February 2015 by Tampa Bay Parenting Magazine

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Contents

features

24|storytellers

10|Clean sweep

Bringing civil rights to life

The home health connection

32|extraordinary woman

14|a murmur of hope

Sharmila Seth

Athlete beats the odds

34|sing a song

18|over your weight

Improving reading fluency

Stop waiting and take action

36|love home

20|bursting with love

Products for the home

A family is what you make of it

every month 06|Letter From The Editor 10|health and wellness

on the cover

Photograph by Amy Pezzicara of Pezz Photo For this month’s cover photo,

Pg. 36 Make your house a home!

20|education

we followed the yellow brick road to the Glazer Children’s Museum, where the Wizard of Oz exhibit has landed through September. Cover Kid Winner

28|what's happening 40|south Hillsborough News 42|north Hillsborough News

Raigan Jones spent the day exploring all the fun and interactive exhibits that the museum has to offer, including

44|south pinellas News

a sneak peek of the Wizard of

46|north pinellas News

Oz exhibit.

48|pasco News

To learn more about the

50|Around Town

Wizard of Oz exhibit at the

52|Calendar of Events

Glazer

56|directory

TAMPA BAY PARENTING

Children’s

Museum,

visit GlazerMuseum.org or call 813-443-FUN1 (3861).

• FEB 2015 • TBParenting.com

Founder & Editorial Director

Angela L. Ardolino Editor at Large

David E. Estevez Executive Assistant

Krista Byrd Associate Editor

Kimberley Brown Smith Contributing Writers

Cloe Cabrera Richard F. Gaspar, PhD Judith M. Gaspar, MA Jamie Lober Jill Heckman, MD Lindsay Perez Lissette Campos Calendar & Neighborhood Stories

Chris Kuhn Marketing Director

Susan Margolis account executive

Ralf Gonzalez public relations

Otis Lyons Contributing photographers

Nicole Geller Jeanine McLeod Amy Pezzicara Social Moms

Christina Fontana Lisa-Marie Leihy Rachel Long Amber Middelfart Peggy Stines-Munnings Ana Peralta Anna Tataris Laurie Winkles Tampa Bay parenting Magazine

P.0. Box 13365 Tampa, Florida 33681 Phone: 813-949-4400 Fax: 813-315-6688 info@tbparenting.com editor@tbparenting.com

Lindsay Perez, Lily Oyarzun and me ringing in 2015!

Happy valentine's day We’re one month into 2015 and it’s shaping up to be a great year! I’m so excited to share with you all that this year’s Summer Splash Summer Camp Fair will be on April 4 at the Tampa Bay History Center! As one of the Bay Area’s largest history and heritage museums for families, it’s only a natural fit for us to work together to bring you and your family the most comprehensive Summer Splash to date. For $5 per person, families will not only gain access to Summer Splash but to all of the Tampa Bay History Center and it’s 12,000 years of Florida history. To learn more or register your camp, visit www.SummerSplashTampaBay.com. Many parents know that February is American Heart Month. But when thinking of heart health, we may not consider that caring for our children’s hearts is just as important as making sure our own tickers are working well. When Blake High School senior Gene Smith-Mosley suffered a concussion last year, his pediatrician was concerned about a previously diagnosed heart murmur. Read more on page 14 about how a routine checkup after a sport injury most likely saved Gene’s life. As is tradition in our February issue, we’re highlighting the stories of adoptive families in the Tampa Bay area. Each year I’m inspired by the wonderful stories of parents opening their homes to children without their own to form forever families. This year’s families are an exceptional bunch. Read their stories on page 20. A few year’s back I attended a wonderful fundraiser in support of Children Across Borders. I’m so excited to be sharing both the organization’s mission with you and it’s founder in this month’s Extraordinary Woman. Originally from India, Sharmila Seth set her sights high at age 19 and never looked back. After living in New York and London, Sharmila and her husband Vivek settled in Tampa over a decade ago to raise their children, Curran and Annika. Learn more about what inspires and drives this month’s Extraordinary Woman on page 32. Lastly, I want to take a moment and acknowledge those who paid the ultimate price while defending freedom of speech last month in Paris. As a magazine publisher, I strive to educate and inform through words and opinions. The idea that cartoonists (or anyone) could be attacked because of views expressed in nonviolent ways only fuels the passion of freedom lovers like those we lost at Charlie Hebdo. Regardless of politics and religious beliefs, I hope parents will take the time to reflect on the importance of this cherished value and remember that freedom is unfortunately not free. Je suis Charlie.

Become A Fan at:

Facebook.com/ tampabayparentingmagazine

Tampa Bay Parenting is published twelve times per year and distributed throughout the Tampa Bay community. Tampa Bay Parenting is not responsible for any errors, inaccuracies, omissions or incorrect information (or the consequences related thereto) contained within the magazine or online; readers should not rely on any information contained in the magazine and they should always consult with an appropriate professional for guidance. Tampa Bay Parenting accepts no responsibility for the consequences of error or for any loss or damage suffered by users of any of the information or materials provided by Tampa Bay Parenting. Some content published by Tampa Bay Parenting is sponsored or paid for advertising content, and some individuals quoted or cited in articles have paid for advertising or sponsorships; this content or opinions do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of Tampa Bay Parenting.

It’s an extraordinary journey back to ordinary. Every minute, of every day, we give our all so kids like Brittany can go from days in the hospital and months of therapy back to doodling on shoes and shooting hoops. It’s a promise that has made us Tampa Bay’s only hospital ranked by U.S. News & World Report in pediatric specialties.

See stories like Brittany’s at allkids.org/journeys

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Heart disease is the leading cause of death for both men and women, but heart disease is preventable and controllable. This February, make heart healthy changes to your lifestyle. GET A CHECK UP.

EXERCISE REGULARLY.

At least once a year, get checked for conditions that put you at risk for CVD, such as high blood pressure and diabetes.

Getting as little as 30 minutes of physical activity a day can reduce your risk of cardiovascular disease.

EAT A HEALTHY DIET.

STOP SMOKING

Choosing healthful meal and snack options can help you avoid CVD and its complications.

Cigarette smokers are 2â&#x20AC;&#x201C;4 times more likely to develop coronary heart disease than nonsmokers. *CVD- Cardiovascular Disease

Take the Heart Healthy Checkup at www.hcawestflorida.com/heartcheck

TAKE THE HEALTHY HEART CHECKUP

Because a healthy heart is a happy heart.

clean sweep

By Jamie Lober

The home-health connection

t is fairly well-known that diet and exercise can have an impact on your general well-being. But just as important is the strong connection between home and health.

Something that may seem insignificant, like owning an older home that has peeling paint, can be a huge health hazard (lead poisoning). If you have water leaks or poor ventilation, the moisture and mold that may be introduced into your environment can lead to asthma and respiratory troubles. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) define the healthy home as one that prevents injury and disease. The CDC describes a healthy home as having good indoor air, being smoke and CO free and having good ventilation. Homes also should have smooth floor surfaces, stair handrails, adequate lighting and safety devices. The CDC advises all homeowners (and renters) to install smoke alarms on every floor and near all bedrooms, test them monthly and change batteries annually. Additionally, the CDC recommends installing carbon monoxide alarms near bedrooms. Following are additional tips from local moms on how they keep their homes (and families) healthy.

“I am probably like a lot of people who struggle with trying to find a balance between cleaning and not poisoning my house,” says Erica Whiteman. She advises parents to choose cleaning products wisely and always use as directed. Be aware that some cleaners can be dangerous if a child ingests them even in a small amount.

safety TIp: Test your fire alarms each year when the clocks spring forward and back. Whiteman is particularly passionate about Norwex products, describing them as magical. “You wet the cloth, wipe your counter and it is like a vacuum where anything on the counter pulls into the cloth and the cloth continues to disinfect the bacteria,” she says. Other Norwex products, like dryer balls and clean paste, are available. “If you drew a marker on a tile it will not come off. But if you just put the paste on, and it is completely nontoxic, the same cloths are multipurpose. You can use them on the counter or to wipe the window,” Whiteman says. Many moms attempt to make their own products. “I tried cleaning with water and vinegar and tried to put some lemon and dabs of natural oils to make it smell good,” Whiteman notes. A lot of moms begin by creating laundry detergents and floor cleaners. “The first thing I ever did was make my own floor cleaner about 14 years ago with lemon juice, vinegar and water. Because my son was crawling around on the floor, I decided I did not want to put chemicals on it,” says Patricia Larbalestrier. Today, you can find more organic cleaning products. “You should keep spray bottles under your sink with lemon oil, orange oil, vinegar, lemon, water and baking soda for heavy stains because you can just mix it up,” Larbalestrier says. If you are not convinced about a product, compare your experiences with other moms. “I had a party with my sister where we rubbed butter on the windows and she used Windex and I used cloth and they both got it off. A lot of the time with Windex you still see lint on the window,” Whiteman says.

It is about finding what works for you and perhaps keeping supplies in the appropriate rooms. “Have one cloth for the bathroom, one for the kitchen and a travel one for your purse,” Whiteman says. You TAMPA BAY PARENTING

• FEB 2015 • TBParenting.com

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may find that when something smells good you feel better. “Dryer balls are like actual wool and you can put little drops of essential oil lavender and throw the balls in the dryer to give you a natural scent,” Whiteman says. Healthy homes include healthy foods and you can get great ideas by networking with other moms. “When I was pregnant, I joined a co-op and they give you what is in season and try to keep it local to the Florida area,” Larbalestrier says. Larbalestrier is a member of two co-ops, one is privately run and the other is publicly run and anyone can join to get beef, pork, chicken and seafood.

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“My son never ate baby food. I always made it like people did years ago,” Larbalestrier says. You may be surprised to see that your child actually takes an interest in healthy eating. “I involved my son with watching documentaries about where food comes from and how it is raised differently on commercial farms versus small organic farms. He has been on board with eating well because of that,” Larbalestrier says. “When you go to the grocery store, it is wise to stay on the perimeter and avoid the middle aisles,” Larbalestrier says. The perimeter will have the fruits, vegetables, dairy and meat. “We cut down on chemical exposure by doing no soda or sugary drinks,” Larbalestrier says. Cutting high fructose corn syrup and aspartame out of the diet can help. “If you cannot pronounce it, do not eat it,” Larbalestrier advises. “Spend some of your time on the weekend making food for the entire week (steam apples and make your own applesauce or cook and puree your own fruits and vegetables, pour it in ice cube trays and freeze them until you need them),” Larbalestrier adds.

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household products are made with essential oils from flowers and herbs, but really pack a punch against daily dirt and grime. The Clean Day Kitchen Basics Set contains Liquid Dish Soap, Liquid Hand Soap and Multi-Surface. Everyday Cleaner. $11 MrsMeyers.com

If you have residue on your dishes, a little vinegar can go a long way in your dishwasher. “It acts as a natural way to remove scale and reduce the foggy film on your dishes,” Whiteman says.

Power away stubborn, stuck-on food with these easy-to-use automatic dishwasher tablets.

Of course there are a lot of products out there and it can be easy to get confused. “You can go to the Environmental Working Group’s website. They even have an app where you can check your products, whether you are buying suntan lotion or something for the house,” Whiteman says.

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mineral ingredients, this biodegradable, phosphate-free formula effectively washes your dirty dishes without harming the planet. US.Ecover.com

Some beauty products are more environmentally friendly than others. “Find shampoo that feels like it is cleaning your hair but does not have sulfates,” Whiteman says. Just as important as personal care products are fruits and vegetables. The EWG’s Shopper’s Guide to Pesticides in Produce helps consumers shop smart, highlighting the cleanest and dirtiest conventionally raised fruits and vegetables. Larbalestrier even makes her own medicinal remedies. “I think about what I put into my body. Aspirin and pain relievers are heavy on the liver so I try to be as natural as possible,” Larbalestrier says. Everyone has a unique reason for wanting to create a healthy home. “I had a child and started thinking about how to raise my baby in a healthy environment and noticed more and more kids and adults are having allergies that were not as prevalent when I was a kid,” Whiteman says. She advises taking your time to start. “Do it step by step. Don’t overwhelm yourself with trying to overhaul your whole home or life. Look at a product here and there.” Larbalestrier advises getting your entire family involved, whether it is growing vegetables outside or gardening. “Most kids will love to help you cook and make cleaning products because it is fun.”

