Mobile Bay Parents February 2020 by KeepSharing

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Volume 9 Number 11

Columns 2

Publisher’s Note 4

Therapeutic Parenting Sonia Martin, LICSW, PIP

Therapeutic Parenting

In a society of constant influencers, find out why you are still your teen’s biggest one!

Support Your Child’s Health 7 ways to help your child journey towards good health.

Kids Health Watch sponsored by Children’s Medical Group

28 Parenting, Media & Everything in Between

Common Sense Media

Dave Says Dave Ramsey

Choosing a Daycare

Begin early and do your research to find the perfect child care fit for your family.

2020 Child Care Guide Our comprehensive listing of daycares, preschools, and MMO programs.

On The Cover Finn Adair (4), son of Cory and Jennifer Adair and big brother to James Albert Adair. Proud grandparents: David and Diane Gremse and Barry and Debbie Adair. Finn enjoys anything involving dinosaurs, puppies, and whales. He also loves playing with his baby brother and family trips to Disney World.

Parenting Today’s Teens Mark Gregston

Get This! Gerry Paige Smith

Departments 6

Bits and Pieces 10

School Bits 42

Family Calendar 52

Movie Reviews www.facebook.com/mobilebayparentsmagazine

FromthePublisher

Mobile Bay Mobile Bay’s Foremost Parenting Source

The new year is in full swing and we are already rolling into month two of 2020. So, how is your New Year’s Resolution going? Are you more organized? Are you sticking with you new exercise routine? If you are holding strong to your resolution... Congratulations! You are in the estimated 20% of persons who are sticking to their commitment. Yep, that’s right. I saw a report that 80% of people drop their resolutions by February. Why do you think that is? From my personal experience of starting (then dropping) a commitment to fitness many times, but sticking to it last year, it was about finding the right motivation. Connecting the dots of my emotions and stress level with how much I exercised or how much sugar I consumed really made a difference for me. The choice of eggs or a bagel became do I want energy all day or am I okay with a mid-day slump? I am trying to verbalize my decisions with my kids when the opportunity comes up so hopefully they will start to make those connections also. I regret that I did not start my fitness journey earlier in life and that my kids were not exposed to me exercising on a regular basis when they were small. Fortunately it is not too late. They are now able to witness what a difference those changes can make in a person’s life. My hope is to be a much better role model going forward. To continue on that same thought, I enjoyed Cheryl Maguire’s feature 7 Ways to Promote Your Child’s Healthy Lifestyle that you can find on page 30. She reminds us that a healthy lifestyle is not only about exercise and healthy food choices, but also about making good choices for our mental and emotional health. Speaking of stress and emotions, the February issue is our annual Child Care Issue. I say that because choosing a daycare program for my children was full of both. In this issue you will find resources like Judy Miller’s feature, Choosing a Daycare That Works for You and Your Child, which can be found on page 34. We have also compiled a directory of area daycares, preschools, and mom’s day out programs in our annual Child Care Directory on page 36. Keep in mind that everyone’s needs are different and make sure you do your homework, make visits, and ask questions to find a good fit for you and your child. Looking forward a bit, I am excited to announce that we will be hosting our 4th annual Summer Camp Expo at the Gulf Coast Exploreum on Saturday, March 14, from 10am - 1pm. Not only will attendees get FREE admission* to the Exploreum during the expo, they will also have the opportunity to visit with camp vendors and enjoy entertainment, live animals, balloon twisting, face painting and more! All of this is in celebration of the much-anticipated March Summer Camp issue! If you have a summer camp that you would like included in this “Can’t Miss” issue, make sure you let us know before February 10! (*Dinosaur exhibit and IMAX not included in free admission.) Can’t wait until March for some fun activities? Make sure you check out the Family Calendar on page 42. You will find some super, family friendly activities and, of course, Mardi Gras parades! Wishing you a fabulous (and fit) February!

Lynn

Publisher Lynn Knighton lynn@mobilebayparents.com Editor DeAnne Watson deanne@mobilebayparents.com Associate Editor Kelly Watson Research Editor Lucy Green Contributing Writers Jennifer Adair, M.D. Kimberly Blaker Mark Gregston Cheryl Maguire Sonia Martin, LICSW, PIP Judy Miller Dave Ramsey Gerry Paige Smith

Cover Photography Hannah Stinson www.hannahstinsonphotography.com

President Jason Watson Advertising Sales Lynn Knighton ads@mobilebayparents.com (251) 304-1200 Account Manager Eleanor Williams Ad Design Tim Welch

Visit us at www.mobilebayparents.com Mobile Bay Parents magazine is published monthly by KeepSharing, LLC. Mailing address: P.O. Box 81105, Mobile, Alabama, 36689. The phone number for voice and fax is (251) 304-1200. Mobile Bay Parents is copyrighted 2020 by KeepSharing LLC. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or part without written permission is prohibited. Opinions expressed in Mobile Bay Parents magazine are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the view of the owners, nor do they constitute an endorsement of products and services herein.

lynn@mobilebayparents.com

Mobile Bay Parents I February 2020

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

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TherapeuticParenting by Sonia Martin, LICSW, PIP

You Are Their Biggest Influencer I am part of that in-between generation that was the last to grow up without cell phones or internet, yet young and hip enough to still intelligently navigate such devices (or at least that’s what we tell ourselves). Which brings me to this: Instagram. Or, as the cool kids call it – The IG. I have only recently started navigating “the gram,” and though I would like to tell you with great certainty that I am not at all easily influenced by marketing or media, it turns out that I am ever so slowly being influenced by the influencers. I won’t tell you how many new lip glosses I have purchased recently (3), how many Sherpa pull-overs I now own that I didn’t know I needed (2), nor will I tell you that I bought a steam mop that promises to cover up the mounds of infield dirt that end up in my kitchen – all because I was influenced. I would say the same can be said for our kids. Yes, they have mountains of social media they comb through to find

the latest styles and trends, yes they have television and 782 channels of content that tells them what to do, how to act, and where to go. But I think it is so important to never forget that you, as the parent, have the greatest platform to be the greatest influencer in their developing little lives. They may not look to you for fashion, they may not look to you for makeup tips, but they are certainly looking to you (whether you know it or not) for things like character, morality, goodness, and how to be a decent human. We influence them every day with how we act, how we engage (or don’t engage) with them, and we set a standard for what we hold dear. This also happens more subtly with things like our body language and tone, rate, rhythm and volume of speech. How many times have we found ourselves yelling at our kids to, “Just calm down!!” as we ourselves are far from calm. We have to understand the power that we hold and begin to realize – especially in those inevitable difficult moments – that how we react

and respond is going to greatly influence how they react and respond. So set yourself right first, adjust your angle, change up the lighting that you want to bring into the situation and model a different, more suitable, response for your child. And remember, though you may not have 428,000 followers, never forget you have one – or two – or six little followers underfoot who are watching your every story and notating every direct message you communicate to them. So give yourself a little blue checkmark because you are the real deal. I hope you find that to be a good reminder. I would say more but I have to go order some skincare that promises to make me look 86 years younger. (The 24-year-old influencer who swears by it looks incredibly young and youthful, so I am positive it will have the exact same effect on my middle age wrinkles.)

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Sonia is a licensed social worker and holds both a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Social Work. Her clinical focus is on helping parents and professionals understand the role of the brain in behavior and how to adopt therapeutic parenting techniques to mitigate negative behaviors. She is the Director of Central Alabama for Lifeline Children’s Services and is a mother to 7 sons, 3 of which were internationally adopted and she is a foster parent.

Mobile Bay Parents I February 2020

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2020 King Cake-Off

30th Annual Joe Cain Classic Run 5K

Join us on February 23, 2020 for the 30th Annual Joe Cain Classic Run. Proceeds from the race consist of race entry fees and corporate sponsorship and are given to challenged athletes who deal with their handicaps through athletic endeavors. If you run the race, you get to go to the awesome post race party. There’s live music, dancing in the street, food, door prizes, awards and a visit from Joe Cain’s famous and lovely Merry Widows, who travel the streets downtown on Joe Cain Day lending their charm and grace to citywide festivities all day long. So come join the Bay Area Runners on Joe Cain Day to celebrate the Mardi Gras tradition “Mobile Style”, help out a deserving group of challenged athletes and join in one great party. For more information, please visit www.bayarearunner.com.

The battle of the King Cakes is back! The 2020 King Cake-Off is set for Saturday, February 8, 2020 at Government Plaza in Downtown Mobile. This family-friendly event is open to the public on the first Saturday of Mardi Gras! Enjoy King Cake tastings, kid’s activities, including face painting and balloon animals, live music, a silent auction and adult beverages. Come for the King Cake and stay for the afternoon parades. Please visit www. kingcakeoff.com for more information.

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Team registration is now open for the 31st annual American Cancer Society Chili Cook-Off presented by Infirmary Cancer Care. The event will be held Saturday, March 7 at Mardi Gras Park in downtown Mobile. Each team must sell 75 tickets at $10 each and are required to cook 15 gallons of chili at a minimum. Chili Cook-Off is a four-hour fun-filled day of great food and entertainment where teams compete to find out who can cook up the best chili with chances to win great prizes. There will be live entertainment on the main stage throughout the day. The Gulf Coast Exploreum is the Children’s area sponsor. They will have a stage in their courtyard with scheduled acts throughout the day. To learn more about the Chili Cook-Off event and how you can become involved, visit MobileChiliCookOff.org or contact Marlene Rathle at 251-344-9858 or mobilechilicookoff@gmail.com.

LibCon Mobile

The Mobile Symphony Orchestra presents “Vivace”

Celebrate fan culture with us! LibCon Mobile will be held Saturday, February 1 from 10 AM – 5 PM at the Ben May Main Library in Mobile. Join us for live music, panel discussions, costume contest, escape room, superhero training, trivia contest, sing-along movie, fandom vendors, virtual scavenger hunts, all day tabletop games, arts & crafts for all ages, and so much MORE! Free and open to all. For more information on this event, please call (251) 340-1458 or email mainref@mplonline.org. Mobile Bay Parents I February 2020

The Mobile Symphony salutes young talent and classical masterworks with Vivace! Young, vibrant and exceptionally talented cello prodigy Sujari Britt performed at the White House when she was 8 and was a hit on public radio’s From the Top at 10. Now she’s set to wow Mobile audiences as she joins the MSO for the Saint-Saens concerto. Sujari has been playing music since she was 2-years-old and has been playing cello since she was 4. She recently earned her bachelor’s of music in cello performance at the prestigious Manhattan School of Music. Enhance your concert experience with Take Note! Join music experts and explore the world of classical music from an in-depth perspective. This informative pre-concert talk begins at 6:30 PM before Saturday classical performances and 1:30 PM before Sunday classical performances in Room 1927, adjacent to the Saenger entrance on Joachim Street. 6

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Entries Being Accepted for SPOTLIGHT: A Gulf Coast Talent Showcase

The Fourth Annual Gulf Coast Spotlight Talent Showcase will be held March 15 at the Saraland High School Theater. The program was launched in 2017 as an effort to shine a light on talented young performers in Mobile and Baldwin counties, encourage and reward their pursuits and give funds to local schools to support arts programs. Free to enter, the competition is open to boys and girls in grades 1-12. A solo/duet and group winner will be chosen in each age division. First-prize winners will be awarded a cash prize for an arts program at their school and will be a featured performer during Distinguished Young Women’s Community Night in June as part of the 63rd Annual National Finals. To apply for Spotlight, visit www.GulfCoastSpotlight.com.

Reveling Cavaliers Mardi Gras Parade

On February 20, the “Reveling Cavaliers” Mardi Gras parade will roll down Gordon Smith Drive for the 38th consecutive year. The theme this year is “A Night at the Circus.” Participants in AltaPointe Health’s adult intellectual disabilities program (Mobile Arc merged with AltaPointe Health in July 2019) enjoy the chance to join in the Mobile Mardi Gras tradition. There will be a King and Queen chosen from the two-day programs at Moorer Learning Center and Fred Delchamps Center. The employment and residential programs will also have a King and Queen. The parade will include more than 15 floats carrying participants from other local organizations. The Murphy High School band and cheerleaders will entertain parade-goers. There will also be appearances by community leaders, the Azalea Trail Maids and featured media personalities from WKRG and NBC 15. There will be food trucks serving lunch. Yellowhammer Coffee will also be serving their famous coffee drinks. The parade begins at 1 PM at 2424 Gordon Smith Drive. It will go around the Gordon Smith Center twice for a total of two (2) miles. Expect to catch plenty of beads and moon pies!

Bellingrath Gardens and Home and The PACT present “Seussical Jr.” on the Great Lawn

This spring, Bellingrath Gardens and Home will host a special outdoor performance of “Seussical Jr.,” a magical musical for all ages. “Seussical Jr.” is presented by The PACT, a new performing arts academy in Mobile. The 45-minute show will be presented on the Great Lawn at Bellingrath Gardens and Home at 6 PM Friday, March 6. In “Seussical Jr.,” favorite Dr. Seuss characters are lovingly brought to life, including Horton the Elephant, The Cat in the Hat, Gertrude McFuzz, the lazy bird Mayzie, and JoJo, a little boy with a big imagination. These colorful characters transport the audience from the Jungle of Nool to the Circus McGurkus to the invisible world of the Whos. Don’t miss this magical evening of music and fun in the Gardens. Tickets will be available at the door or may be purchased ahead of time from The PACT. For details, please visit thepactmobile.com.

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KidsHealthWatch

Sponsored by Children’s Medical Group

The 2019-2020 Influenza Season Each and every winter, the flu hits the United States. We are still in the middle of this year’s flu season, but if December was any indication, it’s going to be a tough year. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), so far this flu season 5.8% of people who have contracted the virus have died and 32 of those have been children. Needless to say, the flu can be a scary topic. So this month, we’ll review once again what you need to know to protect yourself and your family. First, let’s cover some basics about the flu: • Though everyone is infected differently by the virus, the flu generally causes some combination of fever, muscle aches, cough, runny nose, fatigue, and nausea. • These symptoms generally last 5-7 days and an individual is contagious for at least 5 days after the symptoms start. • There are vaccines and antiviral medications to help combat the most common strains of flu, Influenza A and Influenza B.

As a physician (and as someone who had the vaccine this year but still caught the flu), I cannot stress how important it is to get a flu shot. Each year a new flu vaccine is made to cover the aforementioned strains of A and B seen the previous flu season. The virus itself changes so frequently that the flu vaccine only prevents the flu 40-60% of the time. This brings up an important point regarding the flu vaccine: the primary purpose of the vaccine is, in fact, to prevent severe complications and death from the flu virus, not to prevent a person from getting the flu altogether. (It’s worthwhile to note that the flu vaccine only lasts about 6 months, so if you can get it in September or October, you will usually ensure protection throughout the entire flu season.) If you do catch the flu, one thing that can help is getting a specific antiviral medication, but this can be a little tricky for kids. While the medication works well for adults, it can cause neurological side effects or vomiting in children. The antiviral medication usually only helps re-

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duce the symptoms by about 36 hours and only works if it is begun within the first 48 hours of symptoms starting. The main thing it helps with is in high risk patients, as it helps reduce the chances of complications occurring after the flu. During winter especially, wash your hands well, keep your children home if they have a fever, and disinfect any objects that may have the flu virus on it. Call your pediatrician if your child isn’t staying hydrated, if you notice they’ve become more lethargic, or if you suspect they’re beginning to show signs of the flu. Stay safe this flu season!

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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 son, Finn, and their three dogs, Barkley, Fitz, and Roo.

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Mobile Bay Parents I February 2020

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Autauga County Schools

Technology Grant Awarded to Davidson Computer Sciences

Mrs. Wright's classroom was recently awarded a grant from Extron for a PoleVault system to be installed in her classroom. The equipment received through the grant is for the classroom and for the benefit of all students in her program. PoleVault Systems use economical twisted pair cable for transmitting signals and include network connectivity for Web-based AV resource management, monitoring, and control. Shown here are the 2nd block AP Computer Science Principles class.

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Please email School News and Photos

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to Lynn@mobilebayparents.com.

Corpus Christi Catholic School Retreat for Faculty

The faculty from Corpus Christi Catholic School started the new year with a retreat held at St. Joseph Chapel on the campus of Spring Hill College. Father Dan Good, who is a graduate of Corpus Christi, celebrated Mass and led the reflection part of the day.

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St. Paulâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Service Leadership Class Leads Art Project at Augusta Evans

Service Leadership students Ross Carley and Caroline Harrison organized and led a meeting of the Augusta Evans Explorers on Monday December 9. Students at Augusta Evans are exploring different aspects of art with the St. Paulâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Service Leadership class this year. Ross and Caroline planned a mixed media snowman project for this winter meeting. After making the snowmen, Ross accompanied the group on guitar as they sang favorite holiday songs!

St. Mary Catholic School Spelling Bee Winners

St. Mary Catholic School students participated in the first level of the annual Archdiocese of Mobile Catholic Schools Spelling Bee this December. St. Mary's 6th grader, Aiden Smith was the overall winner and 8th grader, Elise Doyle was the runner-up. The students will compete in the overall Archdiocesan Spelling Bee in January. Pictured are the St. Mary Competitors: Front row: Aiden Smith, grade 6; Jack O'Dowd, grade 4; Madeline Gilmore, grade 4; Thomas Arensberg, grade 5; William Glass, grade 6. Second Row: Ben Heinz, grade 5; Elise Doyle, grade 8; Jasmine Edwards, grade 8; Derrick Benard, grade 7; and Miles McLendon, grade 7. St Mary Spelling Bee Moderators are teachers, Nicki Dean and Donna Anderson.

