SWFL Parent & Child Magazine - February 2018

FEBRUARY 2018

S W F L PA R E N T C H I L D. C O M

Healthy Moms Healthy Babies Healthy Families

www.ppcswfl.com | 239.275.5522

Happy Valentines Day!

Color the PPC Pals, then bring them into your doctor’s office where we will display them, or use to decorate in your own home.

www.ppcswfl.com | 239.275.5522 SOUTHWEST FLORIDA PARENT & CHILD » FEBRUARY 2018 » 3

contents »

swfl

parent&child

47

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Features

In Every Issue

31 brothers

9

Meet Matthew and Steven Singleton, whose story earned them the honor of child artists at this year’s Wine & Food Fest

29 teens Bright Futures scholarships receive an update

How to get college credit in high school

41 safety corner

19 single parenting

35 the mini party

Parents are the front line in preventing burns

For the love of pets

Cutting down the guest list allows parents to up the fun quotient

20 in the kitchen

On the cover

47 travel

One rule that will get everyone eating more vegetables

Matthew and Steven Singleton, 5 and 7 respectively, of Naples.

See their story on page 31.

.COM

Dinosaurs return to Naples Botanical Garden

17 ask the expert

Inexpensive ideas to get some alone time with your sweetheart

ENTCHILD

27 kid stuff

The heart-wrenching task of disappointing our children

33 cheap dates

S W F L PA R

a mother’s view

Find out why Atlanta Is a favorite destination for Florida families

24 dining out FEBRUARY

57 voices

Mexico Lindo Restaurant in Cape Coral

2018

Social media can warp your child’s Idea of what’s normal

25 youth sports

58 a father’s view

PHOTO BY DOROTHY EDWARDS

The seven habits of effective sports parents

Detention. Yep, detention.

Other Departments 7 8 11 13

editor’s note online me time 5 things

14 42 50 51

fyi family album around town calendar

SOUTHWEST FLORIDA PARENT & CHILD » FEBRUARY 2018 » 5

OPEN WEEKENDS STARTING FEBRUARY 17

OPEN ON PRESIDENT’S DAY B Healthy, Active & Playful MONDAY, FEBRUARY 19

COLLIER COUNTY’S ONLY WATER PARK

All for One

One Million Gallons of Water Fun 5 Exciting Water Slides • Lazy River Four Pools • Splash Playground

15000 Livingston Rd. • Naples, FL • 34109 • 239-252-4000 • www.collierparks.com

6 » FEBRUARY 2018 » SWFLPARENTCHILD.COM

parent &child

editor's note »

swfl

S W F L PA R E N T C H I L D. C O M

Part of the USA TODAY Network

Volume 19, Issue 2 Dedicated to serving the families of Lee and Collier counties 2442 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.

Fort Myers, FL 33901 swflparentchild.com Annual subscriptions are $24.95 for shipping & handling. Email mcordero@fortmyer.gannett.com.

President & Publisher William R. Barker General Manager Kathryn Robinson Kinsey kathryn@swflparentchild.com Editor Pamela Smith Hayford (239) 335-0448 pamela@swflparentchild.com Art Director Lindi Daywalt-Feazel

Editorial Contributors Echo Copeland, Jim Dwyer, Jack Harrah, Christi Kulwicki, Kira Lewis, Sarah Lyons, Janis B. Meredith, Ann M. O’Phelan, Francine Wolfe Schwartz, Amanda Sterk, Andrea Stetson Photographer Amanda Inscore Vice President/Advertising Sales Nancy M. Solliday Specialty Publications Team Coordinator Dennis Wright dennis@swflparentchild.com Advertising Account Executive Nicole Holey (239) 281-6455 nholey@fortmyer.gannett.com

Distribution (239) 335-0211 Southwest Florida Parent & Child is a FREE publication distributed at more than 500 locations throughout Southwest Florida by The News-Press Media Group. All rights reserved. We make every effort to ensure the accuracy of the information published but cannot be held responsible for any consequences arising from omissions or errors. Any opinions expressed by writers and advertisers are not necessarily opinions of the magazine or publisher.

Celebrate

This month is all about celebrating. In this issue, we celebrate two brothers who maintain a special bond through one’s leukemia diagnosis. We celebrate our children’s birthdays with a somewhat novel idea: the mini party. And we celebrate romantic relationships with inexpensive date night ideas.

My husband and I have been terrible about setting traditional date nights. When the kids were little, we often couldn’t afford a babysitter or we were too tired. Mostly, we snuggled on the couch with a movie, which, looking back, was our version of date night. It only recently occurred to us that our kids can watch themselves now (they’re 15 and 12), and we made a dinner date at a fancy restaurant. It was divine.

Even if you think you don’t have time, or you’re too tired, I highly recommend making time to be alone together without the kids. It allows you to rediscover each other.

As our kids have grown, we’ve also discovered the beauty of smaller birthday parties. When the kids were little, we felt pressured to invite the whole class. Those parties were fun, but now we’re finding that mini parties — ones where the guest list is limited to two, three, maybe four kids — are a lot of fun, too. My daughter’s birthday is this month, and she wants to take her friends to see the new Black Panther movie. If we limit the invites to just a handful of girls, we can take them for ice cream or lunch afterward so they can discuss the movie and whatever else is one their minds.

Also in this month’s issue, we’d like you to meet Matthew and Steven Singleton, ages 5 and 7. Matthew was diagnosed with leukemia when he was 2 years old.

His big brother, Steven has been by his side through it all. The two were chosen to be the child artists for this year’s Southwest Florida Wine & Food Fest, an honor that typically only goes to one child. Their artwork is expected to raise thousands of dollars, possibly hundreds of thousands, to help other children at the Golisano Children’s Hospital of Southwest Florida.

We hope you’ll be inspired — and celebrate!

Pamela Smith Hayford, Editor

Member of

Contact us: We enjoy hearing from you. Send your photos, letters or comments to: pamela@swflparentchild.com. Or visit us online:

swflparentchild.com

SOUTHWEST FLORIDA PARENT & CHILD » FEBRUARY 2018 » 7

» online

swflparentchild.com Get the latest event information and family news every day at swflparentchild.com.

Date night ideas

More family events

In this month’s P&C, we provide several ideas for inexpensive date nights with the SO. Let’s learn from each other. How do you and your honey carve out time to be alone, without the kids? Share with us online at swflparentchild.com in the story comments or via Facebook, Twitter or Instagram. #DateNight

Miss an issue? SWFL Parent & Child magazine is available in its entirety online along with back issues, too. Looking for free kids’ meals? Check out our November issue. Looking for afterschool programs? Look into the August issue. Just visit swflparentchild.com, look for the big pink P&C circle and click on it (works with mobile, too).

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Follow us at @swflparentchild

We highlight the best weekend events for you every week on swflparentchild. com, part of the USA Today Network. You’ll never be bored again.

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Annual Kings’ Gala

Celebrating the Journey Saturday, February 24, 2018 | 6:00 pm LaPlaya Beach & Golf Resort

All proceeds will benefit Royal Palm Academy’s Academic and Fine Arts Programs. Come join the Greater Naples Community to celebrate Royal Palm Academy’s two decades of creating tomorrow’s leaders with an evening of dining, live & silent auctions, live music, and casino night.

Call RPA for your tickets at 239-594-9888 - See you there!

Royal Palm Academy NP-0000952320

8 » FEBRUARY 2018 » SWFLPARENTCHILD.COM

239.594.9888 | www.royalpalmacademy.com 16100 Livingston Road | Naples, Florida 34110

Kira Lewis of Cape Coral is mom to two children, a writer and founder of calmandchaosmama.com and sunshineandhurricanes.com.

a mother’s view » K IR A LE WIS

The

GETTY IMAGES

crushing NEWS I knew it wasn’t going to be easy.

In fact, I’d been putting it off for weeks.

I had to deliver some news to my daughter that was going to be incredibly disappointing. It hurt my mama heart to even think about it, and I was dreading it with every fiber of my being.

An opportunity had come up for our family to take an overseas trip near the end of the school year. Unfortunately, it meant that my daughter was going to miss out on an event that she’d worked hard to qualify for and that she’d been waiting to be a part of not just for months, but years.

I knew there would be future opportunities for her to participate in the same event, but not to take a trip like this. Overall, she would sacrifice a few hours for 10 days of once-in-a-lifetime experiences.

But it didn’t mean that she was going to be happy about it.

And that is why I was putting off telling her.

When our kids are unhappy, it makes us as parents uncomfortable. We feel like we’re failing them or doing something

wrong. So, we do all we can to avoid it or when that doesn’t work we try to fix it.

But as hard as it is for us to accept, sometimes it just is what it is. Sometimes life doesn’t go according to plan, and our kids are going to end up disappointed and sad.

When my husband and I finally told our daughter, the tears started welling up immediately. We wanted to talk it out with her. We wanted to justify our decision and tell her how awesome the trip was going to be, but none of that was going to change the fact that something she had earned and was counting on was no longer going to happen.

All she wanted was to escape to her room and cry.

So, we let her.

After a few minutes, my husband was having a hard time not intervening. I completely understood. Listening to her sobbing was soul crushing. “Just give her a little more time,” I told him gently.

As parents, it can be tempting to rush our children through the coping process, because it lessens the emotional impact on

us. The unintended consequence is that it can teach our children to stifle their emotions to please others, along with many other unhealthy behaviors.

Instead, we should validate their emotions and give them permission and space to feel those big feelings.

Yes, my daughter was going to have an absolutely amazing time on our trip.

We had made the right choice. But my daughter still had a right to be upset in that moment. She needed to grieve the loss of something that was important to her.

After a while, I did go in and check on her. I didn’t try to cheer her up. I simply stroked her back while she continued to cry. I told her I understood and that I loved her.

Later that night as I tucked her into bed, I pulled up some photos on my phone of where we would be going on our trip.

Those eyes that had been overflowing with tears just a few hours earlier, now started to shine with anticipation.

She was going to be just fine. All she needed was our understanding and a little time.

SOUTHWEST FLORIDA PARENT & CHILD » FEBRUARY 2018 » 9

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me time »

Un-wine-d Occasionally, we like to trade in a day of whining for an evening of wine and maybe even some adult conversation.

Have a little fun Sometimes we feel like our kids drive us to drink. Have some fun with your next gift to a mom friend with this sizable “Mama Needs Some Wine” stemless wine glass. It holds 20 ounces and comes with a gift box. $9.99 at Bed Bath & Beyond.

Chic and discreet Going on a picnic with your honey or an outing with friends? Keep your favorite vintage cold for hours in the Drink Purse.

The insulated cork tote has a disposable inner bag that holds up to 3 liters, so you don’t have to worry about fragile glass bottles. The spout is concealed by a flap that snaps shut. (We trust you’ll use it responsibly.) Comes with adjustable shoulder strap. $39.99 at Total Wine & More.

Yes, you can be No. 1

DATE

NIGHT

Writing names on Solo cups with a Sharpie is for kids’ parties. These gold wine charms by Viski Belmont are an elegant way to keep track of whose glass is whose at your next grown-up soiree. $16.99 at Total Wine & More.

Give some heart This Oleg Cassini crystal hematite heart-shaped bottle stopper makes an elegant hostess gift. $12.99 at Bed Bath & Beyond.

Rev up your romance at Zoomers. The amusement park in south Fort Myers and its awesome go-karts aren’t just for kids. In fact, drivers of the big karts must be at least 56 inches tall. For Valentine’s Day, Zoomers offers two wristbands for $49.99 that get you unlimited rides, two slices of pizza and two sodas. Or get the $54.99 bands that replace those sodas with two draft beers. The special offer runs February 11-16.

SOUTHWEST FLORIDA PARENT & CHILD » FEBRUARY 2018 » 11

Barbra J. Reed, D.M.D., M.S., P.A. Specialist in Orthodontics • Braces for Children & Adults

• New and Transfer Patients Welcome • Low Monthly Payments • Most Insurance Plans Accepted

(239) 596-2255 2550 Northbrooke Plaza Dr. Suite 100, Naples FL 34119 East of I-75 off Immokalee Road, Exit #111 Next to Bob Evans DISCLAIMER: FLORIDA LAW REQUIRES THE PATIENT AND ANY OTHER PERSON RESPONSIBLE FOR PAYMENT HAS THE RIGHT TO REFUSE TO PAY, CANCEL APPOINTMENT OR BE REIMBURSED FOR PAYMENT FOR ANY OTHER SERVICE, EXAMINATION OR TREATMENT WHICH IS PERFORMED AS A RESULT OF AND WITHIN 72 HOURS OF RESPONDING TO THE ADVERTISEMENT FOR THE FREE, DISCOUNTED, OR REDUCED FEE SERVICE, EXAMINATIONS, OR TREATMENT.

Not for profit, 501 (c)3 organization

HISTORY & SCIENCE CENTER

Virtual Fort Myers

The Past Meets the Present

As On n S ee

Travel Back to 1856 and Visit The Original “Fort Myers” as You Interact with the Environment Just like the Early Settlers.

2000 Cranford Ave, Fort Myers 239.321.7420 www.i-sci.org Tue – Sat: 10 to 5, Sun: 12 to 5 12 » FEBRUARY 2018 » SWFLPARENTCHILD.COM

5OFF

$

REGULAR ADMISSION FOR A PARTY WITH 3 OR MORE GUESTS. ONE COUPON PER PARTY.

CODE: P&C17

5 things »

This one’s got zing Want some tongue-in-cheek revenge on the parent? Get the Airstorm Z-Tek Bow. The bow launches its foam arrows more than 100 feet, screaming all the way. Kids will have a blast with it. $19.99 at zing.store, Walmart and Amazon.com.

Not little sister’s coloring books Crayola has a new line of coloring books and markers for older kids (and adults) that features popular characters and more complicated designs. Art with Edge sets are $6.99 to $15.99 at Crayola.com and most major retailers.

Gifts WITH POP Your child gets an invite to a classmate’s birthday party.

What to get the kid of honor? Here’s what kids are loving these days.

Add some sweetness Kids can discover the mesmerizing craft of felting with the Felting Bakeshop

by Geek & Co. Crafts. By pushing the needle in and out of the wool, it becomes tangled and compressed into firm shapes. The kit comes with accessories to help transform your artwork into wearable creations. For ages 8 and older. $24.95 at thamesandkosmos.com. Also available at major retailers, including Barnes & Noble and Toys R Us.

Keep ‘em guessing

The gift of bad taste

You don’t know which doll is inside the ball. But kids are loving these things — the L.O.L. Surprise! Confetti Pop. For ages 3 and older. Half the fun is opening the packaging. As you peel away layers and open compartments, you discover nine surprises and accessories for your doll, then finally, the doll. There are 35 to collect. $12.99 at major retailers, including Walmart, Target and Toys R Us.

