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VOLUME 2 ISSUE 11
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8 THE ART OF DISCOVERY Choosing a great summer for your child
32 THE OBESITY EPIDEMIC Childhood Obesity on the rise
9 SUMMER CAMP GUIDE The best Tampa Bay has to offer
46 I CHOOSE Local mom writes inspirational book
every month
6 LETTER FROM THE EDITOR 9 AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAMS 29 EDUCATION GUIDE 32 HEALTH AND WELLNESS
28 LET’S GET LIBERAL What does the “liberal” in liberal arts college really mean?
38 NORTH HILLSBOROUGH NEWS 40 SOUTH HILLSBOROUGH NEWS 44 NORTH PINELLAS NEWS
contents
49 SOUTH PINELLAS NEWS 50 PASCO NEWS 54 PARTY PAGES 56 AROUND TOWN 57 CALENDAR OF EVENTS
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On the cover: Gabriella Kendlaft, 2.5, from Westchase Photograph by: Niko Williams www.nikowilliamsphotography.com
TBPARENTING.COM Tampa Bay Parenting Magazine
March 2009
tbparenting.com
Angela L. Ardolino Editor-In-Chief Diana Miklowski Copy Editor Contributing Writers Lisa Black Tim Fath Amy Gall PJ Goetz Mark Heller Joezette Hite Lauren Hoyt-Williams Sandra Parrish Patricia Wise Guarch
Letter from the Editor I don’t remember February being this cold last year. With two freezes and a lot of dead looking plants, I’m ready for the Florida warmth to return! At least it’s not “New York” cold, where I had the pleasure of visiting this month. New York City is as exciting as ever -- the shopping, nightlife, and NYC toy fair, made it one exciting trip. The highlight of my visit was seeing the Broadway production of Billy Elliot The Musical. With about 12 children in the show, and the lead being played by a 13 year old boy - it truly showed that kids are capable of anything! Next time you’re in NYC, make it a must see. Another highlight for March is our newest partnership with Moms Like Me & 10-Connect. If you haven’t discovered MomsLikeMe.com, it’s a free, fun, and friendly place to meet and chat with other moms in your neighborhood! So keep an eye out for great stories, contests and more!
Elizabeth Leib Neighborhood Stories & Calendar Editor Elyse Cohen Graphic Artist Susan Margolis Marketing Director Todd A. Varde Account Executive
In NYC with the three very talented boys who currently play the lead role of Billy Elliot in the Broadway show Billy Elliot The Musical. From left to right are David Alvarez, Kiril Kulish, and Trent Kowalik.
Candace Street Account Executive Linda Whitmer Sales Assistant Maryann Montgomery Administrative Assistant
Tampa Bay Parenting Magazine P.O. Box 82255 Tampa, Florida 33682 Telephone: 813-949-4400 Fax: 813-315-6688 info@tbparenting.com calendar@tbparenting.com ads@tbparenting.com Letters to the Editor: editor@tbparenting.com www.tbparenting.com
Tampa Bay Parenting is published twelve times per year by Lucy Loo Inc. It is distributed free of charge to more than 700 supermarkets, community centers, libraries, doctor offices and businesses with products and services for families. No portion of this magazine may be reproduced in any form without written permission. TBPM is not responsible for statements made by advertisers or writers. We make every effort to ensure the accuracy of information we print, but cannot be held responsible for any consequences arising from omissions or errors. All photography and letters sent to TBPM will be treated unconditionally, assigned for publication and copyright purposes and are subject to unrestricted right to edit and comment editorially. For information on where to find TBPM or how to become a distributor, call 813-949-4400 or email info@tbparenting.com. Copyright 2007-2009 by Tampa Bay Parenting Magazine. All rights reserved. Comments and suggestions are always welcome.
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the art of discovery Choosing the best program for your child this summer
P
BY MARK HELLER arents often ask school administrators for recommendations about summer activities for their children. While the answer varies based on the particular child in question, here are a few general suggestions about how to make the summer enjoyable, memorable, productive, and eye-opening for your child.
Stay Active!
In general, it absolutely is best for your child to stay active, both physically and mentally through most of the summer. Some down time can be very positive but, again, it truly does depend on the individual child and her/his needs. Creating a set of summer experiences at home (or “Camp Mom”) can work well, especially for young children, but it is not an option for most working families. Fortunately, the older your child gets, the more options there are to find great summer experiences. Most summer day camps have programs for 3-year-olds and up. Many will also have before- and after-care options that will work well to accommodate work schedules. There are also many low-cost programs that are run by your county recreation department, the public library, or your local YMCA, YWCA, and Boys’ and Girls’ Club. Summer programs run by local independent schools are a great option, as they welcome children for summer no matter where they attend school. Check out this magazine and the local newspapers to find these programs.
Summer Day Camps
Good summer day camp programs offer a range of activities that are sure to engage many different types of learners. There should be academic refreshers and enrichment opportunities as well as athletic, recreational, and artistic activities that families can choose from. Some programs even offer tastes of what sleep-away camp provides: canoeing, fishing, archery, etc. Though you may live in the city or the suburbs, an old-fashioned, idyllic summer experience may be right around the corner at many of the great day camps that exist in the Tampa Bay area.
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summer program guide Math Facts and Mental Math
Though much of the learning and growing that takes place in summer ought to focus on nonschool-related activities, teachers rightly note that academic losses can occur if students entirely ignore reading and math in the summer. I am a big proponent of memorizing math facts and of mental math activities throughout the year, summer included. Knowing math facts without having to go through mental gyrations (just like knowing “sight words” in reading) is a very valuable skill that will bring great benefits throughout a student’s life, both in school and long after graduation. Mental math activities can easily be practiced on vacation, especially in the car. Calculating rate, time, and distance problems that have real-world applications in real time can be a powerful experience for many youngsters. (Our hotel is 300 miles away. What time will we get there if we average 60 miles per hour? What if we average 50 miles per hour?) A word of caution here: while I love engaging in this kind of problem-solving, not every member of my family is as enthusiastically on board. You certainly don’t want to frighten your child off by being over-zealous. Trust me. (Parenting can be a humbling endeavor.)
Read
Reading in the summer is crucial. What youngsters read is not nearly as important as that they read. Especially for reluctant readers (including many boys), interest level is key. When they can choose what they read beyond what your school requires as summer reading, let them. Do not let “I’m not going to read” be an acceptable choice. Whether comic books or graphic novels, books or magazines about sports or even about video games, the act of reading is of enormous benefit to children. It is a habit well worth forming. One of the best ways to help children develop that habit is to model the behavior yourself. Quiet reading time every day is an activity that will bring a great deal to all members of the family. Even better, try to read some things together or in common (articles, stories, or chapter books) and then discuss them as a family. Summer is a great time to start this family tradition!
Teens
Summer presents incredible opportunities for teenagers. Most teens have some sort of transformational experience in the summer at least once during high school. This happens so frequently because the clear and perhaps even inflexible routines and expectations set by the normal school calendar and, especially, by normal school friends are up-ended in the summer. Once your teen is spirited away from those often rigid expectations, she/he becomes free to discover a great deal about her/himself and the world. Great experiences abound in travel opportunities (especially home-stays abroad through organizations like AFS or People to People), academic programs (like summer school for credit, Oxbridge, or the Junior States of America summer school at Georgetown, Yale, Stanford, Princeton, Cornell, and Northwestern), or specialinterest camps (music, theater, math, cheerleading, etc.). A great source to find these experiences is petersons.com. Two other important opportunities for teen summers are worth special mention: • First jobs. Here, the expectations of employers and contact with co-workers of different ages and backgrounds can be real eye-openers. Getting your teen to talk about work by acknowledging the growth you see will help keep you in the loop. • Volunteer Service. The wealth of great service opportunities that exist both in our community and throughout the world can help transform a teen’s world view and instill great confidence and a new sense of purpose and power. These opportunities can come through your house of worship or through many other established programs (again, see petersons.com). Summers can be magical times of learning and growth for children and adolescents. Strive to treat each summer as your family’s canvas and create works of art that convey both beauty and meaning that are particular to your family’s tastes. And have a great voyage of discovery along the way!
Mark Heller is Head of School at Academy at the Lakes, a Junior K4 – 12th grade independent school in the North Tampa community of Land O’Lakes.
