April 2012
Fr e e
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KNOXVILLE
Dear Knoxville Parent:
April 2012 Volume I • Issue 4
Chief Lee Tramel’s article on public safety is terrific! I find that we need information like this in today’s uncertain world. Thank you for providing this to us readers.
Michael Kull and Eva Nations, Publishers Advisory Board
Staff
- Dave M. Fountain City
Sr. Mary Marta Abbott The Dioces of Knoxville
Michael Kull Managing Editor
Dear Knoxville Parent:
Marie Alcorn United Way of Greater Knoxville Mike Bailey Community Volunteer Wendy Hames East Tennessee Children’s Hospital Tracey Matthews Knox County Department of Education Liz Pooley Community Volunteer Lee Tramel Knox County Sheriff ’s Department
Thank you for such a comprehensive listing of summer camps in your March issue. I know it is probably hard to keep up with so many organizations offering so many opportunities for families. I’ll definitely keep this around for future reference.
Jennifer Crutchfield Contributing Editor Evan Faires Design & Production
- Kathy O. West Knoxville
Eva Nations Business Manager Michael Kull Advertising Sales
We welcome your letters! If you have a question or comment for Knoxville Parent, please e-mail it to KnoxvilleParent@gmail.com. Letters may be edited to meet space requirements.
contents
Contributing Photographers Charlie Daniel Victoria Mason Contributing Writers Liza Blair Keith Bridges Kristina Canan Charlie Daniel Wendy Hames Casey Jacobs Tracey Matthews Paul Nations Jeff Pfitzer Sedonna Prater Lee Tramel Piotr Ulmer Gregory Vickery Kyle Waggener
Parent publications are GREAT places to advertise! For more information, please call: (866) 247-7769, Ext. 1. Contact Info: Phone: 866.247.7769, ext. 1 Fax: 888.457.9602 E-mail: KnoxvilleParent@gmail.com Knoxville Parent is published monthly and is distributed throughout the city of Knoxville and surrounding communities. Knoxville Parent is available free of charge, limited to one copy per reader. No person without written permission from the publishers may take more than one copy per monthly issue. Knoxville Parent may be distributed only by authorized distributors.
Knoxville Parent PO Box 52605 Knoxville, TN 37950, phone 866.247.7769 fax 888.457.9602 The entire contents of this publication are copyrighted and property of Knoxville Parent. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any manner without the express written consent of the publishers. Knoxville Parent utilize freelance writers, and the views expressed within this publication are not necessarily the views of the publishers or editors. Knoxville Parent takes no responsibility for unsolicited manuscripts or other materials. Letters to the editor must include name, address and daytime phone number for verification. Knoxville Parent reserve the right to edit letters for space and clarity. Please keep letters within 500 words in length.
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House Calls: All about ears
14 Sticking Together: Treating a medical condition as
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3D Living...for real
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The Cereal Bowl
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The List: Ten terrific books about hiking
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Live and Learn: The homework debate
18 Knox County Schools: Dine Out for Education
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Childwise: Smart advice for parents
19 Knox County Schools: Parent University Calendar
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The Kid’s Plate: Kitchen as alternative learningscape
20 Helping kids understand about money
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A Civic Personality
21 It Is Our Responsibility: Talking to your children
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4-H: Head, Heart, Hands, and Health
a family
15 The Family Table: A fresh approach to fresher food 17 What’s That Smell: How my child identified a
potential serious medical condition
of Events
can make a difference
22 Dad Dispatch: Finding a path
on the cover:
An aquarium visit turns into a wild adventure at the Tennessee Aquarium when kids get a chance to get closer to some of the Aquarium’s most amazing animals and discover what it’s like to care for them. Photo Courtesy Tennessee Aquarium
Knoxville Parent welcomes your comments, story ideas and advertising inquiries. Contact Michael Kull at KnoxvilleParent@gmail.com 3
Knoxville Parent • April 2012
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Knoxville Parent • April 2012
All About Ears
Pop! Flying’s effect on ears
M
any children and adults notice an uncomfortable feeling in their ears while flying. So what is that weird ear-popping sensation? The unusual feeling is a result of air pressure changes in the space behind the eardrum. Normally, the eustachian tube (which is a passageway that leads from the eardrum to the back of the throat) equalizes air pressure by allowing air behind the eardrum. When flying, it takes longer for the tubes to adjust to the air pressure. When the pressure isn’t equalized, it causes ear pain. The pain usually goes away in a few minutes and won’t cause any lasting problems for your child. The feeling may seem odd or even a little scary to some children, so it is important to reassure your child that this “ear-popping” is a normal part of flying. It isn’t just flying that can cause your child’s ears to “pop.” Scuba diving, hiking or riding an elevator also may cause your child’s ears to adjust to changing air pressure.
EXPERIENCE!BAYLOR
SUMMER CAMP 2012 ! June 4 – July 27
“The feeling may seem odd or even a little scary to some children, so it is important to reassure your child that...“ear-popping” is a normal part of flying.” Your child’s eustachian tubes may not function as well as an adult’s eustacian tubes, especially if his or her ears have been clogged from an ear infection or cold. If your child has an ear infection, a doctor may recommend that he/she delay flying. If your child has tubes in his/her ears as a result of ear fluid problems, the artificial tubes will help equalize the pressure. What’s a mom (or dad) to do? • Have your child drink decaffeinated fluids (water is best) throughout the flight. Drinking encourages swallowing, which helps equalize air pressure. • Tell your child to yawn frequently to help equalize air pressure. • Give your child acetaminophen or ibuprofen about half hour before takeoffs or landings if your child has ear pain. • If your child is older than three, have him/her chew gum or suck on hard candy to increase swallowing. • Pack a bottle or pacifier for your child. If bottle-feeding, make sure the baby is sitting upright. • Have your child use nasal decongestant spray before takeoff and landing to help open ear and nasal passages. • Have your child stay awake for takeoff and landing. During sleep, swallowing is decreased, making it harder to equalize air pressure.
Want Maximum Fun? In addition to traditional day camps loaded with activities kids love, you can count on Baylor camps to provide a huge variety of offerings and schedules. AVA Art Camp! A variety of art and film activities for kids and teens ages 4-18. Enrichment! Dance and art classes, robotics, chess, theater, and even sailing! No question about it – this is the place for creative minds to mingle! Call (423) 757-2616 or visit www.baylorschool.org for easy online registration.
Maximum Fun A summer adventure for ages 5 through 18.
• If your child is taking medications that contain antihistamines or decongestants, talk to your child’s doctor about whether to continue them during flight. These simple tips should help you explain to your child what is happening with the ears during an airplane flight and ways to keep ear pain and popping to a minimum. Happy flying! Information for this article was provided by the Healthy Kids parenting newsletter of East Tennessee Children’s Hospital. For more information call
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Knoxville Parent • April 2012
3D Living...For Real by Piotr Ulmer, MSPT
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t may be challenging, or even scary, to remember that your kids will do what you do, rather than what you tell them to do. They observe when we don’t even know it. They learn by being in the midst of situations, emotions and conversations. The way we act, they’ll act. The way we solve problems, they’ll do the same. The way we love— they’ll do it too. Understanding this, a question we parents have to ask ourselves is: Are they going to grow and develop in a balanced way? What about the times when our kids are left to their own devices? Technological progress brings more ways of entertainment today than ever before. There are more virtual games, more 3D movies, even 3D TVs. While movies and games can both teach and entertain, most of them simply provide a means of “escape” from our daily reality. But are we really supposed to escape from our daily reality? Shouldn’t we instead confront it, trying to improve it for the sake of everyone involved? If we continue escaping our own reality (“the daily grind”), guess what our kids will do? For instance, do we tell our kids to do homework first, before playing? Well, we should. Do we do it ourselves? Do we set the right example? Do we tackle our “should” list before gliding into wants? Now back to 3D TV: when we see a 3D movie, isn’t it a more rich, complete and awesome experience than a one dimensional TV show? The same applies to our lives. In my experience, our existence happens in three dimensions: physical, emotional/mental and spiritual. Just by a simple analogy life can be more rich, fulfilling and complete when balanced and symmetrically applied in all three dimensions rather than only one or two. If somebody works by sitting at a computer for eight hours a day, it is wise to balance it with some physical activity (sports, gardening, etc.). Six days of work and sports need a balance of spiritual Sunday (Saturday for some folks). Everybody needs different balance, but all of us need it. Now about the kids: most of us parents notice their physical needs. They need food, clothing and transportation to and from sports or other physical activities. Most of us notice that mental activity is usually taken care of by school teachers and homework. How about emotional growth and development? What example in this arena do we set for the next generation? Do our kids know how to hug, love, forgive and empathize? How about our own spiritual lives? Are our parental hearts peaceful? Is there fear, anger, grief or sadness in our own lives? Do we talk about it enough? Are we able to share and support each other? Do we reach out and try to understand each other’s problems or pain? I walk my son to school in the morning and we pass approximately 30 other parents walking their kids to school. It is a fact that only about 2 out Piotr Ulmer established CTS Physical Therapy in 2001. A native of Warsaw, Poland, he received his Master of Rehabilitation degree from that city’s Academy of Sports in 1991. He formerly served as the director of an outpatient physical therapy clinic in Clarksville, TN and as a Sports Medicine Physical Therapist in Knoxville before starting CTS Physical Therapy.