This is for that kid who makes a new, outlandish concoction every time they’re near a Coca-Cola Freestyle machine. In the game Pour Taste, players choose six ingredients and fill each cup with one. Turn the spinner to find out which ones to mix. Then find out who’s brave enough to taste it.

For ages 8 and older.

Adult supervision required. We bet. $19.99 at Hasbro. com and many major retailers.

SOUTHWEST FLORIDA PARENT & CHILD » FEBRUARY 2018 » 13

« fyi

Farm to School programs get kids to eat their veggies

If your child attends a school with a garden, they might be eating more fruits and vegetables. A study by the University of Florida found that children who attend schools with USDA Farm to School programs, which often include a school garden, eat more fruits and vegetables. Researchers measured how much food kids threw away compared to what they were served and found that kids at Farm to School campuses ate 37 percent more vegetables than they did before the program was

adopted. They ate 11 percent

more fruit.

Local businesses honored for being family-friendly Child Care Resources recognized 46 businesses for their family-friendly practices at an awards event in late 2017.

The Bonita Bay Club and Arthrex tied as Employer of the Year in the large business category. Fun Time Early Childhood Academy received Employer of the Year in the small business category. Collier County Public Schools and Golisano Children’s Museum of Naples were runners-up in their categories.

Free guided nature walks in Naples The Conservancy of Southwest Florida offers free guided nature walks through April along the beach at Clam Pass or the Briggs Boardwalk at Rookery Bay. It’s a great way to learn more about the Southwest Florida environment. For meeting times and locations, visit conservancy.org/ offsite/nature-walks or call 239-262-0304.

$500,000 in local scholarships available The Southwest Florida Community Foundation is now accepting applications for scholarships for the 2018-19 school year.

All applications require the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA, available at fafsa.gov. About $500,000 is available through more than 50 scholarships for students from Lee, Collier, Charlotte, Glades and Hendry counties.

To apply, visit floridacommunity.com/scholarships. Deadline is March 4.

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Join the behavioral health conversation In January, several hundred health care and community leaders met at Florida SouthWestern State College in south Fort Myers with the goal of starting a conversation — and eventually action — to improve behavioral health in our community. One of the chief concerns at the meeting was getting children the mental health services they need. The discussion, organized by Healthy Lee, was meant to be a starting point. Another gathering is expected March 12 at First Christian Church in Fort Myers, and organizers hope to get many more people involved. Join the conversation at healthylee.com.

Mental health services for kids to expand Some 34,000 children living in Lee, Collier, Charlotte, Hendry and Glades counties have mental illnesses, local mental health experts estimate. Many get their first assessments in hospital emergency departments after harming themselves or abusing drugs and alcohol. The Golisano Children's Hospital of Southwest Florida recently announced it’s drafting a plan for an eight-bed inpatient psychiatric unit and outpatient mental health services. The special unit could open in 2019.

Healthy Life Center concept expands to Cape Coral The Healthy Life Center at Coconut Point has been so popular, Lee Health expanded the concept to the Wellness Center – Cape Coral, 609 S.E. 13th Court, Cape Coral. The centers provide a variety of programs to help families achieve better health, such as the Fourth Trimester Club for new moms, basic self-defense, various screenings and a book club.

To find upcoming events, visit leehealth.org/calendar.

Children's hospital named among top in nation The Leapfrog Group, a national hospital safety watchdog group, named the Golisano Children's Hospital of Southwest Florida as one of the nation’s 10 “Top children's hospitals” for the second year in a row. Golisano was among four Florida hospitals to make the list. Leapfrog determines top hospitals through a survey that reviews a range of criteria, including health centers’ rates of infections and injuries, staffing levels and procedures for ordering tests and medications.

SOUTHWEST FLORIDA PARENT & CHILD » FEBRUARY 2018 » 15

« fyi

(continued)

Singing valentines benefit children's hospital Want to do something highly unusual for your valentine this year? The Gulf Coast Harmonizers offer singing valentines.

Starting at $60, a barbershop quartet dressed in tuxedos arrives at the location of your choice, sings two love songs and presents a rose, candy and a card from you. Part of the proceeds benefit the Golisano Children’s Hospital of Southwest Florida. (The starting rate is for locations in Lee County. Call for prices to locations outside of Lee, 855-425-3631.) Get details at gulfcoastharmonizers.com.

Ocean Magic Happens Here At Sanibel Sea School, each day is filled with moments of wonder in the water. We offer day classes, camps and experiences for kids, families, and grown-ups, so come with us and be amazed.

For more information, visit sanibelseaschool.org or call (239) 472-8585.

A nonprofit organization.

Give teachers some love

Part Time & Full Time Options

• Infant (0-18 months) $1,250/monthly • Toddler (18-36 months) $460 - $1,055/monthly • Preschool & Kindergarden (3-6 years) $450 - $990/monthly

Enrichment Classes Offered

• Music Together • Piano • Suzuki Violin • Yoga Gardening & Fruit Picking • Redirecting Children’s Behavior Parent

Accredited by:

Quality Award:

DCF License C20LE0122

To Learn More Visit Us At www.msfortmyers.com or call 239.308.0042 2151 Crystal Drive, Fort Myers, Florida 33907 (In the Villas, near College Blvd. & US41)

16 » FEBRUARY 2018 » SWFLPARENTCHILD.COM

The Above and “BEE”yond Teacher Essay Contest by Applebee’s Neighborhood Grill & Bar is open for nominations.

One teacher from each school district will receive $500 to use toward their classroom next year and an end-of-year party for the current class. To nominate a teacher, students must submit an essay in person at their local Applebee’s explaining why their teacher should be Teacher of the Year. Students who submit an essay will get a free ice cream certificate. Entries are due March 31. Details available at dohertyinc.com/community-connection.

Scholarships for golf caddies Being a golf caddie could give your student a full ride in college. The Western Golf Association’s Evans Scholars Foundation awards hundreds of young golf caddies full tuition and housing grants. Applicants must have a strong caddie record, excellent academics, outstanding character and demonstrate financial need. The WGA Caddie Club offers training in the spring to students who are entering their freshman year of high school and who are interested in becoming caddies. The closest club to Southwest Florida is in Jupiter. Or students can attend the Caddie Academy in Chicago for seven weeks in the summer. Get details at wgaesf.org and wgacaddieacademy.org.

Amanda Sterk is founder of UnMaze.

Me, a high school resource blog, and director of dual enrollment at Florida SouthWestern State College in south Fort Myers. She has a doctorate in education.

ask the expert »

A M A NDA STER K

HOW TO GET COLLEGE CREDIT IN HIGH SCHOOL An expert in college admissions, Amanda Sterk sorts out the various options available.

H

igh school students have great opportunities to obtain free college credits even before graduating high school. Today, Florida provides many opportunities for students to accelerate their learning through various high school programming. Earning college credit in high school is beneficial for multiple reasons.

1. Cost savings: School districts often pick up the tab for tuition and books.

Sometimes there are some small fees, but at a fraction of the cost what a student would pay after graduating high school, including room and board, tuition, fees, books and other expenses.

2. Time savings: In Florida, it was found that fewer than 67 percent of Florida college students graduate in six years, according to the Florida Board of Governor’s Accountability Rate. While not widely discussed, college is taking longer to get through as students change their degrees, have trouble meeting prerequisites or enter programs that change their requirements. Having a student be able to focus on the generalized core courses or electives to determine their major, these credits can save students a substantial amount of time and stress.

3. Smaller classes: The generalized core courses at most universities often are large lecture halls filled with 100 to 300 students

and taught by professor’s assistants. Taking these courses in high school or on a state college’s campus guarantees small numbers and more personalized attention.

4. Career focus: The college course work allows students to see how they might enjoy specific career fields. Advanced lab reports, research, hands-on projects and in-depth teaching provides more opportunities for exploration into various career fields. Dual-Enrollment often offers industry certifications that can be directly employable after high school or with an additional semester or two.

5. Rigor and independence: Acceleration courses allow students to be treated as college students. Students learn to better navigate academic skills, such as time management, study skills, test preparation and note taking, to be a more successful student. Having both rigor and independence can be highly motivating for students to excel.

In Florida, you will find several acceleration methods, such as Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate, Cambridge AICE and Dual Enrollment.

The state college system found that whichever acceleration method students use, students went from graduating in 4.6 years to 2.6 years. However, many families have questions about each program and which is best for them. The following is a quick rundown:

Advanced Placement Implemented by the College Board, these standard curriculum courses are taught by high school teachers. Students are given an end-of-theyear test that provides them a score.

Strengths: AP is one the largest and oldest acceleration methods. It gives opportunities for all types of students to take singleton courses for potential college credits.

College credits are often given for certain scores, but not all universities accept AP credits.

Students can take courses they are stronger in rather than a whole program.

Weaknesses: While the student may do well in the classroom environment, some students struggle on the extensive standardized test. As well, colleges have differing scores needed to obtain college credit.

ASK THE EXPERT We welcome questions from readers. Ask us anything. We’ll find the answer. Send your question to editor@swflparentchild.com with “Ask the Expert” in the subject line.

SOUTHWEST FLORIDA PARENT & CHILD » FEBRUARY 2018 » 17

« ask the expert (continued) Cambridge AICE and International Baccalaureate The AICE and IB programs are similar in curriculum structure with an emphasis on intellectual rigor, high academic standards and strong emphasis on citizenship. Students often apply in eighth grade with standardized test scores, application and possible interview.

Strengths: Courses are taught in the high school setting, but the program becomes a “school-within-a-school” setting as only a select number of students may enter the program. Students may earn up to 45 credits through passage of the final, standardized test. The programs are internationally recognized. Currently students who earn the AICE or IB diploma are eligible for the Bright Futures Florida Academic Scholars full-tuition scholarship.

Weaknesses: AICE and IB are extremely rigorous, structured, writing intensive programs.

Some students do not thrive academically in this type of environment, some do.

Dual Enrollment/Early Admission/ Collegiate High School While many students have heard about dual enrollment, what is often not known is that there are multiple programs that can provide high school students with the flexibility to take one course or a full college semester (3-18 credits), with potential to earn their associate degree while in high school. DE courses are college courses that can be done in three ways: on a high school campus with a credentialed professor, online through the college or at the college campus. Unlike the other programs, dual enrollment students must meet state requirements of a 3.0 unweighted grade point average and specific test scores on standardized tests, such as the PERT, ACT or SAT (fsw.edu/dualenrollment).

Strengths: Florida statute requires all credits with passing grades to transfer to a four-year university or college. Coupled with the same course number system throughout Florida, transferability is simple.

College courses are also by semester, so students can earn credits at a faster rate than other acceleration methods that are yearlong, such as AP, AICE and IB. DE students have full access to

the college’s resources, such as the library, academic resource centers, tutoring, activities and honor’s program.

Weaknesses: Students are treated as a college student and are expected to have academic independence.

Students are creating their official college transcript.

As parents and students, the best way to start is to become informed on

the various programs available at your high school and within your county. Ask questions of the school counselor, other parents and community members about these various programs and what they believe are the strengths and weaknesses.

Understand what the requirements are for participation and make an academic plan to meet your student’s academic needs.

For more information, Amanda Sterk is holding a free webinar, “Acceleration: What is Best for Your Student,” this month at unmaze.me/online-classes.

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single parenting »

Echo Copeland is a single mom who lives in Southwest Florida.

ECHO COPEL A ND

Loving pets

Finned and furry friends have been a comfort and source of life lessons for only child.

R

ecently I was reminded of something I had forgotten for quite some time. I love animals. I know, right? At first glance, you would never think that I still mourn the loss of the momma duck that greeted us as I dropped off my child at school. I still remember seeing her feathers on the street and just knowing. Her six babies, thankfully, had been spared, and I made it a point to always look out for them.

Even more startling, if you try to go by my looks (you know that can be deceiving, right?), you would never guess that I have been getting pets for my daughter since she was 3. As a single momma with only one child, I felt responsible to have someone or something she could grow with and love.

What I wasn’t prepared for was the additional benefits to our family by having pets. As a single parent, there already seems to be a lack of everything, especially when it comes to your children and their aloneness. I realize not having a sibling or full-time dual parents can cause some heartache. I’m also not naive enough to think a pet can take the place of a human being — but, believe me, it helps.

I have learned a lot about life through pets — not only my own, but my daughter’s beloved friends, too.

Let me be clear. Until recently, most of my daughter’s pets lasted a few months. Her first one, Main-yah, (yes, she picked all the names), a Siamese fighting fish, lasted eight months. She was only 3 when we drove to Petco

Oreo

Murphy

and she picked him out of a line-up — of fish that is. “That, Esther, that,” her lightly accented, soft voice told me.

Yes, she called me Esther, but that’s another story for another day.

We took the fish home and thus began a love affair we had never known. He accompanied us on our frequent trips back and forth to Boca Raton to visit his “auntie,” his fins waving with each bump of the car on Alligator Alley. My daughter’s face lit up any time she left her Pooh bear long enough to gaze at his regal red tail. She fed him and loved him until one Saturday evening when he seemed a little off.

My mother had mentioned that he might need his bowl cleaned. I needed

to get some distilled water. I hesitated and said I would wait until a little later. Later never came. Main-yah breathed his last breath. Not thinking, I took him and flushed him down the drain. My daughter was sad but didn’t quite understand that he had died. She figured, Mom just wanted to send him to a bigger pond somewhere beyond the porcelain of the toilet bowl.

Another fish and hamster came and went, both dying horrible deaths.

One seemed to have cancer the way he deteriorated, until all that was left was only a slight representation of his regal beauty. As she got older, my daughter learned how to deal with death and mourn her friends.

Now, she has Oreo and her soulmate, Murphy. In December, Murphy, a dwarf hamster, turned 1. We both rejoiced to have a pet that lasted at least one year. Oreo is an impertinent — yes, I said it — little guinea pig and the love of her life.

Her hamster hitches a ride on her shoulder and is so content to spend hours just staying close to her. He is her confidant and comes with an added bonus: He never talks back, although there has been the occasional bite — no one’s perfect.

Pets teach all of us how to love. I am a firm believer that a child who is kind to animals knows the value of life. If someone can hurt an animal, that is someone who can hurt a person. My daughter will probably never have siblings, but her life is far from incomplete. She has the love of her cousins, friends, and her beloved pets.

Her kids. This grandma loves them, too.

SOUTHWEST FLORIDA PARENT & CHILD » FEBRUARY 2018 » 19

in the kitchen »

FR A NCINE WOLFE SCH WA RTZ

THE HALF PLATE RULE

Adopting this one simple guideline will make a big difference in your family’s health.

I

nstead of counting and measuring servings, fill half your plate with a rainbow selection of fruits and vegetables at each meal.

Choose fruits and vegetables rich in colors — red, orange and dark green are full of vitamins, minerals and fiber. They are relatively low in calories when prepared with little or no added fats and may reduce the risk of many chronic diseases.

