call for dates, time and ages.

Make Your Move

116 Columbus Parkway, Opelika; 705-0205 Valley Sportsplex, Valley; (334) 705-0205 www.makeyourmovedance.com Summer Classes and Intensives offered.

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Celtic Traditions School of Irish Dance

2705 Fredrick Road, Opelika; 705-0303 www.celtic-traditions.net Beginner Camps Ages 5-7: June 3-5, June 24-26, and July 15-17. 9:00-11:00am. Beginner Camps Ages 8-12: June3-5, June 24-26, and July 15-17. 12:00-2:00pm. Ceili Camp: June 10-12 and August 5-7. Ages 6 and up; 12:00-2:00pm. Softshoe Camp: June 10-12 and August 5-7. Ages 6

Day Trips Callaway Gardens

US Hwy 18, Pine Mountain, Ga; 706-663-2281; 1-800-Callaway; www.callawaygardens.com Summer hours- 9:00 am-6:00 pm daily. Callaway Gardens is a great location for family vacations in Georgia. Your family will love hiking in our gardens, swimming in Robin Lake, exploring the Cecil B. Day Butterfly Center, golf, spa and more. The FSU Flying High includes acrobats, juggling and more, teen activities, tennis clinics, water skiing & tubing, camp crafts, nature and wildlife adventures, fishing, archery, beach fun, cookouts, and more!

Chewacla State Park

124 Shell Toomer Pkwy. Auburn; 887-5621 www.alapark.com/Chewacla/ 696 scenic acres are a delightful pause from nearby interstate traffic. Facilities include a 26-acre lake, swimming area, playgrounds, hiking trails, a modern camp-

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New friends are now best friends. New experiences are now the best times ever. No wonder it’s so easy to tell others about it and include them in the fun.

Welcome to Riverview Camp for Girls!

We’ve do put Itogether everything you’re looking for in a perfect“I saw camp onemy of Why choose Riverview each summer? mysetting! first river Recognized on a mountain,as I rode

first I had campfires every night. Icamps felt close to God. giggled a lot is with friends and counselors. time flew by! thehorse. Southeast’s best all-around for girls,IRiverview annew oasis of fun, friends andThe happiness... I Exciting felt safe and secure. Iinclude: gained confidence in myselfPool,Tennis, through the world around me.” activities Riding, Heated Canoeing, Ropes Course, Climbing Tower,

Golf,times Dance, Dance, Outdoor Sports, Soccer,use Beach Volleyball, Basketball, “As go,Stomp it was one of the BEST.”Skills AndClass, what child couldn’t some of that these days?

Riverview Reﬁnement, Program, Campﬁres night,Recognized optional trips and more! We’ve put together everythingCIT you’re looking for in a perfect every camp setting! as one of the Southeast’s best all-around summer camps for girls, Riverview is an oasis of fun, friends and happiness. Spring and Fall &available 2 week Sessions ages to 16... Mother-Daughter Weekends1are also! Registeredfor Nurses and6 Physician on Staff. Entire full-summer staff is First Aid andand CPRFall Certified. Camper/Counselor Ratio 5:1 Spring Mother-Daughter Weekends...

1 & 2Week Sessions for Ages 6-16

waiting lists start early...sign up soon!... Waitingwww.riverviewcamp.com! lists start early...sign up soon!...

Dr. Larry & Susan Hooks, Owners/Directors • Donna Bares,Asst. Director

www.riverviewcamp.com

Only 1 /Mountain 2 hours from Huntsville Located on top of Lookout in Mentone, AL. Only a 3 hr drive. 1

Call for FREE DVD and catalog 1-800-882-0722 Accredited by American Camping Association • Members of Christian Camping International

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1100 S. College Street, 202. Auburn. 740-5118 www.aupointe.com Full Class Schedule: June 9-26. Fairytale Camp: July 7-10, Ages 3-6yrs; 9:00-11:00am. Junior Dance Camp: July 14-18, Ages 6-12yrs; 11:00am-2:00pm. Intermediate Dance Camp: July 21-25, Ages 12 and up; 11:00am-3:00pm. Classical dance programs for boys and girls in ballet, pointe, jazz, modern, hip hop, lyrical and more.

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2140 E. University Drive, Auburn; 209-1464 or 498-0308; www.risingstarzofauburn.com Summer Classes and Intensives offered. Day Camps are 9am-3pm and cost is $65. July1- Super Hero Camp July 7- Pirates & Princesses July 8- BFF Camp (bring a friend/partner projects this day) For all week long camps, ages 3-6 years meet 10:00am-12:00noon, and 7-11years meet 9:30am12noon. Cost is $150. A $50 non-refundable deposit is due for each camp at the time of registration. May 27-30- Fun, Fun, Fun June 2-6- Tap, Tumble & Tangled June 9-13- Freezin’ June 16-20- Bethany the Ballet Fairy & Teen Beach Party

Auburn Pointe

www.ColumbusState.edu/Ballet; 706-507-8070 The Conservatory offers a two week summer intensive on ballet technique, pointe, variations, conditioning, jazz, modern, and lyrical.

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Rising Starz

323 Airport Road, Auburn; 275-5013 www.variationsstudio.com

Columbus State University Dance Conservatory

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SportsPlex, 1001 Andrews Road, Opelika. 705-5560 Itty Bitty Ballet- July 28-August 1, 9:00-9:45am. Ages 3-4 years. Fee $35. Tiny Tutus- July 28-August 1, 10:00-11:00am. Ages 5-8 years. Fee $35.

Variations Dance

and up; 9:00-11:30am. Hardshoe Camp: June 17-19 and July 22-24. Ages 6 and up; 12:00-2:30pm.

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Opelika Parks and Recreation

June 23-27- Despicable Me and Shake It Up July 9-11- Competition Team Baton (9am-4pm) July 14-18- Nurse McStuffins and Art in Motion July 21-25- Competition Camp (9am-3pm) July 28-August 1- Buttons & Bows and Sew Much Fun August 4-8- Princess Party & American Girl Camp

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850 Stage Rd, Auburn; 887-7250 www.nixdancestudios.com Summer 6 week sessions begins June 10: VIP (Very Important Princess) Preschool class ages 3-4yrs, ballet, hip hop, turns & leaps, lyrical/contemporary, jazz, baton, and company auditions prep class.

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ground, picnic areas with tables, grills and shelters, and newly renovated cabins. Weekdays: $2 for Adults; Weekends: $3 for Adults; Children 6 to 11 years of age and senior citizens: $1.

DeSoto State Park

13883 County Road 89, Fort Payne, Al; 256-845-0051 www. alapark.com/DeSotoResort Nestled atop beautiful scenic Lookout Mountain in northeast Alabama, this 3,502-acre park provides Mountain Chalets, Log & Rustic Cabins, Motel Rooms, Meeting Rooms, and also has both improved & primitive campgrounds. Also features a picnic area with playground, olympic-size swimming pool, nature center with interpretive programs and live animals, & over 19 miles of hiking & mountain biking trails.

Georgia Aquarium

225 Baker St. NW, Atlanta, Ga; (404) 581-4000 www.georgiaaquarium.org With more than eight million gallons of fresh and marine water and more aquatic life than found in any other aquarium, you are sure to see things you’ve never seen before! Admission rates start $18.95 (toddlers 2 and under Free); annual, premium, combo, and group rates available.

Horseshoe Bend Military Park

11288 Horseshoe Bend Rd, Daviston, AL (256) 234-7111; Monday-Sunday 8:00 am-5:00 pm Tour the free museum and view the 22 minute film, “The Battle of Horseshoe Bend”. Then enjoy hiking the trails, a picnic, canoe the Tallapoosa River, and go fishing. Children (6 to 12 years old) with families are encouraged to participate in the Junior Ranger Program. Program booklets are available free at the Visitor Center. Children completing the required activities will be awarded a Certificate and Junior Ranger Badge. The program must be completed while in the Park and is not available for groups.

Imagine It! Children’s Hands on Museum

275 Centennial Olympic Park Drive NW, Atlanta, Ga; 404659-KIDS [5437] Atlanta’s only children’s museum, is the perfect place for children age eight and under and their families to learn and explore together in a safe and fun hands-on environment.

Lake Lanier Islands-Chattahoochee Rapids Beach & WaterPark

7000 Holiday Road, Lake Lanier Islands, Ga; 1-800840-LAKE; www.lakelanierislands.com With more than a dozen exciting rides and attractions, Chattahoochee Rapids Beach & WaterPark at Lake Lanier Islands Resort offers summer fun for the entire family. The Beach & WaterPark is a multi attraction interactive family environment that offers endless fun while getting drenched. Come experience Wild Waves, Georgia’s largest wave pool, or take a ride down one of our many waterslides. The Kiddie Lagoon and Wiggle Waves are perfect for pint-sized guests and relaxing is easy on our half-mile of sandy white beach! Auburn Opelika Parents I May 2014

LegoLand Discovery Center

3500 Peachtree Rd. Suite G-1, Atlanta, Ga; 404-848-9252; www.legolanddiscoverycenter.com Explore our indoor attractions! 15 rides and attractions including LEGO® rides, soft play area, 4D cinema, MINILAND, guided tours, DUPLO® Village, LEGO® Friends Olivia’s House, LEGO® Ninjago Laser Maze and more, all ideal for children aged 3-10 years. Tickets $15-$19, children 2 years and under free. Hours: Sunday-Friday, 10:00am-7:00pm and Saturday, 10:00am-9:00pm.

McWane Science Center

200 19th Street North, Birmingham; (205) 714-8300 www.mcwane.org Rates range $9.00-$17.00; Children under 2 Free; Monday-Friday 9:00 am-5:00 pm, Saturday 10:00 am6:00 pm, Sunday 12:00-6:00 pm. June 3-August 9- Summer Camps- half and full day camps available.

Port Columbus- National Civil War Naval Museum

1002 Victory Drive, Columbus, Ga; 706-327-9798 www.portcolumbus.org Rates $5.00-$6.50; Sunday-Saturday 9:00 am -5:00 pm. Guided tours, self-guided tours, and group tours available.

Stone Mountain

U.S. Highway 78 East, Exit 8, Stone Mountain, Ga; 1- 800-401-2407; www.stonemountainpark.com Park admission- $22.00- $28.00; Toddlers 2 and under Free, Discounts and annual passes available Lots of fun and activities including the Geyser Towers, Sky Hike, laser shows, hiking, musical entertainment, kids’ foam pit, Summit Skyride, Great Locomotive Chase Adventure Golf, the Antebellum Plantation and Great Barn. May 24-August 3- Summer at the Rock May 25-27- Memorial Day Weekend June 7-Atlanta’s Family Soul Fest. June 11-14- Atlanta Fest. contact Atlanta Fest at 800.783.8839 for additional details. June 15-20- Educators Appreciation Week July3-5- Fantastic Fourth Celebration July 25-27- DockDogs World Championship Qualifier August 29-31- Labor Day Weekend

Windcreek State Park

4325 Alabama Highway 128, Alexander City, AL 256-329-0845; www.alapark.com/ WindCreek/ This park spans 1,445 acres along the shores of scenic Lake Martin, that is a 41,000-acre clear-water reservoir perfect for fishing, swimming and boating. Park facilities include the largest state-operated campground in the United States with 626 sites.

Education/Tutoring Science Matters

College of Science and Math, Auburn Campus. 8445769. www.auburn.edu/cosam/outreach 6 Week Long Sessions: May 27-30, June 2-6; June 16-20; June 23-27; July 14-18; July 28-August 1. A summer enrichment program for rising 1st-6th graders

offering youngsters a supercharged science experience. The program allows participants to explore the world of science through real experiments, technology and art projects, and hands-on, make-n-take activities. During the week, kids design and build, dabble in the art of chemistry, become a flight specialist, see amazing critters, and more! Day and Extended day hours available. 5040 Haley Center, Auburn University, 844-6934 Twelve 45-minute tutorial sessions; Monday-Wednesday; accommodates kindergartners, first grades, and some second graders: June 4-July 14. Tuesday-Thursday program works with struggling readers in grades 3-6: June 5-July 15. Most sessions will be scheduled between 8:00 and 8:45 AM. Tutors will contact parents at the beginning of June to confirm specific lesson times. For an application form, contact Dr. Bruce Murray.