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summer program guide
SUMMER CAMP GUIDE - Also Offers Spring Break Camp
Academy at the Lakes, Summer at the Lakes 2331 Collier Parkway, Land O’ Lakes, FL 34639 813-948-7600, www.academyatthelakes.org/ summer_camp.asp Academy at the Lakes Summer Day camp is a great way to have fun, be creative, and meet new friends. Campers 3 years old - 8th graders can choose from a variety of activities including sports, arts, recreation, and technology. Full day and ½ day camps are available during each of our 8 one-week sessions. Morning and afternoon extended care is also available. Contact us today for a brochure. Academy of the Holy Names’ Summer on Bayshore 3319 Bayshore Blvd., Tampa, FL 33629 813-839-5371, www.holynamestpa.org Offers a variety of individual week sessions in technology, sports, enrichment, and review. We also offer Camp Jaguar for Pre – K 3 through the 5th grade and high school credited courses. Join us for a fun-filled summer of wonderful activities! Aqua Camps at the Florida Aquarium 701 Channelside Drive, Tampa, FL 33602 813-273-4015, www.flaquarium.org Captivating Camps for Kids of ALL Ages! Come see what the commotion is about! Get NAUI open water certified in our SCUBA camp for 12-15 year olds. Kids 10-14 years of age can participate in our Travel Camps and enjoy activities like snorkeling, kayaking, fishing and parasailing around Tampa Bay. Our On Location Camps for ages 6-9 include science experiments, field trips and the opportunity to see live animals. Our half-day AquaTots and AquaKids programs for 3-6 year olds include crafts, games and live animals. Don’t let this summer slip away! Download brochure at flaquarium.org. Bayside Gymnastics & Cheerleading 4400 118th Avenue, Clearwater, FL 33762 727-592-9232, www.baysidegymnastics.com WEEKLY THEMES, ART ACTIVITIES, GAMES, GYMNASTICS & OPEN GYM. This summer give your child the opportunity to tumble right in and explore gymnastics in a safe, supportive environment. Bayside Gymnastics & Cheerleading Camps build self esteem, lasting friendships and treasured memories. Our camps provide experiences under the care and supervision of our highly trained & skilled coaches.
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summer program guide Berkeley Summer Camps 4811 Kelly Road, Tampa, FL 33615 813-885-1673, www.berkeleyprep.org/summer Spend a fun-filled summer with your friends at Berkeley. Choose from a variety of activities. Swim, learn karate, paint and sculpt, rock climb, play soccer, earn academic credits online, play chess, learn how to golf, take a dance class, learn some new dives, travel to a foreign country, play football, perfect your tennis game, play volleyball, build a rocket or race car, wrestle, run track, sing and dance on stage, play basketball, and much, much more! Berkeley Summer's 2,000+ participants see new worlds open up for them each summer. They explore new subjects, develop their creativity, perfect techniques on the playing field and make lasting friendships along the way. Camps are available to all ages and run June 1 – July 24. Busch Gardens Adventure Camp 1-877-BGT-CAMP, www.buschgardens.org Campers at Busch Gardens Adventure Camp make new friends, come face-to-face with exotic animals, plunge down water slides, challenge world-class roller coasters and create memories to last a lifetime. There's something for every age and interest – from preschool to eighth grade, from critters to coasters. And this year, there are eight new day camps! Don’t miss our Spring Break Camp, April 6-10th: Schools out, but Busch Gardens is in full swing! Spring Break Campers will meet exotic animals up close, challenge incredible rides, see world class shows and be some of the experience "Jungala". Cost is $200 per camper. Camp IDS 12015 Orange Grove Drive, Tampa, FL 33618 813-961-3087, www.idsyes.com Sponsored by Independent Day School's dynamic staff, provides extraordinary experiences in sports, recreation, field trips, visual and performing arts, and academics, in an exciting, fun and supportive environment. The setting is the beautiful IDS campus—perfect for a terrific summer experience! Visit www.idsyes.com for information and registration. Camp Primrose Many locations (Cross Creek, Land O’ Lakes, Lutz, Tampa Palms, Westchase) 1-800-Primrose, www.primroseschools.com Children all want the same thing out of summer: non-stop fun. So give it to them, in a safe, nurturing environment where the more fun they have, the
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summer program guide more they learn. In fact, each of Camp Primrose’s themed sessions incorporates our Balanced Learning® program for success, so each session will truly stretch your child’s imagination, social skills, and learning skills. And you know that since it’s through Primrose, we’ll keep your child engaged, happy, and entertained. Camp Rox - Wellington Clubhouse Summer Camp 8000 Starkey Road, Seminole, FL 33777 727-528-8717x213, www.WellingtonSchool.com Each day features varied activities and challenges in an environment that nurtures growth through individual initiative, group challenges, sportsmanship, and fun. It's enough to make anyone want to be a kid again! Carrollwood Cultural Center 4537 Lowell Road, Tampa, FL 33618 813-269-1310, www.carrollwoodcenter.org Shine with the Arts Camps at the Carrollwood Cultural Center. Children and teens can choose from Music, a middle school band and jazz camp, an elementary string camp, to Pottery, Drawing, Painting, Theatre, Paper Airplanes, Robotics, and more. For more information, contact Helen@ CarrollwoodCenter.org or call 813-269-1310 Carrollwood Day School Summer Camp 1515 Bearss Avenue, Tampa, FL 33613 813-920-2288, www.carrollwooddayschool.org CDS Summer Camp is a full-time program, 8 a.m. - 4 p.m., with eight available sessions for children entering 2nd through 8th grade. Each one week session is $185. For more information visit or contact Donna Holyman, Camp Director, at 813-920-2288 Cedarkirk Camp 1920 Streetman Drive, Lithia, FL 33547 813-685-4224, www.cedarkirk.com Cedarkirk is near Brandon, located on the Alafia River within 170 acres of woodlands, wetlands, and uplands. Cedarkirk offers Christian day and overnight camp for children and families. We provide qualified staff, with a low camper/staff ratio.
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summer program guide Center Academy Summer School Locations in Lutz, Palm Harbor, Pinellas Park, and Riverview 727-541-5716, www.centeracademy.com Learning Disabilities, Individualized Instruction, ADD / ADHD, Organizational Skills, Dyslexia, Computers, Reading Problems, Motivation and Success Training, Classroom Survival Skills , Self-Esteem Enhancement. Individualized learning modules are designed to improve reading, writing, and math performance. Club Z Tutoring Serving Tampa Bay 813-620-3764, www.clubztutoring.com The Club Z! Tutoring program is successful because it provides highly individualized, one-on-one instruction in the comfort and security of your home, free from distractions. Club Z! Tutors are experienced, degreed professionals and/or state certified instructors with impeccable credentials and a heartfelt enthusiasm for teaching. Color Me Mine Hyde Park Village, 1609 W. Snow Circle, Tampa, FL 33606 813-258-8368, www.colormeminetampa.com Color Me Mine, the Paint-Your-Pottery Studio in Hyde Park Village, and offers campers weekly themed creative workshops in pottery painting, clay projects, and art and craft activities Dunedin Fine Arts Center 1143 Michigan Blvd., Dunedin, FL 34698 727-298-DFAC(3322), www.dfac.org DFAC's Summer Art Camps offer fun, creative, cognitive experiences for kids and teens from 4.5 to 14 years old. Goddard School 13401 Tampa Oaks Blvd., Tampa FL 33637 813-978-8100, www.goddardschool.com The summer program is a unique blend of fun and learning in a safe and nurturing environment. Summer calendars include a variety of special visitors and cultural events. These visitors provide exciting learning opportunities and may include, community helpers; theatrical productions, musicians and outreach programs through local museums. The Goddard SchoolÂŽ summer program includes: Science and Nature, Arts and Crafts, Manners, Computers and Technology, Literature and Language, Music and Movement, Sports and Games, Cooking and Drama. Hazely Academy of Refinement and Modeling 6152 N. 126th Avenue, Suite 504, Largo, FL 33773 727-519-8727, www.hazely.com Fashion Summer full of fun! Offering your girl weeks of glamour and style. Camp includes modeling, fitness workout, nail and hair care, make up and much more! Jansen Dance Project 5330 Primrose Lake Circle, Tampa, FL 33647 813-979-2222, www.jansendance.com Jansen Dance Project has planned an exciting summer of fun and enrichment in dance and the arts for children ages 3 and older! Don't settle for mere day care. Give your child the opportunity to celebrate the joy of movement with us this summer!
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summer program guide Karl & DiMarco School of Theatre and Dance Locations in North and South Tampa 813-909-7346, www.karlanddimarco.com Offers summer camps for all ages. Camp 'Broadway Baby' fun filled morning of dance to favorite tunes from 'Annie', 'Mary Poppins', 'Chitty Chitty Bang Bang', and more. Camp 'Triple Threat' is a three level camp for ages 7-10 and teens and includes acting and singing together with the dance program. KinderCare Summer Adventures Many locations throughout Tampa Bay 1-877-KinderCare (1-877-546-3372), www.kindercare.com Where learning is the adventure! We know the best kind of learning happens when children are having too much fun to notice. Our school-age summer program will keep your child engaged with an all-day, all-fun program. Summer program features: Variety of special programs and activities in a camp-like atmosphere, Flexible program options so you can plan around family vacations, Familiar setting combined with the familiar faces of friends and teachers creates a comfortable environment for your child, Exciting field trips, Safe and trusted environment. Lightning City Gymnastics & Cheerleading 14214 N Nebraska Ave, Tampa, FL 33613 813-558-0035, www.lightningcity.com 40,000 Square Foot gymnastics and cheerleading training center in North Tampa which offers classes and camps for boys and girls ages 2-18. Lowry Park Zoo 1101 W Sligh Ave.nue, Tampa, FL 33604 813-935-8552, www.lowryparkzoo.com Camp runs June 8- August 21. Back by popular demand we offer a 15% Discount Pre-Registration Day on March 14, 2009 (Saturday). You will receive a 15% discount online beginning at 12:01 a.m and ending at 11:59 p.m on March 14, 2009 (Saturday). Marcia P. Hoffman Performing Arts Institute Ruth Eckerd Hall, 1111 McMullen Booth Road, Clearwater, FL 33759 727-712-2706, www.hoffmanperformingarts.org There's an art experience awaiting every child at the Hoffman Institute. Where they will EXPLORE new talents, DISCOVER new friends and reunite with old ones, EXPERIENCE the arts with professional arts instructors and PERFORM what has been learned on a stage in a professional setting at Ruth Eckerd Hall. Mary Help of Christians Day Camp 6400 E Chelsea St., Tampa, FL 33610 813-626-6191, www.mhctampa.org The camp covers 142 acres located on the west shore of East Lake, near exit 5 off I-4. The camp offers a full day of activities Monday through Friday, June 15 to July 24 for boys and girls age 5-14. Campers choose from over 20 indoor and outdoor activities daily. Mary Jo’s Performing Arts Academy 15906 MapleDale Blvd. Tampa, FL 33618 813-969-0240, www.mjpaa.com Your child will explore the wonderful world of the performing arts while experiencing an educational, fun-filled summer. They will be given opportunities to act, sing, dance and be creative. The possibilities are endless!
