Make family meals more than a holiday tradition.
Reports show children who eat at least five times a week with their family are at lower risk of developing poor eating habits, weight problems or alcohol and substance dependencies, and tend to perform better in school than their friends who frequently eat alone or away from home.
For more health information, follow us on Twitter @HealthyEscambia
December2018
Volume 3 Number 9
30 Columns
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Therapeutic Parenting Sonia Martin, LMSW
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Therapeutic Parenting Meeting the need behind your child’s behavior can help your discipline be more effective.
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Mindful Holiday Magic
Be truly “present” this Christmas by spending one on one time with your kids.
Betsy Eggart
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Dave Says Dave Ramsey
28 Parenting, Media &
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Mama Moments
Everything in Between Common Sense Media
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Parenting Today’s Teens Mark Gregston
Holiday Happenings
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Pensacola offers parades, lights, musicals and so much more...to brighten your season.
Show Yourself Some Love
How to mindfully bust out of a hyperactive lifestyle.
A Page in a Book Gerry Paige Smith
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Get This! Gerry Paige Smith
On The Cover
Departments
Isabel Maria Ortiz (2 months), daughter of Joe and Dianna Ortiz and little sister to Aviana Ortiz (19) and Mason Ortiz (3). The family can’t wait for her to join them in the family tradition of wearing matching Christmas PJs on Christmas Eve/morning.
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Bits and Pieces 12
School Bits 46
Family Calendar 52
Movie Reviews www.facebook.com/greaterpensacolaparents
FromThePublisher
Greater Pensacola Greater Pensacola’s Foremost Parenting Source
I am a list maker. I love making lists, and I love checking things off my list even more. Sometimes my mind is so full of things to do, people to see and places to be that if I don’t make lists, I get overwhelmed and nothing gets done. Lists keep me sane. I am grateful for an organization class when I was younger and working in the corporate world. This class taught me how to organize and prioritize action items into A, B, and C categories. The number one rule is to only use pencil because using pencil keeps your list flexible. As parents we can all relate to lengthy to-do lists and over-booked calendars, especially this time of year. If we are honest with ourselves, it can, at times, make us feel important and needed. However, many times these to-dos leave us overworked, over-stressed and under-rested. I am sure we have all had days where we just wanted to throw the lists out the window and take our family away to a deserted island. It is hard for us moms to find that place of balance. We want to be involved, but how much is too much? As you will read in Christa Melnyk Hines’ article How to Mindfully Bust Out of a Hyperactive Lifestyle, it is important to our mental and physical health to find that happy medium. That does not mean our children can’t be involved in extracurricular activities, but we don’t have to be team mom on every team and room mom for every class. Think back to your childhood. Are your favorite memories filled with rushing out the door and grabbing dinner in the car? If your childhood memories are anything like mine, they are filled with dinners at the table, the time the dog ate Dad’s Christmas present and talking your brothers into playing Barbies with you. When our kids are grown, I hope they will have the same kinds of memories. Cutting back the hyperactive lifestyle can help us do just that. With less stress and more room on the calendar we can make time to truly be present with our children. Laura Lyles Reagan has provided a nice list of activities we can enjoy with our children in Mindful Holiday Magic - Be Truly “Present” With Your Child This Christmas. I love that she recognizes the irony of making a list of “spontaneous” activities, but if you have the list and items on hand ahead of time it makes the activity much more relaxing and fun. When you are anxious to get out of the house for some holiday quality time with the family, make sure you flip to page 34 where you will find the Holiday Happenings Guide. It is filled with Santa sightings, parades, holiday concerts, and more! You will even find snow and ice-skating in the listing, so clear off some of those non-essential to-dos and enjoy some time with family and friends this holiday season. Wishing you a holiday filled with an abundance of peace, joy, and great times with family and friends. Merry Christmas from my family to yours!
Greater Pensacola Parents Magazine is founded on the principle that parenting is an exciting, diverse, challenging, and significant role in our community. Greater Pensacola Parents Magazine is a community advocate for families and the parenting process.
Publisher Lynn Knighton lynn@greaterpensacolaparents.com Editor DeAnne Watson editor@greaterpensacolaparents.com Associate Editor Alison Rouse Contributing Writers
Betsy Eggart Mark Gregston Christa Melnyk Hines Sonia Martin, LMSW Dave Ramsey Laura Lyles Reagan Tavi Slevinski, RN, MSN,CPNP Gerry Paige Smith
Cover Photography Danielle Becker www.daniellebeckerphotography.com
President Jason Watson Advertising Sales Lynn Knighton ads@greaterpensacolaparents.com (850) 426-6222 Account Manager Eleanor Williams Ad Design Tim Welch
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Greater Pensacola Parents magazine is published monthly by KeepSharing, LLC. Mailing address: PO Box 6241 Pensacola, FL 32503. The phone number for voice and fax is (850) 426-6222. Greater Pensacola Parents is copyrighted 2017 by KeepSharing LLC. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or part without written permission is prohibited. Opinions expressed in Greater Pensacola 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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More care More heart Only in Pensacola. Only at Sacred Heart.
At Studer Family Children’s Hospital, we listen to you and your child to understand and know how to best treat their unique needs. Our familycentered care teams are led by nationally recognized specialists all right here, close to home.
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TherapeuticParenting by Sonia Martin, LMSW
Meet the Need Behind the Behavior A critical component of therapeutic parenting is the focus on meeting the need behind the behavior. Whereas traditional parenting seeks to immediately stop the behavior in front of us through the engagement of consequences, threats or punishments - therapeutic parenting seeks to disarm the foundational need that is prompting the negative response in your child in the first place. According to local counselor Beth Long, PhD, all difficult behaviors look essentially the same on the outside. However, each behavior actually serves one of three purposes: a need to escape, a need for attention, or a tangible need. For example, a child will often become frustrated and act out when they want something they cannot have (tangible). We have all seen (or experienced) children pulling out all the stops from bargaining, to tantruming, to stealing, simply to get a candy bar while in the check-out line. Alternatively, children may behave inappropriately when they are attempting to escape a situation. This could be escaping from a negative emotion (fear, shame, anxiousness) or escaping from a task they do not want to complete (brushing teeth, cleaning room, finishing homework). Behaviors can also be perpetuated by a desire for attention. For children, any attention is good. If their positive attention tank is low, they try for negative attention because they do not have the capacity to
verbalize, “I’m feeling a little neglected at the moment, and I really want a bit of your time, could you please pay attention to me?” So as you approach each engagement with your child I encourage you to attempt to identify which need your child is attempting to fulfill and work from there. That being said, your response to their behavior should never be to ignore their need – this only serves to lengthen and heighten the intensity of the outburst. Instead, your response should be to help your child learn how to meet his/her needs in an appropriate way. Give voice to their situation, help them understand and begin to identify their own emotional process. For example: “I wonder if you are feeling frustrated with that math homework, I think we should take a break and go shoot some hoops for a few minutes – I’ll race you out there!” Instead of forcing your child to sit longer at the table with the homework, thereby escalating the negative behavior, try to break up the predictably stressful homework into smaller portions and give your child a break (opportunity to escape) when they complete each section. They will likely be a bit more agreeable to engaging in the homework if they know they are not stuck there for long periods. Overall, we want to get in the habit of looking past the behavior that is right in front of us because that outburst typically has absolutely
Greater Pensacola Parents I December 2018
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nothing to do with the real issue at hand. The screaming, yelling, or propelling of one’s self to the ground, is merely the breakdown phase of a dysregulated child. But if we are honest, that is where we invest so much of our energy. We spend hours googling how to get our 3-year-old to stop tantruming, or how to get our middle schooler to stop talking back. If I may, instead of pouring so much effort into the end result of a behavior, look at the origin of the behavior itself. So, next time you are waist deep in toddler tantrum meltdown mode, or face to face with a disgruntled teenager, take a minute, and see if you can figure out the need behind the behavior and keep your focus there. That’s where you are going to find victory (and your sanity). Do you have a behavior or parenting question? Shoot me an email at sonia.kidstolove@yahoo.com. I will answer your question in an upcoming issue!
*Therapeutic parenting is parenting in a highly structured, highly nurturing way. This form of intensive parenting is often a key to progress in dealing with children who have trauma and attachment challenges, but has also proven beneficial with any child.
Sonia is a licensed social worker and holds both a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Social Work. Her clinical focus is on helping parents and professionals understand the role of the brain in behavior, and how to adopt therapeutic parenting techniques to help mitigate negative behaviors. She travels the state speaking at various conferences on behavior and parenting and is a therapist for Kids To Love Foundation. Sonia is a mother to 7 sons, 3 of whom were internationally adopted, and is also a foster parent.
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Grant Allows Boy Scout Council To Build Handicap Lift
The Alabama-Florida Gulf Coast Council of the Boy Scouts of America is proud to announce a grant from the American Legion Child Welfare Foundation. This grant will allow the Gulf Coast Council to build a handicap lift to be used at its waterfront at Camp Euchee at the Spanish Trail Scout Reservation. Spanish Trail Scout Reservation is where the Gulf Coast Council provides its Summer Camp program and several other weekend campouts for Scouts and Scouters in the Gulf Coast Council. This grant will also help expand the Scouts’ STEM program, helping with material and equipment used during STEM program classes. Special thanks to Tom Fournier for helping guide the Gulf Coast Council in getting the grant, and to the American Legion Child Welfare Society for providing this grant. Plans are to have the handicap ramp and lift in place for the 2019 summer season. To join Scouts and learn more, visit beascout.org.
Sundays with Santa
5:30-8 p.m. * December 9, 16 & 23 * Gulf Breeze Zoo. Enjoy taking pictures with Santa and some very special animal friends. Santa will also accept those last-minute Christmas letters and special requests from your little ones. For more info, visit www.gulfbreezezoo.org/ or call (850) 932-2229.
From Pizza to Painting, Rotarians Serve Escambia County
What does it take to get parents to visit their child’s school on Report Card Night? Pizza seems to be the magic sauce for Global Learning Academy. And it’s made possible by Pensacola’s SubWest Rotary. Rotary is made up worldwide of people of action, and action is exactly what SubWest’s 92 members do in the Pensacola community. It’s not just a civic organization of professionals who meet weekly to socialize and share camaraderie. “Selfless. That’s what Rotarians are,” said SubWest President Jennifer Cook. “Before I joined Rotary several years ago, I had no idea how much of a community impact was made by a group of people who join forces to support schools, help the underprivileged, and take action in a plethora of ways.” Pizza night is so valuable to GLA that SubWest was awarded the “Family and Community Involvement Award” in 2017-18 by the Escambia County School District for getting parents involved in their child’s education. SubWest also purchases bikes at Christmas for pre-K students at the school and honors teachers with luncheons a couple times each year. Community service doesn’t stop with the school. Rotarians also provide a monthly dinner to 60-plus family members staying at Ronald McDonald House, and they paint houses each year for needy families through Council on Aging of Northwest Florida. SubWest members fund scholarships and mentor students through Take Stock in Children and help with local hunger relief efforts by serving meals. Worldwide, SubWest joins hundreds of Rotary groups in hunger relief efforts and the eradication of polio. Rotarians are people of action – whether it’s financially or by getting their hands dirty – and SubWest is proud to serve in its own backyard of Escambia County, impacting a community through action. Shown, Jennifer Cook shares a moment with a Global Learning Academy student of the month. Greater Pensacola Parents I December 2018
Little Spruce Market
December 14 * 7:30-9 p.m. December 15 * 9 a.m.-3 p.m. December 16 * 9 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Museum of Commerce, 201 E Zaragoza Street, Pensacola. Three-day enchanted makers market in historic downtown Pensacola. See a full list of makers at Facebook.com/PensacolaMarket. For more info and tickets, visit PensacolaMarket.com.
Join the Polar Bear Plunge Tradition!
At 2 p.m. January 1, head to Pensacola Beach and plunge headfirst into the Santa Rosa Sound! Hosted by Paradise Bar & Grill, hundreds of dippers and spectators – many dressed in costume – flock to the beach to participate in this long-established tradition. Registration begins at noon and the fee is $15 per person. Cub Club participants – those in fifth-grade or younger – can register for $5. Participants will receive a Polar Bear Plunge T-shirt. All proceeds go to the Pensacola Beach Chamber of Commerce. For more info, visit http://pensacolabeachchamber.com/.
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Holiday Family Theatre
Pensacola Children’s Chorus Presents Christmas on the Coast
Pensacola Little Theatre Presents The Best Christmas Pageant Ever December 7-9, 11 and 13-16. This musical is directed by Roxie Smith with musical direction by Tina Buran. The Herdmans are the worst kids in the history of the world, so no one is prepared when this outlaw family invades church one Sunday and decides to take over the annual Christmas pageant. For tickets or more info, call (850) 432-2042 or visit www.pensacolalittletheatre.com/. A Charlie Brown Christmas Live on Stage will be shown at Pensacola Saenger Theatre Thursday, December 13. Everyone’s favorite holiday classic comes to life! Join Charlie Brown, Snoopy, Lucy, Linus and the whole Peanuts gang as they produce their own Christmas play and ultimately learn the true meaning of the season. Charles M. Schulz’s timeless story also showcases the unforgettable music of Vince Guaraldi, performed by a three-piece ensemble on stage, as well as a concert of beloved holiday carols led by the Peanuts characters. A special Charlie Brown Christmas Meet & Greet offers attendees the exclusive opportunity to meet at least two cast members, take photos, receive a goodie bag and enjoy themed activities before they see the show live on stage. For more info or tickets, visit www.pensacolasaenger.com/ or call (850) 595-3880.
December 7-9 * 7:30 p.m. * Saenger Theatre. A sparkling holiday spectacular that celebrates the magic and music of the holiday season. Frequently nominated as one of the annual events in Pensacola, your family does not want to miss this! For tickets or more info, call (850) 434-7760 or visit www.pensacolachildrenschorus.com/.
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Polar Express Pajama Party
3 p.m. * Saturdays and Sundays through December 23 * Naval Aviation Museum. Children are encouraged to wear their pajamas for the magical journey to the North Pole to find the true spirit of Christmas. Once onboard, all children will receive free hot chocolate and a cookie from the refreshment counter. Tickets are $7 per person. Infants one and under are free and do not require a ticket purchase. For more info, call (850) 453-2025 or visit www.navalaviationmuseum.org/.
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Holiday Parades The Pensacola Beach Lighted Boat Parade happens on December 1. The Lighted Boat Parade boasts some of the most beautiful and bright ocean vessels in the Gulf. A kids’ pre-show party takes place from 4-6 p.m. Then at 6:30 p.m., the parade departs from Sabine Marina heading to the Pensacola Beach Boardwalk; view parade procession in Little Sabine at 6:30 and view from Quietwater Beach area at 7:30. Look for Santa on the lead boat! Fireworks with Santa start Soundside at 8 p.m. For more info, visit www. firstcitychristmas.com/event/pensacola-beach-lighted-boat-parade/. The Surfing Santa Beach Parade is December 2 from 2-3 p.m. See Santa Claus make his way down Via De Luna Drive atop a Pensacola Beach fire truck. Starting at 2 p.m. from Avenida 10, the parade will make its way down Via De Luna toward Casino Beach and end at the Gulfside Pavilion, where kids will be able to meet and greet with Santa until 3 p.m. For more info, visit https://visitpensacolabeach.com/whats-happening-calendar/.
On December 8 at 5 p.m., you will not want to miss the Cox Pensacola Christmas Parade, an event that draws more than 50,000 people each year, including nearly 90 entries, and eight bands from Escambia County, New Orleans and Mississippi. The parade begins at Spring & Garden Streets in downtown Pensacola. It features the nationally renowned Blue Angels flight team and a host of organizations from around the region. Preceding the parade is the 1.2 mile Christmas Parade Dash, sponsored by the Pensacola Runners Association. All profits from the Cox Pensacola Christmas Parade go to local high school band booster organizations. More than $25,000 has been donated to area high schools. Sponsors for the parade include Cox Communications, My Pensacola Credit Union and WKRG News 5. For more info, call (850) 434-1234 or visit www.coxpensacolachristmasparade.org/.
The Polar Express will screen at 3 p.m. every Saturday and Sunday beginning Saturday, November 24 through Sunday, December 23. Children will receive free hot cocoa and a cookie. Tickets are $7 and advanced tickets are available in person at the ticket counter. OPEN 9–5 DAILY ON NAVAL AIR STATION PENSACOLA • FREE MUSEUM ADMISSION
850- 453-2389 • 800-327-5002 • NavalAviationMuseum.org • 1750 Radford Blvd. • Naval Air Station Pensacola, FL 32508 Greater Pensacola Parents I December 2018
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Santa’s Puppy Party
Ballet Pensacola Presents: The Nutcracker
Dec. 15 * 1-4 p.m. * Winterfest Plaza, 223 South Palafox Place. Many children ask Santa for a puppy so he’s decided to bring the puppies to Winterfest! Children will have an opportunity to adopt a puppy from the Escambia County Animal Shelter. For more info, call (850) 595-3075.
7 p.m. December 21 & 22 and 1:30 p.m. December 23 * Pensacola Saenger Theatre. Follow the adventures of Clara and her Nutcracker Prince as they battle the Mouse King and embark on a journey through the Land of the Sweets with the guidance of the Sugar Plum Fairy. For more info or tickets, visit www.pensacolasaenger.com/ or call (850) 595-3880.
Pensacola’s Mardi Gras Kickoff
5 p.m. January 5 * Downtown Pensacola. FREE to everyone! Come join us and celebrate the 2019 Mardi Gras Season along with the Krewes, their King and Queens for the upcoming season, King Cake, and the town crier. Call (850) 436-7638 or visit http:// pensacolamardigras.com/.
Pensacola Symphony Orchestra Presents: Celebrate the New Year!
7 p.m. December 31 * Pensacola Saenger Theatre. Ring in the New Year in style with the playful charm and unparalleled talent of pianist and vocalist Tony DeSare. This evening will feature some of piano’s greatest hits, including the perennial favorites of Elton John, Ray Charles, John Lennon and more. For more info or tickets, visit www.pensacolasaenger.com/ or call (850) 595-3880.
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St. John Teacher Holds ‘Book Tasting’
St. John Middle School Language Arts and Literature teacher Kate Durden organized a Middle School book tasting! Students were able to sample different books, before they decided on their “main course!” They found lots of good options on the reading menu!
Little Flower Catholic Students Dress as Teachers
Halloween was a day to be remembered at Little Flower Catholic School. Eighth-graders had fun dressing up as their favorite teachers for Halloween. Can you guess who is who?
Please email school photos and news to schoolnews@greaterpensacolaparents.com!
St. Paul Holds Flag Retirement Ceremony
In honor of Veterans’ Day, St. Paul Catholic School held a flag retirement ceremony. The entire school, K3-8th grade, looked on as members of the Student Council, who organized the event, ceremonially cut and then burned torn and worn American flags. The school recited the Pledge of Allegiance and sang “The Star Spangled Banner” together before students began cutting the flag stripe by stripe, placing them in the fire one-by-one. As each piece was cut, students listened to inspiring quotes that touched on American patriotism and reflected on the service of veterans.
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Veterans’ Day Program at Oakcrest Elementary Greater Pensacola Parents I December 2018
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Blessed Star Learns About Mi Familia
Marine Science Course for High School Students
Recently, Blessed Star Montessori Christian K-2nd grade students began a Spanish unit about Mi Familia (My Family). The students were very engaged with all the visual aids that Ms. B used during her lesson. They learned mommy, daddy, grandma, grandpa, brother and sister in Spanish. During the lesson they worked on correct pronunciation of the words and writing the names in Spanish. They also drew pictures of their Familia.
June 16 July 12, 2019 Immerse yourself in the world of marine science. Learn by doing - in the field, in the lab, and on the boat Connect with DISL researchers, aquarists, and faculty Earn high school or college science credit For current 9th through 12th graders
Apply by April 3, 2019 Learn more at disl.org/dhp/summer Call 251-861-2141 x7515 or email DHPSummer@disl.org.