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Kumon

Auburn University Summer Reading Program

Flint’s Crossing -1550 Opelika Road, Auburn; 501-8586 www.ikumon.com It is the job of our Kumon Center to encourage each individual child to want to learn, to enjoy learning, and to be capable of studying successfully in the future. Kumon method includes free placement testing, Kumon math and Kumon reading, improving concentration and study habits, empower through self-motivation, and test prep. Junior Kumon for preschool and kindergarten too.

Little Language

Littlelanguage@gmail.com Summer World Tour Camp designed to teach children grades completed 1st-5th about the cultures, customs, and languages of the countries along the tour. This year’s journey will include: Mexico, Germany, France, Italy and Korea. Campers will ‘step inside’ each country and learn about the people, places and things that make that area of the world unique. Monday-Friday, 9am-12noon, during June and July.

S.E.E.P. Summer Educational & Enrichment Preparation

Greater Peace Community Development Corporation, Opelika. 334-749-9487 Are you ready for the summer? You may be thinking about what your child will do for activities while school is out. Greater Peace Community Development Corporation will offer a Summer Educational Enrichment and Preparation Program (SEEP) for children entering grades 1 through 8. The SEEP program is taught by certified teachers who cover reading comprehension, science, technology, engineering, arts and math concepts.

Tutoring and Test Prep of Auburn

www.testprepauburn.com; 502-3459 Partnering with parents to help students achieve success. Instruction in reading, math, writing, study skills, penmanship; Tutoring for Specific Subjects as Needed, ACT Prep, SAT Prep, ASVAB Prep, MCAT Prep; Call for more information about other test prep programs.

Family Fun Forest Ecology Preserve

2222 N. College Street (Hwy 147) near Hwy 280 and the AU Fisheries. preserve@auburn.edu; 844-8091 May 9- S’more Fun With Mom!

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June 7- Community Family Fun Day June 21- Member’s Fish and Fun Day July 26- Hunger Games Survival Skills August 23- Caving August 29- AUsome Amphibians Summer Ecology Camps: Ages 1-6 graders; 8:00am12noon. Membership is required for camp registration. Young Naturalists: June 2-6 Hunger Games Training Camp: June 9-13 Young Naturalists II: June 16-20 Explorers: June 25-29

AMF Bowling

719 Opelika Hwy. Auburn. 887-6573 www.amf.com/auburnlanesal Free bowling for kids all summer long! Kids registered in the Summer Unplugged program can bowl two games per day, every day, all summer long! (Shoe rental not included.) www.freebowling.amf.com

Butts Mill Farms

2280 Butts Mill Road, Pine Mountain, Ga; 703-6637400; www.buttsmillfarm.com Discover the farm! We have train rides, go-carts, horse-

back and pony riding, paint ball games, discovery zone, bounce house, inner tube river float, playground, fishing pond, mini golf and more! Open daily. Call about hours and party reservations. Rates start at $13.95 and up; Toddlers 2 and under Free. Groups and birthday parties welcome!

Carmike Wynnsong Movie Theatre

2111 East University Drive, Auburn. 501-0401 Kids’ Summer Movie Series: Wednesday and Thursday, 10:00am, throughout the summer. $4.00 admission for all includes kids snack tray.

CyberZone

107 North 9th Street, Opelika. 737-5000 www.cyberzone334.com Whether its lasertag, state-of-the-art arcades in The Grind, nostalgic retro games, or getting your snack on at the CyberCafe, we’re bound to have something to keep you entertained for hours! Host your birthday party, event, lock-in or family reunions. Private party rooms available.

Frog Legs

467 North Dean Road, Auburn; 745-8737 www.froglegsparty.com Come jump in the indoor playground and party center featuring giant interactive inflatables all in one clean, safe, climate-controlled facility. You can bring your children to play during our OPEN PLAY time or better yet, host his/her next birthday party at our location. 3, 6, and 12 month passes available. Don’t forget your SOCKS!!!

Hollywood Connection

1683 Whittlesey Road, Columbus, GA; 706-571-3456 www.carmike.com 125,000 square feet of state-of-the-art entertainment with movies, amusements, attractions, games, food and fun!

Montgomery Zoo and Mann Museum

2301 Coliseum Parkway, Montgomery; 334-240-4900 www.montgomeryzoo.com 9:00 am -5:00 pm. Tickets range $7.00 -$14.00; toddlers 2 years and under- Free; Senior citizens, military and group discounts.

Scutter Putters Mini Golf

1220 Fox Run Avenue, Opelika, 745-9393 www.usaminigolf.com Indoor mini-golf where our theme is “Journey Across America”. Each one of our 18 holes is a place of interest or historic landmark located in the U.S. ranging from the Golden Gate Bridge and Redwood Forest, to Carlsbad Caverns and Cape Cod. At each one of the

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holes there is a fun little book of trivia and information about the landmark which provides an educational tool that is entertaining. We even offer blacklight capability some evenings and parties which provides another unique feature.

Sports Academy

3768 Pepperell Parkway, Opelika (Midway Plaza) 749-4040; www.sportsacademyauburn.com Auburn/Opelika’s premiere indoor sports training and conditioning facility! We cater to athletes of all sports, skill levels and all ages! Party space available; teams welcome.

The Skate Center

1221 Commerce Drive, Auburn; 821-1128 Tuesday-Thursday 6:30 – 9:00 pm; Friday 6:30-10:00 pm; Saturday 12:00-4:00 pm and 6:30-10:00 pm; Sunday 2:00-5:00 pm and 7:30-10:30pm. Prices range from $4.00-$6.00 includes skate rentals. Birthday Parties, Church Parties and Civic Groups, Parties, School Fundraisers, Sorority/Fraternity Socials

Wild Animal Safari

1300 Oak Grove Road, Pine Mountain, GA 706-663-8744; www.animalsafari.com Sunday-Saturday 10:00 am -7:30 pm all summer You can drive your own vehicle (or take the complimentary bus tour- seasonal) thru our Drive-Thru safari and get to experience hand feeding the animals. On the safari the exotic animals will literally come up to your car and eat right out of the palm of your hand. You also get to enjoy our walk-about section (both parts included in your ticket price), here you will find some of our other animals in pens for you to see. Scattered through our entire park we have approx. 650 animals, (and counting!)

Adventure Day- July 30- 1:00-4:00pm. Ages 5-12yrs. Fee: $10. Fun activities! You are invited to go on an adventure of food & fun. Back to School Bash- July 25- 10:00am-1:00pm. All Ages, Free. Back to School Ice Cream Social- August 1- 1:002:00pm. Ages 5-12, Fee $5. Boys Night Out- June 27- 6:00-9:00pm. Ages 7-12. Fee $20. Come hangout with the guys. Enjoy food, a movie, basketball and a video games. Covington Movie Club- June 12, June 26, July 10, and July 24. 3:30-5:00pm. Ages 6-12. Fee $7. Hot summer day with nothing to do? Come in and enjoy a movie and popcorn! Girls Night Out- June 13- 6:00-9:00pm. Ages 8-12. Fee $20. Come enjoy food, a movie, jewelry making and makeovers. Don’t forget to wear your pj’s. Goofy Games- July 8-3:00-4:00pm. Ages 6-12yrs. Fee: $10. Enjoy relays, group games, board games & computerized games. Green Thumb Gardening- June 25- 3:00-4:00pm. Ages 5-12. Fee $12. Get ready to bring a new life into this world..plant life that is! Come ready to decorate a pot to plant your new flower in! Junior Bakers- July 15- 3:00-4:30pm. Ages 9-12. Fee $15. Junior bakers will experience baking dishes with a surprise baker! Class max: 6 Kids in the Kitchen- June 3- 3:00-4:00pm. Ages 4-7. Fee $15. Hands on fun making delicious and childproof foods!

A Day in the Life of…Police Academy –June 23- 9:3011:30am. Ages 6-11 yrs. Fee: $10. Spend the morning with members of the Opelika Police Dept. Great opportunity to go behind the scenes. Snack included. A Day in the Life of…Firefighters Academy- June 24-8:30am-2:00pm. Ages 6-12yrs. Fee: $15. Report to the Denson Drive Rec Center-transportation provided to Opelika Fire Dept. training center. Experience first hand what it takes to be a firefighter. Explore the trucks, try on the uniform and hold the hoses! Prepare to ‘get wet’. Lunch and T-shirt included. A Day in the Life of…Power Service Academy- June 25- 9:30am-12:00noon; Ages 6-11yrs. Fee: $10. Have you been in a bucket truck or climbed a Light & Power Pole? Join members of the Light & Power Department as they demonstrate their skills and invite participants to have ‘hands on’ fun in this morning academy! Snack included. Auburn Opelika Parents I May 2014

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923-B Stage Road, Auburn; 821-7300; www.premierspiritacademy.com Kids Camp – June 9-11, Ages 3-6 years; 10:00am12noon. $60 if registered by June 4; $70 after June 4. Tumbling Camp – June 16-19, Ages 7-18 years; 9:00am-12:00noon. All Tumbling Skill Levels. $100 if registered by June 11; $110 after June 11. Regular Monday- Thursday classes offered throughout the summer too! Mom and Tot, Preschool, Youth, Level 1-3, Advanced Tumbling and Cheer Classes.

Auburn High School Cheer Camp

Rachel Stewart, restewart@auburnschools.org May 27-29, 8:30-11:30am. AHS Gym.

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Gymnastics & Cheer

943 Lee Road 57, Auburn; 8870026 www.hghorsequarters.com An equestrian center located in Auburn offering lessons, boarding, showing, and camp sessions. Joey Camp I – June 23-27; 8:00am-1:00pm. Joey Camp II- July 28-August 1; 8:00am-1:00pm. Joey Camp III- August 4-8; 8:00am-1:00pm. All Joey Camps: Beginner riders ages 5-8: No experience necessary. Students learn safety, grooming, tacking-up and mounting, Walk & trot in balance with their mounts. Fun, informative, hands-on activities follow riding each day, with materials that are designed to be age and skill appropriate. Crocodile Camp-June 2-6. 8:00am-3:00pm. For riders who can at least walk/trot on the rail and beginning over cross rails. Riders increase their knowledge on horsemanship, safety, and riding awareness. Expand their knowledge on equitation and what is expected in the show ring. On the last day of camp, campers will show off their skills in a Camp Show! Giraffe Camp- June 16-20. 8:00am-3:00pm. For advance riders who can Walk, Trot, Canter, and jumping 18”. Loading, clipping, show grooming, wrapping, first aid, and daily management. Jumping lessons everyday! Seminar with Local Vet and Farrier.

Opelika Parks and Recreation

Sandy’s Stables

800 Cherokee Avenue, SE; Atlanta, GA; 404-624-WILD Monday-Friday: 9:30am-5:30pm, ticket booths close at 4:30 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday: 9:30am.6:30pm., ticket booths close at 5:30pm. Tickets- $14.99-$19.99; 2 and under Free; Military, senior citizens discounts. Season passes available.

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Ben White, 705-5547 or bwhite@ci.opelika.al.us Parent and Me Tumbling- May 19-July 17, Monday 6pm, Wednesday 10am, Wednesday 6pm, or Thursday 10am. Ages 2-3 years with parent participation. Tumble Tots- May 19-July 17, Tuesday 6pm or Wednesday 10:30am. Ages 4 years. Level I Tumbling- May 19-July 17, Monday-Thursday, 3:30-4:30pm, 4:30-5:30pm, or 5:30-6:30pm. Level II Tumbling- May 19-July 17, Monday-Thursday, 3:30-4:30pm or 4:30-5:30pm. Level III Tumbling- May 19-July 17, Monday-Thursday, 5:30-6:30pm. Cheer Prep Tumbling- May 19-July 17, Monday-Thursday, 6:30-7:30pm.

