NOTEWORTHY

Scalloping Season

Scalloping season is officially here! Scalloping is a fun family activity that will keep you cool and give you something unique to do. Here in the Tampa area, you’ll find bay scallops. They’re smaller than sea scallops but are just as tasty. You can go scalloping in Citrus, Hernando and Levy counties through Sept. 24, and in Pasco County from July 1524. Some SC A L L OPING SEASON of our favorite spots are Homosassa and Crystal River where – bonus – you can also book a tour to swim with the manatees! Scan the QR code for more info to plan your scalloping adventure!

Real Florida Reader Day Pass

Your library card can be one of the most powerful tools in your summer of fun toolbox! Now through Sept. 12, you can head to your local library and check out a Real Florida Reader Day Pass that will get you free admission to one of Florida’s 175 state parks (excluding Ellie Schiller Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park, Skyway Pier State Park and Weekie Wachee State Park). Passes must be returned to the same branch they’re checked out from. Each library will receive a limited number of passes, so start planning those park visits now to take advantage of this awesome perk!

What's on Exhibit

Dinosaurs Around the World at MOSI: Through Sept. 5

Travel back in time on a dinosaur adventure. Tour an Earth very different from today, before the continents as we know them existed, when lush landscapes covered Africa, and Antarctica was filled with greenery. Witness the Age of Reptiles come to life with advanced animatronics and immersive design elements. Grab your prehistoric passport to Pangea and discover how plate tectonics, land bridges and volcanic activity allowed dinosaurs to roam all corners of the globe. mosi.org

Storyland: A Trip Through Childhood Favorites at Glazer Children’s Museum: Through Sept. 11

This summer, GCM turned seven beloved and awardwinning picture books into threedimensional play and bilingual learning environments highlighting the six prereading skills defined by the Public Library Association and Association for Library Service to Children. Step into the pages of “The Tale of Peter Rabbit,” “The Snowy Day,” “Where’s Spot,” “If You Give a Mouse a Cookie,” “Chicka Chicka Boom Boom,” “Abuela” and “Tuesday.” Designed for children from birth through 8 years old, Storyland will engage visitors in storylines and literacy activities. glazermuseum.org/storyland Cool Off at the Movies!

It’s HOT outside, so local movie theatres are giving you a great way to cool off. All summer long, you can take advantage of free and cheap (previously released) movies at area movie theatres: » Xscape Theatres in Riverview: Every Tuesday and Thursday through July; doors open at 9 a.m.; show at 9:30 a.m. Free admission. » Regal Theatres Summer Movie Express:

Every Tuesday and Wednesday; check your theater for showtimes. $2 admission. » B&B Theatres at The Grove in Wesley Chapel:

Tuesdays through Thursdays at 10 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. $3 for Backstage Pass members, $5 for nonmembers.

July Sales Tax Holidays

Pop these dates into your calendar to take advantage of Florida’s popular sales tax holidays: » The Children’s Books Tax Holiday:

Through Aug. 14, 2022 » Freedom Week Sales Tax Holiday:

July 17, 2022 » Baby Diapers and Clothing Items Tax Holiday:

July 1, 2022June 30, 2023 » Energy Star Appliances:

July 1, 2022June 30, 2023 » Home Hardening: July 1, 2022June 30, 2024 » Back-to-School Sales Tax Holiday:

July 25Aug. 7, 2022 » Tool Time: Sept. 39, 2022 » Motor Fuel: Oct. 131, 2022 Scan the QR code to learn more about each savings opportunity. SALES TAX HOLIDAYS

Summer at ZooTampa

by Sandra Torres, vice president of marketing and communications at ZooTampa

School is out and the weather is warm, so for most kids, learning is not at the top of their summer agenda. However, savvy parents know the secret … have them learn while having fun! One of the best places to do that is ZooTampa. Home to more than 1,000 animals representing hundreds of different species, the zoo provides hours of education and entertainment!

A day at ZooTampa could start with a visit to some of the world’s most endangered species, including the red

wolf, which once inhabited the entire southeastern United States (including Florida), but has fewer than 20 remaining individuals in the wild. ZooTampa, along with more than 40 conservation organizations, is part of a critically important effort to help save this species. Due to the team’s dedication, red wolves, which were once declared extinct in the wild, have flourished in managed care. Several pairs have been released into the wild, including the release earlier this year of 4-year-old wolf Boca who was born at ZooTampa. The Zoo’s new Florida Wilds area is currently home to two family groups: brothers Reddington, Conner and Yulee and pair Nymeria and Sumac and their four pups born in April. Be sure to check out their habitat and catch a glimpse of the pups taking their first steps. They’re a powerful symbol that gives hope to the future of this amazing animal.

Then head on over to the Africa Realm of the Zoo where

the crash of southern white rhinos enjoys their day wallowing in the mud and eating upwards to 100 pounds of food a day! This incredible species is the only rhino species with broad, flat lips that enable them to pull grasses out of the ground. It’s no wonder they are also called the lawn mowers of the African Savanna. Be sure to check out baby Ruby, the newest addition to the crash!

A visit to ZooTampa is not complete without a stop at

the David A. Straz, Jr. Manatee Critical Care Center where Florida’s iconic species receive around-the-clock expert life-saving care. The center is one of only four critical care centers in the United States for sick, injured and orphaned manatees. Since opening in 1991, the team has cared for more than 500 manatees with a majority reintroduced into Florida waters.

What’s the best ending to a day of learning in the sun? A splash

at the Manatee Circle fountains or Wallaroo water play area!