Hands-on Learning for Daphne HS Culinary Students

Chef Ferry with Shipshape Container Gardens recently visited Daphne HS culinary students to film a promotional video! Students visited the hydroponic gardens and used the harvested kale in an Italian sausage & kale soup recipe. 9

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Autauga County Schools

Phillips Prep Scholar’s Bowl Team

The Phillips’s Scholar’s Bowl team ended the semester undefeated and with the highest cumulative scores in the area. They are hoping to have a repeat of their championship win last year. Team Captain Brandt Cannon lead the successful A team, also having the highest team score. Other A team members include: Cade Jordan, Shahir Latiff, Mark Bolton, Graham West and Addison Phelps. Also undefeated is the B team, captained by Thomas Carmichael! Way to go Pirates!

Congratulations E.R. Dickson Artists!

Congratulations to Via Cruz and Joseph Sonith who were chosen to have a piece of art displayed at the 2019 Bay Area Art Show. Their art was on display December 5th through January 2nd at Central Presbyterian Church on Dauphin Street. These students were recognized on Thursday, December 5 at a reception in their honor. The art show featured the art of a few hundred art students throughout the Mobile and Baldwin county areas. Via Cruz and Joseph Sonith (not pictured) are third grade students from Ms. McBryde’s classroom at E.R. Dickson Elementary. Ms. Rebecca Wright, art teacher, instructs these students weekly in her art classes.

Causey Faculty vs. Students Kickball Game Raises Money for Lego Competition

Causey Middle School robotics team hosted a faculty vs. student kickball game to raise money for their first Lego League competition. It was a hard fought battle, but the teachers pulled out the victory 9 - 5.

Mary B. Austin 4th Graders Create Origami Chess Set

Ms. Pope has always encouraged her students to learn to play chess for the strategy, higher level thinking, and the fun! This group of creative students decided to make their own origami chess pieces and board! They decided to call the new design, "Chessagami" and with the school's entrepreneurship focus, we wouldn't be surprised if they didn't figure out a way to sell these Chess-agami boards and host local origami and chess paired competitions. Way to be creative, Austin Innovators!

Mobile Bay Parents I February 2020

Old Shell Road Students Sing Holiday Songs at Assisted Living Facility Choir students from Old Shell Road School of Creative and Performing Arts spread some joy at The Murray House Assisted Living by singing several holiday songs. It warmed the hearts of the residents and helped get them in the mood for the holiday season.

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Bryant Hurricane Marching Band to Host Color Run & Car Show

The students of Bryant Hurricane Marching Band will host their third annual community-wide Color Run and a Car Show on March 7, 2020 at 9AM to raise money for their band. Both events will be taking place at Bryant High School in Irvington. Funds raised goes towards the financial needs of the Hurricane Band including band uniforms, equipment, instruments and transportation costs. The Color Run is an untimed 5K and One Mile fun run is for all ages and fitness abilities. Walk, jog, or run to the finish line! Along the route, participants pass through vibrant color zones, making it a “colorful experience.” This event is fun for all ages and a great way to make running fun and exciting! Participants that register by 02/14/2020 will receive a t-shirt, race bib, and individual color packet. The fee is $25.00. A Car Show celebrating all makes and models of cars, trucks, and motorcycles will also take place. Trophies in various categories including a people’s choice award will be given. The Registration fee for the car show is $20.00. Vendor space is available for $25.00. You must bring your own tent, chairs, or tables. Electricity is not available. Business sponsorship opportunities are also available. This is a great way to promote for any business and support your community. For Color Run or Vendor Info: Lara Nolan, Bryant Band Booster President, 251-605-7484, laraonolan@gmail.com; for Car Show Info: Lester Johnson, Bryant Board Member, 251-401-1770.

Burns Students Sing Christmas Carols at Assisted Living Facility

Burns Middle School Builders Club, cheerleaders and honor choir give the gift of music to Elmcroft Assisted Living. Burns has been Christmas caroling there for 14 years. Being involved in our community is rewarding.

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Autauga County Schools

Prichard Prep Annual Middle School Preview Day

Each year PPS hosts a Middle School Preview Day so that 4th - 5th students and parents are able to speak with representatives from local public and private middle schools. This is a great opportunity for them to learn more about the schools and the ones in particular that may interest them. We are grateful to the following schools who sent representatives: St. Luke's, St. Paul's, Denton Magnet, Mobile Christian, Faith Academy, Phillips Prep, Clarke-Shaw, and St. Ignatius. It was another great event!

Spelling Bee Winners at Little Flower

Congratulations to Arianna Watson and Bryce Wells, students at Little Flower Catholic School, for their great spelling techniques in the school's Spelling Bee. Students in grades four through eight competed in this yearly event. Arianna placed first by spelling 16 words correctly, and Bryce was a close second. Miss Margaret Capizzi, center, congratulates the winners.

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St. Luke's Center Stage presents “Cosmic Law”

St. Luke's theatre students recently presented "Cosmic Law" by award winning writer and student, Drew Scott. Drew wrote, directed and starred in Cosmic Law. Drew's previous work recently won second place, out of 90 schools, at Traumbauer Festival.

E.R. Dickson Teacher of the Year

E.R. Dickson Elementary is proud to announce the 2019 -2020 Teacher of the Year – Mrs. Sande McBryde. Mrs. McBryde has been teaching for fourteen years. She has been with E.R. Dickson for the last six years teaching third grade. Mrs. McBryde is the Grade Level Chairperson for 3rd Grade, a member of the ACip Committee, and a mentor teacher to new teachers. Congratulations to Mrs. McBryde from the faculty, staff, and students of E.R. Dickson Elementary.

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Covenant Christian 3rd Graders Read to Kindergartners

Mrs. Revelle and Mrs. Hollstein’s 3rd grade classes joined forces with the K3 and K4 classes to read to them. At Covenant Christian School, we love observing our older students being mentors to the younger grades. 13

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Autauga County Schools

Cottage Hill Christian Academy is Making an Impact in Honduras

During homecoming week the students at Cottage Hill Christian Academy partnered with the 36th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron of Keesler Air Force Base to provide school supplies for Forgotten Children’s Ministries in Tegucigalpa, Honduras. This was an international extension of the Love Where You Live service initiative at Cottage Hill. Forgotten Children’s Ministries serves orphans in the Tegucigalpa area by providing housing, nourishment, education, skill and spiritual development. During the Christmas break the supplies donated by Cottage Hill families were flown to Forgotten Children’s Ministries by the Air Force.

St. Ingnatius Catholic School’s Christmas Program

One of the best parts of the St. Ignatius Catholic School Christmas Program is the amazing live nativity scene displayed by our kindergarten students. The group also commits to Christmas Eve Mass for the entire parish. Pictured are Liam Dudeck, Barton Tapia, Chatwin Summers, Caroline McClinton, Anne Louise Vegliacich, Oliver Marston, Mac Walker, Elliot Tapia and Joseph DuPree.

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Psychology Workshop Held at MGM

On January 10, psychology teachers from the Mobile area met at Mary G. Montgomery High School for their Winter Workshop. MGM’s Dr. Roger Rose and Baker’s Marcee Hinds presented psychology units to this year’s participants. Throughout the course of the day, teachers discussed all of the major elements of the psychology courses they teach and the possibility of forming a teacher’s association called BAYTOPSS (Bay Area Teachers of Psychology in Secondary Schools). Participants were treated to lunch prepared by MGM’s culinary arts students and served by MGM’s event planning staff. The group had a marvelous time and will meet for other workshops in the future.

St. Vincent de Paul’s STAR Student for January

St. Vincent de Paul is proud to announce that our STAR student for January 2020 is Cecilia Cuffle. Cecilia is a warm and caring child that is always attentive and helpful in class. She models patience and politeness for her peers and is always willing to lend a helping hand. Cecilia is an eager learner who is always ready to give 100% to any new challenge. St. Vincent de Paul School is very proud of you!

St. Paul’s SGA Serves Breakfast at Ronald McDonald House

On Saturday December 7, 21 members of St. Paul’s Student Government Association met at Mobile’s Ronald McDonald House to prepare and serve breakfast for the families staying there while their children are hospitalized. After cooking and serving, the students cleaned the main living area of the house.

Baldwin County’s Board Certified Allergy Experts 251-625-1370 | coastalallergyasthma.com 15

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McGill-Toolen Student Recognized for Volunteer Service McT Senior Hannah Carter earned the President's Volunteer Service Award- Bronze! This award celebrates her commitment to strengthening our nation's communities through volunteer service. Hannah completed over 113 hours of service between McT and the community within one year.

Autauga County Schools

ASMS Students Win District 1 Congressional App Challenge

Each year, the members of the U.S. House of Representatives host a districtwide Congressional App Challenge for students, inviting them to create and submit an app to the Representative for their congressional district. The ASMS student team participated in the competition for District 1 under Representative Bradley Byrne and were selected as the 1st place winners. Team members included Isabelle Stabler (junior), JaMiyah Peebles (junior), Elijah Johnson (junior) and Hannah Vaccaro (senior) who were guided by the instruction and leadership of ASMS computer science faculty member, Mr. Grey Gaillard. The ASMS student team collaborated to develop a cumulative testing app. The purpose of this app is to test the knowledge each student has accumulated up to this point. Students are able to choose which classes they have taken, and the app issues customizable quizzes based on knowledge from those classes. Students are able to test and refresh their memory of those courses to determine their level of mastery. Currently, the app is built to support math, science, history, and computer science classes, but it can be expanded to incorporate any course. The students were honored with certificates from Representative Byrne and were awarded $250 Amazon web service credits. They have also been invited to a ceremony in Washington D.C.

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Hands-on Adventures! Learn more at disl.org/dhp/summer or call 251-861-2141 x7515 or email DHPSummer@disl.org. Mobile Bay Parents I February 2020

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Cottage Hill Christian Academy’s January STAR Student

Harper Wiggins has been chosen as the CHCA STAR Student for the month of January. She goes above and beyond to help both her classmates and her teachers, is the first to help a friend in need, and loves to read to her classmates during center time. Harper has a way of cheering up those around her by making them laugh and smile. Thank you for shining brightly in all you do Harper!

UMS-Wright Students Experience Project Engage

In January, UMS-Wright launched “Learning Beyond Our Gates,” a new program that we were so excited to offer our students. Project Engage was a 10-day winter term where Upper School Students were encouraged to think outside the box and were offered cross-curriculum opportunities beyond the traditional classroom. Throughout this 10-day term, students traveled to Italy, Colorado, and Florida, explored local hospitals, shadowed business executives and learned life skills such as laundry care, ironing, cooking, balancing a checkbook, and much more! Browse our social media sites to see pictures from Project Engage. UMS-Wright is always striving to provide unique experiences to enhance the lives of our students, and we know Project Engage was a successful way to ensure growth in Mind, Body, and Spirit!

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Autauga County Schools Causey Students Present Holiday Play

“The Baddest Angel Band”, a holiday play, was performed for Causey Middle School students and parents on December 5th by sixth grade drama students under the direction of drama teacher, Mrs. Cathy Copeland.

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

Old Shell Road Students Stuff the Bus

Old Shell Road Magnet School students donated and collected new toys for the Mobile County Public School "Stuff the Bus" project. They were so excited to be able to spread joy and happiness to those less fortunate in our community.

2020

CORPUS CHRISTI CATHOLIC SCHOOL Building the Body of Christ, One Student at a Time.

Enrollment for the 2020 - 2021 school year is happening NOW. Established in 1958, Corpus Christi Catholic School provides students in K2 through eighth grade an outstanding education. The mission of Corpus Christi Catholic School is to nurture every child by providing opportunities to grow in faith, achieve academic success, and serve others as disciples of Jesus. 6300 McKenna Drive • Mobile, Alabama 36608 • school. corpuschristiparish.com

Questions? Please contact us:

251.342.5474 • school@CCSCatholic.com CCS Generic Ad.indd 1 I February 2020 Mobile Bay Parents

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Mary B. Austin Students Hold Fairy Tale Wax Museum

The third graders at Mary B. Austin spent time investigating different literature genres and making note of the patterns, themes, characters, traits, and more during a quarter-long project-based learning thematic study. They concluded the unit with a presentation for guests that included dressing as characters from different fairy tales, folk tales, fables, and tall tales. The students sang songs for the visitors and then acted as a "wax museum" of characters with display boards for the guests to peruse as they toured the classrooms and were greeted by the wax characters. Here you can see the characters from the classic tale, "The Gingerbread Man." Tylin Pippen is the Gingerbread Man, Garrett Phillips is the little old man, Lindsey Madise is the little old lady, Aundrea Moore is the horse, Safiya Ba is the pig, Leah Simmons is the fox, and Parker True is the cow. Run, run, as fast as you can to visit the Mary B. Austin 3rd graders if you want to hear all about these classic tales!

Covenant Christian Student Places 1st in MAWSS Art Competition

Covenant Christian School’s Avari A. poses with her painting, “What Comes After the Rain.” Avari placed 1st in the 6-8th grade category for MAWSS competition “Fun With Water.” Congratulations!

Bridges Math at St. Luke’s

St. Luke's teachers and students love our new Bridges Math program in 1st grade. Students made counting bracelets and used them to construct meaning for the operations of addition and subtraction, as well as an understanding of how the two are connected. Innovative teaching plus great programs equals students who love learning!

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Autauga County Schools

Cottage Hill Athletes Help Put Finishing Touches On Love Where You Live Home

Several of Cottage Hill Baptist Church’s Love Where You Live teams have worked hard over the past few months to build a home for a family in the community. Recently Cottage Hill Christian Academy student-athletes were blessed with the opportunity to help put the final touches on the house by laying sod as well as completing several other landscaping tasks. CHCA is thankful for these young men and coaches for taking the time to serve those in our community!

E.R. Dickson’s 2019 – 2020 Student Council

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Congratulations to the 2019 – 2020 Student Council! Maguette Diouf – Treasurer; Marleigh Thompson – Historian; Haley Langley – Vice President; Ju’Morian Adams-Nettles – Secretary; Kendie Kidd – Public Relations; Jordan Green – President. Sponsors: Mrs. Summer Davis and Mrs. Kristy Elderkin.

Mobile Bay Parents I February 2020

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Kirk Jay will Rock the G!

On February 19, Kirk Jay will visit Mary G. Montgomery to perform a concert just for MGM students. Through the program Reach and Teach, MGM will host Kirkâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s crew. They will create a real concert atmosphere in our gym giving students the opportunity to attend a live concert performed by Kirk Jay who rose to fame as a finalist on The Voice.

Old Shell Road Robotics Team Participates in County Competition

Old Shell Road Elementary Gear & Gadgets robotics team had a blast at the county robotics competition. They worked hard and did our school proud!

The Study of States at St. Ignatius

Each fall the 3rd grade students at St. Ignatius Catholic School are assigned a state project. They have to research the state and put together a presentation about the state. The best part is dressing up as something fun for the presentation. Pictured here is the entire 3rd grade class dressed at states.

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Autauga County Schools

Covenant Christian Students Decorate Christmas Tree at Starbucks

As part of an annual tradition, Covenant Christian School 7th and 8th grade art students decorated a special Christmas tree with ornaments made by K5-8th grade art students. This coastal inspired tree was on display at the Starbucks on Hillcrest and Grelot Rd. Pictured from left: Brayden R, Kenzie M, Chloe D, Alex A, Jesse S, Avari A, Kara A, Sydney R, Howie J, Addie H, and Amy R.

St. Paulâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Junior and Senior Class Officers Provide Gifts for Needy Family

Junior class sponsors Julie Albrecht and Renea Green joined with Senior class sponsor Karen Duren to organize Christmas gifts for a needy family. Class officers Jackson Rice, Cassady Qualls, Turner Boulo, Drew Turnipseed, William Martin, David Brown, Taylor Nicks, Graham Carnes, and Barbara Horner shopped for and wrapped the gifts on Thursday December 19, then delivered them to the family. The Junior and Senior officers have been sponsoring this family for several years.

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UMS-Wright Holocaust Class Participates in World-Wide Daffodil Project

The Daffodil Project aspires to build a worldwide Living Holocaust Memorial by planting 1.5 million Daffodils in memory of the children who perished in the Holocaust and in support of children suffering in humanitarian crises in the world today. In December, our Holocaust Studies class planted 250 daffodil bulbs to help in this worldwide initiative and also held a dedication ceremony. A special thank you to Rabbi Steven Silberman and Reverend Pete Burgess for blessing the garden!

St. Lukeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Students Successful Compete at Traumbauer Festival

St. Lukeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s students recently competed at Troy University for Alabama's State Traumbauer Theatre Festival. They competed against 99 teams across the state. All of our competing students received superior rankings in all categories. Senior, Drew Scott, won 2nd Place in Playwriting.

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Autauga CountyCongratulations Schools to the 2019-2020

Burns Middle School Book Fair

Mrs. Hardyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s class at Burns middle school enjoys purchasing books from the Librarian Mrs. Amy Wallace at the book fair.

Causey Middle School 7th Grade Ambassadors

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St. Luke's Community Blood Drive

St. Luke's Biomedical Health Science Students are hosting a blood drive on the University Campus from 12:00-6:30 PM on February 19.

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UMS-Wright Lower School Students Give Back

Throughout the month of December, our Lower School students collected items for various organizations in the community. Our little Bulldogs (K3) collected items for the Joseph Project which is a food pantry located at the Dumas Wesley Community Center. The food pantry is open to all in need, completely volunteer-supported and serves 100 households on a first-come, first-served basis. Also K4 students purchased gifts for Wilmer Hall and canned goods for Dumas Wesley; K5 donated pajamas to Penelope’s Closet; 1st grade brought in toys, crafts and pajamas for Penelope House; 2nd grade purchased toys for patients at Women’s and Children’s Hospital; 3rd grade donated toys to the Ronald McDonald House; and 4th grade collected blankets and delivered them to FOX 10 for their 10 Caring Gifts program.

