Mobile Bay Parents April 2017 by KeepSharing

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April2017

Volume 7 Number 1

46 Columns

Mom of the Month 4

Living With Children John Rosemond

Growing Up Online

Discover 10 creative apps to assist your creative child on the iPad or your smart phone.

30 Days to a Healthier Social Life

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Sponsored by Children’s Medical Group

Realistic Responsibilities for Your Kids Household chores. Teenagers try to run from those words, parents may cringe at the thought of trying to implement a checklist, and previous generations are eager to give advice on how they should be done. So what are realistic expectations when it comes to dividing up chores and teaching children responsibility? First, it is important to know what chores are age-appropriate. If a child is younger than 2 years old, they should not be expected to have the awareness to start picking up their toys. Each child develops at a different pace, so try to focus tasks based on your child’s skills and talents while striving to include chores that will teach them life-skills they will need as an adult. At age 2, a child could be expected to help make up their bed, pick up their toys, or carry clothes to the laundry room. You notice I used the word HELP – they still need supervision, and performing these tasks side by side with your toddler is important. At age 4-5 years, a picture chore chart could be implemented and a child this age may

take on more tasks without supervision. Most kids at this age can start brushing their teeth, washing their hands, and picking up their toys independently. They can help parents set the table, feed the pets, and carry in light objects from the car. Around first grade, it is reasonable to expect your child to get ready each morning independently. Making up their bed, folding laundry and emptying the dishwasher with varying degrees of supervision are very reasonable expectations as well. Once a child reaches middle school and high school age, the goal of chores should be to teach skills they will need to survive and thrive in college and as an adult, while also teaching them the importance of contributing to the family and being a team-player. It should be apparent that everyone in the family is contributing in some way so the family works as a team. Allowing your child’s input for some of the chores helps too. There should be a combination of chores that no one likes to do, but still need to

be done along with chores that come naturally to them or that they enjoy doing. Once children are more independent, the fight over their bedroom may become problematic. The teenager may argue over cleaning their room since it is their space, but the parents could argue it is their house, and honestly both would be correct. So, setting minimum requirements such as cleaning the room at least once a week, and keeping the door shut if it is messy can help minimize arguments. There is no one way to assign chores, and every family’s chore list should look different. You can start by modeling how chores should be implemented, praise or reward kids for finishing chores and helping around the house. Jennifer Adair, M.D., was born and raised in Mobile. She joined Children’s Medical Group in July 2013 and currently practices at their Airport office. Jennifer and her husband, Cory, reside in Mobile with their dogs, Fitz and Barkley.

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Autauga County Schools Jump Rope for Heart at Davidson Fluid Mechanics Class Mary B. Austin Goes On “Junk Food Field Trip”

On Friday, February 17, Mary B. Austin students participated in Jump Rope for Heart. A great time was had by those who donated money and returned permission slips. They listened to music while jumping and then enjoyed popsicles. Prizes were given to all donors and proceeds benefitted the American Heart Association.

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Juniors in Davidson High School’s fluid mechanics class recently took a “Junk Food Field Trip.” The students visited the Coca-Cola, Golden Flake and Krispy Kreme factories to learn more about the engineering it takes to produce these foods. The students are all members of the EPIC program, Davidson's Signature Academy that focuses on engineering.

Bryant HS Opens Credit Union Branch Inside School

While students deposit and withdraw money from a new Navigator Credit Union on Bryant High School’s campus, they’ll be learning important lessons about personal finance. As will the bank tellers, who will also be students. Through a unique partnership, Navigator Credit Union and Bryant High School last month opened the bank’s newest branch inside the south Mobile County school. Located in a former storage room near the school’s auditorium, the ultra-modern branch features a nautical vibe. It includes a non-traditional teller counter to conduct banking transactions, along with a learning area for students to engage with employees to understand more about personal financial management. This is part of Mobile County Public Schools’ efforts to graduate more students who are ready for college and careers. The school system has partnered with local businesses to provide real-life training and mentoring in various fields. Navigator officials have been teaching financial literacy to Bryant students for the past five years.

Robert E. Lee Holds Ribbon Cutting Ceremony for New Playground

Robert E. Lee Elementary School held a ribbon cutting ceremony for their brand new playground. The students had a key role in designing the playground of their choice, all the way down to the color pattern and equipment purchased. The playground was purchased as a result of the outstanding fundraising efforts of the Parent-Teacher Organization (PTO), students, community, and Shell Chemical, LLP.

KimberlyClark Makes Donation to Baker’s Math and Science Programs

Kimberly-Clark donated $1000 to Baker's Math and Science programs. Pictured from left to right are Senior Kiana Shula, Principal Clem Richardson, and Senior Ruaai Al-Azzawi. Mobile Bay Parents I April 2017

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New Admissions Guidelines Set for MCPSS Magnet Schools

The Mobile County Board of School Commissioners last month approved new admissions guidelines for students entering grades 2-8 who have applied for one of MCPSS' magnet schools. Successful applicants in those grades must score on grade level or above on their most recent STAR reading and math tests and present a final report card showing placement in the next grade, a grade of C or better in reading/language arts and math, no failures in any subjects, no more than five unexcused absences and no more than 15 unexcused tardies. There are also limits to the number of discipline referrals a student has had. The first magnet school drawing was held last month, with more drawings scheduled this spring and summer. The application period has been extended until June 30. MCPSS has three magnet elementary schools and four magnet middle schools. The elementary schools are Council Traditional School; Eichold-Mertz School of Math, Science and Technology; and old Shell Road School of Performing Arts. The middle schools are ClarkShaw School of Math and Science; Denton Magnet School of Technology; Dunbar School of Creative and Performing Arts; and Phillips Preparatory.

DAR Donates Books to Kate Shepard Elementary

Kate Shepard Elementary School's Media Center was gifted a set of books about famous Alabamians from the Tristan DeLuna chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution. The students are really going to enjoy reading these and learning about the important people in our state.

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Lott Middle School Math Teams Win First Place at Tournament

Bright Beginnings Academy Celebrates a New Location

BBA is moving forward with an excited group of students lined up for the first week of school in their new building! It’s a long awaited and greatly anticipated dream come true! These eager kids were ready to celebrate as they entered their new facility. The school’s primary mission is to create “tomorrow’s leader’s one child at a time.” BBA is well on its way to making this mission a reality for their students.

Lott Middle School’s Sixth and Seventh Grade Math Teams won first place during the Perennial Math Tournament held at the University of Mobile on February 18th. Sixth graders Garrett Sullivan and David Helton tied for first place in the Individual Competition and Seventh Grader Marissa Wilson won second place in the Individual Competition

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Sixth Grade Team (pictured, left): Emily Cassity, Tristan Schwartz, David Helton, Garrett Sullivan, and Ashley Ngo. Seventh Grade Team (pictured, right): Wesley Schneider, Marissa Wilson, Brooklyn Engle, and Anna Weaver.

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Covenant Christian School Student Places First in District Art Contest

Congratulations to Alaina Pearce, Junior High Art student at Covenant Christian School, for winning first place in this year's District 1 "Visual Arts Achievement Program". As a district winner, her 3-D artwork will now advance to the state level in Montgomery!

HE ONCE BEAT HIS DAD FOUR STRAIGHT GAMES IN CHESS. AFTERWARD, HE CELEBRATED WITH SOME ORANGE SLICES AND A BOOK ABOUT WIZARDS. and at Childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s of Alabama we want to see every child grow up and live to their fullest potential. Thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s why we recruit, train and retain the most inquiring minds, the most skilled hands and the most compassionate hearts in pediatric medicine.

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Congratulations to St. Ignatius Science Bowl State Champion

St. Ignatius would like to congratulate our National Science Bowl State Champion team. The state competition took place the first week in March at the Alabama School of Math and Science. There was some stiff competition from schools throughout the state. The St. Ignatius team will continue on to the National Competition hosted by the U.S. Department of Energy. Pictured are team members: Taylor Shirah, Megan Sanchez, Isabelle Jouve and Smith Strain.

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Autauga County Schools

Fire Safety Day in Kindergarten Classes at Lighthouse Baptist Academy

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The kindergarten students of LBA recently had the opportunity to hear from Mr. Patrick Mulligan who is a lifelong firefighter as well as the father of one of our kindergarten students. Mr. Mulligan talked about fire safety and how careful the students should be around a flame. He also shared some exciting stories from his experience of fighting fires. The students enjoyed the opportunity to learn, have fun, as well as honor him for his dedication to protecting the community.

St. Dominic First Graders Participate in Retreat

St. Dominic Catholic School Grade 1 students participated in a faith-filled retreat focusing on Godâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s creation. The day began with Mass followed by prayer and crafts, reminding them of Godâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s beauty. Here students take a moment in the Mary Garden to praise God for His wondrous creation.

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Corpus Christi Catholic School 5th Grader Wins National WWII Museum Essay Contest

Chattanooga, Tennessee

Corpus Christi Catholic School congratulates 5th grader Helen Hendrix! Helen won an essay contest sponsored by The National WWII Museum in New Orleans. Students were asked to respond to a quote by activist and Holocaust survivor Elie Wiesel about his life and legacy. The contest is a national competition.

Phillips Prep 6th Grader Wins Mobile County Regional Spelling Bee

Phillips Preparatory School sixth-grader Marlan Zha won the Mobile County Regional Spelling Bee, claiming the title in the 21st round on the word “kuruma,” which is the Japanese word for “car.” It was the third year that Zha had competed in the spelling bee, as he placed third overall last year as a fifth-grader at O’Rourke Elementary and second as a fourth-grader. To prepare for this year’s competition, he studied 1,150 words and also learned their definitions, which helped him better understand how to spell the words. “Hard work pays off,” said Zha, pictured with Assistant Superintendent Dr. Reginald Eggleston (left) and Bob Grip of FOX 10 (right), who hosted the competition. The 90th annual Spelling Bee was sponsored by the Dollar General and was held in the auditorium at Davidson High School. 17

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First Graders at Mobile Christian Portray Famous Americans

Each year, the red carpet is rolled out for Mobile Christian School's first graders as they present â&#x20AC;&#x153;An Evening with Famous Americans.â&#x20AC;? Students wear period costumes, memorize speeches, and portray everyone from Ben Franklin to Mamie Eisenhower. When asked what she loved about being in this program, Maria Haines, who played Julia Dent Grant, said, "I learned that John F. Kennedy used a coconut shell to carve a message in the sand after his Navy boat went down. He saved his crew mates and swam to an island." Students agreed that this was one of the best nights of school so far!

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Four UMS-Wright Students Chosen as National Merit Finalists

Four UMS-Wright students have been named as Finalists in the 2017 National Merit Scholarship Corporation competition. Russell Goodloe, Thomas Barnett, Samuel Plash, and Danner Butler were chosen as Finalists out of approximately 15,000 seniors in the United States. These four were identified as semifinalists in September, and all were named as Finalists this month. They will now have the opportunity to advance in the competition for National Merit Scholarships!

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National Honor Society Induction Ceremony Held at St. Lukeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s

St. Luke's recently held an Induction Ceremony for the new members of the National Honor Society. Students who qualify academically must also meet the highest standards of service, leadership and character. Congratulations to Nolan Baxter, Kevin Parden, Macinley Chastain, Jeremy Daniel, Kellan Hensley, Kaelyn Horn, Zach McCleery, Bailey Sheffield, Natalie Bonner, Isabelle Nguyen, Katie DeArmon, Caroline Knoll, Matthew Mowry, Nicholas Myers, Madison Hoke, Elizabeth Thompson, Cole Murphy, William Brandyburg, Tristan Clark, Carson Ashcraft, Lincoln Hammons, Graham Driskell, Hardy Demeranville and Chase Jordan (not pictured).

Semmes Studentsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Artwork to be Displayed at Mobile Museum of Art Three students from Semmes Elementary had artwork chosen to be displayed at the Mobile Museum of Art. Pictured are Caroline Torres, Madalyn Niven, Lexi Corley and art teacher, Renee Grimes.

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Schools St. Paul’s Head Coach Autauga Jim TateCounty Captures 100th Career State Title

St. Paul’s Episcopal School head girls and boys track and cross country coach Jim Tate reached a milestone with his 100th career state title as the Saints ran away with an eighth straight AHSAA indoor track and field championship at the Birmingham CrossPlex, this time taking home the Class 4A-5A title. Jim Tate came to St. Paul’s in 1978 as the boys varsity basketball coach. He began the school’s cross-country and track program for boys following nine years of head coaching and athletic administration from schools in South Carolina and Georgia. Raised in Mobile, he graduated from University Military School and received his bachelor’s degree from The Citadel in 1963 followed by his master’s degree a year later from the University of Alabama. Since 1983, Coach Jim Tate’s boys and girls teams have claimed 100 separate team state championships in track and crosscountry combined and another 51 state runner-up finishes. His girls cross-country teams hold the current national record for the longest consecutive state championship streak in the nation at 16 (1983-1998). Some 60 of his former high school track program athletes have competed in either track and/or cross country at the collegiate level, with most of those at Division I institutions. Coach Tate holds Level II track certification in endurance training and was selected as the National Federation of Interscholastic Coaches Association’s (NFICA) Boys Cross-Country “Coach of the Year” in 1998. He was inducted into the Christ Church Episcopal School Athletic Hall of Fame in 2000 and also into the Mobile Sports Hall of Fame in April of 2008. In 2010, the National High School Coaches Association (NHSCA) selected Coach Tate as the National High School Girls Track & Field Coach of the Year. In October 2010, St. Paul’s dedicated the “Jim Tate Track & Cross-Country Field House” at the track complex of the school; a $400K facility to serve as home base for the school’s track and cross-country program. In March, 2011 he was inducted into the Alabama High School Athletic Association’s (AHSAA) Athletic Hall of Fame and that summer was selected as the National High School Girls Track & Field “Coach of the Year” by USA Track & Field (USATF)/Gill Athletics. In June 2013, Jim was inducted into the NFHS’ National High School Hall of Fame. In 2016 for the state of Alabama 2016 Track & Field Season, the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) selected Coach Tate as the Girls Coach of the Year. Prior to his career in education, Jim spent five years in the United States Army as a field artillery officer, battery commander and paratrooper with a year’s service in Vietnam with the elite 173rd Airborne Brigade. Coach Tate’s immediate family includes his wife Becky, two sons Lee and Luther, and step-daughters Ginny and Leigh.

Covenant Christian School Students Create Blue Heron Centerpieces for Special Luncheon

After a visit from Nancy Raia (Community Outreach Director - Eastern Shore Art Center), and Angela Underwood (Biologist Educator - Weeks Bay Estuaries), fourth grade art students from Covenant Christian School were invited to make center pieces for a special luncheon honoring the renowned biologist Dr. E.O. Wilson. Their Great Blue Herons were created to illustrate the eating cycle of the heron. From left to right, Front Row: Avari Abel, Emory Clark, Howie Johnson, Zoe Harvey, Colton Moody. Second Row: Madison Leytham, Morgan Fulford, Maz Hannan, Chattin Bell, Olivia Ray. Third Row: Mac Campbell, Sydney Roossinck, Jesse Starling, Narae Kim, Gavin Leege. Back Row: McKenzie Matheny, Mason Bergoon, Alex Delgado and Kara Anastasio. Not pictured: Sam Prince.

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St. Pius X Crewe de la Cardinal Parade

St. Pius X held its annual Crewe de la Cardinal Mardi Gras Parade on Wednesday, February 22. The monarchs of this year’s parade were Queen Mary Francis Mattingly (7th) and King Nicholas Kuppersmith (1st). The King and Queen, along with their courts, were entertained at a luncheon for the classes and families, on Wednesday, February 15. The opportunity to reign over the St. Pius X Carnival Season and parades is auction off at the St. Pius X annual A Night to Remember Live and Silent Auction. The theme of this year’s auction is Traveling World. The auction will be held Saturday, April 1.

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Counting Fun at Little Flower Catholic School

Students at Little Flower Catholic School enjoy sharing counting pegs and counting blocks. Getting to 100 is easy with the peg board and connecting blocks.

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Revelation Christian School Spelling Bee Winners

Revelation Christian School hosted the Association of Christian Schools Southeast Regional Spelling Bee on February 16. Congratulations to the following students: First Grade (1st PlaceNiya Grayson, 3rd Place-Fallon Grant), Third Grade (4th PlaceAllison Law), Fourth Grade (1st Place-Tristan McReynolds, 2nd Place-Ronald Lott, III, 3rd Place-Darius Young).

Cottage Hill Senior Signs with Birmingham Southern College

Cottage Hill Christian Academyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s senior offensive lineman, Jared Hornsby, signed to play football at Birmingham Southern College on Feb. 22. Jared is the son of Matt and Keri Hornsby. Jared, a 4-year letterman at CHCA, has started on both the offensive and defensive lines for the past 3 years. He was chosen by his teammates as the "Permanent Offensive Captain" for 2017 and was also chosen for the highest honor, the "Warrior Spirit Award", for exemplifying Christ-like character on and off the field. Jared is the epitome of what a student athlete should strive for in the classroom and has developed into a strong Christian leader amongst his peers.

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North Mobile Christian School Celebrates Dr. Seussâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 113th Birthday!

NMCS students enjoyed a day in Whoville as they celebrated Dr. Seussâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s birthday on March 2nd. Students dressed up as their favorite character from a Dr. Seuss book, and had lots of fun taking pictures with classmates at the Dr. Seuss themed photo booth. Students also enjoyed reading Dr. Seuss books, learning fun facts about the author, and participating in Dr. Seuss activities throughout the day.

Five Faith Students Named to AISA All-State Drama Cast

Drama team members from Faith Academy traveled to Faulkner University in Montgomery on January 20th to compete in the AISA State Drama Competition. Connor McClellan, Will Pinnell, Kaylee Green, Lily Glass, and Greg Naman were selected as AISA All State Drama Cast Members. The ensemble of Lily Glass, Abby Jones, Kaylee Green, Will Pinnell and Anna Kate Burelson earned the 1st place award in the Ensemble Competition. Freshmen Lily Glass was named Overall Best Actress. Drama Director Mrs. Alisha Waite. Pictured: Members of the Faith Academy Drama Team proudly show their awards - (standing) Amiyah Randle, Krisanna Taylor, Alexander Adams, Ana Cazalas, AnnaKate Burleson, Will Pinnell, Mrs. Alisha Waite, Lily Glass, Ayaniah Nobles, Sydney Baker, Lydia Forbes, Greg Naman, Mckenzie Dunnam, and Connor McClellan; (kneeling) Emily Diep, Faith Havard, Caleb Miller, Virginia Lee, Kaylee Green and Abby Jones.

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Autauga County Schools Prichard Prep Elementary Students Excel at Fundraising!

The SGA’s Leukemia and Lymphoma Society fundraising drive was a huge success. The initial goal for the student-led fundraiser was $200, but that goal was met within the first two days. The goal was then raised to $500 and it was surpassed with a total of $527.27! As a reward for exceeding the event goal, 2 classes will be randomly selected to enjoy a catered lunch by Olive Garden. Kudos to Brittany Pruitt and the other teachers who are instilling in our students the importance of giving back to our community by caring for others. Most of all a huge "thank you" to the students who have taught us that when you care enough about something, miracles can happen!

E.R. Dickson Red Ribbon Project

“#Besafebehealthy, Be Drug-free Like Annalee!” This was our Red Ribbon Representative’s slogan. For her service project, her goal was to provide 40 cases of water to community agencies to assist with both drug education and rehabilitation. She exceeded her goal by distributing over 58 cases! Over 4000 people received her message on healthy living. Although award winners will be announced in April, we’re ALL winners thanks to Annalee’s project. Way to go, Annalee Parks!

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Bakers HS Holds Miss Hornet Pageant

Baker High school recently held its Miss Hornet Night pageant. The winners are (left to right) Junior Miss Hornet Jessica Reese, 1st Runner-up Skylar Biedenharn, Miss Hornet Gabbi Trosclair, 2nd Runner-up Beann Chiepalich, and Miss Congeniality Journi Ellis. The girls were judged on interviews, poise, and talent.

Please email School News and Photos to Lynn@mobilebayparents.com.

Semmes Middle School Creates Black History Museum

For Black History Month, Ms. Marie Hansen and Ms. Elnoria Washington's 6th and 7th grade classes at Semmes Middle School worked individually and collaboratively on a Black History Museum in an empty classroom. Exhibit one is past and present African American entertainers, Exhibit Two is a historical timeline on how African Americans were shipped, treated, and forced to live during slavery times. Exhibit two contains the people who changed the future for African Americans as well as the unity that is today. Exhibit three contains the African American Food traditions, with real food, and moves on to a variety of African Americans to celebrate. We are so proud of these teachers and their dedication to our students.

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Bayport Parading Society Takes to the Streets for Mardi Gras

Lott Middle School Students of the Month

The Mobile Challenged Revelers - children and adults from the Mobile Down Syndrome Society, Augusta Evans School, and MARC participated in the parade. The Honorable John C. Williams and his wife, Dr. Maureen Baldy are sponsors for the Mobile Challenged Revelers. Pictured Front Row: J.J. Schock, Brett Butler, Erin Connolly. Back Row: Dr. Maureen Baldy, Honorable John C. Williams.

6th Grade: Dalton Hillman and Ashley Ngo. 7th Grade: Gerald Turner and Brooklyn Shepherd. 8th Grade: Mason Lynch and Kenleigh Orso. Congratulations to all!

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Lighthouse Baptist Academy Clinches Top Seed in Conference

Bright Beginnings Academy’s Father/Daughter & Mother/Son Social

With their most recent win the jv boys basketball team of Lighthouse Baptist Academy clinched the top seed for the playoffs. The boys fought through several injuries to key players to stay on top of the conference standings. By clinching the #1 seed they secured a 1st round bye and a clear path to the conference championship. LBA participates in the Gulf Coast Christian Conference consisting of Christian schools along the Alabama, Mississippi, and Louisiana gulf coast.

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Bright Beginnings Academy kicked off the month of February with a Father/Daughter & Mother/Son social. It’s the first of its kind and was an enormous success. Parents and students were dressed in formal attire as they took to the dance floor to make some special memories. Photos were taken of each child with their parent creating a lasting remembrance. Highlights of the evening included the game: Do You Know Your Parent and karaoke. This event is certain to appear on next year’s school calendar.

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Student Helpers at Little Flower

Teachers rely on student helpers throughout the day at Little Flower Catholic School. Updating bulletin boards and door decorations are part of everyday life at the school. Fifth graders Maya Causey, Bryce Wells, and Destiny Cook help freshen up the door to their classroom

Autauga County Schools Mary G. Montgomery Welcomes the Navy

On Friday, February 24th, the Navy visited MGM. The day began with Commander Paul Reinhardt and FTCM Troy Leonard of the USS Alabama speaking with a small group of students who plan to pursue a career in the Navy. The day continued with several classes, including physics and JROTC, experiencing a virtual mission. Students began by having dog tags made. They then entered the STEM truck where they learned about their mission, completed their mission, and debriefed after their mission using virtual reality stations. Afterwards, students tested their strength on the pull up bar. At the end of the day, the entire school headed for the football field. There they watched as MGM students who have already enlisted recited their oath. This was followed by an exciting exhibition by the Leap Frogs, the United States Navy parachute team. This incredible day concluded with students speaking with and taking pictures with the Leap Frogs and other Navy personnel.

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Please email School News to Lynn@mobilebayparents.com by the 10th of the month.

Satsuma High School Awarded $35,000 Grant for Project Lead the Way

We're excited to announce that Satsuma High School was selected to receive a Project Lead the Way (PLTW) grant for the 2017-18 school year. This grant was made possible by PTLW partner, ArcelorMittal and will provide $35,000 to be used to expand the Engineering program at Satsuma High School. The grant, written by Jana Hoggle, the Curriculum Director of Satsuma City Schools, will provide professional development for teachers and materials and supplies for the course. PLTW is a non-profit organization that develops courses in Engineering, Computer Science, and Biomedical Science. These courses empower students to develop and apply in-demand, transportable skills by exploring real-world challenges. Satsuma High School currently offers 5 separate PLTW courses for students in grades 7-12 including Design and Modeling, Automation and Robotics, Medical Detectives, Introduction to Computer Science, and AP Computer Science.

Robert E. Lee Hosts 6th Grade Wax Museum

Robert E. Lee Elementary School Sixth Graders hosted the 3rd annual Wax Museum where students transformed into famous Americans from past to present.

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St. Mary Catholic Steak Out!

St. Mary Catholic School held its inaugural Steak Out on February 11. Featuring live music, steak cooking teams with a friendly competition and a fabulous meal to follow, the event was chaired by St. Mary Parent, Joe Collins leading a fabulous crew of volunteers. With proceeds benefitting technology, the event was a huge success! Pictured are the members of St. Mary Steak Team, Halle-moojah!

Booth Elementary Named CLAS Banner School

Booth Elementary School has been named a CLAS Banner School, an honor that recognizes it as among the most exemplary schools in the state. The CLAS Banner recognition is presented to schools or programs that serve as outstanding educational models for other schools in Alabama. The honor will be presented on March 8 during the Banner Schools Awards Luncheon in Prattville. “The award provides an opportunity to communicate that our students are exceptionally motivated children who consistently put forth best effort while believing in their abilities to reach any goal set before them,” said Booth principal Lisa Williams (pictured). CLAS – Council for Leaders in Alabama Schools – provides professional development to school leaders across the state and connects successful leaders so they can learn best practices from each other. Schools are nominated for the CLAS Banner award by their superintendents, and winners are chosen based on evidence of academic success; demonstration of an outstanding, unique, student-centered program; and service as an exceptional model to other schools, among other factors. Booth Elementary is one of MCPSS’ Schools of Innovation in recognition of its Individualized and Integrated Learning program.

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Autauga County Schools

Miss Satsuma High School 2017

Congratulations to the newly crowned Miss Satsuma High School, Rileigh Hawkins (pictured on left), and first Runner-up, Courtney Weaver (pictured on right). Satsuma High School recently held the first ever Miss Satsuma High School pageant, the newest preliminary in the Miss Alabama pageant. Contestants in Miss Satsuma High School competed in talent, interview, evening wear, and an on-stage question. Miss Satsuma High School will be a part of the Miss America Organization, with the winner, Rileigh Hawkins advancing to Miss Alabama. Currently, there are only a few high schools that have been given an opportunity to send a representative. There are over 40 college/university and local preliminary winners that Miss Satsuma High School will join at the Miss Alabama pageant. Rileigh Hawkins will represent Satsuma High School at the Miss Alabama pageant in June of 2017. Rileigh is currently working to raise money, awareness, and advocacy for the United Cerebral Palsy organization and the Children's Miracle Network.

St. Ignatius Inducts Members in National Elementary Honor Society

St. Ignatius recently inducted the new members of the National Elementary Honor Society. The National Elementary Honor Society recognizes exceptional students in the 5th grade. Congratulations to the new NEHS members: Gavin Bender, Michael Crocker, Lilly Kidder, James Mayhall, Eloise Teague, Edward Vulevich and Virginia Winsor.

