FamilyCalendar

Eastchase Farmer’s Market

7AM - 12PM, Shoppes at Eastchase, located near Sephora and H&M, 7274 Eastchase Parkway Montgomery, AL, 36117 Shop 20+ Certified local vendors! The market has everything from produce and homemade jellies and jams to locally grown honey and the best boiled peanuts around! theshoppesateastchase.com (334) 279-6046

Prattville Farmers Market

7AM - 12PM, On the Grove, Doster Road Prattville, AL, 36067 Join the City of Prattville for the Prattville Farmers Market every Saturday through August 26. The market will feature fresh locally grown fruits and vegetables, along with local honey, homemade baked goods, jams, jellies, eggs, handmade bath and body products, plants and more! prattvilleal.gov (334) 595.0850

Community Service Day - Claudette Colving

Legacy Garden

8AM - 12PM, 2011 Upper Wetumpka Road Montgomery, AL, 36107 We will lay out mulch, build and paint raised beds, and install a shade sail

Please bring a rake, shovel or power tools

WILDLIFE PRESENTATION (FREE)

9AM - 2PM, Naturalist Cabin, Russell Farms Road Alexander City, AL, 35010 Join the Russell Lands Naturalist at Russell Crossroads for an informative exhibit featuring wet wildlife! russellcrossroads.com/events.html (256) 496.2710

Monday, August 21

Team TBD

4:30PM - 6PM, Autauga Prattville Public Library, 254 Doster St Prattville , AL, 36067 A time for teens to hang out, create, collaborate, and inspire one another. This month, we’ll discuss what the group hopes to accomplish with this team. We’ll “roll” into the school year with roll shaped snacks. Ages 13-18 appl.info (334) 365-3396

Thursday, August 24

Community Market 2023 (FREE)

4PM - 7PM, Main Street, 231 Hill St Wetumpka, AL, 36092 The Community Market showcases a variety of handmade, homemade, and homegrown products created by local artisans, and farmers. It features over 30 unique booths with vendors and one-of-akind items each month. mainstreetwetumpka.org (334) 478-3926

Rodney Carrington

($46.50-$66.50)

7PM - 9PM, The Montgomery Performing Arts Centre at Renaissance Montgomery, 201 Tallapoosa St Montgomery, AL, 36104 Rodney Carrington performs live at the Montgomery Performing Arts Centre. mpaconline.org (334) 481-5100

Friday, August 25

Friday on the Green – KURT MCKINNEY AND CHUCK LOFTON (FREE)

6:30PM - 8:30PM, Russell Crossroads, 19 Russell Farms Road Alexander City, AL, 35010 It has been a while since they have been here, Kurt is one of the most talented musicians around this area and is a great accompanist to a number of singers! Chuck, shows off his ‘Nawlins’ roots with a true southern sound! Paired together we get an awesome evening of great music! russelllands.com (256) 397.1019

Saturday, August 26

Hog Days of Summer Union Station, Montgomery

The Druids Charity Club is pleased to announce their 6th annual BBQ and Americana Music festival. ‘The Hog Days of Summer’ is a charity event benefitting Hogs for the Cause and other carefully selected local charities. Our best lineup yet will be rocking the shed; spanning blues, rock, soul, country, roots, and other Americana influences. Once again, our patrons can look forward to enjoying BBQ from the River Region’s finest BBQ establishments. Schedule: Doors: 2:00. BBQ: upon entry. Music: 2:00 PM-10:00 PM Tickets: $40 in August; $45 Day of Show (gate only). Active Military/ Police/Fire/EMS/Student GA Ticket**: $30

Farmers Market

7AM - 12PM, On the Grove, Doster Road Prattville, AL, 36067 Join the City of Prattville for the Prattville Farmers Market every Saturday through August 26. The market will feature fresh locally grown fruits and vegetables, along with local honey, homemade baked goods, jams, jellies, eggs, handmade bath and body products, plants and more! prattvilleal.gov (334) 595.0850

