Mobile Bay Parents November 2019 by KeepSharing

“Alabama’s High School ”

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NOW Alabama 9th & 10th Graders Can Apply for Fall 2020 at www.asms.net

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TUITION, ROOM, AND BOARD

ASMS is a public residential high school for academically talented sophomores, juniors, and seniors seeking advanced studies in mathematics, science, and humanities. Find out how the Alabama School of Math and Science can lead you on a path to success. Applying to ASMS is FREE – and so are tuition, room, and board if you are admitted! While being surrounded by likeminded individuals who share a desire to learn, ASMS students have access to hands-on, experiential learning focused on research and collaboration. Students take a variety of college-level courses in Math, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Computer Science, History, English, Communication, Physical Education, and Fine Arts. Many people ask, “Do I have to be a ‘genius’ to be accepted to ASMS?” Answer: Absolutely NOT! ASMS is made up of students who are intelligent and work hard for academic success. Current Alabama 9th or 10th graders can apply. Questions? Email admissions@asms.net or call 251.441.2100.

• Early College Experience • Dedicated Instructors • Diverse Community • Leadership Opportunities • Experiential Learning

Visit our campus for

ASMS DAY Saturday, Nov. 16 or Dec. 7. Register to visit at www.asms.net

ADVANCED ACCREDITED

November2019

Columns

Volume 9 Number 8

Publisher’s Note 4

Therapeutic Parenting Sonia Martin, LICSW, PIP

Common Sense Media

What parents need to know about social media and anxiety.

Raising Communicators

Teaching your kids to communicate well in the digital age.

Kids Health Watch

Sponsored by Children’s Medical Group

The Dangers of Toxic Stress, Part 1 “Toxic stress” is a newer term coined for a phenomenon that every person has had to deal with and adapt. It is essentially a prolonged activation of stress response systems in the absence of protective relationships. Researchers are now learning that the brain actually reconfigures itself and parts of the brain stay active longer than they should whereas other parts of the brain actually atrophy (shrink and do not continue to develop) when a child is exposed to stress for too long. Children can be especially vulnerable to this. This month, we’ll discuss what you can do as parents to help your children develop well and flourish, particularly when faced with adversity. I cannot stress enough the importance of bonding and safety that a child learns beginning the moment they are born. It is so stressful for a parent when a newborn is in the home, but the tiring, constant routine of simply being there when your baby cries by holding her, changing her diaper, feeding her is laying

Mobile Bay Parents I November 2019

the groundwork for your baby knowing that she has a protector and someone who loves her. As your child grows and develops, those first 2-5 years are critical for laying the groundwork for your child’s mental health in the future. Many parents bring their school age child for an office visit when they’re concerned about anxiety, depression, problems at school, or aggression– and help is certainly available and warranted. However, research is reenforcing that in many cases, kids’ brains have activated stress hormones and pathways due to repeated exposure to stressful situations. Some of the most severe toxic stress exposures can be things such as divorce, domestic abuse, neglect, or abandonment. But even little things, like parents arguing in front of their kids, financial hardships that children are aware of, or bullying at school– emotional or physical– can cause this toxic stress pathway to be overly active. Oftentimes parents are concerned about shielding children from hard realities, as they

are most certainly a part of life. But we can and must protect children while their brains are developing, so they can learn how to appropriately navigate their own stressful situations in the future. So how do we do that? Next month we’ll talk about specific examples of what can be done to guide your child in tough situations. We will discuss some of the medical problems we’re seeing as a result of toxic stress in childhood. Until then, I would encourage you to think of ways you are paving the way for a healthy childhood– and making happy memories for your children and whole family. Being a parent is stressful! But it’s our job to protect our children (birth to teenager) from the daily stresses of adulthood. 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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Autauga County Schools

Renowned Dance Instructor Teaches Davidson’s Kinetics Dance Company

Janice Rosario, a New York based choreographer, came to Davidson High School recently to work with our dancers in the Kinetics Dance Company. Mrs. Rosario has created works for performing arts high schools and collegiate dance programs across the country including "The Fame School," F.H. LaGuardia High School for the Performing Arts, and The Alvin Ailey/Fordham Program. While at Davidson, Janice Rosario taught classes and choreographed a new piece to be performed at the annual fall concert on November 21.

Local Student Participates in NY Fashion Week

Local teenager Bella White walked in New York Fashion Week. White was wearing Mississippi designer Marnita Miller of EFABB for The Industry Fashion Show. Bella White has been modeling for 3 years. The Industry Fashion Show was held at Philippine Consulate General in New York City. Photography by Mark Gunter.

Semmes Students Grateful for Monthly Book Donors

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Mrs. Jones’s third graders at Semmes Elementary are showing appreciation for receiving a new book every month of the 201920 school year! Parents, citizens, and friends donated to encourage the students to begin building their own personal libraries at home.

Local Author Visits Causey Creative Writing Class

Burns Homecoming Queen and Honorary Queen

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Congratulations to Makenzie McClain (Queen) and Julia Stanford (Honorary Queen) for being voted as the 2019-2020 Homecoming Queen and Honorary Queen. Julia Stanford was escorted by Mr. Phillips.

Carrie Dalby, local author, visited Mrs. Jameson’s creative writing elective class at Causey Middle School. Two of her popular books are “Fortitude” and “Corroded”. Mrs. Dalby gave a presentation and read an excerpt from her book. Students were then able to receive an autograph, a bookmark, and two copies of the book were graciously donated to the school. Thank you, Mrs. Dalby, for the taking the time to talk to future writers! Mobile Bay Parents I November 2019

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Dickson Principal Named Administrator of the Year

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Mrs. Katryna Kinn, principal of E. R. Dickson Elementary School, was selected as the Administrator of the Year by the Metro Mobile Literacy Association. Mrs. Kinn is an advocate for literacy at E. R. Dickson as well as in the community. She was honored at the Alabama Literacy Association Conference in Birmingham. She is seen here with E.R. Dickson faculty representatives: Ms. Elizabeth Partsch. Ms. Sara King, Ms. Stacey Wilcox, and Ms. Lauren Lee.

Old Shell Road Student Sings National Anthem at Ceremony

Kailim Windham from Old Shell Road Elementary sang the National Anthem at the bell ringing ceremony at the U.S.S. Alabama Battleship in September in honor of the signing of the Constitution on September 17, 1787.

ASMS Student Named State Volunteer of the Year

Alabama School of Mathematics and Science (ASMS) Senior, Zoe Blair, was selected as the State Volunteer of the Year by the Alabama Council of Hospital Auxiliaries. Zoe has been volunteering at Mobile Infirmary for 3 years and is president of their teen volunteers group. From her volunteer experience, Zoe now hopes to become a radiologist. She will be honored at a ceremony in Birmingham next month.

Join us for Parent Preview!

November 24, 2019

Early Learning Center- 8th Grade 11:00 a.m. Lunch

Followed by Curriculum Overview and Tour Open Enrollment Begins January 13, 2020

Who are we? We are

Parent Preview

Tuesday Nov. 5 Âˇ 5:30 p.m.

We invite all parents interested in learning more about the McT Experience.

Please enter through the Student Center on Lafayette Street.

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Autauga County Schools MGM BEST Robotics Students

Cooking up Math Skills at Austin Elementary

Mrs. Betbeze's 3rd grade students reviewed academic concepts in a colorful, delicious way when they dressed as bakers and used baking goods to practice math skills at the end of first quarter. Their teacher transformed their classroom into a bake shop with different stations of math tasks, each accomplished by using different desserts and dessert toppings to divide, multiply, regroup, balance equations and more. What a terrific and tasty way to own your learning, practice critical thinking skills, collaborate, make real world connections, and have a great time with your friends while prepping for a test. Way to go, Austin Innovators! Kaiyejola Ariyo, Cecilia Rodriguez, and Miren Cia McKean selected a task card and collected the correct number of cupcakes and sprinkles to go on each cupcake by dividing the sprinkles evenly between them.

Receive Scholarships

On Saturday, October 5, MGM seniors Zachary Neal, Timothy Bennett, and Allison Scott received BEST Robotics scholarships from the University of South Alabama. All three received scholarships to the School of Computing. Additionally, Allison received a scholarship to the College of Engineering. In order to qualify for these scholarships, students completed an application and submitted ACT scores, transcripts, and proof of involvement in the BEST Robotics program at MGM. Congratulations to these outstanding seniors. Pictured: Zachary Neal, Mr. Marlon Firle (MGM Principal), Timothy Bennett, and Allison Scott.

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McDavid-Jones Educator Wins Gary Fortenberry Partnership Award

During the 2019 Alabama Landowners Conference, the Alabama TREASURE Forest Association (ATFA) will honor an Alabama educator with its annual Gary Fortenberry Partnership Award. The award recognizes representatives of government agencies, academia, industry or other forest resource professionals for their partnership and support of ATFA and its programs at the county level. Whether they are building county chapters or leading Classroom in the Forest, these recipients carry out the mission of the Alabama TREASURE Forest Association: to promote, educate and improve. This year's winner is Mrs. Joy Herring from Mobile County. Herring, the science lab coordinator at McDavid-Jones Elementary School in Citronelle, has been leading fifth grade students through Classroom in the Forest for over 20 years. Through the last two decades, she and other community volunteers turned a former gully bordering school property into a certified TREASURE Forest with 11 learning stations, an amphitheater, arboretum, pavilion, walking trail, raised garden beds and wildflower field. Herring also brings natural resources education to the classroom for MJES's 1,000 students. Certified TREASURE Forest landowners, Herring and her husband, Robert, host students from pre-k to fifth grade at the annual Classroom in the Forest at Pratt Turner Conservation Center. While still focused on education, Herring continues the same management strategies as many landowners around the state - fighting cogongrass, improving wildlife habitat and scheduling the next prescribed burn in the longleaf stand. The ATFA commands Joy Herring on her outstanding efforts to promote, educate and improve.

Denton Magnet School Robotics Team Competes at Jubilee BEST

Denton Magnet School of Technology's Robotics Team, the Denton ACES, recently competed in the Jubilee BEST Robotics Competition. The team is comprised of sixth, seventh, and eighth graders. Both middle and high schools from across the region compete against one another in this annual event. Denton's team won first place for their webpage, which was designed and content created by the students on the Marketing Team. They also won the Evonik Safety Award. Their robot was designed to run autonomously, to remove debris after a natural disaster, without endangering human life. Follow @DentonACES and @ DentonMagnet on Facebook to continue to follow our students' successes. 15

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St Johnny Appleseed Day at Little Flower

Autauga County Schools

Students in Miss Lilly's kindergarten class at Little Flower Catholic School celebrated Johnny Appleseed Day with a taste test of red, green, and yellow apples. They heard the story of Johnny Appleseed, sang songs, and made a paper hat similar to the one they heard about in the story. They ended the day with apple cookie treats.

St. Lukeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Students Prepare Spanish Dishes for Class

St. Luke's students in Spanish 2 and Spanish 3 kicked off "Hispanic Heritage" month by cooking rice and beans. They even made their own guacamole. They knew that learning was fun but didn't know it was also "delicioso!"

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Practicing Collaboration at Clark-Shaw

Clark-Shaw Magnet School students are provided an opportunity to learn collaboration skills and work in groups preparing them for the future.

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St. Dominic Students Go Gold for Childhood Cancer Awareness Month St. Dominic Catholic School students participated in "Go Gold" in honor of one of our own students, Ava, and Childhood Cancer Awareness month. Ava's fifth grade classmates are pictured with their teachers, Mrs. Spafford and Ms. Mohler.

Homeschoolers Compete in Robotics Competition

MACH Robotics, a group of Homeschool students ranging from 6th through 12th grades, recently formed P.O.W.E.R. to compete in Jubilee B.E.S.T. Robotics Competition on October 5. B.E.S.T. is a nationwide program that encourages students to be more active in science, engineering, and technology. Each year all the teams meet up to be given a task for their robot to complete and see the game field. Throughout a period of 42 days, the teams must build a robot and display. Both robot and display will be judged. Display will have information about both the team and what they accomplished. A presentation team will try to sell their robot to the judges. A media team will make a game, a website, and a commercial. A notebook team will keep records on how the robot is being built. Finally, the spirit team makes cheers and encourages everyone on game day. Our team consists of 38 members: Allie Maples, Aramis Hoffmann, Arthur McPherson, Brant Grardner, Brooks Byrd, Charlie Maples, Clark Stombaugh, Cory Mason, Elijah Badonsky, Emma Sandborn, Evan Sayre, Gabriella Walker, Grant Wallace, Isabella Walker, Isaiah Lindquist, Ian Robertson, Josiah Coleman, Josh Sawyer, Joshua Sandborn, Julia Hunt, Kayilyn McKay, Kaylee Culpepper, Kristen Sawyer, Landen Everett, Luke Sandborn, Marisol Hoffmann, Mason Rummler, Micah Mangum, Micaiah Lindquist, Natalie Rische, Noah Barton, Regan Tidmore, Riley Barton, Roderick Bryant, Samuel Craft, Sean Taylor, Serena Scroggins, Zac Lemon.

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Autauga County Schools Six St. Paul’s Students Recognized in

North Mobile Christian School Kindergartners Learn Manners

2020 National Merit Scholarship Program

Congratulations to David Hantouche, Alexandra Rosenthal, and Anne Katherine Scott, who have been named National Merit Semi-Finalists. Natalie K. Douglas, Katherine E. Rush, and Ryan H. Seng have been named Commended Students in the 2020 National Merit Scholarship Program. The semi-finalists were selected based on their scores on the 2019 Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test representing less than 1 percent of the nation’s high school graduating seniors. David Hantouche, Alexandra Rosenthal, and Anne Katherine Scott will now have the opportunity to continue in the National Merit Scholarship Competition. St. Paul’s is very proud of these six academically talented students.

Kindergarten classes at North Mobile Christian School celebrated the end of their Manners unit, although we know learning manners actually never ends! Congratulations to all the recipients of awards. We even practiced cheering for others when we don’t win. As Mrs. Kim says, “That’s called ‘character’.” North Mobile Christian School, you have some very kind and compassionate kiddos!

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• Riding - English, Western, and Jumping • Swimming • Heated Pool • Ropes Course • Climbing Tower • Outdoor Nature Skills • Sports • Soccer • Basketball

award-winning, n a n o t u o s is m Don’t p for your m ca d re te n ce ts Chri mmer! daughter this Su On Top of Lookout Mountain in Historic Mentone, Alabama

Best of Parenting WINNER 10

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Susan & Larry Hooks, Owners & Directors Donna Bares, Assistant Director

800-882-0722

www.riverviewcamp.com

Mobile Bay Parents I November 2019

• Beach Volleyball • Tennis • Canoeing • Golf • Archery • Gymnastics • Cheerleading • Dance • Chorus • Drama • Arts & Crafts • CIT Program • Campfires every night • Optional trips & more!

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Faith Academy Spelling Bee Winners

The following students will represent Faith Academy at the AISA District Spelling Bee: DeAsia Jones (8th grade), Whitley Burns (7th grade), Braylon Burns (6th grade), Abigail Costales (5th grade) and Andrew Anthony (4th grade).

St. Vincent de Paul STAR Student of the Month

For October, St. Vincent de Paul chose Malcolm Howard as our STAR Student of the month. Malcolm is always kind and helpful to all. He is positive and gives 100% in everything he does. Malcolm continues to encourage and support his classmates as they prepare for serving and reading at mass. He is our Red Ribbon leader and is a member of the A.R.K. (Acts of Random Kindness) club. Malcolm is a great help with our younger students and recently reminded a younger student that â&#x20AC;&#x153;self-controlâ&#x20AC;? is one of the Fruits of the Holy Spirit. SVS is proud of you!

McGill-Toolen Band Earns Superior Ratings at Competition

Congratulations to our McGill-Toolen Catholic High School Band on their superior ratings in Color Guard, Drum Major, Percussion, and Band at their competition in Andalusia! This marks 9 years in a row of the band scoring 90 or above at marching competitions! Pictured are the seniors at their last competition.

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Autauga County Schools

See You at the Pole at Covenant Christian School

Prichard Prep "PINK" Out-of-Uniform Day

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On Friday, October 4, the Prichard Prep SGA and Honor Society students collected funds to promote October as Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Students were allowed to pay $1.00 or more to be out of uniform but they had to wear something PINK. The students raised over $300! Mrs. Hubbard’s 3rd Grade class had the most donations and was rewarded with ice cream and cookies!