Lion Tamers - Kids Fun Day- June 7- 10:00am1:00pm. All ages. Free to public! Games, prizes, food, fun and Free Swim! Summer Crafts- June 11- 3:00-4:00pm. Ages 4-7. Fee $10. Messy Madness- July 24- 3:00-4:00pm. All Ages. Fee: $10. “Messy Projects and Slimy Creations”. Wear old clothing. Pizza Pizzazz – July 10- 3:00-4:00pm. Ages 6-11. Fee: $10. Learn to create various pizzas using bagels, French bread, English Muffins. Wacky Water Games- July 22- 3:00-4:00pm. Age 6-10yrs. Fee: $10. Have fun with bubbles, balloons and water.

Denson Road Recreation Center. 1102 Denson Drive.

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sandysstables@bellsouth.net Day Camps- 4 Camps: June 2-6, June 9-13, July 7-11 and July 28-August 1. 8:00am-2:00pm. Day camp will include: 2 mounted lessons a day, 2 unmounted lessons a day, English riding, Western riding, bareback riding, trail rides, grooming, horse safety, horsemanship, horse care, tack, driving a pony and cart etc...Students will also enjoy cooling off on our water slide. Riders are able to set their own goals and accomplish them. $450

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Ice Cream D Square Donuts

1625 East University Drive, Auburn. 887-1112 www.dsquaredonuts.com Now featuring Frozen Italian Ice and Ice Cream! Of course, still serving donuts and custom cakes!

Bruster’s

2172 East University Drive, Auburn; 821-9988 Monday-Sunday 11:00 am-10: 00pm Homemade ice cream, sherbet, sorbet, Italian ice and no sugar added fat free items, cakes and pies. Free baby cone for toddlers.

Chill Yogurt Cafe

2486 Enterprise Drive, Tigertown Opelika; 745-7715 & 234 West Magnolia Ave, Downtown Auburn; 502-1114. www.chillyogurt.com Pure frozen yogurt, yocakes, custards and sorbets. Nonfat, low fat with many toppings to choose.

SnowBiz Shave Ice

1625 East University Drive, Auburn; 319-0739 & 1607 S College Street, Auburn; 742-0371 Sno Biz shave ice, snow cones, Hawaiian, Italian ice and their tropical flavors have fans around the world dreaming of their next big chill.

Toomer’s Drugs

Toomers Corner® on the corner of Magnolia Ave and College Street; 887-3488; www.toomersdrugs.com “Preserving an Auburn Tradition.” Old fashion specialties including the world famous fresh squeezed lemonade, banana split, floats, shakes, malts, hot fudge brownie sundae, ice cream cones, ice cream sodas, sundaes, and more!

Local Camps Auburn First Baptist Child Development Center

128 East Glenn Ave. Auburn. Milissa, 821-8125 or afbcdc@gmail.com Summer Camp is field trip based, available for children who have completed Kindergarten - 5th grade (entering 6th). May 27-August 8; 7:00am-5:30pm. The Child Development Center is a ministry of Auburn First Baptist Church in which we provide safe, loving, quality care for children in a Christian environment. We strive to provide the best in early education by providing hands-on learning so that each child may develop to his or her highest potential in physical, mental, emotional, social and spiritual growth.

Auburn Parks and Recreation

Melissa Weldon, 501-2946 Camp Kaleidoscope- Auburn Jr. High School. Session A: June 2-6; Session B: June 9-13; Session C: June 16-20; Session D: July 7-11; Session E: July 14-18; Session F: July 21-25; 8:00am-5:00 pm. Each week of camp will be filled with games, activities, special guests, and field trips. 6-12 years; $125 per week, $100 per week for each additional sibling and $675 for the entire summer. Junior Camp Counselor Program- June 2- July 25, Ages: 13-17 years; The Counselor position is a volunteer position that teaches teens responsibility and allows them to mentor younger campers at Camp Kaleidoscope. This is a great opportunity for teens to learn invaluable skills necessary for their first “real” job and provides a great atmosphere to socialize with other junior camp counselors in a fun and exciting setting. Also, this is a chance for teens to earn community service credit hours and give back to their community. The deadline for participants to register is May 16. Small Fry Camp- Frank Brown Recreation Center; Monday, Monday, Wednesday, and Friday: June 2-July 25. Ages: 3-5 (child must be 3 years by the first class); 8:00-11:00am. Preschoolers will enjoy hands-on activities, music in song and dance, and many other age-related activities. Fieldtrips may be offered. Child must be toilet trained to participate. Summer Therapeutic Day Camp- Alison Hall, 501-2930, ahall@auburnalabama.org, 7 week summer day camp designed for young adults with various disabilities. Program includes lifeskills training such as handling money, team work, social skills, square dancing,

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Au swimming, and other physical recreation activities. The campers also participate in field trips. Superhero Training Camp- Monday, Wednesday and Friday, June 9-13, 3:00-5:00pm; Ages 4-6years. Fairy Princess Camp- Monday, Wednesday and Friday, July 21-25, 3:00-5:00pm; Ages 4-9years. Cooking Camp- Monday, Wednesday and Friday, May 23-30, 3:00-5:00pm; Ages 5-9years. Science Camp- Monday, Wednesday and Friday, August 4-8, 3:00-5:00pm; Ages 5-8years. Etiquette Factory Camp- June 9-12, June 16-20, July 14-17, July 21-24, 9:00-11:00am; call about age groups.

Auburn Summer Youth Programs at Auburn University

www.auburn.edu/summercamps; Outreach Program Office, 844-5100 21st Century- June 8-13. Architecture Camp- 2 Sessions: June 22-27 & July 13-18. Art Studio Intensive- June 22-27. Building Construction Camp- June 15-20. Design Camp- 2 Sessions: June 15-20 & July 6-11. Engineering TIGERS Camp- Senior camp: July 22-27, (10th-11th); Women: June 15-20. Fisheries Camp- June 22-27. Food Science Camp - June 8-11. Forestry Camp- July 13-18. Loachapoka Explore Auburn Days Camp- June 8-13. Musical Theatre Camp- July 6-11. Project Design Camp- July 13-18. Real Cents, Real Change-June 15-20. Veterinarian Camp-Senior Camp- June 1-6; Junior Camp-June 15-20. World Affairs Youth Seminar- July 6-11.

Bonnie’s Kids Childcare Center

2314 Enterprise Drive; Opelika. 745-6248 www.bonnieskidschildcare.com “Where children grow.” Closed circuit monitoring; computer & dance programs; pick up from school for Beauregard, Opelika & Auburn for after school programs, and summer camps. We are licensed for up to 200 children / DHR Licensed for 22 years. Summer Activities Program for School Age children; Breakfast, Lunch, & Snack provided (USDA Food Program), Dance, Gymnastics, and Music Classes offered at the Center.

Growing Room

644 North Dean Road, Auburn. 334-501-2044 www.growingroomusa.com. Exploring the Great Outdoors! Each week activities and adventures related the outdoors such as camping and fishing. Field trips too! The summer curriculum continues to include educational concepts.

Milestones Learning Center

1811 East Glenn Ave. Auburn. 887-4391 www.milestoneslc.com Summer camp- June-Aug; different theme each week: summer fun, summer safety, under the sea, vacations, America the beautiful, creepy crawlers, wild west, summer sports, let’s go fishing, and much more!

Opelika Parks and Recreation

Covington Day Camp- June 2-13, June 16-27, June 30July 11, July 14-25. Monday-Friday, 8:00am-3:00pm. Ages Kindergarten-7th graders. This camp will have a wide variety of sport activities, swimming, and weekly field trips both in and out of town. Cook outs and a Auburn Opelika Parents I May 2014

staff-camper water day featuring a 30 ft. water slide highlights an active summer planned with your child in mind. On rainy days your camper will have a variety of activities inside the gym and game room. Camp includes snack, daily swimming and a t-shirt. PlexCamp- June 2-13, June 16-27, June 30-July 11, July 14-25. Monday-Friday, 8:00am-3:00pm. Ages 1st5th grade (completed). This camp will include a wide variety of activities including arts & crafts, swimming, field trips, water day, wacky day, color day and sports. Many activities will have special emphasis on nature and science. Plex Kids Camp- June 2-July 25. 3:00-5:30pm. weekly sessions. 3:305:30pm. Ages 1st-5th grade (completed). After a full day of camp, kids will have a snack, some down time and enjoy the many activities the Sportsplex has to offer. Art Camp-August 4-6. Ages 8-12 years. 8am-12noon. Fee $25. Art Studio Camp- July 21-25. Ages 6-9; 10:45am12:15pm. Fee $40.

Auburn Academy of Martial Arts

323 Airport Rd, Suite J, Auburn, 502-7221 www.auburnacademy.com Camp themes include: Padded Weapons, Board Breaking, Bully Buster Techniques, Tournament Sparring. Learning, discipline, and FUN! All levels-beginners and advanced. We welcome all interested students to come by to observe a class or just jump right in and try it out.

Camp ASCCA

www.campascca.org; 256-825-9226 Easter Seals Camp ASCCA is a year round camp for people with disabilities located in Jackson’s Gap, Al. Activities include horseback riding, fishing, tubing, swimming, environmental education, arts and crafts, canoeing, a “splash pad”, outdoor adventure elements, like the zip-line, and much more!

Camp Shakespeare at the Alabama Shakespeare Festival

334-271-5393; www.asfeducation.com; A week of acting, stage combat, movement/dance, voice training and technical theatre. June- July. Grades 4-12.

P.E.E.P.S. (Poultry and Egg Experiences for Prospective Students)

Poultry Science Building, AU Campus. Amanda Martin 844-2881; amartin@auburn.edu Camp is designed to educate students in the areas of agriculture, food, science and poultry.

Martial Arts Auburn Mixed Martial Arts

2515 East Glenn Commerce Park #204 , Auburn 887-0818; www.auburnmma.com Teach realistic, but safe, fighting techniques in the martial arts of: Brazilian Jiu jitsu, Muay Thai, Wrestling, Judo, Kickboxing, Anti Bully Techniques and Submission Grappling. We also teach classes in Fitness Kickboxing and Kettle Bell. No experience necessary!

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Active8- Columbus State University, Continuing Education Summer Camps

www.activ8er.com; 706-507-8070. Genius at Play! 10 weeks of active summer fun! Half day and full day options, before and after care available, new camps to choose from every week. Camps begin June-Aug.

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Music Auburn Parks and Recreation

Jan Dempsey Community Arts Center. 501-2963 Jr. Musical Theatre Camp Jr- June 9-14; Ages 5-7 yrs Musical Theatre Camp II- June 9-14; Ages 8-12yrs Musical Theatre Camp for Teens – June 9-14; Ages 13-18 yrs Summer Intensive- June 23-28, July 28-August 2; Ages 5-18yrs Campers, of all skill levels, improve theater-related skills in voice, dance, and acting while meeting new friends and most important, having fun! There will be a performance at the end of the week for family and friends.

Spicer’s Music

2140 E. University Drive, Auburn. 329-7529 www.spicersmusic.com Rock Band, Praise Band and Advanced Camps: June 2-6 and June 9-13. Morning and afternoon sessions. Attention aspiring musicians, ages 8 - 18! If you love music, and want to play in a rock band, this camp is for you! At Spicer’s Garage Band Camp, you will have a blast as you jam daily with your bandmates. You will receive individualized instruction on your instrument, work with other musicians to choose a band name and logo, write your own song, and learn several current songs. After a fun-filled week of jamming, you and your band will perform on stage with professional lights and sound equipment in front of family and friends. Also offering lessons on an incredible variety of instruments, including but not limited to: guitar, bass guitar, upright bass, keyboard/piano, voice, harp, drums, ukulele, banjo, fiddle, violin, cello, harmonica, tin whistle, oboe, didgeridoo, mandolin, dulcimer, clarinet, saxophone, flute, trumpet, and french horn.