Cottage Hill Buddies Make Slime in Science Lab

K3 and 7th grade buddies enjoyed making slime in the middle school science lab at Cottage Hill Christian Academy. Using their knowledge of the phases of matter, middle school buddies worked with their K3 friends, who were learning about all things â&#x20AC;&#x153;Sâ&#x20AC;?. They mixed chemicals together to form simply slimy chemical-slime. Both groups of buddies enjoyed making the slime and other objects beginning with the letter S.

Mary G. Montgomery Student Places 2nd in Oratorical Competition

Congratulations to Garrett Parnell, MGM senior, for placing 2nd in the 3rd Division American Legion Oratorical in Montgomery on Saturday, March 4. Garrett is both the Mobile County and 33rd District winner. In his speech, Garrett discussed the importance of voting and the amendments to the Constitution that guarantee this right.

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St. Mary Catholic School Back in Floral Parade celebrating 150 Years Fun times for St Mary Catholic School students took place at this year's Mobile Carnival Associations Floral Parade as St. Mary Parish made its re-entry in honor of their 150th anniversary! St. Mary Parish is the birthplace of the Mobile Mardi Gras Juvenile Court with the first coronation held in 1931.

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Ribbon Cutting Ceremony for New Playground

Please email School News to Lynn@ mobilebayparents.com.

Learning About our Faith at Little Flower

Students at Little Flower Catholic School spend time each day learning about their faith. In addition to weekly Mass, students learn prayers and traditions of the Catholic faith. This group of students is reviewing the parts of the Mass with first grade teacher Miss Elisabeth Harbaugh.

Black History Wax Museum Held at Holloway Elementary

MCPSS schools throughout the county observed Black History Month in February with special programs and projects. One unique program was at Holloway Elementary, where students posed as important African-American figures and shared their stories in a "wax museum" exhibit. Students researched famous African-Americans and created posters, cereal boxes, brochures and other projects to show what theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d learned. Each morning for a week, students in the third, fourth and fifth grades dressed up as those historical figures with buttons attached to their shoulders and stood in the schoolâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s gymnasium while parents, community members and other students filed in. When their button was pressed, they told their story. The historical figures represented ranged from civil rights leaders like Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and Rosa Parks, to athletes like Jesse Owens and Hank Aaron (pictured, as portrayed by Julius Mitchell), to pioneers like Bessie Coleman and George Washington Carver. 31

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Autauga County Schools

Satsuma City Schools Technology Leader Earns CTO Certification

On February 22nd in Montgomery, 32 school system technology leaders became the first graduates of the Alabama Chief Technology Officer certification program, including Mrs. Jana Hoggle, Director of Technology for Satsuma City Schools. The year-long program was established by the Alabama Educational Technology Association in 2016. The credential is the first of its kind in the state and was designed for those who manage the technology programs in Alabama’s school systems. Our program is similar in structure and complexity to that of the school Chief Financial Officer Program developed by the Alabama School Business Officers organization,” said Mrs. Kelli Lane, the Association’s Vice-President for Professional Learning. Today’s school systems rely heavily on technology for enhancing educational opportunities for students. In addition, like any other employer with multiple campuses, they depend on technology for their communications, business functions, and operations, including safety. Being in charge of a school system’s technology program requires extensive knowledge in many different areas from networking and data management to instructional design and privacy concerns. Unlike school system finance directors, who nearly all have degrees in accounting, school system technology directors come from several different backgrounds. Some have teaching and administrative certifications, some have IT and technical backgrounds, and others have business degrees or experience. Our program was designed knowing this. It ensures school systems that no matter what area of expertise their technology director came with, they will graduate from the CTO program with a good command of all the different areas it takes to do the job well. “Candidates for the AL-CTO program must have several years' experience in the field in order to be accepted. The year-long program includes eight courses. • CTO Roles and Responsibilities • Law, Ethics and Policies • Data Management and Governance • Teaching and Learning • Models of Professional Learning • IT Management • Technology Planning • Finance and Budgeting. With over 20 years’ experience in the federal E-rate program and school system technology management, Mrs. Hoggle was also the instructor for the Finance and Budgeting Course. Pictured are Dr. Joe Walters, Superintendent of Satsuma City Schools, and Mrs. Jana Hoggle, Director of Technology and Curriculum.

Please email School News to Lynn@mobilebayparents.com by the 7th of the month.

Harlem Globetrotter Visits St. Dominic Students

Harlem Globetrotters star "Slick” Willie Shaw visited St. Dominic Catholic School and presented "The ABC's of Bullying Prevention". The program is designed in coordination with the National Campaign to Stop Violence to help reduce bullying and violence among youth in our schools and communities and focuses on Action, Bravery and Compassion. After the presentation students enjoyed some basketball fun.

100th Day of School at E.R. Dickson

On January 24, E.R. Dickson celebrated the 100th day of school with a 110th Day of School Parade. Students and teachers enjoyed dressing up to represent being 100 days smarter. Kindergarten held a contest where the following winners were chosen for their costumes: Back Row (L-R): Kamori Hudson, Brantley Webb, Tralyn Barnes, Londyn Anderson, Imani Brown, Jameir Swopes, Sophia McGraw, Joyce Williams, Hunter Hoffman, and Jaden Perry. Front Row (L-R): Victoria Roberts, Matthew Russell, and Michelle Guerrier. Mobile Bay Parents I April 2017

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Mobile County Science Fair

The potential for a compound found in garlic to pair with a chemotherapy drug to treat leukemia was the subject of this year's top project at the Mobile County Science Fair. Jamie Lim of Murphy High School (pictured) earned Best Overall honors at the fair for her project: "The Synergistic Effect of Imatinib and Allicin: A Potential Therapeutic for BCR-ABL 1-Positive Leukemia." Other top award winners were Sophia Davis of Davidson High, Lane Stefurak of ClarkShaw and Grayson Morgan of Burns Middle. Davidson High students took first-place honors in eight of the 11 high school categories, while students from host school Clark-Shaw won first-place awards in five of the eight middle school categories. Winners advanced to the regional science fair at the University of South Alabama this month.

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Blount Students Bring Home Top Awards in Culinary Competition

D’Jamonee Massey and Edwina Rogers didn’t start cooking until they started high school, but they’ve caught on fast. Massey and Rogers gave Blount High School two of the three first-place finishers in the Beef, Pork and Peanut culinary competition, sponsored by the Mobile County Farmers Federation. Massey took first place in the peanut category with his crunchy honey roasted peanut chicken, while Rogers made a pesto stuffed pork chop to take top honors in the pork category. Davidson’s Julie Sims finished first in the beef category with a rosemary, thyme, garlic and herb butter prime rib. While Massey and Rogers are relative newcomers to the kitchen, Sims has been cooking since she was young and works a part-time job at Waffle House. She said she was excited to have the chance to spread her culinary wings a bit. Competitors, who came from high schools around the county, developed their recipes and prepared their dishes beforehand, heating and plating them on site for judging. They were judged on presentation, nutritional value, taste, ease of preparation and adherence to ServSafe guidelines for the preparation and serving of food.

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St. Pius X Science

St. Pius X students had the opportunity to dissect a fetal pig as a part of the middle school life science curriculum.

Autauga County Schools

Cottage Hill Christian Academy Presents Alabama Famous Citizens

As part of the fourth grade Alabama History curriculum, students at Cottage Hill Christian Academy presented research on famous Alabamians for parents and classmates during the month of February. Each student compiled background information about the legacy of a famous Alabamian, dressed in character, and created a poster, timeline, or other visual that was used in their oral presentation. The audience learned a great deal about Alabama and the legacy of our state’s famous citizens.

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Please email School News to Lynn@mobilebayparents.com by the 10th of the month.

St. Mary Celebrates Catholic Schools’ Week

Grandparents Day at St. Luke’s

St. Mary Catholic School celebrated alumni, families, and community during Catholic Schools' Week with a Mass, coffee, treats, and a luncheon. Celeste Lowe Cook, St. Mary Alumna, Judge Edmond Naman, Alumnus of Holy Family Catholic School, and Jasyn Fowler, Outstanding Business Partner were presented with awards to honor the contributions that they make to our school and church and the wonderful example of faith that they each represent within our community.

St. Luke's Episcopal School students in grades K2-5th celebrated their annual Grandparents Day with a Mardi Gras theme. Over 400 grandparents from EVERYWHERE joined their grandchildren for an incredible celebration that began with a reception and included a musical presentation from every grade level, a Mardi Gras parade and classroom visits. The students enjoyed showing off their teachers, friends, schoolwork and their home away from home. Mobile Bay Parents I April 2017

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UMS-Wright 5th Graders Bring the Brain to Life!

Mrs. Parker and her 5th grade students made brain caps, a visual learning aid for the different lobes and hemispheres of the brain and their functions. Throughout the project, the students learned about where different information is processed through thoughts, senses, movement, etc. The students were able to use their brain caps as a reference for where a certain brain process takes place as well as left brain vs. right brain functions! L to R: Ridge Tanner, Henry Arras and Owen Nichols.

St. Paul’s Artists Moving on to State Competition

Each year, the Visual Arts Achievement Program provides local and state recognition for student achievement in the visual arts. The program is designed to offer encouragement to young artists in grades 6 through 12, showcase their work and offer opportunities for advanced training beyond high school. Seven student entries are allowed per middle or high school teacher – but only one entry per student. St. Paul’s has 9 pieces moving on to the State Level competition! Jeb Milling – Grade 12 – 1st Place Drawing; Kiley Spann – Grade 12 – 1st place Photography; Caroline Myers – 1st place Painting; Sydney Williams – 1st Place 3D; Tristan Carnley – Grade 7; Lilly Cumbie – Grade 7; Gabriella Tropeano – Grade 12 – Judges Choice; Ann Hanlon Cummings – Grade 8 – Judges Choice; Sarah Posey – Judges Choice.

Faith SGA Promotes Autism Awareness

Faith Academy SGA members recently collected donations and sold Autism Speaks bracelets to benefit the Autism Society of Alabama. Students in grades K3-12 are proudly wearing "AUTISM SPEAKS - It's time to listen" bracelets as a reminder. The one day collection raised $400 for the organization. Pictured: SGA member Maia Leonard (right) sells 4th grader Ashton Lumpkin an Autism Speaks bracelet.

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Autauga Mobile Christian Senior Wins 3rd County Schools St. Luke’s Holds National Championship in Racquetball Mardi Gras Parade In February, Quade Howell, a senior at MCS, won his 3rd National Championship in racquetball. The tournament was hosted in St. Louis with 390 players from high schools around the country attending, only 2 from Alabama. Quade has been playing racquetball since he was 3 years old and has been in tournaments since he was 8. Besides winning 3 national championships, Quade has also won 10 state championships over the years. Quade’s plan after graduation is to attend the University of South Alabama and assist them with starting their first racquetball team.

The annual Krewe of Kindergartners Parade at St. Luke's Episcopal School is a big event for the smallest Wildcats who LOVE having the opportunity to join in the Mardi Gras celebration. This year's parade was led by the school's Marching Band. K3 students rode stick horses and were replete in capes and hats as the parade "marshalls", K4 students played a variety of instruments in their very colorful "band uniforms" and K5 students created some of the best floats ever!

Faith's Heart for Life Collects for Women's Resource Center

Faith Academy's Heart 4 Life promoted LIFE on campus for the month of January to recognize Sanctity of Human Life Month. The group "baby showers" in Bible Classes promoted school-wide donations for Women's Resource Center local crisis pregnancy center. Donations were accepted of items from new/used baby beds, car seats, etc. to diapers and wipes. The Faith Academy family overwhelmingly responded with donations.

Prichard Prep Student Participates in Mobile Public Library’s AfricanAmerican History Month Read-In

Parker Represents Davidson Boys in Oratorical Contest

Congratulations to Justin Parker for placing third in the Mobile Optimist Club oratorical competition. Justin represented the Davidson boys in this countywide contest.

One of our 1st grade students, Marlli Allen, represented Prichard Prep at the Mobile Public Library's African-American History Month Read-In. She did a great job and we are extremely proud of her.

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Prichard Prep Black History Month Program

Prichard Prep held its annual Black History Month program on Friday, February 17 from 8:00 – 9:00 a.m. The program included an invitation to visit the Dora Franklin Finley African-American Heritage Trail by the Honorable Karlos Finley and a presentation on famous African-Americans born in Alabama by guest speaker Gloria Williams. Students shared information about famous African-American Alabamians through portrayal as wax figures, presentations, poems, and portraits. The Prichard Prep Ensemble also performed “Like a Mighty Stream” under the direction of Andre Millsap.

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Semmes Middle School Spelling Bee Winner Attends State Competition

Natalie Thompson, 8th grade student at Semmes Middle School made it through round 5 and was in the top nine spellers. Mrs. Steadham, spelling bee chairperson, and all the staff at SMS are so proud of her, and our school! Go Bulldogs! SMS rocks!

Davidson Student Wins Girls’ Oratorical Competition

Congratulations to Cailyn Clemons for placing first in the recent county-wide Mobile Optimist Club oratorical competition. She represented Davidson's girls in the competition and will go on to compete at the next level.

Please email School News to Lynn@mobilebayparents.com by the 7th of the month.

St. Dominic 6th and 7th Grade Retreat

St. Dominic Catholic School students in Grades 6 and 7 participated in a retreat titled “From Feasting to Fasting”. The day began with Mass followed by a Mardi Gras parade. Students then created masks while discussing why people sometimes hide their true selves behind a mask. They were reminded to always be themselves, and to not give into peer pressure or to be someone else and that God loves them as they were created. As the day continued, the space was quickly stripped from all the Mardi Gras decorations to a prayerful, Lenten preparation time showing how we move from feasting to fasting. The day concluded with adoration. Here, Jillian Cate, Ella Smithweck and Katie Ann Hites prepare to remove their masks, showing their identity.

St. Ignatius Inducts Members in National Junior Honor Society

St. Ignatius recently inducted the new members of the National Junior Honor Society. The National Junior Honor Society recognizes exceptional students in the 7th grade. Pictured are new NJHS members: Jacob Andrews, Ellis Bennett, Beau Brechtel, Samantha Cochran, McGowin Grinstead, Milligan Grinstead, Isabelle Jouve, Bennett Katz, Haley Nguygen, Eldon Porter, Brooks Roberts, Taylor Shirah and Hayden Ward.

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UMS-Wright Senior Wins DAR Good Citizen Award

Corpus Christi Catholic School Building the Body of Christ One Student at a Time.

Registering NOW for the 2017—2018 year. Established in 1958, Corpus Christi Catholic School provides students in K3 through eighth grade an outstanding education. Our child care center provides a warm, nurturing environment with developmentally-appropriate programs for children 6 weeks to 2 years old. The school is committed to providing opportunities to grow in faith, achieve academic success, and serve others as disciples of Jesus. For more information or to arrange a tour, please contact us at 251-342-5474 or school@corpuschristiparish.com www.corpuschristiparish.com/school 6300 McKenna Drive, Mobile, Alabama 36608

The Daughters of the American Revolution Good Citizens program and scholarship contest is intended to encourage and reward the qualities of good citizenship. UMS-Wright Senior, Emilee Sprinkle was chosen based on the following criteria: 1) dependability – truthfulness, loyalty, and punctuality, 2) service – cooperation, courtesy, and consideration of others, 3) leadership – personality, self-control, and ability to assume responsibility, and 4) patriotism – unselfish interest in family, school, community, and nation.

Two St. Paul’s Students Recognized as National Merit Finalists

Two students at St. Paul’s Episcopal School have been recognized by the National Merit Scholarship Corporation as National Merit Finalists. Seniors Thomas S. Granade and Daniel R. Lane will now be considered for National Merit Scholarships. These accomplished students were named National Merit Semifinalists in September 2016 and are among 16,000 students who still remain in the running for 7,500 scholarship offerings. To become a Finalist, the Semifinalist and his or her high school must submit a detailed scholarship application, in which they provide information about the Semifinalist’s academic record, participation in school and community activities, demonstrated leadership abilities, employment, and honors and awards. A Semifinalist must have an outstanding academic record throughout high school, be endorsed and recommended by a high school official, write an essay, and earn SAT® scores that confirm the student’s earlier performance on the qualifying test. The finalists who are in the top one percent of those competing students, will be informed of their scholarship offers beginning in March. Mobile Bay Parents I April 2017

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THE ADVENTURES IN

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Hosted by the Alabama School of Math and Science June 5-9, June 12-16, & June 19-23

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

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ParentingToday’sTeens by Mark Gregston

All Due Respect From Your Teen The late Rodney Dangerfield’s “I get no respect” jokes were pretty funny. But it isn’t a laughing matter when a teenager becomes disrespectful to a parent. While disrespect from a teenager can be demeaning and confusing to parents, it actually brings more harm to the child by tearing at the very fabric of their future. It may be rooted in an authority figure showing disrespect to the child. Or, the child could be imitating the disrespect they see exhibited by their peers or other family members – including their parents. I’d never say that you can force your child to respect you. But treating someone respectfully is altogether different. It is a controllable choice regardless of one’s opinion of that person. In other words, I may not agree with someone who holds a high office, or has an idea that I don’t like, but I can still treat them respectfully. Yes, it is easier and better for your teen to treat you respectfully if they actually feel respect for you. But, in fact, showing respect should have nothing to do with how they feel about you at the moment. A teenager’s disrespectful behavior can range from facial glares to obscene gestures; from mouthing off to fits of uncontrolled rage; from taking things without asking to outright stealing or destroying property. Often, disrespect flows from a demanding attitude for the parents’ time, money, privacy, feelings or property, and it usually starts out in insignificant ways. But even small expressions of disrespect are never acceptable. If a parent doesn’t intervene when the issues are small, disrespect can become part of your child’s permanent mindset, with behavior that gets worse over time. Years ago, our son was a month away from high school graduation when my wife and I went away for the weekend. When we returned from our travel, I knew the moment I entered our home that something wasn’t quite the same as when we’d left. When I questioned him, he insisted that nothing happened while we were away, and Mobile Bay Parents I April 2017

that he had followed the house rules, just as we requested. According to him, the weekend was just like any other. But, I sensed something otherwise! I could tell a crowd had been in our home, against the instructions to our son for what was to happen or not happen while we were gone. I felt like “Papa Bear” coming home to find that someone had roamed through the house — eating our porridge, sleeping in our beds, and wreaking havoc on our furniture. I felt it, because it happened. As a matter of fact, I learned that about forty kids were in our home that weekend. They played in the whirlpool, ate our food, emptied the cupboards, and tracked mud throughout the house. They broke my stereo system, played with our computers and searched through our drawers and closets. My privacy was violated, and our desires for what should and should not happen in our home were trashed. I wasn’t too happy with my son. Because I work with teens, and feel I understand them fairly well, the major issue for me wasn’t that a group of kids got together to have some outrageous fun at my house. That kind of thing happens all the time. The big deal for me was disrespect; my belongings were missing, and my son allowed unfamiliar friends to ignore what he and I had supposedly agreed upon. People I didn’t know invaded my space, intruded on my privacy, and even stole from me. The whole escapade was disrespectful, and a violation of my boundaries. I realized that if I didn’t want the same thing to happen again, then my wife and I needed to reinforce and strengthen the boundaries for our son.

What Do Boundaries Have to Do With Respect?

Boundaries are like fences. They define your space, and tell others where they can and cannot go in a relationship. A good analogy comes from keeping horses…if a horse breaks through the fence, it is the responsibility of the fence-maker to build it stronger. A good fence helps both the horse and his 40

owner to live in safety and harmony. Likewise, when personal boundaries are violated, it’s time to reinforce some relational fences. Here are some of the boundaries in our home that were violated by our son that weekend: 1) We will treat one another’s feelings, property and privacy with respect. 2) We will not lie, cheat or spread falsehoods. 3) We will not allow underage drinking, smoking or explicit activities in our home. 4) We will not allow others in our home without a parent’s knowledge and approval. After the “weekend” incident, my son spent a few days cleaning up the mess in our home and in our yard. Moreover, he learned he could not make a mess of our relationship by allowing disrespect to become part of his thinking and behavior. He learned again about our boundaries and paid the consequences for breaking down those fences. In the end, our relationship grew stronger because we worked on it together. Why is respect so important? It’s because respect is the cornerstone for discipline and relationships in the home. All else fails or gets short-circuited in teaching a child about maturity and responsibility when they don’t understand the concept of respect. When parents require respectful behavior, it helps the teen to be more respectful of others, and that’s a cornerstone for success in his life. Respect must be a pivotal boundary in your home, so make it clear to your children that you are serious about it by backing up your words with stiff consequences for any form of disrespect. Then, be sure to follow through on those consequences, since they will undoubtedly be tested. 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.

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A Page in a Book Home is Where the Heart Is Every child’s home is unique. Some kids live in spacious places with bedrooms of their own. Many children share their home with extended family, experiencing cozier quarters. Others split their days between two places that they call home. The places that children call home don’t always have the same footprint. While lodgings come in a variety of shapes, sizes and settings, the things that make them into our homes are indefinable. The following titles explore alternate living spaces and the ways that children claim those spaces, making them into their own unique home.

Stella’s Starliner

By Rosemary Wells (Candlewick Press) Stella’s home is a marvelous wonder. A gleaming silver house on wheels, it has cozy hiding spots and a sofa that transforms into a bed with a push of a button. Stella’s house has everything her family needs and she loves every bit of it. But then some neighborhood weasels mock her silver home, calling it a tin can, asking her if she’s poor because she lives in a trailer. The words hurt so much that Stella can’t even tell her mama. But when the truth comes out, Mama and Daddy use the opportunity to show Stella what their home can really be. As the shining silver Starliner treks through the night, readers will find a new appreciation for the special aspects of our own lodgings that make them a treasured home to us.

The House on Dirty-Third Street

By Jo S. Kittinger, Illustrated by Thomas Gonzalez (Peachtree) A young girl is dismayed as she looks at the houses on Thirty-Third Street where her mother has bought a “starting over” for them. Their new home is the shabbiest of them all; run-down, full of trash and so dirty that she wants to call it the house on ‘Dirty-Third Street.’ Mother and daughter work long and hard to clean and repair it, but the enormous task of bringing the house back from the brink is beginning to overwhelm them. When their vision of transformation is unexpectedly embraced by others, they discover there are many small ways to save a damaged house and turn it into a real home. “The House on Dirty-Third Street’ is an inspiring testament to family and faith creating a powerful foundation for every home.

Ella

By Mallory Kasdan, Illustrated by Marcos Chin (Scholastic Press) For little Ella, living in a hotel comes with as many adventures as there are rooms. In this cheeky, updated parody of the classic children’s book “Eloise”, readers are taken along on a delightfully manic exploration of Ella’s daily life as an urban dweller at The Local Hotel. The tour is viewed through Ella’s lens as the people and practices filling her days are introduced in random order. As Ella reveals the things that make her happy at her hotel home, the reader gets a growing insight into the truly fabulous life she enjoys at The Local. Celebrating the meaningful small moments that shine in such a broad environment, “Ella” highlights the connections that anchor her personal home within a populated space. Find more reading recommendations at www.PageBookMedia.com.

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at Christ United Methodist Church April 8 - 16

Bring the whole family and celebrate Easter with Christ! FAMILY EASTER EXPERIENCE

SATURDAY, APRIL 8 | 10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. All are invited to a wonderful day filled with fun as we celebrate and experience the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Entertainment and food for all: Inflatables, train rides, petting zoo, egg hunt for kids, puppet team performances, cotton candy, snow cones, games, hot dogs and popcorn.

SEDER PASSOVER MEAL

PALM SUNDAY SERVICES

THURSDAY, APRIL 13 | 5:30 p.m. |Christ Center Join us as we celebrate the Passover Meal Jesus and His disciples celebrated before the crucifixion and resurrection. Preregister at christumcmobile.com/seder. Cost: $10 adults/$5 children (5 years and up). Child care available for children under five.

SUNDAY, APRIL 9 | Join us at one of our regular worship times of 8:00 a.m., 9:15 a.m., 10:40 a.m.

MAUNDY THURSDAY COMMUNION SERVICE THURSDAY, APRIL 13 | 7:00 p.m. | Sanctuary Come and experience communion at tables of twelve, representing Jesus and the disciples at the last supper.

EASTER SUNDAY, APRIL 16

n 3RD - 5TH GRADE TWEEN WORSHIP | 9:15 a.m. & 10:40 a.m. | Christ Center Assembly Area

n SUNRISE WORSHIP | 7:00 a.m. | Sanctuary n TRADITIONAL WORSHIP* | Sanctuary 8:00 a.m., 9:15 a.m., & 10:40 a.m.

n 1ST - 2ND GRADE WORSHIP | 9:15 a.m. & 10:40 a.m. | Building E, Room 249

n NEWSONG CONTEMPORARY WORSHIP* Christ Center | 9:15 a.m. & 10:40 a.m.

n PRESCHOOL - K5 WORSHIP | 9:15 a.m. & 10:40 a.m. | Fellowship Hall

n YOUTH WORSHIP | For 6th - 12th Grade 9:16 a.m. | Christ Center (Upstairs Youth Area)

Child care available for newborn - 2 years *

For information on Easter Week, visit christumcmobile.com/easter. Christ United Methodist Church | 6101 Grelot Road, Mobile, AL 36609 | 251.342.0462 | christumcmobile.com

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Creative Apps for Creative Kids We live in the Golden Age of Apps. For parents, this can be confusing. Kids love apps but many seem like little more than high-tech pacifiers that amuse without stimulating. To find the exceptions, parents have to evaluate apps as they do other playthings. Is the app developmentally appropriate? Does it promote active engagement or passive viewing? Does your child get excited enough to want to tell you about what he or she is doing? Apps that encourage creativity are usually winners. These mini-programs encourage your child to explore, think and make things they can share with other people. Obviously, you’ll want to match the app with your child’s aptitudes and interests but here are ten promising possibilities. These programs are available through the Apple I-Tunes store though, in many cases, comparable products are available for other platforms.

