November 2011 by Tampa Bay Parenting Magazine

Your Children’s Board wishes you and your family a Safe and Happy Thanksgiving! After the turkey and stuffing, make sure to stop by one of our Family Support and Resource Centers in your neighborhood! Funded in part by the Children’s Board, FSRCs are warm, inviting places that offer a variety of free services like educational play groups, parenting classes, mobile health services, job skills training, CPR courses and much more!

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Brandon: 740-4634 • N. Tampa: 558-1877 Ctr Tampa: 204-1741 • S. County: 641-5600 Town ‘N Country: 356-1703 Your Children’s Board serves as the leading voice and advocate for children and families in Hillsborough County, investing in more than 100 programs that touch over 100,000 citizens every year. To learn more, visit www.ChildrensBoard.org or call 813.229.2884.

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contents

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NOVEMbEr 2011 • 5TH yEar • 7TH IssuE

features

10 A CAmpus ThAT FiTs It’s not all academics 16 iT’s All AbouT The sTuFFing A Thanksgiving tradition 20 The Wish lisT Your winter and holiday must-haves

28 ResT AssuRed Free developmental screenings available for area children

32 RsV FACTs And how to protect your baby 36 ConneCTing “FoReVeR FAmilies” Internet opens adoption doors, but be wary of pitfalls 40 open heARTs Adoption stories from across the bay area 44 exTraoRdinARy WomAn Ashlie McFarland Fulmer

every month

6 letteR FRom The ediToR 10 eduCATion 17 AFTeR sChool 26 WhAT’s hAppening 28 heAlTh And Wellness 46 noRTh hillsboRough neWs 48 souTh hillsboRough neWs 50 noRTh pinellAs neWs 52 souTh pinellAs neWs 54 pAsCo neWs

56 ARound ToWn 58 CAlendAR oF eVenTs

On the cover: Brooke and Ava Warren at Fire Flake Farm in Lutz. Outfits available at Seedlings in South Tampa. Photograph by: Nicole Geller, www.NicoleGellerPhotography.com

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Tampa Bay Parenting Magazine

November 2011

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. g n i m o C e r a r e e d The Rein Santa’s reindeer are flying in for Wild Wonderland at Tampa’s Lowry Park Zoo and everyone is getting into the spirit. You can see the reindeer along with more than a million twinkling lights, glimmering holiday displays, and of course, get photos with the big guy himself, Santa. Everyone can enjoy holiday treats, games and free Zoo rides all evening long. It’s a jolly good time at a jolly good price. For more information visit

LowryParkZoo.com December 3, 9-11, 16-23 & 26-30 • 7-10 p.m.

PRESENTED BY

............................................................................................................................................................................................... Tampa Bay Parenting Magazine

November 2011

TBParenting.com

letter

Angela L. Ardolino Founder and Editorial Director David E. Estevez Editor at Large Kimberley Brown Smith Associate Editor Contributing Writers Amy Gall Lindsay Perez Mark Heller Peter Gorski, MD, MPA Heather Tempesta Chris Kuhn Calendar and Neighborhood Stories Luke Beck Graphic Artist Susan Margolis Marketing Director Cathy Munch Sales Director Krayl Funch Director, Home & Garden and Events Catherine Pylant Public Relations Todd A. Varde Director of IT

...............................

FrOM THE EDITOr

“it’s the most wonderful time of the year.” Well, at least that is what Andy Williams said in his 1962 smash hit. For us here at the magazine and for most families in the bay area, it’s the busiest time of the year. From holiday shopping to party planning, families will have more than turkey on their plates. Being vegetarian, i don’t get the opportunity to pile turkey onto my plate, but our Thanksgiving is full of traditions. My mom was a great cook and Former Tampa Mayor Pam Iorio, Tampa Pol passed on family recipes and traditions to my sisice Chief and Septem Extraordinary Woma ber n Jane Castor and me at the Forgotten Children’s March in ters and me that still are a part of our celebration Curtis Hixon Waterf ront Park. each year. Brendan McLaughlin of ABC Action news shares some of his Thanksgiving traditions on page 16 and tells us why they’re so important to his family. Taking time to spend with loved ones is what makes november so special for me. i get to see all of my kids who are home from college or in town for the holidays. Sadly, there are more than 200,000 children in the U.S. who are awaiting adoption and won’t get to spend the holidays with any family. november is national Adoption Month, and we’ve gathered some inspiring stories from families right here in the bay area, including this month’s Extraordinary Woman Ashlie McFarland Fulmer, who shares her story on page 44. Winter vacation may be on your child’s brain, but this time of year is prime college application season. in October, Mark Heller offered tips to help you and your high schooler. This month, on page 10, he explains how to find the appropriate universities for your child. Be sure to tune in to ABC Action news at noon Thursdays. This month i’ll be tackling a variety of issues, including home schooling and talking to your children about death. if you’d like to see a certain topic discussed on Parents in Action, let me know at www.facebook.com/tampabayparentingmagazine. There’s a lot going on this month, but don’t let the chaos keep you from giving your loved ones an extra hug. Happy Thanksgiving!

Tampa Bay Parenting Magazine P.O. Box 82255 Tampa, Florida 33682 Telephone: 813-949-4400 Fax: 813-315-6688 info@tbparenting.com calendar@tbparenting.com ads@tbparenting.com Letters to the Editor: editor@tbparenting.com

www.TBParenting.com BECOME A FAn AT FACEBOOK.COM/ TAMPABAyPArEnTinGMAGAzinE

We love to hear from you. Don’t forget to become a fan on Facebook and get daily updates, enter contests, share pictures and chat with other families. You can check us out at TBParenting.com, too, or follow us on Twitter.

.............................................................................................................. Tampa Bay Parenting is published twelve times per year by Lucy Loo inc. it is distributed free of charge at area supermarkets, community centers, libraries, doctor’s offices and other businesses with products and services for families. no portion of this magazine may be reproduced in any form without written permission. TBPM is not responsible for statements made by advertisers or writers. We make every effort to ensure the accuracy of information we print, but cannot be held responsible for any consequences arising from omissions or errors. All photography and letters sent to TBPM will be treated unconditionally, assigned for publication and copyright purposes and are subject to unrestricted right to edit and comment editorially. For information on where to find TBPM or how to become a distributor, call 813-949-4400 or email info@tbparenting.com. Copyright 2007-2011 by Tampa Bay Parenting Magazine. All rights reserved. Comments and suggestions are always welcome.

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campus that fits IT’s NOT all acaDEMIcs

......................................... by Mark HEllEr

s UF better than FSU? What about Georgia Tech or Amherst? Or Ohio State or Harvard? The answer is it depends. There are 2,000 to 3,000 fouryear universities in the U.S. And the range of that mix is incredibly broad, perhaps just as broad as the annual crop of graduating high school seniors. Given that about 60 percent of college students transfer, how can you be sure that your student will be able to make a good choice?

The key to selecting the right college for your child lies in finding the very best “fit” in three ways: academically, socially, and financially. Exploring these three factors (which will differ for each individual) is an effective way to help you construct your family’s roadmap for the college search journey to come. And though it may be very hard, please work to tune out all the self-proclaimed experts who will want to shower you with their advice. relatives, neighbors, and acquaintances are notorious for inflating statistics like SAT scores and weighted GPAs. They frequently offer their commentary without the benefit of complete information, contact with the college admissions offices, and

all the other aspects of professional experience your school’s college counselors possess. They also are not parenting your child. The college search process ought to be highly individualized so it finds the best fit for your child.

Academically

First and foremost, academic fit is about making sure that the colleges your child shows interest in have the programs your child seeks. For example, if your daughter wants to major in dance, dance education or business, for that matter, only look at schools that offer those majors. You can find out about the majors and programs that colleges offer on their websites. you also can purchase one of the enormous books that list all the four-year colleges, such as Peterson’s Guide. Do not be shy about directly asking the college departments about internship opportunities and employers that interview and hire through the programs. Academic fit also involves the nature of the classroom experience, which can differ widely. is your child well-suited to the non-interactive enormous lecture hall experience common in large universities? is she capable of handling

the small classes and frequent interaction with professors (and the resulting inability to fly under the radar) that are part of the smaller, private college experience? Consider that FSU has a very strong and competitive school of music that UF might envy. Amherst does not offer an engineering major, while Georgia Tech’s holds much prestige. Finally, you cannot major in Business as an undergraduate at Harvard. Thus, better really is subjective.

Socially

Of course, every college has its own social flavor. That’s one reason why an overnight visit is a powerful and informative experience for your child. Almost every college will welcome your child’s request to be hosted in a dorm room by students selected by the admissions office. An important area that your child should consider is Greek life. At some colleges, fraternity and sorority life is chosen by a preponderance of the student body. if your child doesn’t want to be a member of a fraternity or sorority, continued on page 12

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will it be uncomfortable on a Friday night when the dorms empty out to frat houses and Greek activities? Similarly, many schools have very limited Greek life. if your child really wants the Greek experience, choosing one of these schools may not be optimal. Further, some schools have a commuter population, where many students go home for the weekend, leaving the campus social life to take on a different character than at schools where the majority of students stay.

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Another social aspect to consider is the school’s religious life or style. Many colleges have religious support organizations or centers that serve as a home away from home for a range of denominations. Still, some schools have a more prominent religious aspect to their programs. How much that affects the daily life of the student varies based on both tradition and the administration of the university. Many colleges have student populations that are predominantly one religion or another. you and your child may have to consider whether it will be uncomfortable to be part of a small minority or, in some cases, sharing an affiliation with many. Another aspect of social life at college involves style of dress. Do students wear sweat pants and T-shirts to class or do they dress up? Some schools have very casual styles and others are more formal.

Financially

Though this may seem like a counterintuitive statement, college is not very expensive. One can get a college degree by starting at community college and living at home. After successfully completing the associate degree, a student can go on to finish at a four-year college that also provides the opportunity to live at home. Of course, the other side of coin is that many college experiences are expensive and those are likely the ones you want your child to have. continued on page 15

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The college search process is a time that requires open, adult conversations with your child about the financial realities your family faces. I would advise you to have these conversations early in the process so they help inform the direction of your child’s search. if you tell your child any place you get in to is appropriate, you may well be facing an annual bill of more than $50,000 per year. if that’s not doable, then saddling your child with tens of thousands (or even a $100,000) worth of debt may be the result.

HELPING YOU LIVE BETTER The Y has always been a place where families can play and be active together, and that’s more important than ever. Every day at the Y kids are engaging in physical activities, learning social skills and building self-confidence. Parents are enjoying working out in our wellness centers and participating in group fitness classes while knowing their children are in a safe, nurturing environment. Come see what the Y has to offer your family! Stop by your local Y for a Free 3-Visit Guest Pass.

One way to make college more affordable is to have different levels of selectivity included in your family’s search. For example, if your child has built a record that will make him a serious candidate for admission at highly selective colleges such as Duke or northwestern, he likely will be very attractive to less selective schools such as Stetson or Mercer that will offer him scholarships. Over the past few years, we have witnessed an increase in this kind of strategizing as a means toward seeking the best value for your money. The less expensive option may have a bit less prestige, but it may offer other attractive attributes, such as the opportunity to stand out academically and thus receive more favorable attention from professors and departments. This may have the added long-term benefit of helping your child craft a stronger application for graduate schools or recommendations for employment. The college search process may appear quite daunting to those who are experiencing it for the first time, but with research and guidance from articles such as this one, you can better navigate the process. Mark Heller is head of school at Academy at the Lakes, a PK3-12th grade independent school in the North Tampa area. For more information, visit academyatthelakes.org.