Pensacola Area Schools Participate in Robotics Competition
DISL's unique, longest lived residential program. Students join 30+ years of marine science education
YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD WALK-IN CLINIC
There was a packed house for the BEST Robotics regional competition at the University of West Florida. Thirty middle and high school teams competed all day, with the top six teams advancing to the finals at Auburn University (noted after their names). Here is a complete list of the winners: BEST Award (Overall award for entire event): 1st Place: Northwest Florida Robot Spot (Homeschool)(Aub); 2nd Place: Seaside Neighborhood School (Aub); 3rd Place: Woodlawn Beach Middle (Aub); and 4th Place: Gulf Breeze Middle. Robotics Award (Robot portion only): 1st Place: Pensacola Catholic High School (Aub) (shown above); 2nd Place: Pensacola High (Aub); 3rd Place: West Florida High School of Advanced Technology (Aub); and 4th Place: Woodlawn Beach Middle (Aub). Best Project Engineering Notebook: 1st Place: Gulf Breeze High; 2nd Place: Seacoast Collegiate High; and 3rd Place: J.M. Tate High. Best Marketing Presentation: 1st Place: Seacoast Collegiate High; 2nd Place: Seaside Neighborhood School (Aub); 3rd Place: Woodlawn Beach Middle (Aub). Best Team Exhibits and Interview: 1st Place: Seacoast Collegiate High; 2nd Place: King Middle; and 3rd Place: Northwest Florida Robot Spot (Homeschool)(Aub). Best Spirit and Sportsmanship: 1st Place: Woodlawn Beach Middle School (Aub); 2nd Place: Seaside Neighborhood School (Aub); and 3rd Place: Jay School. CAD Award: Pensacola Catholic High (Aub): Web Page Design: Northwest Florida Robot Spot (Homeschool) (Aub); Best T-Shirt Design: 1st Place: Seaside Neighborhood School (Aub); 2nd Place: Woodlawn Beach Middle (Aub); and 3rd Place: Beulah Middle; Gulf Power Company Blood, Sweat, and Duct Tape Award: Beulah Middle; Most Photogenic Machine: Pensacola Catholic High (Aub); and Most Robust Machine: West Florida High School of Advanced Technology (Aub).
Can’t get in to see your doctor? WE TAKE WALK-INS!
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Blessed Star Holds Annual Fall Festival
Blessed Star Montessori students have been working extremely hard during these last few months. They were very excited to have a day of yummy treats and fun. Even the bad weather did not stop our day of play; we moved inside. The school was filled with lots of laughter and smiles during the festival. Two students patiently worked together to construct the pictured domino maze. Their smiles grew even bigger when they discovered that their maze actually worked as planned. They probably didn’t have a clue that they were working on hand/ eye coordination, teamwork, or cause and effect skills while they were busy building and playing.
Lipscomb Combines Fun with Funds
R.C. Lipscomb Elementary School combined Halloween costume fun and Operation: Help Our Neighbors’ Schools. Kids who wanted to wear a costume brought in a donation. At the end of the day, Principal Sanders announced that they had worked together to raise $2,400 to help schools affected by Hurricane Michael! If YOU would like to help, contact our Foundation at ecpsfoundation.com and use the Donate Now button. After you enter your information there will be a box where you can type in the words “Help Our Neighbors’ Schools!”
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Autauga County Schools
Shedding Light on Social Studies: Impactful Instruction in the Sunshine State
Several Escambia County teachers attended the Florida Council for the Social Studies 61st Annual Conference held Oct. 19-21 in Orlando. Jim McMillan, representing UWF trust, accepted an endowment grant from the FCSS Endowment nominated by Cherie Arnette. This grant will go toward making the Tristan De Luna Exhibit more interactive for our students on the fourth-grade tour. Escambia County School District Social Studies Teachers of the Year Bonnie Shiflett, R.C. Lipscomb Elementary; Nichole Beckius, Jim Bailey Middle, and Robin Blalock, J.M. Tate, were recognized at the Excellence in Education Awards Dinner. Blalock was named the winner of the Dr. Theron Trimble Florida Teacher of the Year Award in the 9-12 division and Shiflett was also recognized as one of two finalists for the K-6 division. Dr. Theron Trimble Florida Teacher of the Year Award is to recognize exceptional social studies teachers for grades K-6, 5-8, and 9-12. Melanie Hendrix of Pine Forest High School received the Excellence in Teaching History Award recognizing and celebrating a Florida teacher of history who encourages an appreciation and respect for history, involves students in the historical process, and evidences mastery of the subject matter. Cherie Arnette, social studies curriculum specialist for Escambia County Schools and immediate past president of the Florida Council for the Social Studies, was the recipient of the Wilma Simmons Golden Service Award. This award recognizes a member who has been active for many years and has made significant and lasting contributions to the Florida Council for the Social Studies.
Trinitas Dissects Owl Pellets
Mrs. DeGraaf’s first-grade science class at Trinitas Christian School dissected owl pellets recently. Owl pellets are undigested food that owls regurgitate. Students extracted bones from this material and then tried to identify them. The students found skulls of rodents as well as bones of birds. Amazing and fascinating discoveries were made! Greater Pensacola Parents I December 2018
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St. John School Creates Living Saint Museum
St. John School’s third-grade students were living statues for All Saints’ Day in a museum curated by their teacher Erin Kimbell. The students memorized the stories of a chosen saint and acted as statues in a museum, dressing up like their saint and bringing in props. Each student shared the lives of the saints when asked by museum visitors, including their schoolmates, teachers, parents and even Bishop Bill!
Mad Scientist Night at Kingsfield Elementary
Please email news and photos to editor@ greaterpensacolaparents.com.
Open 4-9 p.m. Nov. 23-Dec. 9
Hop aboard for an authentic train ride through our snowy winter wonderland!
(Open Friday-Sunday)
Santa visit with free toy
Dec. 12-Dec. 24 (Open Nightly)
Kingsfield Elementary students, teachers and family members came to school, along with volunteers from the PTA and International Paper, for a night of MADNESS! It was the first (soon to become annual) Mad Scientist Night. From dry ice smoke to spider webs, from pumpkin oobleck to building with “bones” (Q-tips), students got to experiment and create for a couple of hours of scientific wonder and adventure!
1 million+ lights Purchase tickets online or at the railroad! WalesWest.com
Use promo code “PARENT” for a discount on online tickets! 251-232-2322 13670 Smiley Street, Silverhill, AL 36576 13
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Autauga County Schools
Naval Aviators Visit Creative Learning Academy
Little Flower Learns About Spanish Customs
In Spanish class, Little Flower Catholic School’s kindergarten students have been doing activities related to Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) with Mrs. Hernandez. Day of the Dead has an important significance in Mexico and South America and is now also being celebrated in the United States by many. Shown here, the students enjoyed decorating cookies.
Ahead of Veterans’ Day, CAPT Paul Bowdich and CDR Jim Brownlee came to talk to Creative Learning Academy’s Dragons about their careers as naval aviators, the duties and tools of a helicopter pilot, and their roles as the CO and XO of NAS Whiting Field. Students and teachers alike enjoyed the demonstration of their survival gear. In a show of support for our veterans, CLA Dragons also participated in the Veterans Memorial Park Foundation Veterans Day essay and art contest.
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Montessori School Fall Festival Fun
Montessori School of Pensacola’s annual fall festival was a success. The event sold the “famous” black bean salsa as a fundraiser for the school PTO and profits from the festival go to enriching the classes. This year a new inflatable slide was added to the ever-popular pony rides, face painting, and games. The MSP Middle School students ran their own smoothie booth to raise funds for their class trips. Additionally, this year baskets of Legos and games were given as prizes to those who won the chance drawing. The staff and parent volunteers are integral in making the event happen and the school is very grateful for all of the help.
OJ Semmes Hosts the Harlem Globetrotters!
Some of the Harlem Globetrotters visited OJ Semmes Elementary recently and taught the kids to find someone to talk to when you are troubled and to show empathy when someone else is troubled. They also talked about the dangers of bullying in person or online. And... they had some fun! Send Your School News by the 12th of each month to: editor@greaterpensacolaparents.com. Greater Pensacola Parents I December 2018
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MSP Annual Minithon Run Fundraiser
Montessori School of Pensacola has an annual tradition that involves running and tie-dye. Students from the youngest class (18 months) through middle school (7th & 8th grades) run laps to get pledge money for either laps run or a lump sum. In addition to the running fun, each student gets a commemorative tie-dye shirt provided by sponsors of the event. The money raised goes to the student’s classroom fund for purchases such as playground enhancements and other classroom curriculum materials. Families at MSP love this event, despite the fact that this year’s runs had to be postponed due to weather. The families attend a potluck “feast” after the event to celebrate and socialize. MSP has been serving the Pensacola community for the last 41 years. The founder is not quite sure when the first Minithon run was, but it’s been going at least 25 years!
“CASITA,” CARLOS ROLÓN, MULTIMEDIA INSTALLATION, 2018
STONE’S THROW
Coco in the Courtyard @ N.B. Cook
Escambia County students “seized the moment” and watched Coco together in the N.B. Cook courtyard recently. All admission donations and snack purchase proceeds will be given to O. J. Semmes Elementary to help fund their fifth-graders’ end of the year banquet. They also collected diapers, wipes and Gatorade for Hurricane Michael relief.
ON BORDERS, BOUNDARIES, AND THE BEYOND
SEPT 18 – JAN 11 407 S. JEFFERSON ST. PENSACOLA, FL 32502 850.432.6247 pensacolamuseum.org
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ON VIEW IN THE HENDERSON THORNTON, KUGELMAN FAMILY, AND STAIRWELL GALLERIES, CHARLES W. LAMAR SR. ASSEMBLY ROOM
MUSEUM HOURS: TUES – THURS 10AM to 5PM FRI – SAT 10AM to 7PM / SUN 12PM to 4PM
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Autauga County Schools
St. John School Gala
On November 3, St. John School hosted its annual Gala. It was a lovely evening of music, delicious food and amazing auction items. Music was performed by the school’s very own pastor, Father John Licari. St. John 8th-grade students volunteered to help with the Gala, showing guests to their seats and helping with the auction. The Gala was a wonderful evening to celebrate the 144 years of education at St. John School.
Beulah Invites Heroes to Lunch
Thanks to Beulah Elementary PTA for inviting the Escambia Sheriff’s Office and many first responders to their Lunch with a Hero. Our first responders enjoyed lunch with Beulah third-graders on Thursday. It was an honor getting to know our future leaders!
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Please email school photos and news to schoolnews@greaterpensacolaparents.com!
N. B. Cook Elementary Honors Veterans
N.B. Cook Elementary had an incredible day of learning about veterans, honoring their service with its third-grade play—especially the finale when all service members were asked to stand, and hearing stories from veterans as they visited with first-graders. Honoring veterans continued during Kindness Week, when students made goody bags to be delivered to the USO!
Beulah Elementary Celebrates 50 Days of School
Mrs Chancey’s 1st-graders at Beulah Elementary celebrated the 50th day of school by dressing up ‘50’s style and enjoying some ice cream floats. Greater Pensacola Parents I December 2018
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St. Paul Holds Annual Pumpkin Decorating Contest
Students at St. Paul Catholic School were very creative with their pumpkin designs this year! Every year, each class decorates a pumpkin, which is displayed in the hallway for voting with loose change. The school raised $375 to be donated to charity.
Jim Allen Elementary Dresses Up to Help Out
On Halloween, Jim Allen Elementary students wore their costumes to school for a cause. They collected cash and coin donations for students who were affected by Hurricane Michael in Bay County, Panama City. The school collected approximately $1,200! Thank you to Susan Dorman, Jim Allen’s assistant principal, for sharing the news and the photos!
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Trinitas Varsity and JV Volleyball Teams Take Home PCC Trophies
Trinitas Christian School’s varsity and junior varsity volleyball Lady Knights took home the grand prize, winning first place in the Panhandle Christian Conference! The junior varsity ladies entered the championship game undefeated for the season. They faced Pensacola Christian Academy in the final match and it was an unknown and daunting task. PCA’s excellent team battled hard but Trinitas ultimately won the championship title. Then the varsity Lady Knights played Friday night against the PCA Warriors and won in three sets. Saturday was the rematch the ladies had hoped for against the West Florida Baptist Conquerors. Not to be outdone after a defeat by West Florida in the regional competition, the Varsity Knights worked and played hard. The girls’ diligence paid off and they also won the conference championship title in four sets.
St. Paul Catholic Holds Annual Halloween Carnival
ECSD Physical Education Teachers Rock Daily
In Escambia County, we have a large group of teachers who put in all they have every day. They are unsung, many times unknown, heroes. In this picture are just a few of the more than 80 physical education teachers who go above and beyond day in and day out and don’t ask for recognition.
St. Paul Catholic School held its annual Halloween Carnival. Students came dressed in costume and paraded in front of the school as parents and family looked on. After the parade, students and their families enjoyed games, food, bounce houses and the opportunity to submerge their favorite teachers in the Dunk Booth.
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St. John School K9 Unit Visit
On October 25, St. John School students were visited by Nero, a German shepherd with the Sheriff’s K9 Unit. Students were able to learn more about the work of the K9 Unit, see Nero respond to commands, and even give him a back scratch for all his hard work! Send Your School News by the 12th of each month to: editor@greaterpensacolaparents.com.
Bratt Fourth-Graders Visit Global Corner
Kathy Smith’s 4th-graders from Bratt Elementary take a photo with Aboriginal Peoples Professor Enid at the Global Corner International Learning Center..
Trinitas Christian Recognizes All-Conference Winners
The Panhandle Christian Conference chose a select few athletes to receive its prestigious All-Conference award. Varsity volleyball players from Trinitas Christian School Jillian Todd, Alex Johnson, Erica Radcliffe, Mekenzie Petersen and Emma Todd were all given medals. Varsity soccer athletes were also recognized for exceptional play. Trinitas seniors Kevin Dulion, Tucker Gregg and Adam Strickler were each awarded medals. After a final record of 6-1, the varsity Lady Knights placed second in the conference. The varsity soccer players ended their regular season with a record of 6-2-2, placing third in the conference. They also made it to the final four and will compete in the championship game.
East Hill Attends Symphony Performance
The East Hill Christian School 5th-grade music class was excited to take a field trip to the Saenger Theatre to hear the Pensacola Symphony perform. Not only did the students get the chance to hear the Symphony, but they also got to see their elementary principal, Nathan Witter, participate as a violinist in the symphony! 19
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Redeemer Hosts Honor Roll Reception
Students at Redeemer Lutheran enjoyed making their own ice cream sundaes at Redeemer’s Honor Roll reception recently.
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East Hill Varsity Soccer Team Competes in Nationals East Hill Christian School sent its varsity soccer team to Nationals at the NACA Tournament in Dayton, Tenn., at Fort Bluff. The team made it into the third division and brought home the Consolation Championship Trophy. This will be added to the third-place trophy the team earned at the Final Four this year. With a record of 14 -2 -1, the team earned a Panhandle regular season championship, sending the players to a second consecutive Final Four.
Please email news to schoolnews@greaterpensacolaparents.com!
Montessori School of Pensacola Students Get Historical
Every few weeks, Montessori School of Pensacola has a themed “Fun Day” where children are invited to dress in costumes. The most recent Fun Day theme was historical figure. One child dressed as the first Prime Minister of India, Jawaharlal Nehru. The Fun Day happened to fall on November 14, which is Children’s Day in India in honor of Prime Minister Nehru. Other figures from history that were represented included Frida Kahlo, Paul Bunyan, a suffragette, Louis Pasteur, and the first female doctor in the U.S., Elizabeth Blackwell. Fun Days are always exciting for staff and children, but this one served to be very educational as well!
Ensley Elementary Presents Donation to Humane Society
Students and teachers at Ensley Elementary recently presented a check for $1,041.21 to the Pensacola Humane Society. The money was raised throughout September during the school’s annual Pennies for Pets Donation Drive. Regina Smolensky, Pennies for Pets school coordinator at Ensley, who has also been a loyal volunteer at the Pensacola Humane Society for many years, organized the project. Smolensky wants to thank everyone for their generous donations. Shown are Mrs. Saukira and her 5th-grade class; Principal Shuford; Assistant Principal Bryan; Smolensky; and Mark Sortino, volunteer coordinator, Pensacola Humane Society. Greater Pensacola Parents I December 2018
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Little Flower Compass Practice
Mrs. DeGruccio’s 6th-grade math class at Little Flower Catholic School had some hands-on experience using compasses.
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Blessed Star Has Fun With Fractions
Blessed Star Montessori students never imagined that working on fractions could be so much fun. They did a review of the fraction lessons from the week using Kahoot and the students had a blast! It is definitely a tool that gets the students excited about reviewing what they have learned. The students now ask on a regular basis when they can play Kahoot again.
National STEM Day @ Redeemer Lutheran
On National STEM Day, Redeemer Lutheran’s 5th-grade class started the day learning about careers in the STEM field by watching interviews of scientist, astronauts and radiologists. They explored possible career choices and the subjects you would need to excel in, practiced using technology to collaborate with peers, and even brought art into it by learning about the bones in our hands and creating X-rays. Teacher Mrs. Nims has done extensive training in STEAM innovation and incorporation within the classroom. 21
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Ransom Middle Competes in Academic Tournament
St. Paul Sends Aid to Hurricane Victims
In an effort to help our neighbors in the Panhandle who were affected by Hurricane Michael, St. Paul Catholic School families donated cases of water and students brought in more than $2,450 in cash. All proceeds were given to Catholic Charities of Pensacola-Tallahassee for distribution.
Please email news and photos to schoolnews@ greaterpensacolaparents.com!
The following Ransom Middle School students participated in the 12th Annual Academic Tournament at the Collegiate High School at Northwest Florida State College in Niceville October 20. Team A is comprised of: Jake Bures, captain; Otis Evans, Callie Hastings, and Drake Kelley; and Team B is: Asher Nissim, co-captain; Connor Ryan, co-captain; Aidan Webster and Alesha Wright. Sponsors are Clarissa Brown and Lucinda Bateman. The students played five morning rounds, where players learned much from competing in a “real” tournament - a first for many new players on this year’s team. Both teams scored! Team A, with a record of 4-1, was ranked #8 after the morning rounds in a field of 28 mostly high school teams. Team B ranked #25, and the playoff brackets put Team A vs Team B for the first playoff round - so Ransom won the round! In the second playoff round, Team A played admirably - with three rookie players - against the top team from Fort Walton Beach High School, and scored impressively in that round too. Though they didn’t win, it was great training as they look ahead to middle school level tournaments (which are qualifiers for Nationals in Chicago). Shown from left at the buzzers are Callie Hastings, Otis Evans, Jake Bures, Drake Kelley, Alesha Wright, Asher Nissim, Connor Ryan and Aidan Webster.
Cordova Park Helps Fill Boxes with Food For Manna Food Bank
Trinitas Varsity Soccer Team Finishes Strong Season
Every Escambia County School District school received ten boxes from our Warehouse Team and they were asked to fill them with canned goods for the Manna Food Bank in Pensacola. To help with filling theirs, Cordova Park held a Hat Day—bring in a donation and you can wear your favorite hat! And they filled ALL 10 BOXES FOR MANNA... in a day! They even asked for more empty boxes to fill. Thank you, Cordova Park, for your community support!
The Trinitas varsity soccer team began a successful 2018 campaign in June conducting summer”workouts to train and prepare for an aerobic athletic season. A several-miles-perweek running regimen helped team members build their endurance and ability to compete. And compete they did, ending the regular season with a record of 6-2-2. The Trinitas men qualified for the Final Four competition and in the Semifinal beat friendly archrival Aletheia on Friday night, 3-0. They played in the championship game against the Calvary Christian Academy Patriots of Fort Walton Beach. The match was a hard-fought, intense affair, with regulation play ending in a 2-2 tie. Two overtime periods of 10 minutes each were not able to produce a winner. Therefore, the Knights and Patriots moved to a “penalty kicks round” to decide the winner. In a fitting finale to an amazing turnaround year, Calvary prevailed 4-3 in the PK round, leaving the brave Knights with the second-place trophy. Greater Pensacola Parents I December 2018
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Redeemer Crusaders Win Flag Football Championship
Redeemer Lutheran School’s 5th- and 6th-grade boys won the CYSL 2018 Flag Football Championship. We would like to thank our amazing coaches for their dedication and commitment to the team.
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St. John Holds Fall Sports Pep Rally
St. John School cheered on its fall sports teams at a fall pep rally. Athletes from tackle football, flag football, cheerleading and volleyball teams wore their jerseys and were recognized and encouraged by their schoolmates. The pep rally really worked because the St. John Panther football team won the championship game that very evening!
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East Hill Celebrates Grandparents
East Hill Christian School’s kindergarten through fifth grade celebrated Grandparents Day. Each class had a special presentation, songs or artwork that they prepared to honor their grandparents.