At Covenant Christian School we are so blessed to be able to participate in “see you at the pole,” a morning of school-wide prayer for our country and are so blessed to have students who truly appreciate it!

Corpus Christi Catholic School Student Named CYO Toy Bowl Queen

Corpus Christi Catholic School is excited to announce that Miss Camille Dennis was named this year's Catholic Youth Organization's (CYO) Toy Bowl Queen. Her escort is a fellow student, Payton Anderson. The first CYO Toy Bowl was held in 1948. Today's court is made up of representatives from the Archdiocesan schools and it is a fundraiser for their sports programs. The presentation of the Queen is taking place on November 2nd at Lipscomb Field.

St. Ignatius Seniors Wear Blazers with Pride

The 8th grade students are the leaders of St. Ignatius and they set a wonderful example for all the students. A symbol of that leadership are the blazers that only our 8th grade students wear. At the beginning of each school year the Blazer Ceremony is held to officially install our leaders. They are also given cross pins that symbolize the years of dedication to St. Ignatius. Pictured here is the 8th grade class of 2020.

St. Mary Catholic Remembers

St. Mary Catholic School held their annual 9/11 Memorial Service honoring and remembering the first responders and victims of the devastating attacks on our nation September 11, 2001. St. Mary welcomed Lieutenant Rusty Morris of the New York Fire Department who was one of the first responders at the World Trade Towers that day. The students presented him with a gift in thanksgiving for his service that day and for his service every day. Mobile Bay Parents I November 2019

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St. Pius X Students Deliver Scooters to The Little Sisters

St. Pius X Catholic School students deliver 11 Mobility Scooters to The Little Sisters of the Poor. The scooters were given to the school by an anonymous donor. These students met with Father Savoie and suggested they be donated to The Little Sisters, where they could be used by their residents who have difficulty walking.

St. Mary Celebrates Feast of St. Francis!

St. Mary celebrated the Feast of St. Francis with the annual Blessing of the Pets! Parading through St. Mary's Thompson Field with plenty of holy water sprinkles from Father Spotswood, all pets in leashes, cages, and in photograph and their owners were blessed for another year!

St. Ignatius Students Pray at Women’s Resource Center

St. Ignatius Pro Life Ambassadors hosted over 100 middle school students from St. Ignatius, Corpus Christi and Christ the King to pray the Rosary in the parking lot of the Women's Resource Center to kick off the 40 Days for Life campaign. These students will meet every Friday morning during the campaign to pray. These students are amazing examples of living Pro Life.

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Allentown Elementary School September GATOR Kids

Pre-K – Second Grade, Front Row: Blakely Ezell, Makenly Frost, Parker Dean, Azariah McQueen, Brynn Pesnell, Sabrina Rodriquez. Middle Row: Easton Moye, Isaac Stewart, Matthew Adams, Clarissa Ahner, Marli McLean, Micah Lockhart. Back Row: Kileah McCay, Desmond Morrison, Kayleigh Anderson, Colton Barry, Fabian Fiqueroa, Colin Foster. Third – Fifth Grade, Front Row: Makenzie White, Sophia Adams, Adalynn Dearmon, Evenlyn Claire King, Andrew Knox, Carson Couie. Middle Row: Brandon Reed, Marley Imholte, Mya Slaten, Benjamin Muhubao, Jacob Crain. Back Row: Ayden Phillips, Traceson Schaaf, Jayden Brown, Kaitlin Clayton, Cara Mitchell, Melody McLean.

Application Window Open for High School Signature Academy Program

Students in the seventh and eighth grades and their parents got a wealth of information about their high school options recently at the Signature Academy Showcase at the USA Mitchell Center. Signature Academies are small, career-focused learning communities within each of MCPSS’ 12 high schools, with business and industry partners from fields such as aviation and aerospace, health services, engineering and coastal studies providing mentorship and hands-on training. The application window is open until Dec. 31 for Signature Academies at mcpss.com. Look for the “Apply For” button and scroll to “A Signature Academy.” Contact any schools your student may be interested in to inquire about open houses and shadowing opportunities. Students may transfer to any high school in the MCPSS system if they are accepted into that school’s Signature Academy program. 21

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Autauga County Schools Cottage Hill Christian Academy

Students Love Where We Live

Cottage Hill Christian Academy third graders visited Police Precinct Four and the Mobile Fire and Rescue Department at the Public Safety Complex for their “Love Where You Live” project in late September. Students took cards of gratitude, prayed for first responders, and learned what police and fire officials do for the community. CHCA is proud of these young girls and boys for loving their community and praying for those that serve it.

UMS-Wright Students Make Global Impact!

In September, students in grades K3-6th were introduced to motivational speaker, Brian Williams about being a “kindness ninja!” Brian challenged them to carry-out acts of kindness in the halls, classrooms, at home and throughout the community. Each student received a daily kindness log to document their acts. During the assembly, students heard stories, saw pictures and watched videos of kids their own age in Kenya. But one big difference is that these children have never worn a pair of shoes in their lives! We challenged these students to collect sneakers that will be sent to needy children and their families around the globe. Not only were our students up for the challenge, but they collectively brought in over 800 shoes!

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

Local HS Teams Win Awards at Culinary Arts Gala Mobile County Public Schools culinary arts programs cleaned up at the Forks & Corks Seafood and Science Culinary Arts Gala recently at Dauphin Island. The team from the Citronelle Center for Advanced Technology won first place overall, while Bryant High School earned the People's Choice award and Murphy High School was awarded Best Table.

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Dickson Teacher Named Outstanding Science Teacher

Timothy Johnson, a teacher at E.R. Dickson Elementary School, has been chosen as 2019's Outstanding Alabama Elementary School Science Teacher. "Mr. Johnson is truly a leader and pacesetter in science, robotics and STEM activities at our school," said Principal Katryna Kinn. Mobile Bay Parents I November 2019

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Davidson Student Named National Merit Scholarship Semifinalist

Davidson’s Maria Moxey is one of four MCPSS students to be named a National Merit Scholarship semifinalist. They are among approximately 16,000 semifinalists chosen from over 1.5 million seniors who took the Pre-SAT last year. Finalists will be announced in February and winners will be announced later in the spring. Maria is also Mobile County’s representative for the Distinguished Young Women Scholarship program.

Burns Middle School Red Ribbon Representative

Burns Middle School is proud to announce that Trelan Wilson is the 2019 -2020 Red Ribbon week representative. Trelan was nominated because she is a great role model to her classmates and peers. Trelan will lead the school's Red Ribbon Week activities which will teach drug awareness and encourage kids to say no to drugs.

Invites you to discover

Mobile County Public School System's Magnet School Programs Open House for ALL Magnet schools is November 1st from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

Students at Eichold-Mertz are held to academically high standards and are engaged in a mathematics, general science, outdoor classroom or technology lab daily for 45 minutes. These labs are in addition to a rigorous core curriculum. Eichold-Mertz is a school of choice which requires students and parents to make a commitment to education.

Visit the Math, Science & Technology magnet program at 2815 Government Boulevard• Mobile, Alabama 36606 www.magnetschoolofmathscienceandtech.mcs.schoolinsites.com

George Hall Elementary Celebrates Grandparents Day

The PTA staff sponsored Grandparents Day at Hall Elementary. Grandparents of the students were encouraged to eat lunch and take pictures with their grands. It was such a joyous time to see all of the wonderful families celebrating the day together. Pictured are Travontia Williams and Mary Edwards.

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Allentown Students Learn About Apple Press

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Autauga County Schools

First Grade students in Mrs. Martinâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s first grade class at Allentown Elementary celebrated the beginning of fall with a visit to the apple press. The apple press was brought to Allentown to demonstrate how apple juice is made. Thanks to Mr. Mark Krist, Josh Martin, and their special helper, Nathan Williams!

Causey Volleyball Team Named County Champions

Congratulations to the Causey volleyball team - 2019 County Champions! The team competed with a 22-1 record for the year, winning the Spanish Fort Tournament, Area Championship, and County Championship! We are so proud of our players and coaches and their commitment to excellence!

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St. Dominic NJHS 2019-20 Officers

Congratulations to the following students who were inducted as the 2019/2020 Officers for the Saint Dominic Chapter of the National Junior Honor Society: Isabella Hansen – President; Ella Wilson - Vice-President; Maggie Kohnen – Secretary; Kasey Eccles - Prayer Leader.

Dickson Red Ribbon Representative

Congratulations to E.R. Dickson fifth grade student, Madison Langley. She was selected as the Red Ribbon Week Representative for E.R. Dickson Elementary. Superintendent, Chresal Threadgill, presented her with a medal at the Red Ribbon Week Awards Ceremony on September 30.

Computer Time at Clark-Shaw

Clark-Shaw has four different computer labs the students use on a regular basis. These computer labs are used for digital creations, projects, and real-world applications.

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

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.

Come visit us at our Fall Open House! Thursday, November 7, 6:30 p.m. 6300 McKenna Drive • Mobile, Alabama 36608 • www.corpuschristiparish.com/school

Questions? Please contact us: 251.342.5474 • school@corpuschristiparish.com 25 CCS MBP Open House Ad.indd 1

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Autauga County Schools

Corpus Christi Robotics Team Competes at Jubilee BEST

Congratulations to Corpus Christi Catholic School's robotics team! They competed in the Jubilee BEST Robotics competition on October 5th at the Mitchell Center on the campus of the University of South Alabama. More than 30 teams from regional middle and high schools participated in the competition. Corpus Christi won "Best Team Theme." The CCS team members called themselves the "Power Wranglers" and designed a western-themed marketing booth.

New Playground Equipment at Little Flower Catholic School

Students at Little Flower Catholic School are enjoying the new playground equipment that was installed in the summer. The climbing station is a favorite and although it will not hold an entire class, students love the challenge of getting to the top.

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Give your child the advantages of Faith. n AdvancEd accredited / AISA Blue Ribbon School n College Preparatory and Advanced Placement Classes n Dual Enrollment Classes through the University of Alabama n High School and Elementary Science and Computer Labs n Accelerated Reader Program n Award Winning Band, Choral and Drama Programs n Competitive Sports for Boys and Girls Grades 3 – 12 n 63% of 2019 graduates received college scholarships

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Educating Students in Grades K3 - 12th Something incredible happens when students experience Faith. They begin to grow and blossom into caring, responsible individuals. They begin to see a future filled with promise; they believe in themselves, in others and in their future.

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At Faith Academy, we do this by providing a Christian education that meets the needs of the whole student—spiritual, artistic, athletic, social, and personal—in a safe, clean, and orderly environment that encourages excellence. We are #faithstrong!

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R We accept Alabama Opportunity Scholarship Funds.

faithacademy.us | 8650 Tanner Williams Road, Mobile, AL 36608 | 251.633.7267 Mobile Bay Parents I November 2019

faithacademyrams www.mobilebayparents.com

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MGM Red Ribbon Winner

Visit the nation’s largest outdoor chrysanthemum display.

Congratulations, Kaliyah Benning, for being named MGM’s Red Ribbon Leadership Award winner at the award ceremony held on Monday, September 30, at Daphne Civic Center. Kaliyah will now begin working on her community service project to compete for a scholarship to be awarded next March. Pictured, MCPSS Superintendent Chresal Threadgill with Kaliyah Benning.

56th Annual Fall Outdoor Cascading Chrysanthemums November 1 – 30 Z-SPACE Makes Learning Fun at St. Luke’s

St. Luke's lower campus is enjoying using Z-SPACE! The 5th grade completed a scavenger hunt by dissecting the virtual reality plant cell on the Z-Space to connect to their science curriculum in the classroom. The words "Awesome", "Cool" and "Amazing" are often heard during their Z-Space lesson time. One student even said, "Hey! They are trying to trick us and make learning fun!".

Open Daily 8 AM - 5 PM (Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas & New Year’s Days)

Theodore, AL 800.247.8420 / 251.973.2217 bellingrath.org

Prichard Prep Students Win Governor’s Physical Fitness Award

The following 1st-5th grade students at Prichard Prep received the Governor’s Physical Fitness Award. 1st Grade: Truth Finley, Patrick McConico, Haleigh Smith, DeNeah Wilson, Brycson Allen, Frank Irby, Jahston Jordan, Kalvin Moore, Khloe Reid, Kendale Murphy. 2nd Grade: Emori Burke, Britton Burrell, Daniel Davis, III, Brooklin Heninburg, Landon Westry, Ta'Lynn Ball, Camden Gill. 3rd Grade: Austyn Lacy, Brandon Nobles, Blake Phillips, Brody Simmons, Nicholas Gaines, Amar'e Moore, Cameron Roberts, Caedon Roberson, Lamar Smith. 4th Grade: Marlli Allen, Jeremiah Bradley, Sha'Mari Childs, Brandon Mauldin, Madison Grayson-Taylor, Madilyn Grayson- Taylor. 5th Grade: Jordyn Bassa, Roderick Belton, Jr., Jamir Edwards, Kayla Ellis, Dwayne Prince, Keith Williams, Alayna McCall, Edward McGrew. 27

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Autauga County Schools

Covenant Christian Cross Country Team off to Great Start!

Congratulations to Coach Rush and the Cross Country team for winning the girls division in their first meet of the season! The Eagles placed five runners in top 20 including 3 in the top 10! Great job ladies!

Faith Academy Homecoming Week

Faith Academy Homecoming week 2019, 50 Years Faith Strong, was a week filled with fun activities. Faith is celebrating 50 years of God's faithful provision and favor. They ended the week by crowning the 2019 Homecoming Queen, Miss Taylor Deitz and 2019 Lady in Waiting, Miss Alayah Wells.

St. Pius Students Attend Blue Mass

St. Pius X Catholic School fifth grade students gather around one of Mobile's Finest while at Cathedral Square for the Blue Mass, September 11th.

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Mobile Bay Parents I November 2019

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St. Paul’s Players to Present “Antigone” By Sophocles

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Come see why we want you to be a part of our school!

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For Prospective PreK-2nd Grade Students and Parents

The great, modern city-state Thebes is in turmoil. The city lies in partial ruin from a great civil war. The twin brothers, children of the great and lamentable Oedipus, had agreed to share the throne; however, when one refused to honor the bargain, he fought back with an army led by seven champions. In the end, the brothers slaughtered each other with a double-blow, leaving a partially ruined Thebes in its wake. Now Creon leads with hope to steady the ship of state, but when her decree poses ethical dilemmas, she has to deal with Oedipus’ firebrand daughter, Antigone and the need to move past the bitter hatred that split Thebes apart. The St. Paul’s Players of St. Paul’s Episcopal School present their vision of “Antigone” on November 13, 14, 16 at 7 PM.

Sunday, November 17th 3:00 - 4:30 p.m. Lower School Campus 4051 Old Shell Road For more information or to RSVP please contact our Admissions OfFIce at 251.461.2131 or admissions@stpaulsmobile.net

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Archery Fun at Old Shell Magnet School

Old Shell Road Magnet School archery team is ready for action.

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Autauga County Schools

Homecoming at Cottage Hill Christian Academy

On Friday, October 4, Anne Morgan Swearingen was crowned Cottage Hill Christian Academy’s 2019 Homecoming Queen. Anne Morgan is on the CHCA varsity volleyball team and serves as SGA Class President. She is also a member of the Recycling Club, the Social Awareness Club, National Honor Society, National Spanish Honor Society, Math Team, member of Claire’s Hope SPL, and Mu Alpha Theta. Anne Morgan also represented Cottage Hill at Girls’ State this past summer. She attends Cottage Hill Baptist Church and has attended Cottage Hill Christian Academy for fifteen years.

UMS-Wright Students Recognized in National Merit Scholarship Competition

Jackie Stewart-Kuhn and Olivia Swann have been named Semifinalists in the 2020 National Merit Scholarship Corporation competition. They will now have the opportunity to advance in the competition for National Merit Scholarships valued in excess of $31 million. Over 1.6 million students in over 22,000 high schools entered the competition, with roughly 16,000 making the cut as semifinalists. NMSC estimates that 90% of these students will proceed to finalist status and some 7,500 will eventually be awarded scholarships. In addition to the National Merit Semifinalists, Ryann Jokerst is being recognized as a National Merit Commended Scholar. We congratulate each of these students for a job well done and we encourage our Semifinalists as they move on to the next stage of the competition!