Made of naturally derived ingredients, Simple Green Naturals Floor Care contains a sugar– based acid, plant–based foaming agent and sugar derived alkalizer to keep floors looking clean and new. Its convenient spray and wipe option allows for the quick clean–up of spills and stains. $4, SimpleGreen.com

These super-sized wipes offer the comfort and performance of cloth in take-along packages so you always have a fresh, clean wipe when you need one. Designed to be kind to baby’s skin, they’re great for quick clean ups all around the house. $3 SeventhGeneration.com

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t 17 and standing a lithe 5 feet 11, Gene Smith-Mosley excels in competitive sports.

His speed, strength and agility made him a standout in soccer, football, and his favorite sport, track and field, where he clocked an impressive 1 minute 59 seconds in the men’s 800-meter. “I’ve loved sports all my life,” the Blake High School senior enthusiastically says. “All through school I’ve been involved in sports. I like to compete and I love to run.” Last year, Gene suffered a mild concussion playing football. During a visit to his pediatrician’s office — a requirement before being allowed to return to sports following a head trauma — his doctor examined his heart. Gene was born with a heart murmur, abnormal sounds heard during the heartbeat cycle, which was discovered when he was in the second grade. Most often, heart murmurs are harmless and don’t require any treatment. In fact, many people don’t even know they have a heart murmur unless their doctor tells them. But this time, it was much different, Teresa Mosley, Gene’s mother learned. “It was so scary,” recalls Teresa Mosley. “We didn’t know how serious his condition was. I felt scared, but the doctor reassured us his condition was treatable and helped us understand the diagnosis. Gene has a twin brother, so I was also very worried that he may also have the same condition.” The pediatrician immediately referred Gene to Dr. J. Blaine John, a pediatric and fetal cardiologist at St. Joseph’s Children’s Hospital, which has one of the largest pediatric cardiovascular programs in the southeast and is a regional referral center for the diagnosis and treatment of congenital heart defects.

Gene and his mother didn’t realize just how lucky he was. Many athletes with this condition suffer sudden cardiac arrest and die before ever reaching a hospital. The referral most likely saved Gene’s life, according to Dr. John. “Congenital coronary artery abnormalities are often what cause athletes to drop dead on the field,” Dr. John says. “He’s a very fortunate young man. Had the malformation gone undetected and untreated, it’s very likely there would have been a terrible tragedy and Gene would have died in the middle of exercise. This was an ideal case.” Most children born with ARCAPA present symptoms within the first few months of life. There are other patients, like Gene, who survive into their teenage years without a problem. Then, they start getting chest pain and have a heart attack. While ARCAPA is rare, heart murmurs are not. One in 15 children will be diagnosed with a heart murmur. Sometimes, especially in a newborn, a murmur can signal a congenital heart defect. The good news is that most of these defects can be corrected, usually with surgery, Dr. John says. By eight weeks gestation, a baby’s heart is fully formed, with four chambers, four valves, two walls and an array of arteries and vessels. This can leave room for error, with problems developing (holes in the heart, atrial septal defects, ventricular septal defects and leaky heart valve), all of which can be treated at St. Joseph’s Children’s Hospital. Most babies do well when the problem is detected early. Some defects correct on their own or need only a single repair. The most complex defects — those that require more than one operation or procedure — are the least common.

A Murmur of hope

Athlete beats the odds By Cloe Cabrera

An echocardiogram, a test that uses sound waves to provide a detailed look at the working heart, followed by a catheterization, brought difficult news: Gene had a rare and potentially deadly form of congenital heart disease called Anomalous Right Coronary Artery from the Pulmonary Artery (ARCAPA), a condition in which the right coronary artery (which carries blood to the heart muscle) abnormally connects to the pulmonary artery rather than the aorta during fetal development. “I never felt anything at all,” says Gene of the diagnosis. “No weakness, no pain, anything like that. We were so surprised to hear the diagnosis and so grateful we went to see the doctor.”

TAMPA BAY PARENTING

• FEB 2015 • TBParenting.com

Pediatric Care in Tampa Bay Has a New Name:

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Connect with a physician close to home HealthPoint Medical Group, Morton Plant Mease Primary Care and Specialists, St. Anthonyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Primary Care and Specialists and Suncoast Medical Clinic recently joined to become BayCare Medical Group. With more than 150 pediatricians, pediatric specialists and family medicine physicians in Hillsborough, Pasco, Pinellas and Polk counties, care for your family is always nearby. The signs may change but your doctor and office staff will remain the same, and will continue to help your children stay healthy. Our participation with your insurance will not be affected. Thank you for allowing us to care for your family. Now accepting new patients. Most major insurance plans are accepted.

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According to Dr. John, the odds of being born with a heart defect are 1 in 100. If parents have a child with a heart defect, there is a 2-15 percent risk of subsequent children having the same condition. Gene’s twin brother was born without any heart problems. Call your pediatrician immediately if you see signs in your infant or toddler that include shortness of breath with exertion or while feeding, rapid breathing or panting, or any blueness. A bluish tinge around the mouth and nose indicates lack of oxygen, Dr. John says. Also be mindful of slow growth, which could mean too many calories are going toward keeping the heart pumping. Make sure your child sees the pediatrician regularly so any problems can be detected early.

technology is enabling pediatric cardiologists to detect potential problems and treat them before the child leaves the hospital or within the first few weeks of life. One of the most amazing developments is the ability to implant heart valves in patients without openheart surgery. St. Joseph’s Children’s Hospital is one of the busiest centers in the nation performing this type of procedure and Dr. Jeremy Ringewald, a pediatric cardiologist at the hospital, has become a nationwide leader. Advancements in technology also allow fetal cardiologists to detect and treat abnormalities while mom is still pregnant.

“It’s so important for parents to take their kids to the pediatrician for routine check-ups,” Dr. John adds. “Had (Gene’s) mother not taken him (to the pediatrician), his heart defect would likely have gone undetected, putting him at a very high risk of sudden death.”

To save Gene’s life, Dr. Peter Wearden, a pediatric heart surgeon at St. Joseph’s Children’s Hospital performed what is called a reimplantation of anomalous right coronary artery, a delicate procedure that consisted of the removal of the origin of the right coronary artery from the main pulmonary artery, rerouting the coronary artery, then reimplantation of the right coronary opening onto the correct location. He also had to repair the main pulmonary artery from where the coronary was removed.

Survival rates for pediatric patients with congenital heart disease have improved dramatically in recent years. Better imaging

The entire surgical procedure was actually outside of his heart, which never had to be opened.

Teresa Mosley says she is grateful to the doctors at St. Joseph’s Children’s Hospital for saving her son’s life. “They have a very special team of doctors and nurses that cared for my son and they let us know what was going on every step of the way,” she says. “Gene was up and walking around on the third day. It was unbelievable. What a blessing it is that we found those doctors and Gene pulled through.” Gene’s prognosis is excellent. He is expected to make a full recovery, though he must undergo additional testing next month to receive medical clearance to return to sports. “He should be able to live a normal and healthy life and return to the competitive sports he loves with no restrictions,” Dr. John says. “He can be an Olympic athlete if he’d like. He’s really wonderful young man.” Gene says he feels great, is taking his one baby aspirin a day and is ready to return to the playing field. “I can’t wait. I’ve really missed it.” For more information on St. Joseph’s Children’s Hospital Pediatric Cardiology, visit StJoesKids.org.

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presents

Breathing Easier With Asthma Workshop & Support Group Saturday, February 28, 2015 at the Children’s Board Family Resource Centers in Central Tampa 1002 East Palm Avenue, Tampa, FL 33605 Breathing Easier With Asthma Workshop – 9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.

Do you or someone you love suffer from Asthma? If so, Tampa General Hospital invites you to attend our free Breathing Easier with Asthma Workshop. During this informative workshop, medical professionals will discuss asthma symptoms, triggers and medications. They will also provide tips on increasing communications with parents and healthcare providers, how to use asthma devices, the importance of creating an emergency asthma action plan, and what to do when someone is having an asthma attack. Participants will receive asthma resources to take home. Parents, caregivers, child care providers and early childhood professionals are encouraged to attend.

Breathing Easier With Asthma Support Group – 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

A community of patients, family members and friends dedicated to dealing with asthma. Child care provided. Child care and a complimentary lunch will be provided to all participants who register in advance and attend. WORKSHOP: 9:00 a.m - 11:00 a.m. (check-in 8:30 a.m.) LUNCH: 11:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. SUPPORT GROUP: 11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. LOCATION: Children’s Board Family Resource Centers in Central Tampa, 1002 East Palm Avenue, Tampa, FL 33605 CONTACT: Pamela G. Sanders, MSN, RNC-NIC, CENP pgsanders@tgh.org for more information about the support group.

E. PALM AVE.

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n July 2014, Kyle Bell knew it was time for a change. At 381 pounds, he had just started a new job and knew that he had no reason not to make a lifestyle change. “I figured, why not,” he says.

As of last month, Bell, with the help of Cesar Lara, MD, has shed over 91 pounds and is still going. Many people use the new year as a time to get in shape. Our resolutions and lofty goals start with weight loss or getting in shape, but quickly fade into forgotten ideas and a pair of running shoes stuffed into the back of the closet. “You have to start with smaller, attainable goals,” says Dr. Cesar Lara of Cesar Lara MD Center for Weight Loss Management. Dr. Lara and his team specialize in helping patients achieve their weight loss goals through a variety of methods, including diet plans, support and sometimes, hypnosis. “It is the most important step to visualize yourself meeting your goals,” Dr. Lara says. “Instead of making a sweeping or general negative goal like saying, ‘I want to lose 30 pounds,’ visualize and say, ‘I want to be 130 pounds’,” Dr. Lara recommends. For Bell, traveling by plane more comfortably was a visualization that he used to help him meet his goals. For others, the goals may be to be able to play with their kids without tiring so quickly or to simply be healthier and happier. No matter the goal, it is important to visualize it. Another factor in sticking to your weight loss plan is to remain positive. Food is not always the only factor in creating and sticking to your

goals, and keeping a positive mindset can be imperative.

team. Their team and their whole office has been great,” he says.

“Create a positive statement in your mind instead of focusing on the negative and thinking, ‘I hate the way I look so I have to start a diet,’ that is not going to move you because more than anything else it is going to frustrate you,” Dr. Lara says.

With the power of positive thinking, a solid plan, and visualization, patients can expect to see results rather quickly. Many of Dr. Lara’s patients begin to shed weight within the very first week of their weight loss plan, Dr. Lara says. The plan involves a mixture of changing the way you eat and the way that you think.

Dr. Lara suggests coming up with five adjectives to help you visualize your goals and speak them aloud. For example, “I want to be healthier, sexier, happier, have more energy, and meet someone special.” Repeat each adjective at least seven times throughout the day (in the morning, at lunch, in the evening, and before bed). Through repeating your mantra, you will begin to pave the way for positive thinking and you will begin to connect your mind with success rather than setting yourself up for failure. Once you have your goal and your mantra in mind, make a plan. Come up with five to eight steps to start you on the right path, Dr. Lara advises. Part of making that plan involves setting a start date and sticking to it. Support is another factor in weight loss that many people don’t consider. When you set out on a weight loss journey alone, it can be easy to give up or to bargain yourself out of what you truly want. Whether through the support of a health care team or the support of friends and family, it is important to build a support system around yourself. For Bell, the support of Dr. Lara’s team made a world of difference. “I could not have done it without Dr. Lara’s

over Your Weight Stop waiting and take action

By Krista Byrd

TAMPA BAY PARENTING

• FEB 2015 • TBParenting.com

In July, when Bell began working with Dr. Lara, he lost 12 pounds the first week. The momentum has not been lost as he nears the 100-pound loss mark. Seeing the perfectly fit people on TV or in the gym can make you want to turn and run the other way, but to stick it out and practice the positive thinking and gaining support can make it a very worthwhile endeavor. Bell says it is important not to let yourself be intimidated. “I have tons more energy,” says Bell. “I can travel and it is just so much easier now.” If you are considering a weight loss plan, you should discuss it with your doctor first. Dr. Lara also recommends seeking the help of a doctor specializing in weight loss management for more serious weight loss needs. When asked what they would suggest that people considering weight loss or becoming healthier consider, both Dr. Lara and Bell had the same sentiment. “Just do it. It is not worth not doing.” For more information, see Dr. Cesar Lara’s ad on page 9 or visit BestMedicineforWeightloss.com

bursting with love A family is what you make of it

By Krista Byrd

ctress and author Nia Vardalos once wrote, “Anyone who ever wondered how much they could love a child who did not spring from their own loins, know this, it is the same. The feeling of love is so profound, it’s incredible and surprising.” Families who have chosen to open their homes and hearts to children in need know this firsthand and their stories are a way for us all to understand profound, incredible, surprising love.