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Successful School Choice Expo Night
School Choice Expo 2018 was a great night at Booker T. Washington High School filled with people talking, questioning and exploring the variety of options available to middle and high school students in Escambia County. Be sure to get your application processed before the winter vacation!
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MESS Hall Visits Creative Learning
Creative Learning Academy welcomed the Pensacola MESS Hall’s “mobile MESS.” Lower school students enjoyed hands-on demonstrations, engaged in complex reasoning, and learned science through tinkering. With the help of our amazing parent volunteers, students participated in a variety of activities including physics concepts like acceleration and velocity. #WeAreCLA #FutureProblemSolvers #BeCreative Greater Pensacola Parents I December 2018
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Redeemer Lutheran Students Enjoy a Healthy Snack
Redeemer Lutheran students enjoy a healthy snack after doing a one-mile Orange Walk. 24
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Bailey Jazz Band Performance
Bailey Middle School’s Jazz Band performed at the Greater Gulf Coast Arts Festival.
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Veterans’ Day Breakfast @ Beulah Middle
The Student Government Association from Beulah Middle School hosted a wonderful breakfast for veterans and first responders with help from the PTA.
Law Enforcement Meets at EHS
The rain didn’t dampen the spirits of the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office, FBI, MyFWC, Pensacola Police Department, and Escambia County Mounted Posse as they met with more than 100 students from Escambia High and West Florida High’s criminal justice programs at Escambia’s Emmitt Smith Field! ECSO recruiters, SWAT, crime scene, evidence, DUI-enforcement, traffic, investigators, and K-9 units had static displays, as well as K-9 demonstrations for students interested in a career in law enforcement. Escambia’s Criminal Justice Academy set up this year’s career event inviting WFHS and others to participate. 25
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Christmas in the Real World During the holiday season, when the kids are in bed and my husband is glued to football, you will find me curled up under a blanket watching Christmas movies on the Hallmark Channel. Something about these simple sweet movies just puts my mind at ease after a busy day of life...of real life. If only our Christmas was a little more like a made for television movie, right?! These movies are typically set in a quaint little town blanketed in snow with Christmas décor on every visible surface. Everything is beautiful and everyone is friendly. People randomly pass out candy canes and hot chocolate as you walk by and every moment feels a little magical. Need a last minute gift? Visit the Christmas Market outside your front door. No plans tonight? Attend a carol sing-a-long with your neighbors in the town square. Feeling sad? Don’t worry! Mr. Perfect will come along soon in a carefully selected winter outfit with a flawless speech to sweep you off your feet. Cue the music! Pass the cookies! Oh, how I love Christmas! And, back to reality... Cue my kids screaming! Pass the Tylenol! Oh my goodness, it’s almost Christmas! Don’t misunderstand me when I say that I do love the holiday season. I get excited to see the trees on display at the stores and to hear Bing Crosby’s White Christmas on my morning drive. But,
by Thanksgiving week, the commercials seem to grow louder and the thought of all I feel we need to accomplish by December 25th is daunting. I begin to relate more with the mother in National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation who says what all Moms think at some point in December, “I don’t know what to say except it’s Christmas and we’re all in misery.” There is something to be said for that quiet time in between holidays- no parties, no décor, no bucket list, no expectations. And while I want to make lasting memories with my family this holiday season, I also want to be a part of them. I don’t want to feel so frazzled and hurried that I lose time to snuggle on the couch with my kids. So before we race to buy everything on our lists, drag out the decorations and dream up 15 new ideas for that little elf, let’s make some plans to put some joy back into the season...for Mama.
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List 5 and choose 2 As soon as we clear the Thanksgiving table, we dream of all the Christmas magic we want to experience with our families. Make a list of five big things you’d love to do this year and then circle two of them. Choose the two that you just couldn’t bear to miss and would bring the most joy to everyone. My two? A visit to the Christmas tree farm and the Pensacola Christmas Parade. Hang onto that list and if time permits, then go ahead and do a little more.
Value the small moments As Moms, we’re quick to feel like failures if it doesn’t all seem grand. However, the most special holiday memories can be made in the very small and quiet moments. My favorite memories from my childhood include shouting, “Christmas Light Alert!” every time we passed a house with beautiful lights; my Mom’s fingerprints pressed into the cream cheese cookies she made every year; singing carols in the car and putting ornaments on the tree. None of these were carefully planned or time intensive. But they became part of the definition of Christmas for me. Remember that our children will enjoy most what we enjoy with them. They will always remember laughing with you, singing with you, baking with you and being with you.
Don’t forget to make a little time for yourself, too! If you’re a working mom, take off a day from work. If you’re a stay at home mom, arrange for someone to love on your babies for the day. Now take that time and knock out a big chunk of your holiday to-do list. Start out with an overpriced coffee and a plan! You will accomplish so much more in this one day than on several days after work, at night or with all kids in tow. Just go ahead and do it! I recommend the white chocolate mocha. So curl up with a blanket and a Hallmark movie tonight and remember, the small moments are the big moments and your family needs you so much more than a perfect, made for television holiday. Merry Christmas, Mama. www.greaterpensacolaparents.com
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Dental Insurance for Kids? Q. Should I keep buying dental insurance for my kids, or is it just a gimmick? A. Dental insurance is one of those things
where it’s easy to see that the payout is greater than the return. We’ve had dental insurance proposed to us at my company several times as an employee benefit, but when you add up what you pay for it you’ll find you rarely spend that much on dentistry. In many cases, I advise self-insuring for dental care. Now, there is a dental discount company I highly recommend called 1Dental. com. This kind of thing is worth it. As a member, you get discounted rates on
dental work when you visit an in-network provider. I’ve gotten to know the folks behind this organization, too, and they’re great people.
Strained Relationship Over Borrowed Money Q. I borrowed some money from my parents in January, and it took a few months longer to pay them back than originally planned. Since then, I’ve noticed our relationship seems to be strained. They will sometimes make remarks about money when I’m around, and it’s obvious the things they say are aimed at me. I don’t want things to be like this between us during the holidays. I have taken steps to become more financially responsible, like watching my spending and living on a budget, so how can I address this issue with them? A. I’m sorry you’re going through this, but I hope everyone has learned a valuable
lesson. It’s okay to give money sometimes, as long as you’re not enabling irresponsible behavior in the process. But loaning money to or borrowing from friends and relatives will often lead to bruised feelings. If you paid them back, especially if it took longer than expected or agreed upon, there’s not much you can do if they choose to hold a grudge. With some folks, it just takes a little while for those kinds of things to heal. And considering it’s your parents, my guess is they’ll become more and more forgiving with time. Until then, maybe you could look for opportunities during conversations with them to mention your new approach to finances. Something as simple as referring your budget, or getting excited about how much you were able to put into savings from your last paycheck, might get their attention. A few subtle hints that you’re actively working to gain control of your finances might go a long way with your parents. If they realize you’re starting to handle your money more wisely, I’ll bet you’d start to notice a real difference in their attitudes!
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How to Protect Your Kid from “Fortnite� Scams
fake ones. These fake domains mimic developer Epic Games’ and Fortnite’s real styles, colors, and fonts to fool people. Some even put “Fortnite� in the URL. These sites also collect personal information, but they often go a step further in directly charging a credit card or bank account.
The popular game has become an easy way for scammers to trick kids into sharing way too much information
Social media scams. One of the most popular ways that scams are spread is through social media. Fake sites and V-Bucks generators often encourage people to share their links to get more points, which helps expose the scam to more people. Plus, these links often direct users to suspicious apps and malware that can also target your kid’s personal information.
You were just getting used to your kid’s obsession with Fortnite, and now, all you hear about is V-Bucks. V-Bucks, like Robux on Roblox, are Fortnite’s in-game currency. Players use them to buy the fun “skins� (characters and outfits) and “emotes� (those hilarious dances like “Flossing� and “Take the L�) that kids will say they totally need to make Fortnite even cooler. For the record: You don’t need V-Bucks to play Fortnite, and if you do spring for them, they cost real money. Also, online scammers are all over V-Bucks. Fortnite’s incredible popularity among kids has made it an easy target for rip-off artists trying to make some actual bucks while the game is hot. A recent study from online security company ZeroFox discovered more than 4,700 fake Fortnite websites, and the company sent out more than 50,000 security alerts about Fortnite scams in a single month. Kids are particularly vulnerable to requests to turn over personal information, including names and email addresses or even credit card numbers. Here’s how you can spot the scam and protect your kids.
YouTube video scams. Similar to link-sharing scams on social media, there are tons of YouTube videos offering free V-Bucks and more. These fake videos and accounts have millions of views and send gamers to other sketchy sites. Fake Android apps. After Epic Games made the controversial decision not to offer their Android app in the Google Play Store, scammers took advantage by putting up fake Fortnite apps. Although they’re designed to look like Fortnite, they’re really data theft and malware distributors in disguise.
Tips to avoid getting scammed Talk to your kids about how to spot and avoid Fortnite scams and other scams online. Here are some tips to keep your kid’s information private and your money safe: Be cautious when you give out private information. Tell kids to check with you before filling out forms, quizzes, registration pages, and the like on a website or app. For older kids, teach them to think carefully about why a site or app might want your data.
What to watch out for V-Bucks generators. “V-Bucks generators� are one of the biggest online Fortnite scams. These are often websites that offer people points for watching or clicking on ads, and these points can supposedly be traded in for free V-Bucks within Fortnite. Not only do these free V-Bucks never appear, these sites often try to collect people’s Fortnite usernames and passwords or have them take surveys where they submit personal data under the pretense of verifying that they’re human.
Only spend real money through official platforms. PlayStation, Xbox, Epic Games’ official website, and the official Fortnite app are the only places to buy V-Bucks. Anything else is a scam. Double-check URLs and domain names. Talk to kids about scams and how some sites or apps look very similar to the official ones but are designed to trick you into giving up money or information. Domain names and URLs might have only one letter or symbol that’s different from the original, so look carefully.
Fake domains. Similar to V-Bucks generators, there are also tons of sites that offer free V-Bucks or trick people into buying Greater Pensacola Parents I December 2018
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The Best Christmas Pageant Ever: The Musical
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Mindful Holiday Magic Be Truly "Present" With Your Child This Christmas
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The holidays are here! You’ve planned and prepared. But too often the holidays can be a hectic, chaotic swirl of shopping, entertaining, and traveling. Kids may be looking forward to doing absolutely nothing during the holidays. They may be a little burned out from the structure and regiment of school, tutoring sessions and sports activities. If we aren’t careful, we can overbook the holidays too.
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2. Play outside
In an attempt to create the “perfect holiday,” we busy ourselves to the point of forgetting to enjoy the simple moments of the season and we teach our children how to stress over the holidays rather than how to enjoy relationships. Zig Zigler may have communicated it best. Love = time to a child. Why don’t we create magical holiday moments by slowing down and making a concerted effort to spend some simple one on one time with each one of our children individually?
Even play in the rain or cold with your child. Enjoy your child’s smiles and giggles with no agenda or time limit.
3. Memory making
Organize old family photos into a holiday album or start a scrapbook of a beloved family holiday. Talking about the memories can help kids re-live the experience and draw you closer.
One on one time with each child can fuel
4. Homemade seasons greetings
strong lifelong bonds and create holiday
Buy a new box of crayons and construction paper. If you are really adventurous buy glitter or glitter glue. Make New Year’s cards. You may get really wild and make homemade ornaments. Put on some Christmas music if that’s your tradition and sing along while you create. Music is proven to enhance memory. If you sing off key and giggle, that’s even better.
memories for years to come. It may seem counter intuitive to keep a list of possible “spontaneous” holiday activities to cultivate. But the truth is, many of us aren’t good at
5. Volunteer together
letting go and truly being “present” with our
Let your child pick the activity that means the most to him. You may choose to walk or bathe a dog at your local shelter, giving him a holiday treat. You may choose to volunteer to pack family food boxes at your local food bank or organize clothing racks at your local homeless shelter. Your child may want to gather gently loved books to take to the children’s wing of your local hospital. Or you both may enjoy staying close to home and raking leaves in the neighbor’s yard. Encourage your child to think of their own volunteer activity.
children and simply having fun. Here are some ideas for spending one on one time with each child that doesn’t require a big budget and may be shared regardless of age or gender.
1. Holiday baking
6. Movie Day!
Let your child lead the way. Find a recipe with simple ingredients they can follow without a lot of fuss. Or buy a tube of cookie dough from the grocery store and keep it simple. Talk and listen to each other while you are decorating cookies. Give some to the neighbors to introduce community building and talk about holiday values.
Ask your child to pick his favorite holiday flick, Home Alone, Charlie Brown Christmas, Frosty the Snowman, Rudolph or other. Make popcorn and binge watch, snuggled up on the couch together – just you and your child. You may even string popcorn while you watch.
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7. Holiday book binge
Go to your local library and check out holiday books. Make hot chocolate and sit and binge read together one right after the other. Be sure to ask your child which is her favorite and why. Talk about the stories. Take turns reading out loud and use funny voices to animate the characters.
8. Holiday storytelling
Tell stories to each other with the listener providing the first lines. Here are some story ideas: Rudolph the Untold Story, Frosty’s Vacation, the Zoo Holiday or Little Drummer Boy and the Flute Girl.
9. Rockin’ around the Christmas tree
Put on your favorite Christmas music and rock out together! Get your groove on and give your child a spontaneous dance lesson. They may find out how cool you are.
10. Holiday lights tour
Take an evening drive before bedtime in your pajamas. Pipe in holiday tunes and drive around town looking at Christmas lights. Ooh and ah over what you see. (This one has become a tradition for my daughter and me.)
Make your own holiday magic, mindfully. Add simple one on one kid time to your holiday to do list. Cut this list out of the magazine or print it up and put it on the refrigerator as a reminder to seize the holiday moments and simply enjoy each other.
GPP
Laura Lyles Reagan, MS is a parent coach, family sociologist and author of How to Raise Respectful Parents. She can be reached for parenting resources through her website at www.LauraLReagan.com.
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Now – December 24
December 1-2, 7-9, 14-29
ad on page 13
ad on Back Cover
Wales West Arctic Express @ Wales West RV Resort and Light Railway 13670 Smiley Street Silverhill, AL 36576 Enjoy a steam train ride to the North Pole and visit Santa Claus with the whole family! Travel through a snowy winter wonderland featuring more than 1 million twinkling lights and receive a free toy as a memento of your trip. It’s the perfect opportunity for a family photo. We will also feature a petting zoo with pony rides, miniature train rides, a hayless hayride, bounce house, and artificial snow! Tickets can be purchased on our website or at the railroad for $15 per person (plus tax). Ages 2 and under are free. Group rates, field trips, and parties can be booked in advance. Open now Friday – Sunday from 4:00pm - 9:00pm. Beginning December 12th, we will open nightly from 4:00pm - 9:00pm. 888-569-5337 or 251-232-2322 www.waleswest.com
Now - December 23
Polar Express Pajama Party ad on page 8
@ National Naval Aviation Museum 1750 Radford Blvd Ste C Pensacola, FL 32508 Enjoy a 3pm showing of the Christmas classic The Polar Express on the giant screen every Saturday and Sunday beginning November 24 through Sunday, December 23. Tickets are available in person at the museum ticket counter for $7 per person. Children will receive a free hot cocoa and a cookie. 850-453-2389 www.navalaviationmuseum.org
December 1
Arcadia Kids Crafts ad on page 15
@ Arcadia Mill Archaeological Site 5709 Mill Pond Lane Milton, FL 32583 Join us for kids crafts from 11am - 2pm in the Arcadia Mill Classroom. Children will be making Pine Cone Christmas. All materials are provided. Participants must be accompanied by a parent, legal guardian, or adult. For more information, contact educator Krystal Johnson.
850-626-3084 (Ext 102) www.historicpensacola.org/ explore-arcadia-mill
Greater Pensacola Parents I December 2018
Gulf Breeze Zoo Santa Nights @ Gulf Breeze Zoo 5701 Gulf Breeze Parkway Gulf Breeze, FL 32563 Santa is coming to the Zoo and you don’t want to miss it! Enjoy taking pictures with Santa and some very special animal friends. Santa will also be accepting those last minute Christmas letters and special requests from your little ones. 5pm - 9pm. 850-932-2229 www.gbzoo.com
December 7-9, 13-16
Pensacola Little Theatre presents The Best Christmas Pageant Ever ad on page 29
@ Pensacola Little Theatre 400 South Jefferson Street Pensacola, FL 32502 Musical directed by Roxie Smith with musical direction by Tina Buran. A Treehouse production. The Herdmans are the worst kids in the history of the world. So no one is prepared when this outlaw family invades church one Sunday and decides to take over the annual Christmas pageant. Visit the website for tickets and showtimes. 850-432-2042 www.pensacolalittletheatre.com
December 8
Billy Claus visits Lulu’s! ad on page 5
@ LuLu’s 200 East 25th Avenue Gulf Shores, AL 36542 Billy Claus and his LuLubelle’s will arrive in style, read a Christmas story, and listen to your wish list to pass on to Santa! Enjoy arts & crafts, live music and get your picture taken with Billy Claus and more fun from 1pm - 4pm. 251-967-LULU (5858) www.LuluBuffett.com
Hall of Celebrities The Grinch and Frosty the Snowman ad on page 32
@ Pensacola Children’s Museum 115 East Zaragoza Street Pensacola, FL 32502 The Grinch and his friend Frosty the Snowman will
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stop by Party Central at 11am and 2pm. The Hall of Celebrities is a free program sponsored by the UWF Historic Trust. For more information, call or email educator Jim McMillen. 850-595-5985 (Ext 112) www.historicpensacola.org
December 9, 16, and 23
Sundays with Santa ad on Back Cover
@ Gulf Breeze Zoo 5701 Gulf Breeze Parkway Gulf Breeze, FL 32563 Santa is coming to the Zoo! Enjoy taking pictures with Santa and some very special animal friends. Santa will also accept those last minute Christmas letters and special requests from your little ones. 5:30pm - 8:00pm. 850-932-2229 www.gbzoo.com
December 12-14
Historic Pensacola Holiday Lantern Tours ad on page 15
@ Tivoli High House 205 East Zaragoza Street Pensacola, FL 32502 Lantern Tours lead by living history interpreters dressed in Victorian finery, will include 4 houses each decorated for the holidays. Participants will learn about holiday traditions of the past. Tours begin at 6:00pm, 6:30pm, and 7:00pm each night. Admission tickets are limited to 25 patrons per tour. Tickets are $8 for children under 12 years. Ages 12 years to adult are $15 per patron. Tours last approximately 1 hour and are held rain-or-shine, with no refunds. 850-595-5985 or 850-595-5993 www.historicpensacola.org
December 14
Story Tyme with Grandma Jenkins - Christmas Comes to Florida ad on page 32
@ Pensacola Children’s Museum 115 East Zaragoza Street Pensacola, FL 32502 Grandma Jenkins has traveled all the way from England to read you engaging stories that your kids will love. Join us at 11am for this free public reading
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program. Stick around for cookies after the story. After all, she is a grandma and grandmas love cookies! 850-595-5985 (Ext 112) www.historicpensacola.org
Twas the Night Before Little Spruce Market ad on page 25
@ Museum of Commerce 201 Zaragoza Street Pensacola, FL 32502 Delight in the warming of this special time of year. Sip free flowing wine, graze Festive hors d’oeuvre in the candle light of the night before Little Spruce Market. Muse over freshly setup makers including Pensacraft, Yesternow, Truth Soap Co, Thimble Tree, HomeGrown Pillows, Anne Webb Pottery from Magnolia Springs, 17th Ave Design Jewelry, Prickly Pair painted signs, Muffy & Trudy Jewelry, Orenda’s Originals Jewelry, Chewsworthy children’s jewelry, Little Flamingo Hair Bows, Trial by Fire handcrafted knives, Asher & Bee, Panhandle Wax Co, Straight-Up Cake, Knotted Bow Ties, and many more delightful handmade small business in an enchanted Old World setting. Dance to boogie boogie band, The beautiful Blue Anchor Belles, meet and greet new and old friends. Tickets are all inclusive, you must be over 21 to enter. ALL ‘TWAS The Night Before Little Spruce Market’ Preview TICKETS INCLUDE ENTRY FOR SAT & SUN DEC 15 & 16 at LITTLE SPRUCE MARKET 2018. www.PensacolaMarket.com
December 15
A Village Carol, an Evening of Dickens’ Christmas ad on page 32
@ Pensacola Children’s Museum 115 East Zaragoza Street Pensacola, FL 32502 An evening of Dickens’ holiday celebrations in Historic Pensacola Village. From 5pm - 7pm will be hearth cooking, Victorian card decorating, timeline of holiday celebrations, a reading of Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol, and refreshments. Tickets are $20 per adult and $10 per child 12 years and under. Purchase tickets online under the event. 850-595-5985 (Ext 112) www.historicpensacola.org
December 15-16
Little Spruce Market ad on page 25
@ Museum of Commerce 201 Zaragoza Street Pensacola, FL 32502 Just in time for the holidays, shoppers can find the perfect gifts browsing through vendors such as Pensacraft, Yesternow, Truth Soap Co, Thimble Tree, HomeGrown Pillows, Anne Webb Pottery from Magnolia Springs, 17th Ave Design Jewelry, Prickly Pair painted signs, Muffy & Trudy Jewelry, Orenda’s Originals Jewelry, Chewsworthy children’s jewelry, Little Flamingo Hair Bows, Trial by Fire handcrafted knives, Asher & Bee, Panhandle Wax Co, Straight-Up Cake, Knotted Bow Ties, and many more delightful handmade small business in an enchanted Old World setting. Tickets to the Saturday & Sunday event is $5, kids under 12 admitted for free. Discounts available: One general is $5, two general is $8 and 3 general is $11. www.facebook.com/PensacolaMarket
December 16
Cordova Lanes Child-Adult Holiday Doubles Bowling Tournament ad on page 9
@ Cordova Lanes 2111 Airport Boulevard Pensacola, FL 32504 Bring the kids out for an afternoon of family fun!