Two Local Schools Receive $10,000 Grants for Nutrition and Exercise Education

Physical education teachers at Pearl Haskew and Mary B. Austin elementary schools received grants of $10,000 each from Blue Cross Blue Shield of Alabama recently to fund programs teaching and encouraging nutrition and exercise. The schools were among 33 statewide to receive the Be Healthy grants, which also included $500 for professional development. "Kids need to learn at any early age how to be healthy," Mary B. Austin P.E. teacher Carla Regan said. "We try to instill in them at a young age to be active, to eat healthy and to get plenty of rest so that they will hopefully carry that with them home and out into the community."

Bryant FFA Teams Advancing to State Competition

Two Mobile County Public Schools programs are advancing to state competition after a strong showing at the Future Farmers of America's South District Fall Elimination competition recently in Atmore. The Bryant High School team, led by Jeremy Green, and the Bryant Career Technical Center team, led by Grace Jones, are moving on to the state FFA competition on June 1 in Opelika. Mobile Bay Parents I November 2019

Baker Student Crowned Miss Alabama Teen USA

Katie Watts of Baker High School was crowned Miss Alabama Teen USA recently in Auburn. Katie, a freshman who is involved in competitive dance, competed against 25 girls from across Alabama for the title. She will now represent our state in the Miss Teen USA pageant. www.mobilebayparents.com

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Red Ribbon Leadership Recipient at ASMS

Alabama School of Mathematics and Science (ASMS) student, Brianna Miles, was selected as the school's Red Ribbon Leadership Award Recipient. She was honored at a ceremony recently. Red Ribbon Week is celebrated across America to promote the importance of a healthy, drug-free lifestyle among youth. Outstanding students from Mobile and Baldwin County were selected as individuals who exemplify the 6 pillars of character.

Book Character Day at North Mobile Christian

North Mobile Christian School had their book character day! It turned out to be a wonderful day in celebration of the students' reading levels and amount of books that they love to read. Keep up the good work!

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

McGill-Toolen Volleyball Team Named 2019 Catholic Cup Champs

McGill-Toolen Catholic Dirty Dozen are the 2019 Catholic Cup champs! McT hosts the Catholic Cup with catholic high schools from southern states including Alabama. Louisiana, Georgia and Tennessee. Archbishop Rodi celebrated Mass with all of the schools and their athletes Saturday morning before play began.

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What Parents Need to Know About Social Media and Anxiety

it adds an extra layer to your parenting duties, it’s a good idea to get a good sense of your kid’s online life. Ask kids to give you a tour of their social media world. As they’re showing you around, you might hear some of the positive stuff you weren’t expecting, as well as some of the problem areas your kid could use help with. Also, add social media to the “wellness checks” that you already do. For example, when you ask how they slept and what they ate, ask how they’re feeling about social media. Is it mostly positive, helpful, and supportive, or do they want to step back but aren’t sure how? Here are some more tips for keeping social media a positive for kids:

From cyberbullying to FOMO to cruel comments, social media can be a land mine for kids. Issues we parents never had to worry about, such as an intimate photo texted to the entire school or Instagram videos of a birthday party we weren’t invited to, are now a risk for many tweens and teens. With kids’ digital well-being a concern, researchers are exploring potential links between social media and the rise in teen suicide rates, tech addiction, and loss of real-life social skills. And many parents are wondering: Is social media causing my kid to have anxiety? It’s an important question -- and one that makes for compelling headlines for worried parents. While it’s too early to say with certainty (this is, after all, the first generation of “digital natives”), the reality is somewhat nuanced. Some research has observed a relationship between social media use and anxiety in kids, but it’s difficult to know if and when social media is causing anxiety or whether kids who are anxious are turning to social media as a way to soothe themselves or seek support. How kids use social media matters, too: Social comparison and feedback-seeking behaviors have been associated with depressive symptoms, which often co-occur with anxiety. Of course, it’s common for kids to feel anxious sometimes. But there’s a big difference between occasional anxiety and an anxiety disorder that requires professional care. If your kid is overly self-conscious, has uncontrollable and unrealistic anxiety, is unable to make it go away, and avoids things, you may want to seek help. For these kids, social media may act as a trigger for -- though not the root cause of -- their anxious feelings. There are also kids, who, for a variety of reasons, may be more sensitive to the anxiety-producing effects of social media. For example, kids with social anxiety disorder may prefer online interactions over face-to-face interactions. Bottom line: You may not know the impact of social media on your kid until issues surface. Unfortunately, simply cutting off social media isn’t necessarily the answer. It’s such a huge part of many kids’ lives that not having access to social media could take a toll. In fact, being connected to friends through social media may counterbalance some of its negative effects. Without conclusive research to back up claims that social media causes anxiety -- and some evidence to show it’s beneficial -- it’s up to you to keep tabs on how your kid’s doing. Though Mobile Bay Parents I November 2019

Encourage self-care. Seeing photos of a trip to the beach your friends didn’t invite you to can really sting. If your kid is super bummed or tired of digital drama, suggest they take a break from social media for a while. In fact, if they post a status update that they’re taking a break, their friends might be very accepting because they’ve had similar feelings. Help kids put social media in perspective. People post stuff that makes their lives look perfect -- not the homework struggles, or the fight they had with their dad, or the hours it took to look as good as possible for the camera. Remind kids that social media leaves the messy stuff out -- and that everyone has ups and downs. Encourage offline activities. In a world where kids could spend their days lying around looking at Instagram, it’s doubly important for them to feel as though they’re cultivating their inner lives. Prompt them to balance social media with soul-nourishing activities such as hobbies, exercise, reading, and helping others. Otherwise, what are they going to brag about on social media? Talk about their feelings. Ask them what it feels like to look at other kids’ feeds. Is there a tipping point from when they feel OK to when they start to feel bad about their own lives? Encourage them to stop before that feeling sets in and do something good for themselves instead. Let them know you’re there for them. You may not understand everything about your kid’s online social life. But recognizing it’s important to them makes your kid feel valued -- and more likely to come to you when they encounter problems. Get help. If you see any cause for concern, including mood swings that seem to result from social media, not taking pleasure in activities he or she used to enjoy, and having accompanying symptoms such as headaches and stomachaches, visit your kid’s pediatrician for a professional opinion. The Child Mind Institute contributed to this article. Learn more at childmind.org.

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Strategy for Paying Off Debt Q. I’ve heard lots of different theories and

recommendations when it comes to paying off debt. Why do you advise paying off debts from smallest to largest?

A. A lot of people wonder the same thing when I bring up the debt snowball. Some think paying off the debt with highest interest rate first is the best approach. This may seem to make sense mathematically, but I realized a long time ago debt is not a mathematics problem—it’s a behavior problem. Personal finance is 80 percent behavior, and only 20 percent head knowledge. Besides, if all those people were so great at math, they wouldn’t be up to their eyeballs in debt in the first place! The reason the debt snowball pays off debt from smallest to largest is that modify-

ing your behavior and providing inspiration to get out of debt is more important than the math. Your probability of becoming wealthy is more closely connected to your behavior than your financial “sophistication” or academic pedigree. When you pay off a small debt you experience success, and that gives you hope. Then, you move on the next debt. When you pay that one off, and you’ve wiped out two debts, it really energizes you. At that point you start to get excited, and you begin to believe in yourself and in the fact you’re actually on the road to becoming debt-free!

It’s Not Easy Money Q. I’m 35, and I’ve always wanted to own

rental property. I think I’ve found a deal that

would work for me. I want to take $20,000 out of my thrift savings account to use as a down payment on the property. I could rent the place for $1,400 a month, and my loan payment would be $1,100 a month. What do you think about this idea?

A. I love real estate, so I understand the allure. But what you’re telling me is you want to cash out part of your retirement, get hit with a penalty and take on debt, to buy an investment property. I wouldn’t do it. I’ve got a feeling you’ve never been a landlord before. Bringing in $1,400 and paying out $1,100 may seem like a good place to be, but you haven’t figured all the risk into your equation. Rental properties just sit there empty sometimes. Other times you have renters who don’t pay, repairs, and people who just tear up things. In other words, you won’t be able to count on an easy $300 in your pocket every month. Like I said, I totally get your fascination with real estate. But my advice is to save up, and pay cash for one decent rental property to see if this game is really for you.

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A Page in a Book Counting Books: By the Numbers Teaching little ones the concept of numbers starts early as young children instinctively seek to quantify things in their orbit. They know if one of their two shoes is missing. They can distinguish the difference between their friend’s four cookies versus their own three (or five). And they definitely know the countdown toward their birthday, their own special numbered day. Part of a universal language that transcends barriers, children’s first words in a foriegn tongue are often numerical. Understanding numbers is just the beginning of a learning journey as it helps them grasp the concepts of time, order, quantity, patterns and more. As easy as 1-2-3, the following titles are fun reading romps that can help move little readers toward math literacy.

The Pickwicks’ Picnic: A Counting Adventure

by Carol Brendler, Illustrated by Renee Kurilla (Clarion) It’s a perfect summer day to leave the city and head for the countryside for a picnic. Packing the car with everything they need for their retreat from the heat, the Pickwick family heads for the bridge that leads to their destination. As the road out of town begins to fill with like-minded travelers, the Pickwicks pass the time counting two scooters, three jeeps and so on. As the numbers of vehicles rise, so do the temperatures of drivers caught in the traffic jam. When gridlock threatens to shut down picnic plans, the Pickwicks and their fellow drivers count on an innovative solution to pass the time. With detailed illustrations that subtly inform the mood and motivations of all the travelers sharing the road, The Pickwicks’ Picnic is a delightful divergence from a by-the-numbers outing.

One is a Pinata: A Book of Numbers

by Roseanne Greenfield Thong, Illustrated by John Parra (Chronicle Books) A rich countdown of food, fun and fiesta inform this numerical celebration of Central American culture. Each two-page spread includes multiple examples of the quantity in question, introduced with rhyming text that reinforces the number. Moving the focus away from standard number translations, this title uses the count to introduce new Spanish words for the items being tallied. Because it’s not immediately obvious what the words reference, this title is a perfect introduction to using a ‘glossary’ as readers and their partners flip to the back of the book to discover new terms and their meanings along the way. Opening up a whole new window of words, One is a Piñata pulls back the curtain on a bigger world of things to count.

One Dark Bird

by Liz Garton Scanlon, Illustrated by Frann Preston-Gannon (Beach Lane / Simon & Schuster) Things are looking up as little eyes turn toward the skies to take in numbers that can grow from one dark bird to ten, from ten to ten-thousand, and more. Beginning with a single glossy starling, the count starts as fellow birds join their companions for a dance at dusk. With only the first half of the book dedicated to one-through-ten counting, the remaining pages instead highlight the marvel of an ever expanding quantity in motion. Each edge-to-edge illustration moves the late-day sun closer to the horizon, while moving more starlings into the ‘murmuration’, a term describing the fluid, mesmerizing flocking patterns of birds. Just as starlings gather in numbers for their aerial acrobatics, so will young readers accumulate a broader understanding of both basic counting and beautiful bird behaviors.

Find more reading recommendations at www.PageBookMedia.com.

Mobile Bay Parents I November 2019

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technology to communicate can impair a child’s ability to read nonverbal cues. “We have to make a conscious effort to insist on face to face socializing because it would be so easy for kids to rely more and more on screen interactions,” says Dr. Michael Osit, a child psychologist and author of Generation Text: Raising Well-Adjusted Kids in the Age of Instant Everything. “As long as parents and educators continue to involve kids in face to face social groups, classroom interactions and family interactions, we can preserve their ability to function in social real time.”

In a world ever distracted by dinging devices, children who develop a wellrounded set of communication skills will stand out in the digital-focused crowd. “We have so many different ways to communicate that kids are going to need to be well-versed in as many as possible to be successful,” says Sarah L. Cook, co-author of The Parents’ Guide to Raising CEO Kids. Thanks to social media, today’s kids have the ability to access an extensive social network. But, missing from those online interactions are the subtle nonverbal cues that enrich our face to face interactions, like tone, voice inflection and facial expressions which can change the entire meaning of a statement. Some experts warn that too much reliance on Mobile Bay Parents I November 2019

Talk to your kids. From the time your child can talk, ask open-ended questions and listen to their answers. “What was the best part of your day? Why?” Share your thoughts, too. Not only will this practice help their speech and listening abilities, they will learn the back and forth nuances of conversation. 36

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Model appropriate social interaction. Children learn how to interact with friends, family, store employees and strangers by following your lead. “Be careful about subtle messages such as how (you) incorporate texting, emailing and social networking in interpersonal relationships,” Osit advises. For example, put your phone aside when your child is talking to you and when interacting with a cashier or restaurant server. Make eye contact and show courtesy toward the other person to help your child learn that the person standing in front of them is the greater priority at the moment.

Pass the mic. Family meetings and meals are great ways to touch base with your busy family. Cook suggests putting each member of the family in charge of a different part of the meeting. For example, one child could begin the meeting by reciting an inspiring poem or scripture while another wraps the meeting with a joke, prayer or song. Use teachable moments. Discuss social interactions that you and your kids see on TV programs, online or in real life. For example, “When you are walking in the mall and you observe kids interacting inappropriately or disrespectfully to an adult,

point it out. Ask your child what he thinks about that behavior and help him evaluate it as appropriate or inappropriate,” Osit says.

allowance or gift money, have him conduct the transaction with the cashier. Be there to support him, but allow him to take the lead.

Listen. Encourage your kids to share their feelings about peers (including those they aren’t friends with), and adults, like teachers and coaches. “Parents can shape and enhance their child’s social skills on an on-going basis,” Osit says.

Use video technology. If you travel, call home using Skype or FaceTime, or use the apps to connect with relatives. Your kids will grow more comfortable talking on a camera. You can also use birthdays, the first day of school, the holidays or just random moments to interview your kids on your video camera.

Pick up the phone. Kids can learn to order a pizza or call the dentist to schedule an appointment for themselves. “I’ve encouraged my kids that if they want to have a playdate, they can call their friend’s parent, and I’ll be there to jump on the phone to back them up,” Cook says. “When they take on more roles that parents typically handle, that allows them to feel confident talking to adults, which is often scary for kids.”

Place an order. Before the server approaches at a restaurant, help your child narrow down what to order off of the menu. Even preschoolers can politely request a glass of milk or water.

Make a purchase at the store. Next time your child wants to spend some of his

Seek interactive activities. Scouting, theater and 4-H give children many opportunities to develop presentation and leadership skills. Also, encourage your child to participate in class plays, musicals and show and tell. Like anything, the more we practice our communication skills, the better they become and the less anxious we are about managing different situations. Empower your child with the skills to communicate in a variety of situations, and watch them rise to opportunities that come their way with poise and confidence. MBP Freelance journalist, Christa Melnyk Hines and her husband are the parents of two boys. She is the author of Happy, Healthy & Hyperconnected: Raise a Thoughtful Communicator in a Digital World.

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The A to Z of Alphabet Toys

Recommending the Best Toys and Products for Kids

As the building blocks of language, the letters of the alphabet are a constant part of our lifelong experience. Ensuring that the alphabet is part of a child’s surroundings is the first step toward making them familiar with its signature shapes. When kids begin to learn the functionality of each letter, they are building a strong foundation to later understand the mechanics of reading, spelling and phonics. The following toys are a great introduction to the alphabet and the roles that each letter can play along the way.

by Gerry Paige Smith

Alphabet Letter Blocks

The Movable Alphabet

Even before kids are ready to take on letter learning, Learning Resources’ Alphabet Letter Blocks let them take the whole alphabet in hand. These colorful letter shapes are perfectly sized for little hands to explore. The flat tops and bottoms support stacking and arranging. All the vowels in this set are the same color which also helps little learners begin to discern their important function among the consonants. Each letter block also features an open back so the letter shape functions as a mold. Children can stamp out, in clay or other mediums, all the letters they need to build simple words. Complete with a storage bag and two sets of vowels, this lightweight and versatile set of letters is an ideal hands-on introduction to the alphabet.

In a world full of capitalized alphabet toys, a really good lower case playset is a treasure for educators. One of the best is Montessori’s Moveable Alphabet, which features one wooden box with twenty-six compartments, each housing multiple plexiglass lowercase copies of the entire English alphabet. Beyond its storage function, the compartmented box encourages exploration of alphabetical order. With consonants in red and vowels in blue, the lowercase letters foster word-building in the most common format kids will encounter as readers. Available in other languages and cursive letters, The Movable Alphabet takes letter literacy to the next level as it explores all the ways that the alphabet comes together to form words.