Zoo Volunteer Serve Day

9AM - 4:30PM, Montgomery Zoo and Mann Wildlife Museum, 2301 Coliseum Pkwy Montgomery, AL, 36110 We are looking for energetic individuals who want to volunteer in a beautiful and fun place. Volunteer commitment has allowed our Zoo to improve, expand programs, generate community involvement and support, and assist Zoo staff in daily Zoo operations. montgomeryzoo.com (334) 625-4900

Monday, August 28

Muses

4PM - 5PM, Montgomery Museum of Fine Arts, One Museum Drive Montgomery, AL, 36117 River Region teens are invited to join the Muses Teen Council’s kick off meeting to join the Council, meet new and returning members, and learn about upcoming teen events and artist meet and greet opportunities in the new school year. mmfa.org (334) 625-4333

Not Your Average Knots

4:30PM - 6PM, Autauga Prattville Public Library, 254 Doster St Prattville , AL, 36067 Crocheting, knitting, cross-stitching - the list is endless! If you love making art with yarn this group is for you. Please bring your own materials. appl.info (334) 365-3396

Thursday, August 31

Community Market 2023 (FREE) mainstreetwetumpka.org (334) 478-3926

4PM - 7PM, Main Street, 231 Hill St Wetumpka, AL, 36092 The Community Market showcases a variety of handmade, homemade, and homegrown products created by local artisans, and farmers. It features over 30 unique booths with vendors and one-of-akind items each month.

Labor Day Weekend featuring Hot Air Balloon Glow & Fireworks

Through Labor Day, Robin Lake Beach, Callaway Gardens, Pine Mountain, GA Light up your Labor Day with a three-day celebration at Callaway Resort & Gardens! Stay and play all day with garden and beach access, waterfront activities like putt putt, and endless entertainment including the beloved Birds of Prey show. Spend sun-kissed days splashing in the waters of Robin Lake Beach and racing across the inflatable mountains of floating obstacle course Aqua Island. After a day full of fun, stay after sundown to watch the beach transform with the light of gigantic, glowing Hot Air Balloons and three nights of fireworks! callawaygardens.org

Friday, September 1

Epic Dreams & Aeg Presents:

Southern Soul & Blues Lover’s Fest ($49-$75) 8PM - 10PM, The Montgomery Performing Arts Centre at Renaissance Montgomery, 201 Tallapoosa Street Montgomery, AL, 36104 All White Affair Event starring TK Soul, Big Robb, Westlove, PK2, King South hosted by MC Lightfoot. mpaconline.org (334) 481-5100

Friday, September 1 & Saturday, September 2

Labor Day Weekend Music Fest at Crossroads

Labor Day Weekend music is back at Russell Crossroads for two nights! YES, two nights of music on the Town Green at Russell Crossroads. Oh and by the way, there is no charge! theamponlakemartin.com (256) 397.1019

Friday, September 8 Friday on the Green –Chasing Shadows (FREE) 6:30PM8:30PM, Russell Crossroads, 19 Russell Farms Road Alexander City, AL, 35010 It’s always fun to have new artists to Friday On The Green, this week Chasing Shadows will make their Green Stage debut! russelllands.com (256) 397.1019

Saturday, September 9

ANC Honey Festival ($5) 9AM - 2PM, NaturePlex, 3050 Lanark Road Millbrook, AL, 36054 There will be honey for sale, kids activities, live music and much more! Festival Day will also include plant/gardening presentations, specialty vendors, and a Lanark plant sale. alabamawildlife.org (334) 285-4550

Please check with each venue prior to attending the event to verify the information provided is still accurate and up to date.

Please send calendar info to editor@riverregionparents.com.

