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ER Exclusively for “For the kind of care they gave us, I would have driven across the country.” ~ Lisa G., mom of Samantha, a St. Joseph’s Children’s Hospital patient
When Samantha complained to her mom that her stomach was burning, her mom took her to the local hospital first. “They didn’t have what was needed to properly care for a child, so I chose to have her transferred to St. Joseph’s Children’s Hospital.” At our kids-only ER, Samantha was seen by pediatric specialists and had surgery that night. “The whole atmosphere is calm and serene; it doesn’t even feel like a hospital.” The Steinbrenner Children’s Emergency and Trauma Center offers: n Expert care by double board-certified pediatric emergency physicians n Privacy and comfort in one of 22 private patient rooms n Complete trauma care in two dedicated rooms with the latest critical care and imaging technology n Family-friendly environment dedicated to kids
When your child needs emergency care, choose the only ER staffed by physicians board certified in both pediatrics and emergency medicine.
n Kids-only waiting area featuring interactive activities and bubble towers n In-room kid-focused entertainment system featuring movies, educational programs and computer games Watch Samantha’s full story:
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Contents
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28
22
36
features 28|grandma v. google
10|robot hands
Family connections over internet
Pediatrics gets a sci-fi boost
32|party on
16|college concern
Products for birthdays and Mother’s Day
Student anxiety and how to stop it
36|extraordinary woman
22|picture perfect
Katharine Eagan
5 ingredients for a perfect party
26|go to sleep!
on the cover
The importance of bedtime and rest
Photograph by Jeanine McLeod of Cloud 9 Studios
every month
To
birthday
issue,
Cover
06|Letter From The Editor
Pg. 32
Winner
Khailand
J.
10|health and wellness
Party On! The best gifts for
18|summer camp guide
birthdays and Mother’s Day!
30|what's happening 38|south Hillsborough News
our
annual Kid
spent
the day at Cloud 9 Studios celebrating his own birthday with cake, balloons and his little sister. Don’t miss our 2017 Cover Kid
40|north Hillsborough News
Search, which begins on June
42|south pinellas News
15. Simply upload a photo of
44|north pinellas News
your child to TBParenting.com/
46|pasco News
coverkidsearch starting June 15, and the polls will open for
48|around town
voting on July 15 and will run
50|calendar of events
through October.
53|directory
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celebrate
TAMPA BAY PARENTING
• MAY 2016 • TBParenting.com
When you believe in a greater purpose to health care, you see things differently. Because health care isn’t only about illness and injury, or even medicine. It’s about the human spirit. Which is why for over a century, Florida Hospital has gone beyond symptoms and treatments, helping people live healthier, happier lives. This is more than quality, expertise and compassion.
Discover the Florida Hospital difference at InspiredTampaBay.com
Florida Hospital
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Locations Throughout Tampa Bay Florida Hospital Physician Group
Founder & Editorial Director
Angela L. Ardolino Editorial Assistant
Krista Lyons Associate Editor
Anu Panchal Contributing Writers
Gayla Grace Lisa L. Thompson Jill Hechtman, MD Lindsay Perez Danielle Caci Jennifer Burby Jill Assalti Calendar & Neighborhood Stories
Chris Kuhn
Hillary Clinton and I at her presidential campaign rally in Tampa.
Director of Sales & events
David E. Estevez
thank you moms!
account executive
Ralf Gonzalez Melissa McClung
First things first: Mark your calendar for May 8: Mother’s Day! May has always been one of my favorite months, not just because the weather is warm and the spring flowers are in bloom, but because May is the month we honor the strong women in our lives who helped us become who we are today. Whether you are a mother yourself or are spending the day with your mom, I hope that your Mother’s Day is a fabulous one. If you need ideas for fun things to do, check out our calendar on page 50.
sales assistant
Theresa Stanton public relations
Maria Donnes Madison Irwin Lesley Rowland
In addition to celebrating moms, this month is our annual birthday party issue. Jennifer Burby from the Champagne Supernova shared her tips with us on how to throw a party that your kids will love-- without breaking a sweat. Read her tips on page 22.
Contributing photographers
Nicole Geller Jeanine McLeod Amy Pezzicara
As the summer gets closer, so do your teen’s final exams. Whether they are in high school or college, this can be a particularly stressful time. But what if your teen is experiencing anxiety that goes beyond the Scantron? On page 16, we spoke with mental health professionals to find out how to prepare your teen for college and help prevent anxiety disorders when they get there.
Social Moms
Of course, sleep plays a huge role in making sure that your children are successful throughout the rest of the school year and health their whole life. On page 26, Dr. James Orlowski from Florida Hospital shares findings from a new study on sleep and what they mean for your kids.
Lisa-Marie Leihy Rachel Long Ana Peralta Laurie Winkles
It seems like every month, new studies and technology are changing the frontier of science and medicine. Associate editor Anu Varma Panchal learned about one exciting game changer in surgery. She found that pediatrics have gotten a sci-fi boost at St. Joseph’s Children’s Hospital. Read more about her discoveries on page 10.
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The weather is warming up and summer is getting closer, so don’t forget to check out our summer camp guide beginning on page 18. Happy Memorial Day!
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Tampa Bay Parenting is not responsible for any errors, inaccuracies, omissions or incorrect information (or the consequences related thereto) contained within the magazine or online; readers should not rely on any information contained in the magazine and they should always consult with an appropriate professional for guidance. Tampa Bay Parenting accepts no responsibility for the consequences of error or for any loss or damage suffered by users of any of the information or materials provided by Tampa Bay Parenting. Some content published by Tampa Bay Parenting is sponsored or paid for advertising content, and some individuals quoted or cited in articles have paid for advertising
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or sponsorships; this content or opinions do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of Tampa Bay Parenting.
TAMPA BAY PARENTING
• JUNE 2015 • TBParenting.com
Exclusively for young patients, the Pediatric Center at Brandon Regional Hospital provides advanced pediatric care for kids of all ages.
Expert Pediatric Care from All Children’s Specialty Physicians All Children’s Specialty Physicians are now on staff at Brandon Regional Hospital to care for our smallest patients. All Children’s Specialty Physicians are onsite 24 hours a day to care for our premature babies in our Level III NICU, and they provide general surgery services for all pediatric patients.
Our Pediatric Center includes: n n n n
Dedicated Pediatric Emergency Room 15-bed Pediatric Inpatient Unit
8-bed Pediatric Intensive Care Unit
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For more information on the Pediatric Center, or to find a pediatric specialist for your child, call (813) 653-1065.
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DID YOU HEAR? All Children’s Hospital is now Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital.
There’s a lot to a name, especially when that name is a world leader in health care. Our new name reflects the level of excellence you expect from Johns Hopkins Medicine plus the same compassionate care that we’ve delivered for 90 years. Together, we are providing leading-edge treatments, pioneering medical discoveries and offering the very best care. When it comes to your child, choose Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital. HopkinsAllChildrens.org
robot hands
Pediatrics gets a sci-fi boost By Anu Varma Panchal
t
he operating room: It’s a setting that even those of us who have never gone under the surgeon’s knife can visualize. A group of surgeons, heads down and shoulders hunched, huddle over a patient, their hands working inside a red opening that offers a shudder-inducing glimpse of a body’s interior.
But today’s reality may look more like this: a patient on the operating table with a few tiny incisions on the body that have little ports set in them, through which a camera and slender robotic hands have been inserted. Close by sits the surgeon, her face inside a vision box, her hands deftly manipulating tools. Inside the body, a mirror image of what the doctor is doing outside the body takes place with robotic hands doing the work. Sounds like science fiction, but since robotic surgery was introduced about 20 years ago, it has become more common, even in pediatrics. Touted as safer with quicker recovery periods, it has become an alternative to laparoscopic surgery. In Tampa Bay, St. Joseph’s Hospital leads the way with these cutting edge surgeries. “There are several benefits to robotic surgery,” says Dr. Tara Loux, pediatric surgeon at St Joseph’s Children’s Hospital. Most of them have to do with the fact that, unlike with traditional surgery, the incisions for robotic surgery can be much, much smaller. This means less post-operative pain, less pressure on abdominal walls, minimal bleeding, less scarring, fewer complications and a quicker recovery time after robotic surgery than after laparoscopic surgery. St. Joseph’s surgeons use the da Vinci Surgical System, which is comprised of a patient cart with four interactive robot arms. These arms hold the endoscopic camera and surgical instruments. Surgeons then make tiny incisions in the patient’s body, through which they insert the robotic hands. The surgeon sits a few feet away at a console, moving her hands to tell the instruments inside the patient’s body what to do. The ports through which
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TAMPA BAY PARENTING
• MAY 2016 • TBParenting.com
the robot hands enter the body are similar in size to the ones for laparoscopic surgery, but robotic surgery offers benefits beyond laparoscopy, says Loux. “The visualization of what’s inside is better,” she says. Also, robotic surgery allows for more flexibility. “Laparoscopic surgery has only two degrees of freedom of movement. Robotic surgery has seven degrees.” The instruments have “wrists” that can be manipulated almost like a human hand, allowing surgeons like Loux to perform complicated surgeries without making large incisions. “That makes the operations easier and safer,” Loux explains. Robotics also makes things better for the surgeons themselves. The cameras on the robotic hands give surgeons an even better view than if they were standing over the body because the 3D images are high resolution and magnified, showing an incredible level of detail. And in this case, machine may have surpassed man, because these robotic arms are able to move into tiny spaces that human hands can’t reach, and make the kind of intricate motions that a surgeon can’t do with her own hands. The size and precision also mean that surgeons can target only the unhealthy tissue, leaving unharmed the nearby nerves and blood vessels and healthy tissue. Loux points out another benefit to surgeons that patients may never realize—the ergonomics are much better with robotics than with traditional surgery, which calls for standing up with arms raised for hours, gripping instruments tightly. Robotic surgery is a possibility for a wide range of candidates, including babies as small as 6 kilograms (14 pounds). Some conditions that can be remedied by this technology include colonic surgeries for inflammatory bowel disease, congenital colonic abnormalities, gall bladder surgery, pancreatic surgery and choledochal cyst resection (where a part of the bile duct is abnormally enlarged, necessitating the removal of that bit and reattachment). Thoracic, esophageal and lung surgeries are also good fits for robotic surgery, says Loux. At St. Joseph’s, in addition to pediatric procedures, adult surgeons also apply robotics to gynecology, general, urology, colorectal and thoracic surgeries. As with any medical procedure, not everyone is a candidate. Loux explains that the same people for whom laparoscopic surgery may not be an option may not be able to have robotic surgery either. This includes people who have had many belly or chest operations before, creating scarring and making it difficult for the surgeon to see inside. Some areas in the body also may not work out because certain cavities may not have enough space for the cameras to penetrate. Some parts of the body may not have a cavity for a robotic hand to enter—breasts, neck or skin, for example. If traditional surgery is the best option, that is something the surgeon will suggest. “Patients always have a choice,” Loux states. As a pediatric surgeon, Loux says things happen more slowly. New tech is usually tested on adults first and then takes about 10-15 years to trickle down to children, at which point equipment has to be downsized and techniques adjusted. Loux became fascinated by the technology while completing her residency at the
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University of Pittsburgh, which has the world’s premier robotic program. During her time there, she performed 50-75 robotic surgeries. Loux says that performing even the most routine and facile surgeries helps improve a surgeon’s skill with the technology, which means that when a more complex surgery comes up, the surgeon is experienced enough with the technology to be able to focus on the challenges of that particular case. Loux has been at St Joseph’s Children’s Hospital for six months now, and is working on obtaining her robotic privileges here. It would appear she’s come to the right place. The network of hospitals has three robots and 28 robotic surgeons on staff, and in 2013, earned recognition as the first epicenter for robotic colorectal surgery in West Central Florida. It’s also one of a tiny handful of places that offers pediatric robotic surgery. “Unfortunately, there’s always a bit of a stigma,” says Loux. Because it is a fairly new technology, an occasional bad outcome gets far more attention than a similar outcome with the older laparoscopic surgery might have. And while robotic surgery may cost the hospital more in terms of costly equipment in which to invest, it will also save the hospital some long term costs, by cutting down in- hospital recovery time, for example, says Loux. She’s excited about future advances, especially with the possibility of performing it on neonates and even premature babies. “It’s still kind of a novel technology, but will become more mainstream,” she says. “I think it’s great. I think it’s good for patients.”
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TAMPA BAY PARENTING
• MAY 2016 • TBParenting.com
INTRODUCING
Our practice is proud to be certified by:
15
s
tepping onto the Tampa campus of the University of South Florida, there is a nervous buzz in the air.