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Auburn Guitar Shoppe

758 East Glenn Ave. Auburn. www.auburnguitar.com; 821-6818

Auburn University Band Camp

www.band.auburn.edu June 15-18, June 18-22, June 22-25, June 25-28, July 26-28.

Summer Showoffs

www.summershows.com; Email mary@summershowoffs.com July 7-11; Providence Baptist Church, Auburn and July 14-18; Lee Scott Academy. Now Showing!!! Summer Showoffs is a music day camp for ages 1st-12th graders that uses music and performance to build confidence and character. We help students develop their talents on stage! Everyone gets a solo!

Sports/Fitness Auburn Parks and Recreation

Sports Camp- June 9-13, July 14-18, 9:00am12:00noon; Ages 9-12years, Fee $50. Campers will have the opportunity to participate in a different sport each day. Sports include baseball, soccer, tennis, track, basketball. Camp will be at a different location each day. ASA Rising Tiger Soccer Camp- June 2-5, July 7-10. Ages 4-7 years; Fee $70. ASA Junior Soccer Camp- June 2-5, July 7-10. Ages 8-15years; Fee $85. ASA Goalkeeper Soccer Camp- August 4-7, 5:008:00pm. Ages 10-18years; Fee $95. ASA Advanced Soccer Camp- August 4-8, 5:008:00pm. Ages 10-18years; Fee $95. Basketball Camp- June 18-19, 8:00am-5:00pm. Ages 7-12years; Fee $30.

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Opelika Parks and RecreationSportsPlex

1001 Andrews Road, Opelika; 705-5560 Flag Football- June 7-July 9. Saturday mornings 9:00am, 10:00am, or 11:00am. Ages 5-12 years, Fee $35. Karate- Tuesday and Thursday, 6:00pm. Ages 6 and up. T-Ball- Begins June 2. Ages 4-6years. Fee $40. All sports registration now: Football, basketball, soccer, cheer, t-ball, baseball, racquetball, tumbling and more!

Robert Trent Jones Grand National Golf Clinics

3000 Robert Trent Jones Trail, Opelika. 749-9042, www.Rtjgolf.com June 9-12, June 23-26, and July 28-31. Summer clinics for junior golfers, ages 7-17years, taught by PGA Certified Pros. 8:30-11:30am. $100 per session: Includes lunch and a free Par 3 round each day.

Auburn Thunder

www.auburnthundersoccer.com; 256-655-4448 Auburn Thunder (part of the Auburn Soccer Association) is an elite soccer club for boys and girls ages 9-18. Team Tryouts: June 2-4; makeup tryouts June 9.

Giving hope to parents and providing care to children is what we’ve done for over 100 years. Our nationally ranked healthcare team treated children from 42 states and 4 foreign countries just last year. Children’s of Alabama is recognized locally and around the world as providing a level of care that presents children with a much brighter future. 1600 7T H AV E N U E S O U T H B I R M I N G H A M , A L 35233 (205) 638-9100

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Auburn University Sports Camps

Baseball Academy- sctt@throw90.com Basketball- mbabul@auburn.edu Brett Hawke Swim- www.auburnswimcamps.com Equestrian- carolyn031@centurytel.net Football- wbolt@auburn.edu Gymnastics- kurth@auburn.edu Soccer- khoppa@auburn.edu Tigers Golf- www.auburntigers.com Tiger Softball- deeseti@auburn.edu Tennis- www.gteamtennis.com Volleyball- cwc0004@auburn.edu

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Healthplus

1171 Gatewood Drive, Auburn; 887-5666 www.healthplusfitness.com Youth Swim for Fitness- This is a chance for kids to learn a lifetime fitness activity. Our hour-long workout will improve endurance; perfect technique and help children learn advanced swimming skills. Children must have completed Snappers Level 3 or be at least 8 years old to participate. Fitness Fun Camp- May 27-August 8; Monday-Friday 8:00 am12:00pm (extended day is available through 5:00pm). Ages 5-12 yrs. A safe and fun-filled camp environment that will promote fitness, health, creativity and friendship. Open to members and non-members. Kids’ Gym- Ages 5-12. Members free; non-members $2.00 per visit. Activities include climbing wall, scooters, basketball, relays, kickball, tag games, dodgeball, jump rope and much more. At the pool, children may swim or play quietly on the pool deck.

Plains Junior Golf

Moore’s Mill Golf Club, Auburn. Will Blackmon 319-0051 or Elizabeth Rodgers, 821-6533; golfhouse. mooresmill@gmail.com; Offering girls, boys and co-ed golf camps.

Sports Academy

3768 Pepperell Parkway, Opelika (Midway Plaza) 749-4040; www.sportsacademyauburn.com

Auburn Dive Team. Morning and evening classes offered. Ages 6 months and up. Participants should wear appropriate swimwear, as testing may be required. For more information, visit auburnalabama.org/pools or pick up a copy of Auburn Parks and Recreation’s Summer Brochure. Sea Babies- Ages 6 months-3 years; Sea TurtlesAges 3-5yrs; Guppies- Ages 6-10 yrs; Dolphins- Ages 1115yrs; Orcas- Ages 16-18yrs; Big Fish- Ages 19 and up. Float-In-Movies- June 20, July 18, August 15; Samford Pool, gates open 8:15pm. $2. Friday Night Splash- June 27, July 25. 6-8pm. Samford Pool. Enjoy free swim, games, music, cookout and more. $2. End Of the Year Luau- August 22. 6-8pm. Samford Pool.

Opelika Parks and Recreation

Swimming Auburn Parks and Recreation

Summer Swim Lessons and Teams- Beginning June 9, Samford Pool, Auburn. 501-2958 or 501-2930 Swim lessons, Auburn Aquatics Swim Team, and

Opelika SeaDawgs Summer Swim Team Mandy Johnson-mjohnson@ci.opelika.al.us, 705- 2488 Practice May 5-22, Monday-Thursday. Fee $60/swimmer, $5 sibling discount. Little Dawgs Pre-Team- Fee $60. Summer Swimming Lessons- Ages 4 and up (beginner through advanced classes). $55 fee Session I- June 2-13; Session II- June 16-June 27;

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 9-12 · SESSION 2: June 23-26 SESSION 3: July 28-31 · $100 PER SESSION Lunch and a free Par 3 round are included each day. » FOR MORE INFORMATION OR TO REGISTER, CALL 334.749.9042. «

THE ROBERT TRENT JONES GOLF TRAIL AT GRAND NATIONAL 3000 Robert Trent Jones Trail · Opelika, AL 36801 facebook.com/rtjgrandnational · rtjgolf.com

Auburn Opelika Parents I May 2014

www.auburnopelikaparents.com

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Session III- July 7-18; Session IV: July 21-Aug 1. 10:00-10:45am, 11:00-11:45am, or 12:00-12:45pm. Parent and Me- June 13-27; Monday & Wednesday, 9:00-9:30am, $30.

Healthplus

1171 Gatewood Drive, Auburn; 887-5666 www.healthplusfitness.com Infant Swimming Resource- nationally recognized survival swimming program which teaches infants and toddlers ages 6 months to 6 years using the ISR SelfRescue™ method. Water Babies- Baby’s first swim lesson. Parents and children participate in eight 30-minute guided practice sessions that help children learn elementary skills, including water entry, bubble blowing, front kicking, back floating, underwater exploration, and more. This is not a Learn-to-Swim class. Learn To Swim- Beginner to advanced sessions.

Tiger Swim Lessons

737-4427 or asmutjc@auburn.edu Auburn University Aquatic Center- $70/ 2 week sessions with 30 minute classes. Registration April 26.

Swimming Pools City of Auburn Public Pools

Drake Pool- 653 Spencer Ave. next to Drake Middle School; 501-2958 Samford Pool- 465 Wrights Mill Road / 328 Samford Ave.; 501-2957

Auburn City pools will open on May 26. Auburn City Pool Season passes will be sold at the Dean Road Recreation Center. Individual passes are $50.00 and Family passes are $125.00. Daily admission is $2.00 per person (Children 1 year old and younger are free).

Opelika Parks and Recreation

Covington Pool-213 Carver Ave. 705-5550 SportsPlex Pool- 705-5560. Monday – Friday 5:00 am-8:00 am- Member Lap Swim Only 1:00 pm-8:00 pm Open Swim Saturday 8:00am- 10:00 am -Member Lap Swim Only 10:00am-12:00 pm Family Swim 12:00pm- 5:00 pm Open Swim Sunday 1:00pm- 5:00pm Open Swim Splash Park Summer Hours: Monday- Friday 10:00am- 8:00pm Saturday 10:00am-5:00pm Sunday 1:00pm-5:00pm

Tennis Auburn Parks and Recreation

Auburn UniversityYarbrough Tennis Complex; 501-2920 Tennis Camps- Call for dates, Ages 2and up.

Opelika Parks and Recreation

Calhoun Tennis Center; 1102 Denson Drive; Opelika. 705-5556

Tennis for Tots- Tuesdays and Thursdays, 8:008:30am. Ages 2-4 years. Fee $50 month Pee-Wee Tennis- Tuesdays and Thursdays, 8:309:15am. Ages 4-5 years. Fee $50 month Beginner-Intermediate Tennis- Tuesdays and Thursdays, 9:30-10:30am. Ages 1st-5th grades. Fee $50 month. Jr. High Tennis- Mondays and Wednesdays, 9:3010:30am, Ages 6th-8th grades. Fee $50 month. High School Tennis- Mondays and Wednesdays, 10:3011:30am, Ages 9th-12th grades. Fee $50 month.

Watersports Lake Eufaula

Vacation Rentals- Baker Realty; www.bakerrealty.com; 334-585-0748 Lakepoint Resort State Park- The park has a lodge, convention center, modern campground, vacation cabins and lakeside cottages, picnic areas, 18-hole golf course and a marina complete with launch facilities and boat slips. 334-687-8011; www.alapark.com/LakePointResort

Lake Martin

Lakeside Marina- Rentals: boats, watercraft, tubes, boards and skis-Dadeville, Al; 256-825-9286 www.lakesidemarinallc.com Pleasure Point Marina Cabin Rentals; Dadeville, AL (256) 825-9400; www.pleasurepointmarina.com AOP

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A Page in a Book by Gerry Paige Smith

Good Little Books It’s a universal fact that all kids start out small. Of course they grow, some faster than others, some more than others. But while they are still little kids…it’s a big world they live in. Sometimes bigness can loom large, intimidating the small. Big – in the form of parents and other adults - can also be an instinctive destination for comfort and protection. But kids should know that being little comes with a power and importance of its own, too. The following titles feature relationships between big and little, with sweet perspectives that make kids’ time as a ‘little’, a plus on their journey to big.

Little Cub

by Oliver Dunrea (Penguin / Philomel) A little cub lives alone in the big forest. He doesn’t really like the dark nights. He’s hungry, too. The little cub sees fish, but can’t catch them; smells honey in the tree, but can’t get to it. Mostly, little cub doesn’t like being alone. In the same forest is a big grizzled old bear. He catches fish and collects honey, but doesn’t like eating dinner for one. He doesn’t like the dark much either. Old bears get lonely, too. When their paths cross, these two very different bears discover that each has something the other needs to solve their problems. Simple sentences and softly colored pencil and gouache drawings warm up this sweet story of how the biggest and the littlest often need each other to become whole.