St. Mary Catholic Welcomes Seminarian Blake Bradley

St. Mary Catholic welcomed Blake Bradley, Seminarian for the Archdiocese of Mobile this December for a visit of the entire school. Blake's visit was part of a Catholic tour where all of the Archdiocesan Seminarians visited all Catholic Schools on one day. The seminarians participated in classes, played games, ate lunch with the students and answered questions regarding their vocations.

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Autauga County Schools

Local Catholic Schools Participate in Compassion in Action Service Day

St. Mary Catholic School initiated the inaugural "Compassion in Action Day" for the Archdiocese of Mobile Catholic Schools on January 10 under the leadership of St. Mary Middle School Religion Teacher, Ashley Thompson. This day of service invited all Catholic School 7th grade classes in Mobile and Baldwin Deaneries. Schools participating this year included St. Mary Catholic, Corpus Christi Catholic, and Little Flower Catholic with a total of 136 students. The day gave students an opportunity to live out the faith they are taught each day, to grow closer to Christ through assisting the most vulnerable in their communities, and to engage in theological reflection and social analysis as they experience serving others. Service site visits included: Mobile Baykeepers, Little Sisters of The Poor, Goodwill/Easter Seals, Family Promise, Ronald McDonald House, Feeding The Coast, The Carmelite Monastery, Prodisee Pantry, and Penelope's Closet. Pictured above, the day also included prayer and reflection and ended with Mass with Archbishop Thomas J. Rodi at St. Mary Catholic Church followed by a "Going Forward Retreat" with guest speaker Lauren Alley and musician Trey Krause of McGill-Toolen Catholic. Pictured left are Corpus Christi Catholic School Students.

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Corpus Christi Ukulele Students Perform at Airport

Corpus Christi Catholic School students in Mr. Stoyka's and Miss Elliot's ukulele elective class went to the Mobile Regional Airport to decorate a Christmas tree and perform for the travelers. The airport sponsors a contest each year and invites schools throughout Mobile to perform Christmas songs during the holiday season. Corpus Christi won 1st Place in this year's contest!

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Local Robotics Teams Compete at Jubilee Best Regional Competition

Congratulations to the Jubilee BEST teams who participated at the Southâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s BEST Regional competition at Auburn University recently. With 60 robots from the southeast competing, our teams not only performed well on the game field, they also showed teamwork and sportsmanship by supporting and cheering for each other. Jubilee teams represented our hub well. The skills and experiences students gain from BEST far exceed the trophies and awards they receive. We are so proud of all our amazing students! Pictured is the Burns Middle School team. #JubileeBEST2019 #BESTRobotics2019

St. Mary Catholic Student Wins March For Life T-shirt Design Contest

St. Mary Catholic 7th grader, Finn Montague won the T-shirt design contest for the Mobile 2020 March For Life. His design represents the State of Alabama with splashes of paint and the phrase, "Standing for the 6,000" with a biblical quote from Romans 14:4, "And they will stand, for The Lord is able to make them stand." The number 6,000 represents the number of abortions in our state last year alone. This year's March for Life in Mobile was January 24. 27

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Be a Role Model:

The secret to healthy media use is to establish time limits and stick to them. Start when your kids are young by setting screen limits that work for your family’s needs and schedule. And don’t just talk the talk -- walk the walk!

Find a Healthy Balance with Media & Technology

3) Use media together.

We’ve all seen that dad yakking away on his cell phone at the playground while his 3-year-old resorts to increasingly desperate measures to get his attention. We’ve also been that parent. We answer emails, update Facebook, take a conference call, and try to get in that one last text. The thing is, kids notice -- and they’re not happy about it. Lots of studies address the impact of screen time on kids, and guidelines show how much is appropriate at what age. But researchers are just beginning to look into the effect that parents’ screen use has on kids. A Boston Medical Center study of how families at a restaurant interacted with each other when they used cell phones demonstrated that caregivers who were “highly absorbed” in their devices responded harshly to their kids’ bids for attention. And in her book The Big Disconnect: Protecting Childhood and Family Relationships in the Digital Age, Catherine Steiner-Adair found that kids often feel they have to compete with devices for their parents’ attention. Most importantly, kids learn their screen habits from us. It might be easier if someone just gave parents a recommended daily time limit so we’d know when to stop. In the meantime, we’ll need to find balance. But there’s a huge motivator to change our behavior: The little girl on the play structure, the boy learning to skateboard, the twins playing dress-up. They’re watching us, watching our phones.

Whenever you can, watch, play, and listen with your kids. Ask them what they think of the content. Share your values, and help kids relate what they learn in the media to events and other activities in which they’re involved. With

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older kids, you can draw them out by sharing stuff from your Facebook and Instagram accounts.

4) Keep distractions to a minimum.

5 Ways to Find a Healthy Balance of Media and Technology

You probably tell your kids to turn their phones off during homework time. Get rid of the stuff that distracts you, too. Hide your apps so they don’t display, set your phone to “do not disturb,” or shut down your devices during important family time.

1) Be a role model. When kids are around, set an example by using media the way you want them to use it. Keep mobile devices away from the dinner table (learn about our Device-Free Dinner initiative), turn the TV off when it’s not being watched, and use a DVR to record shows to watch later. Mobile Bay Parents I February 2020

2) Start good habits early.

5) Turn off work. Many parents feel they need to be constantly accessible to their jobs. But that’s stressful, frustrating, and not realistic. Set boundaries for work time and family time. 28

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Keep Your Dignity, Not the Cars

Q. My wife and I will both turn 30 next month. We have two young children, and we make a little over $85,000 combined. The problem is we have about $70,000 in debt. Some of it is credit card debt, but nearly $50,000 is in two car loans. Her mom and dad have offered to let us move in with them, so we can save up money and start getting a better handle on our finances, but we’re not sure how we feel about this. What’s your advice? A. You’ve got a ridiculous amount of money wrapped up in those cars. I’d sell the stupid things, get into a couple of little beaters, and start living on a budget and paying down debt. In your situation, the only scenario where I’d even consider taking the in-laws

up on their offer is one where the stay is for a very short, agreed-upon period of time. They’d have to be absolutely wonderful people, too, and everyone involved would need to know their boundaries. But you guys can get out of debt pretty fast if you’ll just lose the cars. You could even save a little money on the side while you were paying down debt, and buy a better car as soon as the debt was gone. You might love your cars so much that you’re unwilling to make the sacrifice. Not me. I’d rather keep my dignity intact, and work my way out of the mess I created!

Who Will Be Liable for My Parents’ Debt?

Q. My parents are getting up there in years, and they aren’t really prepared for

when they pass away. They can’t afford life insurance at this point, and they also have a lot of debt. When they die, who will be liable for their debt?

A. Any outstanding debt your parents have upon passing will likely go against their estate. If they have a positive net worth—meaning they owned more than they owed—there will be money left over after the debts are paid, and this could go toward an inheritance. If they have a negative net worth, which means they owed more than they owned, everything could be sold off to cover as much of the debt as possible. Regardless, you would only be held liable for any of their debt if you were a co-signer on the loans. I’d also suggest getting their permission to buy burial policies on them. If they won’t agree to this, you might have to save up money for their final expenses yourself. In most areas, $10,000 to $15,000 is enough to cover basic burial costs for two people.

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A childâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s health encompasses

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physical, mental and social wellbeing. It is important to maintain good overall health in children so they grow and develop appropriately. My grandfather used to say, â&#x20AC;&#x153;If you have your health you have everything.â&#x20AC;? If you and your child are healthy, you will have more energy, lower medical costs, improved moods, and live longer. Here are some ways to promote healthy habits within your child: Mobile Bay Parents I February 2020

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Create a Bedtime Routine and Regular Bedtime:

Sleep helps your brain function properly which improves learning. Studies show sleep deficiency increases the risk of obesity, heart disease, stroke, and diabetes. Receiving the proper amount of sleep promotes appropriate growth and development, improves social interactions and increases immunity against diseases. NIH recommends school-age children and teens should sleep for 9-10 hours per night. Bad sleep habits will affect both your physical and emotional health. One way to ensure your child is receiving enough sleep is to create a scheduled bedtime based on when they need to wake up in the morning. If you maintain the same bedtime every night it will be easier to fall asleep and create a healthy habit. Another way to help your child receive the proper amount of sleep is to have a bedtime routine a half-hour before the expected sleep time. This routine will help your child relax which would then lead to falling asleep easier. Some suggested bedtime routines are reading, a warm bath, drawing, listening to soothing music or other calming activities.

Read Food Labels:

According to the CDC childhood obesity has more than tripled since 1970. Childhood obesity has both short and long term effects on a child’s physical, social and emotional health. For this reason, it is important for a child to maintain a healthy weight. Reading and understanding food labels is a way for a child to figure out if a food is healthy to eat. The food label will demonstrate the number of calories, sugar, fat

content and also break down the percent of the recommended daily intake to help create a balanced diet. It also helps to become more aware of what you are eating since you might think a food is healthy only to learn it isn’t after reading the food label. You can find free printable worksheets to help your child understand a balanced diet at www. nourishinteractive.com.

Exercise with Your Kids:

The CDC recommends children and teens should be physically active for 60 minutes per day. The physical activity should include aerobic, strengthening and bone strengthening activities. If you exercise with your child and select something you both view as fun, you will be more likely to do it. Some suggested family activities are walking, running, hiking, dancing, biking, and a workout class or video. Create a weekly scheduled routine to incorporate it into your life which would create a healthy habit.

Limit Screen Time:

Screen time consists of watching television, playing video games or using electronic devices. When a child is in front of a screen they are typically sedentary and not interacting with others. A research study at UCLA found when kids have too much screen time they have difficulty understanding other people’s emotions. Dr. Leonard Epstein studied the effects of limiting screen time in obese children. The findings demonstrate when screen time is limited the children consumed 300-1500 fewer calories. Both of these research studies demonstrate the importance of limiting screen time to help your child socially interact with others, eat fewer calories and be more physically active.

Encourage Social Interactions:

It is important to encourage your child to develop healthy relationships with peers and adults. Problem-solving, managing friendships, and understanding emotions are necessary for a child’s positive mental health. These skills will also enable a child to learn more effectively in the classroom.

Discuss Physical and Emotional Safety:

According to the CDC one of the leading causes of death in children is car accidents. One study found over 600,000 children did not use the proper car seat or seat belt which could prevent death during a car accident. Other accidental deaths include drowning, fire/burns, guns, poisoning, and suffocation. To prevent injuries and death it is important to discuss safety issues regarding all of these potentially dangerous situations. Children and teenager may be in situations when they are offered drugs or subjected to physical or sexual abuse. It is important to discuss with your child healthy and appropriate relationships.

Be a Healthy Role Model:

Children and teens model their parent’s positive and negative behaviors. Research conducted at Duke University found kids were more likely to eat well and exercise if their parent modeled those behaviors. If you model a healthy lifestyle, your child will most likely lead one as well. MBP Cheryl Maguire holds Master of Counseling Psychology degree. Her writing has been published in Parents Magazine, Upworthy, Chicken Soup for the Soul: Count Your Blessings and Your Teen Magazine. You can find her at Twitter @CherylMaguire05.

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ParentingToday’sTeens by Mark Gregston

Parents on a Different Page, Same Chapter Raising teens is hard enough when parents agree on how a child should be parented. But confusion flourishes and relationships flounder when moms and dads can’t seem to get on the same parenting page. During adolescence, kids need a cohesive and focused team approach from Mom and Dad, whether the entire family is living in the same house or not. This doesn’t mean you have to change your parenting personality. I parent different than my wife. My wife’s personality is different than mine. And it works! The two styles combined provide a varied approach to our kids, who have their own personalities. There are times in our kids’ lives that my type of parenting works best, and there are times when hers does. But make no mistake—above and beyond our parenting styles, my wife and I work together for the same purpose, and that’s to raise healthy and mature kids. So how do you ensure you and your spouse are working as a team?

Watch The Criticism

Since none of us are perfect, there will always be something your spouse did, or didn’t do, that could be cause for complaints. But before you criticize your mate, ask yourself if it will help or hurt your partnership. Too often, moms and dads start seeing each other as adversaries instead of teammates. If your spouse has dropped the ball or fumbled a pass while raising your teen, you don’t have to point it out or assign blame. I can guarantee that you’ll drop the ball a few times as well! Instead, learn how to honestly express the strains and struggles you are feeling towards your spouse without pointing the finger. And if your spouse slips up and directs some blame your way, don’t counterattack. We all get carried away with our words sometimes. Instead, tackle your marital struggles and disagreements Mobile Bay Parents I February 2020

with a bedrock commitment to respect and unity. You will not only improve your relationship with your spouse, you will also give your teen a powerful example to follow. My friend DeeDee Mayer says that one of the great benefits of marriage is: “To know and be known as a human being and be loved anyway.”

Agree Even If You Don’t

Moms and dads will never see eyeto-eye on every parenting issue. But you can agree to work together and speak with one voice and one message to your teens. Agree to talk through disagreements over what is important for your child. When you differ on what the parenting focus should be in your home, some sacrifice from both parents may be necessary in order to reach an agreement. But having a unified front can bring about some big results in your teens. So agree to be united in your parenting. Agree about which “hills to die on”, what’s major, what’s minor, what’s important, what’s not. And if you can’t come to an agreement, then seek counsel from someone you both look up to, and continue to respect each other, especially in front of your kids.

Focus On Your Marriage

My wife and I have been weathertested when it comes to raising teenagers. But even now, with adult kids, we still tussle over the advice we give to our kids and we still struggle to give each other the grace to make mistakes sometimes. When my twenty-five year old announced his divorce, for instance, Jan and I didn’t see eye-to-eye on what to do, or how to talk with our son. We were confused and hurting, and it took its toll on our marriage. We started drifting apart, setting up emotional foxholes and hunkering down alone. It took the grace of God to snap us out of the funk and get us back together and fo32

cused. We realized we needed each other to survive, and working through the pain by ourselves was not an option. I know this may surprise you, but your relationship with your spouse is more important than your relationship with your child. So this next piece of advice is mandatory: take time every day to give attention to your spouse. Take a break from the rest of your family to go on a date. Write him a love note. Surprise her with flowers. Go away for the weekend. Cultivate a healthy marriage. Nurture each other for a little while and you will soon see how refreshed and re-energized you feel. You’ll work better as a team, and your kids will see a powerful model of a husband and wife who are devoted to each other and are on the same page.

Be Patient

If you’ve been married for a while, you’ve likely realized by now that you can’t change your spouse. The only person you can change is you. Raising teens as a united team takes time. It’s a daily process. We need to display patience and grace with each other in order to make it work. That may require us to give up some of our opinions for the sake of unity. But let me tell you—it’s so worth it! Parents, if you are approaching the teen years with your kids, start preparing ahead of time. Begin having those conversations to ensure that you are on the same page, and that the foundations of your marriage are strong. The steps you take today will guard your marriage from the problems that can come during adolescence. And if you have teens in your home now, perhaps the best thing you can do for your teen right now is to turn your attention toward your marriage, and strengthen the parenting team. Mark Gregston is an author, speaker, radio host, and the founder of a residential counseling center for struggling teens located in Longview, Texas. Mark’s passion for helping teens can be seen in his 40 years of involvement with families as a youth pastor, Young Life area director, and now, as the Executive Director of Heartlight, where he has lived with and helped over 2,700 teens. To find out more about Mark and his ministry to parents and teens, you can visit www.HeartlightMinistries.org or www.ParentingTodaysTeens.org.

www.mobilebayparents.com

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One of the toughest first decisions I had to make as a new parent-to-be was finding exceptional daycare for my newborn. I had to go back to work six weeks after giving birth so I began my daycare search long before my son was born. I

by Judy Miller

was thankful I did. Many daycares were full and had waiting lists. A number were simply not in our budget. Others did not take such a young infant.

Mobile Bay Parents I February 2020

www.mobilebayparents.com

Begin Early Begin your quest for a daycare as soon as you realize that you will need it. Many daycares require a deposit to hold a place for your child. If your child has special needs that will need to be addressed, inquire if the daycare can support you in this and whether you will be comfortable. You may want to explore hiring a nanny or an inhome provider.

Ask Those Who Know I asked daycare-seasoned parents about the daycares they used before I began exploring daycare options. Their input helped me to decide the environment I wanted my child to be in. Determine what your parameters are: location, cost, hours and days needed, and in-home versus a churchbased or commercial daycare center. Schedule a tour of any daycare that has made it on to your final list of options. Be sure to bring your list of questions with you.

Look for a Nurturing Environment Children require nurturing to grow healthy minds and bodies. Observe the environment as you tour the facility. What is the daily schedule? How are children treated? What is the caregiver to child ratio? How does the daycare “feel”? How do the daycare employees transition children into new rooms?

Be Comfortable with the Method of Discipline

caregiver approachable for questions and discussion?

Ask how the daycare disciplines a child. If you are not comfortable with their methods, walk. I did not think about asking about discipline until my son, and only child at that time, was kicked out of daycare at the ripe age of twelve months for biting. I found another daycare for him and tearfully told the caregiver the truth. She gave me a big hug and said, “Well, that’s normal!”

Pay Attention to Safety and Cleanliness

Are you expected to pay for a full-time week over a certain number of days? How do vacations and holidays work? What hours is the daycare open? Will the daycare be able to take your child early or keep her late if necessary? If so, what is the charge of doing so?

Understand the Sick Policy

What are the security procedures? Does the daycare follow them? Check out the bathrooms. Ask to see the kitchen. Check if the caregivers and other staff members wear gloves when cleaning up bodily fluids. How are the rooms cleaned that your child will be in? Are cots disinfected? Is bedding washed or sent home with you on a consistent basis? Are the tables and other furniture appropriately child-sized? Are the toilets and sinks? What is the outdoor play area like?