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summer program guide Museum of Science and Industry, MOSI 4801 East Fowler Ave, Tampa, FL 33617 813-987-6000, www.campfun.org Now in its 29th year, creates enriching experiences that are exciting and fun. Summer science campers have 11 weeks of adventures to choose from that fuel curiosity, inspire creativity, and challenge minds. Heading out into the wilds for a field study, designing video games, and experimenting with slime are just a few examples of what's in store for campers at MOSI! Parents can choose from a variety of half-day or full-day camps, Monday through Friday, during the summer months beginning June 8 through August 21, 2009. MOSI Summer Science Camp also offers extended care daily, as well as a lunch option (fees apply). MOSI members receive an exclusive discounted rate on all camps! Register at www.campfun.org. Patel Conservatory Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center, 1010 N. W.C. MacInnes Place, Tampa, FL 33602 813-222-1002, www.patelconservatory.org The Patel Conservatory’s summer schedule offers camps, intensive training programs, skill-based courses and a range of performance opportunities. It gives you a variety of choices and activities to make your summer enriching, educational and fun! Age’s pre K- 17. Performance Preparatory Summer Stars Theater Camp 809 W Horatio St, Tampa FL 33606 813-831-5214, www.PerformPrep.com Week-long acting camps ending with a show for kids ages 5-8 and 8-13. Children will build confidence and self-esteem, express creativity, and learn stage skills. A quarter century of theater magic in a family atmosphere and in the same Hyde Park location. Practically Pikasso Art Camps 1912 4th Street North St. Petersburg, FL 33704 727-822-5204, www.practicallypikasso.com Experience a variety of mediums including clay, ceramics, mosaics, spin-art, tye-dye, bubble and glass painting, and more! Camps run ½ or full day and before/after care is available. Art is one of those things we simply must do so our spirit may continue to grow. PrinWall Entertainment Center 4121 Henderson Blvd., Tampa, FL 33629 813-374-2073 Be a part of the exciting summer camps at PWE (Ages 6 - 16)! Rock Camp...Model Camp... Solo Vocal & Performance Camp...Sing, Act & Dance...play a musical instrument...learn the secrets of professional modeling. Space is limited. Private Classes also available. Pump It Up Summer Camp 12878 Commodity Place, Tampa, FL 33626 (Westchase) 813-854-2222, www.pumpitupparty.com “Jump N Art” is a drop off program for children ages 4 to 10 years old, providing amazing fun, games, jumping and inflatable activities – as well as an enriching art and activity curriculum. Weekly classes are held Tuesday through Thursday from 12:30 PM to 3:30 PM Sports & Field 2029 Arrowgrass Drive, Wesley Chapel, FL 33544 813-948-5517, www.sportsandfield.net Let's get ACTIVE this summer! Soccer Leagues, Kickball Leagues, Dance, Basketball, Team Sports, and More! Opportunities for kids to enjoy fun outdoor play including sprinklers, waterslide, and outdoor games!
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summer program guide Tampa Bay Skating Academy Locations in Oldsmar and Clearwater 813-854-4010, www.tbsa.com Learn to Ice Skate Camp - Fun Weekly Themes, On-Ice Lessons, Games & Show Performance! Ideal for Beginner Skaters, Ages 5-12, only $160.00 per week, June 8 - August 14, 8:45am4:15pm, Pre-Registration Required. Age requirement & schedule vary. Please call location for camp details. Learn to Play Hockey Camp - Oldsmar Location Only, On-Ice Lessons, Practice & Scrimmage, Basic Skating experience Required, Open to Boys & Girls, Ages 5-11, only $160.00 per week. July 27-31 & August 17-21, 8:45am-3:15pm, Pre-Registration Tampa Museum of Art 2306 N Howard Ave, Tampa, FL 33607 813-274-7328, www.tampamuseum.org The Tampa Museum of Art presents the popular Summer Art Camp, June 22 - July 31, for kids 6 - 14. Campers participate in exciting hands-on art making experiences with clay, sculpture, and paintingdrawing, and decorative arts. Open your child's eyes to art. The Little Gym 4251 Henderson Blvd., Tampa, FL 33629 813-282-8547, www.TLGSouthTampaFL.com Spring break & summer half-day camps offer fun and activities! Enroll in 1-day, 3-days or several weeks! Includes a new theme each week, fitness, play, crafts, a healthy snack and theme-related events & special guests. $35 per day. Enroll early as last summer had a waiting list. Valley View Equestrian Ranch 606 Valley View Ranch Rd., Cloudland, GA 30731 706-862-2231, www.ValleyViewRanch.com Equestrian Camp for Girls 8-17 located on 600 acres of lush pastures, wooded trails, and panoramic views. Each rancher gains the full opportunity of horsemanship through instruction, time in the saddle, and the responsibility of having her own horse. Several riding programs offered as well as a voluntary well-rounded recreational program. YMCA of the Suncoast Many locations throughout Citrus, Hernando, Pasco and Pinellas Counties www.ymcasuncoast.org Choose The YMCA of the Suncoast this summer! With hundreds of camps in Citrus, Hernando, Pasco and Pinellas Counties, we’re sure to have something fun for you! Campers will discover a summer full of adventure while enjoying new experiences and creating friendships and memories that will last a lifetime! YMCA - Tampa Metropolitan Area Many locations throughout Hillsborough County and Eastern Pasco www.tampaymca.org Campers can choose from a range of full-day, half-day, and specialty camps, including sports, gymnastics, aquatics and more, plus our all-new outdoor adventure camp in Riverview. Families can take advantage of our 10% sibling discount and also receive a $50 YMCA program voucher when purchasing 5 or more weeks of camp! Don't miss out...call your YMCA to learn more or stop by to sign up today.
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summer program guide
Let us grow and nurture your child.
Garden Montessori School Now Enrolling Ages Infant thru Kindergarten 6845 Boyette Rd Wesley Chapel, FL 33545
813-991-6335 www.gardenmontessorischool.org
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let’s get liberal
When choosing a college what does the “liberal” in liberal arts really mean? BY PATRICIA WISE GUARCH
Most people don’t even know why a liberal arts education is labeled with liberal. Everyone knows that it’s not supposed to be associated with Hillary and Barack, or with pro-choice and higher taxes. But liberal thinking doesn’t mean Hillary, Barack or gay marriage, it means “free” thinking and that is something we should associate a liberal arts education with. Maybe its because I came fresh out of eleven years of private Catholic school, but attending a sex-doctor seminar was the last thing I expected to see on my orientation roster my first week of Freshman year. Looking back, I’m positive it was my eleven years of Catholic school that left me brainwashed and mortified to hear the words sex come out of an adults mouth without the words “don’t do it” following. I guess I should give a little bit of perspective on my liberal-less education; when I was fifteen, every eighth grade from the surrounding Catholic schools went to Chastity Day. I remember being handed Hershey’s chocolate kisses, asked to put them in our mouths and then told to put it in our neighbors mouths. This, we were told, was like making out or having sex- it was disgusting. Then we chanted some song that started with “hip, hop, Jesus rocks.” Four years later, I had decided that a state school or large university where I would be funneled into Biology 101 or a math lecture with four hundred kids, was not for me. So, I opted for the liberal arts alternative. I wanted to take Clothes Anthropology and The Sociology of Consumerism and Writing for Film Critiques. I familiarized myself with collegeboard.com, submitted my applications, visited the campuses and decided on my liberal arts school. I knew that Princeton Review had rated it the third “Most Accepting Gay Community” and that it has been awarded the fifth most “Birkenstock Wearing, Ganja smoking, Granola Eating College” but I hadn’t stopped to think how that would starkly contrast Catholic school conservatism. Back to the sex doctor seminar, that was the first but certainly not the last of my shocking “liberal” experiences. For Halloween there was a bulletin board on my floor that read “If You Think Halloween is Scary Check This Out” and then went on to list STDs and my Resident
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Advisor, who is supposed to be overseeing my wellness, teaches a StripCardio Class in the common-room. My teachers say words in lecture that I would have been sent to Saturday detention for saying in Catholic school, but I’m learning. I’m learning about things that I would never have been taught about in my Catholic school past and I guess that’s what college is about; leaving behind what you know and growing up, learning about things that you were too young and silly to understand before. For me, it hasn’t been learning about the structure of epithelial cells or lambda calculus, its been breaking down barriers that used to be established for me by the Catholic school filter about what’s right or wrong, appropriate or inappropriate. I used to be told what to do and only shown things that someone else thought were okay for me to look at. Now, in a liberal arts education that pushes even the most extreme social boundaries, I get to establish what I think is right, find where I think the middle is, and decide if that’s where I want to be. I guess what I mean is, I’ve been raised in an education system that held back a lot, a lot of information, people, ideas and now I’m in an environment that holds back nothing. I don’t really think that either way is the right balance for me, so I finally get to decide for myself where the balance should be. Luckily, I have parents who have taken my bizarre transition with a wonderful sense of humor. They’ve laughed with me about my STD bulletin board in my dorm room, and reminded me of values that are the reason they put me in Catholic school. They’ve also looked back retrospectively with me at the trivialities that were a part of conservative education like measuring my plaid uniform skirt to be sure it reached my knees, and the banning of Gossip Girl books from my high school. A liberal arts education is “liberal” and “free,” especially coming from my sister-run school, and if they knew about my sex-doctor seminar for orientation, I’m sure they’d be praying a rosary for me right now. Patricia Guarch Wise is a student at NYU in the Gallatin School of Individualized Study, concentrating on Journalism and Image Construction. She has worked for NYLON Magazine, Boston Scene Magazine, and is a freelance stylist.