Purchase a ZooTampa membership and enjoy unlimited admission all summer long with no blockout dates, free preferred parking, a free guest per visit, discounts on food and merchandise, special pricing on signature encounters, invitations to member only events and much more! Memberships start at just $114! Or take advantage of our best deal: a family membership that includes two adults, all kids, plus a free guest for just $224. Visit www.zootampa.org for details. Summer 2022 is going to be the best one yet!

7 MUSEUMS TO EXPLORE

with the Kids this Summer!

by Laura Byrne

Tampa Bay is home to some pretty awesome museums with some incredible options for kids too! A museum visit is a great way to keep cool on hot or rainy summer days while giving the kids a chance to learn and play.

On The Cover!

Glazer Children’s Museum

110 W. Gasparilla Plaza, Tampa | glazermuseum.org

St o r y l a n Can you identify the sounds the body makes? Or give a monster a CT scan? How do you create a balanced meal? Kids will learn the answers to these questions and more at this museum, which is all about the kiddos. Whether it’s caring for animals in the vet clinic, shopping for d : A T ri p Through Childhood Favorites groceries at a pint-sized Publix or using bed sheets and pillows to make their own forts, children will have hours of fun, imaginative play.

This summer, be sure to check out the Storyland: A Trip Through Childhood Favorites exhibit that allows your child to step inside the worlds of their favorite storybooks including “If You Give a Mouse a Cookie,” “Where's Spot?” and “Chicka Chicka Boom Boom.”

The exhibit is bilingual, and the museum is also hosting family play projects where your child can make their own finger puppets and even bring more fun home with them with GCM at Home project ideas.

MOSI

4801 E. Fowler Ave., Tampa | mosi.org

MOSI has many favorites for all of your STEAM interests: Bed of Nails, Cargo, Loading, the Hurricane Machine, IdeaZone, Mission Moon Base, Dinovations and Slippery Science, the Tampa Bay Lightning-themed and sponsored exhibit at this incredible kids’ museum. Over at CONNECTUS, guests can see and feel the future with many state-of-art displays and technologies.

But that’s not all! This summer, visitors can experience Dinosaurs Around the World and come face to snout with animatronic dinos. There will be themed events throughout the summer as well to coincide with this exhibit, so be on the lookout.

And there's more exciting things happening at MOSI—the museum is joining NASA as one of hundreds of sites to release the first images from the James Webb Space Telescope on July 16! There will also be hands-on astronomy activities for all ages.

The Tampa Bay History Center

801 Water St., Tampa | tampabayhistorycenter.org

Children can learn about 12,000 years of Florida History here not just by immersing themselves in the exhibits, but also by jumping in the saddle and riding with cattle ranchers or playing with tiny Tampa trains.

The Tampa Bay History Center offers a variety of family-friendly days throughout the year. One of our favorite areas to play is the Treasure Seekers: Conquistadors, Pirates and Shipwrecks. Located on the third floor, it features several little kid-friendly hands-on activities!

While you’re there, be sure to stop for lunch or an early dinner at the Columbia Cafe at the museum!

Treasure S e e k e r s : C onquistadors , Pirates and Shipwrecks Tampa Firefighters Museum

720 E. Zack St., Tampa | tampafirefightersmuseum.org

This FREE Museum is a must-visit with the kids, especially if they are into fire trucks. The Tampa Firefighters Museum is located inside one of downtown’s original fire houses. Inside, you’ll find old fire trucks and learn about how firefighters have protected our city over the years. There is a children’s area as well where kids can try on fire gear, climb through a “smoke-filled” hallway and explore a kitchen area where they can learn about fire hazards.

Great Explorations Children’s Museum

1925 4th St. N., St. Pete | greatex.org

Featuring more than 8,000 square feet of interactive, hands-on exhibits, this kids’ museum stimulates learning through creativity, play and exploration! Kids become firefighters, news anchors, scientists, artists and more as they engage in opportunities to build physical, social and emotional skills all through creative play! The museum is located next to the historic Sunken Gardens on Fourth Street in St. Petersburg for added family fun!

St. Petersburg Museum of History

335 2nd Ave. NE, St. Pete | spmoh.com

Do you have a baseball fanatic in your home? If so, this is the kids’ museum to visit this summer. The St. Petersburg Museum of History located on the downtown waterfront has the largest collection of baseballs of its kind certified by Guinness World Records. The Schrader’s Little Cooperstown exhibit has nearly 5,000 baseballs.

You’ll find stories and artifacts from baseball legends like Babe Ruth, Jackie Robinson, “Shoeless” Joe Jackson and Joe DiMaggio and learn about more than 100 years of Tampa Bay’s own history as a spring training destination.

The James Museum of Western and Wildlife Art

150 Central Ave., St. Pete | thejamesmuseum.org

The museum itself is a work of art, but don’t stop at the front door! Make your way inside to see more than 400 pieces of artwork that connect you to the American West. You’ll see jewelry, sculptures and paintings on display through the exhibits. The museum is also very kid-friendly, with James Playdates for littles and Family Days on schedule throughout the year.

Scan the QR code for MORE museums to explore in Tampa Bay!

PROTECTING A CROWN JEWEL OF TAMPA BAY:

The Weeki Wachee River

by Laura Byrne

We don’t mean to be a party pooper, but the way some of us are using the Weeki Wachee River for recreation is harming the spring-fed gem of Tampa Bay. If we want our kids and grandkids to be able to enjoy this beautiful river in the future, we need to start taking steps now to protect it.

A pre-pandemic study showed that as many as 200-400 people were launching per day from the headsprings area of the Weeki Wachee and another 700-1,000 people launched per day from Rogers Park a few miles downriver.