This is a double tournament for one child (5-18) and one adult (19 and up). Entry fee is $16 per team. 2 shifts available with one at 12noon and the other at 3:00 p.m. Call or visit the website for registration information, handicap info and additional details. 850-477-2300 www.cordovalanes.com
December 21, 24, 27-28
Play Pensacola Winter Break Camp ad on page 33
@ Vickrey Resource Center 2130 Summit Boulevard Pensacola, FL 32503 Camp is for children ages 6 - 12 years and runs from 7am - 6pm. Fun holiday themed activities, sports, arts & crafts and more. One snack is provided each day. Campers should bring their own lunch and a second snack. Please call for registration instructions. 850-912-4056 www.playpensacola.com
December 21, 24, 27-28, 31, and January 2-4
Play Pensacola Winter Break Camp ad on page 33
@ Fricker Resource Center 900 North F Street Pensacola, FL 32501 Camp is for children ages 6 - 12 years and runs from 7am - 6pm. Fun holiday themed activities, sports, arts & crafts and more. One snack is provided each day. Campers should bring their own lunch and a second snack. Please call for registration instructions. 850-436-5195 www.playpensacola.com
Play Pensacola Winter Break Camp ad on page 33
@ Woodland Heights Resource Center 111 Berkley Drive Pensacola, FL 32503 Camp is for children ages 6 - 12 years and runs from 7am - 6pm. Fun holiday themed activities, sports, arts & crafts and more. One snack is provided each day. Campers should bring their own lunch and a second snack. Please call for registration instructions. 850-435-1750 www.playpensacola.com
Play Pensacola Winter Break Camp ad on page 33
@ E.S. Cobb Resource Center 601 East Mallory Street Pensacola, FL 32503 Camp is for children ages 6 - 12 years and runs from 7am - 6pm. Fun holiday themed activities, sports, arts & crafts and more. One snack is provided each day. Campers should bring their own lunch and a second snack. Please call for registration instructions. 850-436-5192 www.playpensacola.com
friendly activities, a massive beach ball drop when the clock strikes NOON! See you there! 251-967-LULU (5858) www.LuluBuffett.com
December 31 & January 2-4
Play Pensacola Winter Break Camp ad on page 33
@ Vickrey Resource Center 2130 Summit Boulevard, Pensacola, FL 32503 Camp is for children ages 6 - 12 years and runs from 7am - 6pm. Fun holiday themed activities, sports, arts & crafts and more. One snack is provided each day. Campers should bring their own lunch and a second snack. Please call for registration instructions. 850-912-4056 www.playpensacola.com
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Ice Sculpting Demonstrations ad on Back Cover
@ Gulf Breeze Zoo 5701 Gulf Breeze Parkway Gulf Breeze, FL 32563 Watch as a master craftsman wields a chainsaw against towering blocks of solid ice to create beautiful zoo themed art! Sculptures will be available for photo opportunities all evening. Exciting for children and adults. Times and Dates coming soon! 850-932-2229 www.gbzoo.com
Now - December 23
Fish River Christmas Tree Farm
13982 Woodhaven Dairy Rd E Summerdale, AL 36580 There’s something special about a family trip to pick out the perfect Christmas tree. Stroll through our 40-acre Christmas Tree Farm and evergreen nursery and view the wide selection of trees. We offer choose & cut trees, fresh cut fir and spruce trees, as well as displays of flocked trees (for pre-order) and container-grown, Living Trees to replant after the holidays. Stay on the farm in one of our 5-star rated cabins. See activity dates in this directory for Santa visits, live manger scene, camel rides, train and more! Our nursery is now open year round and the tree farm is open daily from 8am - 5pm. 251-988-8114 fishrivertrees@gulftel.com www.fishrivertrees.com
Now - December 24
Photos with Santa at the Wharf
@ The Wharf 23101 Canal Road Orange Beach, AL 36561 Ho Ho Holiday photo time in Santa’s Village at The Wharf. Sit with jolly Claus and capture the moment forever! He has checked his list, twice actually, so make sure you are on your best behavior when you snap a frame-worthy picture. Fridays: 3pm - 7pm, Saturdays: 10am - 7pm and Sunday: 12pm - 6pm. *During Christmas Tree Lighting event (November 27th) from 5:30pm - 9:30pm. *The week before Christmas (December 17th – 22nd), from 10am - 7pm Monday - Saturday; *Christmas Eve (December 24th), from 10am - 2pm. 251-224-1000 info@alwharf.com www.alwharf.com
December 31
Noon Year’s Eve Celebration! ad on page 5
@ LuLu’s 200 East 25th Avenue Gulf Shores, AL 36542 The Family friendly NOON Year’s Eve Celebration at LuLu’s starts at 10AM! Noon Year’s is a FREE family event for all ages to enjoy. We will have kid
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Winterfest - Let it Snow
@ Downtown Pensacola 226 East Intendencia Street Pensacola, FL 32502 The moment you enter Plaza Wonderland on Palafox Place, the snow begins to fall. A cup of hot chocolate and the sound of a trolley bell bring back memories of the Polar Express. The conductor calls your name: All aboard for the most wonderful
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journey you’ll take this Christmas season. Snow falls every night of the Winterfest celebration from 5pm - 8pm. 850-583-1365 info@pensacolawinterfest.org www.pensacolawinterfest.org
November 30 - December 1 An Evening in Bethlehem
@ Gonzalez United Methodist Church 2026 Pauline Street Cantonment, FL 32533 Make coming to An Evening in Bethlehem at Gonzalez United Methodist Church a Christmas tradition for your family from 6pm - 8pm! Walk through the town of Bethlehem and get a glimpse of what life was like at the time of the birth of Christ. This is a great way to start the Christmas season-all ages are welcome. 850-968-6006 office@gumc.gccoxmail.com www.gonzalezmethodist.org/events
The Nutcracker - LaBelle Performing Arts presents Pensacola Youth Ballet
@ Booker T. Washington Theatre 6000 College Parkway Pensacola, FL 32504 Treat your family this Christmas to the magic and splendor of Pensacola Youth Ballet’s most anticipated holiday tradition. Don’t miss this lavish production with dazzling costumes, spectacular dancers, and a story that will leave your family wide eyed with wonder! Friday & Saturday performances Performance begins at 7pm. Tickets are available for purchase on our website. 850-944-5650 Frontdesk@labelleperformingarts.com www.pensacolayouthballet.org
Winter Art & Craft Fair
@ St. Mary’s Episcopal Church 6850 Oak Street Milton, FL 32570 Celebrate the season and do some holiday shopping. Multiple vendors offering woodcrafts, candles, baked goods, and more. Friday 12:00pm - 7:00pm and Saturday 9:00am - 2:30pm. Admission is Free. Lunch will be available for purchase. 850-623-2905 stmarysmiltonflorida@gmail.com
Now - December 31 Christmas Magic in Lights
@ Bellingrath Gardens Theodore, AL 36582 It’s one of the nation’s best holiday light shows! Designed and made right here at Bellingrath Gardens. Stroll through a dazzling nighttime display with more than 1,100 set pieces, 3 million lights and 15 scenes throughout the 65-acre Garden estate. Walking tour hours are 5pm - 9pm nightly. 251-973-2217 bellingrath@bellingrath.org www.bellingrath.org
December 1
Autism Pensacola Santa Meet and Greet
@ Marcus Pointe Baptist Church 6205 North W Street Pensacola, FL 32505 Santa Claus is coming to town and he’s stopping by the Autism Pensacola’s party for pictures. Join us from 9am - 12pm for pictures with the Jolly Ol’ Elf. While you wait, we will have arts & crafts, light refreshments, a quiet zone, and a movie room. Sign up for a picture time at the link provided. 850-434-7171 shanan@autismpensacola.org www.signup.com/go/ztihyET
Breakfast with Santa
@ St. Mark United Methodist Church 2203 North 12th Avenue Pensacola, FL 32503 Join us from 9am - 11am for fun and fellowship. We will eat breakfast together and meet Santa. All Greater Pensacola Parents I December 2018
ages are welcome. Suggested donation is $5 per child/$10 max per family and adults eat free. Proceeds will go to our children’s ministry outreach. 850-432-7777 stmarkpensacola@outlook.com www.stmarkpensacola.com
Breakfast with Santa
@ Crabs on the Beach 6 Casino Beach Boardwalk Pensacola Beach, FL 32561 We’ve made our lists, we’ve checked it twice, cause Santa Claus is coming to town from 9am - 12pm! We will welcome Santa with a Pancake and Pajama Party! Breakfast will be served for the children, with one free pass to our all access Pancake Toppings Bar, to specialize your Pancakes however you like and bottomless Hot Cocoa. Children’s plates are $9.99. We will also offer a quiche plate for adults for $12.99. Make sure to bring your camera for photo opportunities with Santa, Mrs. Claus, the Elves, and Frosty! There will be coloring contests, an ornament craft table, and story time. 850-932-0700 www.crabswegotem.com
Choral Society of Pensacola Presents: Handel’s Messiah
@ Saenger Theatre 118 South Palafox Place Pensacola, FL 32502 Welcome the holiday season at 7:30pm with Handel’s masterpiece, and the stirring “Hallelujah” Chorus. Popular soloists Carla Connors, Monika Cosson, Thomas Rowell, and Patrick Jacobs return to perform with our 60-voice chorus and the Choral Society Orchestra. Tickets may be purchased online or at the box office. 850-595-3880 info@pensacolasaenger.com www.pensacolasaenger.com
Gulf Breeze Holiday Parade
Shoreline Drive Gulf Breeze, FL 32561 Help us celebrate the 30th Anniversary of the Gulf Breeze Area Chamber as we go back in time to have a little fun with a Totally Awesome 80’s Holiday Parade! There’s an entire decade of fads, hot toys and games, music, movies, tv shows and cartoons to help you get in the spirit. Parade begins at 10am. 850-932-7888 reception@gulfbreezechamber.com www.cityofgulfbreeze.com
Lighted Boat Parade
@ From Sabine Marina to Pensacola Beach Boardwalk Pensacola Beach, FL 32561 Pre-show party for kids from 4pm - 6pm. Boat Parade at 6:30pm from Sabine Marina to the Pensacola Beach Boardwalk. Look for Santa on the lead boat! Fireworks with Santa on the Soundside at 8pm. 850-932-1500
www.pensacolabeachchamber.com
Milton Christmas Parade
Highway 87 (Stewart Street) Milton, FL 32570 Check our website for more event information. Registration will be available online beginning November 1, 2018. Our Parade theme this year is “Christmas Movies” Floats will line up at 4:30pm. Parade begins at 6:00pm. Parade begins at Milton Community Center, (Byrom Street), and ends at Elva & Stewart Streets. 850-623-2339 info@srcchamber.com www.srcchamber.com
Navarre Christmas in the Park
@ Navarre Park 8513 Navarre Parkway Navarre, FL 32566 This year’s event will include a Merry Market with local arts and craft vendors. Santa and Mrs. Claus will arrive by fire truck in the parade and will be
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available for photos with children as soon as the parade ends. Visits are free and parents are invited to bring their cameras for photos. Free baked goods and hot beverages will be available at Mrs. Claus’ Bakery after the parade. Reindeer Games will begin at 11am in Navarre Park. There will be ticketed games for children to play for prizes, as well as face painting, a cake walk and more. Santa’s Workshop will be open for children to participate in a holiday craft project. The Christmas Parade begins at 2pm at the Navarre Library. The tree lighting will take place at 5pm. Join us from 10am - 5pm. 850-939-3267 www.navarrechamber.com
Navarre Jingle Bell Run
@ Holley-Navarre Fire Station 8618 Esplanade Street Navarre, FL 32566 The 5K Run/Walk Fun Run will begin at 8am. The first 200 registrants receive a long sleeve t-shirt. There will be post race refreshments and door prizes. A special prize will be awarded to the most festive participant. You can download registration forms from our website. 850-939-3267 info@navarrechamberfoundation.org www.navarrechamberfoundation.org/jingle-bell.html
Pancakes and Pajamas Warrington Families
@ Olive Baptist Church Warrington Campus 103 West Winthrop Avenue Pensacola, FL 32507 Let us help with your Christmas Shopping! Register your child (Preschool - 5th Grade) and drop them off from 9am - 1pm and we will have food, fun, games, and crafts, while you do your Christmas Shopping. The event is free but you must preregister online or at the preschool office. 850-476-1932 (Ext 156) Info@olivebaptist.org www.facebook.com/OBCWarrington
Winter Market And Rummage Sale
@ Ransom Middle School 1000 West Kingsfield Road Cantonment, FL 32533 Walking in a Winter Wonder...market! Come join us from 8am - 4pm at the inaugural Winter Market and Rummage Sale hosted by Ransom Middle School Chorus. Get your holiday shopping done early! 850-937-2220
Winterfest - Cookie Festival
@ Downtown Pensacola 226 East Intendencia Street Pensacola, FL 32502 Santa is looking for Pensacola’s best cookie, and he needs your help! Professional bakeries and local, home-bakers have come to compete for the chance to win free Winterfest tickets and a cash prize. Come be a cookie taster and vote for your favorite cookie! Enjoy performances by characters from Whoville, Peanuts, and the North Pole too! Tickets are $10 per person online and $15 at the door. Festival is from 1:30pm - 4:00pm. 850-583-1365 info@pensacolawinterfest.org www.pensacolawinterfest.org
December 1-2, 7-9, 14-24
Winterfest - Letters to Santa/ Visit Santa
@ Downtown Pensacola 226 East Intendencia Street Pensacola, FL 32502 What better way to send in your Christmas list than to talk to Santa himself? Climb aboard Santa’s sleigh for a chance to meet Santa from 11am - 9pm. Take photos, video, and make special memories. Children can then write letters to Santa and deliver them in our special mailbox! Santa’s favorite letter writer will be awarded the first gift of Christmas at the “Santa Send Off” on December 24. 850-583-1365 info@pensacolawinterfest.org www.pensacolawinterfest.org/photos-with-santa
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December 1, 7, 14-16
Winterfest - Performance Tours
@ Downtown Pensacola 226 East Intendencia Street Pensacola, FL 32502 Experience the Holiday spirit in a unique way from 4:30-8:00pm! Climb aboard a trolley and ride through Downtown Pensacola. Singing guides accompany passengers into a world of wonder with scenes from your favorite holiday stories. This hour-long performance tour will visit scenes from A Christmas Carol, Peanuts, The Grinch, A Christmas Story, and many more! 850-583-1365 info@pensacolawinterfest.org www.pensacolawinterfest.org
December 1, 7, 14-16 Winterfest - Reindeer Games
@ Downtown Pensacola 223 Palafox Place Pensacola, FL 32502 As trollies roll into the plaza, the Island of Misfit toys welcomes Rudolph and Hermey for some musical fun in this delightful stage show. These misfits are joined by Santa’s Head Elf who has come to help reunite Rudolph with his reindeer friends! Families are invited to sing and dance with characters, and to spread the Christmas cheer! Join us from 5:00pm - 8:30pm. 850-583-1365 info@pensacolawinterfest.org www.pensacolawinterfest.org
December 1, 8, and 15 Alyssa’s Mini Gift Markets
@ Alyssa’s & Alyssa’s Etc. 4586 Chumuckla Highway Pace, FL 32571 Join us from 9am - 4pm for a series of Mini Gift Markets. Vendors will be selling unique, one of a kind, and handcrafted items perfect for the people on your Christmas Gift Lists. All fees paid by the vendors will be donated to local charities. 850-994-9114 shopalyssas@gmail.com www.shopalyssas.com
December 1-24
Christmas Tree Farm- Whispering Pines Tree Farm
1603 Penton Road Milton, FL 32570 Virginia Pine, Florida Pine, Cedar, and Leyland Cypress Christmas trees. We are open Fridays Sunday from 10am – 5pm. After Dec. 17th, please call Mike to make sure staff is available to help you. 850-304-1559 info@floridachristmastree.com www.floridachristmastree.com/
December 1-26
Sowell’s North Pole Christmas Light Display
7650 Sowell Road Milton, FL 32570 Sowell’s North Pole Christmas Light Display is an annual Christmas light show put on by the Sowell family. We will be open every night including Christmas eve and Christmas night. The hours each night are 5:30 pm -9:00 pm. We are a drive thru display and the cost is $10 per car to get in. We also offer train rides for all ages at an additional charge of $2/ person. Children 2 and under are Free to ride the train. We hope to see you all soon. www.facebook.com/sowellsnorthpole
December 2
Caring Santa at Cordova Mall
@ Cordova Mall 5100 North 9th Avenue Pensacola, FL 32504 Please join us for a private photo experience for children with special needs and their families from 10am - 11am. Children will visit with Santa and
have their photo taken with him. Cordova Mall will make necessary adjustments to the environment to support the sensory, physical and other developmental needs of children of all abilities for this special event. 850-477-7562 www.cordovamall.com
Surfing Santa Beach Parade
@ Via de Luna to Casino Beach Pensacola Beach, FL 32561 See Santa Claus make his way down Via De Luna Drive atop a Pensacola Beach fire truck. Starting at 2pm. from Avenida 10, the parade will make its way down Via De Luna toward Casino Beach and end at the Gulfside Pavilion, where kids will be able to meet and greet with Santa until 3pm. For more info, visit our website and click on the calendar under the what’s happening tab. 850-932-1500 www.visitpensacolabeach.com
December 2-24 Santa’s Wonderland
@ Bass Pro Shop 20000 Bass Pro Drive Spanish Fort, AL 36527 Santa photos, children’s activities, crafts, games and more! A Bass Pass is required and provides a time slot to see Santa, allowing you to explore Santa’s Wonderland or shop the store while waiting in a virtual line. Bass Passes are limited and go quickly each day. Photos with Santa are Monday Saturday 10am - 8pm & Sunday 10am - 5pm; Free Crafts Monday - Friday 5pm - 7pm, Saturday & Sunday 12pm - 5pm. Check the activity schedule online for updates. 251-607-5900 www.basspro.com
December 5
An Evening with Santa
@ Cokesbury United Methodist Church 5725 North 9th Avenue Pensacola, FL 32504 An evening for the whole family including Christmas songs, storytelling, crafts, a meal for the family and of course your moment with SANTA from 6pm - 8pm in the sanctuary! Please call to make your reservation. The cost is $7 per person and $3 per child 3 years and under. 850-476-5818 www.facebook.com/ events/2005576616225166
December 6-23
It’s a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play @ Emerald Coast Theatre Company 560 Grand Boulevard Miramar Beach, FL 32550 This beloved American holiday classic comes to captivating life as a live 1940’s radio broadcast. Running time is 90 mins and for all ages. Event times are Thursday-Saturday at 7:30pm and Sunday at 2pm. 850-684-0323 info@emeraldcoasttheatre.org www.emeraldcoasttheater.org
December 6 & 9
Alyssa’s Ceramic Christmas Tree Classes
@ Alyssa’s & Alyssa’s Etc. 4586 Chumuckla Highway Pace, FL 32571 Have you always wanted to make your own ceramic lighted Christmas Tree? Now you can on Thursday from 6:30pm-8:30pm and on Sunday from 1-3pm! Paint your own 12” ceramic Christmas tree with lights and a base. What a great way to create a family heirloom for all ages! Classes are $49.95 per person with all supplies included. 850-994-9114 shopalyssas@gmail.com www.shopalyssas.com
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December 7
Northwest Florida Symphony Orchestra “Holiday Pops”
@ Mattie Kelly Arts Center- Main Hall 100 College Boulevard East Niceville, FL 32578 The joy of the holidays will fill the air as the Northwest Florida Symphony Orchestra and Chorale, perform seasonal favorites including, The Nutcracker, Handel’s Messiah and music from John Williams, featured in the movie Home Alone. It’s an evening for all ages beginning at 7:30pm. 850-729-6000 www.MattieKellyArtsCenter.org
St. Christopher’s Christmas Caravan Home Tour
@ Separate Locations Pensacola, FL Enjoy our annual tour of 4 seasonally decorated homes in Pensacola from 10am - 3pm. Tour tickets are $15 each and may be purchased in the church office Monday - Thursday from 9am - 4pm. Cash or check only. Proceeds will be donated to local charities. See our listing in this Directory. Specific details listed on our website and Facebook events. Don’t forget to also visit the Arts & Crafts Show on Friday and Saturday. 850-433-0074 or 850-479-9962 www.scpen.org
December 7-8
St. Christopher’s Christmas Arts & Crafts Show
@ St. Christopher’s Episcopal Church 3200 North 12th Avenue Pensacola, FL 32503 Get in the Christmas spirit while raising funds for local charities. Shop for unique Christmas gifts and home made baked goods. Open Friday Friday 9am - 4pm and Saturday 9am - 3pm. Live music, food & drinks also available for purchase. Admission to the Craft Show is Free. See information on the Christmas Caravan Home Tour in this Directory and online. 850-433-0074 www.scpen.org
December 7-9, 14-16
South Baldwin Community Theater “A Charlie Brown Christmas”
2022 West 2nd Street Gulf Shores, AL 36542 The classic animated television special A CHARLIE BROWN CHRISTMAS comes to life in this faithful stage adaptation, in which Charlie Brown, Snoopy, and the rest of the Peanuts Gang discover the true meaning of Christmas. Friday and Saturday times are at 7:30pm and Sunday times are at 2:30pm. 251-968-6721 info@sbct.biz www.sbct.biz
December 7-9
Pensacola Children’s Chorus Presents Christmas on the Coast
@ Saenger Theatre 118 South Palafox Place Pensacola, FL 32502 Celebrate the best time of the year. We will transform the sunny weather into a winter wonderland while experiencing all the sights and sounds of the season. Friday & Saturday at 7:30pm; Sunday at 2:30pm. Tickets on sale now online or at the box office. To purchase tickets by phone, please call (800) 745-3000. 850-434-7760 www.pensacolachildrenschorus.com
December 7, 14, 21
Big Screen on the Blackwater
@ Downtown Milton 5158 Willing Street Milton, FL 32570 Bring your chairs and blankets for a movie on the lawn the whole family will enjoy! Venders will be onsite selling food and drinks. Movies begin at 6pm.