The King of the Little Things

by Bill Lepp, Illustrated by David T. Wensel (Peachtree) In this kingdom full of kings, all striving to be the biggest monarchs with the most money and the biggest armies, there was also a king of all the little things. While the biggest kings grew their power and wealth, the King of Little Things poured his love and attention into the smallest treasures of the realm, things like buttons, lamp wicks, ants and keys. When the biggest king of all defeated the other rulers bringing the entire world under his power, all that remained was to conquer the little things. But vast armies can be brought low by little things - like raindrops in the gunpowder, chiggers in their underpants and mealworms in the bread. As the great king seeks to dominate the small, he discovers to his dismay just how vital the little things are to making all the big things work. This clash of kings, of great and small, is just the right size of wonderful for little readers!

Little Burro

by Jim Arnosky (Penguin / G.P. Putnam’s Sons) Being the only little one in her band of burros can be trying for Little Burro. She loves their warm and cozy hillside home. It’s her favorite place, with sweet cactus and cool breezes in the day. So when her band begins to leave her home, she digs in her heels, brays loudly and refuses to go. But her mother’s gentle guidance compels her to join their treacherous and dry journey. At the end of the trail Little Burro is delighted to see a lake for the first time! She frolics, splashes and drinks the cool water until the sun begins to set. When it’s time to return to their hillside home, Little Burro digs in her heels, brays loudly and refuses to go. But as the big burros depart, she finally joins them on their journey homeward. A testament to little ones’ instinctual resistance to change, their loyalty to favorite things and the leaps forward kids take as they try something new, Little Burro celebrates the little steps that lead to the bigger world.

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

Auburn Opelika Parents I May 2014

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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 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 Alabama Shakespeare Festival, Montgomery. www.asf.net. Birmingham Children’s Theatre • “The Secret Garden.” Through April 30. • “Little Miss Muffet and the Lost Sheep.” Through April 26. BJCC. www.bct123.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 • “Charlotte’s Web.” Through May 25. Atlanta. www.atlanta.net. Cloverdale Playhouse • “A Raisin in the Sun.” April 24-May 4. Montgomery. www.cloverdaleplayhouse.org. Crappie Derby Wilcox Area Chamber Crappie Derby. Through May 11. www.wilcoxareachamber.org. DeSoto Caverns Park • Easter Sound, Light, and Water Show. Through April 20. Childersburg. www.desotocavernspark.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. Jan Dempsey Community Arts Center Spring Invitational 2014: Pastels. Through May 2. Jule Collins Smith Museum of Fine Art Jule Collins Smith Museum of Fine Art. www.jcsm.auburn.edu. 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 • Robots + Us Exhibit. Through May 11. • Tornado Alley. Through May 31. • “Island of the Lemurs Madagascar” IMAX. Through January 2015. Birmingham. 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. Montgomery Ballet www.montgomeryballet.org. Montgomery Performing Arts Montgomery Performing Arts. www.mpaconline.org. “Nunsense” Prattville’s Way Off Broadway presents “Nunsense”. April 24-May 11. Prattville, Al. www.prattvilleal.gov.

April/May 2014

Old Courthouse Museum • 25th Annual “To Kill a Mockingbird”. Through May 17. Monroeville. www.tokillamockingbird.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. Red Door Theatre • “Cotton Patch Gospel”, April 24-27. Union Springs. www.reddoortheatre.org. The Rock Ranch Spring Days at The Rock Ranch. May 3-10. The Rock, Ga. www.therockranch.com. Springer Opera House • “Oops! I Tweeted Again”. April 18-19. Springer Opera House, Columbus. www.springeroperahouse.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 Monday of each month at 6:30 p.m. @ CORNERSTONE Family Chiropractic, Airport Plaza, 323 Airport Road Suite E, Auburn. For more information call Josie at 257-3950. Lee County Autism Support Group meets every other month. Call Julie Brown 887-3903 or Florence Evermom 887-5005. Covenant Presbyterian Church on Shelton Mill Road in Auburn. 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. Moms In Touch. Do you worry about your children? Come experience how you can replace your anxiety and fear with peace and hope by praying with other moms. Moms In Touch International gathers moms together for one hour, once a week, to pray specifically and scripturally for our children and school. Won’t you join with us in prayer for this next generation? Please contact Julia Farrow at julia@cornerstonebuzz. org for information about our local groups. For more information about Moms In Touch International, visit www.MomsInTouch.org. 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 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

Columbus Cottonmouths May 31, June 7, 14. www.columbusciviccenter.org. Columbus Lions Arena Football April 26, May 31. www.ColumbusLions.net. Auburn Baseball April 18, 19, 20, 22, May 2, 3, 4, 6, 13, 15, 16, 17. Auburn Men’s Golf May 15, 16, 17. Auburn Softball April 23, 25, 26, 27. Auburn Track and Field April 18, 19. Miracle League www.miraclefield.org. Montgomery Biscuits Baseball April 19-23, 29-30, May 1-3, 5-9, 21-25, 31.

Friday, April 18

K-12 Kids Art Club ‘Stuff for Pets’ Jule Collins Smith Museum of Fine Art. 1:30-3:30 p.m. www.jcsm.auburn.edu. Kids Clothes Connection Sale Winn Dixie Building, East University, Auburn. 10 a.m. 7 p.m. 524-0606.

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Family Calendar Light Up Columbus 1K/5K/10K Benefiting Autism Speaks. Columbus. www.strollerstrongmoms.com. Underwater Egghunt Opelika Sportsplex Pool. 705-5560. Hands-On Craft Days at Historic Westville Lumpkin, Ga. Casting Crowns BancorpSouth Arena. www.ticketmaster.com. Underwater Egg Hunt Opelika Sportsplex Pool. 6-8 p.m. Free to members/$3 nonmembers. Ages 8-10yrs. 705-5560. The Standing Ovation Tour Columbus Civic Center. www.ticketmaster.com. “Oops! I Tweeted Again” Springer Opera House, Columbus. www. springeroperahouse.org. School of Forestry and Wildlife Sciences hosts Spring Fling Pat Dye’s Crooked Oaks Farm and Quail Hollow Gardens in Notasulga, Ala. www.wireeagle.auburn.edu. Magic of Marble Festival Blue Bell Park, Sylacauga. www.bbcomerlibrary.net/ marblefestival.

Saturday, April 19

Wetumpka CraterFest Gold Star Park and Wetumpka’s Riverfront Park. Facebook. Alabama Book Festival Old Alabama Town, Montgomery. www.alabamabookfestival.org. 28th Annual Castleberry Strawberry Festival Castleberry, Al. 251-966-2422. Auburn Football A-Day Jordan-Hare Stadium. 2 p.m. www.auburn.edu. Green Day American Idiot BJCC, Bham. www.bjcc.org. Chewacla State Park 75th Anniversary Bike Race Auburn. www.alpark.com/Chewacla. Waverly Old 280 Boogie www.facebook.com/waverlyboogie. Lake Martin Wild Game Cook-Off Lake Martin Amp. www.alabamawildlife.org. Hands-On Craft Days at Historic Westville Lumpkin, Ga. Color Vibe Run 5K at the Columbus Civic Center www.columbusciviccenter.org. Earth Day “Bark In The Park” at FDR State Park FDR State Park, Pine Mountain, Ga. 706-663-4858. Easter On the Square Downtown Opelika. 10 a.m. - 12 noon. 705-5560. 33rd Annual Easter Egg Hunt Sponsored by Wells Fargo and Auburn Parks and Rec. Kiesel Park, Auburn. 10 a.m. Ages 12 and under. Free. He Is Risen Easter Celebration Columbus Civic Center. www.ticketmaster.com. “Oops! I Tweeted Again” Springer Opera House, Columbus. www. springeroperahouse.org. Celebrate Spring! Renewal in the Gardens Callaway Gardens, Ga. www.callawaygardens.com. Easter Egg Hunt Callaway Gardens, Ga. 12-5 p.m. www.callawaygardens.com. Chewacla State Park 75th Anniversary Bike Race Auburn. www.alpark.com/Chewacla. Kids Clothes Connection Sale Winn Dixie Building, East University, Auburn. 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. 524-0606. Magic of Marble Festival Blue Bell Park, Sylacauga. www.bbcomerlibrary.net/ marblefestival.

Sunday, April 20

Montevallo Family Fun and Fitness Day Orr Park, Montevallo. www.montevallocc.com. 3rd Annual Easter Egg Roll and Egg Hunt FDR’s Little White House. Warm Springs, Ga.

Auburn Opelika Parents I May 2014

April/May 2014

Celebrate Spring! Renewal in the Gardens Callaway Gardens, Ga. www.callawaygardens.com. Easter Sunrise Service Callaway Gardens, Ga. 7 a.m. www.callawaygardens.com.

Tuesday, April 22

Earth Day Safari 2014 The Montgomery Zoo and Mann Museum. www.montgomeryzoo.com. Spring Treats Covington Rec, Opelika. 6-7:30 p.m. $10. 705-5560.

Wednesday, April 23

Earth Day Safari 2014 The Montgomery Zoo and Mann Museum. www.montgomeryzoo.com. “Capture the Moon” Presented by The Auburn University Theatre Dance. Telfair Peet Theatre. www.auburnuniversitytheatre.org. Lunch and Learn Jule Collins Smith Museum of Fine Art. 12:15-12:30 p.m. www.jcsm.auburn.edu.

Thursday, April 24

Battle of Selma Battlefield Park. www.battleofselma.com. Toadlick Music Festival National Peanut Festival Fairgrounds, Dothan. www.toadlick.com. Extended Museum Gallery and Café Hours Jule Collins Smith Museum of Fine Art, Auburn. 5-8 p.m. www.jcsm.auburn.edu. “Capture the Moon” Presented by The Auburn University Theatre Dance. Telfair Peet Theatre. www.auburnuniversitytheatre.org. Nature Walk Forest Ecology Preserve, Auburn. 8:30 a.m. www.auburn.edu/preserve. “Cotton Patch Gospel” Red Door Theatre, Union Springs. www.reddoortheatre.org. The Performing Arts Departments of Auburn High School presents “Seussical: The Musical” Auburn Performing Arts Center/The Julie and Hal Moore Center for Excellence. To reserve tickets, $10, or for more information, please call 887-4913.

Friday, April 25

29th Annual Interstate Mullet Toss & Gulf Coast’s Greatest Beach Party Flora Bama, Orange Beach. www.florabama.com. 4th Annual Shelby County’s Best BBQ Cook Off Columbiana, Al. www.southshelbychamber.com. Honda Indy Grand Prix of Alabama Barber Motorsports Park. www.barbermotorsports.com/indy. Lebanese Food and Cultural Festival 8th Street South, Bham. www.stelias.org. 31st Annual Magic City Art Connection Linn Park, Bham. www.magiccityart.com. Gardendale Magnolia Festival Gardendale Civic Center. www.magnoliafestival.org. Russell Marine In Water Boat Show Ridge Marina, Lake Martin. www.russellmarine.net. Battle of Selma Battlefield Park. www.battleofselma.com. Annual Open Buddy Bass Tournament Valley Grande, Selma. www.valleygrande.org. Festival of Alabama Fiber Arts Alabama National Fairgrounds, Montgomery. www.alabamafiberarts.com. Toadlick Music Festival National Peanut Festival Fairgrounds, Dothan. www.toadlick.com.

Geneva Festival on the Rivers Robert Fowler Memorial Park, Geneva, Al. www.genevariverfestival.com. Relay for Life of Lee County Opelika Courthouse Square. www.relayforlife.org/leeal. “Capture the Moon” Presented by The Auburn University Theatre Dance. Telfair Peet Theatre. www.auburnuniversitytheatre.org. 16th Annual Georgia Strawberry Festival Reynolds, Ga. www.ga-strawberry.org. “Cotton Patch Gospel” Red Door Theatre, Union Springs. www.reddoortheatre.org. Atlanta Symphony Orchestra Robin Lake Beach, Callaway Gardens, Ga. 8 p.m. www.callawaygardens.com. Uptown Friday Night Concert ‘Big Woody and the Splinters’ Columbus. 7 p.m. The Performing Arts Departments of Auburn High School presents “Seussical: The Musical” Auburn Performing Arts Center/The Julie and Hal Moore Center for Excellence. To reserve tickets, $10, or for more information, please call 887-4913.