The strongest connection between fruit and vegetable consumption and the prevention of disease was found for hypertension, coronary heart disease and stroke. Studies also show eating fruits and vegetables may lower the

20 » FEBRUARY 2018 » SWFLPARENTCHILD.COM

risk, to a lesser extent, for cancer, osteoporosis, asthma, dementia and serious eye diseases, like macular degeneration and cataracts. It might also prevent weight gain, which is a major factor in the development of Type 2 diabetes.

For maximum flavor and to save money, buy vegetables that are in season. Check supermarket specials for the best buys or take advantage of the local farmers’ markets. Shop with your child and let them choose several vegetables or fruits of different colors and let them choose one new vegetable or fruit to try.

Check the freezer aisle. Picked at their peak of freshness, frozen veg-

etables are quick and easy to use and are just as nutritious as fresh vegetables, and they are often less expensive than fresh vegetables. On hand, ready to use, there are no worries of uneaten fresh vegetables rotting before they can be eaten. Remember to choose frozen vegetables without added sauces, gravies, butter or cream.

A salad bowl is an easy way to add lots of vegetables and fruits to your day.

Use colorful vegetables, such as black beans or avocados, broccoli, spinach, sliced red bell peppers or onions, shredded radishes or carrots, and chopped red cabbage or watercress, apples, mandarin oranges, pears and grapes, too.

Francine Wolfe Schwartz is a food and consumer product consultant in Southwest Florida.

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How to eat more fruits and vegetables when dining out » Choose a soup/salad/sandwich mix and match. » Add vegetables to your sandwich. » Order a soup rich in vegetables. » Ask for salads with the dressing on the side to control calorie count. » Substitute a salad or vegetable for fries. » Create a vegetable plate by ordering several side dishes. » Choose stir-fry or fajita entrees. » 100-percent fruit and vegetable juices count, too.

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Southwestern Pork Stew Serves four

DIRECTIONS

INGREDIENTS » 13/4 pounds pork tenderloin, trimmed and cut into 1-inch pieces » 1/4 cup all-purpose flour » 1 cup (1 large) red onion, chopped » 11/4 pounds sweet potatoes or yams, peeled and cut into 1-inch chunks » 1 16-ounce package frozen whole corn kernels » 1 10-ounce can chopped tomatoes with green chili peppers » 2 cups low-sodium chicken broth » 1 teaspoon chili powder » 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin » salt (optional) » black pepper, freshly ground (optional)

1. In a medium bowl, toss the pork with the flour until coated, shaking off the excess. Coat a large pot with cooking spray and place over medium heat.

2. Add the pork and cook, in batches, for 5 to 7 minutes, or until browned on all sides and no longer pink.

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3. Add the onion and cook for about 5 minutes, or until soft. Add the sweet potatoes, corn, tomatoes with green chili peppers, chicken broth, chili powder and cumin.

4. Bring to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer for about 45 minutes, or until the potatoes and pork are tender. If stew gets too thick, stir in a little chicken broth or water.

5. Season with salt and pepper, if desired.

Photo courtesy of Nocera Photographic

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Banana Pineapple Breakfast Parfait

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Serve four

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INGREDIENTS » 12-ounce container of pineapple chunks (pre-cut in produce department) » 2 bananas » 11/2 cups red grapes » 2 cups plain or vanilla non-fat Greek yogurt » 1 cup low-fat granola » 4 teaspoons dried unsweetened coconut (optional) DIRECTIONS In four large glasses or pint-sized canning jars, layer fruits with yogurt and granola. Top with coconut. Eat immediately or cover tops of glasses or seal canning jars with lids and refrigerate, eating within 8 hours.

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FREE PRESCHOOL Early Learning Coalition of SWFL can help your family with Voluntary Pre-Kindergarten If you live in Florida & your child turns 4 YEARS OLD by September 1, your child is eligible for the VPK program.

Some 5 year olds are also eligible.

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www.elcofswfl.org Serving Collier, Glades, Hendry & Lee Counties | (239) 935-6100 22 » FEBRUARY 2018 » SWFLPARENTCHILD.COM

Soulful Greens INGREDIENTS » 1/2 cup chicken broth, lowsodium » 3/4 cup water » 2 pounds collard greens, washed and stems removed » 11/2 cups red onions, sliced (about 1 large) » 1 garlic clove, minced » 1/4 cup 100-percent orange juice » 1/2 teaspoon dried red pepper flakes (optional) DIRECTIONS 1. Heat chicken broth and water in a large pot. Bring to a boil.

2. Add collard greens and cook for 10 minutes.

3. Sauté garlic and onions for 5 minutes in a large skillet. Add orange juice and wilted greens.

4. Stir until well coated.

Simmer for 5 minutes.

5. Sprinkle with red pepper flakes and serve.

SOURCES: choosemyplate.gov and fruitsandveggiesmorematters.

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Kid-friendly ways to eat more produce » Dried fruits: Add to cereal, salads or enjoy just as a snack. Make homemade trail mix; use your favorite nuts and dried fruits, such as unsalted peanuts, cashews, walnuts or sunflower seeds mixed with dried apples, pineapple, cherries, apricots or raisins. Add whole-grain cereals to the mix, too. » Easy pizzas: Set up a pizza-making station in the kitchen. Use whole-wheat English muffins, bagels or pita bread as the crust. Have tomato sauce, low-fat cheese and cut-up vegetables or fruits for toppings. Let kids choose their own favorites. Then pop the pizzas into the oven to warm. » Delicious dippers: Kids love to dip their foods. Whip up a quick dip for veggies with yogurt and seasonings such as herbs or garlic. Serve with raw vegetables like broccoli, carrots or cauliflower. Fruit chunks go great with a yogurt and cinnamon or vanilla dip. » Put kids in charge: Ask your child to name new veggie or fruit creations. Let them arrange raw vegetables or fruits into a fun shape or design.

SOUTHWEST FLORIDA PARENT & CHILD » FEBRUARY 2018 » 23

dining out »

Taste of Mexico Cape Coral’s Mexico Lindo serves it up right. BY ANN M. O’PHELAN

Warm chips and fresh salsa, along with freshly made guacamole — it’s my version of comfort food, a delicious version found at Mexico Lindo Restaurant in Cape Coral. It opened on Del Prado in September 2016.

I had dined at Mexico Lindo a few times in the evening, and enjoyed the experience thoroughly, especially the mariachi guitar player. I recently stopped in on a weekday for lunch with my kids and family from out of town.

Lunch is a great time to dine out with kids, because the lunch crowd often has plenty of families, and lunch menus offer

great deals that can help with the budget.

We were welcomed right away and promptly seated. Before we knew it, a bowl of warm chips and salsa was set before us. This kept the young ones occupied, so the adults could ponder the lunch menu.

The first thing we ordered was the tableside guacamole. This festive tableside demonstration shows just how guacamole is made. Ripe avocados are mixed with goodies like tomatoes, onions and cilantro to transform into the perfect “chip dip.”

We decided to split a few dishes, so

we could dazzle our taste buds a bit. We ordered an Extreme Quesadilla ($12.49) with a blend of cheeses, Laredo Tacos with chicken (three for $9.99) and the spinach and mushroom enchiladas ($11.49). A few of the younger ones ordered chicken tenders and macaroniand-cheese off the children’s menu.

While waiting for our delicious food, we munched down another round of chips and salsa. After that many chips, it was surprising that anyone had room for lunch, but once we saw the delicious spread before our eyes, we all made room.

Mexico Lindo Restaurant » Location: 3724 Del Prado Blvd., Cape Coral » Phone: 239-800-4533 » Online: mexicolindorestaurant.net » Hours: 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Sunday-Thursday, 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Friday and Saturday » Price range: $10-$20 (lunch options start around $6) » Kids’ menu: Quesadilla, enchilada, chicken tenders, macaroniand-cheese, ribs. $5.99, includes drink. » Tips: Delivery and pick-up available. Join email list for specials.

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youth sports »

Janis B. Meredith, a coach’s wife for 29 years and sports mom for 22 years, lives in Alva, where she writes about character in youth sports on JBMThinks.com.

JA NIS B. MER EDIT H

7 traits of effective, happy sports parents

E

ffective sports parents are those who know that their child is learning and growing through the youth sports experience, because Mom and Dad have chosen not to get in the way.

It stands to follow then that effective sports parents are also happy sports parents, because if they are not getting in the way, their kids are most likely having a better experience. And the result? More smiles on parents’ faces.

What are the traits of effective and happy sports parents?

They laugh often.

People who take themselves and their kids’ sports too seriously are uptight and not very fun to be around.

Learn to laugh at the little things — ridiculous calls by the official, when your child accidentally scores in the wrong basket or when your athlete makes a goofy face in the middle of the game.

Youth sports is supposed to be fun.

It shouldn’t be the competitive pressure cooker that some leagues and teams make it out to be. Compete, yes, but don’t lose your sense of humor in the process.

They ask good questions.

Instead of telling your child everything, try asking more questions. Let

them express their thoughts without parental judgement. If you struggle to get your child to talk, then you may have to wait until they are in a receptive mood, and when it comes, be ready with some open-ended questions that prompt good conversation: What do you love most about playing sports?

What is it you don’t like about your coach?

Then they listen well.

Asking good questions is half of the equation. The other half is listening well. Be an active listener who puts down the phone or the book and looks your child in the eyes. As you listen, be aware of their body language and what they may not be saying.

They don’t insert themselves.

They understand that this is youth sports, and that their kids need to fight their own battles. They recognize that inserting themselves into every situation only stunts their child’s emotional and mental growth.

They don’t worship the numbers.

They may or may not keep stats, but either way, they are more interested in their child’s progress and process than

about the stats book. Sometimes the stats are telling, and sometimes they don’t say it all. It’s OK to use them as a measurement, but don’t use them as the only measurement.

They don’t have to be everywhere.

Effective and happy sports parents have shown consistent support to their athletes and therefore their children know that if Mom or Dad misses a game, the world won’t end. Parents, give yourself permission to miss a game every once in a while. It’s OK; if your child knows you love and support them, they will be fine.

They are not defined by their athlete’s abilities.

Being proud of your child is one thing, but finding your sense of identity in being so-and-so’s mom or dad is way too much of a burden to place on your child. If you find that you’re way too invested in your child’s youth sports journey, even more than your child is, you might want to think about expanding your life outside of youth sports.

Whether you have one or most of these traits, keep plugging. It’s a growth process for you just as much as it is for your child.

SOUTHWEST FLORIDA PARENT & CHILD » FEBRUARY 2018 » 25

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opens Nov. 15

Come meet these playful African Penguins before they’re gone!

At Naples Zoo from November 15, 2017 through April 15, 2018.

PENGUINS IN

PARADISE

new temporary exhibit opens november 15!

26 » FEBRUARY 2018 » SWFLPARENTCHILD.COM

NAPLESZOO.ORG 239.262.5409

kid stuff »

PHOTO COURTESY OF NAPLES BOTANICAL GARDEN

The Protohadros is new to the exhibit at the Naples Botanical Garden this year.

DINOS ARE BACK! The Naples Botanical Garden welcomes prehistoric creatures back to the gardens with the “Dinosaurs: Back with a Roar!” exhibit February 17. BY ANDREA STETSON

PHOTO BY ANDREA STETSON

D

The 40-foot-long Tyrannosaurus rex was a favorite at the Naples Botanical Garden when it was here two years ago. It returns February 17.

inosaurs are roaring back to the Naples Botanical Garden this month and will be lurking there until the beginning of June.

“It was one of our most popular and the most requested we ever had,” says Kara Laufer, director of business development at Naples Botanical Garden. “It was definitely one we heard from guests over and over again and kids on field trips asking, ‘Where are the dinosaurs?’ And it’s not just the kids — it is the adults.”

That’s why just three years after the dinosaur exhibit left, it is back.

The two favorites — the 40-footlong Tyrannosaurus rex and the spitting Dilophosaurus — are both returning.

But the rest are all new.

SOUTHWEST FLORIDA PARENT & CHILD » FEBRUARY 2018 » 27

“They are bigger pieces than before,” Kara says. “We have some real impressive ones. We also have a new photo op were guests can get up close and take some great social media photos.”

Another new addition is a friendly dinosaur puppet that will roam the gardens with volunteers.

“It’s not all big and scary,” Kara says.

There will be 10 dinosaurs scattered around the gardens, along with a fossil pit area.

“One is really cute for kids to see.

It’s a Diabloceratops,” Kara says. “It also has a nest with babies. They are really cute. That Quetzal is really cool.

It is almost 16 feet. It is a winged creature with a huge beak. The Citipati, it is kind of the one that represents non-avian dinosaurs and birds. It has been real popular in other Billings shows.”

Billings Productions is the company that makes the dinosaurs.

“Billings does a great job trying to make it as scientifically real as possible,” Kara says.

Robby Gilbert, director of exhibits and sales for Billings, says the company has more than 350 dinosaurs and does 17 to 22 events a year throughout the United States, United Arab Emirates and Australia.

The company’s biggest creation is the 40-foot T. rex. The smallest is the Compsognathus.

“It’s about the size of a chicken,” Robby says.

There are 60 species of prehistoric animals created by Billings. Robby says he works with each venue to bring the perfect ones.

“We want to bring back new animals,” he says. “We want to tell a new story. With the second, third or fourth show, we want to go bigger, but we also want to tell a story that dinosaurs come in all sizes. We are able to tell

PHOTO COURTESY OF NAPLES BOTANICAL GARDEN

« kid stuff (continued)

The Quetzalcoatlus is new to the exhibit at the Naples Botanical Garden this year.

just a different story and make it new and fresh.”

Robby says the Naples Botanical Garden is the perfect place for dinosaurs.

“Personally, I like that we tie in with native flower and fauna,” he says. “There is always that educational element that we tell. We see a push toward STEM or STEAM. Our animatronics are the epitome of that. We tie in the prehistoric with the modern.”

One of the biggest tie-ins are the plants. Some in Southwest Florida have not changed much since the time of the dinosaurs. Primeval plants such as cycads and ferns will help guests interpret the environment in which these dinosaurs lived.

“That is what the dinosaurs ate,” Robby says. “To take that and show children today, that it is really what it is all about.”

Dinosaurs in the Garden

Robby also wants to showcase the dinosaurs in an extremely realistic way, right down to the eyeballs.

“We want that element of realism, so we want to show that in our creatures,” he says. “We work with scientists and paleontologists to bring that to the creature. There typically is one that spends most of the time sculpting new eyeballs working with the color. That is how they are made so realistic.”

This time, the T. rex will be in a more realistic setting. It will stand in the Scott Florida Garden, which is 15 feet higher, giving the giant dinosaur an even more humongous look.

Kara hopes “Dinosaurs: Back with a Roar!” is as popular this year as the first exhibit was in 2015.

“The ‘Jurassic World’ second movie is in June, so I think people will have dinosaurs on their minds,” she says.