www.facebook.com/greaterpensacolaparents
*NOTE* The December 14th movie will be at the West Florida Railroad Museum: 5003 Henry Street Milton, FL 32570. Check our Facebook page often for event updates and possible changes. 850-564-1647 sprestesater@miltonfl.org www.facebook.com/mainstreetmiltonfl
December 8
2nd Annual Busy Bees Market
@ Perdido Bay United Methodist Church 13660 Innerarity Point Road Pensacola, FL 32507 Over 30 local artisans, boutiques and crafters will help with your holiday shopping from 9am - 3pm. We will also have food trucks, kids activities and a special kids only market. Donate non-perishable food items for the USO NW Florida food pantry who open their pantry once a month to support military families in need.
Santa Drop from 11am - 2pm. Come watch Santa skydive onto the beach and enjoy activities for kids in the Flora-Bama tent. 850-492-0611 info@florabama.com
Toy Drive and Dental Clinic at the Island of Misfit Toys
@ Downtown Pensacola 226 East Intendencia Street Pensacola, FL 32502 Characters from the Island of misfit toys are encouraging children to bring toys for families in need. Join these characters for a magical toy drive with lots of activities! Play with characters, dance with reindeer, or go visit Hermey’s dental clinic! Dr. Stu Bonnin will be using Bumble to demonstrate dental hygiene practices for children of all ages!
850-492-2135 busybeesmarketfl@gmail.com
850-583-1365 info@pensacolawinterfest.org www.pensacolawinterfest.org
Boat Parade Activities at The Wharf
December 8, 17-24
@ The Wharf 23101 Canal Road Orange Beach, AL 36561 Want a front row seat for all the illuminated action? The Wharf is the place to be! Watch as boats, large and small, glide through the Intracoastal Waterway in all their festive glory. There will be plenty of fun activities for the kiddos as well. Make it a family affair and join us! 251-224-1000 info@alwharf.com www.alwharf.com
Breakfast and Skating with Santa
@ Weber’s Skate World 6056 Stewart Street Milton, FL 32570 Santa will be available from 8am - 11am to visit and take pictures in his sleigh with the kids. Tickets are $12.00 per person and include admission, regular skate rental, Santa Visit, and Breakfast. Breakfast will include French Toast Sticks, Bacon, Hash Browns, and drink. Only 100 tickets will be sold! 850-626-4070 WebersSkateWorld@gmail.com www.weberskateworld.com
Breakfast with Santa Cow
@ Chick-fil-A Gulf Breeze 310 Gulf Breeze Gulf Breeze, FL 32561 Join Santa Cow and Elf Cow from 8am - 10am for breakfast, crafts and have your picture taken with Santa Cow and Elf Cow. 850-932-5400 gulfbreezecfa@gmail.com www.facebook.com/CFAGB
Cox Pensacola Christmas Parade
@ Downtown Pensacola .Come join the fun from 5:30pm - 8:00pm. You will not want to miss this event that draws over 50,000 people each year, including nearly 90 entries, and eight bands from Escambia County, New Orleans and Mississippi. The parade also features the nationally renowned Blue Angels flight team and a host of organizations from around the region. www.coxpensacolachristmasparade.org
Pace Christmas Parade
@ Pace Fire Rescue District Norris Road to Patriot Boulevard Pace, FL 32571 The parade begins at 11am at Pace High School and travel west to Chumuckla Highway. It will then turn left on Chumuckla and continue south to Pace Road and continue east to the four-way stop at Pace Patriot Boulevard. Parade ends behind Fire Department. 850-994-6884 info@pacefirerescuedistrict.com www.pacefirerescuedistrict.com
Santa Drop
@ The Flora-Bama 17401 Perdido Key Drive Pensacola, FL 32507 Kick-off the Christmas season with the annual Greater Pensacola Parents I December 2018
Winterfest – Magical Puppet Tour
@ Downtown Pensacola 226 East Intendencia Street Pensacola, FL 32502 Join storyteller Paul Morrell and a cast of hilarious puppets for a trolley tour full of magic, songs, and amazing stories from 12pm - 3pm. 850-583-1365 info@pensacolawinterfest.org www.pensacolawinterfest.org
December 8 & 27 Holiday Ice Skating
@ Pensacola Bay Center 201 East Gregory Street Pensacola, FL 32502 Celebrate the holiday season with us here at The Hangar by wearing your ugliest Christmas sweater or PJ’s! Stay after the game for an Elf specialty jersey auction! Also join us December 27, 2018 for Polar Express activities. Visit us on Facebook. 850-432-0800 www.pensacolabaycenter.com
December 9
Family Advent Festival
@ Cokesbury United Methodist Church 5725 North 9th Avenue Pensacola, FL 32504 Advent is the exciting time of waiting for the birth of Jesus! We hope that you will join us from 4pm - 5pm for our Family Advent Festival as we create Advent themed crafts, make a Christmas ornament, experience sensory play, and learn about why we anticipate Jesus’ birth and how we can better prepare our hearts this Christmas season! All ages welcome! This is a family event, so we ask that parents/guardians stay and participate with their children. 850-476-5818 www.facebook.com/ events/325866774864432
Santa Pet Photo Night at Cordova Mall
@ Cordova Mall 5100 North 9th Avenue Pensacola, FL 32504 Sit, stay and pose for a photo with Santa! Santa will be waiting at the Center Court to welcome all fur babies to come for a visit. Pet Photo Night is from 6pm - 7pm and registration is encouraged. Photo prices vary. Please see our website for more details and registration. 850-477-7562 www.cordovamall.com
Santa’s Lego Building Workshop
@ Downtown Pensacola 226 East Intendencia Street Pensacola, FL 32502 Children under 12 are invited to come build their very own Lego Christmas ornament for Santa’s Christmas tree! Children can bring their own lego creation or make one at the event--Legos provided. 850-583-1365 info@pensacolawinterfest.org www.pensacolawinterfest.org
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December 12
Holiday Play - Presented by Woodland Heights After School Program @ Woodland Heights Resource Center 111 Berkley Drive Pensacola, FL 32503 The Woodland Heights after school program will present a Holiday play from 7pm - 8pm. All ages are invited to attend this free event. 850-435-1750 rsmith@cityofpensacola.com www.playpensacola.com
December 13
A Charlie Brown Christmas Live on Stage @ Saenger Theatre 118 South Palafox Place Pensacola, FL 32502 Adapted from Charles M. Schulz’s timeless story of the spirit of Christmas, the show features the unforgettable music of Vince Guaraldi, holiday carols performed by the Peanuts characters. There’s no better way to discover the magic of the season! Performance Time: 7:30pm - 9:30pm. Purchase tickets at the box office or online. 850-595-3880 info@pensacolasaenger.com www.pensacolasaenger.com
December 15
Alyssa’s Candlelight Shopping Night
@ Alyssa’s & Alyssa’s Etc. 4586 Chumuckla Highway Pace, FL 32571 Join us from 6pm - 8pm as we transform the store into a magical Christmas Village! Shop only by candle lights, Christmas lights and lamps with all the overhead lights off. Beautiful Christmas music will be sung by carolers walking through the aisles. Entry fee is $5 per person or 5 canned goods. 850-994-9114 shopalyssas@gmail.com www.shopalyssas.com
Films on the Field - How the Grinch Stole Christmas
@ Gulf Breeze Community Center 800 Shoreline Drive Gulf Breeze, FL 32561 Join us at 7pm for games, prizes, bounce house and a movie! Bring blankets, Lawn chairs & a Picnic. The movie, How the Grinch Stole Christmas will begin at 7pm. Concessions will also be available for purchase. Contact us to find out how to showcase your business as a Sponsor for this event!
850-934-5140 sellis@gulfbreezefl.gov www.gulfbreezerecreationcenter.com/upcoming-events/
Kid’s Day Out - Parent Shopping Day
@ St. Luke United Methodist Church 1394 East Nine Mile Road Pensacola, FL 32514 Get your last minute Christmas shopping done, while the kids have a blast at the church from 9am - 2pm! Cost is $25 per child, $40 for 2 siblings, $50 for 3 siblings, and $60 for 4 siblings. For children ages 6 weeks to 11 years old. Lunch and a snack are included in price. Please pay at the door. Credit and Debit cards accepted. 850-477-3145 www.facebook.com/ events/262748447681775
Santa’s Puppy Party
@ Downtown Pensacola 226 East Intendencia Street Pensacola, FL 32502 Many children ask Santa for a puppy so he’s decided to bring the puppies to Winterfest! Children will have an opportunity to pick a puppy courtesy of the Escambia County Animal Shelter. Give your child a memorable gift this Christmas, and a home to these puppies in need from 2pm - 4pm. 850-583-1365 info@pensacolawinterfest.org www.pensacolawinterfest.org
www.greaterpensacolaparents.com
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Winter Wonder Ride
@ Museum Plaza Museum Lane Pensacola, FL 32502 Join us beginning at 12pm for our scenic slow ride from Museum Plaza through downtown Pensacola before returning to Museum Plaza. Friends & family can enjoy the post Ride celebration with music, games, and food trucks! Proceeds raised will be used to purchase new bikes and helmets for children in need in the Northwest Florida area. onbikespensacola@gmail.com
December 16
Breakfast in Bethlehem
@ Pine Terrace Baptist Church 6212 Pine Blossom Road Milton, FL 32570 Children ages 3 years - 5th grade are invited to experience Bethlehem and learn the true story of the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ in a fun new way. Participants will check-in by age group and see the story of Christmas through the eyes of the Wise Men, Shepherd, Innkeeper and Mary and Joseph. Please bring canned goods to cover your “taxes.” Event is from 8:45am - 11:00am. 850-623-3954 social@ptbc.org www.ptbc.org
Choral Society of Pensacola’s Tis the Season Sing Along
@ Rex Theatre 18 North Palafox Street Pensacola, FL 32502 Join us at 5pm to sing favorite carols and songs, followed by hot chocolate and cookies. We’ll take a break to hear a couple of numbers from our women’s ensemble, plus special guests from The Pensacola Homeschool Choir and Pensacappella. All ages are welcome and Admission is free. Donate a non-perishable food item for the folks at Manna who provide those in need healthy food options. Bring your phone for selfies with Santa! 850-484-1806 www.choralsocietyofpensacola.org/
Christmas Cookie Decorating and Movie
@ Olive Baptist Church Warrington Campus 103 West Winthrop Avenue Pensacola, FL 32507 Join us from 4pm - 6pm for a fun afternoon decorating cookies, watching a favorite Christmas Movie and Celebrating Christmas! This event is Free with no Registration required. Parents should attend with their children. 850-476-1932 (Ext 156) Info@olivebaptist.org www.facebook.com/OBCWarrington
Sounds of Christmas
@ Pine Terrace Baptist Church 6212 Pine Blossom Road Milton, FL 32570 Join us at 5:00pm in the worship center for Christmas Music for the whole family. Childcare will be provided for infants - 5 years. This event is free and open to all. 850-623-3954 social@ptbc.org www.ptbc.org
Straight outta Bethlehem Musical
@ Marcus Pointe Baptist Church 6205 North W Street Pensacola, FL 32514 Join us for this fun night of music beginning at 6pm. Celebrate the Christmas season with our 1st - 5th grade kids of Marcus Pointe! This program is free. 850-479-8337 info@marcuspointebaptist.org www.PensacolaChurch.org
Winterfest - Gum Drop Bridge to the North Pole
226 East Intendencia Street Pensacola, FL 32502 The Pensacola Bay Bridge Replacement Project will introduce children to the art of bridge building
in this fun and festive event! Children will learn, hands-on, as they build their own Gum Drop Bridge to the North Pole! 850-583-1365 info@pensacolawinterfest.org www.pensacolawinterfest.org
not be provided. This event is Free and open to the community. 850-623-3954 social@ptbc.org www.ptbc.org
December 17-23
December 26-28 and January 2-4
@ Downtown Pensacola 226 East Intendencia Street Pensacola, FL 32502 Spread the Who-liday cheer on this 20-minute trolley ride around Downtown Pensacola with everyone’s favorite Whoville gang! Play with The Cat in the Hat and Thing 1 and Thing 2. Sing with Mayor Maywho and little Cindy Lou! But you’d better watch out for the Grinch! Come dressed in your festive-best for a chance to win free tickets for the Winterfest Express Train from 5pm - 8pm.
@ Pensacola Mess Hall 116 North Tarragona Street Pensacola, FL 32502 Looking for something fun for the kids over the break? Register your creative & curious young scientists, (Grades 1st - 6th), for Science Sampler Camps! Each day, enjoy a new experience, from game design, mineralogy, rocket engineering, & more. Choose from a 3-hour morning camp, 9am - noon, or a full day from 8:30am - 4:00pm. Each half day of camp is $25, $20 for members. Pre Registration is required.
850-583-1365 info@pensacolawinterfest.org www.pensacolawinterfest.org
877-937-6377 info@pensacolamesshall.org www.pensacolamesshall.org
December 17-24
December 29
Winterfest - Grinch Tour (mini tour)
Winterfest - Polar Express Tour
@ Downtown Pensacola 226 East Intendencia Street Pensacola, FL 32502 All aboard the Polar Express from 5pm - 8pm! On this magical journey to the North Pole, the Conductor will read this classic children’s book as the story comes to life in front of you. Children may dress in pajamas for a chance to receive 2 free tickets to the Winterfest Express Train. Everyone receives a bell and cup of delicious hot chocolate. 850-583-1365 info@pensacolawinterfest.org www.pensacolawinterfest.org
Winterfest-Scrooge Tour (mini tour)
@ Downtown Pensacola 226 East Intendencia Street Pensacola, FL 32502 On these evenings, you will be visited by three spirits! Celebrate Christmases of past, present, and future on the new Scrooge mini tours! This 20 minute trolley ride will bring Charles Dickens’s Christmas Carol to life in the historic district of Downtown Pensacola. from 12:15pm - 2:45pm. 850-583-1365 info@pensacolawinterfest.org www.pensacolawinterfest.org
December 21-23
Ballet Pensacola Presents: The Nutcracker
@ Saenger Theatre 118 South Palafox Place Pensacola, FL 32502 December 21st & 22nd performances at 7pm. December 23rd performance at 1:30pm. 850-595-3880 www.pensacolasaenger.com
December 22
Bethlehem Live 2018
@ Hickory Hammock Baptist Church 8351 Hickory Hammock Road Milton, FL 32583 Walk through the candlelit streets of Bethlehem from 6pm - 9pm as it was thousands of years ago! Live animals and demonstrations by skilled artisans. Get a glimpse of Immanuel as a baby in His manger stall. Refreshments will be served under the Pavilion as you leave Bethlehem. FREE 850-623-8959 joannehhbc@bellsouth.net www.hickoryhammockbaptist.org
December 24
Christmas Eve Candlelight Service
@ Pine Terrace Baptist Church 6212 Pine Blossom Road Milton, FL 32570 Join us by candlelight at 5:00pm as everyone gathers together in the worship center. Childcare will
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Holiday Camp at Pensacola Mess Hall
Make it to the Line 4-Mile Run/Walk & 1-Mile Fun Run
@ The Flora-Bama 17401 Perdido Key Drive Pensacola, FL 32507 Run, jog, walk or crawl to the line at our 4-mile run/ walk and 1-mile fun run at 10am. 850-492-0611 info@florabama.com
December 31
New Year’s Eve Fireworks
@ Pensacola Beach Boardwalk 7 Casino Beach Blvd Pensacola Beach, FL 32561 A free fireworks show provided by the beach chamber, will take place at 8pm overlooking the Santa Rosa Sound from the Pensacola Beach Boardwalk. 850-932-1500
www.visitpensacolabeach.com
Reelin’ In the New Year - Street Party
@ The Wharf 23101 Canal Road Orange Beach, AL 36561 Reel in this upcoming year with us at The Wharf for our annual New Year’s Eve Street Party. Let’s bid adieu to 2018 in the grandest of style. Live bands, family-friendly and adult-centered fun all rounding off at midnight with our marlin drop and fireworks. Resolutions are for the start of the month. Give yourself one last excuse to let loose! Time: 5pm 12am. Admission is FREE. 251-224-1000 info@alwharf.com www.alwharf.com
January 1
Polar Bear Dip
@ Flora Bama 17401 Perdido Key Drive Pensacola, FL 32507 Wear a crazy costume, bring the whole family and take a New Year plunge into the Gulf of Mexico! No registration is required. Event is from 12pm - 3pm. 850-492-0611 info@florabama.com www.florabama.com/events.html
Polar Bear Plunge
@ Pensacola Beach Plunge into the Santa Rosa Sound for an exhilarating rush to kick off the New Year! Hosted by Paradise Bar & Grill, hundreds of dippers and spectators, (many dressed in costume), flock to the beach to participate in this long-established tradition. Registration is $15 per person and begins at 12pm. Cub Club participants, (5th grade or younger), are $5 per person. Participants receive a Polar Bear Plunge t-shirt. All proceeds go to the Pensacola Beach Chamber of Commerce. Plunge is at 2pm! 850-932-1500 www.visitpensacolabeach.com
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ParentingToday’sTeens by Mark Gregston
The Greatest Gift You Can Give Your Teen As parents, we often put a lot of blame on ourselves for what we cannot offer our kids. When Christmas or birthdays roll around, we feel guilty when we can’t afford the latest and greatest iPads, video games, designer shoes, or state-of-the-art cell phones. Mom and Dad, let me encourage you today. The bottom line is, there’s only one thing that your teen needs from you. It doesn’t involve money. It’s got nothing to do with exciting opportunities. It’s not even about offering protection from the outside world! To be the parent God has called you to be, all you have to do is offer your child a relationship. A relationship with your son or daughter is, hands-down, the most important thing you can give your child. Why is it so critical?