“I walk my son to school in the morning, and we pass approximately 30 other parents walking their kids to school. It is a fact that only about 2 out of 30 people respond to ‘Good morning.’” of 30 people respond to “Good morning.” Most of us avoid looking at each other altogether. Do we think about our kids seeing it? Is this the example we want to give to them? Maybe before we help our kids, we need to talk amongst ourselves and support each other. What if we meet once a week in small groups and talk about our own balance of physical, emotional and spiritual lives. Maybe we can try to say “Good Morning” to each other? Maybe we don’t have to go to the movies to escape our God-given and precious REAL lives? Why not try living in “3D” for real before escaping to the theater and putting on someone else’s glasses in order to see?
Kiger Ranch Camp • Complete working ranch camp for youth 8-18 • General ranch work from the barn to the fence row • Basic horsemanship and cow work from the ground up • Practical ranch roping, cow penning, and cow cutting • 6-8 campers per session, lots of time in the saddle • A variety of horses to ride, or bring your own! Contact us today for more information or a visit: Kiger Ranch Camp 1141 Taliaferro Springs Rd Lyerly, Ga 30730 roknhorse0603@aol.com
706-506-5526 • facebook: Kiger Ranch Camp
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Knoxville Parent • April 2012
Servings from the Cereal Bowl
By Dave Loftin
Sample the Saturday Morning Cereal Bowl
Grab you kid and a cup of coffee and tune in to the “Saturday Morning Cereal Bowl,” hosted by Dave Loftin Saturdays from 8 to 10 a.m. on the Web at WAWL.org. He posts his weekly playlists on SaturdayCerealBowl.com. And now you can take your cereal bowl with you�in podcast form! Go to SaturdayCerealBowl.podbean.com, or simply search the iTunes store. Don’t worry, parents, it’s free!
Lunch Money Dizzy
© 2009 Molly Ledford Lunch Money (trio Molly Ledford, Jay Barry and J.P. Stephens) keep the music pumping on their sophomore release, Dizzy. Lunch Money cranks out some simple yet very entertaining tunes for the tots—but don’t read “simple” as boring or childish. This disc is full of great music and great songwriting. Dizzy starts off with a wonderful tale of taking a wagon to the library, loading it up, and frying your brain with all the great stories you’re pumping into it. “It Only Takes One Night to Make a Balloon Your Friend” is a folksy ditty about how to keep a new balloon around. And the title track could start the biggest dance craze since The Twist. Lunch Money is a band you’ll want your kids to listen to for a long time. Molly’s sweet voice and the band’s playful tunes will stick with you and your kids for years to come…in a good way!
Captain Bogg & Salty Emphatical Piratical © 2009 Scabbydisc Music
The scallywags of Captain Bogg & Salty return with their fourth album—and, yes, if you haven’t guessed by the band’s name, there is a heavy pirate theme. This time around, the music takes on an island flavor, but the silliness of the band’s previous releases stays firmly intact. “Port Side,” a song describing each part of the ship, is sung in a very eerie, but well done, Primuslike vocal style. Your kids can swab the deck (or the kitchen floor, if you prefer) to the rhythmic tune “Bunnyjacks.” And don’t miss the Ventures-style instrumental, “The Plank Walker.” Captain Bogg & Salty can easily be passed off as a gimmick, but listen closely and you’ll find there is true musicianship and pure talent throughout the disc.
What is the summer slide? On average, students lose approximately 2.6 months of grade level equivalency in math over the summer months according to the Johns Hopkins University Center for Summer Learning. At Mathnasium, your child could not only retain his or her math, but gain ground and confidence for the next school year! That’s why we say...
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Knoxville Parent • April 2012
Ten Terrific Books About Hiking Sheep Take a Hike By Nancy Shaw Reading level: PreK – 1st Sheep lost on a hike discover a trail of wool that they have left behind which helps them find their way.
Compiled this month by Shelley Headrick Children’s Department, Chattanooga Public Library
Sammy Keyes and the Wild Things By Wendelin Van Draanen Reading level: 5th – 8th Super sleuth Sammy Keyes joins forces with the Girls Scouts on a hike and camping trip.
Alvin Ho: Allergic to Camping, Hiking, and Other Natural Disasters By Lenore Look Do Princesses Wear Reading level: 2nd – 4th Hiking Boots? Young Alvin Ho is By Carmela LaVigna afraid of everything, Coyle so spending time in Reading level: PreK – 1st the great outdoors A little girl asks proves to be a her mother various daunting experience. questions about princesses, including if they wear hiking boots and play outside. Halfway to the Sky By Kimberly Brubaker Bradley Henry Hikes to Reading level: 5th – Fitchburg 8th By D.B. Johnson Twelve-year-old Reading level: PreK – 3rd Dani and her mother Unlike his friends, hike part of the Henry decides the Appalachian Trail. best way to travel to Fitchburg is by walking. Pocket Guide to the Outdoors: Based on My Side of the Mountain Little Red Riding Hood By Jean Craighead George By Gennady Spirin Reading level: 5th – 8th Reading level: 1st – 3rd This outdoor guide provides In this beautifully excellent information illustrated version of for hiking and camping the classic story, a girl enthusiasts. walking in the woods to her grandmother’s house meets a dangerous wolf.
For libary information in your area visit: http://blogs.knoxlib.org/
The Divide By Elizabeth Kay Reading level: 5th – 9th A hike along the Continental Divide in Costa Rica changes drastically for Felix when he is transported to a fantastical world.
Trouble By Gary D. Schmidt Reading level: 8th – 12th After the death of his brother, Henry and some friends climb Mt. Katahdin in Maine.
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Knoxville Parent • April 2012
Knowledge you can use
The Homework Debate
Help your child get the most out of studying at home by Sedonna Prater, Principal at Sacred Heart Cathedral School
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ecently, homework has been the source of a national debate: to do or not to do, that is the question plaguing educators and parents alike. Books such as The Case Against Homework by Nancy Kalish and Sara Bennett, as well as Alfie Kohn’s Mrs. Prater, Principal at Sacred Heart Cathedral The Homework Myth, School reads to 3rd grade students in the library. have challenged educators to reflect on the benefits of homework. Several major newspapers and magazines, such as Time and Newsweek have further incited this issue through articles such as “The Myth About Homework” and “The New First Grade: Too Much Too Soon”. Although it is not my intent to expound on the contents of this literature, a synopsis of the central message would be helpful. These articles tend to focus on the following negative effects: •
Satiation (or loss of interest) in academic material because of physical and emotional fatigue.