Various agencies and organizations, including The Heart Gallery, Camelot Community Care, Finally Home, foster care, and more are connecting and uniting forever families. While each family is unique, there is one common thread that runs through all the following adoption stories — love.

Family Tradition By Loryn Smith

When I was 19, I was doing an internship in New York for college, my degree was in social work, and one of the social workers asked if I had ever thought about adopting. I said, “I always have. I have two adoptive siblings!” She said, “Why don’t you go fill out the paperwork because there is a seven year waiting list in New York.”

All of my children were adopted through the foster care system, but our sixth child, our second adoption, was a child who had the highest level of cocaine and alcohol that they had ever registered in a newborn. They said that if he survived he would be profoundly mentally handicapped. He is in the Air Force now and is just truly an amazing person.

Well, little did I know that it would take much less than seven years. At age 20, and just two weeks after I filled out the paperwork, we got a little boy. He was 2.

When they saw that we would take kids who need extra attention and love, we started getting calls. All of our adoptive kids were born addicted. We also were foster parents for 30 years, but the kids who came to us for adoption came to us for that purpose. We were up for the challenge, I guess you could say.

My husband Thad and I are now are in the process of adopting our 10th child, and we have five biological children. Our children range in age from 36 all the way to 2. We also now have 12 grandchildren and three adoptive grandchildren. We are carrying it on to the next generation.

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The last four children who joined our family were each teenagers, and they had each had four failed adoptions a piece. So by the time they got to us, they clearly didn’t trust us and

• FEB 2015 • TBParenting.com

had spent 10 or more years in the foster care system. They were very wounded children, and it has been challenging and rewarding to see these children who are afraid to trust learn to do it. When parenting kids who are hurt, it’s important to be realistic, not take things personally and love them unconditionally, allowing them to achieve whatever potential God has for them. My personal passion has since become a professional passion because I own my own agency. We place through both domestic (newborns) and the foster care system. Probably the most rewarding program that we have is our family coaching program. We go into homes and help parents implement and develop strategies for children impacted by trauma. I just love helping parents, seeing

3 REASONS TO BE YOUR OWN

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COMING SOON The Family Y at Big Bend Road Gibsonton/Riverview, FL

them respond and then watching their children respond.

prepare me for was the reality of parenting a teenager again.

Of course, I have a vested interest because if I place kids with good people then I can stop bringing them home!

The minute I met my adoptive daughter it was love at first sight. I knew in my soul that this was my daughter. Teenagers can be rough around the edges, but underneath the hard exterior there is a person that longs to be loved and give love in return. This was the case with my adoptive daughter.

It is an exciting journey, and we wouldn’t trade the good times (or challenges) for anything. Thad and I have learned so much about ourselves and how to meet individual kid’s needs. We learned to redefine success, and it has been an awesome journey that has forever impacted our lives and made us better people.

Fulfilling Her Destiny By DeeDee Mays

My desire to adopt was sparked 15 years ago. At the time, I was not in the position to do so, but the desire never waned. Upon moving to Florida three years ago, the timing finally felt right. My biological children were grown and out of the home. My great-niece, now 12, who I have had custody of since she was 15 months, was the only child living with me. For as long as my children could remember they knew, “Mommy wants to adopt.” What they were not prepared for – for that matter neither was I -- was to adopt a teenager. I attended and completed the 10 week Model Approach to Partnerships in Parenting (MAPP) class in preparation for being a foster or adoptive parent. What it did not

Before the adoption, I had become a foster mother to teenage girls. They are truly a blessing and a breath of fresh air. I learned how much they appreciate what you are doing. Even something as simple as tucking them in, ironing for them or bringing home a new candy, can elicit appreciation, excitement and giddiness. The most rewarding part of my new family is the unconditional love, and the memories we are creating together. They help keep me young and are very entertaining. They keep me up to date on all the slang (so I can effectively communicate with the teenage population). They also keep me up to date on the latest fashion trends. My daughters enjoy dressing me up and doing my hair and makeup. Fostering and adopting have been a rewarding journey for me.

It Keeps Getting Better When we last heard from the Sakales family in 2013, they had recently adopted their beautiful daughter Lamaya, whom they were connected with through the Heart Gallery. Lamaya was from medical foster care and had heart issues that required multiple surgeries. Since then, the Sakales has welcomed a new member, their adorable 1-year-old son Javoni. Although he has been living with the family for a year, they are finally getting to celebrate his adoption this month. Like his sister, Javoni is from medical foster care. He has spina bifida and scoliosis. Christen and her husband Mike are over the moon. “We sometimes wonder if other parents feel this way. We love them so much and everything is a big deal to us,” she says. “I feel like it is such an amazing experience. I feel like because we know how we got our children, and we believe that God picked our children for us, they are the perfect fit for our family.” Since bringing Javoni into the family, the love has only grown and spread. “One of the most amazing things is watching two children who are not related fall in love with each other,”

Christen says. “To watch my little girl and my little boy fall in love with each other is just amazing. When my daughter comes home from school her brother says, ‘I missed you today! I love you.’ That is just amazing!” “I feel like we all appreciate each other in a different way,” Christen says. The Sakales family, like many others, connected through the Heart Gallery. The Heart Gallery helps future parents connect with kids who are looking for forever families, including teens, siblings and children from medical foster care.

On Feb. 13, the Heart Gallery, in association with Camelot Community Care and The Children’s Board of Hillsborough County, will host Be Mine 2015: No Place Like Home to raise money and awareness for children in need of loving homes. Tickets are available online:

HeartGalleryTampaBay.org There, you will find resources to connect you with children and answers to common adoption questions.

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storytellers Bringing civil rights to life By Lissette Campos

artin, Rosa, Marion and Ruby, these are just some of the names that will be spoken in classrooms across the country this month. As the nation commemorates Black History Month, Tampa Bay area museum curators have found a way to make these names come alive for younger generations. How? They’re using a microphone and a video camera. Curators from the Florida Holocaust Museum started filming interviews with local residents at the recent Tampa Bay Black Heritage Music festival. Those tapings continue this month. They won’t be able to interview Martin Luther King Jr., Rosa Parks, Marion Anderson or Ruby Bridges, but they are able to talk to local residents with civil rights stories of their own. “It’s going to be very relaxing. We have a number of different questions that we’re going to be asking people about their memories of the civil rights movement of that time,” explains Elizabeth Gelman, executive director of the Florida Holocaust Museum. “There were many people who had different experiences. Some, as we say in the museum, were bystanders and watched things happen. Some were activists. Some were participants. Sadly, some were perpetrators. There are different memories, objects and artifacts pertaining to that time. So we’re looking for the community’s help to collect all of that.” The museum staff will use its curating expertise to draw out the stories from local residents, film and create the oral histories collection. Keeley Sheehan is the one taking calls and emails from residents who want to be included in the collection of oral histories. On the museum website, www. flholocaustmuseum.org, they’re posting dates, times and locations of where staff will be taping next. ABC Action News Anchor Deiah Riley is hoping her dad David Riley will be among the interviewees. “I grew up hearing fascinating stories about the numerous civil rights marches and sit-ins he was involved in,” explains the morning news anchor. “Dad joined the civil rights movement in Durham, NC, when he was just 12 years old! By the time he was 16, he was marching alongside

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civil rights legends like Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Floyd McKissick, Sargent Shriver and A. Phillip Randolph. “He was jailed as a teenager for staging a sit-in protest.” Not surprisingly, Deiah says she has wanted to record her father’s stories of the civil rights movement for many years. David was a member of the Congress of Racial Equality also known as CORE, the NAACP, and worked with the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC). “He’s such an amazing man and I’m so proud he’s my dad,” Deiah says with her trademark smile. “We’re looking to capture the memories about the civil rights movement and integration in the Tampa Bay – Sarasota area from people who participated in small and large ways,” Gelman says. “Who remembers the effect it had in their schools, their neighborhoods, their churches and synagogues? We want to hear from those who were part of the movement as well as those who simply lived through this important time of transformation or even opposed it. Our goal is to use these individual stories to provide a comprehensive look at the Civil Rights Movement in our area.” “We believe it is vital to capture the testimony of those who experienced the Civil Rights struggle in our own community while they are still with us,” Gelman explains. Why the Florida Holocaust museum for an exhibition on the civil rights movement? Why not!? “The Florida Holocaust Museum has been lauded for its ability to record, share and preserve testimony as well as its exhibits and programs on the Holocaust, genocide and human rights issues,” Gelman says. After reading this with your child, are you inspired to become a curator of your family’s stories? Erin Blakenship, curator of exhibitions at the Florida Holocaust Museum, shares these tips. “We would advise that the student brainstorm and write a list of specific questions. Then, schedule a time to interview the family member. You can record the answers via tape or pen. We recommend using a voice recorder or film if possible.” Lissette Campos is director of community affairs for ABC Action News.

• FEB 2015 • TBParenting.com

With over 100 unique camps and classes, Berkeley Summer Programs has something for everyone, and we can cater to a childâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s diverse interests or singular passion. We offer full-day sessions in a variety of areas such as sports, academics, and fine arts, or you can opt for our one, two, and three-hour selections. To learn more and to register today, log on to berkeleyprep.org/summer.

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What's Happening The Wizard of oz at the Glazer Children's Museum Take a ride down Ashley Drive and you’ll land in the magical world of Oz inside the Glazer Children’s Museum. The Wizard of Oz traveling exhibit brings lions and tigers and bears (oh my) to the popular downtown attraction from February through September, adding more than 2,500 square feet of fun for all guests. Follow the yellow brick road through Munchkinland, get a glimpse of the ruby red slippers, and discover your courage, heart and smarts on an interactive adventure through the Land of Oz. GlazerMuseum.org

Clearwater Beach uncorked Uncork and unwind at the fourth annual Clearwater Beach Uncorked from 1-5 p.m. Feb. 7-8 at the Hyatt Regency Clearwater Beach Resort and Spa. The event features tastings from the area’s most renowned restaurants along with wines, craft beers and microbrews from more than 100 wineries. Sip, nosh and mingle beachside with guests, wine specialists, brew masters and area chefs. A portion of ticket sales will benefit the University of South Florida Sarasota-Manatee College of Hospitality and Technology Leadership. ClearwaterBeachUncorked.com

Bay Area renaissance Festival Lords and ladies of the kingdom are invited to MOSI on weekends from Feb. 14 through March 29 for this annual medieval gathering. Travel back in time and enjoy warhorse jousting, the Washing Well Wenches and acrobats by Acrobellum. Visitors also can experience authentic food from the era and participate in crafts and human chess. If that isn’t fun enough, you can also shop the vendors and meet some interesting characters along the way. Advanced tickets, available online, are $17 for adults and $9 for kids. BayAreaRenFest.com

Zoominations: A Chinese Lantern Festival of Lights Making its debut on Feb. 28 during Chinese NewYear celebrations (which occur Feb. 19-March 5 throughout China), Tampa’s Lowry Park Zoo will hold a festival of lights. Highly-skilled craftsmen from the village of Zigong in China’s Sichuan province will build large illuminated structures. Guests can discover 30 spectacular scenes, which will include replicas of the Beijing Temple of Heaven and larger-than-life dragons, pandas, rhinos, elephants, zebras, giraffes, dinosaurs and flowers. There will be live performances by acrobats and an artisan market with handmade crafts. Event is included with admission. LowryParkZoo.org

Gasparilla Festival of the Arts Artists and art lovers from around the country migrate every winter to the Raymond James Gasparilla Festival of the Arts. This year’s festival is Feb. 28 – Mar. 1. The nation’s most accomplished artists and rising stars will vie for the $15,000 Best of Show Award and an additional $59,500 in prize money. Held at downtown Tampa at Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park, featured art includes ceramic, digital, drawing, fiberglass, jewelry, mixed media, painting, photography, printmaking, sculpture, watercolor and wood. The event also features the works of local young artists a renowned children’s art activity area. GasparillaArts.com

TAMPA BAY PARENTING

• FEB 2015 • TBParenting.com

FEB. 28 - MAY 31

6 PM

SPECTACULAR BY DAY, INCREDIBLE BY NIGHT Zoominations is the best family experience in 800 years. The first of its kind in the Southeastern U.S., a dazzling display of custom-made Chinese lantern structures will illuminate Tampaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Lowry Park Zoo this spring! Colossal by day and radiant after dark, guests will discover 30 spectacular scenes representing traditional Chinese dragons and folklore along with larger-than-life replicas of Zoo animals. Zoominations will also feature performances by Chinese acrobats and an artisan market with unique handmade crafts.