Final exams are coming up and students are lined up in the bookstore to buy their test booklets, manically texting. The library is so full that some students sit on the floor, gathering in circles around laptops in a grim parody of nights around a bonfire. The stress is palpable; more than once, a student glances up from a computer with a hopeless expression. Since 2008, the number of students dealing with anxiety or higher than average stress levels has skyrocketed, according to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America (ADAA). Anxiety disorders are one of the most common mental health problems on college campuses. Forty million U.S. adults suffer from an anxiety disorder, and 75 percent of them experience their first episode of anxiety by age 22. Combining this with the pressure of final exams, internships or full-time jobs, and the growing debt, it is no wonder that fewer students are leaving college mentally healthy, according to the ADAA. Yara Zayas, a student at the University of South Florida, has experienced the type of pressure and stress that causes many of her peers to worsening anxiety and higher levels of depression. “Being 22 and attending college in this new age gives off a ‘fish out of water’ feeling - I’m really just confused most of the time and I’m not sure what is expected of me,” says Zayas. “It’s like everything I once knew just vanished because it’s not what I need to know now, if that makes sense. It’s hard. There shouldn’t be a sense of paranoia with decision making but unfortunately it just doesn’t work that way.” Why Mental Health Landscape is Changing Leila Durr, PhD, Licensed Psychologist at the USF Counseling Center, sees students every day who are dealing with some level of stress or anxiety issues. “I have seen a significant increase in a number of things, one being anxiety across the board,” says Durr. “It used to be that the concerns were pretty mixed with relationship problems, stress, anxiety. But the anxiety piece has just really gone up before. There have been other mental health concerns that have become more chronic, but anxiety has definitely gone up.” Currently, 20 percent of college students say they feel stressed
college Concern Student anxiety and how to stop it By Krista Lyons
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TAMPA BAY PARENTING
• MAY 2016 • TBParenting.com
“most of the time.” Ten percent of college students have had thoughts of suicide, 34 percent of college students report feeling depressed at least at one point within the last 90 days, 13 percent of college students have been diagnosed with depression, anxiety or other mental health condition, and 80 percent of college students say they sometimes or often feel stressed, according to the ADAA. About half of surveyed college students felt overwhelmed with anxiety at least once within the last 12 months. “There was a national study from 2011 that said that more than 60 percent of students that withdrew from college did so because of anxiety,” says Dr. Wendy Rice, Psy.D, Licensed Psychologist and Founder of Rice Psychology Group. The reasons for the rising anxiety range from test taking to increasing academic demands. Millennials have also seen a sharp spike in student loans, as well as decreasing job opportunities after graduation resulting in students taking on full-time jobs, internships, and additional responsibilities. For many students, college is the first time having to deal with these steep demands and they are unsure of how to manage the stress. “We’re working with what we were given,” says Zayas. “Our parents and their parents had it much easier. School was cheaper and life wasn’t as fast paced as it is today. With today’s society, if you’re not racing with everyone else you’re going to be left behind, and no one is going to look back to help you.” There are also issues with students feeling stuck in the “happiness trap,” says Durr. The happiness trap is the constant need to only feel happy, which leads students to ignore other feelings and leads to higher levels of fear and anxiety. “The fear of the unknown is really uncomfortable for a lot of people, and a lot of students don’t know how to tolerate or manage that,” says Durr. “When we add that into the external factors like the economy and the pressure of jobs, it can become very large.” Preparing for Challenges While it is easy to write off a generation as lazy or neurotic, one of the most important things to remember as a parent is that preparing them for challenges is key.
Your Family’s Destination for Comprehensive Skin Care Abigail Ray ARNP-BC
Dr. Linda Flynn, M.D. Board Certified Dermatologist
Dana Hess PA-C
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“Sometimes parents can be over-involved… can pave the way too much for their kids, which leaves them unprepared,” says Durr. “If we protect kids too much from any kinds of pain, disappointment, or setbacks, when they do experience one it is so much more devastating.”
JUNE 8, 2016 - AUGUST 5, 2016 Make the most out of summer through discovery and fun at the Science Center! Themed camps are available for grades K-12, featuring hands-on activities in Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math!
Another issue that Durr sees often which leads to worsening anxiety, is lack of self-care. “Especially when they[students] get to college, we know self-care goes down,” says Durr. “The core pillars of self-care include good sleep habits, healthy eating, exercise and social connections. Those are all really important, like the four legs of a table, for someone to be physically and mentally healthy.”
COST: $160 – $240 per camp/per child Before & After Care $25/week
Social connections and sleep are the most important pieces of selfcare that can prevent anxiety issues.
CAMP HOURS: 9:00am - 4:00pm Before Care: 7:30am - 9:00am • After Care: 4:00pm - 6:00pm
“With technology that connects us, like Facebook and social media, we are sort of connected more, but students are connected less because they do less actual talking to people, which takes a toll,” says Durr. “And with sleep, it seems to be this norm to not get enough sleep now. But if you don’t get enough sleep, everything will put you on edge even more.”
LOCATION: 7701 22nd Ave. N., St. Petersburg, FL 33710 Visit www.sciencecenterofpinellas.org or contact Dominique Van Kirk at (727) 608-2529 or dvankirk@careersourcepinellas.com WorkNet Pinellas, Inc. d.b.a.
explaining our world
WorkNet Pinellas is an equal opportunity employer/program. Auxiliary aids and services are available upon request to individuals with disabilities. All voice telephone numbers on this document may be reached by persons using TTY/TDD equipment via the Florida Relay Services at 711.
Students may be more likely to sacrifice self-care because of the fear of missing out, or FOMO. “Knowing that if they are really tired and learning how to handle the fear of missing out and how to make decisions in the best interest of their health is one of the best ways to deal with stress,” says Rice. Before your child leaves for college, making sure that they are prepared can be key. Durr and Rice agree that preparing for tests can be another way to thwart anxiety attacks during exam time. Encouraging your child to do quizzes with friends can make a huge difference when it comes to keeping them mentally healthy. “There is a lot going on at the end of high school, but helping kids learn how to manage their schedule, how to do their laundry and how to gradually assume adult responsibility for their lives is laying the groundwork for less anxiety,” says Rice. “Making sure they know how to study and how to reach out to people so that they aren’t studying alone can help them. It isn’t so much about preparing them for college but to just prepare them for life.” When and Where to Get Help When your child is away at college, it may be difficult to know if they are having issues with anxiety. However, roommates, friends and even professors should be on the look-out for symptoms of a larger issue. “If students are not showing up for class, are isolating themselves from peers, if a high performing student stops doing well, if they are losing weight, if they look distraught or panic stricken, these are all signs that something is wrong,” says Rice. “If a student starts asking a lot of questions or stops asking questions, we would be concerned.” Any significant change in behavior can also be a red flag. Anxiety can look like irritability or anger, Durr advises. Anxiety and high stress levels can also take a physical toll. If the student seems to be undergoing physical changes quickly, it may be cause for concern.
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TAMPA BAY PARENTING
• MAY 2016 • TBParenting.com
Where everyone has a great time! 7 Weeks of Options: June 13 – July 29, 2016 60+ full- and half- day camps Ages PreK3-high school Before- and after-care
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“Anxiety can change your cortisol level which can wreak havoc on your system,” says Rice. “It can produce cortisol which can change your weight and make you lose sleep. It shows up in how we think, our emotions, and physically as well. Like feeling on edge, restless, trouble concentrating, etc. It is exhausting being on a constant state of alert.” Durr says that USF students can find help through the Wellness Center, which offers massages, education, healthy eating and self-care. “They can also come into the counseling center to talk to our counselors so that we can help them learn to manage the day-to-day,” she says. For many students, there is a stigma about seeking mental health. Students may be afraid to tell their parents if they are struggling, so it is important to be prepared to talk to your teen openly about caring for their mental health. When you are choosing a college with your teen, take the time to find out what the mental health resources on campus are, so that if your teen does need extra support you can help them locate the resources unique to their school. “The ADAA has facts about what is anxiety and learning about what it is can be helpful,” says Rice. “But if a teen or college student is showing signs of anxiety they should absolutely get help from either a private psychologist or an on-campus counseling center,” says Rice. “If we prepare our children how to take a breath and the importance of self-care, it will change the way they approach stressful situations like college,” says Durr. For more information on the USF counseling center, visit USF.edu. For information on anxiety, visit www. ricepsychology.com.
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A lifetime of memories from just 5 days at summer camp. Every parent wants their child to have great, unforgettable experiences that truly enrich their lives. And the best way to provide those experiences is to enroll them in any one of Tampa’s Lowry Park Zoo’s many unique, interactive summer camps. The 5-day camps offer adventurous, hands-on activities where kids will discover a whole lot of awesome, indoors and out. And if you’re a member, you’ll receive discounts on select camps.
Book now at LowryParkZoo.org/Camps
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picture perfect 5 ingredients to a perfect birthday party By Jennifer Burby
i
don’t enjoy planning parties. Detest it.
In the era of Pinterest-esque birthday parties with grandiose themes and elaborate decorations that require planning for hours that I don’t have, the simple thought of throwing a birthday party makes me lose sleep. Don’t get me wrong; I enjoy attending these events and admire other parents who can effortlessly and enjoyably put them together. I just don’t want to do it. In the interest of sucking it up and because I could no longer delay the inevitable, my husband and I decided to throw our oldest daughter, Arden, a party for her 4th birthday. It would be no-frills: a princess and pirate theme appropriate for her coed group of friends, a bounce house, pizzas and snacks, and we would have it at a public park in order to avoid the stress associated with having the event at home. I reserved the park pavilion two months in advance and invitations went out two weeks after that. The RSVPs began to pour in, decorations began to accumulate, and Arden got more excited with each passing day. She picked out a Sleeping Beauty princess dress on Amazon and a crown and wand set from Target. She couldn’t wait to celebrate her birthday with her friends. And then an incredible chain of events unfolded. Our youngest daughter, Ellison, was diagnosed with a staph infection and had to be hospitalized for three days, not to be released until hours before the birthday party (with her doctor’s blessing to have her attend the party, of course). My husband and I spent the three nights leading to the party in the hospital, with little sleep and lots of fear over the uncertain status of her health. We debated canceling the party or having our parents attend in our place, so as not to spoil the fun for the birthday girl. Then, on the day of the party, it didn’t just rain. It monsooned. While the park had a pavilion, what would the guests do? Stand underneath it and stare at each other? The bounce house would become a mud pit. I called an indoor bounce house facility literally the morning of the party and was, fortunately, able to have the location switched, but then was tasked with contacting all of the people who had RSVP’d to let them know about the location change. Some of these people were the parents of Arden’s classmates and I had to hunt down their email addresses and phone numbers. Then, when I went to our neighborhood grocery store to pick up the sandwich party platters I ordered a week in advance, I was advised by the very apologetic manager that our food order was accidentally lost. It was like being in The Birthday Party Twilight Zone.
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TAMPA BAY PARENTING
• MAY 2016 • TBParenting.com
Despite the stress and the hiccups along the way, the party ended up being a success for Arden and her 45 (gasp!) friends. It was, in my opinion, pretty dang close to the perfect party. That got me thinking. In the age of parents over-extending themselves and becoming obsessed with holding an event to make it appear pictureperfect on social media, we can lose sight of the true meaning of the event: celebrating our children with the people who mean the most to us and to our children. So here, my friends, are the five key ingredients for a perfect birthday party: 1. Good Company. I couldn’t believe the large number of friends and family who reached out to support us and offered to help with the party when they learned that Ellison was in the hospital. The number of moms and friends who texted me to remind me that it didn’t matter if the party location was changed or if it was raining because “you got this!” was humbling. The look on Arden’s face when her best buddies arrived at the party was unforgettable. Like the saying goes, it’s not where you are, but who you’re with that really matters. 2. A Fun Theme. I love having a reason to dress up and figured that a “Pirate and Princess” party theme wouldn’t require too much effort from the guests’ parents, who likely already have Disney Princess and postGasparilla pirate flair lying around their homes. 3. Sweets and Smiles. Even though the grocery store lost our food order, we still had awesome cake and custom sugar cookies to keep the guests smiling, and to maintain energy required for climbing to the top of the bounce house slide. Because that’s exhausting. Phew! 4. A Positive Attitude. I couldn’t control whether my daughter was in the hospital, the weather, or the fact that my party platter order seemingly disappeared into thin air. I could control my own stress level and my choice (because it is a choice!) to enjoy myself and to appreciate everyone who took time out of their weekends to celebrate my daughter’s birthday. It’s difficult to be unpleasant when you’re focused on being grateful. 5. Lots of Love. In the end, it’s all about love: love for our children and having the desire to provide them with fun and cherished memories. Love for our friends and family members who are sharing our joy with us. The desire to pay it forward with love in the future by supporting another child when it’s their turn to be celebrated. Cheers to an imperfect, but perfect, birthday party! Jennifer Daku Burby is a full-time attorney and The Grand Poobah of her blog, The Champagne Supernova (www.thechampagnesupernova.com) Photography- Synthia Therese, www.synthiatheresephotography.com
NeW! birtHDaYS More ThemeS, More OptionS, more gueStS!
Give your child a memorable birthday with a party built just for them! Choose from a variety of kid-approved parties with an easy to plan, top notch celebration! Book today at
GlazermuSeum.org/birthdayS
DReam it. Be It. Daily aT tHe
GlazeRMuSEUm.org 23
June 13-August 5 Full Day Camps starting at $135/week
TRADITIONAL DAY CAMP Weekly themes including: Super Heroes, Secret Agent, Olympics, Movies and MORE! All 11 Tampa Locations!
FIRST TEE OF TAMPA BAY
REGISTER
ONLINE TODAY! tampaymca.org
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TAMPA BAY PARENTING
• MAY 2016 • TBParenting.com
Learn and hone skills needed to play the game of golf! For beginners and advanced players! Various locations throughout the Tampa area
Breakfast and Lunch available daily at no extra charge!
GYMNASTICS CAMP
Learn skills and routines all week long!
2 0 1 6
At Bob Sierra, New Tampa, North Brandon, South Tampa
Over 30
different camps to choose from!
BOOTS AND SADDLES
BASKETBALL CAMP
Learn proper techniques and terminology, while learning the basics of the game. At Bob Sierra, Campo, East Pasco, New Tampa
Learn to ride and groom horses and experience trail and arena rides! At Camp Cristina
WE’LL PICK YOU UP!