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Alphabet Phonics Bus

Alphabet Groceries

For toddlers just meeting the alphabet for the first time, Leapfrog’s Alphabet Phonics Bus offers a playful introduction to letter shapes and sounds. The bright yellow school bus features twenty-six colorful letter buttons that come alive with unique and silly personalities. Press a letter button in letter mode to hear its name and sound. Animal mode introduces an animal that begins with the selected letter, its letter sound, and the sound the animal makes. There are also game and music modes that gently expose little learners to the letters that will play a big role later in their lives. Making letter literacy a passive part of regular play is ideal for the youngest pre-readers. Fostering familiarity with the shapes and sounds of the alphabet, the Alphabet Phonics Bus gets kids on board for early letter learning.

Nothing is left off the grocery list with Learning Resources’ Alphabet Groceries. Combining hands-on pretend play with grocery products that highlight the letters of the alphabet, this set offers a subtle introduction of both letter shapes and the sounds they make. A child’s recognition of various foods helps support their ability to match first-letter sounds as well as puzzle out whole words. Young grocers can also explore sorting the foods by type, shape, color, and even alphabetical order. Made with easy-to-clean, crush-resistant plastic and durable cardboard, this twenty-six piece grocery set includes jars, cans, boxes, and cartons that each feature a different letter, word, and colorful picture. The perfect blend of pretend play and letter literacy learning, Alphabet Groceries offers a pantry full of alphabetical basics.

(LeapFrog)

(Learning Resources)

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 November 2019

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sa wh lon “Who has three good things?” One of the kids jumps in. “Me! We got to go to the gym during indoor recess. Mom came into my class. Ice cream for dessert!” We ask this question almost every night at dinner. We could also phrase the question, “What are you grateful for?” Studies show that a gratitude practice can be life changing. Gratitude can lower blood pressure and anxiety, reduce aches and pains, and improve sleep. Feel like your kids get

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sick all the time? Gratitude has been shown to boost the immune system. People who practice gratitude tend to be more optimistic and experience more joy. And if you wish your kids would cooperate more, try a gratitude practice. People who are tuned in to gratitude tend to be more helpful and generous.

Mobile Bay Parents I November 2019

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Focusing on gratitude doesn’t mean ignoring sadness, anger, grief, or struggles. Kids need to know that it’s OK to express negative feelings and challenges too. But learning to feel grateful even when things aren’t going well is powerful. As Brené Brown says, “It’s not joy the makes us grateful, it’s gratitude that makes us joyful.” To take into account this fuller range of experiences, some families use the rosethorn-bud practice. In this case, you share a positive, a challenge or disappointment, and a hope for the next day. The point is to acknowledge that we all have hard moments and good ones. If you don’t already have a family gratitude practice, it’s easy to start. Ours began simply as a way to head off a pattern of complaints and grumbles (from kids and grown ups alike). Now it’s part of our routine.

Mobile Convention Center

Start Your Own Gratitude Practice

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To start your own family gratitude practice, simply ask everyone to say three good things from their day (or a rose, thorn, and bud). Take turns sharing and listening to each other. The good things can be anything—a favorite food for dinner or knowing there’s going to be dessert, a fun activity at school, seeing a friend, getting a compliment, finding something you lost, a relative coming home from the hospital... Everyone should participate. Some days will be harder than others. If you need to, help each other think through the day. Were you really excited on the way to school? Did somebody do something nice for you? Was it your day for art? How did soccer go? Some nights, the kids ask if they can say their three good things or argue over who gets to go first. Other nights, there is a long silence in response to the question. Even on nights when our kids are slow to share three good things, part way through somebody else’s turn, we’ll hear, “Oh, I have another one.” As you get used to sharing gratitude, you find more of it.

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Here are 5 other ways to practice gratitude with your family. 1) Speak Your Gratitude. If sitting down together for dinner is a challenge, look for other points in the day to speak your 41

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gratitude. Try making gratitude part of your bedtime routine. Or make it a habit to say three good things in the car on the way home at the end of the day. Take the lead to get the habit started, but once you’ve done it for a while, you may find your kids asking if they can say their three good things without prompting.

SHE ONCE BUILT A FORT SO LARGE, THAT IT UTILIZED EVERY BLANKET, TOWEL, AND CHAIR IN THE WHOLE HOUSE.

2) Keep a Family Gratitude Journal. Have you ever kept a gratitude journal? What if you kept one as a family? Create a ritual around writing in the gratitude journal. Have kids write something when they first get home from school, or ask a child to jot down family ideas while you cook dinner. The key is to make it a regular habit. Daily is ideal, but if you can’t do that, create a pattern that does work. For example, start each family meeting with a gratitude list or do a gratitude check in every Sunday night.

3) Make a Gratitude Jar. Some families write down what they are grateful for on small slips of paper and tuck them into a jar. At the end of the year, they pull them out and read through them. It’s a reminder of the many good things that happen throughout the year, the many moments when they felt thankful. Plus you get to feel good when the thing happens, when you write it down, and again when you read through them.

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4) Create a Gratitude Wall. Do you have a chalkboard wall or a white board in your house? Use it to write something you are grateful for every day. Encourage all your family members to do the same. Help younger children write or let them draw a picture. Take a moment to look at the board to remind yourself of your own gratitude or that of others.

5) Text Your Thanks. You can even text three good things or quick moments of gratitude throughout the day with older kids. This shouldn’t replace face-to-face communication, but texting is a great tool to share positive thoughts on hectic days or when communicating is hard. Developing a gratitude practice helps build resiliency and joy, which is great for our kids and for us. And in the moment, it just feels good to find something positive when you are having a grumpy, grumbly day. MBP Sara Barry is a writer from Massachusetts. She sporadically keeps a gratitude journal and regularly shares three good things with her kids.

Mobile Bay Parents I November 2019

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November 1-2

November 9-January 5

@ Bayou La Batre Community Center 12745 Padgett Switch Road Irvington, AL 36544 We will have a large variety of vendors to shop with, food, a silent auction & Santa will be there as well!

@ Exploreum 65 Government St. Mobile, AL 36602 Holiday STEM Land will feature the annual installation of the model train set. Holiday decorations will set the stage for a myriad of STEM based activities for all ages, while Imagination Playground will be available for building an ice village.

Christmas in the Bayou Shopping Spectacular

November 2

Toys for Tots Motorcycle Ride

@ USS Battleship Memorial Parkway 2703 Battleship Parkway Mobile, AL 36602 Toys For Tots will kick-off their holiday campaign at Battleship Memorial Park with the popular Motorcycle Ride. Registration begins at 8:00am. Bring a new, unwrapped toy for the toy drive.

November 3

12th Annual Merry Mart

@ Our Savior Catholic Church 1801 Cody Road South Mobile, AL 36695 Visitors can enjoy holiday shopping, lunch and fun under one roof--finding the perfect gift for everyone on their list. Children can shop The Santa Shop. 12:00pm-4:00pm (251) 633-6762 www.oursaviorparish.org

Children’s Festival

@ Gather Family Church 7856 West Side Park Dr, Mobile, AL 36695 Children’s Festival - Free family event with activities, food, crafts, storytime and more. 10:00am www.gatherfamilychurch.com

November 8

United Cerebral Palsy’s Christmas Nights of Lights 5K and Fun Run

@ Hank Aaron Stadium 755 Bolling Brothers Blvd Mobile, AL 36606 Come out for an evening of Christmas cheer and fun! Whether you run or not, this is the most amazing race route to experience with Christmas light show! 6:00pm lluckie@ucpmobile.org www.raceentry.com/racereviews/christmas-nights-of-lights-5k-and-fun-run

mas Market” at Semmes Regional Library from 12:00pm-7:00pm.

STEM Wonderland

www.exploreum.com/event/stem-wonderland/

November 10

NGDC Christmas Shopping Spree & Showcase

@ Bayou La Batre Community Center 12745 Padgett Switch Rd Irvington, AL 36544 NGDC is proud to hold our 6th annual Shopping Spree & Showcase!!! Lots of food, fun, dancing and shopping. 2:00pm-6:00pm (251) 591-9899 www.nextgenerationdancecenter.com

November 10, December 8 The Market at the Pillars

@ The Pillars 1757 Government Street Mobile, AL 36604 A monthly market with over 50 local vendors: crafters, artists, farmers, makers and bakers and live music from local musicians. Free admission. Come get your Christmas shopping done! 12:00pm-4:00pm. (251) 307-5382 www.classiceventsco.com/themarket

@ Semmes Library 9150 Moffett Road Semmes, AL 36575 Semmes ushers in the holiday season with our annual Christmas Tree Lighting. This event starts at 5:30pm with the tree lighting at dark with music, Santa, cookies & hot cocoa. (251) 649-8811 www.cityofsemmes.org

Jingle All the Way: A Christmas Market

@ Semmes Library 9150 Moffett Road Semmes, AL 36575 Join us for our “Jingle All the Way: A Christ-

November 15-17

Junior League of Mobile Christmas Jubilee ad on page 41

@ Mobile Convention Center 1 South Water Street Mobile, AL 36602 The Junior League of Mobile’s biggest fundraiser is celebrating its 35th year by bringing you a new and unique holiday market. This year your general admission ticket is an all-inclusive holiday experience including shopping, Santa, art, football, and Girls Night Out! Find out more at www. juniorleaguemobile.org. www.juniorleaguemobile.org

November 15-December 24 Photos with Santa at the Wharf

@ The Wharf 23101 Canal Road Orange Beach, AL 36561 Ho Ho Holiday photo time in Santa’s Village! Fridays: 3pm - 6pm, Saturdays: 10am - 6pm, and Sunday: 12pm - 6pm. *During Christmas Tree Lighting event (December 3rd) from 5:30pm 9:30pm. Times subject to change. (251) 224-1000 info@alwharf.com www.alwharf.com

November 15 - January 12 Ice Skating Rink

November 15

Christmas Tree Lighting in Semmes

(251) 645-6840 www.cityofsemmesal.gov

@ The Wharf 23101 Canal Road Orange Beach, AL 36561 Let us bring winter to you! Grab a pair of skates and glide, spin, or fall into the season. Regular Hours: 4pm - 10pm Monday through Friday, Saturday and Sunday 10am - 10pm. Thanksgiving Hours: (November 23 - December 1) 10am - 10pm. (251) 224-1000 info@alwharf.com www.alwharf.com

November 15-January 1 Christmas Night of Lights

@ Hank Aaron Stadium 755 Bolling Brothers Blvd Mobile, AL 36606 See over 1 million lights synchronized to

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traditional and newer, rocking Christmas music played through your own car stereo. 5:30pm-10:00pm. Cost-$6 per person, Children 3 & Under: FREE!

sights and sounds of our annual Christmas music extravaganza presented by the Alabama School of the Arts at University of Mobile. Time-7pmNovember 21-23, 2pm-November 23, 4:00pmNovember 24. (251) 442-2383 www.umobile.edu/christmas

November 22

Chickasaw Lighting of the Community Christmas Tree

www.christmasnightsoflights.com

November 16 through December 21

North Pole Express

@ The Wharf 23101 Canal Road Orange Beach, AL 36561 This winter, The Wharf Express is on a holiday mission! Put on your PJs and ride the Wharf North Pole Express each Saturday from November 16 through Christmas, where every child will receive a candy cane, a coloring book, and a golden ticker sticker. 10am - 10pm. (251) 224-1000 info@alwharf.com www.alwharf.com

November 18-24

Pump It Up Holiday Fun

@ Pump It Up 741 Hillcrest Road Mobile, AL 36695 Pump It Up will have numerous themed Open Play jumps. We will be closed Thanksgiving Day. Open For specific times and to reserve your space early please visit our website.

(251) 342-3940 www.pumpitupparty.com/mobile-al/ calendar/

November 20

The Elf on the Shelf: A Christmas Musical

@ Millers Park Chickasaw, AL Bring in the Christmas season at Millers Park with the lighting of our new Community Christmas Tree at 6:30pm. Santa will arrive at 5:30pm with many special activities during the evening. Bring your cameras. (251) 452-6467 www.cityofchickasaw.org

ad on page 39

@ Mobile Saenger Theatre 6 South Joachim Street Mobile, AL 36602 The Elf on the Shelf® Scout Elves will take center stage in a new live musical. Inspired by the beloved box set, The Elf on the Shelf®: A Christmas Tradition, this touring stage production will give families an exclusive glimpse into the magical world of Santa’s North Pole through indelible song and dance numbers and a heartwarming tale about Christmas spirit. bit.ly/elfmobile

November 21-24

University of Mobile’s “Christmas Spectacular” @ Cottage Hill Baptist Church 4255 Cottage Hill Road Mobile, AL 36609 Get the season off to a festive start with the

Frozen 2 Movie and a Cause

@ AMC Mobile 16 theatres 785 Schillinger Road S Mobile, AL 26608 The Smile Center is hosting a Toys for Tots event. The first 100 people who bring a unwrapped toy to the theatre will receive their ticket, popcorn and drink FREE. Doors open at 5:30-movie begins at 6:00pm. (251) 343-9998

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@ Mardi Gras Park 109 Government Street Mobile, AL 36602 The City welcomes in the holiday season with pictures with Santa, live music and much more. Shop in our merry market, enjoy live entertainment. 5:00pm-8:00pm, Tree lighting at 6:10pm. www.ncsmobile.org

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November 22-24

Port City Craftsman Holiday Show @ Abba Shrine Temple 7701 Hitt Road Mobile, AL 36695 2019 Port City Craftsmen ShowNovember 22, 23-9:00am-5:00pm and November 24-11:00am4:00pm. Admission is $3.00 or $2.00 with 1 can good which will be donated to Feeding the Gulf Coast, Children 13 and under-free.

enjoy a brilliant display of authentic Native American dress and dancing. (251) 368-9136 www.pci-nsn.gov/westminster/ index.html

A Jazz Band Christmas

@ Redemption Church 1251 Industrial Parkway Saraland, AL 36571 The UM Jazz Band is inviting you to join us for a classic Big Band Christmas Concert! 7:00pm www.itickets.com/events/434010

Christmas Tree Lighting

@ The Wharf 23101 Canal Road Orange Beach, AL 36561 Help us usher in the holiday season at 5:30pm with bulbs, garland, and glee. The annual tree lighting hosted by the City of Orange Beach is the perfect ceremony to inspire the Yuletide spirit.

November 23

Turkey 10-Miler, 10K & 5K Run / Walk

www.portcitypacers.com

November 28

(251) 224-1000 info@alwharf.com www.alwharf.com

Trees for Hope

November 29-December 31

Magic Christmas in Lights

at Bellingrath Gardens and Home ad on page 27

@ Mardi Gras Park Mobile, AL 36602 Come run the Turkey Trot for Hope certified 5k race and 1 mile Gobble Wobble fun run with us on Thanksgiving Day to benefit Camp Rap-A Hope!

@ Bellingrath Gardens and Home 12401 Bellingrath Gardens Road Theodore, AL 36582 Join us for the 24th season.The dazzling nighttime display features more than 1,100 set pieces, 3 million lights and 15 scenes, set out in a walking tour throughout the 65-acre Garden estate. Daily-5:00pm-9:00pm

raceroster.com/events/2019/25056/turkey-trot-for-hope

(251) 973-2217 www.bellingrath.org

November 28-29

December 2

Turkey Trot for Hope 5K & Gobble Wobble Fun Run

49th Annual Thanksgiving Day Pow Wow

@ Poarch Creek Indian Grounds 6477 Jack Springs Road Atmore, AL 36502 Celebrate a cultural tradition with the Poarch Creek Indian Thanksgiving Pow Wow. You and your family are invited to join the festivities and

(251) 666-2488 info@swmcchamber.com www.swmcchamber.com

December 3

pccshowcommittee@portcitycraftsmen.com www.portcitycraftsmen.com

@ River Delta Marina 2350 Dead Lake Marina Rd #244 Creola, AL 36525 This race benefits Creola Police and Rescue, River Delta Marina and Drug Education Council. Please bring canned or packaged non-perishable food to the race to donate to Feeding the Gulf Coast.

merce 3rd Annual Christmas Tree Lighting is Monday, December 2, 2019, 5:30-6:30p.m

(251) 463-8280 www.alabamachild.org/main/ funevents/trees-for-hope/

USA Concert Choir & University Chorale Holiday Concert

@ Laidlaw Performing Arts Center 5751 USA Drive South Mobile, AL 36688 USA Concert Choir and University Chorale Holiday Choral Concert will be held at 7:30pm. (251) 460-6136 www.southalabama.edu/music

SouthWest Mobile County Chamber of Commerce 3rd Annual Christmas Tree Lighting

@ Tillmanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Corner Community Center 5055 Carol Plantation Road Mobile, AL 36619 SouthWest Mobile County Chamber of Com-

PASSAGE USA

@ Dauphin Way Baptist Church 3661 Dauphin Street Mobile, AL 36608 Kick off the holiday season, browsing and bidding on wonderfully decorated Christmas trees and wreaths and enjoying fun and fellowship, all while helping to support children and families in our care. Time: 6:00pm

December 3-21

Bragg-Mitchell Mansion - Decorated for Christmas

@ Bragg-Mitchell Mansion 1906 Spring Hill Avenue Mobile, AL 36607 Tour the Mansion with traditional decorations adorning each room and enjoy the beauty of the

A post-secondary educational experience for students with intellectual disabilities aged 1825 focused on attaining individualized goals in employment and independent living.