3. Sketch Critters.

1. Pull together a picture book.

6. Tell a tale.

Tapikeo provides simple grids that make it easy for a child to arrange the photos on a phone and then add narration. Use it to make scrapbooks and picture books or, for that matter, flash cards and slide shows. (Ages 6-10, Tapikeo.com)

2. Fool with photos. ColorSplash adds color to photographs when you brush the screen with your fingers. Zoom in or out by pinching the screen. An undo button encourages experiments. (Ages 2-8, pocketpixels.com) Mobile Bay Parents I April 2017

iLuv Drawing Animals provides step-bystep instructions for sketching recognizable animals. Forty lessons teach kids to draw everything from cats and dogs to penguins and pandas. The app also provides tools for coloring the drawings. (Ages 4-10, www.learnwithfunapps.com)

4. Doodle with light. Glow Doodle transforms ordinary drawings into spectacular neon creations at the press of a “Glow button.” (Ages 3-8, 99 cents, 2-8, I-Phone or I-Pad)

5. Conquer the keyboard. Jellybean Tunes, an app created by the parents of a young child, introduces musical basics with big, colorful notes. Kids can play the songs in the program or make up their own compositions. (Ages 3-8, www. jellybeantunes.com)

Story Patch unleashes imagination by giving children over 800 images to be incorporated into their stories. Kids can start with prompts—a trip to the zoo, a birthday party—but the tools also make it easy for them to take dictation from their own imaginations. (Ages 4-10, www.storypatch.com)

7. Fingerpaint with music. MScribble is a mash-up of fingerpainting and music composition. The program provides a musical baseline and your child 44

creates the melody just by moving her finger across the screen. (Any age)

8. Toon up. Toontastic is a clever animation program developed with help from educators at Stanford. Kids choose a setting and populate it with characters that actually move the way the child wants them to move. A microphone allows kids to add narration. (Ages 4-10, www.Launchpadtoys.com)

9. Draw what you like. The Drawing Pad app is as open-ended as a sketchbook. In the “desk drawer” at the bottom of the screen, kids have access to a wide variety of “art supplies” including pencils, markers, paintbrushes, roller pens, erasers and stickers. What they make from all of these tools is entirely up to them. (All ages, www.Drawingpadapp.com)

10. Drum for fun. Drum Circle Kids lets little kids experiment with a variety of drums including an American Trap Set, the Caribbean Steel Pan, Chinese Drums, Cuban Conga and the West African Djembe. By tapping on the screen, your child can join the onscreen drummers or create her own beats. (Ages 2-5, www. Spyedesign.com) Cool as these apps may be, they shouldn’t take the place of more traditional opportunities for creative exploration. Even the most tech-savvy kids should have easy access to fingerpaints and clay, big pads of blank paper and homemade instruments, props that make them want to star in their own stories and music that makes them want to jump up and dance.

Carolyn Jabs, M.A., has been writing the Growing Up Online column for ten year. She is also the author of Cooperative Wisdom: Bringing People Together When Things Fall Apart. Available at Amazon and Cooperative Wisdom.org. @ Copyright, 2017, Carolyn Jabs. All rights reserved.

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I know you’re big on bargains and saving money. How do you feel about warehouse clubs, like Costco and Sam’s Club?

A. We have both of those in our neighborhood, and I’m a big fan. There are definitely some good buys and great bargains to be had in places like that. To be honest, my wife is probably a bigger fan than I am. I suspect we save more money from her trips than mine to those spots. I will advise you to watch your spending carefully in warehouse clubs. Most people overbuy in situations like that, especially those of us who are spenders by nature. Believe it or not, I’m a spender by

nature. To this day, if I’m not careful, I’m still bad about buying things I don’t need – or too much of the things I do need – in warehouse clubs. Have fun in there, and make sure you find some steals on smart things you can stock up on. Just don’t go crazy and wreck your budget by overspending!

Q. When it comes to making a will, would it suffice to sit down and write it all out on a piece of paper, then have it notarized? A. I would never advise someone to write their own will, unless, of course,

they’re an attorney in that state. Laws can vary from state to state, and some states may not look upon a document like that as being official under law. Some even require witnesses, and a notary might not be good enough. If you’re trying to save money by doing it this way, I would strongly urge you to look at involving a lawyer as an investment. In most cases, having a reputable lawyer draw up a legally correct, state-specific will doesn’t cost a lot of money. At the very least, go online to USLegalForms.com. They have all kinds of state-specific legal forms, including wills. Your last will and testament is one of the most important legal documents you’ll ever be part of. Please don’t try to do this yourself. I’ve run into so many families who, in the midst of grieving the loss of a loved one, were handed a handwritten piece of paper that wouldn’t hold up in court. That kind of thing just adds more stress to an already heartbreaking situation.

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Relocations, new babies, and other life transitions can throw a wrench in your social network, leaving you feeling disconnected and lonely. Use the adjustment period as a chance to make a fresh start. Carefully consider your priorities and build connections that support your personal health and the well-being of your family.

home, and isolation could play a factor. Overall women are twice as likely to suffer from depression compared to men.

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â&#x20AC;&#x153;When there is a lack of social interaction and a decrease of peer to peer contact, there is great potential for depression which is a combination of sadness and anger,â&#x20AC;? says Lisa Bahar, a marriage and family therapist and professional counselor.

Women who feel a balanced sense of connection are healthier and more resilient to stress, anxiety and depression. According to a recent Gallup poll, stay-at-home moms are more vulnerable to depression compared to women who work outside of the Mobile Bay Parents I April 2017

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One day at a time, rev up your social engine for increased happiness and satisfaction. 46

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aJoin a mother’s group. Your sense of self-worth and sense of belonging increases when part of a group of supportive friends. aCall an old friend. Reconnecting helps you rebuild your confidence as meet new moms. aEmail a mom you’d like to know better. Arrange a time to meet with you and your kids for a playdate at the park or the mall play area. aSend a Facebook friend request to a mom you’ve met recently. Initiating friendships shows you welcome new friends and boosts your self-confidence. aVolunteer. Your efforts will positively impact others, and you’ll derive satisfaction and joy from helping out. aShake out the welcome mat. Greet your new neighbors with a plate of warm cookies. They’ll appreciate your thoughtfulness and a friendly face in a new neighborhood. aStrike up a conversation. Kids are great icebreakers. Even a casual conversation with another mom can cheer you. aBrighten a friend’s day. Send a card to let her know you’re thinking about her or call just to chat. aClick into an online moms group. Find comfort knowing your situation is not unique. Reaching out to other moms online who can relate can help you feel less isolated. aText a friend with a new baby. The first few weeks can be a rough adjustment. By reaching out, you’ll help her feel less alone. If possible, arrange a time to stop by with a meal. aCoordinate a meet and greet. Got school-aged kids? Invite other classroom moms to a “seasoned moms” lunch to build a sense of community. aSign up for a yoga, zumba or jazzercise class. Exercise releases mood-boosting endorphins and wards of stress. Group fitness helps you feel a sense of accountability. aSpring for a Girls Night Out! You may feel a little tired the next day, but recalling all the laughs and stimulating conversation will put a skip in your step. aSurround yourself with positive people. Move away from draining one-sided friendships that zap your energy. aSeek balance in your yeses. Stress less by saying no to requests that aren’t a priority or don’t interest you. Your family will thank you. aGo on a mini-adventure. Explore another part of town, discover a local museum, or take a class that interests you. Stepping out of your normal routine juices your creativity. 47

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aMake time to play. Carve out 15 or 20 minutes to pursue an activity you love. Playing is candy for the soul. aStart a walking group. Walking and talking for an hour is great exercise and like free therapy! aDine and play. Invite other moms, whose husbands travel or work late, for a two-hour afternoon play date and potluck dinner. Dinner done, kids sleep well, and you’re rewarded with a quiet evening ahead! aCoordinate a group outing at the zoo or a children’s museum. Both you and your kids will appreciate the social interaction, exercise and education these venues offer. aCheck out the library. Libraries often feature interesting presenters, book clubs and other activities. Attend a few discussions to meet others with shared interests. aOrganize a game night or book club with your friends. You and your friends will love the excuse for a lively evening escape! aReach out to a receptive member of a group of moms. If she is an active volunteer at your child’s school in activities that interest you, ask how you can get involved. aRejuvenate at the spa. Soothing for the mind and body, a study at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center found Swedish massage in particular reduces the stress hormone cortisol, boosting immunity by increasing white blood cells which fight infection and disease. aReconnect with your spouse. Find a sitter, get dressed up and head out for a date night. Feeling sociable? Invite another couple to join you. aThrow a neighborhood backyard BBQ. Provide outdoor games like badminton, horseshoes, volleyball, chalk, bubbles and hula hoops for the kids to play together. aSupport a friend who sells make-up, jewelry, cookware or candles by accepting an invitation to one of the parties. Go with a budget and enjoy hanging out with other women. aTake a break. Schedule time alone to head to a pottery place and paint; go clothes shopping; or watch a movie. aRegroup with your kids. Set aside a relaxing afternoon to reconnect with your kids. Head to the park for a picnic lunch, play a board game, try ice skating or go bowling. aTouch base with your family around the dinner table. Communication builds stronger families. Talk about your day’s highs and lows, discuss frustrations and celebrate successes. MBP Freelance journalist and mom of two boys, Christa Melnyk Hines, is the author of Confidently Connected: A Mom’s Guide to a Satisfying Social Life. Find her in the “Confidently Connected Moms” discussion group on Facebook.

Mobile Bay Parents I April 2017

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Celebrate Easter with photos with the Easter Bunny! Bunny arrives on April 1 and is here until April 15 in the fountain area. Monday – Saturday from 10:00am – 9:00pm and Sunday from 12:00pm - 5:30pm. Please note the bunny takes short carrot breaks as needed. Saturday, April 1 Hop on the Hill Village of Springhill, Mobile www.facebook.com/springhillmerchantsassociation We invite you and your family out for Hop on the Hill! This event is a store to store Easter Egg hunt. Participating merchants will have an egg for each kid who visits their store. The Easter Bunny will be on location for photos (bring your own camera).

MOBILE BAY

Saturday, April 1 Crawford UMC Easter Egg Hunt Crawford United Methodist Church; 7470 Moffett Road, Mobile 251-649-3224; www.crawford-umc.com All are welcome to celebrate the seasons of Lent and Easter with us. We will have games, music, face painting, food, drinks, and, of course, eggs galore filled with candy! Time: 12:00pm-2:00pm Sunday, April 2 The Hill Family Easter Eggstravaganza Forest Hill Church of God; 5508 Moffett Road, Mobile 251-342-0233; www.foresthillcog.org Come join us at the Hill for Family Easter Eggstravaganza. A Family community event that includes an egg hunt, inflatables, snow cones, funnel cakes. Local businesses such as On Sight Entertainment game truck and Yellowhammer coffee will be onsite. Time: 12:30pm-2:30pm.

Saturday, March 18 – Saturday, April 15

Wales West Light Railway Cottontail Express

AD ON PAGE 29 Wales West; 13670 Smiley Street, Silverhill 888-569-5337; www.waleswest.com All aboard the Cottontail Express at Wales West where you ride an authentic steam train to the Bunny Hutch. Take pictures with the Easter Bunny before your Easter Egg Hunt. Enjoy Treats and refreshments, Train Rides, Petting Zoo, Pony Rides and more. Open Saturdays and Sundays, 11:00am-4:00pm. March 25 – April 15

Easter Bunny Photos at The Wharf

AD ON PAGE 11 The Wharf; 23101 Canal Road, Orange Beach www.alwharf.com Dust off the pastels and festive prints for this year’s photo with the Easter Bunny! There will be live fuzzy rabbits as well, the perfect added touch to the holiday picture. Whether it’s a trusted family tradition or first-time experience, you are guaranteed to leave with an unforgettable memento that’ll span a lifetime. Dates: March 25-26/April 1-2, 8-9, 14-15; 11:00am – 6:00pm. Cost: Various price packages available. Saturday, April 1 – Saturday, April 15 Bunny Photos Bel Air Mall; 3299 Bel Air Mall 251-478-1893; www.theshoppesatbelair.com Mobile Bay Parents I April 2017

Thursday, April 6 Easter Egg Hunt and Food Trucks – Springhill Presbyterian Church Springhill Presbyterian Church; 10 Westminster Way, Mobile 251-342-1550; www.springhillpresbyterian.org Join us for our Easter Egg Hunt and Food Truck event. Time: 5:30pm-7:00pm. Easter Egg Hunt – 6:00pm. Saturday, April 8

Family Easter Experience at Christ United Methodist Church

AD ON PAGE 7 & 43 6101 Grelot Road, Mobile 251-342-0462; www.christumcmobile.com All are invited to a wonderful day filled with fun as we celebrate and experience the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Entertainment and food for all: Inflatables, train rides, petting zoo, egg hunt for kids, puppet team performances, cotton candy, sno cones, games, hot dogs and popcorn. 10:00am – 1:00pm. Saturday, April 8 – Sunday, April 16 Easter Events – Bass Pro Shop 20000 Bass Pro Drive, Spanish Fort Basspro.com Come join us for our Easter Events. Free 4x6 photo - Saturdays 11:00am-6:00pm; Sundays 11:00am-4:00pm; Monday - Thursday 6:00pm8:00pm; Friday 2:00pm – 8:00pm) Easter crafts - Saturdays & Sundays 1:00pm-4:00pm; 50

Friday 2:00pm-5:00pm. Easter Egg Hunt – April 15 - Registration starts at 1:30pm; Egg Hunt is 2:00pm-3:00pm. Saturday, April 8

Bunny Hop

AD ON INSIDE FRONT COVER Geri Moulton Children’s Park 251-694-6873; www.rmhcmobile.org Bring your Easter basket and hippity-hop to the Bunny Hop sponsored by the Red Shoe Krew of Ronald McDonald House Charities of Mobile. This fun filled event will have many family friendly activities including games, train rides, face-painting, cotton candy and more! Cost - $8 in advance or $10 at the door. 1:00pm-3:00pm. Saturday, April 8 Kids Easter Egg Hunt and Breakfast with the Easter Bunny Bellingrath Gardens and Home; 12401 Bellingrath Gardens Road, Theodore 251-973-2217; www.bellingrath.org Hop on down to Bellingrath for a morning of Easter fun with our annual Easter Egg Hunt and Breakfast with the Easter Bunny! Thousands of Easter eggs will be scattered across the Great Lawn for children to collect, and there will be plenty of candy and treats for little ones to fill their Easter baskets. After the egg hunt, families are encouraged to enjoy other Easter activities within the Gardens. Cost - $13 for adults and $7.50 for children. Registration is required for the Breakfast with the Easter Bunny. Saturday, April 8 Egg Hunt on the Hill Spring Hill Baptist Church; 2 South McGregor Avenue, Mobile 251-342-5320; www.shbc.cc Join us for the Egg Hunt on the Hill with pony rides, inflatables, train rides, face painting, crafts, refreshments and more! Free Admission. Time: 9:00am-11:30am. Saturday, April 8 Town of Dauphin Island Easter Egg Hunt Green Park, Dauphin Island www.townofdauphinisland.org Town of Dauphin Island Easter Egg Hunt will be held at Green Park at 10:00am. Come and meet the Easter Bunny and take a picture. Lots of eggs to be found. Sunday, April 9 Easter Egg Hunt 2 p.m. St. Mark United Methodist Church, 439 Azalea Road. St. Mark’s annual Easter-themed celebration for the community features candy, games, crafts, a bounce house and more. It’s free and open to the public. For more information, visit stmarkmobile.com or call (251) 342-5861. Sunday, April 9 Palm Sunday Worship Service and Egg Hunt Government Street Baptist Church; 3401 Government Boulevard, Mobile 251-660-7444; governmentstreet.org Join us for Palm Sunday Worship Service and Egg Hunt! While parents attend the Worship Service, Preschool-5th grade will be doing Easter activities and games. After service everyone will move outside for the Egg Hunt and free lunch! Time: Service -10:15, Egg Hunt-11:45. www.mobilebayparents.com

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Thursday, April 13 Celebrate Easter – Saraland Public Library 111 Saraland Loop; (251) 675-2879 www.mobilepubliclibrary.org Make an Easter Bunny mask, create and Easter Egg mosaic and join in for an Easter Egg Hunt in the Library! Groups must register. Time: 6:00pm Saturday, April 15 Easter in the Squares Bienville Square and Cathedral Square, Mobile www.downtownmobile.org; 10 am to 1 pm Free, Family Fun! Numerous activities include paper flower making, kid’s karaoke, Easter bunny crafts, balloon art, photos with the Easter bunny, Easter egg hunt, Easter parade, face painting, egg and sack races and more. Saturday, April 15

Easter Egg Hunt at The Wharf

AD ON PAGE 11 23101 Canal Road, Orange Beach; alwharf.com Spring has finally hopped into gear at The Wharf! The Easter Bunny is ushering in this grand arrival by carefully hiding over 5,000 eggs for eager hands to find. Lucky scavengers may even come across a few “golden” prize eggs scattered throughout. There will be separate age group areas designated for the annual hunt and a wide variety of kids activities offered on the lawn, including face painting, a bouncy house, giant coloring sheets, pony rides, cookies and more! Live rabbits will be around to amp up the cute factor and kiddos can take a keepsake photo with the Easter Bunny after the hunt. Admission is FREE, Face Painting: $5 - $10, Pony Rides: $5.

Saturday, April 15 Easter Egg Hunt – Orchard Assembly of God 10244 Howells Ferry Road, Semmes 251-649-7710; www.orchardassembly.com Easter Egg Hunt at 10:00am at Orchard Assemble of God. Saturday, April 15 Craft Workshop - Easter Wreath Parkway Branch; 1924 Dauphin Island Pkwy, Mobile, 251-470-7766 www.mobilepubliclibrary.org Learn how to make an Easter Wreath with Mrs. Sharron Pettway. Supplies are limited and registration is required. Time: 3:00pm. For more information or to register, please call. Saturday, April 15 Dauphin Island Community Easter Egg Hunt Cadillac Square, Dauphin Island www.townofdauphinisland.org Community Easter Egg Hunt will be held at 10:00am at Cadillac Square. Saturday, April 15 Egg Hunt – Pure Grace Church 3350 Dawes Road, Mobile www.puregracechurch.com; 251-634-1002 Pure Grace Church will have an Egg Hunt on Saturday, April 15th. This event takes place from 2:00pm-4:00pm. There will be inflatable games, rock wall, games, egg hunts for all ages, cake walk, food and more.

Sunday, April 17 Easter Sunrise Service Bellingrath Gardens and Home 12401 Bellingrath Gardens Road, Theodore 251-973-2217; www.bellingrath.org As the sun rises over Bellingrath Gardens and Home on Easter Sunday, guests are invited to a special Sunrise Service on Live Oak Plaza. The service will begin at 6:30 a.m. and is open to everyone in the community. There is no admission charge. A limited number of chairs will be set up and guests are encouraged to bring their own chairs. After the service, breakfast will be available for purchase in the Magnolia Café. In the case of inclement weather, the service will be moved indoors into the Magnolia Café. Sunday, April 16 Easter Sunrise Service at Fort Gaines Fort Gaines; 51 Bienville Boulevard, Dauphin Island 251-861-6992; dauphinisland.org The service will be on the Great Lawn within the walls of Fort Gaines at 6:30am. FREE admission will be given to guests from 6:00 to 7:00 am. Bring your own chairs and/or blanket. Sunday, April 16 LuLu’s Annual Easter Egg Hunt 200 East 25th Avenue, Gulf Shores www.lulubuffett.com LuLu’s Annual Easter Egg Hunt on Easter day at 2:00pm. Come meet the Easter Bunny and have fun looking for Easter Eggs filled with surprises on LuLu’s Beach! Easter Egg Hunt is separated by ages for fair hunting for all! MBP

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Whether you want them to experience day or overnight camp, sports or fine arts, our listing has details on these and many more. It’s time to get your campers ready for summer fun!

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Art/Music/ Performing Arts Azalea City Center for the Arts Summer Camps ad on page 41

Mobile 63 Midtown Park East, Mobile dramacamp@mindspring.com Summer Camps: Drama Camp at St. Luke’s -Are you ready for two weeks of fun? Join us for full-blown Drama Camp (around since 2002) -- We will put on a full-length show, play games, go outdoors, and paint sets! Cost of $260 includes cast party, t-shirt, DVD, costumes, script, and more! 9:00 – 1:00, Grades 3 & up. Session 1- June 5- June 16, Session 2 - June 19 – 30, Session 3 - July 3 - 14, Session 4 - July 17 - 28 * Special Rising Stars session for older campers grades 8 & up June 12 - June 23 from 1:00pm to 3:00pm. $190 Glee Camp - July 10 - July 21 - Grades 3 & up - a chance to really shine in a musical revue! Taught by our professional voice teachers it is loaded with singing, dancing, and fun! Drama Camp Junior - For our youngest actors & actresses, we have one-week sessions that produce a daily skit or performance. Campers participate in group games, costume craziness, bringing books to life, and stage fun! Cost $130 includes t-shirt, costumes, snacks, and performances. 9:00 – 1:00 Grades PK - 2. $130/week. Themes include Wizard of Oz, Dr. Seuss, Willy Wonka, High School Musical, Moana, and more! Music Camps @ Full Scale of Music – Do you have talented kids who loves different styles of music? Try our summer music camps where you can play in a band, work on technique, improvise, learn a new instrument, write a song, and learn music theory. Prices are $195 for camp 8:30-3:30 and $115 for camp 8:30-12. The schedule is listed at www.fullscaleschool.com. Choose from Jazz and Blues Camp, Rock Band Camp, Praise and Worship Camp 251-510-1808 www.azaleacityarts.com

Alabama Contemporary Art Center

Mobile Let your child explore the world of contemporary art through Alabama Contemporary Art Center’s Summer Camps! Please check website for more information. www.alabamacontemporary.com

Mobile Museum of Art - ArtBlast

4850 Museum Drive, Mobile Art Blast, the Museum’s summer art camp, runs weekly from June 12 - July 28, 2017 (skipping the week of July 4). With classes for 4-7 year olds, 8-11 year olds Mobile Bay Parents I April 2017

and 12 and up, there is truly something for everyone in the wide variety of art offered throughout the summer. Ceramics, painting and drawing in all styles inspire students to energize their creativity, while learning about elements of art and art history. All classes are taught by experienced art educators and are based on the Discipline-Based Arts Education principles of creating art, viewing art, and discussing art in the context of history, while considering its aesthetics. Cost: One 2-hour class (10 hours of instruction), M-F: $75 for members; $110 for nonmembers. All day camp, M-F, 8:00am5:00pm with a supervised lunch hour (40 hours of instruction): $180 for members; $220 for nonmembers. Join the Museum for member discounts. Register online at www.MobileMuseumofArt.com/ learn, or contact Kim Wood at 208-5212 or kwood@MobileMuseumofArt.com for more information. 251-208-5212 www.mobilemuseumofart.com/learn

Mobile Parks & Rec Community

Mobile Camps offering arts, crafts, and much more. 251-208-1617

www.communityactivitiesprogram.com

Mobile School of Piano

Mobile Ages 4 years old to adult. This class is a great introductory to the student as well as a great refresher course and it is long enough that the student will see the benefits of piano. They will learn sight reading, ear training, improvising and more! The students will learn a variety of styles including but not limited to Christian, classical, contemporary and “fun” songs. The student can request to learn a specific style if there is something they have in mind. By the end of the summer, the student will have a repertoire of songs they can play on their own, from memory and with music. The style of songs that will be in the repertoire is the student’s choice. 251-272-9616 mobileschoolofpiano.com

Paint Party Studios

15 Upham Street, Mobile Paint Party Studios Kids’ Summer Art Camps/Classes are held during the summer for ages 6-10. Specific dates and times for Summer 2017 Paint Party Studios Kids’ Summer Art Camps/Classes will be available on our website at paintpartystudios.com in mid-April and for pop-up summer kids events and classes see our Facebook: facebook.com/ paintpartystudios/. 251-343-2423 www.paintpartystudios.com

Playhouse in the Park

4851 Museum Dr, Mobile Summer Theatre Camps will be offered this summer. More information coming soon - please check our website for dates, rates and descriptions. 251-602-0630 www.playhouseinthepark.org

Springhill Baptist Church - SMASH

2 South McGregor Avenue, Mobile SMASH at Spring Hill Baptist Church is a Music Day Camp for children who are entering K5 through completed 6th grade. Dates for camp this year will be July 17-21, performance date July 23. Each day will include, music experiences that include singing, playing instruments, games, rhythm, bells, movement, keyboards, guitars, and lots more. $60 for one child, $90 for two, or $120 for three or more. This covers the cost of a snack lunch, tee-shirt, rehearsal CD (for grades 1-6). The week is concluded with a musical presentation by the camp children, gr. 1-6. For more information please call Debbie Rice, 251-342-5320 or email: drice@shbc.cc. 251-342-5320 www.shbc.cc/smash

University of Alabama

Tuscaloosa The University of Alabama Band Department offers a variety of summer programs for high school students. Ranging from honor bands to marching bands, these programs provide young musicians with top-notch experience and education, as well as an exciting way for students to get involved with the university. For more information on each of our programs, please visit our website. 205-348-6068 bands.ua.edu/programs

Dance/Gymnastics/ Cheer Broadway South Dance ad on page 47

West Mobile-Schillinger/Cottage Hill Road.; RegencyAirport/University behind Chik-Fil-A, Mobile We are Mobile’s #1 Choice in Dance! We offer a large variety of dance camps and summer classes for ages 2-18 as well as Adult Dance and workout classes. Summer Camps at West Mobile and Regency Locations-Call to register!