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November 2011

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thanksgiving its all about the stuffing M .......................................

by brENDaN MclaugHlIN

y mother Margaret has always been a skilled, if not groundbreaking, Thanksgiving cook. Her stuffing recipe came right off the Pepperidge Farm bag and was embellished only with a little extra celery and pepper. She baked half the stuffing inside the bird and cooked the rest in a dish. Blended together, it was just right.

For 30 years, I took that stuffing for granted. It wasn’t until my first Thanksgiving dinner away from home that i realized the emotional charge of a family tradition denied. in August of 1988, my wife and i packed our babies up and moved from northern California to Austin, Texas for my first on-air job in television news. By the time Thanksgiving arrived, we were well acquainted with our next door neighbors and agreed to bring our two families together for Thanksgiving dinner. As the day approached, it occurred to me briefly that this first major holiday away from home might feel strangely small and sedate compared to the loud, chaotic gatherings I was accustomed to. With five brothers and sisters, numerous cousins, aunts, uncles and significant others, Thanksgiving at my parent’s house was more like a stationary St. Patrick’s Day parade.

This might be a juicier story if i could share my recollections of tearful confrontations that spoiled the day. But I recall no slamming doors, fistfights or accusations of infidelity when the pie was served. One or another of us might have gotten a tad over-served on occasion, but Thanksgiving dinner at 141 Golden Hind Boulevard was reliably wonderful. This year, i’d be missing all that and so would my wife and children. My anxiety at being 2,000 miles away from home on Thanksgiving was eased by the excitement that my wife and i could now create our own holiday tradition. Between the Garrett family on one side and the Justices on the other, we’d be a party of 12. Being in Texas, Pinot noir might not play as big a role as it did before, but we’ll just drink sweet tea. It’ll be great. Then came the stuffing. Kids are amazing, aren’t they? They meet every experience on its own terms. To our then 2 year old, Caitlin, and 1 year old, Patrick, food either tastes good or it doesn’t. Butterbeans have no back story. There are no mincemeat memories. Sweet potatoes are just sweet not bittersweet. Caught up in the cooking and conversation, our Texas turkey day was shaping up nicely. The guys talked football. The ladies talked football, too. The kids played nerf football. When it came time for the blessing, i could feel an astringency rise up in my sinuses like when you take a little chlorinated pool water into your nose. Being the host and not sure if my new neighbors were Baptist or Branch Davidian, i delivered a brief, nondenominational benediction and we set about eating. Only then did i realize that the cooking responsibilities had been divvied up in a most unfortunate manner. My wife Sandy, with two decades of restaurant experience, took dominion over the turkey. Blake and Lois Justice were on pie patrol. Bill Garrett brought some beer and Margie Garrett made the stuffing. It was an abomination.

now Margie Garrett is a perfectly lovely person, a schoolteacher and devoted mother. She knocked on our door with an armload of housewarming gifts the very day we moved in. But at that moment in my own dining room, those qualities did nothing to excuse her decision to put ground beef in the stuffing. i may have stopped chewing. i may have gone bug-eyed with the shock of it. i don’t remember and nobody seemed to notice anything amiss. i do remember looking down at the heaping portion of beefy stuffing on my plate and emptying the contents of my mouth into a napkin. continued on page 18

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after school

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Assuming i had just gone to the bathroom, no one came back to check on me. it took a good 10 minutes to pull myself together, so they must have thought i was having a different kind of problem. When i returned to the table, Sandy and the kids looked at me quizzically, but no one commented on my red eyes or unusually long absence. i poured another glass of tea and joined the party. in retrospect, i realize that my condemnation of Margie Garrett’s ground beef stuffing was unfair. rick Perry would probably come unglued with a spoonful of my mother’s version. And in any case, the stuffing was only a symbol for the loss of a family life that would never be quite the same again. What i know now is that food is tradition and tradition is family. The hereditary quirks and habits that make each family unique reinforce our intra family bonds, but they also make exploring the wider world so much more interesting. I just wasn’t ready to explore stuffing with ground beef.

Epilogue

Also, kids eat FREE every Tuesday at the IKEA Tampa Restaurant.* For more information, please visit IKEA-USA.com/Tampa or call 813-623-5454 1103 North 22nd Street| Tampa, FL 33605

Without a word, i stood up and made my way to the bedroom, shut the door and started weeping. All the homesickness and nostalgia i had bottled up in the three months since leaving San Francisco came pouring out. i moved out of my parent’s house when i was 19 years old, but in some ways, i never felt fully grown up until that Thanksgiving.

*Meal, activity and t-shirt offer valid for children under 12 years old, while supplies last. No adult purchase necessary. Choose from 3 combo meals that are available from 11 am to 8 pm. One meal per child; dine-in only. One t-shirt per child, per 12 month period. Child must be present to get t-shirt and is encouraged to wear it at all IKEA Tampa Kids’ Academy events.

Sandy, Caitlin, Patrick and i have enjoyed 22 beautiful holiday seasons since that emotional day in Austin. Our extended family is coming to Tampa from California for this Thanksgiving. We plan to experiment with different preparations for the turkey, vegetables, potatoes and desserts. My mom will make the stuffing. McLaughlin is an Emmy award winning anchor and reporter. He has been the evening anchor for ABC Action News since 1994.

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November 2011

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The Wish List

Your winter and holiday must-haves Holiday Road

Did i win road Trip yet? $25 DaddyoGames.com

Making a Mark ideaPaint turns virtually any surface you can paint into a dry-erase surface. $30 ideaPaint.com

Sew Manly

From sporty to dapper to whimsical, Sewing For Boys: 24 Sewing Projects to Create a Handmade Wardrobe shows you how to create an entire handmade wardrobe. $25 Wiley.com

Child’s Play

Sweet Dreams

Playful Learning aims to help parents develop their child’s sense of joy and wonder. $23 Playfulearning.com

Oilo’s Cobblestone design bedding is offered in twin and full/queen size as well as crib sets. From $45 OiloStudio.com

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Tampa Bay Parenting Magazine

November 2011

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Doggone Cute

Let your pooch add pop to your walls with personalized pet paintings that truly capture their personalities. Cost varies. PaintedPoetryHome.com

Wick Museum Crash candles are made in the USA and feature artwork by prominent, contemporary designers. The designs are fired on the glass tumblers, which can be reused. $25 CrashCandles.com

Winter Break Adventure What’s not to love about a treasure hunt? Longbeard’s Treasure Hunt Game is easy to set up and was especially created for grandparents and grandkids to play. $55 GrandCamp.com

Stylish Versatility This high chair grows with your child and looks beautiful in your home. $150 Keekaroo.com

Home Brew

The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf ’s CBTL is an easy to use single-serve beverage system that allows you to whip up espresso, coffee or tea with one touch. $139 CoffeeBean.com

Holiday Hugs

Elks & Angels Cuddle Bear, made of sheepskin wool, will bring years of love and comfort. $49 ElksandAngels.com

Under the Tree

This Princess and Pea collection includes an illustrated storybook along with a soft knit cotton princess doll, a cream wooden bed, blanket, pillow, seven mattresses and, of course, the famous pea, all gift wrapped in a handcrafted wood crate with ribbon. $174 OliveandCocoa.com

Nurture and Nature The rhythm of Family explores what we learn and can gain as parents and families by encouraging and experiencing creativity and nature exploration with our children. $20 Shambhala.com

November 2011

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Snow Angels

Mom Jewels

We all know how much babies love to grab and chew. Smart Mom Jewelry is fashion forward and baby friendly. $20 SmartMomJewelry.com

This limited edition kit from Everyday Minerals contains cookie sheet and short cake blushes and Christmas carol, sleigh ride and short cake eye shadows to help you get into the spirit of the season. $16 EverydayMinerals.com

Ruffled Up

Leg Ruffles legwarmers are knitted to perfection. $15 Huggalugsusa.com

Sparkling Feet These Pediped shoes are sure to have your little one dancing at all your holiday parties. $49 Pediped.com

Classic Style Known for unique, contemporary designs aden + anais, classic collection of swaddle wraps are absolute musts. $50 AdenandAnais.com

A Head for Fashion

Marili Jean Accessories specializes in stylish and trendy hats for little ones. The Mini Diva hat is made of a soft iceland Acrylic yarn. $25 MariliJean.com

November 2011

TBParenting.com

“LAYER AFTER LAYER OF SAVORY FLAVOR”

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November 2011

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What’s Happening Holiday Gift Market

The eighth annual Junior League of Tampa Holiday Gift Market will once again provide one of the best shopping experiences in the Tampa Bay area, hosting more than 140 merchants from across Florida and the nation. The market will feature clothing, jewelry, accessories, food, art and specialty items. There also will be special events, including the kickoff party from 6:30-9:30 p.m. Nov. 3. Additionally, visitors will enjoy wider aisles, more dining options, seating areas for shoppers and more. The 2011 Holiday Gift Market is Nov. 4-6 at the Florida State Fairgrounds. Visit www.jltampa.org for more information.

Winter Fashion Show

On Nov. 12, The Italian Club Ladies Auxiliary will host a Holiday Winter Fashion Show at the Italian Club of Tampa, 1731 E. Seventh Ave., Ybor City. Presented by Dara Lauria Boutique, the show will feature sophisticated fashions for the winter season. Guests will enjoy vendors from 10:30 a.m. to noon, with the show from noon to 2 p.m. For more information or tickets, call (813) 248-3316.

2011 Tampa Signature Chefs Auction

The Signature Chefs Auction is an upscale evening of delectable food from the area’s finest chefs. Join Event Chairman Lance Zingale, executive vice president of Sykes Enterprises, on at 6:30 p.m. Nov. 17 at the InterContinental Hotel Tampa, 4860 W. Kennedy Blvd., Tampa. The 22nd annual event will also feature unique silent and live auction items. Visit www.marchofdimes.com/florida for more information.

Downtown Holidays

Each year, downtown Tampa transforms its busy streets into a magical wonderland and this year is bound to be better than ever! Downtown’s beautiful Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park will host all of the festivities through the season. Opening Nov. 11, the bay area’s largest ice skating rink is back! For only $10 per person, you and the kids can enjoy 90 minutes on the ice and skates are included. The rink will be open through Jan. 1. Tampa’s Tree Lighting Ceremony on Dec. 2 is a free event offering fun activities, entertainment, music and refreshments for the entire family. Enjoy music from Late Night Brass and Tampa’s own Belinda Womack. Get a chance to meet Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn and News Channel 8’s Keith Cate, who will host the event. And who can forget Santa Fest, now in its 29th year. Set for 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Dec. 3, Santa Fest is sure to get you in the holiday spirit with its parade. You also can visit with Santa and enjoy the sounds of the season as Tampa’s Riverwalk comes alive. The parade will begin at Morgan Street and Kennedy Boulevard. Go to www.santafest-tampa.com for details.

Cosmopolitan at the Ritz Ybor

Square One presents the eighth annual Cosmopolitan at the Ritz Ybor, 1503 E. Seventh Ave. The trendy venue will host more than 50 musicians, dancers, models and performers who will perform at 8 and 10 p.m. Nov. 19. Proceeds will benefit the Pediatric Cancer Foundation, which funds pediatric cancer research. The night before, Square One will also host Art Walk at multiple Ybor City venues, including The Bricks, Ybor Art Colony and The Stone Soup Company. Visit www.squareoneflorida.com to learn more.