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Denial of access to leisure time and community activities
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Increased academic dishonesty (cheating) because of the pressure to complete the work and achieve exemplary grades
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Increased difference between high and low achievers
Educational leaders and proponents of homework counter with the positive impact of homework emphasizing practice and reinforcement of skills, as well as the development of positive study habits and organizational skills. Through periodic review of the educational literature concerning homework and other best educational practices, as well as analysis of their own educational experience, every teacher should be able to establish a core belief in the importance of homework for student development. The positive effects from homework include the following: •
Practice in specific learning tasks directly related to content presented during the day
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Application of reading, writing and math skills which improves student achievement
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Development of personal study skills and self-discipline - such as responsibility and time management
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Parent communication (homework keeps the parents informed about the curriculum, class activities and policies)
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Positive parent-child interaction through shared learning opportunities such as reading together or studying for a test
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The administrative benefit of extending the day though Evening
Learning Opportunities (ELO time). This assists the school in meeting state and national curriculum standards by providing teachers more direct instructional time during the day rather than review and practice.
“One of our learning goals at Sacred Heart Cathedral School is to foster personal responsibility in student learning. We believe this promotes habits of selfdiscipline and encourages student ownership of their education.” One of our learning goals at Sacred Heart Cathedral School is to foster personal responsibility in student learning. We believe this promotes habits of self-discipline and encourages student ownership of their education. After all, learning is a life-long process not just a school occupation. As with any practice, Parental involvement should be helpful and supportive, so we encourage parents to support their child with positive recognition and encouragement, monitoring work completion, supplying the resources for school supplies and materials, and by creating an environment that is conducive to learning. If you find that you are doing more than the above in order for your child to be successful, it may be time to discuss your child’s academic concerns and/or learning habits with his/her teacher. Teachers are trained to teach, and together you should be able to come up with ideas on how to improve your child’s homework experience. It is critical for future success that students develop a love for learning and a desire to understand completely what they are learning. We strive to teach them that learning is a lifelong pursuit. Homework assignments are meant to extend, enrich and reinforce learning. However, if the amount of homework exceeds the recommended time, I advise parents to do the following: •
Keep a homework log tracking the time your child has spent on homework each day over a two-week period. In addition, you may want to log all evening activities, such as after school sports or other scheduled extra-curricular activities. Children should have quality family time, as well as outside co-curricular activities. As in all things, balance is the key to success.
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After you have gathered data from the homework log, you may want to contact your child’s teacher for a conference to discuss this information.
Keep in mind that homework concerns should always be addressed on an individual basis. Even siblings do not always have the same learning styles and habits, so it is important to examine each individual situation on a student-by-student basis in order to determine the best approach.
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Knoxville Parent • April 2012
Raise Your Hand If You’re Shy Dear Childwise: My son is very shy and his teachers say that he isn’t answering questions in class. Are there any afterschool activities that you might suggest that could help him with his shyness? Not Too Shy to Ask Dear Not Too Shy, Many schools offer after-school sports, such as basketball, tennis, and even track! Additionally, some schools offer after school clubs and/or classes, such as art, music, or boy/girl scouts. Volunteering at a local non-profit organization is also an option. These types of activities foster leadership, communication, teamwork, and other interpersonal skills. Gaining confidence during these activities might carry on into the classroom.
Homework Rules! Dear Childwise: My daughter is in elementary school and is starting to have a lot more homework than last year. It is getting to be an argument every night. Are there any strategies you can suggest to make it easier? Running Out of Erasers Dear Running, As children get older and the workload increases, it is typical for homework time to become more of a challenge. Does your child have a set homework time? Children are more comfortable when a routine is in place, so setting a specific time for homework every night might be beneficial. Also, it is important to give students a break after school!
Casey Jacobs is a school counselor based in Chattanooga, TN. She nurtured her passion for working with children at Siskin’s Institute and teaches character education. Please note: the responses provided are for general information only and are not intended to represent or replace professional consultation or intervention specific to a particular child or family. Do you have a parenting question? Send it to Childwise c/o Knoxville Parent via e-mail: KnoxvilleParent@gmail.com.
They have been working hard all day. Having a break may allow your daughter to relieve some stress and make homework easier. My final suggestion would be to set up a reward system for her, such as a sticker chart. If she completes her homework without arguing all week, then she can receive a special treat of her choice on Friday. Good luck!
The Warning Signs of Bullying “Children are more comfortable when a routine is in place, so setting a specific time for homework every night might be beneficial. Also, it is important to give students a break after school! ” Dear Childwise: I am worried that my middle-school child is being bullied but she is telling me she is not. What are the warning signs that I should look for? Concerned Parent Dear Concerned, The warning signs that a child is being bullied vary tremendously for each individual. Some major warning signs to look for are withdrawal; lost of interest in school and other activities; difficulty concentrating; sudden changes mood or behavior; and changes in eating and/or sleeping patterns. Not every child reacts the same way. If a parent suspects their child is being bullied, they should contact their school administrator and/or school counselor immediately. For more warning signs and tips, a great website is www.stopbullying.gov.
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Knoxville Parent • April 2012
Nutrition, food, and fun
Kitchen as Alternative Learningscape By Liza Blair
W
e’ve heard the saying, It’s not the destination, it’s the journey. Well the same can be said for how children learn. Learning that’s more processbased helps children develop stronger visceral and cognitive connections. This is when the steps to achieving the intended goal are just as important, and sometimes more, than the desired outcome. This is especially true when working with food. How to make a salad is about making choices based on experience and curiosity. What happens if you mix salad greens with beets and egg? Is it still a salad if there is no lettuce? Questions like these help a child identify solutions that can lead to the process of understanding. Process-based learning carries over into everything we do: from designing art and kitchen lessons, to exhibit objectives and writing curriculum. And sometimes the best learning takes place in the most unexpected places. CDM’s Culinary Corner is recognizable as a kitchen space. But it’s also a space for reflection and contemplation, a place for sensory development, a place for peer learning, a place for adult and child engagement, and a place for integrating other modes of teaching, such as science, math, geography, chemistry and language arts. Utilizing alternative spaces where process-based learning can happen is a fun approach to making learning more interesting, for both the learner and the instructor. And a kitchen can be just the place. Kitchens provide a multisensory space for young children to experience creative learning. And it can be fun for parents too.
o make t w o or h : ions f arningscape t s e g g su e le some creativ e r a a o e t r ner He hen in ring din c a t p i e k r p r en you ipe nts wh
rec edie ps in a ith ingr e t w s s g e nts in m ingredie follow nting ga t y u n b o e r c g e in y f ows • Pla equenc g new and dif w it gr s o h h d it are n w a tasting • Help ipe usin comes from , g c e in r l e a up your od ing, fe • Make e food , smell here fo g h w t in r t t a u u e abo h: t s abo • Talk h, touc rsation c e u v n o t o , c ool h ’s sch o begin d • Touc t il s h y c a tw eam your all grea can st porate r o w c o in s H at on. s to child e ttle? g less nd way in fi h : c e a nd a ke iv e a t t a r e e r n t e c a • Be kitch ing w ing boil into a s u k r t o h w aug all, re be t ost of pressu m t u B FUN! HAVE
“Kitchens provide a multi-sensory space for young children to experience creative learning. And it can be fun for parents too.”
Photog rapher Vict making healthy oria Mason an d her so tr always n deliciou eats together and the love s. lessons are
Liza Blair is arts manager for the Creative Discovery Museum in Chattanooga, Tennessee.