Southwest Florida Water Management District springs scientist, Madison Trowbridge, Ph.D., says those numbers are likely even higher now as even more people get out and explore Tampa Bay’s great outdoors. The problem is, we haven’t changed our old habits. But there are ways we can be good stewards of the river, and it’s as simple as staying inside your vessel whether that be a kayak, paddleboard, canoe or boat.

HERE’S WHY: An ecological study of the Weeki Wachee River discovered that even a small amount of trampling when you exit your kayak or paddleboard can greatly impact vegetation and organic soil—to the point it may not grow back. That’s bad news for the animals who rely on that vegetation for food.

Take a look at these aerial images from the study of one small section of the river. Notice how in 2008, you can see a lot more green vegetation. Fast forward to 2017, you can see what looks like sandbar, a loss of 1,600 square feet of vegetation.

Trowbridge tells us you’re not supposed to see sand bars on a spring run. As tempting it may be to stop and swim (and take that Insta-worthy picture), she’s urging you to think twice for the sake of the river’s health. This goes for jumping and swinging off trees too.

“It causes damage because we are getting erosion on the riverbanks, and when we’re climbing on the trees, it will eventually not only cause damage to them, but can cause them to lean, and they can fall into the river. We want folks to stay in the vessel when possible,” said Trowbridge.

In a joint campaign with Hernando County, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and other agencies, SWFWMD is sending out seven simple tips we can follow when recreating on the Weeki Wachee River: ● Stay in the vessel when possible. ● If you have to leave the vessel, tie off in shallow waters. ● Avoid docking on riverbanks. ● Don’t trample vegetation or kick up silt. ● Avoid climbing on banks and walking on sand point bars. ● Don’t climb trees or use rope swings. ● Don’t throw out litter or leave anything behind.

If the crystal-clear water of the Weeki Wachee River is too tempting not to take a dip, head on over to Rogers Park where there is a swimming area, OR even better, go to Weeki Wachee Springs State Park and play in Buccaneer Bay. There are waterslides kids and adults love, a swimming area, tubing and more fun things to do for families. Oh, and let’s not forget the mermaids!

We want to make sure this beautiful 7.4-mile-long spring-fed river is around for generations to come. We can do that simply by being good neighbors and good stewards of our beloved Weeki Wachee River.

2017 Aerial view 2008 Aerial view

Rogers Park

Buccaneer Bay at Weeki Wachee Springs State Park

10 MORE Awesome Spots to Go Kayaking in Tampa Bay

by Ciarra Johnson, in partnership with TampaBayDateNightGuide.com

There’s no better way to appreciate Florida’s natural beauty with your family than by getting on the water. Rent a kayak or bring your own to one of these perfect spots to commune with nature.

SHELL KEY PRESERVE

Multiple kayak tour companies, including Coastal Kayak Charters and Get up and Go Kayaking, offer guided kayaking tours to explore the serene Shell Key Preserve near Tampa Bay and St. Petersburg. Depending on the tide, you may be able to paddle through mangrove tunnels. If you’re lucky, a dolphin may swim near your kayak.

TAMPA BAY AND ST. PETE KAYAKING

Want to kayak with the scenic Tampa skyline as your backdrop? Urban Kai is best known for stand up paddle (SUP) board rentals, but kayak rentals are also available. Other options for kayaking the downtown waterways include Tampa Bay SUP and WhatSUP Paddle Sports.

LITTLE MANATEE RIVER KAYAK TOUR

Located 30 minutes from downtown Tampa, Canoe Outpost - Little Manatee River offers multiple kayaking adventures at various levels of difficulty. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned kayaker, you’ll enjoy paddling out and back or embarking on a longer journey with a return trip by shuttle bus.

HONEYMOON ISLAND/CALADESI ISLAND

Boasting natural beaches, stunning sunsets, top-notch shelling and more, Honeymoon island State Park is an unspoiled paradise just minutes from downtown Dunedin. Kayak rentals are available at the park concession. Alternatively, you can rent a tandem kayak outside the park from Sail Honeymoon, setting your sights on scenic Caladesi Island for a secluded beach day.

LIDO KEY

Lido Key may be a bit of a trek from Tampa, but the drive is worth the reward of paddling through scenic mangrove tunnels. Rentals are available from several companies, including Sea Life Kayak Adventures. While guided tours are available, the twisty tunnels are surprisingly simple to navigate, and the current will help you along.

TARPON SPRINGS

For kayakers who want a leisurely trip paired with manatee sightings, a manatee tour kayak trip is the way to go. Guided kayak tours are offered in tandem clear kayaks, giving you an unobstructed view of any manatees you’re lucky enough to spot. Tours are only offered during manatee season in the colder months.

WEEDON ISLAND PRESERVE

Enjoy an adventurous paddle through scenic mangrove tunnels. Sweetwater Kayaks is located at Weedon Island Preserve and not only rents out kayaks, but also offers lessons and expeditions. The rental shop is open every day until 5 p.m. GET UP AND GO KAYAKING AT SHELL KEY

LONGBOAT KEY

South of Anna Maria Island, Longboat Key is a ritzy haven with stunning shorelines and fantastic restaurants. Exploring on the water offers a unique vantage point of both Anna Maria Island and Longboat Key, while also inviting you to stop off at a sandbar or peruse mangroves. Happy Paddler Kayak has several rental locations in the area.

FORT DE SOTO

Offering daily tours in Fort De Soto and Shell Key south of St. Pete, See Through Adventures is a glass-bottom kayak experience where you’re almost guaranteed to spot friendly Florida wildlife. Choose from a 1.5 or 2.5-hour tour option and keep your eyes peeled for manatees and dolphins that are commonly seen in the shallow, calm waters.