• Where: Naples Botanical Garden, 4820 Bayshore Drive, Naples • When: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily February 17 to June 3 • Cost: Included with regular garden admission, which is $14.95 for adults, $9.95 for ages 4-14, free for children 3 and younger, free for members • Details: 239-643-7275 or naplesgarden.org

28 » FEBRUARY 2018 » SWFLPARENTCHILD.COM

teens »

BRIGHT AGAIN F Scholarship program for Florida’s top students offers 100 percent tuition once again. BY ANDREA STETSON

lorida’s brightest students can get more Bright Futures money for college now, but it’s harder to reach that top level.

The Florida Bright Futures Scholarship Program was created in 1997 to entice the state’s top students to stay in Florida for college. Back then it offered to pay 100 percent tuition and fees. In 2011, as the state economy struggled, legislators made it tougher to earn the scholarships and reduced the amount of the awards. The funding dwindled to providing the top award winners with about half the cost of tuition at some of Florida’s public universities.

However, the Florida Legislature voted to bring

it back to 100 percent for the 2017-18 school year.

That means some students saw their awards jump from about $3,000 a year to $6,000 if they attend a state university. Students can also receive $300 a semester for books and other expenses.

The new rules also added in scholarship money for the summer semester, which had never been included in the past. This increase is for this school year only, and future amounts are to be determined.

SOUTHWEST FLORIDA PARENT & CHILD » FEBRUARY 2018 » 29

« teens (continued)

“Over the years, the Legislature chipped away at it,” says Chris Smith, Collier County coordinator for school counseling grades 9-12. “But now Bright Futures once again is covering 100 percent for the top tier students. “ That is very enticing for Florida’s brightest students.

Amy Sherman’s son, Tanner, graduated from Estero High School in 2016 and is now a sophomore at Florida Gulf Coast University.

“It was extremely important,” Amy says about Bright Futures. “We would have had to take out a huge amount in loans without it. And now that he has figured out that if he lives at home, he basically gets paid to go to school, we’ll never get him to leave.

“He will be able to get his degree without a boatload of college debt.”

Devon Zimmermann, who was home-schooled in North Naples and is now a sophomore at the University of Florida, liked seeing the increase in Bright Futures money this year. Her mother, Sarah Zimmermann, wishes the 100 percent was guaranteed every year.

“I know it was one of the deciding factors,” Sarah says about her daughter choosing a school in Florida. “That it paid 100 percent based on her high eligibility made it the right choice.”

There are three tiers of Bright Futures. The Florida Academic Scholars Award is $103 per credit hour. The Florida Medallion Scholars Award is $77 per credit hour. The Academic

Top Scholars Award is $44 per credit hour.

Smith says getting full tuition paid for makes it very alluring now for students to stay in the state.

“With other schools that had the ability to offer scholarships, it didn’t pay to stay in Florida.

Now it pays to stay in Florida,” he explains.

“If you have a student that meets 100 percent award, they are staying in state.”

For those top students who want an Ivy League or big name school degree, Smith suggests they do that for graduate school instead.

“For the vast majority of our students, you don’t mortgage an undergraduate degree,” Smith says.

The summer Bright Futures money is also a great help.

“Most students have to spend at least a summer if they are to graduate,” he says.

Bright Futures is based solely on academic performance with no criteria for financial need.

It is funded by money from the Florida Lottery.

At its height five years ago, some 179,000 students received the scholarship. In 2016-17 that number decreased to a little more than 100,000.

While students are receiving more money this year, it is harder to get the scholarship than it was in the past. New rules went into effect in 2014 raising the minimum SAT score from 1280 to 1290 and the ACT score from 28 to 29.

Medallion winners need an 1170 SAT score or a 26 on the ACT.

“Over the years, the Legislature chipped away at it.

But now Bright Futures once again is covering 100 percent for the top tier students. “ — CHRIS SMITH, COLLIER COUNTY COORDINATOR FOR SCHOOL COUNSELING GRADES 9-12

30 » FEBRUARY 2018 » SWFLPARENTCHILD.COM

spotlight »

Lisa and Steve Singleton and their sons Steven, 7, left, and Matthew, 5, in their Naples home.

Brothers through it all Organizers of the Southwest Florida Wine & Food Fest chose two child artists this year: a 5-year-old leukemia patient and his big brother.

PHOTO BY AMANDA INSCORE

M

atthew Singleton is excited to show people his collection of sea creatures and dinosaurs. He can rattle off the names of all types of sharks and recite intricate facts about each ocean animal.

“I like the goblin shark, because they are not mean,” he says. “Whale sharks are the nicest in the world. The blue shark — he is dangerous. Greenland sharks are the mean guys.”

The little boy, who recently turned

5 years old, loves art, riding his bicycle, swimming, playing baseball with his dad, his preschool and playing with his plastic sea creatures and dinosaurs with his big brother, Steven, 7.

But his life isn’t always fun and games. Hospital visits, doctors, medicine and a variety of treatments are also part of his daily life. It also became part of life for Matthew’s parents, Lisa and Steve Singleton.

“When he was 2 years old, he kept getting sick, but not your normal runof-the-mill child who goes to daycare

kind of sick,” Lisa says. “He had fevers of 103 that would not go away, staph infections, strep. These things would happen, and it got worse and worse, and we kept ending up in the ER.” In the emergency room, they did blood tests and found he had no counts for white or red blood cells or platelets.

Yet blast tests for leukemia came back negative. A few months later, he had an intricate blood test as doctors searched for answers.

“The doctor came back to the room with a nurse,” Lisa says. “When they

STORY BY ANDREA STETSON | PHOTOS BY DOROTHY EDWARDS SOUTHWEST FLORIDA PARENT & CHILD » FEBRUARY 2018 » 31

« spotlight (continued) give you heavy news, they always have someone with you. The doctor said the super sensitive blood tests came back, and Matthew does have leukemia. At first I had a split second of denial, and I was not believing I was in the room. I started to become panicked. I started to become overwhelmed. I didn't know where to turn.

I didn't understand what was being told to me. I didn't know what this meant for Matthew.”

Matthew holds a piece of his artwork Then the doctor told the Singletons that there is a 90-percent cure rate for the form of leuIt’s also a normal way of life for Stekemia that Matthew had. But he needed ven, who understands that his brother treatment right away. The choices were needs medicine to get well. hospitals in Miami, Tampa or GoliThe Singletons are very grateful to sano Children’s Hospital of Southwest Golisano for setting their son on his Florida. road to recovery. They’re also grateful “The nurse he had, it was her 24th the hospital included Steven in activiyear as a nurse, and she said, ‘If it was ties such as Christmas gifts and sibling my child, I would take him to Golievents, preventing Steven from feeling sano.’” Lisa says. left out.

Matthew was rushed by ambulance This year when organizers of the to Golisano.

Southwest Florida Wine & Food Fest “Twelve hours after he was diagselected their child artist, they selected nosed, he was in treatment,” Steve says. both Matthew and Steven.

“It was like I was on a space ship, “We were really flattered when they and I stepped out on another planet,” asked us,” Lisa says.

Lisa adds. “The whole world was comEvery year, the event auctions off pletely different. It felt different. The a work of art created by a child artist next day he was in surgery and getting with the help of a professional artist. his port, and the next day he started Matthew and Steven created their work treatment.” with Child Art Mentor Jolie Black, With the hospital so close to home, whose daughter, Sophia, was the 2015 Lisa and Steve could take turns bechild artist. Bidding starts at $5,000. ing with Matthew at the hospital and Steve says Matthew had just started Steven at their east Naples home. Now taking an interest in art right before he treatment for Matthew is even closer was asked to be the festival artist. to home at the Golisano | Nicklaus “It was good timing, because MatChildren’s Health Center Kids' Urgent thew is very strong willed,” Steve says.

Care in North Naples. Matthew started Matthew used acrylic paint to create remission in August 2015. His last treat- a picture he calls “Sparkly Night.” ment is to be in September just after he “It has blue and black and red and starts kindergarten. glitter. There are blue and gold sparkles “Matthew has grown up on treatand some silver,” Matthew describes. ment,” Lisa says. “He doesn't think it’s Steven put his love of dinosaurs on weird. When he plays doctor, he acthe canvas and created a piece called cesses his port. For him this is very, very “Golden King.” normal.”

“I painted a T. rex,” he says. “It was

32 » FEBRUARY 2018 » SWFLPARENTCHILD.COM

blue and gold, and I think I added green on there, and it had sparkles.”

Lisa and Steve are glad both boys are this year’s artists.

“They included Steven,” Lisa says happily. “He goes through it all with us, and he is a great big brother.”

The brothers will be at the Southwest Florida Wine & Food Fest on Saturday, March 3 at Quail West Golf & Country Club in Naples. During the live auction, guests can bid on the boys’ work as part of the fundraiser. The child artist program has raised more than $1 million since it began, with 100 percent benefitting the pediatric care at Golisano Children’s Hospital. The art is traditionally donated back to the hospital, and all of the child artwork can be viewed on display there.

“They had the best time doing the artwork,” Lisa says. “They are so proud of their pieces.”

“It inspired him to keep drawing and painting,” Steve adds.

“I can draw sharks,” Matthew says.

“I can make a great white. I can make a leopard shark, a hammerhead shark, a tiger shark, a saw shark. I can’t make the basking shark. It is too hard.”

Matthew opens his book of sharks to show how hard it is to draw the large mouth of the basking shark. Then he rushes off to get his plastic sea creatures and dinosaurs and sprawls out on the floor with Steven, who clutches his model dinosaurs.

“The stegosaurus is my favorite, because it begins with an S and I begin with an S,” says Steven, who is a firstgrader at Corkscrew Elementary School in north Collier County.

“I like the mosasaur, because he is a dinosaur, and he can swim,” says Matthew, who attends Voluntary PreKindergarten at Eagles Nest Christian Academy, also in north Collier. “I don’t like jellyfish or squid. Manta rays — I love those.”

C

relationships »

P A E H When you’re on a tight budget, date night can seem

like an impossibility. But we have some ideas for an affordable night of romance and connection you won’t want to miss.

PHOTO BY AMANDA INSCORE

STORY BY SARAH LYONS hen you’re a parent, having a date night with your significant other can seem difficult to pull off. Add in a tight budget and it can seem impossible. However, when you’re a busy parent, date nights are more important than ever to keep your relationship healthy and to keep both of you feeling refreshed. With a little creativity and extra planning, you can still enjoy a night out with your sweetheart, even on a small budget.

SOUTHWEST FLORIDA PARENT & CHILD » FEBRUARY 2018 » 33

» relationships (continued)

SWAP SITTING

DINNER IN

While some parents have the benefit of close family and friends to watch their children when they go for a night out, many must pay a sitter to take care of their children. This cost can add up, especially if you have a larger family.

Try asking a friend to swap babysitting duties with you. You watch her kids while they have a date night, then she can watch yours while you have a night out. It’s free, and it is well worth both couples’ time.

Who says you have to go out to have a date night? Put the kids to bed early and cook a meal together. Enjoy some quiet time or a romantic movie in the comfort of your own home. If your kids aren’t big on early bedtime, plan dessert for after the kids’ normal bedtime.

CHANGE THE TIME Date night does not have to happen on Saturday night. To save money, try going to a matinee movie when prices are more affordable. (Matinee tickets at AMC Classic Merchants Crossing in North Fort Myers start at $4.49.) The lunch menu is also significantly cheaper at most restaurants, making an afternoon date more appealing. You could also try catching a movie or dinner on a weeknight. You not only save some cash, but you will also avoid the crowd.

PACK A PICNIC A picnic at a local park is both romantic and budget-friendly. You can easily stick to your spending goals when you use items from your own pantry or stop to get something affordable on the way. You can also look for free or affordable local events, like concerts or other festivals where you could bring a picnic lunch and enjoy the free entertainment as well. Check out the calendar in the back of this month’s issue or our web page at swflparentchild. com for ideas.

34 » FEBRUARY 2018 » SWFLPARENTCHILD.COM

GET ACTIVE If you and your partner enjoy being active, make it a date. Going on a walk, hiking the local trails or going on a bike ride are all fun and free activities to enjoy together. Some other active and affordable date ideas could be ice skating, bowling or laser tag. Sometimes feeling like a kid again can make you forget about the kids, for just a little while.

CHECK OUT THE LOCAL ATTRACTIONS Check the local listings for free or affordable outings or day trips.

Most cities have a Facebook page that lists fun events around town.

Plus, The News-Press and Naples Daily News write about the latest events on their websites. Ideas could include visiting a museum, the Naples Zoo or an art exhibit.

Sporting events are fun, too. The Red Sox and Minnesota Twins spring training games begin February 22. Then our area’s minor league teams — the Fort Myers Miracle and Charlotte Stone Crabs — start their season in April.

Community theater or high school theater is a great way to see a play without having to pay high prices.

Some couples might also enjoy relaxing at the beach or swimming pool without the kids.

There are many ways couples can enjoy a date night without having to blow the budget. Get creative and make date night a priority to keep your relationship happy and healthy.

Have a great idea we didn’t mention?

Tell us about it on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram (@swflparentchild).

mini parties »

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SOUTHWEST FLORIDA PARENT & CHILD » FEBRUARY 2018 » 35

SHOP TILL THEY DROP How much did you spend on your child’s last birthday party? Count the venue fee, the cake, the food, the entertainment. A quick Internet search yields birthday budgets of $250, $500, even $1,000 or $2,000. Say you have a birthday party budget of $250. You could invite three of your child’s closest friends, give them each a $50 gift card and set them loose (with supervision depending on age) at one of the region’s many shopping destinations, such as Coconut Point, Miromar Outlets, Bell Tower Shops, the Mercato or Coastland Center. They all have stores kids love, like Gigi’s Children’s Boutique at the Mercato or the Build-A-Bear Workshop at Coconut Point. End the day with scones and cocoa at a coffee shop or full-on lunch at one of the many eateries.

INSPIRE CREATIVITY You don’t have to have a large number of guests to book fun venues. The Paint Escape in Cape Coral is a frequent go-to for children’s birthday parties. They can handle big parties, of course, but small parties are just as welcome. $20 down reserves a time slot of 12 to 2 p.m. to 3 to 5 p.m. The regular sitting fee for individuals is $8 plus the cost of the piece you paint (there are many under $10). You could reserve a table of six easily and enjoy the playful banter of childhood as everyone paints their ceramics. Food is welcome. Or follow up your excursion with a stop at LadyCakes on Del Prado Boulevard for gourmet cupcakes.

36 » FEBRUARY 2018 » SWFLPARENTCHILD.COM

mini parties (continued) »

REV THEIR ENGINES

GO H O L LY W O O D

Zoomers Amusement Park has all sorts of big spaces available for big parties, from an hour and 45 minutes for $199 to nearly four hours for $399. And that’s great. But you can also make it a more intimate, vividly fun event with a smaller group. In fact, having a small group allows the fun to last all day. The amusement park offers unlimited wristbands for the outside attractions ($29.99 to $37.99, depending on height). That includes midway rides, carnival rides, go-karts and mini golf. There’s even a café if you need a pit stop for your crew.