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health & wellness
the obesity epidemic BY TONY SPARBER
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hat would you say is the top health concern for American kids in 2009? Drug abuse? Internet safety? Child abuse? Smoking? Bullying? Autism? These issues certainly concern all parents. According to a National Poll on Children’s Health conducted by the University of Michigan C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital, parents said it is childhood obesity that tops the list. The Obesity Epidemic Of all the factors endangering children’s health, obesity is the one that jumps to the front of the line. It is the one issue that is most out of control. Look around any school yard and you’ll see that the physical appearance of kids as a group has changed since you were in school. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has found that the obesity rate among children ages 6 to 11 has more than doubled in the past 25 years, going from 6.5 percent in 1980 to 17 percent in 2006. Among adolescents ages 12 to 19, that rate has more than tripled, from 5 percent to 17.6 percent. These numbers say nothing about those children who are not yet obese, but are clearly overweight. No other health concern is exploding at such mind-numbing rates. Why Rising Obesity Rates Are Such a Big Deal The media has done a good job of making us aware of the health risks associated with obesity. To quickly recap: The Journal of Pediatrics recently found that an estimated 61 percent of obese young people have at least one additional risk factor for heart disease, such as high cholesterol or high blood pressure. The U.S. Surgeon General adds that children who are obese are at greater risk for bone and joint problems, sleep apnea, and social and psychological problems such as stigmatization and poor self-esteem. These children are more likely than children of normal weight to become overweight or obese adults, and are therefore more at risk for associated adult health problems, such as heart disease, type 2 diabetes, stroke, cancers and osteoarthritis. How Did Our Kids Get So Overweight? There’s no doubt that diets loaded with non-nutritious, high-calorie foods are at the root of kids weight problems. Yet the amount of daily calories consumed by our children has not increased so dramatically over the last 20 years to cause these double and triple rates. What has changed is the amount of daily activity. This has dropped significantly over the last 20 years and may be the true culprit in this explosive health concern. Do your children get a minimum of 60 minutes of physical activity over the course of a day? If their daily habits mirror those of the kids in this study, they probably do -- if they are between the ages of 9 to 11 -- when 90 percent of the participating children met the recommended level. But by age 15, only 31 percent met the recommended level on weekdays, and a shockingly low 17 percent met the recommended level on weekends. This drop in activity means that teens are taking in more calories each day than they are expending through physical activity. That’s a recipe for excessive weight gain.
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This drop in activity by our teens is largely due to the new electronic age in which we live. Unlike kids of past generations, our kids can socialize, play, and explore their world without even getting out of bed. While munching on high-calorie snacks, many spend their free time enjoying computerized social networks, video games, DVDs and iPods. The Government’s Role in this National Health Problem Those government agencies charged with the welfare of our children are aware of and deeply involved in this crisis. The CDC, for example, has guidelines, resources, programs and websites for school and community leaders to help them address the rising obesity problem. You can visit the CDC website at www.cdc.gov/healthyyouth/obesity for links. Solutions will require money, as well as changes in policy and philosophy— obstacles that will take time to overcome. We can’t afford to wait for the government to implement programs to help control our kids’ weight. My hope for stopping the childhood obesity epidemic lies in the home—your home. What Parents Can Do in the Home Household jobs: Give your kids daily exercise and get those chores done at the same time. Every kid can help vacuum, sweep, mow, and scrub around the house, and can also help wash the car, walk the dog and set the table. Gifts: Looking for a holiday or birthday gift that keeps on giving? Head to the sporting goods section of your favorite store and look for fun ways to get physical. Think: Pogo stick, stilts, indoor or outdoor croquet, hula hoop, Frisbee, Twister, hopscotch, badminton set, and fishing pole. And of course, pick up the staples such as a basketball, soccer ball, and/or football; bicycle, skates, tennis racquet, and lacrosse or field hockey stick. Family outings: Family time is dwindling in American homes today as parents spend more time at work and kids spend much of their free time plugged into electronic entertainment systems. Get the gang together and fight obesity with family outings that get everybody moving on the weekends (the time, remember, when kids’ activity levels tend to drop). Vacations: When you plan your next family vacation, think about making it an active one. Look for places where your kids can swim at the beach or bike on a scenic trail. Maybe they’d like to hike or camp in the mountains or raft down a river. You might also explore state and national parks or take a walking tour of a major city. Community service: Many parents have found that being involved in service activities is the perfect way to keep the family together and active while working toward a common goal. Look for opportunities where you might plant flowers and shrubs around public buildings or parks, do litter patrol on a nearby road or in local streams, help elderly neighbors mow or rake their yards, or clean up a town park. Plug in: In the ‘if you can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em’ category, there are ways to use electronic recreation to help kids stay active. Give your kids a video camera and
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health & wellness encourage them to make their own music videos, their own reality show, their own “dancing with my friends” TV special, or their own nature trail travelogue – anything that gets them up and moving! Taking it to the Next Step These activities can keep a child active and fit, but if your child is already struggling with weight gain, it may be time for more proactive measures. Many children need peer support, structured programs and professional guidance to change the habits that sabotage their weight-loss efforts. When that’s the case, you may want to consider a weight-loss camp. Many camps (like my own) offer state-of-the-art facilities to get kids up and moving, a multitude of fun activities, and opportunities for new friendships and renewed self-esteem. These camps teach kids to understand why they are heavier and how they can change. Even in the most difficult cases, when kids get away from the comforts of home and learn about nutrition, exercise and behavioral habits and combine that knowledge with a mandatory healthy diet and active lifestyle, they will succeed. They will lose the weight and they will keep it off. You have the ability and the responsibility to keep your kids healthy and fit. Let’s all stand up and do it! Tony Sparber is the founder New Image Camps: in PA and FL. New Image Camps are designed to provide the most comprehensive summer weight-loss program for pre-teens and teenagers in the country. For additional information call 1-800365-0556 or visit www.newimagecamp.com
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The Kids Corner at Palma Ceia
Personalized dental care for your child, with the utmost attention to making it an enjoyable experience g are welcome Children of all ages
Millie liie e Cortes, Corttes, Cor es, DM DMD D Pediatric Dentist American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry Member
1008 So. Clearview Phone: 813-253-3679
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Entertainment Revue All Star Cast
AUDITIONS Girls ages 5 - 14
April 25 & 26 Tampa Bay's only professional children's song and dance ensemble Eight major recording contracts signed, three American Idol Finalists Open House and Information Meeting April 20, 2:00 PM
813-805-0854
www.entertainmentrevue.com
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north
Hillsborough
Carrollwood, Citrus Park, Lutz, New Tampa, Odessa, Temple Terrace, Westchase
Carrollwood Cultural Center First Anniversary Party Carrollwood Cultural Center is throwing a first anniversary party with a day filled with arts festivities and an evening mystery theatre performance. Everyone is invited to an outdoor art show featuring in-house artists held in the lovely wooded grounds of the center located between Lowell and Casey Roads. Guests will enjoy demonstrations of various art styles and techniques and other art-related vendors. There will be hands-on activities organized for children. The event also includes food and refreshments, art demonstrations and displays by local artists from the North Tampa Art League and art teachers in residence at the Center. Live music is scheduled throughout the day and the event is free and open to the public. After a fun art-filled day at Carrollwood Cultural Center, everyone is invited back for an evening of mystery theatre. “Kiss My Blarney,” directed by Brenda Darnley Martin BrenMar Communications, Inc., and written by Bill Smith, brings an Irish theme to the evening. But be prepared, this show is audience interactive. The light hearted who-done-it relies on audience members to solve the mystery while offering a good chuckle and a few surprises. Tickets include corned beef sandwiches and a hearty glass of beer.