Saturday, April 26

29th Annual Interstate Mullet Toss & Gulf Coast’s Greatest Beach Party Flora Bama, Orange Beach. www.florabama.com. 5th Annual Bald Eagle Bash Tonsmeire Weeks Bay Resource Center, Weeks Bay National Esuarine Research Reserve. www.BaldEagleBash.com. Delta Woods & Waters Expo Spanish Fort, Al. www.deltawoodsandwaterexpo.com. Gardendale Magnolia Festival Gardendale Civic Center. www.magnoliafestival.org. Honda Indy Grand Prix of Alabama Barber Motorsports Park. www.barbermotorsports.com/indy. Lebanese Food and Cultural Festival 8th Street South, Bham. www.stelias.org. 31st Annual Magic City Art Connection Linn Park, Bham. www.magiccityart.com. Earth Day at The Gardens Birmingham Botanical Gardens. www.bbgardens.org. Festival of the Springs Reed-Harvey Park, Center Point. www.centerpointchamber.com. 2nd Annual TroyFest Song Writers Festival The Studio, Troy. www.troyfest.com. Troy Fest Arts & Craft Festival Troy. www.troyfest.com. Russell Marine In Water Boat Show Ridge Marina, Lake Martin. www.russellmarine.net. French & Indian War Encampment Fort Toulouse/Fort Jackson, Wetumpka. www.fttoulousejackson.org. Hog Wild For Art Festival Black Belt Treasures Cultural Arts Center, Camden. www.blackbelttreasures.com. Battle of Selma Battlefield Park. www.battleofselma.com. Annual Open Buddy Bass Tournament Valley Grande, Selma. www.valleygrande.org. Festival of Alabama Fiber Arts Alabama National Fairgrounds, Montgomery. www.alabamafiberarts.com. Joy to Life Foundation Walk of Life Riverfront Park, Montgomery. www.joytolike.org. Toadlick Music Festival National Peanut Festival Fairgrounds, Dothan. www.toadlick.com. Geneva Festival on the Rivers Robert Fowler Memorial Park, Geneva, Al. www.genevariverfestival.com. Pepper Jelly Festival Alabama Rural Heritage Center, Thomaston, Al. 334-627-3388. Finish on the Fifty Toomer’s Corner, Auburn. runauburn@gmail.com.

www.auburnopelikaparents.com

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Family Calendar Auburn CityFest Kiesel Park, Auburn. 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. www.auburnalabama.org/parks. Tyler Perry’s “Hell Hath No Fury” BJCC, Bham. www.bjcc.org. Young Eagles Day–FREE Airplane Rides for Kids! Columbus Airport. Ages 8-17. 8:30-11:30 a.m. (weather permitting). 706-324-2453. Russell Marine In Water Boat Show The Ridge Marina, Lake Martin. www.russellmarine.net. “Cashore Marionettes: Life in Motion” RiverCenter for Performing Arts. www.rivercenter.org. The Great Cloth Diaper Change at Lake Bottom Park Columbus. (706)386-2850. Reptile Review at FDR State Park Pine Mountain, Ga. 706-663-4858. 16th Annual Georgia Strawberry Festival Reynolds, Ga. www.ga-strawberry.org. Market Days on Broadway 2014 Uptown Columbus. 9 a.m. - noon. 706-596-0111. Strawberry Festival The Rock, Ga. www.therockranch.com. Reptile Fest Oxbow Meadows. 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. www.oxbow.columbusstate.edu. The Performing Arts Departments of Auburn High School presents “Seussical: The Musical” Auburn Performing Arts Center/The Julie and Hal Moore Center for Excellence. To reserve tickets, $10, or for more information, please call 887-4913.

Sunday, April 27

29th Annual Interstate Mullet Toss & Gulf Coast’s Greatest Beach Party Flora Bama, Orange Beach. www.florabama.com. Honda Indy Grand Prix of Alabama Barber Motorsports Park. www.barbermotorsports.com/indy. 31st Annual Magic City Art Connection Linn Park, Bham. www.magiccityart.com. Troy Fest Arts & Craft Festival Troy. www.troyfest.com. Russell Marine In Water Boat Show Ridge Marina, Lake Martin. www.russellmarine.net. French & Indian War Encampment Fort Toulouse/Fort Jackson, Wetumpka. www.fttoulousejackson.org. Battle of Selma Battlefield Park. www.battleofselma.com. Geneva Festival on the Rivers Robert Fowler Memorial Park, Geneva, Al. www.genevariverfestival.com. Tyler Perry’s Hell Hath No Fury BJCC, Bham. www.bjcc.org. K-12 Kids Art Club ‘Arbor Day’ Jule Collins Smith Museum of Fine Art. 1:30-3:30 p.m. www.jcsm.auburn.edu. The Performing Arts Departments of Auburn High School presents “Seussical: The Musical” Auburn Performing Arts Center/The Julie and Hal Moore Center for Excellence. To reserve tickets, $10, or for more information, please call 887-4913.

Monday, April 28

Russell Marine In Water Boat Show The Ridge Marina, Lake Martin. www.russellmarine.net.

Tuesday, April 29

Earth Day at Lakepoint State Park Eufaula. www.alapark.com/LakePointResort. Discovery Hike Forest Ecology Preserve, Auburn. 3:30 p.m. www.auburn.edu/preserve. Easter Egg Hunt at Columbus Botanical Garden Columbus. 706-327-8400.

April/May 2014

Wednesday, April 30

Lunch and Learn Jule Collins Smith Museum of Fine Art. 12:15-12:30 p.m. www.jcsm.auburn.edu.

Thursday, May 1

Nature Walk Forest Ecology Preserve, Auburn. 8:30 a.m. www.auburn.edu/preserve. A Little Lunch Music Jule Collins Smith Museum of Fine Art. Auburn. 12 p.m. www.jcsm.auburn.edu. Live Jazz Jule Collins Smith Museum of Fine Art. Auburn. 6 p.m. - 8 p.m. www.jcsm.auburn.edu. May Concert Series Sponsored by Auburn Parks and Rec Town Creek Park, Auburn. 6 p.m. Free.

Friday, May 2

First Fridays ‘Satin Soul’ Event Center Downtown, Opelika. 7 p.m. www.eventcenterdowntown.com. First Fridays “Shop Late, Eat Local” Opelika shops will stay open until 8 p.m. www.opelikamainstreet.org. Eat, Drink, Read “Sarah Booth Delaney Mystery Series”. www.shelbyartscouncil.com. Prattville CityFest www.prattvillecityfest.com. 28th Annual Race Fever Dinner & Auction International Motorsports Hall of Fame, Talladega. www.racefever.org. Uptown Friday Night Concert ‘Peggy Jenkins and The Bizness’ Columbus. 7 p.m.

Saturday, May 3

Garden in the Park Sponsored by Keep Opelika Beautiful Municipal Park, Opelika. 8 a.m. - 3 p.m. Derby Day at the Stables Russell Crossroads, Alexander City. www.russellcrossroads.com. Home Depot Kids Workshop ‘Build a Flower Planter’ Home Depot, Opelika. 9 a.m. - 12 noon. Free. www.homedepot.com. Blessing of the Fleet St. Margaret’s Catholic Church, Bayou La Batre, Al. www.fleetblessing.org. 41st Annual Southern Appalachian Dulcimer Festival Tannehill Park, Mccalla. www.tannehill.org. Commemoration of Founding of Fort Jackson Fort Toulouse/Fort Jackson, Wetumpka. www.preservala.org/forttoulousejackson. Kiwanis Spring Fair Charles E. Bailey Sr. Sportplex, Alexander City. 5-9 p.m. www.alexandercitykiwanis.org. ‘To Kill a Mockingbird’ & An Evening with the Mockingbird Stars Reception Old Courthouse Museum, Monroeville. www.tokillamockingbird.com. Prattville CityFest www.prattvillecityfest.com. Flimp Festival Montgomery Museum of Fine Arts. www.mmfa.org. Southern Makers Downtown Montgomery. www.facebook.com/ southernmakers. The Fitzgerald Gala Fitzgerald Museum, Montgomery. www.fitzgeraldmuseum.net.

Kymulga Grist Festival Childersburg. www.kymulgagristmill.com. Mayfest 2014 Tom Byrne Park, Atmore. www.atmorechamber.com. Three Notch Market Andalusia. www.ajwcthreenotchmarket.webs.com. 38th Annual Hike/Bike/Run Valley Haven School, Valley, Al. 334-756-7801. Children’s Festival in the Park Enterprise Recreational Complex. www.cityofenterprise.net. Touch a Truck Landmark Park, Dothan. www.landmarkpark.com. George Washington Carver Arts & Crafts Festival 9 a.m. - 6 p.m. www.tuskegeeareachamber.org. Fort Benning Flea Market and Post Wide Yard Sale Market Days on Broadway 2014 Uptown Columbus. 9 a.m. - noon. 706-596-0111. Children’s Miracle Network Chicken Cow Fun Run/Walk Columbus State University Clock Tower. register. finalmileregistration.com/search/event.aspx?id=26468 Cotton Pickin’ Fair Gay, Ga. www.cpfair.org. Rain Barrel Workshop Oxbow Meadows. 10 a.m. - 12 p.m. $40. www.oxbow.columbusstate.edu.

Sunday, May 4

Blessing of the Fleet St. Margaret’s Catholic Church, Bayou La Batre, Al. www.fleetblessing.org. 35th Annual Chunnenuggee Fair Union Springs, Al. www.chunnenuggeefair.com. Cotton Pickin’ Fair Gay, Ga. www.cpfair.org. 8th Annual Fiesta Atlanta Centennial Olympic Park. 10 a.m. - 7 p.m. www.fiestaatlanta.com. Old House Expo Montgomery. www.oldhouseexpo.com.

Tuesday, May 6

Lady Gaga’s ArtRave—The Artpop Ball Philips Arena. www.ticketmaster.com. Brit Floyd BJCC. www.ticketmaster.com. Summer Swing Concert Lee-Scott Academy Jazz Band Municipal Park, Opelika. 7 p.m. www.opelika.org. Opelika Chamber of Commerce Annual Golf Tournament Saugahatchee Country Club, Opelika. 8 a.m. 501-2930. Discovery Hike Forest Ecology Preserve, Auburn. 3:30 p.m. www.auburn.edu/preserve.

Wednesday, May 7

Noon Tunes ‘Larcus Fuller’ Courthouse Square, Opelika. 12-1 p.m. www.opelika.org.

Thursday, May 8

Mother’s Day Ceramic Special Opelika Parks and Rec. www.opelika.org. A Little Lunch Music Jule Collins Smith Museum of Fine Art. Auburn. 12 p.m. www.jcsm.auburn.edu. Live Jazz Jule Collins Smith Museum of Fine Art. Auburn. 6 p.m. - 8 p.m. www.jcsm.auburn.edu. Nature Walk Forest Ecology Preserve, Auburn. 8:30 a.m. www.auburn.edu/preserve.

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Family Calendar Friday, May 9

Jason Aldean: 2014 Burn It Down Tour Oak Mountain Amp. www.ticketmaster.com. S’more Fun with Mom Hosted by The Louise Kreher Forest Ecology Preserve and the City of Auburn. 6-8:30 p.m. Tickets are $20 per mother/son couple. For more information visit www. auburn.edu/preserve; Tickets go on sale March 31. “Mamma Mia” BJCC. www.ticketmaster.com. Uptown’s RiverFest Weekend Riverwalk, Columbus. Free! www.uptowncolumbus.com. Family Theatre presents “No Strings Attached” Columbus. www.familytheatre.org.