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Knoxville Parent • April 2012
A Civic Personality By Gregory Vickrey
A
friend once described a with my rather loquacious speeches civic personality as, “a blend from on high, where should I source of constant curiosity, inventive these civic reals and ideals? thinking, resilience in the face In my case, it turned out to be flow of obstacles, and a willingness to of daily life. share credit with one’s deserving Rather than lecture (and lecture colleagues.” Admittedly, I was a bit and lecture...) on the responsibility confounded by his words. Through of teamwork and collaboration, I my work and life experience I took my daughter to nearly every thought I had done well to adapt soccer practice I coached, those a civic mindset, grounded in the with older boys and girls who could concept of treating people as I, manifest the concepts through myself, would like to be treated. I action. Once beyond the boundaries didn’t consider the complications of simple listening and observing, and nuances of the world around she acted, too. me to any great depth. Rather, Rather than bemoan (and bemoan I utilized the one-size-fits-all and bemoan...) the news reports Photo courtesy North Chickamauga Creek Conservancy paradigm to justify action, establish of stand-still national politics and leadership, and seek positive global crises, I took my daughter Gregory Vickrey sees hope for the future in guiding young children to protect nature and to advocate for conservationism. outcomes. to grounds near the White House Until my daughter was born. on July 4 and raised my voice, As I watched her grow from with others, to decry calamity months to years, my friend’s words and corruption and crime. Once returned to me in real-time action. Through her and her playmates, accustomed to the heat of the day and the camaradie of a crowded square, I could witness those things he associated with a civic personality. her voice sang, too. Curiosity. Inventive thinking. Resiliency. Sharing. And it dawned on Rather than assume there is a proper age for understanding local politics me that those traits, so inherent to the active (living, doing) part of the and business, I took my daughter to the Hixson Council of the Chamber Golden Rule, should be nurtured, cultivated, and cherished. The kids, of Commerce, introducing her to a plethora of personalities and publicly in fact, already possessed an in-born pathway to civic participation and asking tough questions. Once fed and re-energized, she, too, had her own a passion for expanding it. My abilities to somehow harness that innate very serious questions and thoughts to share. awareness became a key component to my understanding of the world Rather than quickly describe what I do as director of a conservation and our individual and collective non-profit and talk about how busy responsibilities to face challenges, I am, most days I take my daughter explore opportunities, and achieve to Greenway Farm, my office, where remarkable communal balance. a watershed and nature become a With a natural tendency to be tactile playground for exploration, overly academic and overzealous, biological understanding, and I struggled to simply breathe and diverse human interaction in a assess this new state of reality. protected place. Thankfully, I had access to more Some nights, after she is asleep words from my friend. and my thoughts are my own, I “A deep personal sense of civic return to the words of my friend duty isn’t usually the result of and, amongst them, I imagine the enduring didactic lectures, much less the studying of bloodless civics journeys my daughter and I will take together, and those she will take books. True civic awareness is a flowing river with many sources - some as alone. small as rivulets and brooks, some as large as tributaries.” “The ethical fiber of a community is nourished by every small instance in So if texts laying about the house weren’t necessarily a prevailing force which its citizens stand up for what is right.” for awareness and guidance, and if a troop of 3 year olds weren’t enamored Continued on next page...
“Some nights, after she is asleep and my thoughts are my own, I return to the words of my friend and, amongst them, I imagine the journeys my daughter and I will take together, and those she will take alone.”
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Knoxville Parent • April 2012
...continued from previous page
In those words the civic personality exists - that blend of constant curiosity, inventive thinking, resilience in the face of obstacles, and a willingness to share. In our kids the civic personality is alive - the same blend, in-born and ready to be cultivated. In ourselves, the civic personality must be rejuvenated, updated, and enacted. “There’s no deliberate family recipe, or lesson plan, that can produce these traits. Some children will always want to rebel, and perhaps for the good; many more will simply go on with their daily lives, trusting that others will carry the weight of activism and engagement. But I feel that raising civically responsible children is most likely to happen in the kind of atmosphere my parents created: one of indirection and delights, strong examples and certain boundaries,
Photo courtesy Chattanooga Parent
Young Frances learned about conservationism and how mountains are made at a school expedition on Lookout Mountain.
“The ethical fiber of a community is nourished by every small instance in which its citizens stand up for what is right.” solitude and conversation, witness and respect, and, above all, the strength of parental love and sacrifice. All of this cannot help but nourish a sense of dedication to help one’s fellow human beings achieve a better life. And once this dedication takes root, it is likely to evolve into a self-starting maturity, into a personality that seeks out struggles for fairness and gets involved.”
The Tennessee Aquarium’s Keeper Kids program in Chattanooga uses hands-on experiences to teach children about taking care of the animals and protecting their environment.
Photo courtesy Tennessee Aquarium
No truer words.
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Knoxville Parent • April 2012
Head, Heart, Hands and Health 4-H is fun for everyone by Keith Bridges
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t started at the beginning of the twentieth century by a handful of people spread out across the United States as a way of bringing practical training to rural youth through the public schools. Today 4-H has grown into a fun, informal, researched based, nationally recognized non-profit organization that looks to broaden the horizons of youth across the country. 4-H has come a long way since the organizations traditional beginnings in 1902 which only included mainly agriculture and canning. Youth ages 9-19 now participate in 4-H through school meetings, community groups, after-school programs, home school, camps, and many other activities to develop their Heads, Heart, Hands, and Health. The variety of interactive lessons, activities, and projects offered through the UT & TSU Extension Knoxville and Hamilton County 4-H Youth Development programs are in line with over 100 of the Tennessee Curriculum Educational Standards and State Performance Indicators by academic area & courses by program area. Ultimately 4-H looks to develop life skills, leadership, and citizenship that will lead to creating more positive productive citizens in rural, suburban, and inner city areas. The 4-H programming of the 21st century offers interactive activities involving ethical decision making, workforce preparation, financial/ consumer education, science/energy technology, communications/public speaking and much more catered towards today’s youth. Membership in 4-H is free, however sometimes there are costs associated with participating in camps and conferences. From Monday May 28, 2012 – Friday June 1, 2012 The University of Tennessee Knoxville & Tennessee State University Extension – Knox and Hamilton County 4-H Youth Development programs will be providing an exciting summer camp opportunity at the Clyde Austin 4-H Center in Greeneville, TN. The five day four night summer camping experience in Greeneville is for boys and girls from 4th – 6th grades. The four priorities for this American Camp Association Accredited camp are safety, health, education, and fun. During the camp week participants will spend ninety six hours on the camp grounds at the Clyde Austin 4-H Center (http://www. clydeaustin4hcenter.com). Forty eight of those hours doing fun social activities, twelve hours eating nutritious meals in the cafeteria, and thirty six hours of rest, relaxation, free time, and socializing with other 4th – 6th grade youth from six other counties in East Tennessee. For every eight campers there will be one adult leader/Extension staff that supervises youth at locations all over the campgrounds. The 2012 camp theme is “Discover the Future” which will incorporate daily hands on science related activities and programs for participants at
Ultimately 4-H looks to develop life skills, leadership, and citizenship that will lead to creating more positive productive citizens in rural, suburban, and inner city areas. camp. Activities include swimming, archery, low caliber rifle range, group sports, fishing, nature hikes, leather making, crafts, woodworking, airbrushing, talent show, music, and much more! There are payment options for the camp which includes round trip transportation to and from Greeneville, TN, lodging in modern two story cabins separated by gender, daily meals in the cafeteria while at campsite, some free crafts, etc. Registration forms and video of the camp are available at website http://www.utextension.utk.edu/4h/ centersandcamping/index.htm in Knox County and http://hamilton.tennessee.edu in Hamilton County or by contacting the UT & TSU Extension – Knox County 4-H office at (865) 215-2340 and the Hamilton County 4-H office at (423) 855-6113 Monday – Friday from 8:00 am – 4:30 pm.
Photo courtesy UT & TSU Extension 4-H Youth Development. The 4-H programming of the 21st century offers interactive activities involving ethical decision making, workforce preparation, financial/ consumer education, science/energy technology, communications/public speaking and much more catered towards today’s youth.