Transportation to YMCA Camp Cristina is available from the following locations: Campo, North Brandon, New Tampa, and South Tampa!
TAMPA METROPOLITAN AREA YMCA | 813 224 9622 | tampaymca.org
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go to sleep! The importance of bedtimes and rest
w
By Dr. James Orlowski
e have all heard about the importance of adequate sleep. Sleep enables the body and brain to refresh and rejuvenate from the stresses of the day. The brain uses sleep to sort through all the myriad stimuli of the day, and decide what information needs to be stored and what can be discarded. What many people do not realize is that children do their growing during sleep. Both the brain and the body are dependent on adequate sleep for development and maturation. The hormone appropriately called Growth Hormone is secreted in high concentrations during sleep, and is responsible for the growth of the body and brain.
Sleep deprivation, interrupted sleep and shift work can all adversely affect the brain and the body, resulting in serious physiologic and psychological consequences. Think about how you feel when you are “jet-lagged.” You can’t think clearly, you are agitated, your body shakes, and you are exhausted. Pediatricians and parents have long suspected that erratic sleep schedules affect behavior in children and adolescents. A recent study in the journal “Pediatrics” supports this suspicion. Researchers followed over 10,000 children in the UK Millennium Cohort Study and collected bedtime data as well as behavioral difficulty assessments at 3, 5 and 7 years of age. They found that 7-year-olds with irregular bedtimes had more behavioral difficulties than children who had regular bedtimes. The study also found that children with more irregularity of bedtimes over longer periods of time had greater worsening of behavioral scores. More importantly, children who changed from irregular to regular bedtimes had clear-cut improvements in behavior, and children who changed from regular to irregular bedtimes between ages 5 and 7 showed a worsening of behavior. How much sleep do children and adolescents need? Toddlers and young children need 11-12 total hours of sleep per day. School age children from 5 to 12 years need 10-11 hours of sleep each day. Teenagers need 8.5-9.5 hours of sleep per day, but very few teens get this amount of sleep. One study found that only 15 percent of teens slept 8.5 hours per night on school nights. Circadian rhythms alter with puberty resulting in later times for falling asleep and waking. For many teens it is normal to not be able to fall asleep until 11 p.m. Unfortunately, this comes into conflict with school start times and the need to get 8.5 hours of sleep on school nights. Schools that have experimented with later school start times for high school students, have found that teens are more alert in the morning, have better moods, and better attendance. Teens tend to have irregular sleep patterns over the week, typically staying up late and sleeping in late on the weekends. Unfortunately, this pattern wreaks havoc on their circadian biologic clock and results in poor quality sleep, difficulty falling asleep on Sunday nights, and even greater difficulty getting up on Monday mornings. The optimum approach would be for teens to maintain a similar sleep pattern on weekends to the one they have on school nights. Sleep is important for all of us, but this is particularly true for children. Making sure your child has a good night’s sleep creates a strong foundation for mind and body development.
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Dr. James Orlowski is chief of pediatrics for Florida Hospital. TAMPA BAY PARENTING
• MAY 2016 • TBParenting.com
JUNE 13-AUGUST 12 PRESCHOOLERS TO HIGH SCHOOLERS
Only MOSI offers campers the chance to travel through time and space this summer. Best of all, kids can expand their minds, amplify imaginations and build lasting friendships—all while having a real blast!
SO SUIT THEM UP NOW FOR SUMMER SCIENCE CAMPS AT MOSI.ORG PLUS, SAVE 25% ON CAMP FEES WHEN YOU BECOME A MEMBER
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grandma vs. google Choosing family over internet By Sarah Pike
t
he Internet may be fun, but when forced to choose between family and Facebook, Americans aren’t addicted enough to neglect their loved ones, according to a recent study by highspeedinternet.com. The survey, conducted via Google Consumer Surveys, polled 1,000 Americans of different ages, sexes and income brackets across the United States to ask one simple question: “Which would you rather give up for six months? The Internet or seeing family?” The response? Across every demographic, the majority of polled Americans —83.7 percent—said they would rather give up Internet use to see their families. Social media and the Internet both have an undeniable presence in most Americans’ lives. A recent study found that social media interaction utilizes the same part of the brain used for in-person socialization, while another study found that frequent use of certain Internet communication platforms can actually decrease stress. But this trend isn’t without its detractors. A vast amount of research shows the negative, addictive effects of social media and Internet use. A primary claim of these studies is that technological socialization — social media and texting — reduces focus and communication during inperson interactions. However, HighSpeedInternet.com also found that 80 percent of polled Americans would give up coffee over Internet use. Compared to the nearly 84 percent willing to give up Internet in favor of family, these results indicate that Americans likely still see the Internet as a consumer product. And while
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many people might be willing to sacrifice one product for another — coffee for Internet, in the above example — very few would go so far as to sacrifice personal relationships for a product. This seems to suggest that, contrary to what many online articles might imply, direct interaction with family is still more important than social media. And while the Internet can offer benefits like enhanced brain function and easy socialization, it may not form as unbreakable a habit as formerly assumed. Interestingly, the initial survey responses were not identical across all demographics. While each polled group did show an overall majority in favor of seeing family over using the Internet, there was some variation in the exact numbers. When analyzed by age, for example, the survey indicates that millennials are a bit more resistant to giving up their Internet access than older Americans. Statistics show that 88 percent of participants aged 45–54 picked giving up the Internet, while only 73.9 percent of those aged 18–24 made the same choice. While it’s undeniable that younger generations have a greater affinity for the Internet than older generations, that margin is relatively small. This, too, implies that millennials may not be quite as addicted to the Internet as previously thought. A breakdown of survey responses by gender confirms the value of family time. When asked to choose between family and the Internet, men and women actually scored fairly close together. The survey shows that 85.5 percent of women chose family over
• MAY 2016 • TBParenting.com
the Internet, while 81.8 percent of men did the same. Given that men spend 19 hours per week online outside of work, whereas women spend only 14, those figures are slightly surprising. They indicate that both groups place a similar value on family, despite the fact that men spend about 35.7 percent more time on the Internet than women. An analysis of survey responses across the geographic regions of the United States also shows consistent results — Americans scored almost evenly nationwide in placing family above Internet. The widest variation falls between the South, where 84.7 percent of those polled chose family over Internet, and the Midwest, where 81.5 percent made the same decision. Such a small difference across the country proves that, at least in this sampling, family values are still a high priority. Responses from varying income levels showed a slightly higher disparity. According to the survey, Americans of an income between $100,000 and $150,000 chose seeing family over Internet use more often than those of an income of $0 to $24,000. However, even across such a wide range of incomes and lifestyles, the majority still consistently chose family over the Internet — scores held above 70 percent across all income brackets. Despite these slight demographic variations, the overall survey results show that Americans value family time more than Internet use. So while there may be some enjoyable shortterm benefits from Internet use — social media sites can and do reward users for interacting with the site — those perks aren’t enough to convince most Americans to forfeit family relationships.
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What's Happening mosi children's gala Visit MOSI on Sunday, May 1 from 3-6 p.m. to give change and make change at the annual MOSI Children’s Gala presented by PNC Bank. Pick up your free piggy bank at MOSI and bring it back on May 1 to be admitted to the gala. The change collected from the banks will send up to 600 kids to Summer Science Camp this year. You can get involved and find help to fill your piggy by emailing thislittlepiggy@mosi.org and use #mosipiggy on social media. MOSI.org
Mother's day events Celebrate the women who make life spectacular with exciting events. Treat mom to a sea of memories at the Florida Aquarium or come out for Mother’s Day BOGO at MOSI. You can also browse arts and crafts with Mom at the Tampa Bay History Center, or pop into Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park for a free Mother’s Day concert performed by the Florida Orchestra. For more Mother’s Day events that go beyond brunch, visit TBParenting.com/ MothersDay2016.
third annual give day tampa bay Give back to local nonprofits registered for a 24-hour community-wide fundraiser hosted by The Community Foundation of Tampa Bay on May 3, all day long. Donate online to your favorite organizations, including such area attractions as MOSI, Glazer Children’s Museum, Tampa Theatre, The Florida Aquarium, Great Explorations and Tampa’s Lowry Park Zoo, among others. Minimum donation is $25. For a directory of all participating nonprofits and to donate, visit GiveDayTampaBay.org
wazoo beer fest Come out to Lowry Park Zoo on May 7 from 8-11:30 p.m. for this all-inclusive tasting event presented by J.J. Taylor Distributing Florida, Inc. The night features 250 or more beers and beverages from 70 breweries worldwide, pub fare, and live entertainment throughout the zoo—all included in the price of WaZoo admission. Advance tickets are available online and tickets are also available at the gate. LowryParkZoo.org
tampa bay hurricane expo Have fun learning how to keep the family safe at this educational event hosted by MOSI in Tampa on May 14 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Climb inside giant fire trucks, hear from local TV meteorologists and jump into hands-on activities with the Tampa Bay Rays, Buccaneers and Lightning while exploring the museum all day. MOSI.org
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TAMPA BAY PARENTING
• MAY 2016 • TBParenting.com
2016 BEST
More hang time.
BEACHES IN THE USA
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Spend some quality hang time with your family. Enjoy a star-splashed stroll along the shoreline. Plunge down a three story water slide. Master the art of paddleboarding. Fly over the water on a jet pack. Savor the flavors of campfire s’mores on the beach. Dine. Shop. Sip tropical drinks at sand-in-your-toes beach bars. At TradeWinds, it’s more than just a beach vacation!
877.257.3716 | JustLetGo.com/PARENTGUIDE
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Tbp product guide
our favorite
polaroid socialmatic instant digital camera This new Polaroid has a retro look and feel, but with all the current camera technology like 4.5inch touchscreen, GPS, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, 4GB internal storage and a built-in printer for color prints. This is perfect for the mom who loves selfies and pictures of the kids. $400 polaroid.com
party on!
Noosa yoghurt Noosa yoghurt is a unique combination of sweet and tart taste plus a thick, velvety texture – ‘like no other’ yogurt on the market today. Its irresistible and savory taste will make you fall in love after just one bite and keep you coming back for more! $3 Noosayoghurt.com
aqua ball AquaBall, the sugar-free, naturally flavored water is perfect for a parent looking for a healthier alternative to all of those sugary kids’ drinks. Available in four flavors, Fruit Punch, Orange, Berry Frost and Grape, $1 aquaballdrink.com
milestone activity cards There’s a first time for everything! A visit to the museum or the zoo, eating at a restaurant, going to the movies or a sports game, first time on a boat or in the snow. Capture, remember and share all those special moments with our original Activity Cards. $24 milestonecards.com
archduke birthday moustache Get the wild moustache of your dreams in a safe, effective way without the use of hair growth chemicals. These are perfect for kids’ parties or even for grownups! $3 landofnod.com
bubble bum junkie For long car trips, Bubblebum Junkie understands the need for snacks and entertainment with activity trays, cup holders and a portable place to keep snacks cool. When it comes to road trips, “getting there is half the fun.” Give your kids the opportunity to actually agree. $40 bubblebum.co
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TAMPA BAY PARENTING
• MAY 2016 • TBParenting.com
perplexus Flip, twist and spin your way to the finish line. Perplexus Original, the ultimate challenging 3-dimensional labyrinth game contained in a sphere now comes in its smallest size ever as part of the World’s Smallest line from Super Impulse. $10 perplexus.net/
Something cool deluxe birthday kit From party bags to party hats, our Toot Sweet Party Collection includes everything you need to for the ultimate soiree. Items feature festive polka dot and striped designs by Meri Meri.
mother's day bracelets
Purchase items individually or in Basic or Deluxe Party Kits and
Alex and Ani, makers of positive energy, eco-
get a variety of goodies. $87 landofnod.com
conscious products, created two “Special Delivery” expandable wire bangles featuring a stork, love symbols and other special charms. The bangle is available at all Alex and Ani retail locations and alexandani.com. $38 alexandani.com
wayfarer wooden sunglasses Classic, yet trendy, Wayfarer style make Shwood’s flagship sunglasses the perfect gift for any gal in your life. Perfect gift for mother’s day or just as a treat for yourself. $189 shop.nordstrom.com
toot sweet birthday cupcake kit Toot Sweet Pretty Birdies Party Collection includes everything you need to---well, party! Items feature bold birds designed by Meri Meri and can be mixed and matched with items from our other party kits. Collection includes three-dimensional garland and cupcake kit. $13 landofnod.com
pur jus This light and refreshing 100 percent juice has two full fruit servings in one bottle. It is made from premium, non-GMO and organic ingredients and has no added sugar or artificial flavors and colors. drinkpurjus.com/juice/apple-juice/
fairy tales hair care Whether you are looking for safe shampoo that smells great or something to keep lice away, Fairy Tales has you covered. The #1 recommended brand by pediatricians, Fairy Tales also offers a sun and swim travel kit. $14 fairytaleshaircare.com
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10% Off Summer Camp Use Promo Code TBPM10
For kids entering grades VPK-3 Weekly-themed camps that stimulate learning and imagination with experiments, art, field trips and guest presentations. *Early drop-off and late pick-up available!
Visit greatex.org for details and registration
Where St. Pete comes to learn and play!