Under the Sea Now Showing at MOSI IMAX Dome Theatre Experience the sea and its marvelous marine life streaming into the IMAX Dome Theatre at Tampa’s Museum of Science & Industry with the newest IMAX film adventure Under the Sea. Running through March, audiences will be transported to the crystal blue domains of diverse underwater dwellers, including the Leafy Sea Dragon and the Flamboyant Cuttlefish. Under the Sea transports moviegoers to some of the most exotic and isolated undersea locations on Earth, including South Australia, the Great Barrier Reef, and the Coral Triangle islands of Papua New Guinea and Indonesia, allowing them to experience face-to-face encounters with some of the most mysterious and stunning creatures of the sea. It offers a uniquely inspirational and entertaining way to explore the beauty and natural wonder of the oceans, as well as the impact of global climate change upon them. In IMAX, the images will literally leap off the screen and float around the theatre, putting the audience in the movie. Director of Under the Sea Howard Hall says, “part of what our IMAX films are designed to do is create a sense of value for the animals and for the environment. We hope people will come to know and love these animals when they experience their world through the extraordinary image quality of IMAX. Most people will not have heard of these creatures. But once people get to know them and then learn that global warming and ocean acidification may be damaging their environment, we think they’ll start to care. Making people care is our mission.” The film’s producer Toni Myers says, “IMAX’s unrivaled visual clarity and Howard’s passion for his subjects are resonant throughout Under the Sea. Most people will never encounter these creatures face to face in the wild, and IMAX is able to bring audiences as close to swimming alongside them as they’ll ever get. Howard’s keen eye and incredible patience allow him to capture ever more astonishing sequences with every film he makes.”
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dates: Now Playing Under the Sea at MOSI The IMAX Dome Theater is located at 4801 E. Fowler Ave, Tampa, FL 33617. For information on tickets and showtimes, 813-987-6000 or visit www.mosi.org Saturday, Mar. 14, 10 am – 3 pm Carrollwood Cultural Center’s 1st Anniversary Party, outdoor art show, family activities. Free. Carrollwood Cultural Center 4537 Lowell Road, Tampa carrollwoodcenter.org, 813-269-1310 Saturday, Mar. 28, 11 am – 2 pm 2nd annual Spring Fling at Main Street of Hampton Lakes Plaza. Petting Farm, Easter Egg Hunts, Games, Fire truck Tour, Arts and Crafts, Prizes, Face Painting. 12950 Race Track Rd. 813-818-8697, westchasetoys.com Thursday, Apr. 2, 11:30 am - 7 pm Taste of Citrus Park & Family Festival Restaurants, entertainers, merchants with food, games, live entertainment, auctions, cooking demonstrations, Carnival and events. See demonstrations by the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office, Fire Dept, Parks & Recreation Dept. Sickles High School 7950 Gunn Hwy, Tampa 33626 citruspark.com Apr. 6 - 10, 6:30 am – 7 pm Spring Break Program at Temple Terrace Rec. Field trip to Bush Gardens; $80 – call Chris Matthews, Youth Programs Coordinator 813-506-6625 Apr. 6 – 10 Spring Break Camp at Busch Gardens Schools out, but Busch Gardens is in full swing! Spring Break Campers will meet exotic animals up close, challenge incredible rides, see world class shows and experience “Jungala”. Cost is $200 per camper. Call 1-877-BGT-CAMP or visit buschgardens.org for more information.
south Hillsborough Apollo Beach, Brandon, Lithia, Riverview, Ruskin, South Tampa, Tampa, Valrico, Fishhawk
Eat Well, Shop Local: Show Kids Where Food Comes From! By Elizabeth A. Leib
While gardening lives vividly in the dreams of many moms and dads, that dream is just not a reality for most. Of course it’s pleasant to imagine blissful stress-free hours planting, weeding and watering an old-fashioned home garden. But family schedules are typically jam-packed with soccer games, music lessons, and other school projects. And if both parents are working full-time, even adding an extra step to the weekly grocery trip can seem burdensome. Still, there are practical ways for time-pressed parents to make small changes to the weekly routine that will bring fresh, local produce into the house and introduce kids to the truth about where food comes from. Shop at an Open-Air Market Tampa’s Downtown Fresh Market For anyone living or working in downtown Tampa, the recently organized Fresh Market makes it possible to drive home each Friday with a bag of fresh locally grown produce. Learn about gardening from one of the newest vendors, Urban Oasis. The market takes place in Lykes Gaslight Square Park. Take a Family-Field Trip to a “You-Pick Farm” An hour picking strawberries is a great way to help kids understand where food comes from. All the better if filling a basket is as easy as a casual stroll through rows of hydroponic towers. There are quite a few you-pick traditional and hydroponic farms within easy driving distance of Tampa. Visit localharvest.org for daily hours, descriptions and contact information for farms and markets. Join a Community Farm Co-op Spend a few hours on Saturday or Sunday at the Sweetwater Organic Farm in Tampa. This community farm invites volunteers to help bring in the weekly harvest, clean the vegetables, or just wander around listening to live music. Become a member and take home a share of the harvest, or just show up for a yoga lesson – it’s a relaxing place to spend time with the kids. Set-up a Home Garden Traditional gardening is made easier with the Earth box, a gardening system that eliminates the need to weed or use pesticide, yet still involves the use of conventional soil and fertilizer. Or take a page from Disney World’s EPCOT Center. When the Land Pavilion opened in 1982 featuring hydroponic techniques, it all seemed so futuristic. But now with a modest initial investment of about a hundred bucks, anyone can set up a hydroponics garden tower. This method of drip irrigation combined with stacking the plants in containers one on top of the other uses only around 10 percent of the water that soil-based agriculture requires. The reason for this is that hydroponic systems allow recycling and reuse of water and nutrient solutions. Similarly, hydroponics requires little or no pesticides and only around 25 percent of the nutrients and fertilizers applied to soil-based plants. Hydroponic gardening results in a cost savings and benefits the environment in that no chemicals are being released into the air. It’s easiest and cheaper to buy the components separately. Prices for hydroponic kits sold by a farm vary from as low as $89 for a self-contained set-up that requires manual watering to as much as $350 for some automatic systems. Hydro-Harvest Farm in Ruskin and Urban Oasis in Tampa are family run businesses that sell the set-ups and offer good support. Worms Way in Temple Terrace is an employee-owned retail store catering to hydroponic gardeners. For a complete list of materials and instructions (including video) on setting up a hydroponic tower visit raintreewriting.com and click on the “Hydroponic Tower” tab.
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dates: Open thru May on Fridays, 10 am - 2 pm Tampa Downtown Fresh Market Local farmers, producers, and artisans offer fresh agricultural and related products in Lykes Gaslight Square Park, tampadowntownmarket.com Mar. 7, 14, 21, 28, 11 am - 3 pm Celebrate the Latin heritage of Ybor City by making fans and flowers or a hat fit for a Matador! Different craft themes for kids at Jezabelle & Her Wandering Gypsies Antique Store, 1923 E. 7th Avenue. 813-247-1923 Monday, Mar. 16, 10 am - 12 pm 3rd Annual Preschool Fair Visit with area preschool representatives to find the right school. Free at the Kate Jackson Community Center (821 South Rome Avenue in Hyde Park). Information contact Lisa-Marie Leihy at laforzaorg@aol.com. Thursday, Mar. 19 - Saturday, Mar. 21 Chalk Walk 2009 A fun, free family event. Hyde Park in the Village Circle. Visit oldhydepark.com or 813-220-5800 Friday, Mar. 20, 6:30 pm 2nd Annual Ghost Walk Tour of Ybor - Cigar City Tales of the Past Tampa Junior Woman’s Club 2nd Annual Ghost Walk Location: Rock N Sports Bar & Grille 1600 E. 8th Avenue, Ybor City www.gfwctampajuniors.com Saturday, Mar. 21, Open: 6 pm, Film at: 8 pm Sunset Cinema, Tampa Theatre’s Traveling Outdoor Picture Show - RAIDERS OF THE LOST ARK River Tower Park at Sulphur Springs 701 East Bird Street, Tampa, tampatheatre.org Thursday, Mar. 26, 9 pm - 3 am Tampa Salsa Congress Tampa will be hosting its first Salsa congress at the beautiful Tampa Marriott Waterside Hotel & Marina in downtown. Join them to learn, watch performances, and dance to Salsa. www.tampacongress.com Apr. 6 – 10 Spring Break Camp at Busch Gardens 1-877-BGT-CAMP or visit BuschGardens.org
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north
Pinellas
Clearwater, Dunedin, East Lake, Oldsmar, Palm Harbor, Safety Harbor, Tarpon Springs
New Partnership Enhances Pediatric Care in North Pinellas by Amy Gall
Thanks to a new partnership between Morton Plant Mease Health Care and St. Joseph’s Children’s Hospital, parents in north Pinellas and southwest Pasco counties with children who require the sophisticated specialty care of a pediatric hospital now have far less to travel. “We are very excited about partnering with St. Joseph’s Children’s Hospital to enhance the services we currently provide for the children of Pinellas County. This partnership brings in the resources of Florida’s third largest children’s hospital to our family-centered care,” said Lou Galdieri, interim chief operating officer, Mease Countryside Hospital. Called St. Joseph’s Children’s at Morton Plant Mease, the partnership includes emergency services and neonatal intensive care units at Mease Countryside and Morton Plant hospitals and the enhanced 15-bed, private inpatient children’s unit at Mease Countryside Hospital. Plans call for Morton Plant Mease to expand their offerings of classes and community events advocating health, prevention and wellness for children. “As a result of combining our resources, more families in the Tampa Bay area have closer access to the innovative, high-tech pediatric care that St. Joseph’s Children’s Hospital is known for,” said St. Joseph’s Children’s Hospital Administrator Michael Aubin. The partnership means that physicians at Mease Countryside and Morton Plant hospitals will follow the same protocols as St. Joseph’s Children’s Hospital physicians. Many Morton Plant Mease nurses are already certified with the National Pediatric Organization, and all of the nurses will be receiving additional specialized training through St. Joseph’s Children’s Hospital. Children’s services throughout Morton Plant Mease will include newborn and pediatric care, with a seamless transfer system to move children back and forth between the two hospitals; outpatient pediatric rehabilitation offering physical, occupational and speech therapies; an asthma management program; support groups for breast feeding and a wide array of classes for expectant parents including online childbirth education. “Since the main goal of a children’s hospital is to keep kids well and out of the hospital, St. Joseph’s Children’s Hospital will also expand our successful child advocacy programs to include the north Pinellas and west Pasco regions,” said Aubin.