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Knoxville Parent • April 2012
Sticking Together
Treating a medical condition as a family by Michael Kull
itting down with Gracee Brickhouse and her appropriate teminology, so that she can describe mother and father, Shalinka and Paul, one her condition to her parents. She knows what immediately gets the impression that Gracee, kinds of foods are safe and which ones pose risk. who just started Kindergarten, is more self-aware “We’ve all grown up with juvenile diabetes,” than most kids her age. She watches what and says Shalinka, “the entire family, including when she eats, she follows a disciplined daily our 16 year old son, Briar, and Garrett, our 12 routine, and she knows more about monitoring year old.” Asked what her brothers do to help, her health than most adults. Why this Gracee is quick to point out that mostly, “They heightened awareness at such a young age? pick on me!” But, then she adds, “They also Gracee is one of the three million Americans kind of take care of me. They ‘ground’ me when who have type 1 diabetes. Called juvenile they see me eating something I’m not supposed diabetes when associated with children, this to, and Briar can help change out my pump.” condition causes a person’s pancreas to stop And her friends at school? “I like to play with producing insulin. The condition can’t be my friends a lot, but when I have to check my prevented and, at present, it can’t be cured. The fingers when it’s eating time, like when I wanted best that can be done is to manage it through cake for my birthday, then I had to stop and David and Shalinka Brickhouse with their daughter, Gracee. continual monitoring and insulin doses. check my finger. They say, ‘Gracee that’s yuckee. While it’s not unusual for a child to develop juvenile diabetes, any parent who Why do you have to do that?’ I say it’s because I’m diabetic, and I have to do it. has learned about this condition in their child has had to come to grips very I’m the only one who is diabetic in my school.” quickly with the prospect of a life-changing event. Shalinka and David recalled And the thing Gracee wants most? “I want to find a cure,” she says. To that end. their surprise and concerns when they learned that Prodigal Primary Care is hosting their 4th annual their baby daughter, at only 18 months old, had been Family Fun Fair to benefit the Juvenile Diabetes diagnosed. “I remember coming home from the Research Foundation. JDRF is the leading global hospital thinking, I am never going to remember organization focused on research into juvenile everything I am supposed to to keep her healthy.” says diabetes and is the largest charitable supporter of that Shalinka. research. The event is scheduled for April 21 from 10 David adds, “At that age, Gracee couldn’t tell us am until 2 pm at the Prodigal Primary Care office, what she needed, and there is no way to predict 2911 Essary Dr. in Fountain City. It will feature games, what amounts of insulin she will need, especially as crafts, a jump house, baskets filled with donated a growing child, who is changing literaly every day. goodies for raffle and door prizes, and much more. Knowing you are doing everything perfectly, and still, You can get more information about the event by something might go wrong is frustrating.” visiting Prodigal Primary Care’s Web site: http://www. But as Gracee has grown up with juvenile diabetes, ProdigalPrimaryCare.com. Plus she has been learning from the very beginning how you can get more information After a prick of the finger, Shalinka checks to take more and more care of herself. Her parents about juvenile diabetes and the Gracee’s insulin levels using a portable metering have taught her how to check her insulin levels by JDRF by visiting http://www. device, a process that gets repeated at least herself by pricking her own finger. She has learned the jdrf.org. four times a day.
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Knoxville Parent • April 2012
The Family Table
A fresh approach to fresher food by Jeff Pfitzer and CP
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oday’s families are purposeful. Many make decisions about education, communities, wellness and nutrition with an eye toward the research, the environment, the global community and their place in it. The dinner table has always been at the core of the American family and today more of those tables reflect the move to going green for the sake of the family, their health and their community’s economy. Locally grown food is good food. It raised meat and poultry do not have the tastes better and it is fresher. Fresh food is hormones, “pink slime” and chemical healthier food. A typical piece of grocery processing that worry health conscious store produce travels an average of 1500 consumers. miles to reach your plate. The minute Unfortunately, many common industrial that produce is picked it begins to loose practices in the meat industry would never nutrient value. And, if it is going to survive be approved of by discerning parents if that long a journey, it is also probably they were aware of the conditions under specially grown for “transportability” which animals were raised and processed. and storage rather than for freshness and There are many good films like “Food Inc.” flavor. Shopping at your local farmers that can be great sources of information market feeds your family with food that about modern meat industries and teaching is grown and raised near where you live Photo courtesy Sustainable Chattanooga. tools for children and families. Seeing – often heirloom varieties that are not Even if your family doesn’t have the space for gardening industrial meat production in action can readily available elsewhere. Because it did space-saving options make growing herbs and vegetables be a powerful motivator to change how you not have to travel so far locally-grown food practical, affordable and educational for everyone. shop. While it is true that you will typically can be picked at is peak of freshness and pay more for clean locally raised beef pork ripeness. Local food is better food! or poultry visiting a local farm illustrates the difference and tasting locally Purchasing food from a local farm, or from businesses that support local grown meat is proof positive. farms, is an easy (and tasty) way to support your community’s economy. Not only is buying food direct from local farmers good for your family Local farms are small businesses who depend on community support for their survival. Less than 1/10 of 1% of food purchased for in-home Continued on next page... consumption comes from local farms. If each of us committed to just one meal a week featuring something from local farms and increased that number to 5% it would have over $100 million annual impact on our local economy. Meat and poultry are huge industries. Unfortunately, most of what is Let your child’s imagination soar while discovering raised commercially and sold at grocery stores comes from feed lots where their inner genius at Camp Invention, a weeklong they are fattened up and sold on a national or international market. If you adventure hosted at a school near you (Summer 2012). really want to know how your beef, pork, or poultry are raised, visit a local farmers market and meet the farmers who are committed to humanely Coming to Knoxville! Go online for raised clean meat. a location near you. Register your child @ Most of them will be quick to answer any questions that you have about www.campinvention.org or 800.968.4332 how they raise their animals and what they feed them. Buying locally raised animals is a good way to preserve open spaces and pasture land in your In partnership with: United States Patent and Trademark Office © 2011 Invent Now, Inc. All rights reserved. area and also to ensure that you know how your food was raised. Locally
“A typical piece of grocery store produce travels an average of 1500 miles to reach your plate. The minute that produce is picked it begins to loose nutrient value.”
Where Can You Save a City, Explore the World or Discover a Planet?
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Knoxville Parent • April 2012
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away from computer games and tv. If your family doesn’t have the room for a traditional garden there are space-saving options that make bringing your family and their food together easy. Hanging tire gardens, vertical hanging gardens and vertical bucket gardens are all great ways to teach your children about the healthy, sustainable practices while bonding, spending time outside and bringing terrific, healthy options to your family table. Community gardens are another great way to provide fresh healthy food for your family while increasing the quality time that you spend together outside and being active. Gardening with friends and neighbors is a good way to share knowledge about growing and preparing your own food. There are Photo courtesy Crabtree Farms. an increasing number of community gardens in and around the Chattanooga Community gardens and local organic farms add layers to the family and Knoxville areas. table. Whether you are tending the garden together or just cooking Each community garden is unique and eating together local produce and quality friendships make in how they are managed. Some everyone healthier and happier. operate as cooperatives, some provide only a place to cultivate your own harvest and others have a group or volunteer approach with weekly purchase opportunities. You can find many community gardens that are open for members or volunteers at growchattanooga.org or www. slowfoodknoxville.org. Crabtree Farms in Chattanooga, Greenway Table in Cleveland, Master Gardener programs, and your local Ag Extension agents are all excellent resources to learn more about gardening and connect with others with similar interests.
and community, but supporting restaurants who purchase directly from local farms is a way to enjoy tasty meals and support your local economy. In Chattanooga, you can visit growchattanooga.org or pick up a Tastebuds food guide or downtown local food map to learn more about restaurants that support local farms. You can also ask your server what they have that features locally grown food. Be sure to ask specifically what farm it comes from - it is a good way to learn more about your community and, if the restaurant does not buy from local farms you can let them know how important it is to you and your family. Learning about how food is grown and developing a relationship with your food are wonderful things to teach children. Not only can they learn about their food and the growing seasons, but gardening can be a part of a healthy, active lifestyle that gets children off the couch and
Mother-daughter weekend camp June 9 - 11
Skyland Camp: the place to be for girls ages 6-15. Overnight camp for girls in the Great Smoky Mountains
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Knoxville Parent • April 2012
What’s that smell?
How my child identified a potential serious medical condition By Paul Nations, D.D.S.