ROBINSON PRESERVE

Headed to Anna Maria Island for a laid-back beach day? Combine soaking in the sun with a morning kayak trip through the mangroves and calm waters of Robinson Preserve. The iconic Surfer Bus offers kayak rentals just a short paddle away from the entrance to the preserve. You can paddle all the way to the preserve’s lookout tour which offers scenic views of Anna Maria Island and the Sunshine Skyway Bridge.

Your Kid Love Gaming? Don’t sweat it.

It could actually turn into a lucrative career. Let us explain…

by Laura Byrne, photos provided by Esports Players Club

As a parent of two boys who love playing video games, it piqued my interest when the new Esports Players Club opened its doors in Tampa earlier this year. Not going to lie, the time my boys spent gaming definitely increased during the height of the pandemic as we tried to find ways to entertain them while allowing them to safely connect with their friends. But, two years later, they’re still at it. In fact, it has become part of the way they play WITH their friends, along with the good old-fashioned outside play, too. Balance, right? So, when Alex Matzkin reached out to tout his new business and the lucrative opportunities that can come along with esports, I wanted to know more. It turns out there’s a lot more to esports than just gaming. It’s an industry that has seen growth year after year, and that doesn’t appear to be stopping. Matzkin points out that esports and streaming industries have a combined value of $2.1 billion and are expected to grow to $3.5 billion by 2025. Alex Matzkin Okay, you have my attention. We sat down with Matzkin to get more details, because we want to know how our kids can get a piece of this growing industry and just maybe, become a part of it when they grow up.

TBPM: This business you’ve created has garnered national media attention, including profiles on NBC’s “Today Show.” What exactly goes on here? ALEX MATZKIN: There are other places where they have computer set ups, but this [is] definitely the only place that is academy focused. We’re focused on the education that goes behind the gaming—coding, graphic design, 3-D modeling—as well as game play coaching, so we’re a lot more than just a place to game.

TBPM: When I first heard esports, I literally thought sports games like Madden football. But, that’s not the true definition of esports. AM: There are a lot of games under the esports umbrella and really, traditional sports is one of the smallest segments. There are these huge games that are incredibly popular in other countries, and in the United States, it’s catching up to that. Now that streaming has become such a popular platform, you have esports celebrities that are American that these kids can identify with, and it’s really helped launch that platform.

It’s not the traditional gamers you kind of think of. These guys look like actors and models (the girls are the same way), so it’s really kind of helped clean up the image of gaming.

TBPM: Alright, so let’s talk careers for a minute. Can my child actually make a living in the esports industry when they grow up? AM: The industry by itself is bigger than music and movies combined, so kids that develop these technical skills early, they end up having great careers even if it’s not just in gaming. You know—the coding side of things is an amazing career. The average salary for a coder is $105,000 a year. Kids that develop these skills very early, they’re going to have a better trajectory towards that. It’s really becoming something that’s more important. Everything is going online. Everything is technology based, so having these skills is crucial.

And then the graphic design skills too: There’s not a company in the world that doesn’t use graphic design, video editing and 3-D modeling almost every day. Content creation is everything now, and how to do those skills properly is important.

Before, having it on your resume made you stand out, but now and in the future, it’s going to be something where it’s almost expected.

TBPM: How are you helping kids take the next step in esports? You mentioned there are scholarships for college? AM: That was really one of the foundations of why we built this place because in 2017, there were seven universities that had esports programs with scholarships. In 2021, it was 250. So, we saw this huge explosion in growth, and it’s not slowing down. We’ll be at 500 in no time. It’s major universities—UF, USF, UCF, Miami—every major school now has an esports program with scholarships and we have a unique opportunity because they really don’t have anywhere to recruit from.

There aren’t really high school leagues yet, so when they look to give a kid scholarship, it’s an investment from the school and they want to know—what’s this kid’s experience, has he competed before, has he been with coaches? So, they look to us and say, hey who do you have coming up that we can take a look at? We can really help kids achieve those scholarships by creating those connections for them. They work with our coaches. They develop the skills and we can help them bridge that gap.

TBPM: What about younger kids in elementary school? What games do you recommend? AM: The most popular games for younger kids are Minecraft and Roblox—and we teach coding through those games. It’s a really cool experience because kids get to play on the games they love, but they are also learning true coding skills. The difference is, kids look for that instant gratification so when you’re writing code in Minecraft, we can have you write a few basic lines of code, and you immediately see the effects; you change the game.

TBPM: Your classes and memberships aren’t just for kids. Adults can take advantage of some of the classes including graphic design and video editing, right? AM: Yeah—we work with real estate agents who are working on their social media content because that is so important now. These skills are transferable to really any age, but for us, teaching this at a younger age is the most effective because they are only going to continue to thrive and get better at it. It’s never too late to learn.

Easy Red, White & Blue Charcuterie Boards

story and photo by Ginain Grayes, @cookprayslay

If you follow my social media accounts, you know I’m completely obsessed with charcuterie, cheese and snack boards! It’s the best way to enjoy good food, especially during holidays when you’re gathered with family and friends. This month I just couldn’t pass up an opportunity to share some patriotic red, white and blue themed board inspiration. A huge misconception about charcuterie boards is that they have to be expensive to be good - that’s simply a myth I debunk over and over again with my creations. You can make your own boards at a reasonable cost by using in-season fruits and vegetables, using what you already have in your fridge and pantry, and getting creative with platters and dishes in your kitchen! This red, white and blue board is not only perfect for the Fourth of July, but the theme can be used all summer long. Plus it can be used to commemorate other holidays such as Memorial Day, Veteran’s Day or really any occasion! Here are a few additional food ideas to make a red, white and blue charcuterie board that the whole family and your guests will enjoy this summer!