LowryParkZoo.org/Lantern

FUN FOR THE WHOLE “ONE OF THE BEST FAMILY MUSICALS EVER PENNED” –Chicago Tribune

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Extraordinary

Woman

By Angela Ardolino

Mastering the art of motherhood, work and community.

Born in Bangalore, India, Sharmila Seth describes her childhood as very happy. “I was very fortunate to have amazing godparents to help take care of my two younger siblings and I. So, I had two sets of parents! I was very lucky to travel the world with my godparents. When the time came for me to pursue my college education, I knew that I wanted to study in the United States.” At 19, she traveled to New York to pursue a business degree. While studying, she met her future husband Vivek, who was working on Wall Street. After graduating, she worked four years, deciding to pursue a master’s degree from the London School of Economics. Then came marriage and working in the consulting industry for a few years. “When I got pregnant with our first child, my son Curran, in 2000, my husband got recruited to work for Raymond James Financial in St. Petersburg, and we moved to Tampa as a family in January 2002. A year later, I gave birth to our daughter Annika. When the kids were in school full time, I began to think about going back to work. In considering many different ideas, my husband and I decided that building a nonprofit organization that would include getting family, friends and colleagues motivated to give back to worthy organizations in the USA and India would be a great way for me to use my talent and work experience.”

What do you think is the secret to your family's success?

Love, hard work and super strong values. Though my husband and I met in New York, we are from the same city in India (as fate would have it) and have traveled extensively, and consequently, view ourselves as citizens of the world. Similar beliefs and somewhat similar backgrounds make it easier for us to instill our common values in our kids.

What is your biggest fear?

Probably death. I’m learning to overcome it and embrace life to its fullest and appreciate how lucky I am.

what advice would you give to other women? Be comfortable in your own skin. Don’t make

TAMPA BAY PARENTING

judgments based on what you hear. Judge for yourself. One of my favorite everyday quotes is, “Put yourself in someone else’s shoes.” It helps me make unbiased decisions. I also believe that strength comes from within yourself. So stay true to yourself. Don’t let other people’s words minimize your efforts. Lead with your heart not your head.

What is your proudest moment?

The success of my public charity, Children Across Borders. To be able to make a difference in children’s lives across the globe and have peoples’ trust in my work is super cool! My husband and I started Children Across Borders in 2009 to benefit underprivileged children around the world, starting in the community we live in and the community of our birth (Bangalore, India). CAB’s mission is to provide financial and nonfinancial support to children-focused, nonprofit, grassroots organizations, primarily in the areas of education, health, housing and wellness. CAB’s beneficiary organizations are chosen with great care while being held to the highest standards of accountability, ensuring that 100% of monies donated are used solely to benefit these children.

What is your biggest achievement?

My children. My son Curran, 13, and my daughter Annika, 11. I am very proud of them.

What makes you happy?

Traveling around the world with my family and watching my kids grow and be influenced by those unique experiences makes me very happy. This past summer we traveled to Kenya and South Africa, and it was an incredible trip! Having my children witness the harmonious relationship between human and animal life, living side by side with respect for each other was surreal and breathtakingly beautiful!

How do you relax and take time for yourself?

Momentary escapes – meditation, playing tennis, reading, cooking, and watching good movies! Occasional girls trips and weekend trips with my husband help as well!

• FEB 2015 • TBParenting.com

What kind of message would you like to give women?

Stay true to yourself. Don’t get caught up in societal pressures. Give back to your community in whatever way you can that is fulfilling to you – whether it’s a child, an elderly person, an animal or fighting a disease — but make a difference. You have one life to live. Live it right.

What else would you like to share with our readers?

I am very fortunate that my work is something I can share with my kids and be a role model for them. Entitlement isn’t something our generation grew up with so finding the right balance in the present day world is a lot harder. However, communicating, sharing the right experiences and teaching strong values are very important. My work allows my kids to experience giving back and sharing – and I am very lucky for it.

How do you enjoy or draw information from the magazine?

It is one of the best magazines out there for families as it has a ton of information! For someone like me who is constantly on the run, I love reading the event happenings around the bay so I can keep up with family activities, especially when I have my 3-yearold niece or friends with kids visiting from out of town.

What is your favorite thing to do with your kids in the Tampa Bay area? Go to the beach, where we play soccer, Frisbee, paddleboard, fish, swim and, sometimes, surf and kayak.

Who is your biggest inspiration or role model?

Bill and Melinda Gates are probably my biggest role models. I am always inspired by people who make a difference in the world (in their lifetime) no matter what their status or wealth. I think you’ve reached greatness when you can utilize your success and wealth by giving back to the community and the world, making it a better place for future generations to live.

Sharmila Seth Mrs. Seth, founder of Children Across Borders, at her home in Tampa.

Photo by Amy Pezzicara, Pezz Photo

Sing a song Improving reading fluency By Richard F. Gaspar, PhD and Judith M. Gaspar, MA

oe Raposo wrote the lyrics and melody for the tune “Sing” in 1969 for the first season of Sesame Street. Since it first aired, countless children have learned the lyrics by listening to the song.

Over the past 45 years, dozens of celebrities and children have sung the song, and it has reappeared numerous times on additional episodes. Most adults can recall a number of other Sesame Street and early learning tunes. If you close your eyes, you can probably recall Raposo’s opening line of lyrics, “Sing, sing a song.” Recent research studies involving more than 1,500 students reveals consistent reading gains at all levels with singing interventions.The research also notes that “melodic learning” appears to aid early learning, language learning, literacy learning and other academic areas. “Most people can relate to having a song or melody stuck inside their head, and scientists have developed the term earworm to describe this phenomenon.” Reading research supports singing strategies may help students develop earworms to learn new words and aid with early learning word study. The following are two specific strategies that utilize singing to increase word knowledge and reading fluency. The activities are supported by the Script Theory research of Bower, Black and Turner, which demonstrated comprehension can be increased through activities organized around routines with consistency.

Choral Singing

A fun activity parents can do with their children is choral singing. An article in The International Journal of Research in Choral Singing asserts choral singing is “at heart, about relationships.” These relationships can form strong bonds among the parents, teachers and the children and students with other students. Choral singing involves the same basic activities as choral reading. First, children should be taught the song. The song can be taught as a choral reading activity and then the tune and melody can be introduced. Songs should be introduced from beginning to end, and then specific versus and refrains can be practices with a melody. Choral reading can provide children with a happier learning environment, where they are excited to learn. Songs from Sesame Street, Fran Avni, Jack Hartmann and Alan Katz contain lyrics that can help children learn phonics and help with word study.

Singing Books

Another strategy for consideration is the use of singing books. Simply put, singing books are books that are written to a melody or song lyrics. With the popularity of singing-based reality shows, singing books should be a hit with most children.

TAMPA BAY PARENTING

• FEB 2015 • TBParenting.com

Singing books should be introduced as a standard routine with a specific time frame. Consistency will help the children retain comprehension and word knowledge. It may also provide a welcomed break from more academic activities. Singing books can help establish a sense of rhythm and “can be used to increase a student’s awareness of rhyming patterns and alliteration in other areas of reading and writing.” Consider using popular singing texts from the Silly Dilly author Alan Katz. Take Me Out of the Bathtub is a fun songbook written to the melody of “Take Me Out to the Ball Game”. Songs also can be used to teach subjects across content areas. Schoolhouse Rock tunes such as “I’m Just a Bill” and “Conjunction Junction, What’s Your Function” can be printed for free from the School House Rock website. The site provides access to more than 50 additional songs and text (www.schoolhouserock.tv/). Parents should consider using choral singing and singing books to add to their daily reading routines with their children. These activities have an actively growing research basis and years of materials readily available for a variety of homes, classrooms, settings and age groups. Remember, as Raposo wrote, “Don’t worry that it’s not good enough for anyone else to hear, just sing, sing a song!” Dr. Richard F. Gaspar is a Professor of Communication at Hillsborough Community College. He is a past Hillsborough County Teacher of the Year and Florida Reading Teacher of the Year honoree. Mrs. Judith Gaspar is a Hillsborough County teacher and adjunct professor at Hillsborough Community College. She is a past Florida Governor’s Award recipient and Hillsborough Community College Outstanding Alumni honoree.

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Free Family Event

You’re invited to Clifford’s birthday party WEDU and Glazer Children’s Museum invite you to celebrate Clifford’s birthday with an afternoon of fun and learning! Come and meet the Big Red Dog himself, sign his birthday card and watch a great Clifford episode.

at the

Tuesday, February 3, 2-7 p.m. For information, visit glazermuseum.org or call (813) 443-3861. Remember, children must be accompanied by an adult and adults must be accompanied by a child.

Enter before March 31, 2015 at www.wedu.org/writerscontest The PBS Kids Writers Contest is open to any child in grades K-3 who wants to write and illustrate their own story. Submit your story to WEDU for judging and a chance to win cool prizes! Local winning stories will be submitted to the national PBS Kids Writers Contest for judging. Everyone who enters will receive a Certificate of Achievement. /wedupublicmedia

CLIFFORD TM & © Scholastic Inc. CLIFFORD TM Norman Bridwell

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wedu.org/kids

Dig into History, Fun at FossilFest

dates:

The Tampa Bay Fossil Club invites families back in time for its upcoming 26th annual FossilFest. The popular event, hailed as Florida’s largest prehistoric show, includes a large display of fossils found here in the state.

Feb. 1, 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.

This year’s event is 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. March 21 and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. March 22 at the Florida State Fairgrounds in Tampa. It will feature educational activities for the young and young at heart, which are designed to educate visitors on Florida’s prehistoric past. Guests will be able to view gems, minerals, fossil shells, and antique bottles and meet vendors who sell and trade fossils from all over the world. “Our goal is to teach Floridians about the prehistoric creatures and people that were here long before us,” says club president Michael Searle. “You don’t have travel to far-away exotic places to find these fossils. Mammoths, wolves, camels, and rhinos lived right here where we live today. Their fossilized remains are everywhere in Florida.” The club will host workshops both days focused on Florida’s extensive fossil record and prehistoric people. Workshops educate visitors about how to legally search for fossils in Florida and identify and preserve what is discovered. Another highlight of FossilFest is the children’s Fossil Mine. For a small fee, kids can dig through a sand pit to recover actual prehistoric fossils donated by members of the Tampa Bay Fossil Club. Then at the Learning Table, kids sit down with a club member who will identify and explain their new treasure. Children get to keep all fossils they find. The event includes door prizes, children’s games, silent auctions, and drawings throughout the weekend. The Tampa Bay Fossil Club is a family oriented organization focused on paleontology, archaeology and everything prehistoric. Meetings are held monthly on USF’s Tampa campus and feature prominent speakers from many areas of science. The Tampa Bay Fossil Club awards annual scholarships to students studying in the fields of paleontology and geology. Learn more at www.tampabayfossilclub.com.

Share, Learn at Children's Board Town Halls Recently, the Children’s Board hosted its first Community Town Hall Meeting and is now gearing up for its second event. Area residents are invited to attend the next Community Town Hall Meeting at 5 p.m. Feb. 12 at the Children’s Board Family Resource Center in Town N’ Country, 7520 W. Waters Ave., Suite 8. The town hall meetings are a chance for local community members to gather with child advocates from a variety of organizations to discuss concerns and a range of topics. During the first town hall, the discussion included concerns ranging from pedestrian safety, where Florida ranks at or near the top of the pedestrian fatalities list each year, to bicycle safety, the dangers of child predators, safe caregivers and bus stop safety. Community members also received information on family stability and career path from HCC, including information on scholarship programs and the Safe and Sound Hillsborough Initiative. Visit www.childrensboard.org for more information about The Children’s Board of Hillsborough County.