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ecently, I was having dinner at a local restaurant with my family. During the meal, a man walked by who had a strong unpleasant odor that got worse when he opened his mouth to talk or laugh. This would have been observed and quickly forgotten had there been only adults at the table. In my case, I had three children with me who happen to notice almost everything and are not governed by the adult constraints of what is “socially and politically correct” to talk about in public. My oldest daughter at least had the restraint to ask, “Daddy, why does that man’s mouth smell so bad?” when he was out of earshot. I quietly told her that the man probably had an infection in his mouth, hoping that this would end it. Of course I was dreaming. She followed with a barrage of follow-up questions that would be typical for any child, such as, “What kind of infection?” “Is he sick?” “What is causing the infection?” “Can I catch the infection?” “What is gum disease?” “Do kids get gum disease?” I was able to answer the questions to her satisfaction and the topic of conversation shifted to more appetizing subjects. Later, I thought about that incident and wondered how other parents would answer these questions. I had the benefit of experience relating to my profession as a dentist to recognize the distinct odor of infection, most likely caused by periodontal disease (gum disease). As one parent who definitely does not have all the answers to my kids’ questions, here’s what I said in reply to my child’s innocent (and persistent!) questions: Question: Daddy, why does that man’s mouth smell bad? Answer: Because he probably has an infection in his mouth. What you should know: There are several reasons someone might have bad breath that are not dental related, including sinus and respiratory infections, diabetes, acid reflux, tobacco use, and kidney or liver problems, but many causes of bad breath do involve the mouth and are diagnosed and treated by a dentist. Question: Where did the infection come from? Answer: It came from bacteria living inside his mouth. Question: Does he have gum disease? Answer: Well, he may have gum disease, because that is one type of infection that causes bad breath. What you should know: The most common problems, cavities and gum disease, are caused by bacterial infections. Often, these bacteria are the source of the smell and by curing the infection we can stop the smell and restore health. Question: What is gum disease? Answer: It’s a very serious infection that attacks the gums in our mouth, and it also attacks the bones that hold your teeth in place. If you have it and don’t treat it, your teeth could get loose and fall out. What you should know: The early stage of gum disease is called gingivitis and is reversible with proper dental cleanings and good home care. Question: Can it be fixed? Answer: Once you get gum disease any damage it has done can’t go back to normal, but it can be stopped by a dentist so it doesn’t get any worse.
“My oldest daughter at least had the restraint to ask, ‘Daddy, why does that man’s mouth smell so bad?’ when he was out of earshot.” Question: Can I get gum disease? Answer: Yes, but if you brush and floss every day and get regular dental cleanings and check ups, you can keep from getting it. What you should know: Everyone has different types of bacteria in their mouth. This is normal, but gum disease happens when there is an overgrowth of certain types of bacteria that are not removed by regular brushing and flossing and by cleanings at the dentist. Question: So, is that man really sick? Answer: Right now, the man’s mouth is not healthy, but if he does not get the infection taken care of it could make his whole body sick. What you should know: The main point to remember is that bad breath can be an early warning sign of some potentially major problem in your mouth. It is best to have this checked by your dentist, especially if you or your child suffers from persistent bad breath. Often, you can avoid future dental and overall health problems if the condition is treated early. Dental diseases are similar to many other diseases like diabetes, hypertension, and atherosclerosis in that they can go undetected for years. It is not until the condition is very severe that we tend to notice. Hopefully, my experience with my children will be a way to pass along some useful information to help you and your children enjoy healthy teeth for a lifetime. Dr. Paul Nations received his B.S. in Biology at Vanderbilt University and his D.D.S. at the University of Tennessee, Memphis, where he graduated with honors. He also completed one year in Advanced Education in General Dentistry residency at the University of Tennessee, Memphis and maintains a private practice at Cedar Bluff Dental Center, P.C. in West Knoxville.
Eagles Rest Ranch Spirit Horse Therapeutic Riding www.eaglesrestranch.com 423-421-3205
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Knoxville Parent • April 2012
Knox County Schools to hold 2012 Dine Out For Education
by Tracey Matthews, Knox County Schools Supervisor of Family and Community Engagement
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hirty-five Knoxville restaurants with 71 locations throughout Knox County will participate in the ninth annual Knox County Schools “Dine Out For Education” event on Tuesday, April 17, 2012. All participants have to do is eat at participating restaurant on April 17, and 10 percent of their pre-tax total will be donated to the Knox County Schools Partners in Education program. Proceeds raised from the 2012 Dine Out For Education event will be used to help fund Partners in Education programs, such as the annual Knox County Schools Career Day for eighth graders and high school students, the school coupon book campaign, Teacher Supply Depot, Schooled for Success, Barney Thompson scholarships, and various teacher recognition programs. More than $17,000 was raised from Dine Out For Education in 2011. Proceeds from past events have been used toward the purchase of a new diagnostic van for vision service programs, online research tools for school libraries, and defraying costs of the annual Knox County Schools Career Day. Dine Out For Education is part of the Knox County Schools Partners in Education program. Partners in Education connects schools throughout Knox County with nearly 600 contributing organizations, businesses, civic clubs, churches, government agencies and individuals who want to make a difference in schools with their time, talent and resources. Visit www.knoxschools.org for more about Dine Out For Education.
Participating restaurants for 2012 Aubrey’s 102 South Campbell Station Road East Emory Road at I-75 in Powell Papermill at Landmark Center 9208 Middlebrook Pike
Cities Cupcake Boutique 5201 Kinston Pike #3
31 Bistro 31 Market Square
China Pearl 11248 Kingston Pike
Back Yard Burgers Kingston Pike at Pellissippi Kingston Pike at Homberg area
Crown Plaza Mahogany’s Café 401 West Summit Hill Drive in Crown Plaza
Bruster’s Ice Cream 1043 Old Cedar Bluff Road 906 East Emory Road 7670 South Northshore Drive Brixx Wood Fired Pizza 10978 Parkside Drive 7403 Kingston Pike CiCi’s Pizza 8418 Kingston Pike 2885 Tazewell Pike
Chandler’s Deli 3101 Magnolia Avenue
Gondolier 1063 North Cedar Bluff Road It’s All So Yummy Café 120 South Peters Road Kitts Café 4620 Greenway Drive Lenny’s Sub Shop 2901 Tazewell Pike 4622 Kinston Pike 9335 Kinston Pike 522 Gay Street 150 Lovell Road Litton’s Restaurant 2803 Essary Road The Lunchbox Restaurants & Market Cafés 607 Market Street in Bank East Bldg 2250 Sutherland Avenue in Cherokee Mills 1225 East Weisgarber Road 9050 Cross Park Drive McAlister’s Deli 11140 Parkside Drive 2758 Schaad Road 232 Morrell Road
Salsarita’s Fresh Cantina Earthfare Shops at Turkey Creek Clinton Highway across from Target Fountain City across from the Duck Pond West Hills Shops across from West Town Mall Shoney’s Restaurant 2612 Chapman Highway 4020 Rutledge Pike 4410 Western Avenue 100 Walker Springs Road 4032 North Broadway 315 East Emory Road (Powell) Snappy Tomato Pizza 9450 South Northshore Drive 11507 Kingston Pike 10612 Hardin Valley Road Sonny’s BBQ 350 North Peters Road The Soup Kitchen 9222 Kingston Pike
Pelancho’s Mexican Grill 1516 Downtown Boulevard
Texas Roadhouse 1100 Turkey Drive in Turkey Creek 120 Morrell Road near West Town Mall 3071 Kinzel Way near Knoxville Center
Peerless Restaurant 320 North Peters Road
Qdoba Mexican Grill 7339 Kingston Pike
El Charro Mexican Restaurant 10420 Kingston Pike
Pizza Inn 5420 Clinton Highway
Famous Dave’s 208 Advantage Place off Cedar Bluff Road
Puleo’s Grille 260 North Peters Road off Cedar Bluff Rd. 7224 Region Lane in Straw Plains 110 Cedar Lane off Merchants Drive 242 Morrell Road at Deane Hill Centre
Quiznos 7220 Chapman Highway 9229 Park West Boulevard
Gatti’s Pizza 6909 Kingston Pike 7664 Oak Ridge Highway 6903 Maynardville Pike 11683 Parkside Drive
River Dog Bakery (Specialty Pet Food) 5201 Kingston Pike
Wasabi Japanese Steakhouse 226 Lovell Road Ye Olde Steak House 6838 Chapman Highway
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Knoxville Parent • April 2012
Knox County Schools PARENT UNIVERSITY “P.E.” (Parent Empowerment) Classes
District, School and Community-Sponsored Classes