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TAMPA BAY PARENTING
1925 4th St. North, St. Petersburg, FL 33704 www.greatex.org 727.821.8992
• MAY 2016 • TBParenting.com
BEST TIME EVER! Friendship, Accomplishment, Belonging Register your child for a variety of YMCA of the Suncoast summer camps and have the best summer ever! Go online ymcasuncoast.org/summercamp summer camp ad half page.indd 1
2/8/2016 1:51:59 PM
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Extraordinary
Woman
By Angela Ardolino
Mastering the art of motherhood, work and community. As CEO of Hillsborough Area Regional Transit system, Katharine Eagan, 42, will be responsible for 15 million trips this year. While that’s exciting, it may be even more fun at home, where she and her husband, Chris, live with their two under-4 sons—Finn and Bash. Work-wise, Eagan is responsible for more than 50,000 people on buses a day. “That’s more than the entire population of Bradenton, so we are pretty proud of ourselves,” she says. “We do buses, express service, the street car, and a bunch of services for folks who can’t use the bus for different levels of disabilities.” “One thing I think is interesting is when people tell me that I have it together,” she says. “I lost weight after the kids because my mother has fantastic genes and for that I thank her-- but I didn’t eat a real meal for like a year-and-a-half. It was whatever the kids had eaten-- and that is not the experience for everybody, but people assume I worked really hard. Or I have a fantastic team I work with and we’re successful TOGETHER, but people say, ‘Oh YOU must have it together.’ Or my husband works a flexible schedule— we never have the full weekend off together because he is off during the week and works the weekends and we have a sitter so that we can do tumbling and swimming—but we share a load and the kids get more time with each parent. So all of these things come together. So when people tell me I have it together or ask how I do it all, I feel like I am just holding it together like everyone else. And when people ask how I do it, it implies that parenting, or life in general, is something to overcome as opposed to something to experience.” what do you think is the secret to your family's success? I would say success for me is giving our kids the space to become the people they need to be, raising them to be decent human beings using their own model, not ours. They are very happy and very affectionate and they love their parents and they love on us and kiss on us and they always want to grab us to do things. So, I guess that is success! what is your biggest fear? I think if you are going to be honest about it, there is not a parent in the world for whom
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their biggest fear isn’t something happening to their children. It is a fear that you don’t understand before you have kids. I also don’t like turbulence on airplanes and I would never jump out of a plane. I also don’t like cockroaches. what advice would you give to other women? We are all faking it in different ways. It is like impostor syndrome, which is applied to professionals and younger women a lot. Professionally, it might be like you get a degree or a big promotion and you don’t feel you deserve it. When I got my black belt in taekwondo I was over the moon, and when I got my instructor’s uniform, I was excited. But when I was 9 months pregnant and putting a car seat in my car, I felt like I was faking being pregnant. So I think all of us have something that we’re not getting done—like the kids will get a bath every other day, or they have an extra corn dog, or you let them watch a video. My biggest advice is to find somebody else with the same sense of values, with kids around your age, with whom you can talk about how you totally didn’t get it when your kid says a curse word or they’re not potty training fast enough. Because we are really bad about building relationships and acknowledging just how difficult this is. what is your proudest moment? A personally proud moment is that I just did something recently for the business journal and someone here at HART who works with me texted me and said they are proud to work on my team. And I thought that was a huge accomplishment for our team, so I was very proud of that conversation. With kids, you’re proud when they stand up on their own or when they speak in Spanish. Sometimes you’re just proud to get out of the house. what is your biggest achievement? In 2003 going into 2004, for a couple of weeks I was in the top 10 for the American Taekwondo Association’s World Standings female black belts, age 30-39, second and third degree black belts for weapons. My weapon was double nunchucks. That was pretty cool. Different times of your life though, your achievements are different things. I got my
• MAY 2016 • TBParenting.com
bachelor’s degree with honors in 2-and-a-half years while I was working 20 hours a week, doing taekwondo and going to church with my grandmother. That was an achievement, but it was like a sustained thing, and you hunker down and don’t realize you get it done. So there are different things you are proud of with different stages. Like I’ve never roasted a turkey and I am sure I would be proud of that. what makes you happy? I am a huge fan of expectation management. If you want to be happy, you will be happy. There is a difference between happy and content, and content is actually more elusive. So find the happy: your dog snuggles, your kid goes to the next milestone, your husband remembers your birthday-- that is happy. Last night my husband was in the driveway with a telescope and I was painting a piece of furniture after the kids went to bed, and he was showing me stars. He showed me Jupiter and the Moon and Arcturus, and that made me happy. how do you relax and take time for yourself? What is this relax word? I am lucky we have early bedtime and naptime; naptime is for getting caught up and the time for me is after 8 p.m. I try not to look at my phone after 9 p.m. I try to read and do things that are not work related. Everyone needs to unplug and I understand that much more as a parent. what is your favorite thing to do with your kids in the Bay area? My boys love the aquarium and they love jumping through the sprinkler. what is your biggest inspiration? I have a couple of really fantastic influences on me and one I would like to call out is a woman I worked with in Baltimore named Ortense Lewis. Ortie is a Baltimore native and from a really different background from me, but we ended up very good friends and she took good care of me (and I hope I took good care of her). Her counsel and guidance, and her love and support has been a big deal for me and I feel fortunate that she’s been my friend. I have had really wonderful friends who have made me be a better person. Of course my dad always told me I could do it and my mom always told me, “I don’t need to tell you that, I already knew you would.”
katharine eagan Katharine in one of the HART streetcars in Ybor City. Photo by Jeanine McLeod, Cloud 9 Studios
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South hillsborough apollo beach | lithia | riverview ruskin | south tampa | valrico | fishhawk
Berkeley Families pack 40,000 Meals to Benefit Those in Need Approximately 250 volunteers from the Berkeley Preparatory School community dedicated their Sunday morning on Feb. 21 to pack 40,000 meals to benefit families in need throughout the Tampa Bay area. Students, parents, alumni, faculty and staff came together as part of the second Family Service Day of the school year to serve their community to help those in need. The Service Day volunteers partnered with Feeding Children Everywhere once again to package nutritious meals for children in the Tampa Bay community who are at risk of going without consistent meals during long school breaks. Meals prepared are distributed through the Hillsborough Education Foundation. In the weeks leading up to the event, volunteers were asked to meet and discuss various aspects of giving back and its importance to them. This year, Berkeley’s Family Service Council encouraged families to gain insight into the lives of those they served by taking part in the SNAP Challenge. SNAP stands for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program and represents the program formerly known as food stamps. On Saturday, Feb. 20, members of the school community were asked to live on $4.50 per person, per day – the average food stamp benefit. Members of Congress, governors, state officials, journalists and other community leaders have taken this challenge and have learned firsthand what it is like to try to make ends meet on the average food stamp benefit. The Family Service Council was formed in 2013 inspired by Berkeley’s mission as a servicedriven community to make a positive difference in the world and to encourage students and their families to be service providers together.
Lowry park Zoo Announces Signature Event Series Tampa’s Lowry Park Zoo has released its 2016 event lineup of signature fundraisers and seasonal celebrations. Two familiar fundraisers return this year but with new twists: WaZoo BeerFest, presented by J.J. Taylor Distributing Florida, Inc., is moving to spring to take advantage of more pleasant weather; and Feast with the Beasts, a dine-around event formerly known as Zoofari, aims to become more appetizing with elevated culinary experiences. WaZoo BeerFest and Feast with the Beasts are separate ticket events which will go on sale online two months prior to each date. The Zoo is also introducing an all-new seasonal events series which will include summer, fall and winter festivals to be known as Summer Sunset Celebration, Creatures of the Night and Christmas in the Wild. The three seasonal events are included with Annual Zoo Membership and the ZooperPass. After 4 p.m., tickets to the seasonal events will also be available at the gate and online. “At Tampa’s Lowry Park Zoo, our vision is to be an unforgettable place of discovery. This includes going beyond expectations and offering our visitors new experiences and new ways to connect with one another,” says CEO Joe Couceiro. “In 2016, we’re excited to present our most engaging line-up of events yet, from familiar favorites to our all-new seasonal celebrations. The very best way to take advantage of these events is through Zoo Membership or our new ‘pay for a day, come back all year’ program which provide free and unlimited access.” For complete details about the 2016 Signature Event series, visit the Zoo online at lowryparkzoo.com.
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• MAY 2016 • TBParenting.com
dates: April 29 – May 1, various times Annual Blueberry Festival Celebrate all things blueberry at this annual event hosted by Keel and Curley Winery in Plant City. Festival features live entertainment and over 100 food and craft vendors to explore, as well as a fun kids’ activity area. Families can take part in “U Pick Blueberries” 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. Admission is free; parking is $5. keelandcurleywinery. com
May 5, 6:30 p.m. Patel Conservatory Spring Choral Concert See students from first grade through college singing a diverse mix of old and new music by American composers as part of this Patel Conservatory concert at Straz Center’s TECO Theater in Tampa. Tickets are $15. strazcenter.org.
May 12, noon Discussion with a Doc Get questions answered as part of this patient educational opportunity through Tampa Community Hospital in South Tampa. This one-hour discussion is led by instructor Vigel Varkey and includes lunch. tampacommunityhospital.com.
May 14, 9:30-11 a.m. Music Makers Enroll your family’s budding musicians for this free workshop designed to give young kids ages 3 and older a chance to learn the sounds of various musical instruments offered for private lessons at the Florida Academy of Performing Arts inside Music Showcase in Brandon. faopa.org
May 15, 1-4 p.m.. Annual Taste of South Tampa Indulge yourself in the tastiest Bay area fare at this annual event coordinated by the South Tampa Chamber of Commerce and hosted by the Tampa Garden Club. Ticket price includes unlimited food and beverage samples, live entertainment and access to activities. Advance tickets cost $40 general admission and $80 VIP. Portion of proceeds benefits Metropolitan Ministries. southtampachamber.org
May 26-28, various times “Princess Thimbelina” at PuppetWorld Experience the world of Princess Thimbelina as part of this latest show performed with giant puppets at Puppet World in Dover. Attendees can also learn how to make a puppet and put on a show. For showtimes and tickets, go to Puppetworld.com.
at the tampa bay history center June 13 - August 12
Monday-Friday • 8:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Extended Care Available
• • • • • •
Swim Lessons Recreational Swim Archery Field Trips Arts & Crafts Sports
SOLD OUT
50/day 185/week
$
$
Fun & Friendship! Dig, craf t, and buil d your way thro ugh Tam pa’s past at the Hist ory Cent er! Cam ps inclu de: Field trip & Guest Speaker Museum Insider’s Tour Cotanchobee Park Take-Home Memory Book
s 7 week Pay for nt and up fro e the receiv
ek 8th We ! E FRE
Let’s Play! Ju * A g e s 7 - 11 ne 13-17 American G irl June 20-24 Pirates & Ex plorers July 5 -8 Archaeolog y Mysteries Ju ly 11-15 Build it! July 2 5-29 Art Infusion August 1-5
Register online
TampaBayHistoryCenter.org
SealSwimSchool.com
(813) 229-7946
19501 Holly Lane, Lutz 33548
Hands - on Learning!
801 old water street | 813.228.0097
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north hillsborough carrollwood | citrus park | lutz | new tampa odessa | temple terrace | westchase
university Area CDC offers Free Yoga and Exercise Classes The University Area Community Development Corporation (UACDC) has added a free yoga class to its list of free exercise classes offered to the public at the University Area Community Development Corporation (UACDC) Community Center. Beginning yoga, taught by Erica Nelson, will be held every Thursday from 11:30 a.m. to noon. Pre-registration is not required to participate in the classes. “We are excited to provide these free classes as part of our efforts to increase health and fitness in our community,” says Ronnie Oliver, UACDC Health and Wellness coordinator. “We have two wonderful instructors who do an awesome job, making these classes fun as well as beneficial.” A free P90X class, taught by Ivonne Pelaez, is offered every Tuesday from 11:30 a.m. to noon. Those who attend regularly refer to themselves as the “Bod Squad.” Located at 14013 North 22nd Street in Tampa, the University Area CDC Community Center is home to much more than the gym. A free computer lab with resume assistance and interview training, a preschool, art and literacy classes for children and adults, performance spaces, basketball courts, a brand new pavilion and more are available at the community center. UACDC offers support for thousands of Tampa residents through youth programs, adult education and resource assistance. For more information about the 501(c)(3) public/private partnership, visit uacdc.org or call 813-558-5212.
Corbett Thespians Take Spotlight The Corbett Prep Middle School thespians recently returned from the Florida Junior Thespian Festival where Troupe 88622 won top ratings in every category they entered at the statewide contest. The competition featured more than 4,000 competitors and is the largest junior thespian conference in the world. Under the direction of teachers Barbara McBride, Julie Nelson, Jeanne Rivera, Seth Travaglino and Michael Vokoun, Corbett Prep’s Troupe 88622 competed Feb. 4-6 in a one-act ensemble and 12 individual acts (10 performance and two technical). Judges score entries on a scale of poor, fair, good, excellent or superior. Nine of Corbett Prep’s individual events received superior ratings and three were named excellent. Judges also select a “best in show” and an honorable mention for each category. Corbett Prep received three “best in show” accolades, earning the right to perform each act before an audience of 2,500 at closing ceremonies. The selections were: the duet “You and Me (But Mostly Me)” performed by seventh graders Jaden Waz and Will Sobel, who also performed at the opening ceremonies to represent Thespian District 5; eighth grader Tallulah Nouss in the solo “The History of Wrong Guys;” and eighth graders Peyten Hernandez, Mackenzie Hicks and Derek Sokol and seventh grader Nico Spataro in the ensemble acting piece “Philip Glass Buys a Loaf of Bread.” The small group musical number “The Terrible Tale of Sally Shapiro” (with seventh graders McKinnley and Rylie Nelson and sixth graders Alex Smith and Elena Tarpley) received an honorable mention in its category as well. Corbett Prep had the highest number of best in show entries of any troupe competing. The troupe’s one-act submission, “Shipwrecked!,” also excelled. The play was rated superior for performance and technical, with Derek Sokol winning the All-Star Cast Member award for his performance, and Isabela Mocsari winning the All-Star Tech award. Judges named the entire group the Best Ensemble.