CONTACT: Alexandra Chanto-Wetter (251)460-7558 | chantowetter@southalabama.edu

PassageUSA_Parents.indd 1

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www.facebook.com/mobilebayparentsmagazine

season.. The gift shop will be open, Tu - Fri., 10:00am-4:00pm with with last tour at 3:00pm. (251) 471-6364 www.braggmitchellmansion.com

December 4

Live Nativity at Christ United ad on page 7

@ Christ United Methodist Church 6101 Grelot Road Mobile, AL 36609 In and Outdoor Walk-Through Tours between 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. | Christ Center | Ever wondered what it was like the night baby Jesus was born? Join us as we walk through the sights and sounds of Bethlehem. Experience Holy Night through live character portrayals of Mary, Joseph, shepherds, the wise men, angels and live animals. This will be a unique experience for all ages! Free and open to the public. Allow 30 minutes to an hour for your visit. (251) 342-0462 www.christunited.com

Playhouse in the Park presents “A Christmas Carol”

@ Saenger Theatre 6 South Joachim Street Mobile, AL 36602 Join us at Mobile’s Saenger Theatre for Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol” presented by The Playhouse-in-the-Park. 7:30pm (251) 602-0630 www.playhouseinthepark.org

December 4-6

The Pact Theatre Company presents “Elf, Jr.”

@ The Steeple 251 St. Francis Street Mobile, AL 36602 Join us for a new holiday tradition. Elf Jr. The

Musical will be at The Steeple. office@thepactmobile.com www.thepactmobile.com

December 5

St. Mary Lighting Up Midtown! ad on page 17

@ St. Mary Campus 1453 Old Shell Road Mobile, AL 36604 Join us for our annual Christmas Tree Lighting and Family Celebration. The Tree LIghting begins at approximately 6:45pm. Santa will arrive on the Lafayette Street Fire Truck and will be ready to take wish lists and have his photo made with all of our little ones! Plenty of dinner options, cookie decorating, hot chocolate and even a little snow will be included!

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@ University of Mobile 5735 College Pkwy Eight Mile, AL 36613 Join with us as we celebrate the Christmas season with all your favorite holiday songs performed by the phenomenal piano students in the Alabama School of The Arts piano ensemble, Elite 88. www.umobile.edu/pas

December 6 Annual Chickasaw Christmas Parade

(251) 432-8678 lwallace@stmarymobile.org

50 12th Avenue Chickasaw, AL 36611 Chickasaw Christmas Parade on Friday, December 6 at 6:30pm.

Mobile Museum of Art – Holiday Art Market ad on page 47

Art Market. Support your local artists and join the party and shopping fun with great food, drink, and live music.

(251) 452-6467 www.cityofchickasaw.org

@ Mobile Museum of Art 4850 Museum Drive Mobile, AL 36608 Join us from 5:00pm – 9:00pm for our Holiday

Children’s Nutcracker Tea

@ Bragg-Mitchell Mansion 1906 Springhill Avenue Mobile, AL 36607 Please join us for a fun-filled afternoon of tea,

Dance...

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delicious treats, and a delightful appearance by Mobile Ballet’s Nutcracker Dancers. Make sure to bring your camera. 3:30pm-5:00pm. (251) 471-6364 www.brownpapertickets.com/ event/4405204

Grand Bay Christmas Tree Lighting and Winter Wonderland Festival

12610 Old US 90 Grand Bay, AL 36541 Join us for games, shopping, food, entertainment and more! Santa Claus will make an appearance for pictures and to light the Christmas tree. 5:30-9pm. www.facebook.com/GBCAComm/

Mobile Symphony Youth Orchestra “Holiday Concert”

@ Foley Civic Center 407 East Laurel Avenue Foley, AL 36535 The child musicians are sure to move audiences with sounds of the Christmas season. 7:00pm. (251) 943-1545 www.mobilesymphony.org

Semmes Old Fashioned Christmas

@ Semmes Heritage Park 3871 Wulff Road Semmes, AL 36575 Celebrate Christmas as it was done in the early 1900’s. Guests gather in the replica Malone Chapel that is beautifully decorated, with entertainment, refreshments and tours. Fun, family event that showcases our history at Christmas time. www.cityofsemmesal.gov

December 6-7

Holiday Market and Art Bazaar

@ Mobile Botanical Gardens 5151 Museum Drive Mobile, AL 36608 Get your Holiday shopping done at this fun event and buy local products. Friday 9:00am–4:00pm and Saturday 9:00am-1:00pm (251) 342-0555 mbg2@bellsouth.net www. mobilebotanicalgardens.org/event/a-holiday-marketin-the-gardens/

Market on Sage

@ St. Pius Family Life Center 217 South Sage Avenue Mobile, AL 36606 St Pius X Catholic School is having their annual market! (251) 471-2449 www.stpiustenth.com

December 6-9

4th Annual Christmas Bazaar

@ Central Presbyterian Church 1260 Dauphin Street Mobile, AL 36604 Stock up on your holiday gifts and enjoy live holiday music, food trucks galore, and pictures with Santa Claus. Dec. 6-6:00pm-9:00pm, Dec 7.-9:00am-4:00pm, Dec 8-1:00pm-4:00pm. (251) 432-0591 www.cpcmidtown.com

December 7

2nd Annual Breakfast with Santa aboard The Polar Express

@ St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church 2034 St. Stephens Road Mobile, AL 36617 Join us for a homemade pancake breakfast, arts and crafts, face painting, a keepsake gift, the Polar Express movie and more! Santa himself will be there. Don’t forget to wear your favorite pajamas. $8 per person. 9:30-11:30am (251) 767-6012

7th Annual Holiday Market

@ OK Bicycle Shop 661 Dauphin Street Mobile, AL 36602 Join us for our 7th Annual Holiday Market from

FOR CHILDREN

2020

become a member & join us for the opening party!

DECEMBER 14, 10 AM - 1 PM Mobile Museum of Art’s popular children’s exhibition is getting some major updates, including more interactive elements, a giant LITE BRITE, and revamped installations! Purchase a FAMILY MEMBERSHIP and join us for the kid-friendly, Winter Wonderland themed opening party on December 14, with art activities, a bouncy house, and lots of fun, just in time for the holidays.

For more information & to join, visit www.MobileMuseumofArt.com/forchildren This exhibition is generously sponsored by The Crampton Trust MOBILE MUSEUM OF ART 4850 Museum Drive Mobile, AL 36608 251.208.5200 www.MobileMuseumofArt.com

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11:00am-2:00pm, where we will have local vendors who bring their creative works of art, jewelry, novelties etc to provide those unique gifts to give.

Dauphin Island Christmas Parade

@ Cadillac Square Dauphin Island, AL 36528 Dauphin Island Christmas Parade at 11:00am. www.townofdauphinisland.org

Grand Bay Christmas Parade

Grand Bay, AL 36541 Spectacular Parade of Lights will roll at 7:00pm. www.facebook.com/GBCAComm/

Holiday Market & Christmas Kids Day

Cathedral Sq and Bienville Sq Mobile, AL 36602 Join us for arts and crafts, fun activities, music,. pictures, dance performances and much more! Time: 10:00am-2:00pm. (251) 208-1550 www.ncsmobile.org

Jingle Jubilee Kids Craft Day

@ The Wharf 23101 Canal Road Orange Beach, AL 36561 Activities will take place from 12pm - 4pm at The Port and in various shops. Enjoy the Kids Art Contest, Arts &amp; Crafts stations, holiday performances, and more. (251) 224-1000 info@alwharf.com www.alwharf.com

Satsuma Christmas Parade

Satsuma , AL 36572 Join us for the Annual Satsuma Christmas Parade. Start Time: 11:00am www.cityofsatsuma.com

Semmes Christmas Parade

Highway 98 to Firetower Rd Semmes, AL 36575 The Semmes Annual Christmas Parade with floats from area businesses and churches, marching bands, antique cars, and lots of throws will be held on Saturday, Dec. 7th beginning at 10:00am. (251) 649-8811 information@cityofsemmesal.gov www.cityofsemmesal.gov

SouthWest Mobile County Chamber of Commerce 2019 Christmas Parade 6001 Three Notch Road Mobile, AL 36619 Parade will begin at 10:30 a.m. Parade lineup begins at 8:30 a.m. at W.C. Griggs Elementary School on Three Notch Road in Tillman’s Corner. (251) 666-2488 info@swmcchamber.com www.swmcchamber.com

SouthWest Mobile County Chamber of Commerce 2019 Santa Breakfast and Wreaths for Charity 5055 Carol Plantation Road Mobile, AL 36619 Free Santa breakfast-8:30am. (Limited VIP Breakfast tickets). Wreaths for Charity will offer wreaths and door hangers for viewing at Breakfast. They will be sold Dec. 11th, to benefit families in need during the holiday.

treats, live music, gift shop, bake sale and visits with Santa. Saturday-10am - 4pm, Sunday-1pm - 4pm. (251) 208-7320 www.richardsdarhouse.com

Christmas Extravaganza- Children’s Fair & College Scholarship Fundraiser

@ The Shoppes at Bel Air Mall 3299 Joe Treadwell Drive Mobile, AL 36606 Children will be selling their products for the holidays–Saturday-10am-4pm. Sunday-we will be raising funds to award our 4th College Scholarship. We will be on hand to fulfill your Christmas Shopping needs from 12:00pm-5:30pm. www.eventbrite.com

December 7-9

This Is Christmas Concert

@ Springhill Baptist Church 2 South McGregor Avenue Mobile, AL 36602 Join us for an Advent worship experience featuring the Spring Hill Baptist Church Sanctuary Choir, Orchestra, Living Masterpieces, Children’s Choir and Piano Ensemble. December 74:00pm, 7:00pm and December 8- :00pm. (251) 652-1037 www.shbc.cc

(251) 666-2488 info@swmcchamber.com www.swmcchamber.com

December 7, 14, 21

December 7-8

@ Loblolly Farm 9930 Stone Road Semmes, AL 36575 Gates open at 4 PM with food from local vendors, storytelling and hot chocolate by the campfire and thousands of lights for the holiday season. ($10 per car parking fee for this event)

A Victorian Christmas Wedding Celebration - Richards DAR House

@ Richards DAR House 256 North Joachim Street Mobile, AL 36603 Enjoy beautiful Victorian decorations, holiday

Winter Wonderland at Loblolly Farm

(251) 288-8302 www.loblollyfarm.com

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December 8

Christmas on the Hill ad on page 16

@ Village of Springhill Mobile, AL 36608 Christmas on the Hill is an annual holiday event created and promoted by the Spring Hill Merchants Association. This year, a selection of the Village of Spring Hill’s finest boutiques and businesses, will once again open their doors with special store hours, holiday refreshments, Free Train Rides, photos with Santa, live performances, holiday music and a variety of children’s activities as well as sales and special merchandise promotions. 1:00pm-5:00pm

mas evening as our adult, youth and children choirs, along with our orchestra and dramatic video come together to answer the questions, “What Child is This?” 10:40am in Sanctuary during service. (251) 342-0462 www.christunited.com

JOY: A Christmas Worship and Communion Experience for all Abilities

Bella Voce - Christmas Concert

ad on page 7

@ Christ United Methodist Church 6101 Grelot Road Mobile, AL 36609 3:30 p.m. |Fellowship Hall |Join us for a Christmas worship and a party after. JOY is an inclusive worship experience for those with a disability and their family. It is accessible, and sensory friendly. (251) 342-0462 www.christunited.com

What Child is This Christmas Concert ad on page 7

@ Christ United Methodist Church 6101 Grelot Road Mobile, AL 36609 Bring the whole family and enjoy a festive Christ-

@ St. Paul’s Episcopal Church 4051 Old Shell Road Mobile, AL 36608 Bella Voce of Mobile, Mobile’s Premiere Women’s Chorus, presents our twelfth annual Christmas Gift concert at 4:00pm, with a program in celebration of the Christmas and Holiday seasons. A festive reception will follow. www.bellavoceofmobile.org

Mobile’s Singing Children Annual Christmas Concert - Ceremony of Carols

@ Cathedral of Immaculate Conception 2 South Claiborne Street Mobile, AL 36602 Christmas Concert featuring all four choirs. Program will consist of music by Benjamin Britten, John Rutter, Moses Hogan and more. The concert ends with our traditional O Holy Night and The First Noel. 3:00pm mobilesingingchildren@gmail.com www.mobilesingingchildren.org

(251) 661-3474 www.bbpetstop.com

Holiday Cheer

6512 Grelot Road Mobile, AL 36695 Guests enjoy festive decorations and holiday foods at all locations, a live nativity, many receive guided tours from our children who are always so excited to show off their homes! 2:00pm5:00pm (251) 639-1022 mobile@alabamachild.org www.alabamachild.org

@ B&B Pet Stop 5035 Cottage Hill Road Mobile, AL 36693 Gather the furry, feathered, and 4 legged members of your family for a pet photo with Santa from 12:00pm-3:00pm. Benefits the Friends of the Mobile Animal Shelter.

December 9

Alabama Baptist Children’s Homes Christmas Open House

shmerchants@gmail.com www.facebook.com/ springhillmerchantsassociation

Pet Photos with Santa

@ Five 609 Dauphin Street Mobile, AL 36602 Holiday Cheer to benefit the Child Advocacy Center will be from 6:00pm–8:30pm. The event will feature samplings of signature dishes, wines to taste, a live auction of holiday gifts and live music. (251) 432-1101 www.cacmobile.org

December 10

Lights of Love 2019

@ Geri Moulton Children’s Park 1700 Center Street Mobile, AL 36604 5:30–7:30pm for USA Children’s and Women’s Hospital, Ronald McDonald House, and the USA Mitchell Cancer Institute. Enjoy Christmas cookies, caroling and spread some old fashioned Christmas Cheer! (251) 415-1000 rmhcmobile.org

December 10-January 6

USA Children’s & Women’s Holiday Tree Trail

@ Geri Moulton Children’s Park 1700 Center Street Mobile, AL 36604 Free display of holiday trees for the community to enjoy. The trees will first light up at our Lights of Love ceremony on December 10th, and will be open nightly from dusk until midnight. (251) 415-1000 cwhdevelop@southalabama.edu www.usahealthsystem.com

December 12

The Mobile Pops Christmas Concert @ Davidson High School Auditorium 3900 Pleasant Valley Road Mobile, AL 36609 Join us at 7:00pm at Davidson High School for

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our annual Christmas Concert. All concerts are FREE and open to the public. (251) 679-6036 www.themobilepops.com

December 13

What Child is This Christmas Concert

Lighted Boat Parade

@ The Wharf 23101 Canal Road Orange Beach, AL 36561 Watch as boats large and small glide through the Intracoastal Waterway in all their festive glory. Come early to avoid traffic, grab a bite to eat, enjoy activities for the kids, and finish your holiday shopping. Parade time TBD. The Wharf shops will be open until 9:00pm. (251) 224-1000 info@alwharf.com www.alwharf.com

ad on page 7

@ Christ United Methodist Church 6101 Grelot Road Mobile, AL 36609 Bring the whole family and enjoy a festive Christmas evening as our adult, youth and children choirs, along with our orchestra and dramatic video come together to answer the questions, “What Child is This?” 7:00pm in Sanctuary.