April 2, 9, 16, 23, and 30: “Fountain City Scrabblers” (all ages) group meets every Monday at 6 p.m. at the Fountain City Branch Library. Join other Scrabble enthusiasts and pit your wits against other word lovers. April 2, 16, 23, and 30: “Job Skills Workshop” classes take place from 6 – 7 p.m. at Pond Gap Elementary School and are open to all parents with Knox County Schools. April 2&3, 10, 16&17, 23&24 and 30: (two days are required): “Adult Education Registration/Orientation” classes are held from 12:30 – 4:30 p.m. or 5 – 9 p.m. at the Historic Knoxville High School. Once you are registered, Adult Education Classes take place on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays from 9 a.m. – Noon and Tuesdays and Thursdays from 5:30 – 8:30 p.m. For more information, call 594-3622 to sign up for mandatory Orientation. April 3, 5, 10, 12, 17, 19, 24 and 26: “Nurturing Parenting” classes are held at the Child & Family Tennessee Building on Tuesdays from 10 a.m. – Noon and Thursdays 4 – 6 p.m. April 3, 5, 10, 12, 17, 19, 24 and 26: “Access Granted: Internet Assistance and Access” classes are held at the Phyllis Wheatley YMCA from 6 – 7:30 p.m. April 3, 5, 10, 12, 17, 19, 24 and 26: “GED Classes” take place at Pond Gap Elementary School from 4:30– 6:30 p.m. and are open to all Knox County Schools parents. April 3, 10, 17, and 24: “English Language Learners (formerly ESOL/ESL) Class” registration takes places every Tuesday at 9:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. at Historic Knoxville High, 101 E. 5th Avenue. Registration takes about 90 minutes. Call 594-3622 or email laura.inman@knoxschools.org or connie.marsee@knoxschools.org for more information. April 4, 11, 18, and 25: “ESL Classes” take place at Pond Gap Elementary School from 6 – 7 p.m. and are open to all Knox County Schools parents. April 5, 12, 19, and 26: “Women’s’ Support & Discussion Group” meetings take place at Pond Gap Elementary School from 5:45 – 6:45 p.m. and are open to all Knox County women. April 7, 14, 21, and 28: “Chess For Kids (of All Ages)” classes are held at the Knox County Public Library Bearden Branch at 2 p.m. April 9&10: “TRIAD and TN Dept. of Ed Autism Trainings” will host a two-day focused workshop on Related Arts in Knoxville. For more information and to register, contact Linda Copas at linda.copas@tn.gov or (615) 741- 7760. April 11: (10:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.) “Addressing Challenging Behaviors” training provided by ASA-ETC. Presenter is Vickie Barnes, M. A., CCC-SLP, Program Director/ SLP at UT’s Pediatric Language Clinic in Knoxville (location TBD) Class size limit to 30. Advance RSVP is required to ensure sufficient training and take home materials are available. To RSVP, email asaetc@gmail.com or call 247-5082. April 12: “Parents of Dynamic Rebels: A Group for Moms with Teens” meetings are held every second Thursday of the month at the Phyllis Wheatley YMCA from 6 – 7 p.m. April 12: “K-Town Family to Family Support Group” is for family members and friends of those suffering with emotional and behavioral challenges. Meetings are the second Thursday of each month from 6 – 7:30 p.m. in Knoxville. They offer a chance to talk with others who understand and can give emotional support, plus share ways to cope, exceed expectations, and achieve dreams. For more information, email scutler@tnvoices.org or call 474-6689. April 13: “Sibshops” is an event designed for brothers and sisters (ages 8 – 13) of children with special needs. It is a combination of fun, information, surprises, discussion, and more fun for everyone who attends. It is held at TN School for the Deaf (TDS), Cottage 322 from 4:30 – 8:30 p.m. Cost is $4 at the door, but you must pre-register to attend. For more information and to RSVP, contact Tina Prochaska at tinap@tsd.k12.tn.us or 5792429. April 15: “ASA-ETC’s Friendship Club Knoxville” will be going to the Kite Festival in Maryville and having a picnic at Pearson Park. For more information, email ASAETCFriendshipClub@gmail.com or call 981-5955 April 17: STEP is hosting a series of Lunchtime Leader Workshop webinars. Mark your calendar for these exciting upcoming trainings. All webinar times are 12:30 – 1:30 p.m. This month’s topic: “Assistive Technology Advances for Students with Disabilities.” Online registration is available at www.tnstep.org April 21: ASA-ETC’s inaugural “Piece it Together” family fundraiser in Knoxville. Plan to join them for puzzle games and fun. For details, email asaetc@gmail.com or call 2475082.
April 23: 6 p.m. – 8 p.m. ASA-ETC’s STEP Workshop “Communication and Conflict Resolution” in Knoxville (location TBD). Would you like to learn how to better communicate with your child needs? Does your child have an educational plan that is not being carried out and you want to know what steps to take? Come and learn about your part in your child’s special education, including the skills you need to work with the schools in the development of an appropriate education program (IEP) for your child and the process to follow if you are having difficulties making the special education system work. For more information and to register, email asaetc@gmail.com or call 247-5082. April 29: ASA-ETC’s 7th annual “Coast in for Autism” is a motorcycle ride that includes a meal, music, door prizes, and much more. If you can assist with door prizes or sponsorships, please contact Danny Huffaker at 660-8413. March 19-23, 2012: Spring Break for Knox County Schools’ students Other Dates to Remember: April 6-9: Knox County Schools are closed April 23-May 1: Knox County Schools TCAP Testing Free Family Resource of the Month: Do you have a group in the Hispanic community, who would be interested in a free legal presentation? Legal Aid of East Tennessee can come to your community or organization and offer free legal presentations on civil legal matters such as domestic violence, landlord/tenant rights, consumer fraud and more. For more information, contact Mercedes Strollo, Hispanic Outreach Coordinator Legal Aid of East Tennessee, 502 South Gay St., Suite 404, Knoxville, TN 37902. Call 637-0484 extension 1524 or visit www.laet.org. For details and more information about any class, please visit the Family and Community Engagement Web site at www.KnoxSchools.org.
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Knoxville Parent • April 2012
Helping Kids Understand About Money: Needs vs. Wants
by Kristina Canan, Knoxville TVA Employees Credit Union Marketing Specialist
Helping Kids Understand: Needs and Wants Understanding personal finance and how money works for you can make a tremendous difference to you and your family. It can heighten your financial well-being, increase your sense of control, and give you a more positive outlook on life in general. Learning good habits early in life can make managing money easier over the long run.
One lesson about money and finance involves differentiating between needs and wants. This distinction is essential for developing good money management skills. Without this foundation, kids may have trouble controlling their spending as adults, never appreciating the difference between a luxury and a necessity.
Long before they understand the concepts of saving, investing, or borrowing, kids sense the power of spending money. They see grown-ups show off their latest purchases, hear them talk about a relative’s new car, or watch while they give thanks for presents.
A great way to teach the distinction between needs and wants is to set up a savings account at the Credit Union. Allow your child to spend money on needs and encourage them to save for wants.
Family Activity Idea . . . . . . Make a list! Get a piece of paper and have everyone in your family write down what they spent money on this week. Review each list and determine which are needs and which are wants. You may have some lively debates about what is and what is not a necessity!
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Teaching your children money management skills is a critical part of their future. Good habits start early in life and the savings habit brings lifelong benefits. Here are some simple suggestions to teach your kids the value of money.
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Knoxville Parent • April 2012
It Is Our Responsibility
Talking to your children can make the difference by Chief Lee Tramel, Knox County Sheriff ’s Office
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s parents we have the awesome responsibility to raise our children in a safe and loving environment. Teaching them right versus wrong, good versus evil and hopefully how to be productive citizens able too give back to society. We send them to school, help them with their homework, teach them values that are consistent with our beliefs. So, with all that we do, how can it be that some fall into a complete downward spiral that leads to drug and alcohol dependency that can follow them for the rest of their lives? The article: The Nations Number One Health Problem, written by Nels Ericson a writer/publisher with the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention sheds some light on when and how our kids are most vulnerable. Research Findings: The findings of the report show that juveniles are experimenting with drugs, alcohol, and tobacco at young ages and at an alarming rate. Indeed, the data shows that attitudes toward drug use and patterns of drug, alcohol and tobacco use are often established early in life. The research suggests that significant changes in drug awareness take place between the ages of 12 and 13. Thirteen year olds are three times more likely to know how to obtain marijuana or to know someone who uses illicit drugs than are twelve year olds. By the eighth grade, 52 percent of adolescents have consumed alcohol, 41 percent have smoked cigarettes, and 20 percent have used marijuana. By the 12th grade, about 80 percent have used alcohol, 63 percent have smoked cigarettes, and 49 percent have used marijuana. Young people account for the majority of new users of many substances. The rising prevalence of marijuana use in the first half of 1990s was driven, in large part, by the increasing rates of new use among youth ages 12 – 17. Between 1990 and 1997, declines in the median age of first use of cocaine and heroin were accompanied by an upward trend in the rate of new cocaine and heroin users among 12 – 17 year olds. Tobacco use among adolescents, research shows, is a powerful predictor of other drug use especially among females. For adolescent males, alcohol use is a stronger predictor of progression into the use of other drugs. The age when adolescents first start using alcohol, tobacco, and illicit drugs is also a reliable predictor of later alcohol and drug problems, especially if that use begins before the age of 15. More than 40 percent of adolescents who start drinking at age 14 or younger develop alcohol dependence, compared with 10 percent of young adults who begin drinking at age 20 or older.