TARPON SPRINGS 35th ANNUAL FINE ARTS FESTIVAL
dates: Tuesday, Mar. 17, 4:30 pm 2nd annual One Lucky Night The event, which follows the Phillies game vs. Cincinnati, involves a silent and live auction, barbeque, beverages, live music. Benefits the national expansion of Camp Erin, bereavement camps for children ages 6-17. Clearwater’s Bright House Field. To RSVP or for more information call The Moyer Foundation at 206-298-1217. Friday, Mar. 20, 7:30 - 9pm Radio Disney Spring Fling Ice Skating Party On-ice games, music and fun and “Hannah Montana the Movie”! Giveaways & register to win for a national grand prize VIP red carpet trip to Los Angeles! Admission $10.00 + tax (Includes skate rental) Tampa Bay Skating Academy-Countryside Westfield Shoppingtown 27001 US HWY 19N, Clearwater tbsa.com, 727-723-7785 March 27-29, Fri., 5p-11p; Sat. 11a-11p; Sun, noon-7p Annual Oldsmar Days and Nights Festival Contact the Upper Tampa Bay Chamber 813855-4233, UTBchamber.com. Saturday, Mar. 28 & Sunday, Mar. 29, 9 am – 5 pm Tarpon Springs Fine Art Festival Craig Park on Spring Bayou (the west end of Tarpon Avenue). Admission $2, children under 16 free. 727-937-6109 Saturday March 28th, 1 pm - 4 pm Open House - Bayside Gymnastics & Cheerleading. Face Painting, Bouncy Houses, Balloon Animals, Free Food, Demonstrations. 727-592-9232, BaysideGymnastics.com
The 35th Annual Tarpon Springs Fine Arts Festival on the Bayou is a two-day festival that is one of Florida’s premier juried art festivals. This year’s event features over 240 artists from across the nation. Since this is a juried Festival, it is all fine art. Unlike many shows, the art, creations and jewelry are affordably priced. The venue couldn’t be prettier, with the Festival wrapping around Spring Bayou and Craig Park. This is also manatee season in Tarpon Springs. Festival guests will also enjoy a huge variety of food, drinks and fabulous entertainment. No pets or coolers will be allowed in the park. After the show, merchants in the Historic Downtown and the Sponge Docks have special events planned to entice folks to stay in Tarpon Springs for the evening.
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i choose... One local mom becomes a writer of an inspirational book BY LISA BLACK
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hat does a bird; Mother, direct mail sales person and an author have in common?
They’re all a part of Suzin Helen Carr of Lutz.
Some ten years ago, Suzin was enjoying high numbers and a large paycheck as a top salesperson for a direct mail company. After some soul searching, she simply walked away from the company, the paycheck and the career she had known for ten years. For her, it was the right thing to do. She and Jim wanted to start a family and she had a new and even more important focus. About 15 months later, their beloved Chandler was born and Suzin relished simply being a Mom. Like any Mom, she appreciated the people, places and events that touched Chandler-but simple appreciation wasn’t enough. She embraced action and passion and set out to make a small difference in the lives of others as a way of giving back. Her action and passion were recognized this past May. Suzin was the area Charter School recipient of the All Stars of Education 2007-2008 Award. This award, presented by SERVE and the Hillsborough County Public Schools, recognizes volunteers and groups that have given tirelessly of themselves for the good of Hillsborough County students. When asked about the award, she shrugs the accolades and simply acknowledges it was the right thing to do. Several years ago, she watched as a fundraising campaign at Learning Gate Community School, attended by son Chandler, was crawling with small donations and a lack of participation. She knew something had to change and she knew she had something to give.
Her attention getting antics not only bring laughs…but a $70,000 “nest egg” the 2007-2008 year for Learning Gate’s new “green” classroom. And her creativity and the commitment to making a difference in the lives of others just keeps going and growing. Now, there’s the book. One night following a family cookout, Suzin disappeared into their study. The words and the rhymes were there and she just had to write. It was the right thing to do. And so, she wrote late into the night…and a book was born. It is a simple book with a serious message. It is a book that belongs to and speaks to everyone. It has a message that’s time has come – a reminder of simple joys and the empowerment of making good choices. I Choose, written by Suzin and illustrated by her son Chandler is a fun, thought provoking book written and illustrated for children. Children see themselves in Chandler’s artwork and can easily relate to the simple words and rhymes. Writing the book was one thing, but the printing and distribution were another. Suzin explains, “The book isn’t really mine. It belongs to every friend, family member and organization that believed in the importance of the message and that helped us hurdle those early challenges.” The book, now in its second printing, has been a success locally, nationally and even internationally. The formal accolades have been many, but none as special as the many notes received from children across the demographic spectrum that have been touched and inspired by the simple message of the book. To Suzin, that’s what really matters…creatively reaching one child at a time.
So, she offered her creativity, sense of humor and dedication to the school that she, her husband and
Chandler cherished so much. So, for the past several years during the days of the Annual Giving campaign, Learning Gate teachers, parents and students have eagerly anticipated whether she would be dressed in the cow outfit out front wearing the sign “Moo-la for our school-a”, a vegetable or other character. As the campaign ends, she has become legendary for wearing a bird outfit and popping out of a nest that she creates on the top of her car!
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Suzin Helen Carr pictured with her son Chandler
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“When you receive that note from a child that says…I
choose not to do drugs. I choose to love. I choose to be happy. I choose to be glad and willing. I choose to be nice...you know you’re doing the right thing. There is no better thank you than that.” And when asked about how she pursues her passion, Suzin peacefully replies, “Be still and quiet. The answer will always come. When you’re still and quiet, you’ll hear the direction you need to go. The help will come and so will the challenges-but if you’re still, you’ll know…you’ll always know.” And her latest passion? She replies, “…to get this little book around the world and in as many hands as we can. We know it’s important and is the right thing to do.” So, now you know. A bird, Mother, direct mail salesperson and author really do have a lot in common! I Choose is available at www.illuminatedpublishing. com. Lisa Black is a mother of two and owner of www.justanothermom.com
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south
Pinellas
Largo, Pinellas Park, Seminole, St. Pete Beach, St. Petersburg, Treasure Island
freeFall Theatre’s Sleeping Beauty Appeals to Both Girls and Boys by Elizabeth A. Leib
According to the National Endowment for the Arts, research strongly suggests that kids who are exposed to and are involved in the arts develop skills that help them in teamwork, problem solving, decision making and creative thinking. More and more studies find that arts programs are useful in helping motivate children to learn and impact student performance positively in all core academic subjects. At a time when arts programs are increasingly endangered in public schools it becomes important for parents to make family time for out-of-school cultural arts activities. We are fortunate to have many selections for families in Tampa Bay. And now, there is good news coming in March from the exciting new freeFall Theatre Company. In their debut production hosted by The Studio@620 in downtown St. Petersburg, freeFall Theatre Company produced The Wild Party resulting in rave reviews. Artistic Director Eric Davis says that after doing a very nontraditional, adult oriented musical the company wanted the next production to illustrate the full range of programming planned for the future. Set in a magical Celtic world, this version of Sleeping Beauty follows the story of Briar Rose, an infant abandoned at birth. She becomes the center of the battle between a “bright witch” Branwen, and her sister the “dark witch” Modron. Ultimately it is Owain, Briar Rose’s childhood friend, accompanied by the jocular and witty Gryff, who must go on a hero’s journey. On their quest they must find the secret to awakening the sleeping beauty, and thus save the royal family from the clutches of darkness. Conscious of his modern audience, Welsh playwright Charles Way makes the ancient folk and fairy stories relevant to today’s world while maintaining their traditional beauty and mystery. For example, the show opens with a swordfight between a girl and a boy when both are aged 12. She wins. She is equally excellent at dancing and solving riddles. As the play unfolds, the boy’s character is revealed in a full plot line, not just dropped in for the final kiss. His story dominates Act II. Filled with magical characters, swashbuckling battles, and adventurous fun, Davis says that this production is “Harry Potter-like” in that it will appeal to audiences of all ages. Time Out London said, “Hovering deliciously between scary and fairytale, this is a show with fire in its belly and bewitching theatre for anyone over six.” freeFall Theatre Company started auspiciously in St. Petersburg, but the company wants to experiment to find the best market for its productions. To that end the production of Sleeping Beauty will open at the Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center’s TECO Theatre. If the first freeFall production is any indication, Tampa Bay families are in for a treat.