December 14 2019 Semmes Christmas Tour

@ Allentown Elementary 10330 Howells Ferry Road Semmes, AL 36575 The Semmes (251) 342-0462 christmas concert Christmas Tour www.christunited.com combines a Taste Friday, December 13 | 7:00 p.m. | Sanctuary of Semmes, featuring tastings from local eaterElf-A-Palooza Bring the whole family and enjoy a festive Christmas ies from 3:00-4:30pm and a Tour of Semmes, @ Bienville Square evening as our adult, youth and children choirs, along featuring local homes decked out for the holidays Mobile, AL 36602 with come our orchestra video together to extended hours/ plus localcome businesses offering Join us downtown for Artwalk, wearing and red, dramatic answer question “What Child is This?” discounts-3pm-8pm. green, an elf hat and - whatever you do - the don’t (251) 288-7972 www.eventbrite.com/e/2019forget your pointy ears! Time: 5:00pm-8:00pm. www.ncsmobile.org

semmes-christmas-tour-tickets-58383078359

ethodist Church | 6101 Grelot Road, Mobile, AL 36609 | 251.342.0462 | christunited.com

Mobile Bay Parents I November 2019

Annual “Christmas through the Ages” at Fort Gaines

@ Fort Gaines 51 Bienville Boulevard Dauphin Island, AL 36528 This is a living history day for the whole family. See soldiers from the 1700s through the 1900s and their families as they celebrate a noncommercial Christmas. Admission:Adults-(age 13+)$8.00, Children-(5 to 12) $4.00. 9am-5pm. (251) 861-6992 fortgaines@outlook.com www.dauphinisland.org

Dawes Christmas Parade

@ Living Word Church 2900 Dawes Road Mobile, AL 36695 Join us for the 8th Annual Dawes Christmas Parade on Saturday, December 14th at 1pm. (251) 633-0033 info@dawesbizconnect.com www.dawesbizconnect.com

Fowl River Boat Parade

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@ Pelican Reef 11799 Dauphin Island Pkwy Theodore, AL 36582 The Christmas Boat Parade and After Party is from from 5:00pm-11:30pm. The boats in the parade are decorated with lights and go down the river making occasional stops to throw goodies to everyone on the docks.

Santa Run — Yo Ho Ho & amp; A Bottle of Rum 5k

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@ The Wharf 23101 Canal Road Orange Beach, AL 36561 Warm up your winter with a fun run at The Wharf! The Santa Run 5K is sure to be a good time for a good cause. Times: TBA (251) 224-1000 info@alwharf.com www.alwharf.com

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Saraland Christmas Parade

Saraland, AL 36571 Join us for the Saraland Christmas Parade at 12:00pm. (251) 675-4444 www.saralandchamber.com

Saraland Mistletoe Market

@ Saraland Municipal Complex Saraland, AL 36571 Join us for the 3rd Annual Mistletoe Market from 9:00am– 4:00pm, come shop, eat, and more! (251) 675-4444 www.saralandchamber.com

@ Murphy High School 100 South Carlen Mobile, AL 36606 Enjoy a variety of holiday music performed by the Mobile Pops Band. 7:00pm at Murphy High School Auditorium.

December 14-15

December 22

Mobile Symphony presents “A Celtic Christmas”

ad on page 7

(251) 342-2241 www.mobileballet.org

@ Saenger Theatre 6 Joachim Street Mobile, AL 36602 The Mobile Symphony is joined by the popular Irish group Cherish the Ladies for a Celtic Christmas celebration!. December 14-7:30pm and December 15-2:30pm. (251) 432-2010 www.mobilesymphony.org

The Mobile Pops Christmas Concert

(251) 679-6036 www.themobilepops.com

more. Performances:Saturday-December 142:30,7:30pm and Sunday-December 15-2:30pm.

December 24

Carpe Diem’s Santa Run

@ Carpe Diem Coffee And Tea Company 4072 Old Shell Road Mobile, AL 36608 A 2 mile Fun-Run, walk, bike ride, dog walking, fun for the whole family charity event. Holiday Costumes encouraged. Time: 10:00am.

Christmas Eve Family Communion Services ad on page 7

@ Christ United Methodist Church 6101 Grelot Road Mobile, AL 36609 3:00 p.m. & 4:00 p.m. | Sanctuary | Bring the kids and join us for a child-friendly service that includes fun and colorful puppets, sing-a-long music and an interactive telling of the Christmas story.

www.carpe-coffee.com

Charlie Brown Jazz Christmas

@ Saenger Theatre 6 South Joachim Street Mobile, AL This growing annual familyfriendly Christmas tradition includes a performance by The Joe Cool Trio-performing Vince Guaraldi’s Soundtrack “A Charlie Brown Christmas.” They will be joined by the New Orleans All-Star horn section. Proceeds benefit Delta Dogs. 7:00pm

ad on page 37

@ Mobile Civic Center Theatre 401 Civic Center Drive Mobile, AL 36602 December brings the lavish holiday tradition of The Nutcracker–pairing Tchaikovsky’s masterpiece with fresh choreography from Artistic Director Katia Garza. The Corps de Ballet will feature world renowned Guest Artists, including Lilliana Hagerman and Lamin Pereira of Kansas City Ballet, along with Ballet Master Israel Rodriguez and Paul Branco. Performers will also include dancers from the entire community–with open auditions for Party Girls, Bon Bons and

@ Christ United Methodist Church 6101 Grelot Road Mobile, AL 36609 8:00 a.m., 9:15 a.m., 10:40 a.m. Sanctuary Worship Services. Evening concert at 6:00 p.m. Join us as this energetic and gifted southern musical group share their bluegrass Christmas songs and put us in the Christmas spirit. Morning concerts during the worship services. (251) 342-0462 www.christunited.com

December 21

Mobile Ballet presents “The Nutcracker”

Sunday Worship Services with The Kempters

(251) 208-5600 cbjazzchristmas.com

(251) 342-0462 www.christunited.com

Christmas Eve Modern Communion Service ad on page 7

@ Christ United Methodist Church 6101 Grelot Road Mobile, AL 36609 Bring the family and enjoy a live band, candlelight carols and a meaningful teaching that will reflects the true meaning of Christmas. Time: 5:00 p.m. and Christ Center Gym. (251) 342-0462 www.christunited.com

Christmas Eve Traditional Communion Service ad on page 7

@ Christ United Methodist Church 6101 Grelot Road Mobile, AL 36609 Join us for music, scripture readings, a Christmas message, Holy Communion and candlelight

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carols as we celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. Time: 5:30 p.m., 7:00 p.m. & 11:00 p.m. (251) 342-0462 www.christunited.com

December 29

Mannheim Steamroller

@ Mobile Civic Center 401 Civic Center Drive Mobile, AL 36602 Experience the performance of the #1 Christmas music artist in history and for the first time ever hear the entire album that started it all, LIVE – Mannheim Steamroller Christmas! 7:30pm (251) 208-7906 www.mobilecivicctr.com

December 31

Kids Confetti Drop

@ The Wharf 23101 Canal Road Orange Beach, AL 36561 If your little ones are too young to stay up until midnight, join us at The Wharf for our Kids Confetti Drop, featuring tons of family friendly activities plus an early daytime countdown to the new year. 10am - 2pm. Confetti drop at Noon! (251) 224-1000 info@alwharf.com www.alwharf.com

MoonPie Over Mobile New Year’s Eve Celebration

@ Downtown Mobile Mobile, AL 36602 Join us for an evening of celebratory activities leading up to the giant 600 pound electric MoonPie drop, laser light show and fireworks at midnight! Come be part of the 2019 celebration. (251) 208-1550 www.ncsmobile.org

Reelin’ In the New Year NYE Street Party

@ The Wharf 23101 Canal Road Orange Beach, AL 36561 Reel in 2020 with us at The Wharf for our New Year’s Eve Street Party. Live bands, familyfriendly and adult-centered fun all rounding off at midnight with our marlin drop and fireworks. Resolutions are for the start of the month. Give yourself one last excuse to let loose! Admission is free. (251) 224-1000 info@alwharf.com www.alwharf.com

Stay tuned for dates

Holiday Horse and Carriage Rides

@ The Wharf 23101 Canal Road Orange Beach, AL 36561 Are you “saddled up” for the holidays yet? If not, then mosey on over to The Wharf and spend an evening under the moon in an enchanted horse-drawn carriage. Dates & more info coming soon.

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(251) 224-1000 info@alwharf.com www.alwharf.com

More Holiday Events Are Coming in Next Month’s Issue! Mobile Bay Parents I November 2019

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ParentingToday’sTeens by Mark Gregston

Practice Leadership, Not Yelling When I get frustrated, or feel that someone didn’t do something the way I’d hoped, I sometimes yell. But over the years, I’ve learned that yelling about things is a pretty ineffective way to get what I want done. And yelling at your teen is probably the least effective bring about change I their life too. It’s sort of like trying to train a horse by screaming at him. Imagine standing at the edge of the fence and hollering out directions while expecting the horse to understand, and move one way or the other in response. Or yelling at him more when he doesn’t get it, and getting louder when the horse fails to respond, and you feel unheard. The trouble is, horses aren’t led by yelling at them. Horses respond by being led. They need someone to attach a lead-rope to their halter, and apply some pressure in order to train them in exactly what you want them to do. Without a lead – a horse will never do what you want him to do. And without leadership, your teen will never be trained, or respond the way you want him to. My point is, yelling at your teen doesn’t help him understand what you want him to do. But leadership does. The dynamic I often see with troubled families is a gross imbalance in family leadership. One parent may go overboard and over-respond, while the other lands too softly, and under-responds, and may even avoid the conflict altogether. The net

response to ineffective and imbalanced family leadership is often seen in ongoing fits of anger, and screaming that includes everyone in the family. One recent example of a gross imbalance in family leadership is that of a dad whose wife constantly over-reacted to their son’s verbal disrespect. Instead of dealing with his son’s disrespect by setting boundaries and applying strong consequences, he would simply tell his wife to stop being so sensitive. After a while, she couldn’t tolerate even the slightest bit of sarcasm or verbal energy coming from their son, and the encounters between the two of them got so heated that the dad finally decided to move out. He rented an apartment down the road from their house and lived with his verbally abusive and out of control teen – just so he could stay married to his wife. She was beyond her ability to control her reactions, and he was beyond his ability to step-up and put limits on his son’s behavior while in the home. Hers was an over-reaction, his was an under-reaction, and neither response helped their son with his own behavior. Single moms face huge concerns with family leadership, and operate at an even deeper level of need than most – because one of the two parents required for a balanced family leadership is gone or missing in action. By the time a boy is 12 or 13, he can often out-yell, out-swing, and out-weigh a mom. One single mom dealt with the lack of ability to effectively lead her physically aggressive son by locking herself into her bedroom with her 53

dinner every night, ignoring things as her son kicked the door in, broke windows, smashed furniture, and made a mess of their life. If your home lacks leadership, rest assured that the way to assert more control is not through screaming, and not through ignoring. Instead of lashing out or laying low– lead. Lead with strength. Set strong boundaries, apply strong but appropriate consequences. Balance your strength with love and wisdom and good listening. And if you need to, get some help. Every time your child understands that a parent is over the edge (usually recognized through ongoing screaming or yelling) he knows you cannot be trusted to lead him well. Every time rage becomes the way to control your child, it sets off a hopeless cycle of despair in your child’s heart. Every time your child uses his rage to control things in the home, he is trying to ask you for help to lead him out of a troubling dilemma. Yelling is a sign that on some level – you are just as out of control as he is – and unable to lead either one of you out of the mess you are in. Family leadership is a tricky balance of strength and softness. When the leadership scales get tipped too far toward strength, the result is over-control. When the leadership scales get tipped to far toward softness, the result is avoidance and under-control. And both imbalanced approaches usually result in a whole lot of yelling, and offer no help for your troubled teen.

Mark Gregston is an author, speaker, radio host, and the founder of a residential counseling center for struggling teens located in Longview, Texas. Mark’s passion for helping teens can be seen in his 40 years of involvement with families as a youth pastor, Young Life area director, and now, as the Executive Director of Heartlight, where he has lived with and helped over 2,700 teens. To find out more about Mark and his ministry to parents and teens, you can visit www.HeartlightMinistries.org or www.ParentingTodaysTeens.org.

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FamilyCalendar Sunday October 27

GulfQuest Halloween Fest 12:00 PM - 5:00 PM, GulfQuest, 155 South Water Street Mobile, AL, 36602 Fun for the whole family! Pumpkin painting, trick-or-treating, Special Spooky Halloween food and drinks. Admission is $5/person and includes our 90 interactive exhibits. If you arrive in costume, admission is FREE! www.gulfquest.org Joe Jefferson Players present “Macbeth” 2:00 PM Joe Jefferson Playhouse, 11 South Carlen Mobile, AL, 36606 Joe Jefferson Players present “Macbeth” joejeffersonplayers.com Mobile Opera presents La Traviata 2:30 PM The Temple Downtown, 351 St Francis Street Mobile, AL, 36602 A cornerstone of operatic literature filled with wildly famous tunes, a tragic heroine, and vivid characters, Verdi’s masterpiece has been leaving audiences breathless since 1853. www.mobileopera.org Dauphin Way Baptist Church Fall Festival 3:30 PM - 6:00 PM, Dauphin Way Baptist Church, 3661 Dauphin Street Mobile, AL, 36608 Our Fall Festival will be from 3:30pm-6:00pm. We will have rides, games, inflatables, a petting zoo, hayride, food, and music. The event is free. www.dwbc.org Greater Gulf State Fair The Grounds, 1035 Cody Rd North Mobile, AL, 36608 We will feature the largest midway on the Gulf Coast, a must-see entertainment line-up including Marshall Tucker Band and LANCO, and the ultimate experience in entertainment, food, and attractions. www.greatergulfstatefair.com Ashland Place United Methodist Trunk or Treat 4:00 PM - 5:30 PM, 15 Wisteria Avenue Mobile, AL, 36607 Join us for family-friendly festivities! Our Trunk-or-Treat features a DJ, inflatables, carnival games, a balloon artist, face painting, hot dogs, popcorn, and candy and treats from themed trunks. Family-friendly costumes are encouraged! www.apumc.com Dauphin Way Methodist Trunk or Treat 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM, Corner of Dauphin and Catherine Streets Mobile, AL, 36604 Trunk-or-Treat is a big family friendly event. We will have trunks, treats, games and lots of fun! Costumes are optional but it’s way more fun to trunk-or-treat in a costume. 4:00pm-6:00pm. www.dauphinwayumc.org Family Fall Festival 5:30 PM Georgetown Assembly of God, 9436 Wilmer Georgetown Road Wilmer, AL, 36587 Free Rides, Free Food, Free Admission, All are welcome! Canned foods donations accepted (for our thanksgiving baskets) - all begins at 5:30 pm First Baptist Church Satsuma - Fall Festival 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM, 5600 Old Highway 43 Satsuma, AL, 36572 Join us for inflatables, games, food, and facepaint. You’re welcomed and encouraged to wear your fun costumes to the festivities. 6:00pm8:00pm www.fbcsatsuma.com

Mobile Bay Parents I November 2019

Marshall Tucker Band 6:30 PM The Grounds, Mobile, AL, 36608 Marshall Tucker Band LIVE at the 65th Annual Greater Gulf State Fair thegrounds.ticketspice.com/marshall-tucker-bandgold-circle-at-the-2019-greater-gulf-state-fair

Monday October 28

Greater Gulf State Fair The Grounds, 1035 Cody Rd North Mobile, AL, 36608 We will feature the largest midway on the Gulf Coast, a must-see entertainment line-up including Marshall Tucker Band and LANCO, and the ultimate experience in entertainment, food, and attractions. www.greatergulfstatefair.com

Tuesday October 29

Christ United’s Movie Night at The Pumpkin Patch Christ United Methodist Church, 6101 Grelot Road Mobile, AL, 36609 Join us for a special screening of It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown! Enjoy sitting under the pumpkin tent as you watch everyone’s favorite Fall classic on the big screen. There will be popcorn and lemonade available and after the movie, children can decorate a small pumpkin to take home. christunited.com Greater Gulf State Fair The Grounds, 1035 Cody Rd North Mobile, AL, 36608 We will feature the largest midway on the Gulf Coast, a must-see entertainment line-up including Marshall Tucker Band and LANCO, and the ultimate experience in entertainment, food, and attractions. www.greatergulfstatefair.com