Another beauty of the mini party is not being tied to specific time slots or the odd times leftover when you procrastinate that reservation. Making it a mini party frees you from working around the party circuit schedule and opens up the possibilities. Is the party room at your favorite venue all booked up except for 7 p.m. on a Thursday?

Narrow your guest list to just a few kids and you can easily take them all to the open skate, open jump, open whatever and follow it up with a stop at a nearby ice cream shop.

One idea: Catching a flick at the Edison Park 8 cinema and afterward stroll over to the Best Ice Cream in Fort Myers shop in the same plaza. They make ice cream from scratch — while you watch. And they offer enormous, amazing concoctions that are definitely Instagram-worthy.

OH, C'MON The Golisano Children’s Museum of Naples, aka C’mon, has a fabulous birthday room that accommodates up to 30 guests. And again, that’s great. But another way to enjoy a birthday at the museum is to pay regular admission fees for a smaller guest list ($10 for adults, $12 for children … be sure to have at least one adult per five kids to properly supervise). The museum is nestled within the North Collier Regional Park, so you could incorporate some play time at the beloved Can You Dig It? playground across the street and cake under the pavilion. The playground has all the standards plus big climbing boulders and a covered fossil dig area. Do your kids prefer Sun-N-Fun Lagoon? You can do the same party idea swapping out the water park for the museum. Either way, you’re looking at an action-packed day that’s sure to please.

SOUTHWEST FLORIDA PARENT & CHILD » FEBRUARY 2018 » 37

« spotlight

‘TO BE

THE ’BEST’ Ave Maria 12-year-old strives to be an Olympic runner.

STORY BY ANDREW SODERGREN

Bernardo Barnhart Jr. won the Junior Olympic regional championship, the CCAC middle school title and finished 10th in the state middle school meet.

38 » FEBRUARY 2018 » SWFLPARENTCHILD.COM

B

ernardo Barnhart Jr. is super serious about his passion for running.

How serious?

The 12-year-old seventhgrader from Ave Maria hasn’t had a soda or piece of candy since he was in third grade.

“When I get to high school, I want to win the state championship,” he says without a hint of arrogance. “And after that, I want to make the Olympics and do well there.”

When young athletes say they want to become an NFL star or shine in the Olympics, it could often be mistaken for pie in the sky dreaming.

But when Bernardo says it, he means it. Already running at least 7 miles a day, he discovered his passion for cross country running in fourth grade.

“At my elementary school, they have a 95210 program, and that’s when I started running,” he says. “I realized I could go pretty fast and loved doing it.”

The 95210 represents nine hours of sleep, five servings of fruits and vegetables per day, two hours maximum of TV/ video screen time a day, at least one hour of physical activity per day and zero intake of sugary beverages. Not only has Barnhart followed the exercise portion to a T, he’s also extremely diligent in what foods and drinks he consumes.

“I try to eat a lot of proteins and things that are good for you,” Bernardo says.

“And I don’t miss eating candy or drinking soda. I know those things won’t help me become a better athlete.”

He’s also been an inspiration to his parents and two younger brothers.

“As a family, we’re doing all the 5Ks now,” father Bernardo Sr. says. “He’s been an inspiration to all of us, and it’s something we now love doing as a family.”

The younger Barnhart capped off a phenomenal 2017 by competing in the Junior Olympics national championships

in Tallahassee on December 9. He qualified for the event by taking first place out of more than 400 runners in the regional event, which pitted athletes from Florida, Georgia and South Carolina. At nationals, Bernardo struggled a bit with the unusually cold temperature of 39 degrees at start time and a much hillier course than he was accustomed to, but he still finished 67th out of 429 in the U12 age division.

“He wasn’t happy with his finish, but it’s still top 15 percent in the country,” the elder Barnhart says. “He knows now what he needs to work on, and he’ll be ready for next time. We don’t have many hills down here, and it was a really hilly course. We plan on getting him some more experience running hills, and he’ll do better.”

Bernardo had a stellar middle school cross country season, winning every individual race and taking the CCAC championship after finishing eighth last year. He finished 10th in the state middle school cross country championship, up from 46th a year ago. Entering his eighthgrade season next year, he has his sights on a state crown, which will hopefully

be a springboard into high school cross country the year after that.

“He’s already running times that would be good enough to get him into a Division III college, and he’s only 12,” Barnhart Sr. says. “He’s running 5Ks and beating most of the men in the race.”

Bernardo has grown up playing baseball, with his dad serving as his Little League coach. A standout pitcher and shortstop, he’s lost a bit of interest in the game because of his growing passion for running.

“In baseball, you hit the ball and run, that’s pretty much it,” he says. “You rely more on your teammates in baseball. I like that when I’m running, I’m in charge of how well I do.”

He’s developed such a passion for the sport, he watches movies such as “Prefontaine” and “McFarlane, U.S.A.,” two biographies on top runners. Bernardo especially identifies with “Prefontaine,” which chronicles the life of Steve Prefontaine, who won three cross country national championships and four 5,000-meter track titles while at the University of Oregon. He also competed in the 1972 Olympics in Munich, finishing fourth in the 5,000-meters after holding a late lead.

He was killed in a car accident in 1975 at the age of 24, denying him the chance at winning the gold medal in the Olympics he coveted.

“He wasn’t very big, and he tried a bunch of sports like football, baseball and soccer,” Bernardo says. “When he started running, he did really good at it.”

Bernardo says he’s happy with all he’s accomplished in the last few years, knowing he’s put in the effort required to sustain success.

“I just keep working hard,” he says.

“I know what I’m eating, and I do that every day, not just three days of the week.

To be the best, you have to eat right and run every day. I push myself to be as good as I can be.”

SOUTHWEST FLORIDA PARENT & CHILD » FEBRUARY 2018 » 39

« spotlight

MAKING A DIFFERENCE RCMA provides more than just child care in Immokalee. STORY BY JOE LANDON

40 » FEBRUARY 2018 » SWFLPARENTCHILD.COM

FILE PHOTO

I

t is hard to imagine, but back in the mid-1960s, migrant workers here in Florida took their young children with them into the fields, because the kids had nowhere else to go.

They’d spend long days in the sun exposed to the elements, the bugs, pesticides and snakes.

A toddler drowned in an irrigation pit and others died under farm machinery.

Something had to be done, and in 1965 a group of Mennonites decided to make a difference by opening two childcare centers near the Homestead Redlands labor camp.

Today, the Redlands Christian Migrant Association, which they founded, operates 66 centers and three charter schools in 21 Florida counties from its current headquarters in Immokalee, a community whose population includes more than 6,000 migrant workers.

RCMA was invited to come to Immokalee by the Collier County School District in 1975 to offer after-school programming. About that time, the Collier County Housing Authority asked RCMA to take over a child development center in Immokalee’s Farmworker Village, a housing complex for migrant workers.

RCMA now runs six childcare centers in Immokalee, which serve 300 children, and 24 childcare homes serving another 138. The centerpiece of the operation is Immokalee Community School. Opened in 2000, it’s a kindergarten-throughgrade-six charter school that’s home to 250 students.

An early lesson learned by RCMA helped it thrive. Those Homestead childcare centers, opened more than 50 years ago, weren’t being used at first. Migrant workers were not bringing their kids.

Then Executive Director Wendell Rollason, a champion for immigrant rights,

Immokalee Community School third- and fourth-graders take a bow after reciting their poems in front of students, teachers and family members in May 2017. Fifteen ICS students were to be published in an issue of “A Celebration of Poets.”

realized the workers would only entrust their babies to caregivers from their own culture. So he began hiring childcare staff from the ranks of the farmworkers.

Before long, the RCMA centers filled to capacity. Parents were entrusting their children to someone who had walked in their shoes. And mothers were leaving the fields for new childcare careers, in mainstream society and with lifelong educational opportunities.

Since then, RCMA’s childcare centers would be led by a coordinator from the culture of the community, always supported by a childcare expert hired for his or her professional expertise. Honoring that culture has served them well.

Immokalee Community School, for example, is run by a principal who is a product of the local community. The daughter of Mexican immigrant parents who are still part of the farm working community, Principal Zulaika Quintero says she knows the hopes and dreams of the families she serves. “I know firsthand the value of education and the power it

has to change lives.”

Patricia Miranda, mother of a kindergarten student at the school, says, “I’m astonished by the extraordinary manner in which the school combines all of our cultures and helps us keep our roots alive.”

RCMA is engaged with its community in many ways. A block-long, 1,800 square-foot mural adorns the wall of the headquarters building at 402 W. Main St., celebrating the history and heritage of Immokalee and those who call it “my home” as its name in the Indian language means.

The strong connection with the community was evident after Hurricane Irma. Hundreds of people needing help found it when they gathered at RCMA’s headquarters to receive hot meals, free tarps and free diapers.

RCMA welcomes donations and volunteers. Volunteer opportunities include reading to young students and rocking babies. For more information, visit rcma. net.

safety corner » CHR ISTI K ULWICK I

4 tips to prevent burns Most burn injuries treated at burn centers happen at home.

The North Fort Myers Fire District recommends the following tips to prevent scalds.

GETTY IMAGES

1. Adjust your water heater.

With everything going on, we know the water heater is the last thing on your mind. But a small adjustment can give you one less thing to worry about.

To prevent accidental scalding, set your water heater to 120 degrees Fahrenheit or the manufacturer’s recommended setting.

T

he smell of cookies baking in the oven or tasty sauces simmering on the stovetop is hard to resist for kids, but too many times, that temptation ends with burns and scalds that are preventable. During National Burn Awareness Week (February 2-8), Safe Kids of Southwest Florida and the North Fort Myers Fire District remind parents about a few simple tips to help avoid harmful burns and scalds.

National Burn Awareness Week is an annual observance the first full week in February led by the American Burn Association. According to the organization, over 450,000 people of all ages were treated for burn-related injuries in a medical setting between 2011 and 2015. In 2013, more than 126,000 of those were children seen in emergency rooms for fire and burn injuries. In 2016, there were 3,390 recorded deaths from

fire and smoke inhalation injuries. These statics are not here to scare you. They are here to inform parents and caregivers that accidents do happen, and with the proper education, we can minimize these devastating numbers.

The American Burn Association, Safe Kids Southwest Florida and the North Fort Myers Fire District make great efforts to prevent these injuries and the expensive medical bills that go with them. As a community, we can accomplish these goals together.

“Among young children, scalds caused by hot liquids or steam are the most common types of burn-related injuries,” says Sally Kreuscher, Safe Kids Southwest Florida coordinator. “During National Burn Awareness Week, we want to remind all parents to take simple precautions such as adjusting your water heater and using the back burners on your kitchen stove whenever possible.”

Christi Kulwicki is a fire inspector for the North Fort Myers Fire District.

2. Don’t carry or hold a child while cooking. Instead, move a high chair in the kitchen within reach or sight before you start. Then talk to your children, so they know what’s going on. It’s a great way to spend time together.

3. Use the back burners. Kids love to reach, so to prevent hot food or liquid spills in the kitchen, simply use the back burner of your stove whenever possible and turn pot handles away from the stove edge.

Keep hot foods away from the edge of your counters.

4. Place matches, gasoline and lighters in a safe place, out of children’s reach.

Avoid novelty lighters or lighters that look like toys.

To learn more, visit the burns and scalds section on the Safe Kids Worldwide website, safekids.org

Safe Kids is a nonprofit coalition of agencies and organizations dedicated to eliminating preventable childhood injuries. Visit safekidsswfl.org.

SOUTHWEST FLORIDA PARENT & CHILD » FEBRUARY 2018 » 41

« family album

ST. ANDREW FESTIVAL » At top, Maddie Stepp, 3, and Mareah Addison, 10, slide together at the St. Andrew Festival in Cape Coral. The St. Andrew Catholic School hosts the festival every January. It’s the school’s biggest fundraiser. In addition to rides, families enjoyed performances and a variety of foods. Photos by Amanda Inscore

42 » FEBRUARY 2018 » SWFLPARENTCHILD.COM

SEW EASY » From left, Audrey Langeloh, 12, Katherine Angstrom, 12, Shelby Kahn, 12, Lauren Johnston, and Hannah Ogden, 12, work on projects at sewing stations during a group class January 11 at Sew Easy Naples in North Naples. Lauren opened Sew Easy to offer children and teens lessons in sewing.

Photo by Kaite Klann

Send Us Your Snapshots Send your images with a brief description and names of the people in them to editor@swflparentchild.com

BRAGGING RIGHTS » Elizabeth Galbut, a graduate of

the Community School of Naples Class of 2007, was selected for the 2018 edition of Forbes 30 under 30. She was also recently honored as one of New York City’s 33 Under 33 Top Innovators and as a TechWeek100 Innovative Investor.

Elizabeth is a venture capitalist, designer, professor and global speaker on healthcare innovation. She is managing partner of SoGal Ventures. Before enrolling at CSN in the seventh grade, Elizabeth attended Sea Gate Elementary and Pine Ridge Middle schools. Photo courtesy of Community School of Naples

SOUTHWEST FLORIDA PARENT & CHILD » FEBRUARY 2018 » 43

« family album

DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. COMMEMORATIVE MARCH » More than 800 people participated in the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Commemorative March on January 15. The 1.65–mile route began in Dunbar and made its way to Centennial Park in downtown Fort Myers. The march was the 31st in Fort Myers. Photo by Ricardo Rolon

SNOW DAY » A Step Up,

HAPPINESS » Katherine Jiang shows off her work at a Christmas make-andtake event at her preschool. Photo special to SWFL Parent & Child

44 » FEBRUARY 2018 » SWFLPARENTCHILD.COM

a Collier Child Care Resources development center at Golden Gate High School, treated students and parents to Winter Festival on December 20.

A snow machine brought flurries and Menchie’s Frozen Yogurt in Naples brought 85 tubs of frozen treats. Photo courtesy of Collier Child Care Resources

MIROMAR OUTLETS

®

VOTED THE BEST SHOPPING MALL AND BEST FACTORY OUTLET MALL IN SOUTHWEST FLORIDA

DOG DAZE AT MIROMAR Thursday, February 1 6 to 8 p.m. near the Restaurant Piazza

CELEBRATE MARDI GRAS Tuesday, February 13 6 to 9 p.m. in the Restaurant Piazza

FRIDAY NIGHT CONCERT SERIES Fridays, 6 to 9 p.m. in the Restaurant Piazza Feb 2: Hester Prynn Feb 9: Silver Sneakers Feb 16: The Honey Creepers Feb 23: Neon Summer

PRESIDENTS’ DAY SIDEWALK SALE Friday, February 16 through Monday, February 19

LIVE ENTERTAINMENT Saturdays from 1 to 7 p.m.