RED FOOD IDEAS

● Cured meats (salami, prosciutto) ● Red bell pepper slices, cherry

tomatoes

● Fruits such as cherries, red grapes,

pomegranate arils, red apple slices, currants or watermelon.

● Red fruit jellies or preserves, salsas ● Sun dried tomatoes WHITE FOOD IDEAS

● Veggies, such as cauliflower florets or

sliced cucumber with skin removed

● Fruits such as banana slices, coconut

and sliced pears or apples

● Ranch dip or tzatziki ● White chocolate or yogurt covered

nuts or pretzels

● Cream cheese spread, baked brie ● Potato chips or popcorn BLUE FOOD IDEAS

● Blueberry preserves, dried

blueberries

● Concord grapes ● Black currants ● Elderberries ● Blue corn chips

story and photos by Jenny P., @lunchboxmafia

So here we are in the thick of summer break. The days are long and you’re constantly hearing, “Mom, I’m bored!” and “Mom, can I have a snack?” And if you have teenagers, it’s likely they’re staying up late, sleeping in and making their appearance at lunch. You’re not alone. It’s the same story over here. Hi, I’m Jenny from Lunchboxmafia on Instagram. I’m here to help you navigate and maximize snack time.

First, taking a few minutes to prep and get organized can save you time throughout the day. This can be as simple as: » Cutting up your watermelon or peeling some carrots after getting groceries. » Portioning out leftovers while you clean up from dinner. » Designating a “snack drawer” in the refrigerator to store your juice boxes, yogurt tubes, string cheese and fruit cups.

Let’s think of snacks as small meals. By adding a side or dip or by pairing your snack with other nutrient dense foods, you and your kids can fill up and fuel up! Here are some ideas: Mix Greek yogurt with peanut butter and it’s a delicious, high protein dip for apples or graham crackers. Adding a protein will keep them fuller longer. Try cheese and crackers with strawberries, carrots with ranch dip and sliced turkey roll ups or rice cakes with Nutella and hemp seeds. Yum! Which one are you craving right now?

Eat, play and learn with your smaller kids! By engaging their five senses, you can have meaningful conversations about food with them while making snack time fun. Let them be silly. Let them play. Let them discover and enjoy snacks their own way. » SIGHT - These grapes are green. What other yummy foods are green? » SMELL - We’re having strawberries. What do you think of when you smell fresh strawberries? » TOUCH - Put these olives on your fingers. Wiggle your fingers like this. How do they feel? » SOUND - If a dinosaur was eating this apple, what would it sound like? » TASTE - Tell me what this fruit dip tastes like? Are there foods you wish your kids would eat?

Kids are usually more relaxed around the table at snack time than at dinner. This is when they are more likely to explore. Use snack time to introduce new foods and practice food exposure. New foods can be scary so staying consistent with exposure is key. At first they might ignore it or reject the new food completely. But their reaction can improve with each exposure as they talk about it, touch it, smell it. Maybe by the fifth time, they lick it. If they engage in some way, consider it a win until the next time! Here are some tips we’ve practiced that could work for you: Put it on a snack board. This fosters independence by allowing kids to pick and choose their bites! Be a good example and put a little bit of everything (including the new-to-them food) on your own plate. Serve new foods with something they love. If your kid loves strawberries and you are introducing hummus, serve a small portion of hummus and crackers with strawberries. If they finish all the strawberries first and ask for more before touching the hummus and crackers, instead of saying no and shutting down the conversation, you can say something like, “That’s all the strawberries we have for today. Maybe we’ll have some more tomorrow.” Accurately name and reference the food. Talk about where it comes from, how it provides energy, whether it’s a fruit or vegetable. Avoid labeling foods as “good or bad”. This is important because kids associate labels with behavior. Use cookie cutters to serve food in fun shapes. Serve the snack with their favorite utensil or put it on their favorite plate if they have one. (Check out my Amazon store via the link in my bio on Instagram.) Try the food with them! If it’s something you don’t like, be honest. My daughter and I had some laughs when we first started eating Brussels sprouts. We enjoy them now, but it took us both several tries.

Come say hello! Follow me on Instagram @lunchboxmafia and let me know if you found this helpful.

Podcast Power from PBS KIDS

Introduce your own PBS KIDS to podcasts this summer with new stories from their favorite characters. Whether traveling to Alaska with Molly of Denali, going on imaginative backyard adventures with Pinkalicious & Peterrific, or solving curious mysteries with agents from Odd Squad, there’s plenty of fun to be had with a new-tech-twist on old-fashioned storytelling!

Join Molly Mabray on brand-new adventures in the Molly of Denali podcast! Check out each of the three seasons of storytelling from Molly and her friends and family.

Sing along with Pinkalicious and her little brother Peter on the Pinkalicious & Peterrific podcast, a delightful musical companion to the hit series. Ten pink-credible episodes are hosted by the duo as they sing their favorite songs. Each episode takes listeners on creative adventures, encouraging kids to dance, sing, and make believe.

Spinning off from the “odd-ventures” of Odd Squad is the Odd Squad: Odd Squadcast! This seven-episode podcast follows The Big O as she hosts a weekly radio address for agents all over the world—and tries to stop an odd invasion on headquarters at the same time!

Tampa’s Colt Clark and The Quarantine Kids Share their Musical Journey

by Brie Gorecki, photos by the Clark Family

In early 2020, Colt and Aubree Clark, along with their three children (Cash, 12, Beckett, 10, and Bellamy, 8) wanted to bring a little joy to others during the pandemic. What started as a few musical performances in their living room turned into something much bigger, including an invitation to perform on one of Nashville’s most iconic stages. We recently spoke to them about their journey and what this has meant to them.