Wednesday October 30

50 Plus Halloween Luncheon sponsored by St. Mary 7th Graders! 12:00 PM St. Mary Sisters of Mercy Building, 106 Providence Street Mobile, AL, 36604 Join us for an afternoon of great food, entertainment and fun! Dress up in Halloween Costume or come as your favorite Saint! www.stmarymobile.org Knollwood Church - Lit 2018 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM, Knollwood Church, 1501 Knollwood Drive Mobile, AL, 36609 Join us for our Trunkr-Treat from 6:00-8:00pm for Free Food, Inflatables, Cake Walk, Bonfire, Car Show and Fun! Mobile Theatre Guild presents “The Rocky Horror Show” 7:30 PM Mobile Theatre Guild, 14 North Lafayette Street Mobile, AL, 36604 Mobile Theatre Guild presents “The Rocky Horror Show” www.mobiletheatreguild.org Greater Gulf State Fair The Grounds, 1035 Cody Rd North Mobile, AL, 36608 We will feature the largest midway on the Gulf Coast, a must-see entertainment line-up including Marshall Tucker Band and LANCO, and the ultimate experience in entertainment, food, and attractions. www.greatergulfstatefair.com

Thursday October 31

Halloween at the Library 4:00 PM - 7:00 PM, Ben May Main Branch, 701 Government Street Mobile, AL 36602 Put on your costumes and stop by for Trick or Treating throughout the Library from 4:00pm - 7:00pm. www.mobilepubliclibrary.org

Spooky Stories and Crafts inn the Church Street Cemetery 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM, Church Street Cemetery, 701 Government Street Mobile, AL 36602 Put on your costumes and join us for storytelling and crafting in the Church Street Cemetery. Costumes are welcome but not necessary. Time: 4:00pm-5:00pm. www.mobilepubliclibrary.org Fall Festival 6:00 PM First Christian Church, 1419 Government Street Mobile, AL, 36604 This fun for the whole family event includes hotdogs, popcorn, festival booth games and a costume contest. Come in costume or come as you are. www.firstchristianchurchmobile.com Grand Bay Halloween Fun 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM, Grand Bay Community Center, 11610 US Highway 90 Grand Bay, AL, 36541 Join us for an evening of Halloween fun; games and activities for the children AND a haunted hall for those who are brave enough to enter. Time: 6:00pm8:00pm Alabama School of the Arts at the University of Mobile presents “Oklahoma!” 7:00 PM Murphy High School, 100 S Carlen Street Mobile, AL, 36606 Alabama School of the Arts at the University of Mobile presents “Oklahoma!” itickets.com/universityofmobile USA Piano Ensembles Fall Concert 7:30 PM Laidlaw Performing Arts Center, 5751 USA South Drive Mobile, AL, 36608 USA Piano Ensembles Fall Concert 251-460-6136 www.southalabama.edu/colleges/ music/upcomingevents.html Dauphin Island - Trick or Treat in Green Park 301 Lemoyne Drive Dauphin Island, AL, 36528 Bring the little ones to trick or treat in a safe environment. Everyone is invited to bring a table and some treats to give out to the little ones. Wear your costume! Greater Gulf State Fair The Grounds, 1035 Cody Rd North Mobile, AL, 36608 We will feature the largest midway on the Gulf Coast, a must-see entertainment line-up including Marshall Tucker Band and LANCO, and the ultimate experience in entertainment, food, and attractions. www.greatergulfstatefair.com Mobile Theatre Guild presents “The Rocky Horror Show” Mobile Theatre Guild, 14 North Lafayette Street Mobile, AL, 36604 Mobile Theatre Guild presents “The Rocky Horror Show” Showtimes: 7:30pm, 11:55pm www.mobiletheatreguild.org

Friday November 1

Alabama Pecan Festival 5:00 PM - 9:00 PM, 5055 Carol Plantation Road Mobile, AL, 36619 This family-oriented festival features a carnival atmosphere with rides, food, face painting, arts and crafts, live music, antique car show, and more. www.alabamapecanfestival.com Joe Jefferson Players present “Macbeth” 7:30 PM Joe Jefferson Playhouse, 11 South Carlen Mobile, AL, 36606 Joe Jefferson Players present “Macbeth” joejeffersonplayers.com

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FamilyCalendar

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Mobile Parks and Recreation Movies in the Park Dusk Medal of Honor Park, 1711 Hillcrest Rd Mobile, AL, 36609 Movies in the Park at Dusk-The Lion King www.cityofmobile.org/residents/parks-and-recreation/

yards. With an “Around the World” theme focusing on cultural regions. Ticket price includes beverage samples, food, and live music. Live music entertainment will be going throughout the evening to keep the fun going! www.wineontherivermobile.com

Walk of Faith 4:00 PM Faith Academy, Mobile, AL Register now for the Walk of Faith for our very own, Katelyn Tillman. www.eventbrite.com

Saturday November 2

Senior Bowl Charity Run 7:00 AM Mardi Gras Park, Mobile, AL, 36602 All runners will help the Senior Bowl achieve its goal of raising funds for youth throughout our region www.seniorbowl.com

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Fall Market on the Square 7:30 AM - 12:00 PM, Cathedral Square, 300 Conti Street Mobile, AL, 36602 Join us for locally-produced, locally-made items. www.ncsmobile.org Fall Arts & Crafts Open House 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM, Environmental Center, 6101 Girby Road Mobile, AL, 36693 Fall Arts & Crafts Open House will be 9:00am-3:00pm with Raptor Road Show, Arts & Crafts, Calendar Contest Winners Announced and more. www.mcpsesc.com Alabama Pecan Festival 10:00 AM - 9:00 PM, 5055 Carol Plantation Road Mobile, AL, 36619 This family-oriented festival features a carnival atmosphere with rides, food, face painting, arts and crafts, live music, antique car show, and more. www.alabamapecanfestival.com

Sesame Street Live! Let’s Party! 5:30 PM Mobile Civic Center, 401 Civic Center Drive Mobile, AL, 36602 Everyone’s invited to take part in the sunniest and funniest street celebration in Sesame Street Live! Let’s Party! 251-208-7381 www.mobilecivicctr.com 4th Annual Charity Gala 6:00 PM 50 South Ann Street Mobile, AL, 36604 Black tie affair benefiting three local charities: Victory Health Partners, NEST of Mobile, and The Learning Tree. Dinner, dancing, and auction to enjoy. Event ticket price is $300 per person. 251-340-3600 Alabama School of the Arts at the University of Mobile presents “Oklahoma!” 7:00 PM Murphy High School, 100 S Carlen Street Mobile, AL, 36606 Alabama School of the Arts at the University of Mobile presents “Oklahoma!” itickets.com/universityofmobile Joe Jefferson Players present “Macbeth” 7:30 PM Joe Jefferson Playhouse, 11 South Carlen Mobile, AL, 36606 joejeffersonplayers.com

SuperHEARo Day 11:00 AM The University of South Alabama Amphitheater , Mobile, AL, 36688 A fun, free, community event celebrating children who are Deaf/ hard of hearing. This event is hosted by the Student Academy of Audiology at the University of South Alabama. Join us for crafts, games, food, and fun at the USA Amphitheater. This event is open to any and all children with hearing impairments and their families.

Reading Paws (Free) 12:00 PM - 2:00 PM, West Regional Library , 5555 Grelot Rd 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

Sean Tuder Blue Bowl Co-Ed Flag Football Tournament 7:00 AM University of South Alabama, Mobile, AL, 36688 The Sean Tuder Blue Bowl Co-Ed Flag Football Tournament Presented By Mobile Chevrolet is to benefit the families of the fallen. This is a flag football tournament made up of men, woman and kids. www.thefallenofficers.com

Cotton Festival 1:00 PM - Dusk, Tanner Williams Park, 12855 Old Tanner Williams Road Wilmer, AL, 36587 Come celebrate Tanner Williams life with us! We will have a Cotton Pageant, Pie Contest, Food, Art, Vendors, Music, and more. Stem Saturday (Free) 2:00 PM West Regional Library , 5555 Grelot Rd 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 Wine on the River 2019 3:00 PM Cooper Riverside Park, Mobile, AL, 36602 Sample wine from national and international vine-

Presidential Libraries with local travel writer, Charlene Scott of Roadrunner Journeys. 251-340-1535 www.mobilepubliclibrary.org Mobile Symphony Youth Orchestra 2:30 PM Alabama School of Math and Science, Mobile, AL The Mobile Symphony Youth Orchestra is the premier training orchestra for young, accomplished musicians along the Gulf Coast of Alabama, Florida, and Mississippi. Join us, as MSYO opens their season with music from Beethoven, Bizet and Berlioz! mobilesymphony.org Alabama Pecan Festival 11:00 PM - 4:00 PM, 5055 Carol Plantation Road Mobile, AL, 36619 This family-oriented festival features a carnival atmosphere with rides, food, face painting, arts and crafts, live music, antique car show, and more. www.alabamapecanfestival.com Greater Gulf State Fair The Grounds, 1035 Cody Rd North Mobile, AL, 36608 We will feature the largest midway on the Gulf Coast, a must-see entertainment line-up including Marshall Tucker Band and LANCO, and the ultimate experience in entertainment, food, and attractions. www.greatergulfstatefair.com

Monday November 4

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

Tuesday November 5

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

Wednesday November 6 Little Discoveries

Sunday November 3

Alabama School of the Arts at the University of Mobile presents “Oklahoma!” 2:00 PM Murphy High School, 100 S Carlen Street Mobile, AL, 36606 Alabama School of the Arts at the University of Mobile presents “Oklahoma!” itickets.com/universityofmobile Joe Jefferson Players present “Macbeth” 2:00 PM Joe Jefferson Playhouse, 11 South Carlen Mobile, AL, 36606 Joe Jefferson Players present “Macbeth” joejeffersonplayers.com

Thursday November 7

Gary Allan 7:30 PM Saenger Theatre, 6 South Joachim Street Mobile, AL, 36602 Gary Allen in concert. www.mobilesaenger.com USA Woodwind Ensembles Fall Concert 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 November 8

Presidential Libraries (Free) 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM, Ben May Main Library, 701 Government Street Mobile, AL, 36602 Come learn about

years old and younger. 251-208-6893 www.exploreum.com

10:00 AM Gulf Coast Exploreum, 65 Government Street Mobile, AL, 36602 Takes place in the Wharf of Wonders and is for little scientists six

Jenny Gregoire and Robert Holm, Violin & Piano Duo 7:30 PM Laidlaw Performing Arts Center, 5751 USA South Drive Mobile, AL, 36608 251-460-6136 www.southalabama.edu/colleges/ music/upcomingevents.html

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FamilyCalendar Saturday November 9

5K Run and “Fun Run” Race 8:00 AM Cottage Hill Baptist Church, 4255 Cottage Hill Road Mobile, AL In celebration of Cottage Hill’s 75th Anniversary, the ROC is hosting its first ever 5K run and “Fun Run” race at hosted by Cottage Hill Baptist Church www.cottagehill.org/events/5K Keep Mobile Beautiful’s Veterans Day Cleanup 8:00 AM - 12:00 PM, Southwest Mobile County Chamber of Commerce, 5055 Carol Plantation Road Mobile, AL, 36619 Keep Mobile Beautiful’s Veterans Day Cleanup, Shredding and Electronic Recycling event is Nov. 9, from 8 am-noon at the Southwest Mobile County Chamber of Commerce. keepmobilebeautiful.org Brunch Fest 10:00 AM Bienville Square, Mobile, AL, 36602 Join us for a day of great brunch foods, live jazz music, Bloody Mary’s & Mimosas! This fundraiser will benefit Lifelines Counseling Services www.lifelinesmobile.org Gears and Beers 5:30 PM The Fort of Colonial Mobile, Mobile, AL, 36602 The Gears and Beers Ride is a collection of four bicycle rides and a street party that raises money to support the various community-based programs at the Delta Bike Project. www.gearsandbeersridemobile.com Moon Taxi with Special Guest Bishop Gunn 7:30 PM Saenger Theatre, 6 South Joachim Street Mobile, AL, 36602 Moon Taxi with Special Guest Bishop Gunn in concert. www.mobilesaenger.com Commedia Del Arte presents “Dracula and Me” Episcopal Church of the Redeemer, 7125 Hitt Road Mobile, AL, 36695 Join us for an original interactive comedy, set in a 1930s radio station with a cast of actors that’s sure to have the audience rolling the aisles. Dracula & Me is family friendly. www.commediadelarte.org

Sunday November 10

Bourbon by the Bay 3:00 PM Crown Hall, 853 Dauphin Street Mobile, AL, 36602 Raise your glass at the third annual Bourbon on the Bay, where you can sample from over twenty-five premium bourbons and whiskeys. The event will also feature heavy hors d’oeuvres, craft cocktails featuring local mixologists, a selection of wine and local brews, a unique silent auction and festive live music. www.bourbonbythebay.com

Monday November 11

Veterans Day Concert 7:00 PM USS ALABAMA Battleship Memorial Park, 2703 Battleship Parkway Mobile, AL, 36602 Join us for the Veterans Day Concert with the Mobile Symphonic Pops Band. Enjoy patriotic medleys, military marches, anthems, modern classics and surprise performances.

Tuesday November 12

6th annual Inspiring Women’s Conference 2019 10:00 AM Heron Lakes Country Club, 3851 Government Blvd Mobile, AL, 36693 Designed to motivate, inspire, connect and celebrate women with guest

Mobile Bay Parents I November 2019

speakers that will be sure to inspire you as well as honoring Inspiring Women of the Year. We will have vendors, door prizes and a fashion show that will be one to remember as we showcase Colors of Causes that affect us all. www.eventbrite.com 2019 NEST of Mobile Annual Luncheon 12:00 PM Mobile Marriott, 3101 Airport Boulevard Mobile, AL NEST of Mobile’s Annual Luncheon will feature the extraordinary story of child advocate and “More Than A Bird” Author Liz Huntley. 251-604-3131 www.nestofmobile.org Mad Scientist Club (Free) 5:00 PM Moorer/Spring Hill Branch, 4 South McGregor Avenue Mobile, AL, 36608 Join us for Kid Friendly Experiments and discover the outcome and results of the scientific methods we use. www.mobilepubliclibrary.org GulfQuest Creature Feature: Oysters 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM, Gulfquest, 155 South Water Street Mobile, AL, 36602 Our inaugural Creature Feature event will be this fall, and it’ll be all about oysters in the Gulf of Mexico. www.gulfquest.org

Wednesday November 13

Thursday November 14

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 Teen Art Scene (Free) 3:30 PM - 5:00 PM, West Regional Library , 5555 Grelot Rd 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 Barn Bash 6:30 PM Moe’s BBQ, Mobile, AL, 36602 Barn Bash to benefit Children’s of Alabama Pediatric Rheumatology Clinic. Live auction and music. give.childrensal.org/barnbash One Night in Havana

6:30 PM - 9:30 PM, 23 East at Brookley Aeroplex Mobile, AL, 36615 The event serves as a fundraiser for the Distinguished Young Women Foundation to provide college scholarships for participants across the country. Charitable gaming with professional dealers, live music by the Crowned Jewelz, Latin-inspired food and cocktails and an outdoor cigar lounge all come together to make this night an unforgettable experience. onenightinevent.com

Alabama Contemporary Art Center Kids Studio

(Free) 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM, Ben May Main Library, 701

Government Street Mobile, AL, 36602 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. Ages 8-13 www.mobilepubliclibrary.org St. Paul’s Players present “Antigone” 7:00 PM St. Paul’s Episcopal School, 161 Dogwood Lane Mobile, AL, 36608 St. Paul’s Players present “Antigone” news.stpaulsmobile.net/2019/09/the-st-pauls-players-present-antigone-by-sophocles/ USA Flute Choir and Celtic Crúe Fall Concert 7:30 PM Laidlaw Performing Arts Center, 5751 USA South Drive Mobile, AL, 36608 USA Flute Choir and Celtic Crúe Fall Concert 251-460-6136 www.southalabama.edu/colleges/ music/upcomingevents.html

Friday November 15

A Night Of Dueling Pianos 7:00 PM The Locale, 4128 Government Boulevard Mobile, AL, 36602orderofvenus.bigcartel.com Theatre USA presents Major Barbara 7:30 PM Laidlaw Performing Arts Center, 5751 USA South Drive Mobile, AL, 36608 Theatre USA presents Major Barbara www.southalabama.edu/colleges/artsandsci/theatre/ boxoffice.html Mobile Parks and Recreation Movies in the Park Dusk Mitternight, Mobile, AL Movies in the Park at Dusk. Movie - Ugly Dolls www.cityofmobile.org/residents/parks-and-recreation/ Drama Camp Productions and Sunnyside Theater present Finding Nemo: Pilot Production Joe Jefferson Playhouse, 11 South Carlen Mobile, AL, 36606 Drama Camp Productions and Sunnyside Theater present “Finding Nemo”. Times: 9 am, 11 am, 1 pm, & 7 pm www.sunnysidedrama.com