Sundays from 2 to 5 p.m.

MOMS APPRECIATION DAY Wednesday, February 21 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.

PLAYLAND in

CAR CRUISE-IN Sunday, February 4 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

PLAYLAND, near Lakeside SCIENCE SATURDAY Saturday, February 10 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

PLAYLAND in THE DIAMOND DIG Saturday, February 10 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. near Bloomingdale’s The Outlet Store

14, of the North Fort Myers Academy of the Arts, won awards at both the 20th and 21st bi-annual Hot Works Estero Fine Art Show Youth Art Competitions in November and January.

He received a Youth Art Award of Excellence in the first one and the top prize, Best of Youth Art, in the second. • Sophia Rice, 10, of Rayma C. Paige Elementary School, won Best of Youth Art in November and the excellence award in January. • Mallie Jacoby, 9, of Gulf Elementary School, excellence award.• Mikayla Kidder, 6, and • Cameron Leger, 9, both of Gulf Elmentary, received excellence awards • Kayley Collins, 13, of Gateway Charter Middle, excellence award. Photos courtesy of Hot Works

KIDS DAY Saturday, February 24 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.

PLAYLAND in BIG BAND CONCERT Sunday, February 25 3 to 5 p.m. near the Restaurant Piazza FREE KIDS CRAFTS Every Wednesday 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.

PLAYLAND in ROCK CLIMBING FUNWALLS NOW OPEN Call Mall Office for more info (239) 948-3766

Visit MiromarOutlets.com for more details.

0218-0140

YOUNG ARTISTS » Clockwise from top left: Zachary Smith,

VALENTINE’S COOKIE DECORATING Saturday, February 10 12 to 2 p.m.

PLAYLAND in

FAMILY YOGA WITH KATHRYN Saturday, February 17 PLAYLAND 10 a.m. in

SAVE UP TO 70% OFF RETAIL PRICES!

Over 140 Top Designer and Brand Name Outlets including Saks Fifth Avenue OFF 5th, Neiman Marcus Last Call, Bloomingdale’s The Outlet Store, H&M

Miromar Outlets Gift Cards* are valid at all Outlet Stores and Restaurants and can be purchased at MiromarOutlets.com, the Mall Office or Visitor Information Kiosk.

(239) 948-3766 • MiromarOutlets.com • I-75, Exit 123, Corkscrew Road, in Estero, between Naples & Fort Myers *Subject to monthly maintenance fee.

Terms and Conditions of the Card Agreement are set forth at MiromarOutlets.com.

Copyright © 2018, Miromar Development Corporation. Miromar Outlets is a registered service mark of Miromar Development Corporation.

SOUTHWEST FLORIDA PARENT & CHILD » FEBRUARY 2018 » 45

« family album

TEACHER OF THE YEAR » River Hall Elementary School teacher Chasey Niebrugge was honored as the Lee County School District’s Teacher of the Year. Niebrugge was chosen out of 49 teachers. She’s an Intensive Intervention Exceptional Student Education (ESE) teacher Photo by Andrew West

GRANT WINNERS » The “Ding” Darling

#TROUBLE » Haylee and Vanessa Mowbray, 5 and 3 respectively, couldn’t possibly be trouble with those sweet faces. ;) Photo courtesy of mom Hilda Mowbray

46 » FEBRUARY 2018 » SWFLPARENTCHILD.COM

Wildlife Society-Friends of the Refuge awarded $7,303 to conservation education-related projects at eight schools in Lee, Charlotte and Collier counties. Here, DDWS education chair Wendy Kindig is with recipients Linda Grant, of Patriot Elementary; Barbara Lisson, Neil Armstrong Elementary; Susie Hassett, Robinson Littleton Elementary; Heidi Brennan, Colonial Elementary; Sheryl Terepka, Challenger Middle; Melanie Villa, Immokalee Middle, and DDWS conservation educator Sara Hallas.

Photo special to SWFL Parent & Child

GETTY IMAGES

travel »

AMAZING

ATLANTA A compact downtown and numerous attractions make the city of the 1996 Olympics a family favorite. STORY BY ANDREA STETSON

W

e usually travel to faraway places like China, Europe and South America, but lately we have been taking lots of trips closer to home. Since our son, Alexander, began studying at Georgia Tech last year, we have gotten to know the city of Atlanta quite well.

It’s quick to get there. The 6:10 a.m. flight gets us there before he even wakes up.

At first our introduction to the city centered around the sprawling campus of the Georgia Institute of Technology with its quaint brick buildings, sprawling lawns and huge flowers. But we soon began exploring beyond those borders.

SOUTHWEST FLORIDA PARENT & CHILD » FEBRUARY 2018 » 47

CLOCKWISE FROM ABOVE: A panda at Zoo Atlanta. • Visitors can tour CNN. • The Varsity is one of the most famous places to eat in Atlanta. • Georgia Tech is in the heart of the city and is one of the Top 5 schools in the nation for computer science and engineering. • Fountains in the shape of the Olympic rings were created for the 1996 Olympics. Now they are an attraction that children love to play in and everyone loves to watch. • The Georgia Aquarium is the largest aquarium in the United States. * The World of Coca-Cola in Atlanta has two floors of soda artifacts and interesting information along with a tasting area.

The main downtown area centers around Centennial Olympic Park, which was created for the 1996 Olympics. Huge Olympic rings there shoot water in a variety of patterns. We ran through the water during the day to cool off and later watched the nightly light, music and water show.

Nearby, the World of Coca-Cola offers a nostalgic look at the soda giant that’s headquartered there. It’s almost impossible to find a Pepsi in Atlanta.

There’s memorabilia, history, a visit to the vault where the secret recipe is hidden, and everyone leaves with a glass bottle of Coke.

Just across the plaza is the largest aquarium in the United States: the Georgia Aquarium. This expansive multi-level building houses more than 100,000 creatures in more than 10 mil-

48 » FEBRUARY 2018 » SWFLPARENTCHILD.COM

lion gallons of marine and salt water enclosures. There’s everything from common fish, penguins and dolphin to the more unusual white alligator and Japanese spider crab.

On the other side of the plaza, we took a tour of CNN. Kids love the green screen, where they can disappear into the background. The humongous newsrooms were also quite fascinating.

During future visits, we explored even more. We went to Zoo Atlanta and saw the two baby pandas playing with their mother. We spent an afternoon at the Jimmy Carter Presidential Library and Museum. It was more entertaining than I expected. There was everything from a replica of the Oval Office to the many unusual gifts he received during his presidency. We’ve also taken a side trip to Stone Mountain to see the

giant Confederate Memorial Carving of Gens. Robert E. Lee and Thomas J. “Stonewall” Jackson and Confederate President Jefferson Davis.

Our family is more interested in sightseeing than restaurants. But with repeat visits, we discovered that some of the restaurants are like sightseeing. The Varsity’s food isn’t great, but it’s famous and a place you must try once. The food at Mary Mac’s Tea Room is amazing. It has kept its historical décor and serves amazing Southern cooking. My son also introduced us to Fat Matt’s Rib Shack, a barbecue place that looks like a hole in the wall but is a favorite among locals and now a favorite of ours.

Hotel prices in Atlanta are quite pricy, since it’s a big city, so we always stay at an Airbnb. It not only saves money, but the hosts have shared great

» travel (continued)

local information about their city.

There’s a lot more that we hope to explore in the future. The Fox Theatre was recently restored to its original gilded look of the 1920s, so we look forward to seeing a show there. There’s also the Legoland Discovery Center Atlanta and the Atlanta Botanical Garden to explore.

Melissa and Dyam Sanchez and their two daughters, ages 5 and 6, of Naples, have been to Atlanta a few times, most recently in December. They enjoy staying downtown at the Hilton or The Ritz-Carlton, because they are walking distance to many attractions.

“We did the aquarium,” Melissa says.

“That is great. The kids loved it. They loved the new dolphin show and the sea lion show.”

The Sanchez family also enjoyed

walking around Olympic Park listening to the live music. During one trip, they visited Stone Mountain. Melissa says they usually visit Atlanta on their way to visit relatives farther north.

“We were traveling through there up to North Carolina and stopped to break down the trip,” she says. “Because we are from Florida, it is a good stopping point for people traveling.”

Mary Fadael took her three children to Atlanta for the first time last summer and loved it so much she hopes to move there some day.

“There was so much to do in Atlanta,” Mary says. The Fadael family loved the aquarium. “We spent a whole day there. It was amazing.”

They went to CNN, the World of Coca-Cola, Olympic Park, Zoo Atlanta and Stone Mountain.

“It is clean. The people are so friendly. It is family oriented,” Mary says. “It was so amazing, we want to live there now.”

Her daughter Natalie, 15, enjoyed the variety of activities.

“There was a lot to do,” Natalie says.

“Stone Mountain was my favorite.”

“My favorite thing when I went to Georgia was the Coca-Cola factory,” adds her sister, Nakirra, 7, “because I could taste the different drinks.”

“My favorite was Stone Mountain and the aquarium and the Coca-Cola factory,” adds Nathaniel, 12, who had lots of favorites. “The Coke you get at the Coca-Cola factory tastes better than the one you get in the stores.”

“We liked it so much, we are going back next summer,” Mary says to the cheers of her three children.

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« around town

Celebrate

EDISON

One of the biggest celebrations in Southwest Florida this month is the Edison Festival of Light, an event that pays homage to Thomas Alva Edison, who built his winter home in Fort Myers in 1885 and wintered here for the next 50 years.

This year, the festival, a collection of regional events that take place over the course of a few weeks, celebrates its 80th anniversary.

It all starts with the Thomas A. Edison Regional Science and Inventor Fairs, which took place January 20. Numerous other family-friendly events follow throughout the month of February. These are just the highlights: February 10 | STEMtastic Day of Discovery: 10 a.m.-3 p.m. at the Lee County Public Education Center, 2588 Colonial Blvd., Fort Myers. This event provides children and families more than 100 hands-on experiences in science, technology, engineering and math. Kids can launch marshmallows, use the sun to cook, experience drone aviation and more. Free admission.

Food will be available to buy.

February 11 | Junior Run Fun & Parade: This all takes place in downtown Fort Myers. In the fun run, kids participate in races according to age. Registration begins at 10:30 a.m. and the races begin

at noon. Then the Junior Parade starts at 2:30 p.m. Kids’ groups, businesses and families can enter floats and walking groups to march in the parade. Then the day wraps up with the Junior Coronation & Parade Awards at 4:30 p.m.

February 17 | Grand Parade & Parade Celebration: The Grand Parade is the big one. It’s one of the largest nighttime parades you’ll see. People go all out building floats that light up the night.

Marching bands play. It’s an all-day affair.

Explore ‘The Secret Garden’ TheatreZone brings to the stage this month a children’s classic in reimagined musical style by Lucy Simon, sister of Carly Simon. “The Secret Garden” by Frances Hodgson Burnett is about 11-year-old Mary Lennox, played by Carly Barnes, of Jacksonville. Orphaned in India, Mary returns to Yorkshire to live with her embittered, reclusive uncle and his son. The estate has many wonders, including a magic garden that beckons the children with haunting melodies and spirits from Mary’s past. Tickets are $50-$75. Evening shows are 8 p.m. February 8, 9, 10, 15, 16 and 17 and 7:30 p.m. February 11 and 18. Matinees are at 2 p.m. February 10, 11, 17 and 18.

A professional theater, TheatreZone is on the campus of the Community School of Naples, 13275 Livingston Road, Naples. Get details and tickets at 239-424-9500 or theatrezone-florida.com.

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The Parade Celebration has food, music, crafts and a prime spot to watch the fireworks. It runs 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. There’s a 5K run at 5:45 p.m. along the parade route. The Grand Parade starts at 7 p.m. at the Fort Myers High School and ends in downtown Fort Myers, followed by the firesworks.

Get parade route maps and a full events calendar at edisonfestival.org.

Safety and fun The Florida Department of Law Enforcement is holding its Child Safety Fair 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, February 10 at FDLE, 4700 Terminal Drive, Fort Myers. There’ll be S.W.A.T., fire rescue demonstrations, free car seat checks, K-9s, fingerprinting, free bike helmets, safety information, Smokey the Bear and the Escape House.

calendar »

DANCE

Celebrating Since 1951

Friday, Feb. 2 Concert: The Opera Naples Renata Scotto Academy » 7:30-10 p.m. Wang Opera Center, 2408 Linwood Ave., Naples. $20-$59. Directed by Renata Scotto. Listen to the international opera stars of the future.

Kindergarten Open House at Seacrest » 8:15-10:15 a.m.

Seacrest Country Day School, 7100 Davis Blvd., Naples. Learn about the school’s kindergarten classes. Registration required at seacrest.org/admissions. You will experience a day in the life of a Seacrest kindergartner, including participating in the flag ceremony, Spanish class, organic gardening, tackling an obstacle course in PE, snack time in an outdoor classroom, and story time in the Media Center. seacrest.org

All Ages

Classical Ballet Pointe Modern Tap Jazz Hip Hop Acrobatics Children’s Work

(239)334-3274 www.dancebochette.com NEWBORN CARE

Saturday, Feb. 3 Antique Car Show » 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Edison & Ford Winter Estates, 3583 McGregor Blvd., Fort Myers. Free for members, $25 for nonmembers. There will also be music, food available for purchase and tours. 239-334-7419. edisonfordwinterestates.org.

Book & Yard Sale & Chili Cook Off » 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Faith Lutheran Church, 705 Leeland Heights Blvd. E., Lehigh Acres.

Books and other items for sale. The youth of the church will be selling food to support their mission trip.

PRESCHOOL

Ghost Walk » February 2-3. Koreshan State Park, 3800 Corkscrew Rd, Estero. $25. Actors in period costumes, Koreshan food and tours every 15 minutes starting at 6:45 p.m. each night. Last tour at 8 a.m. 239-992-0311. friendsofkoreshan.org “I Am Harriet Tubman” Storytime » 11 a.m. Barnes & Noble at Coconut Point, 23130 Fashion Drive, Estero, and at 13751 Tamiami Trail, south Fort Myers. The 14th book in author Brad Meltzer’s bestselling Ordinary People Change the World series, “I Am Harriet Tubman” tells the story of Harriet Tubman’s pivotal role in the fight against slavery.

Loving Life in SWFL » 1-9 p.m. Riverside Park, 10451 Old 41 Road, Bonita Springs. $5 suggested donation. Live music, food trucks, happy hour and an expo that celebrates healthy living and home life (1-4 p.m.). Bring a blanket or chair. rotarybonitabeachsunset@gmail.com Mommy and Me Yoga » 9-10 a.m. Healthy Life Center at Coconut Point, 23190 Fashion Drive, Estero. Yoga instructor Nicole Traum, of Lee Health Wellness Center, will lead a free community mommy-and-me yoga session for ages 3 and younger. Bring a mat. Reservations required. 239-495-4475.