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8700 Zeigler Boulevard, Mobile All Star Cheerleading, Cheer Summer Camps, & Tumbling Classes for boys and girls. Official Summer Camp schedule coming soon. Email info@ cheerforceone.com or check our webpage. See our ad for a coupon for FREE family registration for new members. 251-634-0203 www.cheerforceone.com

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Debbie’s School of Dance ad on page 26

6429 Hillcrest Park Court, Mobile Each summer, join Debbie’s School of Dance for our spectacular summer camps, perfect for children ages 2 and up! We offer fun, creative camps that will keep your child active and entertained. Princess Sofia’s Ballet Adventures Dance Camp Ballet, Tumbling, Story Time and Games Tuesday and Thursdays from 9:00am-9:45am; Monday & Wednesday, 5:45 – 6:30 or Tuesday & Thursday, 5:45 – 6:30. Cost - $95 Hip Hop Kidz Hip-Hop and Tumbling Dance Camp – Monday and Wednesday or Tuesday and Thursday – 6:30pm-8:00pm. Cost - $95 Hello Kitty Dance Camp – Ballet, Tumbling and Games – Monday and Wednesday or Tuesday and Thursday 5:45pm-7:15pm. Cost - $95 *We will also be having Power Tumbling and Backbend/Back Walkover Classes. Please call or check our website for more information. 251-633-9559 www.debbiesdance.com

Mobile Ballet ad on page 49

4351 Downtowner Loop North, Mobile Summer is an excellent time to begin ballet studies or to enhance your ballet skills! Mobile Ballet offers a full range of summer classes at both our Mobile and Eastern Shore studios. Featuring outstanding guest teachers and Mobile Ballet faculty. Watch for more details soon! Summer Intensive - June 5 – 23; 1, 2, or 3 week options. 1 week $275, 2 weeks $500, 3 weeks $700. Ages 9-10, 11-12, & 13+. Monday - Friday 9:30am 3:30pm. Ballet & Broadway - Ages 6 – 9, June 26 - 29 and July 17 - 20, Fun summer training to advance your classical ballet and Broadway-style jazz skills. Ballet & jazz classes, stretch & strengthening components, and focus on improving technique. Performance for family and friends at end of each Session! Class fee is $195. Mermaid Dreams - Ages 3 – 5, June 26 - 29 or July 17 – 20. Ballet is fun! Join us for ballet class, crafts, storytime, “rehearsal” and performance for family and friends! Class fee is $125. Open Class - Ages 10+. Fee is $15 per class or purchase a discounted Summer Class Card. Prior classical ballet training required. Watch for full schedule soon! Register soon to avoid disappointment! Call today or visit our website for more information. 251-342-2241 www.mobileballet.org

Planet Gymnastics ad on page 38

900 Schillinger Road South, Mobile Half-day, daily, and weekly rates. Walk-ins welcome! (Ages 3-14) Camp Dates – May 30 – August 7. No registration fees, unbelievable rates, 20% sibling discounts and great hours from 7:30am – 5:30pm (late pick up until 6:30pm). NEW: Instructional Camp – Olympic Camp – June 12-15 (Girls all levels beginner to elite). Come join Olympic Champion Vladimir Novikov and other special guests for great gymnastics instruction. For more information and registration forms, visit www. planetgymnastics.com 251-650-0699 www.planetgymnastics.com

Robinson’s School of Dance: Bayou Studio ad on page 9

8665 Four Mile Rd, Irvington Announcing Summer Dance Intensive Offering the best in Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Hip Hop, and Acrobatics. Summer Dance Intensive RegistrationJuly 5th 5-7pm. Classes begin July 6th, and run every Tuesday and Thursday in July. Come dance

with us! Accepting dancers ages 2 and up. Like us on Facebook! Robinson’s School of Dance: Bayou Studio

Ms. Daphne’s Cheernastics

Robinson’s School of Dance

251-599-2205 www.msdaphnescheernastics.com

421 Highway 43 North, Saraland Announcing Summer Registration for Summer Intensive! & Open House Saturday June 3 10-12noon & Monday June 5th 4-6p.m. Classes Start Tuesday, June 6th! *Unlimited Classes $250 for summer for 4 weeks w/ guest teachers master choreographers. Offering the best in tap, jazz, ballet, lyrical, contemporary, pointe, acrobatics, baton and hip-hop! 47 years and counting! Classes run for 4 weeks, 2-3 days a week!

Nasser’s Gymnastics

251-455-1866

ad on page 9

251-675-5915 www.Robinsonsschoolofdance.com

Brandy Brown

2569 Dauphin Street, Mobile The Brandy Brown Studio for the Performing Arts Arts teaches young people the joys and excitement of performing. The studio is dedicated to introducing and exposing our youth to the performing arts while affording them the opportunity to receive training in a nurturing environment. Summer Camps Offered. Please call, check our Facebook page or website for more information. 251-509-5659 brandybrownstudio.net/

Cottage Hill Gymnastics Center

1711 Hillcrest Rd, Mobile Gymnastics, Tumbling and Trampoline 251-666-0559

www.cityofmobile.org/parks

Dance Academy of Mobile

63 Midtown Park East, Mobile Ballet Boot Camp - June 12-16 (Ages 6-18) 12:30-5:30, All That Jazz - June 19-23 (Ages 6-18) 12:30-5:30, Triple Threat – July 17-21 (Ages 6-18) 12:30-5:30, Island Girl – July 24-28(Ages 6-18) 12:30-5:30, Mother Goose Camp – June 12-16 (Ages 2-4) 9:3012:30, Shirley Temple Camp – July 17-21 (ages 4-6) 9:00-12:00. 251-404-8582 danceacademy mobile.com

Maccrossan School of Irish Dance

63 Midtown Park East, Mobile maccrossanirishdance@yahoo.com Irish Dance Summer Camp-June 5 – 9 (Ages 4 – 7) 8:30 - noon. Camp will include Irish dancing, music and Celtic arts. $90 per student with sibling discounts given. Performance held on last day of camp. Free t-shirt included with registration. June 12 - 16 (Ages 8 – teens) 8:30 - noon. Camp will include Irish dancing, music and Celtic arts. $90 per student with sibling discounts given. Performance held on last day of camp. Free t-shirt included with registration. July 10 - 14 (Ages 4 – teens) 8:30 - noon. Camp will include Irish dancing, music and Celtic arts. $90 per student with sibling discounts given. Performance held on last day of camp. Free t-shirt included with registration. All camps held at Azalea City for the Arts. For more information, please call Julie Black at 228-2392422 or email maccrossanirishdance@yahoo.com. 228-239-2422 www.azaleacityarts.com

Mrs. Lisa’s

2907 Old Shell Road, Mobile Mrs. Lisa’s offers Recreational Tumbling Classes, Competitive Cheer Teams, School Cheer Team Tumbling and Private Lessons. 251-471-9708 www.alabamajagallstars.com/

102 Baker Road, Satsuma For current info, visit our Facebook Page: Ms. Daphne’s CheerNastics; Summer Schedule and camps TBA. Visit Facebook for more information.

3055 Old Shell Road, Mobile Keep your children active this summer in a safe and fun environment. Ages 3 and up. Summer Camp is a great way for kids to play with their friends and meet new ones. Lots of activities such as arts and crafts, games, gymnastics and much more! Summer Camp is held on weekdays, throughout the summer. Very Flexible schedule: half-day, full-day, daily, weekly rates and drop-offs available. Call or visit our website for more information. See our ad in this issue for special discounts! 251-479-9311 www.nassergymnastics.net

Precision Dance

168 Noel Street, Mobile “SuperStar” Dance Camp- Ballet, Jazz, Tumbling, and Hip Hop- Ages 5-8- Date: June 7-9, Time: 9am1:00pm. Camp Fee- $125 “Teddy Bear Ballerina Adventures” Dance Camp- Ballet, Tap, and Tumbling. Ages 2-4. Date: June 7-9, Time 4-6pm,Camp Fee- $75 “Hip Hoppin’ Pirates” Hip Hop Camp- Date: June 7-9 Ages 4-7, Time 3-4pm, Camp Fee- $50 Ages 8-10- Time 4-5pm, Camp Fee- $50 Ages 10-12- Time 5-6pm, Camp Fee- $50 DIVA FASHION CAMP - Get ready for fun at Mobile’s first “Fashion Camp” for kids, directed by studio owner Lauren Dreher, who has worked as a professional model for 16 years. This camp was created to help young girls develop self-esteem and confidence, while also learning about fashion, and the “in’s & out’s” of being in the true modeling Industry. Ending with a grand finale’ fashion show put on for parents & guests. June 7-9, Time: 9am-1:30pm. Ages: 7-13. Camp Fee: $120 Supply Fee: $50. For a secured spot, pre-register. *Precision Summer Classes- Ages 2 & Up, Call for Details! June & July Session. Boys Train Free!! *Call for Private Auditions for Summer Observation to see if your child has what it takes to be hand picked for Precision’s 2017-18 National Champion Competition Company. *Precision’s Princess Fairytale Camp- Mobile’s ORIGINAL PRINCESS CAMP. Come join us for our annual camp where our studio transforms into a Princess Wonderland, and your little girls dream comes true of transforming into their favorite princess every day as we bring “Disney World” to the Gulf Coast! Ages-37, Price-$150 Camp Fee $40 Supply Fee. Supply Fee includes a camp t shirt, as well as daily snacks and arts/crafts supplies. July 17-21st- 9-1:30pm** *Precisions Super Hero Training Camp- Mobile’s original Super Hero Camp for boys! Activities Include: Super Hero Games & Activities, Super Hero Arts & Crafts, Hip Hop Dance Class, Super Hero Tumbling & Tricks Class, and more!! Date: July 18-20th, 9-1:30pm, Ages- 5 & Up. Cost: Camp Fee: $120, Supply Fee: $50 Supply Fee includes a camp t shirt, as well as daily snacks and arts/crafts supplies. *Precision Dance Company’s SUMMER INTENSIVE- Train alongside the NATIONAL CHAMPION “Precision Divas & Dudes”, and National Award Winning Teachers. Experience true artistry, detailed technique, and one on one instruction with renowned choreographers & teachers from all around the country! Classes offered: Ballet, Jazz, Contemporary, Conditioning, Improv, Lyrical, Stretch, Hip Hop, Tumbling, BOYS ONLY class, and more. **Ages 7-11- Intermediate & Advanced Level Only. **Ages12 & Up - Intermediate & Advanced Level Only, Price - $250, Dates: July 24th-28th. 9:00am4:00pm. Limited Spots Available! 251-222-3403 www.precisiondanceacademy.net

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Sheffield School of Dance

4570 Hermitage Road/1901 Dauphin Street, Mobile Sheffield School of the Dance is Mobile’s BEST DANCE STUDIO from the 2016 Nappie Awards! We will be offering exciting Summer Camps & Classes for all ages and levels in 2017! Please call for more information and stay tuned to us on Facebook for constant updates. LIKE us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ sheffielddance. 251-479-3926; 251-661-4893 www.sheffielddance.net

UMS-Wright Cheer and Dance Camps 65 Mobile Street, Mobile See more details under Sports Camps. 251-470-9045

www.ums-wright.org

Day Camps Boys and Girls Clubs of South Alabama ad on page 18

4 Locations: 35 Cody Road South, 251-343=4320 712 Rice Street, 251-478-7811 3810 Wulff Road East, Semmes, 251-645-9027 6585 Carol Plantation Road, Theodore, 251-653-1188 bcarlisle@bgcsouthal.org Come celebrate the summer with Boys & Girls Clubs! Our Summer Enrichment Programs lead to a Great Future by providing academic enrichment, sports & fitness activities, character & leadership programs, and fun & educational field trips. Activities are age-appropriate, take place in a safe, positive environment, and are led by experienced and caring youth development staff. Choose your Club, and enroll today...space is limited. You pay only for the weeks you attend. www.bgcsouthal.org

Bright Beginnings Learning Center - Providence ad on page 24

6803 Airport Boulevard, Mobile bblc_providence@yahoo.com Now enrolling for Summer Camp! This year’s exciting theme is “International Explorers”. Campers will will enjoy skating, field trips, crafts, culinary arts and more. Camp days and hours are Monday - Friday, 6am - 6pm. Accepting enrollment for children ages 5 - 12 and Infant-K4. Breakfast , lunch and snack included. 251-776-5540

Christ UMC - Summer Camps ad on page 7 and 43

6101 Grelot Rd, Mobile Kidz Crossing Summer Camp - June 2 - August 9 Completed K5 through 5th grade. Activities will include skating, bowling, arts and crafts, talent shows, tennis camp, Vacation Bible School, indoor and outdoor games and much more. Cost: $115 per child per week. Contact Christie Ford at 251.342.7215 or christie@christumcmobile.com to register. Tween Summer Camp at Camp Baldwin - July 24 - 27 3rd - 5th grade. A great time learning about God and making friends. Amazing worship, fellowship and fun! Register atchristumcchildren.com/register. Scholarships are available. Cost: $150. Puppet Camp - August 21 from 3:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall for 3rd grade and up. Interested in puppets? Want to learn how to join Christ UMC’s Puppet team? Join us for the fun training camp! SIFAT (Servants In Faith And Technology) - July 10 - 16 Upcoming 8th – 12th graders. A camp with a missions focus—students will learn about agriculture, life in third-world nations, and technology that improves the quality of life for people around the world. 251-342-7215

www.christumcmobile.com/summer

Mobile Bay Parents I April 2017

Joyland Summer Camp ad on page 4

1501 Knollwood Drive, Mobile Summer Camp (Accepting Grades K5-5th grade) from May 30-August 4. 251-666-4996

www.joylanddaycare.com

Boys Scouts of America Cub Scout Day -C.S.I. Cub Scout Investigation

The Mobile Area Council, Boy Scouts of America will be holding its annual Cub Scout Summer Day Camp. Cub Scout Day Camp is a full day of scouting activities, which include: skills, crafts, games, BB guns, archery, and lots of fun! Boys don’t have to be an active Cub Scout to participate in Day Camp, but they do have to register as a Cub Scout if you would like your son to participate. Cub Scout age and grade requirements are 7 years old or in the first grade through 10 years old and not having completed the fifth grade. 5 Rivers District, Greater Gulf State Fairgrounds 1035 Cody Road North, Mobile, AL 36608 Camp Dates: June 12-16, 2017 from 8:00am-4:00pm Before/After care available from 7:00am- 5:30pm 251-476-4600

City of Mobile Summer Adventure Camp

Mobile More details coming soon. Please visit our website www.cityofmobile.org/parks/special_activities.php for more information. www.cityofmobile.org/parks/special_activities.php

Dauphin Island Sea Lab - Summer Day Camps

101 Bienville Boulevard, Dauphin Island Summer fun becomes summer learning at the Dauphin Island Sea Lab, and our 2017 summer programs are now open for registration! Dauphin Island offers sunny beaches, a beautiful bay, fascinating marshes and the best educational staff around. There are day camp opportunities for K-8th graders, overnight programs for 5th-graders to classroom teachers, and field trips for the public. Day Camps: Oceans Alive! - June 16, July 21, July 31, 2017 -The Gulf of Mexico offers a wealth of material for developing minds and curious senses in “Ocean’s Alive!” This is a half-day adventure camp for children ages 5-8 along with their parents, grandparents or guardian. Campers are introduced to the ocean, its inhabitants and the beautiful Alabama coast through a variety of activities. Marine biology and ecology are covered using a hands-on approach. See and touch marine life, collect plankton and make a jellyfish to take home. Combining a beach walk adventure with arts & crafts activities, the educators at the Sea Lab lead children and adults into a deeper appreciation of the amazing Alabama coast. BIO Blitz - June 9, June 23, August 1, 2017 - This full day camp for ages 8-10 years. Campers become Barrier Island Observers for the whole day. They will set out on an expedition across many of the diverse habitats of Dauphin Island including the beach, salt marsh, and maritime forest. Campers should be prepared to get wet, sandy and muddy! Space is limited to 15 participants per session, so be sure to sign up early! Survivor -Dauphin Island- June 16, July 28, August 2 -This is a full day camp for ages 10 – 13 years. Campers will spend the day in the waters around Dauphin Island. They will earn to bait a hook, catch crabs, throw a cast net, drag a seine to catch fish, prepare shrimp for eating, and maybe even filet a fish. For more on Day Camps, contact Sara Johnson at 251-861-2141 x7515 orDHPSummer@disl.org. 251-861-2141 (ext. 7515) www.disl.org

Dauphin Way Baptist Summer Camp

3661 Dauphin Street, Mobile Dauphin Way Baptist Summer Camp hours are 6:45 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. for children who have completed 5 K thru 5th grade. Camp begins May 30 and ends August 4. Registration fee is $75 per child with a daily fee of $28 which includes luch. Weekly activities include swimming, skating, arts and crafts, music and sports combine & special field trips each

week. Space is limited. Call 251-344-0909 for information. 251-344-0909 www.dauphinwaycdc.com

Dayspring Baptist Summer Day Camp

2200 Cody Road South, Mobile For children entering K5 through 6th Grade. Exciting activities await those who attend Dayspring Day Camp! Each week, campers will swim, skate, and go on field trips. In addition to special activities such as juggling, arts and crafts, drama, and talent shows, there will be recreation, movies, music, and numerous other creative activities. We will have special weeks such as “Christmas in July” and “Parent’s Night”. Opens May 30. Hours: 6:45am-6:00pm. (Activities from 8:00am4:30pm) $22 per day or $110 per week with $155 due at registration (includes a non-refundable registration fee and first week’s tuition/total to register before May 1 is $150). 251-633-0250

www.dayspringbc.org

Government Street Baptist

3401 Government Boulevard, Mobile Summer Camp for children who have completed K4 - 6th grade. Theme is “Anchored”. Dates are May 30-August 4, 2017. Camp is open from 6:00am - 6:00pm, Monday through Friday, with most activities scheduled between the hours of 8:30am and 4:00pm.Every week will contain exciting things like skating, swimming, bowling, arts and crafts, and a bigger field trip and much more. The registration fee of $160 will cover the big field trips and a camp tshirt. 251-660-7444 www.governmenstreetcdc.org

Life Church CDC Summer Camp

8701 Zeigler Boulevard , Mobile This years theme will be Dr. Seuss- “If you never did you should these things are fun. And Fun is Good!” Our program is Monday thru Friday 6AM-6PM for completed K-3 thru completed 6th grade. We offer lots of fun activities for our campers. We have weekly field trips, daily arts and crafts, praise and worship, themed dress up days, water slides, and so much more! 251-633-2679 lifechurchcdc.com

Mobile Christian School - Day Camp

5900 Cottage Hill Road, Mobile Mobile Christian School will be offering Summer Day Camp beginning in June. Day Camp will be open Monday-Friday 7:30am-5:30pm for children who have completed K3 thru age 12. Daily activities are offered both on and off campus including activities such as bowling, skating, swimming, movies, Pump it Up, Jumps A Lot, Lazer Zone, and Chuck E Cheese. These off campus activities are included in the regular summer camp fee along with 2 daily snacks. For additional information, please contact April Walker at 251-406-0768 or april_walker@ mobilechristian.org. 251-406-0768 www.mobilechristian.org

Old Shell Road School Of Creative and Performing Arts

3160 Heather Street, Mobile Our summer camp is for any student from any school that is entering kindergarten through 6th grade looking for an awesome summer experience in art, dance, drama, and music. Campers will also get enrichment in math and reading, go on field trips and participate in water activities. Campers may be dropped off as early as 6:30 a.m. and picked up no later than 5:30 p.m. 251-221-1557 oldshell.mcm.schoolinsites.com/

Prichard STEM Academy

523 Mount Calvary Avenue, Mobile prichardstemacademy1@gmail.com The Prichard STEM Academy is pleased to announce that registration is now open for the “I Can Be.” Sum-

www.mobilebayparents.com

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mer camp! This summer camp will be taking place from June 5, 2017 until August 4, 2017 and we will be accepting all children ages 4-12. We will highlight prominent Prichard community members every week and encourage the children in the community to be all that they can be. We will have weekly library trips, activities pertaining to that week’s theme, and various field trips and guest speakers. Registration has started and space is limited. If you are interested in registering your child/children, please contact Chasity Jackson. (251) 457-5990 www.prichardstemacademy.org

St. Luke’s Episcopal School Camp Wildcat

Mobile St. Luke’s Episcopal School is excited to announce “Camp Wildcat”, a fun filled summer day camp for children grades Pre-Kindergarten through Sixth grade. Our Junior Camp serves children ages 3 through 5 (rising K-3, K-4 and K-5), while our Senior Camp serves rising 1st through 6th graders. All campers will enjoy activities associated with our weekly themes, and participate in enrichment classes such as library, computer, science, Spanish, and art. Our Junior Campers will enjoy many on-site activities, while our Senior campers attend field trips and swim once a week. We will also offer “Water Slide Wednesday” to everyone each week to keep cool! Our counselors are trained to provide a great experience for your child while maintaining the highest level of safety. Camp Wildcat offers weekly themed day camps starting May 30 and ending August 4. Campers can be dropped off at 7:30 a.m., with camp ending each day at 5:30 p.m. We are closed on the Fourth of July. For more information about Camp Wildcat, please visit www.stlukesmobile.com or contact Connie Jackson (cjackson@stlukesmobile. com). Happy Camping! 251-666-2991

www.stlukesmobile.com

The Exceptional Foundation of the Gulf Coast

28788 North Main Street, Daphne Jennifer.flad@exceptionalfoundationgc.org 2017 Exceptional Foundation Gulf Coast’s Summer Program dates are June 5th - July 27th from 8am 6pm, Monday – Thursday. Our program is open to individuals ages 10 - 21. There is a one time registration fee of $50.00 and the Summer Program fee is $325.00/ month. EFGC is a non profit 501 (c) (3) social and recreational program dedicated to serve the special needs community. Follow us on Facebook & Twitter. 251-625-8955 www.exceptionalfoundationgc.org

The Watermelon Patch

6417 Hillcrest Park Court, Mobile At The Watermelon Patch we love summer and we do Summer Camp right! Your child will experience 11 full weeks of fun weekly themes that will have them waking up and excited to come every single day. Some of our themes will include dancing, singing, pirate ship building, ice cream making, painting and water balloons just to name a few. It’s a super fun summer that will entertain and delight children who are walkers to 6 years old. Hours will be Monday - Friday, 8:30 am to 12:30pm. Extended hours are also offered. We will offer 2, 3 and 5 day options. Registration is open and space is limited so please call our office today to reserve your child’s spot. 251-633-3288 www.watermelonpatchkids.com

West Mobile Baptist CDC Summer Camp

7501 Airport Boulevard, Mobile West Mobile Baptist CDC Summer Camp is for children ages 6-11 and is open from 6:00am – 6:00pm. We have two summer programs. One is for school age children who have completed K4 and K5 (or are the appropriate ages for this) and the other is for those children who have completed the 1st through 6th grades (Up to age 12). The registration fee must be paid by those who are not already registered in our yearly full time program and entitles the student to care only during the summer months. Weekly rates includes

two snacks daily and all field trips but please note, a hot lunch each day is no longer included. All students will need to bring a sack lunch daily. Please visit our website for more information. 251-639-6868

www.wemochurch.org

YMCA Summer Camps and Programs

951 Downtowner Boulevard; 92 Saraland Loop, Mobile Y Camp kids enjoy a variety of imaginative activities that nurture their spirits, challenge their minds, and strengthen their bodies - all while learning about themselves and the world around them. At camp, kids enjoy fun summer activities that include sports, swimming, and arts and crafts, while also learning the importance of healthy choices and active lifestyles under the supervision of our fully-trained staff. Fun for kids, peace of mind for you. All-Day Themed Summer Camp (Ages 5-11) - The Y’s summer day camp is packed with themed activities, crafts and games, water fun, sports of all sorts, field trips, and much more! Sign up for your child’s favorite “Theme Week”, or join us for all 10 weeks of fabulous fun! All-Day Adventure Camp (Ages 11-14) - -Designed for tweens/teens, this camp appeals to their interests through special events and a series of 3 field trips per week. Fill their summer with cool experiences and new friends! Monday – Friday, 6:00am-6:00pm. Visit www.ysal.org for more information or contact the YMCA closest to you for details. 251-344-4856 www.ysal.org

Blue Bird Therapy - Handwriting and Social Skills Camps ad on page 33

6312 Piccadilly Square Drive, Suite 3, Mobile Handwriting Heroes Camp - Handwriting, Sensorimotor & Social Skill Development Camp for 4-7 year olds on Wednesdays & Fridays June 9th-June 30th from 11:00 am-12:15 pm. Cost: $280 Social Adventures Camp - Social Skills Camp for Kids for 8-13 year olds on Wednesdays & Fridays July 12th-July 21st from 11:00 am-12:15 pm. Cost: $150. *Camps are for children with and without disabilities.

The Think Tank Tutoring

Alabama School of Math and Science (The Adventures in Math and 1255 Dauphin Street, Mobile Don’t waste your summer! Spend it at Adventures in Math and Science (AIMS) Summer Camp. Learn while you have fun! Kayak in Mobile Bay. Build a smartphone app. Investigate a crime. Prepare for the ACT. Design and make a metal sculpture. Build a robot. Launch a rocket. Dissect...and much more! There is something for everyone! Who can enroll? Open to students entering the 6th, 7th, 8th, 9th, and 10th grades. Non-Alabama residents are also eligible to apply. This year, AIMS will run for three sessions. Students can sign up for one, two, or three weeks. Session 1 (June 5-9), Session 2 (June 12-16), and

251-441-2152 www.asms.net

251-287-0378 www.bluebirdtherapy.com

Educational & Miscellaneous Science Summer Camp) ad on page 53

Session 3 (June 19-23) are all overnight or day camps. Day camp is 8:00 a.m. - 3:15 p.m. Overnight Camp is $385 per week (all inclusive - meals, classes, activities, and lodging). The weekend stay between Week 1-2 or Week 2-3 are an additional $185, which includes trip to a water park (weather permitting) and other fun activities. Day Campers: $285 per week (this includes tuition and lunch). A $25 discount will apply (one per student) if application and all applicable forms are received by April 1. For more information, visit www.asms.net, email admissions@asms.net, or call 251-441-2152.

ad on page 17

Mobile Stay sharp this summer and stop the school struggles before they begin with affordable one-on-one private tutoring in your home. The Think Tank Tutoring and Educational Services is your solution. All subjects offered in grades K-12. We offer assistance with ADHD coaching, Homework Help and Test Prep. Specializing in Reading, Math, Algebra I&II, Geometry, Pre-Calculus, Science, History and English. We use SOAR Study Skills and have Certified Teachers available. Our average student improves 2 letter grades in just 60 days! For more information call or email mailto:thinktankminds@gmail.com. 251-414-4494 www.TheThinkTankTutoring.com

Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo

1204 Gulf Shores Parkway, Mobile Zoo Camp offered to all elementary school age children, ages 5 to 11, in a full day session (9 a.m. to

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Environmental Studies Center 6101 Girby Road, Mobile Summer Day camps throughout the summer months for grades 1-8. Visit our website for detailed course descriptions and to confirm prices and dates. 251-221-5000 (Ext 2) lsa8103@mcpss.com www.mcpsesc.com

Gulf Coast Exploreum Science Center

3 p.m.) conducted by licensed teachers and trained volunteers. Campers will explore animal life here at the Zoo, partake in animal enrichment activities, meet our zoo keepers, and even greet some of our animal residents personally. They will also participate in agespecific games, arts and crafts projects and special zoo-related events. There will be plenty of hands-on educational and fun activities carried out in a safe and educational environment. Zoo Camp registration opens in March and all details including pricing and forms are made available at that time. Zoo Camp is always the last full week in June. Please visit our website for more information.

65 Government Street, Mobile Experience the most amazing, science-based summer camps in Mobile! Summer camps at the Gulf Coast Exploreum Science Center are a great way to keep budding young minds engaged all summer long. Our camps are extensive in subject matter and cater to ages 4-14 years of age. Summertime is always full of learning fun at the Gulf Coast Exploreum! Our camp highlights: Ages 4-5 – Journey to Space, Animal Safari, Colorful Chemistry, Music Makers, Ages 6-8 – Planet Patrol, Mystery Madness, Under the Sea, Geo Buddies, Ages 9–11 – Build It Better, Art of Monster Science, Junior Flight Academy, Dinosaur Dig, Ages 12–14 – Code Cookers, Take 2, Airbus Flight Camp and CSI Mobile. Download our 2017 Camp Guide for a full list of camps, schedule, registration forms and more. Space is limited and fills up fast so don’t delay!