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Tampa Bay Parenting Magazine

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Count your Blessings: An Innisbrook Thanksgiving Brunch ®

WHERE FAMILIES GATHER TO CELEBRATE

$36.95 Adults; $16.95 Children (4 – 12 years) Tax & gratuity not included. 1:00pm & 3:30pm | See menu online at VisitInnisbrook.com

& just for Kids: Camp Nessie Thanksgiving Weekend Activities Wednesday, November 23rd

Turkey Lurk, 8am – 4pm

Thursday, November 24th

Family Feast with Thanksgiving Brunch

Friday, November 25th

Tie-Dye Friday, 8am – 4pm & Kids’ Night Out, 6 – 10pm

Saturday, November 26th

Sports FUNatic, 8am – 4pm & Kids’ Night Out, 6 – 10pm

Sunday, November 27th

Sunday Funday, 8am – 4pm

Go to VisitInnisbrook.com for full activities schedule

Reservations: 727.942.2000 | 36750 U.S. Highway 19N, Palm Harbor, FL 34684

Need a holiday gift idea?

Everyone would love an Indaba Spa Gift Card! Call: 727.942.5258 SM

The Official Family Resort of ............................................................................................................................................................................................... Tampa Bay Parenting Magazine

Tampa Bay Parenting Magazine November 2011 TBParenting.com 27

assured rest

FrEE DEVElOpMENTal scrEENINgs aVaIlablE FOr arEa cHIlDrEN

.........................................................................................................

by pETEr a. gOrskI, MD, sTEpHEN MarTaus aND DaVE McgEralD

s a parent, you want to ensure that your child is healthy, growing well and showing no signs of any problems that could interfere with her physical, mental, emotional, communicative and social development. So, you’ll be relieved to learn that today all children, regardless of race, nationality, language and culture can be checked or screened to reassure parents about healthy growth and development or to identify potential challenges early enough to get to work on eliminating or limiting their adverse impact on a child’s life. A child’s development proceeds in a predictable sequence of stages. Babies support their head, roll over and begin to crawl before they stand and walk. As preschoolers, they hop, skip and jump before they run, throw, join teams and raise trophies. They suck before they coo and babble before they speak. The same is true when it comes to the orderly progress children make in developing their fine motor skills, their ability to reason and solve problems and their processing and expressing of feelings such as sympathy, empathy, generosity and friendship. The combination of maturation, experience, practice and satisfying results motivates and enables children to outgrow their current abilities to achieve even more effective and efficient skills and accomplishments. Because we can anticipate, predict and observe each successive set of skills as they emerge, we can design instruments to measure the timing, consistency and quality of every child’s course of development. Today, a veritable industry helps pediatricians, teachers and parents apply the science of child development to constructing standardized, valid screening tools.

Some examine general abilities of children across multiple domains of behavior, thinking, communicating and relating. Others focus on one line of functioning, for example, hearing, use of language or social skills. And just as a child’s development progresses from emergent to mature, the instruments we use to identify normalcy, delay or deviance range from simple surveys to intensive evaluations. All of them are meant to discover challenges early on when children’s brains and potentials are most able to respond to support and to recover successful trajectories. Each instrument has a specific purpose and value. Developmental screening is the first line of inquiry about how well a child is developing. All children should be screened at regular intervals during early childhood to monitor progress in their physical, mental, emotional, social and communicative abilities. Screening yields one of two results: either the child is developing well in all areas of functioning or one or more concerns were discovered. The most widely used developmental screening instruments are very sensitive in their ability to catch children who have potential problems and they are also very specific to not label too many children with concerns when none exist.

if a concern is found by the screening instrument, the clinician who administered the test makes a referral to a developmental specialist who conducts a thorough assessment or evaluation, looking in depth and detail into the specific nature and extent of any challenges that may or may not require intervention. Evaluation leads to diagnosis and intervention appropriate to the source of the problem and the functional disability. Developmental screening can take a few minutes to administer or it can involve a comprehensive look at many abilities and issues. The latter has been a model developed in Hillsborough County over the past 25 years as a communitybased developmental screening program that coordinates, free of charge, the expertise and services of many professional individuals and organizations. The Early Childhood Developmental Screening Program, recognized as a “Best Practice” by the Florida Department of Education, provides free screening for delays or problems with speech and language development, motor skills, vision, hearing, cognition and behavior to any child from continued on page 30

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November 2011

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health & wellness .....................................................................................................................................................

birth to age 5 in Hillsborough County. The program has screened nearly 20,000 children during the past 25 years. About 75 percent of children screened have been referred for further assessment/evaluation due to some type of developmental challenge. That’s a huge number and suggests that parents know when to be concerned. Many other young children get their screenings through a service of the county’s Early Learning Coalition. Children participating in the School readiness Program are screened twice a year. if minor concerns arise, the coalition provides an individual Learning Plan for the parent and teacher to address those concerns. When warranted, an intervention team conducts further assessments.

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Developmental delays and disabilities occur in children from every socioeconomic and cultural background. Without screening, children often go undiagnosed until they begin elementary school, which is a disadvantage academically, socially and emotionally. The chance to promote healthy development and prevent handicapping conditions is a resource no child should be denied. in addition, early detection and intervention yields enormous cost savings in healthcare and special education. yet less than half of the pediatricians in the U.S. routinely perform standard developmental screening on children in their practices. The Affordable Care Act will endorse, as standard of practice, the use of this simple key to a bright future. it is within our means and our generous American spirit to enable every individual to reach and tap his or her potential. For more information about Hillsborough County’s Early Childhood Developmental Screening Program, go to www.ecctampabay.org or call (813) 837-7723. For information about the Early Learning Coalition Screening Program, go to www.elchc.org or call (813) 202-1000. Peter A. Gorski, M.D., M.P.A. is the director of research and innovation at the Children’s Board of Hillsborough County and professor of pediatrics, public health, and psychiatry at the University of South Florida. Stephen C. Martaus is executive director of the Early Childhood Council of Hillsborough County Inc. Dave McGerald is the chief executive officer of the Early Learning Coalition of Hillsborough County.

HealthPointMedicalGroup.com

10/6 Per Ivie, ok to run this again as a pickup in November since it’s .................................................................................................................................................................................. already onceMagazine (in Oct November issue, which was before Tampa run Bay Parenting 2011 TBParenting.com 30

sherry said not to run it

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November 2011

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RSVfacts W aND HOw TO prOTEcT yOur baby

.....................

by aMy gall

hen 4-week-old Ella woke up with a slight fever and congestion, her symptoms pointed toward the common cold. As the day progressed, the baby’s breathing became labored and she refused to eat. Her pediatrician suspected Ella was fighting something more than a cold and a nasal swab test led to the diagnosis of a viral infection of the lungs and breathing passages called respiratory Syncytial Virus or rSV. “We were already worried about the fact that Ella would have to battle a cold at such a young age, but our concerns were increased further with the diagnosis of rSV,” said Ella’s mother Kellee Kudzinski. “Like many parents, we didn’t know a lot about the condition or how common it actually is.” According to David rosenberg, a pediatric pulmonologist at St. Joseph’s Children’s Hospital, rSV is the most common cause of lower respiratory tract infections in infants and children younger than 2 and virtually all children contract it by age 3. rSV season typically starts in the fall, peaks in the winter and begins to decline in early spring. “in most cases, rSV causes mild, coldlike symptoms, such as nasal stuffiness, cough, wheezing and sometimes an ear infection,” says Dr. rosenberg. “But in premature babies and children with compromised immune systems, rSV can develop into serious respiratory conditions like pneumonia and bronchiolitis.”

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that about 125,000 of the children who are diagnosed with rSV each year require hospitalization. Fortunately, most cases of RSV are mild and require no specific treatment from doctors. With a mild case of rSV, your pediatrician may recommend that you treat your child’s symptoms at home in the same way that you would treat a bad cold.

preventing

the spread

Dr. rosenberg recommends the following to help protect against rSV.

• Wash your hands frequently, especially before touching your infant, and ask others to do the same. • Keep your infant away from crowds, especially young children. • Keep people with cold symptoms away from your infant. • Wash your infant’s toys and bedding often. • Do not smoke near your child and do not let others smoke near your child. Exposure to tobacco smoke increases the risk of rSV. • Make sure countertops are clean, especially when someone in your family has a cold. immediately discard used tissues.

in more serious cases, the pediatrician may prescribe medications to help your child breathe more easily or may even recommend hospitalization. if your baby is at high risk for developing rSV, which includes being premature or suffering from heart or lung disease, your pediatrician may recommend a medication that can be injected monthly to help prevent it. rSV is very contagious and the virus can live on hands and clothing as well as on hard surfaces such as countertops and doorknobs. it can spread when a sick person blows their nose, coughs or sneezes. “Just like it’s hard to keep from catching a cold, it can be very hard to keep from catching rSV,” says Dr. rosenberg. “no parent wants their child to be sick much less hospitalized, but knowing she was getting the specialized care she needed by experts really helped,” Kudzinski says. “Thankfully Ella is now a healthy, active 2-year-old, and although she’s had her fair share of colds, we’ve hopefully seen the last of rSV.”

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.................................................................................................................................................... health & wellness

November 2011

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health & wellness .....................................................................................................................................................

Effective Individual and Family Therapy, Fun Social-Emotional Groups, Thorough Psychoeducational Testing, Proven Treatment for ADD/ADHD and Processing Difficulties

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Wouldn’t it be nice to find one physician for your child… and you? You can.

Julie Anderson, MD, Elizabeth Brooke Orr, MD, Allen Kuhn, MD, and Charisse Record, MD and Deepa Verma, MD • Accepting patients age 2 and older • Accepting patients newborn and older 4140 Woodlands Parkway, Suite B, Palm Harbor (727) 773-1013

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November 2011

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connecting

by JEaNNE T. TaTE

“forever families”

INTErNET OpENs aDOpTION DOOrs, buT bE wary OF pITFalls

ransformative is one adjective tossed about these days to describe how navigating the internet has changed our daily lives. Whether one is searching for the best local place for romantic waterfront dining or the quickest route to grandma’s, you can get there from here thanks to the internet. indeed, technology has transformed our world.

This same transformation has taken root in the adoption world. Many prospective adoptive parents find and get matched with birth mothers with the click of a mouse. What historically has been a more ordered and professionally supervised exercise has evolved into a click and pick event. The proliferation of social media, online networking, and specific and targeted online profiles, to name a few, have coalesced to empower prospective adoptive parents to take ownership and control of the process. While the pluses of utilizing this new world of technology are apparent, there are pitfalls of which to be mindful.

First, while the advent of new technologies is welcome, the specter remains of the dishonest person preying on the vulnerable, prospective adoptive parent. There are scheming birth parents who have begun to utilize the internet to take advantage of prospective adoptive parents. The media has been replete with examples of these sordid tales. Even if prospective adoptive parents successfully connect with an above-board birth parent, there still must be dialogue, and knowing what to say, how to say it, and recognizing the red flags, are critical. Birth parents experience a variety of emotions and thought processes as they navigate the adoption option, and it is important for an adoption professional to help birth parents understand their inner and outwardly expressed fears while being mindful of the landmines and privacy concerns of adoptive parents. And while adoptive parents can use the internet to their advantage, they ultimately need the assistance of an adoption professional to complete their adoption. The lone wolf attitude regularly sets up the prospective adoptive parents for emotional heartache and financial heartbreak.