Fresh Market at Hyde Park Village Shop for gourmet foods, organic goods and handcrafted items, listen to live music and support young entrepreneurs at the onsite Tampa Kids Market at this monthly event. www.hydeparkvillage.net

Feb. 4, 9:30 a.m. Academy of the Holy Names Preview Enjoy a pre-K and kindergarten preview at the South Tampa private school. Learn about academics, athletics and arts programs. Call 813-839-5371. www. holynamestpa.org

Feb. 7, 2-5 p.m. Clown Boot Camp for Kids For students in grades 3-8, this Patel Conservatory workshop includes basics, such as slapstick comedy, makeup application, juggling and balloon twisting. Cost: $30. Registration is required. Call 813-2221002. www.patelconservatory.org

Feb. 14, 7 a.m. I Will Inspire 5K Lace up for this fundraiser walk at Tampa’s Al Lopez Park for the I Will Foundation and Building Homes for Heroes. Participants can walk, run or wheel on hand cycles or electric/manual wheelchair through the 5K. www.iwillinspire.com

Feb. 28, various times Breathing Easier with Asthmas Workshop Attend a helpful workshop hosted by Tampa General Hospital at Children’s Board Family Resource Centers in Tampa. Parents, caregivers, child care providers and early childhood professionals can learn about asthma symptoms, triggers and medications as well as get valuable tips for creating an emergency asthma action plan. Workshop starts at 9 a.m. (check-in 8:30 a.m.) with lunch at 11 a.m. Asthma support group follows 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Register at 1-800-822-3627. www.tgh.org

Feb. 28, 10 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

TAMPA BAY PARENTING

• FEB 2015 • TBParenting.com

Boy Scout Workshop Sign up for a fun, interactive workshop through Music Showcase in Brandon. Participants can earn both a Showman Activity badge and music belt loop. Attend as part of a den or individual. Cost: $12 per person. www.musicshowcaseonline.com

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uSF Autism Center Seeks Event Sponsors University of South Florida’s Center for Autism and Related Disabilities (CARD) is still seeking sponsors as well as guests for its upcoming 10th annual Fiesta by the Bay. The signature event raises funds to support the organization’s efforts to provide valuable resources for thousands of families impacted by autism in the Tampa Bay area and nearby communities. This year’s festive fundraiser is 6 p.m. April 17 in the Ybor City Museum Garden. Fiesta by the Bay will feature fun activities for guests of all ages, including dancing, a silent auction and children’s activities. Last year’s event helped raise over $16,000 for the organization to support free programs and services offered through CARD.

dates: Jan. 29 and Feb. 12, various times Corpus Christi Catholic Open House From 8:30 a.m. Jan. 29, tour the Temple Terrace private school for grades K-8. Learn about the math and science curricula. Registration is 8:30-10 a.m. and 6-7 p.m. Feb. 12. www.catholic-church.org/cccschool

Feb. 7, 1-3 p.m.

CARD is a free, community-based program funded by the Florida Department of Education through an annual grant and serves families and professionals in a 14-county region of southwest Florida. The USF center is one of only seven regional centers in the state and is focused primarily on providing support and assistance to optimize the potential of people with autism and related disabilities. Among its most popular initiatives has been the Autism Fits Business Initiative.

Daddy-Daughter Dance Put on your dancing shoes and enjoy a special afternoon at Lightfoot Recreation Center in Temple Terrace. Cost: $8 per couple and $2 for each additional person (in advance) and $10/couple and $4/extra person (at the door). Call 813-506-6600.

Today, there are over 25,000 people diagnosed with autism in the Tampa Bay area alone. Those with autism are willing and excited to participate and do business in the community, however, feeling valued or accepted can be a challenge. This is where Autism Fits comes in.

Feb. 13, 7 a.m. - noon.

The organization’s consultants provide ongoing, direct assistance to families, schools and agencies through a variety of channels. These include conducting community site visits, attending meetings, assisting with training and other educational support, researching and distributing resources as needs are determined, and collaborating with local schools and other organizations on projects to directly benefit families impacted by autism and related disabilities. Businesses can, reach out to CARD, and for no cost they will come and train employees on how to create a welcoming environment for consumers with autism, their families and potential employees. For information about taking part as a sponsor of this year’s Fiesta by the Bay, contact Christine Rover at crover@usf.edu or 813-974-9264. Various sponsorship levels are available for individuals and businesses to take part, from $250 to $5,000. Checks may be made payable to the USF Foundation, Federal Identification Number 59-0879015. To learn more about CARD and its many programs, or the Autism Fits Business Partnership, please contact Mindy Stevens at 813-974-6108, or via email at Mstevens3@usf.edu, or visit http://card-usf. fmhi.usf.edu/.

prenatal Care rolls into university Area The University Area Community Development Corporation (UACDC) has partnered with Barefoot Birth to offer prenatal services every Wednesday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the University Area Community Center Complex playground on North 22nd Street. As Tampa’s first mobile prenatal care unit, the Barefoot Bus is staffed by licensed midwives providing general prenatal checkups, bimonthly examinations and lab work to women with low-risk pregnancies in lower-income neighborhoods. Services are available to everyone, regardless of insurance status or ability to pay. Families who qualify for Medicaid also will receive assistance with their applications. For more information or to make an appointment for the Barefoot Bus, contact Charlie Rae Young at 813-944-9120.

TAMPA BAY PARENTING

• FEB 2015 • TBParenting.com

15 Minutes for Your Health Head over to Florida Hospital Pepin Heart Institute for free health screenings that include blood pressure checks and much more. www.fhtampa.org

Feb. 13 - Mar. 7, various times Sherlock Holmes and the Case of the Jersey Lily Watch the famed sleuth investigate a case involving a prince, a play and a wicked professor. Reserve seats by phone at 813-265-4000. Tickets: $20 adults, $17 seniors, students and military with ID. www. carrollwoodplayers.org

Feb. 14, 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. North Tampa Market Browse handcrafted goods, fresh foods and organic products at this monthly event at the Carrollwood Cultural Center. Shop the Kids Market while enjoying live music. Free admission. www.tampabaymarkets.com

Feb. 20, 8-9:30 p.m. Funny Bones: The Comedy of Charlie Chaplin Celebrate 100 years of the legend. Renown Chaplin expert Dan Kamin takes the audience on a journey with film clips, live performance and screening of the newly restored The Pawnshop. Tickets: $24-$31. www. carrollwoodcenter.org

Feb. 24, 8:30 a.m. Corbett Prep Open House Get questions answered and take a tour of the school serving grades PreK3 through eight and interact with faculty and students. www.corbettprep.com

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STEM Lab Coming to Bay point Middle Students at St. Petersburg’s Bay Point Middle School will soon have a STEM classroom and after-school technology lab with some support. The school, in partnership with the Pinellas Education Foundation, has been awarded a $20,000 Verizon Innovate Learning Grant. Bay Point is one of 80 public schools across the country — and four in Florida — to receive a grant this year as part of Verizon’s investment to help provide teachers with the resources they need to use technology more innovatively and effectively to engage students in science, technology, engineering and math. Bay Point Middle’s Falcon Fab Lab will help create a safe and exciting place for students and their families to explore, create and learn using state-of-the-art technology. “To be able to bring a technology-rich learning opportunity to children and their families in south St. Petersburg can only happen when generous partners like Verizon understand that educating our children must be a priority for everyone,” says St. Petersburg Deputy Mayor Kanika Tomalin. A recent report indicating that a significant demand for STEM-educated workers exists and that it may be even larger than had been previously reported. “The proposal submitted by Bay Point Middle School exemplifies the type of initiatives that will provide exposure to students around STEM fields, and also offer students hands-on, project-based learning opportunities that will help increase their interest and achievement in STEM,” says Debby Kampert, Verizon’s director of external affairs, Florida. Bay Point Middle School is home to 925 students in grades 6-8 and is the location of the Center for Advancement of the Sciences and Technology.

All Children's Expands Heart Surgery program Johns Hopkins All Children’s Heart Institute has expanded its Children’s Heart Surgery program at All Children’s Hospital with the addition of world-renowned pediatric cardiothoracic surgeon Tom Karl, M.S., M.D. Dr. Karl joins the hospital from the University of Queensland, Australia, where he served as professor of surgery and consultant cardiothoracic surgeon and director of research. His areas of surgical expertise include all aspects of pediatric and congenital cardiothoracic surgery and intensive care, including neonatal heart surgery, cardiopulmonary transplantation, circulatory support, valve surgery and repairs for complex adult congenital heart diseases. Dr. Karl is just one of six surgeons who comprise the Johns Hopkins Children’s Heart Surgery program, a collaboration that includes All Children’s Hospital in St. Petersburg, The Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore and Florida Hospital in Orlando. The Johns Hopkins Children’s Heart Surgery program is one of the largest in the country, with surgeons performing more than 1,000 pediatric and congenital cardiothoracic operations per year. In 2014, U.S. News & World Report recognized All Children’s Hospital as a Best Children’s Hospital. All Children’s Hospital ranked No. 34 nationwide for cardiology and heart surgery and is the only pediatric cardiology and heart surgery program to rank in the Tampa Bay area.

TAMPA BAY PARENTING • FEB 2015 • TBParenting.com

dates: Feb 7, 10 a.m. Play Dirty Adventure Run This race at Largo Central Park Nature Preserve features 20+ obstacles and plenty of mud. Proceeds support Largo summer camp scholarships. Cost: $60 adults and $30 youth. Register at www.active.com or at the Highland Recreation Complex. www.largo.com/ playdirty

Feb. 11, 6-7:30 p.m. Valentine Tea Party Don your red for this event hosted by the Southwest Recreation Complex in Largo. Evening includes themed crafts, snacks and games. Preregister by Feb. 2. Ages 7 and younger. Cost: $5 per child. Call 727-5183125.

Feb. 12 and 26, 10:30-11:15 a.m. Wee-Time at Weedon Enroll ages 3 to 5 in this program designed to introduce them to the wonders of the natural and cultural world at Weedon Island Preserve in St. Petersburg. Children are treated to a variety of stories and hands-on activities. Free; advance registration requested. www.weedonislandpreserve.org

Feb. 14, 7 a.m. Valentine’s Day Corporate 5K for Charity Open to walkers and runners of all ages, this event at Vinoy Park includes the opportunity to donate $1 per carnation for runners and to win prizes for best Valentine’s Day costume. Proceeds benefit programs and services for Blossom Montessori School for the Deaf. www.blossomschool.org

Feb. 19 and 24, various times Canterbury School Open House Attend one of two open houses. From 4:30-6:30 p.m. Feb. 19, families of students entering grades 5-12 can learn about academics, including the school’s signature marine studies program. From 8:30-10:30 a.m. Feb. 24, the school meets families of students entering PK3-4. Call 727-521-5903. www. canterburyflorida.org

Feb. 27, 12:30 p.m. Birthing Experience at St. Petersburg General Expectant parents are invited to learn about the birthing environment available at St. Petersburg General and how to moms and dads-to-be can find the optimal birth setting for your bundle of joy. www. stpetegeneral.com

north pinellas oldsmar | clearwater | dunedin palm harbor | safety harbor East Lake | tarpon springs

Shoots and Ladders Comes to Life Show your support for Pinellas County’s finest in law enforcement and fire rescue at this family friendly event open to the public. Shoots and Ladders 5K and Field Day is Feb. 28. at John Chestnut Park in Palm Harbor and features a range of ways to give back and have fun doing it. The morning offers a 5K run/walk at 9 a.m. (participants check in at 8 a.m.). This is followed by individual and team field day events 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Those playing on behalf of law enforcement will wear blue armbands and those playing for fire rescue will wear red armbands. Individual events include sack races, bean bag toss, and stilts run. Teams can take part in the three-legged run, wheelbarrow race and fireman’s carry. The event also includes a chili cook-off, with tasting open to participants at 11:30 a.m. Registration is open to everyone with all participants receiving finishers’ medals. Registration for 5K is $40 and qualifies participants to take part in the individual and team events, which is completely optional. For more details about the event or to sign up, go to www. shootsnladders.com.

uncork, unwind for a Good Cause Tampa Bay foodies are invited to attend the fourth annual Clearwater Beach Uncorked hosted by the Hyatt Regency Clearwater Beach Resort and Spa on Feb. 7-8. The event, which runs 1-5 p.m. both days, offers tastings from the area’s most renowned restaurants along with wines, craft beers and micro-brews from over 100 wineries. Attendees can sip, nosh and mingle beachside with other guests as well as wine specialists, brew masters and area chefs. Clearwater Beach Uncorked will donate a portion of the event’s ticket sales to the University of South Florida Sarasota-Manatee College of Hospitality and Technology Leadership, which offers an array of learning tools for managers in the hotel, restaurant and tourism sectors. Proceeds fund scholarships and enhanced educational activities for students going into the hospitality and IT industries. Visit www.clearwaterbeachuncorked.com to learn more.

valspar Championship offers Weekend Fun The 2015 Valspar Championship, an official PGA Tour event, is being hosted by Innisbrook Golf Resort in Palm Harbor on March 12-15. This year’s event offers something for the whole family, including a Family Fun Zone. Tickets for this year’s golf tournament are $30 daily for adults. Children ages 15 and younger receive free admission to the golf tournament as well as the Family Fun Zone, which will feature a 16-foot high rock climbing wall, a 9-hole putting course, arts and crafts activities and meet and greet opportunities with local team mascots.