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TAMPA BAY PARENTING
• MAY 2016 • TBParenting.com
dates: April 30, noon The Prodigy Showcase See dancers ages 7-17 perform as part of the University Area CDC’s Prodigy Cultural Arts Program at the new University Area Pavilion in Tampa. For more information, call 813-558-5212.
May 2, 9, 16 and 23, 4-5 p.m. STEAM Squadron at North Tampa Library Get the kids ready for fun, after-school STEAM activities for grades K-5 Mondays at North Tampa Branch Library. In May, kids can celebrate Star Wars (May 2), build with Legos (May 9), learn how to manage money (May 16) and discover the wonders of the ocean and marine ecology (May 23). For more information, call 813-2733652.
May 4 and 11, 2-4 p.m. Mom and Baby Support Group Interact with other new moms and their babies at the Women’s Health Pavilion at Florida Hospital Tampa. Different topics will be presented at each meeting, such as infant sign language and how to make baby food. Babies must be between four weeks and 14 months in age. Registration is not required. floridahospital.com/ tampa/events
May 6, 11 a.m. Swing “Fore” Charity Golf Classic Hit the links for a good cause and take part in this annual tournament sponsored by Tampa Bay Federal Foundation and hosted by Westchase Golf Club. Registration starts at 11 a.m. with tee time at 1:30 p.m. Proceeds benefit All Children’s Hospital. allkids.org
May 13, 8:30 a.m. CDS Ladies Spring Luncheon and Tennis Round Robin Join tennis players and parents at Carrollwood Day School at Cheval Athletic Club in Lutz and the school’s CDS Patriot Pride Campaign. Cost is $75 per player and includes tennis round robin, balls, prizes, snacks, lunch and drinks; $50 for tennis only; and $30 lunch only. Deadline is May 9. 813-731-4739.
May 27, 8-10 p.m. Girls Night Out Gather all of the girlfriends for a night of laughs with an all-woman comedy lineup as this popular summer show series returns to Carrollwood Cultural Center. Advance tickets are $14 members and $18 non-members. carrollwoodcenter.org
DANCE MUSIC SING ACT “I Love Summer at Mary Jo’s Performing Arts Academy!” Register today at MJPAA.com/summer
SUMMER 2016 Camps, Classes, Workshops, and More 15906 Mapledale Blvd., Tampa, FL 33624 | 813.969.0240
MJPAA.COM/summer
It starts with inspiration... and The Learning Never Ends. Visit MontessoriHouseDaySchool.com to:
Give your child the gifts of a lifelong love of learning and an individualized curriculum at one of the leading schools in Tampa for 1½ to 12 year olds.
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Find articles and videos explaining why an authentic Montessori education is better for children in today’s world.
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Discover why accreditation is so important (American Montessori Society, Florida Council of Independent Schools, & Florida Kindergarten Council).
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Understand that any school can call itself Montessori and why only one school in Tampa is actually accredited by the American Montessori Society.
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Learn how The Montessori House began 45 years ago and why its rich history of quality education is prompting alumni to enroll their own children now.
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Locate the two Tampa campuses. Call the Carrollwood campus at (813) 961-9295 or the Westchase area campus at (813) 884-7220 to schedule a personal tour.
Children are inspired to think at The Montessori House Day School. Visit today.
Toddler, Pre-K (including VPK), Kindergarten, Elementary Grades 1-6, and Summer Camps are open for enrollment. Non-Discriminatory Admissions Policy.
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South pinellas pinellas park | seminole | st. pete beach largo | st. petersburg | treasure island
Creative Clay Marks 21 Years with Spring Celebration Local non-profit Creative Clay, Inc. invites the public to join in its celebration Wednesday, May 4 to mark the group’s 21st anniversary of making the arts accessible to all in St. Petersburg. The event, the Third Annual “Spring for the Arts,” will be held 5-9 p.m. at Duncan McClellan Gallery located at 2342 Emerson Ave. S. in St. Petersburg. This year’s festivities will feature a wide array of events throughout the evening, including awards, live music by Lounge Cat, spirit tastings by the St. Pete Distillery, free swing dance lessons, an art exhibit by Creative Clay artists, magician Cory Van Valin, a silent auction, and a VIP experience with a chance to participate in a glass-blowing demonstration. Several sponsorship opportunities and VIP packages are available. General admission tickets are $75.00; VIP tickets are $125. A special VIP glass blowing demonstration starts at 5 p.m. and doors will open at 6 p.m. to all guests. Complimentary valet parking also will be available. Information on sponsorship packages and ticket purchases is available on the nonprofit’s website at creativeclay.org/events/spring-for-the-arts-2016/. Creative Clay opened its doors as the first arts organization in the state of Florida specifically designed to serve persons with disabilities through arts education. The agency began with one student participant with a $1,000 grant from the Knights of Columbus. Creative Clay continues to operate its Community Arts Program daily, serving nearly 200 individuals per week. The agency has grown to include Creative Care, an “Arts in Wellness” Program; Transition, a partnership with Pinellas County Schools; Art Around the World inclusionary summer camp; Artlink mentorship program; and Open Studio and Summer Studio. Creative Clay is located at 1114 Central Ave. and serves people with developmental, physical and emotional disabilities, as well as people in healthcare settings, children and veterans. The organization also provides outreach art experiences in our community. To learn more, go to creativeclay.org.
St. petersburg Hops on for National Bike to School Day In recognition of the first ever National Bike to School Day which took place on May 9, 2012, schools throughout St. Petersburg will be participating in this year’s nationwide effort to be held Wednesday, May 4. At the time of its debut, nearly 1,000 local events were held across 49 states and the District of Columbia to encourage children to take their bicycle or walk to school safely. The event has continued to grow in popularity, in part due to the success of Walk to School Day, which takes place in the United States and around the world every October. Many communities and schools hold spring walk and bike to school events, and National Bike to School Day gives schools an opportunity to join together in celebration of National Bike Month, coordinated by the League of American Bicyclists. For this year’s event, families are encouraged to take photos of their young bicyclists and upload pics to the official event website for the Walk and Bike to School Day Yearbook. The website also provides helpful links about pedestrian and bicycle safety, planning tools for launching your own neighborhood or school event and local contact information for those seeking area events or safe bike route resources. For more information about National Bike to School Day 2016, visit walkbiketoschool.org.
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TAMPA BAY PARENTING
• MAY 2016 • TBParenting.com
dates: May 2, 9 and 16, 11 a.m. - noon Mother Goose Storytime Bring the kids for a fun morning of stories and songs at Mirror Lake Library in St. Pete. Activities are geared toward children ages 1-3 who should be accompanied by a caregiver. For more information, call 727-892-5296.
May 7, 10 a.m. - noon Women’s Work Home Repair Classes: Electrical Basics Gain knowledge about home maintenance and build confidence when tackling home repair by attending these helpful workshops offered at Studio@620 in downtown St. Pete. This month, learn electrical basics of working with breakers, switches, outlets, light fixtures and ceiling fans. Classes are $25 each. Seated is limited so attendees must register in advance at thestudioat620.org.
May 9, 5:30-9:30 p.m. Walkers Rising Stars See Pinellas’s most talented young performers take part in this popular annual arts-based scholarship competition held at Mahaffey Theater in St. Petersburg. Tickets are $10 general admission and $5 students and seniors. pinellaseducation.org
May 10, 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. Clothing Swap Bring in up to five garments to exchange for free with other swap participants or purchase vouchers to select clothing at this monthly event on the patio of the Peninsula Inn in Gulfport. mygulfport.us
May 12 and 26, 10:30-11:15 a.m. Wee-Time at Weedon Encourage little ones to explore the natural and cultural world as part of this monthly program for kids ages 3-5 at Weedon Island Preserve in St. Petersburg. Children get to experience storytelling and hands-on activities connecting them to their environment. Free but advance registration required. Register at weedonislandpreserve.org.
May 21, 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. Annual Invention Convention Celebrate ingenuity as part of this showcase of gifted students in grades K-5 as they take part in this event hosted by the Armed Forces History Museum in Largo. Tickets are $10 adults and $5 youths ages 4-12 and may be purchased at the door the day of the event. Admission includes a tour of the museum. Proceeds benefit the museum’s Operation Education program. armedforcesmuseum.com
Elementary & Middle School students entering grades 1-6 & 7-9 as low as
$196*
8 Wks • Monday - Friday 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. extended hours available
June 13 to Aug 5
breakfast & lunch served safe, fun & educational well-trained staff field trips, crafts sports, swimming 11 recreation centers
* Reduced rates based on fee assistance for St. Pete residents. Limited number of free grant scholarships available. Check availability.
Nutritionally balanced meals provided to all children. In accordance with Federal law, and US Department of Agriculture policy, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age or disability.
Play Learn Explore
727-893-7441• StPeteParksRec.org/camps
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north pinellas oldsmar | clearwater | dunedin palm harbor | safety harbor East Lake | tarpon springs
Tarpon Arts Entertainment Tarpon Arts recently announced its SummerFest 2016 cultural lineup for Bay area residents to explore. The Tarpon Arts Program is run by the City of Tarpon Springs’ Department of Cultural Services and is comprised of a diverse set of venues including the Cultural Center, Performing Arts Center, Safford House and Heritage Museum. Each season, Tarpon Arts sets out to connect the community with the arts and does so by engaging and educating area residents through performances, workshops, and more that celebrate the unique heritage and culture of Florida. This summer, local families can experience an eclectic mix of events, including: - Rhythm Kings Orchestra’s Salute to the Armed Forces, Saturday, May 21 (7 p.m.) at Tarpon Springs Performing Arts Center -Salsa on the Sponge Docks, a first ever annual Latin Night with outdoor dining available, Saturday, May 28 (6-11 p.m.) on the Sponge Docks on Dodecanese Blvd. -Voice Experience Master Class, Voices Around the World and Scenes and Songs from the World’s Greatest Operas, various dates this June, at the Heritage Museum - A variety of theater from Gilbert and Sullivan and Cinderella to The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged) and Irving Berlin’s Annie Get Your Gun and more, at the Cultural Center and Performing Arts Center, all summer long For more information about Tarpon Arts and a closer look at the area’s summertime cultural fare, visit tarponarts.org.
Career Education Breakfast Awards $14,000 to Students The Pinellas Education Foundation held its annual Career Education Breakfast at the Coliseum earlier this year as community, business and educational leaders came together to raise funds for career education programs and initiatives in Pinellas County Schools. Keynote Speaker Kurt Long, Founder and CEO of FairWarning®, and Co-Founder of the Next Generation Entrepreneurs program, spoke passionately about entrepreneurship and celebrated out-ofthe-box thinking. The breakfast drew more than 300 participants and awarded more than $14,000 in funding toward classroom grants, scholarships and cash prizes to teachers and students in Pinellas County Schools. The breakfast included the announcement of ten teams of finalists in the 2016 Next Generation Tech Program, a year-long competition allowing students to develop their technology concepts into working prototypes, with help from tech mentors. Student teams participated from Career Academies of Seminole, Dixie Hollins, East Lake, Lakewood, Palm Harbor University and Seminole High School. In addition, the event recognized 10 teams of finalists in the 2016 Next Generation Entrepreneurs Program, a year-long business competition involving high school juniors and seniors which included business plan training, creativity workshops and mentoring. Participating student teams for this program hail from Clearwater, Countryside, Lakewood and Seminole High Schools. Educators recognized this year as Career Educator of the Year 2016 Awards recipients included: Mary Roble, Wall-to-Wall Academy Coordinator at Clearwater High School for high school level, and Jenifer Tauchnitz, Business Technology Teacher at Palm Harbor Middle School for middle school level. Both winners will receive a $2,000 classroom grant for their respective programs. For more information about this year’s event, go to pinellaseducation.org.
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TAMPA BAY PARENTING
• MAY 2016 • TBParenting.com
dates: May 3 and 26, various times Managing Motherhood Participate in this monthly event created for new moms and held at two Pinellas locations, Mease Countryside Hospital in Safety Harbor and Morton Plant Hospital’s Powell Pavilion in Clearwater. Join others new to motherhood as they discuss challenges and emotional changes. Free. For times and registration, go to baycare. org/events.
May 5, 12, 19 and 26, 10:30-11:15 a.m. Book Time at Booker Creek Bring your pre-schooler to a unique program that integrates crafts, games and other hands-on activities with read-aloud stories about nature at Brooker Creek Preserve Environmental Education Center in Tarpon Springs. Activities are geared toward ages 3-5. brookercreekpreserve. org
May 7, 7 a.m. – 7 p.m. Paddle for Kids Take part in this fun and educational event at Waterfront Park in Safety Harbor. Bring the whole family for a day on the water with various paddling activities as well as water races. Admission is free for all ages; cost to race is $30. Proceeds benefit the Paddle for Kids organization and its mission to raise awareness for detecting early childhood disorders. paddleforkids.org
May 7, 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. Splash Bash & Picnic Kick off the pool season with games and swim races throughout the day at Highlander Pool in Dunedin. Event includes lunch and music. Guests should bring their own towel and bathing suit. Free. For more information, call 727-298-3266.