TBPM: HOW DID THIS GET STARTED AND WHAT BROUGHT THIS ON?

AUBREE: Colt is a full-time musician. He plays at the Don CeSar and he’s played at a lot of hotels and nicer restaurants in the area. We always thought that was good job security because there were so many places that he played at that, in what circumstance would they all cancel at one time? [The pandemic] is the only scenario that that would happen. We had no work, no income coming in. We were kind of sitting around our house thinking ‘I guess we can live off savings for a while until this blows over,’ but we had nothing to do around the house and we were all kind of down in the dumps.

I said, ‘Tomorrow let’s just focus on doing something positive with the kids that they think is fun. It’ll give us all something to look forward to, so let’s all work together and pick a song and we’ll play it and record it in the evening.’ I figured we’d send it to our parents because we hadn’t seen them in a couple weeks because of the pandemic, and they were getting lonely.

The next morning everybody was excited and the mood in the house changed. They learned the song a lot quicker than we thought they would, and we recorded it in the evening. We uploaded it to Facebook and our parents loved it.

We left to escape the walls of the house for a while and take a drive around the town. And [when] we came back like an hour later, it had been viewed around 10,000 times. We were like, ‘Who’s been watching this?’ We had no idea that people had seen it and shared it. It just turned into something that I think was needed by a lot of people, just some levity in their day-today lives at that time. TBPM: COLT, YOU HAVE A MUSICAL BACKGROUND, BUT WHAT ABOUT THE KIDS?

AUBREE: They had gotten instruments for Christmas, and we didn’t know if they would figure out how to play or if they’d have any real interest in it. They kind of dabbled a little bit. COLT: I would show them things so that they could figure it out. Beckett, our drummer, he was 8 at the time, and he had this natural sense of rhythm. Bellamy was only 5 when we started this, and she just wanted to be a part of it. She said, ‘I can dance, and I could sing.’ And I was like, ‘OK, great, let’s do that.’ AUBREE: She’s kind of amazed us because we’ll say that we need Cash to play guitar and need somebody to play bass. And she’s like ‘I’ll play bass!’ So, she’ll learn her bass parts or percussion or whatever. She’s picked up wherever we’ve needed her to be.

TBPM: DID THEY CATCH ON QUICKLY, LEARNING TO PLAY AND SING A BRAND-NEW SONG JUST WITHIN A FEW HOURS?

AUBREE: Yeah, it’s crazy because that was a part of it that we never anticipated. I mean, I know I’m their mother, but they really do have real talent for it. What we discovered most throughout this is that they want to do this as careers. They love what they’re doing. COLT: In the past couple months they’ve actually taught me some songs that I didn’t know. All this beforehand was stuff that I’ve known and then maybe we’ll learn something together, but Cash pulled me aside and said, ‘Hey, you’re playing that wrong and it goes like this.’ So that’s cool.

Also, we did have a leg up with the fact that they listened to music all the time, even before the pandemic. We were always taking drives and had playlists that we would listen to just for fun, and music going on in the house. They had a repertoire in their mind with songs that they were familiar with.

COLT: Early on, I think a month after we had just started doing this, the people from The Ellen Show reached out to us, along with The Today Show and a couple other shows. That was really kind of a game changer. But just recently, we’ve had the actual musicians that we cover reach out to us. AUBREE: We’ll post the Bob Seger song and then Bob Seger will write back and say, ‘Oh my goodness, I love this!’ The Who has shared all our songs of theirs that we’ve sung. Probably the biggest one and one of the coolest things we played is a show at the Capitol Theatre in Clearwater in November with Marty Stuart. He’s a country music legend. He played in Johnny Cash’s band. He played with everybody, knows everybody. COLT: He started off playing bluegrass at 12 years old and was a touring musician at 12 years old. That’s why he loves seeing our kids play, because that was him. AUBREE: His wife is Connie Smith, a country music legend in her own right. She was one of the pioneering females in country music, and we met them last July. At 80 years old, her voice is just as strong as it was when she started. It’s insane. We met with them, and it went really well. They were so warm and down to earth, and they said, ‘Next time you’re in Tennessee, we’d love to have you guys up to our house.’

We went up to their house and were able to have lunch with them, and they played a show with Marty Stuart and his Fabulous Superlatives Band in November. It was like the last three or four songs of the night and this is the first time that the kids had been on a real stage at a real show.

We didn’t know how the little band that we had in our living room would translate to a big stage. And the kids were like, ‘We’ve got it.’ We figured if we hate it, we won’t do it again. But if we love it, we’ll know that this is something to explore further.

I was weeping on the side stage. Everybody had so much fun, and Marty and his band made it so much fun for the kids. At the end of the show, he said, ‘We want you guys to play my Late Night Jam in Nashville in June at the Ryman Theater.’

For a musician, the Ryman is like the pinnacle of venues, so we were stunned. We couldn’t believe it.

TBPM: NOW THAT IT’S TWO YEARS LATER AND THINGS HAVE GOTTEN BACK TO NORMAL, WHAT MADE YOU DECIDE TO CONTINUE DOING THIS?

COLT: We were doing a song a day and they were loving it. But then things started opening and I started getting back to some work and so we did every other day. A couple of months ago, it was tight, so we were just going to do two songs a week because things have been getting so hectic schedule-wise. AUBREE: They never want to stop. It really has brought us closer as a family and given us some common interests. I think the main part of it is that we never imagined the reach it would have. When we started, we were getting messages from people in Argentina, Iceland, Australia, New Zealand and China –all over the world. They would tell us that we were keeping them going and the one thing they had every day to look forward to.