Your Child is Disconnected
Teens today are disconnected from life. A recent study showed that the average child spends about ten hours a day staring at a screen. While a constant stream of interfacing has led to a boom in adolescent communication, it has also led to a breakdown in meaningful connection. We assume that teens are building relationships because they are on Facebook or Skype, or are texting, blogging, or using any number of social media outlets. But that’s simply not the case. Learning how to build meaningful connections starts with mom and dad. Your relationship with your teenager is the model for how they connect with other people. When you take time to sit down and have a conversation eyeball-to-eyeball with your child, you’re giving them what Facebook and Twitter cannot; a personal relationship. Parents, you shape the ideals for the husbands and wives your children will one day marry. You’re also the main example of character, conviction, and values for your teens. From you, they will understand the importance of compassion, forgiveness, and mercy. Greater Pensacola Parents I December 2018
You are so important in the life of disconnected teens. The personal relationship you offer your teen can never be replaced. Trust me on this; if your son or daughter is not finding a relationship with mom and dad at home, they will look for it elsewhere. They will seek to fill their relational voids through dating, friends, academics, sports, or destructive habits like drugs and alcohol in order to find a sense of value and love.
Your Child is Pulling Away
Though you desire a better connection, maybe your teen has made it clear that he doesn’t want a relationship with you. You’ve tried to mend the fences and build some bridges, only to have those fences and bridges burned. If you truly want a better relationship with your child...don’t give up! Any relationship worth having takes time. It won’t happen overnight. And even in spite of past hurts and disappointments we can always move forward and strive for a clean slate. But it will take work. If something has come between you and your teen, sit down with them face-toface and start asking those tough questions to get to the root of the issue. Start by saying, “You are very important to me, and I’m sorry if our relationship hasn’t been what it should. But I want to change that. So what could I do to make our relationship better?” Be prepared to patiently listen to the response, even if it’s painful. Criticism is never easy to hear, but this is a chance for your teen to share her heart, and for you to hear how you can improve. It will require humility and self-evaluation. But think of it as in an investment towards a greater, future reward. Of course, I know that some kids may say, “There’s nothing you can do to fix our relationship. I don’t want anything to do with you.” And while that is a devastating blow to any parent, keep moving forward. Tell your son or daughter, “I am really sorry to hear that. But I don’t want to miss out on having a relationship with you, so even though you 40
may not like me now, I’m still going to pursue you.” Don’t be belligerent in your attempts to improve your connection with your teen, but don’t walk away from him either. A relationship with your child is too important to let it slip by.
Rules of Engagement
If you want to improve your relationship with your teen, let me offer nine suggestions, or “rules of engagement”: • Make many of your conversations about your teen. What are his opinions, feelings, or thoughts on a subject? • Share something personal about yourself. Let your child know about a mistake in your past, a particular emotion, or surprising thought. Show her that you are human and imperfect. • Share your heart in short bits. No long diatribes or hour-long monologues. • You don’t always have to be right. • You don’t always have to have the answer. • Your final sentence doesn’t always have to end in a period. Let your teen have the final say once-and-a-while. • Never use one-on-one time with your teenager as an opportunity to criticize. • Acknowledging your mistakes provides the opportunity for your teen to share his. • Don’t judge a teen’s comments. Maybe they’re foolish, or dumb, or incorrect. But if you blast them, chances are your teen won’t share his thoughts with you again. I hope that this call for relationships is encouraging. To be the best parent you can be, all you need to do is strive to have a loving and personal relationship with your teen. Everything else is secondary.
Mark Gregston is an author, speaker, radio host, and the founder of a residential counseling center for struggling teens located in Longview, Texas. Mark’s passion for helping teens can be seen in his 40 years of involvement with families as a youth pastor, Young Life area director, and now, as the Executive Director of Heartlight, where he has lived with and helped over 2,700 teens. To find out more about Mark and his ministry to parents and teens, you can visit www.HeartlightMinistries.org or www.ParentingTodaysTeens.org.
www.greaterpensacolaparents.com
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As the chief director of your family’s universe, you’re the pulse-point of the home. But if that means you’re struggling under the mantle of an unforgiving schedule, now is the time to re-evaluate. Your health depends on it. Just ask Nefertari Williams. When nine-months pregnant with her fifth child, Williams suffered a life-threatening heart attack that forced her to reassess her chaotic lifestyle. Like many moms, 34-year-old Williams’s daily routine included getting her children ready for school before heading to her full-time job working with cognitively and physically disabled preschoolers. Greater Pensacola Parents I December 2018
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www.greaterpensacolaparents.com
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After slogging through a 45-minute commute home from work, she quickly made dinner, helped her children with homework and then taxied them to dance, karate, swimming and singing practices. “I made sure my children were not only involved in many activities-they had to be the best,” says Williams, who was also a stage mom to her oldest daughter, a talented singer. In addition, she sold cosmetics and her handmade jewelry. Squeezed into her schedule were visits to the nursing home to see her mother, who had suffered a massive stroke. Her husband, who worked nights, managed the family’s laundry. Williams blames her exhausting schedule for contributing to her heart attack, which was caused by a spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD). According to the American Heart Association, SCAD typically affects young women who are otherwise healthy. Thirty percent of the time, the condition, which is a spontaneous tearing in the coronary artery wall, occurs among women who have recently had a child. SCAD does not
Simple ways to de-stress
Color in an adult coloring book Get lost in a page-turner novel Meditate for one to five minutes Go for a walk Do yoga Watch a funny sitcom or movie Listen to your favorite music Paint Take a bubble bath have any warning signs, making it hard to diagnose prior to a heart attack. Although doctors aren’t sure why SCAD occurs, Williams says, “after reaching out to other SCAD survivors, we had one thing in common--hyperactive lifestyles.”
Overcommitment health risks “Wanting to please, wanting to be everything to everybody, women just keep
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extending themselves, until their minds and bodies cannot cope,” says Rosalie Moscoe, RHN, RNCP, and author of Frazzled Hurried Woman! Your Stress Relief Guide to Thriving. Besides heart disease, chronic stress can lengthen the recovery time from illness and fuel other long-term health problems, like obesity, irritable bowel syndrome, high blood pressure, insomnia, headaches, depression and even infertility. A hectic lifestyle could also make conception more difficult, says Elle Griffin, a natural fertility expert and feminine vitality coach.
Moderate exercise Exercise in moderation can help relieve stress, but Griffin warns that overtaxing an already stressed body with too much strenuous exercise can increase the stress hormone cortisol. “High levels of circulating stress hormones can impair adrenal function, resulting in brain fog, lethargy and the dreaded ‘pregnant belly’ even if you are not with child,” she says. “Some women even start losing their hair.”
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How can you better manage your busy lifestyle? Prioritize. Make a list of everything you do. Decide which items can be eliminated, pared down or delegated to others. Can you organize a carpool with another parent? Can you limit your kids’ activities to one per season? Are there volunteer activities that you no longer find meaningful? Can your kids fold and put away laundry? “Dissect one of your most stressful commitments,” Moscoe says. “Your own thoughts and feelings about what is expected of you will determine how much stress you will feel. If you have elder care, get your teenage kids or other family members to visit your folks and do errands. It doesn’t have to be you all of the time.” Williams, who is in congestive heart failure, says she now mostly manages her home and family from her bed. “After nearly losing my life, I have learned what’s important which is my love of my higher power and my family,” she says. “My family is happy because I am here with them. They don’t miss the hyperactive lifestyle at all.” Pursue pleasure. Integrate activities into your day that bring you personal joy. “That doesn’t mean you have to go to yoga or pilates,” Griffin says. “Whether it’s eating cake for dinner or having drinks with girlfriends, doing things just for yourself can have a huge effect on your endocrine health and fertility.” Try out a new recipe, engage in a favorite craft, read a book or take a nap. Or plan to do nothing at all. Schedule “me time” in your calendar if necessary.
5308 Stewart Street
4901 West Fairfield Drive
Milton, FL 32570 Phone: (850) 626-3091
Pensacola, FL 32506
Phone: (850) 458-7735
Free ESE Pre-Kindergarten Pediatric Therapies Non-profit public Charter Schools
Practice saying no. Avoid adding any new commitments to your schedule. If an opening appears on the calendar, try not to fill the space by obliging someone else. Think you can afford to wait to rein in your hyperactive lifestyle? “Sit down and look into your loved ones eyes. Then, picture them looking at you while laying in the critical care unit of a hospital,” Williams says. “Because you love them, take care of you, so you can be here to watch them grow up.” GPP
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Low Student-Teacher ratio Child care vouchers accepted
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Christa Melnyk Hines is a freelance journalist and author of Confidently Connected: A Mom’s Guide to a Satisfying Social Life, a resource for moms seeking a more balanced social life that supports their emotional health.
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Girls Who Make Art Making art is a privilege that is accessible to everyone, regardless of age, gender, class or inclination. Free from traditional boundaries, artistic expression can emerge from every medium and inhabit any space. The following titles feature women and girls who take their own great strides into the art landscape and erase traditional boundaries by painting their own path forward with the tools at hand.
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Anywhere Artist
by Nikki Slade Robinson (Harcourt / Houghton Mifflin Harcourt) As a young artist moves through a variety of environments, she’s not constrained by the absence of paper or paint, of clay or canvas. The forest offers leaves, lichens and twigs that can assemble into wholly new creatures, sprung from her imagination. Likewise, kelp, sand and shells are all she needs at the beach to lay out shapes and shadows for her original creations. Even the sky becomes a canvas as her mind brushes and shapes clouds into shapes and forms that suit her vision. Anywhere she goes, art can happen. Presenting the whole world as an art studio, with nature and imagination as the only mediums needed to create, Anywhere Artist encourages inspiration and resourcefulness when art awaits.
Maya Lin: Artist-Architect of Light and Lines
By Jeanne Walker Harvey, Illustrated by Dow Phumiruk (Henry Holt / Macmillan) As the child of a sculptor and a poet, Maya Lin was raised with the power of shape and words. In 1981, when artists and architects were invited to submit designs for a future memorial to the American soldiers lost in the Vietnam War, Maya Lin was still a college student. Understanding the importance of this memorial to both survivors and a grateful nation, young Maya visited the proposed site to see what her vision would present. Her artist’s eye showed her a cut in the earth, walled with granite to reflect the viewer, and the stone carved with the name of every lost soldier. Considered avant garde at the time, Lin’s design for the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington D.C. is now regarded as one of the most moving and powerful installations in the country.
Big Machines: The Story of Virginia Lee Burton
by Sherri Duskey Rinker, Illustrated by John Rocco (Houghton Mifflin Harcourt) Virginia Lee Burton, ‘Jinnee’ to her friends, is many things. She’s a dancer, she talks to animals, and with magic wands (sticks of charcoal, paint brushes and pens) she creates heroes, dinosaurs and whole new worlds. But for her two sons, Jinnee works the greatest magic of all; she creates big machines! While her boys look on, Jinnee uses her wands to sketch the outlines of trains, steam shovels, and snowplows. As her drawings evolve with color and details, the stories and personalities of the big machines emerge as well. Beloved as the creator of the children’s book classics ‘Mike Mulligan and His Steam Shovel and ‘Choo Choo’, Burton’s own story is revealed as Big Machines drives a magical, movement-filled view of her artistic process and the mother’s love that drove her most famous creations. Find more reading recommendations at www.PageBookMedia.com.
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FamilyCalendar Friday, November 30
Pensacola Ice Flyers Ice Hockey 7:35 p.m. Pensacola Bay Center. Tampa Bay Lightning Night vs. Birmingham Bulls. For tickets or more info, call (800) 745-3000 or visit www.pensacolabaycenter.com/. Pensacola Museum of Art’s Art Academy for Autism: Adult 4-5:30 p.m. Art Academy for Autism is an arts education initiative designed for those on the autism spectrum. Our program focuses on nurturing artistic development and abstract thinking skills within a group environment. Our art educators believe that self expression can help students build personal connections, increase self-esteem and self-awareness, and learn a wide variety of artistic skills. Free program, sponsored in part by Autism Pensacola. For more info, visit pensacolamuseum.org or call (850) 432-6247. Pensacola Symphony Orchestra Presents Cinco Banderas 7 p.m. Artel Gallery. Free performance inspired by the current exhibition at the Gallery’s annual celebration of local visual art. For tickets or more info, call (850) 435-2533 or visit www.pensacolasymphony.com/.
Saturday, December 1
Choral Society of Pensacola Presents: Handel’s Messiah at Pensacola Saenger Theatre 7:30 p.m. First performed in 1741, this reflection on the birth, death and resurrection of Christ remains one of the best-known and best-loved works in the classical repertoire. Performance of selections from Messiah at a meeting of the Music Study Club of Pensacola in 1935 led to the formation of the Society, which has presented the work, at least in part, every year since.For more info or tickets, visit www. pensacolasaenger.com/ or call (850) 595-3880. Pensacola Museum of Art’s Art Academy for Autism: Youth 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. for ages 5-9; 1:303 p.m. for ages 10-13. Art Academy for Autism is an arts education initiative designed for children and adults on the autism spectrum. Our program focuses on nurturing artistic development and abstract thinking skills within a group environment. Our art educators believe that self expression can help students build personal connections, increase self-esteem and self-awareness, and learn a wide variety of artistic skills. Free program, sponsored in part by Autism Pensacola. For more info, visit pensacolamuseum.org or call (850) 432-6247. Pensacola MESS Hall Questioning Corner 10 a.m.-noon. 116 N. Tarragona St., Pensacola. Young learners engage in age-appropriate exploration related to special themes. Activities are geared for learners ages 3-8 and are included in admission. Today’s topic is Light and Shadow. For more info, call (877) 937-6377 or visit www.pensacolamesshall.org/. Winterfest Cookie Festival 1:30-4 p.m. “Christmas Courtyard” at the Escambia County Courthouse, 221 Palafox Street. Each chef will supply 10 dozen cookies for the contest. All categories will have two “Christmas Best” winners — one each for professional and home bakers, for a total of 18 awards. Tickets for the public will be $20 for adults and $10 for children, which will entitle them to cookie tasting for the People’s Choice
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Award. For more info, visit https://pensacolawinterfest.org/cookie-festival. Pensacola Railfest Model Train Show and Sale 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Hadji Shrine, 800 West 9 Mile Road, Pensacola. Featuring layouts of all scales and vendors from all over the region. Adults $6; children under 10 are free! For more info, visit www.firstcitychristmas.com/. Pensacola International Airport Runway 5K Run 10 a.m.-noon. Don’t miss this unique opportunity to RUN ON THE RUNWAY! All registered participants receive an event Tshirt, finishers medal and BIB with timing. Proceeds benefit USO Northwest Florida. Packet pick-up & race day registration: $45; kids under 10: FREE with an adult but will NOT be timed or receive registration benefits. For more info, visit http://werunwild.com/events/event/pensacola-international-airport-runway-run-5k/.
Sunday, December 2
Surfing Santa Beach Parade 2-3 p.m. See Santa Claus make his way down Via De Luna Drive atop a Pensacola Beach fire truck. Starting at 2 p.m. from Avenida 10, the parade will make its way down Via De Luna toward Casino Beach and end at the Gulfside Pavilion, where kids will be able to meet and greet with Santa until 3 p.m. For more info, visit https://visitpensacolabeach.com/whatshappening-calendar/. Masterpiece Holiday Tea 1-3 p.m. WSRE Jean & Paul Amos Performance Studio, 1000 College Blvd., Pensacola. Celebrate your favorite period dramas from across the pond! Come dressed, if you like, in Victorian apparel and enjoy a fine assortment of finger sandwiches, sweet treats and hot teas. For more info, call (850) 484-1240 or visit www.wsre.org/.
Monday, December 3
Cat’s Seed to Table Cooking Class 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Ever’man Educational Center, 327 W. Garden Street, Pensacola. Join our gardener Cat McCreery for a cooking class featuring fresh harvest from our community garden. This cooking demonstration is free and participants will be able to try various samples. Call (850) 433-5353 ext. 10 or visit http://everman.org/.
Tuesday, December 4
Advent Lessons & Carols 7 p.m. Cathedral of the Sacred Heart, 1212 E. Moreno St., Pensacola. A time of prayer & reflection preparing for Christmas. The service takes the congregation through man’s need of a Savior and lands at the birth of Jesus. There will be a light reception in the Ave Maria Hall to follow. For more info, call (850) 4383131 or visit http://shc.ptdiocese.org/.
Thursday, December 6
WUWF’s RadioLive Concert Series 6 p.m. Museum of Commerce, 201 East Zaragoza Street. Our featured artists are Kyshona Armstrong, John Common & Jess Denicola, and The New 76ers. Tickets are $10 and available in advance at radiolive. org or at the door on the day of the show. Doors open at 5 p.m. For more info, visit wuwf.org/radiolive or call (850) 473-7433.
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Santa Paws 6-9 p.m. Gulf Coast Brewery, 500 E Heinberg St., Pensacola. Bring your pooch and jump in line to get your dog’s picture with Santa Claus! Pensacola Humane Society and Gulf Coast Brewery team up to provide the photographer, Santa Claus and the North Pole! Photographs are free, but donations for Pensacola Humane Society are encouraged. For more info, visit www.pensacolahumane.org/.
Friday, December 7
Preschool Art Time: Metal Trees 10-11 a.m. Pensacola Museum of Art. First and third Fridays for ages 2-5 years old with caregiver. Twist, bend, and transform wire into intricate trees. Artist use beads and buttons to embellish their newly formed metal trees to take home. Cost: $6/members and $8/non-members, per class. Register at www. pensacolamuseum.org/ or call (850) 432-6247. Pensacola Ice Flyers Ice Hockey 7:35 p.m. Pensacola Bay Center. Teddy Bar Toss Night vs. Knoxville Ice Bears. After the first Ice Flyers goal of the game, fans can throw new teddy bears onto the ice! All bears will be collected and donated to the Studer Family Children’s Hospital at Sacred Heart and other local organizations. For details, see November 30 listing. Christmas Caravan Arts & Crafts Show 9 a.m.-4 p.m. St. Christopher’s Episcopal Church, 3200 N. 12th Ave., Pensacola. Lots of unique gift items and home-baked treats. Also live music and food concessions. For more info, call (850) 479-9962 or visit https://www.scpen.org/. The Pensacola Chapter of Powerful Women of the Gulf Coast Monthly Meeting 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Gulf Coast Kid’s House. Meets the 1st Friday of every month. Program includes education segments, presentations by local business women and is designed to provide women with the resources and connections they need to help them grow personally and professionally. Lunch provided. Visit https://powerfulwomengulfcoast.com/event/pensacola-pwgc-meeting/ or call (850) 529-0908. Gulf Breeze High School Theatre Department Presents Bright Star 7:30 p.m. Pensacola State College, Ashmore Auditorium, 1000 College Blvd., Pensacola. A musical set in the Appalachian Mountains spanning from the 1920s to WW2. A funny story about lost love and family redemption. $20 for reserved tickets. For more info, call (850) 484-1847.
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2018 Cox Pensacola Christmas Parade 5 p.m. Downtown Pensacola beginning at Spring & Garden Streets. You will not want to miss this event that draws over 50,000 people each year, including nearly 90 entries, and eight bands from Escambia County, New Orleans and Mississippi. For more info, call (850) 434-1234 or visit www.coxpensacolachristmasparade.org/.
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Christmas Caravan Arts & Crafts Show 9 a.m.-4 p.m. St. Christopher’s Episcopal Church, 3200 N. 12th Ave., Pensacola. For details, see December 7 listing.