Assess the Communication Style How proactive is the daycare with communication? Will you get a summary of your child’s day, down to the number of dirty diapers and time and length of her nap? Will you be called immediately if there is a concern? Is the

Understand Expectations the Daycare Has of You and Visa-Versa

Most daycares are specific about what constitutes a sick child or an infection that will not be allowed to be in daycare. A child in my son’s daycare came down with the highly contagious conjunctivitis (also known as pinkeye). I was relieved the affected child was sent home immediately and could not return to daycare until a doctor said he was no longer contagious. As a parent you hope the daycare will follow the policies they have in place. Understand that adhering to the policy is important not only for your child, but others as well. MBP

Judy M. Miller is a freelance writer living in the Midwest and a mom to four children, all of whom have spent time in daycare when young. She is the author of What To Expect From Your Adopted Tween and Writing to Heal Adoption Grief: Making Connections & Moving Forward.

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Auburn Early Head StartFamily Child Care Partnerships ad on page 5

Ten locations throughout the Mobile area Early Head Start program in a licensed home environment with nationally accredited providers. Ages 0-3 years. No cost child care, if eligible. Christal Coker (251) 206-5722 ccc0064@auburn.edu Charla Moyer (251) 423-2052 csm0034@auburn.edu

36602 First Baptist Mobile Child Dev. Center 806 Government Street, Mobile 36602 Hours: M-F, 6:30am to 5:30pm Ages: 8 wks - 4 yrs (251) 432-6513 www.fbcmobile.com

Nina Nicks Joseph Child Dev. Center

209 South Washington Avenue, Mobile Hours: M-F, 6:30am to 6pm Ages: 6 wks-12 yrs (251) 433-1310 ninaskids.org www.childdaycare.org

36603 Dearborn YMCA - Child Dev. Program 321 North Warren Street, Mobile 36603 Hours: M-F, 6:30am-6pm Ages: 6 wks - 4 years (251) 432-4768 www.dearbornymca.org

Mobile Bay Parents I February 2020

Most Pure Heart of Mary Catholic School

310 Sengstak Street, Mobile Full Day Program. (School- K3 to Eighth grade). Before and after care. Ages: K3 - K4 (251) 432–5270 www.heartofmaryschoolmobile.org

36604

Legacy Child Life Learning & Development Center ad on page 35

1060 Government Street, Mobile 36604 A Ministry of Living Word Christian Center. Legacy Child Life Learning & Development Center is committed to providing an excellent, loving, and secure Christian environment where our children can develop spiritually, intellectually, emotionally, socially, and physically. Curriculums include ACE (Accelerated Christian Education) and A Beka. Kingdom Academy, also a Ministry of Living Word Christian Center is a school that goes from K-8th. Hours: Monday-Friday, 6:30 am-6:00pm Ages: 6 weeks - 5 years (251) 441-1901 www.lwccim.com/legacy-childlife-learning-development-center

St. Mary Catholic School Preschool Program ad on page 36

107 N. Lafayette Street, Mobile St. Mary Catholic preschool curriculum provides a loving, safe, stimulating, and Christian environment that values and respects the individuality of each child. St. Mary believes in a developmentally appropriate curriculum for children three and four years of age. The focus of the preschool curriculum is to prepare children socially, emotionally and academically for the many challenges that elementary school brings. St. Mary Catholic is the oldest existing elementary school in the state of Alabama, offering education from preschool thru grade 8 partnering with McGill-Toolen Catholic High School. Hours: Monday-Friday, Half and full day options: 8:00am-12:00pm and 8:00am-3:00pm. After School Care is also available. Ages: 3 - 4 years (251) 433-9904 dollis@stmarymobile.org www.stmarymobile.org

St. Mary Parish Mom’s Day Out ad on page 36

1413 Old Shell Road, Mobile St. Mary Mom’s Day Out is a ministry of St. Mary Parish. We are dedicated to provide a nurturing environment that meets the needs of our children.

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We provide care for children ages 6 weeks to Preschool readiness at age 3. Curriculum begins in each classroom starting at 12 months old till they are ready to go to preschool. The daily curriculum includes circle time, literacy, art, gross motor skills, fine motor skills, music, and outside play. They will begin to learn their alphabet, colors, shapes, and numbers.The at St. Mary Mom’s Day out is to promote developmental skills in the emotional, social, creative, cognitive and physical areas. St. Mary Mom’s Day Out partners with St. Mary Catholic School. Hours: Monday- Friday, 7:15 a.m to 5:30 p.m. with full and part-time options. Ages: 6 weeks - age 3 (251) 432-8678 momsdayout@stmarymobile.org

Alabama Institute for Deaf and Blind – Mobile Regional Center 1050 Government Street, Mobile Hours: Monday-Thursday 8:00am-2:30pm Ages: 3-5 years (251) 433-1234 www.aidb.org

Azalea City Montessori Co-op

1260 Dauphin Street, Mobile Hours: Monday - Friday; 8:00am-3:00pm with extended care from 7:00am-8:00am and 3:00pm to 6:00pm. Ages: 3 years - 12 years (251) 205-5295 montessorimobile@gmail.com www.azaleacitymontessori.org

Carmen’s Childcare and Learning Center 1361 Spring Hill Avenue, Mobile Hours: Monday-Friday, 6:00am-6:00pm Ages: 6 weeks – 11 years (251) 432-9050

Dauphin Way United Methodist Church Child Development Center

1507 Dauphin Street, Mobile Hours: M-F, 7am- 6pm Ages: 6 weeks - 4 years (251) 473-1861 www.dauphinwayumc.org

36606

Taylor’s KinderCare ad on page 23

1805 Duval Street, Mobile, AL 36606 Hours: Monday - Friday 6:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. Ages: 6 weeks - 12 years We believe in educational excellence built on a foundation of Biblical truths. DHR Certified. Before and After School Program. Visit our Open House Sunday, February 9, 2 - 4pm. (251) 476-0677

Little Flower Catholic School

Westminster Presbyterian Kids - Preschool and Mom’s Day Out ad on page 39

younger students participate in Music Class once a week, while our older students have Music class twice a week, Spanish class once a week, and a Chapel service every Wednesday. We also have a Summer program in June and July. We believe that a child’s work is their play; therefore, our goal is to provide happy, healthy play and learning activities in a safe, enriching environment. Learning activities are planned daily for every classroom and are designed to be age appropriate. We stress social skills, listening skills, and peer play, as well as language development, fine and gross motor skills, and school readiness. Please call to schedule a tour and come see why Westminster is entering its 60th year of serving the families of Mobile! Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00am-1:00pm Ages: 3 months - 4 years (251) 471-9995 westminsterpreschoolmobile@ outlook.com

2103 Government Street, Mobile Ages: K3 - K4 (251) 479-5761 www.school.littleflower.cc

2921 Airport Boulevard, Mobile 36606 Westminster Presbyterian Church is home to one of Mobile’s oldest and most respected Early Childhood programs. Westminster Preschool provides classes for ages 3 months to 2 years old ranging from 2 to 5 days a week. Our Preschool provides K3 and K4, with a unique Little Learners class for 2 ½ year olds who are toilet trained, ranging from 3 to 5 days a week. Our program is from 9:00-1:00 pm, with an Early Drop-Off available at 8:00. We also offer gymnastics, dance, drama, art, and science to our K3 and K4 students as after school extracurricular classes. Our

St. Pius X

217 South Sage Avenue, Mobile Hours: Monday-Friday, 7:0am-3:00pm Ages: K3 - K4 (251) 473-5004 Office@stpiustenth.com www.stpiustenth.com

Trinity Kids Learning Center

309 Pinehill Drive, Mobile Hours: Monday-Friday, 6:30am-6:00pm Ages: 4 weeks - 12 years (251) 476-1844 Find us on Facebook

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the children to learn while playing and play while learning. Studies show that using a sensory approach to learning is the most effective way to learn and retain. So, at Weinacker’s Montessori School students get to move around and explore, allowing them to learn while using their five senses in a safe and engaging environment. This not only gives them the freedom to explore their natural abilities, it allows your child to have a unique, individualized learning experience. This helps instill self-confidence and a lifelong curiosity for knowledge. After all, we’re not just preparing your child for their education; we’re preparing them for life! Infant, Toddler, and Early Childhood programs. Certified Teachers, State Licensed, Montessori curriculum. Hours: Monday-Friday, 6:00am-6:00pm Ages: Infant-6 years old (251) 344-8755 www.weinackersmontessori.com

Corpus Christi Catholic School Preschool

Bright Beginnings Learning Center at Providence LLC

Ashland Place Preschool and Mother’s Day Out

15 Wisteria Avenue, Mobile 36607 Hours: M-F, 9am-1pm Ages: 3 months - 4 years (251) 478-6360 www.ashlandplacepreschool.com

UMS-Wright

65 Mobile Street, North, Mobile Hours: Monday-Friday, 7:20am-2:45pm with extended care available Ages: 3 - 4 years (251) 479-6551 www.ums-wright.org

ad on page 18

6300 McKenna Drive, Mobile 36608 Corpus Christi Catholic School’s preschool provides a warm, nurturing environment with ageappropriate activities. Experienced, well-trained staff members, and certified teachers are dedicated to providing the highest quality of child care. This program provides children the opportunity to learn, play, and grow in a safe, developmentally appropriate learning environment. Our mission is to provide the building blocks for a life-long love of learning and academic success. We are a Christcentered Catholic environment where children develop socially, physically and spiritually. Hours: Monday-Friday, Full day hours are 7:55am-3:00pm, and half day hours are 7:55am11:55am, Extended care before and after school is available. Ages: 2 years - K4 (251) 342-5474 school@CCSCatholic.com school.corpuschristiparish.com

Weinacker’s Montessori School ad on page 20

227 Hillcrest Road, Mobile Our mission we believe every child is born with unique potential. And in order for your child to reach their potential, it must first be revealed. That’s where our highly skilled teachers and unique approach come in. First and foremost, we at Weinacker’s Montessori School encourage

6803 Airport Boulevard, Mobile Hours: Monday-Friday 6:00am-6:00pm (251) 776-5540 bright-beginnings-learning-center-at-providence-llc.business.site/

Dauphin Way Baptist Child Dev.

3661 Dauphin Street, Mobile Hours: Monday-Friday, 6:30am to 6:00pm Ages: 6 weeks - K4 (251) 344-0909 Find us on Facebook

Faith Academy Preschool

8650 Tanner Williams Rd, Mobile Hours: Monday-Friday, 7:30-3:05 Ages: K3 - K4 (251) 633-7267 www.faithacademy.us

Goodwill Easter Seals of the Gulf Coast - Springhill Child Dev. Center 10 Westminster Way, Mobile Hours: Monday-Friday, 7:30am-5:30pm Ages: 2.5 - 5 years (251) 342-3122 www.gesgc.org

Kids Stuff Preschool

320 Hillcrest Road, Mobile Hours: M-F, 6am-6pm Ages: 6 weeks - 12 years (251) 343-6611 www.kidsstuffpreschool.com

Life Church Child Dev. Center

8701 Zeigler Boulevard, Mobile Hours: Monday-Friday, 6:00am-6:00pm Ages: 6 weeks - 3.5 years (251) 633-2679 www.lifechurchcdc.com

Spring Hill Mother’s Day Out and Week Day School 10 Westminster Way, Mobile Hours: Monday - Friday, 9:00am - 1:00pm Ages: 2 months - 4 years (251) 344-2070 www.shpc.us/visitors/preschool-programs/

Springhill Baptist Child Dev. Center

2 S McGregor Ave, Mobile Hours: Monday-Friday, 7:00am-5:30pm Day Care, 8:30am-1:00pm Mom’s Day Out (251) 342-6044 shbc.cc/ministries/day-school/

St. Ignatius Catholic School Early Learning Center 3650 Spring Hill Avenue, Mobile Hours: Monday-Friday, 7:15am-6:00pm Ages: 4 months-4 years (251) 342-5442 www.stignatiusmobile.org

St. Paul’s Episcopal Early Education Center

4051 Old Shell Road, Mobile Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00am-2:30pm Ages: K2 - K3 (251) 725-0048 www.stpaulsearlyedcenter.com

West Mobile Baptist Child Dev. Center 7501 Airport Boulevard, Mobile Hours: Monday-Friday, 6:00am-6:00pm Ages: 6 weeks - K5 (251) 639-6868 www.wemochurch.org

36609

Learn, Play, Grow Childcare ad on page 25

513 Georgian Dr, Mobile Montessori and school readiness educational

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curriculum. This benefits social skills, strong foundations, concentration skills and enthusiasm for learning. Full-day & Scholl-day programs. Extracurricular enrichment is also available. Hours: Monday-Friday, 6:00am-6:00pm Ages: Infant-6 years old (251) 342-5399 www.weinackersmontessori.com

Mobile Christian School ad on page 24

5900 Cottage Hill Road, Mobile 36609 Mobile Christian School’s PreK3 and PreK4 curriculum is designed to provide children with a variety of enrichment and readiness experiences that will stimulate and challenge our students. Following a daily routine the child’s needs are met socially, emotionally, physically, academically, and spiritually. Students K3, K4, and K5 participate in weekly Spanish, Music, Computer, and Library classes. Students participate daily with SMART TVs, PE, Handwriting without Tears, Saxon Phonics and other college preparatory curriculum offerings. Students also have the opportunity to participate in athletics beginning in K3. Mobile Christian has just built a new state of the art elementary complex that house K3-5th grades. Sharing a campus with the middle and high school provides a smooth transition for students that stay at Mobile Christian through graduation. Hours: Monday-Friday, 7:55am-2:50pm, Before and After School Care Available Ages: PK3 - PK5 (251) 661-1613 info@mobilechristian.org www.mobilechristian.org

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St. Mark Early Learning Center ad on page 16

36618

day children, 9:00-1:00 for Mom’s Day out, 3K and 4K Hours: 8:45 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. Ages: 8 weeks - 4K (251) 372-7215 christie.ford@christunited.com www.christunitedkids.com/kidzcrossing

Moffett Road Baptist Child Development Center

Nazarene Day Care & Learning Center 669 Azalea Road, Mobile Hours: Monday-Friday, 6:30am-6:00pm Ages: 6 weeks - 4K (251) 666-0044 nazarenelc@gmail.com www.nazarenelearningcenter.com

Training Wheels Childcare and Preschool

36617 Goodwill Easter Seals of the Gulf Coast - Gordon Smith Child Dev. Center

2448 Gordon Smith Drive, Mobile 36617 Hours: Monday-Friday Ages: 6 wks - school age (251) 471-1581 www.gesgc.org

Mount Hebron Christian Child Development Center

2531 Berkley Avenue, Mobile Hours: Monday-Friday, 6:30am-6:00pm Ages: 6 weeks-12 years (251) 456-8700 www.mthebroncm.org/ Daycare-Ministries

Trinity Lutheran School and Child Development Center

5555 Moffett Road, Mobile 36618 Hours: Monday-Friday, 6:00am-6:00pm Ages: 6 weeks - 5 years (251) 343-1568 www.mrbcdc.org

6159 Moffett Road, Mobile Hours: Monday-Friday, 6:00am-6:00pm Ages: 6 weeks - K4 (251) 645-7507 www.trainingwheelscc.com

36619 Creative Learning Center

5880 Three Notch Road, Mobile 36619 Hours: Monday-Friday, 6:00am-6:00pm Ages: 6 weeks - 12 years (251) 661-2992

Kids Zone of Tillman’s Corner

4612 Bush Lane, Mobile Hours: Monday-Friday, 6:00am-6:00pm Ages: 6 weeks - 5th grade (251) 661-3280

2668 Berkley Avenue, Mobile Hours: Monday-Friday, 7:30am-3:00pm, before and after care available Ages: 6 weeks - 3 years (251) 456-7960 www.trinitylutheransite.org

St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Daycare 6651 Three Notch Road , Mobile Hours: Monday-Friday, 6:00am-6:00pm Ages: 6 weeks - 3 Years (251) 666-4066 Find us on Facebook

439 Azalea Road, Mobile “Get your TLC at the ELC.” We have spacious rooms with computers, library, playground and a gym. Our Enrichment programs include music, art, science, chapel, cooking, sports & Spanish for our 2 1/2, 3, & 4 year olds. St. Mark ELC is definitely the place to be to receive TLC. Qualified, loving, Christian teachers nurture your child with lots of hands-on teaching. We are very busy each day learning and exploring. Hours: Monday-Friday, part time (8:15-2:15) or full time (7:00-5:45) 2, 3, or 5 days a week. Ages: Monday - Friday, 8 weeks - 4K (251) 232-2106 stmarkmobileelc@gmail.com www.stmarkmobile.com/elc

Cottage Hill Early Education Center and Preschool 4255 Cottage Hill Road, Mobile Hours: Monday-Friday, 6:00am-6:00pm Ages: 6 weeks - 5 years (251)338-1820 www.chcacademy.org

Cottage Hill Presbyterian Preschool 4201 Cottage Hill Road, Mobile Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30-12:30 Ages: 6 months - K4 (251) 666-0983 www.chpcmobile.org

Gan Shalom Preschool

705 Regents Way, Mobile Hours: Monday-Friday, 9:00am-1:00pm Ages: 2 years - 4 years (251) 343-6010 Find us on Facebook

Kidz Crossing, Christ UMC

6101 Grelot Road, Mobile Hours: Monday-Friday, 7:30-6:00 for extended

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36693

CAL into our STEMM components beginning in our K2 classes. Our extra-curricular Kiddie Cats sports program (intramurals) provides spirited competition designed to develop self-discipline and self-confidence, promote physical fitness and learn good sportsmanship while teaching the basics of each sport. St. Luke’s has a fulltime nurse on staff and provides early morning care beginning at 7:00, after school Stay and Play, after school enrichment classes, summer camp, and child care on many of the school holidays. Hours: Monday-Friday, 7:30am-3:30pm Ages: K2 - K5 (251) 666-2991 hdearmon@stlukesmobile.com www.stlukesmobile.com