251-968-5732 www.alabamagulfcoastzoo.com

251-208-6893 www.exploreum.com

American Autism & Rehabilitation Center

Huntington Learning Center

8909 Rand Avenue, Daphne The American Autism and Rehabilitation Center is proud to host a number of programs this summer. Camps available for ages 3-5 years and K-2ndgrades will focus on language development, social skills, and peer interaction. Camps available for ages 7th -10th grades highlight peer interaction while teaching coping strategies (i.e. emotional intelligence, anger management, etc.). No diagnosis is required to participate. Preschool Language Camp – 4 weeks available K-2nd grade Language/Social Skills Camp – 4 weeks available; 7th – 10th grade Social Skills/Emotional Regulation Camp - 2 weeks available. 251-210-1632 ext. 104 www.AmericanAutismCenter.com

Bricks 4 Kidz

Mobile Bricks 4 Kidz classes provide an extraordinary atmosphere for children, where we learn, we build, we play… with LEGO® bricks. Kids can learn and grow with our fun-filled model plans, which are designed just for us by architects and engineers! Our unique kits reinforce S.T.E.M. based principles while using LEGO® Bricks. Summer Camps available for children ages 3 - 13+. Camp themes include – JRobotics, Superhero Academy, Angry Birdies, Comic Creator, Movie Making and Bricks 4 Girlz. Please call for dates and times. Find us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/B4KMobile. 251-300-4796 nsmith@bricks4kidz.com; lsmith@bricks4kidz.com www.bricks4kidz.com/mobile

Dauphin Island Sea Lab

101 Bienville Boulevard, Mobile See listing under Overnight Camps for details. 251-861-2141 (ext. 7515) www.disl.org

Mobile Bay Parents I April 2017

2370-D Hillcrest Road, Mobile Why choose Huntington? Because we have the tools and experience to unlock your child’s academic potential and give you confidence in their future success. Huntington Learning Center is dedicated to not only meeting, but exceeding today’s top education standards. Corporate level and regional accreditation is a symbol of our organization’s commitment to integrity. We provide Tutoring, Test Prep, Personalized Attention and proven results. 251-439-5829 huntingtonhelps.com

Lindamood-Bell Learning Processes

2864 Dauphin Street Suite D, Mobile Lindamood-Bell helps children and adults improve language processing—the foundation of all communication and learning. For over 25 years, our intensive, process-based instruction has been used to strengthen the sensory-cognitive functions needed for reading and comprehension, and has proven successful for individuals with learning challenges, including dyslexia, ADHD, and ASD. Visit www.lindamoodbell.com for more information. 251-473-6808 www.lindamoodbell.com

Mobile Parks and Recreation Community Activities Mobile Educational Camps.

251-208-1607 www.cityofmobile.org/parks; www.communityactivitiesprogram.com

Naval Aviation Museum Flight Adventure Deck Summer Camp

1750 Radford Boulevard. Suite B, Mobile The following one-week sessions are available for 2017: June 5-9, June 12-16, June 19-23, June 26 – June 30, July 10-14, July 17-21, July 24-28 and July 31-August 4. Camp begins at 9:00 a.m. and ends

at 3:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. Camp is open only to youth entering the 5th or 6th grade. Fees are $165 per Camper, per session. Campers must arrange their own transportation and bring their own lunch. Launch your own rocket, build gliders, watch a Blue Angels practice (if available) and experience a Giant Screen movie and exciting flight simulators - all in one week! Sign up for the Flight Adventure Deck Summer Camp held at the Naval Aviation Museum, located on NAS Pensacola. Taught by certified teachers, campers will learn the science and math of flight and expand their knowledge of naval aviation history with tours of museum exhibits, aircraft & the National Flight Academy! 850-453-2389 (ext. 3234) www.NavalAviationMuseum.org

Ocean Camp

Gulf Shores and Orange Beach, AL Registration begins March 6, 2017. Spring Break Camp is March 27-31, 2017 and Summer Day Camps are in June & July. Ocean Camp is a handson education program for ocean lovers and future marine scientists ages 5-12 years old and Counselors in training ages 13-15. Each 4-day session offers marine science topics about Alabama’s coastal environment. Camps are Tuesday - Friday. Fees are $125 per child for half day or $225 for full day. Help make your child’s beach experience a memory they won’t forget! For more information and online registration, visit www.facebook.com/oceancamp/info or www.oceancamp.camp to register. Please call or email Belinda Ringpfeil at oceancamp@gmail.com. (251) 802-8605 www.facebook.com/oceancamp/info

Pump It Up

741-A Hillcrest Road, Mobile Summer Open Play: Begins May 29. Monday - Friday all summer long! We will have our general open jump, little tikes jump (MOST POPULAR), pizza jump, GLOW jumps and MORE! Ages 1 - 15 welcome and charged admission. Socks and signed waiver required to play. Not a drop off event. Please visit our website and click “Events Calendar” OPEN JUMP times and also to pay in advance and skip the line! CAMP PUMP IT UP: We are now taking reservations for Camp Pump It Up. The weeks available are June 19th - 23rd & 26th - 30th from 8:00 AM - 12:00 PM, July 17th - 21st from 1:00 - 4:00 PM & July 31st - August 4th from 1:00 - 4:00 PM. Price is $54.99/week EARLY BIRD SPECIAL. Price will go up closer to summer so book now! 251-342-3940 www.PumpItUpParty.com/mobile-al

Revelation Summer Enrichment Program

1711 Taylor Lane, Mobile Revelation Summer Enrichment Program will focus on the subject areas of Reading and Math in a fun and educational way for grades Kindergarten-5th grade. Snacks will be provided. The dates for the program are June 26-July 14th from 8-12 PM. Applications may be completed at Revelation Missionary Baptist Church. Call today at (251) 473-2333. Space is limited!! 251- 473-2333

www.rmbcmob.org

SchoolWorks

Mobile Offering summer camps and programs to help with summer reading assignments, kindergarten and 1st grade preparation, ongoing tutoring, and enrichment lessons to stay on track or get ahead! We specialize in Tutoring, ADHD Coaching, Reading, Math, Organizational Skills, Study Skills, ACT, SAT prep, and Homeschool Facilitation.

256-252-8374

www.SchoolWorksEdu.com

Spa Tea Da

3938 Government Street, Mobile Spa Tea Da is planning so many fabulous camp days, workshops, and girls night outs for the summer months. Visit our website or Like us on Facebook and subscribe to our events to make sure you don’t miss a thing! 251-447-4846 www.spa-tea-da.com

www.mobilebayparents.com

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St. Mary Catholic School Annual Summer Enrichment Series

107 North Lafayette Street, Mobile St. Mary Catholic School will hold its annual Enrichment Series July 10 - 21, 2017 for rising first through eighth grade students. The program is designed to enhance reading, writing, and math across the curriculum using computer, interactive technology, drama, art and music. Monday through Friday, 8:00am until 11:30am. The Cost is $150 per child for one week;A $50 deposit is required by Friday, May 12, 2016. The program is staffed by highly qualified and caring instructors including reading and math intervention teachers and certified reading and math teachers. Technology based Interactive learning that engages students will be implemented. Guided reading and writing instruction and literacy workstations targeting skill development to include comprehension and fluency will be addressed. Guided Math instruction will include reinforcement of computation, strategies for problem solving, and test taking skills using manipulative in workstations. Students may bring a snack and beverage daily. For information, please contact Kathryn Beagle, or Linda Thornton, 4339904, lthornton@stmarymobile.org. 251-433-9904

www.stmarymobile.org

St. Paul’s Episcopal School – Summer Fun and Learning

Mobile St. Paul’s Episcopal School will offer Summer School and Enrichment classes (Math and reading refreshers, study skills, personal finance/life skills, minecraft, programming, music and more!) beginning in June. There are several Athletic Camps for all ages too. Including Basketball, Baseball, and Volleyball in June and Football and Soccer in July. We also offer a Summer Cheer Clinic for grades PreK – 6! Summer Music Lessons On Campus - Extra-Curricular Music Director Melissa Laster (mlaster@stpaulsmobile.net) will offer music lessons in Violin/Viola, Piano, and Guitar this summer. Visit our website for a complete List of the exciting camp details and a registration form. More classes and events will be added throughout the spring; please visit https://www.stpaulsmobile.net/summer-on-campusprograms for updates! Contact Summer School Coordinator Jill Drum at jdrum@stpaulsmobile.net or 251-622-7962 for further details or questions! 251-622-7962 www.stpaulsmobile.net/summer-on-campus

Sylvan Learning Center

8020 Moffett Road, Mobile Avoid Summer learning loss. Make Sylvan a part of your summer schedule and make Back to School time a big success! Sylvan has new summer camps like Math EDGE, Fit4Algebra, Read Ahead, ACT Prep, Robotics, Game Design, Creative Coding and more. Call today for your FREE consultation and for 2017 Camp information. 251-649-8522

sylvanlearning.com

The Cookery

4456 Old Shell Road , Mobile The Cookery will offer summer cooking camps Monday-Thursdays from 9:00am-12:00pm. Summer Camp Session 1 – 6/5-6/8 Beauty & The Beast; Summer Camp Session 2 - 6/12-6/15 Disney Descendants Sweet & Savory; Summer Camp Session 3 -6/19-6/22 Around The World Part 1; Summer Camp Session 4 - 6/26-6/29 Around The World Part 2; Summer Camp Session 5 7/10-7/13 Around The World Part 3; Summer Camp Session 6 – 7/17-7/20 Cupcakes For Dinner; and Summer Camp Session 7 7/24-7/27 Frozen - The Movies Best Treats. The Cookery is open to children ages 6-14. Our camps are perfect for children of all skill levels. Activities include mystery basket challenges, grocery games and much more. Cost per week is $150 per child which includes a personalized apron. We strongly recommend registering in advance in order to ensure a spot as space limited. For more information, email info@thecookerymobile.com. 251-654-7646 www.thecookerymobile.com

The Mustard Seed Enrichment

Mobile The Mustard Seed Enrichment provides opportunities for learning for children ages 4-8 in all areas of childhood development. These educationally based camps are designed to boost self-confidence while enhancing language acquisition, Mathematics and much more! More information on dates and locations coming soon. Please check our website and Facebook page for more information. 251-680-0954 www.themustardseedenrichment.com

U.S. Space Camp & Aviation Challenge Huntsville More details under Overnight Camps. 800-637-7223

www.spacecamp.com

USA Literary Center - Summer Camps

Mobile Summer Camp - Be engaged! Be excited! Come explore! Rising first graders to rising fifth graders are sure to enjoy this fun-filled camp! Monday-Friday Week 1: June 12-16, Week 2: June 19-23. Two Session Times Available* Morning Session is 8:45-12:00, Afternoon Session is 12:45- 4:00 Cost - $125 per session/ per camper (1/2 day) $225 both sessions/per camper (full day). Family discounts available. Reading and Writing and Tutoring - First through sixth grade. Individual and/or small group reading and writing and tutoring on MondayThursday from June 12 – July 27. Times: 8:30 – 11:30. Tutoring sessions are limited so reserve a spot today! Registration and Initial Assessment Fees: $75.00. Individual Session: $40.00. Small Group Session - (2 – 5 students): $25.00. Sponsored by the College of Education. 251-380-2891 www.southalabama.edu/colleges/coe/literacy-center/

University of South Alabama Summer Youth Programs

Mobile Summer Camps & Youth Programs are an important part of the University’s community outreach efforts which are integral to our mission. Programs are designed to inspire, offer opportunities to build long-term friendships and to promote developmental growth among participants. Each camp includes an educational component coupled with activities that create a fun, memorable, and overall great experience for participants. Teaching takes place in a variety of settings – classrooms, hands-on learning sites, athletic facilities, and through social activities. Course content covers a plethora of subject matters from athletics to zoology. Please contact the Camp Office at the Center for Continuing Education & Conference Services for additional details at usactrforconted@southalabama.edu, 251-460-7200 or usacontinuinged.com. 251-405-9929 www.southalabama.edu/colleges/scesp/cce/camps.html

WildNative ECO Camp

Offers educational and fun opportunities for upcoming 7th to 12th grade students. ECO stands for Exciting Coastal Opportunities because of the many activities the students get to experience. They will be learning about their environment, marine biology, ecology all while they are gaining experience for a career related field. We offer week long and weekend excursions and we can accommodate overnight or day activities throughout the year. Visit wildnativecamps.com for more information and to sign up for summer camp. You can also find us on Facebook. 1-844-900-CAMP www.wildnativetours.com/wildnative-camps/

Horseback Riding Riverview Camp for Girls ad on page 63

Mentone See listing under Overnight Camps for details 800-882-0722

www.riverviewcamp.com

Mimi C. Peters Riding School at Silver Lining Farm – Summer Riding Camp

10727 El Nina Drive, Mobile Day and Overnight Camps offered end of May through July. Ages 5-16. Silver Lining Farm has one of the best summer camp programs in the country. Being at the farm for 5 days, a student can learn what it would take 10 weeks to learn in regular lessons. Each student is worked with one on one as well as in a group setting with games, trail rides, taking horses in the lake, and many other great activities. The campers eat lunch together and hear stories that inform how to take care of horses and their medical needs. Swimming at the beautiful lake ends each camp day. 251-634-1229

www.silverliningfarm.net

Sandstone Equestrian Center

9450-A Jeff Hamilton Road, Mobile During our summer camps campers will learn safety around horses, general horse care, the basics of English riding, barn work, and get to participate in games on horseback, swimming, and crafts. The campers are divided into groups to allow for more individualized riding attention. 2017 Summer Camp Dates – Beginner Camps June 12-15, June 19-22 and July 31-August 3. Intermediate Camp -June 26-29. 251-633-8088

www.sandstoneequestriancenter.com

Valley View Ranch Equestrian Camp for Girls

Cloudland Horse lovers’ paradise since 1954! A’top Lookout Mountain, for 50 girls, 8-17; 1 to 9 weeks, 600 acres, English, Western, Barrels, Vaulting, and Trails. CHA instructors teach beginner to advanced riders. Spend 4-6 hours daily with your OWN camp horse. The Jones family are third generation horse lovers, camp administrators, and equine educators making girls dreams come true! 706-862-2231 www.valleyviewranch.com

Overnight Camps Alabama School of Math and Science - (The Adventures in Math and

Science Summer Camp) ad on page 5

Mobile See listing under Educational Camps and Miscellaneous Camps for details. www.asms.net

Beckwith Summer Camp ad on page 48

10400 Beckwith Lane, Fairhope Summer Camp Sessions begin June 4, 2017 July 30, 2017. Join us for spiritual growth, and memoryfilled summers through Summer Camp. Our camp sits among sweet gum trees and beautiful grasslands alongside the shores of Weeks Bay in Baldwin County. Beckwith offers overnight camps, training camp, sailing camp, and family camp for grades 1st – 12th. For detailed descriptions of camp sessions, rates, photos, and registration information, visit website under summer camps. 251-928-7844

www.beckwithal.com

Camp ASCCA Easter Seals ad on page 7

Jacksons Gap Camp ASCCA is Alabama’s Special Camp for Children and Adults. ASCCA is a nationally recognized

www.facebook.com/mobilebayparentsmagazine

leader in therapeutic recreation for children and adults with both physical and intellectual disabilities. Providing weekend and weeklong sessions, Camp ASCCA is open year-round. Located in Alabama on Lake Martin, Camp ASCCA offers campers a wide variety of recreational and educational activities. Activities include horseback riding, fishing, tubing, accessible waterslide, swimming, environmental education, arts and crafts, canoeing, a “splash pad”, outdoor adventure elements like the zip-line, and much more. 256-825-9226 www.campascca.org

Camp Walkabout ad on page 17

171 Baylor School Road, Chattanooga Camp Walkabout is the no-experience-necessary avenue to all things outdoors for kids ages 8-16 years old. Overnight Walkabout Camp sessions begin June 11 and run through July 22, 2017! Campers will climb the world renowned Tennessee wall sandstone one day, explore the amazing underground world of a cave the next and paddleboard the mighty Tennessee River Gorge another. Camp Walkabout optimizes every day to find new adventures, leadership opportunities and friendships that will last a lifetime. Camp Walkabout truly is the most fun a camper can have in the summer! 423-267-8506 ext. 827 www.baylorschool.org/summer

Riverview Camp for Girls ad on page 63

Mentone Riverview is an all girl’s overnight camp in Mentone, Alabama, on top of Lookout Mountain. (45 minutes south of Chattanooga, 1.5 hours from Huntsville, Al and 2 hours from Atlanta, Nashville and Birmingham!) Riverview offers both one and two-week sessions all summer long for girls ages 6-16 years. Horse riding, swimming, nature trails, ropes, sports, arts and crafts, and much more! There are also weekend retreats for mother-daughter adventures. Camp runs from June – August 2017. Rates are $1950 - $3,500+. A 10% discount is allowed for 2nd or more sisters of the same family. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram. 800-882-0722 www.riverviewcamp.com

Camp Dixie

29711 Josephine Drive, Elberta Camp Dixie Lutheran Outdoor Ministry is a place where campers are able to grow spiritually, physically, emotionally and intellectually, in a positive way by experiencing, reflecting and evaluating in an outdoorbased Christ centered program. Sessions run from June – July. We offer a special weekend Family Camp for 3yr olds thru 2nd grade with a parent. Weeklong sessions are available for 2nd-12th Grade. Swimming, Kayaking, Bible study, archery, challenge course, arts and crafts, campfires and more. Other activities may include large group games, sand volleyball and many more! Specialty camps including rocket and horse camp are also offered. Located on the beautiful Perdido Bay in Elberta, AL. Visit our website for more information and registration. 251-987-1201 www.campdixieministries.org

Camp Seale Harris

500 Chase Park South, Suite 104, Birmingham 2017 Family Camps for Ages 0-18 plus family Spring Family Weekend - $375 (April 7-April 9) Camp Grace, Mobile Summer Family Weekend - $575 (June 1-3) Camp ASCCA, Lake Martin Fall Family Weekend - $375 (October 20-22) ASCCA, Lake Martin Mobile Bay Parents I April 2017

2017 Day Camp - $175 (July 24-28) Mobile (Day Camps - siblings/friends may register with child with diabetes and pay to attend) 2017 Overnight Camps* for Ages 6-18 Wetumpka: Senior Camp, ages 12-18 - $800 (June 4-9) ASCCA, Lake Martin Junior Camp, ages 6-13 - $800 (June 11-16) ASCCA, Lake Martin Coastal, ages 10-18 - $500 (July 24-28) Mobile *Children with diabetes only. 205-402-0415 www.campsealeharris.org

Dauphin Island Sea Lab - Summer Camp

101 Bienville Boulevard, Dauphin Island Summer fun becomes summer learning at the Dauphin Island Sea Lab, and our 2017 summer programs are now open for registration! Dauphin Island offers sunny beaches, a beautiful bay, fascinating marshes and the best educational staff around. There are day camp opportunities for K-8th graders, overnight programs for 5th-graders to classroom teachers, and field trips for the public. Overnight Camps: Barrier Island Explorer - June 4-7, June 11-14, July 23-26, 2017. Explore the diversity of this barrier island during this 3-night camp designed for current 4th-5th graders. Campers will muck around in the salt marsh, discover Mobile Bay aboard the Sea Lab’s research and education vessel, learn how to crabs off the dock, and make friends they’ll be sure to want to reunite with next summer. Marine DeTECHtives - July 5-7, 2017 - STEM-learning meets marine science in this all-new camp at the Dauphin Island Sea Lab. Campers will learn the basics of robotics and ROV-building in this two-night camp designed for current 5th-7th graders. Activities include mini-robot building, buoyancy lessons, a trip aboard our research and education vessel, control board building, and a ROV practice competition in the Sea Lab swimming pool. Gulf Island Journey - June 4-9, June 25-30, July 9-14, July 23-28, 2017 A fantastic, weeklong residential camp geared toward current 6th-8th graders. Campers work with experienced marine science teachers to learn more about the ocean, the Gulf of Mexico and Mobile Bay by getting salty, wet and maybe smelly! Campers will take a boat trip aboard the Sea Lab’s research vessel, go seining for fish, dissect a shark, go beachcombing and bird watching and even enjoy the island’s famous snow cones. 251-861-2141 (ext. 7515) www.disl.org

Dauphin Island Sea Lab Marine Science Course 101 Bienville Boulevard, Dauphin Island June 25 – July 21 - A month-long academic course in marine science for current 9-12th grade students interested in the possibility of studying marine science in college. Students live at the Sea Lab, participate in over 150 hours of field activities, laboratory work and classroom lectures and make life-long friends. Students learn about marine animals, marine plants, various ocean ecosystems and much more by experience them directly. Special field trips include an overnight snorkeling trip to St. Andrews State Park in Panama City, Florida. The Alabama State Department of Education has reviewed the course standards of the Discovery Hall Programs’ Marine Science Course, and Alabama students can take the course for the third or fourth science elective required for graduation. Out-ofstate schools are encouraged to provide course credit

toward a standard or advanced high school diploma.

251-861-2141 (ext. 7515) www.disl.org

Kamp Kiwanis, Girl Scout Camp

Eclectic Kamp Kiwanis, located on beautiful Lake Martin, offers 2 sessions of camp including one-week resident programs, 3-day 2-night programs, and day camps for girls in grades 2nd-12th grade. Kamp Kiwanis hosts specialty camps that focus on swimming and boating, as well as themed camps. In addition to swimming and boating, campers will participate in traditional camp activities like archery, zip lining, hiking, crafts, and sailing (5th grade and up). Leadership Camp will also return for girls looking to earn their Program Aide or Counselor in Training awards. 800-239-6636 (ext. 2902) www.girlscoutssa.org

Lake Forest Ranch

Macon Located in the middle of a 53,000acre pine forest on a beautiful 60-acre lake, Lake Forest Ranch is among the most beautiful settings in the south for a summer camp experience for children (ages 7-12) and teenagers (ages 11-18). LFR is an interdenominational evangelical camp that serves mostly church groups (though individual campers are welcome too) during the summer months beginning Memorial Day Weekend running to August. Horseback riding, tubing, a wonderful climbing wall, a thrilling zip line, a brand new big swimming pool, kayaking, a gym, tennis courts, archery, archery tag, crafts and many other fun activities all coupled with wonderful facilities, carefully selected godly college age staff members and a week jam packed with spiritual growth, inspiration, worship and deep friendships all add up to a life changing week of non-stop excitement and encouragement. One of the best parts of the camp experience at LFR is having deeply committed camp counselors who sincerely care about the children in their cabins and spend individual time with each of them to encourage them and pray for them. There are twelve exciting camp sessions available from which to choose. Visit the LFR website – www.lakeforestranch.com or call 662-726-5052 to discover the week that works best for your child or your church youth or children’s ministry group. 662-726-5052 www.lakeforestranch.com

Sports Camps Christ United Methodist Church Summer Sports Camps ad on page 7 and 43

6101 Grelot Road, Mobile Christ United Recreation Ministry offers several sports camps during the summer months. Baketball, Cheer and Volleyball camps are offered. Register early because space is limited. Registration is only available in person at the rec desk. You may also print the forms from our website and bring them to register at the rec desk. 251-706-3326

www.christumcsports.com

www.mobilebayparents.com

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Challenger Sports’ British Soccer Camp

951 Downtowner Boulevard, Mobile Challenger Sports’ British Soccer Camp is the most popular soccer camp in the country based upon one of the most innovative approaches to coaching youth soccer in the US and Canada. British Soccer camp - 6/26/2017 - 6/30/2017 at Hearin-Chandler YMCA Soccer Fields (951 Downtowner Boulevard) Mini Soccer for ages 3-5 from 8:00am-9:00am. Cost - $95.00. Half Day Camp for ages 6-14 from 9:15am-12:15pm. Cost - $135.00. Full Day Camp for ages 7-14 from 9:00am-4:00pm. Cost -$189.00. More camps may be added, please check out website for more information. www.challengersports.com/summer-camps

Graham’s Elite Martial Arts

1121 Dawes Road, Mobile Summer doesn’t have to be boring. Mobile Summer Camp at Graham’s Elite Martial Arts makes it amazing with Character Development, Fitness and Fun. 251-633-7837 www.grahamselitemartialarts.com/summer-camp

Grand Master Yoon’s Taekwondo

1300 Schillinger Road, Mobile We provide quality taekwondo instruction to children and adults of all levels, from absolute beginner through advanced. Courses are on-going, with separate classes for children aged 5 and up, adults and teens. Family classes are also available. Grand Opening at our new location special - $59 for the first month with the ad in this magazine. FREE uniform for the first 50 to register. 251-666-9300 www.YoonsTKD.com

Harlem Legends “Shoot for the Stars” Basketball Camp

4255 Cottage Hill Rd, Mobile Shoot for the Stars Basketball Camps and Clinics are designed to enhance basketball skills, improve self-esteem, promote positive attitudes, and improve physical fitness. Each camper will get to meet and spend one week of camp with special guest professional athletes. Harlem Legends Basketball members are former Harlem Globetrotters former NBA players and other professionals. Boys and girls, ages 7-to-14, are eligible to register for the Shoot for the Stars Summer Youth Basketball Camps. Camp Dates: June 19-23 from 12:00pm-5:00pm. Cost $135 includes lunch. 251-662-8650

www.cottagehill.org/spprts-outreach

Inner Strength Martial Arts

9120 Airport Boulevard, Mobile Taekwondo for children and adults of all levels. Rick Hoadley, Master Instructor 7th Degree Black Belt in the martial art of Taekwondo has over 35 years of professional experience. *Also offering program for special needs children.* 251-776-1978 www.innerstrengthmartialarts.info

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McGill Toolen Summer Sports Camps

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851 Gaillard Drive, Mobile Offering summer clinics. Please visit our website for more information. 251-208-5181

www.mobiletenniscenter.net

Spring Hill College Sports Camps

4000 Dauphin Street, Mobile Springhill College offers numerous summer sports camps. They offer basketball camps, Soccer Camps, Baseball, Softball and Volleyball. Soccer - camps.jumpforward.com/shcsoccercamps; Badger Boys Soccer Academy (Ages 6-14) June 12-June 16, Striker and Goalkeeper Academy (Ages 10-14) June 17, Badger Boys Soccer Academy (Ages 6-14) June 26-June 30, Elite ID Combine (Grades 9-12) August 5-6. Coach Avery’s Basketball Camps (Boys) - coachaverycamps.com; Individual Camp (Day Camp Ages 7-High School, Overnight Ages 10-High School) June 18-21, Play Day Camps (Team Camps High School) June 15, 16 and 17, and Elite Camp with dates TBA. Other sports camps are TBA. www.shcbadgers.com

Mobile Tennis Center

1501 Old Shell Road, Mobile McGill will offer a large variety of sports camps this summer including baseball, track & field, football, boys basketball, co-ed soccer, volleyball, girls basketball, boys and girls tennis and cheerleading. Please visit our website for updates and registration information. 251-445-2900

www.mcgill-toolen.org

Michael Brisbane Golf Instruction

1000 Gaillard Road, Mobile Golf lessons, clinics and golf fitness classes. Please check our website for more information. 251-490-3812

www.michaelbrisbanegolf.com

Mobile Parks & Rec. Community Activities Mobile Sports camps. Call or visit our website for more information. 251-208-1617

www.cityofmobile.org/parks

3975 Japonica Lane; 1400 University Blvd S, Mobile St. Luke’s Varsity Athletic Department sponsors a variety of athletic camps throughout the summer for students of all age groups. Sports camps include football, basketball, baseball, volleyball, soccer and archery! Camp dates and costs will be posted on the school’s website (www.stlukesmobile.com) as soon as they become available. Early registration is recommended. www.stlukesmobile.com

St. Paul’s Episcopal School Summer Sport’s Camps

Mobile See more information under Educational Camps and Miscellaneous Camps. www.stpaulsmobile.net/summer-on-campus

The Ballpark Mobile

Mobile We offer lessons in baseball, softball, soccer fast speed and agility and camps and clinics. Call us or check our website for more information. Find us on Facebook. 251- 694-2888 www.theballparknj.com

UMS-Wright

65 Mobile Street, Mobile UMS-Wright Preparatory School is once again offering a variety of sports camps this summer. Campers report to the UMS-Wright Physical Activities Complex from the Old Shell Road. Download registration form at website. Each camp costs $100 unless otherwise noted. Cheerleading- June 5-8, Mon – Thurs., 9:00am – Noon (Rising grades 1-6). Baseball – June 5-8 Mon – Thurs., 9:00 a.m. – Noon (Rising grades 1 – 8). Pitching - June 9 (Friday) 9:00 a.m. - Noon (Rising Grades 1 – 8). ($50) Girls’ and Boys’ Golf – June 16 (Friday) 9:00am – Noon (Rising Grades K5-6). ($50) Girls’ Basketball- June 12 -15, Mon. – Thurs., 9:00am – Noon- (Rising Grades 2 – 8). Boys’ Basketball- June 19 – 22, Mon. – Thurs., 9:00am – Noon- (Rising Grades 1 – 7). Fast Pitch Softball – June 19 - 22, Mon. – Thurs., 9:00am – 11:00am (Rising Grades 1-6). Girls’ & Boys’ Soccer- June 26 – 29, Mon. – Thurs., 9:00am – Noon (Rising Grades 1 – 6). Girls’ and Boys’ Track & Field - June 26 – 29, Mon. – Thurs., 4:30pm – 7:00pm (Rising Grades 4-6). Football Pup Camp – July 10 - 13, Mon.-Thurs. 9:00am - Noon (Rising grades 1-4) Terry Curtis Football –July 24-27, Mon.-Thurs., 9:00am-Noon (Rising grades 5-8). Dance Camp – July 24 - 27, Mon.-Thurs., 9:00amNoon (Rising Grades K4-5). Jr. Volleyball- July 31 – August 3, Monday – Thurs.