Saturday November 16

Battleship 12K 8:00 AM USS Battleship Memorial Parkway, Mobile, AL, 36602 The Battleship 12K, a patriotic run to honor those who have served, was started in 2015 as a way to pay tribute to those heroes who defend our freedom. www.battleship12k.com WWII Living History Event 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM, Fort Gaines, 51 Bienville Blvd Dauphin Island, AL, 36528 The public is invited to come and experience a day in the life of a WWII soldier. There will be authentic camping, blacksmithing in the original blacksmith shop, small arms firing and drills throughout the day. dauphinisland.org/fort-gaines Down South GrillFest 10:00 AM - 7:00 PM, Loblolly Farm, 9930 Stone Road Semmes, AL, 36575 Steak cookoff with antique tractor show, kids corner, live music and more. www.loblollyfarm.com Reading Paws (Free) 12:00 PM - 2:00 PM, West Regional Library , 5555 Grelot Rd Mobile, AL, 36609 Come meet the Pet Therapy dogs and their owners. Learn all about the

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dogs and the services they provide the community. Practice your reading skills with a four-legged friend. www.mobilepubliclibrary.org

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Drama Camp Productions and Sunnyside Theater present Finding Nemo: Pilot Production 7:00 PM Joe Jefferson Playhouse, 11 South Carlen Mobile, AL, 36606 Drama Camp Productions and Sunnyside Theater present “Finding Nemo”. www.sunnysidedrama.com

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St. Paul’s Players present “Antigone” 7:00 PM St. Paul’s Episcopal School, 161 Dogwood Lane Mobile, AL, 36608 St. Paul’s Players present “Antigone” news.stpaulsmobile.net/2019/09/the-st-pauls-players-present-antigone-by-sophocles/ Theatre USA presents Major Barbara 7:30 PM Laidlaw Performing Arts Center, 5751 USA South Drive Mobile, AL, 36608 Theatre USA presents Major Barbara www.southalabama.edu/colleges/artsandsci/theatre/ boxoffice.html Down South Grillfest Loblolly Farm, 9930 Stone Rd Mobile, AL, 36575 Bring your family out for a full day of fun! Vendor booths, live music, petting zoo, food trucks, and so much more! www.downsouthgrillfest.com

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Sunday November 17

Battleship 12K 8:00 AM USS ALABAMA Battleship Memorial Park, 2703 Battleship Pkwy Mobile, AL, 36602 The Battleship 12K is a patriotic run to honor those who have served. www.battleship12k.com Drama Camp Productions and Sunnyside Theater present Finding Nemo: Pilot Production 2:00 PM Joe Jefferson Playhouse, 11 South Carlen Mobile, AL, 36606 Drama Camp Productions and Sunnyside Theater present “Finding Nemo”. www.sunnysidedrama.com St. Paul’s Players present “Antigone” 2:00 PM St. Paul’s Episcopal School, 161 Dogwood Lane Mobile, AL, 36608 news.stpaulsmobile.net/2019/09/the-st-pauls-players-present-antigone-by-sophocles/ Theatre USA presents Major Barbara 2:00 PM Laidlaw Performing Arts Center, 5751 USA South Drive Mobile, AL, 36608 www.southalabama.edu/colleges/artsandsci/theatre/ boxoffice.html USA Opera Theatre - “Scenes from Opera & Musical Theatre” 3:00 PM Laidlaw Performing Arts Center, 5751 USA South Drive Mobile, AL, 36608 USA Opera Theatre “Scenes from Opera & Musical Theatre” 251-460-6136 www.southalabama.edu/colleges/ music/upcomingevents.html

Thursday November 21

Celebrate Hope 6:30 PM Mitchell Cancer Institute, 1660 Springhill Avenue Mobile, AL Celebrate Hope is the signature

gala for USA Health Mitchell Cancer Institute and features dishes by local chefs paired with wine and craft beer, as well as live entertainment. Since its inception, Celebrate Hope has generated more than $2.5 million for cancer research. ushealthsystem.com/celebratehope

Theatre USA presents Major Barbara 2:00 PM Laidlaw Performing Arts Center, 5751 USA South Drive Mobile, AL, 36608 Theatre USA presents Major Barbara www.southalabama.edu/colleges/artsandsci/theatre/ boxoffice.html

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

Monday November 25

Friday November 22

Thursday November 28

5th Annual Hargrove Foundation Gala 6:00 PM Mobile Convention Center, 1 South Water Street Mobile, AL, 36602 Join us as we welcome General Colin Powell, USA (Ret.), honorable statesman and retired four-star general in the United States Army, as the keynote speaker for the fifth annual Hargrove Foundation Gala hargrovefoundation.org Art Soup 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM, Crown Hall, 853 Dauphin St Suite 1 Mobile, AL, 36602 It is an evening of entertainment, great food, and local art that brings attention to the homeless issues in our area and raises funds for the organizations that provide help for the homeless. www.artsoupmobile.org Theatre USA presents Major Barbara 7:30 PM Laidlaw Performing Arts Center, 5751 USA South Drive Mobile, AL, 36608 Theatre USA presents Major Barbara www.southalabama.edu/colleges/artsandsci/theatre/ boxoffice.html

Family Farm Day 2019 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM, Humming Star Alpacas, 19700 Blueberry Lane Silverhill, AL, 36576 Come visit and learn about alpacas, explore items made of alpaca fiber, shop with local vendors, participate in hands-on fiber arts, and have lunch. 10:00am-4:00pm. International Festival 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM, The Grounds, 1035 Cody Road Mobile, AL, 36608 Our goal remains to promote understanding, acceptance, friendship, and to showcase appreciation of the rich diversity of our world’s cultures. The Mobile International Festival is a place where all belong. www.mobileinternationalfestival.org Theatre USA presents Major Barbara 7:30 PM Laidlaw Performing Arts Center, 5751 USA South Drive Mobile, AL, 36608 Theatre USA presents Major Barbara www.southalabama.edu/colleges/artsandsci/theatre/ boxoffice.html

Thanks for Giving 2 Mile Run Walk 7:30 AM Providence Hospital, Building B, Mobile, AL, 36608 Please bring canned food, gently used shoes and unused race shirts to donate to the Waterfront Mission. www.eventbrite.com

Turkey Trot For Hope 8:00 AM Mardi Gras Park, Mobile, AL, 36602 Come run the Turkey Trot for Hope certified 5k race and 1 mile Gobble Wobble fun run with us on Thanksgiving Day! It is a chance to kick the day off with a little turkey spirit, gather with your family and to burn those extra calories in preparation for the impending feast. Most importantly, it is an opportunity to give thanks by giving back to a great cause, Camp Rap-A-Hope. raceroster.com/events/2019/25056/turkey-trot-forhope 49th Annual Thanksgiving Pow Wow ($5 for 7 &

up, free for 6 & under)

Friday November 29

49th Annual Thanksgiving Pow Wow

Saturday November 23

Sunday November 24

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

($5 for 7 & up, free for 6 & under)

10:00 AM Poarch Creek Indian Reservation, Atmore, AL Join us for the 49th Annual Thanksgiving Pow Wow at the Poarch Creek Indian Reservation /pci-nsn.gov/wordpress/services/community-services/cultural-department/ Rock, Gem and Mineral Show 1:00 PM - 6:00 PM, Abba Shrine, 7701 Hitt Road Mobile, AL, 36695 Over 30 Jewelry, Gem, Fossil, and Mineral dealers. A real, working Gem Sluice to mine your own treasures.Kids activities. Raffle and Silent Auction.

Saturday November 30

Rock, Gem and Mineral Show 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM, Abba Shrine, 7701 Hitt Road Mobile, AL, 36695 Details November 29.

Sunday December 1

Rock, Gem and Mineral Show 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM, Abba Shrine, 7701 Hitt Road Mobile, AL, 36695 Details November 29.

Monday December 2

USA Clarinet Studio Fall Recital 7:30 PM Laidlaw Performing Arts Center, 5751 USA South Drive Mobile, AL, 36608 251-460-6136 www.southalabama.edu/colleges/ music/upcomingevents.html

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FamilyCalendar Thursday December 5

Bay Bash 6:00 PM Gulfquest, 155 South Water Street Mobile, AL, 36602 Bay Bash is an annual celebration of the beauty, health, and heritage of Mobile Bay and our coastal communities. The event features delicious local seafood from chefs, caterers, and restaurants in Mobile and Baldwin Counties, cocktails, live music, and a silent auction all along the Mobile River. www.mobilebaykeeper.org/bay-bash Wine and Wishes 6:30 PM Ezell House, 407 Conti Street Mobile, AL, 36602 Join us at our 3rd annual Wine & Wishes benefiting Make A Wish Alabama! Our goal this year is to grant the wishes of 2 local wish kids with critical illnesses. There are currently more than 40 children on the waiting list in Alabama. www.eventbrite.com

Saturday December 7

www.mobilesaenger.com

KIDZ BOP World Tour 6:00 PM Saenger Theatre, 6 South Joachim Street Mobile, AL, 36602 KIDZ BOP concert.

Every Day in November

Fall Outdoor Cascading Chrysanthemums 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM, Bellingrath Gardens and Home, 12401 Bellingrath Gardens Road Theodore, AL, 36582 Mum’s the word at Bellingrath Gardens and Home in November, when it’s time for the 56th Annual Fall Outdoor Cascading Chrysanthemums, the nation’s largest outdoor display of the signature blooms of the season. 251-459-8973 bellingrath.org

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 Introductory Piano Class (Free) 4:00 PM Ben May Main Library, 701 Government Street Mobile, AL, 36602 This is an introduction to piano class for those who have no experience or need a review of the basics. Ages 8-18. Participants will learn how to read music, find notes on the piano, and discover other essentials to begin playing pieces. 251-340-1535 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

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

Every Wednesday

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 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

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

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

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.

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 hands-on projects. Classes are taught by local artists and trained professional educators. 251-208-5671 www.alabamacontemporary.org

Every Saturday through November 16

Fall Market on the Square 7:00 AM - 12:00 PM, Cathedral Square, Mobile, AL, 36602 Local farmers market featuring fresh produce, baked goods, jellies and jams, locally harvested honey, handmade soaps, local artisans and more! www.specialeventsmobile.org

First Sunday of every month

Every 1st and 3rd Tuesday

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

Mobile Bay Parents I November 2019

5 Rivers StoryTime (Free) 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM, 5 Rivers Delta Resource Center, 30945 Five Rivers Boulevard Spanish Fort,

First and Third Sunday

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

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FamilyCalendar 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, 5:30pmuntil. 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 pre-register. • Me, Too! A Tour for Siblings: Noon on the First Sunday of the month. Join us for an individualized tour and instruction for siblings ages 9 and younger. The event includes a tour of the maternity areas and tips on helping parents with the new baby. Parents must remain with their children. 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 251-415-1685 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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The Addams Family

Gemini Man

MPAA Rating: PG Overall: BViolence: CSexual Content: A Profanity: A Alcohol / Drug Use: A Everyone’s favorite creepy clan is back, this time in an animated feature film, made more horrifying by its 3D option. Fans of macabre mayhem will be pleased to know that the Addams family are still their strange, scary selves: Morticia (voiced by Charlize Theron) uses her late parents’ ashes as cosmetics, Wednesday (voiced deadpan by Chloe Grace Moretz) guillotines her dolls, Pugsley (voiced by Finn Wolfhard) sets off explosives instead of training in swordsmanship. The plot of this film turns on two points: Pugsley’s fast approaching coming-of-age ceremony - the Addams mazurka - and the desire of Margaux (voiced by Allison Janney) a property developer/reality TV host to sell the homes she has designed and built in the neighboring community. But the Addams’ gloomy mansion stands in her way. Although there are a few laughs and some action sequences, much of the movie crawls like a cortege on its way to the cemetery. If you’re looking for a movie to make you laugh, don’t expect side-splitting comedy. Although The Addams Family has frightening moments aplenty, none of them are gory. There are crossbows, guillotines, an electric chair, and explosives but no one is harmed by them. There are also lots of ominous moments involving eerie settings, ghostly sounds, and menacing music. Sensitive children and preschoolers will be upset by the frightening scenes, but most kids will shrug off the scares and laugh.

MPAA Rating: PG-13 Overall: C+ Violence: CSexual Content: AProfanity: CAlcohol / Drug Use: C Henry Brogan (Will Smith) has been an assassin for an American intelligence agency for most of his adult life. The effects on him are adding up – insomnia, nightmares, and guilt – so he decides it’s time to retire. Unfortunately, it’s much harder to get away from his past than it was to get into it. Things only get more complicated when he realizes the shooter the agency has sent after him is...himself. With the help of Danny, who is the agent responsible for tailing him and is played by Mary Elizabeth Winstead, and his old friend Baron (Benedict Wong), Henry has to confront himself and the system that made him. The movie was shot at 120 frames per second (industry standard is 24), and then modified for 3D. Sometimes this works fantastically well. But when the camera starts moving quickly, suddenly you’re strapped into your seat for Ultra-3D Vomit Vision. This isn’t a movie for the dizzy or easily nauseated. The fight choreography is well done, for the most part. Sequences are memorable, easy enough to track, and have interesting adaptations to the settings and situations. The story is admittedly inferior. It’s very predictable, and not much happens that you wouldn’t have called twenty minutes in advance. That said, I don’t think Gemini Man was going out of its way to blow you away with slick dialogue and clever plotting. The story is an excuse for Will Smith to beat himself up on two different continents, and it delivers. Gemini Man is well rated at PG-13. The violence is what you’d expect and there are about a dozen moderate profanities and one sexual expletive.

High Strung Free Dance

Maleficent: Mistress of Evil

MPAA Rating: PG Overall: BViolence: B+ Sexual Content: B Profanity: B+ Alcohol / Drug Use: AWhen you’re driven to perform, chances are you’re aiming for the bright lights of Broadway. High Strung Free Dance tells the story of three artists chasing fame on the Great White Way. Choreographer Zander (Thomas Doherty) has smoldering good looks, an upper-class British accent, a firm belief in his own genius, and an apparently brilliant dance show he’s bringing to Broadway. And to make the show a smash hit, he needs to get the casting exactly right. Charlie (Harry Jarvis) is a brilliant young pianist desperately looking for work as a musician. Then one night, after getting hit by a car, he sees a lovely young woman, and his luck turns. Barlow (Juliet Doherty) is a beautiful, doe-eyed young dancer who’s making ends meet as a telemarketer while she gets cut from one audition after another. When her roommate disappears, having absconded with three months’ worth of rent, Barlow gets an eviction notice. Desperation makes her bold, and when she’s cut from Zander’s audition, she makes a gutsy attempt to get hired on the show. Parents considering High Strung Free Dance for their dance-mad tweens and teens can be reassured by the very mild content issues. The biggest issue in this movie is the Barlow-Zander plotline. When Zander offers his employee a ride, when he gives her the lead role and then kisses her, when he has a sexually charged dance with her, he is crossing some critically important lines in a post-#MeToo world. Parents are likely to be disturbed by Zander’s selfish treatment of a vulnerable young woman in his employ.

MPAA Rating: PG Overall: B+ Violence: C Sexual Content: A Profanity: A Alcohol / Drug Use: A In Maleficent: Mistress of Evil, Angelina Jolie reprises the role she created in 2014’s Maleficent. But this sequel is a significant departure from the first film. Maleficent was a surprisingly dark film for a Disney production. The sequel has a more intricate plot but it’s set in a simpler emotional context, which makes it feel more like what you’d expect in a family film. Maleficent: Mistress of Evil opens happily. Aurora (Elle Fanning) is blithely ruling the Moors and has accepted Prince Philip of Ulstead’s (Harris Dickinson) request for her hand. Telling the parents doesn’t go as well as the proposal – Maleficent is incensed and Queen Ingrith (Michelle Pfeiffer) reluctantly agrees to welcome the foster-daughter of a non-human into her life. When the two families meet for dinner, tempers flare, King John (Robert Lindsay) collapses (apparently cursed), and Aurora must choose between her godmother and mother-in-law-to-be. Although Aurora and Philip’s engagement sets the narrative in motion, they are almost peripheral figures in this movie, which boils down to the conflict between Maleficent and Queen Ingrith. There’s only one truly evil character, and (hint) it isn’t Maleficent. If you enjoy movies with deliciously wicked villains, you’re going to have a blast with this one. There are many moments of darkness and peril which render this production unsuitable for preschoolers and young children. Older kids will likely enjoy this film with its fast-moving action and you might even get teens to watch it.

Mobile Bay Parents I November 2019

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