When partnering with an adoption professional, adoptive parents should demand a rigorous training component. This includes how to engage in dialogue with a birth parent, not just how to speak, but which words to use and not use, and how to listen. A potential adoption match can be sown or lost in a matter of moments, depending on words and tone. This is an especially tricky situation if done electronically, as there is no face-to-face interaction and words and intent can often be misunderstood. This training component can tangibly identify for the prospective parents areas to avoid when

communicating with a birth parent, such as what a birth mother can be paid and when, what it means to adopt over state lines and when, how, and whether to divulge your identity (known as open adoption). Moreover, proper training will help the adoption professional and prospective adoptive parents avoid scams and other fraudulent schemes. We’ve seen some cases where a birth mother turns out not to be pregnant, and others where a birth mother plays one vulnerable family off of another, all in a ruse for money. continued on page 39

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.................................................................................................................................................... health & wellness

November 2011

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health & wellness .....................................................................................................................................................

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JOIN US Hillsborough

November 17, 2011 InterContinental Hotel

Furthermore, training from an adoption professional will yield options to minimize and insulate the prospective adoptive family from getting too emotionally invested during the adoption process. Adoptive parents may be empowered in originating the initial birth parent contact, but then should turn over the reins to a competent and experienced adoption professional. This is particularly critical for the prospective family already deflated over a failed adoption.

Pinellas

December 1, 2011 Ruth Eckerd Hall

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813.287.2600 marchofdimes.com/florida

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in communities across America, well-intentioned women and men are engaging in their own outreach via digital technology to create a “forever family” through adoption. By partnering with an adoption professional, these eager and anxious prospective adoptive parents can avoid pitfalls and see their dream of family realized. Florida is the first state to offer board certification in adoption as a specialty for Florida-licensed attorneys. you may access a listing of these Florida board-certified adoption attorneys at www. floridabar.org. On the national level, The American Academy of Adoption Attorneys (AAAA) is an entity comprised of lawyers dedicated to the highest standards of legal representation in the field of adoption. You are encouraged to read more about AAAA at www.adoptionattorneys. org. Hiring a competent adoption professional can eliminate many heartaches for families and children, now and in the future.

Jeanne T. Tate is the managing partner of Jeanne T. Tate, P.A., and an adjunct professor at the University of Florida College of Law, where she teaches adoption law and procedure. She is also a member of the American Academy of Adoption Attorneys and the Florida Adoption Council.

November 2011

TBParenting.com

THE GIFT OF LIFE | By Lynne McAninch When you decide you’re ready to be a parent, you think it will be easy. Everyone knows how it’s done. Well, it’s not so easy for some of us. you try and try but nothing. Then you hear those words from the doctor, “i am sorry to tell Mr. and Mrs. McAninch but pregnancy is not an option for you.” Those words cut deep. you go home, mourn and think your dreams are crushed. in reality, your dreams are just beginning. Anywhere we went we let everyone know we wanted to adopt a child. My friend was having a candle party and i made sure everyone there knew we were looking to adopt. Two months later my friend calls and tells me that one of her other friends at the party has a friend who is pregnant and wants to give the baby up for adoption. One phone call later we were meeting the birth mother for dinner. it was instant friendship. She agreed to give us the greatest gift of all, life.

open

hearts

Our first daughter Kendelle was born Dec. 13, 2001. We were there, including grandma, in the delivery room. i actually got to catch her when she came out and daddy cut the cord. it was very touching and emotional. i don’t think there was a dry eye in the room. i remember being in the backseat with her on the way home thinking, “i can’t believe she is really our daughter.” We are the luckiest people in the world. We are parents. Today she is a beautiful, intelligent, outgoing, and confident 10 year old.

aDOpTION sTOrIEs FrOM acrOss THE bay arEa

next came our tiny angel Jessica. She was born almost six weeks early on Oct. 13, 2003, and had to

November is National Adoption Month, a time to raise awareness about the adoption of children and youth in need of loving homes. Tampa Bay Parenting is proud to bring you these stories from “forever families” in the Tampa Bay area.

spend 10 days in the niCU. Her birth parents loved her so much they had a tough time choosing adoptive parents. They wanted to be sure they were making the right decision for everyone. Again we met for dinner and instant friendship. Two days later our angel came to be our daughter. She was three weeks old and about 6 pounds. Again we thought, “We are the most blessed people in the world.” Today she is a beautiful, happy, charismatic, smart 8 year old. We thought we were done. Was anyone else really going to give us another child? Could we be that lucky? We got a phone call from a mother who was pregnant and wanted to give her baby up for adoption. We jumped at the chance. i will always remember how happy daddy was when he found out it was a boy. Kendelle and Jessica were so excited. They were always asking for a little brother. When we asked about a name, Jessica shouted, “Of course, it has to be BoBo.” That nickname stuck. On Jan. 3, 2007, our son Tanner was born. Today he is a mischievous, energetic, athletic, friendly 4 year old. if you want to adopt, get the word out. Tell everyone you know. Have them tell everyone they know. Word of mouth works. Once you meet the birth parents, or before if you prefer, hire an adoption lawyer. i am not saying it will work for everyone but we sure got lucky. We have three of the best children in the world. i believe these kids were born to be our children. A special thank you to all those men and women who have given other people the joy of a child. There is no love like it. you are my heroes!

“I am a mommy” | By Andi L. i’ve always known i wanted to be a mommy. Ever since i can remember, my main goal was to get married and have a house full of children. But the older i got, i realized my life was not going according to plan. By my mid-30s, i had not found the man i was going to marry. And i knew my time was running out to have children. I started investigating my options. The first thing i did was to try to get pregnant on my own. i sent away for a booklet of sperm donors. There were hundreds to choose from, but i narrowed it down to a few that had my features, my eye color, hair color, approximate height, similar interests. Then i found a fertility expert and went for a few rounds of artificial insemination. none of them took. i decided i’d look into becoming a foster parent. i thought, if i can’t have a permanent child, maybe i can be satisfied with a temporary one. So I became licensed. At that time, i was moving to another city. Once i got settled into my new home, i bought a crib, decorated the second bedroom, and made the call to start receiving children. My preference was children under the age of 1. i received call after call after call and had babies dropped off at all kinds of crazy hours. But i loved having babies in my house. i actually enjoyed getting up in the middle of the night for feedings, comforting cries throughout the day, rearranging my life to make it easier

for them. i felt like i was serving a purpose. My heart felt full. And i felt almost like a mommy. The hardest part was letting them go. Eventually, i knew the time had come that I needed to find one I could keep. So again, i went back to a fertility expert. This time i only tried artificial insemination a couple of times before switching to the more aggressive procedure of in vitro fertilization. What kept me going was imagining the doctor coming in and saying, “Congratulations, you’re pregnant.” But that never happened. During this time i had been attending an infertility support group. One night a man asked, “Do you want to be pregnant or do you want to be a mother?” While my biological maternal cravings said pregnant, my heart and my head said mother. So back to fostering i went, but this time i held out for babies that had a strong likelihood of

being adoptable. you never know for sure if an infant will be adoptable, but i had to take that chance. While providing respite care for another foster family, i learned of an infant they had in their home that would most likely not be returning to her birth parents. i went to the foster family’s home and, once i met her, i knew she was meant to be mine. it was a very long journey from that point until the adoption was final but she is my daughter and I can’t imagine my life without her. Three years later i received a call to take a newborn. i hadn’t had any other foster children in my home since adopting my daughter but something inside me told me to say yes, and two years later i was a mommy again. now i have two beautiful girls. They are my children and i am a mommy!

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decided he wanted to go back to his previous foster family. That was devastating for us. After a little of a fight (the state doesn’t like to split siblings) the two girls were able to stay with us, and we adopted them in April 2010. it was such a great day. The new year was a huge blur. Although there’s a beautiful, heart-warming side to adoption, there is also a very crazy and confusing part. While our oldest daughter was thriving in her new environment, our youngest daughter had some serious emotional and behavioral problems that we weren’t made aware of by the agency. She was having a difficult time at school, and exhibiting some disturbing behaviors we hadn’t seen before the adoption. We were worried for her well-being.

CRAzy-BEAuTIFuL | By Amy DesChenes i had always known i was going to adopt one day. See, i was adopted as a baby and have been so blessed by all that my adoptive parents have done for me. i yearned to pass on the blessing. After my husband and i had been married a few years, we were ready to start the adoption journey. After researching our options, we decided to adopt an older child through foster care. Many people want the cute little babies, which is wonderful , but there are 20,000

children each year that age out of the foster care system without ever finding a forever family. They never know unconditional love, trust, and acceptance. We went through background checks, a 10-week parenting class and home study. Then we met a sibling group of three, ages 11, 12 and 15. After visiting for a few months, they moved in with us for a 90-day probationary period, at which time we would decide if they were the right match for us. The boy, 15, had a hard time with the transition to a new county and couldn’t handle rules and having to be accountable for his actions. He

Our family has been on a long, difficult road this past year trying to help her work through the trauma she suffered in her past. She is learning how to be our daughter and we are learning to be more patient and accepting of her. She’s starting to make huge strides. She’s beginning to believe in herself and in us. We are incredibly thankful for this. Becoming a mother and father to these two girls has been the biggest blessing of our lives! Even when we began to wonder if we were up for the challenge, we have always known that our greater purpose is to be the best parents we can be for these girls. They are amazing, resilient, loving, thoughtful girls that deserve our best. All the ups and downs we have gone through have been totally worth it for them to realize their potential, believe in themselves, and know they are loved unconditionally every day.

THE ROAD TO PARENTHOOD | By Michelle Soto As far back as i can remember, i had always wanted to be a mom. Growing up, i was the one who would always offer to watch everyone’s children. When my husband and i were dating, we would talk a lot about kids and even picked out names. Once we were married, our desire to conceive began to take over our lives. After months of ovulation test kits and even sneaking off during family gatherings because of my fertility cycle, we sought medical help. We tried fertility specialists, fertility drugs and in vitro fertilization attempts that forced me to relocate for months to Los Angeles. They did not work. instead of trying another disruptive, painful iVF cycle of injections, we decided to consider adoption. We are so glad we did. Through my work as a board member of a foster care agency, i had heard of the Heart of Adoptions agency and we decided to work with them. Life threw us another curveball when the hospital where my husband work closed the residency program and we moved from Tampa to Long island. Two weeks after moving, we got the call that we had been matched with a birth mother. On April 17, 2005, Maxwell Georg-Samuel Soto was born in Spring Hill. We had started a family! Life with Max was great, but we wanted him to have siblings. Once again, timing could not have made life more complicated. in August 2007, we were planning to move to another state when we were matched with zachary David Soto. zach was born in Orlando and we all returned to Florida to welcome zach to the world. He was all of 3 weeks old when we drove from Long island to our new home in the Midwest. in June 2009, Hearts of Adoptions informed us that zach’s birthmother was pregnant and wanted to know if we wanted the baby. We were

shocked because we had not planned to have another child, but after talking it over we quickly warmed to the idea of expanding our family. Pretty soon after that, we learned that the baby would be a girl so we were able to switch the blue paint to pink and look for cute baby girl clothes! Mia rose Soto was born Jan. 7, 2009 at the same hospital as zach, and we thankfully didn’t have to factor in a family move at the same time! We all adore her and we are so happy things turned out the way they did. Becoming a mom wasn’t as easy as i thought it would be but for us adoption has been a blessing.

November 2011

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November 2011

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November 2011

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Extraordinary woman

.......................................

by aNgEla arDOlINO

Mastering the art of motherhood, work and community.