dates:
Mar. 2 - Apr. 18, 4 pm - 6:30 pm Jewelry Making for Teens Teens will learn a variety of metal fabrication techniques commonly used in metalsmithing. Learn: Sawing & drilling, Soldering with torch, Texturing metal, Patina metal, Bezel settings. The Arts Center, 719 Central Ave, St. Petersburg 727-822-7872 (call for info/costs) Mar. 13 - 15, Fri. 4:30-10 pm; Sat. Noon - 10 pm; Sun. Noon-8 pm St. Pete Cajun Zydeco Crawfish Festival Celebrating the culture of Southwest Louisiana with food, music, and plenty of dancing. 10,000 lbs. of crawfish, dancing pavilion, fiery foods, arts & crafts Vinoy Park www.cajunconnection.org Mar. 13 – 29, Fridays and Saturdays at 7 pm Sundays at 10 am and 2 pm Sleeping Beauty For tickets call the Performing Arts Center Box Office at (813) 229-STAR or reserve online freefalltheatre.com Saturday, Mar. 21, 10 am - 5 pm Largo Central Park Artist Market Spend the weekend outdoors while shopping for unique original works of art. 101 Central Park Dr., Largo. Call Charla Lucas 727-587-6740 x5014 Saturday March 28th, 1 pm - 4 pm Open House - Bayside Gymnastics & Cheerleading. Face Painting, Bouncy Houses, Balloon Animals, Free Food, Demonstrations. 727-592-9232, BaysideGymnastics.com Tuesday, Mar. 31 - Saturday, Apr. 4 75th Anniversary Celebration All Events Open To The Public Mar. 31, World Culture Day Apr. 1, Career Day Apr. 2, A Day in History, Featuring Astronaut Charles Duke Jr. – Alumnus Apr. 3, Main Street Festival Apr. 4, Salute to the Troops and Evening Reception Admiral Farragut Academy 501 Park Street North, St. Petersburg 33710 727-384-5500, www.farragut.org
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Pasco
Dade City, Land O’ Lakes, New Port Richey, Port Richey, Trinity, Wesley Chapel, Zephyrhills
Little Everglades Steeplechase Promises Fun for Entire Family Taking place annually on the beautiful mile and a quarter grass track located at the Little Everglades Ranch, has activities that will appeal to every member of the family. Never been to a steeplechase? What distinguish a steeplechase from a standard horse race are the jumps that are located at various points throughout the course of the track. Each year in March, at the Little Everglades Steeplechase, 5 to 6 separate races are run on race day. Not a big horse racing fan? The Jack Russell Terrier Races are second in popularity only to the horse races themselves. The dogs compete on a 150 foot straight course that has several hurdles over the length of the track. A lure attached to a piece of string entices the dogs down the course and the excitement and high energy of the Jack Russell Races is what entices spectators. This year, guests from all over the area will enjoy a parade that includes horse breeds such as the Friesians, Warmbloods, Colorful Minis, Grey Norwegian Fjords, Morgans, Appaloosas and Percheron Horses all pulling coaches, road carts, wagonettes. Also in the parade are miniature beer wagons with Grey Welsh Ponies, Visa-Vis and a wonderful stagecoach from the Zephyrhills High School. Who wouldn’t want to see a carriage parade like this? And if none of that is appealing, consider the entertainment line-up at the covered party pavilion taking place from Noon to 6pm. There is also a hat contest so guests should wear their finest! • • • • •
Noon to 1:00pm: Gypsy Wind 1:15pm to 2:30pm: Patrick Gibson - The Florida Cracker Country Boy 2:45pm to 4:15pm: Bobby Summers Trio 4:30pm to 6:00pm: Steeplechase All-Star Jazz Band Noon to 5:00pm: The Rick and Jan Show featuring Jugglers Rick and Jan Straton
There are plenty of activities going on in the Children’s Area of the Infields. For the daring, there is a rock climbing wall and bungee jumping. Pony rides and our petting zoo are always a hit with the little ones. Jumbo the Magic Clown will be back with his magic shows and children will enjoy face painting. Kids can get up close to a real Florida Panther and enter the Butterfly Encounter tent or enjoy stick horse races. Kids young and old can also try a hand at “calf roping” on straw bale cows set up for the occasion.
Annual Chasco Fiesta: 11 Days of Fun that Honors History Since 1922, Chasco Fiesta has honored the romantic legend intertwining the lives of a Spanish boy and girl, a priest and the Calusa Indian tribe who captured them after defeating a Spanish expedition. According to the story, the boy and girl were later wed as Queen Chasco and her consort Pithla. Today, Florida’s Native American heritage is revered, as evidenced by this annual event honoring all Native American tribes. The Chasco festival offers guests eleven days of family fun and entertainment all along the banks of the beautiful Pithlachascotee River in downtown New Port Richey. Other Chasco activities include, the Coronation Ball, a world record beef barbecue, a concert featuring popular country music stars, a street carnival, Native American arts & crafts show, golf & softball tournaments, flea market & antique show, as well as the 5K & 1OK races. The Chasco Fiesta™ provides activities that will thrill and delight every member of the family and the best part is that most of them are free!
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dates: Mar. 1 - 15 Richey Suncoast Theatre CRAZY FOR YOU™ is the story of Bobby Child, a well-to-do 1930’s playboy, whose dream in life is to dance. And despite the serious efforts of his mother and soon-to-be-ex-fiancée, Bobby achieves his dream! Gershwin tunes. 6237 Grand Boulevard, New Port Richey 727-842-6777 richeysuncoasttheatre.com Mar. 7, 9 am - 3 pm 2009 Business Expo and Taste of the Town Open to the public. Taste of the Town: $1.00 per sample. $1.00 per ticket or $5.00 for 6 tickets. Portion of the proceeds to benefit the Central Pasco Pageant Scholarship. For more information contact the Chamber Office at 813909-2722. Land O’ Lakes Recreation Complex, Collier Parkway, Land O’ Lakes Mar. 8, 9 am - 7 pm Little Everglades Steeplechase Takes place at the Little Everglades Ranch, tickets can be purchased online: littleevergladessteeplechase.org; 352-521-3661 Mar. 14 Zephyrhills Founder’s Day This all-day event features an arts and crafts show and a parade through historic Zephyrhills. 813-780-1414, www.mainstreetzephyrhills.org March 28, 10am-4pm Pioneer Florida Museum Train Show Come and see the museum’s first annual train show 352-567-0262 www.pioneerfloridmuseum.org Apr. 6 – 10 Spring Break Camp at Busch Gardens Schools out, but Busch Gardens is in full swing! Spring Break Campers will meet exotic animals up close, challenge incredible rides, see world class shows and experience “Jungala”. Cost is $200 per camper. Call 1-877-BGT-CAMP or visit buschgardens.org for more information.
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Have a GREAT RECIPIE you’d like to share? Or, a FAVORITE RESTAURANT for your family and/or date night? E-mail to eats@ tbparenting.com and it might be featured in our Family Eats section! tbparenting.com
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Wags the Clown We always give smiles! Children’s Party Entertainment face painting, balloon art, magic and more!