National Ice Cream for Breakfast Day at the Royal Scoop » 8-11 a.m. Royal Scoop Homemade Ice Cream, 15 Eighth St., Bonita Springs. Enjoy a tasty breakfast of ice cream and waffles. royalscoop.com Science Saturday » 11 a.m.-2 p.m. IMAG History & Science Center, 2000 Cranford Ave., Fort Myers. Included with admission. The first Saturday of every month. History Saturday occurs the third Saturday of each month.

Sunday, Feb. 4 Care Cruise In » 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Miromar Outlets, 10801 Corkscrew Road, Estero. Near WINK Playland. See various makes and models of classic, exotic and custom cars.

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« calendar Monday, Feb. 5

Friday, Feb. 9

Early Childhood Education Symposium with Julia Harper » 6:30-8:30 p.m. Hodges University, 2655 Northbrooke Drive, Naples. This talk focuses on the oftenignored relationship between the home and classroom environment and the brain. Julia Harper, a pediatric occupational therapist with a doctorate in psychology, is the keynote speaker. $25. To register: 239-643-3908 or collierchildcare.org.

“Footloose” » February 9-11. Centers for the Arts, 10150 Bonita Beach Road S.E., Bonita Springs. $15 for general admission, $20 reserved seating. Experience the heartwarming story of how a teenage “city-slicker” clashes with the restrictions he faces when he moves into a puritanical small town and how he helps the leaders of the community come to see the virtues and benefits of dancing and celebrating the joys of life. Performed by the CFABS Teen Players. Shows are 7 p.m.

February 9, 2 and 7 p.m. February 10 and 2 p.m. February 11.

Tuesday, Feb. 6

“Spamalot” » 7:30 p.m. Cultural Center of Charlotte CountyTheater, 2280 Aaron St., Port Charlotte. $13-$26. Written and originally performed by the cast of Monty Python, the musical “Spamalot” centers around King Arthur and his knights.

Breastfeeding Class » 6:30-8:30 p.m. The Family Birth Center of Naples, 2930 Immokalee Road, Suite 2, Naples.

Learn how to successfully breastfeed your newborn baby, use breast pumps and transition to returning to work while breastfeeding. 239-594-0400. Register at naplesbirthcenter.com or email FBCNaples@gmail.com.

Wednesday, Feb. 7

The Festival of the Spheres » 8 p.m. Koreshan State Park, 3800 Corkscrew Road, Estero. $20 for general admission, $10 for students. A walking play about the Koreshan. Please note that this play will require that you walk along the groomed dirt paths. Wear comfortable shoes. Shows are at 8 p.m. February 9, 10, 16 and 17. friendsofkoreshan.org and floridastateparks. org/park-events/Koreshan

Manatee Kayak Tour » 10 a.m.-2 p.m. GAEA Guides takes you where the manatees are in Fort Myers. $65 includes all equipment and a Florida Master Naturalist as a guide. Additional dates: February 11, 14, 18, 21 and 25. Reservations required. 239-694-5513.

Thomas Edison’s 171st Birthday » 10 a.m. Edison & Ford Winter Estates, 2350 McGregor Blvd., Fort Myers. Free (does not include tours of the estates). Celebrate Thomas Edison’s birthday with photo ops, performances and cake. 239-3347419. edisonfordwinterestates.org

Thursday, Feb. 8

Saturday, Feb. 10

Fourth Trimester Club: Breastfeeding Support » Noon-1 p.m. Healthy Life Center at Coconut Point, 23190 Fashion Drive, Estero. Bring your questions for the lactation consultant. The Fourth Trimester Club is a biweekly group for moms to gently adjust to life with a newborn together. Moms are empowered with education from experts in their field and able to connect to others in the same stage of life. 239-495-4475.

“Gidion’s Knot” by Johnna Adams » February 8-18.

Alliance for the Arts, 10091 McGregor Blvd., Fort Myers.

Amidst the fallout from her fifth-grade son’s suspension from school, a mother demands answers. What begins as a highly charged parent-teacher conference with Gidion’s reticent teacher soon develops into a revelatory confrontation. A thought-provoking exploration that keeps us guessing about where to lay blame when children go astray. Performances are 8 p.m. February 8-10 and 15-17, at 2 p.m. February 11 and 18. Tickets are $25 for nonmembers, $22 for members and $11 for students.

239-939-2787. artinlee.org/theatre The New Beginnings 2018 Gala » 6-8 p.m. Crowne Plaza Hotel, 13051 Bell Tower Drive, Fort Myers.

Fundraiser for The New Beginnings, which helps single mothers and their children. thenewbeginnings.org “The Secret Garden” » February 8-18. TheatreZone on the campus of Community School of Naples, 13275 Livingston Road, Naples. $50-$75. A family-friendly production by professional theater group TheatreZone based on the children’s book “The Secret Garden.” Shows are 8 p.m. February 8-10 and 15-17, at 2 p.m. February 10, 11, 17 and 18 and 7:30 p.m. February 11 and 18.

239-424-9500. theatrezone-florida.com

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Bonita Springs National Art Festival » February 1011. Riverside Park, 10451 Old 41 Road, Bonita Springs. artcenterbonita.org Child Safety Fair » 10 a.m.-1 p.m. FDLE Fort Myers Regional Operations Center, 4700 Terminal Drive, Fort Myers. Free. The Florida Department of Law Enforcement celebrates its 50th anniversary. There will be S.W.A.T. and K-9 demonstrations, safety information, free bike helmets, fingerprinting, Escape House, free car seat checks, cybersecurity presentations and Smokey the Bear. 239-278-7170. fdle.state.fl.us Magic of Dolls: Doll & Teddy Bear Show and Sale » 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Araba Shrine, 2010 Hanson St., Fort Myers. $4 for adults, free for kids younger than 11. magicofdolls@gmail.com Force is Strong » 3:30-8:30 p.m. Ave Maria Town Center.

Free. All young Jedis are invited to this “Star Wars” themed event. Includes 10 characters from the films for meet-andgreets, outdoor activities, inflatables, galaxy makeovers and Jedi Force training from Ave Maria Martial Arts. A movie on the lawn begins at 6:30 p.m., “Star Wars: The Force Awakens.”

Food and beverages will be sold. Blankets and chairs welcome.

No coolers. avemaria.com Science Saturday at Seacrest » 10:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.

Seacrest Country Day School, 7100 Davis Blvd., Naples. Free.

Make magnetic slime. Pet a baby alligator. Manipulate robots.

Seacrest is partnering with local science organizations to provide a day of fun and exploration for ages 3-18. Food will be available for purchase.

STEMtastic Day of Discovery » 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Lee County Public Education Center, 2588 Colonial Blvd., Fort Myers.

Children and adults have fun building, experimenting and exploring at over 100 interactive stations focused on science,

calendar »

RESALE & CONSIGNMENT

technology, engineering and math. Launch marshmallows, use the sun for cooking or experience drone aviation. Free admission, food available for purchase. leeschoolfoundation. org/programs/student-programs/stem-initiatives The Choice Affair 2018 » 6-9 p.m. The Ritz-Carlton Golf Resort, 2600 Tiburon Drive, Naples. $350 per person. An annual event sponsored by Planned Parenthood of Southwest & Central Florida at which more than 600 men and women gather to support the mission of the organization: to provide affordable access to comprehensive reproductive health care and accurate health care information through patient care, education and advocacy. This year’s special guest, Barbara Pierce Bush, a humanitarian and the co-founder and president of Global Health Corps, and a voice in the effort to resolve health equality issues that challenge women and their families in this country and around the world.

Valentine’s Cookie Decorating » Noon-2 p.m. Miromar Outlets, 10801 Corkscrew Road, Estero. In WINK Playland.

Decorate a heart-shaped cookie. Also,it’s Science Saturday, 11 a.m.-1 p.m. 239-948-3766. miromaroutlets.com

Sunday, Feb. 11 Edison Festival of Light Junior Run Fun & Parade » 10:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Downtown Fort Myers. In the fun run, kids participate in races according to age. Registration begins at 10:30 a.m. and the races begin at noon. Then the Junior Parade starts at 2:30 p.m. Kids’ groups, businesses and families can enter floats and walking groups to march in the parade. Then the day wraps up with the Junior Coronation & Parade Awards at 4:30 p.m. edisonfestival.org Guided Estero Bay Scrub Trail Walk » 9 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

Koreshan State Park, 3800 Corkscrew Road, Estero. Free with $2 walk-in admission at the scrub on Broadway. Join a member of the Alligator Amblers Chapter of the Florida Trail Association for a walk through the Estero Bay Scrub. Learn about the environment and observe mangroves, saw palmettos, sugar sand, gopher tortoises and fiddler crabs. Wear old shoes; they’ll get muddy. Bring water, hat, sun protection and snacks. Tour lasts 2 1/2 hours. Registration required. 239-495-7644.

Monday, Feb. 12 Darwin Day » 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Rookery Bay NERR and Environmental Learning Center, 300 Tower Road, Naples.

Admission is buy one, get one free in celebration of the birthday of evolutionary biologist Charles Darwin.

Fashions of Spring: Funding for Kids » 11 a.m. Lexington Country Club, 16257 Willowcrest Way, Fort Myers. $35. Lee Memorial Auxiliary and Dillard’s present this fashion show fundraiser to support the Pediatric Behavioral Health Initiative at the Golisano Children’s Hospital of Southwest Florida. 239-3432234. leehealth.org/classes.asp

Wednesday, Feb. 14 Vow Renewal Ceremony » 10 a.m., 1 p.m. or 4 p.m. Lovers Key State Park, 8700 Estero Blvd., Fort Myers Beach. $100 per couple. Couple renew their marriage vows in a ceremony on the beach that includes a Champagne toast, a meal by Truly Scrumptious, coffee, cake and desserts, dancing, photos and door prizes. Registration required. 708-359-0466.

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« calendar Thursday, Feb. 15 Palm Art Playshop: Bracelets and Palm Hearts for Your Sweethearts » 6 p.m. Alliance for the Arts, 10091 McGregor Blvd., Fort Myers. For ages 12 and older. Learn how to make stuff using natural and recycled materials that might be in your own backyard. Writer and teacher Shawn Holiday conducts monthly playshops for making baskets, bracelets, sun-kissed coasters, kitchen tools, freedom coolers, smoking woods, custom paper notes, table decorations and more. artinlee.org

Friday, Feb. 16 Greek Fest » February 16-18. Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church, 8210 Cypress Lake Drive, Fort Myers. $5 for adults (covers all three days), free for children younger than 12. Ride wristbands are $20 per day. Free parking.

Hours: 11 a.m.-11 p.m. February 16-17, 11 a.m.-7 p.m.

February 18. You could win a car in the raffle. Enjoy Greek food and wine, live music, dancing and carnival rides and games. No pets. 239-481-2099. greekfestfortmyers.com

Saturday, Feb. 17 Coconut Point Art Festival » 10 a.m.-5 p.m. February 17-18. Coconut Point, 23106 Fashion Drive, Estero. Fine art, music and more. Free admission. artfestival.com/festivals/ coconut-point-art-festival-0 2018 AsiaFest “Year of the Dog” Celebration » 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Alliance for the Arts, 10091 McGregor Blvd.

Fort Myers, FL 33919. $5 suggested donation. The festival showcases diverse cultures of countries and ethnic regions from all over Asia. Experience Asian cuisine, a fashion show, cultural dances, Japanese taiko drummers, vocal artists, comedians and more. Plus, there will be games, demonstrations, educational activities and special treats for kids of all ages. Dog-friendly; Best Asian Dog Costume wins a gift basket. artinlee.org A Breath of Hope 5K Lung Run 2018 » 7:30 a.m. Lakes Regional Park, 7330 Gladiolus Drive, Fort Myers. Lakeside 5K run/walk to raise lung cancer awareness and funds for lung cancer research. Proceeds benefit U.S. lung cancer research programs at A Breath of Hope Lung Foundation.

Enjoy a 5K walk or chip-timed run featuring music, snacks, kids’ activities, prizes for top fundraisers and race finishers, oncology updates, resources for lung cancer patients and families and a chance to honor or remember your loved one.

Dinosaurs: Back with a Roar » February 17-June 3.

Naples Botanical Garden, 4820 Bayshore Drive, Naples.

Ten life-size animatronic dinosaurs are on display among the foliage of the gardens. Plus, there’s a fossil dig and a dinosaur photo station. The gardens are open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. Included with regular park admission, which is $14.95 for adults, $9.95 for ages 4-14, free for children younger than 4 and members. 239-643-7275. naplesgarden.org Edison Festival of Light Parade Celebration and Grande Parade » 11 a.m. celebration, 7 p.m. parade.

Downtown Fort Myers. One of the largest nighttime parades. Lighted floats, marching bands and more. The Parade Celebration has food, music, crafts and a prime

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spot to watch the fireworks, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. The 5K run is at 5:45 p.m. The Grand Parade starts at 7 p.m. at the Fort Myers High School and ends in downtown Fort Myers, followed by the fireworks. edisonfestival.org Family Yoga with Kathryn » 10 a.m. Miromar Outlets, 10801 Corkscrew Road, Estero. In WINK Playland. A 45-minute beginners’ session for families with toddlers to tweens. Bring a mat. 239-948-3766. miromaroutlets.com Fossil Fest » 9 a.m.-5 p.m. The Shell Factory & Nature Park, 2787 North Tamiami Trail, North Fort Myers. Learn about Florida’s prehistoric past, how to collect and identify local fossils and maybe even get to take home a piece of the past. Talk with the local experienced fossil hunters. Kids fossil dig, vendors, minerals, literature for the novice and the experienced hunter.

Steps of Home: 16th Annual NAMI Walk » 8-11 a.m. Cambier Park, 755 Eighth Ave. S., Naples. Registration begins at 8 a.m.

Walk begins at 9:30 a.m. In addition to the walk, there’s rock climbing, a photo booth with props, a balloon sculpture, face painting, braiding, raffles, the Collier County Sheriff Dare Car and the Florida Gulf Coast Retired Fire Fighters Engine 343. Benefits the National Alliance on Mental Illness of Collier County. 239260-7300. namicollier.org “Mother Bruce” Storytime » 11 a.m. Barnes & Noble at Coconut Point, 23130 Fashion Drive, Estero, and at 13751 Tamiami Trail, south Fort Myers. Features Bruce the curmudgeonly bear who likes to keep to himself. When Bruce’s goose eggs hatch, leaving him with four live goslings who are convinced he is their mother, he tries to get the geese to fly south. Will Bruce be able to rid himself of his new companions? Find out at story time.

Activities to follow.

Sunday, Feb. 18 Livingston Taylor » 8-10 p.m. South Seas Island Resort, 5400 Plantation Road, Captiva. $45. Family-friendly concert. Doors open at 7 p.m. Light hors d’oeuvres will be served, and a cash bar will be available. Livingston Taylor is known for his Top 40 hits “I Will Be in Love with You,” “I’ll Come Running,” “I Can Dream of You” and “Boatman,” the latter two recorded by his brother James Taylor.