Born and raised in the Tampa Bay area, 29-yearold Ashlie McFarland Fulmer graduated from USF and worked as an elementary school teacher for six years before becoming a stay-athome mother, her dream job. in 2009, after trying to get pregnant for two years, she and her husband decided to explore the world of adoption. They found American World Adoption Associates and after researching the group’s international programs, the Fulmers fell in love with Ethiopia. Ethiopia has the largest population of orphans in the world. According to UniCEF, 13 percent or 4.6 million children have lost one or both parents. After nine months of paperwork and waiting, the couple received their referral for a precious 8-week-old baby boy, Easton Aschenaki. Then God surprised the couple. They were pregnant! On July 21, 2010, the couple officially became Easton’s parents. in november, the couple welcomed their second son, Preston Abenet. They gave him an Ethiopia middle name that means leader and role model. Fulmer says, “We never dreamed that this would be our journey to parenthood but what we learned is that God’s plan is always better than our own.”

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

Well, i’m not quite sure we have reached success yet. it has been hard. i think i realized just how hard after my Mom watched the boys for 2½ hours and said, “i don’t know how you do it!” i was honestly shocked at her words! in my mind, my mom can handle anything and make it look easy. if she thinks watching the boys for a couple of hours is hard, then it must truly be difficult. Things are getting easier. I always joke that i don’t know if the boys are getting easier or if we are getting better! i would say that teamwork has led to many happy and peaceful moments in our house. We have always said that we are better together so that seems to be the theme for our family.

What is your biggest fear?

running out of coffee creamers. Silly but true,

i always have an unopened creamer in the fridge, i can’t live without it.

What advice would you give to other women?

it’s all about perspective! After living in Ethiopia for two months, there are countless moments when i can go from a bad mood or complaining to giving thanks. For instance, unloading the dishwasher used to be my least liked chore. My perspective quickly changes when i think of the Ethiopian nannies at Easton’s orphanage washing all of the children’s bottles and dishes in a tin bucket filled with water. Another example is laundry. After watching Ethiopian women hand wash hundreds of clothing items and hang them out to dry, I find it silly to complain about folding clean, warm laundry in my air-conditioned house.

What is your proudest moment?

I was pretty proud when I was the first one in my family to achieve a master’s degree. But honestly, our adoption and the birth of our son easily trumps that. Easton and Preston are my pride and joy and i am delighted to be their mother.

What is your biggest achievement?

i would say living in Ethiopia for two months while pregnant. it was risky, scary and a bit lonely but i will be proud to tell Easton about the sacrifices we made to be with him one day.

What makes you happy?

Being a mother makes me extremely happy! i am thankful for the years we waited to become parents. They prepared me for the tough moments as a mom. Watching the boys accomplish new milestones, such as walking and saying new words, is a whole new happiness that i love to experience.

How do you relax and take time for yourself?

i am very involved with the adoption community. i love to read blogs from my fellow adoptive moms and keep in touch with them on Facebook. i started photography ministry, giving 50 percent of my proceeds

to organizations and families who are caring for orphans in Africa. I find photography very relaxing and i enjoy editing and sharing pictures. I also enjoy finding new recipes and cooking for my family.

What kind of message would you like to give women in the area or in this community?

i would encourage women to pursue their passion. I find that I am the happiest when i am passionate about what i am doing, such as being a mother and photographer. i always new i wanted to adopt and be a mother. i am thankful that God gave me those desires and passions.

What else would you like to share with our readers? About being a mom, about your work? Adoption rocks!! i want to be an encouragement to moms and families who are considering adoption or foster care. Often people comment how fortunate our son Easton is to have us as parents. i quickly respond that we are the blessed ones! The truth is that our son Easton is way more of blessing to us than we are to him! We hope to adopt again in the future. it is costly, painful at times, and emotionally challenging, but i will say it is 100 percent worth every ounce of effort we put forth.

What is your favorite thing to do with your kids in the Tampa Bay area? We take full advantage of the parks right now! Manatee and Sarasota counties have the nicest, cleanest and well-kept parks. The boys love to explore the jungle gyms and we usually bring a few toys. i look forward to taking our boys to the Glazer Children’s Museum and Florida Aquarium.

Who is your biggest inspiration or role model?

My role model is definitely my mother. She is passionate about serving others and is a selfless mother and grandmother. I have learned so much from her and i know i would not have been able to accomplish any of my goals without her support. i have always told her that if i am half the mother she is my boys are going to do amazing things in life!

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Ashlie McFarland Fulmer Fulmer with Easton, Preston and husband Ryan.

Photo by TheGalleryStudios.com

November 2011

TBParenting.com

north hillsborough

................................................................................................................... carrOllwOOD, cITrus park, luTz, NEw TaMpa, ODEssa, TEMplE TErracE, wEsTcHasE

Hillsborough County Earns National Recognition For the second year in a row, Tampa and Hillsborough County have achieved national recognition as one of America’s Promise Alliance’s 100 Best Communities for young People for its initiatives to help young people. Tampa/Hillsborough joins the city of St. Petersburg and Manatee County as the three Tampa Bay area repeat winners. The competition recognizes communities across the country that focus on reducing high school dropout rates and providing service and support to their youth. Among the factors that contributed to the community’s selection as one of the nation’s 100 Best Communities for young People for the third time in four years: • The community’s Youth Action Collaborative provides an open forum for young people ages 14 to 21 to work with adults in the community and to give youth an active voice in deliberations and decisions that affect their lives. • Tampa/Hillsborough County supports its most vulnerable young people with programs such as Connected by 25, which annually assists more than 500 students aging out of the foster care system with finding and keeping an apartment, maintaining a bank account, job searches and staying employed. • With more than 1,000 after-school programs created by The Partnership for Out-of-School Time and funded by the Children’s Board, students have a safe place to reside during non-school hours. “We are proud of Tampa and Hillsborough County for being named one of the America’s Promise Alliance’s 100 Best,” said Bobbi Davis, resource development manager for the Children’s Board of Hillsborough County. “This award recognizes the hard work of many community members that have dedicated their time to making a difference in the lives of our young people.” The Children’s Board of Hillsborough County serves as the leading voice and advocate for children and families in the area. Visit www.childrensboard.org to learn more about its programs.

County unveils After-School Program Hillsborough County Parks, recreation and Conservation is offering a new afternoon recreation program, which began Sept. 26 for elementary schoolchildren. rec2Six is 2-6 p.m. Monday through Friday at 18 recreation centers across Hillsborough County and offers parents a fun, active after-school alternative for children. The program costs $38 per week, with reduced rates for families taking part in a reduced or free lunch program ($30 and $20 per week respectively with letter proof). rec2Six also makes available access to art activities, seasonal sports and other special activities. you can register for the program at any of the 18 county centers, including these north Hillsborough locations: • • • • • • • •

Carrollwood Meadows, 13918 Farmington Blvd., Tampa, 813- 964-2952 Country Place, 15728 Country Lake Drive, Tampa, 813-964-2921 Egypt Lake, 3126 W. Lambright St., Tampa, 813-975-2103 North Lakes, 2640 N. Lakeview Drive, Tampa, 813-264-3824 Nuccio, 4805 E. Sligh Ave., Tampa, 813-744-5517 Nye, 630 Sunset Lane, Lutz, 813-264-3805 Roy Haynes, 1902 S. Village Ave., Tampa, 813-903-3480 Temple, 7701 Tempe Terrace Highway, Temple Terrace, 813-987-6205

Go to www.hillsboroughcounty.org/parks/rec2six/ for more information or to find a participating center near you.

dates:

Nov. 3, 7 p.m. CDS High School Open House Meet teachers, learn about the curriculum and get helpful information on Carrollwood Day School, 1515 W. Bearss Ave. RSVP at kperez@ carrollwooddayschool.org or call 813-920-2288. www.carrollwooddayschool.org Nov. 5, 8:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. Gigantic Indoor Infant/Children’s Sale Browse name brand children’s clothing, strollers, toys and more at this sale at Messiah Lutheran Church, 14920 Hutchison Road, Tampa. Proceeds benefit Tampa Bay Area Mothers of Multiples. www.tbamoms.com Nov. 5, 5:30 a.m. • Cure on Wheels Event at Flatwoods Park, 14302 Morris Bridge Road, Thonotosassa, features cycling events, including a 7-mile Family Fun Ride, 22-mile Tour de Moffitt ride, 62-mile metric ride and 100-mile century ride. Proceeds benefit All Children’s Hospital and Moffitt Cancer Center. www.cureonwheels.org Nov. 19, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. • Fiesta del Coqui Take part in the debut of a new party to celebrate Hispanic culture at Tampa’s Lowry Park Zoo, 1101 W. Sligh Ave. Event features live music, crafts, food and other activities honoring the tiny frog of Puerto Rico, the coqui. Fiesta included with paid admission. www.lowryparkzoo.com Nov. 19, 10 a.m. • VisionWalk Lace up your sneakers for a family-friendly walk at Al Lopez Park, 4810 N. Himes Ave., Tampa. Registration begins at 9 a.m. Event benefits the Foundation Fighting Blindness and features a kids’ zone, face painting and bounce house. Raise $100 or more and get a free T-shirt; no entry fee but donations encouraged. www.visionwalk.org Nov. 25-Dec. 20, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. Teddy Bear Round-Up Bring a new teddy bear and get one free child’s general admission to MOSI, 4801 E. Fowler Ave. in Tampa. Support the Rough Riders annual holiday effort to collect and donate teddy bears to children at bay area hospitals during the holidays. www.mosi.org

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Friday, November 4 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

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south hillsborough

................................................................................................................... apOllO bEacH, braNDON, lITHIa, rIVErVIEw, ruskIN, sOuTH TaMpa, TaMpa, ValrIcO, FIsHHawk

Camp Bayou Offers Naturally Fun Weekend Tampa Bay families can learn how to safely and responsibly enjoy the great outdoors during A natural Education Weekend hosted by the Camp Bayou Outdoor Learning Center in ruskin. This year’s event is nov. 11-13 at the preserve, 4140 24th St. SE. A natural Education Weekend will feature nature activities and educational sessions, including a keynote presentation by rob Heath, senior ecologist at Wildlands Conservation. Heath will speak at 6 p.m. nov. 12.

dates: All Month Open Houses Aplenty Bayshore Christian will hold its event from 5-7 p.m. Nov. 1. Visit Academy of the Holy Names at noon Nov. 6. Visit St. John’s Episcopal Parish Day School at 6 p.m. Nov. 10. Check out Christ the King Catholic School at 7 p.m. Nov. 16 and 9:30 a.m. Nov. 17. www.bayshorechristianschool.org, www.holynamestpa.org, www.stjohnseagles.org, www.cks-school.org

Visit http://anaturaleducation.blogspot.com to learn more about the weekend and to This year’s Natural Education Weekend keynote speaker register. registration for Friday and Saturday Rob Heath, center, is an associate instructor for Camp sessions, materials and meals is $75, with Bayou’s Florida Master Natural Program. first child younger than 12 included for free. registration for additional children is $25 each. A registration form with two-day and one-day registration options as well as cost info for scheduled Sunday nature outings is available online.

Nov. 5, 12, 19, 26, 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. Lakeshore Learning Activities Ages 3 and older can do craft activities for free on Saturdays at the store, 4501 W. Kennedy Blvd. This month: Let’s Eat! Placemats (Nov. 5); Silly Scarecrows (Nov. 12); Terrific Turkey Centerpieces (Nov. 19); and Autumn Wind Chimes (Nov. 26). www.lakeshorelearning.com/FreeCrafts4Kids

Camp Bayou is open to the general public for day use and operates by the efforts of volunteers, donations, membership and grants, offering a variety of nature programs to schools, youth groups and families. For more information, visit www.campbayou.org or call 813-641-8545.