St. Dominic Catholic School ad on page 41

4160 Burma Drive, Mobile 36693 Our preschool program provides a developmentally appropriate educational experience within a Catholic environment. We use a child centered curriculum based on the belief that children learn through play. Age appropriate lessons in reading readiness, writing, social studies, math, science, religion, music, movement, library and art are part of our daily schedule. An extended care, as well as, a summer program are available. Students in the preschool program continue to attend St. Dominic Catholic School, Kindergarten - Grade 8. Hours: Monday - Friday, PK2 and PK3 3-day or 5-day option with Full day (7:00am - 2:30pm) or Half day (7:00am - 12:00pm) option available, PK4 option 5 Full day or Half day, After school care available until 5:30pm. Ages: 2 - 4 years (251) 661-5226 www.stdominicmobile.org

Covenant Christian School ad on page 27

Kingswood’s Creative Learning Center

Mobile Junior Academy

Government Street Baptist Child Development Center

3975 Japonica Lane, Mobile St. Luke’s Episcopal School is a college preparatory K2-12th grade school. Our Early Childhood Division is proud to offer 2-year old and 3-year-old kindergarten (3 and 5 half and full day options), 4-year-old kindergarten (full and half day options), and 5-year-old kindergarten. Students attend a weekly age-appropriate chapel service and enrichment classes that include music, art, computer, foreign language, Science lab, Biomedical Health Science lab, library, technology, and P.E. We have recently incorporated MEDI-

36695

3401 Government Boulevard, Mobile Hours: Monday-Friday, 6:00am – 6:00pm Ages: 6 weeks - 3K (251) 660-7444 www.governmentstreet.org/ government-street-child-development-center/

1248 Anchor Drive, Mobile Hours: Monday - Friday; 6:00am - 6:00pm Ages: 6 weeks – 11 years (251) 661-4254 Find us on Facebook

ad on page 31

1176 Azalea Road, Mobile Ages: 2 ½ - 5 (251) 288-8916 cmcspadden@learning-tree.org www.learning-tree.org

7150 Hitt Road, Mobile 36695 K3 and K4 are provided either three or five mornings a week, from 8:00-12:00. Our 5-year-olds attend school five mornings a week, from 8:00-12:00. We are committed to introducing young minds and hearts to a successful first school experience. We feature a qualified Christian faculty, with a positive learning environment. Our program offers developmentally appropriate activities including daily Bible lessons, strong phonics, language, and reading instruction, a hands-on math program, small classes, physical education classes, and field trips, along with music, art, and Spanish classes. After school care is available until 5:30pm. Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00am - 3:00pm Ages: K3-8th (251) 633-8055 info@covenantschool.com www.covenantschool.com

Becks Day Care Center

St. Luke’s Episcopal School

Learning Tree –The Little Tree Preschool

5200 Perin Road, Mobile Hours: Tuesdays-Thursdays, 9:00am-1:00pm Ages: 2 - K4 (251) 661-0420 kingswoodchurch.com/preschool/

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ad on page 29

1900 Cody Road South, Mobile The 4K/Kindergarten program is structured to provide a relaxed atmosphere in which each

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Mobile Bay Parents I February 2020

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child has an opportunity to succeed, to be creative, and to develop at his/her own rate. The curriculum is Kendall Hunt’s Stepping Stones, which is part of the Pathways series. The Bible curriculum has a themed approach throughout the year to instill Christian values. The Biblical creation story is the basis of the science curriculum. Learning emphasis is placed on nature and the Scriptures, thus acquainting the child with a loving God. A variety of activities including stories, music, play, art, cooking, field trips, role-playing, games, videos, and computers provide each child with a program for total development. Stepping Stones prepares the student for first grade with learning experiences in reading readiness, math, handwriting, music, art, and social interaction. These are adapted to each child’s needs to make school an enjoyable and rewarding experience. Hours: Monday - Thursday, 8:00am - 3:00pm and 8:00am - 2:00pm on Friday. Ages: PK4 - 8 (251) 633-8638 mobilejunioracademy.com

Jubilee Child Care Center & Preschool 6631 Wall Street, Mobile Hours: Monday - Friday, 6:45-5:45 Ages: 3 months - 5 years (251) 776-7022 (Pre-School); (251) 633-0018 (Infant) www.jubileechildcare.com

La Petite Academy

955 Hillcrest Road, Mobile Hours: Monday-Friday, 6:00am-6:30pm Ages: 6 weeks - K5, after school care (251) 639-9201; (888) 330-3479 www.lapetite.com

Grace Baptist Academy

Ages: 6 weeks - 3 years (251) 679-0975 marla@folc.tv Find us on Facebook

8780 Howells Ferry Road, Semmes Ages: PK3 - Kindergarten (251) 649-7398 www.gbcacademy.com

Saraland United Methodist Church Early Learning Center

Kimz Kidz Child Care Center 1650 Schillinger Road North, Semmes Hours: Monday-Friday, 6:00am-6:00pm Ages: Infant - Preschool (251) 645-6451

415 McKeough Avenue, Saraland Hours: Monday-Friday, 7:00am-5:30pm Ages: Monday-Friday, 6 weeks-K4 (251) 675-2728 www.saralandumc.org/earlylearning-center

Semmes First Baptist Child Development Center

Shiloh Christian Day Care

723 Cleveland Road, Saraland Hours: Monday-Friday, 6:00am - 6:00pm (251) 675-2099 www.shilohsaraland.com/daycare

4070 Wulff Rd E, Semmes Hours: Monday-Friday, 6:00am-6:00pm Ages: 6 weeks - 4K (251) 649-2712 www.semmesfirstbaptistcdc.com

36575

Snow Road FBC – Child Development Center

ABC Kindergarten

3618 Oak Tree Drive, Semmes 36575 Hours: Monday-Friday from 8:30am-12:30pm. After School Care available. Ages: 3 - 5 years (251) 649-4844 or (251) 591-6177 www.abc-kindergarten.com

2370 Snow Rd N, Semmes Hours: Monday-Friday, 6:00am - 6:00pm Ages: 6 weeks - K4, Before and After School Care for Allentown and Semmes Elementary (251) 649-6096 www.srfbc.com/srfbc-ministries/ child-development-center

Azalea City Christian School & Child Development

Sunni Land Child Care Center 2901 Schillinger Road North, Semmes Hours: Monday-Friday, 6:00am - 10:00pm Ages: 6 weeks - 12 years (251) 645-3664 www.sunniland.wixsite.com/slcc MBP

3550 Schillinger Road North, Semmes Hours: Monday-Friday, 6:30am-6:00pm Ages: 6 weeks - K4 (251) 649-5437 Azaleacitychristian.org

Montessori World Preschool & Kindergarten 2061 Leroy Stevens Road, Mobile Hours: Monday-Friday, Half-day (8:30-11:30), full-day (8:30-2:30) and extended-day (7:006:00). Open during the academic year. Ages: 2.5 - 6 years (251) 634-8211 www.montessori-world.org

Oak Park Child Care Center

3321 Sollie Road, Mobile Hours: Monday - Friday, 6:30am to 6:00pm Ages: 6 weeks - 4 years (251) 633-9386 oakparkpreschool@yahoo.com www.opcmobile.church/preschool

Watermelon Patch Preschool

6417 Hillcrest Road, Mobile Hours: Monday - Friday, 8:30am-12:30pm Ages: 1 year (walking) - 4 years (251) 633-3288 watermelonpatchkids@gmail.com www.watermelonpatchkids.com

World of Friends Daycare

2900 Dawes Road, Mobile Hours: Monday-Friday 6:30am-5:30pm Ages: 6 weeks - 12 years (251) 633-6533

36571 Fountain of Life Daycare at Evangel Christian

MONDAY, MARCH 16–WEDNESDAY, MARCH 18 7PM | ST. DOMINIC CATHOLIC CHURCH We live in an age of what Pope Benedict XVI called “the eclipse of God.” Do you feel as if God has hidden Himself from you? Join us at St. Dominic Parish for our Parish Mission, The Pursuit of God: God’s Thirst for Your Soul, led by Tom Riello, co-host of Archangel Radio’s Water Cooler Catechism. Learn more about God’s restless pursuit of you. MONDAY | GOD’S SEARCH FOR YOU TUESDAY | THE STRUGGLE WITH GOD WEDNESDAY | THE ENCOUNTER WITH GOD

FREE CHILDC A PROVID RE ED!

251-661-5130 4156 Burma Road | Mobile, AL 36693 StDominicMobile.org

1277 Jubilee Drive, Saraland 36571 Hours: Monday-Friday, 6:30am-6:00pm

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FamilyCalendar Saturday January 25

Battlefield Blitz and Fun Run 8:00 AM Historic Blakeley State Park, 34745 State Hwy 225 Spanish Fort, AL, 36577 Held on Alabama’s largest Civil War battlefield, the Blitz is a unique community event which benefits park programming and preservation. The 5K Blitz is scheduled for 8 AM; a one mile Fun Run takes place after. www.blakeleypark.com/Things-to-Do/Events Krewe de la Dauphine 1:00 PM Dauphin Island, Dauphin Island, AL, 36528 Krewe de la Dauphine starts at the Dauphin Island Sea Lab, travels west on Bienville Boulevard and ends at 1501 Bienville - the Dauphin Island Elementary School. Senior Bowl 2020 1:30 PM Ladd-Peebles Stadium, 1621 Virginia Street Mobile, AL, 36604 The 2019 Reese’s Senior Bowl is scheduled for Saturday, January 26th at 1:30pm at Ladd-Peebles Stadium. 251-432-4109 www.seniorbowl.com Joe Jefferson Players present The Graduate 7:30 PM Joe Jefferson Playhouse, 11 South Carlen Street Mobile, AL, 36606 Joe Jefferson Players present The Graduate joejeffersonplayers.com Mobile Symphony presents Bravura 7:30 PM Saenger Theatre, 6 South Joachim Street Mobile, AL, 36602 The Mobile Symphony celebrates exceptional classical hits and exciting local talent with Bravura! Opening with Tchaikovsky’s lush Serenade for Strings, this concert is filled with aweinspiring pieces showcasing the orchestra’s talent and brilliance! mobilesymphony.org/event/bravura Mobile Theatre Guild presents Society Shell III--So Long Slice 7:30 PM Mobile Theatre Guild, 14 N Lafayette St Mobile, AL, 36604 Mobile Theatre Guild presents Society Shell III--So Long Slice www.mobiletheatreguild.org

Sunday January 26

Jewish Film Festival 2:00 PM Springhill Avenue Temple, 1769 SpringHill Ave Mobile, AL, 36607 Movie - “The Spy Behind Home Plate” www.mobilejewishfederation.org/mobile-jewish-filmfestival-2020/ Joe Jefferson Players present The Graduate 2:00 PM Joe Jefferson Playhouse, 11 South Carlen Street Mobile, AL, 36606 Joe Jefferson Players present The Graduate joejeffersonplayers.com Mobile Theatre Guild presents Society Shell III--So Long Slice 2:00 PM Mobile Theatre Guild, 14 N Lafayette St Mobile, AL, 36604 Mobile Theatre Guild presents Society Shell III--So Long Slice www.mobiletheatreguild.org Mobile Symphony presents Bravura 2:30 PM Saenger Theatre, 6 South Joachim Street Mobile, AL, 36602 The Mobile Symphony celebrates exceptional classical hits and exciting local talent with Bravura! Opening with Tchaikovsky’s lush

Mobile Bay Parents I February 2020

Serenade for Strings, this concert is filled with aweinspiring pieces showcasing the orchestra’s talent and brilliance! mobilesymphony.org/event/bravura Christ Church Concert: Mobile Singing Children 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM, Christ Church, 115 S. Conception St. Mobile, AL, 36602 This concert is a celebration of the music that makes our city spectacular. From jazz music, African music, and gospel music, to classical, listeners will hear the diverse sounds of Mobile, Alabama

Tuesday January 28

Jewish Film Festival 7:00 PM USA Performance Center, Fairhope, AL “The Light of Hope” Tuesday, January 28th at 7:00 pm www.mobilejewishfederation.org/mobile-jewish-filmfestival-2020/ USA Chamber Winds Concert 7:30 PM Laidlaw Performing Arts Center, 5751 USA South Drive Mobile, AL, 36608 USA Chamber Winds Concert 251-460-6136 www.southalabama.edu/colleges/ music/upcomingevents.html

Wednesday January 29

Winter Wednesdays 10:30 AM Bellingrath Gardens and Home, 12401 Bellingrath Gardens Road Theodore , AL, 36582 Even during the cold season, Bellingrath Gardens is filled with blooms and beauty. Gulf Coast residents and visitors are invited to join us at our Winter Wednesdays series in January and February for sessions on gardening, history and more. Architect George B. Rogers: His Career in Retrospect www.bellingrath.org Jewish Film Festival 7:00 PM Ben May Main Library, 701 Government Street Mobile, AL, 36602 “Promise at Dawn” Wednesday, January 29th at 7:00 pm www.mobilejewishfederation.org/mobile-jewish-filmfestival-2020/

Thursday January 30

Jewish Film Festival 7:00 PM Ahavas Chesed Synagogue, 705 Regents Way Mobile, AL, 36609 “To Dust” Thursday, January 30th at 7:00 pm www.mobilejewishfederation.org/mobile-jewish-filmfestival-2020/ Louis CK 7:30 PM Saenger Theatre, 6 South Joachim Street Mobile, AL, 36602 Six-time Emmy Award winner Louis C.K. has released over eight stand up specials including Shameless, Chewed Up, Hilarious, Word – Live at Carnegie Hall (audio), Live at the Beacon Theater, Oh My God, Live at the Comedy Store, and most recently Louis C.K. 2017. www.mobilesaenger.com Trebuchet Wind Trio featuring Andra Bohnet, Rebecca Mindock and Kip Franklin with pianist Doreen Lee 7:30 PM Laidlaw Performing Arts Center, 5751 USA South Drive Mobile, AL, 36608 251-460-6136 www.southalabama.edu/colleges/ music/upcomingevents.html

Friday January 31

Mobile Project Homeless Connect 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM, The Grounds, 1035 Cody Rd North Mobile, AL, 36608 A Community-wide Event, One Stop: Housing, Support, and quality of life resources -One Goal: Ending Homelessness hfal.org/2020-project-homeless-connect University of Mobile presents Our Town 7:00 PM University of Mobile Weaver Auditorium, 5735 College Parkway Mobile, AL, 36613 A landmark in American drama, Thornton Wilder’s Pulitzer Prize-winning Our Town tells the story of the small town–Grover’s Corners, New Hampshire, in order to tell us the story of every town, the whole world over. Told by the “stage manager,” we follow the Gibbs and Webb families through years of life changes – from the mundane daily life, to the romance of love and marriage, and the devastation from life’s ending. With humor, wit, and exceptionally powerful storytelling, Our Town delivers universal truths about what it means to be human. Mobile Theatre Guild presents Society Shell III--So Long Slice 7:30 PM Mobile Theatre Guild, 14 N Lafayette St Mobile, AL, 36604 Mobile Theatre Guild presents Society Shell III--So Long Slice www.mobiletheatreguild.org

Saturday February 1

Charity Chase 8:00 AM Downtown Mobile, Mobile, AL, 36602 Get ready for a 5K like no other as 10 local charities compete to raise funds, increase awareness, and build excitement for their cause. LibCon Mobile 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM, Ben May Main Library, 701 Government Street Mobile, AL, 36602 Celebrate nerd culture with us! Join us for live music, panels, costume contest, escape room, superhero training, trivia contest, sing-a-long movie, fandom vendors, virtual scavenger hunts, arts and crafts for all ages, all day tabletop games and MORE www.mobilepubliclibrary.org Little Badgers Cheer and Dance Clinic ($30) 10:00 AM Spring Hill College, Mobile, AL, 36608 Spring Hill College Cheer and Dance teams invite kids ages 4 and up to participate in a one of a kind experience! Participants will have the opportunity to learn from collegiate level cheerleaders and dancers, cheer on the sidelines of a college basketball game, and perform at half time alongside SHC cheer and dance. 251-380-4008 //forms.gle/mcnvF381FBDLwkaj9 Mobile School Choice Fair 10:00 AM Mobile Convention Center, 1 South Water Street Mobile, AL, 36602 Come join us as we host a school fair event to display the array of educational options available to our families in the Mobile area! Reading Paws (Free) 12:00 PM - 2:00 PM, West Regional Branch , 5555 Grelot Road Mobile, AL, 36609 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. www.mobilepubliclibrary.org The Town of Dauphin Island’s People’s Parade 1:00 PM Dauphin Island, Dauphin Island, AL, 36528 Experience the true culture of Dauphin Island

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FamilyCalendar through this unique parade which consists solely of locals who decorate their boats and pack their trailers full of moon pies and beads in order to celebrate the Mardi Gras festivities. Mobile Theatre Guild presents Society Shell III--So Long Slice 7:30 PM Mobile Theatre Guild, 14 N Lafayette St Mobile, AL, 36604 Mobile Theatre Guild presents Society Shell III--So Long Slice www.mobiletheatreguild.org Indigo Girls 8:00 PM Saenger Theatre, 6 South Joachim Street Mobile, AL, 36602 Indigo Girls in concert. www.mobilesaenger.com

Sunday February 2

Jewish Film Festival 1:30 PM Ahavas Chesed Synagogue, 705 Regents Way Mobile, AL, 36609 Golda’s Balcony” Sunday, February 2nd at 1:30 pm-Dessert Reception Following www.mobilejewishfederation.org/mobile-jewish-filmfestival-2020/ Mobile Theatre Guild presents Society Shell III--So Long Slice 2:00 PM Mobile Theatre Guild, 14 N Lafayette St Mobile, AL, 36604 Mobile Theatre Guild presents Society Shell III--So Long Slice www.mobiletheatreguild.org