251-470-9045

www.ums-wright.org

University of Mobile RAMS Soccer Camps

Mobile www.ramssoccercamps.com; Rams Soccer Camps take place at The University of Mobile in Mobile. UM Day Camp: June 19 – 22, 9:00am – 12:00pm, Price: $90 (Ages 6-12) UM Residential Camp: Session 1 Date: June 4 - 8, Session 2 Date: July 9 – 13 (Ages 8-18) Price: $385.00 | Residential Camper (Overnight) Price: $275.00 | Full Day Camper (Stays Until 8:00pm) Price: $225.00 | 3/4 Day Camper (Stays until 4:00pm) www.ramssoccercamps.com

University of South Alabama Sports Camps

St. Luke’s Episcopal School Summer Sports Camps

251-666-2991

1:00pm - 3:30pm (Rising Grades 3-5) MS Volleyball – July 31 – August 3, Monday-Thurs. 1:00pm - 3:30pm (Rising 6-8). Registration forms are available at www.umswright.org, in the UMS-Wright Athletic Office, or via email. Send your request to mnordmann@ ums-wright.org to obtain a Summer Sports Camp Registration Form.

Mobile The University of South Alabama offers many sport camps for area youth. Football Camps -www.jaguarfootballcamps.com Joey Jones Football Camps at the University of South Alabama offer a wide variety of learning opportunities for football players. 2017 Summer Camp Information coming soon. Located at the University of South Alabama football practice fields. Please check our website www. jaguarfootballcamps.com or call 251-445-4055 for more information. Boys Basketball- www.jaguarsmensbasketball.com Individual Camp I - Dates: June 12 - 15 (Entering Grades: 2nd - 8th), Individual Camp II - Dates: June 26 - 29 (Entering Grades: 2nd - 8th), College Prep Camp – Dates: June 10 (Entering Grades: 9th - 12th). Girls Basketball- www.terryfowlergirlsbasketballcamps.com Play Day Team Camp – June 8, 9, 23, Fundamental & Shooting Camp - June 19 – 22 (Grades: 3rd-8th), College Prep Camp - June 24th (Grades 9-12) Baseball Camp - www.jagbaseballcamps.com Mark Calvi Baseball Camps - Jun 12-16, June 26June 30, July 10-14 Soccer Camp - www.grahamwinkworthsocceracademy.com; Soccer Camps are held each summer. Camps include Jr. Jags Camps (Ages 4-12) June 5 – 8 and June 12 – 15, Summer ID Camp (Ages 12-18+ girls only) June 18 – 21 and Team Camp (Ages 12-18+) June 22 – 24. South Alabama Field & Track Camp – www.jagfieldcamp.com/summer-track-and-field-camps.cfm. Volleyball Camp - www.amyhendrichovskyvolleyballcamps.com/volleyball-camps.cfm; All Skills Camp (Grades 5 – 12) July 6 – 8, Position Training Camp (Grades 7 – 12) July 11 – 12 and Team Camp July 13 – 15.

University of South Alabama Summer Recreation Camp

51 Stadium Boulevard, Mobile Camps focus on recreational and physical activities such as swimming, rock wall climbing, ping-pong, outdoor games, sports, and more. 2017 Dates: Session 1: June 5-9, Session 2: June 12-16, Session 3: June 19-23, Session 4: June 26-30, Session 5: July 10-14, Session 6: July 17-21, Session 7: July 24-28 and Session 8: July 31-August 4. Campers are limited to three weeks. Hours: MondayFriday, 8:00am-5:00pm. Ages: Incoming 1st-8th graders. Cost: Sessions 1-7 cost $195 for children/ grandchildren of Student Recreation Center members and $225 for all others. Sessions 1-7 include lunch every day in the all-you-can-eat dining hall on campus. Session 8 costs $160 for children/grandchildren of Student Recreation Center members and $190 for all others. Campers in Session 8 must bring their own lunch every day. 251-460-6101 www.southalabama.edu/campusrec/ summercamps.html

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Swimming & Water Fun City of Mobile Swim Assoc.

The City of Mobile Swim Association offers training and practice groups for swimmers of all ages and ability levels. We work to offer age specific training for all of our athletes geared towards challenging each individual and developing each individual to the best of THEIR abilities. We believe in a building a program from the novice level, and try to make swimming not only a sporting choice but a fun, healthy lifelong activity. www.swimcmsa.com

Gulf Coast Swimfants

2423 Schillinger Road South, Mobile Infants (6 months- 12 months old) will to be taught to hold their breath underwater, roll onto their back, float unassisted, rest, and breathe, perform these skills fully clothed. Children (1 year - 4 years old*) will be taught to: hold their breath underwater, swim with their head down and eyes open, roll onto their back, to float unassisted, roll back over and resume swimming, repeat the swim-float-swim sequence to reach safety, and to perform these skills fully clothed. The program for infants is 4 weeks and for toddlers is 6 weeks. All children learn the skills at different rates. Therefore, we recommend a 4 to 6 week class. In order to enroll your child, you will be required to complete our Online National Registration Process for each child. If you need evening lessons, Meg Johnson, certified ISR instructor, will begin teaching evening lessons after 5:20 p.m. starting in June. For class dates and times email her at m.johnson@infantswim.com. Those timeslots will fill up fast! Please call or email us for detailed information. 251-391-4799 www.infantswim.com; www.swimfants.com

Mobile Bay Parents I April 2017

Mobile Bay Sailing School

4295 Marina Drive North, The Mobile Bay Sailing School, has been teaching sailing and basic seamanship skills to kids between the ages of 8 and 18 since 1982. This program is open to anyone who has an interest in learning about this wonderful sport. The program offers classes in Optimist and 420 class sailboats for beginner and experienced sailors, with opportunities for advanced students to race both classes of the boats in local regattas. Students will develop basic nautical knowledge, boat handling skills, and respect toward the sea, weather and wind. The Mobile Bay Sailing School will offer one-week training sessions with the first session beginning June 5. Classes are one week, all-day sessions Monday through Friday. However, parents may choose to enroll students in half-day sessions if they prefer. Price is $250 per weekly session. Half day sessions are $125. 251-471-3131

www.mobileyachtclub.org

SEAL Team Camp

1129 Gulf Shores Parkway, Gulf Shores The PADI Seal Team program combines teaching the

basic scuba diving skills in the safety of a pool with lots of fun educational games. Ages 8 -12 years and cost is $295. This cost includes all equipment and a â&#x20AC;&#x153;crew packâ&#x20AC;? (activity book, log books, Seal Team badge and sticker, and a completion certificate), and use of the pool. Camps also include a two-hour morning snorkel trip which parents and siblings may attend for $35 + rental gear fees. Camp Sessions run for two hours, Tuesday - Thursday. Each session allows no more than 4 participants. Several Camp Sessions offered at Orange Beach Aquatic Ctr and Bodenhamer Rec center. 251-968-3483 www.downunderdiveshop.com MBP

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Those first days of school or daycare can be a doozy for young children and parents when it’s time to say goodbye. While separation anxiety is a natural part of development, a parent’s response to it is critical for children to make healthy transitions and begin to trust caregivers and teachers. Parenting coach Liz Warrick says there are definite no-no’s when it comes to saying goodbye as outlined below. Mobile Bay Parents I April 2017

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Bye-Bye Don’ts 1. Don’t sneak away. It’s tempting. But the disappearing act actually creates more fear in your child and does not help your child learn the important ritual of saying goodbye. 2. Don’t ask: “Is it ok for mom to leave now?” Um. Bet I can guess the response, and there really is only one answer. 3. Don’t bribe your child with a treat. Bribing sets a bad precedent for both of you as you will be forced to always amp up the bribe to get the behavior you desire. 4. Don’t linger. It’s tempting. But just scram.

Healthy Goodbye Rituals Author of 151 Ways to Help Your Child Have a Great Day at School (2009) and parenting expert Robin McClure suggests creating a parting ritual. “Maybe it is a special hug or handshake, a kiss and a twirl, or a set verbal exchange between you (such as “I love you best because...”).” Get creative so these formerly tough moments make way for fun memories.

A Jedi Goodbye. Social worker and blogger Dana Aderhold came up with a clever customized ritual. “When my son was four he started a new preschool where

he didn’t know any of the other students. We created the ‘Jedi Goodbye;’ when my husband or I dropped him off at preschool we would do a secret light saber signal that was our goodbye ritual. It meant that ‘the force was with him’ until we picked him up. He found this very reassuring.”

Less Guilt-riddled Goodbyes.

Consistent Goodbyes. Mom, daycare owner, and blogger Nicole Dash says “It is a good idea to say goodbye in the same way each day. If you help your child hang up his/her coat and then give a kiss and hug before turning and leaving with a wave, then do not break that routine by one day sitting and playing.” Also, Dash says consistent means it is important you not try to shortcut the goodbye because you are running late.

Smiley Goodbyes. Warrick says

Low Stress Goodbyes. Parents should keep their emotions in check and fake it if necessary. Dash says it’s not a coincidence when your child chooses to melt down and cling to you on a day you are running late to a meeting. “Never tell your child you are running late, or show signs of stress. This will place undue stress on your child and will make the morning miserable for everyone.”

There will be days your child will cry due to fatigue, a cold, etc. Dash says, “Whatever the reason, these sad goodbyes do not usually last longer than it takes you to get back into your car. It does not mean they hate you for leaving them in daycare.”

on the big day, keep smiling and stay positive. “Remind your child of all the ‘new and exciting things’ they will do. If you are confident about your child’s new environment, your child will be positive to.”

Courageous Goodbyes. Dr. Laura Markham has this advice when it is you shedding the tears: “Have faith in your child, and in nature. Nature designed kids to hang onto their parents for protection, but to start exploring once they feel safe. Worrying about leaving your child at school is a way of saying you don’t believe he can cope…have faith in your child’s inner strength to rise to the occasion and grow.” MBP Michele Ranard has a husband, two sons, and a master’s in counseling. She blogs at http://hellolovelystudio.com and http://hellolovelychild.blogspot.com.

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FamilyCalendar Thursday March 23

Festival of Flowers 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM, Providence Hospital Campus, 6801 Airport Boulevard, Mobile The light-hearted theme, “Wildly Whimsical,” sets the tone for a one-of-a-kind, once in a lifetime experience. the fantastically floral event will evoke curiosity and wonder in all who travel through the Festival’s fanciful gardens. From Bellingrath Garden’s and Home playful interpretation of Dr. Seuss’The Lorax to an enchanted and interactive children’s venue, visitors will be unexpectedly amused and entertained. festivalofflowers.com Jubilee Bargains - Preview ($30 per person (includes entry to Saturday Early Bird Sale))

6:00 PM - 9:00 PM, 266 Azalea Road, Mobile Peek and Purchase event with silent auction, live music, food and beverages. Jubilee Bargains, is a three-day community rummage sale held each spring. http://www.mobileopera.org/

Mobile Museum of Art - Art Talk 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM, Mobile Museum of Art, 4850 Museum Drive, Mobile Curator of Photography at the Ogden Museum of Southern Art in New Orleans and guest curator of MMofA’s new exhibition, Contemporary Alabama Photography, Richard McCabe presents an in depth discussion on the medium of photography and its many applications by artists throughout the state of Alabama. Join us as we delve into the themes and processes explored by these artists and tour Contemporary Alabama Photography, currently on view through August 27, 2017. 251-208-5200 www.mobilemuseumofart.com

Friday March 24

Colonial Day at the Fort (Free) 9:00 AM - 1:00 PM, Fort of Colonial Mobile, 150 South Royal Street, Mobile “Colonial Day at the Fort,” hosted by the History Museum of Mobile, is Friday, March 24, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. at The Fort of Colonial Mobile, 150 South Royal Street. Admission is free, and attendees get to see what life was like in Colonial Mobile at this educational event. 251-301-0270

Festival of Flowers Details under March 23. Prom Night Free Makeovers 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM, Remington College Mobile Campus, 4368 Downtowner Loop South, Mobile The cost for high school students to go to the prom can add up quickly - there are tickets, a dress or tux, a trip to the salon, and maybe a splurge on a limo or extravagant “promposal.”That’s why Remington College Mobile Campus is again offering its Prom Night Makeover event so students can get salon services at no cost. Students in the Remington College Cosmetology Program will provide students headed to prom with free updos, manicures, pedicures, and makeup for girls and haircuts for guys. For appointments, please call 251-342-4848 251-342-4848

Joe Jefferson Players present “Much Ado About Nothing” 8:00 PM Joe Jefferson Playhouse, 11 South Carlen Street, Mobile The Joe Jefferson Players will present

Mobile Bay Parents I April 2017

“Much Ado About Nothing,” the beloved comedy by William Shakespeare, from Friday, March 17, to Sunday, April 2, at the Playhouse. The show is directed by Joe Fuselli. 251-471-1534 www.joejeffersonplayers.com Mobile Theatre Guild presents “Sordid Lives” 8:00 PM Mobile Theatre Guild, 14 North Lafayette Street, Mobile Mobile Theatre Guild presents “Sordid Lives” on Fridays - Sundays March 24-April 9. 251-433-7513 www.mobiletheatreguild.org Suor Angelica 8:00 PM The Temple Downtown, 351 St. Francis Street, Mobile Sister Angelica seeks redemption from poor choices. Enjoy an intensely dramatic opera with a miraculous ending. This opera will inspire you. This production marks the 5th of Mobile Opera’s Puccini Project designed to produce all of Puccini’s operatic works. www.mobileopera.org

Saturday March 25

Azalea Trail Run 8:00 AM Mobile Civic Center, Join us on March 25, 2017 for the 40th Annual Azalea Trail Run (ATR), one of the premier 10K road races in the United States and the 2011 RRCA National 10K Championship. The event also includes 5K and 2K runs. All of the courses are flat and extremely fast. www.pcpacers.org Festival of Flowers Details under March 23. Friends of the Library Book Sale 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM, Abba Shrine Center, 7701 Hitt Road, Mobilewww.mobilepubliclibrary.org Mobile Autism Walk 9:30 AM University of South Alabama SGA Pavilion, 375 Cleverdon Parkway, Mobile Join the Autism Society of Alabama and help solve the puzzle of autism spectrum disorders one step at a time! walkforautismal.com St. Mary Parish 150 Year Anniversary Dinner Dance ($30 per person) 7:00 PM - 10:00 PM, St. Mary Catholic School Auditorium, 1453 Old Shell Road, Mobile Mary Parish 150 Year Anniversary Dinner Dance from 7 to 10 p.m. in the St. Mary Catholic School Auditorium Music by Phil & Walon and Tablescapes by Ron Barrett, LLC. The is event is for adults 21 and over.For more information or to make your reservation, log on to www.stmarymobile.org or contact the parish office at (251) 432-8678 or email mrnaman@stmarymobile.org Cocktail Attire. 251-432-8678 www.stmarymobile.org University of Mobile presents Sacred Swing 7:00 PM Saraland Performing Arts Center, 1115 Industrial Parkway, Saraland University of Mobile Jazz Band performs a lively presentation of hymns, spirituals and Gospel music that includes familiar tunes such as “Amazing Grace,” “Swing Low, Sweet Chariot,” “When The Saints Go Marching In” and “As David Danced.” University of Mobile Jazz Band is directed by Kenn Hughes. 251-442-2215 www.umobile.edu Joe Jefferson Players present “Much Ado About Nothing” Details on March 24. Mobile Theatre Guild presents “Sordid Lives” 8:00 PM Mobile Theatre Guild, 14 North Lafayette Street, Mobile Mobile Theatre Guild presents “Sordid Lives” on Fridays - Sundays March 24-April 9. 251-433-7513 www.mobiletheatreguild.org

Jubilee Bargains 266 Azalea Road, Mobile Jubilee Bargains, is a threeday community rummage sale held each spring. On Saturday Jubilee Bargains will have an early bird sale ($3.00 admission) from 7:00am-9:00am and the Community Sale with free admission will start at 9:00am. www.juniorleaguemobile.org/jubileebargains Matisyahu in Concert Saenger Theatre, 6 South Joachim Street, Mobile Matisyahu in Concert www.mobilesaenger.com

Sunday March 26 Festival of Flowers Details under March 23.

St. Mary Parish 150 Year Anniversary Mass 10:00 AM St. Mary Catholic School Auditorium, 1453 Old Shell Road, Mobile St. Mary Parish 150 Year Anniversary Mass at 10 a.m. in St. Mary Catholic Church featuring the voices of Musica Sacra followed by a Jazz Brunch on the church plaza with celebratory music provided by The Blow House Brass Band. Sunday’s events are complimentary and for everyone of all ages!Please note that there will be no 9 a.m. or 11:30 a.m. Masses this day so that all can join us for this special celebration. 251-432-8678 www.stmarymobile.org

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Friends of the Library Book Sale 1:00 PM - 6:00 PM, Abba Shrine Center, 7701 Hitt Road, Mobilewww.mobilepubliclibrary.org Jubilee Bargains 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM, 266 Azalea Road, Mobile Jubilee Bargains, is a three-day community rummage sale held each spring. Free admission and merchandise will be marked down. www.juniorleaguemobile.org/jubileebargains Joe Jefferson Players present “Much Ado About Nothing” 2:00 PM; Details on March 24. Mobile Museum of Art - Max’s Picks - Captain Fantastic 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM, Mobile Museum of Art, 4850 Museum Drive, Mobile This film was hand-picked by local Max Morey, owner of the Crescent Theater in Downtown Mobile. Admission is pay what you can, and there will be free popcorn. The film will begin at 2 pm. 251-208-5200 www.mobilemuseumofart.com Mobile Theatre Guild presents “Sordid Lives” 2:00 PM Mobile Theatre Guild, 14 North Lafayette Street, Mobile Mobile Theatre Guild presents “Sordid Lives” on Fridays - Sundays March 24-April 9. 251-208-5200 www.mobiletheatreguild.org Suor Angelica – Matinee Performance 2:30 PM The Temple Downtown, 351 St. Francis Street, Mobile Sister Angelica seeks redemption from poor choices. Enjoy an intensely dramatic opera with a miraculous ending. This opera will inspire you. This production marks the 5th of Mobile Opera’s Puccini Project designed to produce all of Puccini’s operatic works. www.mobileopera.org Musical Arts Concert Series USA Brass Ensembles Spring Concert 3:00 PM Laidlaw Performing Arts Center, 5751 USA Drive South, Mobile www.southalabama.edu/colleges/music/resources/ misc_files/masbrochure16-17.pdf

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FamilyCalendar Tuesday March 28

Musical Arts Concert Series - USA Flute Choir and Celtic Crúe Spring Concert 7:30 PM Laidlaw Performing Arts Center, 5751 USA Drive South, Mobile www.southalabama.edu/colleges/music/resources/ misc_files/masbrochure16-17.pdf Musical Arts Concert Series - USA Jazz Ensemble Spring Concert 7:30 PM Laidlaw Performing Arts Center, 5751 USA Drive South, Mobile www.southalabama.edu/colleges/music/resources/ misc_files/masbrochure16-17.pdf

Wednesday March 29

Musical Arts Concert Series - USA Woodwind Ensembles Spring Concert 7:30 PM Laidlaw Performing Arts Center, 5751 USA Drive South, Mobile www.southalabama.edu/colleges/music/resources/ misc_files/masbrochure16-17.pdf

Thursday March 30

Heartstrings in Harmony Fundraiser ($50) 5:30 PM The Steeple, 251 St. Francis Street, Mobile Concert and arts event benefiting Most Pure Heart of Mary Catholic School! www.facebook.com/heartstringsinharmony Wine, Women and Shoes 6:00 PM 9:00 PM, Alabama Contemporary Art Center, 301 Conti Street, Mobile Wine, Women & Shoes benefitting Camp Rap-a-Hope will be held at the Alabama Contemporary Art Center. Join us for wine, shopping, food, silent auction and win your dream closet and more! http://www.winewomenandshoes.com/event/mobile

Friday March 31

Prom Night Free Makeovers Details on March 24. Mobile Boat Show ($8.00 at the door, 12 and under

are Free.)

12:00 PM - 8:00 PM, Mobile Convention Center, 1 South Water Street, Mobile In addition to a huge selection of boats and marine products, there are special events for the whole family to enjoy! This year’s show will feature professional flyboarding demonstrations in the Mobile River. This exciting new sport is taking off around the Gulf Coast and is fun to watch! The Fetch-n-Fish dog show returns with dog jumping, training tips and lots of fun for the kids; and the Skeeter Experience seminar series boasts a great line-up of local and regional fishing talent sharing their secrets and tips. You can also register for giveaways in Skeeter room all weekend. gulfcoastshows.com/mobile/ The Whiz presented by Davidson Theatre Department ($12 for adults and $8 for students, seniors and faculty)

7:00 PM Davidson High School Auditorium, 3900 Pleasant Valley Road, Mobile A more soulful take on The Wizard of Oz, The Wiz will take you along on Dorothy’s musical journey through the funky land of Oz. Join the cast of over 35 of the most talented students DHS has to offer for this amazing performance! Shows are Friday, March 31st at 7 p.m.,Saturday, April 1st at 7 p.m., and Sunday, April 2nd at 2:30 p.m.

Joe Jefferson Players present “Much Ado About Nothing” 8:00 PM Joe Jefferson Playhouse, 11 South Carlen Street, Mobile The Joe Jefferson Players will present “Much Ado About Nothing,” the beloved comedy by William Shakespeare, from Friday, March 17, to Sunday, April 2, at the Playhouse. The show is directed by Joe Fuselli. 251-471-1534 www.joejeffersonplayers.com

Port of One Featuring Bethel Music 7:00 PM Saenger Theatre, 6 South Joachim Street, Mobile Port of One is a city-wide worship event coming to Mobile, Alabama on April 1, 2017 featuring Bethel Music, Pastor Joe Johnson and more. The purpose is to ignite our community with love and healing by immersing our community in the presence of the Lord through worship and prayer. www.mobilesaenger.com

Mobile Theatre Guild presents “Sordid Lives” 8:00 PM Mobile Theatre Guild, 14 North Lafayette Street, Mobile Mobile Theatre Guild presents “Sordid Lives” on Fridays - Sundays March 24-April 9. 251-433-7513 www.mobiletheatreguild.org

The Whiz presented by Davidson Theatre Department ($12 for adults and $8 for students, seniors

Saturday April 1

2017 Crepe Myrtle Trail Bike Ride 8:00 AM Arlington Park, The 2017 Crepe Myrtle Trail Bike Ride, hosted by Mobile United and the Mobile County Health Department, is Saturday, April 1, 8-11:30 a.m. at Arlington Park/Brookley Complex. Registration begins at 8 a.m. and the ride at 8:30 a.m. Tickets available at www.mobilebaykeeper.org. www.mobilebaykeeper.org Reenactment of the Battle of Fort Blakeley 8:00 AM Blakely State Park, 34745 State Highway 225, Spanish Fort To commemorate the 152nd anniversary of the Battle of Fort Blakeley, we have an event-filled day of exciting tours, informative educational programming, and lively demonstrations planned. This will be one of the largest reenactments of Alabama’s largest Civil War battle held in several years. 251-626-5581 www.blakeleypark.com Steele Creek Adventure Biathlon 8:00 AM Steele Creek Marina, The event consists of a 4-Mile Kayak down Steele Creek, then a 5K Run through the streets of Satsuma. Individual registration fee is $35 and teams are $60. Visit the Steele Creek Adventure Biathlon Facebook page for registration forms or call First Baptist Church of Satsuma at 251-675-1280 for more information. 251-675-1280

and faculty)

7:00 PM Details under March 31. Let Your Light Shine for CF 7:30 PM SGA Pavilion - USA Campus, 307 North University Boulevard, Mobile Run to benefit CF. www.eventbrite.com Joe Jefferson Players present “Much Ado About Nothing” 8:00 PM Details under March 24. Mobile Theatre Guild presents “Sordid Lives” 8:00 PM Mobile Theatre Guild, 14 North Lafayette Street, Mobile Mobile Theatre Guild presents “Sordid Lives” on Fridays - Sundays March 24-April 9. 251-433-7513 www.mobiletheatreguild.org 24th Annual Camellia Classic Open Car Show

($13 for adults and $7.50 for children)

Bellingrath Gardens and Home, 12401 Bellingrath Gardens Road, Theodore Enjoy a display of hundreds of vintage and classic automobiles on Saturday, April 1, as Bellingrath Gardens and Home hosts the Mobile Bay Mustang Club’s 24th Annual Camellia Classic Open Car Show on the Great Lawn. It’s all for a good cause, too; proceeds from car registrations will go to Feeding the Gulf Coast (formerly Bay Area Food Bank) and the Autism Society of Alabama. 251-973-2217 www.bellingrath.org

Sunday April 2

Mobile Boat Show ($8.00 at the door, 12 and under

are Free.)