Nov. 8-12, various times A Musical Tale – Peter Rabbit Come on get hoppy at this musical event showcasing the 9-foot-tall puppets of Bits ‘N Pieces Puppet Theatre, 12904 Tom Gallagher Road, Dover. Cost: $8.50 (free for children younger than 2). www.puppetworld.com

youth Bring our Town to Tampa Stage Members of the Patel Conservatory youth Theater program will perform Thornton Wilder’s Our Town on nov. 17-19 in the TECO Theater at the Straz Center in downtown Tampa. Directed by Kerry Glamsch, an acting instructor from the University of South Florida, the production will feature 15 area high school and college students. One of the production’s actors Braxton Perry is blogging weekly about his first-time acting experiences in the Patel Conservatory youth Theater at http://patelconservatory.blogspot.com. Our Town is the story of a fictional, small New Hampshire town at the beginning of the 20th century focused on Emily and George, who begin as neighbors and eventually fall in love and marry. Winner of the 1938 Pulitzer Prize for drama, Our Town is one of the country’s most frequently produced plays. “Our Town transcends, literally ‘going beyond’ time and culture, speaking to a part of us, if we are ready to listen, that is universal,” Glamsch says. “This is a play about seeing miracles in the everyday and giving thanks for what we have.” Performances are 7 p.m. nov. 17 and 18 and 2 and 7 p.m. nov. 19. Tickets start at $12 and may be purchased by calling 813-229-7827, visiting the Straz Center Ticket Office or going online to www.strazcenter.org..

Nov. 10, 7-9 p.m. Grown-Up Spelling Bee Dust off your spelling skills for this event benefiting Friends of the Library of TampaHillsborough County at Thomas Jefferson High School, 4401 W. Cypress St., Tampa. $100 per team of one to four adults. Spectators admitted for free. 813-273-3616. Nov. 20, noon – 4 p.m. Harvesting Healthy Habits Fair Pack up the kids for a fun afternoon at the Lotus Room, 1101 W. Kennedy Blvd., Tampa. Enjoy kids yoga, storytime, crafts and healthy snacks for free. www.yogalotusroom.com Nov. 29-30, various times Sesame Street Live Elmo, Abby Cadabby, Big Bird and all their friends are on a quest to put the “super” back in Super Grover. You’ll be feeling good when Elmo’s Super Heroes comes to town! Tickets start at $12. www.sptimesforum.com

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north pinellas

..................................................................................................................... clEarwaTEr, DuNEDIN, EasT lakE, OlDsMar, palM HarbOr, saFETy HarbOr, TarpON srINgs

Tarpon Springs Mompreneur Designs Dream Life Like many mompreneurs, Arlyne D’Andrea had not originally set out to go into business for herself but the entrepreneurial spirit was always there. “i grew up watching my mother do all sorts of businesses to earn extra income for our family while my father worked two jobs,” says the Queens, new york native. “As Filipino immigrants, they worked hard to achieve the American Dream.” After working as a clothing designer for many years in new york, she left those harried design days behind when she relocated to Tarpon Springs with husband Lenny to raise her two sons and began studying wellness and nutrition, even becoming a certified health coach and counseling young mothers like her about optimal nutrition for their babies. After several years of raising her children, she briefly returned to fashion, stumbling into the jewelry realm when she decided to make a necklace she saw in a movie. “i decided to make one myself, using pieces and parts of my old jewelry and adding it onto new pieces,” she says. Soon, she was posting her handcrafted jewelry creations, promoting them through the e-commerce marketplace Etsy. Three years later, D’Andrea has a successful online handcrafted jewelry boutique on Etsy, www.onelifejewelry.com, and a jewelry/gift shop, A Simple Peace, 533 Athens St. in Tarpon Springs. recently, her work garnered unexpected attention from the media world when she was given an opportunity to participate as a sponsor for swag bags given to all of those in attendance at the 32nd annual news and Documentary Emmys in new york. “The blessing i’ve been given here is that i can combine my experience with fashion, my ability to design, my human desire to connect with others, my passion to inspire other women like myself and earn my own income while i work at my dining room table,” she says. “i can hear my children play in the next room. i can help them with their homework. i can cook for my family, not every day but most, and i can feed my creative soul.”

young Man Receives ‘Winter’ Surprise Clearwater Marine Aquarium and AmeriLife recently surprised local teen Travis Sampson and his family with the red carpet treatment for the local premiere of Dolphin Tale, a film inspired by Clearwater Marine Aquarium’s most famous and inspirational tenant, Winter the dolphin. The movie, based on the true story of the baby dolphin nursed back to health and fitted with a prosthetic tail, debuted locally at Clearwater’s ruth Eckerd Hall with a red carpet 3D screening two days before the film’s wide release. Sampson and his family were among those in attendance. The 13-year-old was selected after Sampson’s mother Tina wrote the aquarium about her son. Travis, born with an above-the-knee amputation, had visited the aquarium several times and expressed to his mother that he felt a special connection with Winter. Clearwater Marine Aquarium, 249 Windward Passage, is a nonprofit organization dedicated to restoring and preserving marine life and the coastal environment through education, research and the rescue, rehabilitation and release of marine life. Visit www.seewinter.com to learn more.

dates: Nov. 3, 6:30 p.m. Dunedin Walk for Wishes Take a stroll at Dunedin’s Pioneer Park, enjoy music and late night snacks during this inaugural benefit for the Make a Wish Foundation Central and Northern Florida Chapter. Registration is $20 and includes event T-shirt. www.wishcentralfl.wish.org Nov. 5, 5-11 p.m. Annual Safety Harbor Wine Festival Sip wines from around the world as part of this free celebration along Main Street in downtown Safety Harbor. Check out arts and crafts, live entertainment and food vendors. Proceeds will benefit four local charities. www.cityofsafetyharbor.com Nov. 7-Dec. 18, various times Fall II Art Classes Explore your inner Picasso at the Gladys Douglas School of the Arts at the Dunedin Fine Art Center, 1143 Michigan Blvd. Daytime, evening and weekend classes available. www.dfac.org Nov. 18-19, various times RMHC Annual Charity Golf Classic Hit the links at Innisbrook Resort & Golf Club, 36750 U.S. 19 N., Palm Harbor, and raise money for Ronald McDonald House Charities of Tampa Bay. www.rmhc.com Nov. 21-23, 9 a.m. – 3:15 p.m. Thanksgiving TBSA Mini-Camp Sign up for this fun three-day program to learn how to skate at Tampa Bay Skating Academy, 255 Forest Lakes Blvd. N., Oldsmar. Camp is ideal for ages 5-11. Preregistration required; space is limited. Cost: $96 for three days; $87 for second family member; and $40 daily rate. www.tbsa.com Nov. 26-27, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Thanksgiving Arts and Crafts Festival Start your holiday shopping early and browse the work of local artists and craftsmen to find unique items during this free event at 111 E. Tarpon Ave. in downtown Tarpon Springs. 727-937-6109.

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south pinellas

....................................................................................................................... largO, pINEllas park, sEMINOlE, sT. pETE bEacH, sT. pETErsburg, TrEasurE IslaND

Shopapalooza Till you Drop One of Pinellas County’s biggest shopping events of the year returns to downtown St. Petersburg. Shopapalooza, which debuted in 2010 as an alternative to Black Friday, brought out more than 60 vendors and 600 shoppers to BayWalk. This year, the mega shopping event from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. nov. 19 is being hosted by LocalShops1.com and will take place at the St. Petersburg Pier. Shopapalooza offers visitors an opportunity to support local vendors, take advantage of special sales and catch live entertainment. Admission is free. LocalShops1.com founder Ester Venouziou says the new location will be especially beneficial for visitors, providing easy access and added space for their shopping experience. “We are thrilled to bring Shopapalooza to the St. Pete Pier,” Venouziou says. “it’s a beautiful landmark and the perfect location for what will be the perfect shopping day!” Daniel James Scott, associate director of USF–St. Pete’s Sustainable Entrepreneurship & innovation Alliance, is excited about the event. “Supporting local businesses is a priority for the people and community of this great city, and we look forward to participating in this fantastic event,” he says. “We could not be more thrilled to be supporting LocalShops1’s Shopapalooza 2011.” Visit www.localshops1.com to learn more.

Celebrate Old Northeast’s Centennial The Historic Old northeast neighborhood celebrates its 100th birthday this month with an old fashioned picnic in the park on nov. 6 at north Shore’s Flora Wiley Park. Sponsored by the city of St. Petersburg and produced by the Historic Old northeast neighborhood Association, the event from noon to 4 p.m. offers an afternoon of live entertainment, family-friendly activities and delicious food from local restaurants. The rain or shine event is free. The day will also include face painting, an antique car display, croquet, badminton and threelegged races. A disc jockey and visit by a Barbershop Quartet will provide the musical entertainment, and Bill O’Grady from Sunken Gardens brings along Mindy, an umbrella cockatoo, to mingle with visitors. Bring a picnic lunch or pre-order a gourmet box lunch for $10 per person. For more information, to order a gourmet box lunch or preregister for games, go to www. honna.org or call 727-269-5521, Ext. 203.

dates: Nov. 3, 9 a.m. Shorecrest Open House Observe classes and meet teachers and students at Shorecrest Preparatory, 5101 First St., St. Petersburg. Families can learn about the school’s early childhood (ages 3-4) and 8th grade curriculums and tour the campus. Call 727-522-2111 for details. www.shorecrest.org Nov. 3 & 10, 9 a.m. – 6 p.m. Injectable Filler Event Enjoy complimentary hors d’oeuvres and enter drawings at Benedetti Cosmetic Surgery, 900 Carillon Parkway, Suite 409, St. Petersburg. Bring a friend and you’ll both receive a complimentary LRH or photofacial treatment in the future. RSVP at 727-289-7119. www.bcstampabay.com Nov. 8, 9 a.m. – noon • Free Clothing Swap Bring up to five clothing pieces to exchange for free or buy vouchers for $3 each and choose your garments during this swap event at Beach Boulevard and 30th Avenue South in downtown Gulfport. Extra clothing donations are encouraged. Proceeds and remaining clothes to go to CASA. 727-366-4086 Nov. 11, 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. • Fall Fashion Show Check out designs by Kay Unger at this event hosted by the Margaret Acheson Stuart Society of the Museum of Fine Arts at the Renaissance Vinoy Resort & Golf Club, 501 Fifth Ave. N.E., St. Petersburg. Funds raised support museum. Tickets start at $135. www.fine-arts.org Nov. 12, 11 a.m. • Let’s Go Science Laugh while you learn about matter, gravity, electricity and more at this celebration of all things scientific at the Largo Cultural Center, 105 Central Park Drive. Meet Dr. Knowitall and Professor Smart. Cost: $7.50 adults; $6.50 children; and $22 for family four-pack. www.largoarts.com Nov. 19, 9 a.m. Strides for Education 5k Walk/Run Take part in this inaugural fundraiser at Eagle Lake Park, 1800 Keene Road, Largo. Register as an individual, join a team or start one. Registration is $35. Proceeds benefit the Pinellas Education Foundation’s college scholarship and mentoring programs. www.takestockinchildren.org

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Help Protect Wild Dolphins LOOK BEFORE YOU BOOK!!!