May 20, 6-10 p.m. 3rd Friday Music Series Stroll along Main Street in downtown Safety Harbor every third Friday of the month and enjoy live music and other entertainment for the whole family as you shop and dine. Charity to benefit from proceeds that night is Power Soccer Tampa. Free entry. cityofsafetyharbor.com
May 21, 9-11 a.m. Teddy Bear Tea Young guests can bring along their favorite bear to join them for this special event hosted by Dunedin Community Center. Cost is $8 per person. For more information, contact Dunedin Parks and Recreation at 727-812-4530.
with Week-long camps 6/6/16 thru 8/19/16
Snorkeling, Kayaking, Education, Marine Life and much more... Sign up today at SeeWinter.com | Email us at camps@cmaquarium.org
Saint Paul’s Summer Camp 2016
Field Trips Engineering Marine Science
LEGO® Robotics Classic Day Camps Grand Slam Baseball
Dive into the Performing Arts this Summer A Ruth Eckerd Hall, Inc. Experience
Call to Enroll
727.712.2706 | www.HoffmanSchooloftheArts.com
Camps for Children Entering PreK-3 through 8th Grade Register today at www.st.pauls.edu/summercamp 1600 St. Paul’s Drive • Clearwater, FL | 727.536.2756 | www.ClearwatersIndependentSchool.org
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pasco dade city | land o' lakes | new port richey trinity | wesley chapel | zephyrhills
Photo by Nicole Geller Photography
oak Hill Hospital Delivers 'Belly to Baby' Education Series In anticipation of the opening of its Maternity Suites, Oak Hill Hospital recently announced a new “Belly to Baby” Education Series. The goal is to provide support, information and educational opportunities to new and expectant families in the community in order to ensure that they are best prepared for their pregnancy, birth and new family. The series will be conducted at the Brooksville hospital located at 11375 Cortez Blvd. and led by childbirth consultant and perinatal educator Taylor Theodore, CCC (Certified Childbirth Consultant). Admission to all classes in the “Belly to Baby” program is free. The series will consist of the following classes: healthy pregnancy; childbirth preparation and childbirth preparation refresher; breastfeeding beginnings; new family care; and a super sibling class. The “Belly to Baby” program will provide optional services for parents, including tours customized to ensure a family’s needs are met and all questions have been answered, direct contact to a childbirth consultant, and private resource consultations to assist with preparations and birth plans for expectant families. For more information about these classes and other options for parents, call Taylor Theodore, CCC, Belly to Baby Childbirth Services, LLC, at 352-585-2543 or email taylor@bellytobaby.org. For more information about the new maternity suites, go to oakhillhospital.com.
New Additions Arrive Soon at The Shops at Wiregrass The Shops at Wiregrass recently announced new store and restaurant arrivals planned for the open-air shopping and dining center throughout the year.
dates: April 16 – May 22, various times Grease Spend the evening with Danny, Sandy and the whole Rydell High gang as this fun celebration of bobby soxers and pedal pushers arrives onstage at the Show Palace in Hudson. Sing along to musical classics like “Summer Nights” and “Greased Lightnin’.” For tickets and showtimes, go to showpalace.net.
May 3, 5-7:30 p.m. Ladies Night Out: Florida Hospital Zephyrhills Invite girlfriends along for this free community event hosted by the hospital in Dan Cannon Auditorium at the Pasco County Fairgrounds in Dade City. Evening features summer fashions on display, complimentary makeovers, a guest speaker, door prize drawings, complimentary beverages, appetizers and desserts. flzeph.org
May 4, 10-11 a.m. Wiregrass Ranchers Kids Club Bring the kids to Shops at Wiregrass in Wesley Chapel the first Wednesday each month for fun courtesy of Florida Hospital Wesley Chapel. Kids meet children’s entertainer Mr. Tommy for face painting, balloon art and other activities. shopsatwiregrass.
May 7, 3:30-7:30 p.m.
VomFASS Oils, Vinegars, Sprits & Wines makes its debut in late spring near Center Court. VomFASS offers premium culinary oils, traditional balsamics, vinegar specialties and exclusive fruit balsamic vinegars. For those craving a sweet treat, Rocket Fizz Soda Pop & Candy Shop, a one-stop shop for soda pop and candy cravings spotlighted previously on CBS’s “Undercover Boss,” will open Spring 2016 in a suite near JCPenney. Rocket Fizz carries thousands of bottled soda pops and candies from all over America, in addition to hundreds of retro and gag gifts, concert and movie posters, and tin signs.
Kentucky Derby Daze Fundraiser Take part in a wine tasting and watch the Kentucky Derby at Strong Tower Winery in Spring Hill. Fundraiser features Win-Place-Show drawing, silent auction, appetizers and more. Tickets are $35 and may be purchased by calling Dave at 352-428-7508. Proceeds benefit NAMI’s classes for those living with mental illness. flnamihernando.org
In the fall, Visionworks, a leading provider of eye care services offering fashion brands and their own exclusive brand frames, lenses, sunglasses and accessories is expected to join The Shops at Wiregrass. Irish 31, referenced as “The People’s Pub” by customers, is also planned for a fall launch. The Irish 31 menu offers an eclectic mix of traditional Irish food, vegetarian options, Southern favorites and classic comfort foods.
May 7, 5-10 p.m.
“Now that we are in our eighth year of doing business within this wonderful community, it is exciting to see the continued growth of shops and restaurants added to our beautiful shopping center,” says Greg Lenners, general manager for The Shops at Wiregrass. Other recent additions include 3D Musketeers Printing, a provider of custom color-printed three-dimensional figurines; Lola Perfume, featuring name brand fragrances for men and women; and Soleciety Sneaker Boutique, which carries collectible athletic shoes from around the world. For a full directory of retailers as well as the latest event listings, visit shopsatwiregrass.com.
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TAMPA BAY PARENTING
• MAY 2016 • TBParenting.com
Time for Wine-Sunrise of Pasco Annual Lobster Fest Dress your most nautical and bid in an auction at this fundraiser at Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 29 in Land O’ Lakes. Guests are seated at 5 p.m. for main course of stuffed lobster tail, shrimp cocktail, clam chowder, and more. Soft drinks are included. Proceeds benefit Sunrise of Pasco. sunrisepasco.org
May 21, 10-11 a.m. Stranger Danger Storytime Bring kids to this special storytime class led by local authors and Master Martial Arts Instructors at the Zephyrhills Public Library. Event is focused on teaching kids how to stay safe when strangers are nearby. Books available for purchase following the class. For more information, call 813-780-0064.
GO BACK IN TIME! $2 off per adult
Good for up to 4 discounted admissions. Must be presented at time of admission. Offer cannot be combined with other discounts or specials. Exp 8/31/16 TBPM
www.dinosaurworld.com Exit 17, I-4 - Plant City, FL - (813)717-9865
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polk auburndale | bartow | haines city lakeland | lake wales | winter haven
Kindergarten registration Ends This Month Polk County Public Schools is giving parents and guardians again the option to register their children online for kindergarten for the 2016-2017 school year. This year’s registration period began Friday, April 1 and runs through Monday, May 2. Parents and guardians are urged to sign up online or in person at their zoned school by the deadline. During the week of April 25 – 29, schools designated dates and times for parents to visit and tour their zoned school. Students entering kindergarten must have turned 5 on or before September 1, 2016. To enroll a new kindergarten student, parents and/or guardians must present the following: one birthdate verification; two proofs of residency; a current physical exam dated within the last 12 months; and a certificate of immunization (Florida Department of Health form 680) showing all shots including second MMR, polio, DPT/DTaP, Hepatitis B series and second varicella or signed proof of chicken pox. Acceptable proofs of residency include: mortgage document, property tax record, home or apartment lease agreement, a current utility bill (electric, gas, phone, water, cable), current voter registration document, proof of government benefits (Medicare, disability, food stamps, DCF correspondence), current Florida Driver’s License, automobile registration or automobile insurance. Before registering, parents can view a helpful video about enrollment in a Polk County Public School at polk-fl.net/PARENTS/enroll/default.htm. Then, either the parent must obtain a paper enrollment packet from the zoned school, complete and return it to the school by the cut-off date or log in online at https://parent.mypolkschools.net or polk-fl.net, keyword search “Enroll.” For additional questions about kindergarten registration, contact your child’s zoned school or Polk County Public Schools’ Office of Pupil Accounting at 863-534-0716.
LEGoLAND to Host Girl Scout Day May 7 Girl Scouts and those aspiring to become one should register in time for a special annual event returning this spring. LEGOLAND Florida will be hosting the Annual GSWCF Girl Scout Day at its Winter Haven resort Saturday, May 7. All current Daisy, Brownie, Junior and Cadette members of GSWCF will get to explore the park and may be joined by family and friends for the occasion. Attendees can tackle popular Rides like the Dragon Coaster, feel like a giant walking through Mini-Land USA, earn a driver’s license at the Ford Driving School and take in other shows and activities. Scouts also get the opportunity to attend special workshops geared specifically for each age level (K-6) as part of the Scouts’ STEAM curriculum. Families are encouraged to sign up soon as workshops can fill quickly.
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Tickets to LEGOLAND Florida Resort must be pre-purchased at the attraction’s website by May 6. Girls who already have annual passes to LEGOLAND Florida may sign up to attend the special STEM workshops but only registered Girl Scouts may take part in the workshops. This year’s event is scheduled to run 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information about becoming a Scout, visit gswcf.org. To purchase tickets for this year’s event, go to legolandflorida.com.
dates: May 5, 6-8:30 p.m. Women of Central Florida Spring Fashion Show Support this annual fundraiser full of fashion, food and fun at the Historic Polk Theatre in downtown Lakeland. Come out and join members of the community including local leaders such as Sheriff Grady Judd. Proceeds benefit the Central Florida Speech and Hearing Center. Tickets are $50. womenofcentralflorida.org
May 6 Free Admission on National Public Gardens Day Take part in this national event designed to raise awareness about the role of America’s public gardens. Sign up on the National Public Gardens Day website for a free admission coupon to visit Bok Tower Gardens in Lake Wales on this special date only. publicgardens.org
May 7, 3-7 p.m. Kentucky Derby Party Celebrate the first race of the Triple Crown as part of this fundraiser at Lone Palm Golf Club in Lakeland. Party-goers can cheer on their favorite horse, make predictions, compete in a hat contest, bid in a silent auction and more. Tickets are $75 per person or $135 per couple. Proceeds benefit Camp Fire Sunshine Central Florida and their programs to support area youth. campfirederby.com
May 13-15, various times Shrek, the Musical Jr. Catch a musical performance for all ages as Theatre Winter Haven presents the lovable ogre and his friends onstage in this production adapted for young performers. Tickets are $10 adults and $8 students. theatrewinterhaven.com
May 21, 8 a.m. - 1 p.m. Uptown Yard Sale and Flea Market Browse a variety of vendors at this event held the third Saturday monthly along the 300 block of East Main Street in downtown Bartow. Shop for hard-to-find items or take part and sell your own wares. Vendors pay $10 to take part; no pre-registration necessary. For more information, call the Main Street Bartow office at 863-5190508. mainstreetbartowfl.com
May 21, 10-11 a.m. Sibling Class Sign up the kids for this helpful class designed to address the joys and challenges of becoming an older sibling hosted by Winter Haven Women’s Hospital. Activities and information shared are age-appropriate. Cost is $10. Register at baycareevents.org.
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TAMPA BAY PARENTING
• MAY 2016 • TBParenting.com
Around Town
To see more photos, visit: TBParenting.com/Facebook
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Kids of all ages participated in the Tampa Bay Kids Triathalon on March 19, where they swam, biked and ran.
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Lead Victim Advocate Amanda Brennan and Crisis Center of Tampa Bay CEO Clara Reynolds receiving the 2016 Distinguished Victim Service Award from Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi.
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Glazer Children’s Museum CEO Jen Stancil with her husband John Stancil and their daughter Avery Grace at the annual Education is Key breakfast to honor special students and exemplary educators and promote leadership and learning.
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Kerri Aman from Dover Elementary was the honored teacher at the Education is Key breakfast at the Glazer Children’s Museum (with Rylee Brown).
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University Area Community Development Corporation’s team, which was recently awarded a 2016 top workplaces honor by the Tampa Bay Times.
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John Fontana from Bricks for Kidz at the 9th Annual Summer Splash Summer Camp Fair at MOSI.
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The Patel Conservatory table at the 2016 Summer Splash Summer Camp Fair at MOSI.
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The Shipt team brought convenience of personal grocery shoppers to Summer Splash this year at MOSI.
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Tampa Bay Parenting Social Mom Lisa-Marie Leihy and Tampa mayor Bob Buckhorn at the State of the City Address.
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Kelley Parris, Executive Director of the Children’s Board of Hillsborough County and Sandra Murman, County Commissioner and members of the group B.A.C.A. (Bikers Against Child Abuse) at the Tuesday, April 5th event held at Glazer Children’s Museum. Commissioner Murman presented the group with a proclamation from the County Commission naming the Month of April Child Abuse Prevention Awareness Month.