Battles of Blakeley and Spanish Fort History Cruise ($25 for adults/$15 for children ages 6-12) 9:00 AM Blakely State Park, 34745 State Highway 225, Spanish Fort A detailed tour by boat of the Civil War Battles of Blakeley and Spanish Fort and the associated naval actions during the Campaign for Mobile. 251-626-5581 www.blakeleypark.com Mobile Boat Show ($8.00 at the door, 12 and under are Free.)

10:00 AM - 8:00 PM, Details under March 31.

Sunday Funday 1:00 PM - 5:00 PM, Downtown Mobile, Join us for these Sunday Fundays when cruisers come to town for their Monday cruise departures. With an Art Market, shops and galleries opening special hours and restaurants and bars offering cruiser specials, what’s not to love about Sundays in downtown Mobile? www.mobile.org Joe Jefferson Players present “Much Ado About Nothing” 2:00 PM Details under March 24.

St. Mary Knights of Columbus 15th Annual Crawfish & Bluegrass Extravaganza (Adult tickets are $25 in advance and $30

at the gate. High School Students with ID are $15. Children are admitted free.)

4:00 PM St. Mary Catholic School, 107 North Lafayette Street, Mobile St. Mary Knights of Columbus hosts the 15th Annual Crawfish & Bluegrass Extravaganza featuring the sounds of Fat Man Squeeze, Delta Reign and The Modern Eldorados, with headliner, Black Irish Texas from Austin.The charity to which proceeds will flow this year is Veterans Recovery Resources, a local charity established by Knight John Kilpatrick and other veterans to provide mental wellness and addiction recovery services to all veterans who need help. www.brownpapertickets.com/event/2880795

10:00 AM - 5:00 PM, Details under March 31.

Mobile Theatre Guild presents “Sordid Lives” 2:00 PM Mobile Theatre Guild, 14 North Lafayette Street, Mobile Mobile Theatre Guild presents “Sordid Lives” on Fridays - Sundays March 24-April 9. 251-433-7513 www.mobiletheatreguild.org The Whiz presented by Davidson Theatre Department ($12 for adults and $8 for students, seniors and faculty)

2:30 PM Details under March 31.

Tuesday April 4

Hope for Healing Celebration Dinner 5:30 PM Renaissance Riverview Plaza Hotel, 64 South Water Street, Mobile An Evening with Stephen Mansfield on Tuesday, April 4th, 2017. Reception 5:30pm -6:30pm and Dinner and Program 6:309:00pm. To further the mission of Victory Health

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FamilyCalendar Partners. Call Kim Garrett, 460-2928 for Tickets. 251-460-2928 victoryhealth.org Musical Arts Concert Series - USA Piano Ensembles Spring Concert ($8 each for general Ad-

mission and $5 for USA faculty & staff, USA students, youths under 18 and all senior citizens)

7:30 PM Laidlaw Performing Arts Center, 5751 USA Drive South, Mobilesouthalabama.edu

Wednesday April 5

6:00 PM Mobile Museum of Art, 4850 Museum Drive, Mobile Mobile Museum of Art welcomes Mobile Symphony Orchestra Music Director Scott Speck for a discussion about the sharps and flats of classical music. Speck is the co-author of two of the world’s best-selling books on classical music for a popular audience, Classical Music for Dummies and Opera for Dummies. This talk will draw from Classical Music for Dummies and use live musicians to demonstrate topics like the difference between Beethoven and Bach and how all “classical” music is not defined as such. www.mobilemuseumofart.com

Thursday April 6

Night Market 5:00 PM - 9:00 PM, Mobile Museum of Art, 4850 Museum Drive, Mobile MMofA hosts a monthly Night Market that showcases makers, artists, artisans, and craftsman who make locally-sourced, handmade goods. Support your local artists and join the party and shopping fun with great food, drink, and live music. www.mobilemuseumofart.com A Night at the Races - The Pillars ($60) 6:30 PM The Pillars, 1757 Government Street, Mobile A Night at the Races, a lively evening of food, fun and horses, is a KentuckyDerby style gala benefiting The Learning Tree in Mobile. The event will be held at The Pillars beginning at 6:30 pm on Thursday, April 6th. The evening features live music, heavy hors d’oeuvres, complimentary beer and wine, a large silent auction and videoed horse racing. 251-331-2633 www.learning-tree.org Screening of “The Two Worlds of William March” (Free) 7:00 PM Ben May Main Library, 701 Government Street, Mobile In celebration of the centennial date of America’s entry into World War I, the Mobile Public Library welcomes filmmaker, Robert Clem for a special preview screening of his new film, The Two Worlds of William March. William Campbell March won three decorations for bravery in World War I and acquired fame as the author of Company K and The Bad Seed. www.mobilepubliclibrary.org

Mobile Bay Parents I April 2017

Cirque Italia 7:30 PM Hank Aaron Stadium, 755 Bolling Brothers Boulevard, Mobile Cirque Italia is a creative mix of the best elements of entertainment and technology. A “never-seen-before” production that combines acrobatics, dance, contortion, and even high-performance BMX and roller-skating. All performances are done in ways that push the physical boundaries of human abilities, which leaves audiences amazed and astonished. 941-704-8572 cirqueitalia.com Musical Arts Concert Series - USA Symphony Orchestra Spring Concert ($8 each for general Ad-

mission and $5 for USA faculty & staff, USA students, youths under 18 and all senior citizens)

7:30 PM Laidlaw Performing Arts Center, 5751 USA Drive South, Mobilesouthalabama.edu

Friday April 7

Opera Tales - The Three Little Pigs (Free) 10:00 AM Ben May Main Library, 701 Government Street, Mobile The Alabama School of the Arts / University of Mobile Opera Theater invites students to an operatic version of the story of The Three Little Pigs based on scenes from operas by W. A. Mozart. 251-208-7086 www.mobilepubliclibrary.org Prom Night Free Makeovers 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM. Details under March 31. Little Discoveries with Mr. Wayne (Free) 10:30 AM Ben May Main Library, 701 Government Street, Mobile Mr. Wayne from the Gulf Coast Exploreum Science Center presents lessons and projects fusing science and literature for preschool children. (Ages 3-6) 251-208-7086 www.mobilepubliclibrary.org LoDa Artwalk 6:00 PM Downtown Mobile, Starting at 6pm on the second Friday of every month, galleries, restaurants, shops, institutions, etc in the Lower Dauphin (LoDa) Arts District open their doors for a family-friendly evening of exhibitions and entertainment by area artists. www.specialeventsmobile.org Cirque Italia Details under April 6. Mobile Theatre Guild presents “Sordid Lives” 8:00 PM Mobile Theatre Guild, 14 North Lafayette Street, Mobile Mobile Theatre Guild presents “Sordid Lives” on Fridays - Sundays March 24-April 9. 251-433-7513 www.mobiletheatreguild.org Bellingrath Gardens and Home celebrates 85th Anniversary ($8.50 per person) Bellingrath Gardens and Home, 12401 Bellingrath Gardens Road, Theodore Help us celebrate the 85th anniversary of the date that the Gardens first opened to the public! On April 7, guests may visit the Gardens at a special anniversary rate of $8.50 per person. Members of the Friends of Bellingrath will receive a 20% discount in the Gift Shop. 251- 973-2217 www.bellingrath.org Southsounds Music and Art Festival Downtown Mobile, SouthSounds is three days of showcasing the best new Southern music and art. This event takes place downtown April 7-April 9. Free performances by some of the South’s best emerging talent take place in Cathedral Square Friday - Sunday. Ticket holders will be able to move among multiple venues to experience bands in more intimate settings. For tickets or more information, please visit southsoundsfest.com. southsoundsfest.com

Saturday April 8

2017 Mobile Area Special Olympics Track and Field Competition 8:00 AM - 1:00 PM, St. Paul’s Episcopal School, 161 Dogwood Lane, Mobile Approximately 350 very special athletes will be representing close to 40 Mobile area schools in track events such as relays, runs, walks, wheelchair races, and many more. There will also be field events such as running and standing long jump, shotput, javelin, softball and tennis ball throw. Please make plans to join us in cheering on these incredible athletes. If you are interested in volunteering or sponsoring this event please reach out to mobilecospecialolympics@gmail.com for more information!

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8K By The Bay and 2 Mile Run/Walk and 1 Mile Fun Run/Walk 8:00 AM Arlington Park, Broad Street and Brookley Aeroplex, Mobile Join us for this race benefitting Penelope House-Shelter and Advocacy for Domestic Violence Victims and the Sheriff Foundation. www.productionsbylittleredhen.com Dauphin Island Discovery Day 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM, Dauphin Island Sea Lab, 101 Bienville Boulevard, Mobile Discovery Day is the Dauphin Island Sea Lab’s open house for the public. Once a year, the public is given a tour of our research facilities to learn about our coastal environment and the research our team is working on. Visitors will learn about the coastal ecosystem we live in and why it’s important to conserve our precious and unique environment. The research vessel Alabama Discovery will also be available for tours. 251-861-2141 www.disl.org Town on Dauphin Island Easter Egg Hunt 10:00 AM Green Park, Town of Dauphin Island Easter Egg Hunt will be held at Green Park at 10:00am. Come and meet the Easter Bunny and take a picture. Lots of eggs to be found. www.townofdauphinisland.org Film Series II: Modern Directors Mini Marathons 11:00 AM - 5:00 PM, Mobile Museum of Art, 4850 Museum Drive, Mobile Join us for the fifth event in our Film Series II: Modern Directors Mini Marathons series featuring Tim Burton! Admission is pay what you can, and there will be free popcorn. www.mobilemuseumofart.com Mobile Pops Concert (Free) 6:00 PM Water Tower Plaza, A concert by the Mobile Pops is set for Saturday, April 8, 6 p.m. at Water Tower Plaza on Dauphin Island. The free event is made possible by contributions from the Dauphin Island Foundation, the Chamber of Commerce and the Town. Attendees are encouraged to bring lawn chairs, blankets, snacks and bug spray. www.themobilepops.com Praise Fest 2017 (Free) 6:00 PM Bayou La Batre Community Center, 12745 Padgett Switch Road, Irvington Praise Fest 2017 is Saturday, April 8, 6 p.m. at Bayou La Batre Community Center, 12745 Padgett Switch Road, Irvington. The Christian Music Festival is free and features The Least, John Gee, Gold Frankincense and Myrrh, and Surrender. Concessions will be available with proceeds going to benefit Christ-N-Us Family Shelter.

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FamilyCalendar Mobile Symphony Orchestra presents “Beethoven Symphony 9” 7:30 PM Saenger Theatre, 6 South Joachim Street, Mobile Mobile Symphony and University of South Alabama team up to bring you Beethoven’s Ultimate Symphony – the Ode to Joy. Also featuring Handel’s glorious Coronation Anthems. www.mobilesaenger.com Mobile Theatre Guild presents “Sordid Lives” 8:00 PM Mobile Theatre Guild, 14 North Lafayette Street, Mobile Mobile Theatre Guild presents “Sordid Lives” on Fridays - Sundays March 24-April 9. 251-433-7513 www.mobiletheatreguild.org Cirque Italia Details under April 6. 2:30pm, 5:30pm and 8:30pm. 941-704-8572 cirqueitalia.com Southsounds Music and Art Festival Downtown Mobile, SouthSounds is three days of showcasing the best new Southern music and art. This event takes place downtown April 7-April 9. Free performances by some of the South’s best emerging talent take place in Cathedral Square Friday - Sunday. Ticket holders will be able to move among multiple venues to experience bands in more intimate settings. For tickets or more information, please visit southsoundsfest.com. southsoundsfest.com

Sunday April 9

Mobile Theatre Guild presents “Sordid Lives” 2:00 PM Mobile Theatre Guild, 14 North Lafayette Street, Mobile Mobile Theatre Guild presents “Sordid Lives” on Fridays - Sundays March 24-April 9. 251-433-7513 www.mobiletheatreguild.org Mobile Symphony Orchestra presents “Beethoven Symphony 9” 2:30 PM Saenger Theatre, 6 South Joachim Street, Mobile Mobile Symphony and University of South Alabama team up to bring you Beethoven’s Ultimate Symphony – the Ode to Joy. Also featuring Handel’s glorious Coronation Anthems. www.mobilesaenger.com Cirque Italia Details under April 6. Show Times: 2:30pm and 5:30pm. 941-704-8572 cirqueitalia.com Southsounds Music and Art Festival Downtown Mobile, SouthSounds is three days of showcasing the best new Southern music and art. This event takes place downtown April 7-April 9. Free performances by some of the South’s best emerging talent take place in Cathedral Square Friday - Sunday. Ticket holders will be able to move among multiple venues to experience bands in more intimate settings. For tickets or more information, please visit southsoundsfest.com. southsoundsfest.com

Monday April 10

Musical Arts Concert Series - USA Percussion Ensemble Spring Concert ($8 each for general Ad-

mission and $5 for USA faculty & staff, USA students, youths under 18 and all senior citizens)

7:30 PM Laidlaw Performing Arts Center, 5751 USA Drive South, Mobilesouthalabama.edu

Tuesday April 11

Spring Break Kids Days (Free) 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM, Aaron Park, 2010 Andrews Street, Mobile MCPSS is out for spring break... let’s have fun some fun! Face painting, balloon clowns, arts & crafts, inflatables, The Fun Mobile and more!! ncsmobile.org Musical Arts Concert Series - USA Percussion Ensemble Spring Concert ($8 each for general Ad-

7:30 PM Laidlaw Performing Arts Center, 5751 USA Drive South, Mobilesouthalabama.edu Thursday Night Flicks (Free) 7:30 PM Langan Park , 4850 Museum Drive, Mobile Thursday Night Flicks featuring the Movie- “Moana”. ncsmobile.org

Friday April 14

Friday Night Flicks (Free) 7:30 PM Medal of Honor Park, 1711 Hillcrest Road, Mobile Friday Night Flicks featuring the Movie “Star Wars; The Force Awakens”. ncsmobile.org

7:30 PM Laidlaw Performing Arts Center, 5751 USA Drive South, Mobilesouthalabama.edu

Something Special for Saturday (Free) 10:30 AM Moorer/Springhill Branch, 4 South McGregor Ave, Mobile Calling all children, ages 5 and Up! Join us for our annual “Let’s Go Fly a Kite” activity! 251-470-7770 www.mobilepubliclibrary.org

Wednesday April 12

Easter Sunday

mission and $5 for USA faculty & staff, USA students, youths under 18 and all senior citizens)

Spring Break Kids Days (Free) 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM, Rickarby Park, 550 Rickarby Street, Mobile MCPSS is out for spring break...let’s have fun some fun! Face painting, balloon clowns, arts & crafts, inflatables, The Fun Mobile and more!! ncsmobile.org Brown Bag Bienville 11:30 AM - 1:30 PM, Bienville Square, Spring has sprung in downtown Mobile! Come out and listen to the soothing Sounds of live jazz as you lunch in Bienville Square around the historic Ketchum Fountain. Catt Sirten sets up live musicians and the City sets up tables for your enjoyment each Wednesday in the Spring. ncsmobile.org

Please check out our Easter Events on page 50!

Thursday April 13

Spring Break Kids Days (Free) 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM, Stotts Park, 2150 Demetropolis Road, Mobile MCPSS is out for spring break...let’s have fun some fun! Face painting, balloon clowns, arts & crafts, inflatables, The Fun Mobile and more!! ncsmobile.org Alabama Contemporary Art Center Kids Studio (Free) 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM, Ben May Main Library, 701 Government Street, Mobile Participants are invited to explore contemporary art and music through handson and minds-on activities that stimulate and deepen their understanding of art. (Ages 8-13) 251-208-7086 www.mobilepubliclibrary.org Joe Jefferson Players - Sneak Peak 6:00 PM Mobile Museum of Art, 4850 Museum Drive, Mobile The Joe Jefferson Players present a sneak preview of their upcoming production this spring. JJP is a community theater group originating in Mobile. For more information about the 2017 season line-up visit joejeffersonplayers.com. 251-208-5200 www.mobilemuseumofart.com “A Chorus Line” presented by the University of Alabama 7:30 PM Saenger Theatre, 6 South Joachim Street, Mobile Follow these 16 dancers through the exhilarating and exhausting world of a Broadway musical. Winner of 9 Tony Awards, including Best Musical, A Chorus Line is among the longest running shows in history. www.mobilesaenger.com Musical Arts Concert Series - USA Wind Ensemble Spring Concert ($8 each for general Ad-

mission and $5 for USA faculty & staff, USA students, youths under 18 and all senior citizens)

Wednesday April 19

Brown Bag Bienville 11:30 AM - 1:30 PM, Bienville Square, Spring has sprung in downtown Mobile! Come out and listen to the soothing Sounds of live jazz as you lunch in Bienville Square around the historic Ketchum Fountain. Catt Sirten sets up live musicians and the City sets up tables for your enjoyment each Wednesday in the Spring. ncsmobile.org Bob Weir and the Campfire Band 8:00 PM Saenger Theatre, 6 South Joachim Street, Mobilewww.mobilesaenger.com

Thursday April 20

Presentation by Greg Spies 5:30 PM - 6:30 PM, Cox Deasy House, 300 Oakleigh Place, Mobile Andrew Ellicott & the survey of the 1st U.S. Southern Boundary pursuant to the Treaty of San Lorenzo el Real (aka the Pinckney Treaty) (1795). Greg is archeologist, regional historian and has presented similar subjects nationwide. www.historicmobile.org Live at the Museum - Daniel Markham ($10) 7:00 PM Mobile Museum of Art, 4850 Museum Drive, Mobile Hear regional and local artists perform live in an intimate setting every 3rd Thursday for Live at the Museum, an original music and performance series celebrating the rare talents that heat and humidity can inspire. 251-208-5200 www.mobilemuseumofart.com

Friday April 21

Musical Arts Concert Series - Jacques Offenbach’s La Vie Parisienne ($8 each for general Admis-

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FamilyCalendar sion and $5 for USA faculty & staff, USA students, youths under 18 and all senior citizens)

7:30 PM Laidlaw Performing Arts Center, 5751 USA Drive South, Mobile USA Opera & Musical Theatre Presents Jacques Offenbach’s La Vie Parisienne. southalabama.edu Playhouse in the Park Presents “Bye Bye Birdie” 7:30 PM Playhouse in the Park, 4851 Museum Drive, Mobile Playhouse in the Park Presents “Bye Bye Birdie”. Performances will be April 21, 22, 23; April 28, 29, 30 and May 5, 6, 7. Friday and Saturday shows are at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday matinees are at 2:30 p.m. For more information, email playhouseintheparkmobileal@gmail.com or call 251-422-5434. 251-422-5434 playhouseinthepark.org Boston - Mobile Saenger Theatre 8:00 PM Saenger Theatre, 6 South Joachim Street, Mobile Boston in concert at the Mobile Saenger Theatre. www.mobilesaenger.com

Saturday April 22

PHind a Cure Race 7:30 AM Battleship Memorial Park, 2703 Battleship Parkway, Mobile Race to benefit thePulmonary Hypertension Association. www.eventbrite.com Chickasha Bogue Paddle 8:00 AM - 11:00 AM, William (Bill) Brooks Park, 559 North Craft Highway, Chickasaw The 3rd Chickasha Bogue Paddle is scheduled for Saturday, April 22 at 8 a.m.-11 p.m. This is a fun, family-friendly event. Paddlers will experience the beauty of the lower Tensaw Delta in this annual fundraiser for the local schools. The event includes lunch after the paddle. This is an easy paddle and beginners are welcome to join. Limited kayak rentals will be available; call Kathy Couey, 251-452-6467 for more information. cityofchickasaw.org Infirmary Duathlon 8:00 AM Mobile Infirmary Campus, 166 Mobile Infirmary Drive, Mobile Infirmary Duathlon, hosted by Infirmary Health Duathlon and Infirmary Health, is Saturday, April 22 at 8-11 a.m. at Mobile Infirmary campus, 166 Mobile Infirmary Drive, Mobile. The event begins with a 2-mile run before competitors take to their bikes for a 10-mile bike ride. The race concludes with a final 2-mile dash to the finish line. 251-435-2018 infirmaryduathlon.com Earth Day Mobile Bay (Free) 10:00 AM - 7:00 PM, Fairhope Pier Park, Pier Park Road, Mobile Earth Day Mobile Bay is a celebration of the Earth for the people living around our incredibly diverse, beautiful, fun, ecologically rich and nevertheless fragile bay area. Join us on Earth Day as an exhibitor, a participant, a volunteer or simply a visitor! 251-990-8662 www.EarthDayMobileBay.org 7th Annual Great Drift Paddle 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM, McNally Park, 4380 Park Road, Mobile Come join our fun FREE annual event Saturday, April 22nd -Required launch/safety meeting at 1 PM, launch to follow. This year’s route begins and ends at the newly established Perch Creek East launch site inside McNally Park located at 4380 Park

Mobile Bay Parents I April 2017

Road off Dauphin Island Parkway near the tip of Mobile’s Peninsula. The site offers plenty of parking. Paddlers will glide through serene areas of one of the watershed’s cleanest streams. Marine biologists will be on hand to answer any questions you may have about the flora and fauna. Bring your own canoe, kayak or SUP (no motorized vessels) or rent one from Sunshine Canoes (251-367-4144). www.eventbrite.com Reading Paws (Free) 2:00 PM Ben May Main Library, 701 Government Street, Mobile Meet, Greet & Read!Come meet the Pet Therapy dogs and their owners.Learn all about the dogs and the services they provide the community.Practice your reading skills with a four-legged friend. 251-208-7074 www.mobilepubliclibrary.org 8th Annual Bald Eagle Bash ($40 in advance and $45 dollars at the gate. Entry is free for children 10 and under.)

4:00 PM - 7:00 PM, Tonsmeire Weeks Bay Resource Center, Weeks Bay Foundation is excited to host the 8th annual Bald Eagle Bash on April 22nd from 4-7pm. Our Party for Preservation helps to raise money and awareness for our mission of protecting coastal wetlands. This “taste of Weeks Bay” event, located at the Tonsmeire Weeks Bay Resource Center, brings over a dozen area restaurants together to create dishes based on delicious gulf shrimp. The Weeks Bay Foundation supplies soda, wine, and beer from Budweiser and Fairhope Brewing Company. Later, put your dancing shoes on and boogie down to the upbeat tunes of the Mulligan Brothers baldeaglebash.com University of Mobile Musical Theatre Program presents “The Secret Garden” ($25 for general admission and $10 for students)

7:00 PM Saraland Performing Arts Center, 1115 Industrial Parkway, Saraland University of Mobile Musical Theatre Program presents “The Secret Garden,” April 22 at 7 p.m. and 23 at 2 p.m. at Saraland Performing Arts Center at Saraland High School. 251-442-2215 www.umobile.edu Musical Arts Concert Series - Jacques Offenbach’s La Vie Parisienne ($8 each for general Admission and $5 for USA faculty & staff, USA students, youths under 18 and all senior citizens)

Sunday April 23

University of Mobile Musical Theatre Program presents “The Secret Garden” ($25 for general admission and $10 for students)

2:00 PM Saraland Performing Arts Center, 1115 Industrial Parkway, Saraland University of Mobile Musical Theatre Program presents “The Secret Garden,” April 22 at 7 p.m. and 23 at 2 p.m. at Saraland Performing Arts Center at Saraland High School. 251-442-2215 www.umobile.edu Playhouse in the Park Presents “Bye Bye Birdie” 2:30 PM Details April 21. Musical Arts Concert Series - Jacques Offenbach’s La Vie Parisienne ($8 each for general Admission and $5 for USA faculty & staff, USA students, youths under 18 and all senior citizens)

3:00 PM Laidlaw Performing Arts Center, 5751 USA Drive South, Mobile USA Opera & Musical Theatre Presents Jacques Offenbach’s La Vie Parisienne. southalabama.edu

Tuesday April 25

A Night with Nick Saban (Individual tickets are $75. A table for ten is $750. )

5:30 PM Mobile Convention Center, 1 South Water Street, Mobile Mobile-based Team Focus is pleased to celebrate its tenth year to host its annual fundraiser event “A Night with Nick Saban” on TUESDAY, APRIL 25, 2017. The evening will include a silent auction featuring numerous signed sports memorabilia. Team Focus founder Mike Gottfried will speak and introduce Alabama Crimson Tide Head Coach Nick Saban who will speak with the audience.