For more information about this year’s tournament or to purchase tickets, visit www. valsparchampionship.com.

TAMPA BAY PARENTING

• FEB 2015 • TBParenting.com

dates: Jan. 31, 7 p.m. Evening Extraordinaire 2015 Dress to the nines for a gala celebrating the best of local cuisine and business at Innisbrook Resort and Golf Club in Palm Harbor. Tickets: $50 individual or $90 couple. Portion of proceeds benefit the Palm Harbor Library. www.palmharborcc.org

Feb. 5, 12, 19 and 26, 9 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. Farmers Market Shop for fresh produce, flowers and healthy food at the gazebo in John Wilson Park in downtown Safety Harbor. www.cityofsafetyharbor.com

Feb. 5, 12, 19 and 26, 10:30-11:15 a.m. Book Time at Brooker Bring ages 3-5 to Brooker Creek Preserve in Tarpon Springs to connect with the wonders of the natural world through a story, game or hands-on activity. This weekly event is free; registration required. www. brookercreekpreserve.org

Feb. 6, 7-9:30 p.m. Annual Me and My Shadow [Box] Take part as an artist or simply attend this event at the Dunedin Fine Art Center. 100 participants will create works of art from 9x9 shadowboxes. Guests and artists can enjoy desserts and fun. Tickets: $10 artists and $25 attendees. www.dfac.org

Feb. 15, 1-4:30 p.m. Sunday Fun Day Stop by Dunedin Public Library for a fun make and take craft activity. Event is free and open to kids and their families. No registration required. Call 727-298-3080, Ext. 1732.

Feb. 17, 4-11 p.m. Mardi Gras Celebration Celebrate Fat Tuesday in grand style in downtown Dunedin along Main Street. Spend the afternoon indulging in French tradition with food, drinks, live music and a parade of colorful floats. www.dunedinmardigras.com

Feb. 19, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. Westlake Christian Open House Get valuable information about this National Blue Ribbon School in Palm Harbor, celebrating 20 years in 2015. Ask questions and meet members of the staff. www.westlakechristianschool.org

pasco dade city | land o' lakes | new port richey trinity | wesley chapel | zephyrhills

Photo by Amy Pezzicara, Pezz Photo Photo by Nicole Geller Photgraphy

Heart run/Walk Kicks off in Hudson The Heart Institute at Regional Medical Center Bayonet Point is hosting a 3K Run for Life or 3K Heart Walk on Feb. 7 on its Bayonet Point campus. Walkers and runners will assemble at the Rao Musunuru Conference Center in Hudson. All guests should park at the conference center lot at the back of the hospital campus. Registration begins at 8 a.m. with a warm-up at 8:30 a.m. The run/walk event begins at 9 a.m. with a reception to follow. The event will feature family friendly entertainment, including music and drawings. Donations to the American Heart Association will be accepted. Participants can make checks payable to the American Heart Association and bring them along to the event. With February serving as National Heart Month, the Heart Institute at Regional Medical Center Bayonet Point also will present a series of tutorials across February and March. This free educational series of Tuesday Tutorials includes lunch and is open to the community. Tutorials will be held at the Rao Musunuru Conference Center. This month’s tutorial topics include: How to prevent your own heart from attacking you (Feb. 3); what to do if your heart does attack you (Feb. 10); intimacy and the heart — adults only (Feb. 17); and surviving sudden cardiac death (Feb. 24). Sessions begin at noon. For more information about this year’s 3K run/walk event or to register, call 727-869-5500 or visit www.rmchealth.com/calendar/registration.dot and search Heart Walk. To RSVP and get more information about the hospital’s Tuesday Tutorials, call 727-869-5498 or 888-741-5119.

Fair Warning, Be prepared for Fun The Pasco County Fair returns Feb. 16-22 to the fairgrounds on State Road 52. Since 1948, this Pasco tradition has been drawing families for its variety of Midway rides, fair food and competitions. Area children grades preK-12 are encouraged to participate in this year’s extensive schedule of 2015 Youth Exhibits. Ten categories of exhibits with multiple subcategories within each to be on display, everything from original art, crafts, hobby crafts and clothing/sewing to cooking, collections, house plants, recycled products and science exhibits. All items entered for exhibition will need to be brought to the fairgrounds on Feb. 13-14. Registration details and the entry form are available on the Pasco County Fair website. Area residents can become members in the independent, nonprofit fair association to enjoy fair perks with memberships available for $25 for individuals and $55 for families. By becoming members, they are entitled to receive free daily admission to the fair and free parking throughout the event. Deadline to become a member is Jan. 31. For more information about becoming a fair association member, call 352-567-6678. For this year’s complete entertainment lineup, exhibits and contest schedule, go to www.pascocountyfair.com.

TAMPA BAY PARENTING • FEB 2015 • TBParenting.com

dates: Feb. 4, 11, 18 and 25, 10-11 a.m. Wiregrass Rancher Kids Club Bring the kids to center court at the Shops at Wiregrass for interactive fun on Wednesday mornings. This month features My Gym (Feb. 4); Energia Wellness Studio (Feb. 11); Mr. Tommy (Feb. 18) and Color Wheelz (Feb. 25). Free. www.shopsatwiregrass.com

Feb. 6-7, various times Annual Celtic Family Jamboree Bring lawn chairs and blankets for seating and attend workshops at Sertoma Youth Ranch in Brooksville during this weekend-long celebration. Children 17 and younger are free with paying adult. Go online for schedule, tickets and camping information. www.celticheritageproductions.com/fj.htm

Feb. 6-7, various times Farm Fest and Quilt Show Check out the intricate work of both local and national quilters at this event at Pioneer Florida Museum and Village in Dade City. Bring your own quilts for an appraiser to assess and watch traditional craft demonstrations. www.pioneerfloridamuseum.org

Feb. 7, 2-3:30 p.m. Popcorn and a Movie Stop by the Land O’ Lakes Library every first Saturday for a newly released G or PG-rated film. Guests can enjoy free popcorn and juice at this event sponsored by the Friends of the Land O’ Lakes Library. Call 813-929-1214.

Feb. 8, 1 p.m. Scholastic Chess Tournament Let your chess player join in or just watch this event sponsored by the Academy at the Lakes Chess Club at the school’s McCormick Campus in Land O’ Lakes. Tournament is open to players from grades K-12. Sign up online. https://academyatthelakes. formstack.com/forms/chess.

Feb. 13 - March 15, various times Holy Cannoli Catch a performance of the latest show offering at Jimmy Ferraro’s Studio Theatre in historic downtown New Port Richey. Meet the daughter of strict Catholic parents, her wild younger sister and unexpected roommate. Go online for schedule and ticket info. www.ferrarostudiotheatre.com

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polk auburndale | bartow | haines city lakeland | lake wales | winter haven

polk Students Named Sunshine State Scholars

dates:

Two students will represent Polk County at the annual State STEM Recognition and Recruiting Conference to be held in February in Orlando.

Rotary Twilight 5K Run Sign up for this annual race around picturesque Lake Hollingsworth in Lakeland. Proceeds from the fundraiser benefit the maintenance of Common Ground Playground, an all-inclusive children’s park and playground designed to include children of all abilities. Registration is at Edgewood Park. www.rotary5k.net

Kristianna Nicolai of Winter Haven Senior High and Divya Ravinder of the International Baccalaureate School at Bartow Senior High have been named this year’s Sunshine State Scholars from Polk County. Each year, approximately 100 students from across the state are named Sunshine State Scholars. These students possess excellent academic records, and wish to pursue careers and educational opportunities in the areas of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). The Florida Education Foundation oversees the Sunshine State Scholars Program. The goal is to positively impact the state’s economy by encouraging participants to remain in Florida for their post-secondary education and professional careers. This month, Kristianna and Divya will join other Sunshine State Scholars from across the state for a two-day program in Orlando. They will be able to interact with industry leaders, and talk with representatives from Florida’s colleges and universities. Workshops will also be held to discuss the latest innovations and discoveries in the STEM industry. Each year, Polk County is permitted to select two students to receive the recognition of Sunshine State Scholar at the state level. High Schools in Polk County first select one outstanding junior in the areas of STEM education to be a district finalist. These finalists then submit an essay with their thoughts about the greatest challenges facing America in the areas of STEM and how they plan to address these issues in the future. A committee of district curriculum specialists reviews the essays to determine the two Sunshine State Scholars.

This 5K is A Blast! Families are invited to come out for a unique 5K experience Saturday, Feb. 21 at Lakeland’s Florida Air Museum at SUN ‘n FUN Fly-in with the Color Vibe 5K. Participants of all ages will be blasted at every color station throughout the race.. Course includes four color stations spaced throughout the distance with a Dance Party and Color Throw at the end of the popular event. Cost to participate is $26-$65 and includes an entry into the 5K Color Vibe Run, an official color vibe T-shirt, Color Vibe color pack and a prize. This year’s charity partner being supported and promoted by the event is the Aerospace Center for Excellence (ACE) located on the premises of SUN ‘n FUN. Newly re-imaged, ACE is home to STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) programs delivered by STEM education professionals year-round in seven structures and a FedEx Boeing 727. SUN ‘n FUN’s mission is to preserve and enhance the future of flight through world-class events, inspiring and educating people of all ages. For more information about this year’s Color Vibe 5K event, go to www.thecolorvibe.com/ lakeland.php

Feb. 6, 7 p.m.

Feb. 7, 5-8 p.m. Platform Kids Catch this annual showcase of artistic talents from elementary, middle school and high school students from throughout Polk County at Oasis Community Church and Center in Lakeland. For more information, call 863-8382262.

Feb. 14, 7 a.m. - 3 p.m. Flipping for Charities Annual Kiwanis Pancake Festival Prepare to fill up on pancakes as the Detroit Tigers Foundation sponsors this popular community event benefiting 10 area charities. Event offers fun family activities as well as hearty breakfasts of pancakes, sausage and juice at Tigertown Hangar 2 in Lakeland. Cost is $8 adults and $4 kids ages 2-12, with a family pack for $20 (2 adults/2 kids). Buy tickets at the Early Learning Coalition Lakeland office. www.citruscenterkiwanis.org

Feb. 14, 7-9 p.m. Valentine’s Dinner: An Evening of Vintage Charm Experience an elegant and romantic dinner at the 1930s Mediterranean-style Pinewood Estate located at Bok Tower Gardens in Lake Wales. Cost is $195 per couple. Seating is limited. Reservations required at 863-734-1222. www.boktowergardens.com

Feb. 21, 11 a.m. - 8 p.m. CommUNITYfest and Taste of Winter Haven Sample the delicious sounds of live music, sights of beautiful arts and crafts on display and tasty cuisine from local restaurants at this celebration of all things Winter Haven at Central Park in downtown. Children can also check out a KIDZONE for games, face painting, bounce houses and more fun. www.winterhavenchamber.com

Feb. 28 and March 1, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. Lake Wales Art Festival Browse the fine artwork from over 100 artists and enjoy live entertainment as part of this two-day annual tradition along the shores of Lake Wales. The public is invited to bring a picnic or purchase available barbecue at this year’s “Art-B-Cue” onsite. Free admission and parking. www.lakewalesartscouncil.org

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TAMPA BAY PARENTING

• FEB 2015 • TBParenting.com

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Around Town

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Reagan Brown, Ava Siegelbaum, Reagan Brannigan, Sandra Kiggen, Ava Hajjar, the St. John’s Eagle, Boyd Merrill, Charlotte Graham, Zach Bragdon, and Lauren Maya at the Second Annual Soaring Eagle Run that benefits the students of St. John’s Episcopal Parish Day School.

Ava Siegelbaum, Reagan Brannigan, Sandra Kiggen at the Second Annual Soaring Eagle Run.