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may Events a souvenir American flag. tampabayhistorycenter.org
Everyone
Children's Gala at MoSI
May 1, 3-6 p.m. Young philanthropists who received one of thousands of piggy banks distributed in April as part of the MOSI and PNC Bank Give Change to Make Change campaign are invited to attend this event and bring their stuffed banks to the museum. Change collected will send 600 kids to Summer Science Camp this year. Every pig brought back entitles one adult and one child free admission to the gala. Additional parents or siblings are $10 each. mosi.org Everyone
e v e n t s & f e s t i va l s Dinosaur Festival at MoSI
April 23 - May 8 Meet a real fossil-hunting paleontologist and touch actual prehistoric fossils at special events throughout MOSI’s festival. A different special hands-on dinosaur event is featured every Saturday and included with MOSI admission and free for members. mosi.org
Everyone
SeaGrapes Food and Wine Festival
April 30, 8-11 p.m. Walk throughout The Florida Aquarium and admire amazing sea creatures as you sip wine and enjoy tasty fare at the Tampa attraction. Bid in a silent auction and support the Aquarium’s conservation and youth education initiatives. For ticket information, visit flaquarium.org Moms, Dads
Dinosaurs in Motion
Through May 6, various times Experience MOSI’s popular, interactive exhibit before it leaves the museum. Visitors get to control life-size, metal dinosaur skeletons and create their own art creations. Exhibit is included with general admission. mosi.org Everyone
Member Morning at Glazer Children's Museum
May 1, 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. Enjoy members-only access to the Tampa museum and admission discounts for other family members (up to five guests admitted at no charge; must include an adult). This month, members can enjoy special guest appearances at noon from the 501st Legion Group and take pictures with favorite Star Wars characters as part of A Galaxy Far Far Away & May the Fourth Be With You Week. glazermuseum.org Everyone
George Washington Day at Tampa Bay History Center May 1, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. Meet President George Washington and take part in Colonial-era activities and games as part of this event at Tampa Bay History Center. Families can see authentic Revolution-era clothing and weaponry and try their hand at quill pen calligraphy. Guests receive up to three child (under 17) admissions for just $1 each with a paid adult admission. The first 100 guests will receive
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TAMPA BAY PARENTING
A Galaxy Far Far Away & May The Fourth Be With You Week
May 1-4, various times See the Glazer Children’s Museum transformed into a galactic empire during this special week of all things Star Wars. Bring your stormtroopers, Princess Leias and little Wookiees for a week of interstellar fun. glazermuseum.org 5 & Older
3rd Annual Give Day Tampa Bay
May 3, all day Give back to local nonprofits registered for a 24-hour community-wide fundraiser hosted by The Community Foundation of Tampa Bay. Donate online to your favorite organizations, including such area attractions as MOSI, Glazer Children’s Museum, Tampa Theatre, The Florida Aquarium, Great Explorations and Tampa’s Lowry Park Zoo, among others. Minimum donation is $25. For a directory of all participating nonprofits and to donate, visit givedaytampabay.org Everyone
Children's Board Free Tuesday at Glazer Children's Museum
May 3, 2-7 p.m. Bring the little ones to the museum and enjoy free admission as part of this promotion sponsored by The Children’s Board of Hillsborough County. See the museum’s latest exhibits and meet special guests. Adults must be accompanied by a child and vice versa. glazermuseum.org Everyone
Military Moms resource Group
May 5, 12, 19 and 26, 11 a.m. - noon Meet up with other military moms (active duty moms, retired military moms, military reserve moms and spouses/partners of military members, active or retired) as part of this free, weekly interactive group hosted by Hammond Psychology in Brandon. To register, call 813654-0503. hammondpsychology.com Moms
running for All Children
May 7, 7 a.m. Lace up the sneakers for this fundraiser benefiting All Children’s Hospital Foundation and The BCH Mechanical Foundation and featuring 5K, 10K and 1-mile Fun Run races to launch from All Children’s Hospital in St. Pete. Proceeds go to the All Children’s Hospital GuildSeminole/Largo branch to support the hospital’s various healthy living and care programs. runforallchildren.com
Everyone
Walk to Cure Arthritis May 7, 8 a.m.
• MAY 2016 • TBParenting.com
Bring the whole family (including the pooches) to participate in this annual fundraiser at Al Lopez Park in Tampa. Event features three-mile and one-mile courses with proceeds to benefit the Arthritis Foundation. For more information, go to walktocurearthritis.org. Everyone
parent's Night out at Lowry park Zoo
May 7, 5:30-11 p.m. Drop off the kids with the professional Education Department staff at the Zoo and enjoy an evening for errands or date night. Cost is $45 for one child and $15 per additional sibling and includes entertainment, a pizza snack and beverages. All guests must be fully potty trained. lowryparkzoo.org 3-12
WaZoo BeerFest
May 7, 8-11:30 p.m. Attend this all-inclusive tasting event presented by J.J. Taylor Distributing Florida, Inc. featuring 250-plus beers and beverages from 70 breweries worldwide, pub fare and live entertainment throughout Lowry Park Zoo, all included with WaZoo admission. Advance tickets available at lowryparkzoo.org Date Night, Girls Night Out
Novel Effect Days at Glazer Children's Museum
May 7, 10 and 12, various times Experience a new, screen-free entertainment experience and educational tool employed at the Tampa museum. As guests read a book aloud, the proprietary technology uses voice recognition to follow along in the background on a smartphone or tablet. Watch as storytime unfolds into a sensory immersive experience. glazermuseum.org 6 &
Older
Charity Golf Classic
May 9, 10:30 a.m. Take to the links at this annual fundraiser held at Carrollwood Country Club to benefit Lowry Park Zoo’s various programs. The outing includes lunch, contests on the course, silent auction, raffle drawings and an awards dinner and banquet. To register an individual or team, call 813-935-8552, ext. 275. Moms, Dads
parents' Math Workshop with Exploracize
May 9, 6-7:30 p.m. Enroll in an adult-only workshop designed to offer pointers to parents wanting to help elementary-age kids enjoy learning math through fun, active games at this workshop hosted by Great Explorations in St. Pete. Cost is $35 for one caregiver, which includes an Exploracise® Math Ball or $45 for two caregivers. Advanced registration is required by May 5 at exploracise.com/events. Moms,
Dads
Developmental Check ups
May 10, 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. Participate in a special event offered through Glazer Children’s Museum in partnership with Champions for Children and Baby Bungalow. Professionals will be on hand to review and discuss with parents their children’s development. Caregiver must accompany child. Preregistration is required and checkups are included with general admission or membership. Learn more at 813443-3810 or email ddeleon@glazermuseum.org. 1-3
While great care was taken in compiling the calendar, it’s always best to phone ahead to confirm information.
Disney on Ice 100 Years of Magic
May 12-15, various times Celebrate a century of Disney fun as Mickey and Minnie Mouse, Goofy, Donald Duck and the gang, including Anna, Elsa and Olaf of “Frozen” arrive at Tampa’s AMALIE Arena to take to the ice for multiple shows. Sing along to classics like “You’ve Got a Friend in Me,” “Hakuna Matata” and “Let It Go.” For tickets, go to amaliearena.com. 5 & Older
Developmental Screenings
May 13 Get free screenings to measure kids’ vision, hearing, speech, language, behavior and overall development as part of this program sponsored by Early Childhood Council and Children’s Board of Hillsborough County. Screenings are available each month at a different location. This month, Lake Carroll Baptist Church in Tampa serves as host. Register at 813-837-7723.
Newborn - 5
parents Night out at Great Explorations
May 13, 6-10 p.m. Bring the kids to Great Explorations Museum in St. Pete for a fun night of science and play and take some time for yourself. Pizza, snacks and juice are included for the kids, along with a G-rated movie. Price is $25 members and $35 non-members. Pre-registration required. greatex.org/programs/parents-night-out 4-10
Tampa Bay Hurricane Expo
May 14, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. Have fun with the family learning how to keep them safe at this educational event hosted by MOSI in Tampa. Climb inside giant fire trucks, hear from local TV meteorologists and jump into hands-on activities with the Tampa Bay Rays, Buccaneers and Lightning while exploring the museum all day. mosi.org Everyone
Infant Massage
May 14, 10:30-11:30 a.m. Get helpful tips for how to use massage and nurturing touch to soothe and bond with baby from Touch of Sunshine Infant Massage, LLC at Great Explorations in St. Petersburg. Cost is $10 per family. For more information, contact Debbi at 727-744-9411 or debbicourtney@gmail.com. greatex.org Moms, Dads
Saturday Kids Klub: Art and "Doodads" May 14, 10:30-11:30 a.m. Visit the Tampa Bay History Center and enjoy an informal, interactive session for guardians and children to explore the Center’s exhibit gallery together. Club events are free for members and included with paid admission. This month’s activities focus on the Center’s Doodad exhibit featuring student artwork made exclusively from recycled and other found objects. tampabayhistorycenter.org 6 & Older
Build-A-Model Camp
May 15, 12:30-2 p.m. Kids and parents can learn how to make their own model at this event hosted by the Armed Forces History Museum in Largo and featuring professionals from the Pelikan Model Club. Cost is $14.95 youths and $9.95 adults, and includes a take-home model, set
of dog tags, full museum access and simulator ride. armedforcesmuseum.com 6 & Older
A Night at the Brewseum
May 20, 7-11 p.m. Play like a kid again by checking out the exhibits at Great Explorations Children’s Museum in St. Pete and challenging friends in various relays and games while enjoying the best local craft beers. Compete as teams to win goodie bags and listen to live music. For tickets, go to greatex.org. Moms, Dads
Endangered Species Day
May 21, 9:30 a.m. - 5 p.m. Help cherish and protect the endangered animals who share the planet with a day of family fun and discovery at Lowry Park Zoo in Tampa. Learn about the significant and diverse wildlife in the Zoo’s care, and enjoy a variety of animal enrichment activities while making upclose connections to the natural world. lowryparkzoo. org Everyone
Annual red, White and Craft Brews Fest
May 21, 5-9 p.m. Sample from over 75 craft and specialty brews as part of this popular annual event hosted by The Armed Forces History Museum in Largo. Guests can also enjoy limited rare beer sampling, military dress-up, a photo booth, cigar lounge, food trucks, raffles and more. Tickets are $26 and can be purchased at armedforcesmuseum.com.
Armed Forces History Museum in Largo. Day includes military obstacle course, video games truck, tractor pit, bounce house, face painting, military dress-up, WWII re-enactors from the 1st Infantry Division, museum tours, the Bomber Girls and more. Tickets are $10 adults and $5 youth ages 4-12. Proceeds benefit the museum’s Operation: Education program. armedforcesmuseum. com Everyone
Memorial Day at Great Explorations
May 30, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. Celebrate summer fun in patriotic style with activities, crafts and games throughout the museum. The museum also honors all members of the military (veterans, retired and active duty) with military ID by offering one free admission for the day. greatex.org Veterans,
Active/Retired Military
Blue Star Museums Collaboration
May 30 - Sept. 5, various times Active duty military personnel including National Guard and Reserve and their families can take part in a free admission promotion Memorial Day through Labor Day at more than 2,000 U.S. museums, including Tampa’s MOSI. The program is in collaboration with the National Endowment for the Arts, Blue Star Families and the Department of Defense. A complete list is available at arts.gov/bluestarmuseums. Active Military
Moms, Dads
Storybook Ball 2016 - FroZEN
May 21, 6 p.m. - midnight Head to Tampa Marriott Waterside Hotel and Marina in downtown Tampa for a magical evening to support Ronald McDonald House Charities of Tampa. Guests are transported to the world of the Disney’s “Frozen” in a formal evening of dining, dancing and live and silent auctions. rmhctampabay.org Moms, Dads
Don't Fry Day!