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Musical Arts Concert Series - USA Concert Choir and University Chorale ($8 each for general Admission and $5 for USA faculty & staff, USA students, youths under 18 and all senior citizens)

7:30 PM Laidlaw Performing Arts Center, 5751 USA Drive South, Mobilesouthalabama.edu

Wednesday April 26

Brown Bag Bienville 11:30 AM - 1:30 PM, Bienville Square, Spring has sprung in downtown Mobile! Come out and listen to the soothing Sounds of live jazz as you lunch in Bienville Square around the historic Ketchum Fountain. Catt Sirten sets up live musicians and the City sets up tables for your enjoyment each Wednesday in the Spring. ncsmobile.org Meet the Author - Vicki Covington (Free) 6:30 PM Ben May Main Library, 701 Government Street, Mobile Come meet author Vicki Covington as she introduces her new book, Once in a Blue Moon. There will be a book signing following the presentation. 251-208-7097 www.mobilepubliclibrary.org

Thursday April 27

Serve It Up With Love Jr. Tennis Championship 4:00 PM Copeland Cox Tennis Center, This junior tournament is open to girls and boys in age brackets 8-10-12-14-16-18. Quick Start will be used for 8 year olds and under to help them learn the game. This event will be U.S.T.A. sanctioned. Each player will receive a signature t-shirt and a goody bag. Fruit will be furnished by Fresh Market and a boxed meal will be provided by Wintzell’s Oyster House. Each participant from the school with the most participants will receive a gift from Moe’s Southwest Grill. www.serveitupwithlove.com A Scavenger Hunt! with AIDS Alabama South 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM, Mobile Museum of Art, 4850 Museum Drive, Mobile Bring the whole family and win prizes for exploring our galleries. AIDS Alabama South is joining us to present a scavenger hunt through the galleries of MMofA. www.mobilemuseumofart.com Springhill Medical Center’s For Boys Only 6:00 PM Wallace Conference Center, 3715 Dauphin Street 4th Floor, Mobile Boys ages 10 and older can

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FamilyCalendar hear Dr. William Terry, Jr., urologist at Urology Oncology Specialists, discuss the physical changes to be expected as boys mature. Also, he will provide information on what girls are experiencing at the same age. Light meal provided. Cost: FREE! Call 460-5447 to make a reservation. Please leave a message with your son’s name and the parent who will accompany him in the class. 251-460-5447

Jacqueline Allen Trimble - Poetry Readings (Free) 6:30 PM Ben May Main Library, 701 Government Street, Mobile Come meet Jacqueline Allen Trimble as she shares readings from her new book, American Happiness, an eclectic collection of verse. 251-208-7097 www.mobilepubliclibrary.org 2nd Annual Spring Spectacular 7:00 PM Saraland Performing Arts Center, 1115 Industrial Parkway, Saraland Featuring many of the university’s 22 instrumental and vocal groups, with comedy and many surprises. 251-442-2383 www.umobile.edu Musical Arts Concert Series - USA Symphony Band Spring Concert ($8 each for general Admission and $5 for USA faculty & staff, USA students, youths under 18 and all senior citizens)

7:30 PM Laidlaw Performing Arts Center, 5751 USA Drive South, Mobile southalabama.edu Government Mule 8:00 PM Saenger Theatre, 6 South Joachim Street, Mobilewww.mobilesaenger.com

Friday April 28

Village of Springhill - Sidewalk-A-Thon 3:00 PM - 6:00 PM, Dorn Field , The Village of Spring Hill, Inc. announced today that its sixth annual SidewalkA-Thon event will be held on Friday, April 28, from 3 to 6 pm. Proceeds from this year’s Sidewalk-A-Thon will be used as matching funds for competitive sidewalk grants to support additional sidewalk construction in the Village. Registration will be held online at www.tvosh.com. www.tvosh.com Sunnyside Theatre presents “The Wizard of Oz” 7:00 PM The Moorer Center for the Performing Arts Mobile, 1400 University Boulevard South Sunnyside Theatre presents “The Wizard of Oz” April 28-30 and May 5-7. www.sunnysidedrama.com Musical Arts Concert Series - USA Steel Band and World Music Ensemble Spring Concert ($8 each for general Admission and $5 for USA faculty & staff, USA students, youths under 18 and all senior citizens)

7:30 PM Laidlaw Performing Arts Center, 5751 USA Drive South, Mobilesouthalabama.edu Playhouse in the Park Presents “Bye Bye Birdie” 7:30 PM Playhouse in the Park, 4851 Museum Drive, Mobile Playhouse in the Park Presents “Bye Bye Birdie”. Performances will be April 21, 22, 23; April 28, 29, 30 and May 5, 6, 7. Friday and Saturday shows are at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday matinees are at 2:30 p.m. For more information, email playhouseintheparkmobileal@gmail. com or call 251-422-5434. 251-422-5434 playhouseinthepark.org

Saturday April 29

Blisters for Sisters Race 8:00 AM Little Sisters of the Poor, 1655 McGill Avenue, Mobile This is our 3rd Annual 5k and Fun Run, which helps our elderly Residents at the Sacred Heart Residence. We’ve had a great time each year, and expect this to be our best yet! Please join us! www.eventbrite.com

Poker Paddle ($20) 8:00 AM Five Rivers, 30841 Five Rivers Boulevard, Spanish Fort This family fun event is a water based scavenger hunt. Follow the map to designated points & collect sealed envelopes. Collect as many envelopes as possible in the designated time & return to the launch before the buzzer sounds. All envelopes will be collected & opened, revealing playing cards. Best poker hands win trophies! 251-259-8531 wildnativetours.com/coastal-alabamaspecial-events Camp Seale Harris Run for Fun 5K 8:30 AM SGA Pavilion - USA Campus, 307 North University Boulevard, Mobile Race to benefit Camp Seale Harris. www.eventbrite.com 15th Annual St. Francis Episcopal Church Arts and Crafts Festival 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM, St. Francis Episcopal Church, 401 Key Street, Dauphin Island The 15th Annual St. Francis Episcopal Church Arts and Crafts Festival is Saturday, Saturday April 29, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. at St. Francis Episcopal Church, 401 Key Street, Dauphin Island. The event features more than 60 artists and vendors from Dauphin Island and around the Gulf Coast as well as homemade gumbo, soups and fresh baked goods. 251-391-4558

2017 Fitfest 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM, Kmart Parking Lot in Saraland, Free Exercise Classes. Something for all ages. Classes include zumba, pilates, yoga and more with other activities including batting cages, relay races, health screenings and more. 251-675-4444 www.saralandchamber.com Delta Woods and Water Expo 9:00 AM 4:00 PM, Five Rivers, 30841 Five Rivers Boulevard, Spanish Fort The Delta Woods and Waters Expo celebrates the beauty of the Mobile-Tensaw Delta. Featuring a variety of informative presentations, exhibitions and interactive displays by experienced outdoorsmen, professionals, educators and enthusiasts, the Delta Woods & Waters Expo includes fun and exciting 30 minute boat tours and various hands-on demonstrations which allow attendees to learn and practice new skills with one-on-one instruction. 251-259-8531 wildnativetours.com/coastal-alabamaspecial-events Crawfish for a Cause 12:00 PM - 4:00 PM, The Grounds, 1035 Cody Road North, mobile Please join us for crawfish and music. All proceeds benefit the USA Arnold Luterman Regional Burn Center. www.eventbrite.com/e/4th-annual-crawfish-for-a-causetickets-31327083149 Jubilee Jog 5:00 PM The Grounds, 1035 Cody Road North, Mobile Jubilee Jog 5K and Fun Run to benefit Junior League of Mobile will be held on April 29. www.eventbrite.com Sunnyside Theatre presents “The Wizard of Oz” 7:00 PM The Moorer Center for the Performing Arts Mobile, 1400 University Boulevard South Sunnyside Theatre presents “The Wizard of Oz” April 28-30 and May 5-7. www.sunnysidedrama.com Playhouse in the Park Presents “Bye Bye Birdie” 7:30 PM Playhouse in the Park, 4851 Museum Drive,

Mobile Playhouse in the Park Presents “Bye Bye Birdie”. Performances will be April 21, 22, 23; April 28, 29, 30 and May 5, 6, 7. Friday and Saturday shows are at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday matinees are at 2:30 p.m. For more information, email playhouseintheparkmobileal@gmail. com or call 251-422-5434. 251-422-5434 playhouseinthepark.org

Sunday April 30

Sunnyside Theatre presents “The Wizard of Oz” 2:00 PM The Moorer Center for the Performing Arts Mobile, 1400 University Boulevard South Sunnyside Theatre presents “The Wizard of Oz” April 28-30 and May 5-7. www.sunnysidedrama.com Playhouse in the Park Presents “Bye Bye Birdie” 2:30 PM Playhouse in the Park, 4851 Museum Drive, Mobile Playhouse in the Park Presents “Bye Bye Birdie”. Performances will be April 21, 22, 23; April 28, 29, 30 and May 5, 6, 7. Friday and Saturday shows are at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday matinees are at 2:30 p.m. For more information, email playhouseintheparkmobileal@gmail. com or call 251-422-5434. 251-422-5434 playhouseinthepark.org

Classes/Meetings

APAC - Mobile County Adoptive Family Group Meets the 4th Friday of each month from 6 - 7:30 p.m. Regency Church of Christ, 501 S. University Blvd., Mobile. Parent, Youth/Teen Group and Childcare Is Provided. Topic Discussions & ceu’s for foster families are offered. For more information please call 251-4602727 * 1-800-489-1886 * or estokes@childrensaid.org. Autism Support Group in North Mobile We have a social play room for higher functioning children (4 and up) to engage and relate. The idea is to have a safe place for parents of Autistic children in our community to link up and network with other families. 1st and 3rd Thursday of each month, 6 7:30 p.m., Saraland United Methodist Church, 415 McKeough Ave., Saraland. For more info or to RSVP contact Chris Gibson. Email Chrisgibson4149@gmail. com, or 251-281-7312. Azalea City Harmony Chorus of Sweet Adelines Meets/rehearses each Tuesday at 7 p.m. at Mobile Christian School, The Leopard’s Den. For more info call 251-380-0579 or visit www.azaleacityharmony.com. The Breast Feeding Friendly Group (The BFF Group) A place where new moms can get one-on-one breastfeeding help. Get to know other moms within the same community and possibly become a mentor. Breastfeeding professionals are able to provide newborn weight checks before and after feeding to help you to know if your baby is getting enough to eat. Nurses and other medical personnel can answer general questions. All are welcome, even if you haven’t delivered yet. Spouses and other support partners are also welcome. Every Monday from 5:30 to 7 p.m. (Except major holidays). We meet at The Allen Cox Building Conference Room, 205 Lambert Avenue, Mobile. Circle Of Hope, Sexual Assault Support Group Group meets every 2nd and 4th Thursday of the month. Call Lifelines Counseling Services to schedule a 30 minute appointment before attending the group 251431-5100. COH is a support group for victims of sexual violence to share in their struggles and learn ways to begin to cope with the pain and daily stressors that trigger the hurt. This group is free to attend. Call for times and locations. The Family Center The Family Center’s classes in Mobile and Daphne are free and offer free childcare WITH minimum 24HOUR RESERVATION. Night class includes supper and

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FamilyCalendar giftcards. All classes provide a certificate of completion. The Family Center of Mobile *Nurturing Parenting course teaches parenting skills such as teaching cooperation and peaceful bedtimes. Wednesdays, 9:30-11:30 a.m., 12-week rotating series. Call 251-479-5700 to register. *The Responsible Fatherhood Program (RFP) classes are

Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays from 6-8 p.m., but REQUIRE ADVANCE INTAKE APPOINTMENT. See daily listings for class topics. *Mondays: Together We Can, a cooperative parenting course, 8 weeks. *Tuesdays: Quenching the Father Thirst, (Four things every dad needs to know), 12 weeks. *Thursdays: Chill Skills Stress/Anger Management training, 4 weeks. 251-479-5700 for information on all Family Center classes. All held at 601 Bel Air Blvd, Suite 100, Mobile. www.familycentermobile.org or www.Facebook.com/ FatherhoodMobile. La Leche League Mobile Bay Area Breastfeeding support meetings are held the second Tuesday of each month at 10:30 a.m. Meetings are free and open to all women with an interest in breastfeeding. Babies and children are welcome. For information or support contact a leader. 251-689-2085, amandaLLLmobile@yahoo.com, meghanLLL@yahoo. com, or michelleLLLmobile@yahoo.com. Facebook: La Leche League Mobile Bay Area. Parent-Child Worship Service Each Wednesday in January and February, Dauphin Way United Methodist Church will offer a new Parent-Child Worship Service from 9:15-10:00 a.m. (room E207) for parents and their children ages birth to four-years-old. Relaxed and filled with music, prayer, a Bible story and coloring, this new program is a wonderful opportunity to worship with your precious little ones. The program will be short, and then kids can play while parents enjoy social time. Contact Dauphin Way UMC at 251-471-1511 for more information. Dauphin Way UMC is located at 1507 Dauphin Street, Mobile. Survivors of Suicide Support Group Meets the 2nd & 4th Friday of each month from 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. Lifelines Counseling Services, 705 Oak Circle Drive, Mobile. SOS is here to provide a supportive and judgement-free environment for you to express yourself and share your story. What can you expect? •A place to find support •A comfortable environment to express yourself •A judgement free environment •Resources for grieving Mobile Infirmary Hospital For complete information about class dates, times, and locations, or to schedule a tour of our maternity center, please call the childbirth education office at (251) 4352000.

Mobile Bay Parents I April 2017

• Alzheimer’s Support Group Meetings for families and caregivers of patients with Alzheimer’s disease. Meets every second Thursday of every month. E.A. Roberts Alzheimer’s Center, 169 Mobile Infirmary Blvd. Preregistration Not required. Free. Call 251-435-6950 for more information. 10-11 a.m. • Birthing Basics Class This course is for parents who either have already experienced childbirth or who prefer to attend just one class because of time constraints. The four-hour weekend session (with breaks) includes a tour and all birthing information. The fee is $30 for patients delivering at Mobile Infirmary. Preregistration is required; call 435-2000. Every last Sunday of the month. 3:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. • Cancer Support Group Meets every 4th Tuesday of the month from 10-11 a.m. • Gastric Band Support Meets every 3rd Thursday of the month from 6-7 p.m. • Gastric Bypass Support Meets every 2nd Thursday of the month from 6-7 p.m. • Preparation for Childbirth Series This series of classes includes all aspects of labor including natural coping skills and epidural anesthesia. Class participants will practice comfort measures and learn about post-delivery and newborn care. A maternity tour is included. Providence Hospital: www.providencehospital.org Providence Hospital is pleased to offer a variety of classes on childbirth issues. All classes are located in Conference Room I (located just inside the main lobby doors of the hospital beside the Gift Shop) unless otherwise specified. To register for classes or for more information, you may call 639-2938 to speak with our Childbirth Educator, Kathy Wade RN, or email kwade@providencehospital.org. For Daytime Breastfeeding classes only, you may call Marcia Ranew RN, our Lactation Consultant at 633-1749 or email mranew@providencehospital.org. Support Groups • Providence Hospital Breast “Friends” Meets the second Friday of every month at noon in the Moore Conference Room. The Moore Conference Room is located in the cafeteria. Call Robi Jones for more information, 251-639-2852. • Diabetes Support Group Classes meet in the Diabetes Center, Suite D-436 in the Providence Medical Office Plaza. Call 251-633-1987 for more information. Spring Hill Medical Center: www.springhillmedicalcenter.com • Better Breathers Support Group Meeting For people with pulmonary disorders. Meets on the fourth Monday of each month. 2-3 p.m. Gerald Wallace Auditorium. For more information, call 461-2438. • Breastfeeding Class One Wednesday per month. 6:30-8:30 p.m. at The Family Center. Benefits of breastfeeding, getting started, going back to work and FAQs are covered. Call 340-7770 early to pre-register. • Childbirth Preparation Classes Four consecutive Mondays (6:30-9 p.m.) at The Family Center. Register early. The class covers onset of labor, inductions, Cesarean sections, relaxation, anesthesia and

postpartum. Includes a tour of the maternity units. Cost: $25 if delivering at Springhill Hospital.  Call 340-7769 early to pre-register. • Childbirth Preparation: Accelerated Course  One Saturday per month. 8:30 a.m. – 3 p.m. at The Family Center. Ideal for those who live out of town or will be delivering soon.  $25. Call 340-7769 early to pre-register. • Me, Too! A Tour for Siblings Noon on the First Sunday of the month. Join us for an individualized tour and instruction for siblings ages 9 and younger. The event includes a tour of the maternity areas and tips on helping parents with the new baby. Parents must remain with their children.  By Appointment ONLY. Call 340-7769 to schedule an appointment. • Infant CPR  Learn this potentially life-saving technique while you are pregnant or soon after your baby’s birth. Covers infant CPR and choking. $5 if delivering at SMC. 6:30 p.m. - 8 p.m. The Family Center (Bldg. 2, Fourth Floor). Call 3407769 early to pre-register. • NAMI Mobile Support Group A support group for family members of those who suffer from mental illness. Meetings are held the third Monday of every month. For more information: Diane Kent at 591-8021. 6-7 p.m., Spring Hill Baptist Church Activity Center. • Resolve Through Sharing For parents who have lost a child before or immediately after birth. Meets the fourth Monday of every month, 7-8 p.m. Gerald Wallace Auditorium. Call 460-5323. USA Children’s & Women’s Hospital www.usahealthsystem.com/usacwh Classes: Advance reservations are required and may be made by calling 415-1069. No children at classes, please. Class size is limited. Advanced payment required to secure your reservation. If you are expecting multiples or having a c-section, please call for additional class information. • Preparing for Childbirth All-day Saturday class for the expectant mother and her support person (coach). Topics include: pregnancy changes, labor, role of the support coach, relaxation and breathing techniques, vaginal and cesarean births, postpartum care, and a tour of the maternity areas. Fee per couple: $30. You should plan on beginning the 3-week series when you are approximately 28 weeks pregnant. Class will meet in the CWEB2 Building behind the hospital. Every other month, 9-2. • Childbirth in a Nutshell This class includes a brief overview of labor and a tour of the maternity areas. Class meets first Tuesday every other month from 6:30-9 p.m. in the CWEB2 Building behind the hospital. Fee per couple: $15. • Breastfeeding This one-night class is for expectant and newly delivered mothers and their support persons who want to learn about breastfeeding. Topics include advantages, myths and facts, getting started, correct positioning, latching on, engorgement, returning to work and problem-solving. Class meets second Thursday from 6:30-8:00 p.m. in the CWEB2 Building behind the hospital Fee: $5. Registration Information: Credit card payments are accepted by calling 415-1685. Mail payments for classes to: University of South Alabama, Children’s & Women’s Hospital, Education Department, 1700 Center St., Mobile, AL 36604.

Please send your calendar events to lynn@ mobilebayparents.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

The primary task of a secret agent, detective or spy is to collect information. And as a child’s inquisitive nature grows, the quest for obscured information embedded in their daily lives often leads them to seek out play roles that place them in the middle of a mystery. They create their own cases to crack, secrets to reveal and mysteries to solve. Self sufficiency, independent action and sleuthing talent are some of the beneficial skills that can emerge from pretendplay that casts them as clue finders. The following items are ideal for equipping the young clue-collector on his mission explore mysteries, real and imagined!

by Gerry Paige Smith

Ultimate Night Vision Goggles

Room Defender (SmartLab)

(Spy Gear)

A simple door alarm gets the high-tech treatment with the Room Defender. Designed with kids’ tastes and abilities in mind, this door unit comes with instructions that can guide kids through basic programming that lets them choose the alerts, and levels of room access for friends and family. From a range of sound effects to access themes that include secret knocks, codes and key cards, the Room Defender offers young minds the means to service their own fun security through simple programming. Empowering a kid to create a safe and secure space while learning basic computer input skills is easy with SmartLab’s Room Defender.

Kidzlane Walkie Talkie

Bionic Ear Electronic Listening Device

The Ultimate Night Vision Goggles allow kids to peek through the black curtain of darkness and discover what lies hidden just behind it. Using infrared technology, these goggles project a specific stealth beam that highlights what is cloaked in darkness. When the infrared goggle attachment is flipped down into place, the viewer can see for distances of up to 30 feet. Perfect for evening missions and nocturnal backyard safaris, this hands-free resource peels back the curtain of darkness and lets young sleuths discover the wonders that can emerge at night.

(Kidzlane)

Young investigators are best equipped when they have a communications tool that keeps the information flowing. Lightweight and durable walkie talkies give kids the means to share discoveries, directions and news as it happens and from a distance. The range of the Kidzlane walkies is exceptionally broad, exceeding one mile. With three separate channels, kids can use these walkies to host exclusive communication for competitive games, secret plans and more. Simple push-to-talk operations and long battery life ensures that kids can keep the conversation going for hours. Recommended for kids and families when communication is important to the mission.

(Scientific Explorer)

Previously imperceptible by distance and distraction, the Bionic Ear lets operators pick out specific sounds and voices from up to 300 feet away. Using the the principles of a parabolic reflector, the Bionic Ear dish collects sound waves from the distant selected source. The dish focuses the specific sound toward a highly sensitive microphone that excludes background noise and helps isolate the target sounds. The collected sound is then transmitted to the operator’s earphones with maximum fidelity. Whether it’s conversations, bird calls or other sounds that deserve investigation, the Bionic Ear is an ideal sleuthing tool in a young detective’s toolbox.

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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Beauty and the Beast

Kong: Skull Island

MPAA Rating: PG Overall: B+ Violence: C Sexual Content: B+ Profanity: AAlcohol / Drug Use: B The MPAA has rated Beauty and the Beast (2017) PG for some action violence, peril and frightening images. Based on the now classic Beauty and the Beast from 1991, director Bill Condon pulls out all the stops with this animation-to-live-action conversion. Those who have watched and re-watched his source material will have no problem picking out the familiar storyline and famous songs amid the lavish sets, amazing costumes and reimaged production numbers. As expected, the story follows Belle (played by Emma Watson), a young bookish woman who doesn’t quite fit in with the others living in her French provincial town. Despite being called odd and becoming the object of some abuse, Belle’s good looks and the romantic challenge she presents still attract the attention of the village’s most eligible bachelor Gaston (Luke Evans). When she declines his proposal, preferring reading to marrying him, she awakens the fury of an ego scorned. Meanwhile Belle’s father Maurice (Kevin Kline) stumbles upon a forbidden fortress in the forest where he unwittingly becomes the prisoner of its master, a terrifying Beast (Dan Stevens). When the devoted daughter discovers the situation, she selflessly offers to take his place. After the switch is accepted by the cruel creature, Maurice uses his freedom to try and round up a rescue party even though his pleas for help are met by mocking and scorn. Unbeknownst to the grieving Dad, life within the stone walls proves better for Belle than it at first appeared. And the presence of the beautiful stranger brings hope to the other residents of the enchanted castle who are also held captive by a magical curse. But before the spell can be broken some hard hearts must first be softened. This remake adds a few embellishments to the original plot, including some insights into the characters’ backstories, along with extra songs. Belle is endowed with a more feminist attitude, that is expressed in her love of literacy, defiance of convention and courage in the face of fearful circumstances. And Gaston’s sidekick LeFou (Josh Gad) is depicted as effeminate, as well as briefly shown dancing with another man. These alterations may alarm family audiences, even though the portrayals are subtle. In truth, most youngsters are less likely to notice Condon’s admitted agenda than they are to be scared by the violence shown here. Because of this, the movie is likely best suited for older children and adults. Those who are fans of the 1991 film will appreciate the way this production pays homage to the sentimentality they undoubtedly will be bringing along with them. This visual spectacle is sure to shake out a few more dollars for the studio, even if the 2017 version of the fairytale expands the message of looking for inner beauty and having empathy toward those who are different into broader territory.

MPAA Rating: PG-13 Overall: BViolence: D+ Sexual Content: B Profanity: CAlcohol / Drug Use: BThe MPAA has rated Kong: Skull Island PG-13 for intense sequences of sci-fi violence and action, and for brief strong language. In Kong: Skull Island, it’s 1973 and the Vietnam War has just ended. It appears mankind has claimed every last spec of the world. But Bill Randa (John Goodman) believes there is still something on the globe we don’t know about. When NASA’s first global mapping satellite discovers an unchartered landmass, the firm believer in monsters is convinced the curious locale holds a big secret. Yet the only way Randa can convince Senator Willis (Richard Jenkins) to mobilize a military escort to take a team to “Skull Island” is to fabricate the intent of the mission. Suggesting that there may be valuable things to discover, and that the US does not want the Russians getting there first, does the trick. Cloaked and surrounded by a continual storm that has mysteriously claimed a variety of ships over the centuries, the army calls upon Colonel Preston Packard (Samuel L. Jackson) to head up the expedition to the island. Also joining the entourage is Mason Weaver (Brie Larson), a photojournalist looking for an exclusive story, and former British-Special-Forces-turned-professionaljungle-guide James Conrad. Finally, there’s a bevy of other participants who will ultimately become collateral damage and tasty morsels for what’s ahead. To its credit, this movie reveals its monster early in the game. Purported to be the biggest Kong ever to grace the silver screen, the digital creature is imposing and protective of his natural habitat. Slapping down Huey helicopters like a camper going after mosquitoes, members of this crew with minimal speaking roles are soon dispatched in flames. However, the secrets this island holds go far beyond the giant ape. A wide assortment of gigantic zoological splendors awaits, and most of them are happy to encounter some fresh meat. The assortment of food choices and jungle dwelling munching monsters fills much of the film’s runtime with where big things are seen being devoured by even bigger things. If the purpose is to make you go “oooo!”, then the script works well. You’ll also hear several mild and moderate profanities, as well as a sexual expletive. With the body count quickly climbing, and Randa’s ulterior motives revealed, Packard initiates a power play and divides the group between those who want to kill anything that could pose danger to the outside world and those who fear disturbing the unique ecosystem could create even greater problems. One thing is certain though, the creators of this fictitious realm are hoping Kong will live long and prosper at the box office.

What Parents need to know about Kong: Skull Island...

Violence: Non-graphic and explicit violence is pervasive in this film. Numerous deaths are implied and depicted from being beaten, chocked, crushed, impaled, eaten, stabbed, shot, thrown/falling from heights, and fiery explosions. Shrapnel and corpses are strewn across the landscape. Plentiful explosions result in death, destruction and some characters are caught on fire. Soldiers frequently engage in hand-to-hand conflict, along with the use of knifes, swords, guns, bombs, poisonous gas, flame throwers and grenades. Large and dangerous creatures are portrayed, such as apes, water buffalo, pterodactyls, carnivorous dinosaurs, octopus and insects. Bloody wounds, body fluids/internal organs and dismembered body parts are shown, along with people being eaten alive. Sexual Content: A brothel is depicted and women are seen in scanty clothing and underwear. Shirtless men show off their muscles for a female photographer. Profanity: A sexual expletive is heard once in a non-sexual context. Infrequent use of scatological slang, along with mild and moderate profanity. Alcohol / Drug Use: A man lights a cigarette. Alcohol consumption and possible drug use is seen in a brothel setting.

What Parents need to know about Beauty and the Beast (2017)... Violence: A character is shot three times with a gun -- two of these on screen, no blood is shown. Wolves attack characters on two occasions, injuries result. Characters are mocked and bullied as well as verbally and physically abused. Characters fight with swords and attempt to push one another from tall buildings. Some scenes may frighten young children. Sexual Content: Infrequent, mild sexual innuendo including remarks implying same gender attraction. Females are seen in cleavage revealing dresses and modest underwear. Men and women embrace and kiss. Profanity: A single use of deity and a French religious term. Alcohol / Drug Use: Implied alcohol use in a pub setting. Mobile Bay Parents I April 2017

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Help Alabama Shine!

The Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System (PRAMS) is a joint research project between the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Alabama Department of Public Health. Its purpose is to determine why some babies are born healthy and others are not. New mothers are randomly chosen from the state birth registry to participate in PRAMS. Surveys may be returned by mail or completed over the phone. Let your voice be heard! Responses are kept confidential to the extent of the law. For more information please call us at 334-206-2923. 1-800-654-1385, or go to adph.org/prams.

“Happy to be part of this survey.”

“Thank you for checking on us!”

Actual comments from survey responses. ADPH does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, gender, age, religion, disability, genetic information, and other federal, state, or agency regulations and policies. Inquiries regarding nondiscrimination policies may be directed to Civil Rights Coordinator: ADPH CRC, RSA Tower, 201 Monroe Street, Suite 1010, Montgomery, AL 36104, Tel. 334-206-5226, or email crcomplaints@adph.state.al.us.