YMCA Annual Gala » 5-9 p.m. Naples Sailing and Yacht Club, 896 River Point Drive, Naples. $250 per person. An evening of dinner, entertainment and live auction to benefit the YMCA.

Tuesday, Feb. 20 Evening with the Red Sox » 5:30 p.m. Crowne Plaza Hotel at the Bell Tower Shops, Daniels Parkway and U.S. 41, south Fort Myers. Fundraiser for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Lee County, with cocktail reception, autograph signings from Red Sox players and a live auction. $200 per person. Raffle tickets ($50) for the ultimate fan experience can also be purchased at bgclc.ejoinme. org/RedSoxFan.

Wednesday, Feb. 21 Moms Appreciation Day » 10 a.m.-noon. Miromar Outlets, 10801 Corkscrew Road, Estero. In WINK Playland. Moms receive a free drink and treat while the kids do crafts. 239-948-3766. miromaroutlets.com Nutrition Class » 7-8:30 p.m. The Family Birth Center of Naples,

calendar » 2930 Immokalee Road, Suite 2, Naples. Nutrition for pregnancy, lactation, postpartum and family. 239-594-0400. Register by emailing FBCNaples@gmail.com.

Thursday, Feb. 22 Fourth Trimester Club: The Mom Bod » Noon-1 p.m.

Healthy Life Center at Coconut Point, 23190 Fashion Drive, Estero. A physical therapist will be there to talk about how your body changes through pregnancy and delivery and go over ways to regain your strength. The Fourth Trimester Club is a biweekly group for moms to gently adjust to life with a newborn together. Moms are empowered with education from experts in their field and able to connect to others in the same stage of life. 239-495-4475.

Happy Birthday, Dr. Seuss Storytime » 11 a.m. Barnes & Noble at Coconut Point, 23130 Fashion Drive, Estero, and at 13751 Tamiami Trail, south Fort Myers. In celebration of the beloved author’s birthday on March 2, enjoy a special story time featuring coloring, activities and more.

Kids Day » 10 a.m.-noon. Miromar Outlets, 10801 Corkscrew Road, Estero. In WINK Playland. Fun activities, free slice of pizza and a kids’ cone from Dairy Queen. 239-948-3766. miromaroutlets.com SWFL UFO & Paranormal Conference » 9 a.m.-8 p.m. Araba Shrine, 2010 Hanson St., Fort Myers. $10 for ages 12 and older, $5 for ages 5-11. Featuring guest speakers Robb Demarest, the lead investigator from the TV series Ghost Hunters International, and Glen Means, former chief investigator for MUFON NE and IN, who has appeared on Discovery Investigates (Discovery Channel) and on UFO Hunters (History Channel).

Storytelling with Bil Lepp » 7-8:30 p.m. Alliance for the Arts, 10091 McGregor Blvd., Fort Myers. Bil Lepp is five-time champion of the West Virginia Liars Contest, has been a Featured Teller at the National Storytelling Festival multiple times and is a PEN Award-winning children’s book author.

Bil’s stories are family-friendly. His matinee and evening performances will not contain the same material. $20 for members, $25 for non-members. artinlee.org

Sunday, Feb. 25 Free Family Concert » 2 p.m. Riverside Park, 10451 Old 41 Road, Bonita Springs. Free. The Bonita Springs Concert Band performs with choruses from Estero High School and Three Oaks Middle School. The music includes two pieces composed

by Lisa Batch: “Believe,” written in conjunction with her children’s book, “The First Song,” and “Bright, Positive and Beautiful.” Stuart Shelton is the arranger. Lisa will also perform a solo. lisabatch.com Singing for Scholarships » 3-5 p.m. Naples United Church of Christ, 5200 Crayton Road, Naples. Features past recipients of the scholarship program as well as the program’s choir.

Tickets are $20 in advance, $25 at the door. 239-455-2582. voicesofnaples.org Taste of North Fort Myers » 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Shell Factory, 2787 Tamiami Trail, North Fort Myers. Live music and food vendors. Free admission. tasteofnorthfortmyers.com

Southwest Florida & Lee County Fair » February 22-March 4. Southwest Florida & Lee County Fair, 11831 Bayshore Road, North Fort Myers. Rides, fair food, entertainment, livestock, 4H competitions and more. General admission at the gate is $10 for adults, $5 for ages 6-11. Mega passes, $25, on sale in advance. Child safety bands available. swflcfair.com

Saturday, Feb. 24 CREW Concert & Silent Eco-Auction » 5-9 p.m. Riverside Park, 10451 Old 41 Road, Bonita Springs. General Admission: $15 advance; $20 gate. VIP cafe tickets: $75. Support the CREW Trust at its largest fundraiser of the year. Enjoy live music from The High Voltage Band and food from local food trucks.

Browse eco-trips, art and more at the Silent Eco-Auction. crewtrust.org

The Wild Kratts Live » 2 p.m. Germain Arena, 11000 Everblades Parkway, Estero. $23-$104. A theatrical stage show based on the animated TV series “Wild Kratts.” Martin and Chris Kratt step out live on stage to engage the audience.

Doors open at 1 p.m. Infants younger than 1 year get free admission. germainarena.com

Friday, March 2 Family Movie Night » 6:45 p.m. Alliance for the Arts, 10091 McGregor Blvd., Fort Myers. Pack up your lawn chairs, coolers and blankets to enjoy a fun and endearing film under the stars with your family and friends. Movie starts at dusk. artinlee.org

Saturday, March 3 Bonita Springs National Art Festival » March 3-4. Riverside Park, 10451 Old 41 Road, Bonita Springs. artcenterbonita.org

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« calendar Cape Coral. Learn basic paddle strokes from an experience GAEA Guide. $40 includes kayak use.

Tuesday, March 6 Celtic Woman » 7:30 p.m. Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall, 13350 FSW Parkway, south Fort Myers. $48.58$112.18. The internationally acclaimed music group celebrates Ireland’s rich musical and cultural heritage. celticwoman.com

Saturday, March 10 10th Annual Benefit Luncheon for New Horizons » 10:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Naples Grande, 475 Seagate Drive, Naples. $90 per person. A Wizard of Oz-themed luncheon to recognize New Horizons’ Super Teens, who are achieving the goal of the programs: graduation from high school. Also, silent auction items, performances by the Super Kids Club choir, stories from the students and lunch.

15th Annual CurePSP Awareness & Memorial Walk » 10:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Mackle Park, 1361 Andalusia Terrace, Bonita Springs. $25 for adults, $10 for students. Walk, auction, raffle, entertainment, lunch. Raises money and support for people who have PSP, CBD and MSA and their families who care for them. swflpspsupportgroup.wixsite. com/swflsupportgroup 30th Annual Auction » 6:30-11:30 p.m. Naples Grande, 475 Seagate Drive, Naples. $250 per person. Fundraiser for Seacrest Country Day School.

Southwest Florida Reading Festival » 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

Fort Myers Regional Library, 2450 First St., Fort Myers. Free.

A line-up of nationally acclaimed best-selling authors for adults, children and all reading interests. The authors give presentations, take questions from the audience and sign books for fans. In addition to the superstar authors, there are arts and craft activities, a book for every child, the Lee County Teachers of English 2018 Aspiring Author Awards and e-library demonstrations. 239-479-4636. readfest.org

Sunday, March 4 Mac N’ Cheese Challenge benefiting Make-A-Wish Southern Florida » 11 a.m. Venue Naples, 13240 Tamiami Trail N., Suite 205, Naples. The Make-A-Wish Southern Florida Youth Leadership Committee wants to tempt you with a Mac n’ Cheese Challenge. More than a dozen restaurants and catering companies showcase their most delicious take on this classic comfort food. Enjoy mac ‘n’ cheese samples and vote for your favorite while listening to music throughout the event. $20 per person. All proceeds benefit Make-A-Wish Southern Florida.

Yoga Festival Naples » 1 p.m. North Collier Regional Park, 15000 Livingston Road, Naples. Explore yoga with classes, workshops and Kirtan activities for all skill levels and ages.

Monday, March 5 Beginners Guide to Kayaking » 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Four Mile Cove Ecological Preserve, East end of Southeast 23 Terrace,

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Free Kids Fishing Clinic » 9 a.m.-noon. Naples City Pier, 25 12th Ave. S., Naples. A one-day educational event conducted by the Marine Industries Association of Collier County Foundation, with the help of Outreach and Education Subsection of the Division of Marine Fisheries Management in the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. The primary goal of this program is to create responsible marine resource stewards by teaching children the vulnerability of Florida’s marine ecosystems and ethical angling skills. The clinic also teaches fundamental saltwater fishing knowledge and skills while promoting a positive fishing experience. For ages 5-15.

Fort Myers Beach Shrimp Festival » March 10-11. Lynn Hall Memorial Park, 950 Estero Blvd., Fort Myers Beach.

There’s a 5K run, parade, shrimp-eating contest and more. fortmyersbeachshrimpfestival.com Walk MS: Estero » 7 a.m. Estero Community Park, 9200 Corkscrew Palms Blvd., Estero. A fundraiser to help end multiple sclerosis.

Sunday, March 11 From Jazz to Broadway » 7 p.m. Covenant Church of Naples, 6926 Trail Blvd., Naples. $50 for general admission, $150 for VIP. Benefits Laces of Love, an organization that provides shoes to children in need. 239-877-1345. fromjazztobroadway.com

Find more events on swflparentchild.com

voices »

Jack Harrah is the owner of Kontrol Room Martial Arts of Cape Coral and director of operations and lead tactical instructor for Jason Hanson’s Spy Combatives.

GUEST COLUMN

We can’t parent like it’s 1993 Technology changes our children’s reality, and we need to change our parenting to counter it.

T

hink back to the last time you went out to eat with your family. How many people, including children, did you see with their eyes buried in their electronic devices?

No, this is not another article on how electronic devices are ruining our social interactions, or how these devices seem to be the go-to entertainment to keep children quiet. Instead, this is what really happens when children are not restricted from usage and liberties of these devices.

Children who have unfettered access to electronic devices are faced with, and often believe in, false realities that in turn could become their own.

Consider this when children are allowed unsupervised social media freedom: Most children have zero immediate consequences for wrong choices made online. Parents who allow their children to seek to be just like others by watching YouTube and idolizing YouTube celebrities are unknowingly supporting the breakdown of unique self-discovery. The kids Snapchat their innocence, because it “disappears.”

On Instagram, our youth yearn for the most likes, generally because it’s instant gratification and bragging rights

among peers. Private or direct messaging is a real issue that exists in all these platforms, and for the most part goes unmonitored.

With little to no restrictions, no rules and total freedom on electronic devices, children have been known to “glorify” their immediate reality, and that could cost them more than bargained for. Their pictures are heavily filtered, sometimes absurd and trendy.

This could lead to bullying or stalking.

Keep in mind their fans aren’t just kids their age at their school; they could be grown adults, watching every move they make, where they hang out, who their friends are and finding common associations to talk with them about.

Some children may have difficulty getting the day started for school. We have noticed that taking their phone away at night eventually leads to an early riser. Here are some basic approaches you can do right away to help gain control of this ever-changing trend of social media: » Stop allowing the trend to control our children. It’s not 25 years ago. They are not trying to be the popular one in school; they are competing with the world, a false, virtual world. » Make sure the phone is down during dinner. Have dinner together and

talk as a family. » Try having a policy in your home that devices get turned in at night. This will be difficult, as there are many ways to get online, so you have to decide the best way that works for your family. » Monitor their phone activity. Children are kids; they should have limited privacy rights. Start with an open line of communication and monitor their phone activity. » Treat relationships accordingly.

With the change of times, you may have noticed that children as young as 8 years old claim to be dating. Quite simply, we all know they are not “dating.” I explained to my kids that if they can’t drive, don’t have a car, and they have no income, they are not dating.

Make sure you treat their relationships accordingly. A relationship misguided ultimately leads to children seeking confirmation from their boyfriend or girlfriend rather than confiding in their parents. » Finally, saying “no” is OK to say to a child as a parent, with or without explanation. Decisions based on how we were raised will not resonate in today’s world. Times are absolutely 100 percent different. We need to adapt to the change, and keep our kids safe.

SOUTHWEST FLORIDA PARENT & CHILD » FEBRUARY 2018 » 57

» a father’s view

Jim Dwyer is a Southwest Florida father of three boys.

JIM DW Y ER

M

Detention

y son Ryan is a freshman in high school.

While he has adjusted and been managing the increased responsibilities, he recently received a detention for using his phone in class.

According to Ryan, he had “glanced” at his phone to check the time. I have two issues with this description. First, I find it highly suspect that his teacher would drop a detention on him if he had really just glanced at the time on his device. The second issue is that I am pretty sure classrooms all across America still have that circular thing on the wall with the hands that spin around and that’s used as the certified timepiece of classrooms for the entirety of scholastic history. If Ryan was that interested in the time, he could have glanced at the clock, and no one would have thought twice.

This discussion really led us nowhere and didn’t change the fact that he had to serve the detention before school.

Somehow, I drew the short straw and was the responsible parent dealing with getting him there.

I woke up at 4:45 a.m., thinking to myself, who is the detention supposed to punish, the kid or me? I was groggy and mumbling and milling around the house trying to get myself together, but if Ryan was going to make the detention, someone had to

58 » FEBRUARY 2018 » SWFLPARENTCHILD.COM

make sure he didn’t just roll over and fall back to sleep. He finally trudged into the shower at 5 as I got myself ready to go. We were out the door with plenty of time to make it to the school.

Normally we are both pretty talkative, but as we headed to the school, there was silence. I was paying attention to driving, and Ryan had his head buried in his phone, the thing that got him in this situation to begin with. I glanced at the clock as I pulled into the school with 10 minutes to spare.

At that moment, Ryan looked up

from his phone and asked why we were at his old middle school.

What?!?! In my groggy state, I had driven to his old school without thinking and now we had almost no chance of making the detention.

We rushed toward the correct school and were about a block away when we hit a traffic light.

With just two minutes left, we watched anxiously as the minutes ticked off. We eventually pulled in five minutes late. Ryan tried to get into the detention classroom, but late is late, and the door was locked. He jumped back in the car, and we went off to share breakfast as I apologized for my mistake.

The next morning: attempt No. 2 with the same routine.

This time Ryan was a bit more engaged in the directions, reminding me where to go until the car was safely pointed toward his high school. We talked the whole way in and got to the correct school with 20 minutes to spare, and Ryan served his detention without further incident.

We were not happy that Ryan received a detention. However, between Ryan’s laughter at my mistake, the great breakfast we had and the two mornings we shared while most of the world was still silent, the detention ended up being an awesome moment for my son and I to reconnect. Even so, I hope we don’t have to do it again.

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