Saturday, May 10

“Mamma Mia” BJCC. www.ticketmaster.com. Uptown’s RiverFest Weekend Riverwalk, Columbus. Free! www.uptowncolumbus.com. Family Theatre presents “No Strings Attached” Columbus. www.familytheatre.org. Second Saturday at Columbus Museum Free admission. www.edu@columbusmuseum.com. 41st Annual Art in the Park Foley, Al. www.foleyartcenter.com. Birmingham Rose Show Birmingham Botanical Gardens. www.birminghamrose.org. Springfest in Brundidge 334-735-9191. 4th Annual Agape’s Run For a Mom 5K & Fun Run Vaughn Park Church of Christ, Montgomery. www.agapeforchildren.org. Mayfest at The Montgomery Zoo 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. www.montgomeryzoo.com. Old Alabama Town Herb Society Herb Day Festival Old Alabama Town, Montgomery. 334-263-2707. Mother’s Day at the Montgomery Zoo www.montgomeryzoo.com. 5th Annual Brewton Spring Fly-In Brewton, Al. 6th Annual Paddlin’ 4 Paws Cardboard Boat Regatta Races Lake Wedowee. (256) 610-1738. Annual Boll Weevil 100 Bike Ride & Run Enterprise, Al. www.enterpriselionsclub.com/bollweevil-100/information. Yatta Abba Day Abbeville, Al. www.cityofabbeville.org/community/ yatta-abba-day. Market Days on Broadway 2014 Uptown Columbus. 9 a.m. - noon. 706-596-0111. Mother’s Day Tea The Rock, Ga. www.therockranch.com. Family Theatre presents “No Strings Attached” Columbus. www.familytheatre.org. Lynn Haven Garden Wildlife Club at Oxbow Meadows www.oxbow.columbusstate.edu. Uptown Dragon Boat Races Columbus. www.uptowncolumbusdragonboat.com. Columbus Symphony Orchestra presents S’MORES (Saturday Mid-Day Orchestra Rehearsals) for Kids. 706.256.3640. Second Saturday Columbus Museum. 10 a.m. - 12 p.m. Free. www.columbusmusuem.com. Dunwoody Art Festival Dunwoody, Ga. www.dunwoodyartfestival. splashfestivals.com Buckhead Spring Arts & Crafts Festival Chastain Park, Ga. www.buckheadartsfestival.com.

Sunday, May 11

“The Addam’s Family”, A New Musical Comedy East Alabama Arts, Opelika Performing Arts Center. www.eastalabamaarts.org.

Auburn Opelika Parents I May 2014

April/May 2014

41st Annual Art in the Park Foley, Al. www.foleyartcenter.com. Birmingham Rose Show Birmingham Botanical Gardens. www.birminghamrose.org. Mother’s Day Special Heart of Dixie Railroad Museum, Calera. www.hodrrm.org. Dunwoody Art Festival Dunwoody, Ga. www.dunwoodyartfestival. splashfestivals.com Buckhead Spring Arts & Crafts Festival Chastain Park, Ga. www.buckheadartsfestival.com.

Monday, May 12

Become a Foster Parent Class Alabama Mentor, Opelika. 5:30-7:30 p.m. 705-8877.

Tuesday, May 13

Summer Swing Concert Opelika High School Symphonic, Concert and Jazz Bands. Municipal Park, Opelika. 7 p.m. www.opelika.org. Discovery Hike Forest Ecology Preserve, Auburn. 3:30 p.m. www.auburn.edu/preserve.

Wednesday, May 14

Sesame Street Live Can’t Stop Singing Columbus Civic Center, Ga. www.columbusciviccenter.org. Noon Tunes ‘Strawberry Whine’ Courthouse Square, Opelika. 12-1 p.m. www.opelika.org.

Thursday, May 15

A Little Lunch Music Jule Collins Smith Museum of Fine Art. Auburn. 12 p.m. www.jcsm.auburn.edu. Live Jazz Jule Collins Smith Museum of Fine Art. Auburn. 6 p.m. - 8 p.m. www.jcsm.auburn.edu. Nature Walk Forest Ecology Preserve, Auburn. 8:30 a.m. www.auburn.edu/preserve. Family Theatre presents “No Strings Attached” Columbus. www.familytheatre.org.

Friday, May 16

The Isley Brothers Columbus Civic Center, Ga. www.columbusciviccenter.org. PraiseFest 2014 Dauphin Island, Al. www.praisefest2013.webs.com. The Hangout Music Festival Gulf Shores, Al. www.hangoutmusicfest.com. 28th Annual Coosa River Whitewater Festival Wetumpka. www.coosariverwhitewaterfestival.com. Uptown Friday Night Concert ‘Satin Finish’ Columbus. 7 p.m. Family Theatre presents “No Strings Attached” Columbus. www.familytheatre.org.

Saturday, May 17

Fishing Rodeo Sponsored by Evans Realty and Auburn Parks and Rec. Auburn Technology Park South Lake. 8-11 a.m. Children 12 under; $5. Paddle for a Purpose 3rd SUP the South Race Children’s Harbor, Alexander City, Al. www.childrensharbor.com. Lee County Master Gardeners 2014 Tour Tickets at Opelika Chamber. www.leemg.org. Willie Nelson and Alison Krauss BJCC. www.ticketmaster.com. Go Reptile Rendezous & Fauna Photography Workshop Alabama Nature Center. Lanark Park, Millbrook. www.alabamawildlife.org. PraiseFest 2014 Dauphin Island, Al. www.praisefest2013.webs.com.

The Hangout Music Festival Gulf Shores, Al. www.hangoutmusicfest.com. 28th Annual Coosa River Whitewater Festival Wetumpka. www.coosariverwhitewaterfestival.com. French Colonial Garrison Fort Toulouse/Fort Jackson, Wetumpka. www.preservala.org/forttoulousejackson. Mule Day Weogufka Center for Arts. www.weogufkacenter.com. Mentone Rhododendron Festival Mentone, Al. www.discoverlookoutmountain.com. Dino Dig 2014 The Montgomery Zoo. www.montgomeryzoo.com. Market Days on Broadway 2014 Uptown Columbus. 9 a.m. - noon. 706-596-0111. Free No Bully Program Gracie Barra, Columbus. 2-4 p.m. www.gbcolumbus.com. Kidpreneurs Expo: Crayons, Crafts and Kool-aid Junque Yard Antiques, Columbus. 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. Plump1031@yahoocom. The Academy of Fine Arts Dance Center presents “The Wizard of Oz” River Center for the Performing Arts, Columbus. www.academydancecenter.com. Mentone Rhododendron Festival Mentone, Al. www.discoverlookoutmountain.com.

Sunday, May 18

Lee County Master Gardeners 2014 Tour Tickets at Opelika Chamber. www.leemg.org. “Gasland II” Movie Showing Jule Collins Smith Museum of Fine Art. Auburn. 2 p.m. www.jcsm.auburn.edu. Go Reptile Rendezous & Fauna Photography Workshop Alabama Nature Center. Lanark Park, Millbrook. www.alabamawildlife.org. The Hangout Music Festival Gulf Shores, Al. www.hangoutmusicfest.com. 28th Annual Coosa River Whitewater Festival Wetumpka. www.coosariverwhitewaterfestival.com. French Colonial Garrison Fort Toulouse/Fort Jackson, Wetumpka. www.preservala.org/forttoulousejackson. Mentone Rhododendron Festival Mentone, Al. www.discoverlookoutmountain.com. The Academy of Fine Arts Dance Center presents “The Wizard of Oz” River Center for the Performing Arts, Columbus. www.academydancecenter.com.

Tuesday, May 20

Summer Swing Concert Conner Lorre, Neil Diamond Tribute Artist. Municipal Park, Opelika. 7 p.m. www.opelika.org.

Wednesday, May 21 Noon Tunes ‘Muse’. Courthouse Square, Opelika. 12-1 p.m. www.opelika.org.

Thursday, May 22

Sesame Street Live: Can’t Stop Singing BJCC. www.ticketmaster.com. Galley Talk: Bruce Dupree Jule Collins Smith Museum of Fine Art. Auburn. 5 p.m. www.jcsm.auburn.edu. Live Jazz Jule Collins Smith Museum of Fine Art. Auburn. 6 p.m. - 8 p.m. www.jcsm.auburn.edu. Auburn High School Graduation Auburn Arena. Nature Walk Forest Ecology Preserve, Auburn. 8:30 a.m. www.auburn.edu/preserve.

www.auburnopelikaparents.com

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Family Calendar Discovery Hike Forest Ecology Preserve, Auburn. 3:30 p.m. www.auburn.edu/preserve. Family Theatre presents “No Strings Attached” Columbus. www.familytheatre.org.

Friday, May 23

Memorial Day Weekend Festival: Masters Water Ski & Wakeboard Tournament Callaway Gardens, Ga. www.callawaygardens.com. Friday On the Green Town Green, Russell Crossroads, Alexander City. 6:30 p.m. Facebook. Uptown Friday Night Concert ‘Cale Dodd with Classic Addict’ Columbus. 7 p.m. Family Theatre presents “No Strings Attached” Columbus. www.familytheatre.org. 1836 Creek Wars at Historic Westville, Ga 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. www.westville.org. 37th Annual Atlanta Jazz Festival Piedmont Park, Al.

Saturday, May 24

Friends of the Lee County Historical Society present the Lee County Gathering Old Time Music Festival Sponsored in part by the Alabama State Council on the Arts. www.leecountyhistoricalsociety.org. Art on the Lake benefiting Children’s Harbor Alexander City. www.childrensharbor.com. Market Days on Broadway 2014 Uptown Columbus. 9 a.m. - noon. 706-596-0111. Family Theatre presents “No Strings Attached”

April/May 2014

Columbus. www.familytheatre.org. 1836 Creek Wars at Historic Westville, Ga 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. www.westville.org. Fabulous Fridays and Farmers Market at Callaway Gardens www.callawaygardens.com. Memorial Day Weekend ‘Salute the Troops’ Stone Mountain Park, Ga. www.stonemountainpark.com. 37th Annual Atlanta Jazz Festival Piedmont Park, Al.

Sunday, May 25

Friends of the Lee County Historical Society present the Lee County Gathering Old Time Music Festival Sponsored in part by the Alabama State Council on the Arts. www.leecountyhistoricalsociety.org. Opelika High Theatre Society presents ‘Thoroughly Modern Millie’ Opelika Center for the Performing Arts. Admission: $10 for adults/$7 for students. Memorial Day Remembrance Alabama Veterans Memorial Park, Birmingham. 3 p.m. www.alabamaveterans.org. Art on the Lake benefiting Children’s Harbor Alexander City. www.childrensharbor.com. Southern Music Fest at the AMP Lake Martin. www.lmat.org. Lake Wedowee Summer Jam Lake Wedowee. www.lakewedoweesummerjam.com. Memorial Day Weekend ‘Salute the Troops’ Stone Mountain Park, Ga. www.stonemountainpark.com. 37th Annual Atlanta Jazz Festival Piedmont Park, Al.

Monday, May 26

Tuesday, May 27

Summer Swing Concert Bill J. Brooks, Elvis Lives Concert. Municipal Park, Opelika. 7 p.m. www.opelika.org. Opelika High Theatre Society presents ‘Thoroughly Modern Millie’ Opelika Center for the Performing Arts. Admission: $10 for adults/$7 for students. Camp Discovery, Summer Ecology Camp- Go Native! Forest Ecology Preserve, Auburn. Ages 3rd/4th graders. 8 a.m. - 12 p.m. www.auburn.edu/preserve. Discovery Hike Forest Ecology Preserve, Auburn. 3:30 p.m. www. auburn.edu/preserve.