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FamilyCalendar Gulf Breeze High School Theatre Department Presents Bright Star 7:30 p.m. Pensacola State College, Ashmore Auditorium, 1000 College Blvd., Pensacola. For details, see December 7 listing. Pensacola Ice Flyers Ice Hockey 7:05 p.m. Pensacola Bay Center. Christmas/Elf Night vs. Knoxville Ice Bears. Get those ugly sweaters ready! Stay after the game for an Elf specialty jersey auction! For details, see November 30 listing. Bay Bluffs & Chimney Park Cleanups 9 -10 a.m. Come join the Pensacola Scenic Highway Foundation, Earth Ethics and Ocean Hour for a two-location clean-up on Scenic Highway the second Saturday of every month. Location one is Bay Bluffs Park on Scenic Highway at Summit Blvd. Second location is two miles north at Chimney Park on Scenic Highway at Langley Ave. Buckets, grabbers, gloves and trash bags supplied. Sign-in at 8:45. Please dress for the weather and bring water, bug spray and sunscreen as needed. E-mail oceanhourfl@gmail. com or BayBluffsCleanUp@gmail.com; visit www. facebook.com/oceanhourfl or www.oceanhourfl.com. Or call (850) 207-9326 and leave a message. Natural Healing/Cancer Study 2-4 p.m. Ever’man Educational Center, 315 W. Garden Street, Pensacola. FREE. A group that studies the illness of cancer. Presentations are done through DVDs or by live speakers who share personal insights and experiences. Call (850) 433-5353 ext. 10 or visit http://everman.org/. Pensacola Children’s Chorus Presents Christmas on the Coast 7:30 p.m. Saenger Theatre. For details, see December 7 listing.
Sunday, December 9
Gulf Breeze High School Theatre Department Presents Bright Star 2:30 p.m. Pensacola State College, Ashmore Auditorium, 1000 College Blvd., Pensacola. For details, see December 7 listing.
Wednesday, December 12
The Wizard of Oz 7:30 p.m. Pensacola Saenger Theatre. The greatest family musical of all time twists its way into Pensacola! The entire family will be captivated traveling down the Yellow Brick Road and beyond with Dorothy, Toto and their friends the Cowardly Lion, Tin Man and Scarecrow in this lavish production, featuring breathtaking special effects, dazzling choreography and classic songs. For more info, call (850) 595-3880 or visit www.pensacolasaenger.com/.
Story Seedlings 2:45-4 p.m. Ever’man Educational Center, 327 W. Garden Street, Pensacola. Story Seedlings builds on the foundations begun in Sprouts with emphasis on chapter books. Lessons are geared for 4- to 7-yearolds, but siblings under 10 are welcome to join and participate as they like! Cost: complimentary. Call (850) 433-5353 ext. 10 or visit http://everman.org/.
Thursday, December 13
Charlie Brown Christmas Live on Tour 7:30 p.m. Saenger Theatre. Join Charlie Brown, Snoopy, Lucy, Linus, and the whole Peanuts gang
as they produce their own Christmas play and ultimately learn the true meaning of the season. For more info, call (850) 595-3880 or visit www. pensacolasaenger.com/.
Friday, December 14
Little Spruce Market 7:30-9 p.m. Museum of Commerce, 201 E Zaragoza Street, Pensacola. Three-day enchanted makers market in historic downtown Pensacola. See a full list of makers at Facebook.com/ PensacolaMarket. For more info and tickets, visit PensacolaMarket.com. Sara Evans at Saenger Theatre 7:30 p.m. Sara Evans is returning for another holiday season of her popular, limited-engagement At Christmas Tour, with festive shows created to get fans of all ages into the spirit of the season. For more info or tickets, visit www.pensacolasaenger.com/ or call (850) 595-3880. Pensacola Museum of Art’s Art Academy for Autism: Adult 4-5:30 p.m. Art Academy for Autism is an arts education initiative designed for those on the autism spectrum. For details, see November 30 listing.
Saturday, December 15
Little Spruce Market 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Museum of Commerce, 201 E Zaragoza Street, Pensacola. All-Night Yahtzee A Capella Performances 6 and 7:30 p.m. Gulf Breeze Zoo. Florida State University’s premiere, award-winning group will perform at Zoolights for one night only! These talented artists will take the stage for two performances, including Christmas songs and modern hits. For more info, visit www.gulfbreezezoo.org/ or call (850) 932-2229. Project Greenshores & Bartram Park Cleanup 9-10 a.m. Wayside Park West. Come join Ocean Hour’s clean up at Project Greenshores, also know as Wayside Park West, the third Saturday of every month. Project Greenshores is at the Three Mile Bridge on Bayfront Parkway, 745 Bayfront Parkway. Buckets, grabbers, gloves and trash bags will be supplied. Sign-in at 8:45. The second location is Bartram Park located at 211 Bayfront Parkway, Pensacola (Behind the Fish House). E-mail: oceanhourfl@gmail. com; visit www.facebook.com/oceanhourfl or www. oceanhourfl.com. Or call (850) 450-1112 and leave a message. Wreaths Across America at Barrancas National Cemetery 9 a.m.-noon. Pensacola. Volunteers will reverently place memorial wreaths on gravesites of veterans and their spouses at Barrancas National Cemetery onboard NAS Pensacola. Individual and organizational volunteers and sponsors can learn more at www. barrancaswreaths.com. Santa’s Puppy Party - Winterfest Pensacola 1-4 p.m. Winterfest Plaza, 223 South Palafox Place. Many children ask Santa for a puppy so he’s decided to bring the puppies to Winterfest. Children will have an opportunity to adopt a puppy from the Escambia County Animal Shelter. For more info, call (850) 595-3075. White Tie Rock Ensemble Presents: A White Tie Christmas at Saenger Theatre 8 p.m. A White Tie Christmas is an annual holiday concert series featuring music from Trans-Siberian Orchestra, Paul McCartney, The Eagles, Bruce Spring-
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steen, Elvis and other holiday classics! For more info or tickets, visit www.pensacolasaenger.com/ or call (850) 595-3880. Pensacola Museum of Art’s Art Academy for Autism: Youth Art Party 12:30-1:30 p.m. Art Academy for Autism is an arts education initiative designed for those on the autism spectrum. All ages for the youth program attend with their family and friends to view their artwork on display! For more info, visit pensacolamuseum.org or call (850) 432-6247.
Sunday, December 16
Sundays with Santa 5:30-8 p.m. Gulf Breeze Zoo. For details, see December 9 listing. Little Spruce Market 9 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Museum of Commerce, 201 E Zaragoza Street, Pensacola. Tis the Season to Sing Along 5 p.m. The Rex Theater, 18 N Palafox St., Pensacola. Don your gay apparel – or your ugliest holiday sweater, gather friends and family, and join the Choral Society of Pensacola as we raise our voices in a holiday sing-along hosted by Generation Church. Admission is free, but please bring a non-perishable food item for the Manna Food Pantry. For more info, call (850) 484-1806 or visit http://choralsocietyofpensacola.org/.
‘Twas a Girls Night Before Christmas: The Musical 7:30 p.m. Pensacola Saenger Theatre. This musical is guaranteed to resonate with anyone who has survived the holiday season, from the LONG visits with in-laws to the overcrowded malls. For more info or tickets, visit www.pensacolasaenger.com/ or call (850) 595-3880.
Thursday, December 20
Veterans’ Meeting 4-7 p.m. Ever’man Educational Center, 327 W. Garden Street, Pensacola. These free monthly meetings focus on veteran services in our community. Call Evelyn Coleman at (850) 543-2258 or visit http:// everman.org/.
Friday, December 21
Gallery Night 5-9 p.m. Stroll through the charming brick walkways of downtown Pensacola to experience an eclectic array of local music, art and cuisine. Gallery Night is a free event and many businesses provide light refreshments. Visit downtownpensacola.com/ or call (850) 434-5371. The Gulf Breeze Chapter of Powerful Women of the Gulf Coast Monthly Meeting 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Meets the 3rd Friday of every month at Beef O’Brady’s, 344 Gulf Breeze Parkway in Gulf Breeze. The program includes education segments, presentations by local business women and is designed to provide women with the resources and connections they need to help them grow personally and professionally. Lunch is not provided. Call (850) 529-0908 or Visit https://powerfulwomengulfcoast. com/. Ballet Pensacola Presents: The Nutcracker 7 p.m. Pensacola Saenger Theatre. Follow the adventures of Clara and her Nutcracker Prince as
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FamilyCalendar they battle the Mouse King and embark on a journey through the Land of the Sweets with the guidance of the Sugar Plum Fairy. For more info or tickets, visit www.pensacolasaenger.com/ or call (850) 595-3880.
Saturday, December 22
Blue Anchor Belles Free Holiday Concert 11 a.m.-noon. Naval Aviation Museum. The Blue Anchor Belles are a ‘40s and ‘50s, patriotic women’s trio made up of military spouses from all over the U.S. They travel the nation and create unique three-part harmonies for beloved WWII-era music for veterans and the community. For more info, call (850) 4532025 or visit www.navalaviationmuseum.org/. Ballet Pensacola Presents: The Nutcracker 7 p.m. Pensacola Saenger Theatre. For details, see December 21 listing. Natural Healing/Cancer Study 2-4 p.m. Ever’man Educational Center, 315 W. Garden Street, Pensacola. For details, see December 8 listing.
Sunday, December 23
Sundays with Santa 5:30-8 p.m. Gulf Breeze Zoo. For details, see December 9 listing. Tidings of Comfort & Joy Concert 5-6 p.m. First United Methodist Church of Pensacola, 6 East Wright Street. For more info, call (850) 4321434. Ballet Pensacola Presents: The Nutcracker 1:30 p.m. Pensacola Saenger Theatre. For details, see December 21 listing.
Thursday, December 27
Pensacola Ice Flyers Ice Hockey 6:35 p.m. Pensacola Bay Center. School’s Out/Polar Express Night vs. Huntsville Havoc. Enjoy a hot chocolate special and look out for the Polar Express train conductor! For details, see November 30 listing.
Saturday, December 29
5th Annual Gatsby Girls Speakeasy Ball 9 p.m.-1 a.m. Hosted by the Krewe of the Gatsby Girls. This event will benefit Capstone Adaptive Learning & Therapy Centers, Inc., that provides quality care programs for those with developmental disabilities in Northwest Florida and helps to advance their independence. Tickets are $80 per person or $150 per couple and can be purchased online. The location for the event will be announced December 16. For more info, call (850) 530-2181 or visit www.kreweofgatsbygirls.com. Pensacola Ice Flyers Ice Hockey 7:05 p.m. Pensacola Bay Center. Military Appreciation Night vs. Birmingham Bulls. 35% off Center Ice tickets for military and their families when purchased in the Ice Flyers or Bay Center Box Office. (Must show I.D.) For details, see November 30 listing.
Monday, December 31
New Year’s Eve Celebration 9 p.m.-1 a.m. Scenic Hills Country Club Ball Room, 8891 Burning Tree Road, Pensacola. Advanced Tickets $75 per person/ $125 per couple; $95 and $145 at the door. Drinks; Dancing to live music with Mass Kunfuzion; Party Favors; Balloon Drop; and Breakfast
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Buffet at midnight included. Call (850) 476-0380 or visit www.scenichills.com/ for reservations.
large and friendly crowd. Visit http://www.centralonline.tv/flora-bama/.
New Year’s Eve Fireworks 8 p.m. Keep your eyes focused on the Pensacola Beach skies for a free fireworks display along the Pensacola Beach Boardwalk overlooking the Santa Rosa Sound.
Family-Friendly Improv at Pensacola Library 2:30-3:30 p.m. 239 N. Spring St. Come learn basic improv techniques and games like those in the comedy show “Whose Line Is It Anyway?” Improv is storytelling without a script. All ages welcome, but parents must accompany younger children. For more info, call (850) 436-5060.
Pensacola Symphony Orchestra Presents: Celebrate the New Year! 7 p.m. Pensacola Saenger Theatre. Ring in the New Year in style with the playful charm and unparalleled talent of pianist and vocalist Tony DeSare. This evening will feature some of piano’s greatest hits, including the perennial favorites of Elton John, Ray Charles, John Lennon and more. For more info or tickets, visit www.pensacolasaenger.com/ or call (850) 595-3880.
Tuesday, January 1
Polar Bear Plunge 2 p.m. Head to Pensacola Beach and plunge headfirst into the Santa Rosa Sound. Hosted by Paradise Bar & Grill, hundreds of dippers and spectators – many dressed in costume – flock to the beach to participate in this long-established tradition. Registration begins at noon and the fee is $15 per person. Cub Club participants – those in fifth-grade or younger – can register for $5. Participants will receive a Polar Bear Plunge T-shirt. All proceeds go to the Pensacola Beach Chamber of Commerce. For more info, visit http://pensacolabeachchamber.com/.
Friday, January 4
Pensacola Ice Flyers Ice Hockey 7:35 p.m. Pensacola Bay Center. Fan Appreciation vs. Fayetteville Marksmen. For details, see November 30 listing.
Saturday, January 5
Pensacola’s Mardi Gras Kick Off 5 p.m. Downtown Pensacola. FREE to everyone! Come join us and clebrate the 2019 Mardi Gras Season along with the Krewes, their King and Queens for the upcoming season, King Cake, and the town crier. For more info, call (850) 436-7638 or visit http:// pensacolamardigras.com/. Pensacola Ice Flyers Ice Hockey 7:05 p.m. Pensacola Bay Center. Vegas Night vs. Fayetteville Marksmen. For details, see November 30 listing.
Monday, January 7
Cat’s Seed to Table Cooking Class 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Ever’man Educational Center, 327 W. Garden Street, Pensacola. For details, see December 3 listing.
Wednesday, January 9
Story Seedlings 2:45-4 p.m. Ever’man Educational Center, 327 W. Garden Street, Pensacola. For details, see December 12 listing.
Every Sunday This Month
Worship on the Water 9 and 11 a.m. weekly church services held in the tent at the Flora-Bama. The service always draws a
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Every Tuesday This Month
Gulf Breeze Farmers Market 4-8 p.m. every Tuesday evening, Gulf Breeze Community Center, 800 Shoreline Drive. Fresh produce to local Lonestar Kitchen to jewelry and soaps. Come support local artists. For more info, visit www. facebook.com/pg/gbfarmersmarket/ or call (850) 867-7263. Preschool Story Time 10:30-11:30 a.m. Southwest Branch Library, 12248 Gulf Beach Highway, Pensacola. Join us for stories, songs and movement designed to build future readers! We have fun with many books from our collection. For more info, call (850) 453-7780.
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Funky Flow Yoga 6-7 p.m. Ever’man Educational Center, 327 W. Garden Street, Pensacola. Free. Funky Flow is a creative hour with fun postures and music, combining yin and yang postures. Please wear comfortable clothing. All you need is yourself, a mat if you have one and an open mind. Call (850) 433-5353 ext. 10 or visit http://everman.org/.
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Story Sprouts 10 a.m.-noon. Ever’man Educational Center, 327 W. Garden Street, Pensacola. Children ages 3-5 are invited to do arts & crafts, make a snack and have story time. The classes are creative and have an organic, environmental and local twist. Price: Complimentary. Call (850) 433-5353 ext. 10 or visit http:// everman.org/.
Pickleball at PAC! 6-8 p.m. Pensacola Athletic Center, 7700 W Highway 98, Pensacola. Looking to try something fun and competitive? Join us for a pick-up game of Pickleball. Spare paddles are limited, so please BYOP. Members play free and guests play for only $3. For more info, call Max at (850) 453-1534 or visit www.pacactive. com.
Every Saturday This Month
Palafox Market 9 a.m.-2 p.m.; Martin Luther King, Jr. Plaza. Fresh produce, live plants, baked goods, fine art, and antiques are just a few of the items offered by vendors at Palafox Market in Downtown Pensacola. Items originate directly from onsite vendors who grow, make, or create the fruits, vegetables, herbs, and art for sale. For more info, visit www.palafoxmarket.com. Orange Blossom Special 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Children’s Museum, 115 Zaragoza Street, Pensacola. Come on downtown for storytime Saturdays! Climb aboard and take a journey with storyteller Paul Morrell on the Orange Blossom Special train ride. Learn Florida train history inside the museum and then take a ride on the train. Tickets are only $5 each (includes 1 free adult). Santa Rosa Farmers Market 9 a.m.-1 p.m. 4587 Woodbine Road, Pace (in front of The Pace Presbyterian Church). Providing local goods, including produce, baked breads, canned preserves, cooked meats and even wood-fired pizza.
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FamilyCalendar Free Beginner and Intermediate Ukulele Class 9:30-11 a.m. Blues Angel Music, 657 N. Pace Blvd., Pensacola. Our free beginner ukulele classes are designed to get you familiarized with the ukulele, including parts of the ukulele, how to hold it, how to tune it, basic chord shapes, basic strumming patterns and chord changes for your first song! The intermediate class focuses on learning songs and playing while singing along. For more info, call (850) 457-7557.
Classes
Community Education
Babysitter Class This class is open to youth from ages 11-15 for $30 (lunch is not provided). All participants receive an American Heart Association Family & Friends CPR Card, plus a Sacred Heart Hospital Babysitting Certificate. Classes are held from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 5051 Carpenter’s Creek Drive in Pensacola at our Population Health Building. Pre-registration is required. Call (850) 416-7262. Course provided by Sacred Heart Education. SNAP, which stands for STOP NOW AND PLAN, is an evidence-based, cognitive-behavioral model powered by the minds at Child Development Institute (CDI). SNAP helps troubled children and their parents learn how to effectively manage their emotions and “keep problems small.” SNAP services are completely free to youth and their families! SNAP Boys and SNAP Girls program is designed for children ages 6-11 who are engaging in aggressive, anti-social behavior and/or have come into contact with authority figures at school or in the community. The parent group meets at the same time as the SNAP Boys/SNAP Girls groups. Parents learn effective child management and SNAP strategies. The group also provides parents with an opportunity to make connections with other parents facing similar challenges. For more info or to participate in a program, call (850) 453-2772.
Prenatal & Childbirth
Baptist Women’s Center offers you choices to tailor your experience from early pregnancy to months following your baby’s birth. Our experienced team of nurses and educators are specially trained to make your birthing experience one of a kind. To register or for more info about our classes, call (850) 434-4567 or visit www.ebaptisthealthcare.org/birth. Baby Care Basics – Two-class series walks you through what to expect in the hospital and at home. A key milestones guide will be given to monitor baby’s growth and needs and how to meet them. $20 per series. Baptist Birth Experience – Overview of the Baptist Women’s Center, tour of labor & delivery unit, and epidural video. FREE. Baptist Hospital, Prenatal Classroom, 3rd Floor. Held first Fridays of most months, 5:30-7:30 p.m. Breastfeeding – Two-class series teaches how breastfeeding works, the best way to start, and what choices will result in a rewarding breastfeeding experience. $20 per series. Prepared Childbirth – This class prepares you and your partner for the labor and delivery journey by understanding the process and offering coping skills. $90 per series. All-day or four-class series available. Sibling Class (Ages 3 to 8) – This class helps you prepare your children for the arrival of the new member of the family! $10 per child per class. Baptist Hospital, Prenatal Classroom, 3rd Floor. Tours of Baptist Hospital, 3rd Floor, Labor and Delivery Unit Please call (850) 434-4874 to reserve your tour time. Tours are available Saturdays, 10 a.m. Monthly Series Package – $125 per couple and includes Prepared Childbirth (a four-class series or
one all-day class), two Breastfeeding classes and two Baby Care Basics classes.