Visit www.dolphinsmart.org for a list of current Dolphin SMART businesses or look for businesses with current year flags and decals

WWW.DOLPHINSMART.ORG ............................................................................................................................................................................................... Tampa Bay Parenting Magazine

November 2011

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pasco

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DaDE cITy, laND O’ lakEs, NEw pOrT rIcHEy, pOrT rIcHEy, TrINITy, wEslEy cHapEl, zEpHyrHIlls

Single Moms Can Win Home Makeover The Home Blitz program, an annual campaign facilitated by the iMPACT Foundation, will be accepting nominations through november 15 for single moms deserving of the home makeover. “Growing up in a single-mother household showed me how tough it can be to manage a job, family and the upkeep of a home,” says Shelton Quarles, former Tampa Bay Bucs linebacker and founder of the foundation. “By rebuilding their home, you help rebuild their life structure. They are receiving so much more than just a home, these mothers and their families are receiving strength and stability.” Those who wish to nominate a deserving single mother must submit a 1,000 word essay on why the nominee is deserving of a home makeover. nominees must meet the following criteria: • • • • • •

Must be a single mother in a one-income home Must have owned home for at least three years Must reside in a home that is at least 15 years old Mechanicals in the home must be at least 10 years old Must have full-time employment for at least the past five years Mortgage must be 80 percent of the value of the home

in March, the Foundation will select two single mothers and their families to receive a green home makeover. Since its launch in 2004, Shelton Quarles’ iMPACT Foundation has raised more than $600,000 for bay area families. Visit www.sheltonquarles.org to learn more or to make a nomination.

dates: Nov. 2 & 9, 9 a.m. Fall Open House Events Learn about programs at Academy at the Lakes in Land O’ Lakes. Talk with parents, tour the school and meet teachers and students. Visit www.academyatthelakes.org for details. Nov. 11-13, various times Hudson Seafest Indulge in tasty seafood, live music and local art at this annual event at the USA Flea Market, 11721 U.S. 19, Port Richey. This year’s theme is honor local veterans and members of the armed forces. Visit www.hudsonseafest.org for full schedule. Nov. 12, 7:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. Early Learning Conference Get information about early education and check out exhibitors at this event hosted by the Early Learning Coalition of Pasco and Hernando Counties at Bishop McLaughlin Catholic High School, 13651 Hays Road, Spring Hill. The $25 entry fee includes continental breakfast, gourmet lunch and eligibility for drawings. www.phelc.org Nov. 12, 8 a.m. Annual Charity Golf Tournament Tee off at Seven Springs Golf & Country Club, 3535 Trophy Blvd., New Port Richey, for this four-person golf scramble that will benefit the Alzheimer’s Family Organization. Cost is $80 per player and includes breakfast, lunch, drawings and door prizes. www.alzheimerfamily.org

Kudos to Girl Scout Senior Troop 457! in the spring, Girl Scouts of the USA encouraged its members to make origami cranes to send to their sister Girl Scouts in Japan as expressions of friendship following the devastating earthquake and tsunami on March 11. Members of Girl Scout Senior Troop 457 of Wesley Chapel took the call to heart and made 1,000 cranes, beginning construction on the cranes in June and continuing all summer at each meeting. Cheers to them for bringing smiles to their sister scouts!

Nov. 19, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. West Pasco YMCA Kids’ Fishing Festival Sign up for a fun day of catch and release fishing, arts and crafts and nature education at Anclote Gulf Park, 2305 Baillies Bluff Road, Holiday. For a $10 donation, ages 5-12 receive a new rod and reel, tackle, T-shirt and lunch. www.suncoastymca.org Nov. 25-27, Dec. 2-4, various times Pasco Christmas Glitz 2011 Find your holiday spirit during a fun, musical celebration of all things Kris Kringle at Richey Suncoast Theatre, 6237 Grand Blvd., New Port Richey. Cost: $17. www.richeysuncoasttheatre.com

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November 2011

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around town

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TO sEE MOrE pHOTOs VIsIT FacEbOOk.cOM/TaMpabayparENTINgMagazINE

Broadway Ball at the Straz Center for the Performing Arts : Left, Luba Mason, Straz Center President and CEO Judy Lisi and Rob Even. Center, Don and Ericka Wallace. Right, Straz Center Vice President of Marketing Michael Kilgore, Founder and Editorial Director Angela Ardolino and St. Petersburg Times Vice President of Sales and Marketing Bruce Faulmann.

Photos by: Rob/Harris Productions

Broadway Ball at the Straz Center for the Performing Arts: Left, David and Katherine Straz. Center, Heidi Shimberg, Founder and Editorial Director Angela Ardolino, Beth Ann Drake of Blu Magazine and Lindsay Perez. Right, Karen and Gary Sasso. Photos by: Rob/Harris Productions

Broadway Ball at the Straz Center for the Performing Arts: Left, Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn and Straz Center President and CEO Judy Lisi. Right, Patel Conservatory student Alex Correa and Straz Center Vice President of Education Wendy Leigh.

Photos by: Rob/Harris Productions

11th annual Italian-American Women of Excellence Awards: Marisa Jo Belote, Denise Provenzano, Founder and Editorial Director Angela Ardolino, Frances Maria Perrone and Linda Marlene Ferraro.

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C.I.T.Y. Fashion|Culture|Art at the Tampa Museum of Art: Left, Enrique Crespo of Casanova Design Group, Founder and Editorial Director Angela Ardolino, Allison Beard Luzier and Tom Luzier. Right, C.I.T.Y. Committee Member Barbara Keskiner, Wendy Garraty, Monica Newgent, Crystal Mandani, Tricia Willett, Founder and Editorial Director Angela Ardolino, Nicole DeLoach Hubbard, Stacy Thomas and Susan Pancholy.

C.I.T.Y. Fashion|Culture|Art at the Tampa Museum of Art: Left, Commissioner Sandy Murman and her daughter Michele. Center, Dr. Jay Pancholy of Tower Radiology, Monica Newgent, Tricia Willett, Stacy Thomas (and her husband), Wendy Garraty and Susan Pancholy. Right, Melissa Borchard, Barbara Pedeville,Christine Prince and Christy Benedetti.

C.I.T.Y. Fashion|Culture|Art at the Tampa Museum of Art: C.I.T.Y. Committee Member Barbara Keskiner, Founder and Editorial Director Angela Ardolino and C.I.T.Y. Chairwoman Carrie Brown.

Wine, Women & Shoes VIP Reception at Bernâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Fine Wines & Spirits : Kristen Walsh-Thornley, Dr. Jeffrey A. Hunt and Todd and Lisa Noel of Vein & Cosmetic Center of Tampa Bay. Photo by: Jim Webb

Fifth Annual Women of Influence Luncheon presented by the Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce: : Wendy Praeuner Bowman of event sponsor Blue Cross & Blue Shield, Founder and Editorial Director Angela Ardolino and event emcee Deiah Riley of ABC Action News.

November 2011

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november calendar events/festivals Out of This World Through Jan. 7, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Boldly go to a world of costumes and objects from science fiction films and TV shows. The exhibit at the Tampa Bay History Center, 801 Old Water St., downtown Tampa, is included with admission. Cost: $12 adults; $10 seniors and students; $10 ages 13-17; and $7 ages 4-12. www. tampabayhistorycenter.org Everyone $2 Target Tuesdays • Nov. 1, 2-6 p.m. Head to Glazer Children’s Museum, 110 W. Gasparilla Plaza, Tampa, and enjoy discounted admission for the entire family courtesy of Target. www.glazermuseum.org Everyone The Doctor Is In Nov. 1, 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. Spend an afternoon with Travis Stork, MD of The Doctors at the Tampa Convention Center. Get tips for improving your health and living longer. Tickets start at $75. Proceeds benefit the Foundation at Florida Hospital-Tampa. www. uch.org/travisstork. Moms, Dads Holiday Gift Market Nov. 4-6, various times Save the date for this annual shopping event from The Junior League of Tampa at the Florida State Fairgrounds, 4800 U.S. 301, Tampa. Browse items from more than 140 merchants. Tickets: $8. www.jltampa.org Moms, Dads American Heart Walk • Nov. 5, 8-11 a.m. Sign up for this year’s walk at raymond James Stadium in Tampa. Join others, put together a team of friends, family or co-workers or walk as an individual to raise money for the American Heart Association. www.americaheart.org Moms, Dads Annual Pet Extravaganza Nov. 5, 9 a.m. – 6 p.m. Celebrate Fido at this shopping expo from BellaDOG Magazine that features pet products, seminars, pet fashions and more at Tampa’s Florida State Fairgrounds. Leashed pets welcome. Cost: Adults, $5; kids 10 and under, free. www. belladogmagazine.com Everyone Cup of Hope Garden Tea Party Nov. 5, 1-5 p.m. Stroll gardens with friends and a cup of tea at

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FOr MOrE EVENTs, VIsIT TbparENTINg.cOM

this Bay Area Legal Services fundraiser at a South Tampa home. Event benefits victims of domestic violence. Tickets: $40 adults and $15 children in advance; add $5 on day of event. www.bals.org Everyone An Evening with Emeril & Friends Nov. 5, 6-10 p.m. Have an inspired culinary experience at The Club at Treasure island, 400 Treasure island Causeway. Enjoy flavors from world-renown Chef Emeril Lagasse. Cost: $350. Event benefits All Children’s Hospital. rVSP at 727-767-4199. Moms, Date Night Zoofari • Nov. 5, 7-11 p.m. Enjoy the 25th anniversary of this popular food festival at Tampa’s Lowry Park zoo. Sample food from more than 50 of the area’s best restaurants, enjoy open bars, browse an art auction and listen to live music. Cost: $75 online or $80 by phone through nov. 3; $90 day of event. www. lowryparkzoo.com Moms, Date Night Peace Couture Nov. 7, 5-9 p.m. Attend a fashion event at The Cuban Club, 2010 n. Avenida republica De Cuba, ybor City and support The Spring of Tampa Bay. Check out work from artists, fashion designers and musicians while sampling fine cuisine. Cost: $30. www.peacecouture.com Moms

Adkins, and Styx, while dining on tasty barbecue. www.ribfest.org Everyone Crime Busters Camp Nov. 11, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. Enroll your elementary student in this interactive science program at Tampa’s MOSi. Kids solve crimes and search for clues while learning about science. Campers should bring two snacks, wear clothing that may get messy, and pack a lunch or plan to buy one at MOSi café. Cost: $25 member; $33 nonmember. www.mosi.org 5-10 Outdoor Ice Skating Nov. 11-Jan. 1, various times Head over to Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park for Tampa’s only outdoor ice skating rink Cost: $10 for 90 minutes, includes skates. Times: 4-9 p.m. Monday-Thursday; Fri.-Sat., 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday; and noon to 9 p.m. Sunday. Holiday times: closed on Thanksgiving; 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Christmas Eve; and 4-10 p.m. Christmas. Everyone

Brownie Badge Workshop Nov. 8, 5-7 p.m. Bring your Brownie Troop to Glazer Children’s Museum and choose from three workshops: Eat right, Stay Healthy; Art to Wear; and Colors and Shapes. Cost: $10 per scout; free for adults. Tiger Cub Scout workshop program is available nov. 15. www.glazermuseum.org 6 & Older

Tampa Bay Home Show Nov. 11-13, various times Meet home improvement experts and check out more than 600 exhibits related to Florida living at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg. Times: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday; 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday; 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. Free admission and parking. www.tampabayhomeshows.com Moms, Dads

Ladies Night Off Nov. 8, 6-9 p.m. Pamper yourself at this event at Push Ultra Lounge, 128 Third St. S., St. Petersburg. Free champagne, appetizers and swag bags for first 100 guests. Cost: $5 for Working Women of Tampa Bay members; $10 nonmembers. www. workingwomenoftampabay.com Moms