The Junior League of Tampa Public Affairs Committee meeting with Senator Jeff Brandes, Lisa Reeves, Gina Evans, Melanie Brown and Lindsey Parks.

Members of pop duo Alex & Sierra, Alex Kinsey and Sierra Deaton, stopped by the Florida Aquarium with a friend to get a close encounter of the penguin kind.

St. Joseph’s Children’s Hospital received intergallactic visitors from The Florida Garrison Squad who visited with patients like Roni, center, and her family.

Jose Bautista and Drew Hutchinson of the Toronto Blue Jays stopped by All Children’s Hospital to give patients and their parents a holiday surprise.

Last month, members of ABC Action News’ Investigative Team received the duPont Award in New York for their work protecting the elderly in Florida’s Guardianship Program.

Girl Scouts Troop #40320 took time over the holidays to collect, wrap and donate toys and other items to needy families in Tampa Bay.

Patel Conservatory hosted auditions for the spring production of Fiddler on the Roof, which opens in April.

february Events be accompanied by a child and vice versa. www. glazermuseum.org Everyone

Borders. www.childrenacrossborders.org Moms &

Adult improv class

clown bootcamp

Feb. 3 - March 31, Thursdays, various times From newcomer to advanced improviser, students enhance their improv chops under the direction of local improv guru Toby Martini. Students will learn to think on their feet and lose their inhibitions in a fun and collaborative environment culminating in a class showcase. Cost: $180. PatelConservatory.org Moms

Dads

Feb. 7, 2-5 p.m. In this unique and fun workshop at the Patel Conservatory, students will learn basic slapstick comedy techniques, proper clown makeup application, balloon twisting, juggling and will get the inside scoop on what it’s like to be a clown. Cost: $30 PatelConservatory.org Everyone

& Dads

e v e n t s & f e s t i va l s The Art of piracy: pirates in Modern Culture

Through- April 26, various times Get into the Gasparilla spirit with a special exhibit devoted to the role of art in shaping the popular and iconic images associated with 17th and 18th century pirates on display at the Tampa Bay History Center. See mementos from past Gasparilla celebrations. www.tampabayhistorycenter.org Everyone

SeaWorld Wild Days

Jan. 31, Feb. 1, 7- 8, various times Connect to the wild and wonderful world at SeaWorld Orlando as part of this special event. See interactive shows, encounter animals up close and meet leaders in the world of animal rescue, rehabilitation and preservation. Wild Days activities are included with Sea World admission. www.seaworldorlando.com

Everyone

trinity has heart

Through February 28, various times Visit the Medical Center of Trinity to get heart healthy this month. With various events including heart healthy lunches, courses on diabetes health management, and heart health courses, these events will educate you on the importance of your health. www.medicalcentertrinity.com Moms & Dads

girl scout cookie time

Now through March 15 It is finally Girl Scout Cookie Time! Starting February 20 you can go online to find cookie booth locations in your area. You help empower girls to become future leaders through your support of the Girl Scout Cookie Program. www.GSWCF.org/cookies Everyone

Member Morning

Feb. 1, 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. Museum members are invited to come out to experience the Glazer Children’s Museum in Tampa the first Sunday each month. Members may invite an additional family member to join them at the museum, with up to five guests admitted at no charge. www. glazermuseum.org. Everyone

Children's Board Free Tuesday

Feb. 3, 2-7 p.m. Bring the kids to Glazer Children’s Museum as part of this free admission promotion during designated hours. View the museum’s latest exhibits and meet up with featured guest characters. Adults must

Florida State Fair

Feb. 5-16, various times Get ready for the rides, the live entertainment and all things fried at this popular annual event at the Florida State Fairgrounds in Tampa. This year features new free exhibits and free concerts from The Charlie Daniels Band, the Fifth Dimension and Beatlemania Live. www.floridastatefair.com Everyone

Wine Weekend 2015

Feb. 6-8, various times Sip some of the world’s top wines as part of three days of elegant events at the Museum of Fine Art in St. Petersburg. Weekend offers a variety of events, including a Black Tie Gala and Wine Auction/Dinner. Proceeds benefit The Margaret Acheson Stuart Society at the museum. www.wineweekendstpete. org. Moms & Dad

The Wizard of oz at Glazer Children's Museum

Opens Feb. 7, 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. See a new traveling exhibit that celebrates the film and literary classic. Members can enjoy a sneak preview 10:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Feb. 6. The general public is invited to stop by opening day for special festivities and fun. www.glazermuseum.org Everyone

Magic Cure Benefit

Feb. 7, 6 p.m. Join world-renowned illusionist Reynold Alexander for a night of magic to fight against pediatric cancer at this fundraiser at Ritz Ybor in Tampa. Tickets: $35 adults, $15 children 10 and younger and $100 VIP tickets. www.lawrencemartucci.com/a-magic-curebenefit Everyone

Generation Nature

Feb. 7-8, various times Catch a performance of this high-energy, entertaining show based on the kid-centric website when the fun, quirky show hits the stage at Busch Gardens Tampa. Play interactive games and enjoy special animal appearances. www.buschgardens.com/tampa

Everyone

Jack Hanna Weekend

Feb. 7-8, various times Meet up with world-renowned animal expert Jungle Jack Hanna for a weekend of wild encounters at SeaWorld Orlando. Meet fascinating animals, hear compelling stories and learn about the natural world. www.seaworld.com/orlando Everyone

Waves of Change Women's Leadership Award

Feb. 7, 10 a.m. - noon Want to see what Girl Scouts has to offer you and your family as a member? Stop by the Leadership Center and talk to others who have seen how their daughters have grown into courageous and confident young ladies through the program. www.GSWCF.org

Feb. 11, 11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. Attend this inaugural event as Gloria Steinem receives the first Helen Gordon Davis Women’s Leadership Award at the Crowne Plaza Tampa Westshore. Steinem will take part in a conversation about issues facing women at this Centre for Women event. Tickets are $75 Centre members and $100 nonmembers. www.thecentre.org Moms

Let's Go Science

Bring your sweetheart to lunch

leadership center open house

5 and older

Feb. 7, 11 a.m. – noon Join Professor Smart and Dr. Knowitall for an educational and entertaining extravaganza at Largo Cultural Center. The two demonstrate the principles of physics with a comedic flair. Tickets: $7.50 adults, $6.50 children and $22 family four-pack. www. largoarts.com 5 & Older

Bollywood Nights patron Cricket party

Feb. 7, noon - 4 p.m. Attend this special afternoon fundraiser at the Tampa Museum of Art with cricket match to be played at Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park in downtown Tampa. Guests can enjoy English pub food and High Tea. No prior cricket experience necessary. Tickets start at $350 per person. Proceeds benefit Children Across

TAMPA BAY PARENTING • FEB 2015 • TBParenting.com

Feb. 12, 12 - 1 p.m. Come out to the United Methodist Church Sun City Center to hear Cardiologist Stephen Mester, MD to talk about preventing heart disease at this annual event co-sponsored by South Bay Hospital. www. BrandonHosptial.com Moms & Dads

Be Mine 2015

Feb. 12, 6:30 p.m. Save the date to benefit Tampa’s foster children at Palma Ceia Golf and Country Club in South Tampa. Guests should wear cocktail party or business attire and include red shoes and/or red ties to show support. Tickets are $100. Proceeds benefit Children’s Board Heart Gallery of Tampa Bay. www. heartgallerytampabay.org Moms & Dads

While great care was taken in compiling the calendar, it’s always best to phone ahead to confirm information.

Florida Aquarium Homeschool programs Feb. 12 & 26, 12:45 and 2:45 p.m. Families who homeschool are invited to experience Florida Aquarium’s homeschool programs. On Feb. 12, kids can learn about animal homes. On Feb. 26, kids are invited to a party celebrating favorite sea creatures. Cost: $10 members and $20 nonmembers, includes admission for the day. Call 813-273-4015. www.flaquarium.org 3-5

active parenting workshop

Feb. 12 - March 19, Thursdays, 7-9 p.m. Located at the Education and Conference Center of All Children’s Hospital, this workshop will cover core effective parenting techniques. Each class is customized for different age groups of kids, and covers topics like effective nonvoilent discipline techniques, teaching mutual respect, the power of encouragement, and communication skills. Cost: $60/ parent. www.allkids.org/Events Moms & Dads

Little Sweetheart's Dance

Feb. 13, 6-8 p.m. Dance the night away with your little sweetheart at this annual Valentine’s Day hosted by the Glazer Children’s Museum. Learn family friendly dance moves and enjoy light refreshments. Tickets: $15 members and $20 general admission. www. glazermuseum.org Everyone

Wild at Heart

Feb. 13-14, 6:30-10 p.m. Spend a unique date night taking a lighthearted look at love in the animal kingdom at this event for those 21 and older at Tampa’s Lowry Park Zoo. Guests enjoy dinner, open bar and a tour and learn about the pairing, partnering and mating habits of the animal residents. Reservations are required. www. lowryparkzoo.com Date Night

Krewe of Sant' Yago Knight parade

Feb. 14, 7 p.m. Pick your spot along the sidelines and get ready to catch beads for this popular night parade down Seventh Avenue in historic Ybor City. Watch the illuminated floats and hear from marching bands across the city at this event to benefit the Krewe of the Knights of Sant’ Yago Education Foundation. www.knightparade.com Everyone

Free Admission to National parks

Feb. 14-16 Enjoy a special no-admission promotion in honor of Presidents Day weekend at participating U.S. parks, including five of Florida’s own. Enjoy free admission this weekend at Canaveral National Seashore, Castillo de San Marcos National Monument, Everglades National Park and Gulf Islands National Seashore. www.nps.gov Everyone

Annual Bay Area renaissance Festival

Feb. 14 - Mar. 29, various times Travel back in time to a charming 16th century village and experience the food, music and fun at

this festival held just outside Tampa’s MOSI. See live armored jousting and watch entertainment on 12 stages. Admission at the gate is $19.95 adults and $11.95 children ages 5-12. Free parking. www. bayarearenfest.com Everyone

Arena in downtown Tampa. Meet the stars and get autographs during a pre-race party for $10. Tickets: $10-$35. www.amaliearena.com 7 & Older

Wild Kratts Live!

Feb. 21-28, various times Find out how engineers impact our lives in the present and what their ideas and work will mean for the future as part of this special weeklong celebration at Tampa’s MOSI. Guests can enjoy hands-on activities, see demonstrations and try their hand at designing and building prototypes in the Idea Zone. www.mosi. org Everyone

Feb. 15, 2 p.m. Watch hilarious brothers Martin and Chris Kratt as they bring their PBS children’s show to the live stage at Mahaffey Theater in St. Pete. The Wild Kratts team rescues a helpless animal friend and returns her home to the wild while educating and entertaining the audience about nature. Tickets are $22.50-$42.50. www.themahaffey.com Everyone

sibling class

Feb. 15, various times This class addresses the joys and challenges of becoming a big sister or big brother. Held at the St. Joseph’s Women’s Hospital Medical Office building, this class goes over age appropriate information and activities to help prepare your child for their new role in the family. At least one adult must attend with the child, however the fee covers one child and two adults. Cost: $10 www.baycareevents.org 3-10

look good, feel better

Feb. 18, 10 a.m. - 12 p.m. Look Good Feel Better is a free program that teaches beauty techniques to women in active cancer treatment to help with the treatment’s appearancerelated side effects. Taking place at St. Joseph’s Women’s Hospital, free cosmetic kits are provided for each participant according to their specific skin tone. www.baycareevents.org Moms & Dads

Masters of Illusion

Feb. 20, 8 p.m. Witness magic in person at this exciting evening of comedy, magic and sleight of hand live at The Mahaffey Theater. Join in as the magicians include the audience in the fun, and some individuals will be get hand-picked to assist. Tickets: 22-$52. www. themahaffey.com 8 & Older

Miracle Ball

Feb. 21, 6:30-11 p.m. Glam it up for a great cause as the All Children’s Hospital Guild Sarasota/Manatee Branch hosts a black tie night at the Hyatt Regency Sarasota. Enjoy live entertainment and bid on live and silent auctions. Tickets: $200 each. www.allkids.org Moms & Dads

Fashion Funds the Cure

Feb. 21, time TBA Enjoy this fashion show that celebrates the strength and courage of young girls and boys battling cancer as they are escorted by celebrities at Tampa International Jet Center, Hangar 4. Carson Kressley serves as host. Enjoy fine wines and delicacies with proceeds to benefit Pediatric Cancer Foundation. Tickets start at $100. www.fastercure.org Moms &