Wednesday, May 28

Noon Tunes ‘Martha’s Trouble’ Courthouse Square, Opelika. 12-1 p.m. www.opelika.org.

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www.facebook.com/auburnopelika.parents

Camp Discovery, Summer Ecology Camp- Go Native! Forest Ecology Preserve, Auburn. Ages 3rd/4th graders. 8 a.m. - 12 p.m. www.auburn.edu/preserve. Bluegrass On The Plains Auburn. www.bluegrassontheplains.com.

Thursday, May 29

2014 Tour of Homes Kick-Off Party Women’s Council of Realtors. Film: “The Monuments Men” Jule Collins Smith Museum of Fine Art. Auburn. 5 p.m. www.jcsm.auburn.edu. Live Jazz Jule Collins Smith Museum of Fine Art. Auburn. 6 p.m. - 8 p.m. www.jcsm.auburn.edu. Nature Walk Forest Ecology Preserve, Auburn. 8:30 a.m. www. auburn.edu/preserve. Camp Discovery, Summer Ecology Camp- Go Native! Forest Ecology Preserve, Auburn. Ages 3rd/4th graders. 8 a.m. - 12 p.m. www.auburn.edu/preserve. Bluegrass On The Plains Auburn. www.bluegrassontheplains.com. Atlanta Food & Wine Festival Midtown. www.atlfoodandwinefestival.com.

Friday, May 30

Opelika High School Graduation Bulldog Stadium. Camp Discovery, Summer Ecology Camp- Go Native! Forest Ecology Preserve, Auburn. Ages 3rd/4th graders. 8 a.m. - 12 p.m. www.auburn.edu/preserve. Friday On the Green Town Green, Russell Crossroads, Alexander City. 6:30 p.m. Facebook. Bluegrass On The Plains Auburn. www.bluegrassontheplains.com. Uptown Friday Night Concert ‘Lava Lamp’ Columbus. 7 p.m. Atlanta Food & Wine Festival Midtown. www.atlfoodandwinefestival.com.

Saturday, May 31

Young Eagles Day–FREE Airplane Rides for Kids! Columbus Airport. Ages 8-17. 8:30-11:30 a.m. (weather permitting). 706-324-2453. 5th Annual Bob Sykes BBQ & Blues Festival Bessemer. Baumhower’s ShrimpFest & Bar-B-Q Lakepoint State Park, Eufaula. www.alparksshrimpfest.com. Capital of Dreams Triathlon www.team-magic.com/events. Bluegrass On The Plains Auburn. www.bluegrassontheplains.com. Market Days on Broadway 2014 Uptown Columbus. 9 a.m. - noon. 706-596-0111. FSU Flying High Circus Callaway Gardens. www.callawaygardens.com. Fabulous Fridays and Farmers Market at Callaway Gardens www.callawaygardens.com. Atlanta Food & Wine Festival Midtown. www.atlfoodandwinefestival.com.

Looking ahead...

June 1. Bluegrass On The Plains Auburn. www.bluegrassontheplains.com.

Please send your calendar events to kendra@auburnopelikaparents.com by the 5th of the month. It’s FREE! Auburn Opelika Parents I May 2014

www.auburnopelikaparents.com

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ParentingOnThePlains by Dr. Polly Dunn

Social Media Etiquette for Parents

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Instagram. Pinterest. Twitter. Facebook. Snapchat. Vine. These days it seems that as soon as you learn the ins and outs of one social media site another one gets introduced as the latest and greatest way for your teens to stay connected with their friends. As overwhelming as it seems, parents of teenagers need to be involved in social media. Just as we stay up to speed on our kids grades, friends, curfews, and driving habits, our teens need our supervision online, too. But to be an effective parent online, it’s important to behave in a way that won’t send your teen running off to set up a fake account that you don’t even know exists! Try these teen approved tips for staying active with your kids on social media: Be a stalker. Not too long ago, my teenage daughter asked her dad if he was stalking her on Instagram. Truth be told, he probably was. But in this day and age, that’s not stalking, that’s called parenting! In our house, if our kids have a social media account, then both parents are going to follow and friend them. And it’s not so we can interact with them there. We can (and should) be doing that at home. Instead, it’s to help monitor their safety and teach them proper online social skills. To avoid any misunderstandings, let them know your purpose up front.

tagging them in your pictures. Be courteous to your children and let them approve their pictures before you post them. Save those naked baby bath pictures for their actual baby book (which hopefully resides on your bookshelf, not on the world wide web). Act your age. If you’re going to be monitoring your teen’s online presence, take a good look at your own. Are you tagged in inappropriate pictures? Is your language G-rated? Does your online activity reflect your actual character? Would your online posts be suitable to show your boss, your grandmother, or your child? Take some time and review your own accounts. Delete any pictures or posts that seem questionable and think twice about what you share online in the future.

Talk often about social media etiquette. Have frequent and open conversations with your kids about how to behave online. For example, in the real world you wouldn’t want them to use bad language or participate in bullying. The same rules apply online. Keep the conversations real, reminding them (with examples) that how they behave online can stay with them for the rest of their lives. That’s especially true as they head off to college and eventually the job market. Do you have any tips for staying connected with your teens online? We’d love to hear from you at auburnopelikaparents.com. Dr. Polly Dunn received her Ph.D. from Auburn University in 1999. She is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist and currently serves as the Director of the Auburn University Psychological Services Center, a position she has held for over ten years. Dr. Dunn is also the founder of www.ChildPsychMom.com where she blogs about what works and what doesn’t in her hectic life as a child psychologist, wife, and mom of four.

Don’t comment on their wall, status updates, or pictures unless they ask you to. Just because you’re their friend or follower, don’t think that you need to comment on everything (or anything) that they do! Instead, be a quiet passive observer. I’ll admit this is sounding pretty stalker-ish, but the goal is to be aware of what your kids are doing on social media sites without smothering them or drawing attention to your presence. If they ask you to be more involved, by all means go ahead. But otherwise just try to blend in with all of their other followers. Don’t post embarrassing pictures of them on your social media account or tag them in your pictures without their approval. Ever been tagged in a not so flattering picture on Facebook? Posed for a few re-takes to get a shot Facebook worthy? If so, then you’ll understand why your teenagers don’t want you 51

www.facebook.com/auburnopelika.parents

Rio 2

Bears

MPAA Rating: G Overall: B Violence: BSexual Content: ALanguage: AAlcohol / Drug Use: AThe MPAA has rated Rio 2 G. After finding his wings in Rio, Blu, a rare blue macaw (voice by Jesse Eisenberg), has settled into domestic bliss in the Brazilian city with Jewel, his significant other (voice by Anne Hathaway), and their three little chicks. As they ring in the New Year with fireworks, life is good for the little family. Yet all that changes when a television news story reports the possible discovery of a flock of blue macaws deep in the Amazon. Jewel is thrilled to find out they may not be the last of their kind. And before the nerdy, nature-phobic Blu knows what’s happening, Jewel has the kids ready for a high adventure trip into the jungle to find the elusive birds. However, for the citified macaw, this is not a journey to be undertaken lightly. By the time the family and their plumaged pals -- Rafael (voice of George Lopez), Nico (voice of Jaimie Foxx) and Pedro (voice of of will.i.am) -- take flight, Blu has his fanny bag packed with every imaginable doodad, including a GPS. Unfortunately there is nothing in the pouch to smooth the ruffled feathers when he meets Jewel’s father (voice of Andy García) and her childhood friend Roberto (voice of Bruno Mars). Meanwhile Linda, Blu’s former owner (voice of Leslie Mann), and her husband, ornithologist Tulio Monteiro (voice of Rodrigo Santoro) are slogging their way through the Amazon undergrowth. They hope to spot the rare birds as well. If that seems like more than enough storyline to fill 100 minutes, you’ll be in for a surprise. This plot also pits environmental agendas against evil loggers. And it introduces not one, but several antagonists -everything from a lollipop licking businessman, to rival forest dwellers, to an overdramatic cockatoo with revenge on his mind. That leads to some moments of peril for several characters. For children (or tired adults), it feels like a lot of work to keep all of the bad guys and side stories straight. The film is also packed with a swarm of musical productions. While none of the songs will knock Frozen’s “Let It Go” off the charts, the tunes are still catchy enough for most young viewers and give the film’s animators an excuse for plenty of flashy dance interludes that mimic the revelry of Carnival. Other numbers look surprisingly similar to West Side Story or Battle of the Year. Most of the characters from the first movie show up for at least a cameo. And that makes for lots of juggling to give everyone some screen time. But luckily, in between all the flurry of feathers, Blu still manages to man up enough to save the flock and his little family as well.

MPAA Rating: G Overall: A Violence: B Sexual Content: ALanguage: A Alcohol / Drug Use: A The MPAA has rated Bears G. Alastair Fothergill has a great gig with the Disneynature Studio. He’s the director behind films like Earth, African Cats, Chimpanzee and the 2014 release Bears. Imagine having a job that flew you around the world. Of course once you’re on location, you have to spend countless hours in less than ideal conditions, standing as still as possible in order to not disturb your subject. Also, there’s no fancy director’s chair, no comfy trailer to hang out in and certainly no retakes. And you still have to work with the occasional diva. Okay, maybe it’s not as great as it looks. Still Fothergill and his camera crew have captured some of the most stunning film footage ever shown in a theater. And in the documentary Bears, they do no less. The story follows a mother brown bear and her two cubs during the little ones’ first year of life in the Alaskan wilderness. The opening scenes show the newborn cubs still inside the den. Their tiny pink paws and almost hairless bodies make it seem impossible to think they could ever endure the harsh environment outside the cave. Yet only weeks later they’ve grown enough to make their first foray into the snow covered landscape. While the cinematography is spectacular, the dialogue is definitely aimed at a young audience. John C. Reilly narrates. And to be honest, the script gets a little cheesy at times when the movie makes it appear we can read the bears’ minds. (It’s more likely the hungry animals were contemplating how tasty a cameraman would be.) Despite the fact adults might feel this dialogue is manipulative, kids will likely love the silly comments and the antics of the small cubs. The only real problem for little ones may be the portrayal of the mother grizzly defending her babies from a hungry male bear, along with some other fights between the massive animals. Some blood is shown when the bears go salmon fishing and snag the writhing fish between their mighty jaws. As well, there is a brief comment about a boy bear that likes a girl bear, but it is subtle enough that only the most inquisitive child might ask for more details. Although the film offers a sanitized view of the wild (and thankfully none of the main characters die), this documentary manages to bring bears to life in a way that a trip to the zoo could never hope to do. Watching this mother and her cubs navigate the perils they endure is inspiring and impressive. Yet the real charm is when we watch them romp, play, explore and soak in the summer sun. Once again Alastair Fothergill and his team have given us all a reason to care about the environment.

What Parents need to know about Rio 2...

Violence: Kids play with matches. A character’s tail starts on fire and he is shot into the air. The film contains frequent cartoon-style mishaps where characters slip, trip and run into things. A character is hit with a stick. One bird attempts to poison another. Characters destroy nature, tie up people and use large machines and explosives to knock down trees. Characters are chased and swallowed. Sexual Content: Some brief, veiled sexual innuendo is included, along with some embracing. Language: The script contains some brief name-calling. Alcohol / Drug Use: Characters pop corks and clink glasses during a New Year’s Eve celebration. Auburn Opelika Parents I May 2014

What Parents need to know about Bears...

Violence: The bears narrowly miss being swept away in an avalanche. A mother bear fights to defend her cubs from predators including a wolf and a male bear. A cub gets separated from his mother when the tide comes in. Some blood is shown when the bears catch salmon and eat their flesh. Sexual Content: Brief scene includes some romantic music and a comment about a boy bear that likes a girl bear. Language: None Alcohol / Drug Use: None 52

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