727-687-4686 www.wagstheclown.com
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around town Children’s Gasparilla Parade - Preschool Stroll
Jerri and C.J. Montesanti with John, 3, and Anna, 5, from Dunedin
Elle Gabriel, 3, from Palm Harbor
Robin and Roy Newsome with Royce, 5, Payton, 11, and Kendyl, 10, from Oldsmar
Kamryn Padinske, 3mo., Ben Padinske, 3, and Gunner Foder, 3, from Tarpon Springs
Twins Charlotte Grace Kremner and William Kremner, 14mo., from Riverview
Ashton Showalter, 15mo. and Kendall Castine, 10mo., from Brandon
Divine Events Potty Training Boot Camp & Book Signing at Seedlings
Local personality Charlie Belcher and Cheryl Morris, Director of Come Dance with Us with some of her kids from many different schools throughout Tampa Bay
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Mason Hamblin attended with his mom Dana
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Isabella Haman, daughter of Rachel, won two books from Nana Star
march calendar of events EVENTS/FESTIVALS Florida Strawberry Festival, Plant City Through Sunday, Mar. 8 Strawberries are the main purpose of the Florida Strawberry Festival and they deserve to be, but there are a lot of other reasons to attend this mega festival. flstrawberryfestival.com 13th Annual Tampa Bay Jewish Film Festival Monday, Mar. 2 - Sunday, Mar. 15 Presented by Tampa Jewish Community Center, in partnership with the Golda Meir/ Kent Jewish Center in Clearwater, films about the Jewish experience from countries including, Israel, France, Germany and the United States. Screenings at venues around the Bay Area including the Tampa Theatre, Baywalk Muvico in St. Petersburg, and at the University of South Florida Health Sciences Auditorium. www.jewishtampa.com or www.gmkjc.org Little Everglades Steeplechase Sunday, Mar. 8, 9 am - 7 pm Horse race enthusiasts love this elegant outing in the country, which combines the thundering beauty of America’s finest Steeplechase horses with family-oriented infield activities. (Always first Sunday in March) Takes place at the Little Everglades Ranch, Dade City; tickets can be purchased online: littleevergladessteeplechase.org; 352521-3661 Scene on the Green: Annie Friday, Mar. 13, 8 pm: FREE. Albert Finney and Carol Burnett star in the splashy 1981 film version of the Broadway hit, Annie, which will play live on the stage of Carol Morsani Hall June 12-14. In the film, Annie searches for her parents, but learns to love Daddy Warbucks instead, while singing her heart out about
“Tomorrow.” Concessions will be available for purchase. Stadium chairs and blankets welcome. Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center, Riverwalk tbpac.org, 813-229-7827 Women’s Heart Health Fair Friday, Mar. 20, 7 am - 2 pm Free admission. Offering women free cardiac screenings with immediate results and onthe-spot medical counseling to promote early detection and treatment of heart disease. Providing education for women in making healthy lifestyle changes that can reduce their risk of heart disease. Tampa Convention Center, sistertosister.org or call 813-353-8110 Summer Splash Saturday, Mar. 28, 11 am - 2 pm: FREE Visit with representatives from Tampa Bay’s best camps; receive discounts and register to win a free week of camp and other prizes. Music, live entertainment, games and activities for the whole family. Fun Zone for kids with inflatable. Outside Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center and Patel Conservatory on the Riverwalk 813-222-1002, patelconservatory.org Spring Saleabration in Highlander Park Saturday, Mar. 28, 8 am - 4 pm Featuring an eclectic assortment of antiques, boating items, crafts, jewelry, glassware, foods, and more, the event will feature over 150 different vendors. Live entertainment will be provided by local band “Envy” and food will be available for purchase. Highlander Park and the Dunedin Community Center, 1920 Pinehurst Road, Dunedin. 727-812-4530 Bay Area Renaissance Festival Now through Apr. 25, 10 am – 5 pm Wandering street theatre featuring jugglers, magicians, fire eaters & others, crafts, live armored contact jousting, human chess matches, minstrels, maidens faire, peasants, fools, & royalty, games, foods such as turkey drumsticks, soup in a bread bowl, chicken croissants, scotch eggs, scones, apple dumplings & much more. Museum of Science & Industry, 4801 E. Fowler Ave., Tampa www.renaissancefest.com
BODY WORLDS The Story of the Heart
At the Museum of Science and Industry (MOSI)
Now through June
By the inventor of Plastination Science, Dr. Gunther von Hagens- leading public anatomist and originator of contemporary anatomical exhibitionsfeatures more than 200 authentic specimens, including entire bodies and individual organs. MOSI, 4801 E. Fowler Ave, Tampa www.mosi.org, 813-987-6100
THEATER
Monty Python’s Spamalot Thursday, Mar. 3 - Sunday, Mar. 8 Spamalot tells the tale of King Arthur (played in Tampa by Richard Chamberlain) and his Knights of the Round Table as they embark on their quest for the Holy Grail. But before they can find their grail, they’re taking a little sidetrip to the fair city of Tampa. Carol Morsani Hall, Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center, tbpac.org, 813-229-7827 freeFall Theatre presents: Sleeping Beauty Mar. 13 - 29 Fridays and Saturdays at 7 pm Sundays at 10 am and 2 pm For tickets call the Performing Arts Center Box Office at 813-229-STAR or reserve online freefalltheatre.com World Premiere Adaptation! Lysistrata Mar. 13 - Apr. 5 “No sex, please, we’re Greek!” The Peloponnesian War has been raging for two decades and the women are tired of it. So one brave lady – Lysistrata – has a plan. She gathers
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exploration of musical rhythms and classicallydriven sounds is peppered by his own cultural references and vibrant musical imagination. All come together in One Loss Plus, an evening-length, multimedia work for sixstring violin, piano, electronics and video. Visit dbrmusic.com. TECO Theater, Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center tbpac.org, 813-229-7827
all of the women of Greece together to agree to a naughty pact to end the war for good. Contains adult themes. American Stage Box Office at 727-823-7529, americanstage.org
MUSIC/DANCE Billy Joel & Elton John Thursday, Mar. 5, 7:30 pm Billy Joel and Elton John, the most successful and longest-running concert pairing in pop history, will reunite for their Face 2 Face tour. St. Pete Times Forum, 401 Channelside Dr., Tampa. 813-301-2500, stpetetimesforum.com
Ani DiFranco at Tampa Theatre Friday, Mar. 20, 8 pm A folkie in punk’s clothing, Ani DiFranco battled successfully against the Goliath of corporate rock to emerge as one of the most influential and inspirational cult heroines of the 1990s. Her prolific songbook tackles many issues with insight and compassion, the music’s empowering attitude and anger tempered by the poignant candor of singer/songwriter confessionalism. On sale now at the Tampa Theatre box office & Ticketmaster outlets, www.tampatheatre.org, www.ticketmaster.com, 813-287-8844
Viva LaMusica at Bush Gardens Saturday, Mar. 7 - Sunday, Mar. 29 Join the fiesta every Saturday and Sunday in March when Grammy and Latin Grammyaward winning acts perform salsa and meringue. The red-hot lineup includes El Gran Combo, India, Tito El Bambino and Fonseca Saturdays at SeaWorld, and RKM & Ken-Y, Guayacan, Grupomanía and El Gran Combo at Busch Gardens Sundays. Live music, Hispanic food and the fiery flair of Hispanic heritage combine for this lively Latin experience. BuschGardens.com The Circus Starring Britney Spears 2009 Tour Sunday, Mar. 8, 8 pm Her first arena tour in five years, follows hot on the heels of Spears’ long-awaited sixth studio album, Circus. Featuring special guests The Pussycat Dolls. St. Pete Times Forum, 401 Channelside Dr., Tampa. 813-301-2500, stpetetimesforum.com Daniel Bernard Roumain Thursday, Mar. 12, 8 pm This is a “pay-whatyou-can” event. Known for fusing his classical music roots with a myriad of soundscapes, Haitian-American hip-hop violinist Daniel Bernard Roumain has carved a reputation for himself as a passionately innovative composer, performer, violinist and band leader. His
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The Florida Orchestra presents RAVEL: Mother Goose, Friday, Mar. 20, 8 pm Thierry Fischer, conductor; Pekka Kuusisto, violin; RAVEL: Mother Goose; DUTILLEUX: Tree of Dreams; FRANCK: Symphony in D minor; Principal conductor of the BBC National Orchestra of Wales, Fischer conducts the orchestra in the TFO premiere of Henri Dutilleux’s “Tree of Dreams” with Finnish violinist Pekka Kuusisto in his TFO debut. The program also includes Maurice Ravel’s “Mother Goose” and Cesar Franck’s “Symphony in D minor.” Carol Morsani Hall, Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center, tbpac.org, 813-229-7827 An Evening of Rhythm and Romance with Kenny G Friday, Mar. 27, 8 pm A rich, one-of-a-kind tapestry of samba and salsa, ballads and bossa nova, combine to bring the beautiful melodies of Kenny G’s signature sound. www.KennyG.com Progress Energy Center for the Arts – Mahaffey Theatre, 400 First St. South, St.Pete, mahaffeytheater.com, 727-892-5798
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Rock School Blowout Saturday, Mar. 28, 1 pm: FREE. Led by Rock School gurus Lee Ahlin, John McEwen and Paul Stoddart, students from Rock School Patel courses will show off what they’ve learned. At least nine bands will perform. Blankets and stadium seats are permitted for this outdoor event; chairs with legs are not. Food and beverage will be available for purchase. Riverwalk, patelconservatory.org John Williams Tribute Sunday, Mar. 29, 7:30 pm Sure to be a high-energy night of everybody’s favorites by the always amazing John Williams, including Raiders of the Lost Ark, Star Wars, E.T., Jaws, Close Encounters of the Third Kind, Superman, Schindler’s List, Empire of the Sun, Hook, and a few surprises from Williams’ personal music library. Ruth Eckerd Hall, Clearwater rutheckerdhall.com, 727-791-7400
ART Raymond James Gasparilla Festival of the Arts Mar. 7 - 8 With some of the country’s most accomplished artists and rising stars vying for $70,500 in prize money, a showcase featuring the works of local young artists, a weekend full of live entertainment, and a children’s art activity area, the festival is widely recognized as one of the top-rated outdoor fine art and fine craft shows in the country. Franklin Street and Lykes Gaslight Square Park in beautiful downtown Tampa. Spring Art Camp at Tampa Museum of Art Apr. 6 - Apr. 9 The four-day program is geared for children between the ages of 6 – 10 with half and fullday sessions. Offers exciting hands-on activities throughout the day, and will encourage students to push their creative boundaries. Heather Spooner at 813-274-7328 www.tampamuseum.org
For more event listings visit tbparenting.com
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Camp. Only Cooler.
Summer camp at Busch Gardens and Adventure Island is a time to make new friends of the four-legged and two-legged variety, come face-to-face with a giraffe, plunge down water slides, ride a dive coaster, and create lasting memories. Busch Gardens and Adventure Island offer Summer Camps for those in preschool through eighth grade, including eight NEW camps this year! Camps are offered weekly June-August. Look online for the camp that's right for your child. Sign up today.
For more information visit buschgardens.org or call 1-877-BGT-CAMP. Š2009 Busch Entertainment Corporation. All rights reserved.