Bun in the Oven Bunch & Small Fry Society Starting Nov. 12 & Nov. 16 Mingle with other moms-to-be or moms of young children as part of a series of socials held throughout the bay area. A new term of weekend socials for both Bun in the Oven Bunch and Small Fry Society begins nov. 12; a new Small Fry Society term starts nov. 16. www. smallfrysociety.com Moms

RibFest • Nov. 11-13, opens at 11 a.m. Dig in to this sumptuous event at Vinoy Park, 701 Bayshore Blvd., St. Petersburg. Kick back with live music, including John Fogerty, Trace

Signature Chefs Auction Events Nov. 17 & Dec. 1, 6:30 p.m. Experience upscale evenings of delicious food

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

tastings from the bay area’s top chefs nov. 17 at the intercontinental Hotel, 4860 W. Kennedy Blvd., Tampa, and Dec. 1 at Clearwater’s ruth Eckerd Hall. Cost: $75. Bid on silent and live auctions. www.marchofdimes.com/florida Moms, Date Night Enrichment Day Nov. 19, 9:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. Participate in unique learning experiences at Tampa’s Florida Aquarium, 701 Channelside Drive. Activities included with paid admission. www.flaquarium.org Everyone Fisher-Price Little People Live Nov. 19-20, 11:30 a.m. & 1:30 p.m. Discover the holiday spirit through song, dance and surprises at this 40-minute show at Tampa’s Lowry Park zoo. Shows included with paid admission. www.lowryparkzoo.com 4 & Older Hillsborough River & Waterways Cleanup Nov. 19, 8 a.m. Volunteer for this annual countywide cleanup effort that launches at the Lowry Park Boat ramp, 7525 n. Blvd., Tampa. register, pick up supplies, eat breakfast and report to your assigned cleanup site along the Hillsborough and Alafia rivers. After cleanup, volunteers are invited to a picnic and recycle regatta. www. keeptampabaybeautiful.org Moms, Dads Over the Edge Nov. 19, 8 a.m. rappel over the edge of a downtown Tampa skyscraper for charity at The Wilson Co. in the Franklin Exchange building at 655 n. Franklin St. The first 75 participants who raise at least $1,000 for Heartbeat international by nov. 10 will be eligible to rappel. www.heartbeatsaveslives.com Moms, Dads Nov. 19-20, noon – 4 p.m. Clearwater Beach uncorked indulge in two days of food and wine with fellow foodies and wine connoisseurs at this inaugural event at the Hyatt regency Clearwater Beach, 301 S. Gulfview Blvd. Cost: $55 daily. www. clearwaterbeachuncorked.com Moms, Dads Chilllounge St. Petersburg Nov. 19, 6 p.m. relax with friends in 50 inviting lounge areas with luxurious daybeds and seating across downtown St. Petersburg’s Straub Park. Evening features a

fashion show, Brazilian samba parade, fireworks display, cigar lounge and cash cocktail bars. Cost: $20 advance; $25 at gate; $95 for ViP. www. chilloungenight.com Moms, Dads

PRESENTED BY

Enchanted Tree Lighting Nov. 26, 6-8 p.m. Welcome the holiday season during this annual tradition near the Hyde Park Village fountain. Free celebration includes live entertainment, free cookies and cocoa, a light display and a visit from Santa. Free. www.hydeparkvillage.net Everyone Think Pink Women’s Expo & Boutique Nov. 30, 6:30-8:30 p.m. Sneak in a little shopping at this event presented by Working Women of Tampa Bay at Shriner’s Activity Center, 4050 Dana Shores Drive, Tampa. Sample gourmet food and wine and indulge in mini spa treatments. First 150 guests will receive swag bags. Cost: $5 members; $10 nonmembers. www.workingwomenoftampabay.com Moms

art Breakfast with Dali Nov.5, 9:30-11:30 a.m. Bring the kids for a fun interactive morning at the Salvador Dali Museum, One Dali Blvd., downtown St. Petersburg. Preregistration is required and includes breakfast, museum tour and family activities. Cost: $10 adults and $5 ages 6-12 for members; and $21 and $10, respectively, for nonmembers. www.thedali.org 5-12 Art on 19th Nov. 5, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Check out this monthly art and music celebration hosted by The Singing Stone Gallery, 1903 n. 19th St., ybor City. Stop by neighborhood art galleries, museums and cafes and take advantage of fun family activities and special sales on art and handcrafted jewelry. Free admission and parking along 19th Street. www.singingstoneonline.com Everyone Downtown Dunedin Craft Festival Nov. 19-20, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Browse work by local artists and craftsmen at this annual event in its 19th year along Main Street in downtown Dunedin. Check out art across a variety of mediums and a green market. Free admission. www.artfestival.com. Everyone

Dec. 11

2 and 4 p.m. Based on the book by L. Frank Baum, this story follows the life of Santa Claus. Sing along and draw close to the fire, all you who believe in the spirit of Christmas – whether you call it Santa Claus, or simply, goodwill to men.

Build the foundation for a vivid imagination! MEDIA SPONSORS:

Gift Cards! inment, Give live enterta lifetime. a s the gift that last

Tickets: 813.229.STAR (7827) STRAZCENTER.ORG Outside Tampa Bay: 800.955.1045 Group Services (12+ get a discount): 813.222.1018 Events, days, dates, times, performers and prices are subject to change without notice.

November 2011

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november calendar

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cONTINuED

CraftArt 2011 • Nov. 19-20, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Attend this annual event outside the Florida Craftsmen Gallery, 501 Central Ave., downtown St. Petersburg. See artist demonstrations while sampling craft beers and local dining. Free and open to the public. Everyone

film Cars 2 • Available Nov. 1 Check out this popular fast-action summer hit sequel from Disney and Pixar in a special Blu-ray Combo Pack and Blu-ray 3D DVD as well as for movie download. rated G. 6 & Older Tales from the underground Nov. 3, 7 p.m. Get an enthralling history lesson about ybor City at The Buzz, 710 Harbour Post Drive, Tampa. Evening begins with cocktail hour and meet and greet with Cigar City Mafia author Scott Deitche and producers of Charlie Wall, The Documentary. Cost: $5. Proceeds benefit Philanthropic Young Tampa Bay. www.cigarcitymagazine.com Dads Bolt 3D • Available Nov. 8 Welcome this charming animated dog into your DVD collection as Walt Disney Studios releases the film featuring the voices of John Travolta and Miley Cyrus on Blu-ray 3D DVD. rated PG. 8 & Older Breakfast Club • Nov. 11, 8 p.m. return to high school and the stereotypes and insecurities that go with it, as the jock, the prom queen, the nerd, the freak and the criminal speak for a generation again on the big screen at Capitol Theatre, 405 Cleveland St., Clearwater. Cost: $8. 727-441-2863. rated r. 15 & Older The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part I Opens Nov. 18 Head back to the woods but beware of vampires and wolves as Bella, Edward, Jacob and the crew return for part one of the fourth book in the popular Twilight series. rated PG-13. Check local listings for showtimes. 13 & Older

Happy Feet Two Opens Nov. 18 Go back to the endearing world of emperor penguins in this sequel featuring the voices of Elijah Wood, robin Williams and Pink. Check local listings for showtimes. 6 & Older The Muppets Opens Nov. 25 Enjoy new musical numbers in this modern-day version of a classic. Amy Adams, Jason Segel and Chris Cooper star. rated PG. Check local listings for showtimes. 8 & Older

theater & dance DeckChairs Nov. 3-13, various times See five local veteran actresses take on 10 characters in this production from Venue Ensemble Theatre, 9125 U.S. 19 n., Pinellas Park. Cost: $15. Portion of proceeds will benefit nature’s Academy. www.venueactorstudio.org Moms Junie B. Jones • Nov. 5, 2 & 4 p.m. Catch this friendly first grader in a brand new musical based on the books by Barbara Parks at Ferguson Hall in the Straz Center in downtown Tampa. Tickets start at $9.50. www.strazcenter.org 5-8 ImaginOcean Nov. 6, 1 p.m. Explore the ocean for a magical undersea adventure and a unique musical puppet show by John Tartaglia inside the Straz Center’s Ferguson Hall. Meet Tank, Bubble and Dorsel as the best friends swim about for some fun. Tickets start at $8.50. www.strazcenter.org 3-5 Peter Pan Nov. 8-13, various times Watch Tony Award nominee Cathy rigby soar in a timeless production that takes flight at Carol Morsani Hall in the Straz Center. Tickets start at $38.50. nov. 9 is Broadway Family night; buy one adult ticket, get one free child’s ticket (12 and

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younger). Also enjoy pre-show family activities. www.strazcenter.org 8 & Older Sarasota Ballet Project • Nov. 19, 8 p.m.

Alex & The Kaleidoscope Band Nov. 12, 11 a.m. Go on a lively journey with these world musicinfused performers at Clearwater’s ruth Eckerd Hall. Cost: $8. www.rutheckerdhall.com 8 & Older South Shore Music Festival Nov. 12, 11 a.m. Bring along the family for music and fun at 6915 riverview Drive, riverview. Enjoy a mix of musical genres, take part in family-friendly games and sample local food. Cost: $15 adults; $8 kids ages 12-17; and free for kids younger than 12. www.southshoremusicfest.com Everyone

Get swept away in the beautiful moves of these dancers of The Suzanne Farrell Ballet as it graces the stage of Clearwater’s ruth Eckerd Hall, 1111 McMullen Booth road. Cost: $38-$68. 727-7917400. 8 & Older Masters of Illusion Live • Nov. 28, 7:30 p.m. Settle in for an evening of live magic complete with exotic animals, beautiful dancers, elaborate illusions, sleight of hand tricks, comedy and more at Clearwater’s ruth Eckerd Hall. Tickets start at $28. www.rutheckerdhall.com 10 & Older Sesame Street Live • Nov. 29-30, various times Join Elmo and the Fabulous Five for a fun, musical production as they come to the rescue of Super Grover in this new live production at the St. Pete Times Forum in downtown Tampa. Cost: $12-$22. www.stpetetimesforum.com 4 & Older

music

Gobble up the SAVINGS! Seedlings After Thanksgiving

1 Day Only Super Sale! Friday, Nov. 25 9am to 7pm

Rock School Blowout Nov. 12, 1 p.m.

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Jam with 12 rock and roll bands comprised of Patel Conservatory rock School students on the riverwalk outside the Straz Center in downtown Tampa. Free. www.patelconservatory.org Everyone Taylor Swift in Concert Nov. 12, 7 p.m. Sing along with the young country sensation as she visits the St. Pete Times Forum, 401 Channelside Drive, Tampa. Cost: $25-$69.50. www.stpetetimesforum.com 10 & Older

Music Fest for ALS • Nov. 5, 11:30 a.m. Settle in for an all-day musical celebration to raise funds for Lou Gehrig’s disease at Town Square Plaza Mall, 5121 80th Ave. n., Pinellas Park. Performers include Damon Fowler and the Greg Billings Band. Cost: $10. www.winningthefight. net Moms, Dads

Marc Anthony Nov. 19, 8 p.m. Get lost in the smooth vocals of the Latin crooner at St. Pete’s Mahaffey Theater, 400 First St. S. $65 and up. www.mahaffeytheater.com Moms, Date Night

Martina McBride • Nov. 5, 8 p.m. Watch the country vocalist as she performs in a special fundraising concert to benefit Dollars for Doorways at Demens Landing in downtown St. Petersburg. Cost: $40 advance; $50 day of show. www.mahaffeytheater.com Date Night

E-mail submissions, preferably at least a month in advance, to calendar@tbparenting.com for consideration.

10% Off! Toys, Games and Puzzles

$1, $5 & $10 Gifts 20% Off! Christmas Items

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