Monday February 3

Crafty Mondays with Mr. Butch (Free) 4:00 PM Moorer/Spring Hill Branch, 4 South McGregor Avenue Mobile, AL, 36608 Join Mr. Butch for

an hour of seasonal arts and crafts. Today’s craft is Heart Plate Stitching. www.mobilepubliclibrary.org

Tuesday February 4

Family Fun Night (Free) 6:00 PM West Regional Branch , 5555 Grelot Road Mobile, AL, 36609 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. www.mobilepubliclibrary.org Guest Faculty Flute Recital 7:30 PM Laidlaw Performing Arts Center, 5751 USA South Drive Mobile, AL, 36608 Guest Faculty Flute Recital 251-460-6136 www.southalabama.edu/colleges/ music/mas.html

Wednesday February 5

Blippi Live! 6:00 PM Saenger Theatre, 6 South Joachim Street Mobile, AL, 36602 Blippi Live! is set to bring the vivacious, energetic, and educational children’s character from the screen to the stage for an all-ages extravaganza of fun, dancing, singing and meeting amazing new friends onstage. www.mobilesaenger.com

Friday February 7

Winter Wednesdays 10:30 AM Bellingrath Gardens and Home, 12401 Bellingrath Gardens Road Theodore , AL, 36582 Even during the cold season, Bellingrath Gardens is filled with blooms and beauty. Gulf Coast residents and visitors are invited to join us at our Winter Wednesdays series in January and February for sessions on gardening, history and more. Winter Garden Walk – There is always something blooming at Bellingrath Gardens! Learn about the interesting winter borders and containers throughout the Gardens from Bellingrath’s Horticulture Management Team: Chuck Owens, Horticultural Management Director, and Barbara Smith, Display Coordinator. www.bellingrath.org

Conde Cavalier (Mobile Route A) (Free) 6:30 PM Downtown Mobile, Mobile, AL Mobile Parade Route A - Beginning at Mobile Civic Center(Claiborne Street); Church Street; Royal Street; St. Francis Street; Conceptions Street; Government Street; Washington Street; Canal Street; Broad Street; Spring Hill Avenue; Washington Street; Government Street; Ending at Civic Center on Claiborne Street. www.cityofmobile.org/mardigras.php

Saturday February 8

2020 Gator Chase 5K 8am & 1 Mile Fun Run 9am on the Causeway 8:00 AM 5 Rivers Delta Resource Center, 30945 Five Rivers Boulevard Spanish Fort, AL, 36527 Benefits Spanish Fort Education Enrichment Foundation (SFEEF) in providing educational enrichment opportunities for students who attend Spanish Fort schools. www.eventbrite.com

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FamilyCalendar 26th Annual Women’s Conference 8:15 AM - 12:30 PM, Christ United Methodist Church, 6101 Grelot Road Mobile, AL, 36609 Come on a journey with guest speaker, Rev. Sheila Bates, and worship leader, Lauren Smith, along with countless other women. We will spend the morning understanding what it means to be REAL. Together, we will stretch our hearts, laugh together and learn to be REAL in Christ. christunited.com End of the Road Chili Cook Off 10:00 AM Loblolly Farm, 9930 Stone Rd Semmes, AL, 36575 End of the Road Chili Cookoff-Hosted by Loblolly Farm loblollyfarm.com/llf/ Mystic Krewe of Salty Paws 10:00 AM Dauphin Island, Dauphin Island, AL, 36528 The newest addition to Dauphin Island’s Mardi season, the Mystic Krewe of Salty Paws, may just be the cutest one yet! Expect things to get ruff as the Town of Dauphin Island and the Animal Rescue Foundation present a parade of pups on Saturday, February 8th at 10:00 am. Be sure to bring your bags and see what treats these dogs may share. The Mobile King Cake-Off 11:30 AM - 4:30 PM, Government Plaza, 205 Government St. Mobile, AL, 36602 The Mobile King Cake-off is a family friendly event open to the public on the first Saturday of Mardi Gras! Enjoy King Cake tastings, kids activities, including face painting and balloon animals, live music, a silent auction and adult beverages. www.kingcakeoff.com Bayport Parading Society, DJ Riders (Free) 2:00 PM Downtown Mobile, Mobile, AL Mobile Route A; Bayport was created for businesses that want to participate in a parade. DJ Riders Parade follows after and parade goers will hear plenty of music! Beginning at Mobile Civic Center(Claiborne Street); Church Street; Royal Street; St. Francis Street; Conceptions Street; Government Street; Washington Street; Canal Street; Broad Street; Spring Hill Avenue; Washington Street; Government Street; Ending at Civic Center on Claiborne Street. www.cityofmobile.org/mardigras.php Order of the Rolling River (Free) 2:00 PM Dauphin Island Parkway, Mobile, AL Order of the Rolling River - Starts on south Dauphin Island Parkway, just south of Fowl River Road, at American Legion Post 250; South on DIP to Baumhauer Road; West on Baumhauer to Pioneer Road; North on Pioneer to Fowl River Road; East on Fowl River to DIP; South on DIP to end back at Post 250. Stem Saturday (Free) 2:00 PM West Regional Branch , 5555 Grelot Road Mobile, AL, 36609 Join us for some STEM, (science, technology, engineering and math) fun and exploration at the Library! Ages 5 and up www.mobilepubliclibrary.org Coffee & Crafts (Free) 6:30 PM Moorer/Spring Hill Branch, 4 South McGregor Avenue Mobile, AL, 36608 Join us for coffee and crafts! Bring your own projects or learn how to etch on glass with us. www.mobilepubliclibrary.org Pharaohs, Order of Hebe, Conde Explorers

(Free) 6:30 PM Downtown Mobile, Mobile, AL Mobile

Route A - Beginning at Mobile Civic Center(Claiborne Street); Church Street; Royal Street; St. Francis

Mobile Bay Parents I February 2020

Street; Conceptions Street; Government Street; Washington Street; Canal Street; Broad Street; Spring Hill Avenue; Washington Street; Government Street; Ending at Civic Center on Claiborne Street. www.cityofmobile.org/mardigras.php Mobile Opera’s Winter Gala Concert 7:30 PM Murphy High School Auditorium, 100 South Carlen Street Mobile, AL, 36606 An evening with acclaimed mezzo-soprano Suzanne Marie Lommler and Maestro Bernard McDonald. www.mobileopera.org

Sunday February 9

Market at the Pillars 12:00 PM - 4:00 PM, The Pillars, 1757 Government Street Mobile, AL, 36604 Shop Local Farmers, Crafters, Bakers and Makers, Local Eats & Live Music Sunday Matinee (Free) 5 Rivers Delta Resource Center, 30945 Five Rivers Boulevard Spanish Fort, AL, 36527 “Lord of the Ants” is a NOVA presentation featuring scientist, author, and Pulitzer Prize winner E.O. Wilson. Narrated by Harrison Ford. Approx. 1 hour. Free. Movie will loop throughout the day. 251-625-0814 www.outdooralabama.com/ activities/5-rivers-alabama-delta-resource-center

Monday February 10

PJ Story Time with Milk & Cookies (Free) 5:00 PM Moorer/Spring Hill Branch, 4 South McGregor Avenue Mobile, AL, 36608 Join us for songs, stories, and games! www.mobilepubliclibrary.org

Tuesday February 11

Tinker Tuesday (Free) 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM, Moorer/Spring Hill Branch, 4 South McGregor Avenue Mobile, AL, 36608 Learn how to etch on glass and play with alcohol inks to change the etching. Space and supplies are limited. Registration is encouraged. 251-494-3684 www.mobilepubliclibrary.org Mad Scientist Club (Free) 5:00 PM Moorer/Spring Hill Branch, 4 South McGregor Avenue Mobile, AL, 36608 Family Fun! Join us for Kid Friendly Experiments and discover the outcome and results of the scientific methods we use. What is the best way to clean pennies? Come and find out. 251-494-3684 www.mobilepubliclibrary.org Night of Art, Music and Cupcakes with Ryan Balthrop 5:00 PM - 9:00 PM, USA Libraries Art Galleries, 5901 USA Drive North Mobile, AL, 36608 Join us on February 11th, 2020 for a fun night of Art, Music and Cupcakes! Faculty Double Reed Recital 7:30 PM Laidlaw Performing Arts Center, 5751 USA South Drive Mobile, AL, 36608 Rebecca Mindock, Faculty Double Reed Recital with pianist Scott Schwab 251-460-6136 www.southalabama.edu/colleges/ music/mas.html Shen Yun 7:30 PM Mobile Civic Center Theater, 401 Civic Center Drive Mobile, AL, 36602 Shen Yun invites you to travel back to the magical world of ancient China. Experience a lost culture through the incredible art of classical Chinese dance, and see legends come to life. Shen Yun makes this possible by pushing the boundaries of the performing arts, with a unique blend of stunning costuming, high-tech backdrops,

and an orchestra like no other. Be prepared for a theatrical experience that will take your breath away! www.shenyun.com

Wednesday February 12 Winter Wednesdays

10:30 AM Bellingrath Gardens and Home, 12401 Bellingrath Gardens Road Theodore , AL, 36582 Even during the cold season, Bellingrath Gardens is filled with blooms and beauty. Gulf Coast residents and visitors are invited to join us at our Winter Wednesdays series in January and February for sessions on gardening, history and more. Raising Roses – Linda Guy, Bellingrath’s longtime Rosarian, will discuss the best varieties to choose for your Gulf Coast garden. www.bellingrath.org

Thursday February 13

Teen Art Scene - Artistic Acrylics (Free) 3:30 PM West Regional Branch , 5555 Grelot Road Mobile, AL, 36609 Want to create beautiful paintings but have no idea how to begin? Join us and learn how to paint with acrylics. www.mobilepubliclibrary.org Order of Polka Dots (Free) 6:30 PM Downtown Mobile, Mobile, AL Mobile Route A - Beginning at Mobile Civic Center(Claiborne Street); Church Street; Royal Street; St. Francis Street; Conceptions Street; Government Street; Washington Street; Canal Street; Broad Street; Spring Hill Avenue; Washington Street; Government Street; Ending at Civic Center on Claiborne Street. www.cityofmobile.org/mardigras.php

Friday February 14

Order of Inca Parade (Free) 6:30 PM Downtown Mobile, Mobile, AL Mobile Parade Route A - Beginning at Mobile Civic Center(Claiborne Street); Church Street; Royal Street; St. Francis Street; Conceptions Street; Government Street; Washington Street; Canal Street; Broad Street; Spring Hill Avenue; Washington Street; Government Street; Ending at Civic Center on Claiborne Street. www.cityofmobile.org/mardigras.php University of Mobile presents Roméo et Juliette 7:00 PM Saraland High School, 1115 Industrial Pkwy Saraland, AL, 36571 Two families in Verona, the Capulets and the Montagues, are bitter enemies. Conflict ensues when Roméo–a Montague and Juliette–a Capulet, fall in love and the two young lovers exchange secret vows. Come watch the rest of the story unfurl. www.itickets.com/events/434020 Switchfoot 7:30 PM Saenger Theatre, 6 South Joachim Street Mobile, AL, 36602 SWITCHFOOT & Their Fantastic Traveling Music Show - An Evening of Songs & Stories www.mobilesaenger.com

Saturday February 15

Living History Crew Drill 8:00 AM - 3:00 PM, USS Alabama Battleship Memorial Park, 2703 Battleship Parkway Mobile, AL, 36602 History comes to life when the living history crews board the USS ALABAMA and USS DRUM for drill time. These historical reenactors demonstrate life

www.mobilebayparents.com

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FamilyCalendar aboard these naval vessels during WWII. Call to battle stations is sounded at 1:00 p.m. when vintage airplanes attack the ship and the crew defends her with guns blazing. Events and activities scheduled throughout the day. www.ussalabama.com

Scotty McCreery Concert 7:30 PM Saenger Theatre, 6 South Joachim Street Mobile, AL, 36602 Scotty McCreery in concert, Adam Doleac will open. www.mobilesaenger.com

Sew and Tell (Free) 10:00 AM Moorer/Spring Hill Branch, 4 South McGregor Avenue Mobile, AL, 36608 Visit with friends and learn how to make a Bendy Snake. All ages. 251-494-3684 www.mobilepubliclibrary.org

Playhouse in the Park presents “The Miracle Worker” Playhouse in the Park, 4851 Museum Drive Mobile, AL, 36608 Playhouse in the Park presents “The Miracle Worker” playhouseinthepark.org

Battle of Mobile Bay 5K Run/ Walk Fort Gaines, 51 Bienville Blvd Dauphin Island, AL, 36528 A scenic 5K certified course (AL05040JD) that starts at Fort Gaines and winds through scenic Dauphin Island neighborhoods. events.com Reading Paws (Free) 12:00 PM - 2:00 PM, West Regional Branch , 5555 Grelot Road Mobile, AL, 36609 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. www.mobilepubliclibrary.org Maids of Mirth (Route G), Butterfly Maidens, Krewe of Marry Mates, Krewe de Secondline Parade (Free) 6:30 PM Downtown Mobile, Mobile, AL www.cityofmobile.org/mardigras.php

Sunday February 16

University of Mobile presents Roméo et Juliette 2:00 PM Saraland High School, 1115 Industrial Pkwy Saraland, AL, 36571 Two families in Verona, the Capulets and the Montagues, are bitter enemies. Conflict ensues when Roméo–a Montague and Juliette–a Capulet, fall in love and the two young lovers exchange secret vows. Come watch the rest of the story unfurl. www.itickets.com/events/434020 The Last Siege- Historical Civil War Tour 2:30 PM 150 South Royal Street Mobile, AL, 36602 Gulf Coast Ducks, in collaboration with local author Paul Brueske, proudly presents a historical tour examining Mobile’s Civil War history. Travel back to in time to explore the 1865 Mobile Campaign and other pertinent Civil War events that occurred in the Mobile Bay area. Join us on this hour long adventure featuring a splash in Mobile River and enjoy a meet and greet book signing with Brueske at The Fort of Colonial Mobile afterwards. 251-525-6933 gulfcoastducks.com/

Neptune’s Daughters, OOI Parade (Free) 6:30PM Downtown Mobile, Mobile, AL Mobile Parade Route A - Beginning at Mobile Civic Center(Claiborne Street); Church Street; Royal Street; St. Francis Street; Conceptions Street; Government Street; Washington Street; Canal Street; Broad Street; Spring Hill Avenue; Washington Street; Government Street; Ending at Civic Center on Claiborne Street. www.cityofmobile.org/mardigras.php Playhouse in the Park presents “The Miracle Worker” Playhouse in the Park, 4851 Museum Drive Mobile, AL, 36608 Playhouse in the Park presents “The Miracle Worker” playhouseinthepark.org

Monday February 17

Order of Venus, Order of Many Faces (Free) 6:30PM Downtown Mobile, Mobile, AL Mobile Parade Route A - Beginning at Mobile Civic Center(Claiborne Street); Church Street; Royal Street; St. Francis Street; Conceptions Street; Government Street; Washington Street; Canal Street; Broad Street; Spring Hill Avenue; Washington Street; Government Street; Ending at Civic Center on Claiborne Street. www.cityofmobile.org/mardigras.php

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FamilyCalendar Playhouse in the Park presents ”The Miracle Worker” Playhouse in the Park, 4851 Museum Drive Mobile, AL, 36608 Playhouse in the Park presents “The Miracle Worker” playhouseinthepark. org

Faculty Piano Recital 7:30 PM Laidlaw Performing Arts Center, 5751 USA South Drive Mobile, AL, 36608 Scott Schwab, Faculty Piano Recital 251-460-6136 www.southalabama.edu/colleges/ music/upcomingevents.html Order of LaShe’s Parade (Free) 6:30PM Downtown Mobile, Mobile, AL Mobile Parade Route A: Beginning at the Mobile Civic Center winding down Church Street to Royal Street, around Bienville Square to government Street to Spring Hill Avenue and around Broad, Canal and Washington streets and end at the Mobile Civic Center. www.cityofmobile.org/mardigras.php

Wednesday February 19

Winter Wednesdays 10:30 AM Bellingrath Gardens and Home, 12401 Bellingrath Gardens Road Theodore , AL, 36582 Even during the cold season, Bellingrath Gardens is filled with blooms and beauty. Gulf Coast residents and visitors are invited to join us at our Winter Wednesdays series in January and February for sessions on gardening, history and more. Author John Sledge – The author and historian will discuss his new book, “The Gulf of Mexico: A Maritime History.” www.bellingrath.org

Thursday February 20

38th Annual “Reveling Cavaliers” Mardi Gras Parade 1:00 PM 2424 Gordon Smith Drive Mobile, AL, 36617 The 38th Annual “Reveling Cavaliers” Mardi Gras parade is Thursday, February 20, 2020 at 1 pm. Theme: A Night at the Circus. The parade will include over 20 floats carrying royal courts and participants from other local organizations. Mystic Stripers Society Parade (Free) 6:30 PM Downtown Mobile, Mobile, AL Mobile Parade Route A: Beginning at the Mobile Civic Center winding down Church Street to Royal Street, around Bienville Square to government Street to Spring Hill Avenue and around Broad, Canal and Washington streets and end at the Mobile Civic Center. www.cityofmobile.org/mardigras.php

Friday February 21

Crewe of Columbus Parade (Free) 6:30 PM Downtown Mobile, Mobile, AL Mobile Parade Route A: Beginning at the Mobile Civic Center winding down Church Street to Royal Street, around Bienville Square to government Street to Spring Hill Avenue and around Broad, Canal and Washington streets and end at the Mobile Civic Center. www.cityofmobile.org/mardigras.php Theatre USA presents “Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde” 7:30 PM Laidlaw Performing Arts Center, 5751 USA South Drive Mobile, AL, 36608 An exciting new adaptation of the classic tale of Dr. Henry Jekyll and his experiments with “exotic powders and tinctures”, this highly theatrical version highlights the classic battle between good and evil, and the very fine line that can separate the two. Not to be missed! 251-460-6306 www.southalabama.edu/colleges/ artsandsci/theatre/boxoffice.html