A lot of people don’t realize people in other countries were locked down far longer than we were, and repeatedly, they’d open up and then they’d close back down again. A lot of people were saying ‘We haven’t left our house in weeks, and we wait every day.’ They waited every day for us to post because that’s the thing that they looked forward to.

It became bigger than just giving us something to do. We had messages from parents in the hospital with their kids going through chemotherapy and they said they watched our videos with their kids every day.

So, then it was like, whoa, it’s way bigger than just learning a song every morning and recording it in the evening. It’s a bigger deal to people than just a few moments of levity, and I think that’s when we really made the decision that this is a way to keep everybody kind of going at this time. This is something that brings joy to people, and it brings joy to us. And it was just a way to reach out to people when there really wasn’t any other way to reach out to people.

Colt and The Quarantine Kids are always open to and interested in doing corporate and private events. To contact them for inquiries, please email clarkfamilyband@gmail.com You can watch them on Facebook @coltclarkmusic and at YouTube @TheClarkFamilyCreative. For an extended interview and to learn more about the Clark family and their experience at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville last month, scan the QR CODE.

by Maggie Rodriguez

Katie Krimitsos puts her two young daughters to bed. She feels exasperated and exhausted, but she doesn’t take a rest. Instead, she heads to her bedroom closet—where the acoustics are perfect—sits down, opens her computer and records her podcast after one last ritual: “I close my eyes for a solid minute or two, I take some deep breaths, and I always think of the one woman who needs to hear what I have to say.” Since starting The Women’s Meditation Network just three and a half years ago, Krimitsos has recorded seven podcasts that have been downloaded more than 44 million times.

MR: How would you describe your podcasts to someone wondering, “Should I take a listen?” KK: They’re for women who are searching for very easy and simple ways to relax, to get more calm, to release anxiety, to feel less stressed. Every single one of them has a different audience… but ultimately, for all the guided mediations, my goal is really to infuse the women listening with some sense of connection to herself and some clarity on who she is, what’s important to her and how she can go about her day living the most authentic way that she can.

MR: You were pregnant with your second daughter when you started recording your podcasts: a job that you could do at home and that allowed for plenty of time with your kids. It seems perfect for a mother of two young girls. Did that factor into your decision? KK: That was one of the top reasons why I did it. When I got pregnant, the business I had at the time was also a work from home company … but the freedom that it didn’t give me is that in order for that business to make money, I had to show up for meetings. I didn’t want to have to show up at any given time so … probably one of the top two reasons I made the decision is because I wanted the time and freedom to be the type of mom I wanted to be.

MR: You didn’t know if it was going to work out, but boy did it. What do you think is the appeal? KK: Within the podcasting space, surprisingly, there were actually no meditation podcasts for women. I just saw the gap in the industry and thought, “I’m going to fill this.” I also think the world has gotten a lot more full of anxiety and stress and fear over all of these past years, and I feel like I just happened to be there at a time when a lot of people are seeking out ways to calm down and feel less stressed… and feel like they want to be more empowered to live lives that are meaningful to them. And the last piece is that the meditations themselves are not like your typical meditations. I humbly pride myself on being a really impactful writer who’s writing these scripts to be something meaningful for women, to share messages with women that can help them really connect to themselves and see that they can totally surrender and be confident in who they are and make decisions for themselves for their lives. (See sidebar)

K rimitsos Family photo credit: Rick Tauceda

MR: What do you say to the busy mom who says that she doesn’t have time to meditate… like me? KK: Start with a baby step that I call “mini moments of mindfulness.” [For example], if you’ve just dropped off the kids at school and you’ve just pulled back up to your house, instead of immediately getting out and doing your checklist, take five deep breaths while you’re in the car—very conscious breaths, count to five as you’re taking them—and use that moment to come into a space of mindfulness. I love using mini moments of mindfulness because it doesn’t need to feel as structured or like another thing on your to-do list. These little moments are really big baby steps we can take to get out of our heads and into the present moment.

MR: Has meditating made you a better parent? KK: Oh 1000%! It’s allowed me to practice taking a pause between my ego reaction to something and then allowing myself to decide how I want to react. It allows me to not be a reactionary parent …. to breathe and see things a little clearer. In addition to that, it’s allowed me to become a more conscious parent, to think ahead about how it is important for me to raise my girls, what kind of parent do I want to be, what are the values that I want to make sure to instill in my girls. These are all things that happen when you become accustomed to taking a pause, becoming present and connecting with yourself instead of always running in the race.

photo credit: Douglas R. Clif ord, Tampa Bay Times

THIS ONE’S FOR YOU, MAMA Excerpt from Morning Meditation for Women

Through exhaustion and pain, Through laughter and tears, You show up. Through confusion and stress, Happiness and fears, You show up. When you’ve yelled too loud, And pushed too hard. Oh, those moments that choke you up. When you do it all wrong, But come back again, For hugs that always fill your cup. This one’s for you, mama. The imperfect soul you are, Who keeps showing up every day. Sometimes bright and cheery, Sometimes dim and weary, But always in your own special way.

Get Live with Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ #45: Devin White

by Tara Payor, Ph.D., photos provided by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Maybe he’s born with it. Maybe it’s hard work. For Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ linebacker, Devin White, it’s a perfectly created blend. Fifth overall pick in the NFL’s 2019 draft, White learned lessons on loss and mindset young. At 13, White lost his 19-year-old brother, Jae Jae, to a fatal bus accident. Rather than downward spiraling, Devin chose to #GetLive. Devin chose living life all out because Jae Jae cultivated the mindset. Now, #45 is sharing the #GetLive mindset with his son, his teammates and his Tampa Bay community.