Dads

Arenacross

Feb. 21-22, various times Watch off-road motorcycle racing live when this ultimate battle of man and machine arrives at Amalie

National Engineering Week at MoSI

suncoast pediatric asthma coalition

Feb. 23, 4 p.m. Find out how to get involved and raise awareness of asthma and help improve the quality of life for those with asthma by joining the Suncoast Pediatric Asthma Coalition. The meeting will take place at the All Children’s Hospital Education and Conference Center and is free. www.allkids.org/events Moms & Dads

Florida Strawberry Festival

Feb. 26-March 8, various times Get ready for this annual Plant City tradition of fun rides, shows and tasty strawberry-themed recipes. Check out the neighborhood village and bring the little ones over to Kiddie Corral. www.flstrawberryfestival. com Everyone

Easter Seals' A pair to remember Feb. 27, 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. Usher in spring with a sip of champagne and catch up with friends at this annual fundraiser luncheon and shoe auction at the InterContinental Tampa. Tickets: $125. Proceeds benefit Easter Seals Florida. www. easterseals.com/florida Moms

6th annual heart smart

Feb. 27, various times Come out to the Largo Medical Center for this day of heart education. Hear expert speakers and learn all about how to stay heart healthy. This event is free, but registration is required. www.largomedical.com

Moms & Dads

ZooZooM 5K

Feb. 28, 7:30 a.m. Participate in this 5K run winding through Tampa’s Lowry Park Zoo. Registration cost includes entrant’s zoo admission for the day, T-shirt and post-race refreshments. Registration is $30 through Feb. 13 and $35 thereafter. www.lowryparkzoo.com Everyone

babysitter safety program

Feb. 28, 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. Designed for young teens who are interested in becoming babysitters, this course at the Education and Conference Center of All Children’s Hospital will teach babysitting basics. Participants will learn the basics of caring for children such as changing a diaper, feeding infants and toddlers, how to calm an upset child, and much more. It will also teach them necessary safety and emergency skills Cost: $30 www.allkids.org/events 11-14

february Events

Disney Live! presents Mickey's Magic Show

Feb. 28 - Mar. 1, various times Experience this dazzling production as Master Magician Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse join illusionist Zach Williams onstage at Amalie Arena in Tampa. Catch up with other favorite Disney characters, including Donald Duck, Goofy, Cinderella, Belle and Snow White. Tickets: $16-$50. www. amaliearena.com 3 & Older

Special Needs Movie Screening: SpongeBob Feb. 14, 11 a.m. Catch a special sensory-friendly screening of the newly released The Spongebob Movie: Sponge Out of Water at Studio Movie Grill at University Mall in Tampa. Adults are $6 and kids are free. www. studiomoviegrill.com 8 & Older

Art and Sign Language

raymond James Gasparilla Festival of the Arts

Feb. 28 - Jan. 1, various times Stroll the streets of downtown Tampa and explore Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park at this popular annual art event featuring a variety of work from ceramic and digital to glass and watercolor as well as showcasing talents of local young artists. Event also features live entertainment and a children’s art activity area. www.gasparilla-arts.com Everyone

Feb. 20, 10-11 a.m. Families and children can learn together about art and a new language with an introduction to the ASL vocabulary by a certified ASL instructor and interpreter while touring the art galleries of the Museum of Fine Art in St. Pete. Cost: $5 per family. www.fine-arts.org Everyone

spECIAL NEEDS

Sponsored by Early Autism Project www.EAPTampa.com

Free Homeschool Social Skills Group

Feb. 2, 9, 16 and 23, 11 a.m. - noon Homeschooled students in grades 2-5 can participate in this free, interactive weekly social skills group offered by Hammond Psychology. Sign up online or call 813-567-3253. www.hammondpsychology.com

a r t

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CArD Early Childhood Training Webinar Series

Feb. 3, 6-7:30 p.m. Catch this USF webinar for participants to get useful strategies for enhancing communication with autistic children. Participants can access trainings in person or online. To participate online, go to http:// usf.adobeconnect.com/card_ect/ at 5:45 p.m. on the night of training. To participate in person, RSVP to adohme@usf.edu one week before the training date, as space is limited. Moms & Dads

Sensory Storytime at Main valentine Style

Feb. 8, 2 p.m. Stop by the Main Library in Clearwater for a story designed for children and teens on the autism spectrum or those sensitive to sensory overload. Parental or caregiver attendance is required. Call 727562-4970. 4 & Older

pizza with professionals: Health and Safety

Feb. 12, 6:30-8 p.m. Join a developmental pediatrician, parent of a child with autism and parent educator for an evening of discussion about health and safety at All Children’s Education & Conference Center in St. Petersburg. To RSVP, call 727-767-2885. Moms & Dads

TAMPA BAY PARENTING

film Totally 80's Classic Movie Series

St. petersburg Fine Arts Festival Jan. 31 - Feb. 1, various times Browse a unique outdoor gallery spotlighting the work of more than 100 artists at S. Straub Park in downtown St. Pete. See original art in an eclectic range of mediums, including wood, photography, ceramic, sculpture, painting and more. www. paragonartevents.com/stpete Everyone

Art on the House

Feb. 6, 13, 20 and 27, 4- 8 p.m. Experience the Tampa Museum of Art with this special pay-as-you-will admission promotion offered Friday evenings in partnership with GTE Financial. www.tampamuseum.org Everyone

Annual Downtown Dunedin Craft Festival

Feb. 14-15, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. Support fine crafters from across the country and shop for memorable Valentine’s Day gifts at this festival along Main Street in downtown Dunedin. Items available include handbags, jewelry, stained glass, pottery, folk art and more. Shop the Green Market for plants and gourmet items. Free admission. www.artfestival.com Everyone

• FEB 2015 • TBParenting.com

Feb. 1, 8, 15 and 22, 3 p.m. Relive the 1980s as some of the decade’s signature films return to the big screen as part of Tampa Theatre’s latest classic film series. This month, catch Blade Runner (Feb. 1), Airplane (Feb. 8), Top Gun (Feb. 15) and The Breakfast Club (Feb. 22). Tickets: $10 adults and $8 members. www.tampatheatre.org 12

& Older

The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge out of Water

Opens Feb. 6 Join SpongeBob on journey to find a stolen recipe in this latest film leading him to face off against a pirate. Film features voice talents of Antonio Banderas and Tom Kenny. 8 & Older

Ballet 422

Opens Feb. 6 Catch this exciting documentary celebrating the joy and hard work of being a professional dancer that follows members of the New York City Ballet from rehearsals to stage debuts. Rated PG. Running time: 72 minutes. 8 & Older

Movies on the Lawn

Feb. 6, 6:30-9 p.m. Enjoy a movie under the stars as part of this special

film event at Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park in downtown Tampa. Watch the latest documentary from Watoto and follow a missionary family’s 20-year journey to start an orphan care ministry in war-torn Uganda. www.watoto.com Everyone

Stratford Festival: King Lear

Feb. 25, 7 p.m. Introduce the whole family to William Shakespeare with this monthly cinematic series from Fathom Events capturing three of the Bard’s greatest dramas onstage as part of The Stratford Festival in Ontario Canada. King Lear starts off the series. Show plays in area theaters in South Tampa, Brandon and Oldsmar. www.fathomevents.com 10 & Older

Fifty Shades of Grey

Opens Feb. 13 Gather your girlfriends and fellow book lovers for the much-anticipated film adaptation of the steamy E.L. James romance. Film stars Dakota Johnson and Jamie Dornan. Mature audiences only! Girls Night

Out, Date Night

Humpback Whales premiere Event

Feb. 21, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. Attend a special premiere at MOSI and learn about the lives and travels of the humpback whale. See mothers caring for their young and listen to males sing their songs. Running time: 40 minutes. 5 & Older

classic and second longest running American musical in Broadway history. Tickets: $35-$100. www. rutheckedhall.com 10 & Older

rhythm of the Dance

Feb. 17, 7:30 p.m. Celebrate all things Irish in this musical journey through the rich history of Ireland and the art of the country’s dance as part of this stage show at The Mahaffey Theater in St. Pete. Watch an amazing cast of dancers, musicians and singers perform their traditional crafts and put a 21st century spin on them. Tickets start at $25. www.themahaffey.com Everyone

Annie

Feb 17-22, various times Get swept up in the magic of this beloved musical live onstage at Straz Center just as a new cinematic take reintroduces Annie and her friends to audiences everywhere. Sing along to unforgettable numbers like Tomorrow and It’s a Hard Knock Life. On Feb. 18, families can enjoy 50% admission for kids 12 and younger for each purchase of a full-price adult ticket as part of Broadway Family Nights. www.strazcenter. org 5 & Older

Disney's Winnie the pooh Kids

Feb. 26 - Mar. 1, various times Stop by Hundred Acre Wood, where Winnie the Pooh is still searching for honey at TECO Theater in Straz Center. Meet up with Piglet, Tigger and the rest of the gang in this sweet story about teamwork and friendship performed for kids and by kids. Tickets are $20. www.patelconservatory.org 5 & Older

Travis Tritt

Feb. 8, 7 p.m. Spend the evening with the country superstar as he brings an intimate, solo, acoustic set to The Mahaffey Theater in St. Pete. Sing along to gritty, honky tonk favorites like Anymore and Foolish Pride. Tickets start at $32.50. www.themahaffey.com 10 & Older

Ingrid Michaelson

Feb. 11, 8 p.m. Join the singer-songwriter for her signature brand of thoughtful pop when Lights Out tour stops at Capitol Theatre in Clearwater. Special guest Greg Holden will open the show. Tickets: $35 and $45. www. rutheckerdhall.com 10 & Older

Jason Mraz

Feb. 14, 8 p.m. Experience the multi-Grammy and multi-Platinum recording artist live when he brings his romantic and soft-spoken style to Clearwater’s Ruth Eckerd Hall to kick off his latest album tour on Valentine’s Day. Tickets start at $28.75. www.rutheckerdhall.com 10

& Older

Diana ross

Feb. 18, 7:30 p.m. Catch a performance from the legendary singer who celebrates a music career spanning nearly five decades onstage at The Mahaffey Theater in St. Petersburg. Tickets start at $70.50. www.themahaffey. com Moms & Dads

Clearwater Seafood and Blues Festival

Feb. 21-22, various times Pack up the family for a fun, free weekend of delicious seafood and blues-inspired music at Coachman Park in Clearwater. Headlining this year’s event is Amos Lee. www.clearwaterseablues.com

10 & Older

Maroon 5

Feb. 25, 7:30 p.m. Dance from your seats as the popular rock band takes its 2015 World Tour to Amalie Arena. Rozzi Crane is scheduled to open for the band. Tickets: $26.25$121.75. www.amaliearena.com 10 & Older

t h e at e r & d a n c e radio Golf

Through Feb. 22, various times Catch this thoughtful Tony-nominated August Wilson drama before it leaves American Stage this month. Play contains adult language. Tickets start at $39. www.americanstage.org Moms & Dads

M.A.D. Theatre presents rent

AEG Live presents Miranda Sings

music & comedy real Music Series

Feb. 5-22, various times Revisit the Tony-award winner for Best Musical and Pulitzer Prize winning drama as it comes to Straz Center in Tampa. Return to New York City’s East Village and sing along to such classics as Seasons of Love and One Song Glory. www.strazcenter.org Teen

Through Mar. 6, various times Hear live music as part of Busch Gardens Tampa’s longest running concert series. Concerts are included with park admission. www.buschgardens.com/tampa

Chicago

Feb. 5, 7:30 p.m. Hear songs from the rock legend’s latest studio album as well as old favorites when he visits Amalie Arena. Tickets: $65 and $95. www.amaliearena.com 10 &

& Older

Feb. 6-7, various times Peek in on the dark, mysterious Roxie Hart, housewife and nightclub dancer, and her cell block neighbors, including the deadly Velma Kelly in this Bob Fosse

Everyone

Bob Seger and the Silver Bullet Band

Older

Feb. 28, 7 p.m. See the quirky international YouTube sensation bring comedy, song, magic and dramatic readings of hate mail to the historic Tampa Theatre stage. Tickets: $33$58.50. www.tampatheatre.org Teen & Older

h av e a n e v e n t ? Email submissions, preferably at least a month in advance, to calendar@tbparenting.com for consideration.