Sacred Heart Hospital offers a variety of prenatal education classes designed to help parents-tobe prepare for their special day and for the days that follow back home with the new baby. Registration is required for all classes and is offered online. For any questions, please call (850) 416-6378 (NEST) or visit www.sacred-heart.org/SHHP/Childbirth/Main/ Guidance/. Breastfeeding This two-hour class, taught by one of Sacred Heart Hospital’s lactation consultants, teaches techniques for breastfeeding success and addresses common concerns to make your experience as smooth as possible. Cost is $20 per couple. Offered monthly on Monday evenings and Saturday mornings. Infant/Child CPR Course Class is open to new parents, family members and friends who will be caring for a baby or young child. Classes are held every Tuesday from 5:30-8:30 p.m. Fee is $22 per person and pre-registration is required. To register, please call (850) 416-7264. “My Family’s Growing” Sibling Class Class prepares soon-to-be siblings (ages 3 through 10) for the arrival of a new baby in their family. Our sibling class includes a complete tour of the Maternity & Women’s Center of Sacred Heart Hospital. Cost is $10 per child. Newborn Parenting This class strives to prepare parents in caring for their new bundle of joy, from birth through the first few weeks at home. Newborn Parenting is taught by experienced nurses from Sacred Heart Hospital’s mother-baby unit, and a local pediatrician will be available to answer questions during a portion of the class. Cost is $20 per couple. Prepared Childbirth Classes Designed to help prepare you and your partner for the birthing process – including tips to make you more comfortable during labor – Prepared Childbirth Classes are taught by experienced obstetrics nurses and include a tour of the Maternity and Women’s Center. Cost is $50 per couple. This course is offered in two different formats to meet your scheduling and educational needs: •As a four-week series, especially designed for firsttime moms. •As a one-day class, ideal for moms who have had children before and are looking for a refresher course in the delivery experience. To see a list of upcoming dates, visit www.sacredheart.org/SHHP/Childbirth/Main/Guidance/. Tours Tours of Sacred Heart Hospital’s Maternity & Women’s Center will give soon-to-be moms an idea of what to expect during your stay at the hospital, including where to go, where to park and what to bring when you arrive for the delivery of your baby. Partners are welcome and encouraged to attend. 49
West Florida Hospital understands that giving
birth is a family affair, and we encourage the involvement of family and friends in the birth process. For more information about The Family Birthplace or childbirth classes at West Florida Hospital, call (850) 494-4368 or visit https://westfloridahospital.com/ service/family-birthplace. Breastfeeding Preparation Class Classroom 5 & 6 on the 7th Floor of the Ancillary Building at West Florida Hospital located at 8383 North Davis Hwy, Pensacola. Free for pre-delivery parents. Topics include: How breastfeeding works (How the Breast Makes Milk), Latch & Positioning, When to Feed Your Baby, How to Know Baby is Getting Enough Milk, Breast Care, Pumping, Storing and Bottle-Feeding with Breastmilk. This is a Power Point, Videos, and Question/Answer Class. Mom, Dad, and caregivers are welcome. For more info, call (850) 494-4368 or visit http://westfloridahospital.com/ service/childbirth-preparation. Childbirth Preparedness Class - 4-Week Series Classroom 1 on the 7th Floor in the Ancillary Building located at 8383 North Davis Hwy, Pensacola. Join us for a PowerPoint presentation that will discuss: what to expect in labor, vaginal delivery, c/s delivery, pain control options, post partum care, newborn care, and we will tour the labor unit/suite. This 4-week course goes into a little more detail than the intensive 4-hr course. For more info, call (850) 494-4368 or visit http://westfloridahospital.com/service/childbirthpreparation. Childbirth Preparedness Class - Express Classroom 1 on the 7th Floor in the Ancillary Building located at 8383 North Davis Hwy, Pensacola. Condensed version of our 4-week Childbirth Preparation class into one day, has many great topics, features and video clips including: understanding pregnancy, labor, medical procedures and cesarean birth. Free, very interactive and we finish with a tour of the
Family Birthplace. Please call (850) 494-4368 for any additional questions.
Support Groups Cancer
Cancer Support Group 2-3 p.m. second Tuesdays. Sacred Heart Hospital Oncology Unit Library, 2nd floor. Cancer patients, cancer survivors, their families & friends are invited to join. Enjoy some “Tea for the Soul” & light refreshments. The group is designed to offer support through education, spirituality and humor as well as the comfort of fellowship with other cancer patients. For more info, call Rene Moses, 416-7703 or Jo Jensen, 416-7593.
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FamilyCalendar CLIMB (Children’s Lives Include Moments of Bravery) Tuesday nights for six consecutive weeks at the Sacred Heart Cancer Center. A unique, free program created to provide emotional support for children who have a parent with cancer. During the group meetings, conversation and art are used to help children identify and appropriately express complex feelings related to having a parent with cancer. Pre-registration is required by calling (850) 416-2679. Gulf Coast Wings of Hope, Inc. Support Group 6:30-8 p.m. 3rd Tuesdays in Conference Room A of the Women’s and Children’s Hospital at Sacred Heart. Supporting families of children with blood disorders and cancer. Anyone with a friend or family member who has been stricken with a form of childhood cancer or blood disorder is welcome. More details can be found at www.wingsofhopeinc.org. Look Good...Feel Better Sacred Heart Cancer Center 3rd Floor Conference Room on Airport Blvd. Free program that teaches people in active cancer treatment ways to deal with the appearance-related side effects of treatment. It will be offered jointly by the American Cancer Society, the Personal Care Products Council Foundation and the National Cosmetology Association. Pre-registration is required by calling the American Cancer Society at 1-888-604-5888 or visit www.cancer.org/cps3florida. Man2Man Prostate Cancer Self Help Group 9:30 a.m. first Saturdays. Sacred Heart Cancer Center, 3rd Floor Conference Room on Airport Blvd. Facilitated by Ed Rigby, American Cancer Society. Prostate cancer education and support program. For more info, call (850) 438-7627 or 438-4491. No registration required. Managing Life with Cancer: A Mini Series Four-week program at Sacred Heart Cancer Center designed to help patients and families learn how to emotionally, physically, spiritually and financially cope with cancer. Patients will be able to connect with other cancer patients while learning common emotions associated with a cancer diagnosis, healthy coping skills, safe exercises, sources of personal hope, and available financial resources. Lunch is provided so preregistration is required. Call (850) 416-2679. Patient and Family Cancer Support Group Pensacola 4-5:30 p.m. 2nd and 4th Tuesdays. Baptist Towers, Tower 3, Suite 233, 1717 North E St., Avery Street Entrance. For more info, call (850) 469-7372.
adults who have lost a loved one. For future classes and registration info, please call (850) 416-7705. Grief Support at Baptist Health Care Meetings last for six consecutive weeks. Next session is September 26 through October 31 from 1:30 to 3 p.m. For more info, call (850) 469-7197.
Illness Support
Alzheimer’s Support Group West Florida Hospital - West Florida Rehab - Community Rooms A & B, 8383 North Davis Highway, Pensacola. For meeting dates and times, call (850) 494-3212 or visit https://westfloridahospital.secure.ehc.com/calendar/index.dot. Crohn’s & Colitis Support Group 6:30-7:30 p.m. Next meetings are December 10 and January 7. Ever’man Educational Center, 327 W. Garden Street, Pensacola. For more info, call (850) 4335353 ext. 10 or visit http://everman.org/. Parkinson’s Disease Support Group 1-2 p.m., usually second Fridays. West Florida Hospital - West Florida Rehab - Community Rooms A & B, 8383 North Davis Highway, Pensacola. Refreshments will be served. To verify meeting dates and times, call (850) 494-3212 or visit https://westfloridahospital.secure.ehc. com/calendar/index.dot. Stroke Support Group 12:30-1:30 p.m., second Wednesdays. October through December meetings are at Sacred Heart Women’s & Children’s Classroom C/D (regular meeting location). See Information Desk staff if you need assistance. Please let us know in advance if you need a wheelchair. All stroke survivors and their family members invited to join us each month, free of charge. Discussions are led by the Neurology Social Worker. Topics change each month, and meetings occasionally will include a guest speaker. For more info, call (850) 416-7621 or e-mail: eopena@ascension.org.
Parent Support
Baptist Mommy & Me Play Group Baptist Hospital, Prenatal Classroom, 3rd Floor. Free support group for moms with babies up to six months old. Call for next meeting dates. For more info, call (850) 434-4567.
Prostate Cancer Support Group 5-6:30 p.m. 2nd Thursdays. Baptist Towers, Tower 3, Suite 233, 1717 North E St., Avery Street Entrance. For more info, call (850) 469-7372.
Greater Pensacola Parents I December 2018
MOMS Club of Pensacola-Northeast Non-profit organization whose mission is to support stay-at-home mothers and their children. We offer agespecific playgroups, member-only activities and participate in philanthropic efforts within our community. We strive to provide a supportive, caring atmosphere during every stage of motherhood. Member meetings are held near the end of each month. Visit us at www. momsclubpensacolane.weebly.com or find us on Facebook. MOMS Club of Pensacola-Southwest We are “MOMS Offering Moms Support.” Our non-profit organization aims to meet the needs of West Pensacola and Perdido Key mothers who have chosen to stay at home with their children. Public member meetings are held on 4th Wednesdays. We also meet throughout the month in smaller, age-specific and activity-specific playgroups for various club activities. For more info, visit https://momsclubpensacolasw.weebly.com/ or find us on Facebook. Pensacola Parents of Multiples If you are expecting or already blessed with multiples, you are encouraged to get free, helpful information. We offer a support network, social activities for children and parents, library and more. For more info, visit pensacolamultiples.com or call (850) 449-4208. Also e-mail PensacolaParentsofMultiples@hotmail.com.
Children With Attention Deficit Disorders (CHADD) Support Group For families of children with attention deficit disorders. To find a local group, please visit www. chadd.org/.
Weight Loss
Grief Support
Grief Support Group for Adults Sacred Heart Hospital provides this free group for
Mommy & Me Support Group The group meets on the first and third Tuesday of each month from 10 a.m. to noon in Classroom C/D of Sacred Heart Hospital, located at 5151 N. Ninth Ave. in Pensacola. This free support group provides mothers with an opportunity to share experiences, gain support and develop friendships. A lactation consultant from the Sacred Heart Maternity & Women’s Center will be present to answer questions and offer advice. Baby weight checks are offered at each meeting. Space is limited, and pre-registration is required for each class session. For more info about this class or your parenting experience, please call The Nesting Place Women’s Boutique at 850-416-6378 (NEST) or visit www.sacredheart.org/childbirth.
Special Needs
Sacred Heart Cancer Center Sacred Heart provides emotional support and education for cancer patients and their families through a variety of support groups. For more info, visit the Cancer Center Support Groups website or call (850) 416-2679.
GriefShare The Sacred Heart Palliative Care department provides a free, 13-week Grief Support Group for adults who have lost a loved one. The meetings are in the Palliative Care department, located in Suite 201 of the Bayou Tower on Sacred Heart’s Pensacola campus. The public may use the free valet parking at the hospital’s Bayou Tower entrance, which faces Bayou Blvd. For class dates and times and for registration information, call Kerri Riggs, LCSW, at (850) 416-7705.
LEAPS New Mom Support Group Ever’man Educational Center, 327 W. Garden Street, Pensacola. LEAPS (Love, Encouragement, and Postpartum Support) is a self-care support group focused on helping moms connect and engage in activities that promote balance, stress management, and overall wellness. Guest speakers and self-care activities will be provided and are free of cost. Pre-crawling babies welcome. Free. Next meeting will be held December 15, from 10-11:30 a.m. For more info, call (850) 433-5353 ext. 10 or visit http://everman.org/.
La Leche League Ever’man Educational Center, 327 W. Garden Street, Pensacola. Our mission is to help mothers breastfeed through mother-to-mother support, encouragement, information, and education, and to promote a better understanding of breastfeeding as an important element in the healthy development of the baby and mother. Free. Next meetings will be held December 6 and January 3, from 10 a.m.-noon. For more info, call (850) 433-5353 ext. 10 or visit http://everman.org/event/la-lecheleague-9/.
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Weight-Loss Support Group Meets second Tuesdays, from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. at Baptist Tower 3, Ground Floor, Baptist Weight-Loss Center, 1717 North E St. For more info, call (850) 437-8746.
Please send your calendar events to editor@greaterpensacolaparents.com. We make every effort to ensure the accuracy of this information. However, you should always call ahead to confirm dates, times, location, and other information.
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Recommending the Best Toys and Products for Kids
From the moment a baby first strives to pull themselves up to their feet, the desire to ascend is ignited. It’s only a matter of months before toddlers clamor to climb, and so it goes as they grow. For kids, the climb comes with more than just a sense of adventure. Using both arms and legs, as well as the body’s core, the mechanics of climbing are ideal for conditioning muscle, improving coordination and cultivating good balance. The following items bring opportunities to climb closer to home for kids who want to aim high and reach higher.
by Gerry Paige Smith
Rock Climbing Holds
Triangle Rope Ladder
Transform a sturdy wall surface into a distinctive climb challenge with Squirrel Products’ twenty piece set of Rock Climbing Holds. With just enough protrusion for small hands to grip and little feet to perch, climbing walls offer kids a unique combination of physical and mental challenges with multiple options for ascent. Climbers can choose from simple paths upward or plot more varied journeys from base to summit. Complete with multicolored molded plastic holds and zinc-plated mounting hardware, this kit makes planning and building your own rock wall challenge is fast and easy. Creating a unique rock face for novices, these Rock Climbing Holds are custom made for creative climbing.
Whether you need an ascent to a treehouse or want to add a cool climbing challenge to your play environment, the Triangle Rope Ladder gets high marks. Constructed with heavy duty wooden dowels and thick, black braided rope, this ladder is sturdy with a 155 pound capacity. The single swing hanger attachment allows for slight pivoting action while three ground anchors maintain a secure main position. Offering climbing opportunities on both the outside and the interior of the triangle, the exploratory potential of this climber is doubled as well. Much like navigating up the shifting rigging of a tall ship, the Triangle Rope Ladder from Swing-n-Slide adds a sense of challenge and adventure that will keep kids climbing strong..
Climbing Rope Swing
Rope Tunnel Bridge
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Climbing isn’t always an uphill battle. The Rope Tunnel Bridge from Hearthsong puts a horizontal twist into the climb. With a cargo netting surround supported by super strong nylon ropes, the tunnel can be suspended in a variety of angles from level bridging to an inclined climb. Heavy duty ratchets allow for suspension of the eight foot bridge between longer spans of up to seventeen feet. Whether the tunnel is bridging between two destinations or hanging independently as an activity within a play space, the shifting movement and plentiful gripping surfaces ensures that kids navigate in ways that build strength, balance and physical confidence. Hearthsong’s Rope Tunnel Bridge is an exciting gateway to new climbing destinations!
(Jungle Gym Kingdom) Coupled with a disc base for sitting or standing, the Jungle Gym Kingdom’s Climbing Rope Swing offers extra incentive to move up in the world. The strong weather-resistant polyethylene rope offers a strong, non-abrasive core for small hands and legs to navigate. Featuring four-inch textured intervals along its length, kids have tempting holds and grips right at their fingertips to lure them higher. Familiar and simple, the climbing rope remains one of the most deceptively useful items in the play yard tool box as kids bring all their physical strength, coordination and balance to bear on one task - climbing the rope!
Gerry Paige Smith is a syndicated columnist recommending the best products for kids and their families. Discover more at www.PageBookMedia.com
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The Grinch
The Nutcracker and the Four Realms MPAA Rating: PG Overall: BViolence: BSexual Content: AProfanity: AAlcohol / Drug Use: A Watching a ballet performance of The Nutcracker has become a holiday tradition for many families. This 19th century fairy tale about a girl whose toy nutcracker comes to life is most famous for its unmistakable music and whimsical characters. It’s also gone through countless film and stage adaptations-something Disney is clearly mindful of in this latest installment. If you’re looking for a faithful retelling of the classic, you can forget it. This version is deliberately different. Parents with sensitive little ones might want to note that giant, squirmy mouse-monsters aren’t the only frightening visuals. The land of carnival amusements has seen better days, and features plenty of leering sculptures and broken fair rides that emerge eerily from the fog. It’s also home to a host of hyperactive clowns who spring from one another’s rotund bodies like Russian nesting dolls. This nightmarish imagery is too dark for younger kids. Though the movie attempts the heartwarming messages of self confidence and cherishing family relationships, these moments don’t have the support of the script to make them meaningful. With the film’s “believe in yourself” themes and strong dose of girl power, Clara proves an almost identical character to Disney’s other recent leading ladies, such as Moana or Frozen’s Anna or Elsa. The film is visually stunning, and while this adds to the experience, it can’t salvage the poor pacing and weak characters. Like a mouthful of cotton candy, this particular take on The Nutcracker is pretty and sugary sweet, but ultimately hollow.
MPAA Rating: PG Overall: AViolence: B+ Sexual Content: B+ Profanity: A Alcohol / Drug Use: A Remaking a beloved classic is always a risky proposition. The 1966 television adaptation of Dr. Seuss’ timeless “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” has been an annual seasonal tradition for generations of children. With its faithful retelling of the original story, whimsical mid-century aesthetic, unforgettable soundtrack, and flawless character animation (who can forget the Grinch’s evil grin?), it’s hard to beat. The big question in 2018 is: Does this year’s animated version live up to the original TV special? The answer is: Not quite, but it comes very, very close. The plot differs from the book at a few points but holds few surprises for older viewers. It also feels bloated, a natural result of stretching a children’s book to feature film length. That being said, this film shines in its visuals and animation. The sets are all beautifully rendered – from the Grinch’s lonely home to his friend’s over-decorated house, to the town of Whoville, which is a bright, festive, child’s fantasy – so popping with colorful decorations that it looks good enough to eat. The animation is also superior, with the Grinch’s fur depicted in exacting detail: you can see individual hairs blowing in the wind. The animators have managed to project the Grinch’s personality, even adding a touch of vulnerability and self-doubt that was missing in previous versions. Parents looking for a new family Christmas tradition could do worse than this cheerful, upbeat movie. It has very few content issues aside from slapstick violence which will only scare the most sensitive children. And it has wonderful messages about caring for others, treasuring family, reaching out to those who are alone, letting go of past hurts, changing for the better, and forgiving others.
Instant Family
Fantastic Beasts MPAA Rating: PG-13 Overall: B Violence: C Sexual Content: BProfanity: A Alcohol / Drug Use: AFantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald opens in New York in 1927. Gellert Grindelwald (Johnny Depp) is being transferred, under heavy security, to Europe to be tried for his crimes there. The dark wizard manages a daring escape (with such frenetic, dizzying visuals that it can be hard to follow) and makes his own way over the Atlantic to pursue his own plots in Paris. Meanwhile in London, Newt Scamander (Eddie Redmayne) is embroiled in a bureaucratic stalemate with the Ministry of Magic, which has banned him from overseas travel. Professor Albus Dumbledore (Jude Law), significantly younger than in the Harry Potter films, is teaching at Hogwarts and is being treated with deep suspicion by the same Ministry functionaries. Tina Goldstein (Katherine Waterston), now an American auror, has pursued Grindelwald to Paris. And her sister Queenie and her non-magical love interest, Jacob Kowalski, have traveled to England for the chance to marry legally, since marriages between witches and non-magical people are banned in America. But the course of love doesn’t run smoothly. Despite the steady diet of fantasy violence, the film contains little else to concern parents. Parents looking for positive messages will be pleased that this film provides the same messages found in other parts of the Potterverse, particularly the importance of courage, love, loyalty and sacrifice. This is the brightest spot in a series that is growing increasingly dark.
MPAA Rating: PG-13 Overall: BViolence: BSexual Content: C+ Profanity: C Alcohol / Drug Use: C Pete (Mark Wahlberg) and Ellie Wagner (Rose Byrne) have it made. The happy couple work together flipping houses and enjoying date nights, golfing, and playing with their dog. But one day Ellie decides something is missing and that something is a family. Pete and Ellie have never tried to have children of their own and Pete makes a joking reference to adopting an older child so he won’t be a really old dad. Ellie takes him seriously and starts researching foster parenting and adoption. The two enroll in foster parenting classes and a chain of circumstances lead them to welcome three siblings to their perfect home. The hopeful new parents are soon exhausted and overwhelmed. Since this movie is listed as a comedy and not a drama, we know that there is going to be a happy ending. Kudos to the director and screen writer for not making that happy ending too easy. This script is based on the real-life experience of director Sean Anders and his wife, who fostered and then adopted three children. Unfortunately, the realism sometimes gets a bit too “gritty”. The biggest content issue in this film is language. I counted over four dozen profanities and there could easily be more. Another area of concern involves sexual content. These content issues are particularly frustrating because they spoil what is otherwise a tender, heartwarming film, rendering it unsuitable for children, although teens will likely enjoy it. Greater Pensacola Parents I December 2018
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Your child’s heart deserves the best in Florida.
When your child is born, you begin an amazing journey. But sometimes that road can take a turn. One in 100 children is born with a heart defect. If this happens, only choose the best. As the top-ranked heart surgery program in Florida by U.S. News & World Report, UF Health Shands Children’s Hospital is proud to work closely with local UF Health pediatric cardiologists at Sacred Heart to provide the best care possible to our tiniest patients, whether it’s simple medical management or complex heart surgery.
Call 352.273.7770 or visit UFHealth.org/CHC to learn more about one of the nation’s best congenital heart centers.
25112 CHC Greater Pensacola Parents 9.25 x11.75 + bleed.indd 1
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