“Each of our children will have someone they are friends with who will ultimately make the decision to use illicit drugs, tobacco, or alcohol.” Often we as parents think of someone who deals drugs, and preys on our children, as a shady character lurking around a corner waiting to pounce at a vulnerable moment. In fact, the ones that are most likely to introduce your children to illicit drugs, alcohol and tobacco are their class mates or neighborhood kids they are playing with everyday. The National Household Survey on Drug Abuse has some equally disturbing statistics. According to the NHSDA more than half the youths ages 12 – 17 reported that marijuana would be fairly or very easy to obtain if they wanted some. Approximately one in four youths either strongly agreed or somewhat agreed that a lot of drug selling went on in their neighborhoods, and almost one in six youths had been approached by some one selling drugs in the month prior to the survey. An estimated 42 percent of youths reported that a few, most, or all of their friends used marijuana. Compared with youths who reported that none of their friends used marijuana (0.5 percent ), youths who reported that a few, some, or all of their friends used marijuana were more than 30 times as likely to have used marijuana in the past month ( 17 percent ). Each of our children will have someone they are friends with who will ultimately make the decision to use illicit drugs, tobacco, or alcohol. It is our responsibility as parents to talk to our children about the decisions they make, and how, even at the age of 12, those decisions can directly effect the rest of their lives. Lee Tramel is the Assistant Chief Deputy for the Knox County Sheriff ’s Office. During his 26 year career, he also served in the civil warrants division and as Assistant Director of the Court Services Division. Lee is a Knoxville native, where he lives with his wife and 10 year old daughter.
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Knoxville Parent • April 2012
Finding the Path By Charlie Daniel
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s a 6th grader I thought every capable, willing kid would love a camp as cool as Camp Palomar in San Diego. When my turn came, off I went for a week of hiking, animal and plant study and my first experience away from home. I left there with an entirely new sense of identity and a different view of the world around me. It changed me and I loved every minute. My life has come full circle and now two boys call me daddy. How cool is that? I actually had a hand in making such wonderful little humans and now I have the opportunity to teach them about our beautiful world. Experiencing nature has always been dear to me and I do my best to share that with Noah and Jack. I don’t just hike beside them or spot them bouldering. When we’re paddling around McClellan Island and watching the Blue Heron and Osprey I don’t just paddle and point. Guiding boys is about teachable moments. That’s what I learned at Camp Palomar and that’s what I want to pass on to them.
“For the next half mile I used those rather insignificant marks as a metaphor for following the right path. I laid in the tent that night and thought about our conversation and the path he would choose.”
Noah and I were hiking and camping along Jacks River and I had a litany of questions flying at me. “ Photo courtesy Charlie Daniel Daddy why are there paint marks on some trees?” I replied without thinking, “That’s the way to go son”, Charlie and his sons learn about more than trees and it hit me. For the next mile I used those rather and trails on their adventures. As a guide with the insignificant marks as a metaphor for following the Adventure Guild Charlie knows that life lessons can right path. Wow. I laid in the tent that night and be around the next bend in a trail. thought about our conversation and the path he would choose. I smiled the whole time. For a 6 year old, a 55ft. climbing wall must seem daunting. To celebrate Jacks 6th birthday we invited all his friends to Coolidge Park to test their mettle at The Adventure Guild’s Walnut Wall. After the initial shock and neck- breaking stares the boys played a game of “who’s first?” Jack said, “ I’ve done this before. I know the way, I’ll show you.” As Jack climbed higher, his classmates cheered on. As their cheers became louder, Jacks confidence grew. He climbed to the top, looked down with the biggest smile in history, and the bids for “next” began. The enthusiasm was palpable and all because of the positive reinforcement from the group….of 6 year olds. At the Ruby Falls Zipstream Aerial Adventure I seized on the opportunity to teach them about teamwork and encouragement. Traversing a series of obstacles and moving elements while harnessed and often times far off the ground is trying for most adults. After a thorough demonstration they set off walking cables and helping each other transition from swinging logs to a net bridge and awesome obstacles. At the zip line I sensed quiet conversation as my sons decided who would be first. Noah was slightly apprehensive, but methodical in his testing of the gear. Jack said, “You got it brother.” Noah did have it. He went, he shouted and we all smiled. As we walked down the hill I thought about Camp Palomar, my adventures, and how the lessons I learned just played out 27 years later. Nature can be the best classroom, and the metaphors for living a happy, healthy life are everywhere. Share those with your children and watch them grow and understand. Who knows, you just might have a little fun too. Charlie and his sons learn about more than trees and trails on their adventures. As a guide with the Adventure Guild, a regional adventure-based, experiential education and recreation company based in Chattanooga, TN. Charlie knows that life lessons can be around the next bend in a trail.
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My love for my country led me to serve as a medic in the United States Army during the Gulf War. It was only after treating my first soldier that I realized my true passion for medicine. Throughout my time serving in the Military I took pride in treating both American and Iraqi troops. As Medical Director I was in charge of the well being of over 2000 American troops and 5000 Iraqi soldiers. I found such solace in treating others that my passion to help those in need grew. I feel truly blessed in not only being able to help those in need, but also that I am able to have a career in something that I truly love doing. After my discharge in 2007 I continued my medical career working in various Knoxville area hospitals and emergency rooms. There I was able to witness first hand patients becoming unsure and disillusioned with where America’s Healthcare system is headed. Constant changes, and battles between patients and insurance companies has lead to our healthcare system becoming more of a deterrent than a solution. With the uncertainty and current state of America’s healthcare system I decided that I wanted to open a facility that was community friendly, conveniently located and affordable. In 2010 Prodigal Primary Care opened their first location in Farragut. Since then we have expanded to five locations around Knoxville and have also opened an Urgent Care Facility on Watt Rd. The Urgent Care facility provides patients with a fast response for urgent medical needs as well as top of the line care. Our facilities offer care for anyone ages two and up. We offer, but are not limited to, the following services: • • • • • • • •
Physicals Treatment of Hypertension Allergy Treatment Diabetic Care Sick Care Immunizations Tissue Excisions Joint Injections
. For me the ability to trust in someone or something begins with the character of that person or thing. If character is in question then trust is not easily earned. I feel character is defined by a simple phrase “ Who you are when no one is looking” the same can be true for our company. To find the real character of prodigal Primary Care you have to look past the materialistic aspects of our facilities, or the initial visions and reasoning behind opening this company. There are many medical business around Knoxville, that when you look from the outside in, seem to look pretty much the same. However, I feel a personal responsibility that patients are heard, informed, and involved in their medical needs. We have over 50 health care professionals that demonstrate on a daily basis a compassionate, caring, and unprecedented level of patient care that I believe many Americans feel no longer exists. Our family of Medical Assistants, Physician Assistants, Nurse Practitioners, and Medical Doctors are dedicated to providing a comprehensive approach to our patient’s medical needs. Our approach toward treating our patients is to ensure long-term health and longevity for them and their family. I encourage anyone who is looking for a health care provider whether for a family or their individual needs, to come see just what our character is made of and that their well-being is top priority for us. We are always accepting new patients at all of our locations and we accept most major insurances. - David Brickhouse, PA
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