TBPM: What drives you to get up in the morning?

DW: Having the opportunity. God blessed me with talent. I won’t waste it. I’m motivated to sharpen my skills and take care of my family. They’re depending on me.

I’m the family glue; football keeps us together. We don’t have family reunions anymore, but everyone reunites by coming to my games and that’s just a vibe.

TBPM: Tell us about your little boy.

DW: Conner is two. He shares the middle name Jewel with Jae Jae. He’s me all over again. He does everything I do, so I try doing the right thing. I try being in his life daily—showing him how much I care for him.

I’m trying to be positive for Conner and for a lot of kids. A lot of kids in the community look up to me. TBPM: What has surprised you about fatherhood?

DW: Everything. You’re never ready— especially being young. I was 22. You take it on headfirst.

First is seeing how much I can love another person. You love your parents and grandparents, but being a parent is beyond. I’d take a bullet for him, no question. I’ve never felt the way I do being a dad— even when we’re chillin’, just riding in the car. Conner’s a mini me with my blood running through his body.

TBPM: What’s been the most challenging part of fatherhood?

DW: Not having Conner full time; he travels between my house and his mom’s. My mom brings him to Tampa for games. He knows what I do and can spot me in videos.

When he’s away, that’s the hardest. TBPM: Jae Jae was your mentor. Who mentors you now?

DW: Shaun Houston, my youth league coach, is number one. I thought I was a basketball player, but he knew football was my calling. We travelled the country scouting colleges—been together since day one. He believed in me and stuck around.

I lean on guys in the NFL who played or play the same position. I talk to Bobby Wagner a lot—anybody I can learn from. I’m not at the mountaintop. Every day, I’m climbing. I lean on my coaches, and I believe they’re around to help me. If you gave me a roster number, you’re willing to give me advice.

I ask for phone numbers, call and pick brains. I wanna understand how other players looked at the position. I talk to Derrick Brooks before games: “How’d you use to see this?”

Mentors help me improve.

TBPM: What’s the best part about competing?

DW: Sacrificing everything to win. I’m competing at practice and I’m competing at the game because I wanna win.

It’s not boxing. I’m not in the ring controlling everything. On the team, I’m doing my part to help us win. We say, “Win your one-on-ones.” Winning one-on-ones makes a good team.

I like seeing 11 people, on both sides, working together to win.

TBPM: Did growing up riding horses inform how you approach football?

DW: I went from waking up early to feed horses to waking up early to work out. I went from throwing barrels in barns to tackling guys with just one hand because my hands became so strong. My patience on the field comes from horses.

Horses and football go hand in hand. If I play 15 years, I can still be with my horses when I retire.

TBPM: When Jae Jae passed, you focused on horses. Does football offer the same mental rest?

DW: Football is work. I have a job to do, and I can’t feel sorry for myself.

Football still offers refreshment. I’m in another world on the field—enjoying the energy and happiness.

I don’t take it for granted. Anybody else could’ve had my talent.

TBPM: How much is you’re born with it and how much is your hard work?

DW: I give credit to the Man above: 75% God and 25% me working hard to sharpen the knife.

Watching video of my younger days, what’s different now is what I can do on the field and what the commentators say: They don’t see many doing what I do. I’m rare. My skills set is rare. There are similar people, but they’re not me: Devin White.

TBPM: How do you stay humble?

DW: This success matters, but I’ve had success. I expect myself to excel. At every stage, I’ve succeeded. In high school, I was district MVP. In college, I won the most prestigious award for my position. In the NFL, I drafted high. Expectations are high, and I always meet my expectations—go beyond them. That’s how I’ve always gotten myself where I need to.

Being a good person matters most. What else can I do while I have this spotlight? While everybody loves me, let me give back. I can get people to donate money and serve the community because of what I’m doing on the field. I use my success to make successes beyond myself.

TBPM: How do you rise above the pressure?

DW: Football is what I do. I’m continuing improving with more practice and more studying. I’m never nervous because this is just what I do.

You don’t lock up when you’re interviewing, even if it was Tom Brady, because it’s just what you do.

Football is my routine. I’m there to be the best—practice or game. I’m there to make all the plays—leaving nothing on the field. When you know the expectations and believe you can do it, it’s easy.

TBPM: How does the team keep practice fun?

DW: By going at each other. Nobody’s safe. Just because it’s Mike Evans, one of football’s best receivers, doesn’t mean we don’t challenge him. When Carlton Davis knocked the ball down during today’s practice, I celebrated him like gameday. It’s fun seeing teammates competing and going hard.

TBPM: What word describes you?

DW: Relentless.

I shouldn’t have to tell you to chase what you want. I should have to pull you back from going too hard.

I have a relentless mindset no matter what I’m doing—even watching film. It’s an all-out pursuit. I’m trending up and trying to stay that way because the game doesn’t last forever.

TBPM: What’s important to you?

DW: Becoming a better man. You wanna look great in the spotlight but, behind closed doors, you wanna be great in every area. Areas people don’t see. I wanna know I’m living life and going to bed with peace of mind.

Life: more unpredictable than any NFL game. Odds are high that relentless loyalty to one’s family, one’s calling and one’s community will culminate with an all-out team victory. #GetLive.

Tara Payor with Devin White

FAVORITE SPORTS MOVIES: LeBron James’ “More than the Game” and Michael Jordan’s “The Last Dance.” FAVORITE SONG:Anything by NBA YoungBoy. He puts me in the mood before games. Learn about Devin’s GetLive 45 Foundation: https://bit.ly/3trqhM4