spECIAL NEEDS
May 27 Learn how the family can have fun in the sun while protecting skin at Great Explorations in St. Petersburg. Kids can dress a paper doll in sun-safe style or create a sun-safety sticker scene (10:30 a.m.); make a UVreactive bracelet or create a sun print collage (11:30 a.m.); design a sun-safe visor (2:30 p.m.); and take part in a sun-safety relay (3:30 p.m.). All activities included in the cost of admission. greatex.org 5 & Older
Dads
Memorial Day at Florida Aquarium
online Training: preparing for Summer
May 30, 9:30 a.m. - 5 p.m. Active duty, veteran, retired or drilling reservists or National Guardsmen are eligible for two free admission tickets to The Florida Aquarium for themselves and a guest. Additional family members (up to 4 people) can enjoy $10 admission. Guest must present military ID. flaquarium.org Veterans, Active/Retired Military
Annual Memorial Day Family Funfest
May 30, 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. Pack up the kids for a day of family-friendly activities and a special Memorial Day ceremony (11:50 a.m.) at the
Family Support Group
May 3, 6:30-7:30 a.m. Interact with other parents of special needs kids at this monthly support group hosted by All Children’s Hospital Child Development and Rehabilitation Center in St. Petersburg. RSVP at 727-767-2885. allkids.org Moms,
May 3, 6-7 p.m. Get ready for summer by learning about various ways to make it a successful season for your child at this online seminar offered through the USF Center for Autism and Related Disabilities in Tampa. Attendees can join online at 5:45 a.m. at this link: http://usf.adobeconnect. com/_a825389370/card_ect. Moms, Dads
Free Homeschool Social Skills Group
May 5 and 19, 11 a.m. - noon Register the kids in a free, interactive weekly social skills group led by Hammond Psychology. Families can
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may Events sign up online or at 813-567-3253. hammondpsychology. com 7-10
Great Connections
May 8, 10 a.m. - noon Check out the exhibits and activities at Great Explorations Children’s Museum with other special needs families while the museum is closed to the public. Experience the museum in a sensory-friendly environment. This month’s featured partner is Morning Star School. During the event being held on Mother’s Day, moms are free with paid child admission. greatex. org 6 & Older
Autism Support Group
May 11, 7-8 p.m. Meet up with parents and caregivers of loved ones with autism and take part in a support group that meets the second Wednesday monthly at Medical Center of Trinity. Register at medicalcentertrinity.com or call 727-8245630. Walk-ins are welcome. Moms, Dads
Day of Discovery at The Florida Aquarium
May 14, 8-9:30 a.m. Children and families with special needs are invited to experience the Aquarium in a low-stress setting for this special event. Morning features special programming and animal interactions as well as lowered lights and sounds for those requiring sensory sensitivity. flaquarium.org Everyone
Special Needs Screening - The Angry Birds Movie
May 28, 11 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. Watch a special showing of the new animated film based on the popular mobile game app in a sensoryfriendly environment at Studio Movie Grill at Tampa’s University Mall. Screenings feature low sound and lights. Adults are $6, and kids and siblings are free. Rated PG. studiomoviegrill.com 8 & Older
Sunshine Sunday at Glazer Children's Museum
Disney and Dali: Architects of the Imagination Through Jun. 12, various times Follow the origin and path of an unlikely friendship between two visionaries, Walt Disney and Salvador Dali in this current multimedia exhibit at The Dali in St. Petersburg. Check out original paintings, correspondence and other mementos on display. thedali.org 8 & Older
Sundays at the Morean
May 1, 8, 15, 22 and 29, 1-3 p.m. Spend the afternoon creating art together as a family at this weekly art event at the Morean Center for Clay in St. Pete. Free admission. moreanartscenter.org/centerfor-clay/ Everyone
MIDFLorIDA Mayfaire by-the-Lake
May 7-8, 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. Take in an art show around lovely Lake Morton in Lakeland as part of this annual event presented by Polk Museum of Art. View the work of approximately 165 artists across genres from jewelry to clay to paintings across a variety of subjects and styles. Free admission. polkmuseumofart.org Everyone
Walking Mural Tours
May 7, 14, 21 and 28, 10-11:30 a.m. Take a stroll Saturday mornings to get a closer look at the Central Arts District in downtown St. Pete led by a guide from Florida CraftArt. Visitors take a four-block tour and learn the stories behind over 30 murals. Cost is $19 for adults, $11 for kids ages 6-18 (5 and younger, free). Portion of proceeds from the tour funds future murals. To book a tour, call 727-821-7391. floridacraftart. org Everyone
Dilly Dally with Dali
May 7, 14, 21 and 28, 11:45 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Take the kids to The Dali to uncover their inner artist as they learn about the creative world through a variety of activities including games, puzzles and arts and crafts. Families are encouraged to stay and join in the fun. Free. thedali.org 5-12
together film aficionados and a diverse selection of more than 100 movies in various categories at locations throughout the Tampa Bay area. This year’s festival will feature two Oscar-nominated films and celebrity meet and greets. For the full calendar of screenings and special events, go to sunscreenfilmfestival.com. Moms,
Dads
A Beautiful planet at MoSI IMAX
Opens April 29 Experience MOSI’s latest IMAX film co-produced with Disney and in cooperation with NASA to play every day throughout May. Narrated by Jennifer Lawrence, this space adventure follows the astronauts aboard the International Space Station. Gaze down at Earth from space and see the planet in a new way. mosi.org
Everyone
Captain America: Civil War
Opens May 6 Catch up with two Avengers who go from allies to enemies as they find themselves on opposite sides. Chris Evans and Robert Downey, Jr. reprise their roles as Captain America and Iron Man. Running time, 146 minutes. Rated PG-13. Check local theaters for showtimes. 12 & Older
Angry Birds
Opens May 20 Meet Red, Chuck and bomb, part of the popular mobile game app in this latest animated comedy featuring the voice talents of Peter Dinklage (Game of Thrones), Kate McKinnon (Saturday Night Live) and Jason Sudeikis (Horrible Bosses). Rated PG. For tickets and screenings, see area movie listings. 8 & Older
Alice Through the Looking Glass
Opens May 27 Take a trip with Tim Burton’s latest cinematic travels through Wonderland as Alice, the White Rabbit and crew return to rescue the Mad Hatter. Film stars Johnny Depp, Anne Hathaway and Helena Bonham Carter in an all-star cast. Rated PG. Check local movie listings for showtimes. 8 & Older
Cars Movie Night at Glazer Children's Museum
May 29, 10 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. Explore Glazer Children’s Museum with lights and sounds lowered and special programming available for those with special needs to enjoy the museum exclusively. This month, guests can learn about the value of artistic expression and different forms of music through Paint to the Beat. Free admission for members and $5 nonmembers. glazermuseum.org Everyone
May 28, 5:30-8 p.m. Bring the whole family to level 3 of the downtown Tampa museum to kick off summer with a fun flick. Catch a screening of Cars, featuring the voice talents of Owen Wilson, Paul Newman and Bonnie Hunt. Rated G. Running time, 117 minutes. glazermuseum.org
Everyone
film Sunscreen Film Festival
Art
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TAMPA BAY PARENTING
Apr. 28 - May 1, various times Attend this annual film event presented by the St. Petersburg Clearwater Film Commission that brings • MAY 2016 • TBParenting.com
t h e at e r & d a n c e
SUMMER PATEL CONSERVATORY STRAZ CENTER CLASSES & CAMPS
2016
Musical theater camps • Dance intensives • Group piano Private music lessons • Adult dance • On-camera acting Fully produced musicals • Dance classes • Improv Chamber/Jazz/Choral Intensives • Rock School and MUCH MORE!
THEATER AND MUSIC AUDITIONS FEB 27 • MAR 31 • MAY 19
DANCE • THEATER • MUSIC SCHOLARSHIPS AVAILABLE! patelconservatory.org • 813.222.1002
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Murder for Two
Through May 1, various times Experience this combination musical-comedy ‘whodunit’ before it leaves Jaeb Theater at Tampa’s Straz Center. Tickets are $40. strazcenter.org Moms, Dads
Beautiful - The Carole King Musical
Through May 1, various times Learn about the hit-making singer-songwriter as her inspiring story follows her path from half of a charttopping songwriting team to a successful solo artist in this popular musical at the Straz Center. Tickets are $55-$135. strazcenter.org 12 & Older
New York City today and all the possibilities of tomorrow when it arrives in Carol Morsani Hall at Tampa’s Straz Center. Tickets are $45-$95. strazcenter.org. Moms,
Dads
The realish Housewives of South Tampa: A parody
May 31 - June 5, various times Get ready for some hometown reality in this totally original and outlandish parody performance as it comes to the Jaeb Theater. Laugh along as these ladies who lunch, and the show’s host Randy, take on the current events and people making headlines in South Tampa -- if they don’t strangle each other first. strazcenter.org.
Girls Night Out, Date Night
Monty Python's Spamalot
Through May 8, various times Catch this comedic retelling of the King Arthur legend from Monty Python alum Eric Idle set to music. Catch this year’s featured American Stage in the Park production in St. Pete’s Demens Landing Park before it leaves the Bay area. Tickets start at $16. americanstage.org Moms, Dads
The Maids
Through May. 22, various times Peek in on a pair of sisters who role play while the lady of the house is away and act out fantasies of love and revenge in this play performed by Jobsite Theater at the Straz Center. Tickets are $28. jobsitetheater.org Moms,
Dads
Latin Nights
May 5, 9 p.m. Get a taste of Latin-inspired food and dance at Maestro’s Restaurant in downtown Tampa. Dance instructors will be on hand to offer salsa dance less pointers. Tickets are $15. strazcenter.org Girls Night
Out, Date Night
Next Generation Ballet presents Giselle May 6-7, various times Lose yourself in the hauntingly beautiful French ballet about passion, betrayal and eternal love performed by the award-winning NGB dancers at Straz Center in Tampa. Tickets start at $20 and may be purchased at the Straz Center Ticket Office or at strazcenter.org.
Everyone
Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood Live
May 15, 3 p.m. Celebrate the legacy of the beloved children’s television show Mister Rogers Neighborhood as the series is recreated by Daniel in his iconic red sweater and brought to the stage at St. Pete’s Mahaffey Theater. Tickets are $22.50-$42.50. themahaffey.com 6 & Older
If/Then
May 17-22, various times See a contemporary Broadway musical about living in
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TAMPA BAY PARENTING
May 7, 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. Guests can create a unique, handmade gift such as a crown, necklace or bouquet for the special women in their life at Great Explorations in St. Petersburg. All activities included with the cost of admission. Mothers are free with a paid child admission. greatex.org Moms
Mother's Day BoGo at MoSI
Broadway Bound
Through May 15, various times Watch the third and final play of the acclaimed autobiographical trilogy from Neil Simon at Stageworks Theatre in Tampa. For tickets and showtimes, visit stageworkstheatre.org. Teen & Older
Marvelous Mothers
music
& comedy
Chris Isaak
May 1, 8 p.m. Spend an evening with the slick crooner as he brings his latest album to Capitol Theatre in Clearwater. Tickets are $89 and $99. Tickets are available through the Ruth Eckerd Hall box office. rutheckerdhall.com 12 & Older
Evanescence
May 2, 8 p.m. Experience this band’s unique alternative rock sound led by co-founder and lead singer Amy Lee when the multiplatinum recording artists arrives at Ruth Eckerd Hall in Clearwater. Tickets start at $48.75. rutheckerdhall.com
12 & Older
viva La Musica!
May 7 and 14 various times Enjoy the final days of this springtime celebration of Latin-inspired food and music at this annual Hispanic festival hosted by Sea World Orlando. Event is included with admission. seaworldorlando.com Everyone
May 7-8, various times Bring mom along to the Museum of Science and Industry in Tampa to share a fun day of science. She can explore the museum for free with the purchase of a child’s admission. mosi.org Moms
Mother's Day at the Florida Aquarium
May 7-8, 9:30 a.m. - 5 p.m. Treat mom to a sea of memories and introduce her to the cute and playful otters and over 20,000 amazing sea creatures at The Florida Aquarium in downtown Tampa. Moms enjoy free admission Mother’s Day weekend with the purchase of a full paid admission. Tickets must be purchased onsite at Aquarium ticket booth. flaquarium. org Moms
The Great Mother's Day 5K race
May 8, 8 a.m. Sign up the whole family to take part in a 5K run/walk for a unique experience as part of this event at Al Lopez Park in Tampa. Event is focused on health and wellness and encourages the family to get moving and enjoy fitness together. For more information and to register, go to greatmothersdayrace.com/tampa/. Everyone
Tampa Bay History Center Celebrates Moms
Fiesta Maxima
May 8, 7 p.m. Dance in your seats as Latin superstar Carlos Vives comes to the USF Sun Dome in Tampa. This special event spotlights the performer considered by many to be a pioneer in Colombian pop music. Tickets start at $27.75. sundomearena.com 12 & Older
May 8, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. Celebrate Mother’s Day with free admission for mom with one paid adult admission at Tampa Bay History Center. To commemorate the day, the History Center will offer arts and crafts for kids in the Lykes Atrium and a 15 percent discount in the Museum Store on select items. tampabayhistorycenter.org Moms
Marlon Wayans: The Scandal-Less Tour
Free pops in the park Concert for Mother's Day
May 21, 8 p.m. Catch the multi-talented writer, director and comedian as he embarks on his first-ever North American tour which includes a stop at Tampa Theatre in downtown Tampa. Reserved-seating tickets start at $42.50 and can be purchased at the theater’s box office or at tampatheatre.org. Moms, Dads
• MAY 2016 • TBParenting.com
May 8, 7:30 p.m. Come out to Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park for Mother’s Day and show mom some love with a picnic spread and soaring symphonic music as the Florida Orchestra performs in the scenic waterfront park. Show ends with a rousing fireworks finale. floridaorchestra.org
Everyone
KIDS! L L A G N I L CAL NDS! E I R F & S E I L ALL FAMI
ld lore the wor p x e d n a r e t is summ books abou d a Have fun th re n a c u try, ks! Yo through boo science, fairy tales, poe als, re sports, anim le and many, many mo k p o e ere is a boo famous p h t t a h t e e t uaran topics! We g e! for everyon ugh County ro o b ls il H in 00 FREE Every child ,0 5 r e v o to ital CCESS has FREE A gister for this FREE dig s! Re at digital book llowing the myON link library by fo .org
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Spend time reading together & register to win in weekly summer challenges! Prizes include iPad, movie passes and tickets to our Super Bowl of Reading!
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Pediatric Cardiology Close to Home
Pediatric Cardiology Associates recognizes that there’s no place like home – especially for a child in need of medical attention. With a 37-year history of excellence, our pediatric cardiology team provides comprehensive cardiac care in multiple convenient locations. Based in Tampa Bay, we provide services through all of west and central Florida, ensuring that children in our care are always close to home. Pediatric Cardiology Associates provides consultation, treatment, support and education truly spanning the life of a child – from before a baby is born through adulthood. Our expert team of pediatric cardiologists provides unsurpassed, state-of-the-art medical care with compassion and understanding for the child and family. Children in need of hospitalization are typically admitted to local hospitals, right in our own backyard. For more information on our services, please visit our website at www.kidshearts.com. 26800 Tamiami Trail, Ste. 380 Bonita Springs, FL 34134
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