Mobile Bay Parents I February 2020

Saturday February 22

Mardi Gras Hangout! (Free) 10:30 AM Ben May Main Library, 701 Government Street Mobile, AL, 36602 Family Fun! Hangout, make Mardi Gras crafts, hear a Mardi Gras story, and play games while we wait for the parades to begin. www.mobilepubliclibrary.org Floral Parade, Knights of Mobile, Joy of Life, Mobile Mystical Ladies, Order of Angels (Free) 12:00 PM Downtown Mobile, Mobile, AL Mobile Parade Route A: Beginning at the Mobile Civic Center winding down Church Street to Royal Street, around Bienville Square to government Street to Spring Hill Avenue and around Broad, Canal and Washington streets and end at the Mobile Civic Center. www.cityofmobile.org/mardigras.php Joy of Life Mardi Gras Parade 12:00 PM Downtown Mobile, Mobile, AL The parade will be on Parade Route A in Downtown Mobile. A Joy of Life King or Queen will be present on each float. Joy of Life on the Gulf Coast is a 501(c) (3) non-profit organization that was formed in 2013 to primarily benefit the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. joyoflifegulfcoast.org Saraland Mardi Gras Association “Krewe of Sparta” Mardi Gras Parade 12:00 PM Route 43 (Saraland Boulevard South) Saraland, AL, 36572 Saraland Mardi Gras Association “Krewe of Sparta” Inaugural Mardi Gras Parade & Bicentennial Celebration Mystics of Time Parade (Free) 6:00 PM Downtown Mobile, Mobile, AL Mobile Parade Route H www.cityofmobile.org/mardigras.php Theatre USA presents “Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde” 7:30 PM Laidlaw Performing Arts Center, 5751 USA South Drive Mobile, AL, 36608 An exciting new adaptation of the classic tale of Dr. Henry Jekyll and his experiments with “exotic powders and tinctures”, this highly theatrical version highlights the classic battle between good and evil, and the very fine line that can separate the two. Not to be missed! 251-460-6306 www.southalabama.edu/colleges/ artsandsci/theatre/boxoffice.html Playhouse in the Park presents “The Miracle Worker” Playhouse in the Park, 4851 Museum Drive Mobile, AL, 36608 Playhouse in the Park presents “The Miracle Worker” playhouseinthepark.org

Sunday February 23

King Elexis I Motorcade Parade (Free) 2:00 PM Downtown Mobile, Mobile, AL Mobile Parade Route E: Begins on Water Street and proceeds down Government Street, turning onto Broad and circling Texas, Washington and Canal. Parade then proceeds back down Broad Street, across Government Street to Spring Hill Avenue, Washington, St. Louis and

ending on Warren Street. www.cityofmobile.org/mardigras.php Theatre USA presents “Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde” 2:00 PM Laidlaw Performing Arts Center, 5751 USA South Drive Mobile, AL, 36608 An exciting new adaptation of the classic tale of Dr. Henry Jekyll and his experiments with “exotic powders and tinctures”, this highly theatrical version highlights the classic battle between good and evil, and the very fine line that can separate the two. Not to be missed! 251-460-6306 www.southalabama.edu/colleges/ artsandsci/theatre/boxoffice.html Joe Cain Parade (Free) 2:30 PM Downtown Mobile, Mobile, AL Mobile Parade Route A: Beginning at the Mobile Civic Center winding down Church Street to Royal Street, around Bienville Square to government Street to Spring Hill Avenue and around Broad, Canal and Washington streets and end at the Mobile Civic Center. www.cityofmobile.org/mardigras.php Le Krewe de Bienville, Krewe de Secondline (Free) 5:00 PM Downtown Mobile, Mobile, AL Mobile Parade Route A: Beginning at the Mobile Civic Center winding down Church Street to Royal Street, around Bienville Square to government Street to Spring Hill Avenue and around Broad, Canal and Washington streets and end at the Mobile Civic Center. www.cityofmobile.org/mardigras.php

athletic endeavors. www.bayarearunner.com

Joe Cain 5K/Fun Run 8:00 AM Downtown Mobile, Mobile, AL, 36602 Proceeds from the race consist of race entry fees and corporate sponsorship and are given to challenged athletes who deal with their handicaps through

Sunday Matinee (Free) 5 Rivers Delta Resource Center, 30945 Five Rivers Boulevard Spanish Fort, AL, 36527 In the first episode of this BBC series narrated by David Attenborough, animals must overcome their first great hurdle – surviving infancy. Approx. 1 hour. Free. Movie will loop throughout the day. 251-625-0814 www.outdooralabama.com/ activities/5-rivers-alabama-delta-resource-center

Monday February 24

King Felix III, Floral parade (Free) 12:00 PM Downtown Mobile, Mobile, AL Mobile Parade Route A: Beginning at the Mobile Civic Center winding down Church Street to Royal Street, around Bienville Square to government Street to Spring Hill Avenue and around Broad, Canal and Washington streets and end at the Mobile Civic Center. www.cityofmobile.org/mardigras.php MLK Business and Civic Organization, MLK Monday Mystics, Northside Merchants Parade (Free) 3:00 PM Downtown Mobile, Mobile, AL Mobile Parade Route D: Beginning on Warren Street, winding around ML King, Jr. Avenue, Lexington Avenue to St. Stephens Road, Spring Hill Avenue and ending on Washington Avenue. www.cityofmobile.org/mardigras.php Infant Mystics (Route F), Order of Doves Parade (Free) 7:00 PM Downtown Mobile, Mobile, AL Mobile Parade Route F: Begins on Dauphin Street winding down Spring Hill Avenue, Government Street, taking a turn

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highly theatrical version highlights the classic battle between good and evil, and the very fine line that can separate the two. Not to be missed! 251-460-6306 www.southalabama.edu/colleges/ artsandsci/theatre/boxoffice.html

Tuesday February 25

USA Wind Ensemble Winter Concert 7:30 PM Laidlaw Performing Arts Center, 5751 USA South Drive Mobile, AL, 36608 USA Wind Ensemble Winter Concert 251-460-6136 www.southalabama.edu/colleges/ music/upcomingevents.html

Order of Athena Parade (Free) 10:30 AM Downtown Mobile, Mobile, AL Mobile Parade Route A: Beginning at the Mobile Civic Center winding down Church Street to Royal Street, around Bienville Square to government Street to Spring Hill Avenue and around Broad, Canal and Washington streets and end at the Mobile Civic Center. www.cityofmobile.org/mardigras.php Knights of Revelry, King Felix III, Comic Cowboys Parade (Free) 12:30 PM Downtown Mobile, Mobile, AL Mobile Parade Route A: Beginning at the Mobile Civic Center winding down Church Street to Royal Street, around Bienville Square to government Street to Spring Hill Avenue and around Broad, Canal and Washington streets and end at the Mobile Civic Center. www.cityofmobile.org/mardigras.php Mobile Area Mardi Gras Association Parade Parade (Free) 2:00 PM Downtown Mobile, Mobile, AL Mobile Parade Route B: Beginning on Broad Street down ML King, Jr. Avenue to Lexington, St. Stephens, continuing down Spring Hill Avenue. A short turn onto Washington to Government with another short turn onto Clairborne to Church Street to Royal and circling Bienville Square, turning onto Conception and Government Streets and ending on Washington Avenue. www.cityofmobile.org/mardigras.php Order of Myths Parade (Free) 6:00 PM Downtown Mobile, Mobile, AL Mobile Parade Route C: Beginning at St. Anthony Street, down Royal to St. Francis Street, around Bienville Square down Conception to Government Street around Broad Street and Spring Hill Avenue and a short turn onto Washington Street. Then back up Government and winding again around Bienville Square on Conception and St. Francis Streets and ending at the starting point on St. Anthony Street. www.cityofmobile.org/mardigras.php

Wednesday February 26

Winter Wednesdays 10:30 AM Bellingrath Gardens and Home, 12401 Bellingrath Gardens Road Theodore , AL, 36582 Even during the cold season, Bellingrath Gardens is filled with blooms and beauty. Gulf Coast residents and visitors are invited to join us at our Winter Wednesdays series in January and February for sessions on gardening, history and more. Camellia Waxing – Join Dr. Brenda Litchfield to learn about the fun of waxing camellias and other flowers. After you’ve seen her demonstration, you will be able to wax your own blooms! Please bring one or two camellias to wax. www.bellingrath.org

Thursday February 27

Teen Art Scene - Artistic Acrylics (Free) 3:30 PM West Regional Branch , 5555 Grelot Road Mobile, AL, 36609 Want to create and expand your artistic endeavors? Bring your ideas to the Teen Spot. Enjoy the time and space to be creative. www.mobilepubliclibrary.org Theatre USA presents “Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde” 7:30 PM Laidlaw Performing Arts Center, 5751 USA South Drive Mobile, AL, 36608 An exciting new adaptation of the classic tale of Dr. Henry Jekyll and his experiments with “exotic powders and tinctures”, this

Friday February 28

Jurassic Quest 9:00 AM - 7:00 PM, Mobile Convention Center, 1 South Water Street Mobile, AL, 36602 The Largest Exhibition of Lifesize, Moving, MuseumQuality Dinosaurs in North America!

www.jurassicquest.com/ Mobile Area Orchid Society’s 43rd Annual Orchid Show and Sale 12:00 PM - 5:00 PM, Bellingrath Gardens and Home, 12401 Bellingrath Gardens Road Theodore, AL, 36582 Mobile Area Orchid Society members will display their best orchids and will be available to answer questions and provide tips on growing and caring for these exotic plants. The show will include vendors selling orchids, supplies and accessories. bellingrath.org/experiences/events/mobile-areaorchid-societys-annual-orchid-show-sale/ Whats all that jazz about? (Free) 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM, West Regional Branch , 5555 Grelot Road Mobile, AL, 36609 Clever listening games, live music, dramatic storytelling, group participation and humorous demonstrations are some of the fun activities our young audience will enjoy. Jazz saxophonist, Shenole Latimer leads us through a highly interactive and entertaining presentation on the colorful and expressive American music known as “Jazz.” Registration is encouraged. Ages 4-10. 251-340-8571 www.mobilepubliclibrary.org Jurassic Quest 3:00 PM - 8:00 PM, Mobile Convention Center, 1 South Water Street Mobile, AL, 36602 The Largest Exhibition of Lifesize, Moving, Museum-Quality Dinosaurs in North America! www.jurassicquest.com/ Chickasaw Civic Theatre Presents “Black Coffee” 7:30 PM Chickasaw Civic Theatre, 801 Iroquois Street Mobile, AL, 36611 A real whodunit! The secret formula for a scientific breakthrough has been stolen from Sir Claud’s country house and now Sir Claud has been poisoned. Was it the great scientist’s son? His lovely young wife? The mysterious foreign doctor? The butler? It takes the wits of Hercule Poirot to find the guilty party. 251-457-8887 www.cctshows.com Theatre USA presents “Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde” 7:30 PM Laidlaw Performing Arts Center, 5751 USA South Drive Mobile, AL, 36608 An exciting new adaptation of the classic tale of Dr. Henry Jekyll and his experiments with “exotic powders and tinctures”, this highly theatrical version highlights the classic battle between good and evil, and the very fine line that can separate the two. Not to be missed! 251-460-6306 www.southalabama.edu/colleges/ artsandsci/theatre/boxoffice.html

Saturday February 29

Mobile Area Orchid Society’s 43rd Annual Orchid Show and Sale 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM, Bellingrath Gardens and Home, 12401 Bellingrath Gardens Road Theodore, AL, 36582 Mobile Area Orchid Society members will display their best orchids and will be available to answer questions and provide tips on growing and caring for these exotic plants. The show will include vendors selling orchids, supplies and accessories. bellingrath.org/experiences/events/mobile-areaorchid-societys-annual-orchid-show-sale/ Jurassic Quest 9:00 AM - 8:00 PM, Mobile Convention Center, 1 South Water Street Mobile, AL, 36602 The Largest Exhibition of Lifesize, Moving, Museum-Quality Dinosaurs in North America! www.jurassicquest.com/ Something Special for Saturday (Free) 10:30 AM Moorer/Spring Hill Branch, 4 South McGregor Avenue Mobile, AL, 36608 Family Fun! Calling all children, ages 5 and Up! Learn how to make Clothespin Shark Puppets. 251-494-3684 www.mobilepubliclibrary.org Kids Day in the Park 12:00 PM - 4:00 PM, Medal of Honor Park, 1711 Hillcrest Rd Mobile, AL, 36609 Kids Day in the Park 6th Annual Caring for Caryn’s Kids 5K/ 1 Mile Fun Run 6:00 PM The Grounds, 1035 Cody Rd North Mobile, AL, 36608 We are gearing up for the 6th Annual Caring for Caryn’s Kids 5K/1 Mile Fun Run! 6th Annual Caring for Caryn’s Kids 5K/ 1 Mile Fun Run The Grounds, 1035 Cody Road North Mobile, AL, 36698 We are gearing up for the 6th Annual Caring for Caryn’s Kids 5K/1 Mile Fun Run! www.active.com An Evening With Amy Grant 7:30 PM Saenger Theatre, 6 South Joachim Street Mobile, AL, 36602 An Evening With Amy Grant www.mobilesaenger.com Chickasaw Civic Theatre Presents “Black Coffee” 7:30 PM Chickasaw Civic Theatre, 801 Iroquois Street Mobile, AL, 36611 A real whodunit! The secret formula for a scientific breakthrough has been stolen from Sir Claud’s country house and now Sir Claud has been poisoned. Was it the great scientist’s son? His lovely young wife? The mysterious foreign doctor? The butler? It takes the wits of Hercule Poirot to find the guilty party. 251-457-8887 www.cctshows.com Theatre USA presents “Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde” 7:30 PM Laidlaw Performing Arts Center, 5751 USA South Drive Mobile, AL, 36608 An exciting new adaptation of the classic tale of Dr. Henry Jekyll and his experiments with “exotic powders and tinctures”, this highly theatrical version highlights the classic battle between good and evil, and the very fine line that can separate the two. Not to be missed! 251-460-6306 www.southalabama.edu/colleges/ artsandsci/theatre/boxoffice.html

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FamilyCalendar Sunday March 1

Mobile Area Orchid Society’s 43rd Annual Orchid Show and Sale 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM, Bellingrath Gardens and Home, 12401 Bellingrath Gardens Road Theodore, AL, 36582 Mobile Area Orchid Society members will display their best orchids and will be available to answer questions and provide tips on growing and caring for these exotic plants. The show will include vendors selling orchids, supplies and accessories. bellingrath.org/experiences/events/mobile-areaorchid-societys-annual-orchid-show-sale/ Chickasaw Civic Theatre Presents “Black Coffee” 2:00 PM Chickasaw Civic Theatre, 801 Iroquois Street Mobile, AL, 36611 A real whodunit! The secret formula for a scientific breakthrough has been stolen from Sir Claud’s country house and now Sir Claud has been poisoned. Was it the great scientist’s son? His lovely young wife? The mysterious foreign doctor? The butler? It takes the wits of Hercule Poirot to find the guilty party. 251-457-8887 www.cctshows.com

Monday March 2

Winter Choral Concert 7:30 PM Laidlaw Performing Arts Center, 5751 USA South Drive Mobile, AL, 36608 USA Concert Choir and University Chorale-Winter Choral Concert 251-460-6136 www.southalabama.edu/colleges/ music/upcomingevents.html

Thursday March 5

USA Symphony Band Winter Concert 7:30 PM Laidlaw Performing Arts Center, 5751 USA South Drive Mobile, AL, 36608 USA Symphony Band Winter Concert 251-460-6136 www.southalabama.edu/colleges/ music/upcomingevents.html

Friday March 6

The Pact presents “”Seussical Jr” 6:30 PM Bellingrath Gardens and Home, 12401 Bellingrath Gardens Road Theodore, AL, 36582 The PACT Senior & Junior Company presents Seussical Jr at Bellingrath Gardens & Home! thepactmobile.com Chickasaw Civic Theatre Presents “Black Coffee” 7:30 PM Chickasaw Civic Theatre, 801 Iroquois Street Mobile, AL, 36611 A real whodunit! The secret formula for a scientific breakthrough has been stolen from Sir Claud’s country house and now Sir Claud has been poisoned. Was it the great scientist’s son? His lovely young wife? The mysterious foreign doctor? The butler? 251-457-8887 www.cctshows.com

ence a day in the life of a WWII soldier. The soldiers will be doing drills throughout the day; there will be authentic camping and blacksmithing in the original blacksmith shop. dauphinisland.org/fort-gaines/ American Cancer Society 31st Annual Chili Cook-off 11:00 AM - 3:00 PM, Mardi Gras Park, 163 Government Street Mobile, AL, 36602 It is a four-hour fun-filled day of great food and live entertainment where teams compete to find out who can cook-up the best chili in the community with chances to win fabulous prizes.