Grading Family Movies: Streaming, Digital Rentals, and Theatrical Releases

Mission Impossible: Dead Reckoning Part One

The Entity, a military AI program, has gone rogue and is controlling the world’s digital assets from its position in a downed Russian submarine. It can only be overcome by a two-part key, so Ethan and his team set out to find both parts. Every major power on earth wants to get the keys – and so do other bad actors. This film doesn’t measure up to the rest of the franchise, being both incoherent and bloated. The expected action elements are derivative, and the pacing drags through a nearly three hour runtime And it’s only Part One Photo ©Paramount Pictures

Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny

Indiana Jones and his goddaughter, Helena, are on a quest for Archimedes’ Dial, an ancient artefact reputed to predict astrological events. Also on the hunt is a Nazi scientist named Voller, who intends to retroactively change the outcome of World War II. Harrison Ford may well be getting old, but this film shows that he’s still got enough charisma to helm a major action movie. And this is a good one: despite a clumsy ending, this is a fast-paced action flick with enough nostalgia to please franchise fans. Photo © Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures

Ruby Gillman: Teenage Kraken

When Ruby takes an unexpected dip in the ocean, she learns the truth about herself and her family. She’s a kraken, granddaughter of the Queen of the Krakens, and destined to become a powerful guardian of the sea – if she can avoid monsterhunting sailors and crafty mermaids. This movie provides 90 minutes of decent storytelling, solid animation and reassuring messages about self-acceptance. It also features memorable voice talent, with a particularly fine contribution from Jane Fonda. What it lacks is any sense of magic. Photo ©Universal Pictures

Sound

After spending 12 years tracking down child predators, Tim Ballard is on a mission to save trafficked children – and one little girl in particular. When the government revokes his authorization over concerns about funding and jurisdiction, he goes solo through the jungles and criminal underworld of Colombia. This movie highlights a serious problem and gives a voice to abused children. Unfortunately, it offers simplistic solutions and, despite sensitive filming, feels borderline exploitative. Photo ©Angel Studios

Ballister Boldheart is ready to become the first commoner to be knighted – until disaster strikes and he must flee into the forest. Determined to clear his name and save the kingdom, he joins forces with Nimona, a shapeshifter with a thirst for vengeance. This is a beautifully animated film with expansive world-building and a deeply layered story. Parents will want to be aware of some fantasy violence and a same-sex kiss when considering it for family viewing Photo ©Netflix agement. My leg, like motherhood, reminds me to creatively overcome obstacles and to persevere with grace.

RRP: How do you mother well when raising three children with different personalities?

AA: Our three, just like all children, are created with different gifts and personalities and are deeply loved. Striving to embrace and cherish each character means intently studying each one and discovering what reaches each of them. My mother, Ann (Tankersley) Phillips, has been an amazing example.

RRP: How did you handle your children’s transition into adulthood?

AA: Handling these transitions required a lot of love, grace, forgiveness, and laughter. The biggest challenge is navigating the different stages of parenting- training, disciplining, coaching, and befriending. There were days of sadness for me when they left home and giddy excitement as they faced new chapters. But the key is finding joy and peace in each stage.

RRP: What was the most difficult challenge you faced as a mother?

AA: Watching our children hurt. My heart aches when they have struggled for whatever reason. As a mom, I want to fix things, but allowing the children to face difficulties has been necessary.

RRP: You mentioned that being a mother is the most incredible and challenging journey. What advice would you give to new moms?

AA: During my first pregnancy, an older lady with a beautiful Southern drawl stated, “Motherhood will beat the selfishness out of you.” She was right! Some of those early sleepless nights felt like a beating, and some of those heartbreaking later days felt like a pummeling. Being parents is our greatest gift, privilege, and development tool. So for new moms, I would love to sit, grab a cup of tea/coffee, chat and affirm them. Regarding giving advice, love your husband, embrace your newest adventure, and choose health and rest.

RRP: With all adult children, is there anything you would have done differently and why?

AA: I would be more patient and relaxed. I would focus on my heart and not external things. My children do not need my judgment or monologues; they need a listening ear, snippets of wisdom, and loads of encouragement.

RRP: How has being a mother impacted your personal and professional life?

AA: Being a mother has given me better perspective, understanding, and abilities. Motherhood is sacrificial love. It requires looking at the needs of others instead of focusing on the self. Having this mindset has profoundly changed me. Parenting has been the most challenging job of my life and has shown me my weaknesses and stretched me. I think this stretching can produce perseverance, character, and hope.