Sunday March 15

Fourth Annual Gulf Coast Spotlight Talent Showcase Saraland High School Theater, 1115 Industrial Pkwy Saraland, AL, 36571 4th Annual Gulf Coast Spotlight Talent Showcase strives to shine the spotlight on talented young performers right in our own community, encourage and reward their pursuits and give funds to our schools to support arts programs, thereby reaching more children in the Gulf Coast region. gulfcoastspotlight.com

Every Monday

Mystery Monday (Free) 3:15 PM Parkway Branch, 1924 Dauphin Island Pkwy B Mobile, AL, 36605 Join us after school for fun, games, arts & crafts, prizes and surprises! Ages 6 and up. www.mobilepubliclibrary.org

Every Tuesday

Games and More! (Free) 3:00 PM Toulminville Branch, 601 Stanton Road Mobile, AL, 36617 Enjoy board & video games, movies, puzzles and so much more! Ages 7 and up. www.mobilepubliclibrary.org Movie Tuesday (Free) 3:15 PM Parkway Branch, 1924 Dauphin Island Pkwy B Mobile, AL, 36605 Movie Tuesday www.mobilepubliclibrary.org

Every 1st and 3rd Tuesday

5 Rivers StoryTime (Free) 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM, 5 Rivers Delta Resource Center, 30945 Five Rivers Boulevard Spanish Fort, AL, 36527 The 1st and 3rd Tuesday of every month is StoryTime at 5 Rivers. Children under the age of 6 are welcome to stop by for a free reading of a nature based story followed by arts and crafts. 10-11am, free, no registration necessary. 251-625-0814 www.outdooralabama.com/ activities/5-rivers-alabama-delta-resource-center

Festival of Laughs 8:00 PM Mobile Civic Center Theater, 401 Civic Center Drive Mobile, AL, 36602 Comedy heavyweights Lavell Crawford, Earthquake, Tommy Davidson and Mark Curry are set to bring the Festival of Laughs to the Mobile Civic Center Theater on March 6. www.mobilecivicctr.com

Every Wednesday

Saturday March 7

What’s up Wednesday (Free) 3:15 PM Parkway Branch, 1924 Dauphin Island Pkwy B Mobile, AL, 36605 Enjoy Bingo, Karaoke, LEGO challenges and so much more! Refreshments will be served. www.mobilepubliclibrary.org

WWII Living History Event 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM, Fort Gaines, 51 Bienville Boulevard Dauphin Island, AL, 36606 Come and experi-

Mobile Bay Parents I February 2020

Learn to Knit (Free) 2:00 PM Toulminville Branch, 601 Stanton Road Mobile, AL, 36617 Learn to knit. Ages 8 and up. Bring your own supplies. www.mobilepubliclibrary.org

Every Thursday

TGIT Hangout! (Free) 4:00 PM Ben May Main Library, 701 Government Street Mobile, AL, 36602 Have fun with LEGO challenges, arts & crafts, games and more. 251-340-1535 www.mobilepubliclibrary.org

Second Thursday of the month

Alabama Contemporary Art Center Kids Studio (Free) 4:00 PM Ben May Main Library, 701 Government Street Mobile, AL, 36602 Thank Goodness It’s Thursday! Staff from the Alabama Contemporary Art Center join us for TGIT (Thank Goodness It’s Thursday) Hang Out! on the 2nd Thursday of the month. Join staff from the Alabama Contemporary Art Center to explore contemporary art and music through hands-on and minds-on activities that stimulate and deepen their understanding of art. www.mobilepubliclibrary.org Word/Play with ACAC (Free) 10:00 AM Ben May Main Library, 701 Government Street Mobile, AL, 36602 Staff from the Alabama Contemporary Art Center join us for Family Storytime on the 2nd Thursday of the month. Preschoolers will explore contemporary art and music through handson and minds-on activities that stimulate and deepen their understanding of art. www.mobilepubliclibrary.org

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GulfQuest-Third Thursday (Free) 9:00 AM - 7:00 PM, GulfQuest, 155 S Water St Mobile, AL, 36602 Every 3rd THURSDAY of the month, we at GulfQuest are extending our hours and offering FREE Admission to all Mobile County Residents (with a valid ID). www.gulfquest.org

Second Friday

LoDA Artwalk 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM, Downtown Mobile, Mobile, AL, 36602 ArtWalk takes place every second Friday of the month from 6 to 9 p.m. in the Lower Dauphin (LoDa) Arts District. www.ncsmobile.org

Every Saturday

Art & Rhyme Wiggle Time Storytime (Free) 10:30 AM Ben May Main Library, 701 Government Street Mobile, AL, 36602 Simple stories and music introduce the sounds and rhythms of language and play to your little learner. Join us for a wiggle, rhyme, read and sing, active story time – and a craft too! (Ages 18 months-3 years) 251-340-1535 www.mobilepubliclibrary.org Kids Studio ($5 or free for members) 11:30 AM - 12:30 PM, Alabama Contemporary Art Center, 301 Conti Street Mobile, AL, 36602 Kids Studio is a weekly program that encourages children ages 3-10 to explore contemporary art. Activities are designed to stimulate young minds while offering cross-curriculum learning opportunities with handson projects. Classes are taught by local artists and trained professional educators. 251-208-5671 www.alabamacontemporary.org

First Sunday of every month

1st Sunday Outdoor Market 12:00 PM - 4:00 PM, 5 Rivers Delta Resource Center, 30945 Five Rivers Boulevard Spanish Fort, AL, 36527 Featuring local arts & crafts, farmers’ market, and outdoor-themed items 251-625-0814 www.outdooralabama.com/ activities/5-rivers-alabama-delta-resource-center

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FamilyCalendar First and Third Sunday

Animal Ambassadors 2:00 PM - 2:30 PM, 5 Rivers Delta Resource Center, 30945 Five Rivers Boulevard Spanish Fort, AL, 36527 Join us at 2 PM as we present one or more of our live educational animals 251-625-0814 www.outdooralabama.com/ activities/5-rivers-alabama-delta-resource-center

Classes/Meetings APAC - Mobile County Adoptive Family Group Meets the 4th Friday of each month from 6 - 7:30 p.m. Christ Fellowship Baptist Church in Mobile, 445 Azalea Road. Parent, Youth/Teen Group and Childcare Is Provided. Topic Discussions & ceu’s for foster families are offered. For more information please call 251-460-2727 * 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. 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 pm to 7 pm and Thursdays from 9 am to 11 am. (Except major holidays). We meet at The Allen Cox Building Conference Room, 205 Lambert Avenue, Mobile. Bridge Support Group The Bridge support group is a place where parents with similar experiences come together to share stories, advice and love. These families have had babies who: were stillborn, born with a lethal anomaly (such as Trisomy 13, Trisomy 18, skeletal dysplasia, anencephaly) or had a baby that only lived in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. Our families are from all over the Gulf Coast and all have beautiful stories to tell. 1st Tuesday of every month, 5:30pm-until. Dinner is served. Meets in 1st floor conference room of Strada Center, 1601 Center Street, Mobile. Contact information: Rene Sprague RN, MSN rgilstrapsprague@health.southalabama.edu 251-6105264. Please RSVP if you plan to attend. 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 251-431-5100. 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.

The Family Center The Family Center’s classes in Mobile and Daphne are free and offer free childcare WITH minimum 24-HOUR RESERVATION. Night class includes supper and 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 251479-5700 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. 251-6892085, amandaLLLmobile@yahoo.com, meghanLLL@ yahoo.com, or michelleLLLmobile@yahoo.com. Facebook: La Leche League Mobile Bay Area. 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. Mobile Infirmary Hospital For complete information about class dates, times, and locations, or to schedule a tour of our maternity center, call childbirth education office at (251) 4352000. • 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. Pre-registration 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. • 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. Providence Hospital: www.providencehospital.org Providence Hospital offers a variety of classes on Childbirth Preparation. All classes meet in Conference Room 1, (located just inside the front doors in the main lobby of the hospital by the gift shop), unless otherwise specified. Preregistration is required for all classes, and fees are collected in class. To register for classes, please visit our website at www. providencehospital.org, Women’s Services and click “Childbirth and Breastfeeding Classes. If you have any questions, please email us at maternityservices@ ascension.org or call 251-266-1749. 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 4612438. • 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 preregister. • 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. Call 340-7769. • 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 340-7769 early to pre-register. • 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 251415-1685 or at www. usahealthsystem. com/usacwh. No children at classes, please. Class size is limited. Classes are free if you are delivering at USA Children’s & Women’s Hospital. All classes will meet in the 1st floor conference room next to the surgery waiting room. • 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. . You should plan on beginning the 3-week series when you are approximately 28 weeks pregnant. Offered monthly from 9 am to 2 pm. • Childbirth in a Nutshell: This class includes a brief overview of labor and a tour of the maternity areas. Class meets one Wednesday per month, 6-8:30 p.m. • Breastfeeding: This two-hour class is for expectant and newly delivered mothers and their support persons who want to learn about breastfeeding. Classes meet one Thursday per month from 6:00-8:00 p.m. and one Saturday per month from 10:00-Noon. • Classes on Preeclampsia, Developmental Milestones, Child Safety/Head Injury and Infant Safety are also available throughout the year. Call for details.

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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Games on the Go In a kid’s world increasingly dominated by electronic screens, it’s helpful to have portable play options to hand when there’s time to occupy. Games help children think strategically, solve problems creatively and develop social skills, such as following rules, playing with others and taking turns. Before they default to the lure of console or phone gaming, be prepared to point kid’s attention toward more active endeavors that can engage them in seconds. Access to active play resources can be the difference between wasted time versus time well spent. The

Recommending the Best Toys and Products for Kids

following items offer games and activities that are easy to set up and ready to go in seconds.

by Gerry Paige Smith

Table Tennis to Go

Pop-Up Soccer Goals

Love table tennis but hate the hassle of installing the table, unwinding nets and trying to find the paddles and balls? Now, you can play pingpong anytime, anywhere with just an unoccupied table! The versatile Table Tennis To Go set from Franklin Sports makes it easy to turn any table into a ping pong venue. With a sturdy retractable and expandable net that clamps securely to table edges, the scene is easily set for play. The set includes two balls and two paddles, so you only need players to swing into instant table tennis mode! The drawstring mesh bag keeps the components together, portable, and ready to bring ping-pong play to table surfaces anywhere!

For parents of budding soccer allstars, getting to the field for on-demand play can be a challenge. GoSports Pop-Up Soccer Goals offer an easy, portable solution for soccer practice anywhere. The goals don’t require assembly, but rather ‘pop’ open for immediate use, close with a twist and fold for compact flat storage. Crafted with nylon fabric and netting that can withstand even the strongest shots, the goals can be staked into grass (stakes included) or taped/ weighted for play on a hard surface. This set includes 2 foldable 4’ goals, plus 6 orange cones for agility training or marking boundaries. Ready for goal practice, goalie-less games, skills training, backyard setups and more, just bring your own ball and soccer play is ready when you are.

(Franklin Sports)

(GoSports)

HX40 Air Hockey Table

Premium Wooden Ring Toss

The most popular tabletop sport in the arcade now comes in a portable version that puts competitive air hockey right at your fingertips. Powered by an AC-12V motor, electric fans provide powerful, quiet and uniform airflow for a smooth and frictionless playing surface. Rubber pads on the table feet protect tabletops and wood floors from scratches allowing for vigorous gameplay. The goal boxes easily return the puck and have manual scorers above to keep track of who is winning the game. Measuring 40”L x 20”W x 5”H, the table weighs just 14 pounds and comes with an AC adapter, two fastaction round pucks, and two plastic strikers. Perfect for home, office, rec room, or gaming spaces.

A fast path to unplugged game play includes the GoSports Premium Wooden Ring Toss set, an update to the traditional lawn game that brings family and friends together (indoors or outdoors) for an engaging play that requires no batteries! The game is sturdily crafted using solid pine wood for the colorfully marked targets and robust rope for the four toss rings. The compact canvas carrying case ensures easy storage and portability. Featuring five scoring towers with varying point scores, game play also introduces basic math skills while fostering hand-eye coordination in younger players. A centuries-old game for solo or group play, the GoSports Premium Wooden Ring Toss (with a lifetime warranty) reboots a beloved all-ages game that’s here to stay.

(Sports Squad)

(GoSports)

Gerry Paige Smith is a syndicated columnist recommending the best products for kids and their families. Discover more at www.PageBookMedia.com

Mobile Bay Parents I February 2020

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Just Mercy

Dolittle

MPAA Rating: PG-13 Overall: A Violence: C+ Sexual Content: AProfanity: C+ Alcohol / Drug Use: B “You don’t know what you into down here in Alabama. When you’re guilty from the moment you born.” So says death row inmate Walter McMillan (Jamie Foxx) to earnest young lawyer Bryan Stevenson (Michael B Jordan). An idealistic graduate of Harvard Law School, Stevenson has moved to Alabama and open the Equal Justice Initiative, a small office dedicated to helping the most vulnerable victims of the justice system. As he digs into McMillan’s case, Stevenson uncovers a web of perjury, witness intimidation, and undisclosed evidence, eventually realizing that his client is on death row for a murder he did not commit. Director Destin Daniel Cretton deserves credit for not sensationalizing this case but for providing a measured, dignified retelling of the tragic story. And Jamie Foxx’s portrayal of McMillan steals the show. Just Mercy can be a hard film to watch, with scenes that alternately filled me with hopelessness, frustration, and anger. Fortunately, the film isn’t 136 minutes of unrelieved darkness. There is hope in the scenes of community and loving support extended to those who suffer. There is hope in the determination of Stevenson and his growing staff to free the innocent and to end capital punishment. And there is hope that their efforts at legal reform will be successful. Parents considering family viewing can be assured that the PG-13 rating is appropriate. There is some swearing in the film and many viewers will be deeply disturbed by a few scenes. But the scariest moment in the movie comes at the very beginning and it’s a simple phrase on a dark screen: “Based on a true story”.

MPAA Rating: PG Overall: C+ Violence: BSexual Content: B Profanity: AAlcohol / Drug Use: C The story opens with Dr. Dolittle (Robert Downey Jr.), nursing his grief after the death of his beloved wife and living as a recluse on his estate. But then Queen Victoria (Jessie Buckley) falls ill and sends a tween-aged friend to extend an invitation the physician can’t refuse. Dolittle’s medical skill and his dog’s refined sense of smell lead to a diagnosis, but, alas, the only possible cure is the fruit of the Eden Tree, a semi-mythical plant which has never been proven to exist. The doctor, apprentice Tommy Stubbins (Harry Collett), and most of the talking menagerie head off on their ocean voyage, unaware that there are members of the court who don’t want the queen to recover and will stop at nothing to ensure Dolittle’s failure. Sadly, Dolittle also has some unexpected content problems. Parents will be pleased that there are no swear words, sexual activity, or alcohol consumption. But they won’t be happy to see Dolittle sedated against his will so his animals can “groom” him. Forced use of a drug is a big red flag in any movie, but particularly one for kids. But the most grotesque moment in the film is when the doctor has a most unusual patient – a very cranky dragon (Frances de la Tour). With his usual acumen, Dolittle diagnoses her with an “obstruction” in her nether regions. The movie is also chock-full of moderately violent action scenes, but everything else fades into insignificance after seeing the doctor up to his elbow inside a dragon’s backside. If you’re looking for a fun family movie night, Dolittle is unlikely to fit the bill, unless your kids really love talking animals, fart jokes, and dragon posteriors, and don’t care if the plot hangs together.

Underwater

Weathering with You

MPAA Rating: PG-13 Overall: C Violence: CSexual Content: B Profanity: D Alcohol / Drug Use: A In the depths of Pacific Ocean’s Mariana Trench, Tian Industries has built a massive mining complex to extract resources from the earth. Unfortunately for the crew, things have started to go wrong, beginning with a massive earthquake that destroys nearly 70% of the station. Worse yet, the damage threatens to send the nuclear reactor which powers the facility into a meltdown. A mechanical engineer, Norah Price (Kristen Stewart), must team up with the other survivors, including Captain Lucien (Vincent Cassel) and Emily Haversham (Jessica Henwick), a biologist, in order to escape the crippled complex. But out in the deep dark water, something is moving. Underwater is astoundingly unoriginal, but oddly watchable nonetheless. As far as parental concerns go, Underwater is a pretty standard PG-13 action/horror. It stands out for a lack of awkward sexual innuendo or dialogue but overcompensates in the language and violence categories. With three extreme profanities and around 18 scatological curses, the movie is getting away with a lot at the PG-13 level. The violence is more of what you’d expect, but it still isn’t wholesome family fun to watch a man’s pressure suit break and see what happens when the human body is suddenly exposed to 8 tons of pressure per square inch. I guess you could frame it as a science lesson? Maybe not. Underwater is so stereotypical it almost feels like it belongs in another movie. Movies like this set your brain firmly in the off position, rendering any complex thinking impossible for the following half hour at minimum. As such, it’s a perfect choice for teenagers looking for a quick scare.

MPAA Rating: PG-13 Overall: C+ Violence: C+ Sexual Content: BProfanity: C+ Alcohol / Drug Use: C When 16 year old runaway Hodaka arrives in Tokyo, the city is soaking after months of uninterrupted rainfall. The desperate young man eventually gets hired as a gofer and live-in intern by tabloid owner Keisuke Suga. As Hodaka tramps around Tokyo in search of a good story, he stumbles across Hina, a “Sunshine Girl” whose prayers can temporarily push back the rain and let the sun shine through. But her powers come at a high price... and Hodaka will do anything to prevent her from paying it. Weathering with You is a difficult film to describe. It has beautiful, sometimes incandescent backdrops, with stunning vistas and intricate weather scenes. The raindrops alone are a triumph of animation skill. Sadly, the movie isn’t as good as it looks. The story often feels disconnected, there are some notable plot holes, and a number of things are left hanging or poorly explained. Also disappointing are the content issues in this production. Parents usually assume that animated films are clean, although it’s worth noting that the anime genre runs the gamut from family friendly through to extreme porn. Unfortunately, Weathering with You has a disappointing number of problematic issues, including over a dozen swear words, scenes of alcohol use and some non-explicit sexual content. Anyone considering this movie should also note that it is in Japanese with English subtitles. Weathering with You may have moments of peril and a downbeat storyline, but it at least provides moments of hope. Love conquers all, or at least some, and that’s the beam of sunlight shining through the clouds.

Mobile Bay Parents I February 2020

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I would rather have my head in a book than my head in a cloud. - Shelby, 8th Grade

For more information visit AlabamaHealthyTeens.com